Every week for a year Coulton released a new song for free on his website as part of his Thing a Week podcast, on topics as diverse as vengeful nerds, self-loathing giant squid, partially-imagined historical figures, and devotees of a certain Swedish prefab furniture store. The Thing a Week project is now complete, and all songs can be streamed from his official website. Many of the songs on the site can be downloaded for free. The song "Code Monkey" became the theme song to the G4 television show Code Monkeys.
Coulton's song "Still Alive" has been featured in Valve Software's game Portal (and has become a hit among the gamers who finished the game) . He also made a recording of this song called the "J.C. Mix" which is exactly the same except he is singing rather than Ellen McLain as GLaDOS. "Still Alive" went on to be featured in the game Rock Band, as well as Skullcrusher Mountain and Re: Your Brains
Resolutions
Jonathan Coulton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
I won't tease dogs - even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.
I will drink milk and water, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses.
I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day - at the most - on these activities.
I will wipe negative "self talk" (i.e. "I can't do it" or "I'm so dumb") out of my vocabulary.
When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk with an adult about my choices.
I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence.
I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day.
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Happy New Year
The song "Resolutions" by Jonathan Coulton is a humorous take on the promises we make to ourselves at the start of a new year. The lyrics detail a list of resolutions, ranging from personal hygiene (brushing teeth and washing hands) to safety precautions (wearing a helmet while cycling and using a seatbelt in a car). There are also suggestions for healthy habits such as drinking milk and water, eating fruits and vegetables, finding a physical activity to enjoy, and limiting screen time. Coulton emphasizes the importance of self-talk and positive thinking, encouraging listeners to wipe out negative thoughts and ask for help when needed.
Overall, the song presents a lighthearted and relatable approach to the concept of New Year's resolutions. Many of the resolutions listed are common and straightforward, yet often difficult to commit to for the long term. By pairing these aspirational goals with playful lyrics and catchy melodies, Coulton offers a fresh perspective on the challenges of self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
I will clean up my toys.
I will take responsibility for keeping my belongings organized.
I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
I will practice good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of germs and maintain oral health.
I won't tease dogs - even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.
I will respect animals and learn how to safely interact with them to avoid injury or discomfort.
I will drink milk and water, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
I will prioritize healthy hydration by choosing water and non-sugary beverages in moderation.
I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses.
I will protect my skin from harmful UV rays to prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
I will prioritize physical activity in my life and find ways to make it fun and enjoyable.
I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
I will prioritize my safety while engaging in physical activity and take necessary precautions to prevent injury.
I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
I will prioritize my safety while traveling in a car and follow age-appropriate guidelines for car seat use and positioning.
I'll be nice to other kids. I'll be friendly to kids who need friends - like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.
I will prioritize kindness and empathy towards others and be inclusive towards those who may need my support or friendship.
I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
I will prioritize my overall health and wellness by making healthy choices for my body.
I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day - at the most - on these activities.
I will be mindful of the media I consume and limit my screen time to prioritize other activities and social interactions.
I will wipe negative "self talk" (i.e. "I can't do it" or "I'm so dumb") out of my vocabulary.
I will prioritize positive self-talk and challenge negative self-talk to build self-confidence and resilience.
When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
I will learn healthy coping strategies to manage stress and prioritize my mental and emotional well-being.
When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk with an adult about my choices.
I will seek guidance and support from trusted adults when facing challenging situations or decisions.
I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence.
I will prioritize healthy and respectful relationships and avoid unhealthy or harmful behaviors towards others.
I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day.
I will prioritize balanced and nutritious eating habits to support my overall health and well-being.
Contributed by Alexander C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.