"S.E.X.Y."
Holland Greco
Putting the Fun Back in Funk
with No Regrets!
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But if I never start, then I can always stop, for my eternal starting is my eternal stopping. Experience shows that it is not at all difficult for philosophy to begin. Far from it. It begins, in fact, with nothing and therefore can always begin. But it is always difficult for philosophy and philosophers to stop. This difficulty, too, I have avoided, for if anyone thinks that I, in stopping now, actually stop, he demonstrates that he does not have speculative comprehension. The point is that I do not.—Søren Kierkegaard from "Either/Or"
I've been running hot
You got me ticking, now don't blow my top
If you start me up
If you start me up, I'll never stop
Never stop, never stop, never stop
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
—Mick Jagger / Keith Richards
Now Brother Kierkegaard, or savvy Søren as he might have been known, thought alot about the deciding to go out, or whether to believe the girl, marry or don't marry, and he came up with nothing but regret. He was a philosopher, after all, and let's just say dating advice from a modern philosopher is about as good as a deaf piano tuner. In the long run, Kierkegaard's advice was not to go for it kind of ever, and if we all followed that advice the human race would be finished in a single sanctified generation.
Believe a woman, you will regret it, believe her not, you will also regret that; believe a woman or believe her not, you will regret both; whether you believe a woman or believe her not, you will regret both.—Søren Kierkegaard from "Either/Or"
I personally think the poor guy got hurt real bad, and it sounds like he is a bad choice to ask for advice about whether or not to go out dancing with friends in the clubs. But he won't shut up about it, and the next part of his little quote offers the same advice about hanging yourself, and that isn't helpful so lets just move on to The Rolling Stones.
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
Ride like the wind at double speed
I'll take you places that you've never, never seen
—Michael Jagger & Keith Richards
Now, I really thought these two would offer something we can use, but I personally think the drugs have gotten to them a little, and kind of picked a fight with subtlety and the drugs won! We don't need no "Riding the Wind" and any reference to speed is a red flag where it comes to clubbing. I have seen some wonderful places, but among the ones I have "never seen" are some of the really trashy places I don't want to see. And what is this thing they have about grown men crying, anyway? Sounds like they have been talking to Brother Søren and maybe got a little too stoned before issuing the advice from the Rolling Stoned.
So to hell with Søren, Mick and Keith. All three are lousy role models! One is an awful buzz kill who can't dance, and the other two are just drunks with a drug habit acting selfish and sloppy and self-important. Ipso facto, there is no real contest here. Without yet presenting her opening argument, Holland Greco has won debate! Let's listen to what she has to offer, because we already know it will be the only good advice in this review.
Now I know it may be a little unusual to start a review of a Nu Funk dance tune with Søren Kierkegaard and The Rolling Stones. It may sound funny, but I mean it and here is why. Brother Søren saw life as a series of choices — always at the crossroads — and he identified a certain truth in that observation. My brother taught Kierkegaard at Yale when he was earning his Th.D in Theology and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Kierkegaard represents those sages among your friends who would caution to make a list of pros and cons before going out dancing. And they sound so smart, but life doesn't work that way. While you are contemplating the meaning of things, life will pass you by. Rev. Albert Camus is a better choice, but ultimately I will side with Sister Holland Greco.
You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.—Albert Camus
And If we are not going to overthink our lives, and Deacon Mick and Alter Boy Keith are too stoned to decide, then Holland has a third solution that will satisfy both parties involved. She chooses to exercise her "phone a friend" option, because it is better to go out with a crowd to dance with friends where it is safe because friends won't let friends do whatever it is you really knew shouldn’t be doing anyway.
The unlived life isn't worth contemplating. Let's go dancing with Holland Greco. I swear it's not too late!
How do you solve a problem like Holland Greco? Well, that might have been my first approach. So, I am at this fundraiser at Bordello for the much-loved drummer Michael Jerome maybe 15 years ago. My favorite artists are there and Cydney Robinson and Buddy are performing that night, and several artists I know tell me, "Billy needs to meet Holland Greco." I learn that she was signed by Zappa’s label, and that is always a good sign. Last minute, Michael called to ask me to speak, and I did my best, but Michael would have done better. The music was amazing, but this Holland Greco character was slated as the closer. Wow!
So her slot comes up and this perfect doll appears in a 1950s wide black & white polka dot pleated skirt, flaming red hair, a great rhythm section and she isn't nervous at all. The drums and bass hit it HARD, and Holland begins to play... a ukulele! Seriously! And it rocked.
The real gift of the night was Holland's voice. She is pitch perfect and really knows how to sing like she wants you to get what she is singing personally, it works like a flash bomb taking everybody's attention by the throat and she won't let go. Now, she does all this ruthlessly, but also cute! How in hell does a body do that? I pity the fool who would try to turn away, but nobody was so foolish that night.
Fast forward: I left Los Angeles for a catfish relationship that tore me apart and became a security guard in the cold of Cincinnati's Night Shift culture, which is a culture of isolation and neglect. I read a bunch of audiobooks such as Homer, Proust, Dante and Joyce, but no music and no writing. And then I moved to Mexico, wrote 14 reviews, and got a Messenger text from Holland Greco!
I am obviously pre-disposed to listening and liking, but I was also raised Pentecostal and can't write about sex without raising red flags. So thank heck this song she sent is "S.E.X.Y.," and I will be emphasizing the "Y" and it turns out that's what Holland does, too.
Her voice I remember was great, but this is better than memory! I try to avoid comparisons but I fail this time and she is like: Helen Humes, Gwen Stefani, The Spice Girls, Christine from Redcar, Björk, Tina Weymouth, Hayley Williams, Melanie... Hold on a minute! Helen Humes had something to say about this sort of thing:
“I've been called a blues singer, a jazz singer, and a ballad singer - well, I'm all three, which means I'm just a singer'.—Helen Humes
Holland Greco reminds me of every singer in an upper register who can sing clearly over the band however loud and feel intimate with every listener in the room. Damn! She is just a great singer! From now on, I will compare those other singers to her! Greco has a fast subtle vibrato so emotional I hear it as a timbre and not a warble. That tiny fast movement in the tone — and a sweetly insinuating upward flip at the end of most of the phrases — draws me in. It sounds like the sweetness of a kind Canadian saying "eh?" at the end of each definitive statement, but in Holland it is “sexy.” I like listening to her. She sounds like a friend. Nothing about her feels threatening. She makes me happy.
“No one can penetrate me. They only see what's in their own fancy, always.”—Ray Davies
So from the gitgo, my take on Holland was that she must be a master of disguises, decked out all cute and approachable like the friend every wished they had. That must be a brilliant tongue-in-cheek façade crafted by her publicist and skillfully performed by this striking girl with stems that go all the way to the floor. Yeah, well I think I just outsmarted myself. I kept pressing and I flash the wonderful Ray Davies quote expecting a kind of "gotcha" moment, but nothing. She returns my volley with the following:
"I’m just a person with a song in her heart who loves the medium of songwriting, recording, and working with other artists. Song worship and creation…"—Holland Greco
With Holland Greco, in all of my experience of her, what you see is exactly what you get. She is incredibly cute, but I now find it credible. She loves people, and enjoys going out with good friends dancing, and there isn't a dark side or anything clever or cheap about any of it.
Holland Greco presents as a whip-smart, crafty artist who knows everything about the production of a modern song, full of intention and joy. She even included a hidden quote from the Psalms, probably to appeal to this clueless music journalist:
HOLLAND: S.E.X.Y. is a love letter to my friends and the extra fun confidence & strength I feel exploring life with them.
BILLY: Music cross betwen R&B and P Funk. Without the treacherous failure to pay the talent.
HOLLAND: Haha. I like that. We also referenced Zapp & Roger, Vanity, Deee-Lite, The Beastie Boys, and Tom Tom Club.With this song, it’s mostly a lighthearted, idealistic, joyful noiseThe music reflects what makes me happy and want to dance.There are great musicians on the track too. Shawn Davis really shines on the bass. Guitars and horns are live.I cleaned up the original demo tracks that were made with Starvon Washington & we added everything else on top. The demo had a certain authentic electroclash magic to it that I wanted to retain.
I was looking for some hidden twist, a diss, or something up her sleeve! Instead, I got a hidden Psalmaic quote and extremely smart, sensitive and crafty self-awareness. My tail stops wagging and I realize I have outsmarted myself, but at least I let the artist set me straight. This song is as good as virtue ethics to me now.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. ; Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.—Psalm 100
But what about the whole club scene? Isn't there some darkness in that? I mean I think there is supposed to be. I watched it on Entourage!
I have had quite a nice time in clubs over the years. And like you, met many talented musicians who’ve inspired me.—Holland Greco
She got me! Yes, I met many of my closest friend in Los Angeles in the music scene and never felt unsafe, and never had a problem that I didn't create myself.
So now I have listened to "S.E.X.Y" with a new set of ears, and it and Holland are absolutely delightful! She does in fact "make a joyful noise" in an inviting way to a social event this very night where there will be friendly people and dancing. I can see it now. Look! Over there to my astonishment Miley Cyrus is dancing with Mister Rogers! That Rogers can dance. Is he related to Ginger? Elizabeth Lea’s trombone solo gets a cheer from the dancing crowd! And look! The celebrated couple of Hollywood! Its Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg clearly doing some sort of tandem thing, though I honestly wouldn't say they are both dancing the same dance. They are dancing together and that is what counts!
One thing for certain! If you don't "go out dancing" or something like it, you may become like an old bitter Night Shift security guard in the cold of Cincinnati baby sitting a building. And that can make a person bitter and sad. When we go out and choose to be "sexy," that is when we choose to admit we have a body, and we might be grateful for what we have, or even what we have left in older age. Everytime I leave my apartment here now in Mexico, I live a little. I risk a little, but turns out people like me fine. I am not longer bitter. Yes, my friend, I was that security guard. (What a cheesy reveal.)
The club scene in Los Angeles always treated me very very well. I love so many people I met, and I even found out phenomenol singer songwriter Meiko has a last name and it is Sheppard! Being a security guard without music or writing and damn near no (non virtual) friends killed me a little everyday. And it made me doubt Holland Greco. So I listened to the song and liked it. And then I bought her earlier double EP, and discovered that Holland sings Funk, R&B, Rock, Pop, Punk, Indie, and Post Punk! She is the OG real deal as a musician, and she can sing a phrase with sparkle and personality over a loud damn band and reach across the footlights with her voice to deliver the song. And she is cute as a button, though that may be the opinion of an old man. I still say "cute as a button" because it has never yet got me into trouble.
Holland Greco knows her craft and she cares for her friends. This song is delightful. Holland Greco is delightful. I danced to this song on my patio today. I don't ever dance, so that it more than an endorsement, it is a minor miracle. And you know what? It felt really good to dance. I never did that in the clubs. Who knew?
S.E.X.Y.
Lyrics
I feel like makin’ a couple calls
To see who’s down to hit the afterhours
You know it gets better when the group is big
All of our friends are doin’ their thing
And if the kid looks fly, better say hello
He could be real nice and you never know
And if you feel shy
Hey, then baby, that’s cool
There’s room for you in the neighborhood
(Let’s do it now, don’t hold back let’s do it now)
We’re bustin’ out
(We’re bustin out, don’t you wanna join in and get down)
We paint the town
(Just gather round, let’s have fun like no one else)
Put on a fashion show
(So get involved)
Show me what you got
We’re S.E.X.Y.
Because we want to
Because we need to
We’re feeling S.E.X.Y.
Because we like to
Because it’s good for you
We pump through speakers the whole world round
From the big city to the tiny town
Reach new heights and it feels so nice
No fights. Get tight. So...
Drink your milk like a good little kitty
Makes a girl strong and the boys look pretty
Jet black hair or platinum blonde
We all shake tail and get along. C’mon.
(Let’s do it now, don’t hold back let’s do it now)
We’re bustin’ out
(We’re bustin out, don’t you wanna join in and get down)
We paint the town
(Just gather round, let’s have fun like no one else)
You like the sound
(So get involved)
Show me what you got
We’re S.E.X.Y.
Because we want to
Because we need to
We’re feeling S.E.X.Y.
Because we like to
Because it’s good for you
We’re S.E.X.Y.
Because we want to
Because we need to
We’re feeling S.E.X.Y.
Because we like to
Because it’s good for you!
You know it gets better when the group is big
All of our friends are doin’ their thing
And if the kid looks fly, better say hello
He could be real nice and you never know
And if you feel shy
Hey, then baby, that’s cool
There’s room for you in the neighborhood
(Let’s do it now, don’t hold back let’s do it now)
We’re bustin’ out
(We’re bustin out, don’t you wanna join in and get down)
We paint the town
(Just gather round, let’s have fun like no one else)
Put on a fashion show
(So get involved)
Show me what you got
We’re S.E.X.Y.
Because we want to
Because we need to
We’re feeling S.E.X.Y.
Because we like to
Because it’s good for you
We pump through speakers the whole world round
From the big city to the tiny town
Reach new heights and it feels so nice
No fights. Get tight. So...
Drink your milk like a good little kitty
Makes a girl strong and the boys look pretty
Jet black hair or platinum blonde
We all shake tail and get along. C’mon.
(Let’s do it now, don’t hold back let’s do it now)
We’re bustin’ out
(We’re bustin out, don’t you wanna join in and get down)
We paint the town
(Just gather round, let’s have fun like no one else)
You like the sound
(So get involved)
Show me what you got
We’re S.E.X.Y.
Because we want to
Because we need to
We’re feeling S.E.X.Y.
Because we like to
Because it’s good for you
We’re S.E.X.Y.
Because we want to
Because we need to
We’re feeling S.E.X.Y.
Because we like to
Because it’s good for you!
credits
released May 6, 2022
Written by Holland Greco & Starvon Washington
Published by Carpe Delirium Publishing & S1V Music
Producers: Holland Greco, Starvon Washington, & Joshua Lopez
Lead & Background Vocals: Holland Greco
Bass Guitar: Shawn Davis
Electric Guitar: Joshua Lopez
Keyboards: Starvon Washington & Joshua Lopez
Trombone: Elizabeth Lea
Trumpet: Dayna Drew
Horn Arrangers: Dayna Drew & Elizabeth Lea
Percussion: Holland Greco
Mastering Engineer: Mark Fuller
Mixing Engineer: Todd Monfalcone
Sound Engineer: Tyler Karmen
Art work by Somsara
Photos by Piper Ferguson
Recorded at 64 Sound & in Starvon & Jlo's private studios
license
all rights reserved
Written by Holland Greco & Starvon Washington
Published by Carpe Delirium Publishing & S1V Music
Producers: Holland Greco, Starvon Washington, & Joshua Lopez
Lead & Background Vocals: Holland Greco
Bass Guitar: Shawn Davis
Electric Guitar: Joshua Lopez
Keyboards: Starvon Washington & Joshua Lopez
Trombone: Elizabeth Lea
Trumpet: Dayna Drew
Horn Arrangers: Dayna Drew & Elizabeth Lea
Percussion: Holland Greco
Mastering Engineer: Mark Fuller
Mixing Engineer: Todd Monfalcone
Sound Engineer: Tyler Karmen
Art work by Somsara
Photos by Piper Ferguson
Recorded at 64 Sound & in Starvon & Jlo's private studios
license
all rights reserved
HOLLAND GRECO LINKS
Email: billymwb@gmail.com
Submissions accepted. Send a link, not a CD. Lyrics and artwork plus any information is appreciated. Access to artists for interviews encouraged.
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