ME by Erykah Badu

Everything around you see
The Ankhs, the wraps, the plus degrees
And yes even the mysteries
It's all me
Sometimes it hard to move you see
When you growing publicly
But if I have to chose between
I chose me

Had 2 babies different dudes
And for them both my love was true
This is my last interview (ooh)
Hey there's me (ooh)
This year I turned 36
Damn it seems it came so quick
My ass and legs have gotten thick yeah
It's all me

I use to pray to God above
But now I'm filled with so much love
But even if the world can't see
It's still me
Will I escape this vanity?
Or will I keep on smoking trees?
But I'll just let it go
and be, be, be Me

Ah, leave it alone babe
Well well well
Ah oh, leave it alone babe
Just being me
Ah, leave it alone babe
Well well well
Ah oh, leave it alone babe
Just being me

Sometimes I don't know what to say
So many leaders to obey
But I was born on savior's day, yes
So I chose me
And in this world of greed and hate
They may try to erase my face
But millions spring up in my place (ooh)
Believe in me

As sure is all and all is one
We all should grow before it's done
So I salute you Farrakhan, yes
Cuz you are me
Before I end this crazy dream
Before I take one for the team
Yo ass done matched the gasoline, yes
That's Collene

Youtube clip

This track is off of Erykah's most recent endeavor, New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) (released Feb. 26, 2008). Though I haven't given this album as much play as I'd liked to, I can definitely vouch for it. Recently, this track in particular spoke to me. It's honesty and vulnerability is a destination I've sought out on many occasion is 2008. The part of the song between 4:24 and 5:37 is a little baffling but sounds like a shout out laced with family history to me (apologies to the youtube clip viewers because the clip I selected has the best accompanying visuals but cuts off a solid ten seconds of the song... Sometimes you have to pick your poison). Subsequent listens generate a greater sense of clarity and understanding but isn't that a sign of great art?!?

If you haven't heard the album and would like to take a gander, you can find it here on my site: tuttafucco's mP3 melange. Just holla if you have ?'s.

Thank You Erykah!! I hope to see you there one day.

Sincerely,

Willie Tuttafucco,
aspiring transparent being
growing one blog and one day at a time

Be Your Girl by teedra moses

Don't know if you got a girl.
Don't mean no disrespect but
Thoughts of you rule my world.
I even dream of you, I swear…
Visions of you and I.

See you all around my way,
Been meaning to say "Hi" but
I'm just way too shy.
I gotta make you see this is
More than just a silly crush.

(And I...) Wonder if you even notice me and
(Oh..) You gotta feel me.
(And I...) Would love you good.
(Just wanna be your girl)

All alone at night
I harbor feelings for you.
Holding my pillow tight,
Sometimes I even touch myself
Imagining your pleasure baby.

Next time I see you I'm
Gonna walk right up to you and
Say what's on my mind
I gotta make you see, this is
(More) than just a silly crush

(And I...) Wonder if you even notice me and
(Oh..) You gotta feel me
(And I...) Would love you good.
(Just wanna be your girl)

I wonder if you even notice me and
Ooh you gotta feel me.
I would love you good.
(Just wanna be) (Just wanna be)
(Just wanna be) your girl.
(And I...) Wonder if you even notice me and
(Oh..) You gotta feel me
(And I...) Would love you good.
(Just wanna be your girl)

YouTube Video

Teedra Moses has been in my heavy rotation lately so I wanted to show her some love. Rather than plagiarize various online sources to give your her background, I'll simply provide some helpful links and let you do the homework if you're interested...

Links-

Her Official Website:

Her Myspace Profile:

Her Last.FM Profile

Wikipedia Article

Holla if ya Hear Me!!

Feeling trashy like a garbage bag...but far from Glad

So this morning as I'm getting ready for work, I get inspired to pen a new blog entry. By the time I've grabbed my keys, wallet, and jacket, I more or less have it written in my head. As I open my front door, I hear a few birds chirping. Spring is definitely here!!

However, as I get to the end of my driveway and bang a right down the sidewalk, I notice that almost every neighbor in my hood has mistakenly put their trash out a day early.

To back up for a moment, I've lived in this neighborhood for about a year and a half. Admittedly, it took me a while to figure out what day was trash day. Sometimes I'd see trash being put out Wednesday night, other times it was put out Thursday night. Eventually, I figured out that Thursday is the actual trash day, and whenever there is a holiday, it gets pushed back a day. Of course, this puzzle would've been solved much more quickly if I said more than 4 words at a time to any given neighbor (but that's a blog for another time).

Anyways, having been a resident of Taxachusetts for the last 13 years or so, I am fully aware that Patriot's Day is a legal state holiday. Knowing this, I planned on putting my trash out later tonight when I stumble home, most likely in a drunken stupor. If I wasn't already running late this morning, I would've more seriously considered knocking on doors, introducing myself as the guy that's lived here for 19 months without introducing myself, asking if there was some method to their madness. I would've then assured their awareness of Patriot's Day as a legal state holiday, with a reminder that next year it will take place on Monday, April 20th (two holidays for the price of one!! Yayyyy!!!)

Instead, I make my way to the bus stop managing to enjoy the beautiful rays of the sun while I envision what the heat will do to all of that trash baking on the street all day. I think Campbell's said it best: Mmm.. mm Good!!

If I'm lucky, when I get home tonight all of the trash will be gone, and I'll be able to apologize to my neighborhood for being the idiot who not only didn't put his trash out, but chastized everyone else for being on top of their game. We shall see...

So what lesson(s) do I takeaway from this experience? Do I try to be less taciturn in the neighborhood? That's easy enough, small talk can be appended to the general pleasantries. Should I take more of a leadership role despite being one of the younger owners on the block? I could start by printing and distributing copies of the Massachusetts Legal Holidays PDF. Or do I just let it go and focus on the larger issues in life that really matter? This seems like the best route to travel. in fact, once i hit "PUBLISH POST", this will all officially be behind me.

In closing, I'll leave you with a favorite clip from childhood: I Love Trash (1970)

nb: The original blog slated for today will most likely be posted by tomorrow, assuming I don't accidentally delete that file in my head.