I thought this should exist. Not sure why
Yeah... ... Strip this of all musicality/Thicke's velvety charm and you got something with the maturity of a demented teenaged virgin attempting at pickup based on theoretical structures heavily influenced by pop culture like exhibit A. But, I think in general if you strip music away from lyrics, the resulting poetry is usually underwhelming. Most amateurs begin writing poetry by emulating lyrics, and it's really flat. Music it turns out does most of the heavy lifting in animating the words. I've noticed some of my favorite poets like Tarkovsky and Transtromer suggesting that the most perfect form of art is music, and it's the music of their own work they pay attention to. The more I sit with the idea, I think it's true. What makes music so arresting? It's what goes beyond any intellectualization. Or maybe it's what goes before...
In the vernacular of Trailer Park Boys, Thicke is "greasy." I like your point and I agree with it. This is part of my issue with slam poetry, but I guess that's also why many people feel it's so much more accessible than a lot of poetry on the page. It's funny though, since most people subvocalize at least some of the time when they read (or in any event, they move their lips), so I'd be inclined to think that the music of the words would carry through, but I have grossly underestimate many people's capacity for imagination on many occasions, much to my disappointment. I like that this recording exists though. I feel like I've encountered something similar to this before, somewhere. Maybe it's because I love music so much, but I get annoyed when I hear someone defending a song they like by saying "but it's got a good beat!" and often egregiously keeping time. I don't blame people for liking things, but they should have the balls to admit when they like bad things. I mean, I love cooking and I also love Velveeta. Big deal. It doesn't have to be a "thing."
Haha his Velveeta charm. | I don't blame people for liking things, but they should have the balls to admit when they like bad things. I mean, I love cooking and I also love Velveeta. Big deal. It doesn't have to be a "thing."| Bad in what way? Isn't liking something finding some value in it? Or is it liking something that's clearly bad for you? Or bad as in 'low art' ... media that runs counter to all our higher ideals, appealing to our less than refined interests. Hmm yeah that is probably the best way about it, to like it while being aware how shit it is. That's a trouble of mine. I usually try to not like things that are clearly dumb and vulgar and sensational -- probably because it's hard to handle liking it! Also, good point about the musicality if slam poetry, and I think as soon as that less than stellar written experience becomes a performance, that's where the musicality comes in. I wonder then, in text sans performance, where's the music? I think it's interesting how it really is inaccessible to most. It's not obvious at all. Sometimes it seems to be hiding in more challenging works but still working deep underneath the surface.
Things that are of little value, including the vulgar and dumb. Anything that isn't seen as adding positively to our lives, be it nutritionally or in the sense of the artistic soul. You've grasped my thoughts on it: once we understand that something is pure poo, we can address it by doing things to manage the negative effects. So, eat Velveeta for one meal, eat wild greens the next and maybe walk the dog longer than usual. Plus, I think it's good to recognize these things so that one can manage one's own patterns of consumption, ones which may develop if we continue to only go with things we like because they are immediately pleasurable in a low value way.
I was going to start a "ask hubski" this morning about the Blurred Lines backlash. I honestly feel like everyone is going way to far. I don't think it promotes or encourages rape at all. The video is supposed to be fun and sexy; and I think it achieves that. Am I missing something?
It completely objectifies women. Like they're cattle to be auctioned off. I would NEVER in a million years allow my daughter to see that. Rape? No. In completely bad taste? Absolutely.
I'm all for both sexes to be objectified. To me all human culture is still too sexually repressive. Everyone in the video is having fun. I say let them have fun. And if women want to make music videos where men are objectified, then that is fine too. We should be able to explore our sexuality however we want (as long as it is consensual and everyone is "of age"). - (of course I understand you not wanting your little girl to see the video. I am talking about adults obviously.)
Robin Thicke has been with the same woman since he was 16. He's just trying to sell sex and people are buying it. Heck Salt N' Pepa did it. The easiest thing to do is ignore it and just listen to Alan Thicke instead.
1. 16? No wonder the guy made the video. 2. Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls was a great song man. -Oh, wait. 3. Alan Thicke has gotten more "tail" than Robin Thicke could ever dream of. And you and theadvancedapes are both right, I was really just playing devils advocate. It is an extremely well marketed, not terribly creative video. While it's not made for children (something I think it may have been made for), it will almost exclusively be seen by children and teens. It immediately made the number of eating disorders in the US raise by 2.5%.The video is supposed to be fun and sexy; and I think it achieves that. Am I missing something?
No, not really. It's a bit vapid and right now is one of the top songs in the US, but as bgood79 points out with the Salt N Peppa link, this isn't anything new. I'm no Tipper Gore, I don't think it should be banned or anything like that, I just think it's ripe for parody and definitely in bad taste both lyrically and visually, given it's targeted market which is most assuredly young teens.
People are always trying to get creative with boobs, dressing them up with different pasties and piercings or whatever. They're classic for a reason. No need to mess with the formula. For real though, I hope that kids won't start copying this guy's style and manner (as it is in the video. Maybe he's . . . better(?) in real life?). His presence, the other guy's presence and Pharrell's goofy face detracted from that video immensely, but I guess their presence was the only thing that made it a "music" video instead of one of those, "on the set" videos that accompany magazine shoots to bolster sales.It is an extremely well marketed, not terribly creative video
People are always trying to get creative with boobs, dressing them up with different pasties and piercings or whatever. They're classic for a reason. No need to mess with the formula.
-if it's not broke, don't fix it.
I see that you took this off Soundcloud (I assume to make room for new stuff, or maybe I can't find it). Too bad. I was going to suggest you try a dramatic reading of Ke$ha's "TiK ToK," I think hearing it from a male voice would be especially hilarious.
Yeah, I ran out of space and the last time I looked at the cost of upgrading my time limit it was crazy expensive. Maybe it's time to create a new soundcloud account? Perhaps you. Should read the Ke$ha...
Was this one on the list that you saw? I prefer this version.
I'm not sure what inspired me to do this. I think in a way, what I wanted to do is to show people that they can use the SoundCloud feature to read and share their reading with Hubski. My hope is that people will begin to read their own poetry as well as posting the text. I think that would be really fantastic. Hopefully my reading made a few people laugh at how ridiculous this song is.
The microphone built in to your computer or phone is probably pretty good. If you have garage band, you can edit or mix there. I recorded this song entirely without a mic and it isn't so bad. Also, I used my iphone's voicememo app to record this spoken word. Otherwise my suggestion would be an SM57 or 58. If you get serious about purchasing audio equipment, kleinbl00 would be a good person to ask.