Another song from the vault (2008): “Hellhole Ratrace” by San Francisco duo Girls with a video directed by Aaron Brown and Ben Chappell. I love the simplicity, poetic visual beauty (slow motion, shallow depth of field, human faces, sunset) and the sense of reality in this documentary-style video that follows the band and a few of their friends through an evening in San Francsico.
But it’s the sad/happy music and lyrics of the song that really get me. And with that in mind, I’d like to dedicate this song to all my friends who are struggling with sadness right now, but especially to two friends who were recently dealt a terrible blow and with whom I hope to share togetherness, a dance and a laugh soon.
I’m sick and tired of the way that I feel,
I’m sick of dreaming and it’s never for real.
I’m all alone with my deep thoughts.
I’m all alone with my heartache and my good intentions.
I work to eat and drink and sleep just to live,
Feels like I’m never getting back what I give.
I’ve got a sad song in my sweet heart.
And all I really ever need is some love and attention
And I don’t want to cry my whole life through,
I want to do some laughing too.
So come on, come on, come on, come on, laugh with me.
And I don’t want to die without shaking up a leg or two,
Yeah, I want to do some dancing too.
So come on, come on, come on, come on, dance with me.
Sometimes you’ve just gotta make it for yourself.
Sometimes sugar, it just takes someone else.
Sometimes you’ve just gotta make it for yourself.
Sometimes baby, you just need someone else.