Lost MP3 of the Week: Gym Class Heroes, “Cupid’s Chokehold” / Supertramp, “Breakfast in America”

When I first started my blog, I sort of had delusions of grandeur. I originally started it for my friends and family. I generally have a lot of success in recommending music to people that they end up liking, and I thought of starting a blog as a way to take that success to the internet. I thought that I could start an mp3 blog for people who don’t really read mp3 blogs. Naturally, things didn’t really work out that way — some of my friends and family do read this, but in general, people who read my mp3 blog tend to read other mp3 blogs. And people who read mp3 blogs (and write them) tend to know a lot about music. So, making a dent in the world of mp3 blogs becomes that much harder.

Still, there are times when I still can’t stop myself from writing on something that large portions of my readers might know about. For example, are you familiar with the band Supertramp?  If so, I apologize, because this post is not for you.

The other evening I had a television on in the background while I was working on something. I had it on MTV so that I could watch NEXT, the most hilarious dating show in the world of dating shows. At the end of the show, MTV played a music video by Gym Class Heroes with a very familiar chorus:

Take a look at my girlfriend
She’s the only one I got (ba ba da da)
Not much of a girlfriend
I never seem to get a lot (ba ba da da, ba ba da)

Suddenly, my “save the kids from modern music” instinct cut in. It’s not that I dislike the Gym Class Heroes, per se — it’s that the chorus for “Cupid’s Chokehold” is actually culled from the chorus for “Breakfast in America” by Supertramp. How many people do you suppose know that?  I bet it’s not enough. So here I am, writing this up, hoping that maybe, just maybe, people who listen to Gym Class Heroes on a frequent basis (and don’t know Supertramp) will google the song and learn a little something about where the lyrics of its chorus comes from. Like a music PSA of sorts. A little too much on the optimistic side? Sure. But it ain’t gonna stop me.

Gym Class Heroes: “Cupid’s Chokehold” (download)
Supertramp: “Breakfast In America” (download)

8 Responses to “Lost MP3 of the Week: Gym Class Heroes, “Cupid’s Chokehold” / Supertramp, “Breakfast in America”” »»

  1. Comment by jillian | 02/05/07 at 12:53 am

    Wow..I remember getting Breakfast in America as a birthday present in 10th grade gymclass…my best friend at the time…had it wrapped up all pretty…delivered in hand in the locker room..LOL

    great memory..thanks for the great post…I’m reading you!

  2. Comment by Taylor | 02/05/07 at 1:12 am

    Oh man… such a good album! Smart move on your friend’s part :) thanks for your kind words!

  3. Comment by Py Korry | 02/05/07 at 9:28 pm

    It’s always amusing to hear old songs repackaged in new skins. I’ve been hearing “Dreamer” in some TV commercial — which makes me want to listen to the song again. But I like the live version better than the studio one.

    I do watch NEXT every now and the, but there’s this other one where a friend is watching some kind of “truth meter” and will radio their friend and tell them something like “Oh, he’s lying–” or some variation of that.

  4. Comment by Taylor | 02/06/07 at 12:55 pm

    yes! I know what show you’re talking about. I like the idea, but I feel like there’s no way that they’re using an actual lie detector.

  5. FiL
    Comment by FiL | 02/07/07 at 4:09 pm

    Oh dear, Supertramp. Brings back all sorts of weird sixth-grade memories. And in a curious echo, I mentioned them in my second-ever blogpost back in April 06…

    Good on you for trying to edjikate the yoof of today!!!

  6. Comment by Chelsy | 02/24/07 at 4:33 pm

    Hey, its been too long since I’ve visited your site. I was listening to this “Cupid’s Chokehold” song and its really good. I have to yet again thank you for all the music exposure you’ve provided for me. I miss you so much!

    Throwing some love your way!

  7. Comment by Shumpy | 03/22/07 at 12:33 am

    where are the downloads?

  8. Comment by Diego | 04/05/07 at 7:12 pm

    Im sorry but, can anyone please help me to get this Cupid’s Chokehold version?? it would be great to have it since i been looking for this version for so long. thanks in advance!!.

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