Middle of Nowhere

Thinking of You
This never was a favorite of mine, because it sounded cliché and almost too simple. But the spirit of the song is so innocent and sweet - besides, I can't hear this song without picturing the guys composing it as they load the dishwasher. It took them, what, a half-hour to write it? In performance, this song always makes me laugh since the audience or the guys point whenever they sing "You!" during the "bridge" - "No matter how high, no matter how low . . ."

Favorite words: only

Karaoke alert: At the very end, it's tricky to know exactly when Taylor is going to repeat, "You'll be on my mind the whole time."

MMMBop
I haven't grown tired of hearing this song yet - I guess the SNL elevator hold-up would have no effect on me. Isaac mentioned that he knew exactly when each song started on that famous TIME/LIFE tape of 50s and 60s rock-n-roll music since he had heard it so many times. When he said it, it made me think of myself "keyboarding" along with Taylor on the very first notes of MMMBop that begin the minute TOY ends. After hearing the Dust Brothers mix, the acoustic version (I love the richer sound of Taylor's voice on these recordings.), endless television performances of this famous song - what could be my favorite version? LIVE! It rocks every time!! But if you're still wondering about favorite performances: The SNL version is cool since it was the first time I heard the band's slight revision of the rhythm in the chorus. But, the Jenny McCarthy version remains fresh and harmoniously delivered after all this time.

MMMBop is the song that began my Hanson fanhood back in May of 1997. I smile every time I pass the stretch of highway I was on when I first heard it on the radio. But, I had to read TIME magazine to find out the name of the song before I could buy the single. TIME had given the album a soggy review, so it took a month before I bought the entire album.

Misunderstood lyrics? I sang, "In the end, the video was there" for a month before I bought the album and read the words, "In the end they'll be the only ones there." Despite this, the lyrics are simply classic. Did anyone watch "20/20" on September 18, 1998? It was about people who donate sections of their long hair to be made into wigs for others who have a rare disease that causes them to lose their hair. They call this project, "Locks of Love." It made me think of Hanson.

My favorite parts of the video: The Einstein part that was cut out of it later (Taylor shares a birthday with this famous thinker.), walking and then running at the beginning, blading (Is Zac blading backwards up the curb or is that in rewind?), stayin' alive (Of course), and walking on the moon. What don't I like? The scuba gear and the large pansy in the background during some of the instrumental scenes.

After 16 months, "Can you tell me who will still care?" I wouldn't have believed it, but . . . (grin)

Favorite words: still and MMMBop (Does this surprise anyone?)

Karaoke alert: Practice your "MMMBop"s! There is a slight hesitation between "ba duba dop" and "oom pon du bop" and again in "ba dubie don" and "oom pon du bop."

Weird
I listened to the album at Schuller's Books & Music before I bought it. When I landed on this track, I thought, "Ohmigosh, that's the song I sang all through high school without even knowing it." It was my second favorite song, immediately (Nothing can top your first love, right?). The only part that bugged me in the beginning was "cookie-cutter world" - it sounded over-used, but then again, that is the point.

Another thing about this song is that it is TONS more ironic than Alanis Morrisette's song about irony. Her song is really about some pretty crappy things that could happen to people. "Weird" is saying that although you would expect that feeling unnatural would mean that you're not normal, it really means that you are. I mean, isn't Hanson suggesting that if we ALL feel " a little bit weird sometimes," we're, um, normal? The direct opposite of the intended meaning is implied. Now, isn't THAT ironic? Don't you think? (c:

The cherry on top of the sundae (Oops, isn't this kind of cliché? grin) was when it became a single which meant remix versions and a video. Yay! At the same time, this song always seemed like a, hmmm, I don't know, personal message to the band's most devoted fans, so I was surprised that it was chosen to be a single. But the video turned out to be the one the guys felt most proud of. They put so much of their personal ideas into it and worked extremely hard on it. This made its release seem like a gift disguised as purely a business decision (Whereas, the "River" video seemed like a business decision disguised as a gift.). I thought the video would be darker - in the vein of "IWC2U." However, the wackiness of the one they made was more characteristic of who they are, in my opinion.

Favorite words: weird, cookie-cutter

Karaoke alert: Don't forget that sometimes it's "feel" and sometimes it's "get."

Speechless
Initially, this was my third favorite song. Even though Isaac insists that he'd never actually been dumped by a girl when he wrote this song, it reminds me of real relationships. I mean, I won't bore you with the one that comes to my mind when I hear it, but suffice to say, that it brought back memories of a time when Erasure's song, "Ship of Fools" was on my frequent play list. (smile)

Favorite words: deliver, wonder, only

Karaoke alert: Good luck with Taylor's mournful "ooohs" and "uh-ooohs."

Where's the Love
So many people I've talked to became fans because of this song! Well, would you believe I used to skip over this track? I couldn't believe it was their next single. I mean, it didn't seem like it was about anyone the Hanson actually knew - people who don't treat each other right and then pretend everything is alright. But, apparently, the guys really love this song since they sing extended versions of it in their concerts, Taylor: (Long pause) "Guys, it's not over yet!" How many people were amazed to learn it was Zac's big voice singing, "Waiting for the bright light to break through"? Even though he is interrupted by his brother at the end there . . . a pattern that will plague young Zac long after the recording of this song.

The video: This video caused me to wonder if I was spending too much time on Hanson websites. I mean, I can hardly watch it any more without tainted thoughts about boxers, the way the young men passing them are staring, Taylor's hip movements at the keyboard and did someone mention cursing? I don't know (chuckle and a shrug). I confess that I laugh every time I see Taylor staring at a couple fighting -- near the beginning. It looks like he finds their dispute oh, so engrossing,, when more than likely those two would end up getting freaked out by being observed so closely and just walk away.

When this video first aired on MTV, I noticed the editing error right away. I said, "Did he just say 'separated' for 'segregated'? I think he did." So, in the fresh, new edit of WTL, I noticed this little situation was cleared up with a shot of the guys goofing around during that part.

I must say, I like the cool camera angles which the band discusses in TT&MON. The video is also splashy and colorful - just like the song.

Favorite words/phrases: fooling, look at (during the 2nd and 3rd choruses), baby

Karaoke alert: You must act this one out - For "pulling each other down," follow Taylor's lead in the video as he makes a gesture with his clenched fists. During the "our love of fighting," a punch in the palm is always fun. Don't forget the camera kicks just before the chorus.

Yearbook
Honestly, the first time I heard this song, I rolled my eyes and said, "The kid was absent on picture day - Get over it." I thought the guys' home school background was showing as they were so curious about this aspect of a yearbook. I mean, when was the last time, these guys were absent on picture day? (grin) I mean, come on, didn't you see that "Rosie" where a girl confesses to literally wall-papering her room with Hanson posters?! But then, I had another theory about the origin of this song - you can check it out on The Outsiders book chat or better yet, read this book by S.E. Hinton.

I now love this song now for its emotional power and just plain beautiful melody.

Favorite words: yearbook, picture unavailable, oh (at the very end)

Karaoke alert: I used to think it was "Maybe he's in pain" but then I realized, it's "Maybe we're to blame." (I thought this was Zac, but it's probably Taylor.)

Look at You
Okay, I would often skip this track after I first purchased the album. It seemed like I was, um, listening in on a conversation among some jr. high boys in my classroom - especially the mention of the young lady's hips. But then, I thought, "Well, we've all felt awkward at a school dance." I pictured the guys at one of those dances even though they didn't attend the school. Maybe they went with some public school friends and felt strange, I don't know. But, what changed everything? I loved this song in concert! Oddly enough, this song about a dance, has a very danceable beat. (smirk)

Favorite words/phrases: can, look, one-eyed goose

Karaoke alert: There's that "kick off your shoes, get on the floor" change-up in the 2nd verse.

Lucy
Even after the very first time through the album, I knew that Taylor did not sing lead on this song. Then, in a June 1997 interview for a trade publication from Britain, Zac reveals that he's supposed to be Schroeder from the Peanuts' cartoon and it's a song about Lucy. Lucy, isn't a real person - Whew! The lyrics are kind of mature for a young 10 year old to apply to real life. (In that same early interview, you catch Zac's spirit when he answers a question about a comparison to Michael Jackson, "We like the way we look." BTW, that interview also contained answers that the guys still give in appearances today: "Even if, in 10 years, no one comes to hear us, we'll still go on playing music, because that's what we love to do.")

Favorite words: tear, Lucy, fool, songs, realize

Karaoke alert: This song is extremely easy to sing along with - the only tricky part may be timing the "until that day" after the pause.

I Will Come to You
This was not one of my favorites in the beginning (even though I lifted my SN right from the lyrics -- it was kind of play on words about being darker complected and sometimes acting moody -- yeah, lame, I know. hehe). I could sense that this song would become popular and that it would probably be a single eventually. My sister (who wants people to know that she is NOT a Hanson fan) loves this song and knows the lyrics to it. It is beautiful to hear this one in concert though. Besides, the arm-waving is irresistible. And, if you haven't heard the a cappella version? Run to the nearest Hanson outlet and find it! It's gorgeous - it leaves no room for those who discredit the band's talent.

The videos:

1) The one without the final shot of a fox: What hasn't already been said about the glowing band members, the floating people, the girl with too much eye-liner? It might have all worked in what I originally thought a video for "Weird" would look like, but for "IWC2U," it's, eh, too weird. I sensed that the producers were aiming to convey the ties that mysteriously bind us together, but it's just not working. I did like the transitions between scenes, the melting . . . like water colors that run and then take shape. My suggestions for this video would include:

• More shots of the guys walking in the crowd.
• Standing at a bus terminal
• Peering through the window of a moving vehicle
• Running through an airport
• Tossing coins into a toll booth
• All three coming from different locations and frantically trying to meet up.

2) The concert version: Zac looks extremely tired, Taylor appears to almost fall into the crowd at one point (Give me a heart attack, why don't you? He actually tripped at the Cleveland concert while reaching for a hand . . . Yikes!), and Isaac sings his heart out, as usual. I don't know, this version is nice, but sometimes I choke when I see Taylor pointing to the crowd as he sings, "you" at the end. He's quite a charmer.

Favorite words/phrase: somebody, dark and stormy (Okay, not a huge revelation.), your sun

Karaoke alert: Watch for the key changes.

A Minute Without You
This one really shows off Isaac's voice. He articulates a little bit clearer than his brother. You already know my history with the math on this track. I love the layers of harmony on this song. It's fun to try to sing along with each part. Love the drumbeats between verses and the sweet little "in my dreams" after the 2nd chorus. (NOTE: This song might also have special significance for a certain sister and one of her boyfriends -- who isn't ashamed to say that he listens to Hanson. Cool!! grin)

Favorite words/phrases: oh yeah

Karaoke alert: It's always fun to sing Taylor's "in my dreams - ye-e-ah" during the repeated chorus at the end and then to choose one layer of the harmony to sing on the last "dreams."

Madeline
This also was an early favorite. The rhythm sounds so fresh and original. I love the acoustic recordings of it (Zac's background harmony adds a nice texture to it and the blending at the end is really pretty.), but in concert, it sounds almost like an intimate conversation that doesn't stand up to a room full of people. I don't know if that makes sense. Again, it reminded me of people and times in my own life - even though the band wasn't thinking of anyone in particular when they wrote this song. (c:

Favorite words/phrases: footsteps, ah-ooo, my Madeline

Karaoke alert: It goes from "Look at where we're going" to "'cause look where we're going" to "Where we are going."

With You in Your Dreams
I'm going to be honest with you . . . I didn't realize that this song was for their late grandmother until after I heard it a few times. In the beginning, I was stunned that a song about someone who abandoned his or her family without wanting them to feel bad would be on their album. This made me uncomfortable at first. But after, the guys explained that it was written in memory of their beloved grandma . . . no more doubts, instead there was tears. My grandmother died about 4 years ago from Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was extremely painful since we were pretty close. So, needless to say, this song now has a soft spot in my heart.

Favorite words/phrases: good-bye, look back, remember me, cry and weep, have our good times, your

Karaoke alert: "'Cause in your heart you have all of our good times." (Is this the line that Taylor is singing? I think there's a typo in the lyrics printed on the album cover -- or am I crazy? hehe)

Man from Milwaukee
When I told a 6th grade boy in my class that I had this album, he wanted to know if I liked the bonus track. I love it! And the fact that Zac wrote it - it's like a teacher's creative writing project come true. Since they got the name of their album and their tour from this song, a person might conclude that the band must have a special place in THEIR hearts for this number as well. To top it off, it's unbelievable that there is a Hanson and Oklahoma street in the city of Milwaukee. Like the guys mention in a clip from the tour video, sometimes things all come together in a weird way, no?

Favorite words/phrases: big-toed bald man, couldn't, Milwaukee, wacky, yellow walkie-talkie, Albertane, 10% of their brain, run around in their underwear, in color!

Karaoke alert: Can you do the megaphone part without feeling, eh, insane? (grin)