Here we are, it's Tuesday, the 7th of February, seems like just last week I was writing a power-up day post... Oh wait, I was haha the time seems to be flying by, January came and went and already we're one week into February.
Anyway, I was doing a few bits and pieces with a pair of headphones on this morning, and then realised what day it was, so I thought I'd write a post for 
I don't know if anyone has ever heard of these guys, but they're from Ireland and I think they're great. They have a pretty unique sound and a fair dose of comedic value in their songs and videos. I was introduced to them about 2 years ago and find myself listening to them often, especially when I'm hanging out with a few friends.
The Scratch - Flaker
The opening line of this song is great.
"There's no use complaining about the skid marks in your mate's jocks, when you can't even wipe your own f*ckin' arse."
We all know someone who can be a bit of a flaker, I think this song is unique in the sense of the content of the lyrics, but the thing I love most about it is the end of the song. "But sure we're all guilty of it, from time to time." So it has a bit of a positive spin on the idea, I know I've been guilty of it... from time to time.
I think the rythm of the song is great and it's high energy, coupled with being funny and being accompanied by a good music video leaves it as being a good addition to #threetunetuesday
Also, the end of the music video is deadly as the Social Welfare symbol here in Ireland comes up, but the bird is having a sh*t in the hands haha
The Scratch - Aerials (System of a Down Cover) feat - The RTÉ Orchestra
Sticking with The Scratch and showcasing something a bit different from them. I'm a big fan of System of a Down, so hearing them do this was really interesting.
I've always liked this song of theirs, and hearing The Scratch doing their own take on it blew me away. The Lyrics "Life is a waterfall, we drink from the river then turn around and put up our walls." I always thought that lyric was class, the lyrics of the entire song are great, but that line in particular always stood out to me.
Anyway, this one is capable of turning any shindig into a hooley. It's powerful and has a nice thump to it and the power of an orchestra behind them really turns this song into something else.
There's the original, it's not an entry, I just thought I'd add it for context to show the difference between the two versions. I've always liked Serj Tankian's voice.
Serj Tankian- Rains of Castamere - Ramin Djawdi (GOT Soundtrack)
Speaking of Serj Tankian, here's one that I loved from the moment I heard it, in fact it was stuck in my head and I ended up listening to it so many times after I discovered it.
Any Game of Thrones fans out there? Well, if so and you haven't heard this, check it out. I love it, and I'm sure you will too. It is composed by Ramin Djawdi and sung by Serj Tankian, with lyrics written by G.R.R Martin. Also, spoilers for the show and books below for anyone who doesn't know about the show. In case you haven't heard of it, I'd like to know how much is the rent for the rock you're living under?
The song first appears in the book A Storm of Swords, the 3rd book in the GOT series, and a notable place it shows up is the Red Wedding. It's a Lannister song, and the character Catelyn Stark realises there is a problem as it starts playing; as obviously, she understands that playing their enemy's songs at one of their functions is unusual. It's amazing, the scene is so well written and is a complete shock, I really wish I read the books before watching the show as this moment was kind of stolen from me.
So the scene takes place at The Twins, which are two forts built on either side of one of the only bridges connecting the North to the South. The Starks are northern and the Lannister's are southern and are the two main players in the conflict that the brunt of the novels and tv show centers around.
The Frey's own the bridge and you have to pay a toll to cross, so Rob Starks mother, Catelyn negotiates a deal with the Frey's to allow the army to cross, and they ask that the soon-to-be King in the north Rob Stark marries one of his daughters. The deal is accepted even though Rob doesn't like it, but, he has to go along with it to cross the river, and the Frey's side their army to his too, which is good for them.
Anyway, as the campaign is going on he finds someone of a lesser western house, marries the girl, she falls pregnant and the Frey's are annoyed. But, Catelyn's brother takes the place of Rob and marries one of the Frey girls. All seems well, they attend the wedding and the music is described as being noisy, messy, and out of tune... Well, there's a reason for that. All of the Northern songs aren't exactly known by the southern crossbowmen. As the party is winding down and Catelyn's brother and his wife leave the hall, and then The Rains of Castamere plays. But, it's too late for them to do anything as the doors are locked and the ambush and assassination of all the main characters takes place, along with the utter decimation of the entire northern host, who by this stage are too drunk to suspect anything is up.
The Song Itself - History
In the world of Game of Thrones, the song stemmed from the not-so-distant past. Tywin Lannister - played by Charles Dance in the show - who is one of the best characters IMO, in the books and show inherited the seat of power from his father Tytos Lannister, who was known as the Laughing Lion, as he was mocked relentlessly and openly by all of the other lords of the Westerlands. He would freely hand out money and when a lord wouldn't pay him back, he would laugh it off and do nothing. All of this saw Tywin grow resentful of his father and the fact that he was on his way to destroying the house of Lannister.
The Reynes rebelled against the Lannister's and Tywin fielded an army and launched an attack on Castamere, the seat of power, they were about evenly matched in both wealth and military power. But, while their army marched, Tywin had his avoid them and strike at their seat of power while the majority of their force was away. By the time word reached their army, it was just about too late. Expecting the army to double back, Tywin waited and struck, vanquishing the majority of the enemy force, while maintaining the siege.
After the battle was done, he had his men dam and divert the nearby river and ran it down into the subterranean fort where the last of the house was holding out; and all of the occupants drowned. Hence the name, the Rains of Castamere.
The song was then written and the next time a lord or vassal stood out of line, a single bard would be sent to whoever it was and sing them the song, which essentially documented the extinction of House Reyne. Translation, do not mess with Tywin Lannister.
Also, for the context of the lyrics, the Lannisters field a golden lion on their banners and the Reynes fielded a red lion.
Music In Fiction
Music and songs are such an important part of our everyday life and have been since cavemen banged rocks against each other. I'd love to write some songs or lyrics for my own writing, as I think it adds a layer of depth to the lore and worldbuilding of a place.
I've heard people say that they skip past lyrics in novels when they read them, I don't know why though, I actually enjoy them, especially when they reveal stories like the one mentioned above.
Anyway, I've rambled enough for one day, sorry if the post got a bit too long.
