#And then I was hit with the 80s Cleo

[myrathefarmer]

Wildflowers and Weeds 💐

Redraw of my old Life Series Cleo designs over on Twitter!

[thesinglesjukebox]

ERIKA DE CASIER - LUCKY

Yeah, she’s lucky, but is she a star?

[7.38]

Katherine St. Asaph: I too enjoy "Boy's a liar Pt. 2" and Des'ree's "You Gotta Be." [6]

Nortey Dowuona: Apparently, this samples both "Sailing" by Christopher Cross and "Can't Let Go" by Linda Király. It's also liquid drum and bass. Excuse me... *leaves blurb to listen underneath an oil drum, waits for 5 minutes before realizing it is empty, thinks of actually analyzing the song, remembers the 2nd line of the chorus, shrugs awkwardly, keeps listening* [8]

Ian Mathers: YouTube comments section absolutely undefeated: I scroll down and the first thing I see is "Love the Chistopher [sp] Cross vibe going." I do get where they're coming from (WhoSampled tells me it's Linda Király instead), but if I didn't like "Lucky" what a weirdly specific diss that could be. The song always seems to be a step away from going full depressive breakcore to me, and I mean that as a compliment. [8]

Hannah Jocelyn: "Can't Let Go" is a lost gem from the late 2000s: too sparse to stand among Darkchild's best productions (unless you're listening to the Radio Edit W/ Guitars [sic]), but Linda Király sings the fuck out of it. Elementary-school Hannah was obsessed with the song: melodrama perfect for a 4th grader grieving her first unrequited crush. I smiled big when I heard that piano show up in "Lucky", but I kept waiting for this song to explode the way "Can't Let Go" does in its chorus and it just... doesn't. Instead, it stays in a quiet register, de Casier not even phased by the breakbeats skittering around her. The production is excellent, even if I'm already getting a bit sick of the drum and bass revival, but there's no catharsis beneath the smooth synth pads and frenzied percussion. The actual song's sophistication is captivating in its own right, but the blunt force melodrama of the original is missed. [7]

Harlan Talib Ockey: Erika de Casier throws the entire kitchen at us on “Lucky.” Between the Linda Király sample, the stuttering drums, the bass hits, the synths, and the laughs, her vocals are often overpowered. There’s logic to contrasting the busy production with her serene vocal performance, and it does prove very effective when the waves break in the chorus. However, when every element is bouncing off the walls at once in a drum and bass-inflected surge, it’s easy to lose track of the main melodic line. [5]

Jacob Satter: de Casier's wrapped-in-velvet vocal style brings to mind pop stars who have found ways to repurpose their delicacy as stridency (Nelly Furtado), as a firm corset of gossamer support (Coco O), as an internal monologue set free (Cleo Sol), as coyly kitsch confessional (Clairo). de Casier checks a few of these boxes -- she seems content to hold the center, to be simply present in "Lucky's" swirl of juddering trap, SOPHIE-esque squeaks, and music-box nostalgia. Her patience and clarity elevate near-house muzak into something distinctly, warmly human. [7]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Somehow even more gloriously energized than the singles off Sensational – the drums feel like hail falling on a sunny day, melting immediately on contact with the song's surface. Thanks to the great NewJeans convergence event we talked a lot last year about de Casier as a songwriter, but "Lucky" is a fine reintroduction to her power as a performer: that opening laugh, the way she says "Whoa," even the slight lift as she sings "lucky" for the second time on the chorus. It's all finesse, a highlight reel of perfectly struck moments that make the ordinary trappings of "Lucky" into something sublime. [8]

Dorian Sinclair: There's a tedious kind of social media post I'm sure we've all seen, where someone posts a lyric sheet from the '70s or '80s next to a modern one (I've most often seen it with Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)") to make some point about The Decline of Music Today. The lyrics for "Lucky" could make an appearance in one of those posts, but the song itself makes clear why the core argument the posts are making is nonsense. Sure, repeating the line "another night" 23 times in a 3 1/2-minute song looks lazy on paper, but in practice? Hearing de Casier's intonation changing, the piano shifting under her, the backing vocals slipping in and out of the mix? It's beautiful! And it's not beautiful in spite of the repetition of the lyrics, but because of them. "Lucky" is swoonily, overwhelmingly romantic, and getting that impact with such a deliberately restrictive set of tools takes a hell of a lot of skill. [8]

Isabel Cole: Retro vibes — not just the tinkling piano of the sample, but a particular unabashed sweetness in both content and melody that seems less in fashion than it once was — run through just the right amount of champagne-bubble glitchiness to make it feel up to date, but not in an ostentatious way. More love songs should draw attention to the erotic potential of being a good listener. [8]

Kayla Beardslee: “Lucky” is so delicate and conversational that at times you almost forget you’re listening to a song. Erika de Casier is one of few artists who can turn that into a good thing -- embraced by the glimmering piano line (even as it shifts focus away from the lyrics), she concentrates on feelings forming and drifting by like clouds in the sky so the rest of us don't have to, so that we can lay back instead and just feel. [8]

Will Adams: The liquid drum and bass revival of recent tends to have a winking cutesyness about it (see the de Casier-penned "Super Shy" as but one example). It's fun to listen to, but "Lucky" pushes beyond that to reveal something darker. The arrangement is in standard skitter mode with twinkling pianos, but throughout are throbbing beat rolls, glitches, and haunting exhalations, as if the song is threatening to crumble at any moment. Even the outro -- an emotional tug of war between repeated lines "another night" and "too fast" -- forgoes a standard fade out in favor of increased distortion and tactile whispers. Behind the timid smile, a more raw emotion bubbles up to the surface. [8]

Leah Isobel: Last year, I ended a friendship that I'd had for almost a decade. I had always known it would happen one way or another: either by the slow drift that accompanies physical or emotional distance, or by sharper, more sudden means. I chose the latter option, releasing myself from what would have been years of confused and angry longing. I'm proud of that choice. Yet, I still reminisce about what I thought our relationship was, and who I thought we both were -- to each other, to ourselves. The intensity of feeling that characterized my experience of the relationship made me feel fragile, girlish. Of course it wasn't sustainable. But it was thrilling to see how long we could sustain it; how much I could take from them while minimizing myself; how much I could give to them without them asking for any of it. How many times we could go out together, dancing, drinking, smoking, laughing on the street. On "Lucky," Erika repeats "Another night" over and over and over, each repetition surprising for the sheer fact of its existence. It's not about what's in the future, but the shock of the present staying present: day after day morphing into a zoetroped sequence of images, cycling but not moving, time itself standing still due to the horrible electricity of one-sided love. [7]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: A lot of people in my close friend group shit on Erika de Casier, constantly pointing out that she’s a mediocre singer with unimaginative toplines. And yes, they were not slow to mention that this sounds like Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be” over a skittering beat that wouldn’t even turn heads a couple decades ago. But even though I can recognize their disdain, what keeps me coming back to de Casier’s work is the way her productions are integral to the emotional trajectory of her lyrics. You don’t understand this song without hearing that cackle and those sci-fi synths, which capture the anxiety and blissed-out possibilities of lasting romance. Indeed, this is the same artist who wrote NewJeans’ “Super Shy,” eager to define the complexities of a crush with a polysemic phrase. “I need ya another night” is repeated so often that it becomes a musical Rorschach test. Is it sweet and honest? Too forward and desperate? A sign of confidence? Of insecurity? Love will make your head spin, making you feel like all these things could be true. [8]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox ]

[houseoflennoxx]

Hiii! What are your OCs favorite songs? ❤️❤️

Love C xx

What a lovely question, Cleo! I had so much fun thinking about it💕 In my headcannon they have really diverse likes on music, so let's get into it.

On the part of our dear Alistair, like a good 90s baby, he has always felt nostalgia for earlier times. In his case, he LOVES 80-90s rock, and if I had to pick a favorite song for him it would be U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday. Special mentions to She from Green Day and Are You Gonna Be My Girl from Jet.

Avalon, meanwhile, is a 2000s teen through and through. Since her relationship with Alistair began, she tried to hide that side of her, but on her Simspotify it will always sound Glamorous from Fergie and Ludacris. Her special mentions would be Shakira's Whenever, Wherever and Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone (what huge hits they are, my goodness).

Jasper is only a couple of years younger than Alistair, so their tastes are very, very similar. However, our second son is a bit more heartfelt than his brother. His favorite song, of course, is I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith. In addition, two of the songs that also represent him are What's Up? from 4 Non Blondes and Keane's Everybody's Changing.

For her part, Prudence is a fairly conservative woman and a bit corny, I would say. I haven't explored that side of her much in the story yet, but in my canon, during her adolescence she was very fond of listening to romantic ballads and she hasn't known how to get out of that phase. Her favorite song is, without a doubt, Because of You by Kelly Clarkson. In addition, her special mentions are When We Were Young by Adele and Impossible (Acoustic) by James Arthur. (The 2000s sponsor this post hahahaha).

We come to the one and only Kate, the true superstar of this story. As we already know, Kate was especially rebellious during her adolescence, between 2012-2015, and her time on Simblr marked her emo past (as it did for many of us who were born in the late 90s). For this reason, and clearly identified with this facet of hers, her favorite song is and always will be Sk8ter Boy by the great Avril Lavigne. As special mentions, Decode, by Paramore; and Blink-182's First Date. (Any resemblance to the author's reality is purely coincidental.)

We continue with Celia, who, as we know, is a lover of impossible causes, drama and her deep-rooted Hispanic culture. Despite her youth, she never liked the songs that most attracted her generation, opting for more independent singer-songwriters or music bands, always in Spanish. His favorite song is Hasta la Raíz by Natalia Lafourcade. For her part, her special mentions would be Limón & Sal by Julieta Venegas and Cuídate by La Oreja de Van Gogh.

Elliot is a highly sensitive boy whose musical tastes could be identified as folk or indie-folk. His favorite singer is Vance Joy, in whose discography he highlights Fire and the Flood (Acoustic), which he has tried to recreate with his guitar several times, still without success. His special mention of the genre would be Take Yours, I'll Take Mine, by Matthew Mole. But also, as a teenager, he has a predilection for Harry Styles and his As It Was (but don't tell anyone, it's too mainstream).

If Maddox lived in Spain, he would be a "cayetano". I don't know what the English equivalent is, but you can look it up. If I could explain it well, and if there was an equivalent in other cultures, the music he would listen to would be "Taburete" (you can search for it, at your own risk). But since he doesn't live in that reality, Maddox has a predilection for electronic music, especially Avicii's The Nights. Also, among his favorite songs for the gym, we find Cake By the Ocean by the group DNCE and Hymn for the Weekend by Coldplay.

Marianne is a tween with tween tastes and is obsessed with SimTok and kpop. As much as she loves ballet, she doesn't usually listen to classical music in her spare time. Her favorite song lately is Typa Girl by Blackpink. She is also a big fan of Olivia Rodrigo, highlighting good 4 u, and Leah Kate, with 10 Things I Hate About You. She's becoming a little modern feminist.

Lastly, and although you haven't met little Axel yet, let me tell you that like any 2-year-old baby he is obsessed with Lola the Cow and makes his parents listen to it 24/7 non stop. (Again, any resemblance to the author's reality is purely coincidental.)

As a highly procrastinating person, I leave you here the Spotify list so you can enjoy these great songs. They're in character order, so you know who you're listening to. I'll probably add more people or change the songs over time, if you want to check it out.

Thanks again for the question Cleo, I had a blast!

[theinsanecrayonbox]

KP watches MH s1e1 and e2

oh i was watching FOP-athon-block on nicktoons when suddenly MH series is on. i recorded it to watch later, but hey i guess i’ll watch it now

Episode 1: The Monstering

Deena is human and lives as a human, yes. she loves monsters, cool. and hey we get human characters. also, she has her purple hair; it’s cosmetic not genetic like the movie made it seem to be (which was dumb) momma Wolf is MIA? ok, that’s more explanation than the movie gave. oh we already have a musical number...uh...

ok theory time; i think the series gang and the movie gang were given the same basic “hit these bullet points” for what to do, that’s why they are independent but kinda clearly just repeating each other slightly.

was that Spectra? yay class puns are here!

Deuce’s snakes talk? O.o and we just have Frankie blurt the pronouns thing again...i mean i guess it makes sense  for them cause 15 days old, doesn’t know any different the kids are all already friendly? so...no real internal friend group drama? cause Cleo’s not ruffling any feathers...

wait Deena’s surname is “Wolf” not “Wolffe” or something more human-y? and hey they explain why they don’t imprison people to hide the school’s existence; there’s a forgetful thing...wouldn’t make the halfbreeds forget, cause it only works on humans, but ok, it’s better than the movie’s “eh we kick you out but feel free to expose us to the  humans while you’re out there”

points for BatB referencing. also, could they use that later for some EAH-ness??

oh ok Cleo does get to be a bit ruffly i guess

oh there’s the anti-witch craft. and hey...does Deena room with Ula and Frankie cause she crashes and there’s no free room? that why they’re a threesome while everyone else is twosome roomies?

Dr Snarls Darkwin? so...Boolittle can stay, but Moreau does have to be monsterfied...

i just remembered MCU!Flash is Deuce and yes that is his voice lol ^^;

is the musical number going to be a regular thing in an episode? i’ll give you Deena’s magical girl transformation is cute...and why didn’t anyone think werewolf?? you got a human with powers and found your place unassisted AND the surname wolf??

anyways, Tora’s accent really does sound fake to me. here’s hoping that is her character arc, to reveal her trueself

wait the monster world has DNA testing? and Dad has no ideas about the monster world at all...so why is his surname Wolf? (oh please be my dating app mixup theory) oh wait Dad DOES know? and never told her? oh geeze, they’re pulling Jackson’s retconned terrible backstory aren’t they...

so that is Spectra. she kinda looks like a fusion of Spectra and Ari...

well over all, that was not a bad start to a series, i will give you that. again, it feels like it expects you to walk in with familiarity to all the characters, so it’s not setting up characters but just the new status quo. so that’s...disappointing. BUT it’s only e1

------

Episode 2: Unfinished Brain-ness/Food Fight

the opening makes it seem like Deena, Ula, Frankie, and Deuce are the main characters

first the A-story; oh Ula doing a presentation on irony. hehe “iBall” Cleo...you shouldn’t just dump body parts (especially your own) on random surfaces

how is Lagoona more of a ditzy blonde when he’s not a blonde anymore? i’ll give you though, the “witches don’t belong even if we upcycle them” joke was wonderfully funny and dark

how can you have the frontal lobe from a poltergeist? they’re not physical in nature...did you get their brain from their body BEFORE they were a poltergeist? spectral species can die and leave remains??

Frankie...i feel if your parts are that easily removeable, your joints should be far less tight. and you know, you shouldn’t be filled with blood and gooey bits if parts can fall off and break seals that easily...i’m just not supposed to think about that am i?

heh brain muffin. why did no one say that?

wait, why is Drac in a movie? an 80s movie? that’s not digital film...is silver not used in movie film? i admit, idk that myself, but they got vamps showing up on phones because it’s digital so good there. but the reasons vamps don’t show up in old photos or in mirrors is because of the silver used in development and the silver backing. now these days, yo can make mirrors without silver, so they show up in those fine. but yeah...that’s an 80s film... but Drac as a movie star does make me chuckle, since wasn’t part of Elissa’s deal that her being an actress was a thing that wasn’t compatible with her high rank? or was that fanon...might’ve been fanon...

and Tora getting ready to cause problems. well you know Ula, if you didn’t record your secrets out loud, this wouldn’t have happened...

onto B-story; Mrs o’Shirek? your art teacher is a banshee? and vamp selfies are a thing now! see my vampires and silver paragraph above

pft ancient 70s, what children XD but Frankie’s parts are all monsters...ok. and they Jimmy Neutron brain blast

pft dumpster fire. ok you got me with that joke.

wait Watzit was made by one of Frankie’s parts? huh...ok, that’s kinda interesting actually. oh srry it’s “what-zee” not “whats-it” i guess. that is less interesting.

anyways, was the Ms Frizzle/Ms Grundy hybrid Mrs o’Shirek? huh

so for e2...it feels so short. idk, i know it was the full 22 min, but it just felt like we had the same amount if content as a 5 min webisode? again we’re starting off. e1 was world intro and Deena, e2a was Ula, e2b was Frankie. our lessons have been “believe in yourself”, “don’t self hate yourself”, and “everyone makes mistakes”. all fair enough...and all these points were hit in the movie...huh...

anyways, despite feeling super short it was a fun enough watch i guess. i’ll keep up with it. the animation is looking good and i do like it much more than the g1 or g2 cgi models.

[fourstarvideocoop]

7/5

All About Lily Chou-Chou Digger Downton Abbey: A New Era Everything Everywhere All At Once (DVD & Blu Ray) Hit The Road Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Season 3 Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project Volume 3 (Lucia, After The Curfew, Pixote, Dos Monjes, Soleil O, Downpour)(Criterion, DVD & Blu Ray, 3 Blu Rays and 6 DVDs rented separately) Memory Okja (Criterion) Star 80 Summer School (Blu Ray only) The Temptations Torchwood Season 1 The Complete Films Of Agnes Varda (La Pointe Courte, Cleo From 5 to 7, Le Bonheur, Les Creatures, Lions Love (...and Lies), Daguerreotypes, One Sings, the Other Doesn't, Mur Murs, Documenteur, Vagabond, Jane B. Par Agnes V., Kung Fu Master!, Jacquot De Nantes, One Hundred and One Nights, The Gleaners and I, The Beaches Of Agnes, Agnes de ci de la Varda, Faces Places, Varda By Agnes) (Criterion, Blu Ray only, 15 Blu Rays rented separately)

[theres-an-impulstor-among-us]

Last Life session 1 out of context

transcript below the cut (the ... is a divider between clips)

Scar, to Jimmy: Why do you think they're in a tree? They're hiding from me. Scott: No, we were in a tree when he came over, to be fair.

...

Martyn: The only other thing you need to know right now is the simple fact that- I've found a- a- a dungeon straight off the bat, fantastic, yeah this is great, uh... I will come back for you in just a moment, dude.

...

Etho: Do you guys know how to craft a shield, by chance? Tango: Oh come on.

...

Martyn, zooming in on Grian's face with a spyglass: Aha!!! Jimmy, doing the same: Aha!!! Grian: *chuckles* Martyn: You've joined us at a very weird time, I'm not gonna lie.

...

Cleo: So it'd be really easy to pour lava down? Lizzie: Yep... No, that is true. That would cascade down the mountain, all the way to my tree fort. Which is flammable.

...

Martyn, to Mumbo: Why you- Why you morsing in caps lock? It's like you're shouting at me.

...

Ren: Any diamonds up in here, my dude? Any diamonds? Tango: I mean, you know... just- just these. Ren: Ooooooh...!

...

Scott, to Pearl: Yeah no, we're gonna need to blackmail [Scar] for more than that in the future.

...

Grian: I said "have you seen the give life animation? Do it to me and I'll give it straight back." [Scar] gave it to me and I ran away.

...

Scott: Everything is terrifying now. Everything is scary. I hate it here.

...

Cleo, continued from previous clip: And your dogs wouldn't blame me at all? Lizzie: No, they would just sit here and do nothing about it. *pause* Cleo: Mmhmm? Lizzie: Mmhmm.

...

Grian, pretending to attack Etho: Boogey betrayal. Hup! *pause* Etho, lifting his shield: No!

...

Lizzie, in a cave: Can't see any- AH! *a creeper falls off a platform in a mineshaft, disappearing from view* Lizzie: Oh. Goodbye, then.

...

*sound of Impulse laughing in the background* Mumbo: I've been- I've been going to town on the cows.

...

Scott: Minecraft gods, what did I do to forsake you?!

...

Impulse, to Mumbo: This is 3rd Life, man! Like, we don't put that kind of effort in; you're gonna be dead next week.

...

Lizzie to Skizz and Tango, in an exaggerated British accent: Where's the Bogeyman? Come on lads, let's go find the Bogeyman.

...

Jimmy: What I'd like to say to that is... bon boyage! *gets on Scar's horse and rides away* Scar, chasing after him: NOOO, NOT THE HORSE! Scott: Oh my gosh! Pearl: OHH he's stealing the horse! Scott: What a twist of events!

...

Mumbo, to Martyn: I gave you 80% of my steak! How- What can a- What more can a man do?! *pause, Impulse throws redstone at Mumbo* Mumbo: And people keep giving me redstone, which I do appreciate.

...

*Etho fires an arrow in the air in the middle of a group of people* Tango: The contest is open- Look at Etho trying to kill us. Everyone: *laughs* *camera zooms in on Lizzie looking up waiting for the arrow to fall, then it falling right behind her, almost hitting her*

...

Pearl: Okay, maybe we can- Scott, mining downwards, accidentally hits a silverfish block: AH! Silverfish, silverfish, silverfish, silverfish, oh god!

...

Lizzie: I'm gonna make my shield. So that I don't die. *"a few moments later" card plays* Lizzie: Oh wait, I probably should've used my shield.

...

*wandering trader makes an "aha!" sound* Martyn, breaking out into wheezing laughter: See...? Jimmy, also audibly giggling: Stooooop!

...

Scott: A fox just got yeeted by a goat, Pearl!

...

Lizzie: I think we might've made an enemy by accident. Joel: Yeah. Oh well.

...

Mumbo, zooming in on Grian's head with the spyglass: I'm seeing inside Grian's soul right now.

...

Pearl, fighting an enderman with only an iron chestplate on: Hi! :D This is very loud. Scott, watching this from a safe distance: You're terrifying me.

...

Grian: I can't help but think that this mountain and YOU is a bad idea. Scar: Would you like to buy it?

...

Skizz: Right here. I just started it. *digs into the floor of his castle* And yeah, this is our- Welp, that's not it.

...

Etho: Alright, so the way I'm gonna kill Bdubs is- *goes out of audible range* Bdubs: HEY I HEAR YOU!!!

...

Scar: Scott, I hate so much the things that you've just said.

...

Lizzie: Who's here?! Who's in my cave?! And left all the iron. What's wrong with you? You crazy.

...

Impulse: I- I wasn't sure if you were talking to yourself or- Martyn: Oh absolutely I am, yeah.

...

Scott, to Scar, in a deadpan voice: Your six pack is stunning. I am so attracted to you right now Scar. I've never been more attracted to you. (/s)

...

Ren: Have you been fiddling around in places you shouldn't be fiddling? Grian: Nooooo.

...

Scar, trying to jump up a tree on his horse: Nooo it's too steep! I can't get away! Help, I can't get away! Mumbo, laughing at him: That's the worst jumping horse I've ever seen in my entire life.

...

Jimmy: Martyn, I'd like to sleep now. Martyn, lying in a bed: When do the hot rocks start? And the oils? When does that begin? Jimmy: No, no. Get up now. Scott: When the cameras stop recording. When the cameras stop recording, that's when that begins, Martyn. Martyn: *laughs* Pearl: Oh dear, that's saucy.

...

Bdubs: Tango? Skizz? Skizz: Hey! Hey buddy! Bdubs: Gi- Give us your diamonds!

...

*a creeper explodes, launching a zombie high into the air and killing it* Grian: Wooo!

...

Martyn: No reaction? Scar: Didn't feel a thing. *Scott is suddenly punched off the tree he's sitting in and hits the ground* Scott: OWW! Excuse you, LIZZIE!

...

Etho: *throws a diamond into lava* Bdubs: *screams*

...

*spooky haunting music plays as Etho slowly backs away with his shield raised and Bdubs looks from the jukebox to Grian with his sword out. nobody says anything. Grian eats some mutton in obvious confusion*

...

Lizzie: Aren't you scared that people are just gonna come from all angles? *long pause* BigB: Okay now I'm moving, thanks.

...

Martyn: What do you have to say for yourself?! Pearl, in the background: Oh it's a party here! Hello! Bdubs: I'm very proud of me.

...

Grian: Bdubs is in my book. I haven't made the book yet; I need to find some bits for the book, but Bdubs is in my book.

...

Mumbo: Alright Impulse seriously, I've lost my base.

...

Scott, to Ren: -and the fact that you're on two hearts as well does terrify me when you- *notices Scar riding up to them on his horse* Scott: -Scar, why do you have an enchanting table?

...

Jimmy: *zooms in on Martyn's face* AHA! Martyn: *zooms in on Jimmy's face* AHA! *zooms in on Scar's face* AHA!

...

Bdubs: Diamond sword? *very long pause* Etho: *quiet sigh* I guess...

...

Impulse: How'd that llama end up on top of the mushroom?

...

Scott, fighting a baby zombie: AAH, child! Noo!

...

Grian: [Bdubs] played the long con. Martyn: I like that. Mumbo: *zooms in very close on Grian's face* Grian, to Mumbo: You wanna get outta my face?

...

Ren: *jumps up to Scott* Boo! Scott: HI!

...

*Impulse zooms in on Martyn's face in silence with the spyglass, filling the whole frame*

...

Grian: I will give you one fish for your unwavering loyalty. Mumbo: ...ONE fish...?

...

*Etho is walking down a hill in silence when he sees a sheep go flying off the cliff and die in front of him, having been yeeted by a goat* Etho: *laughs* Dude!

...

*a group of people are looking at Bdubs in silence* Scar, trying not to laugh: He looks like Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. Everyone: *laughs* Bdubs: VERY FUNNY! That's REAL funny, Scar! In front of EVERYBODY?!

...

Scott, fixing an explosion hole: That creeper was a paid actor.

...

Grian, continued from previous clip: Alright, alright. I get it, I get it, I get it. TWO fish. *Mumbo stares at the two fish on the ground* Mumbo: Now you're tweaking my ear.

...

Mumbo: Does anyone know the morse code for 'w'?

...

Scott: Get in the house! Pearl: *rushes into the house but falls into the hole trap Scott dug* Scott: WATCH THE HOLE, PEARL!

...

Mumbo, looking around his base: Wh- What are you talking about? Impulse: You miss the memo? ...you don't even know where I am, do you?

...

Grian, to Lizzie: I can assure you it actually works if you find the right person. Huh, Scar? Scar: *hangs his head*

...

Scott: It's a big win for the girls and the gays, ladies and gentlemen. Big win for the girls and the gays.

[sbrown82]

PP Arnold said her song "Though it hurts me badly" was about her relationship with Mick Jagger and how his parents didn't approve interracial relationships. I've found it ironic cause I've read so many things about him and black women. Bebe Buell said him and Bowie used to pick up beautiful black girls together and take them back to the hotel to have sex with them back in the 70s. I was reading Carly Simon's memoir and she was jealous because Mick was paying attention to a gorgeous black girl at a party rather than her. It would always come up even when I'm not expecting it lmao

Whew, chile! 🤣 I've never heard of his parents disapproving of him dating Black women, because he's always been attracted to them (and he's been with A LOT). But let's finally put this to bed:

Cleo Sylvestre was Mick's first love who he actually nearly married.

He dated singer Estelle Bennett from the Ronettes in the early 60s.

He dated singer and Ikette P.P. Arnold, after touring together in 1966.

Mick dated and had his first child with singer/actress Marsha Hunt between 1969-1970. (He also wrote the hit "Brown Sugar" for her).

Mick dated another Ikette, Claudia Lennear, in late 1969-early 1970. (She also dated rockstar David Bowie).

He had a fling with Devon Wilson, a notorious rock "groupie" in late 1969. (She also dated Jimi Hendrix who wrote the song "Dolly Dagger" about their affair).

He was seen around NYC a lot with supermodel Pat Cleveland in the early 1970s.

Mick had a fling with singer and model Ava Cherry. (She also dated David Bowie in the mid-70s).

Apparently he had some sort of fling with actress Rae Dawn Chong in the mid-80s when they filmed a movie together.

One of my followers told me a few days ago that Mick dated actress Nia Long as well. (I don't know if that's true, could be just a rumor!)

*And these are just the ones the public knows about! LMFAOO

[bboyplankton]

2021 Playlist

1.Adele – My Little Love

2.Alina Baraz – I Could Imagine

3.Allyn – Upside Down

4.Anthony Hamilton – I Thought We Were In Love

5.Arlo Parks – Too Good

6.Aviino – Bloom

7.Baby Keem feat. Travis Scott – Durag Activity

8.Bathe – Pull Up

9.Belly feat. Moneybagg Yo – Zero Love

10.Big Sean & Hit-boy – The One

11.Blackbear feat. Tate McRae – U love U

12.Blu – Blu(e)r Than Blu(e)

13.Blu – Blu(e) World

14.Boldy James & The Alchemist – Flight Risk

15.Brandy Haze – Unfortunate

16.Brandy Haze – Waiting

17.Bren Jones – IDGAF

18.Bren Jones – Mrs. Jones

19.Bunji Garlin, Stadic, & Johnny Blaze – Trini Lingo

20.Casey Veggies feat. D Smoke – Goal Digger

21.Celeste – Love Is Back

22.Celeste – Tonight Tonight

23.Charlotte Day Wilson feat. Syd – Take Care of You

24.Citizens Worship – Heaven Comes Down

25.Cleo Sol – Spirit

26.Conor Albert & Mac Ayers – Moonlight

27.Conway the Machine feat. Ludacris & JID – Scatter Brain

28.Curren$y feat. Fendi P – Bad Decisions

29.Curtisay – Uptown Madness

30.Czarface & MF Doom – This is Canon Now

31.Dave East & Millyz – Pablo & Blanco

32.Dayglow – Close to You

33.Dayglow – Moving Out

34.Destin Conrad – In the Air

35.Dexta Daps feat. Drumma Boy – WiFi

36.Dixson – Heaven With You

37.DMX feat. Snoop Dogg – Take Control

38.Dom Kennedy – Star Baby

39.Don Toliver – Swangin’ On Westheimer

40.Donnell Jones – Karma (Payback)

41.Drake feat. Project Pat & 21 Savage – Knife Talk

42.D Smoke – Mind My Business

43.D Smoke – Shame On You

44.D Smoke – Stay True

45.Duckwrth – No Chill

46.Duckwrth – Slow Motion

47.Duke Deuce feat. A$AP Ferg – Fell Up In the Club

48.Duke Deuce – Move

49.DVSN & Ty Dolla $ign feat. Mac Miller – I Believed It

50.Elhae – Face

51.Elhae – I Can See

52.Emanuel feat. Dylan Synclair – Hindsight

53.Eric Bellinger & Hitmaka – Passionate

54.Eric Bellinger – Lava Lamps

55.Flozigg – 4Life

56.Freddie McGregor – Jah Love

57.Gallant – Comeback

58.G Herbo – Loyalty

59.G Herbo & Hit Boy feat. Bump J – Revolutionary

60.Ginjah – Chillin

61.Gotham, Talib Kweli, & Diamond D feat. Busta Rhymes – The Quiet One

62.Guapdad 4000 & !llmind – Catching Bodies

63.H.E.R. – Cheat Code

64.H.E.R. – Hold On

65.Hiatus Kaiyote – Chivalry is Not Dead

66.Illiterate feat. Josh Wells – Leafy

67.India Shawn feat. 6lack – Not Too Deep

68.J. Cole – The Climb Back

69.J. Cole – Close

70.Jael feat. Latanya Alberto - Comfortable

71.Jael – Unworthy

72.Jagwa De Champ – Active

73.Jake & Papa feat. Nola J & Hi-Tone – Black & Brown

74.James Vickery – All That I Am

75.Jaz Elise feat. Mortimer – After 3

76.Jazmine Sullivan – Put It Down

77.Jesse Royal – Home

78.Jesse Royal – Natty Dread

79.JMSN – Secret Garden

80.Joell Ortiz – Sincerely Yours

81.John Mayer – New Light

82.JoJo – Anxiety (Burlinda’s Theme)

83.JoJo – B.I.D.

84.Jo Mersa Marley & Black Am I – No Way Out

85.Jorja Smith – Time

86.Jordan Hawkins – Heart Won’t Stop

87.Jordan Hawkins – What We Have

88.Joyce Wrice – Addicted

89.Joy Crookes – Feet Don’t Fail Me Now

90.Kara Marni – Close

91.K Camp – Mama

92.Kelly Rowland – Black Magic

93.Kenyon Dixon – Hard Way

94.Kenyon Dixon – Switch

95.Kenyon Dixon – Tithes

96.Key Glock – Juicemane

97.Khalid feat. Quin – Brand New

98.Kyle Dion – Cookie

99.Kyle Dion – I Could Be Your Girlfriend

100.Larry June – Escrows and Orange Juice

101.Larry June – Iced Coffee

102.Leon Bridges – Magnolias

103.Leon Bridges – Steam

104.Lil Nas X feat. Elton John – One of Me

105.Lil Wayne & Rich the Kid – Bleedin’

106.Lloyd Banks – Commitment

107.Lloyd Banks – Death by Design

108.Logic – God Might Judge

109.Loop Schrauber – Bud

110.Mac Ayers – Every Time

111.Mac Ayers – Nothing Else

112.Machael Montano feat. J-Stylz & Teddy Riley – I Do

113.Machael Montano feat. Afro B – Slow Wine

114.Madison Beer – Stay Numb And Carry On

115.Maeta – Habits

116.Majid Jordan – Sweet

117.Malia – Deep Blue

118.Marc E. Bassy – No Perfect Time

119.Mariah the Scientist – Brain

120.Maroon 5 feat. Blackbear – Echo

121.Megan Thee Stallion – Meg’s Piano

122.Michael Buckley – My Way

123.Mickey Factz feat. Blu, Nottz, Fashawn, Oswin Benjamin – One

124.Migos feat. Youngboy Never Broke Again – Need It

125.Migos – Menace

126.Miguel – Thinking Out Loud

127.Moneybagg Yo – If Pain Was A Person

128.Moneybagg Yo feat. Pharrell Williams – Certified Neptunes

129.Montell Fish – Can’t Get Enough

130.Moonga K. – honeybee

131.Nao – Little Giants

132.Nao feat. Lianne La Havas – Woman

133.Nas – Store Run

134.Nas – The Truth

135.Nbdy – Missing Sumthin’

136.Norelle – Back Into You (Triggers)

137.Otis Kane – Keeps Me Going

138.Otis Kane – Lost

139.Patrice Roberts feat. Ricardo Drue – Toxic Love

140.Payroll Giovanni feat. Mack Nickels & Cashout Calhoun – Closer 2 The Plug

141.Phabo – Local

142.Phabo – Polaris

143.PinkPanthress – Pain

144.Pink Sweat$ – Heaven

145.Pink Sweat$ – Pink Money

146.Popcaan – Good Only

147.Pop Smoke feat. The Neptunes, Pusha T, Beam, Travi – Top Shotta

148.Pressure feat. Adrian Donsome Hanson – Likes of Jah

149.Prince – When She Comes

150.Problem Child – Crocodile

151.Robin Thicke – Look Easy

152.Roe – Fun N Games

153.Romero Mosley feat. Lorine Chia – Stained

154.Rotimi – Decide

155.Rotimi feat. Busy Signal – Fiction

156.Russ feat. Big Sean, Wale, Joey Bada$$, & Hit-Boy – Note to Self

157.Russ feat. The Game – Nothin New

158.Sammy Johnson – It’s Alright

159.Sean Paul & Buju Banton – Crazy

160.Sevyn Streeter – Taboo

161.Shelley FKA DRAM – Beautiful

162.Shelley FKA Dram feat. Summer Walker – All Pride Aside

163.Silk Sonic – Put On A Smile

164.Sinead Harnett – Like This

165.Sinead Harnett – Stay

166.Sinead Harnett feat. Masego & VanJess– Stickin’

167.Skepta feat. Teezee & Kid Cudi – Peace of Mind

168.Sky – done

169.Skylar Stecker – FWY

170.Snoh Aalegra feat. Tyler, the Creator – In the Moment

171.Snoh Aalegra – In Your Eyes

172.Squid – Ah Killa

173.Stargate Backing Band & Prince Levy – Vows – Piano Version

174.Stokley feat. H.E.R. – Rush

175.Stokley – Voodoo

176.Summer Walker – Constant Bullshit

177.Summer Walker feat. Ari Lennox – Unloyal

178.Swappi – Properly

179.Syd – Fast Car

180.Teflon – Revolution

181.Teflon – Warriors

182.Tems feat. Brent Faiyaz – Found

183.Thuy – In My Head

184.Thuy – Universe

185.Tiara Imani – Sprouts

186.Tinashe feat. Wax Motif – Undo (Back to my Heart)

187.Tiwa Savage feat. Brandy – Somebody’s Son

188.Tone Stith – When I’m With You

189.Trevor Jackson – Bouts to Be

190.Tyler, the Creator – Lumberjack

191.Tyler, the Creator feat. Teezo Touchdown – Run It Up

192.UB40 feat. House of Shem – Good Vibes Tonight

193.Vandelux feat. Alex Maher – Matter of Time

194.Vedo – Kiss It Right

195.Vedo feat. Lloyd – Sex Room

196.Wale feat. Maxo Kream & Yella Beezy – Down South

197.Wale – Fire & Ice

198.Wedntcare, Jayymr, & Mukass – Sweat It Out

199.Westside Gunn feat. Benny the Butcher & Conway the Machine – Claires Back

200.Weezer – I Need Some of That

201.Young Dolph & Key Glock – Aspen

202.Young Thug – Faces

[cremdotexe]

3L!Impulse: The Analysis

I can’t stop over thinking about 3rd life smp for my own enjoyment.

Soooo Finally a post from me that doesn’t have much to do with the sand duo, but rather someone more in the middle ground. Of course, I’m talking about Impulse. Now this post will be talking in the context of the story, or c!Impulse rather than the cc (obviously). I shall be talking about his beginning, his end, and everything in between.

Under the cut we go! This is very long...

Kill them with kindness.

Impulse as a character within the context of the story could only be described as ambitious, cautious, and sly. From the beginning, Impulse strived to be strong and more importantly, trusted. He grinded until he was actually one of the best-equipped people, and he made alliances left and right until he was friends with pretty much everyone at one point, until us as the viewers didn’t even know where his loyalty lies. How did he manage this?

Ironically enough, kindness.

Impulse was always known to be kind, caring, basically the mom friend. However, it was because of that exact reason that he was able to weaponized his kind nature so easily. He gave away incredibly generous gifts to both the OG Crastle and Dogwarts, he was willing to make deals with the Sand duo, and helped Skizz, Etho, and Tango when asked. While he was giving away gifts like it was nothing, he was stating to himself that “This was going to pay off.” And well-- It did.

Friends close, Enemies closer.

Impulse was asked to join dogwarts, and at that moment, his options became much more limited. If he joined, he would be going against his original plans of playing both sides. If he didn’t and stuck with his original plans, he would’ve been discovered anyways. So Impulse went with the 3rd option, and that was be a mole for the Crastle, while claiming to be the mole for dogwarts.

However, it was also at this point that everyone started to become suspicious as he struggles to remain under the radar. Both Cleo questioned his loyalty, The sand-hobbits alliance were wary, and Ren was becoming suspicious. The only people who had faith that he was absolutely loyal were Skizzle “He’s a good man”, Etho “He’s lawful good.”, and Bdubs “I’m willing to listen.”...which brings us to the next topic.

Skizzle and Etho.

Those two chracters emphasized the turning points in Impulse’s arc. Let me explain.

After Cleo died, Impulse had to finally make a stand with the Crastle, or more specifically, Bdubs and Tango. His betrayal was emphasized by Skizz’s death as he just stood and watch, even pointing the bow at his own best friend who he betrayed. It was at this moment where he became one of the most untrustworthy people on the server.

Etho was a similar tale to Skizz sadly. Etho trusted Impulse, his own roommate, so much that even after Tango pointed out how Impulse wasn’t the person who could be trusted, Etho still believed him up until the betrayal. The next time they directly face eachother was during the battle at dogwarts in which Impulse shot Etho with a flame bow, slowly burning him to death. Etho died thinking he was safe, just like how he was betrayed by someone he believed to be trustworthy, someone he thought he was safe with.

Bdubs.

Much like the previous one, Bdubs represents the ending of Impulse’s arc that ties his story together quite nicely.

Bdubs trusted Impulse more than anyone in the Crastle alliance, but during the last session we can clearly see his trust dwindle as everyone around him starts to doubt Impulse’s loyalty. Scar “I told you he was a betrayer!” and Tango “You went out with them and they both died.” especially distrusting him, as shown by how they vocal they are with their distrust, with the general response from others agreeing with them.

This is why I think Scar played the last session incredibly competently whether he realized it or not. Because of what he and Tango had been saying, they effectively planted doubt in Bdubs mind. Literally 80 percent of the conversations with Tango, Scar, and Bdubs in it are ‘Where are we at with Impulse.’ So when it came down to the final 5, when Impulse was going back to help the one person he trusted, Bdubs turned on him with just a clock. Of course Bdubs was going to accept Scar’s offer of an alliance, Impulse has been nothing but shady up until that point while Scar was presenting himself as very trustworthy during that last session, like giving Impulse enderpearls and Bdubs blazepowder.

The reality.

When Impulse was running up to Bdubs, there was intense music. When Bdubs landed the first hit, the music cuts off abruptly. Because at that moment, there was no moment of heroic glory, there was no epic battle, only the cold, harsh reality.

And the reality was that Impulse died at the hands of his most trusted friend, when he was the most loyal, when he was at his weakest, and it was because of all the betrayals he did to everyone else.

Pretty poetic, isn’t it?

[opalsiren]

What are your favourite things to see in h2o fan fic ? :)

ooh! this is a great question. here go some bulletpoints for the sake of clarity:

i have my personal preferences re: ships (zikki and clewis are my fav of the canon ships). anything that explores sapphic rare pairs like basically anything written by the homie @juicenet are also great

this is petty but i am ALWAYS here for fic that disregards s3/ma.ko merm.aids canon. some of my fav fics incorporate one or both but i liiiiive for author's notes which are like 'apparently there was something called a water tentacle? rikki helped to *checks notes* slay a dragon? anyway leave a review' lmao

i am a stickler for detail and love when fics incorporate or at least try to be consistent with small details from the show, like rikki being into 80s music or cleo being lactose intolerant. i also like fics that elaborate on what we don't know, like lewis's family or the unceremonious disappearances of certain characters after s1 rip ms chatham byron miriam tiffany harrison bennett and many more in peace

it's rare to see a fic that employs as much girl hate as the jscu (jonathan shiff cinematic universe). that said there is a special place in my heart for fic that is, say, sympathetic to charlotte like this one, or features an interaction between bella and emma that isn't entirely predicated on rivalry and jealousy like this one

anything that expands upon the lore is awesome, especially that which tries to explain the scientific side of things. i'm a humanities queen so things like this fic which posits an intriguing theory about cleo's powers are always great

there is always room for more 1950s mermaids fic in the world. that's all i'll say

that said, i'm open to trying pretty much anything so feel free to hit me up with fic even if you just want me to signal boost it 🥰

[daily-coloring]

Best of 2021 - Songs

The year when nothing turned out the way I had hoped. The most anticipated records turned to be the most disappointing but nevermind. Maybe next time. Full playlist here.

01. MARINA - Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land

02. O Future - And You’re Mine

03. Will o’ the Wisp + Rick Astley - Burning

04. Orla Gartland - You’re Not Special, Babe

05. Nilufer Yanya - Stabilise

06. VLURE - Shattered Faith

07. Korelless - Joy Squad

08. Joywave - Pray For the Reboot

09. Joy Crookes - 19th Floor

10. Saint Etienne - Music Again

11. JMSN - What Did I Get Myself Into

“ What did I get myself into?  I got a whole long list of stupid things that I shouldn't ever choose to do  Second guessin' every second why I do what I do  Yeah 'cause I ain't got a clue (clue), yeah  And I got 50 million silly little eloquent excuses I could choose to use, to use “

12. Erika de Casier - Drama

13. Emika + Paul Frick - In Parallel II

14. Duran Duran - Invisible

15. Bo Burnham - Problematic

16. Bawrut + Cosmo - Eurocasbah

17. Alan Fitzpatrick + Kele - W.A.I.S.T.D.

18. MARINA - Highly Emotional People

19. u-Ziq - Sketty

20. Charlotte Adigery + Boris Pupul - Thank You

21. Daniel Avery - Yesterday Faded

22. Duran Duran + Tove Lo - Give It All Up

23. Eomac - What Does Your Heart Tell You?

24. For Those I Love - You Stayed/To Live

25. Garbage - Godhead

26. Japanese Breakfast - Be Sweet

27. Joywave - The Inversion

28. MARINA - Flowers

29. O Future - Plastic Fruit

30. Purity Ring - soshy

31. Shygirl - Cleo

32. The The - Sentimental Journey

33. Will o’ the wisp + Rick Astley - Blood on my Tie

34. Yard Act - Fixer Upper

“ Anyway, this letter, I'll just post it back 'return to sender'  Unless you know him, I think...  I think he's called Mr. J Konopinski...?  Oh no wait, that's not an M that's a D  Dr J. Konopinski, do you know him?  Sounds a bit Russian to me... Oh! Polish, I see “

35. Yebba - Boomerang

36. Maxwell Sterling - Turn of Phrase

37. Martina Topley-Bird - Weasel

38. MARINA - Venus Fly Trap

39. Lady Parts - Ain’t No One Gonna Honour Kill My Sister But Me

40. Korelless - Shellshock

41. Wolf Alice - Play The Greatest Hits

42. u-Ziq + Mrs Jynx - Unheard Melodies

43. When Saints Go Machine - Emotional

44. Sophia Kennedy - Orange Tic Tac

45. Ross From Friends - Life In A Mind

46. Nitin Sawhney + Ayanna Witter-Johnson - Movement - Variation II

47. Methyl Ethel - Matters

48. Magdalena Bay - Chaeri

49. Lady Parts - Bashir with the Good Beard

50. Joywave - Every Window is a Mirror

51. Jessie Ware - Hot N Heavy

52. Jake Bugg - Rabbit Hole

53. Technimatic + Charlotte Haining - Still Miss You

54. Tori Amos - Speaking with Trees

55. Violet Chachki + Allie X - Mistress Violet

“ Yes, you're correct in assuming that I  Prefer provocative extremes  When I attend to my businessmen  I like to show them all the seams  Most men know if they misbehave  They're gonna pay while I collect  And that's why they all come to me  So I can teach them some respect “

56. W.H. Lung - Gd Tym

57. John Tejada - Abbot of Burton

58. William Doyle - The Unanswered Why

59. Emika + Liela Moss - Angel Come

60. Duran Duran + CHAI - More Joy!

61. DJ Food - Skylark

62. Confidence Man - Holiday

63. The Chemical Brothers - The Darkness That You Fear

64. Cagedbaby + Dorothys Fortress - Attention 

65. Brodka - Game Change

66. Arca - Rakata

67. Alexis Taylor - Dying in Heaven

68. Agoria - Swipe

69. Erika de Casier - Polite

70. Fatima Al Qadiri - Medieval Femme

71. Fred again.. - Sabrina (I Am A Party)

72. Garbage - Wolves

73. Hector Oaks + COCO-PALOMA - No Hay Manana

74. Huerco S. - Plonk IV

75. The Horrors - Against The Blade

76. MARINA - I Love You But I Love Me More

77. Yebba - Stand

“ I want you  But I don't want your reasons why  You can't even look me in my eye  I told you  So don't you make me say it one more time  When you went away  Moonlight took the day  Stars and darkness all collided  In the loneliest of space  Will you stand?”

78. Walt Disco - Selfish Lover

79. UNKLE - If We Don’t Make It

80. Sturle Dagsland - Kusanagi

81. Tirzah - Send Me

82. Sorry - Cigarette Packet

83. Self Esteem - How Can I Help You

84. Rennie Pilgrem - So Long

85. Q - Alone

86. Mr. Mitch - Did we Say Goodbye

87. Men I Trust - Serenade of Water

88. Alanis Morissette - Predator

89. Bawrut + Liberato - Je ‘O Tteng E T’O Ddong

90. Bodi Bill - Be Sure

91. Alessandro Cortini - Lo Specchino

92. Boys Noize + Kelsey Lu - Love & Validation

93. Brodka - Hey Man

“Hey, tender stranger  Hey, lovely angel  I'll make you scream 'til you get to know the real danger  You'll never forget tonight  A bitter delish, oh man, what a dish “

94. Elliot Adamson - The Fight

95. Gesloten Cirkel - Shadow of the Rat

96. Hayden Thorpe - Rational Heartache

97. Josef Salvat - I’m Sorry

98. Katy B - Under My Skin

99. Sneaker Pimps - Fighter

100. Squid - Pamphlets

[papermoonloveslucy]

INDOMINATABLE LIFESTYLE

July 16, 1972

HOLLYWOOD - Indomitable funny girl Lucille Ball, with a messy scoop hair the color of an orange popsicle, flashes on the scene in a sad predicament. 

She's got a lame leg.  

Lucy hobbled from her sleek silver Rolls Royce and into the yellow cubbyhole dressing room which is a sunny retreat near the Lucy set which Is crawling with rehearsal activity. 

On the surface, everything's ha-ha-ha. But the fact is that surgeons have inserted pins into the shattered leg bone suffered last year in a Snowmass Peak, Colo., skiing accident. The leg brace is a semi-intolerable ball and chain. But, as always, crippling situations must be mastered. Lucy's inextinguishable spirit pulsates despite the physical handicap. 

Lucy Is showing a smiling color photograph of herself in a flowing white hooded cape coat rimmed in fluffy fox. The picture, radiating exterior happiness, doesn't reflect the inner pain. Lucy's leg, in a hip cast, is disguised under a blanket. 

You know the familiar Lucy grin? She's grinning it and saying hell no, baby, she's not ever going to ski again. She couldn't stomach another goddam ordeal like that. Besides, on the immediate horizon is an operation to remove the pins.

Lucy, being Lucy, bears the cross with humor: "Honey," she says, "skiing is just getting into those nice winter clothes and being a show off." The burdensome subject of broken bones is dismissed with frivolity. 

Brainy Lucy, now 60 and president of a $30 million corporation, is an American institution. 

But, like all super-successful females, she vibrates complex contradictions. The fashion plate - who initiated her career as a Hattie Carnegie hat model - is a winsome dumb broad on the tube. In reality she's tough executive who barks orders left and right. Staffers instantly do like the lady says. God has spoken. Lucy runs a tight ship, but she is more respected than feared. 

Yet Lucy is softie with a heart of spun sugar. Trappings, which she has in predictable abundance, aren't a psychic crutch. 

"Success is knowing that if everything were wiped away tomorrow, it wouldn't really matter. I wouldn't die if I lost my things," she says. Then the awesome simplicity: "Dear, I still go home and let the cat out" 

Lucy has always run her home life with a liberal hand.

Desi Arnaz, Jr. is currently Involved in well-publicized liaison with Liza Minnelli. There was a previous Desi scandal regarding Patty Duke. People gossip a lot here because they live in a city where the major industry is make-believe and fact and fiction become blurred. 

Lucy isn't deaf to the talk about her son's romances: 

"What the hell, they're having a fine spree. I just hope it lasts for Desi and Liza. They don't have time to get married. Their scene is the world and they're swinging in there. I'm the one who talked marriage to them. One night I said: Look, kids, don't get married too soon. They were upset. Desi countered with the observation that you don't have to settle down when you get married. So I go -  well, that's true son! The subject of marriage just never came up again. They're a nice couple. They present themselves well without becoming asses. I've told the kids to do as they wish." 

Lucy, who was a good friend to Judy Garland, makes no bones about her affection for Liza. And once Lucy loves, the feeling lasts. After 20 years of marriage to Desi Arnaz, there was the divorce. Still Lucy looks people straight in the eyes and says the present Mrs. Desi Arnaz is a "wonderful woman." And she can see it in her heart to rent ex-husband Desi studio space on her lot so that he can work in the shadow of a success they initiated together. 

When Liza Minnelli was a child, Lucy kept a scrapbook of Liza's activities at play, in ballet school, attending birthday parties. There, in a battered old photo album, are the precious pictures. Liza didn't know about the book until recently. Desi brought Liza home and Lucy accidentally-on-purpose left the book on a coffee table. "Oh! Wow!" exclaimed Liza through a flow of uncontrollable tears. 

Lucy; "And I said to Liza, honey-baby, I told you I've known you for a long time. Didn't you believe me?" Lucille Ball speaks in an affectionate aside about Liza and the loyalty is simultaneously visible and audible: 

"That kid is liable to explode any minute. I just hope I'm around to pick up the pieces. No one knows why she works so hard. She's made it her objective to clear her mother financially. Those b--- lawyers took her --- really took her. But she's paying back every damn cent herself." 

Life is, of course, an inexplicable mixture of tears and laughter. Buoyant Lucy can see the funnies in everything. Love, she says, is looking beyond someone's minor faults and caring passionately despite the irritations. Lucy's 80-year-old mom, Dede (Desiree Ball) lives near Lucy's sprawling colonial house in Beverly Hills. Dede has a longstanding idiosyncrasy which used to drive Lucy wild but is now an amusement. 

In that familiar screechy scratchy soprano voice oozing feigned stupidity, Lucy sing-songs the dialogue; 

"I say to Dede: Hey Dede, I've got a pain in my elbow. Dede always says: 'stupid, it's because you're not eating right!" Honest to God, if you've got a pain in your big toe, it's not because someone stepped on it it's the food. Drives you nuts! Dede really has a thing about food. The other day I went home and cooked a batch of chicken. 'Chicken!!" says Dede, 'you know it's gonna make me sick.' Of course Dede eats more chicken than anybody. Next day I say: Dede you been up all night throwin', huh? Naw," says Dede, the chicken wasn't half bad.'"

The ridiculous story illustrates two things Dede taught Lucy early in life. One: That without good health you've got nothing. Two; That without a non-pliant, thoroughly independent attitude, you've got less than nothing because show business kills the weak. 

Lucy is in constant awe of Dede. When Lucy built the five-story ski chalet 9,800 feet on the side of a Colorado mountain she was certain Dede couldn't take either the long trip or the altitude. Besides, once you get to Lucy's place, there are a million icy steps to climb before you make the front door. "Even the dogs stop to get their breath," says Lucy. "But when I start huffing, Dede looks over her shoulder and sorta snaps: Aw, Lucy, you're a sissy!' That woman is my challenge." 

Does Lucy ever get down? Do the burdens of crushing disappointments halt her enthusiasm even temporarily? "Jesus," she says, "I cry. I cry a lot. Then anger sets in. When I'm angry, I become a fighter. And I always fight to win." 

When Lucy talks to you, she taps your knee in a natural gesture of intimacy. Her gaze is through black fringed x-ray eyes that sear through trivia. She smokes her cigarette twirled ceremoniously between her thumb and forefinger. Lucy always spews gut honesty: 

"Love is a great peace of mind. There's no panic in the relationship. It's never having to prove yourself. Love is not playing games. Baby, some women have to put up with mysterious absenteeism. That's always a sign of hanky panky-ism. Christ, I never have to worry where Gary is." 

Gary is Gary Morton, Lucy's husband and executive producer. Suddenly he bursts into the dressing room and asks for the afternoon off. Lucy's going to work the full day. Her answer is affirmative, but she doesn't use the word "yes"; "Just don't forget to tell the cook to get out the steaks and have a big salad ready." 

The show is all in the family. Lucy's sister, Cleo Smith, is another producer. Lucy is having the talk-about twosome of Desi Jr. and Liza written into a script. Little Lucy, who has been Mrs. Phil Vandervort for a year, is a regular. She, too, bursts into the dressing room to use the john. The jeans are already embarrassingly unzipped. As she whizzes by she comments only to her famous mama: "Jeez, I though you were alone!" 

But an emergency is an emergency. Lucy, quick to seize the humor, quips: "Our togetherness is only occasionally splintered." 

In retrospect, Lucy is pleased with her real-life mother role. "I've been one hell of a mom," she says. "I always knew where they were every minute." Lucille Ball is a profound woman who often uses great simplicities to get her points across.

Once, when the kids were small, a nurse observed to Lucy that Little Lucy was calling Desi Jr., "fatso," and jabbing him in the stomach-when no one was looking. Desi didn't hit back because mama had said never to hit defenseless little girls. Lucy relives the old conversation with her daughter, first announcing each "part" and changing voices to portray the back-and-forth swing of conversation: 

Big Lucy: "Got a problem, Little Lucy?" 

Little Lucy: "Me? No." 

Big Lucy: "Let's talk. Whose fault is it? No, actually it doesn't matter whose fault it is. Next time one of you is hurt, I'm going to hit the one who is hurt." 

Little Lucy: "What does that mean, ma?" 

Big Lucy: "You'll see." 

Soon there was another battle. As usual, Little Lucy elbowed Desi in the stomach and he howled, Lucy illogically whacked Desi hard on the rear and his screams got louder. Little Lucy immediately became hysterical: "Mom, don't hit him! For God's sake, why are you hitting HIM?" 

Lucy delivered the punch line which is the credo of their life: "I hit Desi because you let things go too far. Never let things go too far. Someone innocent always suffers. Do you understand?" 

That was the end of sibling squabbling. Forever. 

Once, before her chorus girl days, New York-born Lucy worked as a fashion mannequin for various Seventh Ave. houses. She's still got a clotheshorse figure but she won't splurge on couture: "I'm just one of those normal working women who doesn't go in for hifalutin’ fashion." 

Lucy haunts three fabric shops in Beverly Hills and has local movie set seamstresses make all her clothes. "I'm not the type who dresses and goes out," says Lucy who long ago graduated from the silly-but-necessary movie star game of being seen in the right places. 

"Once when I was in Paris, I bought a designer dress grey flannel, I think and wore it out from the salon to my car.  When I sat down the damn thing was so strictly constructed that the neckline popped up to my nose. I was on my way to Switzerland and I mumbled to my driver, God, did that designer expect me to stand up on the plane?" Lucy can afford emergencies. When she got to Orly, she bought a dress from an airport boutique and changed in the ladies room. 

And, so, the sweet saga of Lucy continues, there are no plans to quit. The word - retirement - isn't in her vocabulary. "I can't imagine doing nothing," she says. "If you don't keep moving, you're buried." 

The beauty is still there. The complexion is like alabaster. Lucy confesses that she washes her face with Ivory soap, colors her own hair and occasionally gives herself offbeat facials." 

"Honey, the idiot who said to put honey on your face never explained that it has to be mixed with cream," she says. The face melts into that wonderful famous grin. "I put honey on straight from the goddamn jar and it closed my pores for a month." 

That's lovable Lucy. 

[Ed. Note: The original photographs were degraded by copying so similar shots were substituted as close to the originals as possible.]

#   #   #

[maybeacrowdedmind]

My Top Seven Favorite Musical Moments In Shows That Aren't Musically Driven* and why (in no particular order)**

*By not musically driven I mean shows that do not have plots driven by music (i.e. Glee, Smash, etc. etc.)

**I know I said top seven, but I just mean out of the many I have seen, these seven are the ones I like the most.

Note: None of the images used are mine; they belong to various internet gods.

#1

Legacies Season 1 Episode 11: We're Gonna Need a Spotlight

Kaleb and the Vampire faction singing "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone at the Salvatore School talent show.

While the entirety of the talent show was amazing (Kaylee Bryant's singing voice, Raf's slightly awkward yet still appropriately dramatic poetry), it was Kaleb and the vampires who stole the show. Chris Lee has an incredible voice and his rendition of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" was stunning, both visually and vocally. I'm also a great lover of epic dance moves, so it was no contest.

#2

Gilmore Girls Season 7 Episode 20: Lorelai? Lorelai?

Lorelai singing "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton originally (Whitney Houston covered) at Stars Hollow karaoke to Luke, despite beginning the song as a dedication to Rory.

Lorelai and Luke may be broken up, but Lorelai's beautiful (and slightly alcohol-fueled) version of Dolly Parton's kind of cheesy yet nonetheless tender "if you love someone, set them free" ballad that was later made into an iconic cover by Whitney Houston was proof that they'd never really be over. Sure, she says she's singing it to Rory, but the moment Luke walks in and they lock eyes, everyone knows. Lauren Graham also has a good voice, and the emotion that comes through is so real, a cheesy karaoke moment becomes a heartfelt cheesy karaoke moment.

#3

Everything's Gonna Be Okay Season 1 Episode 5: West African Giant Black Millipedes

Nicholas doing a drag queen routine to Thelma Houston's disco hit "Don't Leave Me This Way" for Alex and his friends.

Okay, so I love this scene so much, because not only is it done to an incredibly fun song, it also showcases Nicholas doing something so utterly entertaining for Alex and a bunch of people he was nervous about meeting. The fact that just a few days before watching this episode I had watched an episode of Ru Paul's Drag Race where two queens had to lip sync for their lives to the very same song made the scene that much more enjoyable to watch. Nicholas looks amazing, his dance moves are to die for, and his lip syncing game is strong. I also appreciated the fact that when he did this scene, Josh Thomas committed to it. The scene is done in full, not going for a bit and then fading out before we get to see the end. Also, I know that Nicholas isn't technically singing, but it still totally counts.

#4

The Magicians Season 1 Episode 4: The World in the Walls

Quentin starting up a group sing-along to Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" to get Penny's attention in the mental hospital while under Julia and Marina's spell.

I just started watching this show after having read the first two books, and this scene was HILARIOUS! I loved that the show used a random interaction between Quentin and Penny from a previous episode and turned it into something more because usually shows ignore one-off interactions between characters. Also, Quentin singing off-key at the top of his lungs with everyone else joining in and dancing while Penny suddenly hears it in the real world was so funny and a huge break in an otherwise extremely dramatic and rather dark episode.

#5

Skam Season 2 Episode 3: Er det noe du skjuler for oss? (Are You Hiding Someone From Us?)

Noora singing Extreme's "More Than Words" on William's guitar, initially doing so to make fun of him, but quickly turning into a super sweet and romantic moment between the two.

Skam is another show I started watching recently, and Noora quickly became one of my favorite characters. Now, I'll admit, I wasn't too fond of the idea of William and Noora at first, but this scene changed my mind immediately. I'm also very into the whole "enemies to lovers" thing these two have with one another. All of the songs Noora sings in this scene are good, but "More Than Words" is the one where you really begin to see that William's feelings for Noora are not as one-sided as she says they are. Josefine Frida Petterson, who plays Noora, has an absolutely beautiful voice, and the vocalization and soft musicality throughout are stunning. This is one of my favorite scenes in this show to date, and everything about it was perfect.

#6

New Girl Season 1 Episode 1: Pilot

Coach, Schmidt, and Nick singing "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes from Dirty Dancing to Jess, who eventually joins in, after her date stands her up.

Poor Jess had just broken up with her boyfriend, moved into an apartment with three guys who have little to know emotional know-how when it comes to women, and had her first date since her breakup stand her up at a fancy restaurant. The situation was made worse by the fact that she was told to give up her table. When the boys showed up and claimed to be her boyfriends, it was sweet, but the moment they began singing "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life", they showed that they really did care about her. What makes this scene so funny is the fact that Nick (who begins it) and Coach (who joins in after Nick elbows him) don't really know the words, they're both singing different parts in different tunes at different volumes, and then Schmidt (who initially says he's not singing), comes out of nowhere belting the song with the correct words and tune. Then Jess joins in and they have a great time until the restaurant makes them leave. They head back to the apartment, watch Dirty Dancing, and show that any problem can be solved with good friends and 80s movies.

#7

Angel Season 2 Episode 11: Redefinition

Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn sing "We Are The Champions" by Queen at Caritas after Angel fires them.

Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn had just been fired by Angel so he could kill Darla and Drusilla without their interference and the trio was at a loss for what to do next. Angel Investigations was disbanded, and none of them had any clue what to do about it. Their solution? Terribly sing Queen's "We Are The Champions" at Lorne's bar Caritas and drown their sorrows. While an extremely short scene, Cordy, Wes, and Gunn's reaction to being fired was super relatable, and you can never go wrong with Queen. They also have three very different personalities; Cordelia is snarky, has a lot of wit, and tends to be rather superficial, but she has so much heart beneath the surface, Wesley is a stuffy English professor type, and being a former Watcher means he couldn't be hip and cool if he tried, and Gunn is a hardened vampire hunter with a strong resolution and loyal to the core, who was still relatively new to the group when Angel gave them the boot. As such, seeing them all be together with arms around shoulders singing their hearts out was immensely fun to see.

Honorable Mentions:

Legacies: Alaric singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" terribly off-key before Kaleb and Cleo swooped in and saved the day with their improvised song.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Giles Singing "Free Bird" while playing his guitar in his home.

How I Met Your Mother: Lily and Marshall singing "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" at karaoke, effectively making up after Marshall accepts a corporate job rather than one that fits his morals.

[funknrolll]

FOCUSING ON JANET JACKSON: THE STORY OF THE ICONIC LEGEND, THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HER SUCCESSFUL CAREER, THE FIERCE AND INSIPIRING MESSAGE DELIVERED THROUGH HER TIMELESS ART

Hi music lovers, today I’m focusing on Janet Jackson, I tried to cover as much as I could with this article. Just know that I will write other articles about her, therefore if you do not find some particulars in this essay, just know that they will be in another future article!! I hope you enjoy this article💜

For 54 years the music icon “Miss Jackson” has and still is paving the path for many artists and inspiring us all with her legacy, talent, grace, and beauty, being the role model everyone should look up to. Today I am focusing on the highlights of Janet Jacksons extraordinary career.

Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, the artist, was the youngest of ten children, but undoubtedly not the least talented. Indeed, at the young age of 10, she got the part of Penny Gordon on the tv show Good Times and her acting skills were already showing. The young child prodigy also made a few memorable appearances on the tv show Diff’rent Strokes as Charlene Dupree and soon got her role on the renown show Fame as Cleo Hewitt. Though the show business was not all flowers and roses for young Janet, who, even at the age of 10, was already showing her iron will to achieve the very much desired success. Indeed, as the artist recalled, “‘I would set my alarm clock for 5.30am, get myself dressed, and get myself out of the door for work five days a week,’ she says. ‘And for a 10-year-old to have that kind of discipline – there’s a lot to be said for that.’.

Then Janet decided to pursue the music career in the 80s, establishing herself as a singing star of the first order. At the age of 16, she dropped her first self-titled album. The pop, funk-influenced, fresh, and danceable record was the beginning of a glorious and remarkable career. Young Love even reached number six on Billboard’s R&B chart. The following year the artist issued Dream Street. The exquisitely pop album was entirely in the fashion of good 80s tunes. Not to mention the surprise guest artist who lent his signature voice in Don’t Stand Another Chance and All My Love To You.

However, in 1986 came Janet’s commercial, and most importantly, creative breakthrough. The artist teamed up with none other than Minneapolis-based producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to create Control, the game-changing, legendary R&B-pop masterpiece that paved the way for the new emerging sounds of the late 80s. Through the empowering lyrics, the artist declared her independence with passion and grace as she affirmed in the title track, “this time, I’m gonna do it my way,” and she really did it. Moreover, the pure brilliance of this work lies in the extremely self-assured vocals and sleek slamming beat combo that presented Janet as a confident tough-minded artist who is in charge of her life and her choices. In support of her brand-new persona, Jam and Lewis crafted a set of gleamy, computerized hip-hop-nuanced funk and urban R&B backing tracks. The album eventually sold over 5 million copies, establishing Janet as a new influential pop star and role model. With this album, the artist was already showing her immense talent.

In 1989 the artist teamed up again with producers Jam and Lewis and released the hotly anticipated follow-up concept album: Rhythm Nation 1814. With this work, the artist became more overtly political, exploring socially conscious themes and issues, which were the whole fulcrum of the album. The singer took some risks with this Rhythm Nation as protest songs were quite uncommon in R&B, but making those risks paid off as the masterpiece not only assured Janet an even higher artist plateau, but it also had wildly successful results. As the artist sang in the title track “Join voices in protest to social injustice” or “A generation full of courage, come forth with me,” in this work, Janet explores themes such as racism, sexism, and feminism and flourishing as a person and artist in an environment ruled by both issues. However, some nonpolitical songs could not miss, ranging from smooth and silky ballads such as Someday Is Tonight, Alone and Come Back to Me to the pop rock influenced Black Cat, to the funk-influenced Miss You Much and Alright to the bright and romantically-themed Love Will Never Do (Without You) and Escapade. The album was a triumph and was accepted enthusiastically by the audience. In support of this masterpiece, Janet undertook her first tour, and it was a smashing success.

In 1992 the artist, along with rapper Tupac Shakur starred in John Singleton’s all-time classic, Poetic Justice. Janet gave proof one more time of her extraordinary acting skills taking up the role of Justice, a hairdresser, grieving over her boyfriend’s death, who writes poems to get through the sorrow of her bereavement.

Subsequently, 1993 saw the artist fully embracing her sexuality, which was crowned with her breakthrough homonymous album: Janet. The new image was trumpeted with a strikingly iconic Rolling Stone cover picture: an uncropped photo with the artist topless covered by two hands. The picture was then used as the album cover. One more time, Janet teamed up with the iconic duo Jam-Lewis and the outcome churned out did not leave the audience disappointed at all. The powerful trio left the synthesized funk in favor of warm, gently, inviting undulating grooves. The 28 tracked album is the product of the artist’s groundbreaking eclecticism. This masterpiece is a perfect mix of whooping cuts sprawling a sonic extravaganza where only 12 were proper songs, and the rest short interludes. The new quirky sounds were aligned perfectly with the brand-new public persona the artist created. The album shifts from the old school shuffle-beat-pop of Whoops Now to the New Jack Swing of You Want This. The leading guitar of What’ll I Do is a 60s flavored old school-rock hit with a bit of Janet’s signature sound. The danceable grooves of Funky Big Band are spiced up with old-jazz samples, while the erotic moans in Throb are a clear nod to Donna Summer’s Love to love you, baby, with some electro-trance influences I must say. A major sociopolitical hit could not miss on this masterpiece. The pop song New Agenda featuring a noteworthy cameo from rap Public Enemy’s head MC. Chuck D is indeed touching some relevant themes such as gendered racism and sexism, which issues were and still are much present in today’s society. The album is also featuring some enjoyable ballads such as the major hit and R&B Again, which appeared at the end of the movie mentioned Poetic Justice. With The Body that Loves you, Janet shifts to some jazzier, smooth, and silky sounds, while the slow R&B-nuanced Any Time Any Place is a groovy erotic jam. The angry This Time is a successful experiment in mixing rocky inflections with lyrical singing. The centerpiece was the album’s first single, the groovy alluring infectious ballad That’s The Way Love Goes. Not only is the collection a groundbreaking masterpiece sprinkled with revolutionary sounds, but what is striking most about this work is the intention with which it was produced. Indeed, Janet is a clear statement and frank celebration of female sexual liberation, which was and still is considered a taboo topic. Through this album, Janet explores black sexuality and lust, which is something black women have always been stereotyped about. Hence, with the explicit lyrics, the mellow and groovy sounds, the artist unveils these relevant topics making a monument to black lust, ultimately taking the power of her own sexuality back, which is portrayed as a beautiful, liberating act. With this masterpiece, Janet was baptized as one of the first real trailblazers and role models who paved the path for multiple African American female artists in addressing and embracing their sexuality fully. Additionally, the video of If was praised for being a beautiful, uplifting celebration and portrait of interracial lust.

Furthermore, how can we forget when Janet introduced her legendary brother Michael at the 35th Grammy Legend Awards on February 24, 1993? The artist wearing a gorgeous total white look and matching high heels matched Michael’s nestled pearls jacket. Not to mention her iconic, memorable hairstyle: beautiful box braids slicked-back into a high ponytail topped off with a had-band turned ponytail-holder matching the whole outfit. The jewelry was also in harmony with the outfit, as the artist opted for silver medium hoops (which went gorgeously with the hairstyle), a classy silver chained necklace, and of course, a couple of silver rings. Janet stepped on stage with the biggest, brightest, and most gorgeous smile to introduce her brother with one of the most touching speeches ever, beginning with “Before he won 12 Grammy Awards before he dazzled millions of fans around the world with his amazing talent as a performer. Before, he impacted millions of lives with his ongoing humanitarian efforts. Before all of that, he was one other thing, he was my brother”. Then she presented the audience an enlightening book of the instructions on how to become a legend choosing Michael as a guide. But the best part was yet to come. Indeed, Janet expressed her love and gratitude for her brother, and honestly, she had us crying the ugliest tears ever and Michael too “I just want to say one thing, seriously. I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and how much you’ve inspired me and how proud I am to be your sister. And how much I love you, I do”. It was lovely seeing Janet and Michael sharing a beautiful moment on stage and joking with each other. It was indeed a beautiful, heartwarming moment to witness.

In 1995 Janet’s came in support of her brother Michael in Scream, the lead single contained on the album HIStory. The duet between the younger sister and Michael finds the pair spitting out tightly wound lines railing against tabloids. The industrial beats and clattering percussions encased an incredible one of the most mind-blowing vocal performances ever. The sense of frustration and rage makes it one of the most vivid and enduring songs. Not to mention the iconic video directed by Mark Romanek housing the siblings in their own hyper-modern spaceship complete with an indoor zen garden, remote-controlled art gallery, and futuristic squash court. The iconic video came in black and white, with the spacecraft flying over the earth and Michael standing in his distress capsule. Then the tv screen flickers and Janet closes her eyes in the distress capsule. A deafening noise reverberates through their headphones, and the siblings scream in pain. An anime comes on tv, and Michael breaks the glass of the capsule. With this intro, the legendary duo begins a mesmerizing and extremely arduous choreography in unbelievable perfect sync with each other. Not to mention the iconic outfits consisting of black and silver PVC pants, silver bikini for Janet, and black or grey spiked shibori crop-tops styled by David Bradshaw.

In 1997 came Janet’s follow-up album, The Velvet Rope, representing the product of her artistic revolution. With this album, the artist is summarizing the essence of the three previous works: the self-empowering messages from Control, the skin-deep social consciousness of Rhythm Nation, and the sexual liberation of Janet. Through the mature and experimental new sounds, the artist takes the listeners on a journey through the exploration of her psyche and sexuality: the outcome leads us to a darker path than the previous works released. Indeed, the singer sought to combine the sensuality of the last record to some more socially conscious parts such as domestic abuse, AIDS, and homophobia. Indeed, Vanessa-Mae’s prog-rock violin solo on the title track is setting the tone for profoundly spiritual work. The bass-heavy house track Together Again was an elegy for AIDS victims, which showcased a poignant vocal and lyric. Furthermore, from the raw and extremely vivid words of What About “What about the times you hit my face?../What about the times you said you didn’t fuck her; she only gave you head?” it is quite clear what the song is dealing with. And the anti-homophobia song par-excellence Free Xone shifts the moods and tempos segueing from a Prince’s Love Symbol (if you know what album I am talking about) like jam to an intriguing masterful sample from Archie Bell and the Drells’: Tighten Up. Extremely popular on the radio was Got ‘Til It’s Gone featuring the rapper Q-Tip and a reggae-crafted beat of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi. I Get Lonely featuring Blackstreet was another tremendous hit that traversed the dark side of desire. Then Every Time is a melancholic piano-based touching ballad (not going to lie this song had me crying ugly tears!!). The edgy rhythms and he drum-and-and-bass lite in Empty are enhanced by Janet’s delivery racing in a staccato. Then the smooth groovy slippery Go Deep is worthy of some of the best Michael Jackson’s jams (can you notice the resemblance with some of Michael’s songs?). Special is another fabulous piano-based ballad drenched in meaningful lyrics, a true anthem of self-worth-discovery delivering an essential lesson “You see? You can’t run away from your pain. Because wherever you’ll run, there you will be. You have to learn to water your spiritual garden. Then you will be free.”. The idyllic song is abruptly stopped halfway by Janet saying “work in progress,” because after all, we are all a work in progress in our journeys through self-discovery and self-love, right? In the second part of the song, the hidden track “Can’t Be Stopped” is a monumental celebration of being Black where the artist is encouraging other African-Americans to have the same pride “You were born with blood of Kings and Queens and can’t be stopped.” Furthermore, through interludes such as Sad and Memory, the artist explores her deepest emotions and grief. For instance with the few words of the album opener Twisted Elegance “It is my belief that we have the need to feel special/And its this need that can bring out the best in us/Yet the worst in us/This need created the velvet rope” Janet is putting into a small number of words the whole purpose and meaning of this monumental masterpiece. The Velvet Rope is, in fact, a metaphor for a place deep inside. We all strive to protect where all our feelings and thoughts lay. Janet, with this album, is courageously unveiling her Velvet Rope, letting herself firstly and the listener beyond it directly into her sacred “spiritual garden.” Indeed, it is not a mystery that the singer chose the symbol of the Sankofa ( which is also the symbol of the Adinkra tribe in West Africa) to represent the album. Indeed, its paraphrase means “You must learn from your past to move forward,” and this is again the whole concept of The Velvet Rope.

In 2000 the artist appeared in Eddie Murphy’s comedy The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps as professor Denise Gaines.

The next year, on March 12, 2001, the artist was honored with the MTV Icon Award, where the glittery talent roster included Beyonce and Destiny’s Child, Stevie Wonder, Aaliyah, ‘Nsync and Macy Gray, to pay their tribute to the legendary icon. To keep the hype of her new upcoming album release, Janet performed All For You the title track of her next album due on April 24, 2001. The singer ascended the stage in a gorgeous stylish all-white outfit and blew the audience away with her enchanting voice and impeccable choreography. After the performance was over, the artist thanked her dancers and her fans, saying, “It’s such a special night in my Life. An amazing night. Thank you so much. Because of you guys, I’m here. Thank you. I love you.”. Needless to say that we love our beautiful, humble queen more.

Moreover, after the super-personal and provocative Velvet Rope, Janet teamed up again with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to produce the sparkling danceable 70s/80s-influenced All For You. Come On Get Up (one of my favorite tracks in the album) breaks into a frenzy dance upbeat tempo and synth followed by some joyous and impeccable vocals. When We Oooo is an R&B downtempo percussive-based groovy alluring ballad that takes us to another dimension. The R&B ballad China Love is characterized by an extremely neat yet unique instrumental. The sounds of traditional Oriental chimes delve into the past love connections and other new age ambiguities. The glossy, silky slow ballad Love Scene is a sensual jam, perhaps one of Janet’s sexiest song in the album. Trust A Try is the product of a collaboration with hip-hop producer Rockwilder. The monumentally theatrical vocals are accompanied by a reinvention of the opera-genre rearranged into the rock key with electric guitars and cinematic strings. You Ain’t Right is a brutal attack on a gossipy friend characterized by a groovy upbeat tempo and some prominent vocals. The optimistic and hopeful ballad Better Days is entirely in harmony with the whole theme of the album (such an uplifting gem). The complete instrumentation with the guitar solo and striking strings are having us daydreaming of beautiful and distant places. The album is featuring singer Carly Simon in Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You), which is mashed-up with Carly Simon’s song You’re So Vain. Another track containing a sample from America’s Ventura Highway is the upbeat synth-based ballad Someone to Call My Lover, such a well-crafted reinvention of the original song. The extra-slow groovy Truth is a typical Janet’s ballad in the fashion of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On. Feels So Right is another sparkling glossy R&B lo-fi track characterized by a prominent beat and some almost whispered sensual, charming vocals. Lastly, the title track, All For You, is a clear nod to the most memorable 70s funk masterpieces. The alluring upbeat and funk-influenced sound is having the listener daydreaming of the dancefloor at the Studio 54.

In 2004 Janet released her 8th album: Damita Jo again produced by the iconic duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The highly anticipated work is another groovy, sensual, erotic, and unapologetic masterpiece, where the artist explores the crucial role of sex in a new relationship. The preponderance to slow-tempo, sensual grooves, sexual imageries, and spoken interludes are now Janet’s trademark. It’s Janet, and she’s unapologetically sexy. The R&B ping-pong rhythms of the title track accompany the sampled bells, the rap inflected scratches, and the mellow vocals perfectly. Sexhibition is alluring the listener with its infectious stuttering beats and the sampled groovy electro R&B chug, along with Janet’s intermittent vocal bubbles. The sensual vocals in Strawberry Bounce are mixed into an effervescent loop over which, if you listen attentively, you can hear elements of Jay-Z’s Can I Get A and Deon Jackson’s Love’s Make the World Go Round. The next track, My Baby, featuring Kanye West, is a regular R&B laidback slow-jam with on-point beats. Spending Time With You is yet another slow R&B groovy jam that sounds exceptionally familiar (of course, if you are familiar with Michael Jackson’s music). Indeed, the prominent beats, the sampled bells, and the mellow and sensual-almost whispered vocals are clearly drawing inspiration from Janet’s older brother Michael. Segueing the slow-tunes mentioned above, All Nite (Don’t Stop) is a pumping electro-funk whose infectious beats allure the listeners to the dancefloor. Yet R&B Junkie keeps the retro 70s funk vibe high with some well-crafted catchy upbeat synths and characteristic inflected vinyl scratching having us daydreaming of the 70s dancefloors. The album shifts into ’60s retro dazzle with I Want You. The squeaky-clean sugary puff sounds in the verve of the best ’60s classics are a clear homage to the glory of Berry Gordy’s Motown Records. With Like You Don’t Love Me, we are taken back to modern R&B, nodding to new soul stylings with its catchy production, the infectious beats, subtle guitars, and keyboard accompanied by the sensual girly crooning. Thinkin’ Bout My Ex is another slow downtempo jam where the artist explores the emotional consequences of heartbreaks. Following Thinkin’ Bout My Ex, the extra-slow Warmth is a swirling erotic jam. Moist is the sequel of Warmth, another down-tempo piano-based track. The next track, Truly, is leaning towards a new soul genre. With its luscious harmonies and silky vocals, the song is such a sublime masterpiece. Slolove is another in-the-verve-of 70s up-tempo jam characterized by meticulous funk beats. Closing the album Just A Little While is an apparent salute to Prince’s Dirty Mind (precisely When You Were Mine) combining effervescent elements of 80s Prince’ inspired guitars and keyboards. The wide variety of music genres and 60’, 70’, and 80s influences on the album are the product of Janet’s revolutionary and eclectic vision showing the artist flexing her musicology muscle.

In 2006 Janet was a 40 years old woman feeling half her age. Her 40th birthday also conveys with her breakthrough as a music icon and legend 1986. Hence, she released her new album, 20 Y.O. The collection is one more time featuring 5 interludes, all of them titled 20. The first interlude is, however, the most relevant one as the singer gives a clear explanation of the purpose and the meaning of this work: “Well, there’s something to... Are you recording?/ There’s something to be said for not saying anything/I’ve talked about racism, spousal abuse, empowering women, children/I’ve talked about a lot of things/What do I talk about this time?/ I’ve covered a lot in my 20 years/, And I’ve uncovered a lot in my 20 years/, But I wanna keep it light/I don’t wanna be serious/I wanna have fun/I know/I don’t know/That’s what I do know”. The first track opening the album boasts a collaboration with rapper Khia. If you listen attentively, you’d also realize that the song is a masterful sample of Rockit by Herbie Hancock. The outcome is an urban R&B synth-based with prominent on-point-beats. The next three songs present some other masterful samples, such as Show Me complemented with Kraftwerk’s Boing Boom Tschak, Get It Out Me with Afrika Bambaataa’s Planet Rock and Do It 2 Me with Brenda Russell’s If Only for One Night. The threads that relate to all these tracks are the playful prominent danceable and sharp beats and grooves. Segueing the steamy rocky-R&B erotic This Body in which the artist adds some sensual vocals that match perfectly the whole theme of the track: the reversal of female objectification. Therefore, the music and the vocals match the intensity of the narrative, and the manic electric guitar replete with steel drum rimshots. After the second interlude, the artist is back again to a classic R&B string-based downtempo mellow jam. Next track Call On Me, boasts another collaboration with rapper Nelly. The song is yet another well-crafted sample with S.O.S Band’s 1983 major hit Tell Me If You Still Care. The sparkle of the sampled bells in Daybreak glides like Escapade and Runaway. The next track, the neo-soul with a touch of retro vibes Enjoy, is a total breath of positivity and fresh air. The ambiance-neo-soul Take Care is a classic silky dazzling ballad in the verve of Come Back To Me. Love 2 Love is yet another sensual slow jam. In the 5th interlude closing the album, the artist states the fugacity of the 20 years, and ultimately she thanks God for the sense of humor. Then she starts joking with one of her old friends “Twenty years/Time flashes by like lightning in the sky/Twenty years of questions come down to ‘Who am I?’/Thank you God for giving us all a sense of humor”… “All right, it’s ten to six/You’ve gotta go, ’cause I’ve gotta go/Oh, now she’s throwin’ me out now that she had her little say/We have some lovely parting gifts for you, Lynette/Thanks for coming down/Haha, oh, she tryin’ to shut me up/ Do do duh do do do..”

The next year we find Janet in Tyler Perry’s movie Why Did I Get Married? The film set in a Rocky Mountain resort follows four couples who meet each year for a therapeutic vacation. The 8 friends converge to discuss their relationships and address their issues. In the movie, we see Janet play the role of Patricia, a well-meaning psychiatrist and writer who helps her friends to solve their marital problems. The sequel of the movie, Why Did I Get Married Too?, came in 2010, but this time it includes a lengthy section set at the Bahamas. The film is one more time an amid portrait of four couples dealing with marital crises. With these movies, Janet is showing one more time her never-ending acting talents, especially in the second one, when she had to bring to Life Patricia’s painful past. It is indeed, that hurtful past with the broad range of emotions that Janet managed to bring to life amazingly well, making the movie even more credible and touching.

In 2011 Janet released her book True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, in which she recounters her struggle with weight and confidence. The book is as well featuring letters from her fans. True You topped the new York time’s bestseller list in the following month. The same year Janet was the first female artist to ever perform at the I.M. Pei glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum, raising contributions for the restoration of artworks.

Nine years later, Janet is back with Unbreakable, a profound and insightful masterpiece. In this album, we find a brand-new Janet with brand new sounds more new-soul oriented. The themes of the collection are as well different from the previous ones. In the title track is the artist expresses her gratitude over a relaxed and longing groove. The intensity increases with the dance uptempo song BURNITUP featuring hip-hop icon Missy Elliot. The mood changes with the probing synths and booming bass in Dammn Baby. The next two tracks, The Great Forever, and Broken Hearts Heal, are a tribute to her brother Michael who passed in June 2009. What is mesmerizing about The Great Forever is that Janet sounds almost like Michael. While Broken Hearts Heal is a poignant uptempo ballad with a retro touch that brings us back to the glorious Michael’s 1978 Off The Wall. The subtle crystal beat is exactly giving the vibe of Workin’ Day and Night. The lyrics as well are giving hints that the song is dedicated to Michael “It was a long, long time ago/But I remember it like yesterday/Amazing times while we were growing/’Round all the brightest stars the world had seen/ We made-up songs to do our chores to/And harmonized while we all did our part/Danced and sang our way through most anything/Always felt safe in each others’ love/It was in summer that you left me/The fall and winter never felt so cold/, And Lord knows words can never express it/Life feels so empty I miss you much/Painful tears like never before/We can’t laugh together till we cry/But our love’s ain’t no material thing/ Inshaallah, see you in the next life”. The social-message-song Shoulda Known Better rides on an electro-dance sound and synths to reach euphoria, which is perfectly aligned with the hopeful message of revolution and social change. With After You Fall, Janet lets the listener into her deep thoughts, showing her fragility. The neat and simple arrangement and the gorgeous vocals are flawlessly completing the whole theme and purpose of the song, putting the vulnerability and the grief into sound. The sparkling infectious electro-disco Night is a clear nod to sturdy Minneapolis funk, more precisely Prince’s Sexy Dance (Prince self-titled album 1978). Segueing the effervescent rhythms of Night, No Sleeep is a more relaxed hypnotic downtempo jam. Then Dream Maker/Euphoria kicks in with a Michael-like cry hitting high notes, then settling into a luscious psychedelic groove. 2 Be Loved and Take Me Away are two classic fresh danceable pop songs. The dark nuanced Promise sets the tone for the touching performance of Lessons Learned, where one more time, the singer lets the listener into her deepest fragilities. The dark-tinged new soul Black Eagle keeps the moods sober, unraveling a poignant, beautiful message. The gospel-flavored Gon B’ Alright, is a prominent link to the past in the verve of Sly and The Family Stone and Larry Graham Central Station with a touch of Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Starting Something.

After the release of Unbreakable, Janet began The State Of The World Tour, which was launched in 2017. The title of the tour set the record straight on the themes addressed during the shows. Indeed, some testimonies from some lucky fans who attended the concerts recall the opening video making perfectly clear the message Janet wanted to deliver. A blood-red clip that flashed the names of unarmed black men shot and killed by police, denouncing white supremacy and ending in a chant of “We Want Justice.” Subsequentially, a giant portrait of the singer filled the screen, her image covered by the slogans “We will not be silent. LGBTQ rights. Black Lives Matter. Immigrants are welcome. Liberty and Justice for all”. Through the concert, the artist highlighted the importance of information with the lyrics from Rhythm Nation “information keeps us strong” and “if you want to be in control you gotta get yourself in the know.” The show featured as well lighter topics, and Janet did not spare herself some slick choreographers.

And how can we possibly forget Janet’s ICONIC performance and INSPIRING speech while accepting the Billboard Icon Award in 2018? The artist took the stage, offering the audience one of the fiercest and most impeccable performances ever of Nasty meshed up with When We Ooo (at the end of the song) and Throb. The singer also sought inclusivity not just with words; indeed, the performance featured a collective of dancers of all sizes, colors, and shapes. Eventually, Janet, introduced by Bruno Mars, graced the audience with an incredibly inspiring and beautiful acceptance speech: “I am deeply humbled and grateful for this award. I believe that for all the challenges, for all our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history. It’s a moment when at long last, women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated, or abused. I stand with those women and with those men equally outraged by discrimination who support us in heart and mind. This is also a moment when our public discourse is loud and harsh.”. What a beautiful, stunning, inspiring queen!!

Furthermore, this summer 2020, the artist was supposed to start her Black Diamond world tour, but unfortunately, it has been postponed.

With this said, through her extraordinary career, Janet has proved so much and has achieved so much. Her unbelievable work ethic and talent have brought her to become one of the best artists on earth, and this is a fact. Her inspiring music celebrating women, especially African American women, impeccable choreographies, the iconic music videos celebrating, and uplifting black people have paved the path for many artists. With her vast contribution not just in the music business, Janet has become a legendary icon to many women and men. All hail to the queen.

Thank you for your attention💜 G.✨

[thedreadvampy]

I think I mentally divide my music tastes into

Dad's music: stuff that's deeply familiar and comforting because my dad kept a few CDs in rotation in the car or burned them for us as kids (Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen, Harry Nilsson, Quilapayun, Pink Floyd, Colosseum)

Teen Bullshit A (the Kerrang! Years): stuff I was very into as an Alternative Kid between 2001-2011 (Green Day, MCR, P!ATD, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Oomph!, Rammstein, Disturbed, Fear Factory, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Cruxshadows, Infected Mushroom, System of a Down)

Teen Bullshit B (the Steampunk Phase): stuff from when I was trying to develop my own music tastes through the medium of wearing a lot of waistcoats and top hats (Abney Park, Professor Elemental, Pocketwatch, Voltaire, The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing)

Accidental Perfection: Bands/artists I encountered and feel in love with while at friends' gigs/because they're friends/on the Fringe/opening for a band I liked (the Mechanisms, Porcupine Tree, Reeder, Sithu Aye, Vienna Ditto, Laurie Black, the Creative Martyrs, Reesha Dyer, The Indelicates)

Sam music: for some reason even though Kofi is a musician I literally meet through music, Sam's the one of my partners whose musical taste I've absorbed wholesale (Kate Nash, Stan Rogers, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bitter Ruin)

CHUNES!!!!! artists that were so ubiquitous in the clubs I hit in my early 20s that now they're indelibly burned into my music tastes (Icon of Coil, DMX, Covenant, New Model Army, Nine Inch Nails, Eurythmics, Drowning Pool)

Songs About Survivorhood: this is like the most coherent genre it's Angry Trauma Songs About Not Coping (Sia, Kesha, Kate Nash, Bitter Ruin, Vienna Ditto, P!nk, Jessica Law, Amanda Palmer, Vienna Teng, Depeche Mode)

Politics bangers (MIA, Tech N9ne, Janelle Monae, Stormzy)

Smoooooth (Gotye, Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz)

JUST MAKE ALL THE NOISE YOU CAN IN MY EARS (Borgore, Da Octopusss)

I'm gay (MIKA, Queen, King, La Roux, Robyn, Letters to Cleo, Scissor Sisters, Lizzo, the Killers)

Greatest hits: I heard this song too many times and now it lives in my head forever. it is probably the only song by this artist I will ever listen to (this is like half my library and includes but is not limited to: top 40 hits, soundtrack songs, 80s classics, club bangers, wrestling entrance themes and TV theme music)

[itsybitsylemonsqueezy]

Okay, I’ve been putting it off, but it’s finally here. My KazuMaji playlist, which I have titled “Mad Dragon” because I think that’s a much cooler ship name : | This is informed mainly by whatever I’ve heard lately on FM radio and I’ll probably add to this as I go, but this hit my metric for being complete enough to post ^^;

Mad Dragon Playlist via youtube (I can also probably put this together via spotify if needed) 

“Van Horn” - Saint Motel 

Well, tell me do you me hate me? Or do you wanna date me? It's kinda hard to tell 'cause your eyes are looking crazy So why you coming over? Anything but sober? Looking like it's time tonight For fight or flight in Van Horn

I thought this would nicely start us off at the beginning of Kiwami 1. Like, look at those words and tell me you don’t INSTANTLY think of Kiryu. I sure as fuck did when I heard this song for the first time. This is defs Kiryu’s first impression of Majima and not knowing what in fuck’s name just happened. The eternal “Are we supposed to be fighting or fucking right now?”

“Take Me Home Tonight” - Eddie Money 

Take me home tonight I don't wanna let you go 'til you see the light Take me home tonight Listen, honey, just like Ronnie sang, Be my little baby!

Ah, and with that, we enter what I like to call the Horny section. And nothing more appropriate than an egregiously horny 80s ballad. Really sets the scene I think. And an excellent counterpoint to “Van Horn’s” confusion is the absolute certainty of Majima’s first impression here. His entire goal since meeting Kiryu is, well... to make him take him home ^^; Let’s be real. Absolutely no confusion about what he wants out of this. Horny, but also very sweet, just like our boy ❤

“Faith” - George Michael 

Well, I guess it would be nice if I could touch your body I know not everybody has got a body like you But I gotta think twice before I give my heart away And I know all the games you play because I played them, too

I would be truly remiss to write a queer playlist from the 80s without doing credit to our king, George Michael. So, continuing the Horny theme, but also, as you all might recall, the leaping directly into Kiryu’s lap gambit didn’t quite work out. And this is about that nervousness, that hesitation. And if Kiryu’s not going to put out, so to speak, then Majima’s better off holding back a bit. This is a reaction to Kiryu’s, well, rejection would be a strong word, but at least lack of reciprocation. Majima still wants him, clearly, but he’s reconsidering his strategy. Perhaps an early Kiwami 2 vibe. 

“It Will Come Back” - Hozier 

I know who I am when I'm alone! Something else when I see you, You don't understand, you should never know, How easy you are to need...

Don't let me in with with no intention to keep me! Jesus Christ! Don't be kind to me! Honey, don't feed me, I will come back

And so ends our Horny arc. The longing of this, the pining. As much as Majima knows he shouldn’t, Kiryu’s so... nice. He’s sweet, he’s tender. He’s so unbearably easy to fall for. He’s such a fucking good guy, it’s just... His helpless desire to be a part of that. Mmmm. This is a motif that stretches the whole of their relationship, but is certainly pronounced in 2 and 3. Hell, there’s even howling for fuck’s sake. 

“Dragging Me Down” - Travis Love Benson & Yo! The Moon 

Oh, this feels like a misstep, oh what a mistake! But I’ve fallen in with feelings that I cannot shake, The darkness that pulls me is dragging me down! And I think that I might be willing to drown

Ah, that inevitable horror. You’ve tried to resist, you’ve tried talking yourself down, you’ve spent time away and... yep, no, you’re good and in love. You’re fucked. This is a special kind of feeling, after the resistance, after the pining, the terrible realization that you’d give your life for this and there’s absolutely nothing you can do. Arguably, Majima’s felt like this the whole time as he’s always been afraid of what being in love with Kiryu will mean. But this is ESPECIALLY a game 4 feel. When there’s absolutely nothing you’re getting out of this, less than nothing, but you just can’t break with the feelings. You’re gonna die like this and tehre’s nothing you can do about it. Kiryu spends a bigger portion of his life than he would like to admit fighting against realizing this.

“Running Up That Hill” - Meg Myers 

It doesn't hurt me, Do you want to feel how it feels? Do you want to know? Know that it doesn't hurt me Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making? You, it's you and me

What comes after the terrible realization that you’ll die like this? The dedication. The resignation. If you’re gonna die like this, may as well make it worth something. BIG game 4 energy here. You may as well be playing this over the arrest scene. “Running Up That Hill” is a classic for any love story where some dumbfuck is stupid enough to be self-sacrificing and oh, look at that, we have two of them. “Running Up That Hill” is so gutting though because it doesn’t assume a happy ending. It assumes that if the trade works, this still all ends in tragedy. But it’ll be worth it. Make that big Game 5 energy as well.

“King and Lionheart” - Of Monsters and Men 

Howling ghost they reappear In mountains that are stacked with fear But you're a king and I'm a lion-heart

And in the sea that's painted black Creatures lurk below the deck But you're a king and I'm a lion-heart

And as the world comes to an end I'll be here to hold your hand 'Cause you're my king and I'm your lion-heart 

Another absolute classic. I think it’s illegal anymore to make a shipping playlist without “King and Lionheart.” I certainly have more ships than I can shake a stick at that fit this song. But it’s a classic for a reason. This takes all the dedication we developed in “Running Up That Hill” and argues that it doesn’t have to be tragedy. See, the problem with the previous is the sacrifice is one-sided and unacknowledged. “King and Lionheart” says what if we both knew? What if you let me do this for you? What if these were our roles and we were happy? It doesn’t all have to end in tragedy if we just... know. And that’s the real dream isn’t it? Be my king, let me be your lionheart. *stares helplessly at Kiryu Should Have Been Chairman AU*

“I Want You to Want Me” - Letters to Cleo 

Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you crying? Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you crying?!   Feeling all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dying! Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you crying? 

It was hard for me to decide where to put this, but I do feel it belongs on this list. “I Want You to Want Me” on surface level expresses a fairly typical expression of infatuated puppy love. But it’s the above, this part, that really strikes me. Because that isn’t just the adoring desperation of courtship. Didn’t I see you crying, didn’t I see you vulnerable, didn’t I see you broken, and didn’t I love you anyway? Didn’t I see you crying and didn’t it do something to me to see you like that? That isn’t just blind desire. I’m still not sure where this should go and I may find a better spot for it eventually, but this is about the fact that they get each other’s broken pieces. That there’s some deep, vulnerable shit to work through and... seeing it and still wanting to be a part of things, fuck, even still feeling that blind puppy love is... really something. This is certainly part of Kiryu’s love language. He never sees ugliness in people and he has a profound propensity to take care of others. This is a thing he wants to say.

“I Still Ain’t Over You” - Augustana 

Hey, I'm the blood in your veins, I'm the cold when it rains, And I'm your heart when it breaks- Time, no it ain't on our side, I'm the truth to your lies, And I’m your tear, when you cry

This is a different kind of pining. This is that post-break up pining, the know-I-should-get-over-it pining. It’s not the pining you get when your courting. It’s not even the resigned to rejection pining. It’s that important part of getting over a break up where you’re still dealing with what it was you had or wanted and can’t let go of yet. Big Game 3 energy, but also Game 6. Because this also has a little hope for what still might be. There’s longing for what was, but also the possibility of the future. That’s what’s so confusing about it. Not knowing how to let go or what to let go of. I also just really like this song and I’m also just physically incapable of not putting Augustana in my playlists. You can really tell me generation there. 

“With or Without You” - U2

And you give yourself away, and you give yourself away! And you give! And you give! And you give yourself away! With or without you! With or without you, I can’t live... with or without you...

To be honest, this song basically makes no damn sense. Because it’s not asking for anything, like... it has no solution. But it perfectly encapsulates the heartbreak of being in love with something that can never happen. Game 5/Game 6 energy if I ever saw it. Just... the rawness... the desperation. It’s a classic for a reason.

“Needing/Getting” - Ok GO 

So I been sitting around, wasting my time, Wondering what you been doing. Aw, and it ain't real forgiving, it ain't real forgiving, Sitting here picturing someone else living. And I, yeah I still need you, But what good's that gonna do? Needing is one thing, and getting, Getting's another.

So we’ve had the break up. We’ve had the heartbreaking realization that what we wanted can never happen. And now... we’re finally coming to terms with that a little bit. Finally going, y’know what? I may never be over this, but I should probably try to move on with my life anyway. “Needing/Getting” is at least admitting that this is a losing proposition. We may not be all the way to healing and, heaven forbid, getting over it. But we’ve gotten as far as... this is pretty dumb.

“My Love” - Sia

My love, leave yourself behind Beat inside me, leave you blind My love, look what you can do I am mending, I'll be with you

So... after you realize that this isn’t going to get any better and, maybe, you don’t like being heartbroken all the time... sometimes you try to let things go. Big Game 6 energy. There’s a lot to love, there’s a lot to appreciate. And letting go doesn’t mean letting it all go, it doesn’t mean forgetting or regretting. But it can mean... moving on. Taking all you loved and learned with you, but moving on. To not give up on yourself, to keep doing what you promised you’d do, sometimes you gotta. There’s a lot of endings in Yakuza and a lot we may have to accept. “My Love” is about honoring that and keeping that love strong.

“Somewhere Only We Know” - Lily Allen

And if you have a minute, why don't we go Talk about it somewhere only we know? This could be the end of everything So why don't we go? So why don't we go?

But, then again, who says we can’t try again? After we’ve accepted our loss, our endings, who says we can’t be close to the people we love when we still love them? This is how I tend to favor post-5 and even post-6 thoughts. Why can’t we just have nice things? I mean... jeez, c’mon. Please. I like to think that after all the pining and regret, we could still come to terms. We could realize how silly we’re being and just... it’s as easy as just asking for a little time.