Saturday 9: Linger

 

Heyo! How is everyone? I can't believe it's Saturday again already. The week just flew by, especially now that our little baby seedling starts are popping up like mad. Many of them will need to be moved to new pots today, and all of this is first-time stuff for us, so we're pretty excited (and a little worn out) by it all! I hope you're doing well, each of you.

Today, we're talking about The Cranberries; I was always a big fan. If you'd like to participate, link up here! I know everyone would love to have you.

Saturday 9: Linger (1993)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries sings that her lover has her wrapped around his finger. Do you feel that anyone has you wrapped around their finger?

Yes, but I probably shouldn't let them know it so explicitly, so we'll keep that information mum!

2) This was one of the first songs Delores and Noel Hogan wrote together. They performed it often live and perfected it before going into the studio to record it approximately two years later. Because they had polished the performance and arrangement, it's not a surprise that it was the biggest hit off their debut album. Tell us about a time when your preparation paid off.  

Okay, let's see. I went back in the archives quite a bit. When I was in college in Miami, I had gained access to a program where I was supposed to have dual enrollment in my bachelor's degree and my doctorate. I had planned to work with a guy at my school (for my Ph.D. part) who studied sharks in Bimini, the Bahamas, but he lost funding for graduate students after one too many of them got bitten. So I was f**ked. I had to pivot. I did my fisheries biology internship at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, but when that was over, I went back to Miami to figure out what to do.

So I got my SCUBA certification - because what kind of marine biologist would I be without one? - and decided I'd better take the GRE (the exam, to get into grad school), since it didn't look like I was going to get my decorate at Miami. Nothing there interested me. I wanted to WOW whomever I applied to, and I had really good credentials up to that point, but I wanted to hone my testing strategies before I sat for the test. I had mockery from all angles: "What? No one studies for the GRE!" "You're just supposed to take the GRE, you don't really prepare," etc. But I begged to differ. You can beat your times, you can bone up on your vocabulary, you can remind yourself of mathematical principles, and so on, And so, with my gigantic book of Barron's GRE prep and practice tests, I studied for a month or two before taking that test.

And I earned almost a perfect score.

3) The Cranberries believed the moody black-and-white video (linked above) playing on MTV contributed to the song's popularity. MTV and VH1 were highly influential when they showed music videos and interviews 24/7 during the 1980s and 1990s. Do you recall watching music videos on MTV and/or VH1?

Oh, absolutely, that was my whole childhood and adolescence!

4) The Cranberries were founded by brothers Noel and Mike Hogan in their hometown in Limerick, Ireland. The River Shannon runs through Limerick. Do you live near a river? 

Yes, we are right on the Wicomico River.

5) Fergal Lawler soon joined the brothers and became the Cranberries' drummer. Today he says he enjoys listening to his early work with the group because, "Songs are like a snapshot in time." Do you often flip through photo albums and look at snapshots?

Lately, digital ones a lot more than physical ones nowadays, but yeah.

6) Dolores O'Riordan showed up for her Cranberries audition dressed casually in a black tracksuit with her own Casio electronic keyboard tucked under her arm. The Hogans were impressed not only by her vocals but her no-nonsense, "let's get to work" attitude. Share a memory from one of your job interviews.

I was invited to interview by THE GUY who owned a law office. There were other lawyers there, but he was solo at the top; no partnerships. He came through my line in the grocery store and was impressed by the way I handled myself and my customers, so he gave me his card and told me to call. Soon. So I did, and I was a nervous wreck when interview day came. Apparently, I forgot to take out my nose ring ... but I still got the job.

7) In 1993, when "Linger" was released, The Nanny premiered on CBS. It's remembered today for its catchy theme song, which tells the story of "the nanny named Fran." Can you recall the lyrics to theme of one of your favorite shows?

Oh, I love the "Nanny" theme song and can sing it all, and I also love singing "The Jeffersons" theme song. That one's a fun one.

8) In 1993, gas was $1.11/gallon. Could your vehicle use a fill-up right now?

Probably, but who can afford it, now? Thanks, DJT.

9) Random question: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Oh, probably 25 or so. Maybe a few more. I should take out what I never wear and put in the donation pile.

I so need a nap right now; didn't sleep well. I'm going to do that and hopefully later, catch up with you all. Happy weekend to you! 

                                    xoxo,     Melanie