dancing in the disco, bumper to bumper....

Earworms of the Week

Theme from Star Trek - Maynard Ferguson
Main Title theme from Bullitt - Lalo Schifrin

Well, I've already rambled on about the Jazz flute solo contained within that beautiful version of the Star Trek theme, so I'll say no more.  Suffice it to say that the phrase "sweaty jazz trumpet" has rapidly become the euphemism of choice in my office.  The Bullitt theme is a different kettle of fish entirely.  Steve McQueen was, of course, the very coolest man alive.  Shifrin's great achievement here is that he has almost managed to capture that cool in the medium of sound.  Mmmm.  Good earworm, that.

I Vow To Thee My Country

Well, it's a hymn, which is not a very good start for an confirmed atheist like me (well, that's a slightly unfortunate turn of phrase, isn't it?  Confirmation? Atheism?  Not the easiest of bedfellows....)  I can't even remember where this came from, but it's probably a consequence of watching the rugby on the telly last weekend.  Twickenham is a slightly strange place: I love the games themselves, but the stadium is in a very posh area near Richmond, the people who go to rugby games are often they type of people who wear strawberry coloured cords and Barbour jackets, and there's a long association with the armed forces, leading to a very visible presence by people like Help for Heroes.  It's a strange enough place to have adopted a slave anthem like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" (is there a song that ought to be less likely to be sung by people wearing strawberry coloured cords?), but any hymn with a vaguely nationalistic theme, like this or like "Jerusalem", are also pretty commonplace.  Well, it's been in my head. I'm not happy about it, but there you go... just like I'm delighted by England's success, but less so by the way that my team, Northampton Saints, have lost every game since the Six Nations began.  I hope you're enjoying the use of our best players....

"She's Lost Control" - Joy Division

It's now started conjuring images of my wife losing the Sky remote, which I'm fairly sure isn't really what Ian Curtis was going for, but it's a great record nonetheless.....

"Sloop John B" - Beach Boys

Last week, I included song titles by the Smiths in my weekly report.  This week, I went for Billy Bragg (Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards, The World Turned Upside Down & Greetings to the New Brunette.  Yeah, I'm pretty proud of that last one....).  Next week: the Beach Boys.  And yes, this song was in my head before I decided that.  Coincidence?

"City With No Children" - Arcade Fire

I like this song, but it really seems to be on the 6Music playlist, as I seem to hear it every single time I get into the car.  Given that, on the way home from work this evening, I also heard "Reasons to Be Cheerful" and "I Am the Resurrection", then it's probably a price worth paying.  Steve Lamacq is twice the DJ that Shaun Keaveny is, mind you.

"Ashes to Ashes" - David Bowie / Warpaint

Warpaint were recommended to me last night by a guy I play football with.  I had a listen when I got home, downloaded the album and got hooked on their David Bowie cover shortly afterwards.  To be honest, I need to listen to the band a lot more before I really make up my mind on them, but damn Bowie was good.

"Helplessness Blues" - Fleet Foxes

Gorgeous.  Of course it is.  I can't wait for the album.  I've also been charmed by Robin Pecknold on Twitter, where amongst other things, he's been musing about how the British snack market can sustain so many artisanal crisp makers and how English signs are so much more wordy than the ones he usually sees in the USA.

"I Am the Resurrection" - The Stone Roses

My friend John is 37 today.  He's now living in the Hague, and so I haven't been able to celebrate our birthdays together, as we usually do.... but I've called him grandad (a whole 3 days older than me, people....) over email and he's responded as graciously as always.  Heard this song today, and as always, it made me think of him.  Happy birthday, old boy.  Remember what Tom Baker said: the older I get, the older old is.

"Where's Me Jumper" - Sultans of Ping FC


Stupid, and yet also brilliant. Knocked out of Steve Lamacq's indie disco world cup by The Strokes' "Last Night".  There's no justice, right?  Competition won by the Stone Roses, incidentally....

That's your lot.  Have a good weekend, y'all.