Which is to say, it’s still a pretty good video.

Anyway, here’s the tune (no official video).

Constituent parts after the jump.

The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Jay-Z – What More Can I Say?

(editor’s note: I couldn’t find the original video, if it exists. There are a host of fan-created ones such as this. It’s the music that matters.)

As usual, an oldie but a goodie. Probably inspired by an idiotic decision to spend some time playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which is essentially one long, interactive, game version of that leaked video of US helicopter pilots murdering journalists and civilians. The sequel, which has been one of the best-selling media properties ever, apparently has a section where you take on the role of a terrorist and murder civilians in an airport.I mean, I get it that it’s a sick, violent world out there and that we’re all partly responsible by allowing it to happen, but sheesh!

The insidious part for me (and the reason I say it was an idiotic decision), is how bloody addictive this and the other Call of Duty games are, and not to note that it’s extremely fun to play would be remiss. The originals were set in World War II, and while many people feel little remorse for killing lots and lots of Nazis, a game, even one that’s fictionalized, set in a modern war with middle eastern terrorists is just a little too close for comfort. It really is stuff like this (masterfully, artfully created) game that programs our perceptions of violent conflict.

(Editor’s note: I’m not sure if this is the original video, but it’s the only one I could find.)

Here’s a video for the lead single, Maybe So, Maybe No. It features a bunch of iconic LA spots, from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica skate park to Crane’s Tavern in Hollywood.

Listen to the full song here.

The second track, called Dimethyltryptamine, is a heavy hitter, politically and visually. Be warned there is some disturbing imagery.

I keep coming back to K’Naan’s second album, Troubadour, as a place to remember why music is made in the first place – to tell stories. The song “Fatima” was playing on repeat in my head when the alarm/call from the photo lab/text from my sister all went off at the same time. There’s no video, but here is a decent version of the track.

Also, if you have 45 minutes to kill, watch this fascinating and moving in-studio performance/interview on KCRW:

Anyway, this tune is off of Petty’s “Wildflowers” album, which is excellent and stands the test of time. I unfortunately couldn’t find a video embed with the uncensored lyrics, so at the part where he sings, “Let’s get to the point/let’s roll another note” – well, I think we all know what he’d really be rolling.