Damn you, Shackin'Up: IKINW Stuck in My Head

[CarneVaca]

Darn it, Gerald. In looking for The Gourds' version of IKINW to send you the copy, the damn tune became deeply entrenched in my head and now that's all I hear in my mind's ear. For a full day!

I listened to all four Tusk versions on the way to work today. By the way, did you guys notice that one of the versions has a very prominent "pling pling" track, which sounds like a vibraphone? The pling pling appears on one of the other versions as well, but it's not quite as salient.

This got me to thinking -- dangerous as that prospect may sound to you -- that IKINW is a far more important song than I realized. The sound that Lindsey used in some may recordings after that appears to be taking shape here, the pling pling being a fine example. Sure, Rumours was layered with guitar upon guitar, but it seems that here is when Lindsey starts to look at other music-making objects or instruments for riffs and melodies. The vibraphone sounds appear in Mirage, Go Insane and Tango, in some variation or another. In some cases, they may even be tweaked guitars, or who knows, toy pianos, rather than the actual vibraphone.

For instance, compare Can't Go Back to that pling pling version of IKINW. It's as if one, Can't Go Back, is the offshoot of the other, IKNIW. The relationship is undeniable, even though the songs are in different keys.

And of course, IKINW and Not That Funny appeared to have been spawned in the same egg. They are twins. Lindsey is even singing Not That Funny lyrics in early versions of IKNIW. Of course the even final versions share some verses.

Anyway, IKINW = great song. IKINW bonus versions = great insight into how our genius works.

Gerald, by the way, did you get that version yet? It should be in your inbox.