Trapped in Albuquerque
So, my good friend Mrs. Watermelons and her husband Canadian Steve Smith have started up a weblog called Trapped in Albuquerque. I recommend checking it out. I swear, Mrs. Watermelons and I think so much alike it's scary.
2008-08-30 15:01:03 UTC
Yé-yé Profile: Jeanette
Jeanette grew up in the US but moved to Barcelona with her mom when she was 12 in the early 1960s after her parents divorced. She learned Spanish and guitar and started writing music inspired by American folk rock. She's got a soft, delicate voice that always sounds sad and she almost never smiles in photographs. Also, she totally looks like that actress from Y Tu Mamá También and Pan's Labyrinth, whose name it turns out is Maribel Verdú.
Why are you so sad Jeanette?
So, I've compiled a bunch of videos to check out. It's not much of a dance party. It's more like a sway-and-cry party.
- Cállate Niña (1967)
- Soy Rebelde (1971)
- ¿Por Qué Te Vas? (1974)
- El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes (1982)
- Corazón de Poeta (1981)
This is Jeanette with her first band, Pic-Nic. They broke up toward the end of the 60s. She's so little! And she certainly knows how to rock a polyester pantsuit.
This was her first hit. Apparently, she didn't really even like it because it wasn't folk. But the success of the song catalyzed her "transformation [from] Jeanette Dimech, tomboy and unwilling front woman, to just Jeanette, the Spanish voice of romance."
This is my absolute favorite. I could listen to this song over and over again. It's beautiful. It was also her biggest hit and has been covered in many different languages, including French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, and Russian.
Another sad song and another awesome 70s dress.
This is a 1996 performance. She still sounds like she's about 15 years old.
Isn't she great?
Jeanette doesn't smile. Jeanette doesn't need to smile.
There's also a blog dedicated to her called ¿Qué le han hecho a mi canción, mamá?
2008-08-29 10:28:32 UTC
France Gall Dance Party
I plan on profiling some other yé-yé singers in the near future, but I think we should get to know France Gall a little better with a good ol' dance party. Let the dancing begin!
- Cet Air-lÃ
- Bebe Requin
- Ne Sois Pas Si Bete
- Ca Me Fait Rire
- Laisse Tomber Les Filles
This video features some spectacular frenetic dancing. Watch and learn.
This one is all about the sexy dancing boys. They're delicious bonbons for the eyes. Am I right, ladies? I wish I had a trio of French bonbon boys to follow me around. I'd toss them bits of croissant when I was feeling generous.
This is just a fantastic song. I love the horn section. It reminds me of the circus, but I'm not sure why.
For some reason, France is standing in a tree in this video. I love how the ladies on the park bench are so delighted to see her up there. "Oh, look! It's that adorable little France Gall up in the tree! How charming!" I call this "the creepy laughing song" because its lyrics are punctuated with girlish giggles that reach a disturbing crescendo at the end.
France sings this song in front of a classroom. The boy in the class starts spastically kissing his three female classmates and then they all skip off together. France waves goodbye to them as they ride off in a convertible. Serge Gainsbourg wrote it so I think we can assume they're on their way to an orgy.
**Bonus Slow Dance: Le Premier Chagrin D'amour
2008-08-27 14:25:59 UTC
Poop Through a Hoop
2008-08-24 01:04:10 UTC
My E.T. Tribute Shoes
I may actually have to buy these Keds that I customized here:
Notice the Reese's Pieces along the toe. I thought that was a nice touch.
I love you, E.T.!
2008-08-22 22:06:53 UTC