DOUBLE TAKE #3: WINE? GOOD.

After a long hiatus for this mini-feature, I had another epiphany. Two songs I like very much, with a swaggering (or perhaps merely drunkenly stumbling) confidence, a twinkle in the eye, and a feeling of true indulgence. The biggest thing, though, has to be the wine...


I'm put together beautifully, big wet bottle in my first, big wet rose in my teeth. I'm a perfect piece of ass, like every Californian, so tall I take over the street, with high beams shining up my back, wingspan unbelieveable. I'm a festival, a parade. And all the wine is all for me.

So summer stains a sky with inky swirls that bring the thunder low. But I don't mind, I'm doing things and doing them with you. And if you're smart you'll put that book back down; you'll drag me to the floor, drag me down for more drinking wine, drinking wine in the afternoon...

Both released by critically acclaimed indie bands with their fair share of rabid fans; both bands with fantastic male vocalists. For The National, this is a moment of fun in their usually contemplative mood, while Franz Ferdinand is no beginner to mischief. Both are great to brighten up an afternoon, and maybe tempt you to crack open a bottle yourself.

Congratulations guys, you've got twins.

The National - All the Wine (from Alligator, 2005)
Franz Ferdinand - Wine in the Afternoon (from Eleanor Put Your Boots On single, 2006)

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DOUBLE TAKE #2: THE DATING WILDERNESS

Another 'double take', this time following the theme of 'series of sleazy guys interrupting the search for Mr. Right'. A common theme for female singers, indeed, but there's a few similarities here.


I don't want a rich man, but I don't want a poor man either. I don't want a genius, but I don't want an idiot either! Is it too much to ask for somebody decent? Something that might last for longer than an evening?

Can't knock em out, can't walk away, try desperately to think of the politest way to say, "Just get out my face, just leave me alone, and no you can't have my number." "Why?" "Because I've lost my phone."

Released within a year of each other (2006 and 2007 respectively) by budding British pop chanteuses, each of these songs landed on their excellent debut albums. One artist was a staple in my LastFM Top 10 for a long time, and the other had multiple slots down on my Top 100 Songs of 2007 post. Both are cute, even if one ended up with much more media attention than the other.

Both songs deal with two specific annoying-guy incidents while hinting at more in the chorus, one's given up on finding anyone decent while the other is losing hope. Both even quote their guys extensively; one song is their conversations with the sleazes, and the other is mostly monologues from their 'dates from hell'.

Congratulations girl, you've got twins.

Lily Allen - Knock 'em Out (from Alright, Still, 2006)
Remi Nicole - Dates From Hell (from My Conscience and I, 2007)

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~

(Note: When comparing their debut albums, I begin to start thinking Nicole is the good twin to Allen's just plain mean twin. You've also got two songs preaching doing what feels right: Nicole's hopeful "Go With the Flow" and Allen's don't-listen-to-the-old-fogeys "Take What You Take"; and two kiss off songs about unsatisfactory boyfriends getting the boot: Nicole's reluctant goodbye, "Na Nighty", and Allen's vicious sendoff "Not Big". Just sayin', it's interesting.)

DOUBLE TAKE #1: PAYBACK'S A BITCH

Occasionally, two songs will focus on similar stories despite being individually fantastic. It's almost as if two artists tapped into the same vein of creativity to different, just-as-great, ends.


Congratulations, it's twins!

Don't you mess with a little girl's dream, 'cause she's liable to grow up mean.

Well you may be king for the moment, but I am a queen, understand? And I've got your pawns and your bishops and castles all inside the palm of my hand.

While you were licking your lips 'cause I was miserable, while you were selling your soul, while you were tearing a hole in me... I was taking control.

/

Turn your ugly face; oh you're so surprised to see me. Yeah I was your little childhood playground toy. And if I remember.... yeah if I do remember rightly, I said the tables will be turned around, boy.

Who's getting scared now? Tell me, how does it feel? It feels so good from where I'm standing...

So you're gonna stab me down now boy? Now you're gonna crush me down now boy? Well, somehow I don't think so.

Sound similar? Indeed, both of these songs deal with a woman, having formerly been attacked by a man, returning the favour tenfold and loving it. Both of these paeans to vengeance are vicious and empowering, and some of the more intense stuff from both artists. The first three lyric samples are from Poe's "Control", and the latter three from Imogen Heap's "Getting Scared".

Both songs are utterly delicious, and I'm proud to share them with you.

Poe - Control (from Haunted)
Imogen Heap - Getting Scared (from I Megaphone)

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