Seriously though, which sweater?

Jacqueline Taieb – 7 Heures du Matin

New Frontiers

It’s been ages.

But now, following on from Connie Francis’s bubbling cauldron of nascent sexual hunger, here’s a more blasé take on female teen angst (or ennui I guess) from Tunisian-French one-hitter Jacqueline Taïeb (often misread as Taleb). Some Wikipedier wrote that this was “about a teenage girl who fantasizes about Paul McCartney” (amplifying the distortion of some blog). Well, I guess that’s technically true, but grossly misleading. It’s about a teenage girl trying to wake up and get ready for school. That’s pretty much it. That and she can’t find her toothbrush. Notice she isn’t smiling for the photo. McCartney is mentioned in the song (or “rap”), as is Elvis, and the Who get quoted. Which is really the best part. But the grungy pounding blues accompaniment rivals Bowie’s early Mannish Boys or Lower Third, or Jacques Dutronc. (Wonder if he was in on the production.)

It’s seven o'clock in the morning
Must get up
Ah! I’m asleep!

Okay, so a little music
To get going
I don’t know,
Something like
"Talking about my ge-ge-ge-generation"
Yeah! That’s not quite it.

I’m still looking for my toothbrush!
Where did it go, this one?
The blue one is my father
The red is my mother
The yellow is my brother
Haven’t I seen my toothbrush?

Oh hey! Today is Monday
Ah! Tomorrow, I have English homework [due I guess --mwp]
Hm! I’d love to have Paul McCartney
To help me!
I want to put on a record
To annoy the neighbors
Who are snoozing all day
Something like a good Elvis Presley
Ah! This is true, that one, he remained at
"Be bop bam boom boom rock"

A little water on the figure
To wake up
The nighty-night [dodo] is over!
I'm almost ready and it’s much better
I put on my red [Shetland] sweater or my blue sweater?
My red sweater?
My blue sweater?
Hm! My red sweater ...

Things feel so strange...

Connie Francis – Eighteen

Duck and cover!  Connie Francis is so pent up with burgeoning sexuality she could burst in half at any moment!  

Apparently being eighteen is a lot like sitting on a frying pan over low heat.  Thanks to Laurel for churning this one up. Damn. I feel kind of aroused.

Is this song Columbian?

 

Jerry Hansen & The Ramblers Dance Band Of Ghana – Cramelo A Kilo

I’ve much debated putting this song in this slot, but I keep coming back to it.  This is my all-time favorite West African highlife band, mostly because, yes, they were my first (thank you Culver City Public Library!), and because of their joyous cover of Eddie Floyd’s “Knock On Wood”, with the hand-drum jam at the end.  But their slightly melancholy home-grown tunes are excellent too.  I have fond memories of listening to our cassette recording (thank you Culver City Public Library!) in the black catacombs of the Cal State LA photography lab while Laurel distilled monochrome images of some weird old man’s wrinkly butt or whatever.  

Joyous is also the word for this track, apparently a salsa classic, covered by many, and usually spelled ‘Caramelo a Kilo’.   What does that mean?  Google translate says ‘kilo candy.’  Babel fish says ‘caramel to kilo.’  My guess is, it really means ‘candy by the kilo’.  Probably expensive.  Is this song Columbian?

Is there something wrong with me?

 

Spotify link:

Lasse Mårtenson – Miltä meno maistuu

Seriously, I know this is not normal.  This Danish cover of Lou Reed’s “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” just fills me with inexplicable mirth.  EVERY TIME.

I think it has a lot to do with that dopey smirk.  How can that face sing this song?  Unless it’s with an absurd Swedish Chef Nordic accent.  Is Denmark officially Nordic?  I don’t care.  I’m smiling right now. 

Yes, this IS a cry for help.