Ask The Reader #3: Songs Everyone Loves

On my way to work this morning, I was listening to my regular a.m. radio show, Ace & TJ, and one of their call in bits was "Songs Everyone Loves." While no song is going to be loved by literally everyone, it's undeniable that there are songs that transcend musical styles, gender gaps, age, race, etc. I have now made it my mission to make a wicked awesome playlist of nothing but such songs. This is, of course, where I ask for your help, gentle readers. I will throw out a couple of songs that I believe "everyone" loves.

"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
"Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot

What have you got for me?

Mix CDs I Once Made

Keep It Tight
Bohemian Like You – The Dandy Warhols
Lollipop – Mika
Best Days – Matt White
She Is Beautiful – Andrew W.K.
12:51 – The Strokes
Everybody Got Their Something – Nikka Costa
Don’t Let’s Start – Common Rotation
Fat-Bottomed Girls – Queen
I Like It – Sammy
Together Forever In Love – Go Sailor
American Music – The Violent Femmes
To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) – Ryan Adams
Can’t Get Next to You – The Temptations
Ready To Go – Republica
What I Got – Sublime
Take Me Anywhere – Tegan and Sara
Canned Heat – Jamiroquai
Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen

Keep It Loose
Paint the Silence – South
I Found a Reason – Cat Power
A Love That Will Never Grow Old – Emmylou Harris
One Headlight – The Wallflowers
Not Ready To Make Nice – The Dixie Chicks
I Know, I Know, I Know – Tegan and Sara
Shelter – Ray LaMontagne
I Can’t Take My Eyes off You – Melanie Doane
In My Life – The Beatles
In The Sun – Joseph Arthur
Nobody Loved You – Manic Street Preachers
Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
Float On – Ben Lee
Glass Vase Cello Case – Tattle Tale
Love Song for a Vampire – Annie Lennox
Honey and the Moon – Joseph Arthur
I Will Follow You into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie
Nightswimming – R.E.M.

Doing it like Heather

Here are the top 10 songs I'm currently digging (in no particular order).

1. "Make Your Own Kind of Music," Mama Cass

2. "New Shoes," Paolo Nutini

3. "Rollerskate Skinny," Old 97s

4. "Girlfriend," Avril Lavigne

5. "Fidelity," Regina Spektor

6. "In The Sun," Joseph Arthur

7. "Goodnight and Go," Imogen Heap

8. "Float On," Ben Lee (a cover of the Modest Mouse song)

9. "Every Little Thing (He Does Is Magic)," MYMP (yep, a cover of The Police song)

10. "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)." Ryan Adams

Dear Katie,

sufjan 04
Originally uploaded by awaki.

You were so right about Sufjan Stevens. Man. I'm currently wearing out Casimir Pulaski Day, which means that I'm tearing up everytime he sings "Oh the morning when you finally go" and then DEAD by the time the last part comes around.

Oh the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications when I see His face
In the morning in the window

Oh the glory when He took our place
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face
And He takes and He takes and He takes

So yes, Sufjan Stevens. Highly recommended. Not all of his songs make you want to cry.

Meet Harvey...

Guitar
Originally uploaded by mrwalker.

So I assume that most of you don't know that I have acquired a guitar. Yes, the day we all have looked forward to or possibly feared is here. I shall learn to play and accompany myself whilst singing. Note that this is not actually MY guitar, though mine is black and tough. This is why I named him Harvey Wallbanger (the author wishes to thank Heather for the suggestion of Harvey).

However, as of now, I have no idea how to play or what strings are what. So, if anyone I know lives near me and wishes to help me learn, I will be most appreciative. Not appreciative in the sense of I can pay you (YET), but appreciative nonetheless. Seriously, I would really love it if someone could teach me how to play.

Music Meme

I haven't updated in awhile. I need to start updating more. I'm hoping that this music survey thing will motivate me.

I borrowed this from Newspaper Hack. Thanks and such. I also added a couple questions because I wanted it to come out to 25 questions.

1. A favorite political track “My Enemies are Men Like Me” – Derek Webb

2. One of those tracks that will make you dance on the dancefloor no matter what “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai, OR “Crazy in Love” – Beyonce. Yeah, I stole the 2nd half of my answer from Newspaper Hack. Seriously, I probably could be at a funeral, and if those intro horns started, I’d shimmy in my seat. I can’t control it. I HAVE to dance.

3. The song you’d use to tell someone you love them “In My Life” – The Beatles

4. A song you know would sell lots of VWs (or iPods) if they paid for it (one that hasn’t already been used) “12:51” – The Strokes Actually I have no idea. But I do know that if they used that song, I probably would buy it so.

5. A song that forced you to sit down and analyze its lyrics “Nightswimming” - REM

6. A song you like that a 2 year old would like too “Can’t Get Next to You” – The Temptations

7. A song that makes you drive too fast “Pain” – Four Star Mary

8. A song that makes you feel like kicking someone’s butt “Fighter” – Christina Aguilera Maybe not so much beating someone up, but this song does get me through the worst part of my workout every time, so.

9. A song that both you and your grandparents like “Beyond the Sea” – Bobby Darin

10. The song you’d send to someone you hated “Nothin’ On Me” – Shawn Colvin

11. A sad instrumental song that would be in the soundtrack to a movie about your life “Close Your Eyes” – Christophe Beck (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

12. The peppy song that would start the opening credits in the soundtrack to a movie about your life “Bohemian Like You” – The Dandy Warhols

13. An acapella song “That Lonesome Road” – James Taylor

14. A good song from a genre of music that no one could guess that you liked “Early One Morning” – Nana Mouskouri Yeah, English folk music from 1700s

15. A song you think should have been playing when you were born “Hard to Handle” – Black Crowes OR “Trouble” by Pink

16. A favorite artist duo collaboration “Portland, Oregon” – Loretta Lynn and Jack White

17. A favorite song you completely disagree with (politically, morally, commonsensically, religiously, etc) “Regulate” – Warren G and Nate Dogg

18. The song that you love despite the fact that your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it “Toxic” – Britney Spears

19. Your smooth song, for relaxing “Paint the Silence” – South

20. A song that you like but would play loud to annoy the neighbors “Transylvanian Concubine” – Rasputina

21. A favorite song that’s about a sport or sports N/A

22. A favorite track from an outfit considered a “super-group” “Take It Easy” – The Eagles; “I Saw Her Standing There” – The Beatles I wasn’t exactly sure what was meant by “super group” as that can generally have two meanings. I just went with “really, really famous and influential.”

23. the song that makes you want to drink more beer “Honey Don’t” – Steve Earle and other guy, OR “To Be Young” – Ryan Adams

24. one of the songs you want played at your funeral “In Christ Alone"

25. favorite Dylan track “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”

So what do you think? Like some of these songs? Hate some of these songs? Both? Hit me up with the comments.

If I Closed the Library at Night

I would announce the closing over our intercom using song parodies. I made one up on the way to work this morning to Semisonic's "Closing Time," which honestly took...not a lot of effort. Closing time is closing time, you know? You can find the real lyrics here. And I'll leave you with my song.

Closing Time (Library Remix)

Closing time-Open all the doors and let you out onto campus
Closing time-Turn all of the lights off over every boy and every girl
Closing time-One last call for checkouts so finish your papers and homework
Closing time-You don't have to go home but you can't stay here
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
Check me out
Closing time-Time for you to go out to the dorm rooms you will be from
Closing time-This room won't be open till your classes begin again
So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found your sources
Closing time-Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
Check me out
Closing time- Time for you to go out to the dorm rooms you will be from
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
Check me out
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
I know who I want to check me out
Check me out
Closing time-Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

November 23

This movie comes out on Nov. 23. Originally a Broadway play, the main original cast members (with one notable exception) came back to film this. I am really excited about it. I love the soundtrack, and these people are wailing for most of the show. Most people are probably familiar with at least one song from this show-- "Seasons of Love."

I can't wait to see it; I have plans with Heather to go.


...How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee? In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife? In 525,600 minutes--how do you measure a year in the life? How about love? Measure in love. Measure your life in love.

Music Recs/ CDs I Wouldn't Want to Live Without

So, I commute 2 hours a day, sometimes 3 if I have school that night. That's a lot of driving, which leads to time to listen to a lot of music, which luckily I have. However, even with a nice collection, I get bored. So I'm looking for some music recs, things you love and think I would too; I'm open at this point. I don't really like rap, but I like some R&B. Do not rec me either of the Simpson sisters. I love rock--indie, new, classic. I can listen to, like, 2 bluegrass songs at a time, but I do like it when it's well done. I enjoy approximately one new country song a year. This year, I've doubled that number with "Bless the Broken Road" and that one song by Keith Urban that was forced on me by ALL stations. I like old country-- Patsy, Hank Sr, etc. Also, Loretta Lynn, which...enough said. She is wicked awesome. To further illustrate my musical inclinations, I have compiled a list of CDs I wouldn't want to live without. I tried to keep it to one per artist, but I didn't with all so...get over it.

Alanis Morrisette, Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morrisette, Unplugged
Fiona Apple, Tidal
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
The Strokes, Room on Fire
The White Stripes, Elephant
Jem, Finally Woken
Rilo Kiley, More Adventurous
All Coldplay
The Killers, Hot Fuss
Madonna, The Immaculate Collection Vol. 1
Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
*Nsync, Celebrity
Britney Spears, Greatest Hits
Tegan and Sara, So Jealous
Four Star Mary, Thrown to the Wolves
Common Rotation, The Big Fear
Jars of Clay, Jars of Clay
The Decemberists, Her Majesty
Ray LaMontagne, Trouble
Zero 7, When It Falls
Spoon, Kill the Moonlight
Jewel, Pieces of You
Indigo Girls, Retrospective
Sarah McLachlan, Mirrorball
Flaming Lips, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Eagles, Greatest Hits
Beach Boys, Greatest Hits
Temptations, Greatest Hits
Remy Zero, The Golden Hum
Jeff Buckley, Grace
Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker
OK Go, OK Go
Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern
Waterdeep: Enter the Worship Circle
Hungry Collection (Vineyard)
Elton John, Greatest Hits
Essential Billy Joel
Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway
R.E.M., Automatic For the People



And for soundtracks:

Garden State
Clueless
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS)
BtVS: Radio Sunnydale
BtVS: Once More With Feeling
RENT: Original Broadway Cast
O.C. Mix 1
O.C. Mix 4


So there you go. Yeah, *Nsync's on there. Yeah, so is Britney. Deal with it.

Songs I Live In

We're, the vast vast majority of us, musical beings. We may not play instruments or sing or even have a basic understanding of what is good and bad music, which is highly subjective. But we know what we love, know what moves us. I've never met anyone who doesn't love some sort of music, though I'm told such people exist. I can't imagine living like that, but I'm always, at some level, involved in music. I listen to it all the time in my car, singing along 97% of the time. Random words like "ice cream" or "medicine" make me spontaneously burst into song. I live my life as though I were in a musical (also, points if you know what 2 songs those words will make me sing. Happy guessing!). If I'm not singing, ask me what song's running through my head. I'll have an answer, I promise.

Like everyone, I have songs I like, songs I detest, guilty pleasures, etc., etc. But I'm talking about a different kind of song, one that's, yes, different for everyone. I call them songs I live in. By that I mean, the song sweeps me out of time, in a sense; it appeals to me on a deeper, soulful level. It's highly evocative-- I feel desperately these songs. It's as if I've left and sat down in the midst of the song, cuddled there in the melody, assured by the meter, living the dissonance and harmony. I hold my breath at that dissonance; it's relief to have resolution. It's a deeper level of involvement; obviously, we interact with music all the time--kind of how we know whether we like it or not. But this type of song? It's captured in music some feeling you've endured, are enduring, maybe just will endure. It's a part of your life that someone else composed. And it's the music and the lyrics together that evokes your response.

For me, there are songs that I will always have that interaction with. Here, in list form (with some explanation), are some of mine.

1. Nightswimming, R.E.M.-- I'm betting those of you who actually know me are shocked by this. You know, or not. For me, this is the quintessential growing up and away nostalgia song. When I was in the midst of that whole time after high school when the people who used to know you don't anymore, I found it hard. Hard to let go. Hard to know that this was okay and that I was okay. I was, and this song helped me breathe more easily. I put in on, heard those opening notes by the piano, strong and beautifully though slightly melancholy, and was fine. Better than fine.

2. Don't Panic, Coldplay. Shut up. I loved it before Garden State. It's not exactly a happy song, but it's not depressing. It still manages to have hope. The guitars are, for lack of a better word, transcendent (to me at least). "Homes, places we've grown; all of us are done for" juxtaposed right beside "We live in a beautiful world?" Just, yes. I think a lot of why I identify myself in this song is because of my Christianity. Look around--things aren't so great. But there is still beauty. There is still truth--there is still God, and He is evident in this world. (Note: I'm aware that my feelings on this song are more informed by, well, my feelings than lyrics. I know. I just don't really care.)

3. Honey and the Moon, Joesph Arthur. This is one of those songs that I haven't exactly experienced, but I don't have to. The music, the tone, the lyrics, the atmosphere are all perfectly working together. "But right now, everything you want is wrong. Right now, all your dreams are waking up. Right now, I wish I could follow you to the shores of freedom, where no one lives." I've been the one who's wanting everything wrong before, I think. But this is my favorite: "We're made out of blood and rust, looking for someone to trust without a fight." That's not all I'm looking for, but I've been burned enough to know that finding someone to trust implicitly and naturally isn't as easy as I thought it was and wanted it to be.

4. Hallelujah. Originally by Leonard Cohen. Because of Shrek, a lot of people only know the Rufus Wainwright version. The Jeff Buckley version is my favorite, and pretty well known on its own, because he is literally singing that song out of experience, heart, pathos, what have you. He knows that song or is really good at pretending. "It goes like this-- the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift." Music as metaphor? Goes along quite nicely with what I'm trying to say.

5. Walk On, U2. The only baggage that you can bring is all that you can't leave behind. All that you fashion, all that you make, all that you build, all that you break, all that you measure, all that you feel-- all this you can leave behind. Walk on. Also, I love U2.

So, there you go. Anybody got one he or she wants to share?

Extraordinary Machine

Fiona Apple's 3rd cd, Extraordinary Machine, was released yesterday. I wasn't able to get it until this morning, and then I really couldn't listen to it all on my drive to work, which grr. BUT, I can say that you should own it. I'm an Fiona fan, so bias and such, but it's incredible. And when/if you get it? Listen to track 11, Not About Love, because. Wow.

Poetry of the worldly flavor

I bought these two collections of poetry from Amazon last week, and they came yesterday. It should be known that I love poetry-- reading, writing, interpreting, etc. Love it. I was an English major in college, and I should have read these 2, especially in my Modern Poetry class. In all fairness, we did read 1 Akhmatova poem. But, just one?

Of course, I am really interested in Russian literature and poetry in general. Their culture is far older than ours, and I think it's more steeped in pathos because of that. It's gorgeous and with a mystical, weighty old feeling to it -- it's as if it has a patina. And Neruda is obviously one of the greatest love poets ever. You can disagree with me, and I'll be cool about it, but I don't think I'll ever change my mind. I can read some of his poetry in the original Spanish--it's gorgeous. I'm really interested in more poets that aren't American or British--anybody have some recommendations?