the book of love

this has been a week where there hasn't been much for me to say. my best friend, rachel, got in a very serious car accident and is quite lucky to be alive. when mortality is thrown in my face, i don't think it's really the right time to tell the world how it is. i think it is a time of reverence, reflection, love, gratitude. i couldn't justify any of my song ideas. they didn't seem important in the aftermath of the accident. luckily, it looks like she is going to be okay, but not without a lot of healing and time.

a few days before her accident, rachel sent me this magnetic fields song she wanted to learn on guitar. i got busy and forgot to send her the right chords. upon listening to it, i discovered a little gem. the lead singer's voice is inimitable. his voice may be the only time i've ever wished i was a man--more specifically, him. i don't know that i do it justice, but here is my version and an ode to rtp:

julia: guitar, organ, vocals

the book of love (originally by the magnetic fields)

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures
And instructions for dancing but

I...
I love it when you read to me and
You...
You can read me anything

The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb but

I...
I love it when you sing to me and
You...
You can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know but

I...
I love it when you give me things and
You...
You ought to give me wedding rings
I...
I love it when you give me things and
You...
You ought to give me wedding rings