Muse by Craig Ranapia

YouTube Could Drive A Person Crazy

MUSE readers might be aware that something's happening on Saturday and as a public service (in accordance with Friday tradition) here's some You Tube tunes if you're suffering from politics fatigue.

Of course, you may think there's some oblique commentary going on, but I couldn't possibly comment. (And just to make sure nobody does on Election Day in possible breech of election law, I won't turn the comments on until Sunday morning.)

If your default setting for politics is "grim, bitter cynicism" what better place to start than Stephen Sondheim's Company - a grim, bitterly cynical look at another fine institution? Marriage.  Here's two clips from John Doyle's minimalist 2006 Broadway revival.  

'The Little Things You Do Together' (Barbara Walsh & company)

 

'You Could Drive A Person Crazy' (Raul Esperanza, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Angel Desai and Elizabeth Stanley)

 

'Pocket Calculator' (Brent Amaker & The Rodeo)  If you've given up trying to make sense of anyone's sums a country-fried Kraftwerk cover can't do any harm. Right?

 

'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind [Live]' (Neil Hannon)  "...forgive our foolish ways"?  Someone has to say it. 

 

'Walls Come Tumbling Down!' (The Style Council) Paul Weller and chums go to Warsaw, and a music video takes on an added layer of irony with hindsight. Last heard this call to arms playing over the PA at a mall while Christmas shopping. Draw your own conclusions.

 

'1999' (Prince and The Revolution) Party over, out of time?  Then girl-on-girl frottage behind the keyboards like it's 1999. (Hey, it was the 80's - it seemed like a good idea at the time.)

 

'Jesus bleibet meine Freude' (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring)' (J.S. Bach, arranged and performed by Dame Myra Hess) Just because it's heartbreakingly fraking beautiful.