What songs do you always, always leave playing (whether they're on .mp3, CD, or the radio)? What songs always sound good?
Ah. I love questions like this. On any given mix tape (yes, I am a luddite) I make, at least ONE of these songs is bound to make an appearance. Some of them have been favorites since I was in college, mkay? My response to the song hasn't faded with repetition:
Fields of Joy Lenny Kravitz.
First and foremost. Funny - there's probably going to be some kind of anecdote/memory behind each one of these song choices! I remember the first time I heard Fields of Joy ... and I came to it pretty late. Although I liked a lot of Lenny K., I didn't have any of his albums, and only knew the stuff on the radio. So Fields of Joy somehow escaped my notice. I first heard the song having dinner with two friends in the middle of what I think of as my winter of discontent. (Labeling it is a distancing technique, I guess.) In the middle of the bleakest season of my life, comes this song - this joyful joyful song. I have listened to it at least 3 or 4 times a week since then. I will never get sick of it.
Lithium, Nirvana.
Can't get enough of it. Will never get enough of it. And I will never EVER get used to that song. It does not become less surprising the more I hear it. I never listen to that song in anything even resembling a casual over-it manner. An exhilarating piece of music. Transcendent. Great great rock song.
Til We Reach That Day, from the "Ragtime" soundtrack.
The first time I heard it I thought I was going to lose my mind. Sarah (played by the exquisite Audra McDonald) is shot by cops freaking out at the sight of a black woman running towards their motorcade. Coalhouse Walker begins the song with a scream of agony: "NOOOO" and then slowly - one by one - with voices joining in - building - one of the black female characters begins to sing: "There's a day of hope ... may I live to see ... where our hearts are happy ... and our souls are free ..." Dammit, people, I have goosebumps on my arms just writing the lyrics down. The harmony of the massive chorus pierces your soul, you feel the PAIN in the voices, and yet also that they are looking forward to "that day" ... A tremendous song.
Enter Sandman, Metallica.
The song almost feels dangerous to me. No matter how many times it's on Repeat. It is connected to something primal, something deep deep deep. This song has been actively in my life now, for ... er ... 20 years?? I never ever get over it.
Oh Darling, the Beatles.
I love it when Paul screams. "WHEN YOU TOLD ME YOU DIDN'T NEEEEEED ME ANYMORE ..." Awesome.
Say Yeah, by Pat McCurdy.
Lyrics here. One of his best songs, I think. Doesn't matter how many times I hear it, I still have to dance around like a maniac when I turn it on. It's on every single one of the workout-accompaniment tapes I make for myself. It makes me want to MOVE.
Paint it Black, the Rolling Stones.
My favorite of theirs. It makes me want to leap into a mosh pit and get a black eye. Repeatedly.
I'll probably think of more. But that's it for now.
Please add your own in the comments.
Posted by sheila"Paint it Black" is my personal *cough* "that time of the month" song, along with "Bad Moon Rising."
Because you all wanted to know this.
Posted by: Emily at May 24, 2005 5:56 PM"Sky Pilot" by the Animals
Posted by: popskull at May 24, 2005 7:15 PMEmily - of course we want to know. I have friends who need to listen to weepy vagina music during the time of the month. I cannot. I need LOUD. AGGRESSIVE. "Lithium" does quite nicely.
Posted by: red at May 24, 2005 8:32 PMNardis by Miles Davis
Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson
Velvet by Art Lande
Change My Mind by Roy Buchanon
Melissa by The Allman Brothers
I have more, but parental duties call.
Posted by: DBW at May 24, 2005 9:01 PM"The Promised Land," Bruce Springsteen. "Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart..."
"I've Been Lovin' You Too Long (To Stop Now)," Otis Redding. When the horns come in at the end, the only word to describe it is "majestic."
"I've Got You Under My Skin," Frank Sinatra. One of his best vocals, but perhaps the all-time great arrangement by Nelson Riddle.
"Stop Breaking Down," Rolling Stones. The soul of Robert Johnson, distilled into 4 1/2 minutes of Keith Richards mayhem.
"Harlem Airshaft," Duke Ellington. Amazingly evocative of a time and place.
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night?," Nirvana. Painful because the MTV show represented the beginning of the end, but I don't think Kurt ever had a more magnificent moment.
"Lawyers, Guns and Money," Warren Zevon. R.I.P.
Posted by: Jeff at May 25, 2005 1:36 AMAlso "The Promised Land", Springsteen: "The dogs on mainstreet howl, 'cuz they understand". I don't think anyone who grew up counting the days 'til he could leave a small town doesn't get that one. Still gives me a chill (along with "Darkness On The Edge of Town", actually - both of them always get to finish!
"I Wish It Would Rain", the Four Tops: One of those "where were you then" songs.
"I Believe", Stevie Wonder: pure, glorious hope in the face of absurdity.
"Save Me", Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul: I really can't explain it, it's just one of the best songs ever. I associate it with the endless unrequited hyperdramatic yearning of my twenties, and I still love it.
"Boulder to Birmingham", Emmylou Harris: Same idea, only ten years later.
"Lose Yourself", Eminem: Like I need to explain.
Posted by: Mitch at May 25, 2005 5:38 AM"You Shook Me all Night Long" - AC/DC. I crank the radio WAY up when this comes on
"Telegraph Road" - Dire Straits. I'll keep almost any DS song going, but this one's special. Even though there's almost no words, and the song's about 15 minutes long, I know when certain guitar parts are coming up. If I ever learn to play the guitar, this is what I want to sound like.
"Even the Losers" - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. During my sad single days, a friend & I used to refer to this song every time one of us came back from lousy blind date #3,457.
Posted by: skinnydan at May 25, 2005 9:23 AM"Black" by Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder sings with such passion... Actually, there are many other songs of theirs that I could include here, that have this effect of making me stop and listen, no matter where I am or what I am doing.
"Everything Counts" by Depeche Mode, as recorded in the live double album "101"... I danced like mad to this track as a girl, and my body still responds to it!
"Miss Otis Regrets" sung by Ella Fitzgerald; makes me cry everytime, but I welcome the emotion.
Posted by: Ceci at May 25, 2005 10:50 AMDeep Purple’s Highway Star
Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk
Cream’s Crossroads
Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter
Mark Knopfler’s What It Is
Mark Knopfler’s Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)
The Who’s The Real Me
Wishbone Ash’s Blowin’ Free
Posted by: Rob at May 25, 2005 11:37 AMRob---Wishbone Ash?
OMG-I think you just triggered an hallucinogenic Argus flashback. I will be worthless for at least 7-8 hours. I may need someone to talk me through it.
Posted by: DBW at May 25, 2005 11:46 AMDBW,
Pop in "Live Dates" from 1973 and chill. Or "mellow out" as we once said.
Posted by: Rob at May 25, 2005 1:09 PM