I am not a country music fan... not-at-all. However, once in a blue moon, a country song will somehow find its way to my eardrums, and whether there is something about the song that somehow speaks volumes to me or I have listened to it so repetitively that I've grown to like it, I do have a couple that I am partial to; one of those being Jace Everett's "Bad Things", the official theme song to TV show obsession, "True Blood".
Yes, this is one of the few shows where I don't fast-forward through the beginning credits because I love the grittiness and roughness of this song. Now, because "True Blood" is returning this Sunday, June 10th (starred and circled on the calendar) for its fifth season on HBO, I got the song somehow stuck in my head without even having listened to it since the season four finale. But I'm really not that surprised as it is a catchy little tune, and not hard to forget. Here it is in "True Blood"s creepy, inbredy, hilly-billy opening credit:
As the story goes, Alan Ball, creator of the "True Blood" series based off the Sookie Stackhouse series written by Charlaine Harris, downloaded "Bad Things" off of iTunes as a filler opening credit song until they found one better. Well, they never found anything that the executives and creators at HBO liked better. "Bad Things" seemed to fit perfectly as the "True Blood" theme song (I agree), thus launching the career of Jace Everett who I believe was only a struggling artist at the time. Moral of the story? - Whether you're an artist of any kind: writer, musician, illustrator... the web is a wonderful place to showcase your work and you never know when an Alan Ball will discover you as long as you have strived for perfection and put forth your best effort.
Now, what happens to all previously recorded songs picked up for TV shows, they must be edited down to fit the show's opening credit format. Although "Bad Things" really isn't chopped up too badly, here is a link to the full version:
Like a flash... a blink of an eye... the speed of light... another season of the gory sexy HBO series, 'True Blood' has come and gone. The good news... there will be a Season 5, the bad news... well, if you haven't been paying attention, Season 4 is over and it's going to be another 9 long-ass months until June 2012!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! (I am not beneath immaturity when it comes to my 'True Blood'). BFF Steve and I even toasted the start of Season 4 with real True Blood drinks (carbonated soda made from blood orange drink) and is actually very delicious.
Now, I'm not one of those gothy types who just loves all things vampires. Personally, I think the 'Twilight' series is an abomination to vampire films and films in general (no, I haven't read the books and have no plans to do so). But don't misunderstand, it's not the whole teenage/vampire thing I have a problem with. I actually really enjoy the CW show 'The Vampire Diaries' for its surprisingly good writing and unpredictability. I'll give you a moment to stop laughing............ done yet? No?............... There are many things I feel makes 'True Blood' special, but what I think I enjoy most about the show is its intentionally, unintentional humor and the brilliant characters: Tara, Sookie, Jason, Pam, Bill, Russell, Lafayette, Eric, Sophie Anne, Andy, Edna, Alcide, Hoyt, Jesus, Arlene, Sam and more... all portrayed brilliantly by exceptionately talented actors like they were born for these parts. Here's an example of what I'm saying...
Now compare it to...
I'll say it again... EXCEPTIONAL!! Rutina's quick and slick deliveries also skimmed 15 seconds off the clock! A 'true' example of one of my favorite quotes: "funnier, faster, louder".
It should also be known that, except for the most recent book, I've read every Sookie Stackhouse novel by Charlaine Harris, and although there are some similarities to Mrs. Harris's series, the mega-genius Alan Ball, has created a dynamic world which improves the novels by leaps and bounds. Mr. Ball has taken the series' foundation and turned it into something the novels should have been in the first place (no offense Mrs. Harris); however, by doing this, each new season of the show is pulled further away from the adapted novel, eventually making the books only shadows of the HBO series.
Anyway, hats off to HBO, Mr. Ball, Mrs. Harris and the everybody on the 'True Blood' team for making Season 4 my favorite season yet. I cannot wait to see if they introduce any new "supes" in Season 5 because if memory serves, novel 5 doesn't have any. But Mr. Ball, if you're reading this (yeah, right) and are looking for a new "supe" idea, might I suggest a season of blood-sucker vs. blood-sucker (ie, vampire vs. chupacabra)? EPIC!
Born in Blood by Kate Paulk. $1.99 from Smashwords.com Vlad Dracul, known later in life as Vlad the Impaler, suffered more than any should at the hands of Mehmed, son of Sultan Murad. Of all the pain and indignities brought upon him at the behest of the future ruler of the Ottoman Empire, the curse was the worst. All the young Vlad can do is try to survive and plot his vengeance.
