Liner Notes by *YOU*

[hipmamajen]

We've all seen them, they even come with digital downloads these days! Liner notes are cool stuff that comes inside the record sleeve or CD case or mixed in with your pixels, that tells you things about the music. Maybe they were little stories about what happened in the studio, or the lyrics to all the songs. If we were lucky, they were epic poems, like Jim Morrison's "Celebration of the Lizard" safely tucked inside "Waiting for the Sun. Waiting For The Sun

In this thread, I want to see your liner notes. Play us a song, then tell us why it's important to you. I'm not looking for how the sound was mixed, unless you were there, or sound mixing is something that really matters to you and makes the song extra enjoyable. In other words, this isn't a research project, it's an outlet for your heart. <3

Things I do want:
Memories associated with the song.
What it means to you.
Lyrics if that's what moves you, I love having the lyrics handy when I hear a new song. (putting them in spoiler tags would probably make the mods happy.)
Anything at all relevant TO YOU.

Any kind of music is welcome!

I love all the musical threads, but a lot of the time I want to know more about why the person chose a song. Was it something they heard on the clock radio this morning and it's been playing in their heads all day? Is it because the harmony at 1:47 is hauntingly beautiful? Is it from the first album thdy bought, and if so do they still listen to it regularly? Did they see this artist in concert? Do they like to sing this song in the shower? Was this their Grandpa's favorite song? See what I mean?

So, go crazy, write 20 if the inspiration strikes you. It will be the liner notes to a massive SKMB Mix Tape!!!!!

 

[fljoe0]

Patterson Hood and I have something in common. We both missed seeing the original Lynyrd Skynyrd. Patterson Hood is one of the singers and songwriters for Drive-By Truckers and he is a couple of years younger than I am so his lyrics line up with a few of my experiences. This song is called Let There Be Rock and Patterson tells of stupid things he did as a teenager and he's not apologetic for them ("I'd like to say I'm sorry , but we lived to tell about it and we lived to do whole bunch more crazy stupid s*"). Skynyrd played in South Florida at the very beginning of the Street Survivors tour and I wanted to go bad. I was 15 at the time and mom wouldn't let me go. If I remember right, she wasn't too crazy about who I was going to be going with (and in hindsight, she probably was right). Patterson had tickets for a show in Alabama a few nights later and the plane crash happened in between the Florida show and the scheduled Alabama show. So I can fully relate to the line, "I never saw Lynnrd Skynyrd but I sure saw AC/DC with Bon Scott singing Let There Be Rock." (I saw Bon Scott too)

 

[hipmamajen]

Prince Charming-Adam and the Ants

I love this song because of the message, "ridicule is nothing to be scared of."

It may seem silly now, but when it came out I was a young teen and I wanted to be the kid who wore crazy makeup and war paint and clothes I'd altered myself. I wanted to be me, but "me" was "outrageous" and didn't go over well in the little mountain town we lived in. The style was still kinda leftover from the 70s, and I didn't fit in at all.

This song was perfectly crafted for the kids like me at that time, Get out there and be your weird self, whatever that means. Don't be afraid of people laughing at you. YOU matter.

Lyrics:

Spoiler

Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome

[Chorus:]
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome

Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards

[Chorus]

Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you
Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you

[Chorus]

Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards

Prince Charming [2x]
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Prince Charming [2x]
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of

 

[GNTLGNT]

....being in broadcast for nearly 40 years makes it damn near impossible for me to choose....I've enjoyed and been touched by songs from so many genres....my only buzz-kill thought of the moment, is how many of those artists have gone to the clearing....

 

[hipmamajen]

....being in broadcast for nearly 40 years makes it damn near impossible for me to choose....I've enjoyed and been touched by songs from so many genres....my only buzz-kill thought of the moment, is how many of those artists have gone to the clearing....

Think of all the conversations you'll have with them when you get there! Is that a buzz-resurrect thought?

 

[GNTLGNT]

Think of all the conversations you'll have with them when you get there! Is that a buzz-resurrect thought?

....indeed it is, what a line up of interviews!!!

 

[hipmamajen]

The song Rock 'n' Roll Suicide has been a personal...anthem? Can I say that?...anthem of mine.

It's from David Bowie's 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - Wikipedia , which I consider one of the few perfect albums. By that I mean every song is good, unlike many albums where there is a breakout single or two then a bunch of filler stuff. You might think I'm biased because I'm a Bowie fanatic, but trust me, the man has put out some questionable entertainment. (Laughing Gnome, anyone?)

This song starts out as a perfect description of depression. Not sadness, per se, just that blank apathy of having nothing left to live for. The feeling that you're not moving towards any goals or pleasure any more; you're not a flower whose face follows the sun. Somewhere along the line you became a sea anemone who withdraws when prodded, but otherwise hasn't got enough f**ks left to do anything but exist silently and still until pushed by whatever waves come your way.

I have my own history. A suicide attempt at age 16 that ended not in death, but stitches and bloody clothes on a locked psych unit. One of many therapeutic settings I'd sample before finding a treatment that worked and, not-cooincidentally, getting out of my home of origin and together with Davin, now my husband of 25 years.

I hadn't heard this song before my attempt, and I don't think it would have been a miraculous life-changing event if I had. I was not just circling the drain at that point, but swimming with the current trying to get "out."

But, when I found it later, it was an inspiration. As I said, the first part of the song is an exquisite description of giving up on life. But in the middle, hope breaks in with a simple declaration, "You're NOT ALONE!"

After that, he extends a hand to every person who feels crushed by life, and says that we judge ourselves too harshly, and we're wonderful.

Before we go on, yes, I realize it's a song, and that David Bowie doesn't know me and didn't write this song when I was 2 for me to find it later and take it as a personal message. I've done some time in the looney bin, but not for thinking the man on the radio is singing just for me.

But, when a person seemingly has a deep understanding of the dark roads you've traveled, you tend to believe they know what they're saying when they explain that there is a way up and out. If David Bowie got himself from avoiding the sun itself, to telling the world "I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain!" maybe the rest of us could, too.

Another day I'll share how destroyed I was when he passed. For now, here are the lyrics and the song itself. If you're in a place where the first half feels more like home than the second half, inbox me. I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain. I mean it.

Rock 'n' Roll Suicide Lyrics

Spoiler

Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth
You pull on your finger, then another finger, then cigarette
The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget
Oh, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide

You're too old to lose it, too young to choose it
And the clock waits so patiently on your song
You walk past a cafe, but you don't eat when you've lived too long
Oh, no, no, no, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide

Chev brakes are snarling as you stumble across the road
But the day breaks instead, so you hurry home
Don't let the sun blast your shadow
Don't let the milk float ride your mind
You're so natural, religiously unkind

Oh no, love, you're not alone
You're watching yourself, but you're too unfair
You got your head all tangled up, but if I could only make you care
Oh no, love, you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone

Just turn on with me, and you're not alone
Let's turn on and be not alone
Gimme your hands, 'cause you're wonderful
Gimme your hands, 'cause you're wonderful
Oh, gimme your hands

 

[GNTLGNT]

....wonderful share Jen and look at the woman you've become!....it's an honor to know you.....

 

[hipmamajen]

....wonderful share Jen and look at the woman you've become!....it's an honor to know you.....

Aw, thank you!

But I'm worried, if you say it like that, people won't realize I'm a complete goofball. They'll think, " GNTLGNT met her, and he speaks so highly of her, she must be amazing!" (You should all know that Mr. and Mrs. GNTLGNT really *are* amazing!)

Maybe I should write about a less weighty song?

 

[GNTLGNT]

Aw, thank you!

But I'm worried, if you say it like that, people won't realize I'm a complete goofball. They'll think, " GNTLGNT met her, and he speaks so highly of her, she must be amazing!" (You should all know that Mr. and Mrs. GNTLGNT really *are* amazing!)

Maybe I should write about a less weighty song?

....NO, not all-your sharing of your pain and problems will be helpful....and bless you honey, but I'm just a schmuck that my lovely wife tolerates.....

 

[hipmamajen]

You're an amazing schmuck, and I love you both.

 

[HollyGolightly]

I love that Jen. I get it. totally.

Liner Notes has been my background thought for the day. I'm still thinking.

 

[GNTLGNT]

You're an amazing schmuck, and I love you both.

 

[GNTLGNT]

“The voices may propel you to warble along, or to dance, they may inspire you to seduction or insurrection or inspection or merely to watching a little less television."
Jonathan Lethem

 

[ghost19]

From the Alice In Chains album "Dirt".

A long deceased friend of mine, a fellow trustee of modern chemistry back in the day, summed this album up better than anyone has before or since. He called the whole album "menacing", and he was exactly right. There's nothing bright or cheery about this album, one of the main reasons I've always admired the lyrics created by Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. Addiction and self-loathing were the themes of a lot of Alice in Chains' songs and I identified with every damn one of them back then, and for the most part, still do a lot of the time. Back in 1992 it seemed like the songs were very close and the lyrics to every song on the album resonated, then burned themselves permanently into my psyche. Every song on the album deals with personal demons of some kind and no matter how fast I've tried to run all my life, I've found out you can't run away from yourself no matter how hard you try. Over the last few years I've learned, in a very painful and personal way, that trying to run away from your own demons makes you blind to what may be coming around the next corner. When you think you have things somewhat figured out, that's usually when you need to start checking your six. I allowed myself to forget that valuable lesson someone once upon a time taught me and I paid for it with my marriage of 21 years, a steep price it seems, but such are the lessons of life. On that whole album, so many lyrics meant so much to me over the years, but the last few lines of "Would" keep coming back around to me almost on a daily basis. I still have to listen to the song if I hear it on Sirius XM and I listen to it a lot on my iPod. I know the tones of Layne Staley's voice on this song better than any other song I've ever listened to. The raw power of the refrain, the smooth harmonization with Cantrell on the lyrics, the desperation throughout the song asking someone to just listen, just try to understand. So, here we go one more time Layne, have I run too far to get home?

Know me broken by my master
Teach thee on child of love hereafter
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Drifting body it's sole desertion
Flying not yet quite the notion
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Am I wrong?
Have I run too far to get home?
Have I gone?
And left you here alone?
Am I wrong?

Have I run too far to get home?
Have I gone?
And left you here alone?
If I would, could you?

 

[GNTLGNT]

From the Alice In Chains album "Dirt".

A long deceased friend of mine, a fellow trustee of modern chemistry back in the day, summed this album up better than anyone has before or since. He called the whole album "menacing", and he was exactly right. There's nothing bright or cheery about this album, one of the main reasons I've always admired the lyrics created by Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. Addiction and self-loathing were the themes of a lot of Alice in Chains' songs and I identified with every damn one of them back then, and for the most part, still do a lot of the time. Back in 1992 it seemed like the songs were very close and the lyrics to every song on the album resonated, then burned themselves permanently into my psyche. Every song on the album deals with personal demons of some kind and no matter how fast I've tried to run all my life, I've found out you can't run away from yourself no matter how hard you try. Over the last few years I've learned, in a very painful and personal way, that trying to run away from your own demons makes you blind to what may be coming around the next corner. When you think you have things somewhat figured out, that's usually when you need to start checking your six. I allowed myself to forget that valuable lesson someone once upon a time taught me and I paid for it with my marriage of 21 years, a steep price it seems, but such are the lessons of life. On that whole album, so many lyrics meant so much to me over the years, but the last few lines of "Would" keep coming back around to me almost on a daily basis. I still have to listen to the song if I hear it on Sirius XM and I listen to it a lot on my iPod. I know the tones of Layne Staley's voice on this song better than any other song I've ever listened to. The raw power of the refrain, the smooth harmonization with Cantrell on the lyrics, the desperation throughout the song asking someone to just listen, just try to understand. So, here we go one more time Layne, have I run too far to get home?

Know me broken by my master
Teach thee on child of love hereafter
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Drifting body it's sole desertion
Flying not yet quite the notion
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Am I wrong?
Have I run too far to get home?
Have I gone?
And left you here alone?
Am I wrong?

Have I run too far to get home?
Have I gone?
And left you here alone?
If I would, could you?

....this.....

 

[Sundrop]

Because sometimes, long distance is damn hard......

 

[Tery]

This song became my anthem (hidden meaning there if you get it) in 2010. My mother had died in Nov. of 2009 and I was in a head-on collision (not our fault) 6 days later. With a broken sternum & ribs any form of crying was out of the question. Physical healing took months but the rest of me was in a pretty deep, dark hole (another hidden reference). On August 5th, my husband took me to see Rush, a band I liked but hadn't seen live for 25 years. I have no idea what their magic was but they threw me a lifeline that night. This song, about taking that first tentative step, became my anthem. I found out later that it had the same meaning for the band. Sometimes one little victory leads to another and, before you know it, you've come out the other side.

Spoiler: Lyrics

A certain measure of innocence
Willing to appear naive
A certain degree of imagination
A measure of make-believe

A certain degree of surrender
To the forces of light and heat
A shot of satisfaction
In a willingness to risk defeat

Celebrate the moment
As it turns into one more
Another chance at victory
Another chance to score

The measure of the moment
Is a difference of degree
Just one little victory
A spirit breaking free
One little victory
The greatest act can be
One little victory

A certain measure of righteousness
A certain amount of force
A certain degree of determination
Daring on a different course

A certain amount of resistance
To the forces of the light and love
A certain measure of tolerance
A willingness to rise above

 

[Ebdim9th]

I like your additional lyrics, Tery, "sometimes one little victory leads to another and, before you know it, you've come out the other side."