Take Five

"Take Five" is a classic jazz piece first recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and released on its 1959 album Time Out. It became a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1961, at a time when rock music was in fashion. Composed by Paul Desmond, the group's saxophonist, it became famous for its distinctive, catchy saxophone melody and use of quintuple time, from which its name is derived. It is also known for the solo by drummer Joe Morello.

Upon his death in 1977, Paul Desmond left the proceeds for his performances and compositions, including "Take Five," to the American Red Cross. Since that time, the organization has received approximately $100,000 per year in combined royalties.

Suicide Is Painless

I'm learning all kinds of interesting things tonight.

"Suicide Is Painless" is a song written by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics), which is best known for being featured as the theme song for both the movie and TV series M*A*S*H.

Mike Altman is the son of the original film's director, Robert Altman, and was 14 years old when he composed the song's lyrics. On an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1980s, Robert Altman said that his son earned more than a million dollars for co-writing the song while he only made $70,000 for directing the movie.

Marilyn Manson, well known for recording cover versions, did a version for the soundtrack of Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 in 2000. He calls the original "more depressing and offensive than anything I've ever done." (I shrug.)