By ajostu
We may sometimes joke that we "play the guru" when it comes to picking a song or an artist. Does the same idea apply when picking a topic? Because, as the kids on social media say – "I feel seen." Distraction! Look, there seem to be some nice people on the internet, but do I really need to watch them solving a sudoku, or walking down a random Tokyo street? Do I really need to spend hours staring at animals fighting it out at a Namibian waterhole?
But our region of interest is broader, and encompasses the idea of sudden changes and interruptions to our lives that capture our attention. By coincidence, this also has a peculiar resonance for me. A month ago, a sudden alternative to what I had planned to do for the next few years presented itself to me. What to do? Thinking about this possible diversion, combined with listening to all your nominations, has given me some really weird dreams over the last few nights.
Generalisations are always risky (!) but if there's an underlying theme to this week's topic, maybe it's losing control and trying to regain it. Whether it's trying to keep focus on the things you should do, lose focus on that person you're thinking about too much, or find focus as events throw you around, dealing with distraction, deviation and digression is a particular way of having to answer the old question: am I doing the right thing or the convenient thing? For that matter, am I doing anything?
But then, if there's one distraction that can always be forgiven, it's music. So here we go.
GANGgajang - Distraction (Nicko)
Our protagonist is unhappy that the time spent pursuing material possessions is distracting them from the person that matters. Loss of time and loss of perspective, the penalties of distraction.
The Human Hearts with Jenny Toomey - Distracted (Jamesowen475)
Deceptively cheerful track about the pitfalls of modern electronic life, and oooh, that line about mucking up your online calendar meetings, that hits a little close to home.
Amy Winehouse - Procrastination (magicman)
Amy nails that feeling of hunting around to look for anything to do that's not the thing you're supposed to be doing. Procrastination! The art of being distracted from doing the things you're supposed to do by the fact that you should do them.
Bess Atwell - Co-op (ParaMhor)
If your relationship can best be compared to the song that distracts you while you're at the shops, then your relationship is possibly in trouble.
Sara Jarosz - Maggie (Fred Erickson)
Driving away from a life, but still distracted thinking about it. The plan has been made, the escape is in progress, our protagonist just has to stay the course.
Donovan Woods with People Project - Last Time I Saw You (tincanman2010)
A brief distraction: someone you haven't seen for a while in the corner of your eye. And now it's all you can think about.
Brooklyn Funk Essentials - The Revolution Was Postponed Because Of Rain (barbryn)
This one was a keeper from the moment I heard it. If revolutions tend to be somewhat disorganised affairs, then our protagonists are really doing it properly.
Half Man Half Biscuit - Bubblewrap (severin)
There were several nominations this week that raised the Huxleyan theme of keeping the peons occupied with something distracting. But who needs TV, the internet, or (as far as the song is concerned) the paraphernalia of English country life, when a simpler solution is at hand?
Subhumans - When The Bomb Drops (Carpgate)
To be fair, when it's a nice day at the beach it's almost easy to ignore global conflagration- provided it's mostly happening somewhere else. I like the way this song evolves, it's almost a bit proggy... or would I get thumped for suggesting that?
I Monster - Daydream In Blue (Joelle)
Hmmmm, someone's got a lot on their mind, and trying to disguise their thoughts using a snazzy vocoder isn't going to fool anyone. It'd be hard concentrating on an office job given activities that would appear to be planned for the evening ahead.
Electronic - Getting Away With It (ParaMhor)
Our protagonist should be taking a walk to forget his problems but exercise tends to focus the mind. Me? I find it hard to concentrate on anything other than the fantastic vocal harmonies in the chorus.
Son Lux, Mitski, David Byrne - This Is A Life (magicman)
I profess to being a skeptic of the various multiverse theories that are keeping theoretical physicists busy. There are (appropriately) a multitude of them with varying degrees of inplausability. Is every moment of decision a diversion of the one reality into a new direction, or does the universe split and follow each possible alternative? As this gorgeous song points out, just looking out the window and imagining the possibilities is distracting enough.
The Attention Altering A-List Playlist:
GANGgajang - Distraction (Nicko)
The Human Hearts with Jenny Toomey - Distracted (Jamesowen475)
Amy Winehouse - Procrastination (magicman)
Bess Atwell - Co-op (ParaMhor)
Sarah Jarosz - Maggie (Fred Erickson)
Donovan Woods with People Project - Last Time I Saw You (tincanman2010)
Brooklyn Funk Essentials - The Revolution Was Postponed Because Of Rain (barbryn)
Half Man Half Biscuit - Give Us Bubblewrap (severin)
Subhumans - When The Bomb Drops (Carpgate)
I Monster - Daydream In Blue (Joelle)
Electronic - Getting Away With It (ParaMhor)
Son Lux - This Is A Life (magicman)
The Being Diverted B-List Playlist:
One of the features of nominations this week was the multitude of tracks built around spoken word, perhaps speaking about distraction becomes one way of understanding it and fighting it. A lot of those tracks really worked for me, so I've built the B list using many of those as a starting point. I usually have a motto: "A-list for the mind, B-list for the car," but these tracks are all far too thought-provoking to be played as a mere background distraction.
A note to all listers: I have taken some editorial liberties in choosing versions of noms based on: sound quality, how they fit into the playlist flow, avoiding region-locking or whether I liked them better. Please grind teeth in the comments as you deem appropriate.
Coldcut - Say Kids (What Time Is It) (Nilpferd)
Adam Freeland - We Want Your Soul (Shoegazer)
Soccer96 - I Was Gonna Fight Fascism (barbryn)
James Domestic - Manana (Carpgate)
Kormac feat Irvine Welsh - Another Screen (Shoegazer)
Mehliana - Taming The Dragon (untergunther)
Carter USM - While You Were Out (happyclapper)
Fred Eaglesmith - Worked Up Field (Shoegazer)
Craig Finn - Messing With The Settings (tincanman2010)
Guru’s Wildcard Pick:
So I hunted around the sock drawer and dug out the shiny Guru Golden Shoehorn, and popped in this track from one of my favourite bands of the moment. In my defence, I would point out that our sleepless protagonist Moeka is distracted by the glow of incipient sunrise, thoughts of an old movie, her teddy bear and the sound of metaphorical footsteps. I'm distracted trying to work out the chronology. What happened in '99? To whom? How old were they? The good news is that you can have a stab at working it out for yourself because this one's sung in English.
Hitsujibungaku - 1999 (English Version)
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Whatever next? Songs about distractions, digressions and diversions. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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