Who's Laughing Now

My love of Jessie J's music and style is not a secret. She writes solid pop hits ("Party in the USA") but keeps a bit of an edge to her own stuff. So in a month where everything has just gone wrong, from accidentally caffeinating a raccoon to a smoking washing machine, you just gotta keep thinking forwards to where you're going and focus on the important stuff. I love the message of "Pricetag," that it isn't about the money, but about making the world dance. Then I found "Who's Laughing Now."

For everyone with a funny voice and awful teeth and bad skin.

For anyone who has ever smashed a red sauce covered piece of pizza into the blonde, blonde hair of the popular girl, making sure to drag it across her stunned face as well. Sometimes even fifth grade Alex had to stand up for herself.

I love that the adults are all played by Jessie. It took me two viewings to catch it, and it's hysterical to me how much hair and makeup can really do. I miss my purple hair and skinny jeans and hoodies. I look like a different person.

Girl at the Rock Show (Number 2!)

My Chemical Romance and Blink 182 at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA, August 9, 2011.

So, a Megabus and a rainstorm meant that we missed Manchester Orchestra and the first few songs of My Chemical Romance. And the fact that ticket fees have gotten obscene meant that we were on the lawn. In the pouring rain. In tiny little ponchos.

So, we were cold. And we were wet. And the video on the screen didn't match up to the sound quite right and the bands were so far away that they looked like ants. Did I mention that we were standing in the pouring rain?

But these are both good bands to sing along to, and that we did. I felt like I was just watching the concert rather than participating in it though... something about being at the back of 20,000 people just doesn't feel as inclusive. There was no connection made. And ticket prices were so crazy that entire sections of seats were empty.

The bands were good, and I love live music, but I don't even feel like a concert happened.

Video Killed the Radio Star

I know this video showed up in my "First Four Music Videos" post, but in a tragically ironic sequence of events, MTV no longer hosts its own first video online.

"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. One of the first four music videos I remember from my childhood, and MTV's own first, broadcast thirty years ago. I loved it, thought the little girl looked like me, and wanted those strange pixies' hair.

Happy Anniversary MTV, even if I'm a little late. If only you remembered what you once were.

Say It Ain't So

Funny how things pop up at weird times.

"What? It's Weezer?"

"You do know that song's about alcoholism, right?"

And then, on shuffle, with cherry pits and before a silent GPS.