I saw an intriguing post in my daily feed from BoingBoing entitled “Gibberish rock song written by Italian composer to sound like English”.

It’s about a short skit called Prisencolinensinainciusol from Adriano Celentano‘s, an Italian actor, show. His idea behind the skit was to create a song with American English sounding lyrics to put across what American English songs sound like to non-English speaking people.

I listened to the song’s lyrics while doing something else and couldn’t quite remember what the words were, but I could have sworn they were in English. When I played the song again and listened more carefully as they lyrics were sung you could make out that some words sounded like English words, but were clearly not.

In 1970, an Italian man recorded a song long before disco and rap that is very close to both, and then an unnamed person choreographed it for a battalion of dancers in a hall of mirrors. If the results are really as miraculous as they seem right now, and I am not just talking myself into something, it is precisely because “Prisencolinensinainciusol” is such a loving presentation of silliness. Would any grown performer allow themselves this level of playfulness now? Wouldn’t a contemporary artist feel obliged add a tinge of irony or innuendo to make it clear that they were “knowing” and “sophisticated”? It’s not clear what would be gained by darkening this piece of cotton candy, or what more you could know about it: it is perfect as is. – source The New Yorker

If that’s not cool enough, think about this – this video clip is from his show from 1972 – that’s 37 years ago. Now take into account the disco/rap style of the music – quite the pioneer, don’t you think?

As another year draws to a close – I can’t believe there’s a little over two weeks left of 2009 – Boston.com brings us a three-part post of their choice of photographs representing the year that was, 2009.

Even though there have been some amazing moments, around the world, during 2009 looking back at the three pages worth of pictures from 2009, one can’t help wonder – what will 2010 hold – will we see a similar array of photos next year, or will they be happier ones?

On that note – please be warned that some of the photos in the three Big Picture posts contain images which may offend sensitive viewers/readers.

The year 2009 is now coming to a close, and it’s time to take a look back over the past 12 months through photographs. Historic elections were held in Iran, India and the United States, some wars wound down while others escalated, China turned 60, and the Berlin Wall was remembered 20 years after it came down. Each photo tells its own tale, weaving together into the larger story of 2009. This is a multi-entry story, 120 photographs over three days. Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. – source Boston.com

Fireworks illuminate the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin November 9, 2009, during celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)