The Music Court

The story of The Gorillaz is pretty interesting. In 2001 they sold over seven million copies with their first release and this was followed quickly by an entry into the The Guinness Book of World Records where they were crowned the most succesful virtual band.  Yes, no human musicians, but cartoon characters created by Jamie Hewlett the co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl. He teamed up Daman Albarn from the group Blur and the alternative rock music of Gorillaz was born. Alt Rock mixed with britpop, hip-hop, and pop. They sure are a band of many influences. Today’s lyrics come from their first release in 2001 and the song Clint Eastwood which in itself is a mix of electronic, hip-hop, rock, everything.

Did you know: It peaked at #1 on the Norwegian Singles Chart

“Finally someone let me outta my cage
Now time for me is nothin’ cuz I’m countin’ no age
Nah, I couldn’t be there, now you shouldn’t be scared
I’m good at repairs (s’all simple), and I’m under your snare”

              – Gorillaz, “Clint Eastwood,” off of their album Gorillaz  

I do not usually listen to any form of rapping, but, it is very hard to deny these lyrics and this fantastic song

Well everyone it is Saturday and that just means it is time to go back in time for our Lyric of The Day.

“I cant wait until I maybe
Get off work and see my baby
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, seven day weekend.”

              – Gary U.S. Bonds, the #27 single in 1962

47 years later the entire U.S agrees with you and your plea. What we would give for a seven day weekend. Well, as of now it is Saturday and we finally have our weekend and a golden oldie to go check out to celebrate the weekend.

The time now is 12:19 a.m. The lyrics are simple for today.

“After midnight, were gonna let it all hang down.
After midnight, were gonna chug-a-lug and shout”

                – Eric Clapton, “After Midnight,” off of the the eponymous debut solo album debut for Eric Clapton.

Did You Know: The song was not written by Clapton, but by J.J Cale who has also written such Clapton classics like Cocaine. A little fun fact. Clapton re-recorded the song in 1987 for use in a Michelob beer commerical.

         This lyric comes today from the Michael Stipe sounding singer Josh Joplin (no relation to Janis) and his early 2000 band The Josh Joplin Group. They were only around for a few years but that didn’t prevent them from creating some catchy and unheard music, and from being featured on an episode of Scrubs (for those counting that his three Zach Braff references in three days). The band unfortunately broke up way before their prime but I suggest that you find them on iTunes or online and enjoy some quality Alternative Rock.

        Keeping with the theme of fitting unconventional words into songs:

         “We storm the stage, we play our part 
         Everybody loves a thespian”

                        – Josh Joplin Group, “Wonderful Ones,” off of the album “The Future That Was”

To finish off this Sam Beam morning here is a lyric that has stuck with me throughout the morning from “The Trapeze Swinger,” off of “Around The Well.” Sam Beam you are certainly a genius and I just want to take this early afternoon moment to thank you for this wonderful song. It is rapidly becoming one of my favorites.

“Please, remember me
Fondly
I heard from someone you’re still pretty
And then
They went on to say
That the pearly gates
Had some eloquent graffiti
Like ‘We’ll meet again’
And ‘F*ck the man’
And ‘Tell my mother not to worry’
And angels with their gray
Handshakes
Were always done in such a hurry”

                  – “The Trapeze Swinger,” by Iron & Wine, off of “Around The Well”