I did Ultravox, too! This is great. 'Vienna' does jump out straight away, as it's probably their most well known song, so mine is built around that as well... 😎
Vienna is a masterpiece. Took me a long time to realise it was the same band that did the other stuff. Seems so grand and different as a pop song. The 80s!
It is a masterpiece! Unbelievably, it didn't make it to number one. It was kept at number two by John Lennon's 'Woman', and then by Joe Dulce's 'Shaddup You Face'... 😎
We arrived expecting to see intersecting canals full of gondolas we could SLIP AWAY in whenever we had some TIME TO KILL, where we could just relax and FLOW under the gorgeous bridges, and admire the INGENUITY of a city built on water, but what we got was Baroque palaces and a cathedral we were pretty much ready to CUT AND RUN from, having seen the best of it ALL IN ONE DAY.
Because we'd accidentally booked VIENNA instead of Venice... 😎
Just eat cake! I was wondering why your writing took me to a different city! Very clever, Chris! I've read somewhere that Vienna's airport has a counter for people who were going to Australia, but accidentally booked Vienna in Austria. Not sure this is a myth or fact, but if true it's hilarious. I've not seen a similar counter in Stockholm for people needing Switzerland instead of Sweden.
Haha! I love misunderstandings like that, over words that sound similar. That is a brilliant one. Apparently, it was a popular meme about a year or so ago, where they showed the desk in Salzburg Airport, for people who'd arrived by mistake, thinking it was Australia. Some of the newspapers are saying it's a myth, but I may have to go now to check! Glad you enjoyed the story... 😎
Another great one Darienne! I was hoping we'd see some UB40 and here they are. Thank you for bringing some British reggae on the scene. You've put these together very nicely.
Wow, who knew Ultravox had all this wisdom in them? What a great piece you've put together for us. Thank you Fotini! So many Ultravox pieces and all so very different!
I love that. It's as if you all had a different prompt. That's the beauty of it and the freedom of creativity and interpretation! All so different, all so beautiful.
Thanks Treasa! It's strange, come to think about it, that these words written almost 40 years ago (under an entirely different context) today are shuffled to create something about our digital age.
Very nice take. I like the theme of dreams that runs through it, and how they have to end and be given back. It's astonishing to think something this deep and meaningful was hiding within the song titles of Ultravox! 😎
I know... when I finished the poem I wasn't sure I wanted to post it cause it really didn't fit with the vibe of the actual songs, but then I thought, what the hell :)
That is true, the songs do sometimes evoke a certain mood and lend themselves to a particular vibe. Like for V, I had 'The Murder Mystery' to work with and I thought, ahh, another Horror it is then! Haha... 😎
Oh, yes, I was not able to think of any other band that was not Ultravox or UB40 so thought let's bring them out and see. Then realised their titles are just fabulous! Thank you very much Fotini!
I’m curious. Why? I don’t care one way or the other. They opened the Sphere in Las Vegas so there are thousand who like them enough to shell out thousands to see them.
I chose Uncle Tupelo today, buuuut their song titles weren’t really inspiring me, so instead I used Wilco and Son Volt song titles instead, the two bands which Uncle Tupelo became after splitting up - so its sort of Uncle Tupelo by combination. :-)
Name doesn't tell me a thing but I do recognise the sound and the voice. I love your take on U and thank you for bringing something new! Your poems never cease to amaze!
Aw thanks Pilgrim - I really appreciate the kind words. Yeah both of them have pretty distinctive voices, especially Jay - can’t mistake that drawl haha.
Truth be told, you got into mischief today, but who cares... You gave us a stream of lines that is food for the soul!
I'm not really into folk music, but there is one band I absolutely love: Sixteen Horsepower. "Sackcloth N Ashes" is one of my all time favourite albums.
Hahaha - mischief indeed! :-) I might of done the dirty calling them folky tbh - they were originally more of a cow-punk band who turned folk-bluesy on the last couple of albums. Ohhh - I will check out Sixteen Horsepower when I get home. Thanks for the rec.
May 22·edited May 22Liked by Writer Pilgrim by So Elite
Jeez Youtube - for some reason the video is unavailable where I am, and it won't even display the title of the song lol. I had a listen to Heel on the Shovel though and really dug it. That drummer is infectious. What was the name of the song you originally linked? Keen to hear that too now.
Definitely! I find that my favourite of my own poems are those that skate the edge of meaning - and the best moments for me are the bits where I don't quite know what it means, but I know how it feels. :-)
May 22·edited May 22Liked by Writer Pilgrim by So Elite
Ooh, that's very nice. "The best moments for me are the bits where I don't quite know what it means, but I know how it feels." That is so important in writing. Creating a mood and creating a feeling. That is what people are going to connect with... 😎
Agree completely. And I think that's the thing of poetry - pushing right up against that edge of unstated feeling, of the wordlessness of emotion, the movement of the body, the nerves... pre-language, pre-processing, how to reach that in collaboration with words, but without "using" them to state it or explain it... of course, sometimes the poem calls for just stating something, plain and simple. It's a juggling act. :-)
Right, you’re the song title police officially Fotini! We have a few cheaters but we love them. They do create. Which makes me feel bad about @Margaret Ann Silver come back. We’ve got a few writers who use the prompt and write other pieces. That’s ok!
Unforgettable
.
you said that night
under the gaze of Selene goddess of
. the moon
casting silver threads across
our lyric bodies
intertwined flesh
a symphony composed in the moment
.
Your fingers tracing ancient verses
on my skin each touch a fragment
pieced back into the whole of
. desire
we danced through
olive groves a thousand years past
and present merged as one
.
Unforgettable the taste
of honey and salt upon your lips
.
In the light of dawn we emerged
Persephone returning from her shadow
realm of ecstasy
.
Unforgettable the way you looked
at me as if seeing my soul
. laid
. bare
poetry in motion each heartbeat
an ode to the unforgettable
.
moments shared
________
“Unforgettable” Nat King Cole
Great to see you back! This is lovely... 😎
Thank you. It’s was interesting to write around someone else’s words.
Beautiful! Thank you Gloria!
The prompt this month has been highly entertaining and definitely challenging. Thank you for teasing my inner poet.
And here is the layout from Gloria’s poem that I came across in case it won’t show in the comments! https://substack.com/@gloriahortonyoung/note/c-56888462?utm_source=activity_item
Thank you for posting.
Here is my tribute to Ultravox:
We came to dance in Vienna
and though we kept passing strangers down paths and angles,
It was the same old story in the end.
I never wanted to begin building a passionate reply,
Yet a friend I call desire left answers to nothing on my lips.
No regrets are mine for life,
Since I am a man of two worlds and shall always be.
I must reap the wild visions in blue
and when the scream subsides,
A serenade of lament will be my hymn.
I did Ultravox, too! This is great. 'Vienna' does jump out straight away, as it's probably their most well known song, so mine is built around that as well... 😎
Was going to do Ultravox but am going to have a wee re-think.
Ultravox hit the top charts today!
Definitely!
More than one can cover the same artist, there are no restrictions on this.
There's not a huge amount of viable U artists. I was actually expecting lots of people to do U2! 😎
Didn't even cross my mind! hahahaha
They didn't cross anyone's mind, by the looks of it! Haha... 😎
Don't jinx it! We've been lucky!
Crossed and then walked right out. It was just too obvious. Almost did Uriah Heep but...
Vienna is a masterpiece. Took me a long time to realise it was the same band that did the other stuff. Seems so grand and different as a pop song. The 80s!
It is a masterpiece! Unbelievably, it didn't make it to number one. It was kept at number two by John Lennon's 'Woman', and then by Joe Dulce's 'Shaddup You Face'... 😎
Love trivia like this!
I love Answers To Nothing.
Haunting! I really love what you made out of these title songs, Tali!
Very good indeed!
Thank you so much! I really enjoy these poetic exercises. They bring out the philosophical side of me. lol
Great! You got lots of comments and praise and positive vibes out to us! So thank you for being here Tali!
I give as good as I get :)
Dancing with tears in my eyes! Lovely work Tali, thank you!
Thank you. This is so much fun! I really appreciate the challenging idea.
ULTRAVOX
We arrived expecting to see intersecting canals full of gondolas we could SLIP AWAY in whenever we had some TIME TO KILL, where we could just relax and FLOW under the gorgeous bridges, and admire the INGENUITY of a city built on water, but what we got was Baroque palaces and a cathedral we were pretty much ready to CUT AND RUN from, having seen the best of it ALL IN ONE DAY.
Because we'd accidentally booked VIENNA instead of Venice... 😎
Ha!
This means nothing to me…
Oh!
Vienna.
Excellent Chris.
Hahahahahhaha good response, good response Darienne!
Haha! Brilliant. Glad you enjoyed it... 😎
I dare anyone to read this without singing it in their head.
That's how it came about! Me reading Chris's story, then Midge Ure kicked off and that was it!
Perfect!
Now I think of it I could have just gone Midge Ure (as a solo artist) a well, maybe next May.
Anyhow, on with V.
You can also write a second one! We’re not judgning!
Impossible! We lose!
The brevity of the story doesn't kill the fun :) Great one Chris!
Thanks! I had this one planned to be a quick punchline. I was surprised I still managed to squeeze seven songs in, to be honest! Haha... 😎
You did well, this is like second nature to you know!
Haha! Thanks! I'm definitely looking at song titles in a whole new light now... 😎
Careful! Only joking!
Just eat cake! I was wondering why your writing took me to a different city! Very clever, Chris! I've read somewhere that Vienna's airport has a counter for people who were going to Australia, but accidentally booked Vienna in Austria. Not sure this is a myth or fact, but if true it's hilarious. I've not seen a similar counter in Stockholm for people needing Switzerland instead of Sweden.
Haha! I love misunderstandings like that, over words that sound similar. That is a brilliant one. Apparently, it was a popular meme about a year or so ago, where they showed the desk in Salzburg Airport, for people who'd arrived by mistake, thinking it was Australia. Some of the newspapers are saying it's a myth, but I may have to go now to check! Glad you enjoyed the story... 😎
I read this very recently. It definitely needs some looking into. I can't believe it being true but one can never know.
I mean, it's got to be at least half true. Maybe it's just a little kiosk, rather than a desk! Haha... 😎
Just go over and set one up. How hard can it be?
Yet again, you've flipped my brain with a great ending.
Thanks! I like to get a flip in somewhere, if I can. Glad you enjoyed it... 😎
Went for UB40 in the end - great earworms ahead for today!
U is for UB40
Food for thought
Things you say you love
Many rivers to cross
It’s a long long way
Sing your own song
I did what I did
One in ten
Bring me your cup
The time has come
Sins of the fathers
Don’t do the crime
Burden of shame
If it happens again
Forget the cost
C’est la vie
Another great one Darienne! I was hoping we'd see some UB40 and here they are. Thank you for bringing some British reggae on the scene. You've put these together very nicely.
Very nice. Haven't listened to UB40 for a while. But I did always like 'Rat In Mi Kitchen'... 😎
Love that song too! Little did I know that’s a reality for some…
I did a story about that on Notes a week or so ago. 'The Tower Block' it was called... 😎
Found it! Here it is: https://substack.com/@chrisjfranklin/note/c-55964522
Ultravox
.
Artificial Life
.
Passing Strangers
Sleepwalk
Some of Them
Dream On
Visions in Blue
.
All Fall Down
When the Time Comes
When the Scream Subsides
The Silent Cries
Cross Fade
.
Private Lives
Ideals
Dreams?
All Fall Down
All In One Day
.
.
One Small Day
When the Time Comes
.
Give It All Back
.
Wow, who knew Ultravox had all this wisdom in them? What a great piece you've put together for us. Thank you Fotini! So many Ultravox pieces and all so very different!
It's always interesting to see how differently each of us respond to a same prompt!
I love that. It's as if you all had a different prompt. That's the beauty of it and the freedom of creativity and interpretation! All so different, all so beautiful.
Mind expanding!
I need to get with the Ultravox trend on here today. Strong message of detachment in this age of digital distraction. Very deep Fotini.
Thanks Treasa! It's strange, come to think about it, that these words written almost 40 years ago (under an entirely different context) today are shuffled to create something about our digital age.
Very nice take. I like the theme of dreams that runs through it, and how they have to end and be given back. It's astonishing to think something this deep and meaningful was hiding within the song titles of Ultravox! 😎
I know... when I finished the poem I wasn't sure I wanted to post it cause it really didn't fit with the vibe of the actual songs, but then I thought, what the hell :)
That is true, the songs do sometimes evoke a certain mood and lend themselves to a particular vibe. Like for V, I had 'The Murder Mystery' to work with and I thought, ahh, another Horror it is then! Haha... 😎
Very nice. Lots to love here. I especially like:
“When the Scream Subsides
The Silent Cries
Cross Fade“
:-)
Thanks Dick!!!
Pleasure! :-)
The Unthanks
Sorrows away
Queen of hearts
Blue Bleezing Blind Drunk
I remember
You are my sister
The testimony of Patience
What can a song do to you
She dried her tears and they did smile
Sad February
Nobody knew she was there
Oh, the Unthanks... I have forgotten about them but I absolutely love their "Magpie"
Oh, yes, I was not able to think of any other band that was not Ultravox or UB40 so thought let's bring them out and see. Then realised their titles are just fabulous! Thank you very much Fotini!
I was certain you were going with U2 today... don't know why. But you chose wisely!
Never…. he they whatever are on my blacklist!
😂 😂 😂
I appreciate you! Hahahahahahhaha
And I apologise for any disappointment.
I’m curious. Why? I don’t care one way or the other. They opened the Sphere in Las Vegas so there are thousand who like them enough to shell out thousands to see them.
Long story. Used to love them where the streets have no name and one love and many more.
Very lovely!
Thank you!
I need to check out these tunes. King of Rome with that haunting trumpet solo is my favourite.
Great songs!
I chose Uncle Tupelo today, buuuut their song titles weren’t really inspiring me, so instead I used Wilco and Son Volt song titles instead, the two bands which Uncle Tupelo became after splitting up - so its sort of Uncle Tupelo by combination. :-)
.
I. Reverie: For Tweedy
.
One Sunday morning,
Blue sky blue
.
What light,
On and on and on—
.
Hummingbird,
You and I
Forget the flowers,
.
Speak
into
the
rose.
.
II. Refrain: For Jay
.
Dust of daylight
The world waits for you—
.
Sinking down
Threads and steel,
.
Someday is now.
.
.
.
If you dig folky stuff, and haven't heard Uncle Tupelo, this is a great starting point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-xca9TVT_o&list=PL3gdXHvVjKHG48bNhZ-Gw_Bzq8-ufAwSU
.
Name doesn't tell me a thing but I do recognise the sound and the voice. I love your take on U and thank you for bringing something new! Your poems never cease to amaze!
Aw thanks Pilgrim - I really appreciate the kind words. Yeah both of them have pretty distinctive voices, especially Jay - can’t mistake that drawl haha.
Truth be told, you got into mischief today, but who cares... You gave us a stream of lines that is food for the soul!
I'm not really into folk music, but there is one band I absolutely love: Sixteen Horsepower. "Sackcloth N Ashes" is one of my all time favourite albums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHN6javenuw&list=PLwNPma6jY99qTA-COh8_lIdDnw-oMja4P&index=1
Mischief... we love the rebels!
Yes, we do!
https://youtu.be/VDW5BcvbA-I?si=RaGGe5tx4cRmcHDc
Something to think about: “If your heart lays with the rebelWould you cheer the underdog?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJxCsVcZL2I
I opened it in the background and purposefully didn't look at what it was - was very happy with what came on haha :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8rXn7_9JmM
What a song!
Hahaha - mischief indeed! :-) I might of done the dirty calling them folky tbh - they were originally more of a cow-punk band who turned folk-bluesy on the last couple of albums. Ohhh - I will check out Sixteen Horsepower when I get home. Thanks for the rec.
Don’t treat folk and folky like it’s a bad word! Hahahahahaha
Hahahaha - definitely not a bad word! Music of the people!
Jeez Youtube - for some reason the video is unavailable where I am, and it won't even display the title of the song lol. I had a listen to Heel on the Shovel though and really dug it. That drummer is infectious. What was the name of the song you originally linked? Keen to hear that too now.
That one, yes, and "American Wheeze" and "Haw" and really the whole album!!!
Google the band for additional videos, you won't be disappointed!
Yes! Another mash-up! Great job... 😎
Hehe, thanks Chris!
nice choice
Duane, many thanks for the restack!
Titles can't be copyrighted. However, there might be trouble if you monetize every title in an album or book. This would test the issue to the extreme
That's true! We're not monetising, breathing new life into some songs we like and paying tributes. Thank you for your contributions Richard.
UNDERWORLD
.
Born / Slip
.
dive
numb angel
beautiful tears
your inner space
smile
feelings slip
your mask
cracking
like an angel
derailed
velvet mouth
shimmering
telephone God
talking
shouting
going back
.
Sleep deprived and under inspired so I'm kinda cheating today with an erasure poem of one song.
Love this! Get some sleep!
'Trainspotting'! That's a great one for U... 😎
Thank U :)
Ohhhhh - very nice. :-) Some stunning turns: “derailed / velvet mouth / shimmering // telephone god” is sooo good.
To be honest, I haven't a clue what the original lyrics mean. These are words that stood out for me and words dont always have to make sense I guess.
Definitely! I find that my favourite of my own poems are those that skate the edge of meaning - and the best moments for me are the bits where I don't quite know what it means, but I know how it feels. :-)
Rich imagery, those poems are the best and they tend to happen without much effort!
Ooh, that's very nice. "The best moments for me are the bits where I don't quite know what it means, but I know how it feels." That is so important in writing. Creating a mood and creating a feeling. That is what people are going to connect with... 😎
Agree completely. And I think that's the thing of poetry - pushing right up against that edge of unstated feeling, of the wordlessness of emotion, the movement of the body, the nerves... pre-language, pre-processing, how to reach that in collaboration with words, but without "using" them to state it or explain it... of course, sometimes the poem calls for just stating something, plain and simple. It's a juggling act. :-)
Glad it's not just me Treasa!
Second one who cheats on U Day :) But, Treasa, the result is mind blowing!!!
Right, you’re the song title police officially Fotini! We have a few cheaters but we love them. They do create. Which makes me feel bad about @Margaret Ann Silver come back. We’ve got a few writers who use the prompt and write other pieces. That’s ok!
U2
---
I threw a brick through a window
staring at the sun
where the streets have no name —
two hearts beat as one.
---
When I look at the world
I still haven’t found what I’m looking for,
stuck in a moment you can’t get out of
with or without you.
---
I will follow
in a little while
until the end of the world
running to stand still.
---
I fall down
When love comes to town.
---