Portal theme parody targets Separation of Church and State

Zguy1217 · 7th June 2010, 09:07 AM

For anyone who knows about the video game, Portal, the ending theme has become a quick fan favorite for the quality of the lyrics and the skill of the singer.

Today, I happened across a parody of the theme "Still Alive", which focuses on the separation (or lack thereof) of Church and State.

The parody is entitled, "Still a Lie".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY8iP...eature=related

Safe-Keeper · 7th June 2010, 09:20 AM

Not that bad, but parodies should really follow the original as closely as possible, not make up new lyrics out of whole cloth.

Wowbagger · 7th June 2010, 09:37 AM

I think the parody has merit. Tighten up the lyrics. Inject more actual humor, and you can have a real zinger, there!

Regarding the original:

Originally Posted by Zguy1217

quality of the lyrics

Well, I dunno. The lyrics were okay, I guess. Especially for something that was presumably written by a computerized character. But, not exactly high quality.

Originally Posted by Zguy1217

and the skill of the singer.

No doubt about that, though: You can tell Ellen McLain's has got the skills, even through the digital augmentation.

Safe-Keeper · 7th June 2010, 11:01 AM

Agree it's a good song, mostly because of the black humour and the matter-of-fact way it is delivered by the game's sadistic computer villain

.

The idea of a parody has merit (in fact, I keep thinking the song Still Alive itself reads a lot like a parody of someting else), so I'd welcome anyone to have another shot at this. They can do a better job when it comes to the voice, too, someone else on YT posted a guide on how to make a computerized voice that sounds just like GlaDOS.

gnome · 7th June 2010, 03:09 PM

Huge fan of the original song... and no complaints about the lyrics...

As they burned it hurt because I was so happy for you!
Now these points of data make a beautiful line.
And we're out of beta.
We're releasing on time.
So I'm GLaD. I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned
for the people who are still alive.
Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.

Brought a tear to my eye... so poetically describing the psychotic computer's multiple motivations. But I get sentimental about strange things sometimes.

Alan · 7th June 2010, 03:38 PM

The original:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

Quote:

Aperture Science.
We do what we must
because we can.

I liked the parody. The quality of the sound wasn't very good, though.

Manopolus · 7th June 2010, 08:21 PM

The music sucks. Lyrics aren't bad, but I more envision them in a thrash metal band, for some reason. The problem is, the music sounds like some kind of hippie peace fest, yet the lyrics sound angry. These two things don't mesh well.

Safe-Keeper · 7th June 2010, 08:46 PM

They do if you know GlaDOS. The song makes more sense then.

Zguy1217 · 8th June 2010, 07:38 AM

Yeah, you have to know the original song to understand the connection. The parody either directly used the background music from the original song, or did a decent job reproducing it.

SOdhner · 8th June 2010, 10:13 AM

The song (the original) was written by Jonathan Coulton, and he plays it sometimes during his live shows.

slingblade · 8th June 2010, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by SOdhner

The song (the original) was written by Jonathan Coulton, and he plays it sometimes during his live shows.

I love his work. Especially Code Monkey and Creepy Doll. Someone set them, and several others, to World of Warcraft machinima, and they're super.

7th June 2010, 09:07 AM	#1
Zguy1217 Scholar Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 69	Portal theme parody targets Separation of Church and State For anyone who knows about the video game, Portal, the ending theme has become a quick fan favorite for the quality of the lyrics and the skill of the singer. Today, I happened across a parody of the theme "Still Alive", which focuses on the separation (or lack thereof) of Church and State. The parody is entitled, "Still a Lie". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY8iP...eature=related

7th June 2010, 09:37 AM	#3
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,533	I think the parody has merit. Tighten up the lyrics. Inject more actual humor, and you can have a real zinger, there! Regarding the original: Originally Posted by Zguy1217 quality of the lyrics Well, I dunno. The lyrics were okay, I guess. Especially for something that was presumably written by a computerized character. But, not exactly high quality. Originally Posted by Zguy1217 and the skill of the singer. No doubt about that, though: You can tell Ellen McLain's has got the skills, even through the digital augmentation.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

7th June 2010, 11:01 AM	#4
Safe-Keeper Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sogndal, Norway Posts: 7,121	Agree it's a good song, mostly because of the black humour and the matter-of-fact way it is delivered by the game's sadistic computer villain. The idea of a parody has merit (in fact, I keep thinking the song Still Alive itself reads a lot like a parody of someting else), so I'd welcome anyone to have another shot at this. They can do a better job when it comes to the voice, too, someone else on YT posted a guide on how to make a computerized voice that sounds just like GlaDOS.

7th June 2010, 03:09 PM	#5
gnome Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,873	Huge fan of the original song... and no complaints about the lyrics... As they burned it hurt because I was so happy for you! Now these points of data make a beautiful line. And we're out of beta. We're releasing on time. So I'm GLaD. I got burned. Think of all the things we learned for the people who are still alive. Go ahead and leave me. I think I prefer to stay inside. Brought a tear to my eye... so poetically describing the psychotic computer's multiple motivations. But I get sentimental about strange things sometimes.
gnome Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,873	__________________

8th June 2010, 10:13 AM	#10
SOdhner Muse Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 837	The song (the original) was written by Jonathan Coulton, and he plays it sometimes during his live shows.
SOdhner Muse Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 837

7th June 2010, 09:20 AM	#2
Safe-Keeper Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sogndal, Norway Posts: 7,121	Not that bad, but parodies should really follow the original as closely as possible, not make up new lyrics out of whole cloth.

7th June 2010, 08:21 PM	#7
Manopolus Metaphorical Anomaly Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Linn, Kansas (a.k.a. Dead center of Nowhere) Posts: 3,038	The music sucks. Lyrics aren't bad, but I more envision them in a thrash metal band, for some reason. The problem is, the music sounds like some kind of hippie peace fest, yet the lyrics sound angry. These two things don't mesh well.

7th June 2010, 08:46 PM	#8
Safe-Keeper Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sogndal, Norway Posts: 7,121	They do if you know GlaDOS. The song makes more sense then.

8th June 2010, 07:38 AM	#9
Zguy1217 Scholar Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 69	Yeah, you have to know the original song to understand the connection. The parody either directly used the background music from the original song, or did a decent job reproducing it.

8th June 2010, 10:04 PM	#11
slingblade Guest Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 23,642	Originally Posted by SOdhner The song (the original) was written by Jonathan Coulton, and he plays it sometimes during his live shows. I love his work. Especially Code Monkey and Creepy Doll. Someone set them, and several others, to World of Warcraft machinima, and they're super.
slingblade Guest Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 23,642