All posts by Philosofer

WGOM Videos

Billy Joel – Famous Last Words

Video

This might be the most "autumn" song I know, in terms of lyrics, emotion, music, etc. Also this is probably my favorite Billy Joel song - and I like a lot of them. Also, it's kind of cool, but this is the last song on his last album. "There may be other words some other day", but for now there still haven't been.

The live version ain't so great, so I'm giving you the studio cut here too:

3 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 103 votes, average: 7.00 out of 10 (3 votes, average: 7.00 out of 10)
You must be a WGOM Citizen to rate WGOM Videos.Loading...
WGOM Videos

The Decemberists – Sons & Daughters

Video 7 Comments

Fall songs have a sense of security, of having achieved something, of satisfaction, of having looked back at the work you've done. And this song - despite all the "when we arrive" looking towards the future part - strikes me as taking satisfaction at what has been accomplished - "Making this cold harbor now home"

And darn it those final repeated lines just make you feel good.

4 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 104 votes, average: 8.25 out of 10 (4 votes, average: 8.25 out of 10)
You must be a WGOM Citizen to rate WGOM Videos.Loading...
WGOM Videos

The Avett Brothers – Laundry Room

Video

Welcome to Philosopher week. I'm going to try this week for songs that sound like Autumn to me. It's a weird season to try to score, I think. There's a fullness, right? Contemplative, but not sparse like winter. Not necessarily the sing-along songs of summer or the hopeful, happy songs of spring.

So I'm gonna give it a shot, and see what I come up with.

First, one of my favorite songs of the past 20 years, and one with the tempo switch that just seems to pick up the steam and energy of fall, instead of the quiet reflectiveness of winter.

6 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 106 votes, average: 8.83 out of 10 (6 votes, average: 8.83 out of 10)
You must be a WGOM Citizen to rate WGOM Videos.Loading...
Friday Music Day

FMD 9/24/21: Shows That Aren’t

4 Comments

As mentioned earlier this week, sometimes one encounters a musical act in a venue or circumstance other than a concert. Shows that aren't, as it were (or weren't?).

The one that sticks out in my mind is Aerosmith, Britney Spears, and Aretha Franklin, at an NFL kickoff show. And another time I kind of stumbled across Live playing at some event blocked out near the U.S. Capitol, and checked that out for a few songs.

Who are some of those artists for you? When and where? Also lists of 10 songs, if you want to drop 'em.

Parentgood

Parentgood: New Phases

10 Comments

It's been a little while since we had one of these, right? And with school starting, it seemed an opportune time.

My family is moving into a new phase this year - all 4 of my kids are in full-time school, with the youngest starting Kindergarten. My oldest is in 6th grade, which is still Elementary where we are, so for this one year all 4 kids will be at the same school. We've been talking about this for 5 years, ever since Heidegger was born.

Philosofette has a part-time job at the school, in the classrooms, this year too, which should be excellent for the family. Or the rest of them at least. I'm all alone.

Anyway, it's been a real gut punch. I'm super excited for the future for all my kids, but also kids grow up too fast, and I don't want any more time to slip away.

Also, here's a sappy poem I wrote. Someone feel free to edit it to be better and more effective - emotionally I'm a wreck right now because my kids are growing up too fast, so I'm no condition to fix a poem about my kids growing up too fast.

To my daughter, now all grown
On the eve of school’s first day
To that happy girl whose beauty shone
Whenever we would play

I can’t believe you’ve come so far
So fast, the time has flown
My pride and joy you truly are
My love expanding as you’ve grown

This night before I sit on edge
I can’t believe it’s almost here
Now to leap from home’s safe ledge
The morn draws ever near

The doors will close, the bell will ring
Your attendance will be marked
While to the past your father clings
Your future now embarked

To my daughter, now all grown
As the time slips still away
Go out and make this world your own
And know I love you more each day

---------

Alright... everyone with kids older than me, tell me it'll be alright and how wonderful this next phase is too. While I wait for people to do that, I'm gonna go look at their baby books.