Top 5 Songs: Depressing Songs

TGIT!!!!!

So.....another post with a list. Hey I like lists, so you should all be lucky this is still the House of Fun, and not the House of Lists;)

Today for the sick hell of it, I compiled a list of the top 5 depressing songs I knew off the top of my head.
Like Elton John famously sang, "Sad songs really do say so much".
So if you some of you guys are bi-polar, manic depressive, or easily depressed, you have my full permission to skip reading this one. Hey, I just don't want to be held responsible for any suicide attempts directly following reading this one.

Although to be honest, if you're not tempted to suck on the end of a shotgun barrel after reading this list, you might not have a pulse or you already did the deed before finishing the list;)

Like I said, these songs are right off the top of my head; I didn't Google a list of depressing songs because that would be cheating.


So without further ado.......

5). "Diary" by Bread

Now at first you wouldn't think this was a depressing song. It certainly doesn't start out that way, or even seem to be the intent of the song. But if you really listen to the lyrics and story that unfolds, it's clear the singer and listener are not heading towards smiles-ville.
How so you may ask? Here's the story in a nut-shell:
The singer finds his wife's diary, and reads it. That was the biggest mistake he could'v e made as he discovers who her dream man is, and it's not him. So at first he's like "That's cool, I'll just try and be the dream guy she wants. Apparently that doesn't work out for him, and at the end of the song he's letting her go  with the guy she was supposed to be with in the first place. And yet he's happy for her because he just wants her to be happy. Noble, but stupid. And depressing.

Like I said, good song, just.....damn.


4). "She's Gone" Black Sabbath

Well at least this one's supposed to be a sad song, and it is. Poor Ozzy pours his heart here, talking about the girl who left him, and just how much it broke him. We can all relate in one way or another to Ozzy's plight right?
Despite the tone of the song, it's still fucking awesome. The strings that were brought in really help accentuate and drive home the heartache and longing.
This was Black Sabbath at it's experimental best during this time period, as they were desperately trying to shake things up, choosing to step outside their comfort zone and the doom and gloom heavy metal box they kinda put themselves in. But don't feel bad for Ozzy, since he eventually found his soul-mate in his wife Sharon. So a happy ending came out of this after all.

3). "Abraham, Martin, and John" Dion

Arguably one of the first socially conscious songs of the Civil Rights songs written during that era(emphasis on arguably because there's also Bob Dylan and Sam Cooke to consider) Dion wrote this not too long after the assassinations of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Bobby Kennedy. I don't know about you guys, but it definitely puts things in perspective, especially when we're reminded of the sheer number of social and civil activists that are dead and gone before their time and before they got a change to see the fruits of their labors.

Here's  the lyrics:
"Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people, 
But it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people, 
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people, 
But it seems the good they die young. 
I just looked 'round and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill, 
With Abraham, Martin and John."

Sad indeed.

2). "Although The Sun Is Shining" Fleetwood Mac

Oh god will Danny Kerwin make you feel sad and depressed quick. And not just because you can  literally hear and feel the sadness in his voice, but also from the lyrics alone.  Just in case you guys were wondering, there was a Fleetwood Mac before Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie joined the group in the late 70's. It's sad, but oh so beautifully haunting. I could've easily done the top 5 with just his songs from this period, but I decided to pick this particular one instead.

1). "Alone Again Naturally" by Gilbert Sullivan

Ol' Mr. Sullivan wins the award for most depressing song by far with this one. Hell, it even made it into the Guinness Book Of World Records for most depressing song ever. And really, all you have to do is listen for even half of it, and you'll see why. Apparently Gilbert's had a rough few years, as he sings about his dad dying, than his mom dying soon after from a broken heart because the father died, oh his girlfriend dumped him and ran off with another guy....I think. So yeah, Gilbert Sullivan's basically the quintessential hard luck Charlie.
Here, just read a small sample of the lyrics to the song.

Poor bastard.

Seriously, I defy you to listen to the whole thing and not start looking hard at that revolver in the corner.

Honorable mentions include the following:

-Late For the Sky by Jackson Browne:
Here's a sample of one of the saddest lines of the song right here:
"Looking hard into your eyes 
The was nobody I'd ever known 
Such an empty surprise to feel so alone"

Damn that's rough shit right there, and that's only in the beginning.

-Imagine by John Lennon:

Yes it's supposed to be a positive and hopeful song, and it is. It's just for a huge Beatles fan like me, it's very bittersweet because when you hear the song, you're instantly reminded of his untimely and sudden death. So unfair really. I also feel the exact same way when listening to "Across the Universe." I'll readily admit to tearing up anytime either song is played on the radio because I know we'll never see John again or ever see a full-on last time reunion of The Beatles. I guess we'll all have to wait for that reunion concert in the sky:(

Like I previously mentioned, you can listen to a good amount of Danny Kerwin songs from the 1969 Fleetwood mac album, "Then Play On" and you'll see what I mean.
Again, damn good stuff, just sad.

Now I know there are other songs out there just as bad, if not worse than those I listed. Like I said, these are right off the top of head.

No I didn't include any Country or Blues songs, because basically those two genres are based off sad songs. Seriously, just pick any blues or country song at random and you'll see what I mean.

I also didn't include any Motown/R&B, although I know for damn sure there are a good number songs that belong in this category.

As always, feel free to tell me your picks for really depressing songs in the comments section.
So, are you grabbing for the Paxil or Prozac yet?;)

Have a good weekend folks;)

I'm no bastard! I'm Jim Lee"

Happy Hump Day people!!!!




More on the quote in a bit.

So today I figured I'd do puff article(as Dan likes to call em)meaning a filler piece.
What?

Anyhoo, today I just wanted to briefly talk about famous writer/artist, and one of the current top guys @ DC Comics, Jim Lee.

Yes  I know, he may be on certain people's hit list for where he's at and the political maneuvers he may be apart of in the corporate hierarchy of DC, but that's not what I want to discuss.

Nope, I'd like to focus on the aspect of Jim Lee we all fell in love with years ago; his artistic ability.
And to be more specific, I'm counting down to the top 5 comic book characters he hasn't drawn or spent a lot of time drawing. And yes I know that's hard to do, when he's drawn a lot of popular and not-so-popular characters over the years. So, here's my list of who and what titles I'd like to see Lee draw:

5). The Silver Surfer

Now Jim Lee did draw a pin-up of ol' Norrin Radd some many years ago, and then there's the Heroes reborn version he draw in the late 90's, and of course the odd sketch here and there, but that was only like a cock tease to me. Think about it, around the early 90's, the Silver Surfer had his own popular title and was also smack dab in the middle of Jim Starlin's Infinity Trinity of events consisting of the Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, and the Infinity Crusade. And they were all beautifully drawn by Ron Lim, who's grossly underrated. Now, sit back and imagine if Lee had drawn either the Surfer's issues and/or those Infinity events. They'd be even more kick-ass right? Yeah I think so too.


4). The Justice Society of America

I don't know about you guys, but when I saw this panel in the 2007 free comic book day edition of JLA#0, I was like "Hell yeah!"

Why? because Jim Lee just drew  Earth-2, and specifically the JSA.

I imagine if anything was to give those golden oldies of yesteryear a nice buzz or shot in the arm publicity-wise, it'd be a Jim Lee drawn JSA one-shot or mini-series. Yeah....let that concept set in for a minute.

3). Legion of Super Heroes

I'll never profess to being a huge Legion fan, but I know people there are. But hey, Jim Lee could draw just about anybody or anything, and I'd be interested. So when I saw these mock Legion covers Lee drew, even I had to sit back and take notice. Could it be that maybe Jim Lee could help restart or boast interest in the Legion as a concept simply with his art? Could be, could be......

2). Spider-Man

A lot of people, famous artists and the like, have all drawn Spidey, except for maybe Lee. Alright, he's done a sketch or two, but nothing on a somewhat regular basis or anything big.


The prospect of a Spider-Man mini or one-shot with Jim Lee art is mouth-watering. Seriously, Lee's done wonders and iconic takes on Superman and Batman, why not Spider-Man?

1). The Avengers


Yeah I know, Lee drew the Avengers, but sort of. He drew the Heroes Reborn Avengers covers. There's a big difference there.

Nope, I'd like to see the REAL Avengers get the Lee treatment, like say the classic team, or even Lee drawing the adventures of the original line-up/founders. Now that would really be "Sweet As" as Dan would say;)

Oh, so about that quote...
It's a paraphrased quote from the 1993 movie about Bruce Lee, in a scene where some guy calls him a bastard, and Lee goes "I'm no bastard! I'm Bruce Lee!" 
Ha ha, classic response.

Blushing Bride

The End

And finally, for the first time in a good while, here's some extras:

Slash-Hour Traffic

TGIM right?
No....Huh. Okay then.


So I'm sure you guys who pay attention to what goes on over @ Marvel Comics already know about the outcome of the whole Age Of Ultron "event."

Yeah, confusing as shit huh?

Well here's my take, I mean spoof on it......

Enjoy:)

And to think, I didn't even mention Angela yet;)

So, Who Would Win? : Dr.Strange VS. Zatanna

TGIT!!!!!!

So, getting right into the thick of it for today,
I was going to set up a fighting scenario between Dr.Strange and Dr. Fate, but then I saw via my tag labels, that I already did that one.

Hmm.

Well onto the next best pick, Zatanna.
What, you can't tell me that idea hasn't already been thought of and debated countlessly over the years.

So.........


Dr.Strange

VS.



Zatanna

Here's some quick stats in case you didn't already know.

Dr.Strange is Earth's(the MU Earth's) Sorcerer Supreme, meaning he's super fucking powerful. Not to mention all those years taught and tutored by the Ancient One, along with countless years of experience, has made Dr. Strange the premier magician with few peers, outside of Dr.Doom.

Also, and this should be mentioned in case things get physical, is that Dr. Strange knows Magic kung-fu. Yep, mystic kung-fu that he learned from his trusty manservant Wong.(Yeah I know, helluva name to give to the poor bastard)

Zatanna's no slouch either when it comes to magical knowledge.
Both her parents knew their way around magic, with her father being the golden age magician hero Zatarra, and her mother was from another dimension that was home to a mystical race called Homo Magi.
So magic runs in her blood....literally.

So while Zatanna rocks the top hat and stockings, Dr.Strange rocks his mystic cloak and powerful Eye of Agamotto amulet.

So......who'd win and why?

Let me know your picks in the comments section.

Last week's battle between Nightwing and Batman Beyond ended in an overwhelming decision that favored Dick going over Terry(ha ha).

Yeah, I saw that pretty much happening, since Dick's got the edge in experience and direct and on-the-job-training from Batman, whereas Terry learned from grouchy old Bruce who couldn't engage in the physical aspect of training Terry. But damn what a fight it'd be, that's for damn sure!

Have a good to great week

Top 5 Songs: "Hunky Dory"

Happy Humpity-Hump Day!!!!

Today I figured I'd just write about whatever it was that came to mind, and right this minute, I'm thinking about the classic album by David Bowie, Hunky Dory.

If you didn't already know, Hunky Dory is one of those albums where you can see big things are in store for the artist or artists. Like this the album right before things blew up big time for them.

Hunky Dory's just that kind of album for David Bowie I think. It was right before his famous Ziggy Stardust phase and album, and we all know what a huge fucking album that turned out to be.

So without further ado, here's my Top 5 songs from Hunky Dory:

5). "Queen Bitch"/"Kooks"

Ah Queen Bitch. It's Bowie's way of writing a Velvet Underground-ish song, and this one sure sounds a bit like one. It's poppy, catchy, and has nice beat you can drive or bike to.

Kooks comes in as a tie because it's also a very nice song. This was Bowie's song dedicated to his son, as a kind of apology for having a rock star dad who was, well, a bit of a kook.
It's just a fun, light-hearted song, that I'm sure those of you who're parents will be able to relate to(Random, Goo I'm looking at you guys;)


4). "Quicksand"

Bowie and I must have a mutual love of history in common, because this song's nothing but a roll call of some pretty controversial historical figures. Bowie name drops people like Aliester Crowley, Heimlich Goebbels,  Winston Churchill, and Nietzsche just to name a few.

It's such a beautifully odd song that further hints at Ziggy coming ever so soon, as the song's mostly about  Nietzsche's idea of the Ubermench, or Superman.

Even the main chorus lyrics are bizarre but beautiful:

" Don't believe in yourself;

Don't deceive with belief.

Knowledge comes with death's release,

ah ah ah ah."

This is definitely a slight variation on Eastern/Hindu(Indian) teachings,
but with a Aliester Crowley/Golden Dawn twist.

A Really beautifully produced song people.

3). "Changes"

I really struggled with the positioning of #'s 4 and 3, but I love em all regardless.
How could one not love a song like Changes? It's all about the rebelliousness of youth, and that awkward growing stage in live where you're trying figure shit out. Beautiful, beautiful classic song, that's become, like the man himself, timeless.

"Time may change me, but you can't change time."
So, so right.

2)."Is there life on Mars?"

Oh but I do so love this one! Like any good story-teller worth his salt, if you read and listen to the lyrics, you'll see that Bowie's telling a poignant story. Sure, you may not always know what the fuck he's talking about, but it's still fun to sit back and let him do his thing....which he does oh so well;)

Oh, and I told you this was the precursor to Ziggy Stardust; just look at title.

1). "Oh you pretty things"

"Oh you pretty things! Don't you know that you're driving your mommas and poppas insane?"

How can you not love a song that proclaims those very lines? In case you weren't aware, Pretty things follows right after "Is there life on Mars?", and damn does it flow and transition so seamlessly.

Again, Bowie's talking about the eternal struggle between youth and the establishment. He just happens to be one of those artists that does it better than anyone, that's all.

And that's me.
Feel more than free to tell what songs are your favorites from this album, or just any songs of Bowie's you like.

"NU52'd"

The End....?

Expect more of this type of thing to keep happening periodically, as I'm gradually buying up all the NU52 figures. I only have Superman, WW, and Flash to go, and yeah, that shiny current costume Hal figure probably fits in there somewhere.