Journal janeowit's Journal: It was like friggin' Sophie's Choice: A to Z meme 7
This was really hard. You forgot to tell me how hard this was going to be. And yes, it took me this long to decide. My songs are like my childrens. But after much thought I finally came up with the A to Z list. And as tend to do when you get me started on music, I couldn't shut up. I had to tell you why I picked each song. So here you are, enjoy. I really recommend checking these songs out. (But you are probably going to ignore this.)
Oh and I know, some of these artist are popular. But you made me pick, and I wasn't going to pick a worse song just because you hadn't heard of the group. I do listen to some popular artists, when they are so spectacular and original that I can't just find me a Minneapolis version like I can for almost everything that gets played on the radio. Because I've probably tried, and decided I can't live without these artists.
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"Get Your Studyhall Outta My Recess"- Dilinger Four -Ok, as long as I have several songs that start with non-alphanumeric character like parentheses and quotation marks I thought I could pick one. To the untrained ear, all Dillinger Four songs sound the same, so this one will do as well as any other so I won't have to worry about them later.
99 Lives- The Pettit Project- There is nothing like a well thought out and executed analogy about dating being like one giant video game. It references Super Mario Brothers, Mega Man, and Mortal Kombat. "You're the princess and last boss at the same time "
All Ears-The New Amsterdams- I've already mentioned that this is my number one most played song for a reason. I think we've all been there, at the point where standard communication has failed, and you are purposely going to make the person angry just to get something out of them.
Birdhouse In Your Soul- They Might Be Giants- There are not enough perfect songs in the world. Songs that make you sit back and say, "There's nothing I would change about the song and the way it makes me feel". This is one of them.
Chocolate-Snow Patrol- When I first heard this song I thought that it was something I should like, then I heard it again and thought I really liked the music, but not the lyrics. Then the lyrics grew on me. It is also one of the perfect songs; it just took me a while to realize it.
Don't Look So Surprised-Vicious Vicious - This song is so close to being perfect. If only we could cut the last 3 minutes of self-indulgent sleigh bells and the voice sampling. Then it would be perfect. Instead we get a beautiful song that is flawed in a way that doesn't make sense to us, just like the girl he sings about.
Everybody to the Limit- Strong Bad- What isn't there to love about this song? I mean, I asked my friend Joe, I asked my friend Jake, they said was fhqwhgads.
Fuck and Run- Liz Phair- Despite the obvious difference between me and Liz Phair here, I really get it. And I know exactly what she's talking about. "I want a boyfriend. I want all that stupid old shit like letters and songs. And I can feel it in my bones I'm going to spend my whole life alone."
Glitter & Twang- Tullycraft- I swear this song is about me, except it's not. It is about the me I wish I could be. The quirky girl who is slowly stealing your heart. I do think I have pink and purple in my soul.
Holiday- Olympic Hopefuls- This song is great. Is that enough? It is just fun and uncomplicated, but musically complex. And who cares if the band was forced to change their name for copyright infringement? It's not my fault The Hopefuls just sounds dumb. ,
Impossible Outcome- The Get Up Kids- The eternal optimism of youth in song form. "My dreams aren't premonitions 'cause I'm dreaming of impossible outcomes. "
Jesus Are You Real- Mason Jennings- It's thoughtful and human, and you don't have to be religious to get it, or to like it. I think. Remind me to post the lyrics sometime.
Kiss Off- Violent Femmes- These guys are breaking strings and other things rocking out the acoustic guitar. And I swoon.
Last Blast Off- Small Towns Burn A Little Slower- I love this song because it reminds me off all the great times I had with my brother when I was a little kid, what I wouldn't have done to spend time with him. "And even when all your friends are gone, I will be here still, because I am your brother."
Monica Faust- Mandrew- I don't really know why I feel so strongly about this song. Musically it isn't that special. Lyrically it isn't groundbreaking. It's just another song about a guy in love with an odd, odd girl. But if you have to listen to a song about a guy in love with a girl who scratches the eyes out of pictures because they're looking into her soul, I guess it would be this one.
No One Else- Weezer- Talk about asking too much, "I want a girl who will laugh for no one else". As with most Weezer songs, it's about the sound. We could argue all day about how influential they are/were, but when this cd came out 12 years ago it blew my mind.
On Your Side- Pete Yorn- This probably isn't the best Pete Yorn song, but it is really typical. He says he's on my side, and he'll listen, and I would do anything for it to be true. Plus he let the American Red Cross use it in a commercial, and as a volunteer that makes me love him even more.
Pairin' Off- Kid Dakota- Another song I've mentioned before. Just a sweet little love song with just a bit of sarcasm. And Darren promised me he'd play it on July 12th just for me.
Quarter-Life Crisis- The Cardinal Sin- Don't you hate when 25 years old whine about getting older and how that's when life started getting hard? I don't. I find this song very relevant.
Resolution- Motion City Soundtrack- I have to admit that I picked this song because Motion City Soundtrack wouldn't make an appearance otherwise. That isn't to say that this song isn't worthy of a spot, it is. When the last electric guitar is fading at the end, and you are sure it's over, and then he starts again and mirrors the opening lines, it gets me every time. "You're totally right, every action was well rehearsed".
Suicide Medicine- Rocky Votolato- Another perfect song. It all fits together: the guitar, the voice, the sentiment. I fall in love with Rocky all over again every time I hear this song. Have I mentioned how much I love songs with pharmacy references in them? I do.
Tortures of the Damned- Bayside- I don't know much about Bayside, but I think I hate them. But this song is so perfect. The chugging guitars and driving bass line, and the clichéd lines. "I hate myself more than I ever let on". Sometimes it's just what you need.
Until The Day I Die- that dog- Such a sad song put to such happy a piano accompaniment. Another song about being alone until the day I die, I'm obviously stuck on this idea. "And I've never given back to you, all the pain you've put me through."
Vampire Lake- First Prize Killers- The name isn't going to help you get a feeling about what this song is about. It is about the lazy days of summer, where sunburns and first loves can be written off because "we'll worry about it later". And about a robot named Randall who is afraid to go in the water because he'll rust, which might be a metaphor for something, but I like to think it's not.
Wielders Of The Poison Pen- Cadillac Blindside- I really have no idea what half the words in the song are, and I usually have to know that kind of thing. Even without words you'd feel the pain and doubt, it is so powerful to even understand half of the lyrics is enough to make it on my list against some strong "W" contenders.
X.Y.U.- Smashing Pumpkins- Like everyone else, I am stuck with very few choices. Two to be exact. And I pick this song because I can be perfectly happy, then listen to this and can afterwards be filled with an inexplicable rage. And although I tend to think of a good song as one that can cheer you up, there's something to be said about songs that can bring out other emotions in you.
Your Siren Song- Mike Midwestern- One of the things I like best about Mike Midwestern is Ash St. John. Because it's the gorgeous violin makes this run-of-the-mill singer's stuff spectacular.
Zombie Zoo-Tom Petty- This is another case where it's more about the artist than the song. A great Tom Petty song about what ever you want it to be about... shhh he's singing now.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:*sigh* Thanks for upping the bar. (Score:1)
Here's how I did it. When people began posting their lists I made a playlist with the best of the songs from each letter (which left me with over 100). Then I went through and sorted by artist and picked the best song by each artist, so ensure that each artist made one appearance only. I only had about 60 son
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Sweet (Score:1)
Everybody to the Limit- Strong Bad - That song is awesome. Awesome = very yes.
it warms my heart (Score:1)
i still haven't waded through the songs i have. i may not. too much time categorizing something i'd rather just enjoy. but i may do it eventually anyway.
about your comments concerning tullycraft and the way you wish you were: i have found that sometimes the only thing preventing me from being the way i'd like to be is the idea that i'm not yet. there have been times when
Just the other day (Score:1)