Music – ETB

Anthems for Power of Truth

Oscar Harding — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 06:00:17 +0000

Types Tuesday

It’s Power of Truth month, where for the next few weeks my content will revolve around the paranoid, the detectives and the conspiracy theorists. As i continue to work on my Power of Truth eBook, I like to listen to some tunes like these to get me into the mind of Power of Truth characters…

We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much, baby

Why can’t you see
What you’re doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I say?

We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds (suspicious minds)
And we can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds

So, if an old friend I know
Stops by to say hello
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?

Here we go again
Asking where I’ve been
You can’t see the tears are real
I’m crying (Yes, I’m crying)

We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds (suspicious minds)
And we can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds

Oh, let our love survive
Or dry the tears from your eyes
Let’s don’t let a good thing die
When, honey, you know
I’ve never lied to you
Mmm, yeah, yeah

We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much, baby

Why can’t you see
What you’re doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I say?

Don’t you know I’m caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much, baby

Mondays is for drinking to the seldom seen kid

I’ve been working on a cocktail called grounds for divorce
Polishing a compass that I hold in my sleeve
Down comes him on sticks but then he kicks like a horse

There’s a tiny cigarette case
And the rest you can keep
And the rest you can keep
And the rest you can keep

There’s a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall
There’s a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall

Mondays is for drinking to the seldom seen kid

There’s this whispering of jokers doing flesh by the pound
To a chorus of supposes from the little town whores
There’ll be twisted karaoke at the Aniseed Lounge

And I’ll bring you further roses
But it does you no good
And it does me no good
And it does you no good

There’s a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall
There’s a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall

There’s a hole in my neighborhood
Down which of late I cannot help but fall

Someday we’ll be drinking with the seldom seen kid

Better run for cover
You’re a hurricane full of lies
And the way you’re heading
No one’s getting out alive

So do us all a favor
Would you find somebody else to blame
‘Cause your words are like bullets and I’m the way your weapons aim

I guess I could fill a book with things that I don’t know about you baby
You’re not misunderstood but you got
You got to go

(Lies)
Living in a fantasy
(Lies)
Don’t even know reality
(Lies)
When you start talking I start walking
(Lies)
Lies, lies, lies

Don’t even wanna know the truth
(Lies)
The devil has his eye on you girl
(Lies)
When you start talking I start walking
(Lies)
Lies, lies, lies

So don’t forget your seatbelt
Don’t you think of picking up the phone
Better say your prayers ’cause you’re never gonna make it home

Did you miss the stop sign
That last decision was your last
‘Cause you can’t come back once you’re lying in the broken glass

And I hope you get to hear me say, “Who gets the last laugh now”

No more excuses
No more running
Only God can save you now
(God can save you now)
‘Cause I know the truth
Time is running out

And I’m just one drink away
And I’m back in Wonderland like it was yesterday
And I hope you get to hear me say, “Who gets the last”
“Who gets the last”
“Who gets the last laugh now”

#TypesTuesday – Anthems for Power of Idealism

Oscar Harding — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 06:00:58 +0000

Power of Idealism

This month is Power of Idealism month. We’ll be examining the type of Character who strives for excellence, and never settles for second-best. They see life as a grandiose melodrama, where every emotion is heightened. They can’t just feel pain, they feel extreme pain. A romantic gesture isn’t enough, it has to be grand and over-the-top. Power of Idealism Characters don’t know what the words “complacent” or “satisfactory” mean.

Throughout April, we will look at epic heroes, separated lovers and those coming of age. The dramatic types who are never satisfied, and treat life as a never-ending pursuit for something better. They are passionate, intense and will never settle for anything less than the best. Even then, they will keep reaching for something better.

To start off Power of Idealism month, here are some anthems that help define the mindset of this Character Type.

“The Impossible Dream” by Andy Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KufFjcWOUQ

To dream the impossible dream
to smite the unbeatable foe
to bear with unbearable sorrow
to run where the brave dare not go
to right the unrightable wrong
to love your ever chased from afar
to tr when your arms are to weary
to reach the unreachable star
this is my quest, to follow that star
no matter how hopeless
no matter how far
to fight for the right without question or cause
to be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause
and I know If I only could do this glorious quest
that my heart will I be peaceful and come when I’m late to my rest
and the world will be better for this
that one man sore with uncoverable scars
still stroll with his last ounce of courage
to fight with the unbeatable foe
to reach the unreachable star

“The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga

There ain’t no reason you and me should be alone
Tonight yeah baby, tonight yeah baby
But I got a reason that you-hoo should take me home tonight

I need a man that makes it right when it’s so wrong
Tonight yeah baby, tonight yeah baby
Right on the limit’s where we know we both belong tonight

It’s time to feel the rush to push the dangerous
I’m gonna run right to, to the edge with you
Where we’ll both fall far in love

I’m on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment of truth
Out on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment with you

I’m on the edge, the edge, the edge,
The edge, the edge, the edge, the edge

I’m on the edge of glory
And I’m hangin’ on a moment with you
I’m on the edge with you

Another shot before we kiss the other side
Tonight yeah baby, tonight yeah baby
I’m on the edge of something final we call life tonight alright, alright

Put on your shades ’cause I’ll be dancing in the flames
Tonight yeah baby, tonight yeah baby
It isn’t hell if everybody knows my name tonight alright, alright

It’s time to feel the rush to push the dangerous
I’m gonna run right to, to the edge with you
Where we can both fall far in love

I’m on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment of truth
Out on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment with you

I’m on the edge, the edge, the edge,
The edge, the edge, the edge, the edge

I’m on the edge of glory
And I’m hangin’ on a moment with you
I’m on the edge with you
I’m on the edge with you
I’m on the edge with you

I’m on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment of truth
Out on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment with you

I’m on the edge, the edge, the edge,
The edge, the edge, the edge, the edge

I’m on the edge of glory and I’m hangin’ on a moment with you
I’m on the edge with you

“Rocket Man” by Elton John

She packed my bags last night, pre-flight
Zero hour nine AM
And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much I miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight

And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
‘Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone

And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
‘Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone

Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact it’s cold as hell
And there’s no one there to raise them if you did
And all this science I don’t understand
It’s just my job five days a week
A rocket man, a rocket man

And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
‘Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone

And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
‘Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone

And I think it’s gonna be a long long time

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Listen baby, ain’t no mountain high,
Ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough baby
If you need me call me no matter where you are
No matter how far; don’t worry baby
Just call my name; I’ll be there in a hurry
You don’t have to worry

Oh baby there ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
Ain’t no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe

Remember the day I set you free

I told you you could always count on me darling
From that day on, I made a vow
I’ll be there when you want me
Some way, some how

Oh baby there ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
Ain’t no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe

Oh no darling
No wind, no rain
Or winters cold can stop me baby, na na baby
‘Cause you are my goal
If you’re ever in trouble
I’ll be there on the double
Just send for me, oh baby, ha

My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart
If you ever need a helping hand
I’ll be there on the double
Just as fast as I can
Don’t you know that there

Ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
Ain’t no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe

Don’tcha know that there
Ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
Ain’t no river wide enough
Ain’t mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough

#ThinkpieceThursday – Music in Film

Laurie Hutzler — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 07:00:31 +0000

Thinkpiece Thursday

My husband was on a panel at a legal conference right around the time The Silence of the Lambs was released. An FBI profiler was also on a panel at the conference. The moderator asked what the profiler thought of the film. He said, “I was scared to death”. The moderator asked why. “Don’t you deal with this stuff every day in your job?” The profiler replied, “Yes. But in my job, there’s no music.”

Jonathan Demme is known for marrying sound and picture in a very evocative way. He creates a sound atmosphere’s that heightens emotion that’s already there but doesn’t hit you over the head telling you how to feel. Howard Shore wrote the score and he talks about music in film HERE.

This is also my impression of your score for SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. The music is very “neutral” and monochromatic. It’s just flowing without much counterpoint.

I tried to write in a way that goes right into the fabric of the movie. I tried to make the music just fit in. When you watch the movie you are not aware of the music. You get your feelings from all elements simultaneously, lighting, cinematography, costumes, acting, music. Jonathan Demme was very specific about the music. His suggestions were valuable…

Here is an analysis of Shore’s score for The Fellowship of the Rings trilogy. He is, indeed, a modern master.

Contrast Howard Shore with John Williams. While visiting my family this summer we went to an outdoor orchestral performance of John Williams’ scores. So much of it sound vaguely alike. Personally, I am not a fan. I especially disliked his heavy-handed work on Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. The script was very weak and very episodic and the score tried to box the audience in the ears to get them to feel something.

The following video essay on Marvel movies is a great analysis of modern scores:

What Gangnam Style Tells Us about Writing

Laurie Hutzler — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:25:35 +0000

Gangnam Style by Psy became the first YouTube video to cross the one billion view threshold, making it the most popular viral video in history. In case you’re not familiar with this sensation– What’s Gangnam Style?

According to Wikipedia–

“Gangnam Style” (Korean: 강남스타일, IPA: [kaŋnam sɯtʰail]) is a K-pop single by the South Korean musician PSY. The song was released in July 2012 as the lead single of his sixth studio album PSY 6 (Six Rules), Part 1, and debuted at number one on South Korea’s Gaon Chart. On December 21, 2012, at around 15:50 UTC, “Gangnam Style” became the first video in the history of the Internet to be viewed more than a billion times. As of December 25, 2012, the music video has been viewed over 1 billion times on YouTube, and it is the site’s most watched video after surpassing Justin Bieber’s single “Baby”.

There have been pages and pages of analysis as to the odd-ball video’s popularity. My take comes down to one word– Enthusiasm.

Psy is a short chubby guy with very unsophisticated, slightly awkward dance moves. But he sings his songs and repeats his moves with absolute conviction and, most important, with wholehearted energy and individuality.

What does this song and dance video have to do with writing? Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best–

“When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it.
Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful,
and you will accomplish your object. “

Does everything you write and the way you approach your writing have this crackling enthusiasm, passion, and authenticity?

Can you make everything you do in 2013 reflect your very own unique take on Gangnam Style? If you do so you will be much more likely to succeed and to have more fun along the way!

Anvil: The Story of Anvil – Day Twenty Six – #40movies40days

Laurie Hutzler — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:05:56 +0000

I finally caught up with fellow UCLA classmate Sacha Gervasi’s documentary about 80’s metal band Anvil. Anvil: The Story of Anvil is a testament to the human spirit, the passion that drives every creative person and the power of positivity and perseverance. If you are a struggling writer, artist, filmmaker or musician this film is for you. You will either quit what you are doing in despair or rejoice in the gift of being able to do what you love despite the cost.

The film begins by listing the headlining acts of the Super Rock festival held in Japan in 1984: Scorpions, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi, all of whom have gone on to sell millions of records, except one, Anvil. Despite their ambition, the Canadian band was unable to achieve the same level of success. Instead, singer and guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow drives trucks for Children’s Choice Catering, delivering food to schools and institutions. Drummer Robb Reiner works in construction. But both would rather be playing on stage at the local sports bar to their small but dedicated group of fans, as shown during a show for Steve’s 50th birthday party.

Steve gets an email from a European fan named Tiziana Arrigoni, who offers to set up a European tour for the band, estimating 1500 Euros per show. The tour has a promising start at the Sweden Rock festival, where the group interacts with Michael Schenker and Carmine Appice, but it quickly goes downhill.

The film begins by listing the headlining acts of the 1984 Super Rock festival in Japan: Scorpions, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi, all of whom have gone on to fame and fortune, except one– Anvil.

Despite their drive, ambition and passion, this hapless Canadian band never caught fire commercially. At age 50, singer and lead guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow drives a delivery truck for Children’s Choice Catering, hauling heavy food cases over snowy drifts to schools. Drummer Robb Reiner works in demolition and construction. The two are childhood best friends. Their band is still together after 30 years, playing sports bars and area taverns for their small but loyal group of fans.

Early in the film, Lips gets an unexpected email from a European fan, Tiziana Arrigoni, who offers to set up a European tour for the band. They all quit work for 5 weeks, estimating they will earn 1500 Euros per show. The tour has a promising start at a big Rock festival in Sweden but it all quickly goes downhill. The band walks away with more expenses than payments.

Along the road they band crosses paths with other metal rockers, who pay homage to Anvil as a seminal influence. Director Sacha Gervasi was a fan as a teen and even worked for the band as a roadie for several years. He now returns, after a successful career as a screenwriter, to chronicle their indomitable spirit and dedication to their dream in this wonderful poignant, funny, odd ball film.

The story is told with heart and love and but is unsentimental about financial disaster, second mortgages, homelessness (one band member lost his house) and just plain bad luck. Put it on your NetFlixs queue. You won’t regret it!