Something happened to me recently that hasn’t happened in a long time. I was totally moved by some song lyrics.
Wise beyond any of the psychobabble that is my daily life and profession, they could have been written by a 12-year-old…
You’ve gotta make it new
You’ve gotta keep it new to keep it true
And you’re allowed to do anything you gotta do…
Beskirted Ezra Furman on New Album Cover
I’ve always been more of a music than a lyrics guy. Guess that’s why I preferred Paul over John most of my life.
But with these 3 simple lines, Ezra Furman and his Boyfriends got me.
Here’s a fun, quick 3-step experiment (2 min. 20 sec.):
1. Click here
2. Click on #7 track, ‘Ordinary Life’
3. Close your eyes & listen to track
What did you think? Was it worth the 140 seconds?
It should be noted that I saw Mr. Furman live in Munich back in ’10, then with the Harpoons; I even picked up a copy of one of his early records.
Check out this catchy MTV-friendly video from Inside the Human Body:
Sounding a mix between a young David Byrne and the Violent Femmes at their most fey, this chameleon from Chicago is doing something right.
He’s still making records after his 15 minutes, that is.
I realize my last several posts have been about new music. But in the age of pre-packaged rock stars, I find Matthew E. White and Ezra Furman a BIG breath of fresh air (Big & Tall sized suits & frilly dresses vs. skinny jeans & hipster boots).
White Is The New Black
Besides, if this childhood photo is anything to go by I was hooked on tunes from a very early age – early favorites were Carole King’s Tapestry & Chipmunks Sing The Beatles; I really loved that orange chair, too.
I Feel The Earth Move circa ’73
And maybe this is the new hip – your parents’ give-away closet? Impossible to imitate. Nice.
So if you liked ‘Ordinary Life’, give the rest of the album a listen.
Better yet, go “old school” – pick it up at the shop and put it in the home stereo…you still got one of those?
“Ob-La-Di-Bla-Da, Brother!” – John Lennon circa ’68
Let me know your thoughts on Ezra or the state of pop music in 2015?
intelligent media 
Nice one mate as usual. Love the piano accordion. Looks like the beskirted one is coming into his own and making a real name for himself. Great to see such gems emerging from an otherwise dire state of pop music circa 2015.
G.
P.s. I’m blown away by this brilliant photo of you diggin some early 70’s tunes. Carol King? A Kodak Carousel classic! That orange chair is so 1973 man! Groovy.
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Thanks, Duderino. Yeah, he’s no Adam Levine or Brenden Flowers. Good to see he hasn’t taken off his sunglasses either. Were you also a big fan of Tapestry?
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Didn’t mind a bit of Tapestry. ‘ I feel the earth move’ did make it on to an early 70’s mix i did a while back. Loved the Chipmunks as well.
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Nice. With the sky tumbilin’ down?
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I love how a line that would be cheesy or cliche if spoken can feel so profound if sung in a pop song. Ezra has that smooth 90’s Brit pop sound and feel. Thanks for continuing to turn us on to great music!
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Thanks, Shawn. Glad you connected with Ezra! Yeah, a bit of Britpop crossed with the proverbial “kitchen sink”…
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Hey Tim, I really like this Ordinary Life. Never heard it before, so thanks for it!
I also like your stereo picture from the 70s, of course – keep on searching for good music!
Cheers,
Josef
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Thx, Josef! I think you’d like Mr. Furman, check out more!
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When I close my eyes and listen to that track, I think “Holy crap, to say that I like music makes me a huge poser because I would have otherwise haven never given this track much of a listen. And I need to unsubscribe from this blog because I am clearly out of my musical league.” I will just continue to ride your coat tails…
Otherwise I like it!
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Doesn’t it remind you a bit of…”Hey…I…I…just bought this bus pass!”
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For sure. There is also something else in there that I can’t pin down…I’ll have to listed some more
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Alright, do let me know when you’ve figured it out…in the meantime, “I just got this bus transfer”!
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