Ramones as Muzak
This morning I was minding my own business, shopping for an ottoman at Bed Bath & Beyond and found myself humming along to Soft Cell’s surprising 1981 hit, “Tainted Love.” That’s right folks, I am actually old enough to remember the first successful cover of the excellent song originally recorded by Gloria Jones, the girlfriend of Marc Bolan (the best version by far–those horns and organs!)–not the subsequent remakes by Marilyn Mason (don’t love it) and the Pussy Cat Dolls (ew).
Okay, I can accept that some of the music I heard during my formative years has been so completely absorbed into mainsteam culture that its now musak for big box store chains. It happened to the the generation before–that’s why you hear Beatles songs when you’re grocery shopping. But the next song I heard made me stop in my tracks. Literally. I was in the kitchen cabinet organizer section, (curse you Real Simple and Martha Stewart for convincing people they need “organization systems”), when I heard the Ramones‘ “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” blazing, layered guitars and all. Anthony Bourdain probably would’ve thrown up right there in the isle, but I was able to maintain my composure. Its not quite akin to hearing “Complete Control” by the Clash at SaveMart for instance, but could that be next? So, my question to you is, do I have to kill myself now? How do I survive the inevitable anesthetization of my rebel past? How do I face the fact that I am becoming so uncool? Why does Thomas Frank have to be right about everything?
And I just want to post a “Complete Control” video because its one of my favorite songs. This video has the best sound quality and uses some of the footage from Westway to the World. Thanks a lot Sony.
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- The Gift of Music: Holly Cole’s “I Can See Clearly Now”
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It’s just another sign that you, me, and everyone we know, is getting…….old. You know you’re getting older when you’re walking through Tamarack Junction to pick up the reciepts from the sportsbook (my job when my band isn’t playing) and playing on the muzak in the casino is Green Day’s “Basket Case”.
Geez, it seems like it was only yesterday when they were introducing themselves to the world with that mudpie fight at WoodStock ‘94……