Give Me Five…featuring Bow Wow Wow

The first song I heard this morning was a favorite track from The Go-Go’s debut album, which got me on an 80’s kick, which led me to a beloved Elton John song from when I was a little me. Somehow Cocteau Twins hit my song-in-my-head space, which oddly led me to a song I’ve heard bits of all over TikTok. All this to say today’s five is a strange and wonderful mix of songs that are making me feel a lot better than I did when I first woke up.

Rain is this morning’s weather, which got in the way of my planned morning walk. Instead, I had some Tazo detox hot tea and read more of Punk 57. A little later, if the rain doesn’t let up, I’m going to do some Monday yoga and meditation.

But, for now, let the music play.

Give Me Five…January 17, 2022

Available to listen, and follow along throughout January, on Spotify and YouTube

Song 1: “Do You Wanna Hold Me? by Bow Wow Wow

“Do You Wanna Hold Me?” by Bow Wow Wow – from the album, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (1983)

“Children, I wanna warn ya –
(Wo-oh-oh)
‘Cause I’ve been to California –
(Wo-oh-oh)“

I loved the California and Disney/Disneyland references in this song back in the early 80’s when I first had this single and played it loudly in my bedroom. As a teenage girl living 15 minutes away from the so-called “happiest place on earth,” I felt like I fit into this song, and the also teenage girl lead singer. I wanted to be cool like Annabella Lwin was.

It’s been ages since I’ve listened to Bow Wow Wow. Playing this song, with the volume on high, and singing-a-long at the top of my lungs, helped me to shake off the blues and blahs this morning.

Song 2: “abcdefu” by GAYLE

“abcdefu” by GAYLE – from the single, abcdefu (2021)

“Fuck you and your mom and your sister and your job,
and your broke-ass car and that shit you call art.
Fuck you and your friends that I’ll never see again.
Everybody but your dog,
you can all fuck off.”

First heard on TikTok, at least the start of the song, and the chorus.

I used to have a playlist full of songs with the word “fuck” in it. It may still be in my Spotify somewhere. There is something empowering in driving on the freeway with the volume on LOUD, singing-a-long just as LOUD, to songs with “fuck” in them. It’s a kind of therapy, it really is.

Also, love that the dog is left out of this ode to fuck you/fuck off.

Song 3: “This Town” by The Go-Go’s

“This Town” by The Go-Go’s – from the album, Beauty and the Beat (1981)

“This town is our town.
It is so glamorous.
Bet you’d live here if you could,
and be one of us.”

Songs about Los Angeles are my thing. I have a huge collection. This one, the first song I heard today, reminds me of being in junior high. Eighth grade, in the changing room for gym. The “coolest girl” in our class brought the record to school. The girls on the cover, in towels and face masks – red lipstick, red nail polish. I remember staring at it, wishing, longing to be just like them.

Growing up in Orange County, so not as cool as LA, I’d listen to this track – my favorite on the album – and thing yes, I want to be one of you. I want to be in LA.

When I eventually got there, it was everything and nothing like I’d imagined.

Song 4: “Cherry-coloured Funk” by Cocteau Twins

“Cherry-coloured funk” by Cocteau Twins – from the album, Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)

“You’ll hang the hearts black and dull as the night.
We hanged your pass and start being as you in ecstasy.
Still being cried and laughed at before.
Should I be sewn in hugged I can by not saying?
Still being cried and laughed at from light to blue.”

I’ve been in love with Cocteau Twins music since the late 80’s. For a long time, Garlands was my favorite Cocteau album. In the late 90’s/early 2000’s, Blue Bell Knoll took it’s place as my go-to. Now – and for the last few years – it’s Heaven or Las Vegas that has stolen (and held on) to my heart. I fell in love with it while writing/developing a character for one of my in-process writing projects. The album became part of his personality/storyline.