Currently Unrealised Mixtape Projects Which I Plan To Complete This Year
1. “Literally”
Mixtape of cover versions where the original metaphorical content has been rendered disturbingly literal in the retelling. Includes:
- John Cale’s “Heartbreak Hotel” (John, are you sure? This sounds like a terrible hotel. Did you check Trip Advisor? What street did you say it was on again?)
- The Highwaymen - “Highwayman”. (When Jimmy Webb sings all the verses, you understand that he didn’t actually ride a starship across the universe divide. He couldn’t have done, because he got hung in ‘25. When different people sing each verse it sounds like the treatment for a BBC3 miniseries.)
- Bryan Ferry doing “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” is my favourite shaggy-dog story of all time.
2. “Nano-greatest-hits”
A C30 comprised of only the actual scientifically-proven best bits from popular artists’ careers. I have only decided on Blondie’s so far (the bit in Union City Blue where she goes “I’ve climbed up four flights”) but I reckon this will be easy.
3. “Eternal Eternal Flame”
A version of Eternal Flame that starts normally but then keeps doing the massive key change-chorus until the tape is full. I attempted to make this tape when I was 11 but lacked the skills (this was the same year DFW started work on Infinite Jest - coincidence?). Anyway, I will finish it this year!
