On the Occasion of Reaching 90,000 Twitter Followers
Posted on October 29, 2015 Posted by John Scalzi 54 Comments
I noticed I was less than 30 followers away from 90K Twitter followers a little bit ago, and said if we reached 90K in 20 minutes I would murder an 80s song (in retrospect I should have murdered a 90s song, but, well, whatever). I had barely tweeted that when I crossed the 90k threshold. So, fine. Here you go: Me murdering an 80s song.
I will note that live, the original singer of this song couldn’t reliably hit that high note, either. Enjoy.
Better’n I coulda done. Congrats!
A bunch of us should UnFollow John, then ReFollow him so he has to do this again…and again…and again. Wait a minute, I didn’t think this through…
What happened then
Leave it to the twins … please!
For 90k followers, you probably should have murdered something from the 90s.
*Listens* Hmm… maybe something by The Cure when you hit 100k. Your voice seems to have a bit of a Robert Smithy quality to it on this song.
Now off to Google, because I know I know who did that song, I just can’t remember.
The accent is awesome. You and Neil Gaiman should do a duet of Duran Duran covers.
Like that bit where Spock mind-melds with the Horta: “Pain!!!”
No, seriously dude… Don’t do that again. Please? But congrats on the 90K. :)
Yes, I’m having an emotion. Definitely. Just not sure which one. Possibly more than one….
egl: That’s the Thompson Twins, “Hold Me Now,” from the Into the Gap album, 1984. Yeah, I had it on vinyl (and now have it on CD). :-)
If you were going to murder an 80s song, it should have been “Take on Me.”
Which instrument is this? Is this on the tenor guitar? Acoustic or amplified?
…I don’t think it’s dead. Maybe a mild head-cold? A papercut?
Jim Clark:
Tenor Guitar, with some reverb and chorus added in post.
Jessica:
I had the thought. I’ll save it for later.
Hands up everyone who sang the backup part in the same bad British accent… (waving my hands in the air like I just don’t care)
I like it! I’ve never heard the original, so I’m coming at it fresh.
On a somewhat related note- does anybody have a place I can out these 30 ‘new egg’ Twitter accounts?
When you say that it’s our fault you did this, I really feel that you’re blaming the victims here.
Came for the “whoa-o-o,” leaving satisfied. Overdub the backup vocals and MeMu this!
Agreed Mark Fletcher… The willing victims. hahahaha…
Yep, you murdered it. Time to get out the pop and the Clorox!
Actually, having had to miss meeting with some long time friends because the famed English common cold has got me firmly in its grip, I was in need of some cheer, and there’s nothing quite like murdering an 80’s power ballad in general, and the Thompson Twins in particular, to lift the spirits. So, thank you to all the people who pushed you past 90,000, and thank you for giving it a go. I have also raised my hand to confess to croaking the back up bit in a bad British accent; just because I’m British doesn’t mean I can’t croak along…
That’s…that’s actually not nearly as much murder as I was expecting.
If you get to 100,000 followers, do we get another song murder?
I can take the Thompson Twins or leave them, but you know what that actually reminded me of?
Mott the Hoople’s Ian Hunter. I bet you’d do a killer version of “All the Young Dudes.”
You’re out of your mind. That’s better than the original, and I’m willing to fight about it.
I am now having another glass of wine. A rather *generous* pour, if I may say so…
That actually wasn’t bad. And it’s amazing how much you sound like Tom Bailey. Though I imagine an actual Brit would disagree.
Thanks for the ear worm…..
in your loving arms….
The Elvis bit at the end was a nice touch.
Not so bad! I saw what remains of The Thompson Twins on tour with the Retro Futura tour over the summer (it’s just Tom now – he didn’t do a whole lot better than you did). Maybe you and Bill could duet for the next milestone?
I’m with Mary K. Not nearly as bad as you made it out to be.
You actually have quite a charming singing voice. I listened to the whole thing and didn’t feel any pain doing so. :)
How incredibly sweet!
That’s really not as bad as you led me to believe it would be. I liked it.
Just got an email. That’s being added to the playlist on Coffeehouse on Sirius/XM tomorrow.
I really like the tenor guitar sound. You and Neko Case, dude.
Well “I” liked it…!
Other than your voice going a little sharp in a few places & a tinny quality to your voice, I don’t think you murdered this song. I actually like it better than the original
[Deleted because off topic. Please don’t put off-topic comments in comment threads. – JS]
Murder? Puuleeez. The best the prosecution could hope for is attempted murder. Give that song an ice pack and some ibuprofen and it’ll be up and around in no time.
Pretty damn good, but I have to admit i was hoping for Quarterflash, Harden My Heart.
First time I’ve understood the lyrics in that song.
Hmm. Won’t play on my phone. Is there a youtube link/mp3 file download anywhere?
I was pleasantly surprised! Good job. I was expecting “Take On Me” by A-Ha after the “high note” comment.
You’re slaying me with that adorable accent!
I must have a tin ear because I was very impressed. What a Renaissance man. Forgot how much I liked that song- but you didn’t include it on your album!
“I had the thought. I’ll save it for later.”
Don’t run away and let us down, now that you’ve put that out there.
I was half expecting “She Bop”
I enjoyed it a bunch. It brought a smile to my normal “grumpy cat” visage.
Aha! So, my nefarious plan has come to fruition! I knew this was going to happen when I started following you a couple of years ago!
No, seriously… not that bad. And like Astra, the first time I ever understood the words.
I found this curiously calming.
That was actually most excellent!
Never having heard you sing before (I know I am behind the times), I just want to know…do you always sing with a not quite English, but nowhere in the US accent? Good job, not murder, maybe a little felonious assault.
Your accent is remarkable, especially if you didn’t practice it, but only aped the sounds of the original artist. Also, as a kid of the eighties, I really like your version of the song. Acoustic suits it.