CSOTD Bonus Edition: Harry Nilsson - Jump Into The Fire

The problem with doing theme weeks is that, obviously, you need to leave some stuff out.

I can't post every single song that has Jump in the title, I just can't.

I mean, even with the word "Jump" alone, that in itself is a restriction. Notice I haven't included any songs about Jumping (vis-à-vis Jumping Jack Flash or Jumpin', Jumpin')

Now, often I'm ok with leaving out some stuff.  For this week, I was OK with not including Jump Then Fall by Taylor Swift or One Jump Ahead from Aladdin.

But, I wasn't OK with leaving out this frantic, raucous 7 minute thrill ride from the early 70's.

If you only know Harry Nilsson from such sleepy, dreamy ballads as Without You and Everybody's Talkin, then Mr Nilsson, and drummer Jim Gordon and a bassist Herbie Flowers, are about to wake you up.

With a fire extinguisher.  Filled with lead pellets.

Thursday, August 25, 2011: The Undertones - Jump Boys

Even if Northern Ireland's Undertones had only given us Teenage Kicks, they would deserve a place at the table of great rock 'n roll bands.

But, besides that eternal classic, there was My Perfect Cousin (please share your favorite Subbuteo stories below) and this perfect new wave/pop/punk jam.

I guarantee you you cannot crank this loud enough. You just can't.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011: Flo Rida - Jump (ft Nelly Furtado)

Yesterday was all about the Old School.

Today, it all about how the New School is doing out there in the real world.

Sounds like they're doing great.

Whenever Nelly Furtado asks me to jump, I won't even ask How High - I'm just going to jump like a bird, like a plane.

She got me so insane

Tuesday, August 23, 2011: TWOfer Tuesday - Old School Jump

There's no school like the old school.

We may think we know about fun and freedom here in the 21st Century, but we really need to go back and see how the true hipsters and hep cats blew wild to really show us bumpkins how to cut a rug proper.

The first lesson comes from Senior Louis Prima, the coolest of cool dudes who rocked the big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, and also did pop-rock band in the 1960s. And he always looked great doing it.

However, if Mr Prima schooled us, then Mr Belefonte will not only administers our final exams but also grade our dissertations of cool while he sits as the Dean of Cool University. Our work, held up against the standards of the King of Calypso though, falls miserably short and we are all destined to flip burgers and wear name tags at our jobs for the rest of our miserable, uncool lives.

Or, we can just do what most university students do - crank up the music, have fun and dance!*

I dare you to sit still during this song, I double-dog dare you!





*well, obviously, there's also the drinking and the sex - but I do struggle to keep this blog strictly PG-13, gentle reader. I do try.

August 22, 2011: Van Halen - Jump

Its JUMP WEEK here on Cool Song Of The Day!

Yes, gentle reader, here we go with another of our immensely popular and successful theme weeks!

The theme this week is JUMP - verb
1. to spring clear of the ground or other support by a sudden muscular effort; leap
2. to rise suddenly or quickly
3. to advance rapidly from one level to another, especially in rank; pass through or skip intermediate stages in a forward or upward progression

To jump is generally thought to be something positive (to jump for joy) or to emphasize excitement and energy (that joint was jumping), or taking advantage of an opportunity (she jumped at the chance).

My reasoning for doing this specific theme week is that, unless you've been living under a rock, these are peculiar and difficult times we are living in. And, if you have been living under a rock, your life is probably even more peculiar and difficult. In short, it is rough out there, and it feels like it ain't gonna get any smoother anytime soon.

Also, with a specific 10 year anniversary just on the horizon, I'm sure the mood will soon turn even more somber.

This week pretty much marks the last week of summer. Some of you have finished your holidays, some of you might even be back at school this week. So, let's take this week, this last gasp of freedom, this stretch of sun just before that slow slide into autumn, and lets stretch our legs, raise up our arms and take that leap.

Let's do something positive, emphasize excitement and take advantage of an opportunity. Just one more time.

What do you say? Might as well jump...

Sunday, August 21, 2011

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!

Saturday, August 20, 2011: Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me (Live)

Here is a song I never get tired of listening to.

And also never get tired of thinking about: Is it a love song? A song about stalking? Is it about a former lover, a stranger, kinky sex, yearning and desire, sweetness and hope, dark passion and light hopefulness?

Driving down the road at night, clearing up the dishes after dinner, sitting relaxing on the couch or working late at the office, here is a song that provides your perfect soundtrack.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and make it a cool one