VLVL2 (2): flawed Readings

[Paul Mackin]

On Sun, 2003-07-27 at 12:40, Tim Strzechowski wrote:
> Right, and let's face it, part of the fulfillment when discussing literature
> comes from acknowledging and exploring these various readings which are
> based on the experiences and literary "baggage" that we *all* bring to the
> reading.  Pynchoniod's background with counterculture issues will help
> inform his reading of VL just as my background with pop culture will inform
> my reading of VL.  Keith's experience with incest informs his reading of PF
> and ... well, bad example, there.
> 
> But you get the point.


I don't know if this is true, but it reminds me of an old Rodgers and
Hart song:

Johnny could only sing one note
And the note he sings was this
Ah!

Poor Johnny one-note 
sang out with "gusto"
And just overlorded the place
Poor Johnny one-note 
yelled willy nilly
Until he was bleu in the face
For holding one note was his ace

Couldn’t hear the brass
Couldn’t hear the drum
He was in a class
By himself, by gum!

Poor Johnny one-note
Got in Aida
Indeed a great chance to be brave
He took his one note
Howled like the North Wind
Brought forth wind that made critics rave,
While Verdi turned round in his grave!

Couldn’t hear the flute
Or the big trombone
Ev’ry one was mute
Johnny stood alone.

Cats and dogs stopped yapping
Lions in the zoo
All were jealous of Johnny's big trill
Thunder claps  stopped clapping,
Traffic ceased its roar,
And they  tell us  Niag’ra stood still.
He stopped the  train whistles,
Boat whistles,  
steam whistles,
Cop  whistles, 
all  whistles  bowed to his skill

Sing  Johnny One-Note,
Sing out  with "gusto" and
Just overwhelm all the crowd
Ah!
So sing Johnny One-Note, out loud!!
Sing  Johnny One-Note
Sing  Johnny One-Note out loud!