So, I have been encountering some fairly strange tunage lately. Yes, tunage. If you are unfamiliar with this slang, check out:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tunage
I came across each of the first two entries on our NPR host station, KUT 90.5. The popular morning hour radio show Eklektikos, hosted by John Aielli, generated this first ballad. You may learn more about this program at: http://kut.org/music/show/12. Read the lyrics and scroll down for my commentary.
An Okie from Mukogee by Merle Haggard
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don't take our trips on LSD.
We don't take our trips on LSD.
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
We don't make a party out of lovin';
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo;
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy,
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear;
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen.
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
And the kids here still respect the college dean.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.
We like livin' right, and bein' free.
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
We don't make a party out of lovin';
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo;
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy,
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear;
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen.
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
And the kids here still respect the college dean.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.
Honestly, what the shit is this? I realize Merle Haggard is a well-respected 1960's country/folk artist who claims this song is the product of a joke, but then how in God's name (and a better question-WHY??) did it surface? I think this song identifies the part of me that discards my new southwestern roots. Onward!
The next ditty is Charlie Parker's Romance Without Finance from his album Bird on the Side. I heard this on Larry Monroe's program Blue Monday: http://kut.org/music/show/11.
Blue, indeed! Though I cannot locate the lyrics at this time, I will offer you my interpretation of this song. In my mind, it could go one of two ways: first, romance without finance is ill-advised because women don't want a man without an appropriate credit score; or, second, if one is not willing to invest themselves *emotionally* in a romantic endeavor, the effort is a waste of time. I choose to subscribe to the second interpretation, though based on the complete set of lyrics, it appears Mr. Parker is speaking to the former interpretation.
As a south Florida native, it is my opinion that many folks from my hometown would agree with this sentiment. Clearly, this is a global statement generalizing a collective, unpolled opinion, but it's one I have observed time and time again. Of course, this is not isolated to south Florida, as I have witnessed this in various parts of the country. I think the state of the economy is exacerbating this romanticized notion of securing a fiscally-sound relationship. I recall a statement made at a family function where one young woman exclaimed that she would only date doctors. I have seen individuals scan rooms with dollar signs on their mind. Look, I will be the first to say that dating a homeless person will introduce its own set of issues and I do not recommend it to my dear readers. However, if two individuals present themselves and one offers summers in Tuscany, while the other offers better companionship (year round), choose wisely. I can say from personal experience that, regardless of geographic location, if you aren't spending time with someone who makes you happy, you could be orbiting into space with your prince and it won't be as exciting as spending some local time with your better-suited pauper. Now, I will step down from my soap box to present my third and final song.
Don't Trust Me by 3OH!3 exceeds strange. In fact, though catchy, the lyrics are pretty disgusting.
She wants to touch me woah
She wants to love me woah
She’ll never leave me woah, woah oh oh
Don’t trust a ho
Never trust a ho
Won’t trust a ho, won’t trust me!
Shush girl
Shut your lips
Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips
I said shush girl
Shut your lips
Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips
Yes, this is simply an excerpt from this more recent pop strain, but honestly?? I think the group has violated the cardinal code of appropriateness. Where will we draw the line? These two fools just look like emotionless idiots.
She’ll never leave me woah, woah oh oh
Don’t trust a ho
Never trust a ho
Won’t trust a ho, won’t trust me!
Shush girl
Shut your lips
Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips
I said shush girl
Shut your lips
Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips
Yes, this is simply an excerpt from this more recent pop strain, but honestly?? I think the group has violated the cardinal code of appropriateness. Where will we draw the line? These two fools just look like emotionless idiots.
Okay, I am done with my rant now. Thanks for listening. Jaimie, out!
*And yes, if you were wondering, I am totally avoiding my research work right now. This blog is the product of my procrastination. This should probably be the subtitle of it's title.
