Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2009 July 27

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July 27

Song on "Pimp My Ride"

What Xzibit song is always played on the MTV show Pimp My Ride? They play a small clip of the music video. From what I remember it features cars on hydraulics. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tim Mckee (talk • contribs) 02:00, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Digging games?

Are there any online digging flash games (excluding MotherLoad)? 86.148.43.18 (talk) 12:04, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

A famous song from the UK

Although God Save The Queen is the national anthem of the United Kingdom, this famous British song is being used more often in the media to represent the country. I'm not sure what it's called but it's often played in about 10 notes. In the a show called Tricky TV, the song was played when the host performed a trick of making Big Ben disappear. 124.106.203.179 (talk) 14:03, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Rule Britannia? Youtube:[1]. Fribbler (talk) 14:09, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Or Land of Hope and Glory? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 14:17, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

After checking that link to YouTube, Fribbler's example is the one. That song may not be the national anthem but pretty hard to believe why it's more famous. 124.106.203.179 (talk) 14:33, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

???? -- JackofOz (talk) 21:29, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

In anything intended to reach American ears, God Save the Queen would be avoided, as it shares the medoldy with My Country, 'Tis of Thee. --Nricardo (talk) 16:45, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

And the tune of the chorus of Land of Hope and Glory is universally known as the "graduation song" in the US. Since a number of British patriotic songs have sort of been appropriated, Rule Britannia is probably the most famous "British-only" song - as the OP kind of suggested, it's usually used as the British version of the "Oriental Riff" in the US. AlexiusHoratius 17:08, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Why can't you write some songs of your own, instead of appropriating ours? Malcolm XIV (talk) 18:02, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

You do realize that our two nations (and a number of others) have a shared culture starting a few hundred years ago, right? You cannot colonize half the world and then complain that other nations have some of the same culture as you! ("God Save the Queen" was published in the 1700s.) APL (talk) 13:08, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

While it's true that My Country, 'Tis of Thee and The Star Spangled Banner appropriated melodies from British songs, you can't blame the Yanks for appropriating Land of Hope and Glory, as the melody there was "appropriated" itself (by the original composer, as it turns out) from Pomp and Circumstance, which is usually the title on the sheet music when bands are playing at graduations. -- 128.104.112.87 (talk) 18:46, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Slight confusion there. The tune first appeared as the trio of Elgar's military march Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D in 1901. Then he reused it in 1902 in a section of the Coronation Ode to King Edward VII, sung to the words Land of Hope and Glory. Elgar was asked to re-use the tune by the King himself, who liked it, and he was more-or-less obliged to comply. The whole Coronation Ode has probably never been performed since then, but that section of it has become famous as an independent song known all over the world as "Land of Hope and Glory" (except in the US, apparently; the shortened title "Pomp and Circumstance" is an American invention). The tune was first played at a graduation ceremony in 1905, when Elgar himself was given an honorary doctorate from Yale University, and the director of music Samuel Sanford decided that some works written by Elgar would be featured in the musical numbers. Sanford was the one who chose "Land of Hope and Glory", and it is he who can be given the credit for it having become an institution at graduations.-- JackofOz (talk) 21:29, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

I find that the American national anthem composed on a banjo is quite fetching to the earChromagnum (talk) 07:09, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

We appropriated that song from the English, too, by the way. — Lomn 14:01, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

There would be little point in appropriating "Rule, Britannia", which is rather specifically British, and in fact is among the more jingoistic songs every written. Not that it isn't a great song. It's on my iPod. :) As regards the "Anacreon" song a.k.a. "The Star-Spangled Banner", the more booze you have in you the better it sounds. That's why it's a staple at sporting events. :) Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 10:47, 31 July 2009 (UTC)

Song identification

I am usually trying to answer questions on this desk, but today I looking for an answer. I heard a song this morning on WXPN that was somewhat tribal but modern, mid tempo with a great syncopation with the percussion and synths. Almost hypnotic. The male vocals sounded very much like peter gabriel but I don't think it was him. The lyrics (I already tried googling with no luck) were something like "I play with shapes, to stay in this place..." and then something about being an "animal". I am a big music lover and have an extensive music collection...99% of the time when I hear a song I can find it, but this one is hiding form me. Anyone have any ideas? It sounded like it may be a newer release. thanks and cheers! 10draftsdeep (talk) 15:10, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Have you checked the various songs titled "Animal"? Algebraist 15:14, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I dug deep into the depths of google and the best match I get is a Swedish band called "Miika Snow". I don't see any band website or albums on Amazon to confirm their existence, but I think I may have found my answer. cheers, 10draftsdeep (talk) 15:22, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

A lot of radio stations have their full playlist listed on their website. I can't access it from work, but is that something that WXPN has? Livewireo (talk) 18:01, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

The rhythm and your comments lead me to Kasabian, who have a new album out. The track I was thinking of was Processed Beats off their first album, but I don't think those lyrics you quoted are from that track. However, the metre is. --TammyMoet (talk) 18:41, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

I believe the band 1odraftsdeep mentioned, but misspelled - Miike Snow (sometimes Mike Snow) is correct. A Google or hypem search for that name and song title should provide a link to some media to have a listen. 131.191.87.100 (talk) 19:09, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks 131.191, it is indeed Miike Snow. I found the album on Amazon....although I'm not so sure it sounds as good now as it did earlier this morning :-) cheers, 10draftsdeep (talk) 20:37, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

Can someone identify this young lady for me?

[2]

The URL says Alizee, though it clearly is not her. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

99.250.7.109 (talk) 20:52, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

No idea. But what an ecclectic collection at that site. Here are a couple of good ones: [3] [4] Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 11:04, 31 July 2009 (UTC)