Let's get Lyrical (part 9 billion and 2 minus 9 billion)

Okay, I'll just go ahead and say it. It might make it a bit easier. I have never seen Terminator 2: Judgement Day. No, I'm not kidding. I'm absolutely serious. I may as well keep confessing - when I started this blog I'd never actually tried calamari (I was a little hesitant to try it, har har). For the record, I tried it a couple of weeks ago and I loved it (wouldn't it be a little perverse if I despised it?), and right now I'm saving myself from a few extra embarrassing moments in my life by finally watching what is considered one of James Cameron's best moments as a film-maker. There always seems to be stuff that you are regarded as a lesser human for not experiencing, isn't there? The original Star Wars trilogy, seeing a band live, 'making love'. Sometimes very fulfilling, sometimes overrated experiences. If you happen to succumb to your peers/curiosity then I'm not going to stop you. Just don't do them all at once.

There is no witty caption this week because
every possible joke about this man has been
made. I'LL BE BACK with a clever caption next
week, don't you worry.

So yeah, like it or not I'm continuing my thoughts on lyrics in songs, just in case you happen to be a plonker that doesn't pay much attention to the actual blog title. And I suppose I'll discuss something a bit more hard-hitting than the surrealism I was talking about last week. How about political lyrics? Now although I'm not as well versed in politics as I should be, I get extremely excited when it comes to political debates in voting, and it irritates the shit out of me when people claim politics isn't important. If you have any brains then you'll know that the decisions made by politicians affect our life on just about every level possible. Those dull, late night debates made many miles away may limit or increase our freedom as human beings. And musicians love to be outspoken. Those two things combined together can sometimes produce interesting results. Bands in the original wave of punk in 1976 thought it would be a great idea to discuss political issues in their lyrics -
"Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock" 
moaned the Clash, as they grew frustrated about the lack of interesting employment that was in the UK. And of course, commentary on politics wasn't exactly a new thing, as Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On questioned the need for the war
"Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate"

And I could go on. Outside of their lyrics musicians such as Kanye West and Bono continue their verbal assault on the folk in power. In interviews, however, the illusion is quite often shattered for me. When it comes to talking about specific subjects they tend to make vague, mumbling statements, about how Margaret Thatcher was evil, how 'the men in the suits are earning all the money', or that whatever war is going on was started purely to put money in the pockets of politicians. Now I'm not saying I agree or disagree with these things. I'm saying form your own opinion based on facts. Musicians can be good for provoking thought, but don't expect them to make the world a better place based on some words they probably wrote when they were stoned.

Terminator 2 was alright. I suppose that's what hype and a distracting blog does to you. May do another part if I'm feeling lazy  as though I need to discuss the subject of the importance or non importance of lyrics in music more. This was a tired blog so I'm not sure if it's decent. I'll soon find out. Thanks for reading!

Mr Motivator

I've been on a roll recently. I got some good results from university (including an A on something that I thought was half-arsed), I got up on my first alarm yesterday (a feat I haven't achieved in years), and I've successfully reduced my sugar intake. It's great being motivated, although it can take some strong feelings to make yourself do something. Okay, admittedly I got up on my first alarm because my need to pee was greater than my need to sleep. But there's always that make or break moment. Will I get up even when I'm only going to beaten up by Apollo Creed even more? Will I finish that essay even though I'm tired and I could probably do it another time? Will I resist the temptation to eat that creme egg, the most tasty of the easter offerings?

I WANT YOU to blog more often

I occasionally wonder if such things are your decision, or if it's 'in the genes'. Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, became a drummer, and has become a session drummer for the likes of Oasis, and the Who's live band. All in the blood? Or did he actually knuckle down and practice without any such assistance (Ringo actually persuaded the guy to take up another career with Keith 'the loon' Moon providing the lessons)? But then there's countless other examples of king's sons failing to make the grade throughout history. And sexuality is supposed to be in your DNA the second you are born. I was of that belief for a while. But do you really get gay babies? Ones that after being born think 'UGH I'm not going in that again'? It doesn't seem that way. But then we have plenty of people who completely deny their homosexuality, or ones that hate themselves for it. And there's people that believe that choices and events are fate, or destiny. Sometimes I find myself believing in fate. In the back of my head I think it's a bit stupid. Good people die and wankers survive. Injustices happen. I don't like to say anything for definite. But that's because I'm terrible at making decisions and planning things in advance, and it's why I'm always late.

I can only apologise for the lack of my consistent blogs. I've been writing for a site called BigDistraction, doing some reviews. I volunteered for the position after they said they were looking for writers. I wrote a couple of press releases and a review and they said nothing. And then out of the blue they promoted me to music editor and put me in charge of someone else. I don't know if the reviews are any good, but I'm continuing it anyway. And of course, university has resumed, so I have a few things to do for that. But I won't forget about you lot! So thanks for the patience, and thanks for reading!

Note- It looks like 'thanks for reading' has become my blogging catchphrase. Pretty poor and unoriginal, isn't it?