Last week, Jim (NewEpicAuthor, A Unique Title For Me) set a theme of things to do with primary directions (my choice). This week, theme of cash and flowers.

I formed my main musical tastes in the Eighties. I mean, I have listened to music before and since, but the Eighties are when my preferences firmed up.

At the end of the Nineties, though, I spent a lot of time in the car. I took a decision that I would live somewhere I wanted to be, and would commute to work as necessary. It usually meant a daily commute of an hour or more to my workplace. (When I finally started working in London, it was 2½ hours, each way, each day. But in the Nineties, I wasn’t quite there yet.)

Time in the car meant time listening to the radio, and I inevitably heard some tracks that I liked. And if I liked somebody enough, it was no problem to just go out and buy their CD. Most of these CDs, I still have today.

One artist I found this way was the New Radicals. (I guess, these days, they’d be the Middle-aged Radicals, if they were still going 🙂). But they were only active together 1997 – 1999. And one single they released was You Get What You Give, in 1998. It was a brilliant track and popular not just with me, but reached #8 on Billboard and #5 in the UK. Written by Gregg Alexander (pictured, the band’s frontman) and Rick Nowels (a songwriter who’s also worked with the likes of Madonna and Dido), it is a real foot-tapper so I thought I’d give it an airing today.

The shopping mall in the video is in Staten Island, by the way, but it looks just like the one close to me in nearby Southampton, three thousand miles away. They all look the bloody same, the world over! Not an ounce of character between them. Anyway, will not rant. Enjoy the song.

Wake up kids
We’ve got the dreamer’s disease
Age 14
We got you down on your knees
So polite,
We’re busy still saying please

Frienemies,
Who when you’re down ain’t your friend
Every night
We smash their Mercedes-Benz
First we run
And then we laugh ’til we cry

[Pre-chorus:]
But when the night is falling
You cannot find the light, light
You feel your dreams are dying
Hold tight

[Chorus:]
You’ve got the music in you
Don’t let go
You’ve got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don’t give up
You’ve got a reason to live
Can’t forget
We only get what we give

I’m comin’ home baby
You’re tops, give it to me now

Four A.M. we ran a miracle mile
We’re flat broke but hey we do it in style
The bad rich
God’s flying in for your trial

[Pre-chorus:]
But when the night is falling
You cannot find your friend (friend)
You feel your tree is breaking
Just bend

[Chorus]

This whole damn world can fall apart
You’ll be OK, follow your heart
You’re in harm’s way, I’m right behind
Now say you’re mine

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
Don’t let go
I feel the music in you
Fly high
What’s real can’t die
You only get what you give
You’re gonna get what you give
(don’t give up)
Just don’t be afraid to live

Health insurance rip off lying
FDA big bankers buying
Fake computer crashes dining
Cloning while they’re multiplying
Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson,
Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson
You’re all fakes
Run to your mansions
Come around
We’ll kick your ass in!

Don’t let go
One dance left

[Unsaid lyrics from liner]
Championed by a soulless media misleading
People unaware they’re bleeding
No one with a brain is believing
It’s so sad you lost the meaning
Never knew it anyway
Human natures so predictable
I’m a fool to do your dirty work whoa, whoa

Gregg Alexander, Rick Nowels