26 Mar 18: Peach Scone - Hobo Johnson & The LoveMakers

Song: Peach Scone

Artist: Hobo Johnson & The LoveMakers

Album (Year): NPR Tiny Desk Contest (2018)

Notably Lyric: "Brush me off like the dirt on Jay-Z's shoulder so I fall to ground, collect myself and get ready to take over your HEART! .. or at least your spare time"

I honestly don't know what it is about this song that keeps me coming back. I couldn't even call it a guilty pleasure because it's not even something to be ashamed about. Maybe it's the boyish innocence of the story that captivates me. Or just awkwardness that is a bit too painfully familiar that I can't help but to see myself represented in the story. One thing that clearly influences the extent to which I enjoy story-telling songs - and I'm sure this rule is universally applicable - is how accurately you can envisage yourself in that situation*

The oh-so-recognisable story of "falling for person who only sees you as a friend but keeps coming back to you with their boyfriend problems and you just want to tell them to leave him so that you can finally be together and treat her the way she deserves to be BUT YOU DON'T SEE THAT DO YOU, EMILY!?" that we all know and love.

I must admit that I do have this tendency to be drawn towards songs that are just that tiny bit uncomfortable. Songs that are a bit too honest. Songs that make you shift a bit in your seat because, although you're enjoying them, they tease the door of the room where you've locked away certain emotions and insecurities.

Examples that spring to mind are Car Radio by twenty one pilots, and Joell Ortiz's Psycho (feat. Pharaohe Monch & B.o.B). The former being a song about someone's internal conversation about mental distresses, and the latter is just strange .. strange but addictive.

With regards to the story itself, it's quite a comedic tragedy, in my opinion. Instead of trying to sabotage the relationship that he wishes he had, he tries to come to terms with the gut-wrenching news to the point where you develop a sympathetic response to his distress and struggle with dealing with this heartbreak. Using the scones as a metaphor for said romantic interest is an effective way to allow him to vent his feelings (if you haven't picked it up: scones = girl). While watching this you feel like you're just waiting for him to break down in tears.

That line "Or maybe it's just the thought of not being so alone". That line. I like how that line is overtly masked with the distraction of being shouted into the microphone. The academically reliable sources in the YouTube comments inform me that this, in fact, is may be a form of slam poetry. As this section of my website is titled "Song of the Day" I'm going to play the artistic-license card.

I suppose the best advice would be for him to look for a more serious relationship when he's no longer infatuated with the mere idea of being with someone. It's good that he's acknowledged that that dependency is a possibility. It's a habit that I've been guilty of and subsequently been working on but correcting it requires you to notice when behaving / thinking that way.

Finally, a disproportionate amount of my life is spent reading the comments on Facebook posts, YouTube videos, and Twitter threads. More often than not they are fruitless ventures but on occasion the internet gods do bless me with some gems such as this one by Joel Marinez that I would like to share with you today:

First time watching "what the heck is this. This is weird he’s not even rhyming." 32nd time watching "... OR MAYBE IT’S THE THOUGHT OF NOT BEING SO ALONNEEE!"

Simple yet relatable.

He has a point though. It is a bit weird. But I like weird. Weird is interesting. It's new. It's different. It grabs my attention and makes we want to investigate further as it stands out. Like a veruca.

Have a look for yourself and keep an open mind. Give it a couple of listens if need-be.

Is this the new friend-zone anthem? I'll wait to see if Biz Markie replies to my letter. Letter? What is this? Prison? I'll tweet him.

*You may have noticed a pattern of the songs I blog about and and how I relate to them. If not then welcome to my page as - for now - that's the entire premise of the page. Would be great to see if anyone else shares these experiences or even has completely different interpretations.