When I was in high school, I drove a '95 Ford Escort Wagon.
Color: Minute Maid Berry Punch
It didn't have power windows or locks; thanks to our dirt road, the alignment was off; and the blower didn't work, which meant the heat/air conditioning only came out if you were driving fast enough. This was in California, so no heat wasn't a problem too often, but at the beginning and end and sometimes middle of the school year, the lack of air conditioning was a hassle. My afternoon routine involved opening all the doors and windows and standing around in the parking lot while at least some of heat escaped before I drove home.
These days, I've moved up in the world. Not only does the blower work in my car work, but I also have a sunroof.
Trust me, I look as cool as this kid.
If I'm being honest, I'm not a huge convertible fan. My hair blows all over the place, it's hard to have a conversation or hear the radio, and sunburn is likely. But a sunroof lessens some of those problems. It's a convertible for the less tolerant. Or at least the fair skinned and curly haired. And, bonus, no one mistakes you for a midlife crisis victim while you're riding around with the sunroof open. (I'm looking at you, Miata drivers.)
This week's hot jam is a cover of Drake's Hold On, We're Going Home. I'm a
big fan of The Voice and two weeks ago, Christina Grimmie did an AMAZING
job on this song. I already like the Drake version, but this sounds
awesome in a totally different way.
I think back when I wrote about biographies I mentioned how
nosy I am. I LOVE knowing stuff about people: gossip, what they had for lunch,
why their favorite color is green, etc. I want to know everyone’s life story, but even
better is MAKING UP everyone’s life stories. Okay, maybe not everyone, but definitely strangers.
For example: I’ve lived in my apartment for almost 4
years(!) and I’ve never met my upstairs neighbor. We use the same stairs, he
walks past my apartment multiple times a day, and we’ve never crossed paths. I
call him Stompy McElephant Feet. Based on a few facts I’ve observed over the
years, I’ve developed his backstory: He’s a single (ladies...), mid- to late-30s video game
aficionado who works somewhere near our building, possibly the auto parts store
around the corner. He likes to come home for lunch and get pizza delivered. When
he’s not playing video games in his gaming chair, he’s doing jumping jacks and
juggling bowling balls. He is not very good at juggling.
One of my favorite games to play at a restaurant is, “Is it
a date?” The rules are simple:
1)Pick out a couple
2)Decide if they are on a date
a.How many dates have they been on?
b.How is it going?
c.Is one more interested than the other?
d.How are their food choices?
e.Odds of ordering dessert
It’s a great game to play if YOU are on a date too.
This week’s hot jam is Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina.Man, this is
song is so...heartfelt. I've loved this song for a long time, but, full
disclosure, I was inspired by The Voice last week. (Sorry I'm not
sorry.) Kenny Loggins wrote this song as a gift for his brother when his
son was born. Ah-dorable. (I hope he also got him something else
though, I mean, the song is amazing, but not totally useful for a new
parent...)
When I started thinking about what to write this week, my original plan was for Classy Girls by The Lumineers to be the hot jam. But then I heard Jolene by Dolly Parton on The Voice, and I thought maybe that should be the hot jam. Then I heard Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet and You and I by Ingrid Michaelson on my Pandora station and I thought one of those should be the hot jam. Then I reread my running list of topics/hot jams and decided Honey, I Been Thinking About You by Jackie Greene should be the hot jam. So, as you can see, I was in an indecisive pickle (story of my life) and as a result THEY ARE ALL THE HOT JAMS.Because I'm in charge of this and I can do whatever I want.
You've probably heard The Lumineers song Ho Hey, it was all over the place not too long ago (here's an adorable and talented! 8 year old covering it). I really like it, but I like Classy Girls better. The Lumineers sound like someone I would hear a mid-summer Alaska bluegrass festival. Which is basically my favorite place in the world.
I love a song that tells a story, and I think this is a great one. And also offers some good advice. Classy girls really don't kiss in bars. Keep that in mind, ladies. (And gentlemen. If a girl is willing to kiss you in a bar, she's probably not a classy girl)
Dolly Parton blows my mind. I mean, look at her.
Fact: While looking for this image, Google suggested I search "dolly parton hot"
How does she not fall over, let alone sing like she does? Jolene is heartbreaking and that's what makes it so amazing. And it could only be more country if it mentioned something about a dog running away (or spaceships, toddlers, Model T cars, and jars of beer?)
Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet was released my senior year in high school, and I love it just as much now as I did then. I like that it's classically rock-n-roll and that the lyrics implies a "Well....are you? (Gonna be my girl)" There might as well be a "Check 'yes, no or maybe'" at the end.
Two things make me love Honey I Been Thinking About You - 1) Harmonica 2) the lines I don't really care about your hot-blooded sister/I'm sure there's a man for to love her and miss her/I didn't mean nothing, I just happened to kiss her
You and I by Ingrid Michaelson might be the cutest song that references
buying a home in the south of France. But my favorite lyric has nothing
to do with real estate, but rather is a thinly veiled "adult" reference. Maybe I wanna do what bunnies do with you/If you know what I mean. If
you add "If you know what I mean" to anything, it automatically makes
it moderately dirty and thoroughly awesome. Keep that in mind, song
writers.
