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.
Day 27: A Song That Breaks Your Heart
Yet again, I feel as though this is something we’ve (sorta) been over. Day 10’s theme was to find a song that makes you sad. While I understand the myriad differences between sadness and heartbreak, they are often conflated. Especially when we consider them as themes for songs. Heartache has created a vast pool of songs from which to choose, as no one is immune to it. Well, aside from sociopaths and such, but that’s not what this is about. Today’s theme makes me want to go back and choose something else for sadness, something that is sad but not pertaining to heartbreak. Ah well. Let’s see what I can come up with.
This first one will come across as extremely counterintuitive. But it is heartbreaking to listen to when the sentiments are absent from one’s life. For a time, Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day” broke my heart and brought me to chest-heaving sobs. It’s beautiful and full of love and hope and brightness. And yet the ache. It’s hard to listen to, even now, because of the memories it hearkens to mind.
Then there’s Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met”. This one is a no-brainer.
This post wouldn’t be complete without “Ain’t No Sunshine” by the inimitable Bill Withers.
For a bit of variety, here’s “Don’t Speak”, by No Doubt.
Adele is one of the current reigning queens of the brokenhearted. So, of course, here’s “Someone Like You”.
I can only handle Mariah Carey in small doses, but damn does she nail it with “We Belong Together”.
Let’s draw this to a close. I’m adding in The Rolling Stones with “Wild Horses”. I know it’s blasphemous to say, but I find the stones incredibly overrated. This, however, is a magnificent song.
What are some songs that you find heartbreaking?
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’m at work. On a Saturday. So in my final activity on the clock, and the only non-work-related thing I’ve done for the last seven hours, I present to you day 24.
Day 24: A Song by a Band You Wish were Still Together
I was gonna choose something by The Mars Volta, but my brain totally forgot they reunited. So now I’m stumped. HmmMMmm… How about something by Daft Punk? I was pretty bummed when they recently broke up, so I think it’s appropriate. Plus, I’m trying not to “cheat” and choose something by a band that ended because someone kicked the bucket.
“Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is not my favorite song of theirs, but I do enjoy it. And it’s the first one that came to mind.
Enjoy.
Nevermind, this one is way better.
Hit me with one of yours.
Day 23: A Song You Think Everybody Should Listen To
I’m a big fan of music. If it hasn’t already become abundantly clear. So I think everyone should be listening to music. But a particular song everyone should listen to? Hmm. That’s a toughie. As usual.
I wanna do “Hallelujah”, Jeff Buckley’s version, but that would be cheating. I’ve already used that song. Damnit.
You know what? I’m gonna pick Led Zeppelin’s “Hot Dog”, because fuck it. I love the shit out of that song, and it’s actually one of my favorites of theirs. Maybe the favorite of theirs. Yes, I’m serious. And everybody should listen to it.
What say you?
Hi. Have I yet told you that I’ll be MIA soon? I’m going on vacation for nearly three weeks in October. Several years overdue, this vacation, and I’m fucking stoked. It’s all I can seem to think about at present. But I will be absent for a bit, starting October 1st. I will be back this time, though. And maybe I’ll be able to type something, anything, that doesn’t require a challenge to motivate me. This has been working wonders, though.
Oh. I didn’t get the Chicago job. I didn’t even tell you about that one, because I didn’t think I’d get it. I only interviewed for the experience of interviewing for a giant, big-city firm. The interview actually went extremely well and most of my experience lined up perfectly. They had concerns that I’ve only worked with small firms and didn’t have quite enough experience with working with developers. They had someone else they were chatting with whose experience lined up more closely with their needs. I’m not upset about it. I don’t actually want to live in Chicago, but the experience of the interview was valuable to me.
I do have a very promising shot at the one I interviewed for last week, the mostly local one. I’ve already signed an offer letter for contract work between now and when she needs a full-time person. So, we’ll see how that goes.
Anydoodles. Day 22 presents a challenge, I think. Let’s see if I can tackle it, and how.
Day 22: A Song That Moves You Forward
I’m sincerely stuck and have been prowling YouTube and Google for at least ten minutes now. I’m stuck. Fuck. Lemme think.
How about “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor? Best I can do, but I’d say it’s pretty damn fitting.
Please send help. I need more songs that fit this theme, and I’m drawing a blank.
Day 19: A Song that Makes You Think about Life
I mean, in what way, exactly? Lots of songs make you think about life, but there are so many different facets of life to think about.
If I wanna think about the current state of society, I may suggest “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)” by Run The Jewels feat. Zack de la Rocha.
If I wanted something to remind me about self-worth, “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera would be among the selections.
As would Pink’s “Fuckin’ Perfect”.
How about another important social commentary song? Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall” certainly resonates.
Let’s not forget the indelible Nina Simone and her “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life”.
What list of songs about life (and the finiteness thereof) would be complete without “Dust In The Wind” by Kansas?
And Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World”.
Geez, I didn’t realize how much today’s theme would inspire. Let me stop there for fear I never will.
What songs make you ponder life?
I’m having a bad day. No. I mean, a really shitty day. I’m pissed the fuck off, and wanna tell my boss where he can stick it. And it won’t be anywhere fun, I assure you. I used to like this job. No. I used to love this job. At least, as much as one can love a job in this capitalist hellhole. I actually looked forward to coming in to the office. But things have rapidly taken a turn for the worse (worst?), and I’ve put myself back on the job market. Let’s throw some bullet points at it, shall we? Because I need to vent.
Yeah. It’s bad. Unfortunately, I’m probably stuck for a while. It will be hard to find something that pays as well as he does, at least around here. Feels like hush money, but he pays better than any other firm in the area.
So. I’m glad there’s music to be had. And that I had an “excuse” to come here and get some of this toxicity off of my chest.
Day 12 is an interesting one. (Okay, that’s silly to say. They’re all interesting.) But I’m struggling with how to approach it. Let’s get to it!
Day 12: A Song from Your Preteen Years
This one is from pre-preteen years. Which I suppose would still be preteen? Chronologically speaking, at least. I was really young when I ran around the parking lot of the apartment complex singing this song at the top of my little lungs. I remember telling my father that I wanted to look like Cyndi Lauper when I grew up. I’ve never forgotten his response: “You ever do some shit like that to your hair, you can find your own place to live. No daughter of mine will run around like some fucking whore.” (Yeah. When I call some cheating-ass cuntbag a whore, I’m not talking about a coolass chick with an orange undercut.) Anyway, I’m still scared to do anything wild with my hair. Related? Who knows. But I still love me some Cyndi Lauper, and this song takes me all the way back to that parking lot in South Louisiana.
Here’s one from 1992. I was twelve, so it’s probably a bit more accurately called a song from my preteens. This song was EVERYWHERE that year. Every. Where.
Same goes for this one, but I much prefer it! The other one just came to mind first.
What songs remind you of your preteens?
Day 11: A Song You Never Tired Of
I suppose there are myriad ways to interpret today’s challenge. My mind hearkened songs that have been with me most of my life and that are still special to me, having never tired of them. The one that appears at the forefront of my mind is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. I suspect most of us that know this song first learned it as children, watching The Wizard of Oz. I have fond memories of watching the movie every October when it came on public television around Halloween. For me, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version rose to the top and remains my favorite. Once this version was introduced to me some years ago, I’ve never been able to appreciate any other version quite the same. Please. Do yourself a favor. And enjoy this treasure:
This next one has been in my life for a fair chunk of it, not necessarily from childhood on. But near enough. “Hallelujah” has been done and redone by so many talented musicians. And though I have a particular fondness for Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley created the ultimate version that I absolutely never tire of.
I do believe I’m feeling far too pensive today. So let’s mix it up to another completely different song I associate with childhood and that I have never tired of. I first heard this song the year it came out. 1987, the year I turned 7. I can credit my brother with introducing Beastie Boys into my life. I had no. freakin. clue. what the song meant. But, in one of my only fond memories of elementary school, I remember singing it on the playground and suspecting it must have had something to do with the monkey bars (which I never mastered). I still love these boys. Come on everybody, let’s get fffff….
What are some songs that you never tire(d) of?
stephellaneous.wordpress.com 