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June 5, 2007

Why Isn't This Starbucks Playing Paul McCartney?

On your way into work this morning, you may well have noticed the sweet sounds of Paul McCartney's Memory Almost Full as you waited in line for your Macca latte. Hell you may have paid using the snazzy prepaid McCartney Card (an "undated handout from Starbucks," says the AP)...

And we wanted to join the fun! So after putting up Poly, we swung down to the Starbucks at 2nd Ave and 9th St, passing Parker Posey and her puppy (making us feel even less cool as she sauntered into Mud Coffee on 9th), stripping off our headphones to walk into a Starbucks playing ... nothing? No Macca!

Latte line was long, but we got our explanation: Of the over 10,000 locations playing Memory Almost Full on infinite repeat today, we picked the one with a broken CD player. We got a free Dulce de Leche out of it (sugary), and passing Parker almost compensated for the lack of Macca -- but in choosing the EV 'bucks, as the Bluths would say, we've made a huge mistake. But at least we get to look at Paul's sweet face all day! Actually, that puckered expression, reminding of us a certain impressionist...

Colbert is a bonus.

UPDATE: A liveblog from the front lines here at Starbucks -- soon after being told the "CD machine isn't working," the speakers began to emit the ukulele jig of "Dance Tonight." Mysterious repair? More like forgetful barristas. You're welcome, Starbucks.

UPDATE #2: Thought we'd let you in on our running misery...

2:16PM: The time at which, presumably, the Starbucks staff found that Memory was well-passed full. (They cut the music!)

2:17PM: The time at which, presumably, they got a call from Hear Now HQ. (The music resumed.)

2:18PM - ???: Songs from Memory Almost Full are played, individually, between 20 minutes breaks for the sound of silence. On our last trip to the counter, we asked if the barristas had stopped the Macca 'cause they were getting sick of the album.

[Laughs, glances furtively] Yeah. I'm a huge Beatles fan -- Lennon all the way -- but with Paul McCartney, it's something different.
Now the album is playing at volume level 2 (out of 100). Memory Almost Full is quite good, yes, but we'll be glad to never hear this record ever again.

Posted at 10:13 AM in
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22 Comments

Priceless. Parker is a bonus.

Posted by: Rygun at 06/05/07 10:29 AM | Reply
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Who's that as Ringo?

Posted by: jervo at 06/05/07 10:30 AM | Reply
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blue steel

Posted by: tables and chairs at 06/05/07 10:32 AM | Reply
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blue steel

Posted by: tablesandchairs at 06/05/07 10:33 AM | Reply
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Damnit Tables and Chairs... you stole my comment. Ohh well, I second that.

Blue Steel!

Posted by: Ethan at 06/05/07 10:34 AM | Reply
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ringo is robert smigel.

Posted by: brent at 06/05/07 10:37 AM | Reply
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i went to the same starbucks around 9ish last night, and they were playing some smoothed lounge jazz apricot murder jam,,,, and when i went to ask what was playing i accidently remembered i didn't care,,,, just saying last night that cd player was working fine. i bet there is some night at the museum type anecdote there. neverthudless, starbucks vanilla latte makes a good salad dressing.

Posted by: calebs at 06/05/07 11:21 AM | Reply
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Fuck, look at Paul's mug these days. I open the floor to your votes:

Old woman, or Tweety Bird?

Posted by: KingHater at 06/05/07 11:21 AM | Reply
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That's Steven Colbert as George...

Posted by: Mark at 06/05/07 11:34 AM | Reply
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Thanks for the Arrested Development reference. It is nice to know there are other people out there affected by a show so amazing while still being hated on by FOX and having its final episodes fired off 1 after the other during the opening ceremonies for the olympics.

You may sense some bitterness.

Posted by: Ryan at 06/05/07 12:48 PM | Reply
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Guess what?

I fucked Kitty!

Posted by: red at 06/05/07 12:58 PM | Reply
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Who, her?
She's as Ann as the nose on plain's face.

Posted by: amrit at 06/05/07 1:03 PM | Reply
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what really? is she funny or something?

Posted by: brent at 06/05/07 1:18 PM | Reply
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Dana Carvey NEEDS to make a comeback!
One of the best and underrated comedians/impressionist EVER!

Posted by: b.LOUD at 06/05/07 2:18 PM | Reply
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Good luck finding the limited edition version fucking anywhere. Best Buy doesn't carry EITHER one (no doubt, another one of their ridiculous boycotts), Circuit City has the regular one, and STARBUCKS themselves DENIED it even existed! Sorry, a little annoyed after driving all around creation to actually purchase a CD, rather than download it from iTunes, which I realize now I probably should've just done.

Posted by: Shaun at 06/05/07 2:35 PM | Reply
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Didn't Paul trademark his name a few months back?
Maybe its a licensing problem.

Posted by: The Skiddle at 06/05/07 3:19 PM | Reply
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I just blue myself...

Posted by: Scott A at 06/05/07 3:31 PM | Reply
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Picked up the album, listening through it now... Well, it's no Shitt Hott, but I think I'll like it better than "Chaos & Creation", it feels more dynamic overall. I guess as long as you don't listen to it on repeat all damn day.

Posted by: tk. at 06/05/07 4:06 PM | Reply
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Is Stephen Colbert ageless? Probably part of a celebrity virgin's-blood diet.

Posted by: Christopher at 06/05/07 4:24 PM | Reply
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Uh, yes Best Buy does have both the Deluxe edition and the regular CD. I got the Deluxe one at Best Buy this morning! Walked into Best Buy Cd section, there it was on the shelf in front with new releases. No problem. The Deluxe one is the one to get - great packaging.

Posted by: Barbara NYC at 06/05/07 7:07 PM | Reply
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Illusion, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money.

Posted by: Dane at 06/06/07 12:13 AM | Reply
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Or Cocaine!

Posted by: Scott A at 06/06/07 2:33 AM | Reply
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