Yesterday the rain poured all day. I had a lot of writing to do, and I got most of it done. I also am still re-reading Jane Eyre, so the weather was perfect for that book. Too much writing offline to want to write here at the moment, but here’s the iPod shuffle that was playing yesterday.
I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party – The Beatles
Autumn Leaves – Eva Cassidy. Ouch.
Free Speech for the Dumb – Metallica. And now I must trash my own apartment.
You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi
I’ll Stand By You – cast of Glee
All Apologies – Nirvana (this from their unforgettable MTV Unplugged album. I prefer the live version of the song. It’s far more tortured and funny.)
Mama Said – The Shirelles. The glory of Shuffle.
Untitled – Eminem (from Recovery. The album is growing on me. This one is particularly good. I love it when he goes fast.)
Blackbird – The Beatles. I never mind when the Shuffle is dominated by the mop-top-four, as inevitably happens.
… Baby One More Time – Fountains of Wayne hilarious un-ironic cover of Britney Spears’ mega-hit song. I remember hearing the lead singer talking about the cover, saying, “No. We weren’t doing it as a joke. We think it’s a great pop song.” But it works as a joke, too – to hear men singing those lyrics.
Heartbreaker – Dolly Parton
Feeling Good – Michael Boo-blay
Next Year – Foo Fighters. Love this one.
Act Naturally – The Beatles. (I still remember my cousin Liam singing this at karaoke one O’Malley night, and strolling around the bar with the mike)
That’s the Way I Remember It – Garth Brooks (on that weirdo album where he assumed some strange tights-wearing persona. I think I’m the only person on the planet who likes that album. I’m okay with that, iconoclast that I am.)
Say Goodbye Hollywood – Eminem. One of the best songs on The Eminem Show, although it has some stiff competition (although not track 9, Marshall – not track 9.)
Over and Out – Foo Fighters
You Are My Sunshine – Ray Charles. Mmmm, yes.
Summer Nights – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, from Grease
We Need a Little Christmas – the cast of Glee
Make Me – L.E.O. LOVE this album and love everyone involved. I wish they would collaborate again.
The Savage Man Medley – wonderful cabaret singer Sally Mayes, from her Comden & Green tribute album
Come Undone – Robbie Williams. I’m TRYING, Robbie.
Underground – Eminem. Self-pity and rage at its most grandiose.
Petit Poulet – Sinéad O’Connor
Sleep – My Chemical Romance
Thankless Bastard – Pat McCurdy. Funny song.
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – Bob Dylan. (Fitting).
Jungle – ELO
Elephant Love Medley – Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman from Moulin Rouge. Gets me every time. I have very strong feelings about that movie.
Hot N Cold – Katy Perry
Please Mister Postman – The Beatles
The Jug of Punch – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
Express Yourself – Madonna. That song was so huge when it came out.
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2
American Girl – Everclear
Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles (this is actually from the re-mastered “soundtrack” to the Cirque du Soleil show – which is pretty amazing)
Sing For the Moment – Eminem. This song is one of the reasons why he resonated on such a deep level for his fans. He’s speaking directly to his main audience. Goes over the parents’ head, and into the kids’ head.
So Much Better – the wonderful Mike Viola. This song makes me emotional.
Paris When It Burns – Pat McCurdy. I don’t see Pat that much anymore, maybe once a year I am able to catch one of his shows. And every time I randomly appear at one of his shows, usually with no warning, he plays this song. He never forgets how much I love it. I never even have to request it.
Out Is Through – Alanis Morrisette. She’s a bit much, isn’t she? But I love her anyway. I’m a bit much, too.
I Didn’t Like You Anyway – The Donnas. Love these girls.
The Beautiful People – Marilyn Manson. I’m having a hard time not listening to this song 20 times a day.
Three Hits – The Indigo Girls
Ladies Night – Preston Reed. I bought this song because I saw him in a Youtube clip playing it and was immediately captivated by him.
Twin Rocks, Oregon – Shawn Mullins. God, member this guy? I forgot I even had this song.
Hailie’s Song – Eminem – lots of “Eminem Show” songs on this shuffle.
By All Means Necessary – the talented Robbie Williams. I don’t know why more people in the States don’t pay attention to him.
You Should Hear How He Talks About You – Melissa Manchester. This calls up memories of going on Friday nights with my friends to the local roller rink, and having unrequited love situations with boys from other schools, rolling around the rink, as this song blasted.
Welcome to Burlesque – Cher. Hell, yes.
Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles
Go – Bleu. He’s so soulful. One of my current faves.
(It Will Have To Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Along – Dean Martin
Black and Blue – Lyle Lovett
Stuck In the Middle with You – Stealers Wheel. Speaking of which!
Black Water – Ruth Gerson. My sister took a songwriting class/workshop with her, and she has become a sort of mentor to my sister. She’s incredible. She was just on Craig Ferguson’s show. Check her out.
God Is a DJ – Pink. She’s got the best rock-and-roll voice (currently) that I know.
Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby – Counting Crowd. Ouch. I have so many memories tied up in this song. (I wrote a long post about it in February 2009, when I was in a pretty raw state of grief.)
One After 909 – The Beatles
Jesus Christ Pose – Soundgarden. Strangely enough, I had a dream about Chris Cornell on Saturday night. He had a fake tan.
Carrickfergus – Van Morrison & The Chieftains.
Jolene – Dolly Parton. She’s so great.
Hero of the Day – Metallica. See, I love Load. I don’t know what those fans are bitching about.
Rain Is Falling – ELO
Womanizer – Britney Spears. Oh, Brit-Brit, you’re so nuts.
Now That It’s Over – Everclear. When I was in a state of white-hot rage in, oh, August of 2009 because of how poorly I had just been treated by a man who still remains nameless (I think I’ve given him enough publicity to last his lifetime) – although I had written a ton about him on my site before he showed his Sociopath Identity Card to me – this song really really became my personal anthem. I listened to it over and over again.
God Bless the Child – Lou Rawls
Time Warp – from Rocky Horror Picture Show. High school dances, going insane.
Drown Soda – Hole
How ‘Bout You – Brendan Benson. This guy is such a good song writer.
In Your Honor – Foo Fighters
Dragnet for Jesus – the wonderful Wynona Carr
The One You Love – Rufus Wainwright
Take These Chains From My Heart – Ray Charles
In Bloom – Nirvana. Still bone-chilling.
I Build This Garden For Us – Lenny Kravitz. One of my favorites of his.
Naturally – Huey Lewis & the News. My first concert ever. Will always love him. He’s still out there doing his thing.
It’s a Boy – The Who
Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
Never Said – Liz Phair. My Gen-X soul sister.
Didn’t I – k.d. lang
The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson. Still fantastic to listen to, after all these years.
You’re Nobody Til Somebody Loves You – Dean Martin. God, he makes it all seem so easy. It probably was easy for him.
Two Weeks in Hawaii – Hellogoodbye. I have my friend Emily to thank for introducing me to these guys. Love them. They have an entire album devoted to “ukelele recordings”. Love them.
One More Try – George Michael
The Sadder but Wiser Girl – Robert Preston in The Music Man
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
Good Idea at the Time – Ok Go
Know Your Enemy – Green Day
All These Things That I’ve Done – The Killers
Reilly’s Daughter – The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem (this is from the Carnegie Hall album which basically WAS my childhood)
Over the Rainbow – Glee cast. This is kind of a cute arrangement.
All I Wanna Do – Sheryl Crow
Heartache Tonight – The Eagles
I Shall Be Released – Nina Simone. She’s so intense.
Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago. Slow dances during high school. Agony.
Jump – Madonna
Blossom – James Taylor. I’m too toughened/hardened up now by shit experiences to really respond to a song like this anymore.
Hoochie Woman – Tori Amos. I mean, I guess so, Tori, sure.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pet Benatar. Yes, ma’am.
I Hate Myself for Loving You – Joan Jett. Hot.
Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens. That opening piano!
We Made You – Eminem. Really like this one. I like when he sings. It is somehow hilarious to me.
Carried – Ebba Forsberg. Very moving song. Like her a lot.
Junk Bond Trader – Elliott Smith
Hold Back the Night – Sinéad O’Connor
Take Me or Leave Me – Idina Menzel from Rent
Mr. Bojangles – Robbie Williams. Again, I don’t understand why the States seem to ignore him and what he is doing.
Panic – The Puppini Sisters
Richard Cory – Simon & Garfunkel
Of Wolf and Man – Metallica. So exciting. Lars is going nuts.
Up the Ladder to the Roof – The Nylons. Oh God. Brett introduced me to these guys. He loved them so much. I miss you, Brett.
Peacemaker – Green Day
Kiss Me Deadly – Lita Ford. This song is hysterical and also VERY HARD to sing.
Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen
Black Slacks – Joe Bennett & The Sparkletones
Glory Train – James Taylor and Randy Newman – from Randy Newman’s Faust
New Year’s Baby – Jane Siberry
Bye, Bye, Bye – Jellyfish
Rag and Bone – White Stripes. RIP, White Stripes.
Go With the Flow – Queens of the Stone Age. God, I was so into these guys.
This Time Could Mean Good-bye – Stevie Wonder
Cry Me a River – Michael Boo-blay
Master Exploder – Tenacious D
Memphis Exorcism – Squirrel Nut Zippers
Release – Timbaland and Justin Timberlake
Around the World – Christine Ebersole from Grey Gardens
Chick Habit – April March
40′ – Franz Ferdinand
Boogie Woogie Blues – Jimmy Blythe, from this great compilation of piano boogie woogie tunes
Theme from “Greatest American Hero” – Joey Scarbury. Wow. So let’s end there.
Updated with video for Robbie Williams’ “Strong” (we’re talking about him in the comments). I first heard of Robbie Williams when I was over in Ireland with my sisters about … 10 years ago? Longer than that. And this one song, “Millennium” was playing on every single radio station, all day, every day. I had never heard of the guy. Siobhan filled me in on his story. I bought the CD while I was in Dublin, and I’ve been a fan ever since. He is HUGE in Ireland/England/Europe. HUGE. Wild boy, but also sincere somehow. Crazy. Sex-mad. Goofy. I love the story (as disturbing as it is) of Robbie being at some big music party and he was high on mushrooms. He stood still, staring intently at something – and Bono, who was there, came up to him, and said, “Robbie, what’s up?” Robbie said, in awe, “Look at that gorgeous painting.” Bono looked, and replied, “Robbie, that’s a window.” Drug addiction isn’t funny, but some of the stories sure are. Anyway, love the guy. Here he is in all his tat-ted glory.
Sheila, you are not the only one who likes the Garth Brooks album (Chris Gaines, wasn’t it?). It’s got a lot of great songs on there. I remember being a bit disappointed the movie never got off the ground for the sheer spectacle it was going to be to see Garth not his usual Wrangler-clad self and ACTING, of all things. Now I must go dig it out of my stacks of CDs and throw it on my iPod.
I still kind of despise you for reminding me of Chris Gaines since I can’t find that episode of “Behind the Music” anywhere. I am dying to see that again. I openly admit I am one of the people who did not “get” that whole thing, though Brooks deserves some credit for trying something different that nobody expected, I suppose. And I love that you have the “Greatest American Hero” theme. I have “The A-Team” intro on my iPod and love the absurdity of blasting it while driving.
I mean, the liner notes of that album – with Garth Brooks in white tights? He clearly was having some kind of midlife crisis. hahahaha And then the weirdest thing is that his music isn’t all that different. It would have been brilliant if he had suddenly put out an album that sounded like Megadeth or something.
But still – I strangely like some of those songs.
That’s a lot of writing for being “written out”, Sheila… a really fun, great read too! Love reading you. Can I borrow your ipod?
Sheila – I hear ya on the Robbie Williams thing.
There’s a moment during his Live At Knebworth CD when he yells to the crowd, “My name is Robbie Williams, and this is what I do: I’m a singer, I’m a songwriter, I’m a born entertainer,” and I think it’s partly because of the “born entertainer” thing that he doesn’t get all the respect he deserves. He doesn’t do highbrow art, he’s not sophisticated, he doesn’t do existentialism – he’s just this guy from Stoke-on-Trent who gets up there and sings catchy pop melodies. But I think people often forget just how hard it is to entertain. And damn – does he ever do it well!
Plus, anyone who can go from teen idol in a boys band to legitimate stadium superstar and then have the desire – and the balls and the talent – to pull off an album of pop standards and Rat Pack covers, deserves a huge amount of respect.
I used to admit sheepishly that RW was one of my ‘guilty pleasures’, but I ended up dropping the ‘guilty’ (and the sheepishness): he’s just a pure pleasure to listen to, a guy who knows what he’s doing and who does it so very well. What more could you ask for?
Iain- exactly. You expressed it perfectly. There’s an exuberance to his voice that I really appreciate – he doesn’t do moody. He does OPEN. also, he’s prolific – almost an album a year, which keeps me very very happy.
Also, Iain – he does duets with other men. I can’t think of another singer now who does that. Are they too macho? Too moody? But he sings duets with anyone – Jon Lovitz, even. And his new single called “Shame” is another duet with a man. It’s very Rat Pack-ish – no shame in collaborating with other men, it doesn’t bring him down in any way. Selfishly, I am happy about that because I love two men singing together. Happens on Broadway all the time, but in pop music not so much.
He is totally at ease with the male-male duet. My favourite one from the Swing… album is Me And My Shadow – not just a duet, but a duet with his best friend Johnny Wilkes. It’s not musically perfect, but that exuberance you talked about is there for all to hear. They’re just two guys just having a blast in the studio: “Whatever happens…WE’VE GOT US!”
Whenever that pops up on the iPod, I crank up the volume and it’s like instant sunshine!
Kent – I am slowly segueing out of iPod land now that I bought my iPhone but I’ve run into a bit of a snag uploading music.
for some reason, I really like doing these periodic Shuffle posts. It forces me to remember what I have in my Music Library and not just visit my favorites.
A fun mix Sheila… makes me wanna listen along… still haven’t gotten an iphone though. I only began texting (when I HAD to write an urgent reply) a few months ago. Was able to ignore texts completely for a couple of years, and then the hotline got hot… so I figured out where the exclamation point was, and how to capitalize.
I’m a geezer, but I have a positive view of digital technology. I FUCKING HATED the typewriter all my life. Correct tape and white out were NOT relief enough from the bastard. But then, one day… God gave us the word processor… and all the wonderments that are still coming our way… including texting. Have a great week, and enjoy your headphones!!
Sheila – re: male duets. Two words: Air Supply.
ha.
Actually, come to think of it, in hip-hop it happens all the time, although they aren’t strictly singing. But that tradition of guys backing each other up and collaborating is alive and well in hip-hop.
I mean, I love Frank and Sammy singing Me and My Shadow. I wish more guys would do it.
I have got to get my hands on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Or at least curl up in a ball and watch it again. Love that one.
I was with you up until Cat Stevens….thats a puke burp for me…and I know nothing of the boo blay guy…I hear people speak of him but I don’t know anything.
Well, thank goodness it’s my iPod and not yours. I love Cat Stevens.
I like Michael Buble. He’s lucky with his musicians and his arrangers. It’s all rather ridiculous and I like Robbie Williams’ Rat Pack album much better, but Buble can sing. I enjoy it.
Like Duke Ellington once said…”If it sounds good, it IS good”. Sorry about the puke burp comment.
Yeah, I mean Buble is kind of silly and he’s quite annoying when I’ve seen him sing on talk shows and stuff, but the recordings are kind of fun. I can’t believe anyone out there would have a version of “Cry Me a River” that I would like as well as Babs’ version or Julie London’s – but he has one. Like I said: brilliant arrangers.
Oh, and no worries. I thought someone was gonna be bitchy about Brit-Brit, so your comment was a nice surprise! :)
Load was my first Metallica album. :-) So far, I’ve only bought two, though I also want to see that documentary made about the making of their album St. Anger, called Some Kind of Monster.
Litdreamer – Oh, it’s a classic. Jake Cole at Not Just Movies recently reviewed it – don’t know if you know his site, but it’s an amazing review. I’m a huge Metallica fan. I have ’em all. The doc is great!
Amazing because he mentioned you? ;-) I’m kidding, it is a great review, and a film I look forward to seeing. Thanks for directing me to his review.
I forgot he mentioned me. No, we had been babbling about it on Twitter and 140 characters limits how much you can express. I saw the movie when it first came out, in the theatres, and it’s totally fascinating. I thought of his review because it was recent.
Iain – yeah, that live album is just so exciting. I love how excited HE is. He’s so open.