… but don't mention the 'O' word.
By treefrogdemon
Recognisable: Everybody Hurts (REM)
When I was suicide prevention coordinator for my corner of Scotland I had a link to this video on my desktop. I liked the way it shows the thoughts of all the different people in the traffic jam – they are recognisable, in many ways. Mind you, one thing you should not say to a person who’s suicidal is that ‘everybody hurts’.
Observable: Gold (Peter Blegvad)
It was observable by me, even before I turned to Wikipedia, that gold is not too soft for serious use. pretty though, and a great story.
Palpable: You Are Not Mine (Emma Langford)
“In fact, the [person] addressed in the last verse is almost certainly me,” wrote recommender angryirishpunk. How palpable is that?
Prominent: I’m A Boy (The Who)
Though I’m a girl, myself, I was always more on the side of the bike-riding, bloody and muddy brigade than allied with the fussers with the frocks and nail varnish. But it’s possible that the narrator here has something more prominent about him than I ever had.
Tangible: Homegrown Tomatoes (Guy Clark)
Of the only two things that money cain’t buy, true love is rather less tangible than homegrown tomatoes.
Pronounced: It Goes Without Saying (Tim Malchak)
When it doesn’t even need to be said, let alone pronounced.
Predictable: Growing Old Is Getting Old (Silversun Pickups)
Ain’t that the truth, she said, predictably.
Bold: Girls & Boys (Good Charlotte)
Old people in the video – now that’s very bold! I will even overlook their belief that girls like cars and money better than they like boys, which is obviously untrue – unless they like girls, of course.
Visible: Obvious (The Elephants)
I was so hoping some elephants would show up, and here they are. Not visible, perhaps, but audible at least.
Discernible: I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)
It was not at first discernible which version of this song would come to the top. But, happily, reader megadom’s J Cliff generously gave way to Suzi’s J Nash and so we have a winner.
Transparent: Water No Get Enemy (Fela Kuti)
I’m not sure I agree with you there, Fela, and I’m sure the folks in Flint, Michigan wouldn’t either. But water is transparent – that’s true. (Except in Flint, Michigan).
Striking: Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Pink Floyd)
Striking in two ways: first, because of what the hapless Eugene is doing with his implement; but also because it’s the now famous pun-rich song lauded by reader severin. Applause, applause!
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men [sic] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
I’ll just leave that one sitting here prominently, Mr President.
The Not-So-Obvious Obvious A-List Playlist:
1. Everybody Hurts – REM
2. Gold – Peter Blegvad
3. You Are Not Mine – Emma Langford
4. I’m A Boy – The Who
5. Homegrown Tomatoes – Guy Clark
6. It Goes Without Saying – Tim Malchak
7. Growing Old Is Getting Old – Silversun Pickups
8. Girls & Boys – Good Charlotte
9. Obvious – The Elephants
10. I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
11. Water No Get Enemy – Fela Kuti
12. Careful With That Axe, Eugene – Pink Floyd
Pretty Blatant B-List Playlist
1. It’s Not The Bullet That Kills You (It’s The Hole) – Laurie Anderson
2. It Is Obvious – Syd Barrett
3. They Love Each Other – The Grateful Dead
4. Hoshiya Rehna – Kabir Café
5. People Will Say We’re In Love – Ella Fitzgerald
6. Alan Is A Cowboy Killer – McClusky
7. (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang – Heaven 17
8. The Obvious Child – Paul Simon
9. My Girl – Hoodoo Gurus
10. Through The Magnifying Glass – David Thomas and the Pedestrians
11. It Can’t Rain All The Time – Jane Siberry
12. Seven Drunken Nights – The Dubliners
13. You Can’t Take It With You – Paul Kelly
14. A Song With Three Chords In – Philthy
15. I Went To Parts – Heartwork
Guru’s wildcard pick:
Girls Are Always Right by Any Trouble
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Elephants and more: songs about the obvious. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address.