From the latest column by the lady who screwed up the title of “Something” last week:
“Oh, and all you Song Name Purists out there? I don’t want to hear from you — next thing you’ll be telling me ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’ must be called ‘The Christmas Song.’ Geesh.”
Oh, it’s on. Heaven forbid anyone should complain she doesn’t take the two minutes to figure out the right name of the song – or even just not put her fake song name in quotes which implies that it is in fact the real song.
Funny, from a lady who complains that the kids on American Idol can’t remember the lyrics to Beatles songs. She can’t even remember the titles of Beatles songs. Maybe she’s not complaining, maybe she’s sympathizing.
The truly funny part is she makes this snarky comment after she gets the song title right – the Beatles song is actually called “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.”
My point is, a song is an artistic work. If you’re being published by a nationally-read newspaper, you ought to expend the small effort to use the correct title of the artistic work you’re discussing. I don’t think that’s too much to expect from a writer – no matter how casual their column is.
My second point is this: When will the Washington Post offer me a chance to write? I can recap shows in just as snarky a manner, and get the facts straight at the same time. If you pay me, I’ll even spell-check and use correct punctuation.
3 Comments
hahahah! “maybe she’s not complaining, maybe she’s sympathizing.” HAHAH! thanks for the laugh.
snark snark snark, you make me giggle 
“…next thing you’ll be telling me ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’ must be called ‘The Christmas Song.’ Geesh.”
I share your outrage. Is this lady for real? Does she go to the library and ask for “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” by Dickens? Or perhaps she prefers Melville’s classic “Call me Ishmael.”
Referring to popular works of art that way just comes off as borderline retarded, especially when you write for the Post.
I was trying to think of a good literary reference to use as an example. You came up with two. Thank you, oh great one.
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