3/15/2009

Music Monday: Listen here before you die

Ok, I've given up on the notion of reader requests for the moment since it's hard to do a post about reader requests when only two readers request something. Ahem. Last time I was inundated, this time, not so much. I actually have more readers than I did then, but that does not translate to people wanting their music put up on this here blog. Ah well. Two people - I'll save your music recommendations for next time, whenever I'm bold enough to do this again.

I was going to make this a Music Monday with The Dude's music, but upon further reflection realised that his music is shit. I'm on board with Madness, Bjork and Nirvana but it all goes downhill from there - Phil Collins, Sugababes, Will Young, and any adult contemporary ballads from the 80s and 90s. It's gross.

As serendipity would have it, yesterday The Guardian published a series entitled "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear", with a focus on love songs. I thought I'd completely pilfer their list for songs that I, and in some cases, The Dude, like. Admittedly this is a list whereby the insinuation is that the music is of a certain quality, thus excluding The Dude's kind of music, but I may be surprised as I proceed. A lot of these are old school, but as there isn't much like that on Music Monday, all the better.

Badly Drawn Boy: The Shining


Funny story about BDB - a friend of mine went to see him in concert years ago and he was insanely drunk. Much heckling insued and he ended up shouting at the crowd to fuck off. Haha. You wouldn't think the writer of such a song would be that...mercurial.

The Beach Boys featured heavily on this list, what with Pet Sounds widely accepted as one of the best albums ever. I could have chosen "God Only Knows" (which makes me think of Big Love)or "Good Vibrations", and though I wanted to pick "Don't Worry Baby", it wasn't on the list. Instead, I'll settle for "Wouldn't It Be Nice".

Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice


I have a confession to make. I don't really like The Beatles. Sacrilege, I know. I'm sorry, I don't really get the hype. I was ready to leave them out of this list, but I live in England and all that, so here we go.

The Beatles: Something


Because I cannot possibly not include Johnny Cash...

Johnny Cash: I Walk the Line


Uh, and you might as well know that I can't resist a song featuring both Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. I was going to just put up the Dylan version of "Girl From the North Country", but I was swayed so easily. Sorry.

Bob Dylan feat. Johnny Cash: Girl From the North Country


Ella Fitzgerald: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye (starts at 3.40)


I don't care what anyone says - I friggin love Ms Dolly Parton. I also genuinely like "I Will Always Love You", despite the ghastly Whitney version. So there.

Dolly Parton: I Will Always Love You



Sweet baby jee, I love this song. You're obviously a freak if you don't.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles: You've Really Got a Hold On Me



Though there are other songs on the list from "Dirty Dancing", I didn't want to assume that everyone else felt the same way about that AWESOME film that I do.

Ronettes: Be My Baby


Did you know this next one was written by Carole King? I can't reconcile the Motown thing with a singer/songwriter hippie sound a la Carole King. Hmph.

The Shirelles: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?


Has anyone ever seen Phil Hartman's impression of Sinatra on SNL? Hilarious stuff. I think of it every time I watch a Sinatra performance.

Frank Sinatra: Fly Me to the Moon


I was once friends with this snobby playwright-to-be who is now apparently taking certain parts of the theatrical world by storm. It seems His Highness finds himself to be a bit above me now, having rejected a previous friend request on a social networking site which shall remain nameless. Anyway, he always made fun of me for liking this song, but hey ho. Fuck him and his affected British-lite accent (you're from New Jersey mate, get over yourself). Moving on...

Paul Weller: You Do Something to Me


As I'm a wee bit obsessed with Neil Young at the moment, it only makes sense that I should include him here since he's on the list. I know I had this song on a previous Music Monday, but what of it?

Neil Young: Only Love Can Break Your Heart


Because I'm all about opening up my heart to you folks, I present to you "our song". It's not on the list, but it damn well should be.

Gene: Speak to Me Someone


What our your (ie, the two or three vocal ones) favourite love songs?

10 comments:

Yo-yo Mama said...

I made a request eons ago. I shant request a second time.

Nooooo, I don't hold grudges.

elizasmom said...

Alright, I MUST know who the playwright is!

Beautiful Mess said...

Just two?! What the....! If you ever find Big Thing by Duran Duran, I'll be your bestest best friend EVER! Great songs, as always.

Helen said...

You had me at Ella Fitzgerald.

Anonymous said...

Seven - James
Worried About You - The Rolling Stones (also Wild Horses)
If You Don't Love Me I'll Kill Myself - Pete Droge
Wonderful - Adam Ant (seriously. Don't hate me but I adore this song)
... and I'm sure there are others but none of them are straight-up love songs. Most of my favorites tend to be along the Smiths/Cure axis of "I love you but you don't know I exist so it's hopeless and so is life, I'm going to sit in this dark corner and brood instead."

Molly said...

There's a problem with the Dolly Parton video. At least on my computer it shows Smokey & the Robinsons twice.

Also -- PHIL COLLINS? WTF, Dude? (though I will admit to singing along with a chorus or two of "Take A Look At Me Now." I am not proud of this fact).

I think two of the best songs ever written are God Only Knows by the Beach Boys and Somewhere from West Side Story. Bernstein represent.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know there were people who actually LIKED Phil Collins. I heart Dirty Dancing.

Favorite love song: Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis.

Anonymous said...

P.S. I carried a watermelon.

Anonymous said...

Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan singing together? I think I just SQUEEEEd out loud.

Will get back to you on love songs. Am all squeeeeed out.

Best wishes to the bionic Dude.

Kissing your poor stuffed head better, and hoping P is angelic until the Dude is up to chasing her himself.

DrSpouse said...

You must be like me, Big Love obsessed, as you've put up God Only Knows instead of Wouldn't it be Nice! Have you seen any of series 2 or 3? I'm loving 3 at the moment.

(I already requested a running day so my obligation is done, OK? But in general I like to know what the kids are down with, so newer stuff please).