we don't speak

One great thing about countless hours of studying is countless hours of shuffling iPod. Discovered and rediscovered a few gems:

My most important rediscovery was Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film)”. I forgot how amazing it was. I played that song on repeat (but I was very careful not to listen tooo much, because who wants to associate such an epic song with studying for finals?) and found myself wanting to scream in the library: “You guys have NO IDEA what music even is right now!!!!!!!!!”

but, I did not.

My friend Lily gave me some CDs by The Dodos (formerly known as Dodo Bird) weeks ago and I heard them and gave them a good rating. But last night I LISTENED to them!

Their song “Beards” made me laugh aloud in the quiet library. Check out the lyrics:

“Beards” by Dodo Bird

You can hide behind it

You can subtly pose it

You can wear it how you like, I know you will

They are taking over

It’s on every other

It will tell a story like the ones you read

I will never have one

I will never have one

It would grow in sparse and light

It would be an ugly sight, so please

Don’t look upon my face

Don’t look upon my face

And grow it out until it comes to standing still

Join the crowd of aging beards a’many

They are looking at me

They are looking at me

Through those beady eyes

They’re thinking what they will

They will keep them safe and warm

From the cold of other’s charm, I warn

Don’t look upon that face

Don’t look upon that face

And grow it out until you’ve found your inner peace

Join the crowd of aging beards a’many

Ah! I just love that! I think it so perfectly describes how much males fixate on their facial hair. “Grow it out until you’ve found your inner peace”…”you can hide behind it”…”they are taking over”…Ha! I never knew how much beards affected one’s psyche! But I certainly think beards deserve their own song. And the song itself is sad and gloomy sounding, but I thought the lyrics were hilarious…

The other Dodos song I especially appreciated was “Neighbors” (don’t you love how to-the-point and simple their song titles are?).

“Neighbors” by Dodo Bird

Ruby’s out there on the block

Chasing down her little dog

Calling out but he won’t stop

‘Cause he’s sick of feeling stuck

Can’t provide the things she wants

She won’t handle when he’s gone

He’s getting free, he’s going long

Feeling further as he runs

I hope he does

Neighbor’s out there in the yard

Doing pull-ups on his bar

Getting stronger, working hard

Gonna have a head start

Gonna look just like a star

Gonna go out stealing hearts

I hope he falls

I know them

They know me

They’re the ones

That I see

Everyday

Probably

We don’t smile

We don’t speak

Sammy’s out there painting trees

Covering up the graffiti

Mumbling something through his teeth

About the kids out on the street

He won’t leave it, let it be

Maybe they’ll come back and see

Painted over permanently

He’ll go mad, he’ll go crazy

I hope he does

I know them

They know me

They’re the ones

That I see

Everyday

Probably

We don’t smile

We don’t speak

Don’t smile, don’t speak



Now this one isn’t funny (though the topic is, to me at least), but it’s so honest. I’ve always noticed how people blatantly ignore each other, but it’s regarded as the norm. People will really go out of their way not to interact with strangers. They’d rather stand than sit next to you on the bus. When I’m running, I say hello to everyone and it’s surprising how many people pretend I don’t exist…! Dude! I saw you look at me from the corner of my eye! You and I both know that I’m running right by you! You don’t have to pretend you don’t know I’m here!

And it’s so true–people really don’t interact with their neighbors much, aside from an occasional hello. It’s a pretty convenient person to get to know, too. I have new neighbors and I’m gonna try to get to know those bros next quarter…and, try not to be such a stranger to everyone.