Late: Traffic Jam

James Taylor: Traffic Jam

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Damn this traffic jam
How I hate to be late
It hurts my motor to go so slow
Damn this traffic jam
Time I get home my supper'll be cold
Damn this traffic jam

In a bit under 2 minutes, James Taylor's syncopated vocal and percussive instrumentation explore the sacrifices (punctuality, warm food, auto performance, health and fuel efficiency) incurred by gridlock - little did he know in 1977 how much worse it would get!

And, thanks to boyhowdy, here's an amazing cover from one of my favorite a cappella groups:

Da Vinci's Notebook: Traffic Jam

[purchase]

Drinkin' Songs: Another Irish Drinking Song

Da Vinci's Notebook: Another Irish Drinking Song

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Old Grand-Dad begone! - helloooo, Jameson... in the form of this enthusiastic, exuberant, erin-go-bragh Irish Drinking Song by the now-defunct-but-always-hilarious a cappella group Da Vinci's Notebook...

Raise your glass and follow the instructions in the chorus - Happy early St. Patrick's Day!

The Music Biz: Title of the Song

Da Vinci's Notebook: Title of the Song

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Lest we forget that so-called artists themselves are too-often complicit in treating the business of music as little more than a vehicle for fame and profit, here's recently-defunct a capella group Da Vinci's Notebook with an original (and highly meta) 1999 poke at the boy band cash cow formula.

Especially hilarious in concert, where it is much more obvious that the vocalization is part of the parody, rather than merely a limitation of their own performance. Kind of sad, though, when you consider that the song was really performed by four middle-aged guys who were never going to hit the big time as a novelty act singing humorous a capella tunes on the folk circuit.

Cars: Traffic Jam

James Taylor: Traffic Jam

[purchase]

Someone wise once said that the plural of cars is traffic. Here, infamous folk crooner James Taylor at his white man's grooviest, live and almost funky in a middle-aged, "oh, Dad" sort of way, takes a lighthearted swipe at the commuter lifestyle. And how's this for commitment to the theme:

When I die, I don't want no coffin
I've thought about far too often
Just strap me in behind the wheel
And bury me in my automobile

Fans of a capella covers will also enjoy this tight take on JT's original:

Da Vinci's Notebook: Traffic Jam [out of print]