Into the Wild

I recently read Into the Wild, the true story of a young man who, after graduating college and donating his entire savings account to charity, embarked on a 2-year trek around the country, living off the land, hitchhiking, etc. He never bothered to let his family know where he was during his whole adventure, although he wrote every once in a while to other vagabonds he came in contact with during his travels. His ultimate destination was Alaska, where he went into the bush and lived successfully off the land for a few months before his body was discovered. Sean Penn made a movie about Chris McCandless in 2007, which I saw before reading the book.

But this is a music blog, so what does this intriguing and disturbing story have to do with music? The theme song for the movie was a song called Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder. Great song, but I appreciated the lyrics much more after reading the book, which obviously goes into much more depth and really helped me understand Chris McCandless's motivations and the tragedy of his story. Here's the first verse:

When I walk beside her
I am the better man
when i look to leave her
I always stagger back again

Once I built an ivory tower
so I could worship from above
when I climb down to be set free
she took me in again

My translation: The woman mentioned represents nature, or the wild. Whenever Chris would try to visit society, he ended up disillusioned and was drawn back to the peacefulness and purity of nature. The ivory tower is, of course, Academia. Chris went to college but left as soon as he was graduated.

The great thing about both the film and the book, is that they emphasize the tragedy of Chris's lifestyle just as much as they applaud him for "following his heart." McCandless's life was a true dichotomy.

Viva La Vida

Coldplay's latest truly great song didn't hit me as such, for some ridiculous reason, until I started paying attention to the lyrics. I know, I know, I'm a lyrics nerd. They actually make a big difference to me when I hear a song. Here are the lyrics and the official video for "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay:




I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)
[Viva La Vida Lyrics on http://www.elyricsworld.com ]
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?


My opinion: Epic song, shabby video. But, wait! Thank goodness, there's an alternate video, which is much better (although still not up to par with the song itself), and which lends a different symbolism to the lyrics than I'd imagined.



I guess I hadn't taken Chris Martin's lyrics as satirically as they'd been intended, because this video depicts a loon who perceived himself as some sort of king, but who no one else in London seems to even notice. So was the royalty all in his imagination? And at the end of the video, he seems to be waiting for something at the seashore. Death, perhaps? Or Gwyneth Paltrow? I'd love to hear your interpretations.

Chris Lay

It just so happens that some of the best local music I've heard in quite a while comes from someone I've known since he was 10 years old! Now, 14 years later, and working solo, Chris Lay has an incredibly polished sound whose vocals and instrumentals will remind the listener of the likes of Ben Folds ("When I'm Asleep" and "She Won't Fall"), Jason Mraz ("Perfect World"), Ryan Cabrera ("Fine Place, Kira's Song") and Incubus ("This Time Around"). Beginning as a star drummer in high school (where I shared a band class with him, his father as the teacher), Chris now masters each elemental instrument himself, including strong piano (which always gets me, personally), guitar, and, of course, drums. Not to mention his accessible, sincere voice. If you don't listen to any other music today, do not miss his music: www.myspace.com/chrislaysongs.

Weezer

What's so great about Weezer? I'm glad you asked! This is a band whose music is so accessible and anthemic that it truly represents the "everyteen." I heard "Beverly Hills" on the radio today, with its Queen-like hook, and I was reminded how wonderfully sarcastic the lyrics are:

"Where I come from isn't all that great / My automobile is a piece of crap / My fashion sense is a little wack / And my friends are just as cool as me / I didn't go to boarding schools / Preppy girls never looked at me / Why should they? / I ain't nobody / Got nothin' in my pocket / Beverly Hills, that's where I want to be / Livin' in Beverly Hills" . . . "The truth is, I don't stand a chance / It's something that you're born into / And I just don't belong / No I don't, I'm just a no class, beat down fool / And I will always be that way / I might as well enjoy my life and watch the stars play."

There's nothing glamorous or pretentious about these lyrics. The irony, though, is that their boasting of a lack of coolness makes Weezer so incredbily cool we can't help but listen. Their latest album's first single, "Pork and Beans" is my latest "turn up the radio full blast" favorite. It makes me feel like a rebellious kid again. How could you, not with lyrics like these:

"I'ma do the things that I wanna do / I ain't got a thing to prove to you / I'll eat my candy with the pork and beans / Excuse my manners if I make a scene / I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like / I'm find and dandy with the me inside."

Anyone else singing that last line would be downright cheesy, but from Rivers Cuomo? More like James Dean-y. Man, his dorkiness is so adorable! And a rebellion from the norm. I'm also obsessed with the video (unfortunately, I'm not able to embed it, but here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI) which stars internet celebrities and parodies viral internet videos. One of whom is the real Chris Crocker, who completely fascinates me. If you've never heard of him, he's a regular dude who posted a sincere video diary that is one of the funniest things you'll ever see (besides Seth Green's parody of it days later on E!'s The Soup). Here's Chris Crocker's original video(beware really bad language):


And here's Seth Green's GENIUS parody:



But back to Weezer. I automatically gain respect for any rock star who appears with the Muppets:



What's funny to me, is that when I was younger, I would have used the lyrics to Pork and Beans justify bad behavior, whereas now, I look at this attitude in a whole new light. Now, I'm using it to justify my good behavior! In some ways, I (and many of my friends and family) am living my life contrary to most of the world. I'm staying home with my kids instead of chasing a career (a big sacrifice for me and my family), I believe fully in my religion and follow it the best I can, I don't drink or smoke, etc. Okay, hang on while I get off my high horse. Okay, that's better. Anyway, as I was saying, the lyrics above are now my anthem for staying on the straight and narrow - "I ain't got a thing to prove" to people who think stay at home moms are just dummies who can't make any money out in the real world. "I ain't gonna wear the [hoochie] clothes" that other people might like. Interesting that our whole lives we're rebelling against something or someone, no matter what path we choose!