Modern Classics: John Lennon - Love (Acoustic Cover)

Here is another gem of a song written by one of the most successful singer/songwriters in history, John Lennon. He is a master at crafting beautiful songs with many classics to his credit. Paul McCartney is actually the most successful songwriter ever and is brilliant in his own right, but Lennon was always the better lyricist in many people's opinion. I have to agree with that, he puts more effort in his lyrics. This isn't a great example of great lyrics but it does the job. I like the juxtaposition in the lyrics. The song has a clear structure and is a good example of how it can benefit the song.

There are tons of songs written about love but this is one of my favorites because its a little more removed but still very moving, and its simply called "Love." This song is pretty but kind of sad, kind of like Love itself. It makes good use of 7th chords without sounding too silly, it is actually quite a serious song. On the original song its played on piano, here is my rendition on guitar. Again I do not do the original any justice, but I do love this song.

John Lennon - Love

(D)Love is (F#m)real,(C#7)real is (F#m)love.
(D7)Love is (G)feeling,(A7sus4)(A7)(A7sus2)(A7)feeling (D)love
(F#m)Love is (Em7)wanting, (A7)to be (D)love.

(D)Love is (F#m)touch,(C#7)touch is (F#m)love.
(D7)Love is (G)reaching, (A7sus4)(A7)(A7su2)(A7)reaching (D)love.
(F#m)Love is (Em7)asking, (A7)to be (D) love.

(D)Love is (F)you, (G)you and (D)me.
(D)Love is (Em)knowing, (G) we can (D)be.

(D)Love is (F#m) free, (C#7)free is (F#m)love.
(D7)Love is (G) living, (A7sus4)(A7)(A7sus2)(A7)living (D)love.
(F#m)Love is (Em7)needing, (A7)to be (D)love.

John Lennon - Love (Acoustic Cover)

In Loving Memory of Jet Espinosa. May You RIP 1996-2007

August 24 2007 approximately 1PM Jet my second dog passed away after being diagnosed with heart disease since December of 2006. It has now been confirmed that his heart exploded. His little lungs were filling with fluid, making it difficult to breath. His heart was expanding and was bound to give out sometime this year. He was 11 but still passed for a puppy in the eyes of many. Sadly, he died a virgin never knowing how it feels to be inside someone else's body. He was the son of Junior, a handsome chihuahua indeed, and a true gentleman of a dog. He enjoyed scaring little children, starting doggy beef with dogs 3 times his size, and trying to hump his father. He never cared much for chasing after anything. He had problems with anxiety in general because of growing up in a tumultuous household. He was afraid of going down the stairs of my building after taking a tumble early in his career as a pet. He liked to lick my face often trying to get at the boogers in my nose.

This really couldn't have happened at a worse time. The old saying when it rains, it pours is seeming very true as of late. Seems like nothing can go right for this blogger. Even traffic has gone down significantly. This is probably one of the worst summers ever for me, and definitely the worst August ever. Something good has to happen soon or else I don't know what I'm gonna do. I believe everything tries to balance itself out, even luck. I figure I'm due for some good luck to come around my way. I played the Mega Millions, maybe that pans out, or maybe I hit the jackpot in Atlantic City. What's gone so bad to merit such luck you ask. That's for an upcoming blog post.

I dedicate this song in your loving memory, the song you were named after. By Paul McCartney and Wings with power mullets and all. Here's to you old friend.

Modern Classics: Radiohead - There There (Acoustic Cover)

Unfortunately a lot of rock music on the radio and MTV today is lacking in quality. There are some bands however that have come out since the 90's that are shoe ins to make it into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Some of these have to be Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Oasis, Blur, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, and of course Radiohead. There are many more to include but few are as deserving as Radiohead.

Not only are they an amazing band with great songs, they are brilliant songwriters that have written some modern classics, that is they are destined to be classics and be listened to forever, kind of like Pink Floyd. One fine example is their first single off of their latest studio album Hail To The Thief, There There.

This song starts off with an unique drum groove that really sets the tone for the song. It has a song structure that has it crescendo, it builds up in emotion and power saving the best for last. It has verse, prechorus, verse, prechorus, bridge, chorus, chorus, solo, chorus, chorus. Few songs execute a structure like this and make it work so well.

I'm not really sure what this song is about. But it seems like its about being alone in a world that seems so different than from what you are, an alienated soul. It could also be about unrequited love. Its hard to say with lyrics so purposefully ambiguous. Regardless, its a beautiful song that is as emotionally stirring as it is badass.

Here is my attempt of doing a cover of this great song. Of course I butcher it since no one can ever have such a man pretty voice like Thom Yorke.

Radiohead - There There Lyrics

Verse
in pitch dark
i go walking in your landscape.
broken branches
trip me as i speak.

Prechorus
just 'cause you feel it
doesn't mean its there.
just 'cause you feel it
doesn't mean its there.

Verse
There's always a siren
Singing you to shipwreck
(Don't reach out, don't reach out Don't reach out, don't reach out)
Steer away from these rocks
We'd be a walking disaster
(Don't reach out, don't reach out Don't reach out, don't reach out)

Prechorus
just 'cause you feel it
doesn't mean its there.
(theres someone on your shoulder)
(theres someone on your shoulder)
just 'cause you feel it
doesn't mean its there.
(theres someone on your shoulder)
(theres someone on your shoulder)

Bridge
There there!

Chorus
why so green and lonely?
and lonely
and lonely

Chorus
heaven sent you
to me
to me
to me

[SOLO]

Chorus
we are accident waiting,
waiting
to happen.

Chorus
we are accidents waiting,
waiting
to happen

Radiohead - There There

Cover Songs: The Beatles - Across The Universe

Here is an example of brilliant songwriting by The Beatles. This is a John Lennon song 'Across The Universe" that has his patented progression XM to X7. This song has been covered by Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainright, David Bowie, Sean Lennon, Phish among others. This is off their Let It Be album. Of course I don't do this song justice but its a very pretty song with colorful lyrics and I kind of like it.

The Beatles - Across The Universe (Acoustic Cover)

My First Bachelor Party

Caturday night is for debauchery and that is exactly what was delivered for my good friend Fernando's bachelor party. Too bad he will not remember most of it. Good for him that for once I do and even have pictures to prove it. The bachelor party was being held at a restaurant called Mustang Grill & Tequilla lounge located on 85th street and 2nd avenue. I arrived late to find that the strippers had already arrived and were writhing on the floor. My inner pervert rejoiced but I was mostly interested in eating since I hadn't eaten all day except for a couple of pints of Guinness which is almost a meal in itself. The only food I found was a handful of fried calamari but no marinara sauce. WTF?! I was a bit ticked off at that and told the dude to get some more grub out soon or else.

I proceeded to get the nourishment I needed by hitting the open bar. I didn't want to go overboard which has been the trend lately so I got some Coronas to start. It was a Mexican food place after all. Tequilla shots followed but it was not enough to convince me that it is way too early for strippers to be here. After all we had until 1AM, by this time it was like 8:30PM and I already missed a good hour of stripper action. I continued to battle with my old foe tequila. I won the battle this time by not letting him do me in. In our lifetime matchups its been Tequilla 17, Malcolm 4. Today was different, I was actually able to hang. Drink count so far 3.

There were 2 sets of 3 strippers. The first batch was pretty wild but they were there so early and I missed out on a lot of the stuff. They did whip out some interesting props. By props of course I mean sex toys, a whole assortment that included, dildos, double dildos, anal beads, and strap ons. We were treated to some good girl on girl action with the bachelor getting the best view of it all. Drink count 5.

As usual they were not cool with taking pictures. We did manage to get a few shots in however. When the strippers left it was back to the sausage party, but by this time the food had arrived. We ate, drank, caught up with some of the people I haven't seen in a while. Drink count 8. Three more strippers were on the way.

It was still early maybe 10PM and we had booked the place until 1 so it looked like I should pace myself with the drinks from here on out. The strippers arrived and performed on top of the bachelor taking full advantage of his inebriated state. He did not last much longer and halfway through the show he had to get up and puke not more than 5 feet from our beloved strippers. What a n00b. His bro and best man took him to the bathroom to help him recover. I would have helped too but I pretty much missed out on the first set of strippers so I had to play catch up. They were actually kind of lame compared to the first set and definitely left earlier than they were supposed to. What a ripoff! More drinks please! Drink count 10. To add insult to injury the open bar was closed. WTF! and they told us our party was over even though we had it booked till 1AM. It was not even midnight and it was done. Best man fucked it up with the choosing of the location and lousy, though raunchy strippers. Hey Xeno, thx 4 da tirdz!

Now this was my first bachelor party of what I'm sure will be many more. This is by default the one to beat, not that that says much.