TO ALL THOSE CRITICS WHO ARE ALWAYS SAYING THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH INNOVATIVE NEW TV SHOWS

We retort: Boy, are you correct.

(Thanks to Jeff Meyerson)

Comments

[Graz]

Instead of the psychodelicly painted bus will they be driving psychodelicly painted Rascal scooters?

[Lee (490 and counting ;-)]

NoooOooooooooOOoooooOOooooOoooooOoooo!

[Punky Brewster]

Hello, world, here the song that we're singin'
C'mon get happy!
A whole lot of lovin' is what we'll be bringin'
We'll make you happy!

We had a dream, we'd go travelin' together,
We'd spread a little lovin' then we'd keep movin' on.
Somethin' always happens whenever we're together
We get a happy feelin' when we're singing a song.

Trav'lin' along there's a song that we're singin'
C'mon get happy!
A Whole lot of lovin' is what we'll be bringin'
We'll make you happy!
We'll make you happy!
We'll make you happy!

[eadn]

Thanks Dave! Nice to have the partridges back safe in their pear tree! ;-)

Graz, ya do have a point. Can David Cassidy still be the same after all them years? I think NOT!

Anyways, I've found I can't even watch old classic Star Trek anymore, because times, they've so a-changed! (the Tribble one still cracks me up though :-)

[Pattie]

I used to think David Cassisdy was incredibly HOT! I bet Punky Brewster did too. But that little brother with the freckles was really annoying.

[Graz]

You mean Danny Bonaducci, Patti. He had many issues with drugs and the law, and is now a radio personality.

Punky, thanks, now I can't get that song out of my head.

[Punky Brewster]

David Cassidy was dreamy!

[Pattie]

I wonder if his radio personality is annoying, or if the drugs and legal problems straightened him out. C'mon get happy!!!

[Graz]

Nope, he's still annoying.

Susan Day was better in my opinion.

And Shirley Jones was pretty hot at that time, also. The rumor in the tabloids was that she showed David some things about ....ummm....bus driving.

[Lee (490 and counting ;-)]

Wasn't he in that stupid Celebrity Boxing thing? I think Greg from the Brady Bunch beat him up.

[Pattie]

Shirley Jones was his mother! You're thinking of Florence Henderson and Greg. A whole lotta loving is what we'll be bringing... that song ARGHH

[Jessica]

Never watched it as a kid;don't see any reason to start now.

[Pattie]

Davy Jones from the Monkees was also really cute too. I used to listen to their albums with my plastic Hi-Fi speakers next to my ears while I read about him in Tiger Beat. Regarding Susan Dey, I have a paperback book "written" by her way back when. It's a book about beauty tips and how to get a guy. One of the tips is not to wear too much make-up. Susan said that David prefers girls who look natural. Well Punky, I guess we better get out the Noxema skin cream..

[Jessica]

I loved Davy Jones and Peter Tork, too.

[Graz]

Florence Henderson was Greg's mother too.

Somethin' always happens when were together.

*banging head on monitor to stop that infernal song*

[Pattie]

Remember Michael Nesbiths stocking caps?

[Punky Brewster]

Graz. Go with it. Don't fit the groove, man.

We'll make you happy!

We'll make you happy!

We'll make you happy!

[Punky Brewster]

FIGHT, not fit!

damn not having EDIT on this thing!

Happy thoughts ...

We'll make you happy!

We'll make you happy!

[Pattie]

But Shirley was David's real-life mom, in addition to being his T.V. mom.

[Graz]

Punky, I much prefer the song, " I think I love you" if it's death by David Cassidy teen scream music.

Does anyone remember Shaun Cassidy, David's brother that made it big for a bit with Da Do Ron Ron?

[Graz]

Step-mom if I remember correctly , Pattie.

But I may be confusing Greg and David with the TV mom thing.

I think I love you, come on get happy.
So what am I so afraid of, a whole lotta.....aarrrggggghhhh

[Gregg]

Would you believe I still have my vinyl copy of the Partridge Family Christmas Album?

It's actually not a bad Christmas album at all. I mean heck, it sure beats Mariah Carey's by a looooooong shot.

[Pattie]

New Monkees? What New Monkees?

[Punky Brewster]

*Sits on Graz's lap and begins to sing*

ba ba ba ba ba ba ab ba ba ba ba ba ba ba....
I'm sleeping
and right in the middle of a good dream,
and all at once I wake up
from something that keeps knocking at my brain
before i go insane i hold my pillow to my head
and spring up in my bed screaming out the words i dread:

i think i love you! (i think i love you)

this morning
i woke up with this feeling
i didnt know how to deal with
and so i just decided to myself
i'd hide it to myself
and never talk about it
and then i go and shout it when you walk into the room:

i think i love you! ( i think i love you)

well, i think i love you, so what am i so afraid of?
im afraid that im not sure of
a love there is no cure for.
well i think i love you - isnt that what life was made of?
though it worries me to say, that i've never felt this way...

ooo.....

I dont what im up against,
I dont know what it's all about,
i got so much to
think about...
hhhhheeeeeeyyyyyyy.....

i think i love you, so what am i so afraid of?
im afraid that im not sure of
a love there is no cure for.
Well i think i love you - isn't that what life was made of?
though it worries me to say, i've never felt this way.

believe me, you really dont have to worry.
i only want to make you happy
and if you say, "hey go away" i will,
but i think better still i'd better stay around and love you
do you think i have a case? let me ask you to your face:

do you think you love me?

well i think i love you........(repeat till end)

[Pattie]

Might be time to Take the Last Train to Clarksville.If David was messing around with his stepmom, I'll lose all respect for him. I would never be able to go out with a boy I didn't respect, unless he had a really hot car.

[Gregg]

Pattie, click on the "New Monkees" link in my last post about them. Read all about that wonderful band and show....

[Graz]

I'll never think of that song in the same way now, Punky.

*humming the melody now with a vacent look, and grinning like a dope*

[Pattie]

Well Gregg,after reading about the New Monkees, It's easy to see how they slipped by me. Although if I remember, the REAL Monkees had some hopelessly lame story line. Besides being occasionally employed muscians, didn't they also have a side business like entertaining at kids birthday parties or something?

[Gregg]

I never heard that. After their first hit, they were bona fide stars, and they weren't just occasionally employed musicians, they were full-time stars (although truth be told, for the first few albums, a lot of session players were brought in, and the Monkees hardly played their instruments).

That changed later on, when the Monkees were able to wrest creative control from the producers. Despite being a manufactured group and having been in some decidedly silly TV episodes, they made some pretty impressive music. With the exception of "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the songs from my two fave albums (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd. and Head, are never heard on oldies radio. Granted, it's not Sgt. Pepper level stuff, but it's pretty adventurous, experimental and complex. Even baroque at times. Not the usual words you'd hear associated to the same guys who sang "hey hey, we're the Monkees."

[Gregg]

Argh, I messed up the italics after the album title Head.

[Pattie]

I was refering to the storyline of the T.V. show! But who knows, it could have happened! Michael N. was known as the "serious" Monkee. It seems he continued to explore new venues. Didn't he produce or write Repo Man?

[Pattie]

Alex, your mom sounds really cool.

[Lee (490 and counting ;-)]

Ok, here's weird fact. All the monkee's were listed as writing a Monkee's movie called head. Also listed was the Jack Nicholson. Someone named Alex Cox wrote Repo man.

I always like "Hey, Hey we're the Monkees!" And I've even played I'm A Believer on guitar and in a band. I've even been known to sing it in karaoke. But I do the Smashmouth version from Shrek.

[Gregg]

Smashmouth ruined it, in my opinion.

Yeah, those songs are fun. I also like their version of "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" (another Neil Diamond song -- YES, he did write some good songs early on in his career before the schlock set in).

[Anji]

My mom would love you guys.

Wait until I tell her the news. The only thing that could possibly make this better would be if the Monkees reunited to make a new sitcom, and Barry Manilow guest-starred on the crossover between The New Monkees and The New Partridge Family.

[Pattie]

Alex, they have a good beat and are easy to dance to, I give the early cheese an '8'.

[Jennifer]

lee, for the love of.. what are you counting?

[MeL]

1. WHY? Who's idea was this, so I know who to shoot?

2. The Monkees are frickin awesome!!

[Lee (490 and counting ;-)]

Funny you should mention love. ;-) That's my score from the how kinky are you test punky posted. I'm trying to catch up to Graz's 570, or at least punky's 505! Not much chance, since I hang out here so often!

[Jeff Meyerson]

Gee, I didn't expect to start such a nostalgia-fest by sending this one in. My wife's friend recently saw David Cassidy at Mohegan Sun and said it was scary: he still had these groupies (now way past prime groupie age) throwing their panties at him on stage.

Shirley Jones was indeed his step-mom in life and mom on TV. Florence Henderson did indeed "date" the guy who played her step-son Greg (Barry Williams) once, but only he took it seriously as a real date.

It's scary how I know this stuff since I never watched either one of those shows.

[Jeff Meyerson]

Gregg, and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" was one of about 3 gazillion songs written by Carole King.

[jabba]

Okay, could hardly care less about most of this, but seem to have missed the "how kinky are you" test. Somebody throw in a link!

[Liz]

Pattie, yes Michael Nesmith did produce Repo Man (and a number of other not-very-famous films).
And the Monkees kick butt. And so does the Partridge Family.
I'm one of the lamest 20-year-olds to walk this planet. :-p

[elfbrains]

No, the lamest 20 yr olds would be the ones who listen to all the c*rap that does nothing more than glorify hate and abuse.

Although, if you are one of the aforementioned David Cassidy groupies, you might run a close second.

[Gregg]

Yep Jeff, and "Star Collector" was another one from the same album. One thing about the Monkees was that they had good material. Even some of their self-penned stuff was good. I like the rapid-fire insanity of "Goin' Down," for instance. "Circle Sky" is also good.

[Gregg]

Hear, Hear, Elf!

So many "artists" these days seem to fall into these traps:

1. Pessimism is more "realistic" than optimism.
2. Sorrow is an ennobling trait, and art that expresses sorrow should be raised up on a higher pedestal than art which expresses joy. It's a work to be taken more "seriously" than that which expresses positivity.
3. Alienation is a necessary "mental garment" of any serious poet or artist. It is what "sets him apart."
4. Life is all about anger and rage and heartbreak, so these songs are just "keeping it real."
5. Artists that express positive, happy sentiments are said to be "unabashedly" this way. As if they are really supposed to feel shame and embarrassment for being that way. That's what "abashed" means.

Nothing can be further from the truth. All of the above are limiting beliefs. They are not challenging or artistic or even true. Life is what you make of it. Positive thought is always more valuable than negative thought. Alienation is not a badge of honor; it is a deficiency. Anger and rage never ultimately solves anything. Optimism is just as realistic, if not more so, than pessimism.

So many of the artists of today need to realize that their belief systems are in actuality all limiting ones, and they need to change their belief structures.

Hmm, was that too deep for this blog? :-)

[jabba]

Dammit, can't get there from work. I hate websense!

Have to try it later. Thanks!

[Lily]

I wholeheartedly agree with elfbrains and Gregg.

The who would rather listen to The Monkees or The Partridge Family type songs are much better adjusted than those who would rather listen to what passes for music now. There is nothing wrong with having a happy attitude.

And I'm not just saying that because I think David Cassidy and Davy Jones were way hotter at twenty than that pathetic excuse for a musician, and all-around great guy, Justin Timberlake:)

[Lily]

*The PEOPLE who*

aaaagggghhhhh typo

[eadn]

Gregg, Actually I think your last comment was very well said. I appreciate your thoughts.

Personally, I like to think of it as a range of both light and darkness. After all one can be blinded by an excess of light as well as an excess of darkness. Sometimes extremity is necessary to counter extremity, but for the most part, life is a dynamic balance for clear vision, understanding, and response.

Just adding to your depth and skipping my life history with perhaps a rather murky analogy ;-)

[pignose]

The Monkees' "Head" was a very strange film, made after the TV show had already been cancelled, the band was sick of its teenybopper image, and everyone involved seems to be drenched in LSD. Frank Zappa has a cameo (well, HE never approved of drugs despite his counterculture icon status) as does pre-fame Teri Garr. It's only marginally more professional than Magical Mystery Tour, which was made under similar lysergic conditions, I understand.

One piece of music from that film, The Porpoise Song, in my opinion approaches Sgt. Pepper status, even though it is a conscious knockoff down to the Rickenbacker bass and Lennonesqe slap-back echo on the vocal. It's used a couple times in the film as sort of a theme.

[steve]

"A man's just about as happy as he makes up his mind to be." Abe Lincoln. I think.

Anyway, a few of us like to bounce thru life as Tigger, while the majority trudge thru like Eeyore. The fun is to infect an Eeyore with some enthusiasm for a few minutes and then watch them deflate into their usual "realistic" disposition. It's a hoot.

[Jeff Meyerson]

I happen to love REPO MAN, the quintessential Harry Dean Stanton movie.

Emilio E.: "This is intense."
Harry DS: "Repo Man is always intense."

[Gregg]

I agree, eadn. I'm not saying that everything has to be on the level of "Come On, Get Happy!" as that would get pretty sickening after a while. And yes, both light and darkness are part of the human experience. The key is to appreciate the light, and learn from the darkness. The Earth is a school. Life is the lesson. Don't just self-wallow and whine about your misfortunes and about life and society in general. That accomplishes nothing other than to perpetuate the negativity.

I get disgusted at all of these so-called artists that do nothing more than sing about how messed up their lives are (yeah, must really suck to be a rock star, eh?), as if they are supposed to be the center of the universe and any misfortunes they have are of utmost importance (which, if they were to analyze them, are largely self-inflicted misfortunes anyway).

I mean, do some volunteer work. Take a walk in the park. Look at the clouds in the sky. Study a tree or flower or fish or bird. Get involved in society. Do ANYTHING but whine whine whine about your oh-so-pathetic life. You know what? After 9/11 and Iraq, I don't really fricking CARE if you're going to kill yourself because you're so miserable after your girlfriend left you.

[Gregg]

Yeah, pignose, Head was a pretty bizarre film (although I like the soundtrack), and guess what? Continuing Jeff's theme, "The Porpoise Song" is another Goffin/King creation. Was that team great or what?

[elfbrains]

Loved "The Porpoise Song," as well as many others - D.W. Washburn, Randy Scouse Git, etc.

And my own studies show that anyone regularly exposed (get your thoughts out of there) to Bangi_gurl is going to be happy most of the time.

[eadn]

Gregg! Again Well Said! :-) You do get to the heart of the matter!

[evil little pixie]

Excellent points, Gregg. You know why kids don't like reading, and why Harry Potter is such a hit? Because the only books they make you read in (elementary) school are the depressing ones about racism or Nazi Germany or slavery or kids who have their hopes and dreams trashed or loose their limbs or their whole families in freak accidents. Beverly Cleary wrote dozens of wonderful kids' books, and the only one that won a Newberry Medal was _Dear Mr. Henshaw_, which was about a kid from a broken home on the edge of poverty who was picked on at school and whose father ignored him. Then you get to middle and high school, and they bring out the classics like _1984_ and _Of Mice and Men_ and _The Return of the Native_, plus more Holocaust and slavery. No wonder kids aren't inspired by school!

[elfbrains]

Oh, and btw, well said, Gregg and e.l.p.

And kids are inspired in some classes, that's why some teachers have students lining up to get in their classes - because we believe that the world is what we make of it and we want to make it fun. Unfortunately, this is the minority - but we're working on it!

[Lee]

Gregg, eadn, efbrains, evil little pixie and all. Good posts! How very odd for this blog to tackle a serious issue! Since we’re being out of character here, I’ll join in as if I actually had character. Sorry for the long post!

I think there are other aspects to the subject that haven’t been discussed. Art is a strange area and is perceived differently by many people. But I think all art has one thing in common, especially music, and that is that it creates a ‘shared experience.’ An artist may create something that expresses some aspect of their experience, but if it’s not something that many other people can relate too, then it’s bound for obscurity. If it’s not shared, then it may as well not exist. The more true someone experiencing the art perceives that art to be, then the more they tend to ‘like’ that art. Of course, everyone has stylistic differences; no matter the message, sculpture just doesn’t do anything for me (and very little Country & Western appeals!)

Probably the two strongest themes that have universal appeal are love (lightness) and pain (darkness.) If you think about most what is considered great literature or music, most it was about either love or pain, and many times both. Some would even argue that one could not exist without the other. Those feelings are about as basic human as you can get. Some of the best messages I’ve ever gotten were via some form of darker music.

To get a little personal about it, I’m currently in the late stages of a divorce (don’t say sorry, it’s for the best!) Initially, it was pretty painful and confusing. Certain songs appealed to me very strongly during the time:

Maroon 5’s “This Love” is a darker song about a relationship ending, but I related to the situation of a man having to leave a situation that had become intolerable, despite his feelings. It helped to affirm for me that my experience was not atypical; that I wasn’t alone. Of course I already knew this, but the music worked on a more basic emotional level.

No Doubts remake of “It’s My Life,” is pretty dark if you watch the video, but the song itself is more of a strong self-affirmation. It says you have a right to your own life, and no one should forget that.

Even Britney Spear’s “Toxic,” helped with some of my anger. You can figure out why, yourself! ;-)

There were others, but you get the idea. On the opposite side of the coin, a number of upbeat songs appeal to me as well. Things like Santana’s “Smooth,” Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” even Black Eyed Peas “Hey Moma!” (I have no idea what it means, but it sounds fun.) These songs helped nurture the more positive feelings.

To paraphrase Spider Robinson; shared pain is lessened and shared happiness is increased. Which is why songs of both nature are useful. Of course, many artists take it too far, but that’s often the nature of the beast. Trying to be different or just trying to get noticed, if only for shock value. And I certainly can’t advocate songs that promote violence or hatred.

Please don’t take any of this as disagreement with many of the things you guys have said. I think the key to having a great life is a positive attitude and I maintain a very positive, upbeat attitude. I can usually find the humor in just about any situation. But sh*t happens and sometimes you just have to deal with it. And, for me, music is often very helpful.

Lee
/serious mode

Oh my! Did I just admit to liking Britney Spears?

[eadn]

It's OK Lee, at least you found a positive note for Britney Spears ;-) Thanks for your comment and Best Wishes for your sea-change!

[Lee]

Thanks eadn! Getting the ship turned around was the hard part. Now I just have to ride out the storm.

And thanks, alex! I'm afraid I like the new Britney way too much. Sadly she's way to young for me. And too rich. Toxic video ROCKS! (Among other things.)

[Punky Brewster]

Music has always been a constant in my life. It has gotten me through the hard times and made the good times that much better ... you seldom find me anywhere without music playing within ear shot ... Although I don't love all kinds of music (country and rap)... I do think that all music has its place ... and if music makes life easier for someone, regardless of the genre, then all the power to them .... I'm all about letting people be happy. Just don't put on Billy Ray Cyrus when I'm in the car and we'll get along just fine. :)

$.02

[Punky Brewster]

Oh and Lee ... good for you for moving on and refusing to settle for anything less than everything you deserve in your life!

Here's to happier times.

*hands Lee a shot*

[Lee]

*gulp*

Thanks, Punky! Life may be short, but it doesn't have to be Brutish and Nasty.

And the happier times are here already! I've laughed and smiled more in the last six months that in the four years before that. And I've got more friends now than I had the 10 years that relationship went on. And yes, I'm counting all you guys here as friends, too! Life's good and when you see me these days, I usually have a huge smile plaster on my face. So I'm either doing real good or I'm a blithering idiot. Maybe both!

*Here's a round of shots on me! Drink up, buds!*

[Lee]

I've got to learn to proof read before I post! Or stop proof reading afterwards.

[Gregg]

And on the subject of Billy Ray Cyrus, I just have to invoke the immortal words of Weird Al:

You can torture me
With Donnie and Marie
You can play some Barry Manilow
Or you can play some shlock
Like New Kids on the Block
Or any Village People song you know

Or play Vanilla Ice
Hey, you can play him twice
And you can play the Bee Gees any day
But Mr. DJ please
I'm beggin' on my knees
I just can't take no more of Billy Ray

Don't play that song
That Achy Breaky song
The most annoying song I know
And if you play that song
That Achy Breaky song
I might blow up my radio (oooh)

You can clear the room
By playing Debbie Boone
Or crank your Abba records until dawn
Oh, I could even hear
Slim Whitman or Zamphir
Don't mind a Yoko Ono marathon

Or play some Tiffany
On 8-track or CD
Or scrape your fingernails across the board
Or tie me to a chair
And kick me down the stairs
Just please don't play that stupid song no more

Don't play that song
That Achy Breaky song
You know I hate that song a bunch
And if you play that song
That nauseating song
It might just make me lose my lunch (oooh)

Don't play that song
That Achy Breaky song
I think it's driving me insane
Oh, please don't play that song
That irritating song
I'd rather have a pitchfork in my brain

Don't play that song
That Achy Breaky song
The most annoying song I know
And if you play that song
That Achy Breaky song
I might blow up my radio (oooh)

[Lily]

I agree that sad music has it's purpose.

However,there is a difference to moping around to *Rainy days and Mondays Always Get Me Down* by the Carpenters and dwelling on Cop, Mother, Father, Girlfriend, Boyfriend or Complete Stranger killing like many of the kids are listening to now.

BTW, Lee, speaking of Weird Al, he has one of the best love gone wrong songs ever. It's called "You Don't Love Me Any More" and it's hilarious.

[Pattie]

Lee, I just finalized my divorce. I think we sometimes take for granted the impact music can have on our mood. I listened to very little music for about two years, because sometimes it would grab me and "have its way with me". I guess I needed to be in control of my emotions during that time period, as I felt I had little control over anything else in my life. It's fun to rediscover yourself post-divorce. Now I need to find that link for the "How kinky are you" quiz. Here's hoping to pass 600!

[Gregg]

Agreed, Lily. Some sad music that comes to mind that I like:
Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions album
Chris Isaak's Forever Blue album
Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album (especially "Caroline, No")
John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band album
Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers album

I think the difference with those is that instead of just cussing and pathetically whining about things, these artists are human beings. They inject both sorrow and hope into their songs. They also acknowledge their own fragile nature and approach it intelligently and honestly, instead of just simply toughening up (and tattooing their bodies until they resemble the graffiti walls that they're standing in front of on their album covers), then shouting and ranting kill death pain rage life sucks kill kill die or whatever.

These artists are also not one-dimensional, as so many of them are today. An example of the one-dimensional nature of so many bands today: "See, we're Death Metal. Not Speed Metal or Doom Metal or Heavy Metal or Thrash; that stuff is totally different. Look up those styles on Allmusic.com and you'll see. We're Death Metal." God, how limiting a vision is THAT? But that's an example of how bands today SELF-pigeonhole their music. It's sad. Especially when you consider the accomplishments of a band like the Beatles, which was ever-evolving and just absolutely all over the place. They didn't self-limit at ALL to fit into a particular clique. Now, every band can't be the Beatles, of course. But heck, at least TRY to be more varied.

Each of the artists I mentioned is also capable of expressing songs about upbeat or at least hopeful matters and love, even on the very same album. ("Love" by John Lennon, "You Still Believe In Me" by the Beach Boys, "Jesus Christ" by Big Star and so on.)

I wish today's "artists" would drop their bleak self-wallowing and/or violently destructive worldviews and wake up a bit. Yes, there are some screwed up things about the world right now, but let's not make it even more screwed up by spouting it all the time or even worse, glorifying it like the gangsta rappers seem to love to do.

OK, I think I've injected way too much seriousness into this thread. So in closing, I'd just like to say:

COME ON, GET HAPPY!!

:-)

[Pattie]

490

[Lee]

Lily, how about Weird Al's "One More Minute With You!" Now that's a love gone wrong song!

Pattie, congrats on surviving! It's a tough thing, but that which does not kill you makes you stronger. So we must be strong as h*ll! FYI, we tied on the kinky test! *wink,wink,nudge,nudge*

punky, aren't you backing up? You used to be 505!

Gregg, Chris Isaak, alright! "Wicked Game" is one of my all-time fav-or-ite songs! Check out Joss Stones remake of the White Stripes song, "Fell in Love with a Girl (Boy, for JS,)" for some great bluesy vocals.

Yep, I'm voting for Dave this year! I thing he should pick Weird Al as his VP!

[Gregg]

Cool, I'm glad some folks here share some of my musical tastes! Although in truth, my musical tastes are pretty much all over the map -- every genre except for rap. Well, maybe a couple of old school raps like Grandmaster Melle Mel's "White Lines," and does Tom Tom Club's "Genius Of Love" count as rap? (It sure got ripped off and sampled to death, from Grandmaster Flash's "It's Nasty" to Mariah Carey's "Fantasy.")