Weepathon

OK, the people out there who have problems with my site loading really slowly are going to hate my guts, but anyway.

Linda of Straight Up and Slightly Dirty got me turned on to a new meme from Hedgewizard's blog: songs that always make you cry. (OK, it's more nuanced and subtle and shit. What am I, an echo? Go read it for yourself.)

So anyway, I'm going to play. For me, that song is "Parallel Lines" by Todd Rundgren. Here's an amazing live performance of the song on YouTube. (Actually, it's so amazing that it doesn't make me cry at all.) (And holy shit, did you know this entire album was recorded live? Thank you, Wikipedia.)





I guess this is where I explain why this song affects me. (Note how I said "affects" and not "impacts." Because I know that "impact" is a noun. I also know the difference between "effect" and "affect," so once in a while, I have this irresistible urge to flaunt my knowledge.)

OK, the question is, Can a hard-ass pedant like me be emotionally affected by a song? And the answer is, yes, even though you might think I spend all my time nit-picking about proper usage.

Amazingly enough, I also find it fairly easy to get over those late '80s hairdos. Particularly the bass player (I think) with that very strange-looking faux-hawk/quiff. And the backup singers dressed in those stretchy minidresses that look like they're being recycled from a Robert Palmer video.

See, here's the thing. Long before this song came out, I had a massive crush on a guy. I thought he was just perfect for me. Except that he was already taken. Years later, I heard this song, and it hit me--this is exactly what was going on back then--this man and I were on different tracks. We were always going to be in different life stages. And really--isn't that always the way? Your college boyfriend isn't ready to commit, so you end up with someone else; then he decides he wants you, but it's too late.

And musically, it's a great song. There's this suspension that really gets me where I live. I mean, people, this is TODD RUNDGREN we're talking about. Who's only--you realize this, don't you?--a fucking genius.

Now, maybe you'd like to know about the impact affect effect this song has on me. Have no fears. Everything worked out great. Mr. Buxom is a peach. He and I are happier than I ever thought it was possible to be.

On top of that, the guy I had such a crush on in the early 80s? Turned out to be a douchebag.

Who has been known to read this blog.

Heh heh heh.

Here's the button if you want to play.