Here’s Avril Lavigne performing “Girlfriend” on Saturday Night Live.

Here she is singing her other song.

I’d lay $1,000 on the belief that she’s not singing the first song more than 33% live. I’m on the fence about the second one. The following questions cannot be avoided:

• Does it matter that she may not be singing? You tell me.
• What’s funnier, the lip-synching backup singers who look like they were purchased from the CBGB’s gift shop or that Shia LeBeouf’s hairdo?
• How hard is the backup-singing keyboardist working on the second song? Would you tip him 18% or 20%?
• Do I win my hypothetical bet?

I look forward to your answers.

All-Star Jam. Wake up.

Take at least one, then pass it on!

What’s your least-favorite song that’s considered a critical classic by an artist you love? For instance, I love The Impressions and Curtis Mayfield, and many fellow Mayfield lovers salivate over his song “Move on Up”. I don’t. In fact, I dislike it.

What’s your fondest feeling toward a digitally stored file (eg, .mp3, .wav, iTunes format)? Please describe a particularly fond moment.

What’s the stock comparison critics use in describing a band that you feel is least appropriate to that band’s music? For instance, there’s an automatic mention of The Doors as a historical comparison whenever Echo and the Bunnymen come up. Sometime last year, I questioned whether Echo’s music was in any way like The Doors. I didn’t hear it – until Townsfolk jammed a few good examples down my throat. I still don’t think they sound much like The Doors.

Please discuss the most talented musician you’ve known who’s done almost nothing with his or her gift. For the sake of everyone’s feelings, please use a pseudonym in describing this person. What did they have going for them? What might you have expected of them in terms of their “Shooting Star” potential?

I look forward to your responses.

You may recall my earlier post on the growth that Oasis demonstrated while ripping off old songs for their 2005 album, Don’t Believe the Truth. Today, I bring you another example from that album, a little number called “Turn up the Sun”. Tell me if you don’t hear a widely expanded palette of stolen and hinted at musical ideas. Bravo, Oasis!