a pox on Lileks! (but not a monkeypox)
I'm pissed at James Lileks.
When I asked for suggestions for driving cds the other day, he suggested Kraftwerk's Autobahn.
That made me think of Kraftwerk's Tour de France.
And now, that song has been stuck in my head since then, the needle stuck on the same thing over and over, that thick, barely legible voice singing, Tour de France, Tour de France.
I Curse you (yes, curse with a capital C, which makes it a really big curse), James Lileks. May you get stuck in huge traffic jam next to a guy with big hair and spandex who is playing Sister Christian at full volume on his massive speaker system. On repeat.
Comments
You definitely need to go out and purchase "El Baile Aleman" by Senor Coconut y Su Conjunto. It's mainly Latinized versions of Kraftwerk songs, so you'll at least have something other than a sterile Teutonic beat in your head while muttering "Tour de France" over and over to yourself.
Posted by: Norbizness | June 12, 2003 10:50 PM
I have to find this song!!!
Sorry about the double trackback, i obviously do not understand how to trackback properly...
tour de france, tour de france....
Posted by: Eddie | June 12, 2003 11:16 PM
Never heard Tour de France.
Ever hear Neil Young's "T-Bone"? It's one of Steve H's (of Little Tiny Lies) favorites.
Posted by: Aaron's Rantblog | June 12, 2003 11:25 PM
barely audible, not barely legible.
Posted by: Toxic | June 12, 2003 11:25 PM
This is TOO funny. I just Googled:
t-bone got mashed potato young
and look what comes up:
--> http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=t%2Dbone+got+mashed+potato+young
It's an old A Small Victory post!
--> http://www.asmallvictory.net/oldshit/001395.html
Seems like you own this song now,
Posted by: Aaron's Rantblog | June 12, 2003 11:31 PM
Another worthwhile Krafwerk related project was a CD by the Balenscu Quartet called "Possesed". Essentially string quartet versions of Krafwerk songs (Autobahn is incuded, Tour de France isn't), a Brian Eno song, and a couple of originals. Both diehard Kraftwerk fans and the snootiest of classical music lovers seemed to enjoy it.
Posted by: Joel | June 12, 2003 11:44 PM
The lyrics to that song are all simple, really. Just name French streets and you have it.
Tournadot, Champs Elysee
Tour de France, Tour de France
Montparnasse et Orleans
Tour de France, Tour de France
You can even make them up with your French 101 vocabulary words.
Confiture et bouillibase
Tour de France, Tour de France
Mes lunettes sont magnifiques
Tour de France, Tour de France
Roughly translated, that's:
"Jelly and fish soup
Tour de France, Tour de France
My sunglasses are fabulous.
Tour de France, etc."
I have that song on a CD single, because I couldn't get it out of my head either. I'm a DJ, so I thought I would add it to my collection. I had to go and order it from Amazon, so if you really want to hear it, I'll be more than happy to make an mp3 of it and post it somewhere or send it.
Cheers,
DF
Posted by: David Strain | June 13, 2003 01:40 AM
Ack!
One of the KBCO DJs this morning was on and on about that damned "Autobahn" song as part of his trivia question (which has to do with the Tour de France song).
All I can say is shoot me. No, I take that back, shoot Rev. Mykeru.
Posted by: andy | June 13, 2003 02:02 AM
"Barely intelligible", not "barely audible." 8-)
Posted by: Alex Gray | June 13, 2003 08:56 AM
While we're being picky, Toxic, it's barely intelligible ;)
Posted by: Kevin | June 13, 2003 09:05 AM
From todays cyclingnews.com
Kraftwerk re-releases "Tour de France"
Germany's electronic music pioneer Kraftwerk will release an updated version of its classic song "Tour de France" in honour of the race's centenary. Originally released in 1983, Kraftwerk's Tour de France remains a cult classic from the enduring electro band. The album "Tour de France 03" is set for release on July 21.
Posted by: gttim | June 13, 2003 09:24 AM
damn you. now it's stuck in my head. my little brother had that on vinyl when we were in high school.
Posted by: tanya | June 13, 2003 10:07 AM
Gee, I like 'Sister Christian'...
Posted by: Plunge | June 13, 2003 10:29 AM
So do I, Plunge. And I get made fun of for that.
Posted by: michele | June 13, 2003 10:32 AM
Hey "Tour De France" is a great track.
You tasteless imperialist american swine....
Posted by: Tex | June 13, 2003 12:33 PM
I like that "Planet Rock" song by Kraftwerk.
Posted by: Anthony Alford | June 13, 2003 03:11 PM
I like that "Planet Rock" song by Kraftwerk
Actually that's by Afrika Bambaata. He "borrowed" some bits from Kraftwerk ("Trans Europe Express" if memory serves) in putting the song together. I believe Krafwerk weren't too amused and sued (and won).
Posted by: Joel | June 13, 2003 04:42 PM
The best thing about "Tour De France?" It was used by Turbo in the famous "broom dance" scene in the ultra-classic, super-duper 1984 movie "Breakin."
'Nuff said.
Posted by: David | June 13, 2003 08:57 PM
Joel,
I'm a smartass. Get it now? :)
Posted by: Anthony Alford | June 13, 2003 10:30 PM