A playlist featuring "Weird Al" Yankovic, Molly Lewis, Monty Python, and others
FYAPDX and ATLFYA teamed up to provide Into the Wild Nerd Yonder’s Jessie with a nerdy musical education to aid in her new path to geekdom. Here are our recommendations to her (and to you!).
1. YODA by Weird Al Yankovic (FYAPDX)
Okay, she’s probably heard of Weird Al before. But hanging out in nerdy circles, Jessi should get used to hearing a lot of his specifically nerdy versions of songs!
2. An Open Letter to Stephen Fry (Live) by Molly Lewis (ATLFYA)
Lewis’ Chop Chop is probably more in line with Jessie’s D&D interests, but we think this plea for impregnation by geek icon Stephen Fry is a hilarious and irreverent masterpiece (and has the added bonus of teaching Jessie about Jeeves).
3. Galaxy Song by Monty Python (FYAPDX)
Another classic. But this is not only catchy, it is occasionally helpful in physics class! And establishes nerd cred quickly.
4. This Fantasy World by The Doubleclicks (ATLFYA)
This song about finding love through D&D could honestly be Jessie’s theme song about her relationship with Henry. We have a feeling that The Doubleclicks will be Jessie’s new obsession, and might even be worthy of taking up some of the space on her iPod usually reserved for audiobooks.
5. Still Alive by Apature Science Psychoacoustic Laboratory (FYAPDX)
One of the most quotable computer games of all time comes to catchy life in this song of pure delight. And you can amuse your friends by singing ‘I’m being so - sincere - right now’ in appropriately sarcastic occasions!
6. Finite Simple Group (Of Order Two) by Klein Four (ATLFYA)
Math-loving Jessi wouldn’t just adore this song describing love through math functions, she’d also be a little mad that she didn’t think of the concept first. Added nerdy bonus: acapella!
7. Why Does the Sun Shine by They Might Be Giants (FYAPDX)
Yet another song that hides physics help within catchy lyrics!
8. Do You Wanna Date My Avatar by Felicia Day and the cast of the Guild (ATLFYA)
This is about online gaming rather than tabletop, but most of the references are universal to any RPG. Jessie would love the cheeky spin on dating/gaming, and we think the outfits in the music video would serve as inspiration next time she’s asked to design costumes for her fellow players.
9. California Dorks (parody of California Girls by Katy Perry) by Skyway Flyer (FYAPDX)
By the end of the book, Jessie has learned to be less afraid of the labels put on people - she can love a nerd in white sneakers! So, she should really go crazy and belt out an anthem celebrating her dork-dom. Let your nerd flag fly, Jessie.
10. Mandelbrot Set by Jonathan Coulton (ATLFYA)
The Mandelbrot Set is a group of complex numbers where ‘c’... or rather, the sequence… erm, something about infinity. But since Jessie won’t have to Google this like we did, she’ll fully appreciate this ode to one of the more popular examples of mathematical visualization (and hopefully she’ll follow this song up with even more JoCo).