March 15, 2006
The Argument, Part Deux
So, here's the story so far: yesterday we posted about a campaign to name Lincoln Ross' "Come to Washington" the official anthem of the District. Many commenters chimed in with other options, and it was suggested that we take a vote. So we did (current results are above). And then other people kept chiming in.
Here, then, is what we're going to do. Below are additional suggestions that have been made. We're going to take the top two of those and the top two from the earlier vote, and tomorrow we're going to put them together into a Final Four (expect us to beat the NCAA bracket horse relentlessly over the coming weeks) that will give us DCist's official D.C. song. Thereafter, when DCist has an event, we'll play that song and everyone will rise and place their hands on their hearts. It will be O-Fish-All. Cool.
Here then is the other half of the bracket.
"Banned in DC," by Bad Brains.
"The District Sleeps Alone Tonight," by The Postal Service.
"You're My Miss Washington, DC," by Nation of Ulysses.
"Mount Pleasant," by Tuscadero.
"Mount Pleasant Isn't," by The Evens.
"Walter Reed," by Michael Penn.
"District Divided," by Darkest Hour.
And vote.
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WTF is Magnetic Fields?
This is a black city. It needs a black song.
Only reason not to go with Chocolate City is that it's too '70s. Only reason not to go with Rock Creek Park is that it's too thin.
So that leaves Chuck Brown and "Busting Loose." Now that's a song that sounds like DC
WTF is Magnetic Fields?
This is a black city. It needs a black song.
Only reason not to go with Chocolate City is that it's too '70s. Only reason not to go with Rock Creek Park is that it's too thin.
So that leaves Chuck Brown and "Busting Loose." Now that's a song that sounds like DC
this is lame.
The reason not to choose Magnetic Fields is that it's a song about how none of the city's landmarks matter.
If you take it to mean that the city's character isn't in the monuments, well that's nice. But it really could be about any city where SM's baby is.
P-H-I, L-A-D, E-L-P, H-I-A, baby, Pennsy!
Come on DCist. You guys are jumping the shark with all these surveys. Please stop trying to becoming the Zogby poll for DC insiders.
Sure, it brings more comments, maybe more page views. But very unoriginal and I'm sure this is being replicated not only in "Washington Insider" magazines and websites (uh..Washingtonian, Digital Cities/AOL, WaPo, etc) but you also probably don't have readership from all corners of DC (heck I bet your data population skews to Cleaveland Park, Logan, Shaw and other NW destinations).
Love your original content...please bring more.
Are there really that many DCist readers who want DC represented by a song that says the only reason to visit is having a significant other here? Written by someone from New York? Or do the Magnetic Fields just fit the NPR rock vision of what you want from the city?
PLEASE !!! NO "CHRISTMAS EVE IN WASHINGTON" !!
WHAT A MAUDLIN POS !!!
The Magnetic Fields song is cool because it blends a cheerleader chant with a stately, anthemic melody, so it's more in line with a theme song than a pop song. And to skew that earlier point a bit, it could be taken to assert that the character of the city is not restricted to postcard fodder, but is derived from the exceptional qualities of its residents. Like our talent for making out, for instance. Cuz baby, we gots da hookup skillz. I'm lookin at you, C.C.
Why would anyone pick that "The Postal Service" song. It is barely music.
"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" by DC-born Marvin Gaye.
Um, hello, "I'm Just A Bill," from a little something called School House Rock?
i also like how my three choices, Magnetic Fields, Parliament and Postal Service, all are championed and reviled by opposing factors.
Most of my district expirience seems to be best described with:
Green Line Delayed - jawbox
I think a lot of the younger kids into local punk music would agree with my when I say that the AKs' Divorce Court is the DC song of choice. As silly as it is, I get pretty sentimental thinking of all the sweaty basement shows I've been to where it's been performed.
The only online recording I could find is the Max Levine Ensemble/Bowlcuts version but it's still pretty interesting....
Here it is.
How about Leadbelly's "Bourgeois Blues"?
What? no Go-go songs? Chuck Brown's "Bustin' Loose" is close, but I'm sure there's a better DC Go-go song. The monuments are for tourists, pick a song that represents the people. I guess I'd settle for a DC Punk song too.