Author Archives: Olivia

Being a fan/obsessive-Is there a difference?

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I’m not aiming to make any sense with this. I never make any sense. Maybe I’ll write stupidly short sentences or I’ll just rant with poor punctuation. Thank fuck for spell check. I’ll just get excited about mentioning certain bands and lose any sense of intelligence I have. It happens a lot, be grateful you don’t know me; you’d probably want to punch me. Most want to anyway, I fully get it. It’s okay.

Everyone has a band or singer that when they listen to them, a wave of emotion just takes over. They lose their mind, their body goes into some kind of fit and their heart beats double time. I don’t care who it is for you. I don’t care if Converge make you just lose your shit, if Ace Of Base make you so happy you piss yourself or if The Cure make you feel so fucking alive. I don’t care. This isn’t about the artist, it’s about the feeling you get from the music. It doesn’t have to be everything a band has done, it can just be one song that sends you into some ridiculous frenzy that you can only express by making noises only dogs can understand and flapping your arms about like a person trying to rid themselves of a wasp.

This year, I’m sure it was the start of February, I heard a song. Since hearing that song on that dull February day, I have played it every day since. No day goes by where I do not play I Want You by Summer Camp. It’s vital that I play it every day, I have no idea why. It’s just the best song I have heard this year. You know what it does to me? EVERYTHING. It makes me feel so fucking happy inside and out. I’m not the world’s most cheerful human being, but then again; who is? Nor am I total misery guts. I have good and bad days, I’m not afraid to feel disgustingly low. It doesn’t scare me. When I hear I Want You, I am just overcome with joy. So much joy. If I ever heard it in a shop or wherever, I think I’d have to sit down….or have a nap. I’d be uncontrollable. I love the synths; I love when it kicks in and just smacks you so hard in the face; but in a pleasurable manner. I adore Elizabeth’s voice, it’s stunning. I’d probably slap someone if they said they didn’t like this song. However, I’m not a violent person so I’d end up slapping myself in the face by accident. I’m book smart, not street smart. I Want You is just one of the many songs that cause me to react this way. Some eat cake to make themselves feel better, I just listen to music. Especially this song. Hand on heart; I can say it is my favourite song of the year. NO DOUBT.

I’ve always said I could never love a person as much as I love Morrissey. Obviously, I welcome the challenge. No ones challenged how I feel about this, so I’ve come to the conclusion that one is unlovable (yes that is a Morrissey based pun, it’s also true.) For me, Morrissey is THE ONE. The ultimate one. My lifeline and my life saver. Everything about his music and just him makes everything worthwhile. I know sometimes it is hard for us humans to carry on, but when I listen to Morrissey; I can’t help but feel okay with how I feel. I could feel so awfully low, but then I play one of his songs and I feel, “someone gets me.” He says the things I cannot say. He says the things I wish I could say. However, I know people who do not allow you to have an opinion so I just keep quiet. It’s the quiet ones you should watch, that’s what people say. I’m not a menace, I’ll stay quiet. Morrissey’s live shows feel like coming home. They make me feel like I can do anything. His live shows are like an epiphany. Anyone who has seen him live knows exactly what I mean. I don’t believe you can like just one or two Morrissey songs. I believe that once you hear a Morrissey song, that’s it for life. You become hooked. You don’t just like him, you love him. You love him unconditionally.

When you love a band, they become part of your life in a way you could never imagine. You think you’ve reserved this kind of love and emotion for your significant other, it overwhelms you. The love you have for the band or singer is on a completely different level. It’s the definition of love, respect and loyalty. You won’t let anyone say a bad word about them. You form friendships based on mutual love for them. If I wasn’t so shy, I’d probably attempt to form friendships in record shops. Then again, I can’t even chat up girls so I’d be useless at making friends. I mean, I do have friends but I didn’t mean them in record shops. Ranting now aren’t I.

When I was in secondary school, a section of my life I wish I could erase, all my work books were covered in band photos and lyrics. To this day, I still decorate my lyric books with lines from songs I love and writing the names of bands I love. The feelings a piece of music can give you can really take you aback sometimes. You wonder if the artist had the intention of having such power to do that to the listener when they made the record. Did Bob Dylan ever think he would be such a huge influence to people? Did Patti Smith ever think she’d inspire people to stand up and say something? How do they feel about it? It must be overwhelming for them too. Imagine walking on stage every night and having thousands and thousands of people sing your words back to you. Words you broke your heart to write and the audience feel every single word. I just don’t think there is any greater feeling in the world.

So what is it exactly that draws the line at “regular” fan to someone who is just obsessed? I’d never sleep outside my favourite singers’ house and present them with oranges when they opened their front door. You hear about people breaking into singers’ homes, casually taking a bath or whatever. Why would you do that? Bathing is private- USE YOUR OWN BATH. Are these people registered as mentally ill or do they actually love the singer? Only they know. I don’t condone such behaviours. There is nothing wrong with losing yourself to the sounds of your favourite band and/or at a gig; but don’t bloody follow them home. They’re people too, they are entitled to privacy. We all are.

I’ve always been obsessed with music. I remember dancing to Kraftwerk and Dee-Lite when I was a baby in the living room, in my nappy. I had moves dear reader, I had moves. Now? I don’t like to unleash them. I don’t want to threaten anyone; they’re not ready for them at all.

The best thing about feeling a song so deeply is when you meet the ones responsible for creating the sound, and just seeing what it means to them. I will always say interviewing Warpaint is my greatest achievement. I took so much from that interview, just being in their presence meant so much. If you watch their interviews or performances; you can truly see that they feel the music. It is their live. As it is their life, you fall completely and utterly in love with it; and it becomes your life. When a band or singer gives you their all, and they believe in their words- you can’t help but believe it too.

Everyone has a singer or band that they give themselves over to. They skip school to buy the record on the day of its release (I’ve done this, I’m not sorry.) They decorate their rooms with posters, name pets or children after the singer they love, have tattoos in honour of them. You follow a band everywhere on tour; you spend all your money on seeing them live. The best conversations are had whilst waiting in line to see your favourite band live. It just takes over, people call you obsessed. Don’t listen to them. We all need something or someone to believe in. It’s easier if it’s a singer because they cannot hurt you. All they do is project your nagging insecurities, your weaknesses, your joy, your pain, love, tears- everything. They do it all. They are there for you at 4am when the world is asleep. They provide the comfort no other can or ever will. Music is a crutch; it’s up to you how you use it.

There’s one thing that expresses the true meaning of being a fan. It isn’t in a song, it’s in a film; Almost Famous. I watched this film during my first year of University. I was full of self doubt, and didn’t know what to do. A relative told me to watch the film. I watched it, and it changed my life. It made me realise that all I want to do with my life is write. I may not be any good, but music and writing are my passion, I just have to do it. I don’t want to do anything else. My role models aside from my mum are two people who I believe changed music- Lester Bangs and John Peel. They fuelled something inside of me that caused me to love music as much as I do. It’s more than just a passion for it, it’s my life. Everyone has that one thing that is their life, mine is music. When I listen to The Kills first record, it makes me feel so fucking alive and like I can do anything. When I listen to the Velvet Underground, I fall in love with their raw sound and just want to create something wonderful.

When you truly love something like this, you are made to feel like you can do anything and be whatever you want. And you know what, you really can.

Zola Jesus- Vessel (video.)

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Nika amazes me. Every album, every video, every song just totally blows me away.  Her voice is one of the most stunning voices around. Her sound is so distinctive and powerful. It shakes your soul and wakes up that part of you that yo allowed to become quiet and untouched for so long.

Vessel is the first single to be taken from her latest album, Conatus. If you don’t own it- the hell are you playing at? One of the best albums of they year, easily. A lot of artists go with having a dark vibe to their music in order to seem “cool” or something daft. Thing is, it’s a natural thing. Having a dark sound is natural, you cannot force it. Real recognises real. The true Zola Jesus fans are the ones who believe in the power of her music and know that it is all natural. When you have such a natural approach to your work, you become believable. You become something to invest in.

The video is stunning. The imagery is just perfect, it fits the song completely. Nika doesn’t have to do over the top videos nor does she have to be overproduced to be popular. You can tell she doesn’t care for fitting in- THAT is what makes her easy to relate to. You see, you have artists such as Gaga who bang on and on about “EMBRACE BEING A FREAK!” Fuck that, for serious, just fuck that. Just be who you are, you don’t need to always be the centre of attention to be loved. You don’t have to turn it into a self-absorbed show and demand attention. That doesn’t make you real. You’re just masking it. That’s why I love Nika, she just makes music for her and doesn’t demand attention. Yes she’s different- but we all are. She doesn’t need to go on about it. She has a human touch to her music that many seem to lack.

The video is artistic and dark; but not in a pretentious way nor does it seem like she’s trying too hard. It’s just perfect, she’s perfect.

Janis Joplin.

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There’s always a singer or a song that you remember hearing for the first time. You remember where you were, who you were with, the date and what you were wearing. I’ve got an atrocious memory, but when it comes to music; I remember more than I probably should. It’s a good job we can’t read each other’s minds because I’d probably be fucked.

One Christmas, my mum bought me a Janis Joplin album. She knew of my love for female singers with strong voices that made your whole body tremble. She used to play Janis Joplin around the house when I was younger, and to finally have my own Janis Joplin album made me insanely happy. I spent that Christmas morning sat in my room just playing it over and over. I probably would’ve spent the whole day in my room listening to her if I could.

Janis’ voice is one that, regardless of what genre of music you favour; you still have a place in your heart reserved for her. Her voice could warm the coldest of hearts; it could break the hardest of hearts. It had such power; you couldn’t believe a voice like this could come from someone who seemed so gentle and fragile.

As someone who is drawn to anything that seems vulnerable- I don’t mean it in a creepy way, I just love voices that project such fragility and vulnerability; I fell instantly with Janis’ voice, I can’t understand how anyone couldn’t. With every note that she sang, you could really feel it. You didn’t feel it in your heart, you felt it much deeper. You felt it in your soul. Thing is, you still feel the same way now which proves that Janis Joplin will ALWAYS be one of the greats, if not the greatest.

Of course you get those who are obsessed with the “Club 27” theory; they fail to see that a talent was well and truly lost 41 years ago today. During the 60s, the two most valuable and important women in music were Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. Both had a voice that had you in a chokehold. But the kind of chokehold that you didn’t mind to be in, you wanted them to grip you harder and for as long as possible. They were more than icons, and still are. They paved the way for how a front-woman should be; fearless but with a fragile side. I say front-woman, but it can apply to anyone who fronts a band. Her favourite drink was Southern Comfort, when I drink it, I lose my eyesight. This has nothing to do with any of this; I just felt you needed to know. Y’know, casually adding a personal touch and whatnot.

I don’t need to write hundreds or thousands of words to tell you just how greatly missed she is or how gorgeous she was or how wonderful her voice was; it’s obvious in every single performance and recording of hers. You can tell, even with album recordings, that Janis Joplin put her heart and soul into all she did. You felt every single word she sang because you knew she felt it too. Your heart broke because she was expressing your heartbreak and frustrations. Sure there are some semi decent singers around now, but none will ever have the power Janis had. None will ever be as inspirational. She set the trend, it’s just a shame the standard has declined since.

“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.“

Lana Del Rey (part….I’m not even sorry.)

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Yes I love her and no I don’t car if it’s all an act. Truth is, she has an amazing voice. The kind that makes your whole body turn to jelly and your senses to just fail. It grips you and pins you against a wall. She sings as if she is singing to you and you alone. That every word is just for you, that you are the one that she painfully love. The kind of love that more than likely doesn’t exist in the real world; the kind only singers tell us about because we are too afraid to feel it for ourselves.

Before we knew her as Lana Del Rey, she was known as Lizzy Grant And The Phenomena. She didn’t sound so much of a 50s classy lass with a gun in her pocket then, but the seductive voice was just as strong.

It’s the perfect song to sit under a tree, embracing the shade on an insanely hot day. Her voice has this tone to it that just holds your heart. You don’t want her to let it go, ever. Song such as Disco just make you lose your mind.

Who gives a fuck if the Lana Del Rey thing is a gimmick- she has pure talent. Unlike all the others who use a gimmick to sell records. Her voice moves you; it’s just you and her. It is so powerful in a gentle way. It’s so passionate but with no fury.

As Lana Del Rey, well I think it’s obvious how I feel about her music. The last time I was this moved by a female singer’s voice was Florence Welch in 2007.

 

Weird Dreams-Holding Nails.

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Every so often a band emerges that just makes you think you are not in the era that you are currently in. It doesn’t take a wise old soul to realise that current times are a bore and the past is more fullfilling than the present. Mainly because people weren’t materialistic or preoccupied with being something they aren’t. I mean, we all know that one wanker that has to be seen with the latest “thing” or succumbs to any fashion trend just to fit in. They probably don’t read and illegally download music. Arses. ANYWAY.

Weird Dreams are a band that make you feel like you are not here, right now. They make you feel like you are on a beach in the 50s (or even 60s) dousing you in a glorious wave of a surfer-pop vibe.

Their single, Holding Nails is out on 31st October. I suggest you pick it up along with Summer Camp’s debut album and Florence And The Machine’s second album. Treat yourself, you might deserve it.

Childhood.

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Music should always give you a feeling that no single person ever could give you. It should take you to an untouchable place; nothing or no one can bother you when you are there.

This is why the band, Childhood exist.

Their hypnotising and euphoric feel is the perfect sound to expose your ears to. To get the full appreciation of this, shut your eyes and plug your headphones in. Listen to relaxing sounds and just let them throw you into a world that you need to be in, because it is better than what you have. With summer ending (it looks like it is actually starting in the UK!) this is the ideal band to listen to as it gets dark far too early (I don’t mind, I enjoy the darkness.)

Joan As Police Woman.

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You’d think that an artist such as Joan Wasser would be some kind of household name by now. More importantly, she’s put out one of the most underrated albums of the year (so far.) The Deep Field is her highly anticipated third album, and honestly it’s her best work. She’s been a huge obsession of mine for some time now, and when I heard The Deep Field, the justification for my love for her just hit me between the eyes.

Nervous is the album opener, and I swear it sends my mind, body and soul into some kind of frenzy. It locks round my heart, I love her voice on this track. So deep and enthralling. The stomping drums is just outrageous; everything about this track is perfect. An intense album opener that just sets the tone for this glorious album. But, this isn’t about The Deep Field. This is about the incredible musicianship that Joan Wasser posses.

In 2009, she did a covers record called. One of the covers is Overprotected by Britney Spears. Seriously? It’s a damn good cover, the record is awesome. Like Cat Power, she covers records extremely well and creates her own feel to it.

Joan has worked with some amazing musicians such as Antony & The Johnsons, Lou Reed and Llyod Cole. She has also supported The Guillemots. Her music is something that you really feel, it hits you in the soul. It has a depth to it that is quite rare right now. Her voice is so powerful and passionate, she makes it seem so effortless.

With such talent, Joan should be massively known. However, to know of her music is to truly treasure it. Everyone has a singer or band that hardly anyone is familiar with, and they keep said artist close to their heart. Joan’s probably one of mine. I will stand by The Deep Field being one of the best albums of this year. Her delicate voice over quite harsh beats and guitar is something that I really adore. What I’ve found in her music is something I’ve not found in any other.

Cat Power.

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My love for Chan Marshall began sometime in 2000, I think. I think that was the year. All I know is that I was listening to John Peel under the covers with the light out because I should’ve been asleep. Thing is, I did this with every John Peel show but my mum never told me off. She knew how much I idolised John Peel.

Chan Marshall aka Cat Power’s voice was like nothing I had ever heard. So relaxing but full of so much feeling. Her songs were so vulnerable and her voice trembling on certain songs made you really feel what she was singing.

I hold her song Metal Heart very dear to me. I do favour the Moon Pix version more than the Jukebox version, but that’s because it sounds much darker. If it sounds dark and tormented, I’ll love it. Not in a sick, twisted way; but in a way that makes it easy to relate to.

I own all of Cat Power’s records, and I think, as hard as it is to decide; You Are Free is my favourite record. I adore the album cover, with the picturesque album artwork just gives off the freedom feel to it which ties in with the album title. You listen to the album and you do feel so weightless, so free. Any good record will make you that way. Any good record will take you to a higher plain.

Her music is tormenting, romantic, dark, hurtful, loving, longing; it is just everything, and more. There are so many layers to her sound. I find her to be one of the most charming and alluring singers to have ever existed. She has this quality about her that makes you want to just sit with her and discuss the world. You also feel honoured to have heard her music. It is so rich but pure. All the greats seem to have battled with their own personal demons, from Billie Holiday to Jimi Hendrix. Cat Power is no stranger.

Most are aware of her battle with various substances (drink and drugs.) And her fight with her demons, no one is ever in a place to judge another with how they deal with their battles. We’ve all got our own demons to fight off. You do, I do; no one is exempt. However, Cat Power didn’t let it beat her. Her live performances did suffer for a time. Performances would be cut short or cancelled last minute. This was around 2006. In 2008, I saw her live. The venue held around 250 people maybe a hundred more, but it was tiny. I was finally seeing my favourite singer live, and I will not deny that I had a bit of fear that she would cancel or walk off stage halfway through the gig. Luckily, this was the time she was finally sorted. Her new album, Jukebox had come out and things were looking up. When she sang Metal Heart I felt that a part of me had been found. There is something indescribable about seeing the song that saved you live. It just does something to you that nothing or no one else ever could. I will never forget that gig; I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her band is truly stunning, what I love about them is that they are real, raw musicians. They do it for the music, and the sheer love they have for it.

Her music is one I cannot go a day without playing. It brings confidence and hope, it creates feelings no other could give. It is beyond music, it is a force. One thing Cat Power is known for is her covers. As someone who isn’t the biggest fan of covers, I really do have a soft spot for Cat’s covers. She takes the original and just adds this sensitive and earthy feel to it. I adore her cover of the Velvet Underground’s I Found A Reason. As someone who is obsessed with Velvet Underground, I’m a bit dubious of anyone who covers them. The only two artists that can cover them and still stay true to the sound are The Kills and Cat Power. They keep the same feeling to the songs, but add their own personal touch to it. That’s when you know a cover is given the justice it deserves.

She has covered everyone from Bob Dylan to John Lee Hooker; she takes the songs from those that inspire her and makes the covers her own personal tribute to them. It is so beautiful and passionate.

Her love for Bob Dylan is truly special and just beautiful. You can tell how in awe she of him. Her track, Song For Bobby is the most gorgeous dedication I’ve ever heard. As someone who adores Bob Dylan, you really appreciate how she conveys how you feel for him in her song. “What I feel in my heart from the beginning till my dying day.” She’s loved him from the first time she heard him, and always will. That’s what it is like when you find a musician you really connect with. Nothing can break or decrease your love for them, it is that great. It’s like a lifeline for you. We’ve all got that one artist that means this much to us. The way she sings of her admiration to Bobby is how I feel about her.

Her voice is bluesy and just sets your soul on fire. If you’re not touched by her voice, then I guess there could be something wrong with you. Do you watch X-Factor by any chance and you’ve become a sucker for what the TV tells you to enjoy? Oh dear. I don’t know if you can be saved. Her music is a comfort blanket. Her music makes you feel okay with your insecurities and fears. You feel that her cover songs are her own; she is such a strong figure who allows herself to be weak. Not many do this; many just act like a rock. We cannot relate to that.

The vulnerability that comes through in her music makes you connect with her on a completely different level. You see, most show it through the words they sing. Cat Power is different; you feel it in HOW she sings it; that’s a lot deeper. That takes more out of you.

Of all the female singers that I adore, my heart well and truly belongs to Cat Power, and yes my blog URL is in tribute to Cat Power.

St.Vincent.

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Basically, anyone who has toured with Sufjan Stevens and was is in The Polyphonic Spree is going to be one hell of a musician, right? Of course. What you need to know about Annie Clark aka St.Vincent is that she’s amazing. That’s just the start of it. This could be a rant, or I may stay focused with this. I have no idea. Lack of sleep will be the cause of any strange things that may be written down. Sorry? No. Never.

The arrangements in her music are beautiful and manic. Trust me, the two can work very well; mainly in music. Her sound is like a massive panic attack mixed with a wave of joy. It throws you up the air several times, then brings you back down in such a calming way. I am totally and utterly in love, it’s just so beautiful. Her voice, oh bloody hell her voice. It’s strong and gentle; in an Emily Haines kind of way.

Her third album, Strange Mercy was released around two weeks ago. Is it one of this year’s best releases? Yes. Will it get overlooked at the end of the year when “experts” make their Top 10 list? More than likely. It’s so frustrating because this album is just so bloody good. Good isn’t even the right word. It’s beyond words. It’s as powerful as Conatus by Zola Jesus, it’s as honest as Blood Pressures by The Kills and it is as passionate as Skying by The Horrors. She doesn’t sound like any of these artists, I’m just linking her sound to others in a sense of how you hear it; not the exact sound or style. I know what I mean anyway.

As much as I love her debut album, Marry Me there is something more in Strange Mercy. I don’t want to say “mature” because I fucking hate it when anyone says that. It has a more developed sound, that she is more comfortable now. I don’t know. All I know is that Strange Mercy is a stroke of genius.

Bob Dylan.

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Bob Dylan is one of my heroes. I don’t have many, but he’s easily one of them. There are thousands and thousands of reasons as to why I am in love with his music. Some may say he never believed in his own words, that it was all an act. I don’t care, the fact that his music made me believe in something- fake or not, is a good thing. It’s always good to believe in something; it doesn’t matter what it is. It’s a personal thing. Whether it’s religious, spiritual or even music. It’s all powerful, and it is all yours.

Bobby’s music has been with me all my life. My mum is a huge fan of his. I remember when we were in Edinburgh 2 years ago seeing Morrissey and we walked past the venue Bobby was playing. She saw his tour bus and made me stand looking at it for ages just in case he came out. See, this is exactly where I get it from. I’m not sorry, and neither is she.

His music was always being played around the house or my mum would be singing a song of his. Forever Young is one song I always remember my mum singing a lot.

With a career like Bob Dylan’s, where on earth could one begin? I don’t want to dissect his career; I just want to discuss what it is that he means to me and why he means what he does to me. His way with words, his voice, the way he never listened to anyone and just did his own thing; all of this is so inspiring.

One of the first songs I remember listening to, after raiding my Mum’s Bobby collection was Like A Rolling Stone. At over 6 minutes long, I couldn’t get enough of this song. I played it over and over. Every verse amazed me, with every listen; I found something else to love about the song. I love the song so much; I have Like A Rolling Stone tattooed on the back of my neck. For me, this song is just everything. I’d heard it many times before but I truly paid attention to it the summer before I went to University. I spent that summer working a job I hated with all I had, but I wanted to have money in my pocket for when I buggered off to Uni. I’d walk to work playing this song; I’d walk home playing this song. It was just everything to me. I could lose myself in this song like no other. I could get over the dullness and bore of every day life during that summer.

Whilst at Uni, whenever I missed home all I had to do was play Forever Young. It just made the homesickness easier to deal with. I studied Bobby a lot whilst at Uni. Not in the sense that I was told to by lecturers, but I bought as many books as possible that were about his music, read articles online about his work- I just took so much in about him. I didn’t care for his personal life; I just wanted to know what drove him and influenced him to make the music that he did. I even used his lyrics as part of my dissertation. If it wasn’t for Woody Guthrie, we wouldn’t have Bob Dylan. I spent my free time listening to anything and everything Bobby had ever done. I was just in constant awe of what I was hearing. There was also a hint of sadness because I knew nothing would ever be this good again. People like Morrissey, Patti Smith and Bob Dylan are rare. They don’t happen often; maybe another will never come along again. I’m content with that though, nothing and no one could ever compare with those three at all.

Of all the albums, it is Blonde On Blonde that owns a large segment of my heart. I remember getting into a discussion with my mum about the best album of his. She couldn’t see why I thought Blonde On Blonde was my choice. I explained why pretty much every single song is a work of art, how gorgeous the production is on the album and just how honest to the core each song is. I received a text off her a few days after this conversation, “Liv, you were right about Blonde On Blonde xx”

So why is Blonde On Blonde his greatest album? Well, it’s a matter of personal taste to be honest. Some may not think so, and that’s okay. He has around 34 studio albums, it’s impossible to pick the one that rules your heart. Highway 61 Revisited is a work of art. Then you have Blood On The Tracks; one of the most exquisitely written albums with regard to pain and heartbreak ever. The bitterness and anger in the songs is brutal, but in Bobby’s own special way. However, I still stand by Blonde On Blonde being his best album. It’s also one of my favourite albums ever.

Bobby’s touring the UK this year, and I did want to go but I asked my mum if she would want to and her reply was, “I want to remember him how he was when I first heard him.” I can see her point. I think if I was to see him now, his performances would not be the same as they were in the 60s and 70s. He changes the way he plays his songs a lot, and I’m not sure if I want to see that.

There’s no way I could possibly pick my favourite Bobby song, but one that always seems to have meaning is Positively 4th Street. I love how he conveys the disappointment from another into this song, how seeing someone is such a drag. Everyone knows someone who causes these feelings to erupt, it can be quite draining. But with a song like this, it makes the feeling easier to just shrug off and let go. That’s the best way to deal with anything.

Without Bob Dylan’s music, I probably wouldn’t love lyrics as much as I do. I know I regard Morrissey as my favourite lyricist, but Bobby has something else. A completely different take that I don’t think I can describe without boring you to death. Which, I have no doubt already done. So I am going to leave it here. It’s all been said before how wonderful people think Bobby is. I love the way he is in interviews, quite like Lou Reed. There’s never been anyone like him, and there never will be again. That’s just how it should be.