Line #20 Music/TheModernLovers


1	[[quoteright:430:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mlovers69_1287.jpg]]
2
3	->''"That's right!"''
4	-->-- Jonathan Richman in every one of his songs.
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6	Legendary ProtoPunk band from Massachusetts. The members consisted of Jonathan Richman and whatever musicians felt like working with him. Seriously, [[IAmTheBand he's the only official member of the band]].
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8	They started in 1970, trapped in obscurity. They recorded a few songs for an album that never got off the ground. They then disbanded, and got back together in 1976. This time they succeeded in releasing the album, with both the original tracks and some new ones they recorded. The self titled album is considered a precursor to PunkRock.
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10	After the album, Music/JonathanRichman started working with other musicians using The Modern Lovers name. They remained a footnote up until fairly recently, when they received recognition for being (along with the Music/VelvetUnderground and Music/TheStooges) one of the earliest inspirations for PunkRock. They're even given credit for jump-starting the UsefulNotes/StraightEdge movement with the song "I'm Straight," one of the earliest examples of the genre.
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12	Richman is also a familiar face in several films by the Creator/FarrellyBrothers. Along with Creator/TommyLarkins, he serves as the GreekChorus in the movie ''Film/TheresSomethingAboutMary'', sings the song "As We Walk to Fenway Park" in ''Film/FeverPitch'', and has a brief role in ''Film/{{Kingpin}}''.
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14	Two early members of the Modern Lovers had success with other NewWaveMusic bands. David Robinson became the drummer of Music/TheCars. Jerry Harrison joined Music/TalkingHeads as a keyboardist/second guitarist.
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16	Oh and their music is catchy and energetic. Think of Jonathan Richman being a less monotonal version of Music/LouReed and add a touch of romanticism.
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18	----
19	!! "I say Roadrunner once, roadrunner twice, I'm in love with TV Tropes and I'll be out all night":
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21	* AirplaneArms: "I'm A Little Airplane," where the singer imagines he's the title entity, complete with "nyyyow" sound effects.
22	* TheAllegedCar: The song "Dodge Veg-o-matic" describes the singer's car that won't run anymore, possibly because of its involvement in an accident.
23	-->See, the brakes are made of glass and tires are made of vinyl\
24	You'll want to take it back find out that all sales are final.
25	* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: The singer in the song "Hospital" is hopelessly in love with a woman he knows is bad for him. He realizes how foolish this is, but can't give her up.
26	-->I can't stand what you do\
27	Sometimes I can't stand you\
28	And it makes me think about me\
29	That I'm involved with you\
30	But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes.
31	* ArtisticLicenseBiology: "Pablo Picasso," with the line "the girls would turn the color of an avocado." Though perhaps this is to be forgiven, as this artist sometimes makes surreal use of color.
32	* CoverVersion: "Pablo Picasso" has been covered at twice: by Music/JohnCale, who produced the original version (on his 1975 album '' Helen of Troy''), and Music/DavidBowie (on his 2003 album ''Music/{{Reality}}'').
33	* DrivingSong: One of the most iconic pop music examples is "Roadrunner," whose quasi-improvised lyrics extol the joys of driving on the highway while listening to the radio.
34	* DrugsAreBad:
35	** "I'm Straight," which has the singer advance himself as a better dating option for the girl he's addressing than her current stoner boyfriend. In fact, the title itself could be a precursor to UsefulNotes/StraightEdge.
36	** "She Cracked," whose lyrics lament the mental breakdown of the singer's female friend. Drugs have a lot to do with her downfall.
37	** This line from "Someone I Care About" shows the singer's disdain for drugs.
38	--->Well I don't want some cocaine sniffing triumph in the bar.
39	** The horrible stoner [[WomenDrivers woman driver]] in "Stop This Car" tries to get her nervous passenger to smoke weed so he can relax. He's having none of it.
40	--->"Smoke some of this man"\
41	"And act like an ostrich with his head in the sand?"
42	* GettingTheBabyToSleep: The singer in "Not Yet Three" subverts this trope. He has obviously been put down for a nap, but wants no part of it, finding the lure of the outside world irresistible.
43	* GreekChorus: Richman serves as running commentator along with Creator/TommyLarkins in ''Film/TheresSomethingAboutMary''.
44	* HaveAGayOldTime: The lyrics to "I'm Straight" are about avoiding drugs, not addressing sexual orientation.
45	* HollywoodSkydiving: The song "Tandem Jump" sings the praises of a parachuting experience.
46	* JungleDrums: Played with in the song "Those Conga Drums," where an urban counterpart is encountered.
47	* KavorkaMan: Pablo Picasso "was only five foot three," but ...
48	--> Well some people try to pick up girls\
49	And get called assholes\
50	This never happened to Pablo Picasso\
51	He could walk down your street\
52	And girls could not resist his stare and\
53	So Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
54	* LighterAndSofter: By far the most wholesome and sweet-natured ProtoPunk band.
55	* OneTrueLove: Several songs by the group extol the virtues of a stable relationship, sometimes stated as a preference over casual sex. These include "Girlfriend," "Someone I Care About," "Important in Your Life," and "A Higher Power." A more wistful version is found in "Somebody To Hold Me."
56	* ShoutOut: The music for "Roadrunner" is lifted from the Music/VelvetUnderground's "Sister Ray." The song "Velvet Underground" is also an homage to that influential band.
57	* StopAndGo: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu3TvC9CH18 live version of "Ice Cream Man"]], restarting and repeating the last verse ''seven times''.
58	-->'''Jonathan Richman:''' Thank you very much, our next song is going to be one about - ONE MORE TIME!
59	* WomenDrivers: "Stop This Car" shows the singer trying to extricate himself from riding with a [[DrugsAreBad flaky stoner woman]] whose driving is atrocious. He even imagines the fish are laughing at them!
60	-->She's taken three red lights\
61	Four wrong turns\
62	She's got the leatherette seats filled with cigarette burns.
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Context Music / TheModernLovers