Harry Funk: Wednesdays in the O-R


4/13/2011 3:33 AM
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Harry Funk

Soundtrack to tax time

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April 15 is April 18 this year.

For those who wait until the last possible second to file their taxes, Uncle Sam has built in an extra weekend.

Somehow, I managed to muster the initiative to finish a week ahead of time, sacrificing the better part of Saturday and a summerlike Sunday to fulfill my obligation as an American.

During the process, I couldn't help but periodically steer away from the task at hand to check baseball and golf scores, answer emails and see what was up on Facebook. Yes, I'm an addict, but it's a victimless addiction.




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At one point, after having played the Beatles' "Revolver" on the stereo - the opening track, of course, is "Taxman" - I decided to ask for suggestions from my online friends regarding what to listen to next.

They're a creative bunch.

Mark: "We Shall Overcome ... or is that We Shall Overpay?"

Cate: "I Wanna Be a Millionaire"

Mattie: "The Clash, because I'm So Bored With the USA"

Cheryl: "Money, Money, Money ... Money"

Dan: "How about 'Isn't It A Pity' by George Harrison?"

Then there was Bob, who came up with a slew of gems:

• Queen: "I Want It All"

• Nirvana: "Rape Me"

• David Bowie: "Big Brother"

• Badfinger: "Take It All"

• Relient K: "Life After Death and Taxes"

• Scorpions: "Taxman Woman"

• Jimi Hendrix: "Tax Free"

I ended up going with Mattie's alternative suggestion: the inimitable Captain Beefheart, for the sheer absurdity factor. I pulled out my copy of the Captain's "Lick My Decals Off, Baby," focusing on the tune "Woe-Is-Uh-Me-Bop."

No, I couldn't make that stuff up if I tried.

Later, I listened to the Kinks' "Face to Face" album, featuring the classic "Sunny Afternoon" and its opening line, "The taxman's taken all my dough." And so it seems ...

OK, I'm done with my taxes. How 'bout you?

If not, I'll add a few more suggestions for your listening pleasure:

• Allman Brothers Band: "Whipping Post"

• Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: "Find the Cost of Freedom"

• Grateful Dead: "U.S. Blues"

• Led Zeppelin: "Sick Again"

• Steve Miller Band: "My Dark Hour"

• Pink Floyd: "What Do You Want from Me"

• Rolling Stones: "Out of Time"

• Talking Heads: "Don't Worry About the Government"

• The Who: "Did You Steal My Money"

And of course:

• Frank Zappa: "The Torture Never Stops"

Good luck with those taxes!

Online editor Harry Funk can be reached at hfunk@observer-reporter.com.

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