Here's a lengthy and fairly remarkable stream of ruminations sparked by the new album. (Scroll down to "My Stupid Life as an MTX Fan.") Or, more accurately, sparked not by the album itself, but rather by the experience and process of acquiring it. I think it touches on a much more general truth about the way pop music "works." Snips of lyrics, when they "work" on you, begin to feel like references to your own experiences; you fill in the unspoken blanks with your own details; eventually the words themselves become shorthand references for certain aspects of your own life, which is, in these song-echoing areas, eventually no longer quite separable from the song. You make the song your own, often almost without realizing that it has happened. But even when you do realize it (as this guy certainly does) it happens anyway.
I could easily write the same kind of thing using snips of Robyn Hitchcock, Dan Treacy, Bob Mould, Ray Davies, or Peter Townshend. But the lyrics don't even have to be especially fine or brilliant for this to take place. (Is there a word for it? "Reverse Inspiration"? Or would that be, "expiration?" Some kind of non-temporary mimesis? Maybe with a "meta" in there somewhere? No idea, really-- I'm no good at naming.) In a sense the lyricist himself plays only a tiny, minor role in the whole process.
The fact that this essay appears on a theologically-tinged blog dedicated to pro wrestler the Hurricane is just one of those things that makes life and the blogosphere weird and even kind of great.
Posted by Dr. Frank at January 18, 2004 04:18 PM | TrackBackHis comments on being perplexed as to how a song title might work in a song re-opened a self-inflicted wound.
My request to get the lyrics of She Runs Out when the Money Does backfired when the song was left off the album, leaving a hole (to extend the metaphor beyond use) where the actual tune could be compared with my head-song. Stitch me up with an mp3, would ya? (Or at least apply some E.T.A. anaesthetic.)
Posted by: Dave Bug at January 18, 2004 05:55 PMI second Dave's motion.
C'mon...Cyberbusking is fun...Everybody's doing it, and it makes you look cool ;-)
Posted by: Lynn at January 18, 2004 06:44 PMi would love to somehow have the opportunity to listen to 'she runs out when the money does' ... i've read the lyrics and enjoyed them, now i just need the music to go along with it.
Posted by: tim at January 18, 2004 06:54 PMThanks for saying such nice things about my essay, Dr. Frank. I know alot of the personal meanings I put behind your lyrics are incredibly far off from what you probably originally intended them to mean. I sometimes wonder if song writers take any sort of wierd offense towards fans making songs their own.
I too would like to advocate for a "She Runs Out When The Money Does" mp3. I, myself, have been nursing an "Every Time You Leave You Take A Piece Of Meat With You" wound for a couple of years now.
Posted by: Ron at January 19, 2004 02:07 AMLike I mentioned at Chain Reaction, good blog. In addition to that, good show. However, I do disagree with your comments about sucking last time you were out there. Maybe I'll make it out to one of the NY shows after I digest the new album.
Posted by: Al at January 19, 2004 12:15 PMSpeaking of inspiration....
Frank, was there any purposeful inspiration gained from or tribute payed to Ted Nugent in the song "Shining"? I really like it.
Also,
I am VERY glad that I got "8 Little Songs" because, call me weird but I like the version of "London" better on it. In my humble opinion, the echo on vox was great on "Yesterday Rules" but I thought the drums and bass were too loud and the synth was too muted.Sorry Jym, but I actually liked the machine's beat better too. Anyway, back to inspiration.... If I can get my friend to lend me his 4-track or use a multi-tracker on my computer and can get to use an awesome Yamaha synth, then I plan on stripping your vocals from "Yesterday Rules" and applying them to "8 Little Songs" version of "London" and adding myself playing a strings, brass and bagpipe section. The Yamaha is a great keyboard because the tone bank generates a midi sound that is really authentic sounding for the strings and brass. I haven't tried the bagpipe, but the guitar tone-bank sounds pathetic (on the Yamaha). Wish me luck.....
After listening for a few days, I keep thinking the production values for the money are very impressive.
Posted by: JB at January 19, 2004 10:07 PMI have no idea how much it costed (Yesterday Rules and Miracle of Shame), but in my opinion "Miracle of Shame" was the best produced MTX disc ever. It sounded (and still does) awesome!
Posted by: Channon at January 19, 2004 10:23 PMThanks for pointing out that blog. An anthropologist's blog devoted to a professional wrestler, with theological leanings and MTX profundity -- makes me feel like a normal fan for once.
I don't think you should post your version of "She Runs Out". Not, at least, until readers here can listen to a few more alternative versions. Will the Corvids post theirs?
Wes
Posted by: Wes at January 19, 2004 10:38 PMI like the Hurricane and I'm a sociologist. So give the dude props.
Posted by: Al at January 20, 2004 12:35 AMI second Al's comment about you not sucking...but then again you always seem to be a self-deprecator. I'll be catching you guys tomorrow at the Troubadour as well. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with just saying thanks (maybe in a foreign language?)
Posted by: Suzanne at January 20, 2004 02:21 AMI really liked the Miracle of Shame production too...
Posted by: Georgina at January 20, 2004 12:13 PMI support Wes' opinion, here. I'd be fascinated to hear all the different interpretations of the lyrics, and I think that'd be spoiled by everyone hearing the canonical version too soon.
Posted by: byrneout at January 20, 2004 11:23 PM