Efflictim - WZRD

                                                        


How would you feel if you heard in the news that I was dead?
What would you do if you found out from your friends that I was dead?
Would you cycle through your mind think of all the things you shoulda said
Or coulda did differently.. if I was dead?

[Hook]
I'm just tryna say life is too short
Though I make mistakes, baby I'm tryna make it right
All I'm tryna say's that life is too short
All we've got is love, baby and it's time to make it right

If I'm alive that is.. If I'm alive that is
Do you think of me at all? Would you think of me at all?

[Verse 2]
Who would you talk to? Who would be your friend if I was dead?
Who would you run to? Who would kiss your face if I was dead?
Would you cycle through your mind, think of all the things, the good and bad
Seeing things differently.. if I was dead?

[Hook]

[Outro]
Goodbye

Short and errr, not so sweet. I love this song because of the raw lyrics. I love Cudi because he always bares his soul on all of his tracks. He knows exactly how to tap into the emotions of his listeners.The first time that I heard the opening lines, I thought that he was alluding to a situation where a person was going to threaten suicide or where they were just asking their significant other straight up, "What if I died tomorrow?" Figuratively, I thought about a situation in which a person could grow tired of being so in love and caring so much for another person who could care less. The. worst. feeling. EVER. It's never a good sign if you have to ask: "Do you think of me at all? Would you think of me at all...?" 

 Because this question is posed in the song, I think the listener is able to see that a turning point will be reached toward the end. Life really is short, and it does no good to spend it by being taken for granted by another person. You can echo this as many times as Cudi does in this song, but if it doesn't register with the person, what good is that wasted breath full of words that fall on deaf ears?  You have to leave that person, and become dead to them in a sense...they will start to rewind and "cycle through their minds" regretting how they acted. They'll see what they missed and then maybe they'll attempt to make it right, but by then it may be too late. That's why he says, "If I'm alive that is." The limit may have already been reached and you might have already said, "Goodbye." 
 US iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store WZRD - WZRD

Re-Arranged - Limp Bizkit

"Life is overwhelming, heavy is the head that wears the crown..."

 I was working out yesterday per usual and I had my iPhone in tow. I cued up my music and this 14 year old song (goodness, I'm getting old) popped up into the shuffle. As I was attempting a three-minute plank, I tried to block out the pain I felt from this dreadful position and focused solely on the music. I listened intently to the lyrics and remembered just how good this song is. Because Significant Other was released in 1999, I was a little kid in junior high when I first heard this song. I didn't understand all of the palpable angst that I sense now in this song. It's the perfect song for anyone that has to eliminate and do away with any excess baggage in their life in the form of another person. 

Who is this person? When I hear this song, I imagine a dreadful soul who feeds off the misfortune or perceived weakness of another person. Some people refer to this as social cannibalism; I've heard this phrase before and I think this definition is the most fitting:

 Social cannibals take pleasure in the problems, difficulties and failures of others. They feed on weaknesses in others to elevate themselves. It’s dangerous to be in their company because you might end up in their pot. 
-Source: http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/social-cannibalism/

That's why in the first stanza we hear that Durst would love to "disappoint" the person when he doesn't fall down. Why is it that this kind of baggage can even be a part of someone's life when the person that engages in this behavior sounds so dodgy and cruel? I think it's because a lot of these people are pretty cunning and hide their intentions, at least initially. As they build relationships with us, and then elevate themselves in our weakness, they create the illusion that they make us better, stronger. We then grow to believe that we need them and wonder, how on earth we ever survived without them. And then, it just hits you. You finally see the animal within the person and you try to break away, even though they insist that you cannot get by without them. So then you question and doubt yourself and retreat back into this person's control.  

 Re-arranged is the anthem for the person willing to change this cycle and dynamic; the person who is finally able to let go and look back to see how they are better off. There is so much bravery in letting go. To stand up and live on your own, that is true courage. To realize that all you needed in the end to make you happy was you. You truly have to re-arrange your thinking. And even if you end up suffering in this process, you show that person that you can survive; that you're still here. And finally you reach that epiphany in the song when you hear:
"Your disposition i'll remember when I'm letting go. 
Of you and me, we're through and re-arranged...
You're no good for me, thank God it's over."

In the beginning and the end of the song, Durst says, "Just think about it, you'll get it." I can't tell if he is addressing the listener who may be in the same predicament of the person in the song or if he's referring to the "social cannibal." If that line is for the cannibal, I'm sure it will fall on deaf ears. I'd imagine that it would be quite difficult to be that introspective and see that at the end of they day, you're that person that thrives off of the misfortune of others. I think the most likely outcome would be that the cannibal would feel the urge to feed their desire to elevate themselves and they'll go on searching for the next one in line that they can control. And they'll hold on to tight to this next person until he or she finds the courage to re-arrange. 


         

 US iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store Significant Other (Explicit Version) - Limp Bizkit

Telephone - Erykah Badu


"...Just fly away to heaven brother
Make a place for me brother
Fly away to heaven brother
Save a place for me brother
Fly away to heaven brother
Put in a word for me..
Fly away to heaven brother
Celebrate (celebrate)

Gather on the hill
Two hearts up in the sky
Celebrate your life
Oh, say I love you..."

This song made it's way to my library during my senior year of undergrad when E. Badu dropped New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) . I had to cop this album because I've been a Badu fan since Baduizm. I was so young when Baduizm dropped though and when I grew older and matured, it took on a whole new meaning. I mean, there is no way that my little elementary school self could comprehend the deep cuts on that album. Nevertheless, I still always thought E. Badu was so cool and beautiful too. 
Anyways, this is one of those songs that gives me chills. It deals with the passing of a loved one after they "transition" into the other life. It's a harsh reality that no one likes to face, but it's inevitable. I decided to post this today instead of just doing a random shuffle since it's the anniversary of the passing of J Dilla. The first time I really listened to this song, I just automatically thought about the ones that were so close to me that had passed on. It's a perfect memorial. Then I did a little digging, and from what I read years ago about this song, Telephone was meant to be a tribute to Dilla. According to sources, the lyrics are based on a story told to Badu by J Dilla's mother on the day of his death. James Poyser, multi-Grammy award winning songwriter, musician and multi-platinum producer (and who has worked with some of my fave artists including E. Badu) stated:

We were in the studio right after Dilla’s funeral and we were working on stuff for the Edith Funker album. The focus there was more emotional than sonic. It was just feeling Dilla. It was something that wasn’t thought out, it just naturally took place. We were sitting there and we just started jamming and the song just happened instantly.
And so, out of grief and reflection came something beautiful:

Victory - N*E*R*D

I want it
Ohh, I'm not even gonna lie
I want it
It's in every day dream every sigh
I want it
Even if it makes me cry
I want it
I've got to have it or I'll die
I want it
Does your family even care?
I want it
Ohh, did they tell you I'd be there?
I want it
I've gotta get this for my team
I want it
Just tell yourself this was my dream

Victoryyyyyy, I can smell it in the air
In my mind it's surrounds me everywhere,
But what a wondrous occasion, this could be
In fact I know it will, cause this is my victoryyyyyyyyy

I want it
This is something you can't buy
I want it
Ohh don't you get it nothing else will satisfy?
I want it
Even worse than someone that would lie
I want it
But only a champion would qualify
I want it
Oh to be in the books of history
I want it
Oh look page one hundred, this is me
I want it
They'll say I changed things officially
I want it
And so these were the words to my speech

Victoryyyyyy, I can smell it in the air, in the air
In my mind it's surrounds me everywhere, everywhere
But what a wondrous occasion, this could be, this will be
In fact I know it will, I know it will
'Cause this is my victoryyyyyyyyy

Oh, the limit's the skyyyyyyyyyy!
The limit is the skyyyyyyyyyy! [Repeat x3]
It's the sky
The limit is the sky
Ahhhhhhhh! Don't you be afraid!
Skyyyyyyyyyy!
The limit is the skyyyyyyyyyy! [Repeat x3]
Go for it, go forth and try
The limit is, the sky
Good luck 
♥........I had to post the lyrics to this song in toto. If this song doesn't motivate you to go for IT (whatever your "it" is) then I don't know what will. This song got me through some real struggles. I played it before law school exams, the bar exam, and even before some sporting events when I was rooting for a certain team. #NINERS. It just seemed fitting to write about it today since my favorite football team since childhood is headed to the Super Bowl after 18 looooooooooooooooooooooooooong years. 

The thing that I love the most about this song is the tough minded optimism of the chorus. He's claiming the victory by seeing it before it even happens. This is usually the hardest part. It takes courage and faith. And what a wondrous occasion it truly is when you reach that goal. There's nothing like it. Kudos to NERD :)

She - Andrea Lewis

Next up in the shuffle is the first entry from Andrea Lewis' 54321 is "She," which is also one of my favorite tracks on the album. 

 So,  how did this song find it's way into my library? Side-note, I first knew Ms. Lewis as Hazel Aden from Degrassi: The Next Generation. I was a huge fan during my high school days. I remember her being in a  band on the show called Hell Hath No Fury, but as my memory recalls, she didn't have much singing time, which is a shame! I had no idea she could sing.

 Fast forward some years to where I have a Twitter account that follows @thosegirlsarewild (which she manages with her BFF Shannon Boodram). It was the fall of my 2L year in law school and I needed some new MUSEic to get me through exam period. I saw some tweets, found some links, and the free download of 54321 began; I love free music. That fall, "She" was definitely on rotation:

 ...She don't love ya like I love ya 
Don't love ya like I love ya 
She don't love ya like I love ya 
I'm thinking we 
Could take a little time away 
Where we could be free 
Everybody's got their own opinions 
Bout what we doing wrong 
They're trying to figure out 
What I already know...

 That's just a snippet and you can listen in full below. To me, this is the other woman's anthem haha. It's kind of like the "good" kind of infidelity though. You know, the kind you see on Scandal every week where you know it's wrong, but you empathize with those characters because they share real love. In this song, I think this is more of a gf/bf situation instead of a husband/wife scenario. Thankfully, I haven't been in this situation. However, who hasn't seen a man/woman that you care about and have wondered why they're in a relationship with a particular person? Especially when you know you'd be a better fit. Either because the woman isn't caring/considerate/ambitious/of substance etc. But, I digress; that's just how I related to the song. Enjoy! 

So Nice, So Smart - Kimya Dawson

"You're so nice and you're so smart
You're such a good friend, I have to break your heart
I'll tell you that I love you, then I'll tear your world apart
Just pretend I didn't tear your world apart...

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a sucker for a great soundtrack; Juno was no exception. This track, and all the other tracks featured on this album that were penned by Kimya Dawson stood out due to sheer quirkiness. I hadn't heard anything like it before because it's like a happy song with some sad lyrics. Now, I can't say that I understand all of the lyrics to this song...however, one thing is for sure, I get the gist of the chorus which I wrote out above.

 This chorus showcases a lover that's going to be duped. You know, that Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde scenario where you're with someone who is seemingly infatuated with you and then...draws back the curtain and reveals their true self/feelings in one quick, swift, blow. They just we'rent that into you. Or they were but they didn't know how to handle it. Bottom-line is that it's ugly. Sad. And confusing at best.

 This song just makes the scenario a little less terrible. Ha. 


  Juno (Music from the Motion Picture) - Various Artists

Doing What I Can - Raphael Saadiq


"Your life and my life is not so predictable. 
Me and you gotta know which way we wanna go. 
My life, has been an up and down struggle.
But now, today, I know which way I got to go.
Go, I'm just doing what I can, just doing what I can." ♥

 The first ten seconds of this song will draw you in completely; it's arranged BEAUTIFULLY. I was in high school when this solo album dropped and I already knew about Raphael Saadiq from the wonderful Tony Toni Toné & short -lived Lucy Pearl. However, even though I had heard his music for years, I never really knew too much about him as a person. 
I think "Doing What I Can" was the introductory track to his first solo debut because of all the personal struggles that he went through in his life. I learned more about R. Saadiq's life from this song more than any other. It just reiterates the fact that everyone has a story and that we have no idea what a person has gone through. 

 And I always liked the voice over cameos on this track that tell his story. I instantly recognized the voice of the Bay's own Sway Calloway from years of hearing him on 106.1 KMEL and later seeing him on MTV. Thought it was cool for him to be on here especially since R. Saadiq was born in Oakland too. #BayArea!

 Anyway, this track always reminds me of why I love Saadiq:

 "Raphael is an ancient future brother, unconventional. Doing it his way and doin it well." :) 
#GospelDelicSoul


  Instant Vintage - Raphael Saadiq
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