Charli XCX - real name Charlotte Emma Aitchison
Over the weekend, you had The Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London and The Oscars at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. In case you were not aware of this, The Brit Awards are concerned with popular music. In a previous post, I wrote about Kendrick Lamar's "best song" award at this year's Grammys. The "best song" at The Brit Awards went to Charli XCX for "Guess" - featuring Billie Eilish.
Here are the opening lyrics of "Guess":-
You wanna guess the color of my underwear
You wanna know what I got going on down there
Is it pretty in pink or all see-through?
Is it showing off my brand new lower back tattoo?
You wanna put 'em in your mouth, pull 'em all down south
You wanna turn this shit out, that's what I'm talking about
Pu-pu-put 'em in your mouth, pull 'em all down south
You wanna turn this shit out, that's what I'm talking about
And here are Charli XCX and Billie Eilish performing this winning song on video.
The Oscars Ceremony was screened live on ITV over here in Great Britain. I didn't have the stamina to watch it all but I stayed up till 2am and saw half the show. The whole event appeared slick and well-choreographed.
I had to wait until this morning when I woke bleary-eyed and discovered that "Anora" was the big winner. It's not a film I have seen and I do not plan to make a special visit to the cinema to watch it. To tell you the truth, the theme does not appeal to me and the fact that the word "fuck" is used 479 times in this film is something that I find distinctly unappealing.
Admittedly, I belong to a generation of Britons that witnessed the condemnation of Alf Garnett's occasional use of "bloody" in the sixties sit-com "Till Death Us Do Part".
Warren Mitchell as Alf Garnett
How far we have come since then.
By the way, "Till Death Us Do Part" directly inspired the American TV sitcom, "All in the Family" with narrow-minded Archie Bunker to some extent mimicking the Alf Garnett role.
Finally, today sad news surfaced about the death at 73 of the Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. From humble origins on Scotland's east coast, he came late to Art but gradually developed his own style of painting and made a very good living from it. His exotic surname, Vettriano, was his mother's maiden name. He adopted it long before he became famous.
Below - "Uneasy Meeting" by Jack Vettriano:-
Impressed by the story told in that painting.
ReplyDeleteI watched Anora...was quite divisive in my grown family and we all thought the mature content was uncomfortable, but the last five minutes took it to another level (at least for me). I won't say much more so as to not spoil it but that last scene made me return to many other scenes just to examine my own perception of what was happening, and it left me wondering if the point was to challenge my "gaze" as well as challenge my comprehension of the film's genre. If none of this intrigues you, I don't recommend the film, but imo, it did require some admirable filmmaking skills (especially editing and screenplay) to achieve that.
On the strength of your comment I just might watch it when it comes round on Netflix or Amazon Plus.
DeleteI adore Billie Eilish! Oh, if only I were 40 years younger! She could roll down a mountain of my undies ANY DAY!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you have so many undies Debra? Have you got a personal hygiene issue?
DeleteCan't a girl be fastidious?
DeleteI passed on Charlie and Billie's song; I can't with them at all.
ReplyDeleteOpen your mind and your ears Bob!
DeleteI love Jack Vettrianos paintings. There is something timeless about them. Almost as if it's a time that has never been or will be. Sad he's died so young.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that thousands of ordinary people admire Jack Vettriano's work... though you of course are not "ordinary" Christina.
DeleteSince I do not follow either the Oscars nor the Brit Awards, I wouldn't know the first thing about "Guess" or "Anor". But such knowledge might come in handy when my team and I participate in the pub quiz again on March 18.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Jack Vettriano, but then what do I know about art. 73 seems relatively young. The painting has something Edward-Hopperish about it.
Good. I have given you two quiz answers. Also, the capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo.
DeleteI've never even heard of "Anora" and don't know anything about it except what you wrote here, it's not something I want to see with that many swear words. And a song about what you'd like to do with underwear is a winner?? What is the world coming to?
ReplyDeleteThe world is coming to self-destruction Elsie and it seems there's nothing we can do to stop it.
DeleteI've not heard of Jack Vettriano, but like his style,it's reminiscent of the 1920's.
ReplyDeleteI feel that your text below the photo of Warren Mitchell should actually read how low we have sunk. If that rubbish video is winning "entertainment" then I feel sorry for this and future generations.
I didn't make a judgement call on "Guess". After all, how could I possibly appreciate it as it is aimed at a much younger audience?
DeleteI very much like Vettriano's, quite old school.
ReplyDeleteHere, with microphones in their cars, Grand Prix drivers have been told they can face fines of $200,000 for swearing while driving. That seems absurd.
But equally absurd is the need for 474 uses of fuck in a film. A linguist was on the digital wireless radio to discuss the GP ban of swearing. Tests have been done and swearing can improve your performance in highly competitive sport but swearing only really works if you are not a regular swearer, which has always been my opinion. Save the swearing for really bad things. Then when you swear, it will have far more effect, on those who hear swearing from someone who is not known for swearing and a benefit to yourself.
The radio presenter went on to mention how she disliked constant swearing at comedy performances, and I was in full agreement with her. Save the swearing for when it will be most effective.
I had to Google Alf, as I remembered him on tv later in newer shows, and they did have a different name, but it was the same Alf ranting away. I remember he visited Melbourne, which must have been in the 1980s. I was always amused by him, being working class and an old age pensioner, ranting against the Labour Party and a supporter of the Tories.
I agree with you that the "f" word can carry useful weight when used at the right time but used all the time it becomes very tiresome.
DeleteThe video is provocative as it is meant to be, accept it and move on is my attitude. But I do like the artist Jack Vettriano though.
ReplyDeleteInfluenced by your grandchildren, I thought you might be a big Charli XCX fan Thelma.
DeleteI will stick to watching classic rock bands like Thin Lizzy and Kansas than watching the latest pop hits.
ReplyDeleteBe more like me Dave! Get with the times and shake your booty to "Guess"! You can even throw your Y-fronts on the pile!
Delete"Guess" isn't exactly Joni Mitchell, is it?!
ReplyDeleteNo. You recall Joni's songs sixty years after you first heard them. They have longevity but Charli XCX's songs are here today and gone tomorrow.
DeleteI must be getting old, I have no idea who most of the award winners are these days.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch award shows, ever! It's the long drawn out thank you speeches that turned me off years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like each generation has to do something to shock the previous generations. I remember how Elvis wasn't filmed below the waist as he gyrated when he danced. My folks absolutely hated the Beatles and their long hair! We giggled to find the "dirty" lyrics in the songs of the 60s.
ReplyDeleteWorse troubles in the world right now...
I guess the song would be fun to dance to, if I was twenty, but I'm not. Each season of life has it's own defining music, and I'm way past the guess what colour my underwear is season. Also interested in comfort now.
ReplyDeleteit's a funny thing.... every generation does and will do it, but at some point we all say..... all this modern music is shite! What has gone before shall come to pass.
ReplyDelete