Song Meanings: Paint It Black

I see a line of cars and they’re all painted black, With flowers and my love, both never to come back

“Paint It, Black” is a song by The Rolling Stones, released as a single on May 7, 1966 and later included on their fourth studio album, “Aftermath.” The song is notable for its distinctive sitar riff played by Brian Jones, which gives it a unique and Eastern-inspired sound. “Paint It, Black” was released as a single in May 1966 and quickly climbed the charts. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and the UK Singles Chart.

Continue reading “Song Meanings: Paint It Black”

Great Lines in Songs (Part 1)

Brilliant, clever, or that I just enjoy hearing over and over.

As I’ve listened to songs, over the years, I always have found certain lines that just make the song for me. This is the first post that showcases some of those phrases that I thought were brilliant, clever, or that I just enjoy hearing over and over.

Continue reading “Great Lines in Songs (Part 1)”

Lord Byron

A British Romantic poet and satirist whose poetry and personality captured the imagination of Europe.

George Gordon Byron, known simply as Lord Byron, was born on January 22, 1788, on Holles Street in London, England. He was an English romantic poet and peer. He was one of the leading figures of the Romantic movement and has been regarded as among the greatest English poets. His birthplace is now a branch of the John Lewis[1] department store.

Continue reading “Lord Byron”

Covers – La Grange by ZZ Top

La Grange, by ZZ Top, was on their 1973 album Tres Hombres and reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Here it is covered by “that little ole band from Peanuts”, Charlie Brown (Guitar and Vocals), Snoopy (Bass) and Pig-Pen (Drums).

Continue reading “Covers – La Grange by ZZ Top”

Jellyfish – The King is Half-Undressed (1990)

The King is Half-Undressed was the first song I heard by this incredible band, Jellyfish. This was the video I saw and knew I was going to like. None of their music ever disappointed!

Continue reading “Jellyfish – The King is Half-Undressed (1990)”

After Death

Algernon Charles Swinburne

THE FOUR boards of the coffin lid
Heard all the dead man did.
The first curse was in his mouth,
Made of grave’s mould and deadly drouth.
The next curse was in his head,
Made of God’s work discomfited.
The next curse was in his hands,
Made out of two grave-bands.
The next curse was in his feet,
Made out of a grave-sheet.
“I had fair coins red and white,
And my name was as great light;
I had fair clothes green and red,
And strong gold bound round my head.
But no meat comes in my mouth,
Now I fare as the worm doth;
And no gold binds in my hair,
Now I fare as the blind fare.
My live thews were of great strength,
Now am I waxen a span’s length;
My live sides were full of lust,
Now are they dried with dust.”
The first board spake and said:
“Is it best eating flesh or bread?”
The second answered it:
“Is wine or honey the more sweet?”
The third board spake and said:
“Is red gold worth a girl’s gold head?”
The fourth made answer thus:
“All these things are as one with us.”
The dead man asked of them:
“Is the green land stained brown with flame?
Have they hewn my son for beasts to eat,
And my wife’s body for beasts’ meat?
Have they boiled my maid in a brass pan,
And built a gallows to hang my man?”
The boards said to him:
“This is a lewd thing that ye deem.
Your wife has gotten a golden bed,
All the sheets are sewn with red.
Your son has gotten a coat of silk,
The sleeves are soft as curded milk.
Your maid has gotten a kirtle new,
All the skirt has braids of blue.
Your man has gotten both ring and glove,
Wrought well for eyes to love.”
The dead man answered thus:
“What good gift shall God give us?”
The boards answered him anon:
“Flesh to feed hell’s worm upon.”

Giordano Bruno

Giordano Bruno was born in Italy in 1548 and was burned at the stake in 1600. He was educated in Naples, tutored privately at the Augustinian Monastery. At age 17 he entered the Dominican Order, finished his studies, and became an ordained priest at age 24. Bruno supported the opinion of Copernicus, that the earth went round and the heavens stood still. The earth rotated on its axis and circled the sun once a year.

Continue reading “Giordano Bruno”