Moody or mischievous, frowning or furtive, let's face the music with songs that mention facial features and feelings shown
Angelic to broody, charismatic to deadpan, ecstatic to furtive, gloomy to haunted, our faces have more expressions than keys on a grand piano. A face is an endlessly complex instrument, muscles and sinew on the move, pulling and playing features, energised by events, and powered by mood.
Some faces seem skilfully controlled. Others seem to have a mind of their own and express more than they realise. But all faces are fascinating. Faces are one of the first things we learn to recognise. We have a natural tendency form faces out of abstract shapes in landscapes or out of the darkness. So it is no surprise that faces inspire songs as well as perform them. And this week it's time to nominate songs that mention faces and the looks they display. But before we go on, let's sit down at the keyboard and watch one of that instrument's, not to mention music's, most fascinating faces on the move.
Now that's what I call a charismatic turn at the Readers Recommend bar. Can we have him in for a residency? What thoughts are running through the mischieveous Fats Waller's mind throughout those clips? And how might they differ what they appear to be?
Now, just a couple of caveats. A long time ago we had topics of smiling and laughing, and also eyes and sight, but that does not discount all the other expressions or other songs outside those old lists. So alongside more smiles and eye expressions, let's pull some more faces and song suggestions, from the inscrutable to jealous, languid to mischievous, moody to petulant, quizzical or roguish. I think you might see a pattern forming in this repertoire by now. Time first to enjoy another example, an incredible face, played to perfection by a performer making a very early TV appearance. It still puts a spell on me.
I'm not sure his power was entirely appreciated on the very white, middle-class Merv Griffin Show. But what a voice, and as just much, the face – strangely handsome, slightly satanic. Meanwhile, back to your song nominations, which can in turn include those that describe different features or shapes of faces as well as the emotions they express. So they may mention a face that is fat, thin, ugly, beautiful, pointy, round, scarred, bizarre or unfathomably enigmatic. And anything to do with particular features from the nose, ears, lips, mouth, cheeks, chin and unzedded eyes songs are also worthy contenders.
Some faces are so flexible and changeable, they seem to have infinite expressions. So here's a final example that goes for this effect not in the song, but in its video, this time with a little help from some technology. Well, it was certainly a pioneering piece of work at the time.
So now I'll try and complete my initial list of facial expressions: scowling, tense, undeterred, vacant, wild, yearning and zany. I can't think of one beginning with x. Will eccentric do? I could start a whole new one now, but instead, here's looking at you, and yours.
This week I'm also delighted to announce that redoubtable RR regular DarceysDad will be facing the music with your finely featured nominations, so please press your faces against our window as much as possible with these until 11pm GMT (last orders) on Monday 24 February, and he will duly present his list on Thursday 27 February.
To increase the likelihood of your nomination being considered, please:
• Tell us why it's a worthy contender.
• Quote lyrics if helpful, but for copyright reasons no more than a third of a song's words.
• Provide a link to the song. We prefer Muzu or YouTube, but Spotify, SoundCloud or Grooveshark are fine.
• Listen to others people's suggestions and add yours to a collaborative Spotify playlist.
• If you have a good theme for Readers recommend, or if you'd like to volunteer to compile a playlist, please email peter.kimpton@theguardian.com or adam.boult@theguardian.com
• There's a wealth of data on RR, including the songs that are "zedded", at the Marconium. It also tells you the meaning of "zedded", "donds" and other strange words used by RR regulars.
• Many RR regulars also congregate at the 'Spill blog.
by Peter Kimpton via Music: Electronic music | theguardian.com
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