MUSIC - Claim it Back Now!!

Damn 'X Factor' and all it's ilk. In the words of 'Rage Against The Machine' we got to take the power back... Hallelujah is not supposed to be sung by talentless pop puppets in a vacuous display of over the top warbling and fist clenched emoting. It's to be done by Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Kathryn Williams and people of that stature and craft. Above is Leonard Cohen performing the original and you wonder how it goes from this to it's current state.

In the words of Damien Rice 'Why do you sing Hallelujah, if it means nothing to you...'

VARIOUS - I Wanna Suck and Roll All Night!

See, told you the next one would be stupid... it's 'Kiss' at their action packed crime fighting best... oh wait, that's not their best. Playing some songs and wearing silly make up is their best. This, this is just embarrassing.

MUSIC - Ron Sexsmith & Me.

Ron Sexsmith holds a very important place in my life due to a very important night. Still think of that night often. Heard this song again recently, and the song and lyrics moved me a lot. Promise, next clip a more upbeat one.

I know it doesn't seem that way
But maybe it's the perfect day
Even though the bills are piling
And maybe Lady Luck ain't smiling

But if we'd only open our eyes
We'd see the blessings in disguise
That all the rain clouds are fountains
Though our troubles seem like mountains

There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose heart
Give the day a chance to start

Every now and then life says
Where do you think you're going so fast
We're apt to think it cruel but sometimes
It's a case of cruel to be kind

And if we'd get up off our knees
Why then we'd see the forest for the trees
And we'd see the new sun rising
Over the hills on the horizon

There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose faith
Give the world a chance to say...

A word or two, my friend
There's no telling how the day might end
And we'll never know until we see
That there's gold in them hills

There's gold in them hills
So don't lose heart
Give the day a chance to start

There's gold in them hills...
There's gold in them hills...

ART - Flowers Minus The Allergies

I saw a collection of Georgia O'Keefe's paintings and it reminded me that when she was good she was very very good and when she was bad she was a little bit flower vaj-tastic. Flowers to my flower. ;)

VARIOUS - Inspiration Comes Easy

In these dark days where depression stalks the land like a spider on stilts (couple of stilts, I mean it is a spider after all, we're talking four pairs) it can be hard to feel fired up and ready to take on the world and enbrace the day anew. So why not have a bunch of movie stars do it for you... with added Fozzie Bear. Stick with this for the full two minutes then punch the air in 'Breakfast Club' style glory.

POETRY - Give Me What I Need

Give Me What I Need

Poetry and laughter, how frivolous the sound

Where imminent disaster and misery abound

Les Fleurs du Malcontent lie strangled in the weed

You may never know what I want, but I know what I need.

A victim by profession; blame it on the girl

With the vacant possession of the sedentary world

I believe in miracles, it's written in the creed

Immaculate connection.

Give me what I need.

John Cooper Clarke

VARIOUS - I Throw My Shoes At You

This is brilliant wicked fun. I hope this starts a series of shoe throwing political attacks... Maybe Gordon Browne and some flip flops, Boris Jonson and a brogue, Kerry Katona and a welly boot full of dog muck and jelly (granted she's not a politician but oh what a lovely image).