Media Based Media
I’m not sure what this newish song by The xx has to do with VCRs (besides being one more thing that makes me feel old when seeing that what is familiar to me has become a reference point of retro cool to a younger generation), but I’ve been digging this song. Is it too early to proclaim an audiovisual anthem of the year?
Also makes me wonder about a playlist for other songs inspired by formats or media types. “Watch The Tapes” by LCD Soundsystem? “Brimful of Asha (on the 45)” by Cornershop? Any other ideas? I wonder if Tamagotchi could be considered a file format…
Along similar lines I’ve always liked to think that the song Rapture, by Laura Veirs speaks directly to archivists of images and sound. The opening line is “with photographs and magnetic tape we capture”. An unofficial version can be heard here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhNoh_tyteE&feature=related
“I Need That Record” by The Tweeds. I couldn’t find a link to the song, but a powerpop song all about collecting vinyl. Think I should work on a nerdy archiving playlist now….
Oh man, are you going to make me dig out some old 5RC compilations to find something to try and one up you?
“Kodachrome” by Paul Simon. An obsolete medium as of 2008 (or 7?).
That was a hard loss. Sometimes I wonder if that song didn’t have some hand in the demise of Kodachrome…
I can’t let conversation continue without reference to Video Killed the Radio Star, by the Buggles.
“The music video for the song, directed by Russell Mulcahy, was the first to be shown on MTV when the music channel debuted at 00:01 on 1 August 1981. On 27 February 27 2000 it also became the millionth video to be aired on MTV.[4]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Killed_the_Radio_Star
Hits on so many levels, not that it is a “vintage” item itself. SIGH, as am I.
“The 33 RPM Soul” by Michelle Shocked.
Couldn’t find a link to it, but after reading your post the chorus came back to me:
“Should never have tried to rock, should never have tried to roll, but damn I don’t regret, the 33 rpm soul”
You know, I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of lyrics referencing 78s (or even the less likely 16 2/3), but no luck. I wonder whether people sing more about 33 1/3s or 45s. I have and unfounded sense that 45s are more personal (lots of emotion wrapped up in a single song that evokes a certain period) and might be more popular.