"I tore my mind on a jagged sky..."
- Emma Hierholzer
- Aug 15, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 20, 2024
AUGUST '24
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It seemed everyone got puppies in the wake - and now reckoning - of COVID19, So, here's my nerdy, decidedly less furry, version of adoption: a music blog.
The puppies are now grown; the TV has been all watched; the fleeting hobbies have been exhausted; the lovers are now worn or worn out.
As for me? Well, I'm four-years older and seldom the wiser. What a few strange years in which to finally indulge my pretensions that someone would actually want to read what I have to say on a topic most everyone has something else to say about.
This is what old quarantines, months of 'adulting' (though I loathe that term), doom-scrolling, great love(s), great loss, and arrested development have created: ennui to the point of blogging. Ew. The quintessential quasi-Millennial illness that's plagued the internet long before COVID ever plagued this (increasingly scorched?) Earth. I've finally caught the bug. Yikes. At least it's not a podcast - yet.
Welcome to Just Dropped In
Ok cool, you have a music blog. Why?
The name of this blog comes from a gem of a 1960s psychedelic rock hit, 'Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)', sung by a young Kenny Rogers (yes - the same guy who would go on to create major pop-country hits like 'The Gambler' and 'Coward Of The County') who was clearly enjoying the zeitgeist of the times - and perhaps the acid clarity that accompanied it.
While I might not directly relate to this LSD-soaked anthem, I thought what a great name for a blog where my (let's be honest) 2 readers (Mom & Dad) could drop in and see what condition my condition was in fact in. Of late, my condition has been one of highest highs and lowest lows. But we'll explore that more in coming entries.
So, join me as I embark on this publicly embarrassing series of diary entries where I wax musical-poetic on a theme, recount memories associated with songs, and discover tunes new and old.
My soul-ular language is music - why not share it? My weird elephant brain seldom forgets a note - or a lyric for that matter. To me, music is the grey matter - the space in between. It's everything you could never really say.
The goal is to write a weekly blog post with an accompanying playlist.
For now, I'm sure it will just be about whatever I'm feeling that week. Lord knows that's about as sporadic as my weekly gym schedule (or lack thereof).
And - don't forget to share your own playlists with me! The big red button on the upper right hand corner is for just that. I'd love to do a monthly review of music submissions from my 'dedicated' readers/listeners. Sharing is caring - think of all the great music you've yet to hear!
For my first playlist, in honor of both the name of this blog and a genre near & dear to my heart, I've pieced together some classic psychedelic escapism. Turn on, tune in, and drop out (à la Timothy Leary here).
After all, life is short, Dude - and this 20-something is in need of some escapism herself.
Read more about the song picks below - and if you've made it this far, consider us friends.
Playlist No. 1 - 'Dropping In'
Song 1: 'Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)' - The First Edition; 1967
The tremolo-ed and reversed opening guitar (played by none other than Glen Campbell) immediately takes you by the ears and plops you in the hazy middle of an Electric Circus . You can almost smell the fragrant 'Reefer Madness' from there on out, for all 3 minutes and 21 seconds of psychedelic silliness.
The nonsensical lyrics about dropping acid and tearing your mind open, turning yourself inside out and ending up in proverbial Memphis with a flat was meant to be a song against imbibing chemically...but instead became an anthem for doing just the opposite.
It also had its true 15 seconds of silver-screen fame in the Coen brother's 1998 hit 'The Big Lebowski' - this is where I distinctly remember seeing / hearing this song for the first time. Gratuitous, non-plot driven, sheer visual pleasure awaits you if you haven't seen this scene ( 1 of 2 musical scenes the Coen brothers added in the film). Makes me want to hit the lanes every time I watch - bowling anyone?
Song 2: 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' - Donovan; 1967
What is a Hurdy Gurdy? A quick Google will edify: The hurdy-gurdy is a string instrument that produces sound by a hand-crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. But who is the "Man" of which Donovan speaks (or sings, rather)? That remains more of a mystery. For me, the "Man" would be my uncle, Glen.
I remember sitting in a Wisconsin lake house an eternity ago, granting captive audience to Glen as he stood acoustic guitar in-hand, doing his best Donovan - down to an analog tremolo effect he employed vocally.
Toddler Emma especially enjoyed the part about 'roly-polies'. This might've been when I fell in love with both performers and (zany uncle-covered) rock music. Who knows. What I do know is my talented, hippie, easy-to-love Glen shaped my music tastes early on - and for that I'm eternally, melodically indebted.
Song 3: 'Crimson and Clover' - Tommy James and the Shondells; 1968
This is a heady song. It's reminiscent of first love; maybe even first sexual love. That kinda molasses-y feeling. Of whatever crimson and clover is? Well, I'm brought back to the medieval artwork(s) 'The Lady and the Unicorn' - a series of six tapestries created in the style of mille-fleurs ("thousand flowers") and woven from wool and silk.
There was a quasi-fictional novel by Tracy Chevalier about the artist of these now famous tapestries that I read years ago. I remember finding it on an old rack of books in Mr. Crawley's 6th grade English class. Upon quick skim, I immediately realized this was no kids book -- so, of course, I ferociously read it.
In it, there was a scene where the (soon to be forever immortalized in stitching) "lady" shows the artist, the "unicorn" (you can read more about the not-so-subtle symbolism of the maiden lady + unicorn in medieval allegory here), her tongue upon which she places a clover. In this provocative move, he's hooked. This song's hypnotic melody and lush production, complete with Tommy James' soulful vocals, captured a similar essence of late 1960s romanticism.
Behind the scenes, the production of 'Crimson and Clover' was groundbreaking. It utilized innovative techniques like overdubbing and stereo phasing, creating a sonic landscape that mirrored the era's psychedelic exploration. As the world grooved to the tune, it became a symbol of youthful rebellion and the search for deeper meanings beneath the surface.
Song 4: 'The End' - The Doors; 1967
This epic song, is about - you guessed it - grappling with ego death whilst high as a kite, "...doin' a blue rock on a blue bus." It also features a rather long, rhapsodic verse at the end about grappling with feelings that mirror those of an Oedipus complex.
Jim Morrison's haunting vocals guide us through a journey of existential angst, punctuated by Ray Manzarek's hypnotic keyboard and Robbie Krieger's eerie guitar work. It's a song that defies convention, stretching over 11 minutes with its raw exploration of life, death, and everything in between.
During its creation, 'The End' reflected the turbulent zeitgeist of the late 1960s, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blurred. Inspired by the writings of Aldous Huxley, Morrison's lyrical odyssey delves deep into themes of identity and the inevitable reckoning with one's own "doors of perception".
For me, 'The End' embodies the essence of the poetic debauchery popular during this time. Much like Morrison's infamous whiskey-fueled performances with his back to the audience, 'The End' taunts you to confront your innermost demons—whether you're ready or not.
Song 5: 'We Will Fall' - The Stooges; 1969
'We Will Fall' stands out in The Stooges' repertoire, known most for their raw, punk-inspired sound. Its contemplative nature and unconventional structure challenges listeners to delve deeper - at least deeper than that of being someone's "dog".
This haunting track, driven by Eastern-inspired instrumentation and Iggy Pop's ethereal chanting, evokes a sense of existential introspection and despair. Released during the height of the Vietnam War era, the song's somber tones and hypnotic rhythms mirror the disillusionment and unrest of the times.
For me, this song conjures visions reminiscent of 'Apocalypse Now', where the juxtaposition of Eastern mysticism against Western chaos parallels the cultural clashes of the era. It's a poignant reminder of the power of music to reflect and comment on the world around us. Like a haunting echo from a distant jungle, 'We Will Fall' sounds like a timeless struggle to find the light in the 'Heart of Darkness' discordant symphony.
Song 6: 'Without You' - Fleetwood Mac; 1969
Maybe less psychedelic than it is the blues, this liquid tune could melt steel. Before the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid 1970s, Fleetwood Mac was a true-blue Blues band (say that 5 times fast). Released in 1969 on their album 'Then Play On', this smooth track captures the band's early, easy charm, led by Peter Green's soulful guitar and Jeremy Spencer's vocals.
The album artwork (by the English artist Maxwell Armfield) is also a great peek into the parallels between psychedelic art of the midcentury and Art Nouveau (read more about that here).
The song makes me feel like I'm back at Kingston Mines, albeit a 1969 version where the smoke is thick and the hair is high.
Song 7: 'Maggot Brain' - Funkadelic; 1971
This song changed my life. It also won me a record player, but maybe that's another story for another day - I can't be giving all my secrets away too soon! This masterclass of a guitar solo (recorded live in ONE take, I should mention) is best listened to laying down on the floor, post-THC, with all the lights out save a single candle. It's also maybe an all-time make out song, but I plea the fifth as to if I've actually tested these theories -- you can just use your own judgment + imagination.
The track opens with a haunting monologue by George Clinton, setting the stage for an epic guitar solo by Eddie Hazel. Hazel's emotive playing, likened to a cathartic release of pent-up emotion, weaves through the song like a surreal dreamscape. Inspired by Clinton's drug-induced instructions to play as if he had just learned his mother had died, Hazel's guitar cries out in anguish and ecstasy, creating a transcendent experience for listeners.
'Maggot Brain' is more than a song; it's an odyssey—a testament to the power of music to convey raw emotion and provoke introspection. Its fusion of psychedelic rock, funk, and soul remains unparalleled, making it a timeless classic that continues to influence generations of musicians and listeners alike.
Song 8: 'Me and Your Mama' - Childish Gambino; 2016
Donald Glover's 'Me and Your Mama' heralds an undoubtedly new era for his music persona 'Childish Gambino' , blending funk, soul, and psychedelia into a cosmic exploration of sound. Released in 2016, this track sets the stage for Glover's musical evolution on the album 'Awaken, My Love!'
'Me and Your Mama' opens with a hypnotic groove that evolves into a sprawling epic, showcasing Glover's dynamic vocal range and experimental production. The song's infectious energy and emotive lyrics transport listeners to a cosmic realm where love, longing, and spirituality intertwine.
Like a space-dance between heart and soul, "Me and Your Mama" invites me to surrender to its groove and embrace the transformative power of musical exploration - and the devil's lettuce, if you so please.
Play On
If music be the food of love, play on, they say - well, at least Shakespeare said.
So, whether you're here for the tunes, the tales, or just to see what condition my condition was in this week, welcome to Just Dropped In.
Let's turn up the volume, roll back the years, and groove through life's eclectic soundtrack together. Because in the end, as every good song fades out, all we're left with is a moment—hopefully one worth listening to. <3
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