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Janis Joplin: The Colour in Rock & Roll
Sometime in October last year, I made this blogpost
Another thing I left incomplete! . . .
(So, I covered F.LWright, but I never got down to the other two, for whatever reasons. I’m going to cover Janis Joplin today.
I’m trying to remember why I covered F.L.W. before Joplin? Especially since impersonating her at a party and NOT being recognised by ANYone (even after telling them that I was Janis!) was what prompted me to do these articles!
I’m guessing researching Wright fit in with college work as well at the time, so I probably felt like I wasn't wasting time. Although, this really isn't wasting time!… Anywhooo..
Here it goes.
This is:
Janis Joplin: The colour in rock and roll!
"If you can get them once, man, get them standing up when they should be sitting down, sweaty when they should be decorous, smile when they should be applauding politely-and I think you sort of switch on their brain, man, so that makes them say: 'Wait a minute, maybe I can do anything.' Whoooooo! It's life. That's what rock and roll is for, turn that switch on, and man, it can all be."
-Janis Joplin
What I wrote in the intro to this, I wrote about 6 hours ago. That's when I wanted to start writing.
For some reason, I couldn't find the right words to start. So I spent a lot of time re-living my first time 'Janis experience', that I lived a long time ago. So, after watching many videos, listening to almost the whole discography- again, reading and re-reading things I've read in the past, I think I finally have a place to begin.
I always knew there once was a singer called Janis Joplin who was incredible. But that's all I knew. I'd heard the name randomly in some movies, where a character would make a 'Joplin' reference, and even though I didn't quite understand what they meant, I'd pass it off as insignificant and then forget. I can't remember when it was exactly, that I REALLY wanted to find out more about her... But, I remember which song it started with.
The more I listened and the deeper I went into discovering Janis, the more I fell in love with the music and the raw, realness that was her. I started to understand the complexities that comprised this individual that literally took the world by storm. She was definitely someone who wore her heart on her sleeve. Remarkable and bold. But when you look at the story, it may have been one that changed the face of music, but it's definitely one that is also really sad. I honestly don't think she died when it was her time. At 27, I feel like it was her vices and adrenaline that just got the better of her.
From what I've read, she was actually an extremely articulate, intellectual and shy girl, to whom family mattered a great deal. But she was insecure in many ways, about how she looked and whether she was loved. Over time, music took precedence over everything in her life. She knew she had to get away from home, which was in Texas, if she wanted to make it in the industry. And that is what she did.
I'm having some trouble putting into words what I understand of her and her life. She is just THAT big and multi-coloured! All I know, is that she was driven by raw emotion. And it translates through her songs and singing. She had no formula for life.
She just was.
Whether what she did or said was socially acceptable or not, it was her and it was always there for everyone to see. Nothing hidden. All real. She made such brilliant music and sang with such a big voice in the little time that she was around but at a price that was so incredibly large! The point of this post isn't so much to be another go-to for details on Janis Joplin, but more to record what she means to me. Hopefully, it inspires someone, somewhere to listen to her music, see the rose for what she really was. ("The rose" is a song from the movie, of the same name, about a rock and roll tragedy, revolving around a drug-addicted rock-star, modeled around Janis. A beautiful song that is so full of hope. If you read the lyrics, you'll find that it's a brilliant tribute to Janis. In a way, choosing to focus on the positive impact her life and music had as opposed to being, as she's been described before, a train-wreck for which the price was her's to pay, after all.)
I know this post isn't very well thought out, and I'm jumping in between random things that are crossing my mind about Janis, but I feel like it's probably more Janis-like, that way than any other.
So, this is Janis Joplin. You can love her or hate her, but if her story has crossed your path, you sure as hell can't ignore her. For me, in some ways I admire her, I identify with her and I also feel a little sorry for her. But, none of that matters, I'm sure her story and music would speak differently to you.
"Being an intellectual creates a lot of questions and no answers.
You can fill your life up with ideas and still go home lonely.
All you really have that really matters are feelings.
That's what music is to me."
- Janis Joplin
I'm having some trouble putting into words what I understand of her and her life. She is just THAT big and multi-coloured! All I know, is that she was driven by raw emotion. And it translates through her songs and singing. She had no formula for life.
She just was.
Whether what she did or said was socially acceptable or not, it was her and it was always there for everyone to see. Nothing hidden. All real. She made such brilliant music and sang with such a big voice in the little time that she was around but at a price that was so incredibly large! The point of this post isn't so much to be another go-to for details on Janis Joplin, but more to record what she means to me. Hopefully, it inspires someone, somewhere to listen to her music, see the rose for what she really was. ("The rose" is a song from the movie, of the same name, about a rock and roll tragedy, revolving around a drug-addicted rock-star, modeled around Janis. A beautiful song that is so full of hope. If you read the lyrics, you'll find that it's a brilliant tribute to Janis. In a way, choosing to focus on the positive impact her life and music had as opposed to being, as she's been described before, a train-wreck for which the price was her's to pay, after all.)
"I'm a victim of my own insides. There was a time when I wanted to know everything. I read a lot. I guess you'd say I was pretty intellectual. It's odd, I can't remember when it changed. It used to make me very unhappy, all that feeling. I just didn't know what to do with it. But now I've learned how to make feeling work for me. I'm full of emotion and I want a release, and if you're on stage and if it's really working and you've got the audience with you, it's a oneness you feel. I'm into me, plus they're into me, and everything comes together. You're full of it. I don't know, I just want to feel as much as I can, it's what 'soul' is all about."
-Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin and Tina Turner
Influenced by the likes of Bessie Smith, Leadbelly, Odetta, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin you can trace the soul in her music. Soul from the soul, for it. I came across this interview of Janis with Dick Cavett. You see the kind of person she was, struggling with her relationships looking for closure to a past she felt was unjust to her. In a way, triumphant because of what she'd achieved and seemingly having a good time despite being lonely, living off her music and audiences. She didn't really find love till the very end and then it was too late... Songs like 'Get it while you can', 'A woman left lonely', 'Maybe', 'Little girl blue' and more, I'm sure, would testify to that.
'Get it while you can' being one of my favourites.
I know this post isn't very well thought out, and I'm jumping in between random things that are crossing my mind about Janis, but I feel like it's probably more Janis-like, that way than any other.
"I don't understand how come you're gone, man. I don't understand why half the world is still crying, man, when the other half of the world is still crying too, man, and it can't get it together. I mean, if you got a cat for one day, man - I mean, if you, say, say, maybe you want a cat for 365 days, right - You ain't got him for 365 days, you got him for one day, man. Well I tell you that one day, man, better be your life. Because, you know, you can say, oh man, you can cry about the other 364, man, but you're gonna lose that one day, man, and that's all you've got. You gotta call that love, man. That's what it is, man. If you got it today you don't want it tomorrow, man, 'cause you don't need it, 'cause as a matter of fact, as we discovered on the train, tomorrow never happens, man. It's all the same ****ing day, man.
You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow."
- Janis Joplin
So, this is Janis Joplin. You can love her or hate her, but if her story has crossed your path, you sure as hell can't ignore her. For me, in some ways I admire her, I identify with her and I also feel a little sorry for her. But, none of that matters, I'm sure her story and music would speak differently to you.
This is the best tribute to Janis, that I've come across. It gives me chills.)
"This whole thing that's happened to me, you see, this whole success thing, er, it hasn't yet really compromised the position that I took a long time ago in Texas, that was to be true to myself, to be the person that I f ... that was on inside of me and not play games. You see, actually what I'm trying to do mostly, if I, in the whole world, is to not bullshit myself, and not bullshit anybody else. To be righteous to myself, I mean to be real, you know what I mean ? And so far, you know I'm, I'm just tryin' to ... I'm doin' that, I am, you know. I'm not wearin' cardboard eyelashes, and, and, you know, and girdles, and playin' in Las Vegas. By still bein' Janis, I just happens to be on a slightly different level or somethin' now. And ... you know I suppose it's because I've never been premeditated enough in show-business that I was worried about putting on a, a face, you know what I mean ? So I can sit here and tell you the truth. You know? Although that's slightly inhibiting, (nodding towards camera) really, it doesn't, it doesn't force a game on me, because I refuse to let it force a game on me. So I can sit here and be just as honest as I would be in a bar, although I'd be a lot happier in a bar!"
- Janis Joplin
From exactly where I am.
11 o'clock.
And pretty much, the 11th hour.
Feels like I'm in the freakin' war of my life.
In a way, I am.
Stressed and once again thinking about things I could've done differently.
And then an angel sends a message...
She reminds me that in the grander scheme of things,
I am, in fact, where I'm meant to be.
It may be a tough place to be in, in many ways.
But It's not so bad.
And it's way easier than what many others have to deal with.
That's something I've been reminded of by persons who help me put things in perspective when I'm losing it.
And yeah, once again, my act is kind of messy..
But the message she sent helped me see some of the positive things I've been through.
I've grown in many ways.
I've learnt new things.
I've faced some fears.
Maybe this is just me trying to make myself feel a little better.
Or maybe I just wanted an outlet for todays trapped emotion, because I've been staring at a computer screen, drawing lines and "hatch"ing things the whole day, and I'm going to continue through the night, feverishly trying to do as much as humanly possible- for me, anyway.
But,
from exactly where I am,
I'm going to leave what's behind, there.
I'm going to head toward what's coming.
And I'll just let the music play while I'm at it...
Like the end of the message said.. (I changed it a little though...)
Worry looks around.
Sorry looks back.
Faith looks onward.
(Thanks Angel =D)
And pretty much, the 11th hour.
Feels like I'm in the freakin' war of my life.
In a way, I am.
Stressed and once again thinking about things I could've done differently.
And then an angel sends a message...
She reminds me that in the grander scheme of things,
I am, in fact, where I'm meant to be.
It may be a tough place to be in, in many ways.
But It's not so bad.
And it's way easier than what many others have to deal with.
That's something I've been reminded of by persons who help me put things in perspective when I'm losing it.
And yeah, once again, my act is kind of messy..
But the message she sent helped me see some of the positive things I've been through.
I've grown in many ways.
I've learnt new things.
I've faced some fears.
Maybe this is just me trying to make myself feel a little better.
Or maybe I just wanted an outlet for todays trapped emotion, because I've been staring at a computer screen, drawing lines and "hatch"ing things the whole day, and I'm going to continue through the night, feverishly trying to do as much as humanly possible- for me, anyway.
But,
from exactly where I am,
I'm going to leave what's behind, there.
I'm going to head toward what's coming.
And I'll just let the music play while I'm at it...
Like the end of the message said.. (I changed it a little though...)
Worry looks around.
Sorry looks back.
Faith looks onward.
(Thanks Angel =D)
Where have all the Sundays gone?
(Click on the links... It goes with the flow =))
Sunday. To me, Sunday epitomizes the ultimate day!
My Sundays have always been so important to me.
The one day I refuse to feel guilty about not doing anything, except have a good time or just relax.
(Sometimes, I do that midweek too, but I make it a point to at least 'feel' guilty!)
Of late, my Sundays seem tainted.
They hardly ever exist without the dark Monday-submission cloud looming over them.
Apart from actual Sundays..
just the word - "SUNday"
It makes me think of happy sunny scenes in my mind.
Just the picture perfect scenario, where theres a sun shine- thats not too harsh, and a multi-coloured background of anything pretty with happy people in a happy place, literally and figuratively.
I was just cruising through some blogs, between my "submission" and lunch, and I read three blogposts, one after the other. All by different bloggers and all quite in the dumps about different things.
I get it.
I really do.
I may not feel exactly how they do right now, but I've been there.
For the moment, I'm in a kind of limbo. Feeling blue and colourful at the same time. A mess.
But this is about them.
When I say them, I mean anyone out there who feels like the only song they can sing right now, is the all gloomy, thoroughly depressing sort.
You know, the "I went to your wedding... and everyone was crying" types...
(Man! I cannot explain how much I dislike that song. Hate is a very strong word. So, yea, I DISLIKE it!)
The hopeless, eternal optimist (as I've said before) in me today, just feels like sending out this message to anyone who may cross paths with it. Especially while, I feel like I'm in the state of mind to send it out myself...
There's always a way UP from your downest, down.
Whether its music or art or reading or brainless comedy on TV (which is really not brainless at all! It takes some pretty smart people to make things so ridiculously simple, that you can't help but be amazed!) or whether it's through the people around you.
Find your ladder. Start climbing!
Believe.
As hard as that may be. It most certainly is easier said than done. But, it CAN be done.
We could sit around wallowing in our thoughts about how we're always making the same mistakes...
Or we could turn it around.
Make it ours.
Decide.
Either way, bring Sunday back!
Later
For anyone struggling with procrastination, this is a good read.
It may be a little lengthy, but it definitely tells some truths!
I've often wondered about the "phenomenon" of procrastination...
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/10/11/101011crbo_books_surowiecki
It may be a little lengthy, but it definitely tells some truths!
I've often wondered about the "phenomenon" of procrastination...
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/10/11/101011crbo_books_surowiecki
Here comes the sun
Just an update.. Cos apparently my last post was a little alarming. haha! <3
(Completely unintentional, I swear!)
(Completely unintentional, I swear!)
Detox isn't going terribly.
I'll admit to withdrawal syndrome just a bit. But I've been fighting it off. Not bad.
The universe made things quite interesting almost the same instant I decided I was going to disconnect! =D
She's brilliant, the universe.
I met a couple who're on a really interesting journey trying to discover more about one of their favourite Indian Psychotherapists.
They're even doing an India tour. Reminded me that I need to do my Pune tour.
It rained in my bathroom. That was interesting. I had to enter under an umbrella.
Doesn't happen often.
It probably would have been less fun had my dad actually allowed me to help un-flood the place.
Maroon5's new album is so painfully-catchy! I love it.
And Enrique's new song with Nicole Whatshersurname is awesome.
I'm in love with the video! She is way hotter than him.
Radio made my day! =)
And I've got a week to finish one of the hugest submissions EVER AND study for a paper (which is SUPER important).
So I'm scared as hell and kind of happy at the same time.
The other stuff can wait.
A Beautiful Mess is the theme of my life.
REALLY.
But, either way, I'm putting on my "supergirl" T-shirt and whipping out my superpowers.
It's time to pull off some miracles!
I really do have a supergirl T-shirt. I'm not just saying.
I really do have a supergirl T-shirt. I'm not just saying.
Detox.
I’m going to take some advice from John Mayer.
I’m going to disconnect. Disappear for a while.
One reason being, I desperately need to concentrate on work.
The other, and sometimes bigger reason I feel, is because I’m losing touch with myself.
I’m more in touch with my keyboard and monitor and Facebook and Twitter than myself.
It’s a false sense of closeness, online.
And often I’ve noticed at the cost of real relationships.
Don’t get me wrong.
I think Facebook and Twitter are awesome.
But I think my use of them is more a misuse now.
I need to do something about it. I’ve felt this need for a while. So, I finally am!
And hopefully, it will last.
I work on the computer for most things. This is probably how it starts.
I mean, whom am I kidding when I think,
‘Well, since I’m on the comp anyway, and this is a Wi-Fi zone, what’s the harm in leaving Facebook on in another window?”?
Myself. That’s who.
I’ve managed to kid myself, many times in the past. Sometimes, I still do.
But maybe the war between my warped sense of humour and my conscience is finally tipping in my conscience’s favour.
Besides, like Mayer said;
How many artists have produced their best work while being predominantly occupied with ‘being out there’?
Not that I’m on the brink of producing my Mona Lisa or anything. But I’d like for it to be a possibility.
And that’s the work front. There’s a personal need to disconnect too.
I find myself wallowing in self pity sometimes taking false comfort in facebook, in things that mean nothing really. I’m shying away from many things in the real world that I need to face head on.
And sometimes, I feel like since I can’t be out there ‘hanging’ everyday, I’d be forgotten.
Well, I’m too bloody memorable for that. So I need to suck it, and get to work and stop pretending like being connected is for the greater good. ‘Cos that really is a load of crap.
The people who matter will be around, whether I’m accessible 24/7 or not!
And those who really miss me would seek me out if I happened to take the disappearing too far.
So I’m signing out, for a while; just so that I can start tuning in.
This is a personal thing. So I really don’t need anyone throwing it in my face or throwing me “let’s see how long this lasts” taunts. If it doesn’t… well, then it wasn't supposed to. But, it will.
I don’t even want to discuss why... Those reasons are even more personal than any of THIS^ stuff.
I’ll blog when I feel like. And I’ll still be on gmail, if you need to get in touch and if my phone’s not working. (It’s got a life of its own, that thing!) And I suppose I’m putting it out there through my writing because, as much as I don’t want to discuss it, I want it to be there. In the open.
A constant reminder of my reasoning and as my word.
Something I’ll feel a greater need to be accountable for.
So for now, let’s call this detox. (Sorry Aru, I’m stealing.)
At least, till the 23rd, or whenever that last paper is.
Design Boom
(First off, Thanks Awoo for www.designboom.com!)
And, If you're part of Peta or not,
what happens to all those fur coats that are already doing the rounds,
that you'd rather people didn't wear?
Well, I saw this and thought that it was pretty cool!
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/11376/neozoon-fur-recycling.html
Taking the fur full circle in a strange way, is what someone commented...
I agree =)
It's creative and makes for cool street art!
I am NOT suggesting they make more fur coats for this kind of stuff..
And, If you're part of Peta or not,
what happens to all those fur coats that are already doing the rounds,
that you'd rather people didn't wear?
Well, I saw this and thought that it was pretty cool!
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/11376/neozoon-fur-recycling.html
Taking the fur full circle in a strange way, is what someone commented...
I agree =)
It's creative and makes for cool street art!
I am NOT suggesting they make more fur coats for this kind of stuff..
You only live twice.
I've never been big on Bond...
But, this is one of my favourite 'Bond songs'...
Maybe more because I went down the yesteryear lane and started tripping on Nancy Sinatra!
(Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town♪)
While her version of the song is nice and all...
I like Bjork's too. (Strange as she/it is!)
But, you've GOT to love Coldplay!! :)
I didn't know they did it till now. So cool!
Apart from all the banter ^
I love the sentiment.
You only live twice.
One down.
One to go, like.
Until then... It ain't me babe!
=D
But, this is one of my favourite 'Bond songs'...
Maybe more because I went down the yesteryear lane and started tripping on Nancy Sinatra!
(Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town♪)
While her version of the song is nice and all...
I like Bjork's too. (Strange as she/it is!)
But, you've GOT to love Coldplay!! :)
I didn't know they did it till now. So cool!
Apart from all the banter ^
I love the sentiment.
You only live twice.
One down.
One to go, like.
Until then... It ain't me babe!
=D
August Rush (2007)
Wizard: What do you want to be in the world? I mean the whole world. What do you want to be? Close your eyes and think about that.
______________________________
August Rush: But I believe in music... The way that some people believe in fairy tales.
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Hope: [as August enters the room] You the one slept under my bed?
August Rush: [watches her as she plays the piano] Do you live here?
Hope: Me and my grandma do till our boat comes in. Do you like music?
August Rush: More than food.
Hope: [looks at him strangely, then continues] Do you know your notes?
August Rush: I've never seen them like that before.
Hope: See here: "Every Good Boy Does Fine" on the lines. And "F-A-C-E" in between. And "Great Big Dogs Fight Animals". And "All Cars Eat Gas". Get it?
August Rush: You're like an angel.
Hope: [thinks August is weird] Okay. I gotta go.
______________________________
Hope: You remember how you said Mozart was a musical pod?
Reverend James: Prodigy.
Hope: Yeah, well, I've got one of those and he's living under my bed!
______________________________
Reverend James: Prodigy.
Hope: Yeah, well, I've got one of those and he's living under my bed!
______________________________
August Rush: Listen. Can you hear it? The music. I can hear it everywhere. In the wind... in the air... in the light. It's all around us. All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do... is listen.
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Arthur: We all gonna be big stars some day.
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