Saturday, May 30, 2009

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 30th May '09 - Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody

Nashville band Kings Of Leon are a band I've liked for quite some time. Though their sound now is a lot more mainstream than there earlier works I still feel it's music that comes from the heart with great, if often simplistic, narrative. 'Use Somebody' may not have a whole lot of words but, for me, it gave the impression of the isolation of being on the road in a band (long before I saw the video...the video which I can't show you as I'm in the UK where you can't get certain videos on YouTube *sigh* but if you've seen it, or can see it, you'll know what I mean).

Despite their move to a more mainstream sound, I was still shocked when their first single released from their 'Only By The Night' album, 'Sex On Fire', went straight in at number one in the UK singles charts. Not because it wasn't good (and of you that have heard it will, I'm sure, agree that the intro is one of the most captivationg intro's in quite some time) but simply that it was Kings Of Leon and I'd never imagined 'the masses' loving them like I did. By the time 'Use Somebody' was released they had become one of the most popular bands in the UK, as well as many other countries around the world. Now they're even starting to make waves in their own country and will be one of the headliners at this year's Lollapalooza festival.

I find there is something about this band and their music which I can connect to quite deeply, something that resonates deep within my being and that moves me and I have a lot of love for them. I just hope I get to see them live one day.

Once they get under your skin they tend not to leave again



Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody

I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
Painted faces, building places I cant reach

You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you, And all you know, And how you speak
Countless lovers under cover of the street

You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you

Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice

Someone like me
Someone like me
Someone like me, somebody

I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now

Someone like you, somebody
Someone like you, somebody
Someone like you, somebody

I've been roaming around,
Always looking down at all I see

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 23rd May '09 - Phil Collins - Sussudio

This blog is based on a column I used to do once a week many moons ago in a former incarnation of my life. When that part of my life ended, so did this, but after the inspiration of this blog http://www.outroversion.blogspot.com/ I decided to bring it back to life.

Each week there'll be a song which has been stuck in my head (as there always is) which I will write about, give you the lyrics to and, wherever possible, a link to where you can hear it for yourself.

This week's song is 'Sussudio' by Phil Collins.

While not the coolest song ever, there is something about this song that always put a smile on my face & makes me feel like breaking out in spontaneous dancing. Released when I was a mere 5-years-old, it's only in the last couple of years that I've come to truly love this track.

The narrative of the song is all about a guy having an attraction to a girl and not really having the guts to act on it however the word 'sussudio' itself is total gibberish that came about while Collins was improvising whilst putting the song together. This, in itself, is quite a common practise for musicians when they're still trying to work out what lyrics will be - some may 'la-la-la' or 'ooo-ooo-ooo' along until the words come to them - but Collins just couldn't find anything that fitted so 'sussudio' stayed in the song.

Now, if you just get over the fact that Phil has always looked like someone's dad and embrace the joy of this song then I defy you not to smile when it's on! :-)

Phil Collins - Sussudio

There's this girl that's been on my mind
All the time, Sussudio oh oh
Now she don't even know my name
But I think she likes me just the same
Sussudio oh oh

Oh if she called me I'd be there
I'd come running anywhere
She's all I need, all my life
I feel so good if I just say the word
Sussudio, just say the word
Oh Sussudio

Now I know that I'm too young
My love has just begun
Sussudio oh oh
Ooh give me a chance, give me a sign
I'll show her anytime
Sussudio oh oh

Ah, I've just got to have her, have her now
I've got to get closer but I don't know how
She makes me nervous and makes me scared
But I feel so good if I just say the word
Sussudio just say the word
Oh Sussudio, oh

Ah, she's all I need all of my life
I feel so good if I just say the word
Sussudio I just say the word
Oh Sussudio I just say the word
Oh Sussudio I'll say the word
Sussudio oh oh oh
Just say the word