1. A Flock of Seagulls - I Ran
2. George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic - Play That Funky Music (White Boy)
3. Nick Drake - From the Morning
4. The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
5. Billy Idol - Dancing with Myself
6. Beastie Boys - Eugene's Lament
7. Madonna - Cherish
8. Gus Gus - Polyesterday (Amon Tobin remix)
9. Jethro Tull - Pied Piper
10. Le Click - Tonight is the Night
Dear Omoshiroi:
You have a fascinating playlist here, with many different genres represented - New Wave, glam, electronica, folk, pop and dance. Quickly looking over your playlist to get an overall feeling, I sense that you are coming upon a positive transformation in your life. I'll expound on that more as we look at each individual track.
1. A Flock of Seagulls - I Ran
"I Ran", being in first position, signifies the present. Its symbology is New Wave Triumphant - it sits solidly within its genre and was the most popular single of A Flock of Seagulls' career. As you think about your present situation, consider its New Wave elements: style over deep meaning, a fascination with technology and otherness, comfort (although not obsession) with materialism. The lyrics of this song are interesting - it's ambiguous as to whether the artist is running to or away from the woman he is obsessed about. In another genre, those lyrics could dominate the track entirely. However, here I find myself more concerned with the sound of the vocals than with their meaning; they're yet another instrument adding to the total experience. Remember that the first track will symbolize the present - perhaps the things most obvious to you at the moment - but does not represent your current conflict. Therefore, we will look past the surface qualities of "I Ran" as we search for deeper meaning.
2. George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic - Play That Funky Music (White Boy)
The second track crosses the first, signifying your immediate challenge. This could seem confusing here because it's such an upbeat song. In addition, George Clinton, as Funk Music Patriarch, occupies a position of strength and durability as both one of the greatest and most popular innovators of the funk genre, with decades of popularity. I've seen him in concert; even in person the man has stamina, casually playing a six-hour set. However, this song also has a very strong narrative. Wild Cherry, the original band to record this track, was a rock band struggling in the mid-70s as disco was becoming the dominant force in popular music. "Play that funky music, white boy" was actually the derisive call of a dissatisfied audience. Just as the song states, the band decided to adopt the trappings of a new genre to blockbuster success. Maybe your problem here is that you're holding on to something that has outlived its purpose in your life. If this is so, think: who is the audience who is asking you to play the funky music? What is the funky music you're retic
ent to adopt?3. Nick Drake - From the Morning
The third track is foundational, representing the distant past. With any Nick Drake track, it's impossible to ignore the shadow cast on his music by his tragic life and death. Although now regarded by many critics and musicians as one of the most brilliant, influential folk singer/songwriters of his era, Drake lived in relative obscurity, his fame hampered by his depression and crippling social anxiety. Unable to leave his parents' house, he died alone after overdosing on antidepressants. He is the Doomed Romantic: desperately yearning for human connection, but unable to make that connection and unraveling because of it. Others easily love him and appreciate his talents but he cannot recognize the feelings other have for him. Eventually, he destroys himself. This track's position suggests that you have grappled with these feelings in your own life but that this period is behind you.
4. The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
In the more recent past, we have "Ballroom Blitz," by The Sweet. An archetypal example of Glam Rock, we think of its popular tropes: excess, androgyny, futurism, theatrics and outrageous costumes. The lyrics of "Ballroom Blitz" explore frightening psychidelia and describe a madcap situation of chaos. I sense that your current situation may seem overwhelming, that things are out of control or inexplicable.
5. Billy Idol - Dancing with Myself
Track 5 indicates your best outcome, Billy Idol's "Dancing with Myself". Idol's first major hit, this is a powerful signifier of personal transformation. Idol recorded this song while in the punk band Gen X, where it went relatively unnoticed. When Idol started his solo career, he abandoned the driving guitar and punk sensibility of the first recording and rerecorded the song as a New Wave single. With it, Billy Idol reinvented himself as a pop star. The lyrics were inspired by Idol's experience in a mirrored Japanese nightclub where he watched himself dancing on every surface; perhaps there is an element of self-reflection to your own transformation.
6. Beastie Boys - Eugene's Lament
Track 6, the immediate future, is occupied by "Eugene's Lament" by the Beastie Boys. Another act that reinvented itself many times over, the Beasties were a hardcore punk band, then the frat-rock punchlines of Licensed to Ill, then critically loved but popularly ignored hip-hop artists in Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head. Ill Communication, the album where we find "Eugene's Lament", was the first time the Beasties achieved both critical and popular acclaim. The track itself is a groovy instrumental piece on the less-listened-to second half of the album; as such, I consider this a reinforcement of the message of personal reinvention we've seen in other tracks but not as important on its own.
7. Madonna - Cherish
Track 7, Madonna's "Cherish" represents inner feelings and the subconscious. Although Madonna has made a career on an image of sexual forwardness, this hit's lyrics are actually quite clean, professing an idealistic, romantic view of love. Perhaps there is a thread of innocence and optimism within an otherwise worldly exterior? Listen to, or at least consider, that voice as you grapple with your dilemma.
8. Gus Gus - Polyesterday (Amon Tobin remix)
The external factors of your situation are represented by "Polyesterday", a track from Gus Gus. Our genre here is Icelandic Electronica - deliberately enigmatic and off-kilter, avant-garde, defying easy pop understanding. We are challenged to make sense out of a message that may seem alien and unfamiliar. As these elements of your situation are outside your control, seek the understanding necessary to adapt to them instead.
9. Jethro Tull - Pied Piper
Track 9, Jethro Tull's "Pied Piper", straddles between the joyful, Rennaissance-Fairey side and the sinister Aqualung side of this classic rock band's discography. The music itself is upbeat but the lyrics depict an old, lecherous biker who picks up school girls on a Friday afternoon - very Jethro Tull. This is an interesting Track 9, representing your hopes and fears. Perhaps you dread that a seductive but eventually destructive force in your life will pull you away from the things that you truly hold valuable? On the other hand, our biker, Ray, "was patched up good as new," and is certainly having a good time now. Identification with him could represent your hopes: a second chance at the joys you thought were now behind you.
10. Le Click - Tonight is the Night
Your last track represents your situation's final outcome. Le Click's "Tonight is the Night" is a Eurodance number that repetitively suggests that now is the time for love and happiness. I'd like to search for hidden meaning in the lyrics but that's really, truly, what it's all about. It's an uncomplicated but very good track to have in the tenth position, and I hope that it accurately depicts what is entering your life.
Milton Danger
