I discuss the Swedish popster's beautiful debut album with resolute MOG outsider, The Girlfriend (aka Jill).
(We stick on new single Breaking It Up; listen to the track in Comments)
The GF Ah, that tells you she’s only a child. It’s like a Road Safety song.
Me: But she also sings about murdering people for her lover [on Little Bit]. “I’ll climb a mountain, pull a trigger...”
The GF: I don’t think she fully understands what that means. Maybe she stayed up past her bed time.
Me: Past the watershed?
The GF: Yeah, and she’s putting stuff she hears into the lyrics.
Me: Something she’s seen on HBO.
The GF: Yeah. She doesn’t really know she’s talking about.
Me: She couldn’t possibly, could she? “Climbing mountains, pulling triggers.”
The GF: No, she’s too young. I like her voice, though. She has a naturally husky little voice. Like this (does a husky voice).
Me: You sound like Lil’ Wayne.
The GF: I’m sure some girls put her songs on low, invite their fella over, it’s that type of background music...
Me: For sexy time?
The GF: It’s sexy music, yeah.
Me: That’s your endorsement? “Background music for sex.” Do women do that? Put on music when they invite their fellas over? I never noticed.
The GF: Women do everything and fellas don’t notice.
Me: Everything? What do women do that I haven’t noticed?
The GF: Girls have the house spotless. They’ll say, “Hi, would you like a glass of wine?” And they’ll have a subversive song like this playing in the background, (sings) “I’m a little bit, a little bit, in love with you...” And she’s sitting there, waiting for the fella to say, “Oh God, I feel the same for you. I love you, too. ” And, instead, he’s thinking, “When’s she going to refill my glass?”
Me: Women are trying to communicate through song now?
The GF: Women will dress themselves up nice, light candles, they’ll scent the whole room. And a fella will come in…
Me: Dressed like a tramp.
The GF: Yeah, and he won’t even notice the place, or that she’s got her hair done, or after getting a fecking boob implant.
Me: Now that you say all that, I notice there’s candles and a scent in this room.
The GF: But there isn’t.
Me: Right, I’m joking. So what does that say about our relationship?
The GF: It says I’m exhausted from trying.
Me: And you’ve given up?
The GF: Yeah, I’ve spent too much time and effort for you to not notice stuff.
Me: I’ve never noticed?
The GF: You’ve never noticed. If I fell dead on the floor you probably wouldn’t notice!
Me: Are we reviewing our relationship or the album?
The GF: (While listening to The Complaint Department, which contains the hook, “If you want to complain/I’m not The Complaint Department”) That’s a song for afterwards. She’s after bringing her fella back, she’s had all the candles out, and all that, and she just wants him to leave now.
Me: ‘Cause he’s doesn’t notice anything?
The GF: Yeah. So that song goes on.
Me: But if he’s not noticing the candles, and incense, the impants, he’s hardly going to notice it.
The GF: He’ll notice when she starts turning it up (she turns up the volume). I’d blare that one!
Me: Okay, aside from annoyed women, who is this album for?
The GF: Well, you bought it.
Me: I did buy it. It’s very hard to get, actually. So it’s for...
The GF: Depressive little girls.
Me (laughs): I’m a depressive little girl?
The GF: Yeah, you’re more female than I would be in certain ways.
Me: So, you‘re saying I’m gay?
The GF: Yeah. And I’ve nothing against gay people. I always wanted one as a friend.
Me: Well, you’re going to marry one.
The GF: That’s good.
Me: Good? That you’re going to marry a gay man?
Me: What music will you play when I’m out shagging other men?
The GF: YMCA.
Me: I’d notice that if you played it in the background. I’d come in from a hard night’s shagging, “Oh, you’re playing my song.”
The GF: I’d ask your friend to come back, too, and see if he was a hairdresser. Or a personal trainer. Or a clothes buyer.
Me: What if he was docker?
The GF: A big fat guy with tattoos? No.
Me: What sort of man should I go for?
The GF: One with black-rimmed glasses.
Me: Like mine?
The GF: Yeah.
Me: I should shag men who looked like me?
The GF: Well, you do fancy yourself a bit.
...
My review of Lykke Li's "Little Bit" Ep [link].
Indiepixie's wild-eyed shots of Lykke Li Live in NYC[link]
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breaking it up [3:41]
And a wonderfully charasmatic live performance (with Robyn on backing):
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You have some of the most entertaining posts I have ever read on Mog. You and your girlfriend should have a podcast show (if you don't already).
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This might be my favorite review by you and your sig-o so far. So funny! Lykke Li does sound a bit like the Swedish Lil Wayne--and he might even be gay too. hehe!
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@ dc - Thanks, mate!
Re a podcast, I dunno. If you heard our accents, all you'd be able to think of is
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@ brittany - Nice of you to say... and I dig that twisted logic!
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BIG C -> hey, Jill got me on this one bro -> "Well, you do fancy yourself a bit" -> so uh when's the date set for? how long you been engaged?
the songs -> first tune, yes I second the 'during sex music' -> the second one was better though. You guys sound like dirty lepre-cons?? Amusing then, I now how cool voices in my head to go along with youd virtual banter! Thanks.
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I'd say that's as engaging and effective and unique as a review could be, Flux. BTW, loved seeing Ms. Li and her Swedish compatriots in San Fran this past weekend. I may even post about it...
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Music To Encourage Your Sig-Os Inner Gayness, sounds fun, you two!
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do u two have conversations like this all the time? haha i loved this post and your review on this album! i'm listening to Lykke Li's music on her MySpace because of both of your posts...so far, so good. thanks!
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I'm helpless with laughter. After 15 years together you won't be talking like this. Maybe you'll just be playing 'YMCA' a lot?
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@ Joe: Getting married in September in NYC (or is that YMCA?) We've been engaged several times over the years. You have to be more specific!
@ Mike: Thanks! Yes, please review it. I, for one, would like a rundown of a full-on Lykke show from yourself. The show in the Bowery seemed the wrong setting for her natural excuberance.
@ Darla: Yeah, we like to call it "coming out music"!
@ G: No, I get some peace when the GF is asleep. Glad you did lyke Lykke!
@ Jonh: Cheers! We know each other more than 10 years, so the YMCA period of our relationship is almost upon us!
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Awesome dialog. Entertaining as ever!
"Yeah, you’re more female than I would be in certain ways" I've said this to my hub before! We're almost 10 years in too!
Congrats on making the commitment!!! You two already seem like peas in the pod...awe! A wise man once told me there are two rules in relationships. Rule #1 - men are babies (that's regardless of their sexual preference) Humm...I forget rule #2.
Best of luck! ; )
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@ Sunny - Awe, thanks.
"I've said this to my hub before! We're almost 10 years in too!" - Would he like to start a support group?
"Rule #1 - men are babies" - So that's why you're always trying to change us. ;)
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"Would he like to start a support group?" I have a feeling you two would support each other too well.
"So that's why you're always trying to change us." Just trying to help grow. ; )