Author Topic: Shop Van by Jonathan Coulton  (Read 2176 times)

Philociraptor

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Shop Van by Jonathan Coulton
« on: December 15, 2014, 04:45:56 PM »
So I was listening to a random playlist in the car this afternoon and the song Shop Van by Jonathan Coulton came on. Since turning towards the Mustachian ways, it was like hearing it for the first time. If you haven't heard it, here's a link to an unofficial video showing the lyrics using kinetic typography: Shop Vac (kinetic typography animation): http://youtu.be/y4sOfO8Ei1g

From the Mustachian perspective, the song embodies the Sucka Consumerist way of life: buying things and eating out, filling your life with noise, shopping at Whole Foods, missing out on real relationships, getting drunk at Applebee's, and your brain not being able to turn off at night.

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
We took the freeway out of town
We found a place to settle down
We bought a driveway and a swingset and a dog
You got your very own bathroom
I got my very own workshop in the basement

We sit around staring at the wall-to-wall
Take field trips to our favorite mall
Waiting for the day when all the kids grow up and leave us here

[Chorus]
So if you need me
I'll be downstairs
With the shop vac
You can call but I probably won't hear you
Because it's loud with the shop vac on
(For heaven's sake it's really loud with the shop vac on)
But you'll be OK
Cause you'll be upstairs
With the TV
You can cry and I probably won't hear you
Because it's loud with the shop vac on

[Verse 2]
We hung a flag above the door
Checked out the gourmet grocery store
I bought a mower I can ride around the yard
But we haven't got real friends
And now even the fake ones have stopped calling

Maybe if you forget to hide the keys
I'll take a ride to Applebee's
I'll come home drunk on daiquiris and throw up on the neighbor's lawn

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I like the Starbucks here that's better than the other one
Cause the other one's not as good
They really need to put a light there cause it's hard to turn
It's hard to make a left turn

[Verse 3]
And when it's time to go to bed
I'm still awake inside my head
I'm floating up above the house and looking down
I guess I gotta go back there
I guess there never was any other answer

And as the freeway hums the cars go by
The headlights roll across the sky
Many miles away and I can see them speeding through the dark

[Chorus]

[End]


What do y'all think?
« Last Edit: December 15, 2014, 07:12:19 PM by Philociraptor »

KevDolan

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Re: Shop Van by Jonathan Coulton
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2014, 07:49:44 PM »
Thanks. I didn't know this song. But I know Jonathan Coulton. The lyrics definitely resonate with Mustachian ways.

JoCo is so damn good!

eyePod

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Re: Shop Van by Jonathan Coulton
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2014, 08:18:18 AM »
Very good stuff. I like Arcade Fire and their stuff about growing up in a suburban lifestyle.

Always good to get a slap in the face sometimes.

NumberCruncher

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Re: Shop Van by Jonathan Coulton
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2014, 09:47:09 AM »
I love this song!

My husband and I might also occasionally sing "it's hard to turn - it's hard to make a left turn!" when at a difficult intersection and turning left... >.> 

Our FIRE plans include being in a much more pedestrian-friendly place so we don't feel the need to drive as much. My dentist drives his car about half a mile to go jogging at the nearby park because of how un-pedestrian friendly the intersections are...he still deserves a facepunch, mind you...but I can sorta see where he's coming from.