Flathead

OK - I really had no clue what the words were to this song were before I looked them up for this post, and honestly I have no care what the lyrics are (for once) because I just love the music of this song. This little diddy in question is from The Fratellis' album Costello Music. I have been hearing the song on Sirius' Left of Center and Alt Nation for a few weeks now and through my music hookup am now listening to the album, which is sounding pretty good. :-) Some of the songs might be a little too 'punky' for me though.

Why the music in the song Flathead? Its that sort of retro feeling that is has, and the tight cord structure of the "ahhs" that I really like. And the song uses mixed meter - a combo of 4/4 and 6/8 - what musician doesn't like that? Some elements of the song are kind of show-tuny as well and I like that too. Even though I don't know the words I can still sing along. The trailing guitar solo at the end reminds me of Hawaii for some reason (not that have been there). Maybe it is just a retro-beachy-surfing sort of feeling. I can't tell if it is the range of notes (in terms of octave) used, the rhythm of the piece, or the key/chord structure that they are in that gives that feeling - but it is something.

I guess all that really matters is that I like the song though, and highly recommend a listen. It's good. :-)

Lyrics:

Flathead

Just because she feeds me well
and she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
she might just want my bones you see
hey flathead don't you get mean
she's the second best killer that I have ever seen
they don't come much more sick than you
I could go on if you want me to
it's just so wrong so very nice I told you
once and you killed me twice
I saw you one time at the back of the
club chewing on glass and a ticket stub
I heard they kicked the boy till he bled
then stood and said oh my god till she said
bara bap bara ra ra bara bap bara ra ra ra...
everybody knows you're the one to call
when the girls get ugly at the back of the wall
Josephine says you got a bleeding nose
so taking it with her wherever she goes
hey flathead don't check me in
well hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
they don't come much more slick
than you I'd drive your car if you ask me to
said the boy's not right in the head
so he stood and got a kicking instead till she said
bara bap bara ra ra bara bap bara ra ra ra...

You're All That I Have

Last night I made the trek to Duluth, GA to see OK Go, and Snow Patrol. Silversun Pickups also played. The show was amazing. I got home about 2:45am though - and surprisingly am relatively chipper. :-)

Similar to when I saw Weezer a few years ago, I was more interested in seeing the opening band than I was the headliner. But unlike the Weezer show, I was more impressed with the opening band than the headliner. (At Weezer, Ozma opened and they really failed to meet my expectations - and Weezer was off the charts fantastic.) Last night I was really expecting a good show from OK Go, and it was awesome. I also expected a good show from Snow Patrol, but my slight "DC4C syndrome" fear was confirmed.

See, Death Cab For Cutie (DC4C) was good live, but I didn't think their music translated well live. It is more the sort of stuff you can rock out to in the car, or when laying in the bed. I have the same opinion of Snow Patrol stuff, and while the execution and performance was great I still left will a little feeling like I wanted something more.

If more Snow Patrol songs were like "You're All That I Have" I think it would have really taken the show over the top. It just a little peppier and rockin' than some of their other amazingly wonderful "chill" sort of music.

So - do not take this to be any sort of cut against them. If you have the chance - see Snow Patrol. And DEFINITELY see OK Go.

In relation to this song. I think the concept of realizing (or admitting) that your world revolves around one person and then as a result of that having no fear is pretty awesome. For me, and my current situation it is very realistic. Everything that I was had to do with Justin, and I knowingly put that central part of my life out of my life. It was not done without fear though. Having the confidence and the security to be fearless knowing that your life is centered around one person takes a lot of strength. But sort of contradictory to that the pleas of "a chance to hold on" imply a sort of fear of losing the only thing that you have. It's like trying to convince yourself you are OK. -- Just my random thoughts on the lyrics...thats all.

Lyrics:

You're All That I Have

Strain this chaos turn it into light
I've got to see you one last night
Before the lions take their share
Leave us in pieces, scattered everywhere

Just give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Just give me something to hold onto

It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have
It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have

You're cinematic razor sharp
A welcome arrow through the heart
Under your skin feels like home
Electric shocks on aching bones

Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Just give me something to hold onto

It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have
It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have

There is a darkness deep in you
A frightening magic I cling to

Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Just give me something to hold onto

It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear now you are all that I have
It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear now you are all that I have