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Showing posts with label they might be giants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label they might be giants. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Mix Tape of the Day: June 30, 2015 - Alice in Wonderland
While my thoughts on Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland are mixed to put it mildly, loved the promotional soundtrack that accompanied the film. Filled with covers, remixes, and new songs based on Alice in Wonderland, the Almost Alice album got me hyped for the film and it's still a part of my regular listening collection.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
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Monday, February 23, 2015
Mix Tape of the Day: February 23, 2015 - TV Themes!
Here's one I've been wanting to do for a while. My requirement is that the theme song is one that was composed specifically for the show or is a cover version that was specifically recorded for the show. Also, I'm learning towards "full-length" songs, rather than the usual 30 second snippets we're used to. I may be mistaken with some of these though, due to the obscurity of some tracks.
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Television themes have a difficult life. They have to be enjoyable week after week after week. They get you pumped up to watch the show that will follow. Some are iconic, but few are great outside of context. This one just makes me happy.
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Happy Days spawned several spinoffs, and that meant they needed to have equally great theme songs. This Laverne and Shirley theme hits all the right notes. It's just so inspiring!
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If it weren't for this theme song, I'd doubt I'd know The Greatest American Hero even existed. It is incredible. Honestly, I doubt any theme song could even come close to topping this one.
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When I was 13, I had TV Guide's 50 Best TV Themes on CD. It spanned the past 50 years of television, and it allowed me to learn about television history. I probably wouldn't have checked out as many shows as I did were in not for that album. Case in point, Cheers. It was the theme that pulled me in and got me to stay.
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Cartoons of the late '80s and early '90s had the best theme songs. So much care went into the various Disney and Warner Bros. theme songs that I could have filled the whole list with them. But none can top DuckTales.
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The theme to The Kids in the Hall feels as if you're getting ready to hang out with the coolest group of friends you know. I'd certainly like to have an average weekend like this one.
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Do you feel that? That is pure adrenaline and Pop Tart sugar highs.
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When you're a Friends fanatic, you kind of have to include this song.
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This is a cover of a Big Star track (can't wait for Big Star day) but it really captures the spirit of the '70s and the vibe of That '70s Show. I'd rock out to it.
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I know that people aren't as keen on The Office from the U.K., but it will forever remain one of my all-time favorite shows. And this theme song definitely helps. There was a post-series special that used this song over a montage of clips from the show and it just really spoke to me. Yes, a cheesy clip show montage got me.
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They Might Be Giants should be commissioned to write more theme songs.
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I love Community but it took me a while to warm up to it's theme song. After learning the lyrics, I appreciate it a whole lot more.
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I'm ending with this somber cover of the classically chipper tune because I felt that Joshua Radin really captured the poignancy of growing up. The shows we once loved as a kid may no longer affect us the same way. Sometimes, we just long to return. Unfortunately, this one isn't officially available for download, hence the unofficial album art and video.
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Monday, February 16, 2015
Mix Tape of the Day: February 16, 2015 - President's Day
One of the best things about living in America is that the songs about our leaders can range from honorable and patriotic to scathing and offensive. And so, here are my favorite songs about our past 44 presidents.
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We begin with a look at our lesser known presidents, courtesy of the children of Springfield Elementary.
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Brad Neely delivers an accurate tribute to our first president.
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Need a quick history lesson on our rarely discussed 11th president? They Might Be Giants have got you covered.
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This may not be specifically a presidential song, but thanks to the video, it will forever be tied to our best commander-in-chief.
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Here's a more "dignified" look at Lincoln. Bishop Allen compares him to other political figures taken down in their prime. (And there is a little crass jab at Reagan as well.)
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Speaking of, Stephen Sondheim created a musical dedicated to famous assassins and attempted-assassins. Here is Czolgosz's number, as he prepares to assassinate McKinley.
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Lastly, here's a more somber and dignified look at the assassination of JFK shortly after his death.
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David Bowie takes his digs at Nixon after a visit to the U.S. left him less than optimistic.
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Apparently, this song is intended to be a Jimmy Carter rally song, encouraging the president to fix the country's problems. With a whip.
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Like Nixon before him, Reagan was a very unpopular president among artists. Therefore, we get some funky numbers that sound really fun before you remember that they are born out of a disaffected American nation.
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Sorry for including another Reagan song, but the man seemed to inspire a lot of music.
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Bush, Jr. had the unfortunate position of being president just as the media sensation of the Internet was gaining strength. That means we were able to experiences remixes and auto-tunes the likes of which no previous president in history had ever seen.
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Remember when all the surviving presidents of the U.S. formed a band? They produced some pretty awesome music. Sure, I know you like "Peaches," but "Lump" is my jam.
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