Day 7- A Song that Reminds me of an Event

So. I only chose one song today. But it reminds me of two events. So there's depth or something to it.

The first day I heard this song was a rather pleasant Spring day in my High School days. I was walking with my friends, Monkey & Shannon (I feel like there were more people perhaps). Monkey bent down & picked up a rather scratched-up looking CD. As it so happens, we were walking to his house. So when we got there he put it in & slowly this song started blasting out & we burst into laughter.

After many years of more or less not thinking of the song, in fact about a year into my Graduate studies, I went out for karaoke at the bar with friends. Several pitchers of beer & many disappointments later (they did not have the songs we most wanted to sing to our colleagues) we settled into this beauty. Whatever words I didn't know before I kind of know now. I remember looking out over the crowd, feeling like they looked mightily confused. & I thought, well that's something.

So without further ado... here it is in all its glory.

Day 6- Songs that remind me of Somewhere

An odd bunch...

My first job started the summer after my Junior year of High School. It was at a Taco John's. I was often a closer. Time feels different while closing down a fast food joint. It slows down & stretches on. There's always more to do... & most often all you have to look forward to is going to sleep & then getting up the next day to do it all again. My colleagues, naturally, would put on the radio during these times. And that summer/year two particular songs received prime rotation on their preferred station.

Hot in Herre- Nelly & Cleanin' Out my Closet- Eminem

As a result, the only song I distinctly remember dancing to at my Senior Prom (which I attended as a double date me & my best friend with the Prom King) was the former of these two songs.

The other songs I seem to link with my High School I link specifically with the gym.

Iron Man- Black Sabbath & All Star- Smash Mouth

The first I played in the Pep band, & the second was sung by someone in my gym class the first week of High School.

From my time in college there are many songs I will always smile fondly on, but there are a few which stand out.

I will ever associate Pfeiffer lounge with the illustrious In the End by Linkin Park.

I will never forget walking back from Dairy Queen with some friends & hearing their rendition of Common People inspired by William Shatner.

& I will always remember the last day before graduation, all the grades in & the official feeling of being done upon us, riding about campus in a friend's car & listening to a song I heard many times that year... Sheep Go To Heaven- Cake... we would often replace the line "goats go to hell" with "goats go to Cornell".

Day 5- Songs that remind me of someone

There's probably a whole mixed cd in my head for most of the people I know. But I'll stick mainly to family...

Puff the Magic Dragon- Peter Paul and Mary & M.T.A.- Kingston Trio

My Dad used to sing/sings for us around the fireplace or a campfire or just at night. He also plays guitar.

The Clapping Song- Shirley Ellis & Just my Imagination-The Temptations

My Mom sang these to us when we were little. Just my Imagination was usually reserved for when we thought someone was knocking at the door, & there ended up being nobody there.

Dreamland Express- John Denver & Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

We used to sing these together when we were young.

Still Alive- Portal

My brother, husband & I sing this song often in the car. Also it reminds me of the time we created the cake from an in-game recipe (leaving out some suggestions) with Francis.

Never Had a Dream Come True- S Club 7 & Kryptonite- 3 Doors Down

Shannon! One fine Valentine's Day we went to an Applebee's with our friend. After eating a decadent chocolate dessert, I headed for the facilities. As I was washing my hands Never Had a Dream Come True came on the radio. I was overcome with giddiness about its sheer corniness. I'm not sure the others understood what I was talking about at first. We left a tip spread out in the shape of a heart that night... The first time I heard Kryptonite it was up for rotation in Karaoke at Shannon's place. Neither of us really knew the song, so we did our best. We had goofy hand signs & everything, my fault I fear.

Another First Kiss- TMBG

This is my husband's and my song. Our song! Our first dance (really swaying) at our wedding reception was to this song.

Day 4- Songs that make me Sad

these songs make being sad feel like a great & awe-inducing thing...

1) What is Eternal?- Trans Siberian Orchestra

I can still remember the first time this song came on in my brother's car.

2) Everybody Knows- Leonard Cohen

Cohen's voice gets me every time.

3) Hallelujah- Rufus Wainwright (or Leonard Cohen)

I cried when I heard this the first time. Yep. It was while watching Shrek in theater.

4) Sometime Around Midnight- The Airborne Toxic Event

My brother plays this song often. It reminds me of stumbling around drunk in Iowa City, thinking how bright the lights were, & desperately searching for Robert who was getting gyros.

5) As I sat sadly by her side- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

This song was first introduced to me by a creepy guy. Nevertheless... it has beauty.

6) Fire and Rain- James Taylor

Classic.

Day 3- Songs that make me happy

There are going to be a lot of these...

1) Clint Eastwood- Gorillaz

The first time I heard this song was on a mixed cd my husband (at the time new boyfriend) gave me. I was working at Hardee's in Iowa that summer, & he was spending it in Kansas City. It was a good summer. Then I almost forgot about it until it came on in the car several years later. It was the day after New Year's Day, & my friends were driving us back from Texas. It was a good trip.

2) What a Day for a Daydream- The Lovin' Spoonful

Kind of reminds me of the last song in some vague way. I always think of this song when I smell fresh-cut grass.

3) Tweedlee Dee- Laverne Baker

The first time I had my husband listen to this song we were driving through the country just for kicks on a nice summer evening. We decided to stop at some small-town gas station just to buy bubblegum.

4) My Friend the Doctor- from Dr. Dolittle

5) There is Nothing Like a Dame- from South Pacific

6) I'm a Believer- The Monkees

One of my Mother's favorite bands when she was younger. Classic feel-good song.

7) Rockin' Robin- The Jackson 5

Day 2- My Least Favorites Songs

As a general rule I love all music all genres all groups. I don't have much of an ear for who is in tune, & tend to go for really unique voices with no clue to how the pitch is.

But I strongly dislike propaganda-type songs. Especially, of course, when I disagree with the message. And doubly so if they seem to either have the facts wrong or be twisting the other side's message completely.

The appeal to emotion rather than addressing the logistics, really gets me. Not just that, but appealing to emotions such as those that motivate revenge&discord rather than unity&peace. The claim that the other side must therefore be emotionally deficient as well as clearly wrong...

Here are a few of the songs, up with which I cannot put.

1) Have you forgotten?- Darryl Worley

What better way to make your point than to say those who oppose you must not be patriotic, or have a short memory? We must be right because remember how we felt really awful about that tragedy?

No, Worley, we haven't forgotten; but since you are using a tragedy solely to defend your cause, I would argue that you have forgotten. Ends rant.

Also for some reason they would always play this song at the Subway in Mt Vernon, IA.

2) We've got to stop the Mosque at Ground Zero- Trade Martin

This song bothers me only slightly less. And I think that's only because I didn't have to listen to it playing every time I wanted a sandwich.

Thirty Days of Music

I've decided to do this music blog thing. It strikes me as much fun.

Day 1 Favorite Songs...

A wise man once said that favorites change over time. Also, I am the sort of person who wants it all. So. I think I will share a favorite song from several of my favorite artists. And then, perhaps, discuss briefly why I chose it.

1. Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks- You're the Boss

These two have killer voices. Together, oh my! The song is also one of the most supportive-mutual-love-type songs I've heard.

2. The Courage of Others- Midlake

I am really into this band right now. It's my most recently discovered favorite band. I enjoy putting this song on when I am feeling especially weak/emo about my social anxiety. Even though it seemingly promotes shyness it also by the end of the song pushes me past it.

3. Joanna Newsom- Peach Plum Pear

I have loved this singer consistently for six years abouts now. This particular song has much the same appeal to me as the previous song listed. Joanna Newsom has an additional appeal to me because she got me through a dark time in my life. My first exposure to her was also through a CD given to me by a high school friend for xmas. He thought I'd like it, & he is brilliant. (Also this one actually has a pretty cute video.)

4. Louis Armstrong- What A Wonderful World

This man can always make me smile. This song will always make me happy.

5. The Andrews Sisters- Rum and Coca Cola

They rock my world.

So many others... maybe I will get to share some of them in the next thirty days.