if a song could get me you
I am poaching some free wireless at a gas station truckstop somewhere off Highway 70 cutting across the center of this great, flat land. I’ve been on the road for over a week for work, getting real familiar-like with all that Missouri (and Kansas) have to offer. I’ve had a tremendous time doing things like watching a Royals ballgame Wednesday (with fountains and waterfalls!) and a Cardinals game tonight in St. Louis, drinking a whole heck of a lot of Boulevard Brewery‘s limited edition beers while brushing up on my Saved By The Bell trivia with some genius cohort friends, going for night runs and unsuccessfully trying to outrace the mosquitoes, and melting –nay, dissolving– into a sticky pile in this humidity. My hair votes for never moving to the Midwest in summer. Oh! And I also ate Jack Stack’s BBQ for lunch today, and saw armadillo roadkill (not related).
Roadtrips also mean vast and fabulous swaths of uninterrupted time to catch up on all that music I want to listen to with each breathing moment, but which instead somehow shuffles itself into corners and under car seats and in stacks (and stacks) of promo CDs by my bed. About two hours ago I unearthed and popped in the newest album from Norway’s Marit Larsen and I have been happily stuck on it since. It’s actually from her 2008 album The Chase but was just released as a single in the States in January. I woke up in a ridiculously good mood today, and this song couldn’t sound more perfect.
I first heard Marit four years ago on Fluxblog, and her irresistible harmonica and handclap-laden ode to a breakup “Only A Fool” was one of my favorite 20 songs that whole first year of Fuel/Friends. I believe I put that on a running mix too (the music is all plucky, even though the lyrics are biting) and cuing it up even today it still sounds as unspoiled. What I have always loved about Marit is something undefinable in her voice which just radiates a sterling, approachable honesty. Her Scandinavian take on Americana music evokes hints of Nina Persson or even Lisa Loeb (with a banjo), and it’s sweet but never saccharine.
I’ll never grow tired of a really good pop song to soundtrack the yellow lines flickering past, the hot sunshine, and the miles and miles of open expanse. This song may or may not have gotten her the man, but it’s completely snagged me.
Put this one on your summer mix.
If A Song Could Get Me You – Marit Larsen
…and why not — for excellent measure:
Only A Fool – Marit Larsen
Name: Heather Browne
“If A Song Could Get Me You” is a solid pop song! It’d sure get me (but I’ve been getting easier to get got as the days pass…) I get the Nina Persson vibe, not sure about Lucinda tho. Also overtones of Lisa Loeb – in a good pop vocal way. “Only A Fool” is my new favorite song for the week – infectious and catchy. You just can’t beat a song with both a plucky banjo AND handclaps.
jimbo — June 4, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
Ah, I love you, lady. Maybe not so much for the music this time around, but just getting to hear of your travels. I can hear you being all rejuvenated in your words and, well, I approve. Heartily. Obviously. And despite your Midwest biggened hair.
Dainon — June 4, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
Love Marit Larsen. She’s wonderful. And these are both terrific songs.
rbd — June 4, 2010 @ 11:08 pm
Hum.
Is it me or does the intro of Only a Fool refers a lot to Sheryl Crow’s A Change Would do You Good ?
dpc — June 5, 2010 @ 3:05 am
Nice to see a mention of a Norwegian artist here on the blog (have been following it pretty much since the beginning). For other good sounds from our country over the last few years (based on where I think our tastes in music come together – more rockish than Larsen), check out (on youtube or some are found on their myspaces):
Big Bang (sometimes spelled in one word) – e.g. the song Street Parade or Hurricane Boy,
the Alexandria Quartet – e.g. The Traveller or Into the Light,
Midnight Choir – e.g. October 8 or Sister of Mercy,
Motorpsycho – e.g. Wearin yr Smell or Sinful, Wind-borne. All to be found on
Harald — June 5, 2010 @ 3:39 am
I cannot even tell you how much I love Boulevard. It is just wonderful stuff. There is nothing better than Boulevard Wheat.
Adam — June 5, 2010 @ 10:28 am
Welcome to STL. Enjoy.
MP — June 5, 2010 @ 11:46 am
While in STL, try some of our fine Schlafly beer! The Hefeweizen unfiltered wheat with a lemon wedge is outstandingly refreshing on a humid day by the Mississippi.
ruralgurl — June 5, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
ruralgurl, i had *precisely* that while at the cardinals game on friday night. helped me survive all that heat and humidity.
and jimbo – you know, i think i agree with you about that sentence. i meant a lucinda sort of feeling to the music, esp on only a fool with banjo and harmonica. but no, then i rolled it round in my head for the rest of the long drive and i think i agree with you. hmmm.
browneheather — June 5, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
i love you too, D. and you love my big hair.
i am being rejuvenated. i’m glad those that love me can see that. :)))
browneheather — June 5, 2010 @ 9:15 pm
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i follow a lot of music blogs, and even though you don’t post as often as some, i am really start to like yours a lot, so kudos and thank you.
Josh — June 6, 2010 @ 12:48 am
Wow – what a kooky delight.
Love the ‘high’ piano line which kind of reminds me of Elvis Costello’s ‘Accidents will Happen’;a little.
More worryingly I began to see Rachael from ‘Glee’ singing this to Finn or Marie Osmond warbling to Donny – now very disturbed.
But such happy music – the joi de vivre of the moment shines through.
russell — June 6, 2010 @ 6:37 am
There must be some official reason why so much good folk comes from Scandinavia. Ireland, too. Must be the climate?
Shut-the-folk-up — June 7, 2010 @ 3:03 am
Scandinavian music is incredible. Not only are they the flame-keepers of rock and roll, there’s something in the water over there that leads to incredibly catchy songs. They can all write hooks, it seems.
rbd — June 8, 2010 @ 7:39 am