My Valentine's Day Songs

So, I was basically a cliche yesterday, which annoys me. I purposely learned to like Valentine's Day because I think it's cliche and stupid for single people to dislike it. Blah, blah, it's a Hallmark holiday, blah, blah Single Awareness Day, blah, blah get a new joke. I did have a good day. I even enjoyed it, immensely. However, my choice of activities, upon reflection, was quite cliche. After running a couple errands in the late afternoon, I picked up some take out Chinese food, and chilled at home. Alone. Watching love movie marathons on USA and TBS. With my cat. Crap. Did I somehow become a character in a chick flick romantic comedy without knowing it?

Whatever, I don't mind. I really like chicken fried rice, so there. And so what if I sat around in sweatpants and watched three romantic comedies in a row that made me cry while my cat Tony Gonzalez (Gonzo for short) curled up next to me? I wasn't wallowing in self pity by any means. I actually LIKE being single. I'm content. It's not a problem that needs a solution, but rather a state of being that should be enjoyed. It's a season of life that I (hopefully?) won't have forever, and therefore I make the best out of it. So, I enjoyed it. That being said, on to music. I got an iTunes giftcard from my mom, and I spent it (and then some) on some great new music.

My purchases are as follows (in Artist - Album format):
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
The All American Rejects - When The World Comes Down

Yeah, that last album doesn't really fit in - but they're fun and I enjoy them, so judge if you must. I can take it. I'm confident enough in my musical tastes that it doesn't bother me what you think.

I've also downloaded some other great stuff recently, and purchased a couple of other great albums via iTunes and, uh, Target.

This week's playlist isn't going to be as much of a playlist as it is going to be a top 10 list of favorite recent downloads and purchases.

Top 10 recent downloads/purchases (in no particular order)
My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson (I'm a sucker for a Kelly song - that's the truth)
A Teenager in Love - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (it's not as cheesy as it sounds, actually)
The Horror of our Love - Ludo (the lyrics are weird, bizarre, over the top, and kind of hot)
Your Protector - Fleet Foxes (it's sweet)
Gives You Hell - The All American Rejects (again, judge if you must)
Innocence - The Airborne Toxic Event (the strings in the intro to this song almost move me to tears)
Boys Better - The Dandy Warhols (I'm just now starting to get into this band)
Everything With You - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Normally I try not to double up a band on a playlist, but this is ok because I'm only talking about recent purchases/downloads)
White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes (This group is very folksy. I like it.)
Another Heart Calls - The All American Rejects (it's a duet with a chick band - the Pierces I believe - and it's very pretty)

So that's it. Music is my Valentine. I love ALL of my new music.

T&T Love Songs

This mix CD is an inspiration to my playlist making. I probably first heard and fell in love with it in the Summer of 2005, though my most extensive memories of it come from the 06 and 07 Summers. The LVR staff would all be at Trigger's house for one gathering or another, and we would decide to put on some music. Anytime this was remotely up to me, I chose this mix CD from Trigger's stash. It is quite possibly the best Mix CD ever made. (Hooray superlatives!) I can only aspire to creating a love song mix quite so perfect. I'm pretty sure this was a mix made for his sister's wedding. I copied it before I left "for good" in 2007, but a bunch of the songs were corrupted and wouldn't play. So, I finally was able to put it back together in its entirety this weekend. Anyhow, I figured that because Valentine's Day is coming up, I would throw it in as a bonus playlist for the week. I'm not tagging the artists in it because there are too many. Besides, it's just a bonus playlist. I didn't really create it. I just love it. A lot. I'd give kudos to the original creator of the mix CD, but I honestly don't think I ever found out who it was.

T&T Love Songs
Everyday - Buddy Holly
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters
(They Long to Be)Close To You - The Carpenters
That's Amore - Dean Martin
Can't Hurry Love - Diana Ross & The Supremes
I Want to Walk You Home - Fats Domino
Your Love Is Lifting Me Higher - Jackie Wilson
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch - The Temptations
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles
For The Longest Time - Billy Joel
Take My Breath Away - Berlin
You're My Inspiration - Chicago
I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
Unforgettable - Frank Sinatra
You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
How Sweet it Is - James Taylor
Something - The Beatles
Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins
Somebody - Depeche Mode
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

"Turtle Wings"

There are several qualities that I feel music should have for me to consider it to be worthy of my respect and approval. The best way for a song to impress me would be for it to have lyrics that blow my mind. A couple of the best lyricists that I can think of off the top of my head are Jesse Lacey and Ben Gibbard (of Brand New and Death Cab for Cutie, respectively.)I also GREATLY appreciate depth of sound through the use of a variety of instruments. When a song has a heavy use of strings (especially cello or bass) or piano I'm likely to fall in love. Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin) is one of the artists that I'd marry given half a chance for that very reason.

I tend to lean toward the mellow side when it comes to music I truly admire. That's not to say that an upbeat, fast-paced, loud song can't have lyrical depth and instrumental variety. I just probably wouldn't like it as much as a more mellow, low key song. To me, the slower or softer songs have more of a subtlety feel to them. That's what I like.

None of this has any bearing or relevance to this week's playlist. I just wanted to say it, so I did. I do what I want. I mean, quite a few of these songs are mellow, melodic, and have deep lyrics. So, I guess this is relevant after all. Kudos, me.

Most of these songs are sad and kind of about heartbreak. Don't worry though, I'm not heartbroken at the time. I figure I'll do a heartbreak playlist this week, and next week I'll find some really excellent love songs for Valentine's day. I like Valentine's Day, by the way. That's right - a single girl that likes Valentine's day. Refreshing, right? I'd like to think so.

Catharine thinks I should call this playlist "Turtle Wings." I think that's incredibly bizarre, and I like it.

Turtle Wings
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
Everybody Hurts (REM Cover) - Dashboard Confessional
Love Hurts - Heart
Breathe (2am) - Anna Nalick
Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Say It To Me Now - Glen Hansard (from Once)
Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt
Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy
Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event
A Bad Dream - Keane
Somebody's Baby - Jon Foreman
So Far Away - Carole King

There's always so much more to say...

I'm feeling a little bit sassy at the moment. Here are a bunch of good songs. I don't have to tell anyone what they all have in common. I said in the beginning that this blog was a way for me to organize my music, right? Well, this is how I want to organize it.

Blacking Out The Friction - Death Cab for Cutie
Rebel, Rebel - David Bowie
My Lovely - Eisley
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Happy Kid - Nada Surf
Gunships - Bedouin Soundclash
Rainy Days & Mondays - The Carpenters
Coffee & TV - Blur
House of Jealous Lovers - Rapture
How Does it Make You Feel - Air
Precious - Depeche Mode
Carry That Weight - The Beatles
Responsibility - MXPX
Hold Your Head Up - Argent
Friday, I'm in Love - The Cure
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Where Is My Mind? - The Pixies
Get Out of My Dreams - Billy Ocean
Oh Sheila - Ready for the World
I Hate Your Lips - Veal

So there it is. It's a little longer than most of my other playlists... but the songs are good and finding them & making the playlist was therapeutic for me. I do what I want.

Winter 2009

I know I just posted one within the hour, but it was kind of a cheap cop out. I'll leave it up because, man, those songs are good. However, I'm rescinding it as this week's playlist. Instead, how about this beautiful, mellow playlist that I have creatively decided to title "Winter, 2009." I tend to make a couple of different playlists that reflect the music that I like to listen to in the various seasons.

So, these songs reflect the type of music that I have been into this winter. I typically mellow out for the Fall & Winter.Then, when the sun starts to shine & the temperature starts to warm, I get a littler peppier and more upbeat.

The Day I Lost My Voice - Copeland
Heavy Hearts - The Morning Benders
Panic & The Should Attacks - Nico Stai
Marigolds - Ryan Auffenberg
I Saw - Matt Nathanson
I'd Rather Be With You - Joshua Radin
When You Come Back Down - Nickel Creek
12:59 Lullaby - Bedouin Soundclash
The Animals Were Gone - Damien Rice
Near to You - A Fine Frenzy
Serpent-in-claw - Gary Jules
Keep Breathing - Ingrid Michaelson
I Am Still Running - Jon Foreman
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Market Iglova (from the movie, Once - awesome)

OCD

Ahhh, the playoffs. As I sit here I am watching the Cardinals/Eagles game for the NFC title. I'm rooting for the Cardinals. I actually don't have too much of a preference for either of the teams but Kurt Warner is HOT. So, the Cardinals it is. I'm rooting for the Steelers for the AFC title this afternoon... but that's because I actually like them. I'd easily put them in my top 10 teams in the NFL.

Anyhow, I need to make a playlist. I've been having some difficulty thinking about a good topic. So, I decided to cheat - a little. This next playlist is less of an editorial statement than it is just a list of some of the songs that have inspired the most obsessive listening. I know it is HIGHLY unlike me to obsess over something. I am usually so even keeled and moderate. I don't obsess, over analyze, over think, or anxiously reflect on anything, ever. Ah, sarcasm is one of my favorite forms of humor.

I'll call it the OCD Playlist. It's full of songs that I will listen to, and then somehow find myself repeatedly hitting the "back" button on my iPod untl I've listened to the song at least 4-5 times and in some extreme cases, 10+ times. A lot of these are more from several years ago. That's because I've done a lot better job as of late in diversifying the music I listen to.

OCD
Out of My League - Stephen Speaks
Calling You - Blue October
So Close - Jon McLaughlin
What Sara Said - Death Cab for Cutie
Jesus - Brand New
Dustland Fairytale - The Killers (This is a fairly recent obsession, but it was severe and therefore qualifies)
Hanging By a Moment - Lifehouse
Hurricane - Something Corporate
Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape - Underoath
Giving it Away - Mae
You Have My Attention - Copeland
Oh My God - Jars of Clay
Paperthin Hymn - Anberlin
Endlessly - Muse
Fidelity - Regina Spektor

Who didn't love the 90's?

First of all, I didn't have internet at home for the first 9 days of the year so my lack of a playlist is really quite acceptable.

I've been feeling rather nostalgic lately. I've been watching episodes on top of episodes of Friends. I just bought the series set - I now own EVERY episode. Yesss!

The 90's were great. I mean, who doesn't love stone washed jeans, scrunchies, and side ponytails? I wish I could wear high waist jeans and short cropped shirts every day.

Anyhow, here we go... Who didn't love the 90's?

1. I'll Be There For You (Friends Theme) - The Rembrandts
2. Don't Give Up - New Radicals
3. C'est La Vie - Bewitched
4. It Must Have Been Love - Roxette
5. One of Us - Joan Osborne
6. Inside Out - Eve 6
7. The Way - Fastball
8. Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) - The Offspring
9. Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice (I mean, come on... how could this not be included)
10. Summer Girls - LFO
11. Waterfalls - TLC
12. Peaches - The Presidents of the United States of America
13. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
14. Buddy Holly - Weezer
15. I'll Be - Edwin McCain

Well that was fun. Very, very eclectic.