100 Greatest Songs - Exhibit 3

For Labor Day weekend, I present Mike O'Neill's "Andy" because it begins "Andy, the summer's over ..." Oh yes, and also because it's one of the greatest songs ever.

It's a simple little tune, this one. And I can't quite put my finger on why it's devastatingly brilliant, but I surely believe that it is, all 2 minutes and 30 seconds of it.

It has a bit of a dreamy sound to it — you're sort of floating along with him when he hits you with the "to think IT'S OVER!" at exactly the halfway point (genius). And it is certainly fun to sing (I've played it six times today and have belted out every last note along with Mr. O'Neill).

In all, it's a sigh of a song, mournful — about Andy (whoever that is), about time passing, about missing out on whatever it is that's right in front of you — in a tasteful way, with impressive restraint. Love it.

mog.com

More about this song

Share

run to me when you need a shoulder

A while back I shared my plan for turning my apartment into a halfway house for wayward celebrities (I believe it was called Jane and Dollie's Halfway House for Wayward Celebrities, but now I can't find the post. How annoying). But I never followed through. And for that, for failing to share my healing help with my favorite famous people, I apologize to Owen Wilson (presuming this story is true -- for once, I hope the Enquirer got it wrong.)

Owen, when the detox is over, you are welcome to be our charter case. Unlike other rehabilitation facilities, JADHHFWC is a free service. Our cozy facility's amenities include a large TV with premium cable (therapeutic screenings of "Big Brother" and Rangers games are mandatory) and an extensive DVD library, lots of pillows, Digestive biscuits and tea every morning, story-time picnics in the adjacent park featured prominently in "Flight of the Conchords," a limited-edition DDYW T-shirt, lots of laughs and unlimited hugs. This offer is non-transferable.

you'd better start warming up

Should I move to Minnesota?

It's not like I have a job here. And my friends keep leaving NY — and one of my #1 favorite people of all time ever already lives in MN. Plus Minneapolis is super fun.

But these things have been true before and I haven't left. Now, though, I am beginning to see a pattern.

Exhibit A:

My longtime pretend love, Josh Hartnett. He's from St. Paul.

Exhibit B:

My most recent heartbreak, "Big Brother" Nick is another Minnesotan (PS Did you notice how he wore a St. Cloud State shirt on "The Early Show" after he was evicted?)

And that matters because it's the alma mater of ...

The great Exhibit C:
(Click him. He talks!)

I may never get over his leaving me* (*OK, not me, but me) but maybe if I lived nearer to his home, it would ease the pain.

Or, you know, I could find my very own Minnesota dream boy. That may also work.

when the seasons change we'll look ridiculous

I have had a worse season than this. Spring 1994 was hell on earth. Surely summer 2007 isn't that bad. But make no mistake, it is awful.

So in the interest of turning the beat around, I present "Summer's My Season," by Sloan. It's one long and dirgey play on words -- which would be painful, you'd think, but it's actually fantastic.

May it make the remaining weeks of this season bearable.

mog.com

More about this song

Share

don't worry about your future, just call in the patriot

In case you haven't already (and surely many of you haven't already) enjoyed this, please enjoy it now. It's my favorite anything ever, and that endorsement should be enough, frankly.

You may not laugh and cry (though I sure did), but you will never be the same.

I present Thrush Hermit's "Patriot."

here at my nightmare's end

It's amazing how a new haircut (Julie, I continue to worship you - by the way, I'm willing to share: She's at Deluxe in Williamsburg, and not only is she extremely talented and an absolute delight, but she's also gorgeous) and a mojito can totally change one's perspective.

Yes, while everything from trivial TV nonsense (Nick! Oh how I will miss you) to actual tragedies (both personal and public) still get me down in a serious way and most things continue to suck, I'm back from the brink.

I won't list all of the things that brought me to said brink (let's just say Murphy and his motherfucking laws can bite me), but I'm over it. My summer starts today.

Enjoy this wonderful song and its scary (and fantastic) mashup video — yes, I made it myself, about 400 years ago — for "Summertime Climb" by the Flashing Lights. It's my greatest creation, best appreciated if you are exceedingly awesome or at least on exceedingly awesome drugs.