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Songs and Mobile Phones?

08 Feb 01 - 04:51 PM (#393507)
Subject: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Dunc

I recently had a discussion / argument with a non-folkie about why folk music did not have a broader appeal with the public at large. He made the point that most folk music was rural and had no relevance to the modern town living person. As an example – he asked what folk songs mention a mobile phone – most people have a mobile but folk music has yet to move with the times and recognise this. Is there anyone out there who can arm me with a song which mentions a 'mobile phone' so that I can prove him wrong?

08 Feb 01 - 04:58 PM (#393512)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Clinton Hammond

Ya... it's called "Take That Frigg'n Stupid Phone And Ahove It, Ya Yuppie Twat"!

And I'll give ya the lyrics just as soon as I've written them!

LOL!!

08 Feb 01 - 05:11 PM (#393521)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: nutty

A friend of mine has written a wonderful song about a carrier pigeon that was made redundant because somebody invented the mobile phone

Words not freely available yet but I'm sure it won't be long before it circulates

08 Feb 01 - 05:18 PM (#393525)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Wesley S

Most folk songs don't mention teflon, computers, the Hubble telescope or heart and lung machines but they somehow manage to be relevent to us "townies". I thing the main reason why your friend doesn't find folk music relevent is because he doesn't like it and doesn't want to like it. As the lady said who kissed the cow it's all a matter of taste.

08 Feb 01 - 05:23 PM (#393527)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: bill\sables

Dunc, there is always one around, I think that when you sing him a song regarding mobile phones he will think of something else to challenge you with. There are, however, quite a few songs about computers and the web. He probably is very happy listening to the shit that is churned out every day on the radio by line dancers who call themselves boy bands.

08 Feb 01 - 07:06 PM (#393610)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: BH

You might try listening to Cosy Sheridan's "Cars,Phones, and Airplanes".

Bill Hahn

08 Feb 01 - 07:20 PM (#393624)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: McGrath of Harlow

Well there's always Dylan:

"Stuck here on my mobile, with the Memphis Blues again..."

08 Feb 01 - 08:10 PM (#393659)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST,Roll&Go-C

There's always nautical singer Jerry Bryant's "Jimmy's Mobile Phone" which describes the cell phone's first use in the rescue of a Maine Fisherman, on his CD THE BALLAD OF HARBO AND SAMUELSEN & OTHER TRUE STORIES.

08 Feb 01 - 08:22 PM (#393670)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST, nomadman

"Jimmy's Mobile Phone" by Jerry Bryant, on his self-produced 1996 CD "The Ballad of Harbo and Samuelson." It's about a guy who saves his own skin when his boat capsizes in a storm, and he manages to call for help on his mobile phone - the only thing he saved in the wreck. Seems he had a thing about always wanting to own the latest new gadget, and this time it saved his life.

Regards,
John

08 Feb 01 - 10:20 PM (#393749)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST,bflat

Dunc,

How about the wonderful lyrics of Greg Brown in his song: 'Cept You & Me, Babe. Here are the first words: "half the people you see these days are talking on cell phones."

It's on his latest release. I think the title is Covenant, off the top of my head. So you might check on that.

Ellen

09 Feb 01 - 12:21 AM (#393816)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Clifton53

Richie Kavanagh from Ireland does one;

"My girlfriend has a mobile phone,
Now we never have a minute alone,
Every time I try to steal a kiss
She says 'hold on now while I answer this'".

Clifton53

09 Feb 01 - 12:37 AM (#393824)
Subject: Lyr Add: The True Story of Patrick Wright's...
From: Amos

If you know the trad Irish tune "Bally James Bluff", you're welcome to use it to sing the following tune which is from Song Challenge # 10.

"From a recent National Public Radio show segment:

Mr. Patrick Wright is serving time in the George F. Bailey Detention Facility in Otay Mesa, California for brandishing a knife at police and for illegal possession of ferrets. He went in February 8th and he gets out Friday February 25th, at 12:01am. In California, unlike most states in the U.S., keeping ferrets as pets is illegal. He picked up the knife when the police burst through his door during a raid to take possession of his four pet ferrets. "I like to believe I live in a free country . . . in California . . . it's like we're dealing with Stalin . . . it's completely un-American," says Mr. Wright. His fellow inmates in the county jail at first didn't believe he'd been arrested for ferret possession. However, after they'd seen his picture in the local newspaper, they began calling him 'Ferretman'. He told the court that he is sorry about the knife incident, but still defends his right to keep ferrets. The appeal of ferrets he says, '. . . they're like little clowns . . . they're Prozac with legs."

The Challenge is to write a song welcoming Mr. Wright home from the county jail and/or defending his right to keep ferrets! "Land of the brave, home of the free and the ferret!" Let's not go for the obvious low-humor or the easy laugh on this one -- 'Bawdy' is fine, but let's not sink to 'nasty', OK? Think 'subtle'!

GO FOR IT, CHALLENGE!RS!!

-- Áine

The True Story of Patrick Wright's Wrong-Doing
(Tune: Bally Jame's Bluff)

Patrick Wright, sir, was born out in warm California
Where weirdoes cavort by the sea.
And he always enjoyed things a privileged boy
Has when born to the land of the free.
He had his own cell-phone by the time he was 12,
And a "Woody" before twenty-one!
A happy white male growing under the law
In the land of the free and the sun!

He began his career selling sweet Baby's Tears
In a Home Depot garden display
And by learning the ropes and by staying quite stoked,
He soon managed the whole garden bay
So the future looked bright, and the pay was all right,
And he thought he might soon take a wife!
But young Wright's aspirations were tumbled as soon
As two young ferrets entered his life!

Now the thing was begun all in innocent fun,
He just yearned to seem different and cool,
To attract Susie Lake, whom he'd met on a break,
A young student at hairdresser's school.
Young Patrick looked 'round and he rapidly found
The coolest and newest thing yet!
Two ferrets quite rare, a beautiful pair
In the classified ads, under "Pets".

Now this stunt was successful, and not very stressful;
Young Susie surrendered her keep
On the very first kiss, and with unfathomed bliss
In her hairdresser's arms he did sleep
But early next morning from his dreams he was torn
By the light of a flashing blue glare!
And a terrible pounding on his  front door was sounding,
And a cop yelling "We know you're there!"

It was just before dawn, and young Susie was gone
And Patrick, afraid for his life
Staggered up to his feet, with his mind half asleep
And picked up a large sushi knife
As he opened the door, he was slammed to the floor,
And by three cops was brutally mugged!
And his head it was ringing, his poor face was stinging
And they rolled him away to the jug.

Now the judge made the claim, in the State's noble name
That he'd broken the law and done harm!
And for keeping those ferrets, he would quickly inherit
SIx months in the County's worst farm!
Though he protests and cries and all wrong he denies
The inmates there grant it no merit!
They are sure it's a crime, for which he's doing time,
And have taken to calling him "Ferrett".

While he stands at the fence in a pose of repentance
There's a young lawyer  out on a flail
He is Ronnie McBurney, prosecuting attorney,
Who sent our young Patrick to jail
And he pulls up before  old Sherriff Lake's door
And he's only a few minutes late,
Gives a handshake in peace to that chief of police
And runs Susy Lake out on a date!

BTW, Someone tell the Gaelic Goddess she forgot to put this one in the Songbook!!! Grrrr!!!

Regards,

A

09 Feb 01 - 04:24 AM (#393882)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: AKS

Dunc, tell your fellow to be patient and he'll get his share!
As you can see above there are some songs on the way already, and keep in mind that the 'folk process' is far slower than is the 'pop process' (written>number one seller>forgotten in a couple of weeks);-)

AKS

09 Feb 01 - 05:09 AM (#393889)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Dunc

I wish I had all of you with me the night of the argument / discussion - I could have just sat back and enjoyed the show. I only see the guy in question about once every 4-5 months - so he can stand by for the next round in June - I'll be arriving with all guns blazing!!

09 Feb 01 - 05:50 AM (#393898)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: bill\sables

Why don't you tell him that mobile phones have been around the folk scene longer than anywhere else and if it hadn't been for singers like Ewan McColl and Peter Bellamy they would never have been in popular use today and back up your argument with vintage photos of old trad singers with their hands over their ears in the manner of todays mobile phone users.. When I see kids walking down a street or standing on a corner I always smile and theik of McColl.
Bill

09 Feb 01 - 06:46 AM (#393917)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: zander (inactive)

Bert [ A L ] Lloyd once remarked to the Watersons that there were folk songs about everything under the sun, John Harrison eating a bacon sandwich covered in ketchup said " what about ketchup then " Lloyd dissapeared for a few minutes, then came back with a book containing a folk song about ketchup. Mobile phones ? no problem. Cheers, Dave

10 Feb 01 - 04:24 AM (#394830)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: The Shambles

The Art of Conversation, a song on the subject, to be found in the good old Mudcat Songbook.

10 Feb 01 - 05:43 AM (#394847)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Ritchie

last year me and the wife and me mate and his wife went to 'the Davy lamp Folk Club' in Washington to see Vin Garbitt. The place was packed but we managed to get seats for the women right at the front of the stage. Vin came on and did his 1st nos. a nice gentle quiet song and when he finished playing a mobile phone went off. He immediately put his guitar to his ear and said "Hello,Hello " and then shook his guitar. At that point Brenda, my wife, realised that it was her mobile phone and in a flustering embarrassing panic reached down into her hand bag to switch it off. Vin made the comment that it was the first time that had ever happened and joked about it. Brenda sat there her face flashing like a Belisha Beacon.(thank goodness it did n't ring during the song) There but for the grace of God..I looked around the room and people were switching their phones off.I tried later to explain to Brenda that she had probably saved lot's of others that evening...she doesn't wear it tho' and has never been back unfortunately not everyone saw the funny side.Vin obviously did and I'm sure there'll be mention of it sometime in his act. The phone call ! it was son number 2 phoning his mum to tell her that he had won the lottery.....£10. If we could have the moment back....I wish he had won more.

regards Ritchie.

10 Feb 01 - 09:01 AM (#394907)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST,Rana

Grit Laskin wrote a song which is a conversation on a cell phone about technology.

Rana

10 Feb 01 - 04:27 PM (#395220)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Long Firm Freddie

Didn't Mr Zimmerman sing about being Stuck Inside of Memphis with the Mobile Blues Again?

LFF

10 Feb 01 - 08:06 PM (#395351)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: McGrath of Harlow

That's Vin Garbutt all over, Ritchie. First, he's got a mind like a jet-propelled gannet to seize on anything that happens, and use it in the act. Second, he'll always do it in a way that is designed not to hurt anyone.

There's some helluva good people in the folk world, but I think Vin is right up there up the top, both as a person and as a musician. Vin and Martin Carthy and Pete Seeger...

03 Jun 05 - 04:30 AM (#1498975)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Joe Offer

This thread (click) has some mobile phone songs that shouldn't be missed. Here are two:
Posted By: GUEST,harvey andrews
30-May-05 - 05:09 AM
Thread Name: BS: mobile phones
Subject: RE: BS: mobile phones
THE POCKET SONG


Oh, my mother's in my pocket and she'll never go away
She tells me that I have to keep my mobile on each day
And where you going, what you doing's all she'll ever say
Oh my mother's in my pocket and she'll never go away


Now my wife is in my pocket and she'll never go away
She tells me that I have to keep my mobile on each day
And where you going, who you seeing's all she'll ever say
Oh my wife is in my pocket and she'll never go away


    See us on the street, the train,
    See our faces etched with strain
    Not a minute of our own,
    Lives lived on a mobile phone

Now my boss is in my pocket and he'll never go away
He tells me that I have to keep my mobile on each day
Where you going, how's the selling's all he'll ever say
Oh my boss is in my pocket and he'll never go away

Soon I'll empty all my pockets
And I'll throw them all away
These gadgets and these gizmos
That have taken all my day
And where I'm going, what I'm doing, only I will say
When I empty all my pockets and I throw them all away
Someday....someday........one day
Posted By: Liz the Squeak
30-May-05 - 11:30 AM
Thread Name: BS: mobile phones
Subject: RE: BS: mobile phones
I don't think I could be without mine now... but I do use it mainly for text messaging, rather than actual phone calls, to the extent that I have 300+ free minutes to use every month.

And here's a phone shanty for you from me.....

Well I thought I heard a mobile phone
And you think so, and you know so
Well it rang in the middle of me journey home
A long time it rang

Well I thought I heard the owner say
And you think so, and you know so
I'm on the train love, I'm on my way
A long time it rang

Well I said 'To me that phone you'll pass
And you think so, and you know so
And I stuffed it where the sun don't shine
A long time it rang!

Well if you've got a mobile too
And you think so, and you know so,
Better turn it off now or it'll happen to you
A long time it rang!

LTS

03 Jun 05 - 04:44 AM (#1498981)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Ned Ludd

Ugly mug jug band do a song written by Fanjio Banjo called 'On the Phone again' Unfortunately I'm unsure of the lyrics as I'm only the Jug player. Chorus goes.. She's on the phone again( I dn't believe it!) Would'nt ya know she's on the phone again! Written from life about a woman who was never off the mobile.

03 Jun 05 - 09:43 AM (#1499141)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Sandra in Sydney

we have a classic from the Shiny Bum Singers (Canberra Chris & friends), sung with everybody admiring their phones. The audience is also asked to get their phones out. It includes a wonderful line that says something like "When it rings I speak very loud so people know I have friends"

It's a parody done to the tune of "You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes (hands) off of you"

The Shiny Bum Singers are a group of public servants/civil servants/bureaucrats who sing parodies of political & public service life.

sandra

10 Jun 08 - 08:18 AM (#2362201)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Acorn4

Happened to run across this old thread, so decided to post the title track to a CD I've recently done on it. Album is entitled "GOBBINDOWNMIMOBILE" and here is the link to the freebie:-

Gobbindownmimobile

10 Jun 08 - 08:59 AM (#2362221)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: melodeonboy

The Shiny Bum Singers are wonderful, and their stuff is more relevant to the modern townie than just about any pop band you can name. Most pop music doesn't have much relevance to anything anyway, urban or rural, does it?

10 Jun 08 - 09:21 AM (#2362234)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: goatfell

I hate the bloody things, but then it not the phone it is the person that uses it that I dislike, I mean these people that shout, or when at the Irvine folk Club when someone is singing a quiet song their phone will go off, or when someone finds out that you can get bloody football results on it and then they don't leave you alone, why can't the just switch it onto silent or switch if off and thne when the intervial comes then answer it, I mean if it is important then tell the person/s the phone number of the place your going to or tell them that you'll phone them during ther break.

if I had my way I blast them all with a nuclear bomb.

10 Jun 08 - 11:05 AM (#2362310)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work

I've got a Mobile Phone Shanty at home.. I'll try to remember to post it later, if I get a minute.

My first phone was called Donna. Donna il mobile.

LTS

10 Jun 08 - 12:08 PM (#2362379)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Def Shepard

And no, A Very Cellular Song by The Incredible String band is not about mobile/cell phones, despite what some younger people (some of whom have actually heard of ISB) might think :-D

10 Jun 08 - 12:09 PM (#2362380)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Herga Kitty

Acorn4 - I know who you are now! Hope to see you at Sidmouth.

Kitty

10 Jun 08 - 12:39 PM (#2362397)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Liz the Squeak

Well I thought I heard a mobile phone
And you think so, and you know so
Well it rang in the middle of me journey home
A long time it rang

Well I thought I heard the owner say
And you think so, and you know so
I'm on the train love, I'm on my way
A long time it rang

Well I said 'To me that phone you'll pass
And you think so, and you know so
And I stuffed it where the sun don't shine
A long time it rang!

Well if you've got a mobile too
And you think so, and you know so,
Better turn it off now or it'll happen to you
A long time it rang!


Can also be done to 'So Handy' with the chorus
'They're handy me boys, so handy'.

Written by Liz Draper after a very trying morning at a Shanty session.

LTS

10 Jun 08 - 03:28 PM (#2362538)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST,cStu

not very useful in the argument but Aussie folk band The Waifs have a track on their live album where one of the singers' phones go off.

10 Jun 08 - 03:30 PM (#2362540)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Def Shepard

New Thread title The Mobile/Cell Phone as a folk music instrument? :-D

10 Jun 08 - 03:53 PM (#2362557)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: GUEST,Volgadon

If mention of mobiles is all it taks to make a song relevant!!!
As them if they've heard the unfortunate lass/pills of white mercury/St. James infirmary/streets of Laredo.

11 Jun 08 - 06:12 AM (#2363046)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: pavane

aka The Royal Albion, White Copper Alley and more

11 Jun 08 - 06:12 PM (#2363727)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: melodeonboy

"Can also be done to 'So Handy' with the chorus
'They're handy me boys, so handy'."

Interesting! "Handy" is the colloquial word for a mobile phone in German.

11 Jun 08 - 10:34 PM (#2363881)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Joe_F

When you're nearly hit by a yuppie little twit
With 'is godforsaken noggin on the phone
Swervin' in the rain goin' ninety in the rain
In a could of Amaretto and cologne
You feel the anger in you go to work
Maybe now's the time to go berserk
Before you pop a vessel let the speculator wrestle
With another way of lookin' at the jerk

Maybe he's a shrink with a patient on the brink
& he rushing there while tryin' to talk him down
Maybe he's aware there's a toxin in the air
and he's off to warn the people of the town
Someone in the family could be sick
his daughter hit his mother with a brick
His dog has got the rabies
or his wife is having babies
Though the odds are in your favor he's a prick.

-- Lou & Peter Berryman

11 Jun 08 - 10:48 PM (#2363892)
Subject: RE: Songs and Mobile Phones?
From: Amos

Cell phone karma--a lesson for all mobile users:


Cell phone karma--it's real!



A