Today’s theme is “a song that reminds you of yourself”. But I’m gonna cheat and make my own category. Similar to one we’ve already done, really. But different enough.
Leaving town tomorrow, but I’ll be back on the 17th/18th.
So how about…
Day 30: A Song to Kickstart Vacation
What would you choose? And I promise to catch up with replies upon my return. Y’all have been wonderful, and I’ve missed you.
Day 28: A Song By An Artist Whose Voice You Love
What the hell kind of question is this? Obviously, I only listen to music by artists whose voices I loathe. Pfft. Who listens to music they enjoy? Fucking peasants, that’s who.
Seriously. This one is stupid.
Instead, how about a song I recently Shazammed because I thought it was lovely and I’d never heard it before. And its fucking beautiful.
“Still” by Niall Horan.
Your turn.
Doing today’s post from my phone. Which is a royal pain in the ass, but I’m being lazy and also don’t wanna miss a day this month. So this is my compromise.
Day 25: A Song You Like by an Artist No Longer Living
There are so many, so so many. But, as I’m on my phone, I’ll just pick one. And since I can only choose one, it’s gonna be “Space Oddity” by the late David Bowie. This one could also double as an entry for the day that called for a song that has multiple meanings for me. Have a listen.
What would you choose?
I made it back home. The whirlwind trip to Alabama was fun, exhausting, and educational. Educational in that I learned that Alabama is perhaps the most intense state in the country when it comes to college football. I lost count of how many vehicles (standard cars, sports cars, mini-vans, campers, RVs, etc.) that were in full football regalia. I’m talking logos, slogans, you name it…plastered all over their vehicles. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m guessing there was a game this weekend, because fucking hell were they everywhere. I haven’t visited every state yet, but I’ve been to most (I realize living there would bring things into sharper relief.). Living in Oregon, I quickly learned that they have not only a lot of college football fans but an intense homestate college football rivalry. But even being from Louisiana, where LSU love runs deep (with football fans) and judgment is swift and severe for anti-LSUers or anti-football fans (ask me how I know), I’ve never seen fanboys fanboying to this extent. (To be fair, I’ve never been to Baton Rouge on a game day.) It was mind-boggling. And, to be honest, I just don’t get it. But that’s a post for another day. I made it there and back in once piece, and the only football I had to endure was flying past their fans on the interstate.
So. Day 18 is gonna be an easy one. Let’s get to it.
Day 18: A Song from the Year You were Born
Okay, it’ll be easy with a quick google search of songs from 1980. I’m gonna pick some random selections from the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1980. Here’s what I dug up:
There was Blondie’s #1, “Call Me”, though I confess I like her more than I like her music.
For a completely different feel, Commodores came in at #23 with their beautiful “Still”.
I have a special love for Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, and they put on a hell of a live show. In 1980, “Against the Wind” was #51.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made it to #64 with “Don’t Do Me Like That”, and I’m sad to say that I never got to see them live. (He also had “Refugee” bringing up the rear at #100). They’re another personal favorite.
There’s Billy Joel’s #75, “You May Be Right”, which far outshines his #9, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”. As for him, I like his music more than I like him.
Pat Benatar came in at #83 with “Heartbreaker”. Love this woman and her energy.
That’s enough. There were some other appearances, but I tried to mix it up a bit with the sounds/genres.
What about your birth year? What are some of the top songs the year you were born, whether you liked them or not!?
I’m cheat-blogging. It’s 9:52 PM on Day 16. But I’m going out of town tomorrow (now today) and won’t have time to do this. So I’m scheduling this post. Haven’t done that in years. Anyway, I’m saying all of this as present me, but you’ll be reading it in the wrong tense by the time it posts. My bad. But at least I made sure to do the thing! So there!
Let’s get to it.
Day 17: A Song You’d Duet in Karaoke
Okay, first of all, I don’t karaoke. Second of all, I don’t karaoke. Third of all. Okay, okay, you get the point. But if I did? I wouldn’t.
Shit, I hate this one.
Uhm.
Uhhhh.
How about this one?
Is that a duet kinda song? I suppose it could be. I mean, there are two characters. But. Shit, I dunno.
What would you perform a karaoke duet to?
Day 14: A Song You’d Love to be Played at Your Wedding
I eloped. There were no songs, aside from the wind and the birds and some distant wind chimes and traffic, perhaps. If I were to get remarried? Hmm. I dunno. I don’t really know that I’d want the ceremony overshadowed by someone else’s words. Perhaps there’s a song out there that would change my mind, or a person. But for the ceremony itself, my inclination is no music. Or something delicate and instrumental.
Now, if I were ever to have some sort of after-party/reception? Sure, there would be music. I have no idea what it would be. Probably some Leon Bridges or some John Legend. So I’m sure I’ll throw some shit like that down for you to listen to.
But, I’ve had Billy Idol in my head all day. From the moment I previewed today’s theme.
Next up, Leon Bridges. I do confess I’d love to have someone feel like this about me. I once shared this song with The Chef (someone I haven’t yet told you about), during a brief but intensely heady love affair (not the cheating kind). He wasn’t the one. But, for a moment in time, I thought he could be.
Can’t possibly have a list of (relatively recent) love songs without including John Legend, though this song makes me cry. And ache. I’d also love to have someone (mutually) feel like this about me.
Surely you know me well enough by now to expect a little of the incomparable Al Green. If not, you haven’t been paying attention.
This song by The Turtles would be mandatory.
As would this classic Stevie Wonder song.
The list would be blasphemously incomplete without a dose of Marvin Gaye.
I adore this song. It makes me cry. And long.
OHMYGOD, The Proclaimers! Of course! Another mandatory selection!
I’ll end on an Adam Sandler song. I love the hell out of it.
What would you add to the list?
Day 4 is supposed to be “a song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget”. I’ve been dreading this one and avoiding posting because of that dread. Stupidity Hole, my number one fan and hassler extraordinaire, raised the point that I can use Day 31’s theme, since September is a 30-day month. Problem solved! So now let’s see if I can come up with a song satisfactory to meet this criterion.
Day 4 (31): A Song that Comforts Your Soul
Actually, I’m gonna cheat and offer up a soothing selection. We can all use more of that sensation. Here are a few songs I find comforting. Soothing. Peace-bringing.
Let’s lead off with Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic”. This one brings such peace to my soul.
Next up, Amos Lee. Recently saw this fella in concert, for the second time. I swore I’d never do that again after the first disastrous concert several years ago. He was hammered out of his mind and spent nearly half the show covering Ginuwine’s “Pony”. He redeemed himself, in a big way, this time. I find this song to be one of his most comforting. Enjoy Amos Lee’s “No More Darkness, No More Light”.
I can’t explain why I find Bonobo’s “Ten Tigers” comforting, but I do. And part of the beauty of music. Of art. Is that we don’t have to explain it. Not really. It’s personal. Individual. What do you think?
I’ll end with Groove Armada’s “Edge Hill”. I feel myself going down a different rabbit hole than I anticipated, and now I just wanna chill. As evidenced by these last two selections. Relax and enjoy.
What are some of your favorites?
Day 3: A song that reminds you of summertime
There are a lot of obvious choices for today’s theme. There’s “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. Then there’s the other “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. There’s “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley, and “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly & The Family Stone or “Summer in the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful, anyone? Or “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper? Seriously, the list of “summer” themed songs are seemingly endless.
Clearly, there are oodles to choose from, and I didn’t have an easy time of it on this one. It honestly feels impossible to the point where I’m just gonna choose one (the choice of which I am sure to lament later, and think of something I should have selected in its stead). I was gonna go with Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right”, because that reminds me of summer for some reason. But “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay”, by Otis Redding wins the day. This feels like my kind of summer.
Enjoy.
Guess who’s back. Back again. (Yes, I stole lyrics from a lyrically weak song as an opener to a post about songs. I told you. I’m out of material. Wordless.)
Since I haven’t quite figured out what to say and whether I want to say anything (which I must kinda wanna or I wouldn’t have hacked my own account to get back in just to say I’m wordless), I’ve decided to use a gimmick in hopes I can trick myself into having a compelling reason to post every day for a solid month. Those of you who know me know that this is still unlikely to work, but it’s worth a shot. And maybe, just maybe, this exercise will dredge up other non-gimmicky words.
I won’t hold my breath, for fear of accidental auto(un)erotic asphyxiation.
Without further ado, here lies the challenge:
Day 1: A song you like with a color in the title
This one is a no-brainer for me. It’s obviously Blue in Green. Miles Davis. I’m giving myself bonus points, because that’s clearly two colors. One in another. From an album with a color in the title. Kind of Blue.
Anyway. This is the only possible response I could have to the Day 1 prompt. For me, it conjures love, longing, the push/pull dance of two lovers becoming cautiously acquainted. At once shy and daring, blushing, pleading, the horn and the keys representative of two entangling souls. Please, do yourself a favor, and enjoy this melodious delight. Then, if so inclined, share with me your own personal colorful song.
stephellaneous.wordpress.com 