By Shereen Masoud-Jointe, Account Executive (Europe)
In arguably the most eclectic week of HA Jamz yet, the wide range of Hoffman’s music tastes really came through:
27. Stay Beautiful — Taylor Swift
28. Money Money Money — ABBA
29. 人间 — Faye Wong（王菲）
30. Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 — Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Mark Pinsent, Managing Director of our office in Europe, introduced us to the “mélange” of genres that is Ian Dury and the Blockheads, who found inspiration in punk, funk, jazz and blues.
“Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3” (I have no idea what happened to Parts 1 and 2) is exactly what it says it is: a long list of things that Dury sees as reasons to be cheerful. I’m sure we can all relate to finding happiness in simple pleasures, particularly through these turbulent times.
Dury was regarded as one of the UK’s greatest lyricists. You’ll learn some uniquely British turns of phrases in the song’s lyrics. A particular favourite section for me is Dury’s lyrical agility in rhyming classic British sandwich filling ‘cheese and pickle’ with ‘Vincent motorcycle’ and ‘slap and tickle’ (the last phrase being one I’ll allow you to research yourselves!).
It’s not a song to be taken too seriously. But if it helps you find one or two reasons to be cheerful on your own, I think it will have done a great job. Enjoy.”
As always, you can follow along on our Spotify playlist.