Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Thnks fr th Mmrs
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Album: Infinity on High

So many reasons for this so we'll jump right in.

First and foremost - this is my shout out to The Blockbuster Posse.

I worked my last shift last night and all I can say to E, Smash, Kim, Lo, Jen, Cal, D, Tone and The Newbies is thanks for the memories. Even though I bitch about the place incessantly, it's never been about the people, because the people are top shelf.

Now I have to go to London and teach a whole new crew of people about the "What the Hell Happened To..." Game, the Direct to DVD Hall of Fame and what the definition of gangsterdom is.

Moving on...

I love Fall Out Boy and I could care less what you think about that.

Call them emo, call them pop punk, call them sell outs... whatever. They're dope, plain and simple. Yeah, I said dope.

Been down with the boys from Illinois since before the mainstream. Ask my old roommate Beast; I used to use Fall Out Boy lyrics and titles as my MSN name when we lived to together and he, like everyone else, thought I was totally insane... until "Sugar, We're Going Down" blew up and the light went on.

As for this song itself, there is a lot to like.

Pulling all the vowels from the title is awesome and has a two-fold intention. First, it's a nod to text messaging culture where ever word in the English language is shortened to the bare minimum. While I think texting is contributing to the dumbing down of our society as a whole, it's a great marketing idea and I can appreciate that. Cash rules everything around me... (someone please finish the lyric)

The second bit of awesomeness with the title is that it's a "Here, is this better?" to FOB's record label which has always complained about the long-winded titles of their songs. While I have to agree that "Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued" is a bit much, it could be worse. They could have pulled a Fiona Apple and named their album... wait for it...

When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You'll Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You Know That You're Right.

As far as the actual song goes, the first thing that caught my ear was the great orchestral inclusions at the beginning. I don't know why but any song where orchestral music wouldn't normally be sounds really cool with an orchestral ensemble in it. Find the Orchestral Live Version of "Drive" by Incubus and tell me I'm wrong...

The second thing that hit me were, as per usual, the lyrics.

I've been the guy sitting down penning the letters or, more appropriately for this song, the text messages that fit with Pete Wentz' words:

And I want these words to make things right
But it's for wrongs that make the words come to life
Who does he think he is?
If that's the worst you got, better put your fingers back to the keys

Now there is one line that has been puzzling to many, myself included initially, from the time the album was released. It's the last line of the chorus, which goes as follows:

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you only sweeter

The "He tastes like you only sweeter" is an reference to a line from the Mike Nicholls film Closer (available at Blockbuster Video...) and is meant to be a verbal dagger to a scorned lover. She's telling him about the sex with other guy... not he's having sex with the guy too as some have thought.

I just realized that this is the longest Soundtrack I've dropped in some time, by far, so I'm going to wrap it up.

I dig this band - and their friends Gym Class Heros (One Day at a Time, Trav....) - and I dig this song.

Give them a shot and give it a listen and you will too.