h2o mp3: Dope in the Water – Steve Anderson

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We’re tickled to present you with a world premiere of sorts! The parody song “Dope In the Water” (sung to the tune of “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple) was written and performed by Steve Anderson, Water Resources Analyst at Clean Water Services, Portland, Oregon. This is of course a timely issue since the release of the 2008 Associated Press study that claims at least 41 million Americans may be getting a bonus of drugs and pharmaceuticals in their water supply.

Steve Anderson

The song (which is awesomely hysterical, in my opinion!) came to the fore as part of a forum discussion about the use of humor in public communications. The bottom line: no clear consensus. Some communications professionals believe in the power of humor to communicate, some are mildly uncomfortable with the risk and others believe it is often misleading to a misinformed public.

I think everyone knows where I stand! As I wrote on the discussion thread,

I think the point of the song is to change behavior and to promote the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals, which in turn, reduces the treatment burdens. This is the part that the public can control, and thus, an effective message to send.

So thanks, Steve, and we hope lots of people are humming this when they refrain from bad habits that add “Dope in the Water!”

Play the track

Download Dope in the Water by Steve Anderson (mp3)

Lyrics

We flush them down our toilets
We wash ‘em down the drain
We take ‘em when we feel bad
We take ‘em for the pain
They come to us in the sewers
We’d treat ‘em all but we can’t
When they show up at the headworks
They pass right through the treatment plant

Dope in the water
Hormones in the creek
Dope in the water

And what about them birth control pills?
At the outfall where the effluent swirls
Makin’ changes in the wildlife
Little boy fish look a lot like girls
And then we have our Prozac
Discharged by the very best
Don’t know how the fish like that
At least I guess they’re not depressed

Dope in the water
Hormones in the creek
Dope in the water

My coffee in the morning
Can keep a fish awake at night
Painkillers might make ‘em feel good
But you know it just ain’t right
Cosmetics and perfumes, well
Just add to this witch’s brew
It’s high time to figure it out
Just what the hell this stuff can do

Dope in the water
Hormones in the creek
Dope in the water

h2o mp3: Fresh Water (Blockhead Remix) – Bisco Smith

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I suspect that this graphic artist/DJ/rapper is using “fresh water” as an analogy for art, music and creativity…more specifically, the struggle to create, keep one’s soul intact and be heard through economic, commercial and societal pressures.

But on the eve of World Water Day 2010, let’s don’t get carried away with analysis. It’s still a strong message taken literally. (Visit Bisco Smith on MySpace.)

Play the track

[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bisco_smith-freshwater_blockhead_remix.mp3]

Download Fresh Water – Bisco Smith (Blockhead Remix)
Support the people who make music! Buy the track on Amazon.com or iTunes.

Lyrics Snip

Sip it slow
Let it settle and bake
these are freshwater flows
Yea its safe for you to drink

this one goes out to all the young ones growin up in the world we know
where the hustle gets sold on radios and television shows
but what you chase most of the time you can’t hold
and most of these people ain’t real
but you still there
cause you chasin the next meal
well we got fresh water for you
somethin clean with nutrients and vitamins, brand new
so swallow it, sip it, feel good

h2o mp3: Water in the Ground – Catherine MacLellan

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This talented Canadian singer-songwriter provides us a perfect track for National Groundwater Awareness Week (a great idea since most of the populace has enough to worry about with the things that they CAN see.)

Water in the Ground is from MacLellan’s third 2009 release and is a melodic, clean, pure folk-influenced song that gets better with every listen. (Visit Catherine MacLellan’s website here.)

Play the track
[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/1-02-water-in-the-ground.mp3]

Download Water in the Ground – Catherine MacLellan
Support the people who make music! Buy the CD at amazon.com or from True North Records.

Lyrics

All the snow will melt into the stream
leading me back to where I want to be
right by your side
watching as the leaves pour out of the trees
everything’s alive, everything’s alive
never could guess you’d be the one
you said the world’s coming undone
tie em up together round and round
water from the heavens pouring in the ground

h2o mp3: Afraid of Water – Uranium Lake

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Have you ever witnessed the sheer terror that envelopes a person as they anxiously declare, “I’M AFRAID OF WATER!” Of course you have, and that’s why “afraid of water” is such a visceral allegorical phrase to express unreasonable, overwhelming fear. This track cleverly employs the phrase to express an aversion people and social situations.

This alt-pop group from Northwich/Manchester, UK has that jangly Brit sound that I love and it’s ready to roll on on my weekend playlist!

Play the track

[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/uranium-lake-03-afraid-of-water.mp3]

Download Afraid of Water – Uranium Lake

WOW, and thanks! This band generously offers a free download of this and other tracks via their MySpace Music page. So, sample more of their work and don’t forget to say thanks!

Lyrics (My transcription, so no guarantees!)

Don’t push me , No, cos I’m not ready

I’ll spend money if I want to, and I’ll sit home if I want to

Sit this one out, Sit this one out, Sit this one out, Sit this one out

until the next one

When the next one comes, I’ll see friends if I want to

that’s if I have friends anymore, they’re not so shallow

all so shallow, all so shallow, all so shallow, all so shallow

So I’ll talk to myself, it’s only way I, the only way to be sure

those whose conversations, don’t push me, no

cos I’m not ready, ? ? ?

don’t push me, no, i really don’t think you ought to, don’t push

I’m afraid of water, I’m afraid of water, I’m afraid of water

I’m afraid of the water

h2o mp3: A Pipe Dream and a Promise – Finale

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Such drama these past weeks for Las Vegas water watchers!* But what’s a good drama without a driving soundtrack?

It will surely be soon that we see the straight-to-DVD epic Mulroy’s List. Or better yet…the new reality series on Bravo, Launch my (Pipe)Line! Either way, we propose backing it with this 2009 track by Detroit rapper Finale, A Pipe Dream and a Promise.

Lyrics

My mother, my grandma, my grandfather
My brother, my sister, my girl
landlord, the bands and my compadres,
I promised the world the world that.
You only come up short (?) ere’time

My chase ain’t over, no,
I can’t take over, no,
I owe ya
Though I know it in my soul I’m not the only one I should owe,
You matter.
Rapper, that’s the ‘proach you go killin’ one on one for.

Play the track

[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/finale-a_pipe_dream_and_a_promise.mp3]

Download A Pipe Dream and a Promise – Finale
Low-fi 64kbps file for sampling.
Like it? Support the people who make music.on Buy this track at Amazon.com.

*For the best-of-the-best reading on the unfolding drama surrounding Las Vegas water, see: Emily Green at Chance of Rain, Waterwired, Aquafornia, and Circle of Blue.

Rainy Days and Mondays

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They always get me down! OK, not ALWAYS, but here’s a tool you’ll like if ambient nature sounds and “white noise” helps you focus and relax. The one-trick-pony website RainyMood.com does nothing but play a quality sound loop of a gentle rain, with the occasional thunder roll and bird chirps in the background. I’m feeling better already!

While you’re contemplating your virtual downpour, you might also load up this beautiful rain-themed desktop wallpaper complete with February calendar. This will help you focus on the coming weekend!

(Click the image for a 1680×1050 wallpaper, or go here and scroll down for other sizes.)

h2o mp3: Water – Pit Er Pat

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Water and electronica fans, today is your lucky day! Thanks to @canadianwater on Twitter (led by Water Canada editor and Renaissance woman Kerry Freek) for pointing us to this terrific track.

Pit Er Pat is an L.A.-based duo (Butchy Fuego and Fay Davis-Jeffers) who use  vocals, guitar, synthesizer, drums, MPC, melodica, conga, cuica, and heaven knows what else to produce their arty-modern sound.

This track, premiered on Stereogum, was part of an song collection they wrote specifically for a European tour that has morphed into the about-to-be-released album The Flexible Entertainer.

Lyrics (My own transcription, so no guarantees!)

Drip drip drip, drop drop,
Drip drip drip, drop drop,
Tic a tic a tock you ask alot
Tic a tic a tock go ask a God
Tic a tic a tock ask a clock
tic toc it’ll make your body stop

I’ll tell you what it is to me
You show me what it is to be greedy
Do we have to wait and see
Or will you give up what’s free?

Drip drip drip, drop drop
Drip drip drip, drop drop
Tic a tic a tock you ask alot
Tic a tic a tock go ask a clock
tic toc it’ll make your body stop

I can see you dressed up for (?)
But me I’m not goin’ go easy?
I’ve seen your snake in the grass
clock says you’re not going to last

Play the track

[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/pit-er-pat-water.mp3]

Download Water – Pit Er Pat
Low-fi 64kbps file for sampling.
Like it? Support the people who make music. Buy The Flexible Entertainer here (Released 1/26/10)

h2o mp3: Suzy Snowflake – Rosemary Clooney

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A retro musical tribute to water’s most festive form! Rosemary Clooney’s 1951 version of Suzy Snowflake is an enduring and popular holiday tune. Break into your own acapella rendition of this song if you need to shake someone out of a crabby mood…works every time!

Lyrics

Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Dressed in a snow white gown
Tap, tap, tappin’ at your window pane
To tell you she’s in town

Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Soon you will hear her say
Come out everyone and play with me
I haven’t long to stay

If you want to make a snowman
I’ll help you make one – one, two, three
If you wanna take a sleigh ride (whee!)
The ride’s on me.

Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Look at her tumblin’ down
Bringing joy to every girl and boy
Suzy’s come to town

Play the track

 

Download Suzy Snowflake – Rosemary Clooney
Like it? Support the people who make music – buy this album or track at amazon.com.

Bonus animated Suzy! If you’re from the Chicago, Illinois area you might also be familiar with a 1953 cartoon-short based upon the song. Made with super-cool-at-the-time stop-motion animation, the film became a treasured annual Christmas tradition for countless children who grew up in the Chicagoland area.

 

h2o mp3: Drop of Water – School of Fish

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This Boston-based college-rock band School of Fish made a splash with their first 1991 effort but were less successful with their second 1993 album Human Cannonball, from which Drop of Water comes. The band disbanded in 1994. Even sadder–frontman Josh Clayton-Felt then released a solo album in 1996 before succumbing to testicular cancer in 2000 at the age of 32.

Lyrics:

It’s too quiet in my head
I’m not dead, I’m alright
And nothing makes much sense
It was immense to sleep tonight

There’s a rope hanging from the sky
I don’t know why I hold on
The place I used to know
It’s all gone

Hold my breath til I don’t need it
It’s only true if I believe it
To disappear at any minute
In a drop of water
In a drop of water
In a drop of water
In a drop of water

Play the track

[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/09-drop-of-water.mp3]

Download Drop of Water – School of Fish
Like it? Support the people who make music – buy this album or track at amazon.com

h2o mp3: I Washed my Hands in Muddy Water – Elvis Presley

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When Elvis recorded the 1971 album Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old), he was successfully resurrecting his music career after being mired in a endless rut of Hollywood B-movies. In fact, that year Presley was named ‘One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation’ by The Jaycees and the City of Memphis named part of Highway 51 South “Elvis Presley Boulevard”. A star was reborn!

Lyrics

I was born in Macon Georgia
Met my dad in the Macon jail
Daddy said “Son, if you keep your hands clean
You won’t hear them bloodhounds on your trail”

But I fell in with bad companions
Killed a man up in Tennessee
Sheriff caught me way up in Nashville
They locked me up and they threw away the key

I washed my hands in muddy water
I washed my hands but they didn’t come clean
I tried to do like my daddy told me
But I must have washed my hands in a muddy stream

I asked the jailer when my times up
He said “Son, we won’t forget
But if you try to keep your hands clean
We may make a good man of you yet

Play the track

[audio:http://thirstyinsuburbia.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/elvis-presley-11-i-washed-my-hands-in-muddy-water.mp3]

Download I Washed my Hands in Muddy Water – Elvis Presley
Low-fi 64kbps file for sampling.
Like it? Support the people who make music. Buy this track at amazon.com