Every Good Boy Deserves a Favor

There are certain characteristics of music that allows it to worm its way into our heads. For me, if a song has jazz undertones to it, like a walking baseline or tempo change, it will nip at my ears like an old ex of mine.

That’s why I’m so drawn to Amy Winehouse right now (aside from the VaVaVoom factor). Although very contemporary in lyrics and attitude, her music and sultry voice is firmly rooted in jazz and motown. This particular song, Rehab, has been stuck in my head for about 10 days now with its fantastic hand rhythms and horns in the background.

When I played another one of her songs for a friend, he was mostly ambivalent towards her. So instead of feeling smug about trendsetting, I am forced to consider what impacts our musical influences. What is it that simultaneously makes me want to sing this song aloud and make Alice down the street want to bash the radio in with a baseball bat?