“The Kinda Thing” by Na$$$$$$$$$$ty Millionaire, from January 1st, 2008
You know, I just wasted about an hour trying to find the original song that I sampled this from. But it’s better off that I didn’t find it anyway, because this is one of the rare instances where I just directly lifted the song, without trying to mask it or hide it. So let’s keep the song a secret.
The original song is some obscure French prog rock group, on a mix CD that my brother gave me. The second I heard the song, I knew I had to sample it.
My brother definitely wins the contest for giving me mix CDs that contain the strangest and most obscure music. Over the years, I have sampled many things from his mix CDs.
So, I recorded this on New Year’s Day, 2008. On this track (another old 4-track recording), I elaborated on the melody a bit by playing keyboard on top of it, but for the most part, this is the kind of sample usage that people used to sue each other over. But I don’t think anyone sues for samples anymore. Everyone owns everything on the internet, nothing is sacred. Just look at all the photos people share on tumblr without giving credit to the source creator. But these are the times we live in.
But despite having “borrowed” the melody, I think the song ends up being distinctly mine. In fact, I think I own this melody more than the original band who created it, some almost 40 years ago.
I am thinking of re-recording this song soon, like I did with my Pluto Ain’t A Planet song.
This is one of my most honest and cathartic songs. The lyrics are just one long continuous rap / rant, with no chorus.
the kinda thing that makes you mad, that kinda thing that makes you wish that you never ever had…
the kinda thing that makes you think about your dad and the things in your life that make you so sad…
the kinda shit you write down in your notepad, man
the kinda day when you’re feeling all hopeless, and you know this is not the lowest, place that you been to…
a kinda place you would never walk into, it’s so simple, two cheers for simple, let’s keep it simple…
oh no, there he goes, talking in his scary pose… but you know the truth, it isn’t that scary though…
sittin down for breakfast with your milk and your cheerios… feelin all hysterical, actin like you’re comatose… like you overdosed on a hundred little capsules… we used to be the kids buildin up the sand castles
we used to be the kid sittin on your front bike handles, used to be a kid I was so easy to handle, damn yo, now I’m a handful… but god bless myself, i’m so thankful…
think about the tattoo on your ankle, stand up tall like a flag on a flagpole…
then dismantle thoughts you can’t handle, make some plans and at the last minute cancel…
