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Friday 10: They’ll never understand the kind of fun I’ll find

People may smile, but I don’t mind

A rock dove (aka pigeon), fluffed up and standing on a bed of gravel; its eye is open but its beak is buried in the feathers of its breast.
I recommend you pay attention to the little dance you’re gonna see.
Source: John Williams / Thudfactor

Gosh, it’s kind of late but hey — new Friday 10! Last Friday, in a feat never again to be repeated, all ten lyrics were identified. And in less than 24 hours! Thank you to Sidney, Lazlo Holyfeld, Fred, Mac Webb, Glen, and Mike Mirabella for a fantastic session.

One of my favorites in this set is the deeply sarcastic “God Bless the Child,” originally written and recorded by Billie Holiday.

Them that’s got shall get, them that’s not shall lose.
So the Bible said, and it still is news

This is a reference to Matthew 13:12:

For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

Holiday takes that out of its context (the esoteric knowledge granted to the followers of Jesus) and recontextualizes it as class criticism: riches create riches, poverty begets poverty. I feel like the anger and sadness in this song is on par with Holiday’s lynching song “Strange Fruit.”

I don’t know why this has been on my mind recently, but enough of that! Here’s the rules for the game:

  1. Post your guesses in the comments. Provide both the artist and the title.
  2. No fair searching.
  3. Covers are accepted if I can find them. (It’s surprising how often hit songs are covers, actually.)

This week’s lyrics:

  1. The bird is the word.
    Bird is the Word / Surfin’ Bird, The Rivingtons / The Trashmen (Covered by The Ramones, The Cramps)
    Guessed by
    Mike Mirabella
  2. Take off your shoes and throw them away, come back and get ’em another day
    Barefootin’, Robert Parker
  3. This doesn’t have to be the big get-even. This doesn’t have to be anything at all.
    Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty
    Guessed by
    Sidney
  4. Right from the start, I gave you my heart.
    Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Elton John & Kiki Dee
    Guessed by
    Sidney
  5. Your heart’s been aching, but you’re too shy to say it.
    Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley
    Guessed by
    Jordan Seiler
  6. And when you smile for the camera I know I’ll love you better.
    Peg, Steely Dan
    Guessed by
    Sidney
  7. Save me from the nothing I’ve become.
    Bring Me to Life, Evanescence
    Guessed by
    Sidney
  8. ’Though we’re apart, you’re part of me still
    Blueberry Hill, Sammy Kaye (covered by Fats Domino, Luis Armstrong)
  9. The fire in your eyes keeps me alive.
    She Sells Sanctuary, The Cult
  10. Taste me, you will see more is all you need.
    Master of Puppets, Metallica
    Guessed by
    Bubs

Your guesses