Thing a Week 7 – Brand New Sucker
My friend Brett tells me that last week’s thing was good because it was angry, and that I should be angry more often. Fine! This week’s thing is an angry breakup song! It was written a few years ago, but I somehow lost the recording. Honestly, it wasn’t that good an arrangement so nobody cared, I like this one much better. And the last verse needed to be rewritten anyway, somehow the first time around I missed the opportunity to do the “somebody, nobody, everybody” structure, which I find very satisfying.
Here is the song: Brand New Sucker
Hodgman book tour news: John and I will be at Quimby’s in Chicago on Wednesday November 2 at 7 PM. Then on Friday November 4 at 7:30 PM we’ll do a Little Gray Books lecture about Brookline, John’s hometown, at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline MA.
Hey! Canada!
Just a heads up to my so-called friends up North – I’ll be interviewed on CJAD 800 AM tonight at 9 PM EST by Peter Anthony Holder. I suspect there will be some discussion of Baby Got Back. Also, John Hodgman and I will be appearing at the Chelsea Barnes and Noble tonight at 7 PM. He will speak of lobsters. I will try not to forget the lyrics to the song that I have not quite finished, even now. Should be fantastic!
My Boing Boing Buddy
That’s not what it sounds like. My pal John Hodgman’s list of 700 hobo names has been boing boinged just in time, as his book is for sale starting today. Not to bore you because I know I’ve mentioned this here before, but it’s called The Areas of My Expertise and it will break your brain. I am currently writing a song about lobsters to complement a reading from this book – the old furry kind of lobster, which you may not be that familiar with.
Housekeeping
I’m having trouble keeping up with all the comments and emails, so I apologize if you feel like you’re not getting any love. Rest assured, I love you very much. Let me try to address a few things here all at once:
1. I do have a child. A baby girl child. All donations go directly to her (after passing through my crack habit).
2. Some reports from people having trouble with a few of the mp3s on the songs page. I think this has been corrected, but please let me know if you are unable to hear or download any of them.
3. The Shop Vac solo’s up. It’s official, Vincent is the winning solo. As for posting the other versions, I’ll have to give it some thought – doesn’t that undermine Vincent’s glorious triumph?
4. Karaoke versions – I think this is a great idea, and when I have time I will set up a section of songs without vocals so you all can impress your friends the way I have impressed mine.
5. Lyrics for Thing a Week songs are on their way. This is just another thing on my list that I haven’t gotten to, but I’m working on it.
6. My album “Jonathan Coulton Sings Songs by Black People” was a joke. I was attempting to underscore the ridiculous fact that here it is 2005 and white people like me still can’t stop themselves stealing from black culture. I was only kidding, but so many people seem to think it’s such a good idea that I may have to actually do it. Stay tuned…
And now some funny things:
My Ikea lyrics have been quoted in the Oregonian in an article about Ikea. They think I’m a real musician!
Through a trackback on one of my posts I found this great Fountains of Wayne sendup called Fountains of Wayne Hotline by musician Robbie Fulks.
And I can’t forget the most important thing: I’ve been Wil Wheatoned! Screw you Slashdot.
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