#Sad Songs of 1976

[tavolgisvist]

'Just call him on the phone'

Q: Aside from the millions you’ve been offered for a reunion concert, how did you feel about producer Lorne Michaels’s generous offer of thirty-two hundred dollars for appearing together on Saturday Night Live a few years ago?* A: Oh, yeah, Paul and I were together watching that show. He was visiting us at our place in the Dakota. We were watching it and almost went down to the studio, just as a gag. We nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired. Q: How did you and Paul happen to be watching TV together? A: That was a period when Paul just kept turning up at our door with a guitar. I would let him in, but finally I said to him**, “Please call before you come over. It’s not 1956, and turning up at the door isn’t the same anymore. You know, just give me a ring.” He was upset by that, but I didn’t mean it badly. I just meant that I was taking care of a baby all day, and some guy turns up at the door … But anyway, back on that night he and Linda walked in and he and I were just sitting there watching the show, and we went, Ha-ha, wouldn’t it be funny if we went down, but we didn’t. Q: Is that the last time you’ve seen Paul? A: Yes, but I didn’t mean it like that.

<...> Q: You say you haven’t really listened to Paul’s work and haven’t really talked to him since that night in your apartment— A: Really talked to him, no, that’s the operative word. I haven’t really talked to him in ten years. Because I haven’t spent time with him. I’ve been doing other things and so has he. You know, he’s got twenty five kids and about twenty million records out — how can he spend time talking? He’s always working.

(John Lennon, 1980, All We Are Saying, David Sheff)

*It was in 25 April 1976 **it was in 26 April 1976

Well, when I, when I was Just a little baby boy, Every night, every night I would call, Because your number, you know, Brought me such sweet joy. I've called your name, John, Every night since then But I ain't never, no, no, never Heard you calling me, My sweet, sweet babe, So, you know, you better call me back again, I call your operator but I still can't get through to you, Call me back again

(Call Me Back Again, presumably, 10 June 1976, Seattle)

Tell me, is she everything i see Or is she really not the one for me? We know, and though some may disagree But do they know the way we want to be? <…> Building something One thing made to last And holding something Special from the past And do I still believe in stories we've been told***? Are all the things she brings me worth their weight in gold? Oh yeah, (oh yeah) pure gold

(Pure Gold, Paul for Ringo, 1976)

***I remember when John and I were first hanging out together, I had a dream about digging in the garden with my hands. I’d dreamt that before but I’d never found anything other than an old tin can. But in this dream I found a gold coin. I kept digging and I found another. And another.The next day I told John about this amazing dream I’d had and he said, ‘That’s funny, I had the same dream’. So both of us had this dream of finding this treasure. And I suppose you could say it came true. I remember years later talking about it – ‘Remember that dream we had?’; ‘Yeah, that was far out’. So the message of that dream was: keep digging lads.'

(Paul McCartney to The Big Issue, Feb. 2012)

After you've gone And left me crying After you've gone Ain't no deny You'll feel blue You'll feel sad You'll miss the dearest pal that you ever had

There'll come a time And don't you forget it There'll come a time When you'll regret it****

Someday when you grow lonely Your heart will break like mine You want me only After you've gone After you've gone away

(After You've Gone, 1977, Paul's version - 'just for fun' as he said - of a 1918 popular song written by Turner Layton and Henry Creamer, and it's Frank Sinatra's (and Sophie Tucker!) version.

****the line 'Don't you forget it/When you'll regret it' reminds another old (not as old like After You've Gone but old) song -  I Love You And Don't You Forget It by Perry Como. The song, what our lads were singing in their early years so playfully:

Klas Burling: Tell us something about how you find a song… how you get the idea about a song, to write it down. John: Well, sometimes it's the words first, and then the music after. Klas Burling: Very often you've got a title, you know… Me and you, and everything like that? Paul: Yeah. We try to do that, to make it personal so it's… so we really mean it. When we sing a thing about 'I love you,' it's easier. John: (singing) 'And don't you forget it!' John & Paul: (singing together, jokingly) 'I love you and don't you forget it!' Paul: Well, you see, it's easier than singing something about the cat that lives on the hill, man. (laughter) Paul: It's a lot easier just to sing about what you feel yourself.

(August 23 1963, interview with Klas Burling)

Was I just dreaming or was it only yesterday I used to hold you in my arms And now a baby, and a another on the way [Indescernable] in a farm Now must we be alone? If it don’t feel right, don’t do it If it don’t look right, look right through it If it don’t feel right, don’t do it Just call him on the phone

(John Lennon, Real Life, Feb 1977)

We'd had a bread strike over here***** and I rang him and I was saying, What are you doing? He says. I'm baking some bread.' 'Oh! Me too.' Imagine, with the stereotypes, John and Paul talking about baking bread.

(Paul McCartney, May 2001, interview for Mojo magazine)

*****a bread strike in England was in Nov 1978

Q: Do you regret that your life has become so public? A: I realized that a good fifteen years ago. I remember actually thinking when I went on holiday somewhere, ‘God I’d really better start thinking now about keeping a few countries aside where we don’t sell records. I won’t be able to go anywhere without being recognized.’ But now I think, ‘Really, I’ve reached the point of no return. There’s no going back.’ Even if I didn’t want to sing anymore, I’d just be like Greta Garbo or Brigitte Bardot. They both retired but you’d never know it. John said this to me a year before he died. He said, ‘Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true.’ That’s the way I look at it. I wished for all this and I got it. To regret it would mean I’d have to sit here and live with negative thoughts about it. I know that would only sink me. Even if I had feelings of regret my personality would not really let them out. ‘Look mate, you don’t regret it. Look on the other side,’ that’s me. Not to sink. I always used to do that instinctively, and not allow too many negative thoughts to surface.

(Paul McCartney, April/May 1982, interview for Music Express)

The couple of years after the Beatles broke up it was very touchy because I think we suspected each other of business manoeuvres. So anyone would ring up, it would be like, “Why is he ringing?” And when you put up the defensive like that it’s very difficult to say, “I’m not! Honest!” You just don’t know where to put yourself. So we had a lot of those ups and downs for quite a few years. But the favourite thing was that if ever we talked not business – and what we ended doing, actually, was make a rule not to talk business on the phone – and on those occasions, we had really good vibes, man. And it was great; we just talked kids, we talked family, we talked cats, we talked life, rather than, “oh, what songs are doing with x business affair?” And one of the great things for me, one of the consolation prizes after John was killed, the only thing– you know, you find yourself holding on to little bits of wreckage to keep yourself afloat. And with me it was the fact that our last phonecall was really one of the best we ever had together; it was really warm, we were really friends again.

(Paul McCartney, 1984, interview for CBS Morning News)

Q: Do you remember your last conversation with John? A: Yes. That is a nice thing, a consoling factor for me, because I do feel it was sad that we never actually sat down and straightened our differences out. But fortunately for me, the last phone conversation I ever had with him was really great, and we didn’t have any kind of blowup. It could have easily been one of the other phone calls, when we blew up at each other and slammed the phone down. Q: Do you remember what you talked about? A: It was just a very happy conversation about his family, my family. Enjoying his life very much; Sean was a very big part of it. And thining about getting on with his career. I remember he said, “Oh, God, I’m like Aunt Mimi, padding round here in me dressing gown”– robe, as he called it, ’cause he was picking up the American vernacular –“feeding the cats in me robe and cooking and putting a cup of tea on. This housewife wants a career!” It was that time for him. He was about to launch Double Fantasy.******

(Paul McCartney, Dec 1984, interview for Playboy)

******Double Fantasy released 17 November 1980

I was lucky. The last few wee... months that he was alive, we’d managed to get our relationship back on track. And we were talking and having real good conversations. Real nice and friendly.

(Paul McCartney about This One, interview with Bernard Goldberg for the TV series 48 Hours, 1989)

[horrorlesbians]

hiii thanks for rbing my horror recs post! here's your recs! :)

based on saint maud i'd recommend you the lodge (2019), the first omen (2024), immaculate (2024), longlegs (2024), alucarda (1977), veronica (2017), the witch (2015), and thelma (2017) about women struggling with themselves and religion.

based on ginger snaps i'd recommend let the right one in (2008), the lure (2015), the living dead girl (1982), stoker (2013), may (2002), bones and all (2022) and carrie (1976) about slightly blood thirsty outcast girls who want to be loved :(. 

based on lake mungo i'd recommend savageland (2015), horror in the high desert (2021), butterfly kisses (2018) and the midnight swim (2014) because they're all hauntingly sad horror mockumentaries.

based on the texas chainsaw massacre i'd recommend wolf creek (2005), hatchet (2006), x (2022) and the loved ones (2009) because they're all nice and grimy and gritty and yucky.

based on the wind i'd recommend you the dark and the wicked (2020), the power (2021), caveat (2007), the orphanage (2007), a dark song (2016), the night house (2020), the blackcoat's daughter (2015) and the others (2001) which are all extremely beautifully atmospheric and isolated.

hope there's some you haven't seen yet! :)

you are such a real one. I’ve seen a handful of these but some I haven’t so I can’t wait to watch them!!! tysm darling

[crepesuzette2023]

Hi, lovely Crepesuzette! Thanks a lot of your inspiring blog, your fics and always helpfull #fic recs! And can I ask any recs for good fics where John in the end understend the shit he did for Paul? All of this HDYS, Melody Maker, Rolling Stone etc, which not only hurted Paul but they ruined his self-esteem and creative reputation, you know. Thanks again! Love you and want you be happy everyday like you do it for me :)

Hello there, thank you for the ask—and for your kind words. Very welcome, esp. since real life has been low grade shit these past few days.

So...your ask make me think of stories where things are not only better than they were in this (clears throat) reality as we know it: there's also a focus on mutual understanding, peace-making, forgiveness. Yes?

These came to my mind...and making this list made me realize I'm really in the mood to re-read some of them! In the 70's:

stuck inside these four walls (@monkberries). Lost Weekend. John and Paul get locked up until they resolve their shit.

i can only speak my mind (@revollver). 70's. Paul reads John's 'secret' diaries that have been leaked to the press, and understands him—and himself—better.

forth and back (@monkberries). 70's—80's. Paul and John talk through songs.

A Toot and a Snore (@glowing-gold). Lost Weekend in LA. That jam session is on the page in real time, as is their slow and hot reconciliation. Will never forget the description of moustache-Paul and his nipples, *fans self*

They Say it's Your Birthday (@ohjohnnysblog). 1979. A personal favorite. Warm, nostalgic phone sex in the spirit of peace and friendship.

Down on the Farm (RosalindBeatrice), 1974. John is exposed to Wings, Paul's family, and Paul's hotness, and realizes it's all meant to lure him back...

You Will, You Will, You Will (@eveepe). John and Paul and Linda take the plunge. Excellent tension...over the phone and in person.

February in New Orleans (@eveepe). 1975. John and May visit Paul and Linda in New Orleans. Resentment is desire's favorite costume. Everyone has a good time, 2/4 have a hard-on (I am sorry).

Adventures in Total Honesty (@merseydreams). 1975. Paul and John meet backstage, and have it out. A+ banter, and so many things I wish Paul had said. Also: sex.

The lights go down (they're back in town) (@backbenttulips). 1977. Paul and John are trapped in an elevator at the Dakota. The power goes out. John comes back to live.

Something Borrowed Something New (@inspiteallthedanger). 1979. The former Beatles meet at Pattie & Eric's wedding. Paul and John face some truths.

six hours in august (@stonedlennon). 1979. A chance meeting in NYC. The love is still there.

I Still Miss Someone/ I Know That I Miss you, but I Don't Know Where I Stand/ Close the Door Lightly When You Go (RosalindBeatrice). 1976-1979. Paul and John become lovers, but their lives have changed. John feels guilty about the past, Paul has a family...Mutual empathy is needed, and accordingly grows. But it doesn't come easy.

1980 and Onwards:

The Birthday Party (@merseydreams). John and Paul meet at Ringo's Birthday Party. Paul has had therapy, and John wears denim shorts. There is only one bed.

Free Man in Paris (@backbenttulips). John and Paul get married in Paris in '61, and get a divorce seven years later. But it's not the end.

Memory Lane (@ohjohnnysblog). Old, married John and Paul leaf through a photo album and reminisce about the past, including past lovers.

and when broken bodies are washed ashore (who am i to ask for more) (wardo_wedidit): John and Paul. Now and Then.

Bermuda (@scurator): John and Paul are grown-ups and know what they want (each other, to start with).

Take A Sad Song and Make it Better (@javelinbk). 1980. John visits Paul in 1980, and they revisit the past, including their love. But their families don't magically disappear. Also by @javelinbk: Our Version of Events (Part 1, Part 2 (in progress)). 1971. Reading fan fiction helps John and Paul realize what's happening, and what's been happening in the past.

Going Nowhere (@inspiteallthedanger). 1980; John survives the shooting and returns to England. I think of this one as 'they talk about it' fic.

Comprehensive Fix-Its:

The Contract (JP). The story of John and Paul, with a happier (though bizarre) ending, and a lot of sex (good).

i was a younger man then (now) (post hoc) (@fingersfallingupwards). The story of John and Paul à la The Time Traveller's Wife. It takes them a long time—but in the end they do understand and forgive each other.

[got-ticket-to-ride]

Wanted to know your thoughts on this, but for what I've reading on John it really looks to me he really got worse post Paul and post Beatles, like his saddest songs match the moment he started to have issues with Paul, he wasn't really having much contact with anyone outside Yoko, he wasn't doing much music, he wasn't being that funny either, he even died without being able to fully overcome his heroine addiction (addiction that started in the Beatles fall out right?), and idk i believe his involvement in the whole peace/art movement looked more like an escape (like some people do with religion) than actual interest.

So what you think, was John at his worst after he got out the band and cut his relationship with Paul or was it was always like that?

Hello @lord-pain

thank you for this ask! I hope I'll make sense. I think the White Album was definitely the start of John's "sad songs". Happiness is a Warm Gun, Yer Blues. Subsequently, Dig a Pony sounded so desperate to me and Because which is yeah, post India, post breakup?

There's so many different accounts during that period. Some narrators might be unreliable because you never know who these "historians/journalist/"acquaintances" have their allegiance to.

During the 70s it was said that John was miserable, became a violent drunk (who believed in astrology). He was quite unhappy with how things turned out in his life due to his choices but he was too proud to admit it.

About drugs, Fred Seaman said John stopped with heroin in the last half of the 70s in this video.

Due to differing accounts that are out there, I just concentrate on John, what he wrote lyrically and how clearheaded he was during his last interview. He was trying to be better. I think that is the most important detail despite everything that went down. Also the part where he was going to work with Ringo and had booked a studio with Paul for January 1981.

His activism was partly a distraction for him. Beatle John dabbled in it, but he became very aggressive about politics after the break up. He was anti-religion when he released Imagine (1971). But went back to believing in god when he wrote "Grow Old With Me" (1979?), which I have so much thoughts about but I haven't even had the courage to voice out.

While there are glimpses of John's mental anxiety visible in his song "Help!" (1965)

"Help me if you can, I'm feeling down, and I do appreciate you being 'round",

he was trying to be positive about it as seen in "Strawberry Fields Forever" (1966):

"It's getting hard to be someone but it all works out, It doesn't matter much to me".

And was still holding on during the conception of "Across the Universe" (in February 1968) with his mantra:

"Nothing's gonna change my world",

which I think might've been a result of Paul's engagement in December 1967 to Jane.

Across the Universe (February 1968) > believer God (1970) > anti-religion Imagine (1971) > anti-religion (he made a satire song which I did not include here) Grow Old With Me (1979) > believer

During his alleged break from music from 1975, he was still making home demos and was writing Skywriting by Word of Mouth.

I think John and Paul being apart was just not good for them. The general opinion was that Paul left John and had moved on. (I don't believe that's true). It was John who made the decision to leave, it was this push and pull thing, and Paul continued to reach out to him (and we don't know what happened during all those times they've met up). Some accounts say that John was practically begging for a reunion but then again Paul never stopped reaching out to John (see 1976) so I personally think, regardless of all these details that are out in the open, there is still a missing piece we have not considered yet and that can only be told by Paul himself.

To summarize it, John probably had depression (since his teenage years) but Paul was a constant positive thing in his life that he needed and that had helped him through it, "the girl who came to stay" until something happened...

John Lennon was definitely at his worst without his buddies by his side in the 70s.

[whositmcwhatsit]

Well, hello there

My, it's been a long, long time...

Once upon a time, a bored little girl was watching a documentary about a strange and beautiful boy singing a sad, lonely song.

And she was never the same again...

Somehow I accidentally became an Elvis fic writer. I love interaction, so all feedback, comments, accusations, insults and awkward conversation starters are welcome, wanted and devoured!

Elvis Fic Masterlist

One shots-

Cherry Delight

It is the hot, long summer of 1956 and Annie's best friend Margie has discovered a new singer that is not only handsome, but can sing, move, AND lives in their home town.

The Deal

Elvis has a wardrobe malfunction on set in Hawaii and discovers that the best action is not always happening in front of the camera.

Save Me

1976, Elvis is on his way to Palm Springs when he comes across a woman in need of rescuing.

The Gate Girl

Retired 'gate-girl' Chrissie is home on Spring Break and reluctantly brings her college roommate to the gates of Graceland to see what the fuss is about.

Stay the Same

Just before his induction into the army, Elvis reconnects with someone from his early touring days.

Afraid

In 1957, a girl and a boy meet at a fairground. They have their meet cute and there's a connection. It should have all flowed naturally from there. Except the boy is Elvis Presley and his life more resembles white water rapids.

Two parters-

Something Else

In February 1975, two bored and lonely people found each other wandering the halls of a hospital in the early hours of the morning.

Part 1

Part 2

Ongoing-

An Enjoyable Slide to Oblivion

Like a lot of girls, Chancy Crawford had once been able to call herself one of Elvis's girlfriends, but that was long time ago. Now, she called herself his friend, or his 'cousin' if any of his girlfriends asked. It was just easier that way. And their relationship was all about being comfortable and easy. Until she gets asked to come and join a tour that seems endless and cursed.

Summer Festival

A young woman on vacation in Las Vegas in August 1970 unexpectedly becomes an Elvis fan and more.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Glimmers of Dawn

A regular night at a bar ends with Aurora and her best friend being invited to Graceland by a couple of his employees, as long as they stay quiet, and don't touch anything or do anything to wake up The Boss, who's been holed up in his bedroom for days.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

[bylertapes]

good old-fashioned lover boy (queen) 1976

I can dim the lights and sing you songs full of sad things we can do the tango just for two I can serenade and gently play on your heart strings

(...) and tell me how do you feel, right after all I'd like for you and I to go romancing say the word, your wish is my command

(...) when I'm not with you, think of you always

I miss you (I miss those long hot summer nights) when I'm not with you, think of me always (love you, love you)

hey, boy, where do you get it from? hey, boy, where did you go? I learned my passion in the good old-fashioned school of lover boys

oh, love (there he goes again) oh, lover boy (he's my good old-fashioned lover boy)

what're you doing tonight? hey, boy everything's all right, just hold on that's because I'm a good old-fashioned lover boy

[haveyoulistenedtothisalbum-poll]

Tracklist:

Victim Of Changes • The Ripper • Dreamer Deceiver • Deceiver • Prelude • Tyrant • Genocide • Epitaph • Island Of Domination

Spotify ♪ Bandcamp ♪ YouTube

[morningshush]

Sirius Black would absolutely have a love-hate relationship with ABBA — they are literally singing about his life:

The album ABBA was released April 21, 1976, when Sirius was in his fourth year and he

1) finally kissed Remus:

So I made up my mind

It must come to an end

Look at me now, will I ever learn?

I don’t know how

But I suddenly lose control

There’s a fire within my soul

Just one look and I can hear a bell ring

One more look and I forget everything, whoa

Mamma mia, here I go again

My my, how can I resist you?

(Mamma Mia)

2) told Severus to go to the Whomping Willow during a full moon…

Where are those happy days

They seem so hard to find

I tried to reach for you, but you have closed your mind

Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood

It used to be so nice, it used to be so good…

So, when you’re near me, darling, can’t you hear me

S.O.S.

The love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S.

[…]

You seem so far away though you are standing near

You made me feel alive, but something died I fear

(S.O.S.)

3) realised the he loved Remus and told him:

Love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me

I love you

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

I can’t conceal it, don’t you see, can’t you feel it?

[…]

So come on, now let’s try it

I love you, can’t deny it

'Cause it's true

(I do, I do, I do, I do, I do)

The album Arrival was released October 11, 1976, when Sirius was in his sixth year.

First of all, he’s the dancing queen:

Night is young and the music’s high

With a bit of rock music, everything is fine

(Dancing Queen)

Secondly, he’s run away from home and Regulus joined the Death Eaters:

I’ve seen it on your face

Tells me more than any worn-out old phrase

So now we’ll go separate ways

Never again we two

Never again, nothing I can do…

Like an image passing by

My love, my life

In the mirror of your eyes

My love, my life

I can see it all so clearly

Answer me sincerely

Was it a dream, a lie?

[…]

But I know I don’t possess you

So go away, God bless you

You are still my love and my life

Still my one and only

(My Love, My Life)

The Album was released December 12, 1977.

About Sirius and Remus:

I was an impossible case

No one ever could reach me

[…]

I'm a bashful child beginning to grow

And you make me talk

And you make me feel

And you make me show

What I'm trying to conceal

If I trust in you

Would you let me down?

Would you laugh at me

If I said I care for you?

[…]

Your smile, and the sound of your voice

And the way you see through me

Got a feeling, you give me no choice

But it means a lot to me

(The Name of the Game)

Also I have no idea if there were karaoke-bars in England in 1977, but in my head the marauders go to a karaoke-bar and they encourage Lily to go up on stage and do a song, which she is reluctant to but then caves in and starts singing Thank You For The Music with the loveliest voice and most enticing eyes and James m e l t s

Voulez-vous was released April 23, 1979, the year Regulus dies.

Remus to Sirius:

How I hate to see you like this

There is no way you can deny it

I can see that you're oh, so sad, so quiet

[…]

You were always sure of yourself

Now I see you’ve broken a feather

(Chiquitita)

Super Trouper was released November 3, 1980.

About Sirius and Remus:

Touch my soul, you know how

Andante, andante

Go slowly with me now

I'm your music, I’m your song

Play me time and time again and make me strong

Make me sing, make me sound

Andante, andante

Tread lightly on my ground

Andante, andante

Oh, please don’t let me down

(Andante, Andante)

In the summer of 1981, Sirius got sick of the war and decided to take Remus with him for a weekend in Paris:

The summer air was soft and warm

The feeling right, the Paris night

Did its best to please us

And strolling down the Élysées

We had a drink in each café

And you, you talked of politics, philosophy and I smiled like Mona Lisa

We had our chance

It was a fine and true romance

[…]

I can still recall our last summer

I still see it all

Walks along the Seine, laughing in the rain

Our last summer

Memories that remain…

We made our way along the river

And we sat down in the grass

By the Eiffel tower

I was so happy we had met

[…]

We took the chance

Like we were dancing our last dance

I can still recall our last summer

I still see it all

In the tourist jam, round the Notre Dame

Our last summer

Walking hand in hand

Paris restaurants

Our last summer

Morning croissants

Living for the day

Worries far away…

(Our Last Summer)

They toasted to many more summers like those, but it really was their last…

The Visitors was released November 30, 1981. A month earlier, Lily and James were murdered, Peter disappeared and Sirius was imprisoned.

Sirius in Azkaban:

One of us is crying, one of us is lying

In her lonely bed

Staring at the ceiling

Wishing she was somewhere else instead

One of us is shaking with a heart that’s breaking

One of us is lonely, one of us is only

Waiting for a call

Sorry for herself, feeling stupid, feeling small

Wishing she had never left at all

(One of Us)

Remus:

Do I really see what’s in her mind?

Each time I think I’m close to knowing

She keeps on growing

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table

Barely awake, I let precious time go by

Then when she’s gone, there's that odd melancholy feeling

And a sense of guilt I can’t deny

What happened to the wonderful adventures

The places I had planned for us to go?

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Well, some of that we did, but most we didn’t

And why, I just don’t know

(Slipping Through My Fingers)

Bonus:

Knowing Me, Knowing You is Remus walking through Grimmauld Place after Sirius’s death:

No more carefree laughter

Silence ever after

Walking through an empty house

Tears in my eyes

Here is where the story ends, this is goodbye

[lovesongbracket]

Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

Summertime

Written By: Mikey Way, Ray Toro, Gerard Way & Frank Iero

Artist: My Chemical Romance

Released: 2010

“Summertime” is a ‘new wave’ song, allegedly believed to be written about frontman Gerard Way’s wife, Lyn-z Way. In an interview, Gerard said that it started as a riff Mikey had written, before evolving into a song they ‘couldn’t have the record without.’ “[“Summertime”] is one of the lyrically personal songs on the album, whereas the rest of it is just me talking about my worldview. So it’s a really beautiful song and again—no rules. We can have a soft song.”

[Verse 1] When the lights go out Will you take me with you And carry all this broken bone Through six years down In crowded rooms and highways I call home? Is something I can't know till now Till you picked me off the ground With brick in hand, your lip-gloss smile Your scraped-up knees and [Chorus] If you stay, I would even wait all night Or until my heart explodes, how long until we Find our way in the dark and out of harm? You can run away with me anytime you want [Verse 2] Terrified of what I'd be As a kid, from what I've seen Every single day when people try And put the pieces back together Just to smash them down Turn my headphones up real loud I don't think I need them now 'Cause you stop the noise and [Chorus] If you stay, I would even wait all night Or until my heart explodes, how long until we Find our way in the dark and out of harm? You can run away with me anytime you want [Post-Chorus] Well, anytime you want Well, anytime you want [Guitar Solo] [Bridge] Don't walk away, don't walk away Don't walk away, don't walk away! [Chorus] 'Cause if you stay, I would even wait all night Or until my heart explodes, how long until we Find our way in the dark and out of harm? You can run away with me [Post-Chorus] Or you can write it on your arm You can run away with me Anytime you want

Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy

Written By: Freddie Mercury

Artist: Queen

Released: 1976

The song was the eighth track on their album “A Day At The Races” which was released in 1976. The song also appeared on “Queens First EP” released in 1977. The song is about how Freddie is an old-fashioned lover, taking his partners on old-school dates such as dancing or dinner, also hinting at the fact that he is a good lover.

[Verse 1] I can dim the lights and sing you songs Full of sad things We can do the tango, just for two I can serenade and gently play On your heart strings Be a Valentino, just for you [Chorus] "Ooh love, ooh lover boy What're you doing tonight? Hey boy" Set my alarm, turn on my charm That's because I'm a good old-fashioned lover boy [Verse 2] Ooh, let me feel Your heartbeat (Grow faster, faster) Ooh, can you feel my love heat? (Ohh) Come on and sit on my hot seat of love And tell me how do you feel, right after all I'd like for you and I to go romancing Say the word, your wish is my command [Chorus] “Ooh love, ooh lover boy What're you doing tonight? Hey boy” Write my letter, feel much better I'll use my fancy patter on the telephone [Bridge] When I'm not with you, think of you always I miss you (I miss those long hot summer nights) When I'm not with you, think of me always Love you, love you Hey boy where do you get it from? Hey boy where did you go? I learned my passion in the good old-fashioned School of lover boys [Guitar Solo] [Verse 3] Dining at the Ritz, we'll meet at nine (One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine o'clock) precisely I will pay the bill, you taste the wine Driving back in style in my saloon will do quite nicely Just take me back to yours, that will be fine (Come on and get it) [Chorus] Ooh love (There he goes again) Ooh lover boy (Who's my good Old-fashioned lover boy?) (Ooh ooh) What're you doing tonight? Hey boy! Everything's all right, just hold on tight That's because I'm a good old Fashioned (Fashioned) lover boy

[salvadorbonaparte]

2023 in Films

I watched way too many films this year. Here are my opinions on some of them

January

Las Cosas Del Querer (1989) - Amazing if you love sad hot people and flamenco

Canadian Bacon (1995) - Incredibly silly and Alan Alda plays the US president

Nope (2022) - A highlight of the year

February

Hellraiser (1987) - This film is actually about miscommunication in this essay I will-

Predestination (2014) - Time Travel and Gender Moments

Malignant (2021) - Camp horror masterwork

Late Phases (2014) - Mediocre werewolf film with some really interesting comments on ageism, ableism, suburbia and religion

March

Sterne (1959) - Plays into some problematic stereotypes from today's perspective but revolutionary for its time, first German film to address the Holocaust

Major League (1989) - A film I only watched to confirm that it uses a weird phrase I also found in my thesis project

Carry On Screaming (1966) - Camp. Gay. Horror. Parody.

Glen or Glenda (1953) - A product of its time and no longer up to date in its understanding of gender but surprisingly revolutionary in its compassion and earnestness despite the bad reviews

April

Taxi Driver (1976) - Isn't it frustrating when annoying people tell you a film is good and then it's actually good?

June

Mr Deeds Goes To Town (1936) - Mr Deeds has autism swag

El Espíritu de la Colmena (1973) - I really wanted to like this because civil war era Spain and Frankenstein are super up my alley but unfortunately it was so much slower than expected

Das Boot (1981) - Very long and claustrophobic but holds up to the hype

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) - RIP King

July

Nimona (2023) - His big wet eyes bewitched me

First Blood (1982) - You're telling me the film is about Americans fighting an enemy they view as simultaneously weak and dangerous, escalating the situation, and then sending more and more men into a rainforest to die through guerilla warfare after being warned again and again they can't win this? sounds familiar

Barbie (2023) - Insert a bunch of pink emojis

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) - Made me crave bagels

Jojo Rabbit (2019) - God I love war satires

Sweet Liberty (1986) - Alan Alda having fun and also using his own film as a therapy session

The Majestic (2001) - A rewatch but it's so tragically underrated, Jim Carrey is very good in dramatic roles and McCarthy-era media is like catnip for me

Joker (2019) - This is just Taxi Driver with extra steps

August

Tin & Tina (2023) - Probably one of the worst films I have seen in a while

Battle of the Sexes (2017) - I love women

Four Lions (2010) - The ending really got me, I love when satire gets serious

The Sheriff and the Satellite Kid (1979) - Can we talk about how the theme song is just going "I'm the sheriff" "yes you're the sheriff"

Happiness (1998) - Nauseating but in a "good film but what the fuck" way

They Call Him Bulldozer (1978) - Italian Lagaan

The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) - Sad and Gay

Twister (1996) - So much better than expected

Magnolia (1999) - Cloudy with a chance of frogs, a really long but really good film and I'm not entirely sure I got it

Doubt (2008) - Somehow I watched 5 films with Philip Seymour Hoffman that month because I was haunted by his ghost or something

September

The Terminal (2004) - I assumed this to be more of a classic romcom but the whole concept (based on a true story) is so terrifying and tragic that it made me feel all emotions at once

Apocalypse Now (1979) - I knew a lot of trivia about the film but for some reason I didn't know anything about the cast so every single actor was a surprise and made me go "!!!", Also I kinda wanna write an essay about it

October

Bloodbath at the House of Death (1984) - Some of the gay jokes absolutely killed me

Last Night in Soho (2021) - I'm Not Like the Other Girls to Time Travel Murder Nightmare Pipeline, actually I really enjoyed this one but it's also super silly

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) - How do you say poor little meow meow in gaeilge

The Menu (2022) - I go to the murder restaurant I order the beesechurger, I was super surprised there's no cannibalism but tbh that would have been low hanging fruit

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) - Explains a lot about religion in the US, I love that she was pro lgbt, also I googled her ex husband and he has a prepper/survivalist thing going on now and scams more people

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) - we can't eat pray love ourselves out of this one boys

Holes (2003) - Hated the book as a teenager for school reasons but gave the film a try and really enjoyed it

Renfield (2023) - I expected werewolves but I enjoyed it nevertheless, My Chemical Romance is on the soundtrack, it's very silly, the effects are great

Interview with the Vampire (1994) - Oh people weren't lying about it being homoerotic

The Big Lebowski (1998) - I've had days that feel like that

November

Pappa ante Portas (1991) - Funnier now that I'm an adult, basically half the jokes my mum makes are from this film

The Meg 2: The Trench (2023) - I watched this while sick and really wanted to see a giant shark fight a giant octopus and boy did it deliver

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) - Very nice animation style

JFK (1991) - I actually fell asleep halfway through because it's so long but can we talk about how this film is just A-listers but has some of the worst wigs and makeup I've seen

Bottoms (2023) - A spiritual sequel to Heathers

December

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - They deserve each other (derogatory) but that one restaurant scene was pretty funny

The Royal Nanny (2022) - one of the many Hallmark films my mum made me watch and this is perhaps the worst one, incredibly sexist even for a Hallmark film and they clearly mean Mi5 but say Mi7 which was a WW2 propaganda service? Also they really want me to believe there is a British prince called Colin and that he doesn't look like his family tree is a circle?

I forgot the title but there was also the one where two people get stuck in a time loop while trying to make a sponsored youtube video about baking and I didn't really pay attention much but man that was bad

[doll-elvis]

Bear with me 'cause I'm feeling sad as fuck 'cause we had so many people talking about Elvis bith in good and bad faith but it hurts me deeply that we don't have a list of his top 100 movies/song and his top 10 favourite animals and shit like that.

I wanna KNOW the man, I wanna know what he liked besides burgers

I wanna know if he watched Young Frankenstein or Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and if he liked them!

I'm so sad I'm sorry

oh my gosh- please don’t feel sorry for sharing thoughts like these because I truly relate to it so much 😭 and it brings comfort to me to know that I’m not the only one who can get lost in my own head thinking about these things- I welcome any and all vents about elvis in my inbox & I hope this brings you some comfort like reading your ask did for me ♡

while im grateful that we know some of his favorite things/foods from girlfriends and friends (like the fact that he could finish a whole box of Eskimo pies because he loved them that much 🥹), I’m still not satisfied because I have about a hundred questions floating around my head at any given time that I wish I could ask Elvis

I want to know what he got at the candy counter whenever he saw movies at the Memphian, I wanna know all the movies that made him laugh or cry, and like you said I want an numerical list of his top favorite animals. I would be over the moon to know something like his go-to McDonald’s order or if he was a morning shower person or a night shower person… sigh

I’ll just never get tired of learning about him because everything I’ve come to learn, I’ve come to love

however I did recently discover something about Elvis that made me personally love him even more (which I didn’t think was possible at this point) and that is that he was a huge fan of horror novels- which just happens to be my favorite genre to read and so when I saw him holding the copies of two of my absolute favorite books of that genre, I practically screamed !!

look at his cute self holding his copy of the exorcist- could you imagine him all curled up in bed with his lil reading glasses on and his bedside lamp on, reading this? 😭

and look at him proudly showing off his copy of the omen (this one made me scream even more because I have the exact same copy that I got from my aunt who bought it when it was first published in 1976)

im also on the floor at the fact that when he got sent a copy of the omen by a fan for it to be signed he read it before sending it back 💀

knowing that he was such an avid reader is just one of my favorite things I’ve come to learn about him- I just know he would have been an active reviewer on goodreads 🤧

[eptodaytommorowforever]

Beautiful Elvis Presley Candid Photo Seen Here Wearing a Pink Polka Dot Silk Shirt Seen Here Sitting Down At The Piano Unwinding Like He Did Before He Recorded At RCA Studios Here In New York In 1956. He Always Liked To Do A Jam or A Warm Up Session Either Accompanying Himself As Seen Here Or With The Jordanaires Of Course The RCA Executives And The Fat Controller Parker Is Manager Wasn’t Happy Reason Why As It Was Costing Them A Lot Of Money And They Didn’t Care About Elvis Presley’s Creative Side All They Saw Was Elvis Presley As A Cash Cow The Mighty Dollar. But Elvis Presley Said I’m The Star ⭐️Not Them To A Close Friend Assoc And He Ignored Them Till He Was Ready To Record The Songs He Was Scheduled To Sing 🎵 For RCA.

True Fact; See My Elvis Family And My Elvis Presley Friends Them RCA Executives Movie As Well As The Fat Controller Parker They Just Didn’t Get It Elvis Presley Was A Creative Talent Musician Actor He Had To Warm Up Look At in 1976 He Was Bored With RCA They Couldn’t Even Get Him Back In The Studio They Had To Bring A Mobile Studio To Him At Graceland They In My Opinion Didn’t See Elvis Presley As A Creative Talented Unique Musician To Them RCA And Hollywood And Parker All They Saw Was Money Profit Very Very Sad They Should Let Elvis Presley Spread Is Wings Record Better Songs. Make Better Movies I’m Sorry But They Should All Be Held Accountable For Ruining Elvis Presley’s Career.

[papertowness]

summer , highland falls

???? sad ??????

8/10 , piano was so good in this one . catholicism mentioned . however cannot be listened to passively !!!

ok starting turnstiles now

[franklyimissparis]

Some great 1970’s fix it fics: a toot and a snore by 15clubsaday

They also wrote a great 1967 fic called auld langs syne that’s is perfect because it’s about new years

They’re currently writing a fic about 1976 house husband years called Writig Letters

Also Bermuda and The Jumper and I can only speak my mind

love all of these fics dearly!!! we’re so lucky to have such great writers around here.

some of other 70s/80s fix-it recs for my fellow enthusiasts :)) (all of these are on ao3)

- the birthday party by merseydreams

- take a sad song and make it better by javelinbk

- having coffee by dornfelder

- going nowhere by inspiteallthedanger

[javelinbk]

Fic summary

Multi-chapter

The Songs We Were Singing (34k words)

John and Paul through the years, in a universe where they become lovers in the 60s but still split up.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 (but only certain chapters)

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Playlist

Take a sad song and make it better (69k words)

An alternative ending for 'The Songs We Were Singing'. What if John moved back to England in 1980 and stayed at Paul’s guest house? Oh, and what if they were ex-boyfriends?

Fix-It, 80s

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Pic set

Double Fantasy (13k words)

A modern AU where John owns a flower shop and Paul is the handsome stranger who seems to be buying rather a lot of flowers. Just a shame he has a girlfriend…

Angst level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Artwork

Stop all the clocks (31k words)

1967. After Brian dies, Paul decides not to go ahead with Magical Mystery Tour, and takes John up to Scotland for a month instead.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Moodboard

Artwork

Brother Dearest (76k words)

AU where Mimi and Jim get married and John and Paul are stepbrothers (stepbrothers who are attracted to each other)

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Get a job, cop! (18k words)

John and Paul end up getting arrested after their rooftop gig, which leads to an unexpected change in their relationship. But is it too little, too late?

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Father and Son (19k words)

A sequel to Brother Dearest. March 1976. Jim McCartney has died, and John finds himself returning to the family home for the first time in seven years.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

The Life of Riley (58k words)

Modern AU. John is a terrible driver, but a broke one, so he lets his aunt get him a job as a chauffeur. His first passenger is Paul, the son of a wealthy businessman, whose father wants him to follow in his footsteps. It soon becomes clear that neither men are happy with their current situation in life.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Our Version of Events (33k words)

1971, Tittenhurst Park, Ascot. John discovers that fans have been writing stories about him and Paul, and it changes everything that he thought he knew about their relationship.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Flowers in the Dirt (29k words)

A Paul-POV version of 'Double Fantasy'. Modern AU where John owns a flower shop and Paul is the handsome stranger who seems to be buying rather a lot of flowers. Just a shame he has a girlfriend…

Angst level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Moodboard & playlist

Artwork

The Story Continues (13k words)

A sequel to Our Version of Events. Paul finally visits John at Tittenhurst, and all is going great… until he plays Paul his new album.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Heart of Glass

Meet Paul McCartney. Forty years old. Husband, father of two, teacher turned PhD student. So far, so dull. Until he meets his new next-door neighbour, a successful writer by the name of John Lennon, who turns his life upside down.

Angst level - 🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Moodboards

Playlist

One-shots

And I will sing a lullaby (1k words)

The first J/P fic I ever wrote, and what turned into TSWWS/TASSAMIB. Paul refuses to share a room with John after an argument, but soon comes to regret it.

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level- 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

You say yes, I say no (2k words)

Five times that John heard ‘no’. And one time he heard ‘yes’.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Fluff level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Sharing is caring (2.5k words)

Kink meme prompt - "Paul and John meet a woman and both start flirting with her. They can’t figure out which one she prefers, and that leads to a threesome. But it gets embarrassing when, in the threesome, it’s clear they are most attracted to each other."

Angst level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Because I love Paul (800 words)

How did Paul get that ‘Love of My Life’ badge at the All You Need Is Love press day?

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Paul in the raw (900 words)

Inspired by that old Beatles article that said Paul 'loathes pajamas and prefers to sleep raw', which seems... awfully convenient.

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

So It Was, So It Is, So It Always Will Be (2k words)

19 songs. 19 years in John and Paul's life. The (fictionalised) story of John and Paul, told through the songs of the Everly Brothers.

Angst level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fair’s fair (2k words)

Paul pulls John’s chair out at the Atlantic City press conference, so John decides to get his own back.

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

I’ve just got to get a message to you (800 words)

Paul keeps telling people that John hasn’t sent a message to him from beyond the grave. And John isn’t too happy about it.

Angst level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Khristmas Karaoke (4k words)

A spin-off from 'Take a sad song and make it better' - Lennon-McCartney Christmas 1987, and Paul has a new toy

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Playlist

Très bien ensemble (5k words)

Kink meme prompt - Paul’s attempts to pull at an art school party fail… or do they?

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

That picture on the wall (3k words)

Kink meme prompt - Paul develops his photos from the Paris 61 trip, and is disappointed to find they don’t have any decent photos of him and John together. John makes it up to him somehow.

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level- 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Mornings at Cavendish (6k words)

A spin-off from TSWWS/TASSAMIB - snapshots of John and Paul's lives through the years (mostly post-TASSAMIB)

Angst level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Just Can't Get Enough (6k words)

A spin-off from The Life of Riley - the first night, week and month of John and Paul's new life together

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Club Sandwich (4k words) (with @scurator)

Kink meme prompt - Some drug-fuelled party in 1967. Paul ends up sandwiched between two men on the couch. As they start fondling and kissing him, John stumbles upon the scene…

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️

I love you anyhow (4k words)

Kink meme prompt - John or Paul accidentally saying “I love you” during a session of ‘just jerking off between mates’

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

Plausible deniability (9k words)

Kink meme prompt - Bedsharing leads to dry-humping which starts as something accidental when they’re asleep.

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️

Smut level - 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

It might come true (1.7k words)

Takes place five years after the events of Double Fantasy/Flowers In The Dirt

Angst level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Fluff level - 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Smut level - ⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️

Collections

Room for a little one?

Perspective flip for 'Because I love Paul' (angst/fluff)

Paul has an argument with Rory Storm, John worries about fish (fluff)

Deleted scene from Brother Dearest - George knows (fluff)

Deleted scene from Brother Dearest - Cyn's pregnant (angst/fluff)

George Martin allows Paul to be the boss for once (angst/smut)

Deleted scene from Father and Son - Mike's wedding (angst)

Mince pies and missed thighs - Christmas 1964, and John is in a grump (fluff)

Paul POV snippets from Father & Son (angst)