Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality – Living Colour

I’ve got the collab link with ‘Cult of Personality’ ready to go. I think it compliments the first song you mentioned in your post. Let me know what you think!

Because I’m Awesome – The Dollyrots

Alright ;-p  let’s do this.

I love the idea for the list – total self empowerment – (regardless of the consequences).  

While the lyrical message in the other two tracks I was looking at are in the right place – I wanted to match Living Color’s energy – see what you think 😎

Handlebars – Flobots

Hey Andrew, great choice with ‘Because I’m Awesome’ I definitely had a spring in my step as I made my commute!

I added ‘Flobots’ in response. I used to watch the music video when I was younger and the gradual shift of riding a bike with no handlebars to ending a planet in a holocaust really stuck with me. 

GMF – John Grant

Handlebars is such an epic track – I remember being stupidly high in the back of a car in San Jose on the way to breakfast at the Hawaiian place and the driver played it at full volume – on repeat – suffice to say it left an impression ;-p. 

(can we acknowledge the trumpet solo?)

And yes – killer video too. 

I’m digging this idea – the cult of personality – my head went straight to John Grant’s also epic GMF – good video of London life too!

Want – Recoil

Haha, that’s a very cool memory to have with a song! I was a little taken aback by GMF. I was listening and thinking of the meme: “get a load of this guy”! But for the playlist, I really liked the humble brag! I actually found myself laughing to it; I could probably be laughing more.

I added the next one to represent the ‘strong arm tactics’ or manipulative sides of self-empowerment. I feel this track amazingly highlights the power over others a ‘Cult of Personality’ has.

Plus, I enjoyed customizing my cars in NFS: Undercover with this song! Some games really do have cool soundtracks 🙂

I Want To Be Free – Toyah

Loved the recoil track – no – check that – I “really” loved the recoil track.  I’m moving it onto a playlist that it could dominate – well – set the tone at least.  “I want you to call me on your drug phone” – yeah – that’s a lyric.

I desperately wanted to follow it with a track from the Run Lola Run soundtrack but you can’t find it on streaming platforms – well – on Spotify anyway.  But it did have me thinking of a classic 80’s track from Toyah that continues to the whole cult of personality aspect.

Jump – 2015 Remaster – Van Halen

The synths from ‘I Want To Be Free’ reminded me of this Van Halen song! 

There’s also a fair bit of nostalgia because my dad loved to play this.

 I think it easily empowers one to make that jump/leap. (I also get ‘end credits’ vibes from this song too lol)

Crazy Horses – The Osmonds

Man, I have strong memories of Jump ;-p. I was working in the kitchen for the airforce – in one of their messes that fed 600 airmen a day – I was the “tin cleaner” – start work at 5 am and wash all the tins that the cooks used to deliver 1200 meals over breakfast and lunch – brutal work but it paid well and I made enough dough to bail to Australia for 5 months. I was allowed a little radio in the washroom and tracks like Jump kept me sane :-p

But I’m following the thread of the synths – from Toyah into Jump into one of the most epic tracks of the 70’s – I don’t know if you know The Osmonds – they were a classic example of overdressed and overproduced bands from that era – the thing was – they were fantastic musicians and this track is insanely brilliant.

I’m acknowledging that – in the context of the playlist – this track doesn’t make much sense – but – clearly I’m reserving the right of my own “Cult of Personality” to bend the rules ;-p

Barracuda – Heart

Wow. Thank you for sharing. I can picture your airforce experience vividly along with the small radio that made a huge difference for you. I’m glad ‘Jump’ made you remember the good from that time in your life.

Crazy Horses was such a treat to watch! They really epitomize the overdressed and overproduced bands. Still, they looked like they were having the time of their lives! I really like the guitar solo and the in sync dancing at 1:40 – it’s really neat!

In response, I added ’Barracuda’ by Heart. I think I’m going with the metaphor of taking one of those crazy horses and going into battle for the kingdom’s sovereignty.

Also, I used to play this song on Guitar Hero Greatest Hits! I remember thinking it was an easy 100% till the solo slapped me about! I’d like to buy an old version and try my hand at it today, maybe there’s been some improvement in my dexterity.

Formidable Cool – Wolf Alice

I loved Guitar Hero – although to be fair I didn’t play it too much – our kids did – what we did fall in love with was Rock Band – that game was amazing – the drum kit – the vocals – everybody in the groove – it was amazing fun – man I miss it! I should dig around the house as if we could find it again it would be a fun party night 😛 Barracuda is such an amazing classic track – the Wilson sisters are true pioneers.

I’m bringing it back to this century with someone who was probably heavily influenced by Heart ;-p. I love the live version of this track at Best Kept Secret – she’s soooo bloody cool. Also – keeps to the whole cult of personality vibe coming through the list – I like how Ellen Rowsell is probably speaking to the same guy featured in Barracuda :-p

Rat Is Dead (Rage) – CSS

Formidable Cool was a blast to listen to! I love the scream at the end; it’s haunting stuff! There’s a song it reminded me of that I remember from another game I used to play.

I imagine ‘Rat Is Dead’ includes the woman from the previous two songs and she’s finally getting revenge for all the wrong that happened. I imagine it representing the power that we can summon in moments of fight, flight or freeze.

Statuesque – Sleeper

Heh! It’s funny how these lists work – sometimes the music and performance immediately makes an association with a track – which is what happened in this case – I loved the Rat is Dead and on further listening could totally have gone with the Chick’s “Goodbye Earl” – which is one of my favorite ever Murder Ballads ;-p. But it was the guitar and the positioning of the vocal that had me reaching for Sleeper.

I had a huge crush on Louise Wener at the time – sonically the track works – lyrically it moves it away from the female vengeance aspect and more into the self awareness of making bad decisions when it comes to objects of love and self worth but – in our cult of personality – I guess it kinda fits ;-p.

Bad Reputation – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

I absolutely agree that sometimes you’ll know exactly what track will complement the best! I’ve been challenging myself to pause on my reflex response and explore a little. I end up having so much fun finding new artists and rediscovering old ones that were waiting!

Btw, Formidable Cool has been the ear worm for the evening!

 🎶“And I knew it was all an act”🎶

What a cool band, I’m gonna dig some more! 

I feel ‘Bad Reputation’ fits the theme of the playlist. When you’re larger than life, who can honestly tell you which way is up?

The Fear – Lily Allen

Friday night – been a good week – been a bloody outstanding week really – in the greater scheme – life’s pretty good oftentimes ;-p  I’m loving making these lists – the tracks – the exchange – it’s what musicto is about and puts a huge grin on my face. 

And yes – I hear you in the challenge to resist the first association – it’s something that I’m working on too. My experience has been that – I have a finite amount of tracks that I “know” – or that I have access to.  All the new music I listen to comes from making playlists with other people.  My strategy is to make as many playlists as possible – which exposes me to a crap load of new music – which I then re-spin amongst the lists I’m making – plus I do have a large amount of music I’ve absorbed over the years.

But – and this is just me at this particular phase – most of the time I don’t have an immediate sonic attachment – most of the time everything is nuanced and the complexities kick in and before you know it you’re making an association off some obscure lyrical reference that makes no sense to anybody but yourself and yet – the playlist works

 – the process can be quite resource intensive –

I find myself waiting to listen to tracks so I can create space to listen to them “properly” – which of course is dumb but – yeah – clearly we’re perfect human beings :-p

So when I do hear an immediate association – it makes me grin a little and I tend to rush to it ‘cos the process is less resource intensive. 

I see your Joan Jett – bloody legend!

It’s bizarre above the clouds 

– where no-one dare speak the truth and absolute power corrupts – 

although not for her it seemed. 

But when it comes to values and doing the “right” thing over time – well – I’ve always loved Lily Allen – one of my favorite lyricists.

Just A Girl – No Doubt

I’m happy that you managed to describe that process of waiting around ‘to listen to the song “properly”‘ – what is that even?

I find it helpful having my own initial impressions and understandings guiding the vibe of what the following track will sound like. Maybe I’d then go back and listen ‘properly’ to see if there’s something I’m missing or overlooked – like when you double checked your answers before doing the next maths question!

Anyways, I found it really funny that I was actually listening to Lily Allen’s ‘Take What You Take’ thinking this will go perfectly in my back pocket for when I might need it in this playlist. We were at different sides of the same road I guess.

So, I added ‘Just A Girl‘ by No Doubt. 

This song gives me the image of getting too big for your boots and your toes” pop out” . 

I think it fits the playlist as well with the theme of ‘breaking away from limitations’ and ‘no longer being coddled’. Plus I really enjoyed watching the music video to this song when I was younger not knowing I had a crush on Gwen Stefani.

Ideas Bleed – Shannon Moore

I used to be a chicken buyer for Marks & Spencer – life changed and I thought moving to California and joining a band might be a better career path ;-p. 

Recorded an album in the same studio that No Doubt worked on Magic Kingdom – had their gold record on the wall. The album did well – won an Indie award for best rock album – which had been won the previous year by Shannon Moore’s LTD – killer mix of great guitars and strong voice – we would hang out – she was very cool. Always try to get her music on playlists ;-p

Tonight, Tonight – Remastered 2012 – The Smashing Pumpkins

Wow! Who would have guessed you were part of an award winning band! Congratulations! I like how you were able to take that risk on yourself and trust in your abilities and what they could do for you.

It’s bittersweet how it reminds me of how I loved playing the drums in secondary school – middle or high school for you? – but my parents insisted I follow the academic route. Although I understand where they were coming from, I’m sure I could’ve done more to stay in touch with the little drummer in me 🙁

In any case, I love the story you shared. I added a song about channeling the power to be yourself and ‘believe’. I think that’s a really powerful message everyone should hear at some point.

Another Celebration at the End of the World – Mammoth WVH

Have gone for the ultimate “believe in yourself” track.

If the cult of personality is what it’s about – having the balls to step in and take the throne from your father

– especially if your father is eddie van halen – 

then – yeah 

;-ppp

Master Exploder – Tenacious D

I definitely have a step in my step after that. I love the mean guitar solo screaming the law at everyone!

I felt it was compulsory to add ‘Master Exploder’ – this song loves finding reasons to pop up in playlists for me! 

I don’t know about you but, I feel like I’m bringing cities to their knees when this song plays 😉

Heaven On Their Minds – Murray Head

I was listening to the playlist in the car earlier today – it’s such a journey – the guitar powered start – the more reflective and deeper cuts – the highs and lows of being human – the cult of personality…

I loved Tenacious D’s first album – such a breath of fresh air – I never got round to seeing the Pick of Destiny – but this track is just the D at full blast – the “I” in the lyric – the “We” – the Destiny behind it…

– and it got me thinking – it being Easter and all – of Jesus – one of the most enduring personalities of all time – and what it must be like to be a follower without faith.

I was listening to a few of the tracks off the Jesus Christ Superstar  soundtrack and this just seemed perfect 

I also kinda dig the transition out of the D. ;-p

Show Me How to Live – Audioslave

Right, so I found myself at a crossroad.

1/ I wanted to expand on the frustration from the vocalist in the first couple of lines. 

“Jesus, I don’t like what I see”.

‘Show Me How to Live’ – Audioslave, for me, would’ve represented having the “ultimate power” – the power to decide and be whoever and whatever human being you like. 

Unfortunately this can be frustrating for some 

– queue the angry “Jesus” line – 

especially when they feel there should be a “right way to live”, but, simply put, there is no complete and absolute right way to live.

2/ I wanted to expand on the perspective that Jesus might have had on Good Friday all those years ago. It’s more about exploring anyone feeling trapped in a situation they’d like to escape.

 ‘Rusty Cage’ – Soundgarden, is what I imagine a modern martyr may feel in those lucid moments of wanting their freedom at the cost of whatever great cause they were willing to die for. 

Regeneration – The Divine Comedy

How terrifying to make the transition from human to god – how inevitable the request for direction – and of course, how inevitable the lack of response.

“I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you, one and one makes three
Oh, I’m the cult of personality”

It’s a choice.  The person at the top.  They’re choosing to act – to use their power.

I’m sooooooooo fucking bored by them.

The cult of personality has to end – not because of the person – but because of the audience.

We’ve been told we don’t have to do the work – we can emulate the successful and do what they do – regardless of privilege, opportunities and subsequent capacities.

It’s a lie.

Both sides are bankrupt.

Time to look at the whole thing again. 

Time to accept the sunken cost – no matter the cost. 

To move freely again, nimbly, and with new perspective.

I can’t wait to see what happens

😉

Track Listing

• Cult of Personality – Living Colour
• Because I’m Awesome – The Dollyrots
• Handlebars – Flobots
• GMF – John Grant
• Want – Recoil
• I Want To Be Free – Toyah
• Jump – 2015 Remaster – Van Halen
• Crazy Horses – The Osmonds
• Barracuda – Heart
• Formidable Cool – Wolf Alice
• Rat Is Dead (Rage) – CSS
• Statuesque – Sleeper
• Bad Reputation – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
• The Fear – Lily Allen
• Just A Girl – No Doubt
• Ideas Bleed – Shannon Moore
• Tonight, Tonight – Remastered 2012 – The Smashing Pumpkins
• Another Celebration at the End of the World – Mammoth WVH
• Master Exploder – Tenacious D
• Heaven On Their Minds – Murray Head
• Show Me How to Live – Audioslave
• Regeneration – The Divine Comedy

Playlist image GPT4