Proof that I'm a geek [like we needed any more of that sort of thing...]

BLOT: (11 Apr 2012 - 06:42:55 PM)

Proof that I'm a geek [like we needed any more of that sort of thing...]

I am a geek, and like the title of this post says we do not really need any more evidence, but just in case, here is probably a veritable final nail in the coffin.

That song [lyrics are posted at the video, or see below] is the final one from Music With Rocks In, in the animated version of Terry Pratchett's Soul Music. The band has come back from tour—in which their sound went from proto-rock to Brit rock to psychedelic to blues rock to arena rock—and they are playing as all the forces out to kill the band [more than one] are finally coming together. As far as cartoons [and Discworld novels] go, it is fairly emotional in that Buddy knows it is going to kill him but plays it anyhow. Made me kind of misty eyed...

...even though the only time I came close to really crying was when Death was talking about why he had to let Susan's parents die: "WITHOUT DUTY, WHAT AM I? THERE HAS TO BE A LAW,"¹...

...at any rate, I've now listened to the soundtrack to that series² a couple of times and that final song about four or five times³. And that's proof #78526 that I am a geek. That I buy—$9.99 on iTunes, possibly cheaper to get the physical media off of eBay, haven't looked—and non-ironically listen to soundtracks written for animated adaptations of cult fantasy novels. Really enjoy them.

Hell, doing some math and the fact that I've listened to it an average of once or twice a year since about the first time I heard it around 1990, Stan Bush's "The Touch" [both from showing it to people, hearing it referenced and having to hear it, from watching the Transformers movie, or from just having it show up in my playlist] is going to be one of my most listened to songs of all time. And that's just insane.

1: For those worried that I'm shouting, that's just how Death talks in Discworld: all-caps.

2: The series is available on Netflix if you are interested. It is low-budget and 90s British animation but once you get used to the style, it is kind of endearing.

3: One theory I have for my draw towards synth-and-sax style arena rock is because I became truly aware of music around the late 80s. Though the early 90s alternative was my scene, the arena rock stylings that were thing dying out would have also been in my musical DNA. Rush's Hold Your Fire has a particularly exalted place in the back of mind, for instance.

Lyrics:
[note, transcribed by person who posted the Youtube video, and not me, just wanted to send a thanks out to Erikjust, who has a number of other fantasy music and genre music related posts you might want to check out]

Title: The Messenger

CHORUS:
From the broken dreams
Of a restless mind
In a world spinning out of control
This is the last goodbye
You are the hero now
I am the music
I'm driving your soul!

Reach out to the messenger tonight
Feel the heartbeat
Sing out
Pass the message on
Call out for the captain of the night
Take a back seat
A new dawn, now that yesterday has gone
It's in the future you belong
Kick away the doors
Find the way beyond

CHORUS

Stay close to the messenger tonight
He is the back beat
Sing out
Pass the message on
It's in the future you belong
Kick away the doors
Find the way beyond