Turntable Philosophy

I actually have my laptop set at the 200% View, so I can see the screen without my glasses. Glasses make me feel old. I know that you are ‘only as old as you feel’ but holyfuckinshit, I can tell you right now that I truly feel as if time is passing me by. Now I suppose I could perhaps listen to music that doesn’t make you want to run for the straight-razor, and that'd make me feel younger.

Here’s a sample of what I am listening to right now..

I started a joke
which started the whole world crying
But I didn't see
that the joke was on me, oh no

I started to cry
which started the whole world laughing
Oh if I'd only seen
that the joke was on me

I looked at the skies
running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed
hurting my head
from things that I'd said

Till I finally died
which started the whole world living
Oh if I'd only seen
that the joke was on me

I looked at the skies
running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed
hurting my head
from things that I'd said

Till I finally died
which started the whole world living
Oh if I'd only seen
that the joke was on me

Now you can laugh all you want at the Bee Gees, but I will tell you right now, that nobody sang a tighter three-part harmony than Barry Robin & Maurice. They had a top ten hit in each of the 5 decades they sang together. And I ask you – what have you done that well, for that long? Yes, you can shut the fuck-up now.

Time to change my perspective. I’ve had a dram-o-whisky, so maybe some Pink Floyd. 1975.

Wish You Were Here is Pink Floyd’s 2nd album and echoes the writers feeling at the time that the camaraderie that had served the band previously, was largely absent. The album begins with a really long instrumental preamble, before segueing into the lyrics for a song that is a tribute to former band member (co-worker?) whose drug-induced breakdown had forced him to leave the band.

Perhaps there was an absence of palpable work-life-balance in his cubicle.

The album is also a critique of the music business (dare I say, a metaphor for business in general?) It begins with sound effects of a door opening, a symbol of discovery and progress..quickly betrayed by the machine, more interested in profit & success. The song ends with sounds from a party, which captures the lack of contact and interaction between people.

Good gawd, it may be time for something lighter. Donthchyathink?

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found? The same old fears.
Wish you were here.