Heave Media

The Food Mixtape

Because you know, you actually need it to live.

Food is nourishment for our bodies, a simple source of energy to keep us alive. Yet it’s also can be a decadent affair, and there is a strong communal aspect of food. In numerous cultures food is used as a form of celebration or honor. You usually find food at weddings and funerals, at any party, and if you go out with friends or go to social gatherings you’re usually putting something in your mouth and chewing. It’s only natural then that music, a form of expression for numerous aspects of life, would include the subject matter of food. This week is a mix of songs about food. Feel free to enjoy second helpings, because this music is calorie free.

Descendents - I Like Food - The Descendents wrote one of the most honest and matter of fact songs ever, and it clocks in at only seventeen seconds. But they have a very valid point, because I do like food, and indeed, food is good.

B-52’s - Rock Lobster - A favorite song about crustaceans, “Rock Lobster” is insanely catchy, slightly unnerving, and even annoying, but you can’t seem to get it out of your head. It’s everything a pop song should be.

Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me - Leave it to Hair Metal to figure out a way of making sex even stickier. And with all that big hair, I’m not sure they really would have wanted to pour sugar on anyone because it would have caused a major mess.

The Cramps - Shortnin’ Bread - The Cramps do this cover justice, from the crackling of the “shortnin’ bread” at the start, to the up-tempo schizophrenic delivery. It actually makes me want to figure out how to make shortnin’ bread just so I can make it while listening to this song.

The Presidents of the United States of America - Peaches - From the band that brought you the late 90’s gem “Lump” comes a song explaining the basic manufacturing of canned peaches. It’s also a love ode to the tasty fruit that comes sealed in it’s own juice.

Beck - Satan Gave Me A Taco - Few musicians could get away with such insane lyrics as Beck. Then again, few people would ever think to write a song about a rancid taco that was given to them by Satan. Genius or insanity, your pick, but regardless it’s an enjoyable Beck rarity.

Bessie Smith-Gimme a Pig Foot & a Bottle of Beer - There are a plethora of blues songs about food - usually fried chicken, BBQ, and lots of liquor. Blues queen Bessie Smith took it to the next level by singing about not only beer, but also pickled pork feet. Now that is one classy lady.

Led Zeppelin - The Lemon Song - I’m sure the record label wanted everyone to think this song was about lemons and making lemonade. Make no mistake about it; this song has nothing to do with actual lemons. Leave it to Led Zeppelin to make a song comparing genitals to lemons.

Posted by Lisa White on Mar 30, 2009 @ 7:00 am