Monday, December 21, 2009

Oll Raigth

The last time I was a bad girl in the way that Nancy Reagan just says no was maybe six years ago when I ate pot brownies and spent the evening in a corner speaking Prisencolinensinainciusol. It was at a party of a friend of Bryan's, an architecture party where everyone there seemed to speak in straight lines and wore black. When somebody offered me a brownie I scarfed it down, giggled, then grabbed Bryan by the elbow and told him we had to sit on the window ledge overlooking Polk Street. It was raining and I could not turn my head to face the party. Instead I stared out the window and spoke Italian. Spanish. I whispered in French. At some point I remember saying Ich bin zustimmt nicht although in real life I do not speak German, or Italian really. I speak Spanish only enough to ensure I never publicly piss my pants, and French only if the person to whom I'm speaking thinks that R.S.V.P. is short for Really So Very Polite. But that night it flowed, my own pot-fueled pidgeon language of paranoia and circles, and Bryan spoke it right back, one of the best conversations we've ever had. I don't know how we got home.

This video reminds me of that night. And of Serge Gainsbourg. Strangely enough it reminds me of the way I dance, too, all emphatic elbows and knees, except maybe without the panache of a blond Italian woman who sees little reason to button her shirt.

The lyrics here are pure gibberish, of course, intended to sound like American English as heard by a non English-speaker. But to me the song sounds like Hello Monday Morning of a Short Holiday Week with a rousing chorus of Rad. I don't know--it makes me happy--this disco rap goodness from 1972 like a giggle in the back of my throat. *Flashback* If I close my eyes I can still hear the traffic from Polk Street below, the sound of the prostitutes calling to each other in the night.

Happy Monday! (Oll Raigth!)

11 comments:

MFAMB said...

all songs should be this awesome. and note to god..please play this as i walk down every street now and forever.

jen said...

The last time I smoked pot I fell into a deep sleep.

Which was no different than any other activity I partake in.

Angie Muresan said...

You are hilarious! Actually being fluent in French and Italian, with English being the language learned in my adolescence, I do agree the song is fantastic.

Anonymous said...

oh my god! i think i just pissed my pants. sorry it just wasn't publicly.
must confess the beasts and i have it on repeat, continuing the radical dance party down south.
peace out.

benson said...

I'm dancing in my pajamas...love this!

jennifer said...

I had no idea I sound this awesome. Next time I'm in Europe, I'll be sure to shake it a bit more!!

Richie Designs said...

jazzy little tune!

how wonderful that you found your language in a pot brownie I think it's perfect!

happiest of holidays

Alexsandria said...

This song kicks ass!

Meghan M said...

I thought of adding this song to my iTunes, then realized it would lose something without the accompanying choreography.
I've watched it 8 times and it gets more fascinating every time.

mosey (kim) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cindy said...

Man, I was BORN to be in this video. Why did I miss my chance? Whyyy?!! *shakes fist at sky*

xo