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Rawkkiddoh
Rawkkiddoh
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Didn't mean to ruin the mood

Posted about 1 year ago
Lyrics are something that cause many people to fall in love with a song. In fact there have been songs that I didn't like upon first listen but then you hear the lyrics and you end up falling hard for the song in question. You wonder things like who might the song be about, or even if the song is supposed to be speaking to you. Every so often there is a lyric that is thrown in that ends up leaving a bad taste in your mouth. I have had this happen before, and quite often it is when you are making a mix tape for someone special. I do not think I will ever forget when I wanted to add the song "Sometimes I Don't Mind" by the Suicide Machines to a mix for a girl I was swooning over, only to find out it was an ode to the lead singers dog. That was enough to cause me to leave it off the mix, and it made me even more careful of the songs I chose when putting together mixes like that.Last night I had another moment such as that when I was listening to my latest batch of downloads from Itunes. I figured I would download a bunch of new music in order to have a fresh mix to listen to on my first day of summer vacation. I saw the song Good Daddy by Atmosphere and downloaded it, eager to have some homegrown hip hop in what was already turning out to be a great group of songs if I don't say so myself. With Itunes you get 30 seconds of music to decide whether or not you want the song, and the 30 seconds I heard spoke to me. The song is about a father and his son and those lyrics were ones I could relate to rather well. Now as I sat here this morning I gave the song a full listen, and hearing the words that came out of my speakers made me just kind of sit back and smile. I saw me in the song, and it made me think of the many bath times I have shared with my son in his two years of life. Then it happened, that one lyric was thrown in and the song changed for me. I still love the song, and will be listening to it as I drive around today doing errands, this is for sure. What has changed is the meaning it had with me though, and although it is a small change I know I will not have the same connection with the song that I thought I would at first listen.
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Comments (26)

  1. contrabandwidth
    contrabandwidth says It happens to me all the time. I'll make a mix for my wife, and she'll call me up and be like "Are you trying to tell me something?", but really, I just tend to be attracted to sadder songs/music, and she isn't. So the more tragic the song, or seemingly full of emotion, I'll bite. She just rolls her eyes about the depressing nature of most of what I like. We do have our common ground though. I love an album like Of Montreal's "Hissing Fauna...", it's a sort of emotional break down, but you can see the guy working through it, and I feel at the end of the album, it's really optimistic. Many people probably wouldn't give it that much, but I see transformation thru pain. I've kind of always been like that.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  2. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says I feel the same way about music like that, and I think you hit it on the head when you mentioned seeing transformation through pain. I have my list of songs that many would wonder why I find optimistic, but like you I see deeper meaning in them.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  3. contrabandwidth
    contrabandwidth says I have the same experience as you with that atmosphere track, and I'm listening and adding it to a playlist for me or my son, and then you get the "punchline", and your actually kind of considering editing it, because it had you til the end. Funny thing is when my son was an infant, we could only calm down his crying by winging "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", which isn't the most pastoral song for a lullabye. I always try to keep his bedtime songs a little more profound. I wont be singing any Nick Cave songs, but I like a lot of traditional songs like "Rivers of Babylon" (esp. by The Mellodians) just because they are so beautiful in their pain (or optimistic hope).
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  4. Bartleby
    Bartleby says I must confess I'm more of an "instrumental" person. Lyrics matter too but not as much as the score they're sung to. That said, your bitter sweet account of "Good Daddy" is quite impressive. The last line is a like a super powerful punch in the guts... I guess each and everyone us have our own demons. No matter how good we are beyond our personal Gehenna, there's always this fear of doing wrong. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  5. Marigold
    Marigold says This dilemma is the exact reason I avoid making mixtapes almost all together. It is such a PITA sometimes to "subject check" the songs that have a great lyrical chorus. As we all know, just because a song sounds pleasant doesn't mean that it is pleasant and is really about killing the person you love or something.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  6. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says Contra, your comment made me think of the first song I sung to my son in order to get him to go to sleep. I guess when I knew I would be having a child, part of me did not want to conform into being that stereotypical father. I did not want to sing rock a bye baby, and instead chose to make my son his first mix before he was even born. The first track on that cd was Bright Eyes, "The First Day Of My Life" and I can still remember the first time I sang it to him while he sat in my arms. Some day when he is older I will explain the way I feel about that song, and why it is so important to me. It will not matter to me whether he loves it as much as I do, the meaning I found in that song is something that will never die for me. Bartleby I love a good score almost as much as I do the lyrics. I have songs that I only know a few of the lyrics to, but the music is just too good to not put on my radio. I guess sometimes the lyrics hit me, and for Good Daddy they did just that. I just have no idea how Slug new that after I put my son to bed I have to go downstairs to package my heroin
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  7. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says Marigold I hear ya, and sometimes I try and sneak in a song hoping the listener doesnt hear that hidden message
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  8. contrabandwidth
    contrabandwidth says You totally need to read "Alterna Dad" by Neal Pollack. It hits so close to home for people like us, it's scary. It's a great beach read kind of book.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  9. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says I have written down the title, and will look for it on my trip out today.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  10. annieander
    annieander says But sometimes you need that twist...that's not to say you won't think differently about the song, of course you will. But it their story, not yours. Funny, our human need to feel a connection to someting. Interesting Rawk...definately interesting...I didn't see that coming at all.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  11. Cody B
    Cody B says Having had business dealings with Rhymesayers and having been involved with a person who was an addict and had a child brings a whole lot of extra baggage with me to the tune..but I can't deny the honesty or the beat. Nice one.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  12. Anna
    Anna says If Dale sees this post, he has a good Sugar story to share :) Concerning me, off the top of my head, I can think of Editors' Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors. Many people didn't like it for an Editors' tune when it came out (and they weren't that wrong), but the lyric that is also the song's tune hit so close to {my} home, that I couldn't help but become attached to the song from the first listen up to this very day. Girls with emotional baggage first, please :)
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  13. Anna
    Anna says I didn't write this the right way, darn it. I'll have some of that Lost In Translation, please. By "attached to the song", I should elaborate that I feel connected to it on a deeper level but, at the same time, can't listen to it easily, because it holds too much importance to me, and it is painful to listen to.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  14. fistula spume
    fistula spume says I'm pretty fearless when it comes to mix making but I know what you mean. I've had some serious oops moments in my time. Luckily I've caught most of them. I think there is something to be said for being able to preview a whole track before you buy it also. I've purchase some really bad tracks off iTunes that I wish I could give back.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  15. UffinGreg
    UffinGreg says I dont think it could ever be a perfect connection, there always seems to be something that is off, even if it's minor. But I love it when I feel that connection. I tried to make a mix for my sister in-law and had to trash it because it sounded like I wanted to hook up with her. PS Glad to have you back, your posts rule.
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  16. amber
    amber says Before I found all of you good people, back when ??nobody?? around me understood what music was for me, I thought that everyone heard a song like I do. I latch onto the lyrics, will rewind the song over and over until I know every nuance. It's the message that grabs me and the vocals or the instrumentals are simply the vehicle. Now I know there are people like Michael, who can be swept away by only the music. Go figure. I love to make (and even more-to receive) mixes, but I fret and stress over the making of them. Is the song too serious? Too flippant? Will the receipient understand the motivation I had? Will there be a word or a phrase that kills the song? Whew...so much pressure. :)
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  17. Cody B
    Cody B says I don't think I ever sweated a mix more than my MOG Wars mix..
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  18. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Had both things happen. I'm not much of an Atmosphere fan though. They are headlining the SF Download Festival & the rest of the groups aren't that great either which is too bad cause I was ready to go again for the 3rd yr in a row cause I saw The Cure, Black Rebel Moto Club, Metric, & a bunch of other great bands there last year & the year before. They also moved it to in July instead of around my b. day at the end of Sept. which sucks a big one too. Maybe next year. But hey, got to go to Coachella & see Portishead, Prince, Goldfrapp, Fatboy Slim, The Breeders, etc. this year so that pawns all!(And going to My Bloody Valentine in SF Sept. 30th, can't wait for that).
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  19. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says Cody glad you came by to enjoy the music, even if it brought up bad times Anna I hear what you are saying, and sometimes the best songs are the hardest to listen too. Smokers is a song I liked right away, but I blame a lot of that on the video that went along with it. Being left brained, pictures tend to speak volumes to me Fistula, mixes and me go hand in hand. I dont think I have ever said no to anyone who kind of hinted that they needed one. As for Itunes, amen to wanting to give them back. There should be a site in which you can donate bad itunes music to. Greg, shit I almost spit out my water when I read what you wrote. Here sis, and by the way I am picking you up at 8. Oh, and thanks for the pat on the back, it feels good to be back around these parts again! Amber, my big fear when sending music has always been what the other person will think of it as well. With friends it is easy, most of mine listen to the same music so you cant really miss. Here on MOG it has been tough, and sometimes you just have to take that plunge and hope for the best. Cody, funny you should mention that because I shit bullets making your mix for MOG wars. I can only hope I done good with the selections I made. August, thanks for rubbing my nose in it. Why dont you throw in the fact you are going to see Badu with the Roots, or how handsome you are. (Read that in a post you devil!)
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  20. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Haha, well payback's a mutha for all the posts you missed of mine Tripbro(take that!). And I certainly don't need to mention the devil, cause several others bring that up. I'm just me, can't help what the goddess gave me. And actually I didn't get to see Badu/or The Roots, news at 11:00! So you see, all is not as rosy as it may seem . . . .
    Permalink posted 06/09/2008
  21. BrandNewFriend
    BrandNewFriend says Hey Rawk great to see u back with MOG u have been missed I know its taken me a while to catch up that youre back but with work commitments I dont get as much time on MOG anymore, hence the lack of posts, but I try and have a quick look around every now and then Came across you thro Derm's comments Love this post I'm a great 'lyric' fan as u might already know :-) I can remember u being so uncertain about your future but hey - Didnt I say u could do it ! Glad to hear things goin good for u x
    Permalink posted 06/10/2008
  22. milkshake
    milkshake says Totally unrelated to your post but OMG you're back! We missed ya!
    Permalink posted 06/10/2008
  23. Mike the Knife
    Mike the Knife says

    So when "Good Daddy" asks his son if he wants to ride the "horsey," somebody better call Child Services. BTW, Blair, thanks for the heads-up on "Sometimes I Don't Mind" by the Suicide Machines. I'll be sure to include it on the mix CD I'm making for my friend Heather's Labrador retrievers.

    Permalink posted 06/13/2008
  24. Petey Lapides
    Petey Lapides says

    It's probably overkill to make a mix tape for someone after the first date, but I aggravated the situation once by heedlessly loading the tape up with songs that I simple liked.  Only after it was delivered did I start to worry that the inclusion of the Pixies' "Gigantic"  was in poor taste.  One, because it's about making whoopee with a guy with large equipment.  And two, because the name of the girl I gave it to was Pauline, and only later did I notice that a conspicuous line in the song is "Hey, Paulie, Paulie, Paul, Let's have a ball."   Good luck convincing anyone THAT wasn't done on purpose...

    Permalink posted 06/13/2008
  25. TheInfamousAMF
    TheInfamousAMF says

    I love the twist of Good Daddy in his last line, sends chills up my spine. Amazing! A similar song the story in "Your Glasshouse" from When life gives you lemons... Slug never disappoints with the lyrics, one of the most amazing story tellers in Hip Hop today.

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  26. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says

    gotta agree with ya, I am glad to say he is a hometown act which means I get to see him more than most

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008

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