Comments on: “Plus Ones” explained

By: Don

Don — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:59:24 +0000

I am making a mix for an annual mix exchange party, and I am using this list with the okkervil song as the bookends. I had a good number of the references, but your list was a big help. Thanks!

By: Cynthia Closkey

Cynthia Closkey — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:23:02 +0000

Eric: I don’t know any about Ender’s Game aside from what I just read in Wikipedia. It doesn’t sound like it’s related, but I can’t say for certain.

“Plus One” sometimes refers to the additional guest a person brings to an event. For example, if I’m listed on a guest list as “Cynthia Closkey + 1,” I can bring a companion. That extra person is then called “a Plus One,” (i.e. my guest would say “I’m Cindy’s plus one”). That’s the definition I’ve thought the title to this song refers to; the songwriter uses the term in this way in another song on this album.

By: Eric W

Eric W — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:11:21 +0000

The song’s title reminded me of Ender’s Game. Is it an intentional reference?

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:03:29 +0000

Pretty awesome! I caught a couple of them when listening to it (97th tears and 100th balloons were most obviously), but this is cool.

By: Cynthia Closkey

Cynthia Closkey — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:20:10 +0000

Thanks, HMC! I’ve added a note. I should know that song and don’t. Buying it on iTunes right this moment.

By: hmc

hmc — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:49:39 +0000

“Let’s get lost. Let them send out alarms” is from Chet Baker’s song “Let’s Get Lost.”

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:25:31 +0000

No, you’re right, I didn’t know the Bowie or Zombies songs. XTC got pretty heavy airplay on WXXP back in the late 80’s, so not really that obscure at all.

By: Cynthia Closkey

Cynthia Closkey — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:05:51 +0000

Danielle: Ooh! That sounds like it would be awesome. I don’t think I’ve heard it.

Bob: I did see “What’s New Pussycat,” and I don’t know why I didn’t link to that. I guess I was too focused on the numbers. I’ll add it.

“Senses Working Overtime” couldn’t be more obscure than “TVC15″ or “Care of Cell 44.”

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:22:39 +0000

Not a numerical reference, obviously, but “What’s New, Pussycat” is a shoutout to Tom Jones. But you knew that.

I kept waiting for a reference to the 17th vestal virgin, or the 20th nervous breakdown. I suppose six senses working overtime would’ve been a little obscure.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:19:12 +0000

I am personally more fond of the Hüsker Dü version of “Eight Miles High.”