Friday, October 23, 2026

What Is the Vertical Magnitude of the Sentimentally Charged Interpersonal Attachment You Experience?: The 366th Greatest Song

 

I have a theory that says the only reason people liked "How Deep Is Your Love" so much is that it was juxtaposed next to all the disco on the Bee Gees' album Saturday Night Fever. You know, like how in high school I only hung out with guys uglier than me...so I would look good in comparison. (Of course, there were only two guys in the whole school who met that qualification.)

Another possible point of interest in the song might be this #FunFact divulged by Rolling Stone:

The Bee Gees' work for Saturday Night Fever was recorded during a famed two-and-a-half-week-long session at a chateau in northern France, where, according to Barry Gibb, "six classic lesbian porno scenes [were] filmed."
The Brothers Gibb

 

For the Record:

1. I'm fairly certain the porno scenes were not filmed at the same time the Bee Gees were recording.

2. Now that I'm aware of this connection, I'm wondering which movie they meant "How Deep Is Your Love" to be part of.

I know your eyes in the mornin' sun
I feel you touch me in the pourin' rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again
And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love, then you softly leave
And it's me you need to show
How deep is your love?

I'm just sayin'!


Friday, October 16, 2026

Observed Absurdities™ 74 - Is It Just Me?

 

Beloved and I were taking a short vacation in the Hoosier state to celebrate her high school class reunion last month.

We were staying with some of our very best friends, who I have yet to make up any Almost nicknames for.

We were being treated to dinner in an upscale steakhouse in beautiful downtown Fort Wayne.

I was personally unprepared for what I immediately saw when I walked into the men's room at said steakhouse.

Behold . . .

Mens Room @ Ruth's Chris Steakhouse


Is it just me, or would anyone else be slightly confused? I'm not kidding; I backed up and double-checked the sign on the door.

Of course, when I realized it was just an image on the wall, I didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.



Friday, October 9, 2026

Arguable Advice from the Fab Four

 

With 213 songs to their credit, the Beatles were bound to stumble upon a few wise words here and there. "Let it be" and "Money can't buy me love" come easily to mind.

But let's remember that the Mop Tops were only human. Not everything that sprang from the grooves of their records can be considered "speaking words of wisdom." I offer, therefore, the following list of Beatlesque advice that might make you think twice.


  • Your loving give me a thrill, but your loving don't pay my bills. Now give me money. That's what I want.
  • Gather round, all you clowns. Let me hear you say, "Hey you've got to hide your love away."
  • Leave it all till somebody else lends you a hand.
  • Baby, you can drive my car, and maybe I'll love you.


[Baby Driving Car]

  • If the sun don't come, you get a tan from standing in the English rain.
  • Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
  • Happiness is a warm gun.
  • Let this be a sermon. I mean everything I've said. Baby, I'm determined, and I'd rather see you dead. You better run for your life if you can, little girl. Hide your head in the sand, little girl. Catch you with another man, that's the end, ah, little girl.
  • Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void. It is shining, it is shining.
  • Picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
  • And it really doesn't matter. If I'm wrong, I'm right.
  • Roll up for the magical mystery tour! Step right this way!
  • Why don't we do it in the road?


Friday, October 2, 2026

This One Will Sneak up On You: The 367th Greatest Song

  

Cream's Top Ten hit, "White Room," was birthed by a period of drug and alcohol excess. We should have realized that the minute we heard the lyrics.


Let's allow CoPilot to visually interpret the first verse:

In a white room, with black curtains, near the station...

Image of a white room, with black curtains

Black roof country, no gold pavements, tired starlings...

Image of Black roofs and tired starlings

Silver horses, ran down moonbeams, in your dark eyes...

Image of Silver horses, running down moonbeams, in girl's dark eyes

Dawn light smiles, on you leaving, my contentment...

Image of contented male watching a woman leave

All of which sounds and looks reasonably normal (moonbeam-running horses notwithstanding) until we hit the chorus:

I'll wait in this place where the sun never shines
Wait in this place where the shadows run from themselves...

Image of a drug-induced nightmare

Eeek!


Friday, September 25, 2026

Happy Dolly Parton Day!

 


Warping  9 to 5, what a way to cross the cosmos

Two levels down, they're holding a princess in a jail cell

Searchers for some droids
That is what we are
So we ambled in
This cantina/bar

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...
I'm begging of you, please don't take my Death Star plan



Friday, September 18, 2026

Almost the News XXXVII

 

Real Headlines. Fake News.

Rally Held in Minneapolis for Man Fatally Shot by Police in Madison
Rally spokesperson: "We were legally holding a rally for this man. The Madison PD had no right to fatally shoot us."

2 Teens Arrested After Attempted Carjacking in Minneapolis
"The fact that they couldn't successfully lift the car to change its tire is just a crime!"

Police Warn of Urban Exploring After Death
"There be ghosts wandrin' round these alleyways..."

[Exploring Ghosts]

St. Paul Could See Property Tax Hikes
A news release from forensic ancient literature expert, Along Tymago, states that the Apostle Paul predicted rising property tax rates as long ago as the first century AD.

Wolves to Retire Kevin Garnett's Jersey on Feb. 28
Starting March 1st, Garnett will be playing shirtless.

Testimony to Resume after Lindsay Clancy Jury Sent Home Early
"Okay, now that the bothersome jury is gone, let's get down to business..."

Attention: Airport Pick-ups/Drop-offs Could Be Cumbersome Next Few Days
This announcement from airport officials, of course, represents absolutely no change whatsoever from the normal state of affairs.

Bench Dedicated to Boy Killed in Minneapolis School Shooting Nearly 1 Year Ago
Why we're telling you about it now is a mystery.

Residents Weigh In on New Police Chief
...even though it would be much easier to use a bathroom scale

Desperate Search for Nepal Flood Survivors Enters Critical Phase
Search coordinator, Luke N. Finedem: "In this phase, everybody starts whining, complaining, and talking about how they would run things differently."



Friday, September 11, 2026

Three Minutes of Tuneful Self-Importance: The 368th Greatest Song

 

Depeche Mode started out orthodox enough:

Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there

But it soon becomes clear the singer is encouraging the listener to consider the singer to be the listener's supernatural confidant:

Feeling unknown and you're all alone
Flesh and bone by the telephone
Lift up the receiver, I'll make you a believer
Take second best, put me to the test
Things on your chest you need to confess
I will deliver, you know I'm a forgiver

[image of singer]


I was going to continue with more lyrical analysis, but I just realized that I have already given you all the words in the song. Everything else is repeating what's already been sung.

So...

Not only is the singer manifesting a textbook case of Messiah Complex, but he is also making it clear his songwriting ability lacks...shall we say...depth.

Certainly length.