When word (and proof) of Aretha Franklin covering Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" in concert made the rounds earlier this year, the Internet let out a collective giggle, since touching ReRe's body in its current state seems like a daunting task. I feel OK making that joke because Aretha seems to be in on it. In the clip above, she performs the song (forgetting the lyrics, of course, since she always does that with everything anymore) and at the tail end, wonders aloud what it all means: "Can somebody tell Mariah I can't sing that stuff? 'Wrestle me around?' 'Throw me on the floor?' I don't think so. You know, you'd have to go home if you come here with that. You'd have to get on up out of here."
I think that she knew this all along, and really, if there's anything that could make me love Aretha more than a cover of "Touch My Body," it's an examination by Aretha on how absurd it is for Aretha to be singing "Touch My Body." She's doing the work for us! It's live YouTube captured...on YouTube. [via Mariah Daily Journal]
i'm not sure the regard for truth is anywhere near as important as ideological agreement today.
Posted by: bar stools | July 17, 2011 at 09:36 PM
The photographs certainly added to the telling of this tale.
Posted by: leather sofa | July 17, 2011 at 09:38 PM
God, that is awful! I am so sorry for what you're going through. I have a full time job with partially paid health insurance and a house, but am in a great deal of debt. What a country we're living in these days, damn disgrace.
Posted by: hydraulic jack | July 17, 2011 at 09:39 PM
What a great story! Do you think things would have turned out differently if he had been armed or not?
Posted by: hydraulic jacks | July 17, 2011 at 09:40 PM
This was wonderful. I saw him, heard him, and knew him after reading this. Well done, and congratulations on the EP.What a great tale of shaky friendships, and lending a face, and a past to a victim of such apathy and cruelty. The monstrous idiots ate chicken before or after they killed.
Posted by: booster cables | July 17, 2011 at 09:41 PM
All my carefully thought out comment disappeared before I could hit the post button, but what can say to do justice to your piece anyway? I was very moved both by the subject and your writing, Matt.
Posted by: battery cable | July 17, 2011 at 09:42 PM
A tragic tale interwoven seamlessly with childhood memories. I wonder if either of you, as children, could have imagined meeting your end under these circumstances. I too have suffered a loss due to gun violence. You honor your friend.
Posted by: non-woven fabric | July 17, 2011 at 09:44 PM
This is a workshop of your life. I need to perfect that "writing my way to another life" technique!
Posted by: solar hot water system | June 18, 2012 at 02:35 AM
There is no free market for health care. What we have is a bizarre hybrid of socialism and capitalism which combines the worst aspects of both. Thanks for posting this.
Posted by: Solar heater | June 18, 2012 at 02:40 AM