Tuesday Tunes
I’ve never been in the position to envy the contestants on Big Brother. In a world that (as of writing) is inundated with news of the Covid-19 Virus, here is a group of people that have no idea that public gatherings are being made temporarily illegal, countries are shutting their borders entirely, and that a lot of people are very unwell, or worse. Here in New Zealand we’re starting to get emails of concerts and musicals being postponed or cancelled, and I read earlier today that some returning from overseas are planning to not “self-isolate” and instead go back to work. So what can we do in this trying time? Well, I searched my 7000+ “fav” songs for keywords, and found this one …
The Song(s)
Song: Origin of Illness
Artist: Kill The Young
Album: Kill The Young - 2005 - Discograph
Method of discovery: Keyword “Illness”
Research: Though the name of the band may seem in poor taste, it is. Brothers Tom, Oliver and Dylan Gorman chose the moniker because it was meant to be purposefully provocative. Though seemingly inactive now, there are four albums of similar, but different enough material to work your way through. Three of these are on Spotify. Their website is now defunct, and on sale for the great price of $2,195 from HugeDomains.com, although I’d be more worried for anyone who bought it. Their Facebook and Twitter accounts are still being used, but both tout the 2014 release as the latest from the band. That and a single entry in both for 2016 “Vote Remain” - clearly the opinion on Brexit.
Theory: This is almost a four chord song, but the fifth one sneaks in at the end of the chorus. The verses play around with the usual suspects, but in a non-typical order: vi-I-V-IV. The song is mostly bass and drum driven, with the guitar being used mainly to thicken the sound in choice moments, or lay a little noddle on top of the otherwise complete dish. Between the verses and choruses is a break which powers on top of a sustained I. I really like it, like a palate cleanser between meals. The Chorus is where the main meat of the song is: |: vi-V-IV-I :| x2, with the last phrase “If that’s o.k. with you” on top of ii-IV-V. The same pattern is used for the build-up between the second and third choruses, like a good gravy. How did this end up making me hungry?
Personal thoughts: In “The Origin of Illness”, it’s unclear if the Gorman Brothers are talking about a literal illness, or using it as a metaphor, but given the sound of the music I lean toward the latter. The band’s name was meant to provoke emotion, and their music hits me the same way. I feel like the person in this song is rubbing it their face, whoever they are, that there is something systemically wrong that has just come to light. And boy howdy, are we finding out things that are wrong: People are being told to isolate and they aren’t, people are being told to stay away from public gatherings and they are still going, people (internationally at this stage) are panic-buying stupid amounts of groceries, and it seems like no-one is washing their damn hands. But it’s in times like these I remember the words on the front of the “Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy” - see the links.
Give it a go: If you’ve touched your face while reading this
Give it a miss: If you still won’t wash your hands properly
[links]
Spotify: Tuesday Tunes, Origin of Illness by Kill The Young
KillTheYoung: Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia (French), Lyrics on Genius.com, Discogs
Other: Big Brother Article on The Guardian, Rendition of the “HHGttG” cover