Oh, my laws. I knew it was going to happen. There was nothing to do but put on a smile, and act pleased. But I tell you, it was tough. I wanted to wince, chuckle, laugh out loud, and cry at the same time.
Practicing for a wedding tonight. Sight reading a bunch of music we were. Pulled out Lennon-McCartney For Strings, Jane did. "Isn't this great? It's your favorite!" Paul proclaimed. "Here we go," Brittany thought.
I'm telling you, there are tons of terrible Beatles arrangements and remakes (my favorites thus far being Ticket to Ride by the Carpenters, and In My Life by Bette Midler), but the worst are with strings. When I say strings, I mean violins, mostly. Come to think of it, jazz choirs aren't so good either. But anyways, it's bad. I had to ask which song they were playing when they played Penny Lane. It was that unrecognizable. I actually own a string quartet plays the Beatles CD , or something along those lines. I accepted the gift politely. I couldn't wait to listen to it. Not because I expected something cool, but something disgustingly entertaining, rather. And it is.
In conclusion, I've uncovered the worst yet. It makes for an excellent (but true) riddle. What do you hear when strings play Norwegian Wood?
14 comments:
I give up. What do you hear?
Oh my, oh my, I couldn't agree with you more. Beatles covers almost always make me want to run and hide. Off the top of my head, I can only think of giving props to two covers. Joe Cocker's version of "With a Little Help From my Friends" works pretty well as the theme song for "Wonder Years." I'm OK with it. And there is this one just-so-souful version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" sung by Al Green that has a whole different sound from the original and gets me grinning. I can dig it.
String Quartets need to put down the bows and back away slowly.
You don't know me, but I'm with Melissa. Beatles remakes=pure horror. And yes, the Joe Cocker remake is the only one I really like. Good old Wonder Years!
I'll vouch for Amber. (Brittany does know you, by the way, because I talk about you all the time) Hmmm, now I'm contemplating how I can get my hands on the ol' Wonder Years episodes. Then again, what if they're not as good as I remember? That's been happening a lot recently with old shows I've been checking out at the library.
But the Beatles? Yeah, some things never change.
What do you hear when a string quartet plays Norwegian Wood? A waltz. That's right, your good old-fashioned one,two, three, one,two,three, eighteenth-century style waltz. Try to imagine it, if you dare.
Amber-
You probably won't see this, but you were the first of Melissa's friends I became familiar with. Almost three years ago, she gave me a ride for the first time, and she said that she was going to go running with you when she got home. I was going to say that you called her a few minutes later, but now that I think about it, I don't think she had her phone then. So she must have called you with Sis. Campbell's to say that she would be a bit late. I'm sorry for causing that delay. Thanks for the comment.
Melissa-
What's Wonder Years?
That is hilarious. You have such fantastic ideas for your awesome blog! Hope life is treating you well, man. Life ain't so over here. Some people are using our yard for their reception, so I have to hide in dark corners to evade "relief society talk"...in order to get outta here, I'm going to stag sr. ball, and have a ball, then crass the ball! :) Talk to you later, man.
Whoops, a major typo! I meant, "crash the ball"...not "crass the ball!" what does "crass" mean anyway? I'll look it up..."So crude and unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility." Whoops.
Melissa and I used to be great running buddies. We were so hard core back then. (Melissa of course is still hard core, running marathons and such. Sheesh, I've really let my running go)
Right now, I'm imagining Norweigan Wood as a waltz. Whoa, crazy.
Wonder Years
Enjoy
I should mention that the character of Paul Pfeiffer is a decided highlight.
I'm glad that you sent me that link. Today in history Boberg showed a quick slideshow of the 80s, and in the tv section a picture of the cast came up, but no one knew what it was. Now I know.
Brittany,
Your insults concerning string arrangements offends me deeply. Although the shrieking of the violins render the melody unrecognizable, I find each verion very soothing. The dull harmony makes me want to sing out loud. In my mind I privately refer to them as soul food, or music to live by. So in the future, be careful what you say about other people's musical loves.
Anonymous,
Musical loves? Psh. You don't enjoy string arrangements any more then I do. Your comment comes as a shock to me. I didn't expect you to become offended, even though you are a violinist. Hopefully, lending you the album I refered to will change your mind. Let me know what you think. Did you cry, laugh, or vomit?
If anyone has a right to not like remakes of Beatles music, I think I do. Don't get me wrong, I love the song that bears my name. But I don't appreciate creepy people giving me their own rendition upon first meeting me.
Laugh, cry,or vomit? I did all at once with my mouth closed and my eyes shut. I was kidding about the string arrangements, don't you know? I'd never heard them before, and now I am convinced there is not anything quite so hideous. I think it was after Hey Jude that I sank unto the ground and moaned... I was physically ill from the hideousness of it all. Speaking of which, I must return that CD to you because I am sure you are feeling the pain of its absence.
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