I feel compelled to offer some liner notes to "My Weekend With Britney," because I'm feeling a little guilty about one part of the song.
I wrote the song months ago, long before Ms. Spears' latest troubles. So please - Britney fans, don't slam me. I had no idea what was gonna happen. Seriously. Given the circumstances, I considered changing the lyrics at the last minute, but decided I should offer it up as it originally came to me.
Normally songwriters don't like to talk about the meanings of their own songs, because everybody interprets things differently. Besides, who am I to say what a song means?
But in this case, I will say only this: after listening to this song many times, I think I realized it's not really about Britney or anyone else.
(Now stepping off the trippy Kumbaya soapbox)
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the smartass comments. Click on "Comments" at the bottom of this post.
I wanna say thanks to my friend Jon Leslie, whose great sense of humor helped inspire this idea in the first place.
And finally, I'll post the lyrics soon. It's more fun if you just listen to the song without seeing the lyrics first...
2/20/08
Why I'm Feeling Guilty About Britney
My Weekend With Britney
My Weekend With Britney - Free Download
Words and Music ML (2008)
All Rights Reserved
Well I know I'm just a no one, and you are Britney Spears
But I saw you on the TV, and I think we share some fears
We've made mistakes that cost us, and now the road's unclear
I'm not a stalker Britney, I just have a good idea
I think the world's gone crazy, only you and I are sane
So Britney come with me this weekend, and let's just get away
You and I have much in common, I bet you didn't know
My life is full of song and dance, but I don't run the show
Well both of us, we fell from grace, crowds shook their heads in shame
Yours was a little bit bigger than mine but it's really just the same
We could come together, make the most of our short time
Then you'd go back to your circus life, and I'd go back to mine
Well I can drive you up the mountainside, we'll take pictures of the view
Nobody will follow us, they'll have better things to do
Than chase around two tired souls who've both seen better days
Who both need understanding, and a weekend getaway
So come with me to a quiet dinner at a diner in the hills
I will pull your chair out for you and yes, I'll pay the bill
We'll walk along the lakeshore, just like a movie scene
And talk about potential, and make up some new dream
Well Britney we all make mistakes, why don't you see it's true
So take my hand and for two days I'll make mistakes with you
Let's go for a real long drive and sing the whole way there
You'll love how I smile at you and I'll love
The wind in your hair
If they play Justin on the radio, I will quickly make a change
My ex-girlfriend loves Keith Urban, so if you hear him, you do the same
Together we'll make our playlist, our own escape soundtrack
This is my weekend with you Britney, and there's no turning back
If Fed-Ex somehow finds us, I won't let him spin you 'round
We'll show him our new dance moves, and I'll punch him in the mouth
It's just a weekend Britney, I would not ask you to stay
Two days and nights together and I think we'll be okay
"My Weekend With Britney"
Released Feb 20, 2008
Part of An Ocean Overhead
A free online album by the Michael Lloyd Band
More music at www.mlband.com
2/18/08
Join My Email List And Get Free Ice Cream
Ah, the free ice cream thing was a lie. But, if we ever meet in person, you can make me feel uncomfortable by demanding I make good on the promise.
Stick your email in the box, and whenever something new and delectable is posted here on mlband.com, you'll have it in your inbox. This includes free music, invaluable wisdom and things from the web to make you smile. You'll always have the option to cancel, and it will deeply offend me but I won't know you did it, so no sweat. Thank you, my friend.
Music Maps - Britney and Slayer
This week I'm releasing song #2 from my new online album, An Ocean Overhead. It's called "My Weekend With Britney." It'll be up on the site in a day or so.
Now, before you bust my chops for jumping on the Britney bandwagon, I wrote the song months ago. I didn't realize that she was going to go certifiably crazy and be on the cover of Rolling Stone again. But my song isn't mean - in fact I'm on her side. So, we'll see if I get lots of angry Britney fans on my case. I may never be able to go to a mall again.
Check this out - the Music Map web site lets you enter the name of an artist, then it creates a "cloud" of similar or related artists. You get to watch the cloud spread out across the screen. When it's done, the closer two artists are, the greater the probability people will like both artists.
Useful for getting some ideas for new artists to check out. I entered "Britney Spears," and was interested to note that her cloud included Slayer. Britney fans are hard core.
2/14/08
Theremin Valentine
Happy Valentines from a music geek.
Stumbled on this video performance / explanation of the Theremin, the electric instrument you play by waving your hands in the air. It was invented in the 1920s, but it's still amazing to watch today. Pamelia Kurstin, virtuoso of cuteness, makes it look easy to play an instrument literally out of thin air. Joined by a pianist named Makoto Ozone, which could possibly be the coolest name ever. I'd be a badass too if my name was Makoto Ozone.
And another favorite YouTube contribution, "Stop Motion Drums and Piano" made by a Norwegian dude who apparently cannot play either drums or piano. Hey Norwegian dude, play a cover of one of my songs!
Next week on www.mlband.com, I release song #2 from my free online album: "My Weekend With Britney." Yes, it is that Britney. I am feeling a little guilty about the song now, but I will explain later. In the meantime, subscribe to my podcast, or stick your email address in the "Get New Posts By Email" box on www.mlband.com.
-- Mike
2/11/08
Quicksand
Quicksand - Download
Words and Music ML
All Rights Reserved (2008)
The second act is where we open
And we find our hero broken
Mixed signals and confusion rule the day
Accepting the excuses
She is doing what she chooses
What good are second chances? Who's to say
Now he has got no traction
No good grip or fast reaction
To get the girl he needs to seize the day
In truth someone should free him
From his foolish carpe diem
She's not the one but he wants her anyway
If I stop moving I'll be sinking where I stand
Quicksand
Quicksand
Quicksand
There are some things I will never understand
Quicksand
Quicksand
Quicksand
Turning around and around and around...
-- From Michael Lloyd Band's free online album An Ocean Overhead.
For more visit www.mlband.com
New Online Album: "An Ocean Overhead"
I began releasing the new Michael Lloyd Band free online album this week. The album is called An Ocean Overhead, and you can download tracks from this page or subscribe to the podcast to get tracks automatically as they're posted. Or be old-school and join the email list.
I'm releasing songs individually, not the whole album at once. You can see what's coming up on the downloads page.
About The Album
The album title comes from a lyric in "Cascades," one of the songs. I searched to see if there was anything out there already called An Ocean Overhead, and found the following passage from an old book...
"As if to heighten the horror of a scene already too appalling, a peal of thunder rolled along, which made itself audible in despite of the tempest; and the rain, as if from an ocean overhead, poured down in solid masses. By this time, the wives and families of the men thus hastening to death, were assembled near the pier; but the waves, which were now dashing in tremendous force over it, prevented even the attempt to pass along, and such was the fearful uncertainty which hung around the vessel, that not one of those most interested dared to utter even an exclamation, but stood in silent horror to await the catastrophe. This was fast hastening to its completion; the silence of the spectators was at once broken, by the cries of, "She is lost, she is lost!" as the vessel, lashed on by the tempest, passed to the outer side of the breakwater, and in one instant, struck with awful violence between two black rugged rocks, while, in the next, a furious sea washing over her, carried away the masts."-- from "Passages in the Life of Francis Flagstaffe, Esq., Late Major in His Majesty's Service" (Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, 1828)
2/8/08
25 Great Piano Rock Artists
25 Great Piano Rock Artists
These artists and bands feature the piano or keyboards. Includes past and present, and some who are mainly known in other genres (jazz, r&b, soul, etc). Last but not least, a little shameless self-promotion. Contact me with suggestions for future lists. -- Mike
In no particular order...
2/7/08
It's Just Like A Mini-Mall
Next week I'm finally gonna get you the first of my new tunes, called "Quicksand." Make sure you're signed up on the RSS/podcast feed.
In the meantime, two videos to check out:
Bill Strickland's inspiring work (this is a 30-minute video, but worth it). From the site: "With subtle accompaniment by longtime friend Herbie Hancock, and a slide show that has opened the minds (and pocketbooks) of CEOs across the country, Bill Strickland tells a quiet and astonishing tale of redemption through arts, music and unlikely partnerships. (2002)
And Flea Market Montgomery, among the greatest locally-produced TV commercials of all time. Mesmerizing. I can't decide if I like this better than the classic Blu-Blockers sunglasses commercial. Leave a comment, tell me what you think.
2/1/08
My Friends Are Wack & I Will Share
Besides making some music and sharing it with you here, I will also be sharing links to all things ridiculous and/or sublime on the Internets. Added entertainment value.
The thing is, I have some seriously screwed up friends who send me things from the web all the time. For example, Zombo.com. Make sure your speakers are on.
Take a few minutes to bask in the glory of Zombo-com, and ponder its power.
Or this horrendously sexist classic coffee commercial:
Have fun out there, and send me good stuff if you stumble on anything.
