Welcome to Earlobe Calming
a collection of desperate, vulnerable, and collaborative acts.
This is a DJ set proposed by my bestie Travis Amiel consisting only only of songs verses with no choruses. In proposing the project, Travis had in mind how nights out dancing are dominated by choruses and wanted to showcase iconic and sometimes verbose verses that are often the unsung heroes of a dj set. In our conversation Travis also mentioned the mix could be useful as pre-show music for T’s collaboration with Cosimo Pori, Das Sofortvergnügen, which explores the tension between instant pleasure and delayed gratification. This being the case, I wanted the mix to feature some comically extended moments of anticipation, where tension builds and builds for a beat drop or a chorus that never comes. We also agreed that the set should focus primarily on songs that have a traditional verse/chorus structure and that non-chorus sections like intros, outros, and bridges should be mostly avoided. Almost the entire set involves at least two songs playing together, and at times as many as four. Combining songs allowed me to create a compelling and seamless set out of such short sections of music and helps solidly define the set as a unique piece of work that creatively remixes the works of others in case some party pooper tries to charge me with intellectual property theft. Travis and I decided that the music for the set would come from my existing music library so no additional expenses were involved. For the finished set, Travis paid 250 euro.
So without further ado, put on your dancing shoes and please enjoy Oops! All Verses!
[Music begins: Arcade Fire’s No Cars Go and Robyn’s Missing U]
Robyn: Baby it’s so weird to me, now that it’s over
the space where you used to be, your head on my shoulder
all of the plans we made never happened
now your scent on my pillows babe, at least you left me with something.
I miss you
Can’t make sense of all of the pieces of my own delusions
Can’t take all these memories, don’t know how to use them
There’s a slick washed up onto the beach, I follow the traces
Finding clues in my pockets and opening boxes and
Going places we went, remember to forget
[ABBA’s Voulez-Vous begins]
Thinking how it could’ve been, I turn all my sorrow into glass
Abba: People everywhere, the sense of expectation hanging in the air
Moving on a spark, across the room your eyes are glowing in the dark
And here we go again, we know the start, we know the end
Masters of the scene
We’ve done it all before and now we’re back to get some more
You know what I mean
[Mitski’s Nobody begins]
Mitski:
My God, I’m so lonely so I open the window
To hear sounds of people, to hear sounds of people
Venus, planet of love was destroyed by global warming
Did its people want too much too? Did its people want too much?
And I don’t want your pity I just want somebody near me
Guess I’m a coward I just want to feel alright
And I know no one will save me I just need someone to kiss
Give me one good honest kiss and I’ll be alright
I’ve been big and small and big and small and big and small again
And still nobody wants me still nobody wants me
And I know no one will save me I’m just asking for a kiss
Give me one good movie kiss and I’ll be alright
[Lizzo’s Boys cuts in]
Lizzo: Hey boy What you say boy You tryna play coy Like a game boy
Hit my phone boy Is you home boy Are you alone boy Come give me dome boy
Got a boy with degrees A boy in the streets A boy on his knees He a man in the sheets
Sheesh, it’s all Greek to me Got this boy speaking Spanish, ai papi
Baby I don’t need you I just wanna freak you
I heard you a freak too. What’s two plus two?
Four, three, I like
big boys, itty bitty boys Mississippi boys, inner city boys
I like the pretty boys with the bow tie Get your nails did, let it blow dry
I like a big beard, I like a clean face I don’t discriminate, come and get a taste
From the playboys to the gay boys Go and slay boys, you my fave boys
Baby I don’t need you I just wanna freak you
I heard you a freak too. What’s two plus two?
(Four, three, two, ow!)
Mitski: My god I’m so lonely
My god I’m so lonely
[The Time’s 777-9311 starts playing]
Morris Day: Baby, what’s your phone number?
I know I’m kinda fast, but I hate to waste time
Baby, what’s your phone number?
Girl, I have to ask ’cause you’re so fine
Baby what’s your phone number?
How can you be reached on a lonely night?
Baby, what’s your phone number?
How can I get into you when I’m feeling right?
Hey what’s your phone number?
Can’t you see the agony I’m going through?
Baby, what’s your phone number?
Girl it’s getting hard, baby won’t you let me love you love you?
[Kim Petras’s Future Starts Now begins]
Kim Petras: Lose control, take control, anything you want tonight
On a roll, good to go, let the moment blow your mind
Take your time, take your time, baby, it don’t matter
Let it ride, let it ride, take it to the afters
Let your heart decide Let it change your life tonight
Yeah, you’re almost there You can almost touch the light
If you’re lost and you find That you need somebody
In the dark, baby, don’t you know the future starts—
[Future Starts Now and 777-9311 loop on an instrumental build while tempo accelerates]
[Doja Cat’s Boss Bitch fades up]
Doja Cat: Yeah, ain’t tryna be cool like you
Wobblin’ around in your high-heeled shoes
I’m clumsy, made friends with the floor
Two for one, you know a bitch buy four
And two left feet, you know I always drop
First thing a girl did was a bop
I’m the whole damn cake and the cherry on top
Shook up the bottom, made a good girl pop
You ain’t even here to party
Ken in the club tryna pipe a Barbie
I don’t wanna go, go, go with the flow
Back-bend till I touch my toes, and
I don’t wanna row, row, row the boat
Wrist full of rocks and I hope I float
Big up yourself ’cause you know they don’t
I chew, chew, chew ’cause they hope I choke
Said, bitch, I’m the after, you been the before
I’ve been a stallion, you’ve been a sea horse
Don’t need a report, don’t need a press run
All of my bad pics been all my best ones
I wear the hat and I wear the pants
I am advanced so I get advance
And I do my dance and cancel their plans
Said, boo, don’t be mad ’cause you had a chance
Said, I took it and I ran for it
I run it and I stand on it
Money on the floor when we dance on it
Shine bright, finna put a tan on it
Said, I took it and I ran for it
I run it and I stand on it
Money on the floor when we dance on it
Shine bright, finna put a tan on it like
[Grimes’ Venus Fly feat Janelle Monáe and Tune-Yards’ Hey Life fade in]
[Lorde’s Green Light begins]
Lorde: I do my makeup in somebody else’s car
We order different drinks at the same bars
I know about what you did and I wanna scream the truth
She thinks you love the beach, you’re such a damn liar
Janelle Monáe:
Titty, titty, titty pat
Why you always doing that?
Why you always talking smack?
Yeah, Grimes got my back
Titty, titty, titty pat
Why you always call it black?
Why you always talking smack?
Yeah, Grimes
Lorde: Sometimes I wake up in a different bedroom
I whisper things, the city sings them back to you
Tune-Yards: One two three o’clock Four o’clock
Walk and walk And talk and talk And walk and talk
And then five six seven Seven seven
Heaven heaven Take me again
[Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling begins]
The Peas: Tonight’s the night (hey!) Let’s live it up (let’s live it up)
I got my money (I’m paid) Let’s spend it up (let’s spend it up)
Go out and smash it (smash it) Like oh my God (like oh my God)
Jump off that sofa (c’mon) Let’s get get off
Fill up my cup (drink) Mazel Tov (l’chaim)
Look at her dancing (move it, move it) just take it off
Let’s paint the town (paint the town) We’ll shut it down (shut it down)
Let’s burn the roof And then we’ll do it again
Let’s do it, let’s do it, Let’s do it,
Let’s do it, and do it, and do it, Let’s live it up
And do it, and do it, and do it, do it, do it,
Let’s do it, Let’s do it, Let’s do it, do it, do it, do it
Lorde: Sometimes I wake up in a different bedroom
I whisper things, the city sings them back to you
The Peas: Here we come Here we go We gotta rock (rock, rock, rock, rock)
Easy come Easy go Now we on top (top, top, top, top)
Feel the shot Body rock Rock it don’t stop (stop, stop, stop, stop)
Round and round Up and down Around the clock (clock, clock, clock, clock)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Saturday to Sunday
Get get get get get with us You know what we say: party every day pa-pa-pa-party every day
[Hannah Diamond’s Every Night begins]
Hannah Diamond: I know you like the way that I look and it looks like I like you too you know I do
I like the way you know that I like how you look and you like me too I know you do
I see you look at me and I know That you think you like what you see I want you too
I think the time is right And I want you to see how good it could be For you and me
[Empress Of’s Kitty Kat begins]
Empress Of:
Don’t take me by the hand and walk me through with pity
If I was a man, would you still do the same?
I’m fending for myself when you still call me pretty
Let me walk away
Don’t kitty, kitty cat me like I’m just your pussy
Any other night, you’d treat me just the same
I’m fending for myself when you still call me pretty
Let me walk away
[Róisín Murphy’s Exploitation begins]
Róisín Murphy: If you’d lend me your ear This is a so called true story
We had the time of our lives Stirring up clouds of scandal.
Freedom, the ultimate freedom, Then the bombshell hit, A fiasco!
Never underestimate Creative people and the depths that they will go.
Loneliness, Cruising at high speed Ain’t that a feeling You and I know well.
So let the sparks fly, You and I collide, Ticking like a time bomb Til’ I receive your reply.
[Björk’s Wanderlust fades in and loops, Azealia Banks’s JFK feat. Theophilus London begins]
Azealia Banks: First lady on the floor, move sexy in Dior
As we, go on and on and on from the dusk till the dawn
Fully vampin’ on the song, it’s a ball not a prom
Have a pour at the bar, at the promenade- yo shorty lookin’ gorge
The allure of a star
They applaud and in awe…
The chips in her palm, what’s a pigeon to a swan?
A queen to a pawn?
Luxury is on looking to explore, the Bambi on the lawn
Red carpet to the car, in a garment from the gods
I drips and Bogart – you’re a target from the start
Assassinate the look – murdering the gown
Fashion-Killa, the body dipped in brown
Get the picture, nobody fit the crown
She’s the winner, (in) the lobby with a smile!
Jet black weave bout the length of a mile
Jet black feet while I clever craft styles
Miss I’ll flip this and dip-dip twaow!
Miss, I been this, you must’ve missed out
Dope when dressed up, ya boy strung out…
His Girl is pressed, now behave, calm down
Sip on old grapes and be laid lounge…
Baby you look late, come peep my now
Giving them good taste, the great’s don’t have
Mommy keep blaze, better get that cake
Shimmy it on stage, I’m giving them good face…
Somebody on her page, somebody is amazed…
It’s just another day for the dame, just another day for the dame
Theophilus London: Grand champ, it’s the bougie – the handsome
Romance in advance, hit ya boo on her Samsung
Beach bunnies, from Aruba to Cancun
Ya bitch save money just to move with the anthem
So prepare my n*****, gourmet grape taste, we rare my n****
He where? He wear flair, beware my n****
You scared, you see-through, you clear my n****
You boys Scooby and Doo, I’m really groovy and frost
You n***** cooped in a hoop, I’m Cooley High in the Porsche
I put these n***** on mute, to whom it may not concern…
I got the bitch with the juice, you got the bitch with the germ
2Pac in the coup, westside with the herb
I got a flock of the hoots, a-list of the birds
White model the muse, Arizona the first
I took a trip from the Moon, to JFK for that work
Björk: I am leaving this harbor Giving urban a farewell
Its habitants seem too keen on God I cannot stomach their rights and wrongs
Lust for comfort Suffocates the soul
Relentless restlessness Liberates me (sets me free)
I feel at home Whenever the unknown surrounds me
I receive its embrace Aboard my floating house
[SOPHIE’s Vyzee fades up]
SOPHIE: If you Want to make them scream Look at me, it’s simple We’ll make it easily
If you need that something but don’t know what it is Shake, shake, shake it up and make it fizz
You’ve got to twist your body Twirl it all around Make it pop and sizzle Now squish it on the ground
If you need that something but don’t know what it is Shake, shake, shake, it up and make it fizz
If you Squish it in your hand Make it pop, red and white Tomato soup can
If you need that something And that’s really what you want Shake, shake, shake it up and make it fizz
You’ve got to stir that mixture Make it really thick Let it drip all over Now give the spoon a lick
If you need that something and that’s really what you want Shake, shake, shake it up and make it fizz
[Lady Gaga’s Marry The Night begins]
Lady Gaga: I’m gonna marry the night, I won’t give up on my life
I’m a warrior queen, live passionately tonight
I’m gonna marry the dark, gonna make love to the stark
I’m a soldier to my own emptiness, I’m a winner
I’m gonna marry the night
I’m gonna lace up my boots, throw on some leather and cruise
Down the streets that I love, in my fishnet gloves, I’m a sinner
Then I’ll go down to the bar, but I won’t cry anymore
I’ll hold my whiskey up high, kiss the bartender twice, I’m a loser
I’m gonna marry the night
[Loreen’s Euphoria begins]
Loreen: Why, why can’t this moment last forevermore? Tonight, tonight eternity’s an open door
No, don’t ever stop doing the things you do Don’t go, in every breath I take I’m breathing you
Forever we sail into infinity We’re higher, we’re reaching for divinity
Euphoria, euphoria We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
up-up-up-up-up [ad naseum]
[Leikeli47’s Post That begins]
Leikeli47: My bitch will get on the ground Just to make sure the light is found
The way she make them angles hit She like Bill Cunningham with that shit
I mean that shot Richard Avedon, to make me look like a don, I got
So many pieces, bitch why not? Have me a photoshoot right on the block
I put two lanes on gridlock So I could sit in a fierce squat
Spent big money on a wristwatch highlighter own tip-top
Catch me in the McAir (Click) They only made two pairs (Click)
Get into this hair (Click) I do this shit with flare, bitch
[Arcade Fire’s No Cars Go fades up]
Galliano, I’m in Galliano, bitch Photo me pronto, I’m in Galliano, uh
Galliano, I’m in Galliano, bitch Photo me pronto, I’m in Galliano, uh
Fee-fi-fo-fum Grab your lens ’cause here she comes
Frame by frame, glossy lips Must I remind you I’m that bitch?
Elongated, sophisticated Covergirl, bitch, we made it
Every feature soft to the touch I make all your boyfriends blush
Then I let them have it As I sit in custom fabric
They say you are what you eat So I wear carats and make cabbage, uh
Angel done sumo, make me pretty in my Miu Miu
Now serving, come and grab it Tanjee banjee just like NuNu, uh
I’m in Mugler, I’m sitting in Mugler Bitch, take down your toupee, I’m sitting Mugler uh
I’m in Mugler, I’m sitting in Mugler Bitch, take down your toupee, I’m sitting in Mugler uh
Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up
I’m Herb Ritts with the shit Go’n Diddy, crop that bitch
Annie Leibowitz Go’n Diddy, crop that bitch
Arcade Fire: Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
Little babies? Let’s go!
Women and children? Let’s go!
Old folks? Let’s go!
Don’t know where we’re going
[Lorde’s Green Light begins]
Lorde: I do my makeup in somebody else’s car
We order different drinks at the same bars
I know about what you did and I wanna scream the truth
She thinks you love the beach, you’re such a damn liar
[Green Light ends, Euphoria, Post That, and No Cars Go fade]
[Music Ends]
If you listened through to the end, thank you for doing so and I hope were able to boogie down a bit! If you’d like to propose a project for Earlobe Calming you can do so at gabriel.town/earlobe and click on C for create. Thank you for your help.
Be First to Comment