Happy Birthday, Ricki Lee Jones

How come he don't come and p.i.p. with me
Down at the meter no more?
How come he turn off the t.v.
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call 'How come?' we say
What could make a boy behave this way?
He learn all of the lines, and every time he
don't suffer when he talk
And it's true! It's true! He sure has acquired a
cool and inspired sorta jazz when he walk
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
If this ain't healthy is it some kinda clean?

I think Chuck E's in love

I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something I gotta see Is he here?
Look in the poolhall Is he here?
Look in the drugstore Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more

I'll tell you what I saw him
He was sittin' us down at the Pantages
And whatever is that he got up his sleeve
I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name? Is that her there?
Christ, I think he's even combed his hair!
Is that her? What's her name?
Oh, it's never going to be same.
But that's not her
I know what's wrong--
Chuck E's in love with the little girl who's singing this song
Chuck E's in love with me
____

Ricki Lee Jones, Chuck E.'s in Love, 1979

Ricki Lee Jones turned 55 on Sunday, it's the 30th anniversary of her album, Ricki Lee Jones, and she's got has a brand new album out which dropped this week called Balm in Gilead. Rock on, Ricki!

Do It For Me

Enjoy Yourself, The Jacksons, 1979

Misery Date: Online, Blind and Simply Ridiculous Dating Stories!

Joe Jackson, Happy Lovin' Couples, 1979


The late, great Joe Jackson and I cordially you and the other half of your happy lovin' couple to my new show, Misery Date, at Ochi's Lounge which debuts Friday, May 29 at 7:30. Hope to see you there! PDA allowed but not encouraged. 

___

MISERY DATE: Online, Blind, and Simply Ridiculous Dating Stories - Are you single and frustrated? Perpetually the 3rd wheel? Sexless and the City? Anne Altman (Mortified, Two Can Anne) feels your pain because she's experienced the lion's share of terrible dates in this town: Cheap Guy, Gross Guy, Dumb Guy, Silent Guy, Militant Zionist Guy, "No Doubt About It" Guy (his favorite phrase), Creepy Vasectomy Guy, Nice Guy (never saw him again), Yoga Guy, Guy Who Smelled Like a Hamper, Yellow Rubber Bracelet Guy, and she could go on. Oh, and she will--misery loves company, so she's invited some similarly disenchanted folks to share their miserable stories for a cathartic evening of laughs, pity, a sliver of hope! All that plus some frosty beverages from the bar, what's not to love?
Hosted by Anne Altman.

Recession '09: Even My Trousers are Giving Me Pain

Low Budget, The Kinks, 9-23-79, Providence, RI

~
Cheap is small and not too steep
But best of all cheap is cheap
Circumstance has forced my hand
To be a cut price person in a low budget land
Times are hard but well all survive
I just got to learn to economize

Im on a low budget
Im on a low budget
Im not cheap, you understand
Im just a cut price person in a low budget land
Excuse my shoes they dont quite fit
Theyre a special offer and they hurt me a bit
Even my trousers are giving me pain
They were reduced in a sale so I shouldnt complain
They squeeze me so tight so I cant take no more
Theyre size 28 but I take 34

Im on a low budget
What did you say
Im on a low budget
I thought you said that

Im on a low budget
Im a cut price person in a low budget land

Im shopping at woolworth and low discount stores
Im dropping my standards so that I can buy more

[quality costs, but quality wastes,
So Im giving up all of my expensive tastes.
Caviar and champagne are definite nos,
Im acquiring a taste for brown ale and cod roes ]

Low budget sure keeps me on my toes
I count every penny and I watch where it goes
Were all on our uppers were all going skint
I used to smoke cigars but now I suck polo mints

Im on a low budget
What did you say
Yea Im on a low budget
I thought you said that
Im on a low budget
Im a cut price person in a low budget land
Im on a low budget
Low budget
Low budget

Art takes time, time is money
Moneys scarce and that aint funny
Millionaires are things of the past
Were in a low budget film where nothing can last
Moneys rare theres none to be found
So dont think Im tight if I dont buy a round

Im on a low budget
What did you say
Yes Im on a low budget
I thought you said that
Im on a low budget
Im a cut price person in a low budget land
Im on a low budget
Say it again
Low budget
One more time
Low budget

[i look like a tramp, but dont write me off,
Ill have you all know, I was once a tough
At least my hair is all mine, my teeth are my own,
But everything else is on permanent loan.
Once all my clothes were made by hand,
Now Im a cut price person in a low budget land.
Im on a low budget
Ill have you all know
Were on a low budget
Im on a low budget]

Look, You Don't Love This Because You're Gay

You love it because you're an a-hole. 

Now pull yourself together, sad sack! Quick! Now! Before your mother sees you! You're embarrassing! God! Such an a-hole. 

It's All Part of My Rock 'n Roll Fantasy, Yo.

Do yourselves a favor: Crank up the volume and dig yourselves a little Paul Rodgers.

1979! Kind of like '08.

Ahem.

Bad Company, Rock 'n Roll Fantasy

Sniff-n-the Tears, 1979

Where this song puts me (please note, the video is subtitled with incorrect lyrics, just go with and karaoke like you know you want to):

Back at a birthday party at Cheryl Yanofsky's house after she had moved to those condos near the mall. There was dancing. I remember Driver's Seat playing and Larry Kahn doing the "steering wheel." Sharon was there."Membah that, Sha?"