Is it 4:30 yet?

Madonna, “Papa Don’t Preach”
On: True Blue (1986)
Gee whiz: This song is almost as old as I am….
What the song is about: SHE’S KEEPING HER BABY!!!!! And that’s about all you need to know. There is enough estrogen-fueled determination in the that line to start a movement…In fact, if Madonna hadn’t been the 80’s poster child for blasphemy (“Like a Prayer”) and whoredom (“Like a Virgin”), I bet this track would have served (and actually, still could serve) as a the definitive theme for pro-life rallies nationwide.
Why I’m listening to it: This is usually the Madge track I cite when I have to defend her vocal capabilities to someone (like today). She can sing dammit! She can! Seriously, listen to her shred her cords when she throws her song dad the line “the one you told me all about, the one you said I could do without”. And next time you are singing in your shower, try to hit the high notes in, “but I made up my miiiiiiinnnndddd, IIIIIIIII…….” I’ve tried and failed, and I bet you will too. But, as my friend Lynn would say, Madonna raped those notes!!!. Bitch has got skills. Not legendary skills, but skills nonetheless. It’s just hard to notice them because, you know, her coochie is always hanging out.
Best line: “WE ARE IN LOVE!!!!! SO PLEEEEAAAASEEE!”

Guess who's not working?

Hall & Oats, “Nothing at all”
On: Daryl Hall and John Oats (1975)
What the song is about: D-Hall (I can call him that, right?) and his woman are sooooo over it. In fact, they’ve become so dispassionate about their relationship that they can’t even fight anymore. Oooh…time to bounce.
Why I’m listing to it: H&O are my personal standard for blue-eyed soul. I enjoy their music—honest and truly, without an ounce of hipster irony. If I go along with popular theory, DH&JO is the duo’s most famous album, probably due to the inclusion of the classic track “Sara Smile” and the “oh my God, are those trannies?” cover art. But “Nothing at all” is the real gem to me. It's such a glorious kiss-off song. Hall is pretty much giving his woman the middle finger, but his sweet, velvety vocals make it seem like a hug.
Best lyric: “Tiiiiiiiiiime has a way of lessening lo-o-ove/You know that's truuuuuuuuue/So don't bother listening anymore darling/ (CUE FALSETTO) 'Cause I'm writing my last song about youuuuuuuuuuu” Yet another case of trite lyrics going from 0 to 100 because of awesome vocals.

Best. Article. Ever.

I stumbled upon this last night...It's from 2008, and it coincided with the release of JH's How to Walk Away...Reading it was a good way to kill 20 minutes.

http://popdose.com/the-popdose-guide-to-juliana-hatfield/

I am a walking epic fail

Playlist: C=Crap
Lee Michaels, "You are what you do"
The Who, "I can't explain"
David Bowie, "Oh! you pretty things"
Joe Jackson, "You can't get what you want til you know what you want"
Goodie Mobb, "Beautiful skin"
Phil Collins, "I missed again"
Traffic, "Sometimes I feel so uninspired"
The Smiths, "The headmaster's ritual"

Oh my damn where have I been?

Nine Inch Nails, "We're in this together now"

On: The Fragile (1999)

A bit of a back story...I'm pretty sure that I bought The Fragile so that I had something to talk about with the goth chicks in my high school gym class (they were so cool! I was so not!). I think I listened to it once to get the gist of the album--which at the time I thought was simply loud noises and screaming--and then immediately went back to listening to Silverchair (don't judge me). I guess it took me a a decade to catch up, because I f-ing love this album now, namely the title track and "We're in this together now."

Why this song surprised me...I was in fourth grade when I first heard of NIN, and like most people is was because Trent Reznor was screaming through my stereo speakers that he wanted to f*ck me like an animal. Since it's kind of difficult for a nine-year-old to appreciate the poetry in that, I never really thought much of the band lyrically. Shortly after I bought The Fragile, I bought the Lost Highway soundtrack, to which Reznor contributed largely. The combination of the two made me a fan of NIN's beats, however, if you held a gun to my head, I still couldn't sing along to any of the songs. It's wasn't until about a month ago that I broke out The Fragile again and, well, actually listened to the words behind the screaming...and I was pretty impressed. "We're in this together now" stuck out for me because it had a (non-carnal/sexual) lyrical intensity that I wasn't expected. There is no shock value...it's just a damn good love song.

Best lyric: "The farther I fall, I'm beside you/As lost as I get I will find you/The deeper the wound I'm inside you/For ever and ever I am a part of/You and me, We're in this together now..."

I think I was productive today.

Traffic, "Gimme Some Lovin''"
On: Welcome to the Canteen (1971)
What the song is about: Um...feeling good?....As the story goes, the band wrote the song in a hour based on a riff Steve Winwood was singing, and then they spent the rest of the day in a bar...so I've never tried to find meaning in the lyrics. I just enjoy the song.
Why I'm listening to it: I love anything in Steve Winwood's catalog, and "Gimme" is my favorite song of all time. This Traffic-esque rendition, performed by the sortakinda reunited (but mostly modified) band in London, has made my Sunday thesis writing much easier.
Best part of the song: "So glad we maaaaaaaaaaaaaade it!!!!!!!!!"

I just ate the world's largest bagel. It was delicious.

Adele, "Make You Feel My Love"
On: 19 (2008)
What the song is about: It's an ode to the one you love, and a declaration of how deep that love goes...damn, could I have been any more generic with that?
Why I'm listening to it: It re-affirms my belief that any, ANY Bob Dylan song goes from 0 to 100 when sung by someone other than Bob Dylan. Yeah...I probably just uttered musical blasphemy...I mean, I love the dude as a songwriter, but I can count on one hand the number of his songs in which I actually enjoy his vocals. For anyone who thinks they can assuage my hatred of Dylan Singing, don't bother...I'm too far removed. Unless it's a track from Planet Waves, you'd better give it to me as a cover song.
Best lyric: "I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue/I'd go crawling down the avenue/No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love"...it borders on doormat status, but hey, everyone's been all-day sucker at some point.
...and for the record: I LOVE Jakob Dylan's voice. Go figure.

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

I don't understand why I come to work

Todd Rundgren, "Sweeter Memories"
On: Something/Anything? (1972)
What the song is about: Learning to walk the fine line between realism and optimism. Life is hard, and you should anticipate the rough spots...but the the sweet spots are there too, and (even though it can really difficult at times) you should focus on them.
Why I've been listening to it: I just got Something/Anything? on vinyl ($1 bitches--yowee!). I'm familiar with most of the album but I'd never listened to it from start to finish. "Sweeter Memories" was a stand-out track for me....I love that TR really belts out the song, like he really wants people to hear his words and live their lives better.....
Best lyric: The song boils down to TR's fortune cookie advice on filtering life's memories--"Take the good, leave the bad." Easier said than done I guess....

Sweeter Memories - Todd Rundgren

Good morning.

Sometimes my friends and I will be talking about a particular artist, and I will spew out some hyperbolic madness like, "OOOOHHH I would cut off my arm to see them live!!!!" Lately, I've noticed myself saying it more often than not; usually it's over an artist that's decent, but probably not worth losing a limb (Eddie Vedder, really?). Still, I think that some are....I was making a list of artists I would lose a body part to see (because that's what I do when I am avoiding my thesis), and I came up with this. Fortunately, nothing on my body is in danger of being removed as all of these people are deceased or not in their performing hay day anymore (*cough, cough* The Who). For the record, Prince would be on this list, but I've already seen him (and it was worth, like, eight of my fingers). So the list goes (in order)...

1) Michael Jackson (Thriller tour)
2) The Who (circa '69)
3) Otis Redding
4) Jeff Buckley

I think that (1), (2) and (3) are pretty obvious choices because each of the artists had legendary stage acts in their prime (if Otis Redding had a prime--he died at age 26). I don't know if Jeff Buckley can be considered a "great" performer, however, he was a great vocalist, and I would have liked hear him hit some of those high notes in person.

Here's a clip of Otis Redding singing "Try a Little Tenderness" somewhere in Europe in '67 (someone over at Stax was kind enough to throw this YouTube). I think it does a good job of displaying what made Otis so unique...he didn't have the greatest voice, but he knew how to work is range and could tear up a stage. My favorite part of this clip is after he murders the song and sends the audience into a frenzy (check out the blond in the front row). He exits the stage, only to come back twice more to pound the song into ground some more--each time a little bit harder.

Best part : "TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESSS!!!!!!"

I'm eating frosting. I made it from scratch.

Playlist: Lots o' Ryan Adams*
Rosalie Come and Go
Born Into a Light
Let Us Down Easy
Sink Ships
Come Pick Me Up
Natural Ghost
Battering Lines
Why Do They Leave
The Fools We Are As Men
The Bar Is a Beautiful Place


* from Heartbreaker (2000), Gold (2001), and Cardinology (2008). Songs are ordered from optimistic to pessimistic....and I mean that melodically...like, I ordered the tracks by how happy the melodies make me...most of the lyrics in this playlist are pretty pessimistic.

I'm an adult.

Lauryn Hill, "Everything is Everything"
On: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
What the song is about:The official credo of Hill...I kind of always thought of this song as kind of the"Don't Worry, Be Happy" for the hip-hop generation...Maybe? No?
Why I'm listening to it: I like her rap verse, especially...
Best lyric: "You can't match this rapper slash actress/ More powerful that two Cleopatras? Bomb graffiti on the tomb of Nefertiti/MCs ain't ready to take it to the Serengeti/ My rhymes is heavy like the mind of sister Betty." F*ck yeah, L-Boogie!



Evan Dando, "All My Life"
On: Baby I'm Bored (2003)
What the song is about: A grown man (not Dando, this one was actually written by Ben Lee) has an moment of clarity and checks his values system. He's dead inside an searching for a new (or any) feeling.
Why I'm listening to it: I'm still on that Lemonheads kick.
Best lyric: "To be filled with hatred/ For the time I’ve wasted/ And I’m so impatient/ For a new sensation"

I just ate a cupcake.

Mandy Moore, "All Good Things"
On: Wild Hope (2007)
What the song is about: Loss. Reflection Forgiveness. Mandy is thinking about the Mr. Wrong she used to be with, but is choosing to focus on the warm and fuzzy memories instead of the negative ones...then she spends the entire chorus wishing him well....I guess that's one way to handle it....
Why I'm listening to it: I've been a fan of MM2.0 since her adult-contempo pop album Coverage came out a few years ago (she won me over with her Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson covers). She's seemed to find a niche in the pop world that is mature but still appealing.
Also...she just married Ryan Adams, entering one of the strangest (yet cutest) unions I've ever seen.
Best lyric: "I can think of a million ways you proved you weren't the one/ To live inside of your shades of gray and never mind the sunshine that I'll find."
One more thing: Someone (I can't remember who) once jokingly referred to the cover art as "the Mandy who sold the world." So true http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wifuxqq5ld0e



Madonna, "Human Nature"
On: Bedtime Stories (1994)
What this song is about:Madonna's ultimate declaration of her sexuality. Sex isn't bad, so stop trying to stifle her!
Why I love love love this song: This is my favorite Madonna track (and video--love the latex and cornrows) of all time. It used to be for the beat and the razor-like synthesizers, but recently (like, last month in my cubicle) I really started to appreciate the lyrics. Only Madonna could make a song that's both sexually and intellectually provocative...Her innocent questions ("Did I say something wrong?", "Did I say something true?", "Would it sound better if I were a man?") are given a seedier meaning over the sleazy melody...if you answer yes to any of them, you're probably giving into the gender bias in sexuality she tried her whole career to fight.
Best lyric: "I'm not you're bitch, don't hang your shit on me!" Can I get a T-shirt that says that?

It's spring break. I'm at my parents' house.

Daniel Merriweather and Adele, "Water and a Flame"
On: Whatever Daniel Merriweather's debut album will be called (??????)
Why I'm surprised I like this song: Because Perez Hilton recommended it...and while I love his commentary of fashion, movies, politics and Young Hollywood's sexuality, I usually hate his music picks because they're always generic Europop...but lo and behold, he picked a good one. I'm picky about my Britt soul singers, but Adele is one that have loved from the get-go because 1) she's fat 2) she's proud of being fat 3) she really can sing 4) she calls her music "heartbroken soul"... I'd pass her the millennial blue-eyed soul baton over Amy Winehouse (who would most likely grind it up and snort it) or Dufffy any day. Daniel Merriweather...not so much. He didn't blow me away with his Ronson collaboration remix of "Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before" (did Morrissey ever say if he liked that track?), so I haven't really been anticipating his debut album. I'll probably look into it now because of this track. I think it's become painfully obvious that I like break-up songs, and this one is well-written and hook-y.
Best lyric: I like the beginning..."Seven days has gone so fast/I really though the pain would pass/ It's been nearly an hour since I thought of you/ But you're not answering your phone/ I'd settle for a busy tone/ At by that I'd know that you're OK/ A girl like you aint busy anyway."
Just my two cents: I'm willing to bet some serious cash that, once they hear this track, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake will huddled together in a studio, tinker with the lyrics and try make this a hit single for themselves.
Ch-ch-ch-check it out: http://perezhilton.com/2009-03-15-listen-to-this-an-orgasm-for-your-ears

Ah, yes, the R&B pick-me-up playlist

Playlist: I'm my own best friend!!!!!!!
Mary J. Blige, "Work That"
Michael Jackson "PYT"
Beyonce, "Me, Myself and I"
Donny Hathaway, "Someday We'll All Be Free"
Thicke, "Be Alright"
Leela James, "My Joy"
Sly and the Family Stone, "Everybody is a Star"
Joan Osborne, "Everybody is a Star"
Nikka Costa, "Everybody Got Thier Something"

A happy one, yes?

Joe Jackson, "Steppin' Out"

On: Night and Day (1982)

What the song is about: It's a beautiful night...why stay inside? JJ and his love try to spice up their monontonous relationship by (gasp!) leaving the house.

Why I keep listening to it: I just like the melody. I've been humming it for a while, and I couldn't remember which JJ song it was...I had to sift through my records and find it.

Best lyric: It's not a great line, but I totally understand what JJ means when he says, "We are young but getting old before our time..."

WHOOOOAAAA Kelly Clarkson!

Kelly Clarkson, "Cry"
On: All I Ever Wanted (2009)
What the song is about: Break-ups hurt, y'all, and this one is the worst. She's crying!
Just a little commentary: I forgive KC!!!! After listening to a leak of All I Ever Wanted, I feel like she has truley atoned for that faux-Evenescence shit she put out in '07. Not everyone is a songwriter (*cough, cough* Beyonce) or a rockstar (*cough, cough* Pink)--some people are just damn good pop singers. Yay for re-finding your niche, Kellykins!!!! Don't ever battle Clive Davis again. He knows what he's doing. If he bring Whitney back from crack he can help you too!!!
Why I'm now obsessed with this track: It's good!!!! Like, really good. It made me cry at my cubicle!!!!! It's "Where is Your Heart, pt 2"...... (another lame but well-sung KC ballad).
Best lyric: They're all corny as hell.....but...
The best part of the song: All of it!!!! Sing girl, SING!!!!!!!!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch

Elvin Biship, "Fooled Around and Fell In Love"
On: Struttin' My Stuff (1975)
What the song is about: Pretty self-explanatory...a fuck-and-run guy meets the right girl and suddenly grow a heart.
Why I'm listening to it: I created "Ambrosia radio" on Pandora, and this song is one in a stream of soft rock hits that the station keeps repeating. I hated it at first...I thought it was kind of hokey...now it's growing on me.
Best lyric: "It used to be when I'd see a girl that I liked/ I'd get out my book and write down her name/ But when the grass got a little greener over on the other side/ I'd just tear out that page." That's just cooooollllllddddd-bloooooooded!


T. Rex, "The Slider"
On: The Slider (1972)
What the song is about: I have no fucking clue...and that's about as much as I know about most of T.Rex's lyrics.
Why I fell asleep listening to it: This is one of the first vinyls I ever bought...I didn't know who T.Rex was at the time, I just really liked the cover (and it was $1)...and T. Rex became one of my favorite artists EVER...I listen to this record whenever I just need to feel better. I felt kind of shitty last night.
Best lyric: Oh the lyrics suck...I'm sure he was just pulling words out a hat ("I have never never nearly nosed before"....WTF? Is that a drug reference....Actually, that would make sense...)
Best part of the song: I've always kind of melted during the intro, because it's so simple...the distortion is warm and fuzzy, the beat it steady....it's a just a good groove...you just know right from the beginning that's going to be a good four minutes.

I can not. I will not.

Guns 'n' Roses, "You're Crazy"
On: Appetite for Destruction (1987)
What the song is about: The basket cases we seem to wind up dating.
Why I am BLARING it: Because the dude who broke up with me a month ago--for his ex that he "was still in love with"--thought it would fun to send me a text message saying that he still thinks about me a lot and that MAYBE he made a bad decision. Really dude, a month? Have you already fallen out of love with her in four weeks? Or do you think you deserve two girlfriends? Holy crap you are a total douche...I didn't text him back.
Best lyric: "YOU'RE FUCKING CRAZY! CRRRRAAAAAZZZYYYY!!!!!"

It could be so sweet.

Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators, "If This Aint Love, Don't Know What Is"
On: Keep Reachin' Up (2007)
What the song is about: Reeeeeaaaaalllllll looooooovvvvveeee.
Why I love it so much: There are two tracks on Keep Reachin' Up that I love, "If This Aint Love.." and a song on the flipside of the record called "No One's Gonna Love You." It's a nice sweet and sour combination to listen to....a song about settling in to life with "the one" and then falling right out of it and dealing with all of the wreckage....I think I like "If This Aint Love..." more because it reminds me of...people.
Best lyric: "You fill the empty spaces in my heart/ I can't imagine life if we're apart/ Sit in the easy chair and hold my hand/ And I satisfied this love is bonafide."

I should go to bed.

I should get a new hobby.

Oh me oh my.

Morning Sunshine

The Rolling Stones, "Tops"
On: Tattoo You (1981)
What the song is about: Men are pigs..but more specifically, a big shot rolls through a small town and tries to lure a pretty girl out with him with his "hold my hand lines."
Why I'm listening to it: It's easing the pain of having to write the results section of my thesis. Damn I'm hating school right now.
Best lyric: "Every man is the same." See, even Mick Jaggar admits it.


Led Zeppelin, "Whole Lota Love"
On: Hiawatha Express (??????)
What the song is about: Sex. It's not much deeper than.
Why it's rotating shift with Tatto You on my record player: First of all, I would just like to brag that I own this album. On vinyl. HE is a live Zepp bootleg, but no one knows the exact date it was recorded or where...I'm guessing it's pretty rare...I keep researching it and I can't even price the damn thing. I own it by circumstance...I was briefly dated a guy who scored a stack of amazing records from his grandmother's basement, and he left them all at my place because he didn't have his own record player. When we crashed and burned a few weeks later, I considered HE part of my serverance package. Take that, sucker!!!!!
Best lyric: "Shake for me girl! I wanna be your back door man!"

Today is definitely turning out to be a low spark.

I'm hating school a lot right now. I think coming here may have been a mistake.

Phil Collins, "I Missed Again"
On: Face Value (1981)
What the song is about: Face Value was pretty much a musical obituary for death of PC's marriage...I was watching an in-depth profile on this album of VH1 Classic (because I'm lame) and he was saying how the hook line "I missed again" was a shorthand way of saying that he had missed again at love/relationships.
Why I keep listening to it: I love the horns! The thing that is so great about Face Value is that, although all the songs are cohesive thematically, he didn't try to make album with one "sad" sound. I like the fact that he made a depressing song that you can dance to.
Best lyric: " I think about it from time to time when I'm lonely and on my own/ I try to forget and yet still rush to the phone."
Also...PC tries to dance in the music video. Hilarious.


Traffic, "Light Up Or Leave Me Alone"
On: The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys (1971)
What the song is about: Hypocrites.
Why I was listening to it this morning: Good groove, man. Just a good groove.
Best lyric: "You're up all night preaching you mind/ Come home in the morning with your latest find/ I'm gonna have to lay it yo you straight on the line/ Either light up or leave me alone."
Best part of the song: The whole thing is pretty amazing.

At the office. Avoiding my assignments.

Jill Scott, "Do You Remember?"
On: Experience Jill Scott (2001)
What the song is about: A couple that has grown, changed, and lost touch with each other over the years.
Why I was listening to it: This album was another HPB steal...It really made me appreciate Jill Scott and her vocal style. I enjoy artists that have the ability to use their voice as an instrument.
Best lyric: Honestly, I don't know many of the lyrics to this song. I just like the way that she sings it.
Best part of the song: Jill sparks a call-and-response session with the audience and makes them chant "Do you re-mem-ber me?" The women are great, but the guys are stellar.


Ambrosia, "You're the Only Woman"
On: One Eighty (1980)
What the song is about: After being with someone for so long, it's kind of pointless to question their love or pick fights about the small stuff...Just be grateful and enjoy the ride. "You're the Only Woman" was released as the B-side to Ambrosia's other cheese-tastic monster hit, "You're the Biggest Part of Me." I've always seen the combination of the two as sort of a one-two punch, "Let's Stay Together" for middle-aged white people.
Why I was listening to it: I take back what I said...MYSELF and middle-aged white people.
Best lyric: "When the pain of love surrounds you/ And the world may be unkind/ I'll put my lovin' arms around you/ Take you far from this place and time." Aww.


James Morrison, "If You Don't Wanna Love Me"
On: Songs For You, Truths For Me (2008)
What the song is about: JM's woman is pushing him away--but dammit, he's staying, HE'S STAYING!!!!!! (cue J-Hol/J-Hud impression)
Why I was listening to it: JM has been one of my favorite singers from across the pond since my friend Lee slipped me his debut album Undiscovered a couple of years ago. I don't think that Songs for You is a stronger album, but this is definitely a standout track lyrically and vocally.
Best lyric: "You can't push me too far/ There's no space in my heart where I don't wanna love you."
Best part of the song: When the chorus first rolls out and he wails/cries "I'M GONNA STAAAAYYYYY!!!!!", you're pretty much ready and willing to believe anything he says after that.


The Doobie Brothers, "What a Fool Believes"
On: Minute by Minute (1978)
What the song is about: A man is reunited with a woman he once dated. To him, she was everything and has been lingering on his mind for years. What he fails to see is that he was anything but to her.
Why I was listening to it: Michael McDonald is a guilty pleasure of mine. Also, imeem recommended it to me while I was listening to Ambrosia.
Best lyric: "As he rises to her apology/ Anybody else would surely know/ He's watching her go." Every time I hear that part I always feel SO BAD for the guy...being dismissed by someone totally sucks, and he is so dense he can't even tell.
Best part of the song: "No wise man has the pow-ah...." That falsetto!!!!!

I had a pretty good day.

Marvin Gaye, "After the Dance"
On: I Want You (1978)
What the song is about: MG locks eyes with a mystery woman from across the room..and makes imaginary plans for later.
Why I was listening to it: It seemed like good 'fro-picking music this morning.
Best lyric: "And I wonder would she want me (Ah, wonder if she, would go for me)/ If she knows what she needs is me?"...MG is really captivated by the woman, so much so that he spends the entirety of the song musing about 1) her beauty 2) the way she moves and 3) what she may be like in bed. Still, as much as he is in awe of her, he's not intimidated, and he assumes she wants him just as much as he wants her.
Best part of the song: When MG telepathically asks the woman "What you gonna do?" from across the room, he hits THE SWEETEST falsetto. Priceless.



Salt 'n' Peppa, "None of Your Business"
On: Very Necessary (1993)
What the song is about: Sometimes, girls like to f*** too. Quit hatin'!!!!!!!
Why it has replaced The Lemonheads in my truck stereo: It was $1 at Half Priced Books...I couldn't resist.
Best lyric: "I treat a man like he treats me/ The difference between a hooker and a ho ain't nothin' but a fee/ So hold your tongue tightly, wish you could be like me."

All that bad singing has given me a sore throat....

...so I cleaned my apartment.

Ambrosia, "How Much I Feel"
On: Life Beyond L.A. (1978)
What the song is about: A relationship in which the parties are better off apart, but being hung up on it well after it's over.
Why I played it as I was dusting: I know it's lame, but I love 70s and 80s soft rock-- Journey, Foreigner, Hall ad Oats...yes, these groups are usually considered to be super saccharine, but I enjoy killer pop hooks and lead singers with beastly voices. Ambrosia probably isn't considered the biggest and baddest of these pop/rock arena bands (that honor would go to Steve Perry & Co.) but they have always been my favorite. Their music is a little less cheese-tastic than that of their peers; I don't feel so embarrassed when someone looks through my ipod and sees "How Much I Feel" versus "I Wanna Know What Love Is".
My favorite lyrics... I've always appreciated the frankness of "How Much I Feel". A lot of times songs about relationships are 1) saddled with metaphors or 2) describe what is going on in an overblown way. In this song, the love has died, no one is happy, and there is no need to dress it up: "Well you try to stay in the middle/ And the you cry just a little/ And then you both realize just how foolish you've been/ And you try to make amends/ But you're better off as friends."
....But my favorite part of the song is always: Whenever David Pack belts, "THAT'S HOWWWWWW MUUUUCCCCCHHHH!!!!"

More Lemonheads, yes?

The Lemonheads, "My Drug Buddy"

On: It's a Shame About Ray (1992)

What the song is about: self-explanatory

Why I keep listening to it: I like to listen to it as I play along on my guitar. I love a song with only four chords. Also, the music masks my terrible singing.

My favorite lyric: "I'm too much with myself/I wanna be someone else"

I'm not at work today.

Some of the background noise in my apartment...

The Lemonheads, "Confetti"
On: It's a Shame About Ray (1992)
What the song is about: A guy who could love his girlfriend...but eh, why bother?
It's in my truck stereo because: I saw the album at Half Priced Books for $1. Also, J Hatfield is on bass.
Best Lyric: "He kinda shoulda sorta woulda loved her if he could've/He'd rather be alone than pretend." Admirable or assholish?


Marie 'Queenie' Lyons, "Snake in the Grass"
On: Soul Fever (1970)
What the song is about: Pretty obvious metaphor...her husband is a liar...and a cheat...and she don't want him no more (cue Angela Basset/Katherine Jackson impression)
Why I'm listening to it: I actually bought this album on a shopping trip with the guy who turned out to be as worthless as the fictitious husband Queenie is talking about. How fitting.
Best lyric: The lyrics don't get me as much as how she sings them. As she starts describing her husband's transition from charmer to jerk, her voice starts to strain and get tense. By the time she gets to the chorus ("Snake in the grass! A poison flower! He smiles when he lies!), she's damn near screaming.



David Bowie, "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"
On: David Live (1974)
What the song is about: The fall of Ziggy Stardust.
Why I looooooove this song: This track serves as the climax of the ZS album, and Bowie uses it to close this wonderful live set as well. Like a lot of the other songs in the set list, he slows "Suicide" down for heightened drama and gives a more R&B feel...He even sings the song an octave higher than that studio version (and throws in some extra 'Ooohs' and 'Ahhs' for good measure).
Best lyric: I LIVE for the last 90 seconds of this song...Bowie really digs deep to deliver his affirmations (You're not alone! All you have to do is...OOOOOH...Give me your hand! Cause your wonderful, wonderful, wonderful...OOOH!) and he soars in his delivery.

Let's keep it going, shall we?....Don't date him, girl! pt 2

Juliana Hatfield, "My Baby"
On: How to Walk Away (2008)
What the song is about: Ahhh...the moment you realize someone doesn't love/want you anymore. Priceless.
Why I love it: I have a really, really, really, soft spot for Juliana Hatfield. Until Lauryn Hill lost her damn mind, JH was my second favorite female singer/songwriter, but now she firmly holds the No. 1 spot. I pretty much adore anything she writes. "My Baby" is the best track on a really spectacular break-up album...It's so pretty that you almost forget how sad of a song it is.
Best lyric: "He used to look in my eyes and talk to me/But now we just have sex and watch TV." Damn. Ouch. Been there.


Elton John, "I've Seen That Movie Too"
On: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
What the song is about: This song always reminded me of "Hello It's Me"...It's very much about how insincere people can be when trying to end a relationship. EJ likens the canned routine he is being fed while being dumped to a bad scene in a B film...it's snarky and it works.
Why I love it: It plays in my head every time I smell bullshit on a guy.
Best lyric: ALL OF THEM. This song should be required listening for all women.


Ann Peebles, "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down"
On: I Can't Stand the Rain (1973)
What the song is about: First off I would just like to say the AP is criminally underappreciated. Her voice is so gritty! Her songs are so hardcore! She is never, ever passive in her lyrics or her vocal delivery. And this one is a stellar example....a classic track about finding your man cheating and deciding to take action.
Why I love the song: I love the steady pace of this track and the strength/control of her voice....like I can just picture AP fucking this dude's shit up and then going home and making herself some tea.
Best lyric: "I'm gonna tear your playhouse down/Pretty soon/I'm gonna tear your playhouse down/ Room by room" She really burns the words when she says "room by room". I wish I was that hard!

Don't date him, girl!

I love all kinds of music on all types of subject, but my sweet stars I really love break-up songs. I don't think that there is anything easier to write or sing about than relationship-induced misery.

Amy Winehouse, "Wake Up Alone"

On: Black to Black (2007)

What the the song is about: The story has become infamous....Amy was dating Blaaaaaake. Blaaaaaake left her. She was trying to deal.

Why I've been listening to it lately: I was dating someone...I think...He left me...I'm trying to deal.

Best lyric: "I stay up, clean the house, at least I'm not drinking/ Run around enough so I don't have to think about thinking." Recently, I spent four hours of my afternoon shopping for cookie cutters, and then I came home and took my keyboard apart so I could clean it. Amy, I understand your pain.

Todd Rundgren, "Hello It's Me"

On: Something/Anything (1972)

What the song is about: Being dumped coldly and abruptly...I think TR has actually said the song was written about being dumped over the phone. To me the song is a textbook example of the bullshit people tell you when the break your heart in an attempt to save face...basically, this is the theme song to any asshole who has ever used the line, "It's not you, it's me" or "Let's just be friends."

Why I've been listening to it lately: Because the same guy who left me handed me some similar lines of poetry right before telling me he was getting back together with his ex.

Best lyric: "Think of me/ You know that I'd be with you if I could/I'll come around to see you once and awhile/Or if I ever need a reason to smile/ And spend the night if you think I should."

Actually, maybe that's the worst lyric...

Prince, "Anotherloverholenyohead"
On: Parade (1986)
What the song is about: Some b!tch who wasn't grateful for the Purple One's sweet, sweet lovin' and left him.

Why I've been listening to it lately: Honestly, I was listening to this a lot before I got dumped...I just think Prince is a sexy motherfucker. Also, I admire his disdain of modern-day spelling and grammar rules.
Best lyric: Go straight to the chorus--"You need another lover like you need a hole in your head/You know there aint no other who can do the duty in your bed."

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, "Carry On"

On: Deja Vu (1970)....but I like Alana Davis' cover that she recorded for that random ass Sony commercial (2003)

What the song is about: Put simply, love has been lost, but love will be found again.

Why I've been listening to it lately: It's so damn hopeful. Like, these dudes honestly and truly believe that "love is coming to us all"....It's so hippie-dippy that you can't help but sing along.

Best lyric: "One morning I woke up, and I knew you were really gone/A new day, a new way, and I knew I should see it along." Holy shit, closure and hope in ten seconds. I love it.