The Music Court

                   Today was busy. Five hours on the golf course and then hung out with some friends at night. A very nice Saturday that left me absolutely no time to get on a computer and since, unfortunately, I am running a one man show here at The Music Court I was not able to post a lyric or song of the day. I can hear the critics now (Why does he always say we at the music court when he is just one person? That is just stupid.) So it is 2:24 on Sunday morning and I thought I would give some lyrics to all you insomniacs. This song showed up on my favorites Ipod playlist on my way home during a miserable rain storm. So, without further ado, “King of Carrot Flowers Part 1.” Yes, I absolutely love this band and especially this incredible song.

“When you were young
You were the king of carrot flowers
And how you built a tower tumbling through the trees
In holy rattlesnakes that fell all around your feet

And your mom would stick a fork right into daddy’s shoulder
And dad would throw the garbage all across the floor
As we would lay and learn what each other’s bodies were for

And this is the room
One afternoon I knew I could love you
And from above you how I sank into your soul
Into that secret place where no one dares to go

And your mom would drink until she was no longer speaking
And dad would dream of all the different ways to die
Each one a little more than he could dare to try”

I absolutely love the bolded segment. It is haunting. Come back a little later for an always awesome song of the day and some weekend links

                Firstly let me apologize for coming to you with this lyric so late. I was actually waiting to see the result of the San Francisco Giants game where south paw Jonathan Sanchez reached pretty much the pitching pinnacle with a rare no hitter. While it was not a perfect game because of an eighth inning error it was still indeed a perfect day for him. And, yes, I am so ashamed by the Mets that I am beginning to cite other baseball achievements in the blog. So, in honor of the no hitter let us do a little repeat. I recently mentioned how Lou Reed is one of the best lyricists of all time. He actually was honored in the lyric of the day. Now, because of his lyrical greatness and convenience, his solo song “Perfect Day,” shall also be honored. Mr. Sanchez congrats.

“Oh, it’s such a perfect day
I’m glad I spend it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on”

– “Perfect Day,” by Lou Reed off of the 1972 album Transformer.

Did you know…

Coldplay actually covered this song (not stole it) for a 2006 acoustic set at the Isle of Wight music festival. Reed had asked them to backstage after he had finished his set but forgot to perform it himself

             38 lyrics of the day gives one a lot of time to think of lyricists. A common question when anyone discusses lyrics is the simple who is the best. Yes, every band (unless they are an instrumental band which is okay just not for this section) has someone who writes their lyrics. In my opinion one of the greatest lyricists of all time is Lou Reed, the lead for The Velvet Underground. His lyrics are beyond truthful. Until the late 60’s a lot of the real was blocked. By the real I mean the drug-filled war-torn 60’s. Reed always was truthful and he did not hold anything back in his lyrics. This is best displayed by one of my favorite songs off of their 1967 debut album, “The Velvet Underground and Nico,” called “I’m Waiting for My Man.”

“I’m waiting for my man
Twenty-six dollars in my hand
Up to Lexington, 125
Feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive
I’m waiting for my man
Hey, white boy, what you doin’ uptown?
Hey, white boy, you chasin’ our women around?
Oh pardon me sir, it’s the furthest from my mind
I’m just lookin’ for a dear, dear friend of mine
I’m waiting for my man
Here he comes, he’s all dressed in black
Beat up shoes and a big straw hat
He’s never early, he’s always late
First thing you learn is you always gotta wait I’m waiting for my man
Up to a Brownstone, up three flights of stairs
Everybody’s pinned you, but nobody cares
He’s got the works, gives you sweet taste
Ah then you gotta split because you got no time to waste
I’m waiting for my man
Baby don’t you holler, darlin’ don’t you bawl and shout
I’m feeling good, you know I’m gonna work it on out
I’m feeling good, I’m feeling oh so fine
Until tomorrow, but that’s just some other time
I’m waiting for my man”

              My day has so far been focused on lists. A list of classes that my brother can sign up for, for his freshman year. A mental list of all the reasons I should not go running because of the tail-end of my head cold. A list of possible songs to use for the Lyric of the Day. I am a regular Tim O’Brien who wrote his best work, The Things they Carried, with many lists. So, with lists on my mind I wanted to find a good song with some lists. I also felt like it was a good time to give a shout out to the great indie folk/rock band Carbon Leaf. So, without further waiting, lists in a Carbon Leaf song.

“A flannel shirt at the five and dime
A leather coat cut big city style
Boots from plastic crocodile
A pine cone dipped in glitter glue
A penny 1942
A necklace with a cheap green stone
Barefeet, cold sand, chilled to the bone”

“On Any Given Day,” by Carbon Leaf off of Echo Echo

He says he is window shopping in the song. I have two questions. Where are you shopping? The five and dime. Okay one question answered. Wait, I do not know any five and dime like that. I mean I know it is a variety store but where the heck are you finding a 1942 penny for sale? Great stuff from Carbon Leaf.

As everyone begins day numero uno of this new work week let us get to some lyrics to set the week off right. Well, it looks like Amos Lee, the soulful singer-songwriter from Philidelphia, Pennsylvania has a useful philosophy in his lyric for “Supply and Demand” He sings:

Well your wife and your baby
You tell them yeah well maybe
I’ll meet y’all at a weekend resort
But your eyes on the prize
And you can’t realize
That your little girl’s life’s so short

Yeah sister you need a plan
Oh to understand
That life ain’t only supply and demand

– “Supply and Demand,” by Amos Lee off of Supply And Demand

These truthful lyrics off of the Title track of Lee’s 2006 album Supply And Demand make a good point. Life is not only about making money. So, on this monday take this philosophy to heart and if you do have kids get home maybe 20-30 minutes earlier and bring a pack of baseball cards or a doll or something. I’ll take the baseball cards.