Straight No Chaser

HOT. HOT. HOT.

Why am I saying that? From what I heard, the title of this song is related to heat, but maybe not the kind you're thinking about. It's this kind of heat:

These peppers are very, very, very, very, VERY spicy. In fact, you might want to get a glass of water before you eat this one. But in this song, you're not going to get a glass of water. That's why it's called Straight No Chaser.

You need me to explain, don't you?

Thelonious Monk was a jazz pianist known for playing things that were different - and for writing songs like this one. The style of music he composed was also probably not what people were expecting. Of course, being different is what makes people go down in history, but it's no surprise that a composer like him would throw in a hot pepper once in a while.

One explanation I heard for the title of this song was that you're going to eat something, let's say a pizza with piping hot jalapenos on it. Spicy toppings, spicy sauce, maybe even spicy cheese. The person beside you wants to get a "chaser" - a big pitcher of juice or something to wash it down with. But you want to be slammed with spice, so you say, "No chasers for me. I want it straight."

Is the title making more sense now? 

In later years, I learned that this was the child-friendly explanation, and that Monk was probably thinking of very strong alcohol. I still think about the spicy peppers, though, because Monk has a "peppery" style of playing.

The reason why I was saying this is that maybe you're feeling like -20° and you need something to brighten up with. Maybe you have been for the past day, week, or month.

I'm not saying you have to ransack the nearest container of hot peppers you can find, but you might need some other kind of hot thing. Maybe your favorite song or book or drink or whatever you like. This song is supposed to be spicy, so it might work.

Whatever thing you find, it should be a hot pepper, not a snowflake!

So.... do you have it yet?