#melody goes to London

[forlornmelody]

Today's List of Nice Things:

1) Met @phoen1xr0se, her partner, and a bunch of other wonderful Good Omens fans!

2) Got lost TWICE in London. Why is this nice? Still made it where I wanted to go both times. Take THAT, Trixter Google Maps.

3) It was so cool seeing both the Bench and The Sky Garden (aka the Up) in person! I would like to live at both these locations, please and thank you.

4) Finally found a curry I like. And I am not a curry person. Maybe they don't make it right in the States?

5) omg omg omg motherfACKING MACBETH. The entire cast killed it. I love the depth that both David and Cush brought to their roles and the journey they took us on with their characters. Also, no one warned me that David would be breathing heavily and whispering in my ear most of the evening. *fans self*

6) Ngl, I was very star-struck when David made eye contact, said thank YOU back and signed my program. I didn't quite have the same reaction as I did to Michael. Maybe because Michael came onto the stage as himself before settling into his performance? And David was of course Macbeth until curtain call? Definitely not saying one play/performance was better than the other. Literally apples and oranges and I love them both. Very spoiled to experience both in 48 hours.

[readwritealldayallnight]

You haven’t noticed him yet.

Lost in the words printed on the pages, you haven’t glanced up from your book since Simon stepped out of the shower, peeking at your figure through the window panes.

You’re out on the small, cramped balcony of your shared London flat, curled into yourself to squeeze all your limbs as comfortably as you can onto the wicker chair.

The half empty cup of tea sitting on the small side table next to you is no longer as warm as it was when you first brought it out. Without a second thought, Simon goes to warm up the kettle again, not wanting you to get cold.

He frowns as your fingers quickly catch the edge of your book before the wind can flip your current page away, your hair being blown away from your face. He spots the tiny shiver that goes through you and decides he’ll bring out a throw blanket for you as well. Maybe one of his hoodies.

You’d teased him about something like this the other day, after he’d finished tucking your chair in at a local cafe. Saying that his love language was sooo obviously acts of service.

He’d playfully rolled his eyes, joking about how yours must be to never stop talking, chuckling at the half hearted kick he received underneath the table, before you explained that that wasn’t what love languages are.

Simon wasn’t so sure about that whole idea. All he knew was that he liked taking care of you, just as you took care of him. Simple as that.

He knows he always feels lighter after you send him a thankful smile any time he carries your bag for you or opens your door.

He knows you can’t stop smiling for at least a minute any time you swipe an eyelash off his cheek, carefully holding it in front of his lips so he can blow it away and ‘make a wish’.

He knows his chest always swells with pride any time you compliment his cooking, whether he attempted a dish on his own or simply added a seasoning to something you were already making.

He knows all the tension disappears from your shoulders when you’re sat in his lap, gently wiping away his black face paint from around his eyes, taking extra care around his delicate skin, humming a soft little melody for the both of you to hear.

He knows there isn’t anything in this entire god forsaken earth that makes him happier, than making you happy.

That’s why he’s been secretly looking into a new place for the two of you. This tiny shoebox of a flat had been fine when it was just him crashing here a handful of times a year between missions. When you got together and began spending more time sleeping here than at your own place, it only made sense to move in once your lease was up.

But now your books are piled in stacks along the baseboards, the closet can barely contain your clothes mixed in together, and the sight of you sitting out on that cramped balcony just doesn’t sit right with him.

He wants to give you a proper place, a home. He wants to be able to give you an actual yard with room to sprawl out and grow a garden if you want, or just lay out a picnic blanket and read until the sun sets.

He wants to hear you nag him about mowing the lawn, or raking the leaves, or shovelling the driveway. He wants to run out into a sudden summer storm with you to quickly pull off the laundry that had been drying on the clothes line, laughing the entire time.

As though sensing his gaze on you, you slowly lift your head, a chuckle slipping past his lips as your eyes immediately light up with excitement, a sweet smile gracing your lips as you send him a wave.

He lifts his hand, waggling his fingers back at you, the same corny grin on his face, knowing that there isn’t a thing in the world he wouldn’t do for you.

[whereforarthur]

A Delightful Surprise

Request: I was wondering if you could do a smut with either Chris or Arthur hill where the reader has no gag reflex and they find out when the reader goes down on them for the first time

Pairing: Arthur Hill x Reader

Category: Smut

Word Count: 1.4k

*****

The room was a cozy little sanctuary, infused with the warm, familiar scent of his cologne mixed with a gentle breeze from a lovely London summer evening. As the sun dipped below the horizon, it painted the space with a soft orange glow filtering through the half-drawn curtains. Shadows waltzed on the walls, playing tag with the bookshelves and scattered instruments, creating a beautiful scene where creativity and comfort intertwined—just like Arthur Hill himself.

Standing beside the unmade bed, they kissed with a hunger that spoke of longing, as if they had been waiting for this moment for far too long. Arthur’s fingers traced the edge of her shirt, lightly mapping the smooth skin just above her waistband. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, lost in the heat of the moment. His breath was warm on her neck, sending delightful shivers down her spine, syncing with the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her chest. Y/N felt her heart race, melding together with his in that charged atmosphere.

Their kisses grew more intense, bodies pressing against one another as Arthur’s hands explored her curves. She ran her fingers across his strong shoulders, feeling the tension in his muscles. They had danced around this electric chemistry for weeks, filled with dates that overflowed with laughter and lingering glances. The anticipation was building to a climax—it was time to let the music of their desire play out.

They tumbled onto the bed, the mattress giving a soft sigh beneath them. The sound of their clothes brushing together blended with their quickening breaths, creating a gentle background score to the passion unfolding. Y/N's heart raced as the heat pooled within her, and Arthur’s gaze searched hers, silently asking for affirmation to continue. With a blush of desire lighting up her cheeks, she nodded, and he fumbled with the buttons of her shirt, excitement making his hands tremble.

"You’re stunning," he murmured, his voice deep and sincere, vibrating through her as he unclothed her to reveal the delicate lace of her bra. She blushed, briefly shy as she looked away, but his gentle touch coaxed her gaze back to him. “I’ve wanted this since I first saw your profile.” His words felt like a sweet melody, instantly calming her as he began to trace a path down her stomach with his lips, drawing soft gasps from her.

“Arthur,” she whispered urgently, the name leaving her lips as a quiet plea. He kissed her deeply again, his hands gliding up her leg, teasingly brushing against her panties. “Is this okay?” he whispered, his gaze probing hers for any hesitation. She nodded, her voice low and sultry, “I want this too.”

Every piece of clothing he peeled away felt like he was unwrapping a precious gift. With each kiss he placed along her body, she felt the weight of their connection deepen—powerful yet vulnerable. "I've never felt anything like this before," she admitted shakily, and he paused, searching her eyes with genuine concern.

"You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with," he assured her tenderly, his thumb caressing her cheek. Something in his warm gaze made her heart swell, and she took a breath before whispering, "I want to taste you."

His eyes went wide with surprise and excitement. “Are you sure?” he rushed out, words spilling forth like water from a burst dam. “We can take it slow, or we can stop. Just tell me.” His voice was steady, filled with a concern that melted her hesitation. She met his eyes, feeling a surge of confidence, and placed a finger over his lips. “I’m sure.”

Taking a deep breath, he nodded, his heart racing with anticipation. “Okay, but just remember, you can stop me anytime.” As he sought her reassurance, all he found in her gaze was excitement and a hint of mischief.

Y/N shifted down his body, her eyes locked onto his as she felt the heat radiating from him. The need inside her intensified, a growing crescendo rippling through her. When she reached the waistband of his jeans, she paused, teasingly brushing her fingertips over the button. His breath hitched, desire clouding his eyes as he watched her, his anticipation building.

With a flick of her wrist, she expertly undid his fly, the zipper gliding down with a soft whisper. Arthur lifted his hips, allowing her to peel away both his jeans and boxers in one smooth motion. His erection sprang free, and for a moment, she savored the sight, appreciating how eager he was for her touch. Leaning in, she let her breath ghost over the tip, eliciting a shudder from him.

“Tell me what you want,” she urged, her voice low and sultry. Flustered, he struggled to find the words. “I want… I want you to make me feel good,” he finally managed, his voice thick with longing. A playful smirk crossed her lips, and her eyes gleamed with delight. “In that case,” she said, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper, “I’m going to take you to places you never knew existed.”

With that, she enveloped him in her mouth, warmth and wetness consuming him. Arthur’s reaction was immediate—a guttural moan escaped him as pleasure ignited across his body. He had never felt anything like this before; everything else faded, leaving only the intoxicating sensations she created. Her head bobbed in a rhythm that left him breathless, her tongue swirling as she expertly explored him.

“Do you… do you have a gag reflex?” he managed to ask, a laugh bubbling out as he watched her gleefully. With a playful sparkle in her eyes, she pulled back slightly, a smug smile gracing her lips. “Nope,” she teased. “It’s always been pretty non-existent.”

Fantastically vulnerable, Arthur couldn’t help but feel a rush of disbelief mixed with thrill. “Fuck me,” he whispered in awe. “That’s incredible.” She was otherworldly in her skill, leaving him to wonder how he had gotten so lucky. “God, marry me,” he blurted, the words rushing out before he could catch them.

Y/N giggled, her laughter sending jolts of excitement through him. “Is that a proposal?” she teased, a playful grin lighting up her features. “Maybe,” he replied, breathless. “But right now, I just need you to do that again.”

Her smile widened, and she leaned back in, taking him deeper this time, her throat inviting him in. Arthur’s head fell back, lost in the euphoric sensations. Her tongue worked wonders along the sensitive edges, bringing him to the brink again and again.

“Y/N,” he groaned, pleading as his body began to hum with electric tension. “You're so good.” Each stroke made him lose more of himself; every sound spilling from his lips was music to her ears. He could feel himself nearing the edge, the building pressure making him dizzy.

“I’m going to come,” he gasped, teetering on the precipice, and she only smiled wider, urging him on. “Cum for me, baby,” she murmured, the warmth of her voice sending another wave of pleasure washing over him.

In that moment, he surrendered completely to the sensations, the world shrinking down to just the two of them, moving together in a perfect rhythm. When he finally let go, the orgasm crashed over him, his features contorting in bliss as he called her name. She swallowed every drop, gazing up at him with a satisfied smile, the pleasure dancing in her eyes.

Breathless, Arthur collapsed back against the bed, still reeling from the overwhelming intensity. She wiped her mouth with a playful elegance, sending another rush of heat through him. “Wow,” he murmured, still trying to process what had just transpired.

“Was that good for you?” she asked, her playful tone light as a feather. He chuckled, still dazed. “Understatement of the year,” he managed, reaching out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “Your mouth… it’s a gift.”

Y/N blushed, a mixture of embarrassment and pride coloring her cheeks. “It’s all for you,” she breathed, leaning in for another kiss. This time, it was soft and tender, laced with the sweetness of their shared moment. The taste of him mixed with desire served only to rekindle the flames igniting their passion once more. “How do you do that?” he asked, genuine wonder filling his tone.

“Practice, I suppose,” she answered with a mischievous shrug, her smile radiant. He couldn’t comprehend how he’d never encountered someone like her before; she seemed created just for him, a perfect blend of skill and warmth.

“You’re something else,” he breathed and drew her closer. “Thank you.” Her smile turned sultry, and he reveled in the promise of more unforgettable moments still to come.

*****

Taglist~

@gvf23 @xxkatxgracexx @kneelforloki

[menlove]

Hey! I'm new in the fandom and I was wondering if you have any essential/good fic recs? Idk where to start haha

of course !! i made one like this a while ago but i can't find it so i'll make another and actually put it in a fic recs tag this time lmfao. also here's all my bookmarks if you wanna take a gander there!

i also did a list earlier this week with early days/hamburg fics and then one for like. longer fics that follow them through their lives, kinda.

but here's my all-time favorites (so far)!

your lucky break (by @forthlin hiiiii miles)

explicit. 17k.

When Paul was nine years old, he watched John Lennon sing Twist and Shout on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Where Paul is a rising singer in the 1970s who grew up idolizing performer-turned-producer John Lennon.

John My Beloved

explicit. 33k. user-only. They've always loved each other, in their own way…

Gretna Green Waltz

explicit. 21k. TRACK NAME: “GRETNA GREEN WALTZ” “JOHNNY’S WALTZ” “JUNK” A fleeting melody chases Paul for decades—a tune half-remembered, a life half-lived. This is its story.

a summer wasting (by @gaitskiller hi eliza)

explicit. 16k. London, 1967: Wish fulfilment, a lot of interrupted kisses, drugs in excess, and a hot, hot summer.

i was a younger man then (now) (post hoc)

mature. 27k. John’s twelve when a bloke appears from a flaming pie and says, “From this day forward you are Beatles with an ‘a.’” The bloke is Paul. Or: paul and john meet at all ages and eras and john is the time-traveler’s wife the way only john lennon can be

I Still Miss Someone

explicit. 64k. It's 1976 and Paul keeps showing up on John's doorstep with a guitar. Eventually John turns him away and Paul goes off to sulk in his hotel room the night before his flight from New York. Based on real events.

When You Are Young They Assume You Know Nothing

mature. 26k. But Paul knows John. There’s something about Paris, though...

Way Up Top

explicit. 12k. Falling out of the sky, together. | Snapshots of the Beatles in Greece, July 1967

1967

mature. 11k.

In 1961, John Lennon and Paul McCartney left abruptly on a trip to Spain, via France. In 1967, they finally come home to face the consequences.

I Do

explicit. 73k. A collection of stories about John and Paul’s developing relationship, with weddings as the theme for the day.

The First Year

explicit. 19k. Get back to where you once belonged. note from meee: since this summary doesn't explain much- it's the first year of them knowing each other.

filling the cracks that ran through the door (by @wronglennon hello aoife)

mature. 4k. user-only. paul/stu centric. John and Stu are in a fight.

always, no sometimes

explicit. 20k. user-only. Stolen moments from a single year. Or: four times someone nearly found John and Paul together, and the one time they found each other. Set around the recording of Sgt. Pepper, 1966.

[cheolism]

when he thinks of you

➥ moments when your svt boyfriend thinks of you (although he thinks about you all the time, if we're honest here)

➥ gn!reader

➥ mentions of food and eating, marriage. mentions of long-distance relationships and touring. this is just meant to be silly n cute!!!! it's just romance and fluff all the way through :) <3 if you've got any thoughts abt this, come visit me in my inbox and lmk!!!!

➥ choi seungcheol

he thinks of you when he pouts. he gets silky more often than he admits, but each and every time he can't help but think of you. whenever seungcheol pouts around you, which he does more often than not, you coo and kiss him. the first time it happened you made his heart beat so loudly he swore they could hear it in london. he had pouted about you taking a drink of his smoothie, whining about how there wasn't enough for him now. you had laughed, eyes shining. then you had leaned towards him, hands rising up to cup his face. you had looked at him like he had hung every single star in the sky, and when you pressed your lips to his he knew he would never ever be able to get you out of his head. and now, whenever he pouts, no matter where he is, thoughts of you appear.

➥ yoon jeonghan

whenever he sees something cute the first thing he thinks is of how much it reminds him of you. jeonghan finds you so ridiculously adorable. from the way you whine in the mornings, from the way you cuddle closer and closer whenever the two of you share a bed. whenever he sees a little puppy, running about with its overly large ears bouncing, he thinks of you and how adorable you'd find it. when he finds a cute little hello kitty phone charm online he always hovers over it, thinking of how cute it would look if you were to attach it to your phone. when he sees a cute little strawberry cake that's pastel pink with little cream hearts, he wants to buy it and present it to you. every cute thing in the world is linked back to you, and jeonghan wouldn't have it any other way.

➥ hong jisoo

whenever he sees his phone case he thinks of you. even fleetingly, if he takes his phone from his pocket and catches a glimpse of the case your name will flash through his mind, your lovely face grinning at him. he buys matching phone cases regularly, so much so that you've got one for each month of the year. but he adores it. he loves matching you, loves that whenever he looks down at his phone, whether it be his my melody phone case that matched your hello kitty one, or his phone case with half a heart that connected to yours, he adores it. and of course, what would all the work of having a matching phone case be without having matching lockscreens!!

➥ wen junhui

whenever jun sees an animal, he's whipping out his phone to snap a photo and show you. one of the first dates the two of you had ever been on was to a kitty cafe, in which he discovered you loved animals just as much as he did. that date was followed by an aquarium, which was followed by a petting zoo, and so on. he also loves getting photos of animals from you, so much so that he has a folder on his gallery dedicated to the animal photos you send him. he especially loves to send photos of stray kitties to you, dropping to a crouching position so he could get them to come close enough for pets. sometimes he thinks about the future, where he'd take you and buy a little farmhouse out in the country so the two of you could have a petting zoo of your own.

➥ kwon soonyoung

it isn't a physical thing that reminds soonyoung of you. whenever he stops for a break, whether it be practicing dancing or singing or when they have some other sort of a schedule, he thinks of you. more often than not, whenever he has an important and long schedule, you send him little texts reminding him to eat and drink, to take just a moment of rest to try and restore his energy. so whenever he goes on a break, whether he sees a text from you or not, he thinks oh, y/n would say to get some water. and so he would, wandering about until he finds what he's looking for. you love him so much that you want him to take care of himself, even when you're not aruond; and he loves you, so why on earth would he make you worry about something he could prevent?

➥ jeon wonwoo

whenever he pushes up his glasses, he is reminded of your fifth date. the two of you had taken it slow, not wanting to rush, not feeling the need to rush. and so your dates were long, comfy things that left him feeling refreshed and satisfied, that left him smiling and his heart swelling with warmth. your fifth date had been a late-night picnic next to the han river. you had been leaning against him, listening to wonwooo hum softly to the music playing off of his phone. you were staring at him -- which was fine. it would be a lie for him to try and pretend he didn't stare at you. but then you had leaned close, cupping his cheek with one hand and sliding his glasses up with the other, a cute little frown on your face. he found it so cute that he couldn't help but kiss you, and now whenever he has to push up his glasses himself he can't help but wish you were there with him, doing it instead.

➥ lee jihoon

jihoon is a workaholic. you know that, he knows that, the entire industry knows that. he had gotten better ever since you had sat him down, three months into dating, and had murmured, scared of pushing him away, that you missed him, that you wanted to actually, you know, see the man you were dating. ever since then jihoon tried his best to be present with you, but his job was a demanding one. you were understanding, however. you sent him cute photos of whatever you were doing, of yourself cuddling a stuffed animal he had gotten you while on tour. in exchange he would always send a picture of a cute little figurine you had gotten him on a vacation you took with your friends. you had set it on his desk, next to his monitor, with a cute little smile. "so you think of me whenever you're busy being a genius," you had said, teasing. but little did you know that it worked like a charm, and whenever he caught sight of that little figurine he couldn't help but think of you.

➥ lee dokyeom

it's tacky, and he knows it, but whenever dokyeom sings he can't help but think of you. every artist has their muse, and his is you. when he's across the world, singing his heart out, he's thinking of you. he tries to be present with the fans of course, tries to stay in the moment. but his heart always turns towards you, and dokyeom can't help but put a little more effort into singing, somehow feeling as if you were able to hear him despite all the distance between the two of you. when he sings at your shared apartment you always go to him, wrapping your arms around his waist and pressing your face against his chest, just listening to him. it's soothing to listen to him sing, you told him once; it was a comfort. and now whenever he sings he thinks of you, of you who found home beside him, and can't help but be comforted by the thought.

➥ kim mingyu

mingyu loves good food. you love good food. dates always come with a meal, the two of you alternating between who chooses where to eat. whenever he's away and has to choose from a menu, he'll send you photos of it. he'll text you his thought process as he goes through each item, as if he was talking to you in real time about what to have. when he does finally order, when he does get his food, he takes a photo to send to you. he'll rearrange the food if he has to, will clear the table and push other members' food out of the way so he could get the most perfect photo to send you. whenever you send him a photo of your meal he'll whine, he'll say about how he wishes he was there to take a bite, or how dare you eat something so delicious without him.

➥ xu minghao

whenever he gets out his phone to take a picture, he's already planning on sending it to you. that's just a given. every photo in his gallery is one he's sent to you, is one you've seen before. if he sees a pretty sunrise or sunset, he's sending them to you. if he sees a pretty flower, expect to see it. if he sees a pretty perfume bottle: you're seeing it. "you should see pretty things," he said when you asked once, so matter-of-fact about it that you couldn't help but laugh and kiss him. he firmly believes it too. people can't be perfect, minghao knows, but you're his definition of perfect because you're you. and so you should only have to see the beautiful and pretty things of the world, and if it falls on minghao to make sure of this, then it's a job he'll gladly do.

➥ boo seungkwan

one of his most favorite things in the world is making people laugh. he loves making his members laugh, loves making the staff laugh. making people happy is such a simple thing, but it's something seungkwan treasures. whenever he makes someone laugh he can't help but wish you were there. of everyone in the world -- except for his mom, maybe -- he loved making you laugh the most. he loves the way your eyes widen in surprise sometimes before you laugh. he loves your loud laughs and your quiet giggles. he wants to make you that happy all the time, and whenever he manages to make other people laugh he wishes you were there in the moment with him so you could laugh and be happy too. everyone's laughter is precious, seungkwan knows, but he can't help but think that your laughter is the most beautiful, no matter how quiet or loud it is, no matter how many times you snort or cry from it.

➥ chwe hansol

music is important to hansol. he adores it, loves it. he doesn't go anywhere without his headphones, whether it be his wireless airpods or beats or his store-bought wire ones. it doesn't matter which set he uses, however, because whenever he grabs them from their case he thinks of you. you've decorated each of the cases, pressing cute stickers and covering them. even his airpods max case is decorated in your stickers, his initials on each speaker in glittery pink. seungkwan had laughed his ass off when he first saw it, but hansol adored it. he loved pulling them out of his backpack and seeing his airpod case with your cute little kitten stickers decorating it, loved running his fingers over the turtle sticker you slabbed onto the case. whenever he uses someone else's headphones, whether it be for a schedule or because he somehow forgot his own, he can't help but think of his own headphones and how much better they were, simply because of your stickers.

➥ lee chan

you love touching chan. which is great because he loves touching you too! but in particular, whenever you're sitting, you grab his left hand and press it between both of yours. soon enough, like clockwork, you'll start twisting his rings around his fingers, smoothing over the metal. he'll ask you if you're nervous or anxious, but you'll just throw him a confused look and shake your head. it's fine, though. he loves it when you run your hand over his, when you twist his ring around his finger. it gets to the point that whenever he even glances at his ring he thinks of you, thinks of your fingers playing with his. rings become his favorite accessory because of you, and he even buys a special fidget one. his favorite ring, however, is the one he'll eventually wear on his left ring finger, a perfect match to yours.

[thegreatimpersonator]

since y'all seemed to want this.... here's the live notes i took while listening to each song for the first time (bold are thoughts i had during later listens)

fortnight: 

‘i was a functioning alcohol till nobody noticed my new aesthetic’ what the fuck does that even mean…

love the fact she gave post the female collab treatment. don’t wanna hear what he has to say. 

they’re voices sound actually good together? 

some pockets of the melody are catchy

okay i don’t hate this 

ttpd:

her red flags are on fire in this song lol

this seems very half-cooked

also jacks weird mixing continues to plague us all

CHARLIE PUTH???? WHAT THE FUCK WHY HE HERE

tattooed golden retriever??? ……no way

my boy breaks all his favorite toys:

i blinked and it’s half over

this also is like… half cooked and didn’t need to be released tbh

i love the way she sings the second verse tho

down and:

the production does not match the vibe

did tpain produce this

i’m… kinda bored lol

like i have nothing to say this also didn’t need to be released tbh 

this grew on me a lot actually

so long london 

the production is so futuristic? 

oh im obsessed with how she sounds on this one

her talk-singing in the verses is great

honest lyrics without any clunky unnecessary metaphors! a win!!

the fast-paced verses with th slow chorus is really really cool

a favorite so far

daddy i love him

i can barely hear her? the bad mixing continues 

‘growing up precociously sometimes means not growing up at all’ oh yeah WE KNOW

is this…… is this about her dating matty and loving how people hate him… no fucking way she’s this stupid

SHE IS BEING THIS STUPID

‘it’s white noise’ yeah yeah that’s exactly how id describe him  

.... anyway y'all remember when fans really believed the little mermaid theory and this song was supposed to be about how 'joe stole her voice' lmaooo

we will pretend this one doesn't exist!

fresh out the slammer

are we getting another ‘i didn’t cheat technically’ song lol

what is this weird tempo change….

okay kinda catchy

it’s sounds exactly like you are in love at the end….. jack is really out of tricks

florida

‘my friends all smell like weed or little babies’ what the fuck is she even talking about anymore 

i’m sorry but i’m laughing at the phrase ‘fuck me up florida’

again the production sounds so detached from the vocals 

i honestly still have no idea how i feel about this one

guilt as sin

an real instrument?? wow crazy 

okay she’s kinda cute? catchy and fun, love the melody

i love when she goes up at the end of the vocal 

okay…. i don’t mind this one she’s catchy, a little too long and drawn out but cute

who’s afraid of little old me?

what is this production? it’s way too soft to be as threatening as they’re trying for 

why did jack push her vocals back so far when she’s supposed to scream…. that’s ruins the whole thing…. she’s supposed to be screaming and threatening….. not quiet and far away…. hello

this song is trying very hard to be threatening but it’s not... vigilante shit 2.0

‘you wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum they raised me’…………… upper middle-class pennsylvania? 

‘i’m drunk on my own tears isn’t that what they all say, that’ll  sue you if you step on my lawn’ okay bar?

the bridge was good but that’s about it.

i can fix him 

…………… not another matty song oh god

‘i can handle a dangerous man’…… im too stunned to speak this is so embarrassing 

wow taylor really is that girl who like ‘women supporting women’ and then dates/defends a racist bf…. a walking example of white feminism

intersectional feminism found dead.... twice....

loml

okay this is really nice? 

I WAS ACTUALLY ENJOYING THE SONG WHY DID SHE RUIN IT BY SAYING ‘MR STEAL YOUR GIRL’ 💀

if we ignore that one line we're good this is good. im refusing to let that line ruin such a good song

i can do it with a broken heart

‘bitch smile’ why are there so many cringey lyrics on this album lol

what is this song omg why do i kind of like it 

taylor please learn depressed isn’t a synonym for sad 

they recycled the mastermind production 

wait till taylor finds out most of the entire world is sad while they're doing their job and has to pretend they're not

smallest man who ever lived 

oh i think i like this?

‘you said normal girls were boring’ GIRL AND YOU DIDNT IMMEDIATELY GET UP AND LEAVE??? EWWWW??? she's not beating the pick-me allegations

'i just wanna know if rusting my sparking summer was the goal' okay love that line

i like this a lot

the alchemy

no….. no way this is real

i cannot

THE SPORTS METAPHORS WE JOKED SHED DO THAT AND SHE ACTUALLY DID IT OH NO 

touchdown ✅ teams ✅ benches ✅ winning streak ✅ the league ✅

she’s doing…… the worst thing ever this is so laughable 

the corny lyrics are on overload 

‘this time it’s heroine with an e’ didn’t she write folklore? i can’t remember 

that literally was an snl parody of a taylor song

clara bow

love how the guitar sounds… bet money this is an aaron track 

a stevie nicks reference!! a win!!!

i like this one a lot no cringey lyrics yet

nope never mind she name-dropped herself don’t like that

overall really liked it tho

the black dog

i think i like it?? this is kind of what i expected the album to be

okay for once the weird production choices kind of pay off

imgonnagetyouback

kinda catchy? 

she loves a fancy car getting wrecked line

the pre-choruses are the best part 

this would’ve been better without the jack of it all bc he loves a song that doesnt build to anything

this just comes down to personal preference: i don’t like her lighter vocals with jack’s heavy production (ie most of lover lol)

the albatross

a real instrument!!! production that matches taylor’s voice and is well mixed!!! aaron’s arrived!! 

i think it’s solid, has good writing and she sounds great. that's about it.

chloe or sam or…

took me a solid minute to have any semblance of a fuck to know what was going on but okay

okay i love this one

wayyyy more emotive than like… most of the original album

a lot of the 2nd version (or whatever this is lol) are way more emotive, maybe because her voice isnt drenched in reverb so we can actually hear her voice emote better

how did it end

this sounds like an old school adele song? 

i love this one too…. 

her being upset people wanna know what happened but then also feeding it while promoting the album oop 

i love the story of this one it's so refreshing

so high school

THE PRODUCTION is so good ugh aaron never fails 

the man here is a walking red flag girl and the lyrics are ~not it~ but the production is too pretty to hate it

fuck these lyrics are so bad lol

maybe if i disassociate hard enough i can ignore the lyrics and just listen to the production and vibe

give me a karaoke version of this song and we'd be so back

i hate it here

i mentioned disassociation and she made a whole song about it!!!! this one’s mine!!!! 

‘without all the racists’ GIRL HUH

WHAT WAS THE REASON

also... girl don’t act like we don’t know you’re fine with that lololololol

if i had a dime for every time i was liking a song to then have it slapped away because of a bad, out-of-pocket lyric…… 

thank you aimee

this isn’t grabbing my attention 

oh the bridge is interesting 

it’s meh 

i will never be thanking the people that bullied me thanks tho

i look in peoples windows 

what do you mean aaron didn’t produce this??? it’s well-made and has instruments? 

i love this one, again a really interesting and unique concept that's very refreshing to hear at this point when a lot of the songs feel repetitive

the prophecy

aaron guitar!!!! 

she’s nice i like her 

i've really grown to love how she sings this one, the melodies are cool.. however i feel like we've heard the same melody.. like on this exact album... where she upturns at the end of every line...

cassandra 

this seems very…. familiar… idk i feel like we’ve covered this (i mean there are 31 songs we’ve already covered everything lol)

this is such an aaron song, that's a classic 'the national' piano

i like her voice in this one tho, sounds good

peter

oh love i love this

now this? THIS feels the most like a taylor swift song

once again she’s at her best with a simple instrument and emotive simple lyrics

the piano reminds me of champagne problems

the bolter 

i like this! the chorus is so cute

oh i like that ending line a lot!

she’s cute, a little long and drawn out but cute

robin

i haven’t seen anyone talk about this one

welp…. i literally have no feelings toward this one but sounds pretty! 

the manuscript

oh this is soooooooo powerful 

i love this concept 

her ending the album on another introspective album that sums everything up a la dear reader yep yep!!

if you actually read of this ily 💗

[rwrbmovie]

details from rwrb movie (part 5)

happy one month of rwrb, here's a part 5. one | two | three | four (scroll bc i didnt have the foresight to make separate posts, i didnt know there would be 5 parts)

alex wearing the same tie during his speech and meeting the king

the 2 dogs in the movie named david and jonathan and this part of the book when alex and henry are in the v&a

alex in red, henry in blue in the opening credits

henry's shaving kit/toiletry bag clearly on the nightstand

i already mentioned alex and henry playing the piano together but more on this – they're playing 2 songs that represent their countries but they have the same melody (my country tis of thee & god save the queen)

the BAY WINDOWS! in the austin home!

the 2 cars on the way to the lake house. alex driving one, and im assuming its secret service behind him

im 99% sure that is a georgetown cap in alex's closet

posted a gifset on this but alex wearing his leather jacket when zahra tells him to go to london after cakegate and when alex goes to london after the leak

pjs: red for alex, blue for henry

[harrisonarchive]

Footage filmed on May 25, 1964, presumably in Los Angeles, en route to London. (If anyone knows who this lucky fan is, please get in touch.)

“George Harrison is the reluctant Beatle. He did not expect fame. When it came, he was bewildered. He is the most affable of the four — instantly friendly, talkative and frank. Like John, George detests star treatment. […] Some say his image has not taken off in the 'solo star' sense as it has for, say, Paul or Ringo. The truth is that, with less fuss and adulation than has surrounded the other three, Harrison has built up a vast following. Adults seem to gravitate to ‘I like George the best’ because they think he is the quietest and most ‘respectable’ Beatle. Young girls want to mother him. He is probably the most conscientious autograph-signer of them all. He believes in fair play for the fans: if he hears of someone who has waited at the stage door for an autograph, he goes to enormous lengths to ensure they are rewarded. He is starkly honest.” - Melody Maker, November 7, 1964 (x)

[randomcreator-09]

Freddie Mays: A Private Club in London, 1960s

>>>MASTERLIST<<<

🐧 - Hello ^^ this is a draft I had for my new obsession with David Thewlis XD. Again requests are open for ideas you want me to write about ^^ any Harry Potter actors or actresses or characters I'm open ^^. Now enjoy hehe ^^

✨No warning :3 very demure XD very short too :3

-----

The dimly lit room buzzed with the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses, the air thick with the scent of cigars and expensive perfume. Freddie Mays with his impeccably tailored suit catching the subtle glint of the low lights, surveyed the room with his usual air of unassailable authority. His eyes, sharp and calculating, missed nothing. But tonight, something—someone—had managed to slip past his usual defenses.

You had been talking with a few acquaintances in the corner, your laughter a warm, melodic contrast to the cool detachment of the surroundings. Freddie had watched you from across the room, a faint frown on his lips. It was more than your beauty that drew him in; it was the way you seemed to navigate the room with effortless grace, making connections with an ease he envied.

He made his way over to you, his movements smooth and deliberate. The crowd seemed to part for him, as if the very atmosphere recognized his presence. When he reached you, he leaned in slightly, his voice a low, gravelly murmur that carried an edge of both command and intrigue.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his tone betraying a hint of vulnerability that was rare for him. There was no pretense, no forced charm—just the raw, unfiltered curiosity of a man who was used to getting what he wanted.

You looked up at him, meeting his gaze with a blend of surprise and curiosity. "Ah, Mr. Mays, isn't it? I’ve heard quite a bit about you." you smirked as you took a sip on your exquisite rose wine.

A half-smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, have you? I do hope it was nothing too unflattering."

You laughed softly, the sound like a melody he found strangely captivating. "Depends on your perspective. But I’m sure there’s more to you than the stories suggest."

Freddie’s eyes locked onto yours, a flicker of something he didn’t quite recognize in his own expression. "And what would you say if I told you there’s a lot more? That there’s something I can’t quite put into words, something that goes beyond the usual game of power and control?"

There was an intensity in his gaze, a raw honesty that belied his hardened exterior. For a moment, the formidable gangster seemed almost vulnerable, and it was as if he was laying bare a part of himself he rarely showed.

"You’ve got my attention," you said, placing your wine down, your voice steady and inviting. "What is it that you’re trying to say?"

Freddie took a breath, the weight of his next words hanging heavily in the air. "I’m not one for grand gestures or flowery words. But you’ve managed to do something no one else has. You’ve got me thinking about things I’ve long buried—things like... wanting something real."

His confession was raw and unadorned, a rare glimpse into the man behind the ruthless façade. The moment stretched between you, charged with a tension that was both electrifying and palpable.

You reached out, your fingers brushing against his hand, the touch a silent acknowledgment of the connection that had sparked between you. "Well, Mr. Mays, if you’re offering something real, I’m willing to see where it leads."

A genuine smile broke across Freddie’s face, a rare and almost boyish expression that transformed his entire demeanor. "Please, call me Freddie." he said with a warm but cautious smile. "Then let’s see where it goes. After all, I’m always up for a bit of unpredictability."

As you both shared a look that promised new beginnings and uncharted territory, the world outside seemed to fade into the background. In that private club, amidst the shadows and whispers, Freddie Mays found himself on the cusp of something he had never truly expected—something that just might be worth more than all the power and control he had ever sought.

[rainbowdaisy13]

TTPD The Anthology Summary Part 1 *IMO*

This is viewed through a queer lens because I believe she is fucking done playing nice so now she’s throwing it in our faces—FUCKING SEE ME

1) Fortnight—

I was supposed to be sent away but they forgot to come and get me/I was a functioning alcoholic till nobody noticed my new aesthetic

*MIGHTY GOD we start right out the gate sad as hell—no one noticed her queer flagging both quiet and loud and that pushed her from being a functioning alcoholic to a not functioning one. She then says to the fans who refused to acknowledge her truth “I hope that you’re ok but you’re the reason” FOR ME BEING INSANE

*Mentioning wanting to kill people that’s a first and I love it

*I love you it’s ruining my life OUCH 🤕 yes that sounds like something straight people deal with 😑

2) TTPD-

*I’m sorry I can’t remember what mutual said this, but I love love this as coming from Karlie’s perspective. It absolutely fits. She ground Taylor in a way no one else can

*First mention of suicide—both can’t live without the other

*Were crazy—owning the demons together

*The wedding ring line—GOD

3) MBOBHFT—

*I see this one as Taylor viewing herself as a commodity, also as someone who is broken and needs to be fixed so that she remains lovable. It also gives me Cardigan vibes without the redemption arc

4) Down Bad—

*Love this Alien Abduction theme. Melody is even spacey sounding. The entire song uses alien motifs and I adore it. Fave line “they’ll say I’m nuts if I talk about the existence of you” Brilliant 👽 Also the concept of an Out of this World Love

5) So Long London—

*Cool opening—beautiful when they layer her own voice

How much sad did you think I had in me? 😫

*I see this song as a My Tears Ricochet 2. Taylor giving all her youth to someone for free. You say I abandon the ship but I was going down with it—I truly believe she tried and begged them to let her come out for years and she was always shot down—2 graves 1 gun, more murder imagery

*So Long London, so long Big Machine

6) BDILH—

Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking song

These people only raise you to cage you 😫

*Sarahs and Hannahs/braided hair/church/Elders making decisions—giving cult/LDS vibes

Stay away from her -Elders are yelling this—to who? Taylor? So Taylor needs to stay away from HER interesting

*Shed rather burn it all down than listen to them complain about her sexuality and how it impacts them

My good name, it’s mine alone to disgrace —absolutely shots fired at Scott Swift

*Soliloquies line is incredible—“I’ll never see” is such a burn 😆

*This isn’t a phase, this is who she is!!

*YOU AINT GOTTA PRAY FOR ME!! GET THEM ALL BITCH—SHOW THEIR ASSES

*This is my choice!!

GET 👏🏼 THEM 👏🏼 ALL

NO YOU CANT COME TO THE WEDDING PERIOD

7) FOTS—

*Pretty Baby, much like Babydoll is reserved for women and gay men and theys and thems. We don’t call straight men this 😒

*Fresh out the slammer—realllly trying to get these idiots to understand that she’s felt jailed /caged/trapped

My friends…Watch me daily disappearing 😫 fuck

Wearing Imaginary rings 😫😫😫 Says hello to paper rings says hello to imaginary lockets

*It’s gonna be alright she did her time!! 🥹

8) FLORIDA!!!—

I adore this song—my second fave on the album and absolute fucking banger. So glad Florence agreed to this they makes an amazing duo vocally—main vibes—Florida is the place Taylor wants to go to fucking escape the mess she lives in day to day. Anything goes, everyone is there hiding from something—the law, family, winter—nothing is too weird or unaccepted—and a certain someone has a house there 😎

My friends all smell like weed or little babies 😆

Florence’s verse is chefs kiss—Earl had to die vibes, watching bodies sink into the swamp, just full on misandry I LOVE IT—is that a bad thing to say in a song?? 😆 GET THEM ALL

Also I bet this song made Swifties uncomfortable 😆

FUCK ME UP FLORIDA 🤘🏼🤘🏿🤘🏾

9) Guilty as sin?

The Gay Longing/Gay Sex Song

*Another* suicide reference—but she’s just joking right swifities?

👀

No no that’s fine she just described an orgasm and if she’s not touching the person, let’s assume the pic below ⬇️ is like HEY THIS IS THE SEX IM SPEAKING ABOUT—it’s very much giving The Man pose for getting dome👀

And then the Jesus reference is just chefs kiss—gay sex is seen as sin and unholy by idiots and she said ok then bitch, what if I tell you the sex is so good we ARE what’s holy??

👀

She literally said messy top lip kiss and got away with it like 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

10) WAOLOM—

I just……this may be my favorite song of hers ever. It’s absolutely incredible in its intensity, rawness, and truth as well as being a banger

Every lyric screams her pain

My bare hands paved their path/you don’t get to tell me about sad/ If you wanted me dead you should’ve just said

I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street —Witch Imagery again!!

WHOSE AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME

👹YOU SHOULD BE 👹

Shots fired again at Scott Swift!! Let’s hear one more joke—they mocked her pain because they truly thought they could convince her she wasn’t gay 🫥

GODDDD 😫

Put narcotics into all of my songs—“a drug or other substance that affects mood or behavior and is consumed for nonmedical purposes, especially one sold illegally—a drug that relieves pain and induces drowsiness, stupor, or insensibility”

SHE SAID I HAVE TO USE MALE PRONOUNS AND FAKE REFERENCES TO MEN IN MY LYRICS SO YOU IDIOTS STAY STUPID AND HAPPY

and that’s why you’re still singing along 😎

Just WOW

Brilliant and Heartbreaking and RAW

🤍🤍🤍 We love you Girl 🤍🤍🤍

[forlornmelody]

Today's List of Nice Things:

1) Forgot to mention that I got a lot of compliments on my cosplay. Not just the styling, but the way I played the character. Felt really good. And I had a blast.

2) I SAW A MAGRITTE PAINTING IN THE FLESH. It was the Man with the Newspaper. Also saw a Dalí! I always forget that Surrealism is modern art. Usually when I think of modern art, I think abstract. Which is not my thing. But I'm glad it brings other people joy.

3) Ate at a pub that might have once hosted Elizabethan theater. And Charles Dickens definitely wrote about it at one point

4) Thanks to my earbuds dying and my charging cord being left in my hotel room, I had a lovely chat with a young gentleman who was bringing home an Aloe colony to his wife as a gift.

5) Roamed around the flower market in Chisick.

6) Oh! And I visited the ruins/garden at St. Dunstan's church. I guess it served as inspo for the church set in Good Omens? It was pretty cool on its own.

7) This time tomorrow, I will be snuggling with my cat.

8) I got a window seat on my 10 hour flight home and I didn't have to pay extra for it this time. Definitely gonna use some of that time to finish watching The Way.

[platadesangre]

we NEED to talk about jcs 1975 madrid cast!

i have come to make camilo sesto justice

(i finally finished this post yay!)

i may be a bit biased, since this was my first jcs.

short story on how i discovered it

my dad used to be an apostle for a bootleg staged playback jcs in peru during the 70s! they used this version.

he had the cd. he also had the mp3 files. i used his computer, so that was how 13 year old me found it.

those were tough times, bc later i started doing catechesis and i kind of got depressed and started questioning my faith lol. judas' character really resonated with me

since this is a recording, i didn't have any footage to reference, so i made up everything in my mind. (this is why it was a bit weird for me to see the english productions, bc they looked nothing like in my head lol)

now, a bit of historical context for spain in the 70's

camilo sesto was a popular spanish singer and actor who went to see the jcs 1971 broadway production in london. he loved it so much that he did everything he could do financially to bring the show to spain.

spain was in a fascist dictatorship at the time

they fought with censorship for years, that's why the lyrics are a bit different (i'll make a post about that too)

they had to remodel the alcalá-palace theater stage entirely

franco (our dictator) died two days after the premiere (about time lol)

the "ultras" (conservatists) didn't like the show so they did lots of crazy stuff (for example, praying for the cast outside the theater or sending BOMB THREATHS?)

anyways, this was the first official translation for jcs!

on the main cast we have

camilo sesto as jesus christ (he wanted the role from the beggining)

teddy bautista as judas iscariot

ángela carrasco as mary magdalene

here's an old pic of them (and some apostles)

(now that i look at it closely, it kind of looks like a bootleg jcs 1973 lol)

on the recording

it's a stereo recording, so use both headphones or you'll miss out on half of it

musically speaking, it's similar to the og concept album (songs ending on fade-outs and shorter trial before pilate) but it has some interesting choices (teddy, the producer and the voice of judas, took a lot of... artistic liberties)

some things this version has

it adds lots of synth. it's very psychodelic. i understand this can be a turn off for some people

they kinda change the key to many songs. maybe to fit vocal ranges idk

teddy just loves to make up new melodies (please give this man some water)

EPIC GUITAR SOLO in what's the buzz

what's the buzz and strange thing mystifying are separated tracks for some reason

camilo sings so good

cute synth in everything's alright ángela has such an angelic voice she makes such a good mary

the drums and guitars during this jesus must die are so danceable

the BEST simon zealotes i've heard. shit goes HARD. he goes CRAY

i really love this pilate, in my rating he would be the best one

camilo's "¡SALVAOS VOSOTROS!" during the temple is really pathetic lol

damned for all time interlude replaced by synths. the SAX SOLO is also replaced by synth (questionable choice)

cool thing happens during the end of this song that i'll talk about in another post

judas' occasional nervous laughter really adds to his character

also he cries a lot

"you sad pathetic man" part during last supper is... fairly different! (i'm looking at you teddy...)

camilo's gethsemane is epic. he's a baladist singer but MAN he can ROCK

cool harmonica during the arrest

i'll never shut up about our pilate (he nervous laughs too)

herod is so fruity

judas' death really hits different when you were depressed and questioning faith (this version is BRUTAL) also lyrics change (i'll talk about it i swear)

teddy's one of the few judas who sing the i don't know how to love him reprise in the higher scale!! it sounds so painful and anguished

the album continues acceptably

other cool things it has

jesus and judas have this interesting accent difference. since camilo is from valencia, he has this pristine and traditional spanish accent. and teddy is from canarias (also lived in the usa) so his accent is rougher and more, crusty? idk how to explain it but it's neat and stablishes their dynamic a bit. (ángela is from dominican republic! but her accent is barely noticeable)

on the footage aspect, we only have old vhs videos and live audios uploaded on youtube. also some old photos

there is a book about this version. it has some anecdotes (only available in spanish)

now we have a 4 episode mini-series about the odyssey that it was to produce this. it's called "camilo superstar" (i won't be watching it bc it's a bit fan-ficy from what i've seen)

the posts i'll make about this production will be tagged as #jcs 1975 madrid

you can listen to it on spotify!

or on youtube (playlist made by me)

[its-time-to-write]

ch. 5 - hustling for the good life

table of contents

your boots beneath my bed

You, on the other hand, had done your proper research. Watched his highlights on Lust Conquers All and everything. You want to know what exactly your stupid brain is doing, thinking someone like that is cute or (retch) boyfriend material but who gives a shit because you’re probably not going to see him again. 

You’re out of the hotel and in some tiny little cottage just outside of London. No paps, no PR agents or what-fucking-ever, just you, Natalie, and loads of fresh air. She finds you in the yard one morning, plucking a tune on a guitar and humming.

“That’s new,” she grins. “Gonna have a new single out soon?”

You raise a shoulder. “I don’t know. Maybe. Might just keep this one to myself.”

Natalie says hmm then turns on her heel to go back inside. 

“Oh,” she says after a few steps, “you should at least send it to him. He might like it.”

“It’s not about anyone!” you call after her rapidly retreating figure. 

“Sure!” she yells back. You flip her off and she says, “I saw that!”

—

Natalie’s booked some coffee shop concert for you, so you’re a little preoccupied with sound checks and meeting your temp band and promising to drink a latte as soon as you’re done singing because fuck sleeping.

It’s sold out which isn’t hard because the place is small, but it’s fun to sit on a stool and sing into a small microphone and be able to talk and joke like you’re the small-town artist you began as.

The crowd goes crazy when you strum the first few notes of Mango, as they sing along to the whole thing. You finish the set and begin thank everyone for coming when you see an oddly familiar face in the very back of the room. You’re not even sure how you caught it because again, it’s crowded, but there it is. He’s with some other people who you’re pretty sure are part of AFC Richmond, but you don’t care about that now.

You pause in the middle of your goodbye and say, “You know what, I’m actually going to play one more song. It’s a rough draft right now, so be nice to me. The working title is Poolside, and you guys are the first to hear it.”

You begin to pluck the repeating melody that’s been playing on repeat in your brain and start the first verse.

I know it’s a bad idea

And I can’t have you anyway

But you’re like a tiny bit of sunshine

I can’t seem to chase away

It’s terrifying and vulnerable in a way you’ve never been before. You’ve played songs for boys before, but never like this. 

You were in a hotel room with Austin one night after one of his movie premiers and just giggling about how stupid it all was. 

“I already have our breakup song,” you’d said, hopping down from the table. “Wanna hear it?”

Austin thought that was hilarious so he said, “Obviously,” so you grabbed your guitar from your room and strapped it on. 

“Alright,” you said while strumming a bouncy tune, “this one’s a little more line-dancey than my usuals. So.”

Austin had tapped his foot while you sang, “A long time ago/in a land not so far away/we met in a bar/and you fucking said ‘hey.’”

It was silly as you both bounced around the room singing about your impending split. Neither of you cared because it wasn’t real, and you had recorded him singing a harmony on your phone. 

You snuck it into the actual track months later, too faint for anyone to actually notice. 

But that was the closest you’d ever been to directly singing someone their song. It was different with Mango because it wasn’t romantic. 

And now it’s different with Jamie, because you’re singing about how dumb it is that you keep thinking about him asking if you were ok at that dumb fucking party. 

You end the song to thunderous applause, and you’re pretty sure bootlegs are going to end up on YouTube within the hour. You don’t care. All you can think of is slipping to the back of the café to claim that latte then sneaking out the back. 

“Nice one, girl,” Natalie remarks as she hands you a cup. “The label’s gonna love that.”

You smile. “They don’t care. I make them too much money for them to care.”

She rolls her eyes and opens her mouth to speak but just stops. 

“Hello? Earth to Nat?” you say, waving a hand in front of her face. 

“Hey,” says a voice from behind.

You spin around. It’s Jamie. 

And god, he looks fucking fit in trackies, Gucci slides, and a neon orange shirt. 

You can feel Natalie sneaking away behind you, and for once, you’re glad to be alone. 

“Hey,” you reply. “How’d you get in here?”

Jamie smiles. “Keeley. She can talk her way into anything.”

You nod, still holding your latte. “Well, usually we have a strict policy about fans who try to come talk to me unannounced, but I guess for you, I’ll let it slide.”

Oh god, are you fucking flirting?

Jamie smirks. “Babe, I ain’t any old fan. Probably number one.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Uh huh. Right. And when did you decide you could call me babe?”

Jamie takes a step closer. “Right about the time Keeley convinced me to ask you out.”

You almost drop your coffee. 

All you can say is a weak, “Oh.”

“She would love to,” Natalie pipes up from behind a stack of coffee beans. “I’ll get you her number and you can set it up.”

Jamie’s looking at you expectantly, and you suppose he probably wants your consent, not just Natalie’s. 

You nod and say, “Sure,” with the same lack of conviction the oh held. Jamie’s expression ripples for a moment, but then he’s grinning and saying “Mint,” before saluting Natalie and exiting the way he came. 

“What the fuck, Natalie,” you say. Your bones feel like jelly. “I can’t go out with him.”

“Yes you can,” she tells you. “And you are. It’s settled.”

Oh fuck. 

—

He texts you the next morning.

hey it’s Jamie :)

I can’t be seen with you, you write back before you chicken out. The press would have a field day. I’m not looking for something public, so if you’re only in this to gain popularity, you’re out of luck. 

It’s a little harsh, but you’re going to be open about this.

no worries, he says. paps r fuckgn annoying. we can do smthg small. 

Turns out something small means sneaking into a restaurant where Jamie’s been going for ages. It has a small room in the back with windows you can see out of, but no one can see in.

“John’s been getting me back here for ages,” he says. “Haven’t had an issue with the press yet.”

It’s all so normal, the way he pulls out your chair and tells you what he likes to order. The way he’s making you laugh and asking you questions about your life, not the ones about your music, but the kind that are actually about you. 

The server comes around with a bottle, and asks, “Wine?”

Jamie looks to you and you shake your head, barely suppressing a grimace.

“All good here, mate,” he says.

“Not a drinker?” he asks once the man is gone. 

You hesitate. You’re about to cross into point-of-no-return territory. 

“I- I don’t know, I can’t really smell it without thinking of my family. They’re all…”

Jamie nods. “I get it. Like me dad. Prick’ll be sober when he’s dead.”

“Yeah,” you say slowly. “Yeah, never had a family event without someone fighting. My mom’s the first one to get out, because she’s the youngest. She saw all that shit and decided it wasn’t for her. She went away to college, met my dad, and never looked back. Course, my uncles started showing up once I got famous. And my aunt, too. She’s probably the worst of all of them. She actually broke into my first apartment asking for money. She smashed a bottle and cut up my face pretty bad… I was nineteen and still trying to figure out my music career and stuff. I still have a scar on eyebrow from it. But, I wasn’t so famous that it ended up on the internet, so…”

You trail off again. Jamie’s looking at you all thoughtful. You’re not sure when he started holding your hand across the table, but there it is. It’s warm and calloused, and he doesn’t seem to care that yours is sweaty.

“My dad’s the same way,” he says softly. “Showed up a month back at a match. Fucking prick. But… can’t seem to cut him off, y’know? He’s fuckin’… family or some shit.”

“Hah,” you say, “That’s what Margarita’s about.”

Jamie’s silent for a moment. “Thought it was about how you really fucking liked limes,” he says finally.

That gets a laugh from you. “I do actually really fucking like limes. But enough about me. How’d you get into football?”

By the end of the night, you’re properly smitten. This boy knows how to flirt, knows all the right compliments and ways to brush his hand against yours or brush a stray strand of hair out of your face. 

This is bad, you think as his lips touch yours. This is very, very bad.

table of contents

[randomvarious]

1990s Breakbeat Playlist

Alright, updating this 90s breakbeat playlist this week with a total fuckin' banger from 1997 that I originally discovered on a terrific DJ mix by France's Dimitri From Paris called Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House of Funk, which was released as part of UK electronic music bible Mixmag magazine's Mixmag Live series back in '97. That mix itself, which is one of my favorite mixes of all time, is more in a nu-disco/garage house vein, but the one breakbeat tune it does have is phenomenal, and thankfully, it's also on Spotify 🤘.

The "Sun Barrio Break Mix" of Tokyo musician Takada's "Ola-Le," that was done by London's own legendary Ashley Beedle, is a beautifully layered, over seven-minute, sweat-inducing workout, which includes a sweet and jaunty Latin keyboard riff as its crowning melody, and then delivers a super satisfying electric guitar solo on the back half after the breakdown too 😌. And get this, folks: it only has ~8,200 plays on Spotify! Way too low!

Takada - "Ola-Le (Ashley Beedle's Sun Barrio Break Mix)"

Now, I added that one to the YouTube version of this playlist as well, but this week's update comes with another new track for that YouTube playlist too, which can't be found on Spotify. I first discovered it on a comp that was put out by the legendary German label, Harthouse, which was co-founded-and-run by trance pioneer Sven Väth. In its early days, Harthouse was primarily a trance and hard trance outfit, but in their final phase, they had broadened their horizons, and in 1996, they released a showcase of some North American electronic artists who hailed from the west coast, spanning from the Los Angeles area all the way up to Vancouver. And Vancouver is where we find this exclusive YouTube add this week.

The song, an unpredictable piece of breakbeat psychedelia called "Slog," is from Pacific Rhythm - The First Wave, and is by a very prolific guy named Phil Western, who went under the name of Cap'm Stargazer for this one. With this track, Western takes us on an under-five-minute journey through a dark forest of sorts, with an alternating slate of complementary drum breaks that get surrounded by a cycle of changing and reverberating ambient sounds and synth tones. A creative and lively gem that's currently sitting at just under 1,000 plays on YouTube.

Cap'm Stargazer - "Slog"

And this playlist is also on YouTube Music.

So, here's where things now currently stand with this playlist: we've got 14 songs on Spotify that end up totaling 79 minutes, and over on YouTube, we've got 32 songs that end up totaling almost three whole hours! So, if you want something that plumbs the depths of what Spotify has to offer from its breakbeat catalogue, feel free to check that one out, but if you want something that goes much, much deeper, then the YouTube one is for you 😊.

Expect way more Harthouse-and-Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House of Funk-posting with these Sunday playlist installments in the coming weeks.

Enjoy!

More to come, eventually. Stay tuned!

Like what you hear? Follow me on Spotify and YouTube for more cool playlists and uploads!

[elephantlovemedleys]

My ★★★★★ review of Moulin Rouge! (2001)

or rather, just me rambling about The movie rewatch of my 2024 that i didn't expect to became a highlight, and is definitive of one of my biggest interests and current fixations at this rate.

At the start of the year, I promised myself to go and rewatch some films that I have not seen in a long time, nor do I have memories of in terms of recalling the plot. For some reason, one of the movies that came into mind for me to brush over again was Moulin Rouge! I do have some history with this film, as I remember one of the very first songs I learnt how to sing, was Lady Marmalade (yep, this is actually true). And I recall myself as a child seeing various scenes from it on TV, thinking of how gorgeous Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor looked together and overall how colourful the movie looked. Other than that, I eventually did get to see the film as a whole when I was a little older, and I did like it of course, but it somehow just stopped there.

I’m pretty sure the last time I saw it was back in 2017. My memory gets quite fuzzy so i can’t exactly remember, but anyways the point i’m making here is my god, I can't believe i didn’t appreciate this movie back then as much as i do nowadays. This isn’t the first time this kind of scenario has occurred to me, as I had the same experience with the Princess Bride, watching it as an eight year old. I thought it was fine and I liked it, but it also stopped from there. But seeing it again after so long when I was 21, I just fell completely in love, and it’s now one of my favourite movies of all time. 

In my part, what struck me to the core and became such a standout was the immense passion and emotional intensity that surrounded the relationship between Christian and Satine. An idealistic man who dreams of being a writer, moving from a well off family in London to pursue his dreams and join in a cultural revolution, and a more cynical woman who works as an entertainer at the Moulin Rouge and as a courtesan, but has hopes and aspirations to become an actress. They have different approaches to how they view love, Christian never having experienced the act of falling in love, is curious and wants to know how it feels like, and Satine being somebody who can’t dwell into love for any means due to her job and the life she leads, lets it clash altogether. But one thing is for sure, it’s in these differences that they fall for each other. The more they spend time together, the more they realise what they have been looking for all along or never knew they needed was as simple as that, love. But it’s through the expression of song, and writing that makes a simple melody or a lyric that screams “I love you!” to the rooftops so powerful, and even more dramatic because as much as they love each other, they still cannot be together due to circumstances–especially a very inevitable doom. The way you come to care about these characters and root for them even if things don't fall perfectly into place stems from having a lot of heart, and it's one i totally know that i have. A very defining factor that drew me to their love story was the rawness, and utterly convincing and undeniable chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. There are instances wherein i'd be watching their scenes and i feel like i shouldn't be there, that i was intruding something very intimate happening. Goodness, nobody else i believe can replicate this kind of chemistry balanced with such amazing performances, all they had to do was look at each other and sing to each other and I already knew what it meant. You could feel the love, the yearning, the want, and passion between them which is just so fantastic, that it also goes to show that it is in the power of this sort of acting showcase and the vulnerability shared that makes you feel every inch of how much you want these characters to overcome such circumstances and be together. 

Everything that i said in the paragraph above, is why my favourite scene is the Come What May reprise, and why i just adore this movie so much. It tugs right through your emotions, one minute you're laughing and singing along, and the next thing you know you feel as if your guts have been torn out the way Christian's heart felt like multiple knives were thrown at him when Satine died in his arms. Getting really into this film and going over it has become one of the best things or one of my ultimate highlights for the year, and i definitely don't regret anything. That being said, i shall go and listen to Come What May again for the nth time of the day.

[popbloganddropit]

The Tortured Poets Department - Taylor Swift (Part 1)

I’ll be posting 8 songs at a time to break this lengthy album up a bit.

Initial thoughts: She’s raw and unfiltered in a way she hasn’t been before.

But Daddy I Love Him and Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me are the immediate insane stand outs

The Black Dog? 🤮 CoSoSoM? 🫨 how did it end? Drag meeee for being nosy.

1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)- This is a very interesting introductory track/lead single. There’s some blending of (as far as we know) truth and fiction, which i think stays throughout the album. However, there’s not a ton for me lyrically or sonically for me to connect to here. The missing rhyme scheme in the first lines is distracting. I would have liked a little more Post Malone overall and a bit more duetting. I’m sure there’s some symbolism in their voices rarely overlapping in meaningful ways, but the hints of it we get sound good, and I want MORE. 3/5

Best Line: “All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February. I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary.”

2. The Tortured Poets Department- I like the sound of this, the melodies, most of the cheeky humor (“I think things I never say, like ‘Who uses typewriters anyway?’”), but the Charlie Puth and Golden Retriever lines really ruin it for me. They totally take me out of the vibe and are distractingly out of pocket. 2/5

Best Line: I like the “I’ve seen/read” lines in the pre-chorus, but the unhinged-ness of putting something as raw and exposed as, “But you told Lucy you'd kill yourself if I ever leave. And I had said that to Jack about you, so I felt seen” in a public space really sets the tone of the album.

3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys- I love her echo-y, layered vocals. Her cadence sounds like war drums that really fits the toy soldier metaphor. I think some slight production tweaks would have really taken it over the top. The vocals sound so cool, but there’s still room for a little more than a thwacking drum machine and a hint of sparkly synth. 3/5

Best Line: I love “I’m queen of sandcastles he destroys”. Runner up goes to “‘Cause you should’ve seen him when he first ✨saw✨me”.

4. Down Bad- I love the alien abduction theme and the trippy production to match. The dichotomy of the space-y verses and daily-life drudgery of the chorus works on a metaphoric and Down bad crying at the gym? The self awareness to call it teenage petulance before just saying “fuck it”? People not getting that Miss Swift is sometimes jealous king around and doesn’t take herself seriously 100% off the time will never make sense to me. 4/5

Best Line: “Did you really beam me up, in a cloud of sparkling dust?”

5. So Long, London- once the beat comes in, we’re off to the races and you can’t quite catch your breath through this whole song, especially with the gut-punching lyrics. A beautiful arrangement from Aaron Dessner here that effortlessly carries the weight of anger and heartbreak. 5/5

Best line: “And you say I abandoned the ship, but I was going down with it, my white knuckle dying grip.”

6. But Daddy, I Love Him- I love everything about this song. It sounds like a sunny, summer day. Maybe the narrator is a little delusional, but whomst amongst us hasn’t been? The bridge telling people off a bit is a great moment for her. “I’ll tell you something about my good name, it’s mine alone to disgrace,” feels like something she’s needed to say for a while. 5/5

Best line: there’s a lot of great moments, but, “I’m having his baby. No, I’m not, but you should see your faces” is such a hilarious double-take moment upon first listen that it has to take the crown.

7. Fresh Out the Slammer- I have seen the steaming numbers and y’all are SLEEPING on this track! It’s sad, it’s wistful, it’s a little sexy, it’s everything. I love the rolling cadence of the verses and the slower, haunting choruses. The decelerating outro is perfection. 5/5

Best line: “Now, pretty baby, I'm running back home to you. Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to”.

8. Florida!!! (Ft. Florence and the Machine) - Florida has committed various atrocities on the people of the United States of America, but this is absolutely not one of them. A song of escapism, ghosts, and a banging drum chorus that earns those three exclamation points. Hurricane Florence is a beautiful addition to the track and it wouldn’t sound out of place on an album of hers either. Every line of this is an earworm that you’ll catch h yourself singing over and over again. Fuck me up, Florida (!!!), indeed. 5/5

Best Line: “Barricaded in the bathroom with a bottle of wine. Well me and my ghosts, we had a hell of a time.”