My iPod #261: The Offspring - Defy You

"Defy You" is a track The Offspring recorded for the movie "Orange County"* in 2001. The song was released after the band had released their most album "Conspiracy of One" the previous year, and so it was only available on its single release until 2005 when it appeared as the twelfth track on the band's greatest hits compilation. It is also their last single featuring original drummer Ron Welty, who coincidentally is focused on a lot in the song's video.

The track differs a lot in attitude compared to the band's other singles. I had heard "Original Prankster", "Hit That", "Job" and obviously "Pretty Fly" which, when you look at the lyrics for those particular examples, are quite funny songs which aren't really meant to be thought upon that much. But "Defy You's" message of never giving up and standing up for what you believe was something that I did not expect and struck me when I first saw it on the TV. This was a serious Offspring single I was listening to.

I like their 'jokey' singles, but "Defy You" is one that does not pull any punches. There are no "uh-huh, uh-huhs" or references to popular culture - only a heavy performance and a great vocal by Dexter Holland. It is possibly the coolest track the band have ever done.

My iPod #176: 2Pac - Changes

"Changes" by 2Pac was posthumously released on his "Greatest Hits" compilation in 1998, two years after he had died due to wounds caused by a drive-by shooting.

I am not into 2Pac so much, but this song coincidentally played on the radio when I was being driven to my first tuition class for the 11+. The lyrics really got into my head; things were never going to be the same from that point on. Now I actually had to study at home for an actual valid reason. I would be going to secondary school in a year and a bit. The thought of it was daunting.

The actual song's message hits on more important topics though. They obviously weren't written for a ten year old who was too busy thinking about growing older. I realise that I have been using the word 'observational' in a few recent posts, but it is another one of those songs from the point of the rapper. He questions the possibility of a black President of the United States, the treatment of black people by the police amongst other things and makes the statement that we need to make changes, but is disappointed by the fact that these 'things will never change'.

A song with powerful meaning overall. If you haven't heard it, listen to it now.

My iPod #162: The Offspring - Can't Repeat

The Offspring, again? Okay...

"Can't Repeat" was the new song recorded for the band's compilation released in 2005. The days were counting down to the end of my final year of primary school, and this song hit me hard during that time. Lots of references about time, and getting older and looking onwards to tomorrow did not help. I didn't want to go to secondary school.... but I had to. So this taught me to make the most of every minute of the present, something I still try and live by to this day.

The video also played on MTV2 a lot. It's a simple one. No concept. Just the band performing in a dimly lit room, which is fine. More videos should be like that, we never just see a performance video anymore. There is an alternate version of the video with actors looking at photographs and reflecting on memories. But I prefer the one above.

Jamie.