Monday, October 26

So What - Pink - Monday Musings


So What – Pink - Monday Musings

For the last decade or so, I’ve kept a list I call Uncle Shane’s Perpetual Top-5 List. This running list has 5 songs that I really like and want to analyze. I start with the top song, figure it out, take it off the list, add a new song to the bottom, and start over. Over the years I’ve looked at hundreds and hundreds of songs. That list eventually became this blog.  

This list sort of started when I was a songwriting student at Berklee College of Music. My roommate Kurt (the funniest guy on the planet) and I used to grab a CD off the shelf, pick a song, and try to write the chords down as the track played by. It was difficult and fun. The first song we did was by Des’ree called You Gotta Be. We did countless songs after that. Luckily Kurt had better taste in music than me. (All of my roommates have had better taste in music than me!)

So what does that have to do with Pink? Well…I was just thinking about how this whole process started. Follow the string…

Kurt moved away from Nashville several years ago and is now a successful lawyer in North Carolina. While still in Nashville, he married an amazing woman who has a name cooler than all y’alls…Xane. Xane has sewn three baby blankets for my three girls. The yellow ducky blanket, the pink leopard print, and the fuzzy pink Pepto Bismol colored creation that my youngest (Sadie, a one-year-old) can’t sleep without. When I put Sadie in her crib she wraps herself up like a pink burrito and conks out. It’s really charming. Because of the pink blanket, when I listen to Pink, in a round about way I think of Kurt and Xane. I said it was a string…not science. :)

I’ve liked this song from the first listen. It’s sort of a modern “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”. I have a couple of friends in Pink’s band. Apparently she’s a hard working road warrior. Early on in her career I dismissed her as another pop diva and didn’t give her enough notice. I was wrong. She’s a solid writer who always includes little surprise bombs in her songs.

This song isn’t even my favorite song by her, but it seemed like a cool contrast from Death Cab for Cutie. :)

Check out the song on YouTube HERE. I’ll leave you with the lyrics*.

*[In case you’re wondering…I don’t use lyric sites to copy and past these lyrics (same thing with the chord changes). I kick it old school Kurt and Shane style…I type them out while listening to the song. If there are lyrical mistakes they are mine.]

Go to iTunes to purchase the songs mentioned in this article:
So What - Pink
You Gotta Be - Des'ree
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting - Elton John


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So What – Pink

Na, na, na…etc (forgive me for not wanting to write out all the na na’s)

(verse)
I guess I just lost my husband, I don’t know where he went
So I’m gonna drink my money, I’m not gonna pay his rent
I got a brand new attitude and I’m gonna wear it tonight
I’m gonna get in trouble, I’m gonna start a fight

Na, na, na…I wanna start a fight
Na, na, na…I wanna start a fight

(chorus)
So, so what, I’m still a rock star, I’ve got my rock moves and I don’t need you
And guess what, I’m having more fun, and now that we’re done, I’m gonna show you…
Tonight I’m alright, I’m just fine and you’re a tool
So, so what, I am a rock star, I’ve got my rock moves and I don’t want you tonight

(verse)
The waiter just took my table and gave it to Jessica Simps
I guess I’ll go sit with drum boy at least he’ll knows how to hit
What if this song’s on the radio, somebody’s gonna die
I’m gonna get in trouble, my ex will start a fight

Na, na, na…he’s gonna start a fight
Na, na, na…we’re all gonna get in a fight

(chorus)
So, so what, I’m still a rock star, I’ve got my rock moves and I don’t need you
And guess what, I’m having more fun, and now that we’re done, I’m gonna show you…
Tonight I’m alright, I’m just fine and you’re a tool
So, so what, I am a rock star, I’ve got my rock moves and I don’t want you tonight

(bridge)
You weren’t there, you never were, you want it all but that’s not fair
I gave you life, I gave my all, you weren’t there, you let me fall

(chorus)
So, so what, I’m still a rock star, I’ve got my rock moves and I don’t need you
Guess what, I’m having more fun, and now that we’re done, I’m gonna show you…
Tonight I’m alright, I’m just fine and you’re a tool
So, so what, I am a rock star, I’ve got my rock moves and I don’t want you tonight








2 comments:

Andrea Elliott said...

WOW - This song oozes personality ! I like Pink and her ability to connect with her audience. The lyrics here are so memorable - I like songs put together in such a way that I can't get it out of my head. :)

Roger King said...

I take note of the fact that all of your old roommates have/had better taste in music - based on averages, your score was lowered miserably by OWNING the AFTERGLOW SONGBOOK!! For that one mistake, you're cursed for ever... :)