This Is This

Here’s a song that ticks a lot of my musical boxes. Hard, strong rhythms, horns belting out, a great bassline, huge choruses and an infectious tune. If I mixed Mad Libs with musical cliches from rock journalism, it’s (name of soft melodic band) on (a type of hard drug).

I’m not sure if everyone in the UK knows what Mad Libs are, but you get the idea.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are band who recorded this belter of a song in the late 90’s in a style known as, for reasons which will soon become obvious if you don’t already know: “skacore”. They started in the 80’s and are still around today, but this is their finest hour. I also like the way the singer delivers doubtful lines with authority, especially the “No? -Well…” right before the chorus.

And the chord after the “could” in the first chorus. And A5, maybe, or a sustained 2? It sounds unresolved anyway, like you’re catching breaths between a battering by waves. Nice, all the same.

If you’re just here for the bagels, you’re a little early. They’re not ready yet, but you’re just in time for this.

I’ve never had to knock on wood
but I know someone who has
which makes me wonder if I could,
it makes me wonder if…
I’ve never had to knock on wood
and I’m glad I haven’t yet
because I’m sure it isn’t good
that’s the impression that I get.

Listen: The Impression That I Get

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Related pages
Weekend Song archive

Also on This Is This
BIG CAT DIARY. Monday - Went hunting. Caught a gazelle. Quite fancy trying that dried food. Shiva says a lot of cats in Europe eat it. Must write to cousin Tiddles.
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This entry was posted on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 7:30 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed, or you can skip to the end and leave a comment yourself.