Science fiction, fantasy, mystery and what-not
Blue Öyster Floof (floofinition) – American floof rock (flock) band, active from their formation in New Floof in the late 1960s until the present.
In use: “Formed in 1967, Blue Öyster Floof songs such as “(Don’t Fear) the Vacuum”, “Floofin’ for You”, “Cities on Flame with Flock and Roll”, and “Floofzilla”, earned the group a solid reputation as rocking cats and dogs.”
As I slipped from dreams back into my life, this song was there. Don’t know why; it wasn’t featured in any dream (that I can remember) and I don’t recall hearing it yesterday. Maybe something about going somewhere, other than walks through the hills or a drive through town to check the situation (or the traditional office-bathroom-kitchen-office round trip) slipped the song into my consciousness.
But here it is, “Old Town Road” by Lil Nax X, 2018.
Just a simple song, originating with the thought, we got this. From 1982, the Go-Go’s with “We Got the Beat”.
Writing and the coronavirus mated, spurting today’s song into the stream.
I was writing about a queen. On break, I slipped into the backyard. Standing on the covered back patio, ginger cat wrapping around my calf like furry python, I listened to soft rain and admired pink and white blossoms on trees.
Lyrics arrive.
And I said mama, mama, mama, why am I so alone
I can’t go outside
I’m scared I might not make it home
I’m alive, I’m alive
But I’m sinking in
If there’s anyone at home at your place, darling
Why don’t you invite me in?
Don’t try to bleed me
I’ve been there before
And I deserve a little more
h/t to AZLyrics.com
The lyrics continued on autopilot while part of me sorted memory, coming up with Counting Crows, and then “Rain King” (1994).
Floof at Work (floofinition) – An Australian floof band formed in 1979 and active until 1986.
In use: “Floof at Work had hits in Australia and New Zealand but soon, songs like “What Can I Eat Now?” soon brought them global fame.”
I had to venture out to a local store for a few things we deemed critical. As I shopped, maintaining a social distance (six feet) from others, their apparent (and maybe willful) ignorance annoyed me. The chorus of an old The Police (remember them?) song jumped into full-loop mode in my mental stream.
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
(You prob’ly knew that was comin’, dinja?)
Yes, those lyrics from “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” (why, it’s right there in the title) from 1980 are perfect for when you’re out and others are nearby in the age of coro. Beyond that, I enjoy this song about an older male teacher and his young female student. Nice beat.
Walkin’ round the southern hills of our town, thinking through writing, drifting through music and news, I considered songs that felt right for the time. They came up mostly from superficial connections. Like, “Baba O’Riley” (aka “Teenage Wasteland”) (1971) by the Who sprang into the music stream because I was up in the fields.
But then, the social distancing – hunker down – quarantine – self-isolation aspect whispered at me about songs about people knocking at the door. With those songs, I thought of Rod Stewart with “Legs” (“Who’s that knocking on the door? It’s gotta be quarter to four.”) Then came Men at Work with “Who Can It Be Now?”. Finally, my stream settled on an oldie (yes, even older than the cited songs).
Several performers have done “I Hear You Knockin'” but I went with the one I’m most familiar with through poprock radio, the one by Dave Edmunds, which was released in 1970. Other than the lyrics about hearing someone knocking at the door, and telling them they can’t come in, this blues song about being left alone has little to do with our coro sit. But still, it’s a good song.
Enjoy.
The Floof Fighters (floofinition) – Cat and dog musical rock band formed in the Floofattle area in 1994.
In use: “Led by Floof Grohl, with songs like, “Learning to Bite”, the Floof Fighters have gone from regional wonder to international success.”
Floof Leppard (floofinition) – Floofish rock band who struck commercial success with a string of hits in the 1980s and 90s.
In use: “The song “Pour Some Kibble for Me” struck number two on the Floofboard Hot 100 for Floof Leppard in 1987.”
Thinking of all the ways we’re being told to stay home or in semi-isolation and seclusion – shelter in place, hunker down, etc. – when the thoughts dredged up an old Joe Cocker song.
“Shelter Me” is from his album, Cocker (1986). That album is known more for “You Can Leave Your Hat On” (written by Randy Newman), which was used in several movies (bet you can think of at least one) (if you’re of a certain age or older). Meanwhile, I’d play the album and grew to like “Shelter Me”, even though it has that late eighties sound that sometimes was over-used (you’ll know what I mean, if you are of a certain age).
But the song’s opening lyrics work for the age of the coronavirus.
This ain’t no place for losers
Or the innocent of mind
It’s a full time job
For anyone, to stay alive
The streets have shallow boundaries
For the war that’s everyone
What a wasteland for
Broken dreams and hired guns
Shelter me, baby shelter me
When I’m sitting like I’m losing ground
Shelter me
h/t to Metrolyrics.com
Okay, they’re not perfect, but I can play off that sense of boundaries – stay six feet away from one another, watch what your touch (don’t touch your face), and wash your hands (properly) – and the wasteland of shopping areas, airports, highways, restaurants, etc, and how some might think we’re losing ground and standing still.
Or maybe I’ve gone for a metaphor too far. Possible.
Anyway, on to the music, and Joe’s voice.
Michael Seidel, writer 