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Respect is the word I used to end my last post. So I figured I’d offer my own thoughts on the word when it comes to America and its citizens.

-Respect is an overused and underappreciated word in our society.
-Respect is using the words “may I” and “please” when asking for something.
-Respect is valuing who someone is, regardless of disagreeing with who they are.
-Respect is working towards peace. War is not respect. If anything, it’s the antithesis of the word considering our supposed “intelligence”.
-Respect is being mindful of others when undertaking your own actions.
-Respect is nothing you should demand. It should be earned.
-Respect is the golden rule.
-Respect is living up to the rules you tell others they should obey.
-Respect is keeping an open mind.
-Respect is taking care of the world around you. Be it through recycling or by working with others instead of fighting.
-Respect is seven letters. Seven little letters that mean something much larger than the size of the font on the page you’re reading.
-Respect is listening to others.
-Respect is working to be a better person. Not just for yourself, but for and towards others.
-Respect is something you will never fully understand. It is something you will learn in new ways, shapes, and forms every day. Be it through humility, perspective, or hardship.

So when you use the word “respect”, think about why you’re using it. Be conscious of your actions when using the word.

Click to Play Aretha Franklin – Respect (twoshoes edit)

Now this is one I just have been itching to write. Elton John versus Biz Markie! Cage match! GO! If no one gets it, yet, you are probably going to listen to one of the absolute best covers ever. Why is it so good? Because it’s so bad. Biz Markie just absolutely butchers the original version of “Bennie and the Jets”, here. And everywhere I’ve seen, the Beastie Boys version has been spelled as “Benny and the Jets”, which leads me to believe the misspelling was intentional to avoid some legal fracas with the legendary piano playing John.

Well, to be honest, the Beastie Boys do a wonderful job with the music on this one. They really have become excellent musicians in their own right. Now, when they were making this, we know that they maybe had the idea of bringing Biz Markie into it. I mean, who else do they know would sing this? Who other than Biz could do it? Seriously! Name someone out there that could sing this with the Beastie Boys doing the music. That’s right. You can’t. Biz was born to do this. And the fact that he just mumbles through the lyrics – not to mention that he can’t sing – is what makes it amazing. So sit back, grab a notebook and pen, and write down your thoughts when comparing the original to the magnificence that is the Beastie Boys version. And remember, nobody beats the Biz.

Download Elton John – Bennie and the Jets

Download The Beastie Boys ft. Biz Markie – Benny and the Jets

Go buy something. Or your mom will cry. She probably already does, though. We all know why. You’re a disappointment. Don’t worry. So am I! Big smiles, everyone!

George, the creator of this fine blog, told me that I had a big day today. I get the blog post the day after the presidential election. Well, la dee freakin’ da! I really can’t express how important the election was all over the country. There were also many state ballot questions that loomed large.

Well, first, I have a song to those who voted for Obama. I found it quite fitting, and I’m quite surprised no one used this as a campaign song! Sorry, there’s no sarcasm button to warn you all about it. However, this song is pretty fitting. Hopefully it’s also laced with a high amount of truth. It’s Public Enemy’s “Brother’s Gonna Work It Out”, off of the 1989 album Fear of a Black Planet.

Next up? Fuck you, State of California! That’s right. You dimwits voted 61 to 37 in favor of Obama, yet you voted in favor of banning gay marriage 52 to 48. Now, it’s still not final, but if it is? It shows how transparent your votes are. It means you essentially voted with your wallet. So for my next addition to the blog? I think Black Sheep got it pretty well summed up in “For Doz That Slept”.

Last up is a classic. It’s easily one of my favorite songs, and it strikes close to home for us today. It’s John Lennon’s “Imagine”, a song once considered incredibly controversial.

Even more haunting is the following video for “Imagine”. Hopefully the lessons he tried to teach others are being learned still. Because I don’t want to feel ashamed to just happen to live within these borders.

As always, please buy music from these artists! And thank you for voting! It exceeded my expectations by around 10 million, and I am unbelievably happy to have been wrong. Just goes to show we maybe shouldn’t be so jaded.

Yes, it’s a bit late this Wednesday, but I had to wait for YouTube to upload a video I took at the Juan Maclean show this past Monday. Since I have a PC, and PCs blow more than the winds in Chicago, I lost the video for “Happy House”. Thing is, my new camera stops recording at 10 minutes, and it wouldn’t fit on one video! A wonderful thing, however. All wasn’t lost, though. I got the following video. It’s of their track “Give Me Every Little Thing”. After the video, I have a little more in the way of goodness to give to you all from this very underrated and underappreciated DFA band.

I absolutely love that song, but I have to admit something. Cajmere – aka Green Velvet – made an absolutely ridiculous remix of this. DJs all over just beat that tune to death, and rightfully so. So here you go, boys and girls.

[Download The Juan Maclean – Give Me Every Little Thing (Cajmere Mix)]

Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, I think so, also. They have a lot of cool stuff floating around, so I’d be lame to not tell you folks to go out and check them out. They have a rather recent single out that kicks just as much ass. It’s the aforementioned “Happy House”, and as a former DJ, I have to say I could squeeze this into a set and drop Full Intention’s “(I Love) America” pretty easily right behind that. It’s very reminiscent of the days of house when it was coming back up here in the US. You can judge for yourself!

And just to whet your appetite for some more music? Here’s that Full Intention cut I just mentioned. An unbelievable and timeless track!

As always, if you enjoy what you hear, please buy it to support the artists!