EUSIPA pleads

What does it plead for?

Let's find out!

Brussels, 23 February 2021: EUSIPA pleads for exempting structured PRIIPs from new RTS.

Oh God! Really? Jesus! 'Is there a problem, boss?' Eh? 'Is there a problem?' Er, no, Voice. I'm just being ... dramatic, like. 'Nice one!'

Ha!

Anyway ...

EUSIPA unreservedly supports the ambition of the EU PRIIPs Regulation to establish an EU-wide standard for delivering correct, non-misleading and comparable product information to retail investors. It also recognizes the challenges involved in bringing a diverse range of asset classes into the scope of the PRIIPs Regulation.

Well, okay.

EUSIPA seeks to alert the relevant institutions, however, that the redrafted version of the PRIIPs Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) finalized by the ESAs in early February does not meet the technical requirements across a broad range of packaged investment products. The implementation of these RTS once more risks providing incorrect and inconsistent information in the Key Information Documents (KIDs), especially for Category 1 and 3 products.

Okay.

I'll tell you what I hate, Voice. 'What?' People having their bullshit mobile phone conversations outside, so the whole street can hear them. I mean, WTF?! Do you know what I mean? 'Yeah.'

Anyway ...

EUSIPA also is highly concerned that the envisaged timeline for implementing the new RTS by January 2022 will derail their successful roll-out. This is because the "Level 1" review of the PRIIPs Regulation scheduled to bring results in about 18-24 months from now will inevitably lead to yet more changes to the RTS ruleset, if not their complete overhaul.

Well, never mind.

Now, the way I see it ... I've got two choices. I can play Oxygene on my media player. Or I can find a YouTube video to watch. 'Watching a YouTube video might put you off your writing.'

Oxygene it is then! 'Why do you want to listen to that, boss?!' I have absolutely no idea.

Anyway ...

Oh, this PR email goes on forever!

Let's just finish with the Heike voice ...

Heike Arbter, EUSIPA chairwoman, says: "At the retail point of sale, technically insufficient new RTS and such that allow product manufacturers to apply individual methodologies will render many KIDs incorrect and incomparable. This will have a detrimental effect on the retail customers' understanding and willingness to invest. In addition, the uncertainty of yet another change to the RTS ruleset in the near term will deter many distributors from engaging with retail customers on future investment opportunities."

Well, it is a problem, I suppose.

Thanks, Heike!

ENDS

...

Anything else?

Okay, okay. I had pizza tonight.

I need a haircut. I'm definitely not looking like the King of Cool at the moment.

This Oxygene is pissing me off.

'Put another album on.'

This post is nearly finished, Voice. I'll find a video on YouTube. 

Life will get back to normal soon. If I can get those three songs I need ... I won't live a "normal" life no more.

I'm going to put another album on ...

Apollo - !!!

[No. 881] Forever?

And, well ...

And, well ...[1], and, yeah, yeah[1], and, well ...[2], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[1], and, yeah, yeah[2], and, listen ... I was born to spin![1], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[2], and ... were you?[1], and, listen ... I was born to spin![2], and ... ???[1], and ... were you?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[1], and ... ???[2], and, tell me ... come on![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[2], and ... 'Have you?'[1], and, tell me ... come on![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[1], and ... 'Have you?'[2], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[2], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[1], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[2], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[1], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[2], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![1], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[2], and this is dizzy![1], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![2], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[1], and this is dizzy![2], and I could go on ...[1], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[2], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![1], and I could go on ...[2], and, listen ... I probably will go on[1], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![2], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[1], and, listen ... I probably will go on[2], and nothing lasts forever?[1], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[2], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![1], and nothing lasts forever?[2], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[1], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![2], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[1], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[2], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and ... do you think?[1], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[2], and ... who are you?![1], and ... do you think?[2], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[1], and ... who are you?![2], and, spin![1], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[2], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[1], and, spin![2], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[1], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[2], and, well, well ... existentialism can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[1], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[2], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[1], and, well, well ... exis tentialism can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[2], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[1], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[2], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![1], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[2], and ... 'Nice one!'[1], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![2], and, well ...[3], and ... 'Nice one!'[2], and, yeah, yeah[3], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[3], and, listen ... I was born to spin![3], and ... were you?[3], and ... ???[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[3], and, tell me ... come on![3], and ... 'Have you?'[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[3], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[3], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[3], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[3], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![3], and this is dizzy![3], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[3], and I could go on ...[3], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![3], and, listen ... I probably will go on[3], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[3], and nothing lasts forever?[3], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![3], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[3], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[3], and ... do you think?[3], and ... who are you?![3], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[3], and, spin![3], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[3], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[3], and, well, well ... e  x  i  s  t  e  n  t  i  a  l  i  s  m can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[3], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[3], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[3], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![3], and ... 'Nice one!'[3], and

And, well ...[1], and, yeah, yeah[1], and, well ...[2], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[1], and, yeah, yeah[2], and, listen ... I was born to spin![1], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[2], and ... were you?[1], and, listen ... I was born to spin![2], and ... ???[1], and ... were you?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[1], and ... ???[2], and, tell me ... come on![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[2], and ... 'Have you?'[1], and, tell me ... come on![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[1], and ... 'Have you?'[2], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[2], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[1], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[2], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[1], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[2], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![1], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[2], and this is dizzy![1], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![2], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[1], and this is dizzy![2], and I could go on ...[1], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[2], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![1], and I could go on ...[2], and, listen ... I probably will go on[1], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![2], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[1], and, listen ... I probably will go on[2], and nothing lasts forever?[1], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[2], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![1], and nothing lasts forever?[2], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[1], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![2], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[1], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[2], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and ... do you think?[1], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[2], and ... who are you?![1], and ... do you think?[2], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[1], and ... who are you?![2], and, spin![1], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[2], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[1], and, spin![2], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[1], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[2], and, well, well ... existentialism can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[1], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[2], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[1], and, well, well ... exis tentialism can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[2], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[1], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[2], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![1], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[2], and ... 'Nice one!'[1], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![2], and, well ...[3], and ... 'Nice one!'[2], and, yeah, yeah[3], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[3], and, listen ... I was born to spin![3], and ... were you?[3], and ... ???[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[3], and, tell me ... come on![3], and ... 'Have you?'[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[3], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[3], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[3], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[3], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![3], and this is dizzy![3], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[3], and I could go on ...[3], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![3], and, listen ... I probably will go on[3], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[3], and nothing lasts forever?[3], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![3], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[3], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[3], and ... do you think?[3], and ... who are you?![3], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[3], and, spin![3], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[3], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[3], and, well, well ... e  x  i  s  t  e  n  t  i  a  l  i  s  m can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[3], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[3], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[3], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![3], and ... 'Nice one!'[3], and

And, well ...[1], and, yeah, yeah[1], and, well ...[2], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[1], and, yeah, yeah[2], and, listen ... I was born to spin![1], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[2], and ... were you?[1], and, listen ... I was born to spin![2], and ... ???[1], and ... were you?[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[1], and ... ???[2], and, tell me ... come on![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[2], and ... 'Have you?'[1], and, tell me ... come on![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[1], and ... 'Have you?'[2], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[2], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[1], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[2], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[1], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[2], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![1], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[2], and this is dizzy![1], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![2], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[1], and this is dizzy![2], and I could go on ...[1], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[2], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![1], and I could go on ...[2], and, listen ... I probably will go on[1], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![2], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[1], and, listen ... I probably will go on[2], and nothing lasts forever?[1], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[2], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![1], and nothing lasts forever?[2], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[1], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![2], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[1], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[2], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and ... do you think?[1], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[2], and ... who are you?![1], and ... do you think?[2], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[1], and ... who are you?![2], and, spin![1], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[2], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[1], and, spin![2], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[1], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[2], and, well, well ... existentialism can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[1], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[2], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[1], and, well, well ... exis tentialism can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[2], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[1], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[2], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![1], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[2], and ... 'Nice one!'[1], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![2], and, well ...[3], and ... 'Nice one!'[2], and, yeah, yeah[3], and, listen ... only the squares complain / and the kooks can't get enough[3], and, listen ... I was born to spin![3], and ... were you?[3], and ... ???[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and, tell me ... Have you ever been this dizzy?[3], and, tell me ... come on![3], and ... 'Have you?'[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and do it until you love it[3], and ... 'Be honest, guys!'[3], and, no ... if you spend most of your time in the COLD WORLD, Christ! ... you don't even know what dizzy is[3], and ... 'That's the goddamn truth!'[3], and a-ROUND here ... it's so ... incredibly hot - !!![3], and this is dizzy![3], and 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893 ...[3], and I could go on ...[3], and a-ROUND ... my soul, my mind, my heart ... who knows? / and my brain ... who cares?![3], and, listen ... I probably will go on[3], and even though I'm confused ... I wouldn't have it any other way, just this way[3], and nothing lasts forever?[3], and, yeah, yeah ... ... ... oh yeah![3], and is this the big nothing? ... the glorious big nothing that the cosmos promised me?[3], and ... 'You've lost me now, Mikey'[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and even The Voice is confused / and what a wonderful eternity! / and don't you think?[3], and ... do you think?[3], and ... who are you?![3], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I talking to?[3], and, spin![3], and, excuse me ... exactly who am I spinning with?[3], and ... 'They don't know, themselves!'[3], and, well, well ... e  x  i  s  t  e  n  t  i  a  l  i  s  m can be a terrible thing if you don't have the stomach for it[3], and ... you know what I say, don't you?[3], and ... 'TELL THEM, MIKEY - !!!'[3], and, never, never, never, never, never, never ... mind![3], and ... 'Nice one!'[3], and

Good songs are dangerous

That's my thought of the day.

Good songs are dangerous.

Actually, it's my thought of yesterday because I was watching acoustic guitar demos on YouTube last night. Most of these videos were between five and ten years old ... so the artists haven't become famous.

Yeah, struggling singer/songwriters ... 'I suppose they were pretty bad, eh?' No. They were pretty good. 'Oh.' Quite a few of them could perform better than me and Lennon and McCartney. 'What about the songs then, boss?' Ah ...

What about the songs? I've said it before, man. 'The songs were terrible, yeah?' No. The songs were pretty good. 'Jesus! What's wrong with the music business, Mikey?!' Nothing, Voice.

Nothing is wrong with the music business.

Harsh but true. Maybe not fair.

I'll say it again ...

GOOD SONGS ARE DANGEROUS - !!!

'But why?!'

They give you a false sense of achievement.

'Oh, I see. Yes.'

Consider this scenario: An unknown singer/songwriter writes a few good songs. He or she thinks ... "Wow! These songs are good enough to be on an album by ..." Well, by whoever. Their favourite artist, you dig?

But you're not going to get a deal like that. 'Some people get lucky, boss.' That's right, Voice. A few artists get lucky for awhile until they lose their deal.

...

So, my advice to anyone "musical" is ... ?

LISTEN - !!!

You need to write great songs, man. / Maybe just one great song, for starters. Spend a year working on it - if you have to. Become obsessed. Force yourself!

David Gray would be lost without his Babylon song. And it's not even a world-beater. It's just a great song.

But, uh ...

'Do you really want people following this advice, Mikey? Be honest.'

Uh. Mixed feelings, Voice

I mean, I don't like competition, do I?

'Most artists won't read this post until you're famous anyway.'

That's a good point!

Well, okay. Whatever makes anyone happy. I don't care.

...

Right. Now I'm going to play a few great songs that aren't world-beaters ...

Babylon. David Gray.

Wild World. Cat Stevens.

Rehab. Amy Winehouse.

Do you get the idea?

'Play a world-beater! Just one.'

Okay. My favourite one.

Angels. Robbie Williams. / 4.27. Not the radio or video edit.

And, no ... I don't think he's "cool" or anything, all right?

'Yeah, yeah.'

Later(s), rocker(s), roller(s), and, uh ... popper(s)!

One more thing: If you want to test how great a song of yours is ... yes, compare it to other great songs, BUT(!) ... don't compare it to the original recordings. I mean, you're probably just using an acoustic guitar, so compare your demo to an acoustic cover on YouTube. Look at this guy playing Angels - ! And think ... If this were an original song of his, would any major record company or music publisher refuse him a deal?

Refinitiv Lipper: European fund flow report - January 2021

Okay, okay. What have we got here? 'It's obvious, boss.' Yes. It's Detlef and the gang.

The January European fund flow industry report from the Refinitiv Lipper team.

'Yippee!'

Are you excited, Voice?

'What do you think?'

Okay ...

Long-term mutual funds posted net inflows for January 2021.

The overall fund flows for mutual funds and ETFs in Europe in January amounted to estimated net inflows of €67.5 bn.

Equity funds (+€51.6 bn) were by far the best-selling asset type overall for January 2021.

Watching The Wheels.

Equity Global (+€20.9 bn) was once again the best-selling sector among long-term funds.

Luxembourg (+€34.0 bn) was the fund domicile with the highest net inflows, followed by France (+€15.3 bn) and Switzerland (+€6.4 bn).

UBS (+€7.5 bn) was the best-selling fund promoter in Europe for January, ahead of BlackRock (+€5.7 bn), and AXA (+€5.0 bn).

Oh, okay. Sounds good. 'Where the hell is Detlef, boss?! Where is he?!' What? Will you be patient, idiot!

Christ.

Detlef? Take your time, son. Don't worry about him.

Detlef Glow, Head of EMEA Research at Refinitiv Lipper, comments: "Despite the deteriorating situation with regard to The Thing, January 2021 was another positive month for the European fund industry since the promoters of mutual funds (+€52.3 bn) and ETFs (+€15.2 bn) enjoyed inflows. Despite some economic uncertainties' investors bought into risky assets. As a result, long-term funds enjoyed estimated net inflows of €78.4 bn, while money market products had estimated net outflows of €11.0 bn."

Thanks.

ENDS

...

Anything else? My music?

I can record my demo anytime now. Maybe I'll do it in March. I reckon I will only need to do two takes of each song, and then choose the best one. Oh ... as long as there are no noises outside. But don't worry, kook(s) ... I've identified the quietest spot in the house with the best acoustics.

By April or May ... maybe we'll have a bit of normality in our lives. I'll get my hair cut. I'll buy more clothes. I'll be slimmer, and with bigger muscles. 'That'll be amazing!' Yeah.

I'll put my demo online ...

I AM THE MAN WITH THE PLAN.

Believe it!

The only question is ... will I finish my ten world-beaters in time? I don't know. It was a real pain in the arse getting the music for Life and Death. I mean, it's painful writing a tune that you think is "great" ... only to scrap it, and then resurrect it a couple of times until it's done. It takes something out of your soul, man.

I know that most - if not all - other songwriters would have stuck with the first version. Do you remember that? It was called I Love You. It was a slow crooner's ballad apparently. The things I think of!

Never mind.

Laters.

[No. 880] Freedom is in your head

Even if it's nowhere else.

And, well, well ...[1], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![1], and, well, well ...[2], and ... in my head[1], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![2], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[1], and ... in my head[2], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![1], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[2], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[1], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![2], and we ain't got no government[1], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[2], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[1], and we ain't got no government[2], and we ain't got no society[1], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and we ain't got no society[2], and this is cosmic space ... and we share it[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and rules? ... No![1], and this is cos mic sp ace ... and we share it[2], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[1], and rules? ... No![2], and this is our world, yes![1], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[2], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[1], and this is our world, yes![2], and, come, come ... come on![1], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[2], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[1], and, come, come ... come on![2], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![1], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[2], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[1], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![2], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[1], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[2], and, and, and ... and free - !!![1], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[2], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[1], and, and, and ... and free - !!![2], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[1], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[2], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[1], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[2], and, Christ ...[1], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[2], and we have free will[1], and, Christ ...[2], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[1], and we have free will[2], and we have soul power[1], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[2], and, come on ... love life![1], and we have s oul pow er[2], and, well, well ...[3], and, come on ... love life![2], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![3], and ... in my head[3], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[3], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![3], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[3], and we ain't got no government[3], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[3], and we ain't got no society[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and this is c  o  s  m  i  c s  p  a  c  e ... and we share it[3], and rules? ... No![3], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[3], and this is our world, yes![3], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[3], and, come, come ... come on![3], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[3], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![3], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[3], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[3], and, and, and ... and free - !!![3], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[3], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[3], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[3], and, Christ ...[3], and we have free will[3], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[3], and we have s  o  u  l p  o  w  e  r[3], and, come on ... love life![3], and

And, well, well ...[1], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![1], and, well, well ...[2], and ... in my head[1], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![2], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[1], and ... in my head[2], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![1], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[2], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[1], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![2], and we ain't got no government[1], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[2], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[1], and we ain't got no government[2], and we ain't got no society[1], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and we ain't got no society[2], and this is cosmic space ... and we share it[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and rules? ... No![1], and this is cos mic sp ace ... and we share it[2], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[1], and rules? ... No![2], and this is our world, yes![1], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[2], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[1], and this is our world, yes![2], and, come, come ... come on![1], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[2], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[1], and, come, come ... come on![2], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![1], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[2], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[1], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![2], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[1], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[2], and, and, and ... and free - !!![1], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[2], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[1], and, and, and ... and free - !!![2], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[1], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[2], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[1], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[2], and, Christ ...[1], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[2], and we have free will[1], and, Christ ...[2], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[1], and we have free will[2], and we have soul power[1], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[2], and, come on ... love life![1], and we have s oul pow er[2], and, well, well ...[3], and, come on ... love life![2], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![3], and ... in my head[3], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[3], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![3], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[3], and we ain't got no government[3], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[3], and we ain't got no society[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and this is c  o  s  m  i  c s  p  a  c  e ... and we share it[3], and rules? ... No![3], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[3], and this is our world, yes![3], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[3], and, come, come ... come on![3], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[3], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![3], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[3], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[3], and, and, and ... and free - !!![3], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[3], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[3], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[3], and, Christ ...[3], and we have free will[3], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[3], and we have s  o  u  l p  o  w  e  r[3], and, come on ... love life![3], and

And, well, well ...[1], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![1], and, well, well ...[2], and ... in my head[1], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![2], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[1], and ... in my head[2], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![1], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[2], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[1], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![2], and we ain't got no government[1], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[2], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[1], and we ain't got no government[2], and we ain't got no society[1], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[2], and, ha, ha, ha![1], and we ain't got no society[2], and this is cosmic space ... and we share it[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and rules? ... No![1], and this is cos mic sp ace ... and we share it[2], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[1], and rules? ... No![2], and this is our world, yes![1], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[2], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[1], and this is our world, yes![2], and, come, come ... come on![1], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[2], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[1], and, come, come ... come on![2], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![1], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[2], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[1], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![2], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[1], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[2], and, and, and ... and free - !!![1], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[2], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[1], and, and, and ... and free - !!![2], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[1], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[2], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[1], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[2], and, Christ ...[1], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[2], and we have free will[1], and, Christ ...[2], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[1], and we have free will[2], and we have soul power[1], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[2], and, come on ... love life![1], and we have s oul pow er[2], and, well, well ...[3], and, come on ... love life![2], and I'm here again ... free as a bird![3], and ... in my head[3], and, where are ... YOU(!)?[3], and I'm spinning, yes, yes, yes ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... oh, I really love it![3], and I presume you're in your own head ... and here[3], and we ain't got no government[3], and, just so everyone understands ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... so incredibly dizzy[3], and we ain't got no society[3], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and this is c  o  s  m  i  c s  p  a  c  e ... and we share it[3], and rules? ... No![3], and I'm smiling, and so are you ... / and just look at the state of us, man, without a state[3], and this is our world, yes![3], and we are here ... a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... 'Yippee!'[3], and, come, come ... come on![3], and how do you feel ... ? / and tell me ... how do you do it?[3], and, yeah? ... oh, I believe you![3], and we're so brave, kook(s), and so strong[3], and if only Erich Fromm could see us now ...[3], and, and, and ... and free - !!![3], and those awful "characters" out there ... will they ever understand us?[3], and ... 'Dear oh dear'[3], and let's not cry for them ... they have chosen their fate[3], and, Christ ...[3], and we have free will[3], and no **********, *********, or ****** ******* is going to rain on our parade[3], and we have s  o  u  l p  o  w  e  r[3], and, come on ... love life![3], and

State Street unveils ...

What does State Street unveil? Aren't you curious? 'Curious, boss?! I'm desperate to know. Tell me. Tell me. TELL ME - !!!'

Ha! All right, Voice, calm down.

Jesus!

Yeah, yeah. PR email ...

LONDON, February 18, 2021 - State Street Corporation has announced the launch of Insights, a new research platform that offers clients proprietary research, exclusive data-driven indicators and the latest market commentary from the firm's team of global macro strategists. Insights gives investors access to State Street Global Markets' multi-asset research offerings in an intuitive and interactive format tailored to their interests.

Okay, okay. Er ... no endorsement from me, obviously, because I don't understand any of this stuff. I'm on the mystical side of things. I don't know how many times I have to say that. 'You wish them all the best though, boss.' Of course I do!

It would be churlish not to. Nothing less than churlish.

Anyway ...

"Whether it's high-frequency inflation data, proprietary capital flow indicators, or sentiment shifts derived from millions of social media posts, access to data-driven asset intelligence gives our clients an edge," says Nadine Chakar, executive vice president and head of State Street Global Markets. "We have  a proven track record of providing valuable research, and throughout the global The Thing, our clients have relied on our partnership to weather market volatility at an unprecedented speed. We can now offer these solutions in a more dynamic and engaging platform via Insights."

Oh, okay. Thank you, Nadine.

Now, I wonder what Will says ... 'Will who?' Will Kinlaw. 'Never heard of him!' So? 'He must be a loser.' Shut up!

Christ.

Just because The Voice has never heard of someone ...

Do you know what I mean?

Everyone thinks Will is a great guy.

Anyway ...

"Our clients are inundated with data and research, but they often tell us that we provide perspectives they can't get anywhere else," adds Will Kinlaw, head of State Street's hub for partnerships with alternative data start-ups and renowned academics, State Street Associates. "We built these tools based on their feedback. The goal is to put all of this information at their fingertips and organize it around the markets that are top-of-mind on any given day."

Thanks, Will!

Yeah, some loser. He's head of State Street's hub for partnerships with alternative data start-ups and renowned academics, State Street Associates.

ENDS

...

Anything else?

I've bought a good ebook on John Lennon by Philip Norman. (He wrote my favourite book on The Beatles, Shout!) It has over twelve hundred pages, and it only cost £1.99. I've read a few books on Lennon, and this seems to have stuff I've never heard before. Mainly about his family. He hasn't met the rest of The Beatles yet. 'What do you mean, he hasn't met them?!' I've only just started reading it, idiot! 'Oh.' Yeah. Ha!

Music? I mean ... my music?! I rehearsed my songs for five hours last week, and five and a half the week before, BUT(!) ... I sound much better now than when I was playing for over twenty hours a week.

I'm going to go back to regular hours soon though. I've just been having a bit of a rest, that's all.

Oh, I've decided ... two of those new tunes I need will have to be as great and as commercial as Stella. 'You always say that, Mikey. Or something like it.' Well, I'm saying it again, Voice. It's important, man! I want the combination of greatness and commercial, uh ... ness.

Never mind.

I'll think of a title later

I'm listening to Country Life by Roxy Music.

I'm not in the mood for writing. But I've got to do this last post of the week. So here it is.

Yeah, yeah.

I haven't done much today.

I played a nice version of Malibu earlier. Only five minutes of guitar practice. But I sound better now ... than a few years ago when I might have done five hours. That's got to be a good thing, right? Yes, it's got to be.

I walked around the park this morning. I don't know why. What's the point of that? I wasn't the only one, anyway.

My music?

I want those three new tunes.

The music is the most important part of a world-beater. That's why Dylan only has one, but hundreds of great lyrics.

I'll just have to hold on.

Of course, there's the third verse of Nothing ... it helps to have a great lyric as well.

Yes.

It's sickening being involved in normal life. It doesn't matter what's going on inside your head - if people can't see it.

Never mind.

Okay, okay. I'm not listening to all of this album. So ... what else?! I'm going to listen to ... give me a minute.

It's best to live a famous illusion. And to have witnesses, obviously. / I was disturbed to hear the story of Prince being seen standing outside a chemist shortly before he died. Not because he might have been ill. But because it was too "normal". I bet Prince really hated it, too. I mean, more than being ill. I have an insight into certain people.

Masters of reality. Those guys.

So, I'm listening to ... yeah, Apollo. Even though it's still early. I suppose it doesn't matter. The stars don't care. The stars don't even know.

Or do they?

I'm eating peanut cookies. I saw them again this morning ... on the supermarket shelf, calling out to me.

I hate going to the supermarket. I hate walking around the park. 

Things are going to change because they must. Life only changes when it must change.

[No. 879] Rebel with a cause

What's my cause?

And, ha, ha, ha![1], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and, well ... I'm ambitious[1], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[2], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![1], and, well ... I'm ambitious[2], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[1], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![2], and ... spin![1], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[2], and, come on, come on, come on![1], and ... spin![2], and, uh ... spin![1], and, come on, come on, come on![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[1], and, uh ... spin![2], and ... 'I am!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[2], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[1], and ... 'I am!'[2], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[1], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[2], and a-ROUND here ... yes![1], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[2], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[1], and a-ROUND here ... yes![2], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[1], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[2], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![1], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[2], and it's only money ...[1], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[1], and it's only money ...[2], and here we are ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[1], and here we are ...[2], and are you having fun?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[2], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[1], and are you having fun?[2], and ... 'Me?'[1], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[2], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![1], and ... 'Me?'[2], and ... 'You?'[1], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![2], and, please ... be quiet[1], and ... 'You?'[2], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![1], and, please ... be quiet[2], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[1], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![2], and ... a conceptual rebel[1], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[2], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[1], and ... a concep tual re bel[2], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[1], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[2], and what a life![1], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[2], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and what a life![2], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[3], and, well ... I'm ambitious[3], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![3], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[3], and ... spin![3], and, come on, come on, come on![3], and, uh ... spin![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[3], and ... 'I am!'[3], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[3], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[3], and a-ROUND here ... yes![3], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[3], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[3], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![3], and it's only money ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[3], and here we are ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[3], and are you having fun?[3], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[3], and ... 'Me?'[3], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![3], and ... 'You?'[3], and, please ... be quiet[3], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![3], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[3], and ... a c  o  n  c  e  p  t  u  a  l r  e  b  e  l[3], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[3], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[3], and what a life![3], and

And, ha, ha, ha![1], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and, well ... I'm ambitious[1], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[2], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![1], and, well ... I'm ambitious[2], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[1], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![2], and ... spin![1], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[2], and, come on, come on, come on![1], and ... spin![2], and, uh ... spin![1], and, come on, come on, come on![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[1], and, uh ... spin![2], and ... 'I am!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[2], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[1], and ... 'I am!'[2], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[1], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[2], and a-ROUND here ... yes![1], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[2], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[1], and a-ROUND here ... yes![2], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[1], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[2], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![1], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[2], and it's only money ...[1], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[1], and it's only money ...[2], and here we are ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[1], and here we are ...[2], and are you having fun?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[2], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[1], and are you having fun?[2], and ... 'Me?'[1], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[2], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![1], and ... 'Me?'[2], and ... 'You?'[1], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![2], and, please ... be quiet[1], and ... 'You?'[2], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![1], and, please ... be quiet[2], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[1], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![2], and ... a conceptual rebel[1], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[2], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[1], and ... a concep tual re bel[2], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[1], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[2], and what a life![1], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[2], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and what a life![2], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[3], and, well ... I'm ambitious[3], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![3], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[3], and ... spin![3], and, come on, come on, come on![3], and, uh ... spin![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[3], and ... 'I am!'[3], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[3], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[3], and a-ROUND here ... yes![3], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[3], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[3], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![3], and it's only money ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[3], and here we are ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[3], and are you having fun?[3], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[3], and ... 'Me?'[3], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![3], and ... 'You?'[3], and, please ... be quiet[3], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![3], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[3], and ... a c  o  n  c  e  p  t  u  a  l r  e  b  e  l[3], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[3], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[3], and what a life![3], and

And, ha, ha, ha![1], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[1], and, ha, ha, ha![2], and, well ... I'm ambitious[1], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[2], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![1], and, well ... I'm ambitious[2], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[1], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![2], and ... spin![1], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[2], and, come on, come on, come on![1], and ... spin![2], and, uh ... spin![1], and, come on, come on, come on![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[1], and, uh ... spin![2], and ... 'I am!'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[2], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[1], and ... 'I am!'[2], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[1], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[2], and a-ROUND here ... yes![1], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[2], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[1], and a-ROUND here ... yes![2], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[1], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[2], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![1], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[2], and it's only money ...[1], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[1], and it's only money ...[2], and here we are ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[1], and here we are ...[2], and are you having fun?[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[2], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[1], and are you having fun?[2], and ... 'Me?'[1], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[2], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![1], and ... 'Me?'[2], and ... 'You?'[1], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![2], and, please ... be quiet[1], and ... 'You?'[2], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![1], and, please ... be quiet[2], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[1], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![2], and ... a conceptual rebel[1], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[2], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[1], and ... a concep tual re bel[2], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[1], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[2], and what a life![1], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[2], and, ha, ha, ha![3], and what a life![2], and, man, you know me ... I just want everyone in the whole world to get dizzy as fuck[3], and, well ... I'm ambitious[3], and, and, and ... in the whole cosmos, too, so obviously![3], and ... 'Yeah, yeah'[3], and ... spin![3], and, come on, come on, come on![3], and, uh ... spin![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and are you doing it RIGHT NOW?[3], and ... 'I am!'[3], and, uh ... I hope so, Voice[3], and I hope everyone is spinning crazy[3], and a-ROUND here ... yes![3], and ... 'They are spinning, if they're kooks, Mikey'[3], and, oh, oh ... I really hope so[3], and, listen ... maybe I will get a Baracuta / and I mean ... £300 for a jacket, why not?![3], and it's only money ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... looking good, nearly[3], and here we are ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I'm just having fun as usual, like a regular JD[3], and are you having fun?[3], and I promise you ... I won't spin YOU(!) off a cliff[3], and ... 'Me?'[3], and ... I'm tearing me apart!!![3], and ... 'You?'[3], and, please ... be quiet[3], and I'm such a rebel, yes, yes, yes![3], and I'm a rebel, man ... because normal literature is ... [drum roll] ... normal[3], and ... a c  o  n  c  e  p  t  u  a  l r  e  b  e  l[3], and ... 'I'll tell you, Mikey ... you're real abstract, you're different'[3], and, that's right, Voice, that's right ... I'm cute, too[3], and what a life![3], and

Yeah, yeah, what else is new?

I'm writing about music, fashion, and fitness. Deal with it!

So, I've worked out the BIG TENs for John Lennon and Paul McCartney as individual songwriters ...

[Although Lennon helped with Eleanor Rigby, and McCartney helped with A Day In The Life ...]

John Lennon

Imagine

A Day In The Life

Strawberry Fields Forever

I Am The Walrus

Jealous Guy

Real Love

Woman

Watching The Wheels

All You Need Is Love

Love

Paul McCartney

Let It Be

Hey Jude

Yesterday

The Long And Winding Road

Eleanor Rigby

Maybe I'm Amazed

Penny Lane

Good Day Sunshine

Here, There And Everywhere

Michelle

Okay? Good.

[By the way, In My Life was a Lennon and McCartney song. Lennon the lyric, and McCartney the music ... probably. See Revolution In The Head.]

...

Fashion? I've discovered that the chinos and polo shirt combination is a bit of a cliche, so I might have to go for some other kind of trousers. Actually, I really like my chinos cords, Levi's, which I don't see many people wearing. I could get another pair, I suppose. / There are some "Paul Weller" Sunspel clothes now. I'll stick to the normal kind - if you don't mind. I don't want to promote another rock star's stuff. Do you know what I mean? He should be wearing my clothes!

Actually, I'm only going to buy my polo shirts from Sunspel. I don't think it's a good idea to get all your clothes from one place. I mean, I want to look reasonably unique. Just reasonably.

Timberland, Levi's, Sunspel, Persol ... what else? I don't know. Those four are probably enough. With the leather jacket. / A Ben Sherman Harrington jacket? I'll think about it. 'Get the Baracuta one, boss. Like James Dean.' That costs three times as much, idiot!

Christ. I'm not made of money.

Oh, fitness? The dumbbells are giving me more energy, man. But maybe I need more sleep. Maybe six hours a night.

But I'm a busy man, man.

My music? I woke up too early this morning, but before going back to sleep I wondered to myself ... about those three world-beaters I need ... What should they be like?

Well, I went back to sleep and woke up an hour later with some pretty good ideas in my head about structure and that.

The moral of the story? Work while you sleep!

[No. 878] The boys are back a-ROUND

Julius, Elon, Mikey. Us cats are crazy!

And ... Ha![1], and guess who's back![1], and ... Ha![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[1], and guess who's back![2], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[2], and so human, but ...[1], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[2], and we are the greatest ... ever![1], and so human, but ...[2], and ... believe it![1], and we are the gr eatest ... ever![2], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[1], and ... believe it![2], and ... 'She was great!'[1], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[2], and, well ...[1], and ... 'She was great!'[2], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![1], and, well ...[2], and spinning wildly![1], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![2], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[1], and spinning wildly![2], and ... Jesus H. - !!![1], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[2], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[1], and ... Jesus H. - !!![2], and, yeah, yeah[1], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[2], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![1], and, yeah, yeah[2], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[1], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![2], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[1], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[2], and, listen ...[1], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[2], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[1], and, listen ...[2], and ... will I miss all this?[1], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[1], and ... will I miss all this?[2], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[1], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[2], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[2], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[1], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[2], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[1], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[2], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[1], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[2], and never ... mind[1], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[2], and, so ... this is our town![1], and never ... mind[2], and ... Ha![3], and, so ... this is our town![2], and guess who's back![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[3], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[3], and so human, but ...[3], and we are the g  r  e  a  t  e  s  t ... ever![3], and ... believe it![3], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[3], and ... 'She was great!'[3], and, well ...[3], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![3], and spinning wildly![3], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[3], and ... Jesus H. - !!![3], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[3], and, yeah, yeah[3], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![3], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[3], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[3], and, listen ...[3], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[3], and ... will I miss all this?[3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[3], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[3], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[3], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[3], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[3], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[3], and never ... mind[3], and, so ... this is our town![3], and

And ... Ha![1], and guess who's back![1], and ... Ha![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[1], and guess who's back![2], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[2], and so human, but ...[1], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[2], and we are the greatest ... ever![1], and so human, but ...[2], and ... believe it![1], and we are the gr eatest ... ever![2], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[1], and ... believe it![2], and ... 'She was great!'[1], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[2], and, well ...[1], and ... 'She was great!'[2], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![1], and, well ...[2], and spinning wildly![1], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![2], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[1], and spinning wildly![2], and ... Jesus H. - !!![1], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[2], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[1], and ... Jesus H. - !!![2], and, yeah, yeah[1], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[2], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![1], and, yeah, yeah[2], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[1], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![2], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[1], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[2], and, listen ...[1], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[2], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[1], and, listen ...[2], and ... will I miss all this?[1], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[1], and ... will I miss all this?[2], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[1], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[2], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[2], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[1], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[2], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[1], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[2], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[1], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[2], and never ... mind[1], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[2], and, so ... this is our town![1], and never ... mind[2], and ... Ha![3], and, so ... this is our town![2], and guess who's back![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[3], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[3], and so human, but ...[3], and we are the g  r  e  a  t  e  s  t ... ever![3], and ... believe it![3], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[3], and ... 'She was great!'[3], and, well ...[3], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![3], and spinning wildly![3], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[3], and ... Jesus H. - !!![3], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[3], and, yeah, yeah[3], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![3], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[3], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[3], and, listen ...[3], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[3], and ... will I miss all this?[3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[3], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[3], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[3], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[3], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[3], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[3], and never ... mind[3], and, so ... this is our town![3], and

And ... Ha![1], and guess who's back![1], and ... Ha![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[1], and guess who's back![2], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[2], and so human, but ...[1], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[2], and we are the greatest ... ever![1], and so human, but ...[2], and ... believe it![1], and we are the gr eatest ... ever![2], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[1], and ... believe it![2], and ... 'She was great!'[1], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[2], and, well ...[1], and ... 'She was great!'[2], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![1], and, well ...[2], and spinning wildly![1], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![2], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[1], and spinning wildly![2], and ... Jesus H. - !!![1], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[2], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[1], and ... Jesus H. - !!![2], and, yeah, yeah[1], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[2], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![1], and, yeah, yeah[2], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[1], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![2], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[1], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[2], and, listen ...[1], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[2], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[1], and, listen ...[2], and ... will I miss all this?[1], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[1], and ... will I miss all this?[2], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[1], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[2], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[2], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[1], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[2], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[1], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[2], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[1], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[2], and never ... mind[1], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[2], and, so ... this is our town![1], and never ... mind[2], and ... Ha![3], and, so ... this is our town![2], and guess who's back![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / and I'll tell you ... me and the boys love getting dizzy[3], and don't spread the word ... because this is private[3], and so human, but ...[3], and we are the g  r  e  a  t  e  s  t ... ever![3], and ... believe it![3], and remember that chick who used to hear voices a lot? / and, uh ... Joan was all right, I suppose[3], and ... 'She was great!'[3], and, well ...[3], and Julius, Elon, Mikey ... yes, yes, yes![3], and spinning wildly![3], and, okay, okay ... are we dressed to kill, boys? / and, ha, ha, ha! ... I know you are, Julius, mate[3], and ... Jesus H. - !!![3], and ... 'Put that sword away!' / and ... 'He'll have someone's eye out, boss'[3], and, yeah, yeah[3], and Elon's got one, too ... / and why haven't I got a sword?![3], and ... 'You've got a guitar'[3], and three chords, Voice ... and The Truth[3], and, listen ...[3], and by the summer ... maybe I'll be away from here ... maybe I'll be a free man, living large[3], and ... will I miss all this?[3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... I'll always have the dizzy life ... somewhere deep down in my soul[3], and you can take the boy out of the conceptual ...[3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... whatever[3], and maybe I should try spinning with dumbbells ...[3], and I've been thinking ... our Elon quite often looks out of shape ... doesn't he have a gym at home?[3], and ... 'He's too busy, Mikey'[3], and, busy? ... well ... our Julius was too busy fighting those Gauls ... But, of course, it must have been physically demanding[3], and never ... mind[3], and, so ... this is our town![3], and