By Severin
This week I have learned that there are three basic types of conditional phrase.
Zero conditional for things that are generally true: “If ice is heated, it melts.”
First conditional for future situations that seem likely or possible: “If I finish writing this stuff, I will send it to the Landlord.”
Second conditional for imagined situations that are unlikely or impossible in reality:
“If I had my time again, I would insist on doing songs about scaphoid fractures.”
Wouldn't it be fun to look at the examples below, taken from the songs in the A-list, and say what kind of conditional phrase they are? No? Well I expect you're right …
“If I said a thousand times the same old lines you'd take my breath away.”
YouTube insists that the original 7-inch single version of this Darling Buds song is “content for kids” and refuses to add it to playlists. This live version is waived through however and retains the rough edges of the original.
“If you give to me just a little bit of your love, it would mean so much to me.”
No good buying Barrington Levy expensive gifts and jewellery. That's not what he needs at all. A hugely enjoyable reggae track from 1979 which, for some reason, was completely new to me.
“If I could pray, and I try dear, you might come back home, home to me.”
A classic recording from 1969 with Janis Joplin, as ever, pouring her soul into every line.
“If you gotta go, go now.”
Fairport Convention cover a Dylan song. But in French. Single taken from their Unhalfbricking album. You would be hard put to identify it as Dylan song if you didn't know. But you'd have to work even harder to fail to enjoy what they did with it.
“If cats walked on water and birds had bank accounts and we loved one another in equal amounts.”
And various other flights of fantasy, courtesy of Lucinda Williams. It's the cats walking on water image that sticks in my mind though. Birds flying up to bank counters was a close second I will admit.
“But if you hurt what's mine, I'll, sure as hell, retaliate.”
In the video, Massive Attack singer Shara Nelson walks up endless flights of tower-block stairs in a constant state of vigilance. The visuals and the music both adding o the sense of unease.
“If there is something that I might find. Look around corners, try to find peace of mind.”
And that's about as much of the lyric as I can comprehend. From Roxy Music's first album when they were as much prog as glam.
“I'd live a life of ecstasy, If you ever fell in love with me.”
I can't imagine who would resist a declaration of love from Samara Joy. But she needs to tell you that she'll be lost if you never fall for her. I should have seen her live towards the end of last year but bad health prevented my attendance. Perhaps I should have sent a note.
“God willin' and the creek don't rise, I'll be home again.”
A couple of implied “ifs” from Ray LaMontagne. Sounds like he's having a hard time with freezing winters and possible the Civil War. I nearly freaked out last week when my end of the London Northern line was closed for an hour. It's another world, I tell you.
“If I ruled the world...”
No, not the Harry Secombe one. Kurtis Blow talks a bit about diamonds and pearls etc but then includes some thoughts about stopping war, poverty and unemployment. Nothing about every day being the first day of spring though, which I think is probably sound.
“If I reach the light of day now, If I reach the light, I'm OK. If I reach the light of day now, on my way.”
“Beautiful animation to go along with a chilling and soothing soundtrack” is one of the comments under the YT video of ODESZA's recording. I can't improve on that. Others mention the metaphor with mental health struggles.
“If you're walking 'round thinking that the world owes you something 'cause you're here, you goin' out the world backwards like you did when you first come here.”
Pop Staples and Mavis don't hold back from speaking their minds in this Staple Singers single from 1971. Great singing voices of course, but also a unique voice in the pop charts of the times.
“It's over now, it's over now, it's over now, it's over now, it's over now, if we run out of love.”
Northern Irish DJ/musician David Holmes describes his song as “an ode to youth culture in difficult times”. 1970s Belfast in his case. He co-wrote this song with Noel Gallagher according to the lyric site I just visited. I hope I've got that right. Vocal by Raven Violet.
"If you want a silver moon, I would be a silver moon for you, if you want a unicorn, I would be a unicorn for you, if you want a satellite, I would be a satellite for you, if you want a universe, I would be a universe for you.”
Can't say fairer than that. Spiritualized end the A-list with an epic soundscape mixing outer and inner space. “Together or not at all,” as Amy said to Rory.
A-List Playlist:
Darling Buds – If I Said (vastariner)
Barrington Levy – If You Give to Me (Nicko)
Janis Joplin – Maybe (AltraEgo)
Fairport Convention – Si tu dois partir (ShivSidecar)
Lucinda Williams – What If? (Shoegazer)
Massive Attack – Safe From Harm (TraktorAlbatrost)
Roxy Music – If There is Something (Uncleben)
Samara Joy – If You Never Fall in Love With Me (untergunther)
Ray LaMontagne – God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise (tincanman2010)
Kurtis Blow – If I Ruled the World (Nicko)
ODESZA (feat Ólafur Arnalds) – Light of Day (untergunther)
The Staple Singers – Respect Yourself (pejepeine)
David Holmes (feat Raven Violet) – It's All Over if We Run Out of Love (Uncleben)
Spiritualized – Always Together With You (Fred Erickson)
B-List Playlist:
Badfinger – Come and Get It (ParaMhor)
The Beatles – If I Needed Someone (happyclapper)
Captain Beefheart – My Head is My Only House Unless it Rains (Uncleben)
Phoebe Bridgers – If We Make it Through December (English Outlaw)
Tracy Chapman – If Not Now.... (Noodsy)
Stephen Stills – Love the One You're With (tincanman2010)
Charlie Poole – If the River was Whiskey (Nicko)
Nicole Willis & the The Soul Investigators – If This Ain't Love (Don't Know What Is) (untergunther)
George Harrison – If Not For You (George Boyland)
Beverley Knight – Shoulda Woulda Coulda (barbryn)
Mica Paris – Stay (nosuchzone)
Leonard Cohen – I'm Your Man (Suzi)
AC/DC – If You Want Love (You've Got It) (Traktor Albatrost)
Elvis Presley – Tomorrow is a Long Time (ParaMhor)
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
Ian Dury and the Blockheads – If I Was With a Woman
Apparent macho boasting with the character's weaknesses deliberately showing through.
Basement Jaxx – If I Ever Recover
I've been feeling a bit like that but the song is about emotional recovery rather than coughing and ear ache.
Yola – If I had to Do it All Again
She wouldn't want to do it without you.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: If not now, then when? Songs with conditional phrases. The next topic will launch on Thursday at around 1pm UK time.
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