In Jokes

The other day I was reminded of something that I really enjoy – In Jokes.

You know, the type of joke or comment that only you and one other person get.
I love sitting with a group of people then saying something that only one other person will understand. While everyone else just wonders what the hell I’m talking about. It may alienate you more from most people in the room but it brings you and that other person much closer – having a little shared moment. Or you could bring everyone else in the room in on your joke and everyone can enjoy the moment. You do create a problem when you have a little joke with just you, yourself – it can be fun but everyone else starts thinking about booking you in to some mental institution or simply not inviting you around anymore because you’re too embarrassing (which may or may not be a good thing).

Anyway, another place I enjoy “In Jokes” is in music – where a performer will add something to a song from somewhere else that some people may not notice, or everyone may notice. Examples that spring to mind are Elton John slotting The Who’s “Can’t Explain” riff on the end of his version of “Pinball Wizard”. Or Jimi Hendrix launching in to “Strangers In the Night” in his guitar solo in “Wild Thing”. It shows they are thinking of more than just the music and the words!