Weekly Track Roundup #23
Weshop Groceries
If there's one thing that all humans have in common, it must be that everyone can appreciate a good ol' bag of groceries. It's seldom you come across somebody who can't appreciate some nice bread, cheese and milk. Which is why this week, we chose a selections of songs inspired by our grocery shopping, at none other than Wesleyan's own Weshop.
Frank Zappa - "Call Any Vegetable"
"Call and they'll come to you
Covered with dew
Vegetables dream
Of responding to you
Standing there
Shiny & proud by your side
Holding your hand
While the neighbors decide
Why is a vegetable
Something to hide?"
-Chris Gortmaker
The Beach Boys - "Vegetables"
While using marijuana (arguably his favorite vegetable), Brian Wilson became inspired to write "Vega-Tables" to promote healthy eating and organic food. Incorporating groovy vocal harmonies with clever wordplay, the Beach Boys pay tribute to the most underappreciated food group on their album "Smile". The legendary Paul McCartney is even featured on the song munching celery as percussion.
-Allison Hsu
Father John Misty - "I Went To The Store One Day"
"Coincidence decides fate in market. Eyes are made. Words are exchanged. Welcome to Weshop."
-Dylan Levine
Okilly Dokilly - "Vegetables"
I feel this song truly and thoroughly encapsulates the emotional journey I go on when I stroll the long and crowded aisles of Weshop. The song repeats the line "Hell no! I don't want any damn vegetables." This is a thought I have had many a time when perusing the various offerings of the Weshop produce section.
-Neel Madala
The Flaming Lips - "She Don't Use Jelly"
This song, in addition to being abundantly fun, makes references to foods like cheese, tangerines and jelly - all of which, to my knowledge, are carried at Weshop.
-Adam Manson
MF DOOM - "Rapp Snitch Knishes"
In this standout track from his 2004 culinary concept album MM…FOOD, the famously enigmatic MF DOOM dishes out a scathing critique of boastful MCs who rap about their crimes. While hip hop is no stranger to healthy egos and authentic criminality, DOOM warns that the two should not be mixed. MF DOOM is best known for his unrivaled flow, which is on full display in lines like “Hitting on many trees, feel real linen/ Spitting on enemies, get the steel for tin men.” His most distinctive trait might be the helmet he wears when performing, but even so, DOOM is not the most mysterious rapper on this track. Mr. Fantastik, who provides the hook and first verse, has only a few features to his name. His real identity is unknown to the world, and when asked about him DOOM replied ““Mister Fantastik no longer exists.” The track’s title is a reference to the Yiddish street food knishes, which are unavailable at Wesshop at this time but ubiquitous in the rapper’s supposed hometown of NYC.
-Henry Vehslage
