Happy Music Monday! Today we're going to discuss beginnings. And guess what? Nobody's first song is EVER about beginnings. Maybe that's because you don't always know where you began until after you've reached the middle.
Smashing Pumpkins - The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning
I gotta be honest here, although they were loved by many of my peers, I never really cared for the Smashing Pumpkins. So when this song came out (on the Batman And Robin soundtrack, no less!) I sort of dismissed it. It wasn't until Watchmen picked it up again that I actually had to admit: I kinda like it!
Begin further after the jump...
David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
The movie was poorly received, but lots of people loved the song, and those sweeping happy moments really do make you feel like you're wrapped in the early days of teenage love. Also take note Bowie fans (like ckun) because I think there's a rather complex joke hiding in this song. Go to 5:18 and you'll hear what is clearly a reference to Memory from Cats. Why is that important? Because if you know Cats, you'll remember the song Mr. Mistoffelees. And what's the opening bit of Mr. Mistoffelees sound like? Why, only the start of a certain David Bowie song! Bowie wasn't really the sort to complain about his music being re-interpreted by others, but he also wasn't the sort to miss out on a good joke. Of course I can't confirm this theory of mine, but I'm 100% certain it's 100% true.
The Call isn't one of those bands that changed the world, but if you're looking for something to get you out of bed, this isn't a bad song to have on the iPod. It's a nice affirmation of life without getting too crazy, and it's hard not to nod your head to it until you're awake.
Weird Al Yankovic - The Saga Begins
This song is probably the greatest thing Weird Al has ever done. Not only did it parody a movie perfectly, it also caused the original artist to have trouble singing his own song in public. And that part's really true! Don McLean's kids played this song so much he started thinking of Al's chorus instead of his own! No greater glory can a parodist find.
Smashing Pumpkins - The End Is The Beginning Is The End
What? This again? Well, technically this song came first. This high-energy song is all about Batman, and possibly didn't age as well as the version I posted before. But it just goes to show. Sometimes the beginning isn't as important as where you end up. Yeah. We're gettin' deep.
Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.