A phenomenal woman, that's me

Phenomenal Woman

Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Song of the Day - Radiohead

Pandora was kicking some serious ass today on the YYY's station, and it threw out this little gem from my Artist of the Decade (00-09), which I hadn't heard in quite a long time. I love the song's emotional, borderline-psychotic lyrics, combined with Thom's typical (and oh-so-endearing) oddness in this live performance.

I have this sort of fantasy about many of Radiohead's songs being written by a sociopath with serial killer potential. Seriously though, how many of Thom Yorke's songs can you name that are about tender, innocent romance? The ones that have any sort of romantic theme whatsoever are more the sinister, obsessive kind - like the I-would-carry-a-vial-of-your-blood-in-my-pocket kind of romance. Like Angelina and Billy Bob. Like Marilyn Manson and - well, ANYONE he dates. It's the kind of romance where maybe for half a minute you're thinking that degree of intensity and devotion is kinda sweet, but then you're just completely freaked out by it. And then you promptly change your number and e-mail address. And potentially your name, too.

I'll drown my beliefs
To have your babies
I'll dress like your niece
To wash your swollen feet

Just don't leave
Don't leave

I'm not living
I'm just killing time
Your tiny hands
Your crazy kitten smile

Just don't leave
Don't leave

And true love waits
In haunted attics
And true love lives
On lollipops and crisps

Just don't leave
Don't leave

Song of the Day - Maritime

Song of the Day - Bloc Party

Classic, cool Bloc Party for a classic, cool dude. Happy Birthday, Josh!

Song of the Day - Priscilla Ahn

This little girl is so damn cute, I could just stick her in my pocket and pull her out on overcast days like today to sing for me and melt my heart. Such a lovely little song - a bit of a tearjerker when you're an emotional sap like myself.

Song of the Day - Shocking Blue

Song of the Day - Kings of Leon

I could use somebody. Someone like you.

Song of the Day - Lykke Li

Song of the Day - Joy Division

Cool

Song of the Day - New Order/Iron and Wine

You know how I feel about covers. If you're going to cover a song, make it your own. Don't recycle the same sound and simply label it as your own.

This is a prime example of how to do a cover properly.

The Original:



The Cover (a new take on the original, but no less brilliant):

Song of the Day - Animal Collective

When it comes to Animal Collective, my typical reaction is something along the lines of, "Meh." But I kind of like this video. And I am not on drugs. In fact, I'm wondering if I would hate it if I were on drugs because it would totally trip me out. I think it's safe to say that whoever is behind this video, however, was most definitely on drugs.

Song of the Day - Leona Naess

This is not entirely unlike my day on Saturday, cruising through Stanford with AJ, listening to Leona and wrestling with what was on my mind.

Song of the Day - Stevie Nicks

This made me happy. Love Stevie.

Song of the Day - Radiohead (again)

"Ok, Amanda, get some originality," you say. Yeah, I know - but I'm hung up on this damn album. And I like this video. A lot.

Here's to the crazy ones...

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. - Jack Kerouac

I recently saw the Robert Frank exhibit at SFMOMA, which was essentially an accident, because I was really there to see the Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams exhibit with a friend. (NOTE: Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams sooner make me feel like taking a nap than provide any inspiration for me, but, like I said, I was there with a friend.)

I was unfamiliar with Robert Frank at the time, although I did recognize some of his photography. I was instantly enticed by the premise of his controversial project, The Americans. Frank had embarked on a journey across the country to capture images of real America life, all the rawness of it behind the facade - the poverty, the racial divide, the vast disparity between social classes. While that era was so engrossed with the likes of Norman Rockwell's America, with his rosey-cheeked children and idyllic family images, Frank was a rebel with his portrayal of the 'real' American life. I appreciate the rebels and misfits in history, as I think they are the truth-tellers; the ones who refuse to delude themselves or accept the status quo, but rather seek out the gritty reality and expose it for what it is.

Song of the Day - Radiohead

As I'm working on my Best Indie Music of the Decade mix, I'm realizing more and more just how essential Radiohead has been to the making of this decade's indie sounds. What indie artist doesn't try to emulate Radiohead on some level? On that note, I find myself often turning up my music-snob nose at those who try to sound like Radiohead and just fail miserably. Like the a capella group I heard on NPR the other night. Really? A capella Radiohead? That's just wrong, sorry.

Anyway, this song came on Pandora this morning and I realized that I not only don't own this album, but I love every track I hear from it.

Song of the Day - The Cure

Have I really never seen them live? Really?

Ladies and gentlemen, The Cure.

Song of the Day - Modest Mouse

Jesus, I'm a sap - I just read last night's post. I wasn't even drinking, for crying outloud! My ability to swivel back and forth between being an affectionate, loving sap and an emotionally cold bitch never ceases to amaze me.

Ok, so here's a little ditty from some grumpy ole fellas from the Pacific NW who know a thing or two about mood swings. I've been listening to these guys for years (thanks to Gavin and the boys in SLC for the proper introduction) and this is an oldie but goodie. I'd occasionally see them drinking in bars when I lived up North - usually glowering in corners, looking more or less miserable about being there, although deep down they were probably thoroughly enjoying themselves.

I'm going to blame the rainy weather today for triggering my nostalgic longing for the NW.

Song of the Day - Leona Naess

I'm thinking too much tonight - and too little is making sense. One thing I can say for myself is I may not know what I want, but I do know what I don't. In the meantime, until what I want becomes more clear to me, I'm quite content with my simple little life, with its simple little pleasures. Like the Blue Bottle coffee kiosk down the street from my house that brings me such joy, followed by a 2pm breakfast with an ample helping of girl talk, which is then followed by a cozy Sunday afternoon nap....

This song is a special dedication to the person with whom I share so many of these simple joys - the one who reminds me that the troubled feelings I have at times are just a part of the intrinsic beauty of being alive. I am sorely imperfect and emotionally complex, but this is what makes me human, and there's much beauty to be discovered in that humanness. Thank you, Arthur, for helping me to not only recognize that, but revel in it.