Let’s Talk Music!
by Jenners • 10/03/2011 • Confessions, Silliness • 68 Comments
I’ve been seeing this meme floating around (most recently at Kelly’s blog) and thought it had a fun collection of questions so I thought I’d mix things up and talk about music rather than books today. (By the way, two of my answers are complete lies! See if you can guess which ones!)
1. What’s the most annoying song in the world? Usually whatever song I can’t get out of my head at the moment. For the longest time this summer, it was the Smurf’s song (La la la la la la la!). Great. now that I’ve typed this, it is back in my head!!! DAMN YOU SMURFS!!!
2. What’s the saddest song in the world? I totally know the answer to this because I discussed it with my brother this summer. Not only is it beyond sad, but it is totally creepy as well. I remembered it clearly from my childhood because it scarred me for years and years. My brother completely blocked it out and swore it couldn’t possibly exist and be what I said it was. Then we listened to it and he said “No wonder I blocked it out. That is one seriously f-ed up song.” I’ve always called it the Dead Baby Song, but its real title is The Shortest Story and it appeared on Harry Chapin’s excellent album, Greatest Stories Live. Here are the lyrics in their entirety:
I am born today, the sun burns its promise in my eyes; Mama strikes me and I draw a breath and cry. Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky; I am glad to be alive. It is my seventh day, I taste the hunger and I cry; my brother and sister cling to Mama's side. She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide; someone weeps, I fall asleep. It is twenty days today, Mama does not hold me anymore; I open my mouth but I am too weak to cry. Above me a bird slowly crawls across the sky; why is there nothing now to do but die?
3. What’s the sexiest song in the world? Hmmmm…this is a hard one as what each person considers “sexy” is such a personal thing. It is a tie between Kandi by One Eskimo and Wild Horses by Prefab Sprout (and it isn’t that other Wild Horses song). I know you’ve probably think I’m a lunatic but these songs just really do it for me.
4. Name a new, to you, band or music artist that you can’t get enough of. I kept hearing how great Adele was but had never heard anything by her. Then I was getting my haircut and “Rolling in the Deep” came on and I knew instantly it was her and I got why everyone is gaga over her. What a voice!
5. Have you met any famous musicians? Unfortunately, no. Sigh.
6. What song best describes your life? If I was using just the title, Jackson Brown’s Running On Empty. If I’m going with lyrics, maybe This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) by the Talking Heads.
7. How important is your partner’s taste in music to you? If it was massively important, Mr. Jenners and I would not be married as he has horrific taste in music. He picks the music he listens to by how hot he thinks the singers are!! I know!!! When I met him, he was a Britney Spears fan. Ugh! Now that he’s matured (a little), his default favorite band is probably Def Leppard. Although I don’t totally hold this character flaw against him, it would be nice to be able to agree on what to play on the radio on long car trips.
8. Do you sing in the shower? Not too much anymore … I’m always so rushed now. But when I do, I always sing Helen Reddy’s Peaceful. Not sure why it is my default shower song but it just always sounds good with shower acoustics.
9. What was the last live music show you attended? Did you buy a T-shirt? Oh man, I have to think waaaaaayyy back. I haven’t been to a live show in ages. Probably James Taylor performing live outside at the Mann Music Center. I didn’t buy a t-shirt.
10. What’s the sweetest song in the world? Now that I’ve got James Taylor on my mind, I’m going to go with something by him. How about How Sweet It Is (has “sweet” in the title!) or Whenever I See Your Smiling Face. Oh oh oh … or how about Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey!? Or wait, I also love Stevie Wonder’s Ribbon in the Sky. Or his lovely Overjoyed? Damn, this is hard to limit my answer to just one song.
11. Can you play a musical instrument? I took piano lessons for what felt like an interminable amount of time when I was young. I begged and begged to be able to quit for years, and my parents always told me I’d regret it if I quit. But eventually I wore them down and quit. And now …. I totally regret it. For my birthday (even though I got my puppy!!), Mr. Jenners got the one thing I’d been asking for, an electronic keyboard. I’ve been revisiting my old piano books and exploring playing again. I’m pleased to say I can still play, though it can be painful to listen to my many many mistakes.
12. Are you in a band or are you a performing solo music artist? If yes, what kind of music do you play? Since the early 1980s, I’ve been the lead guitarist for a little band known as U2. I play under my pseudonym of The Edge. Here is my disguise I wear on stage. 
13. Have you ever dated a musician? Well, not a successful or professional musician but I did date someone in college who dabbled in music (and still does).
14. Are you a groupie? Yes … I follow John Mayer around between the hours of 9:30 and 2:00 so I’m home to meet BB’s bus.
Bonus: If you listen to the radio, what station and type of music are you tuned to the most? Well, since we don’t believe in “terrestrial” radio anymore, we’re a Sirius/XM household. Lately, we’ve all gotten hooked on the Kids Place Live channel. Originally, we listened to it for BB, but now I’m totally digging the music, especially the genius that is Randy Kaplan. I’ve heard so many good songs on that station that I genuinely love. Plus, it introduced BB to the genius that is “Weird Al” Yankovic. BB is totally into his Star Wars song, The Saga Begins, which I now have completely mixed up with Don McLean’s original song to the point of no return.
My new favorite singer, Randy Kaplan.
If you have a kid and are searching for music that won’t make you want to kill yourself, I’d highly recommend this station, particularly the following songs:
- The Ladybug Without Spots by Randy Kaplan (or any of his songs, particularly No Nothing, Little Bee, Loquat Rooftop, Shampoo Me)
- When One Became Two by The Verve Pipe (yes … that Verve Pipe!)
- any of the songs by Caspar Babypants (who used to sing for the Presidents of the United States of America!)
- Kitty Fight by Joe McDermott
- Hula Hoop to the Loop by Keller Williams
- Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce
Well, I could go on and on. The station rocks! Either I’m getting older … or I’m getting really really young because I’m just digging this stuff. (Even Mr. Jenners likes it!)
You always crack me up!
I totally regret quitting piano, too. I took lessons from 3rd to 5th grade and then begged my parents to let me quit (my teacher was quite the mean old lady and it was not fun). But, now it’s one of my biggest regrets. We have a piano so I really should get up the nerve to take lessons again now.
I had some stern old lady piano teachers too … that were adamant that NO POP MUSIC ALLOWED!! Maybe that is the only kind of piano teacher out there.
Will have to check out Randy Kaplan after reading the above comments!
I’m with you on singing in the shower – can’t help myself! In fact i sing (or at least try too) nearly al the time!
This is a fab meme!!
I personally think everyone sounds better singing in the shower! Rock On!
That song is the saddest.never should have been released song ever. Very creepy-and not in a good way!
I am the last person to judge a person’s taste in music, well, okay I should be the last, but rarely am. Britney Spears? I’m now seeing Mr. Jenners in a whole new way.
I’ll have to check out the Randy Kaplan links since everyone seems to like them
I know … that dead baby song is creepy beyond belief. I don’t know possessed Harry Chapin to write it. He is so talented!
And I think you should see Mr. Jenners is a different light … a much less flattering light! HAHA!
And now that you have a good excuse to research kid’s music, get the stuff that won’t make you want to claw your eyes out … like Randy Kaplan!
I used to love the Smurfs song as a kid. Now I don’t understand why I liked it so much.
I am excited for your to take up piano again. Enjoy. I’ve played the piano nearly my entire life and love it. But I did have a little bit of time when practicing felt like a chore. Some day I’ll have more time to dedicate to it. It can be quite relaxing and enjoyable.
What happened is that you grew up and your musical tastes matured!! I’m finding that I don’t mind playing the piano (well, keyboard technically) now that it isn’t a chore or an obligation. Too often, when you’re forced to do something, it takes the fun away from it. I’m glad I learned though and still remember enough to play again.
Ha! I love your answers, though to be honest, I don’t think I know a lot of the songs and singers you mentioned
Apparently, I’m really out of the whole music loop. I do know about Adele though but only because of all the publicity she’s gotten in the past year.
At least in the case of Adele, I think she deserves the publicity. She really has the voice and the songs to back up the hype. So often, that isn’t the case.
Oh man jenners ~ the lusting I’ve done for The Edge all these years….to find out it was you all along! Could I please have a sweaty shirt or something?
And the smurfs! Now I will be singing the blasted song in my head all the night long! I bet I dream of the surfs with your face on a blue body tonight =}
You are actually the one who turned me on to Adele awhile back & now I have all of her stuff! Love, love, love her!!!!! do you like rachael yamagata? She’s for the bluest days but her music is also quite beautiful! I’m going to check out Randy Kaplan for my “new” grand baby! Thank you for the recommendation!
And I always crank up Tupelo Honey too. Very sexy song!
I’m sending you some of my Edge underwear! Enjoy!
And sorry about the Smurfs being added to your internal playlist. But I must not suffer alone. And I know one Rachel Yamagata song (the title escapes me now) and it totally rocks! Had no idea I turned you on to Adele? How did that happen?
And Randy Kaplan is fun for kids and adults … the best thing with kid’s music.
You know that you carry that whole U2 band with your rockin’ moves! Glad that you moved Mr. Jenners away from Britney – scary. I have been listening to a lot of John Mayer lately. It seems like I hear him in every store too. I am going to check out Randy Kaplan. Great post Jenners
Thanks for the compliment. That Bono gets all the press but it is my guitar that keeps it rocking. And I think Randy Kaplan would be popular with all your kids — from little to big. He is a great combination of silly and smart.
Fun answers! And, if you’re really The Edge, I have seen you half a dozen times in concert. What a coincidence!
Caspar Babypants plays here like every other week (because they live here) but Z isn’t really into kid music so we never go. The only kid music he ever liked was They Might Be Giants’ educational songs. His favorite song for years has been Video Killed the Radio Star. That’s my guy.
Z is too hip for his own good!! Love it! And I like They Might Be Giants … they have such odd songs. How cool that you COULD see Caspar Babypants if you wanted to.
What a great meme! I love James Taylor and need to get more of him on my iPod!
I don’t think there is such a thing as a “bad” James Taylor song.
Oh, I LOVE this! I totally heart music and dorky surveys. This made my day…er…night…er early morning…?
I’m amazed you are stringing together sentences and even visiting blogs, Ms. Amazing Woman Who Just Had A Baby!! What the heck are you doing?!?
Thanks for all the awesome recomendations
You are very welcome. That will be $5.00 please. ; )
This is a fun meme! I tend to live under a rock when it comes to music so I always enjoy learning more about what other people think about music.
Well, except for the kid’s stuff, I’m kind of living under a musical rock as well!
ps. overjoyed is a BEAUTIFUL song.
lol, i can always count on you to crack me up! i love this meme and am a music freak. my ipod reads like a person with multiple personalities owns it. i go from the 20s right up today. my favorite stuff is mo-town and 70s soul stuff. i grew up on a steady diet of marvin gaye, stevie wonder, the temptations, the delfonics, the stylistics, and all the rest. i do like 50s and 60s stuff, too, and like 80s and some 90s stuff. i don’t like country western. i’ve been known to rock out to dentist office music in my advanced years. lol. fun topic!
I don’t think it is physically possible to rock out to dentist office music. HAHA!
And I’m seriously impressed that you have music from the 20s!!! Who listens to music from the 20s ???? Besides you of course!
Fun meme Jenners. I adore Adele. I didn’t know your alter ego was The Edge!! I’m very impressed. Can you give Bono my number please?
And I always suspected you were stalking John Mayer. Although he seems like a jerk, I don’t blame you. I love his music too.
I think one of the saddest songs ever is Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton, plus the fact that he wrote that for his son. And that sad Christmas carol, The Christmas Shoes. I sat in my car crying the first time I heard that friggin song. It’s almost like a made for tv movie but in a song.
One of the most annoying songs is Macarena
Bono’s number is 555-555-1212. : )
And John does seem like a jerk but you forgive him when he sings.
I know what you mean about that Christmas Shoes song … though it is so over the top sad that I almost find it funny!
What happened to my ‘swoon’? I must have put it in the wrong parentheses!
You saw James Taylor live?! Now you’ve got me singing Whenever I See Your Smiling Face
(I have to smile myself)
It was as wonderful as I’m sure you’re imagining!!
Some of you with younger kids might like a group called Trout Fishing in America. We still sing their song “pico de gallo” at the grocery store to remember what goes in it. Even though we, um, live in Ohio.
That’s a really good disguise, Jenners.
We’re fans of Trout Fishing In America. They have a counting song that we heard last week that just cracked me up. It was about counting the tires on an 18 wheeler and at one point, the one singer counts in Roman numerals. And my disguise has been fooling folks for YEARS!
Some great answers, I bet that secretly you are a huge fan of The Smurfs and though you wouldn’t let him know you actually love Mr J’s choice of music …… go on admit it.
No no no no no no. You are way off base. The Smurfs are horrible and Mr. J’s choice of music is even worse! : )
Okay, so, we also do not listen to “terrestrial” radio anymore either…although I haven’t listened much to Kids Place….I will give it a try. You have me intrigued with Randy Kaplan as well. I remember when my oldest who is almost 14 first “discovered” Weird Al….he came home telling me about this awesome, funny, guy who changed the lyrics to songs….he was floored when I knew who he was and could actually sing some of his songs! The older I get….the more I realize just how talented ole’ Weird Al is! We are Star Wars lovers here….so I am going to check out The Saga Begins when everyone else wakes up!
Too funny that your son thought he “discovered” Weird Al! When you think about it, he’s been around for a very long time. And since you love Star Wars, I think The Saga Begins will be a big hit with you all. And if you have Sirius/XM, try Kids Place Live. You’ll just love it!!
Saddest song for me is by Eric Clapton-Will I See You in Heaven? This is a funny meme and I like the idea of you lurking around John Mayer-I’d like to come with some afternoon. If you are The Edge then I saw you in concert years ago with the Dead. You were fantastic!
U2 and the Dead? Never would have put those two together!! I saw the Dead and Bob Dylan together once. That seems like a closer pairing.
And that Eric Clapton song is sad … especially when you know why he wrote it. I can’t think of that happening to his son without getting shivers.
Fun post. I’ve just discovered Adele too – fabulous voice!
I can also recommend Melody Gardot.
Thanks for the tip. I’m going to check out Ms. Gardot!
Omg, Jenners you’re a groupie?
rock on witcha bad self. I hadn’t heard of the Saddest Song you listed, I don’t think I want to either. I love, love, love Adele. Oh that woman can blow. So silky and soulful. One of my favorite neo-soul artists.
Oh … I love the term “neo-soul.” That feels just right for Adele. Hard to believe that such a young girl has a voice like that … and can write songs like that.
what a fun meme. I think I spotted your lies, I just couldn’t imagine you in that hat on a stage.
I was kind of hoping that the fact that he is a rather large MAN would be the clue … not the hat!
I do know for a fact the last concert I went to was Rod Stewart, circa @ 1999 or 2000, and it was my 3rd Rod concert….I do love him!
I’m not humming Helen Ready, I’ll either curse or thank you later.
My music tastes are all over the place, country, pop, alternative, it goes on and on.
Thanks for some different thoughts on a Monday:).
Rod Stewart huh? What phase was he in? I was obsessed with him during his “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” phase. I felt so rebellious and bad listening to him!! : )
And just like with books, I like to listen to different genres too. Variety is the spice of life!
I think the saddest song to me is Hallelujah, but I suspect it’s because it was sung at a funeral of a child. I’ve listened to Rolling in the Deep a bajillion times, many of them in rapid fire succession.
Oh man … I could imagine that any song played at the funeral for a child would automatically make my saddest song ever list. I’m so sorry you had to even go to a funeral for a child.
Thank you for introducing me to Randy Kaplan. My boys and I have just spent 2 hours on you tube! We started with Ladybug and No Nothing and loved both and then went on to investigate his other songs and similar things. Thank you for brightening up our evening
PS I love Adele too
Oh you just made my day with your comment!! Isn’t Randy Kaplan the best? I love the comedy of his songs and that he doesn’t talk down to the kids either. And the music is lovely. I’m so glad to have introduced him to you and that you guys had a special musical afternoon because of it!!!
Number 12 is a lie! But you said two lies… Hmm not sure about the other. And that sad song is awful! And yes kind of creepy.
The other lie is that I follow John Mayer around between 9 and 2. I wish I did but sadly I don’t! : )
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Okay, I just got done watching that Weird Al song for the first time. Laughing so hard over here – “A lot of folks were croakin’” – one of the best lines ever! I don’t know how I missed this one up until now because I love Weird Al (and the Don McLean song too).
I know! Isn’t it hilarious!? It is so perfect in a billion different ways. It is one of his best ever I think. The two versions are so messed up in my mind now that I don’t think I could ever listen to Don McLean’s version with a straight face ever again!
Well I haven’t heard of Randy Kaplan before, I’ll have to check his music out. That dying baby song is absolutely awful and pathetic. I’m jealous that you got to go to a James Taylor concert – I absolutely love his singing. I’m very surprised I haven’t seen you around John Mayer’s tour – we must be just missing each other!
Well, with the time change between the East Coast and West Coast, we probably follow John around at different times! : )
And I tell you, I’m in love with this Randy Kaplan … even more than my son. His songs are so funny but complex lyrically and the music is just wonderful.
James Taylor — outside — was just awesome. Maybe that is why I never went to another concert. How could it compare!
I have a weird relationship with music. I usually go scouting around about twice a year, and find out what people are listening to, or what the itunes store recommends for me, and then I download a few albums. I listen to all of them, and invariably find a favorite artist among the bunch. Then I download all of the music by that artist, and I listen to nothing but that for 6 months. By the time the 6 months are over, the husband and kids are complaining and have HAD ENOUGH (so they tell me) then I find something new, and start all over again. Previous loves have been Imogene Heap, The Silversun Pickups and Depeche Mode. Right now the flavor of the season is Maroon 5, who I just can’t stop listening to! It’s a sickness, I tell you.
I just have to say that I have a similar sickness with Maroon 5 right now. I’ve got two Pandora stations devoted to their music and happen to be listening to my “Moves Like Jagger” station right now. Their music is so addictive!
That is an interesting approach to music!! Do you get sick of what you listen to as well or just the husband and kids? I’ve never gotten that deep into Maroon 5 — I like their stuff when I hear it but don’t seek it out. I’ve never even heard of Imogene Heap or the Silversun Pickups. I’m totally out of touch with music right now … except for kid’s music!
I had the exact same experience with piano. My parents only let me quit because we moved across the country and they depleted their savings doing it and the only teacher they could find was this tone-deaf old nun at the college where my dad worked, and she was NOT a helpful teacher. I was ten. I do wish I’d continued to play now. I’ve tried to pick up my old lessons (we have a piano my mom gave us; she didn’t want it in her house anymore), but I can’t seem to get any further than where I stopped. :/
I don’t think I’ll ever get further than where I stopped either (or if I’ll ever even get as far as I did). It saddens me now but I so didn’t like it at the time. I wanted to play “pop” songs and all my teachers (all of them very very very old women) insisted on the classical stuff and it turned me off. I’m just happy to have another shot at bringing the piano back in my life again.
I haven’t thought about that Harry Chapin song in years. Probably a reason why. (I preferred WOLD from that album)
I’m glad you decided to do this, Jenners – oh wait, should I call you The Edge? Btw…I like that music video y’all filmed in downtown Las Vegas years ago.
I’m amazed you even knew that Harry Chapin song. It is beyond weird and creepy and sad and just didn’t fit onto that album at all. My dad played that record for us all the time when we were kids and I remember being so freaked out by this song.
Thanks for finding this meme so I could find it too. It was totally fun!
Now that is fun for a Monday morning! I have always been a music lover, and in fact it was music that really solidified my dating relationship with my husband. But it would be really hard for me to answer these questions. It would take too much energy I think. That Dead Baby Song is awful. How in the hell could anyone write and sing that?
It sounds like you and your husband are more music-compatible than me and Mr. Jenners! And I know your love of movies but don’t have the foggiest about your taste in music. If you ever feel up to it, I’d love to learn more about it!! : )
FYI: I saw a longer preview of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo when I went to see Moneyball (excellent flick by the way) and it looks really really good. I’m kind of excited about it now!