Day 21: Oh. . . Happy Day. . .

The banality of today's topic is nauseating. A song that you listen to when you are happy (barf). Super interesting (yawn). But I've come so far in this challenge, worked so hard, reached for those stars, and what not. It would be totally lame-sauce to quit now. So I guess today we will focus on all things warm and fuzzy-rainbows, leprechauns, kittens dressed as bunnies, ice cream sundaes, jordan almonds, pastel colored marshmallows, etc. . . The topic of the day? A song that you listen to when you are happy.

The distinction here being; a song listened to when already happy, not listened to to obtain happiness. The fleeting nature of emotional "happiness" makes todays task a bit tricky. In true lady form, I tend to be a bit emotionally tumultuous naturally. However, I do find myself in a blissful state of sublimity from time to time. And when I am happy, the whole world is happy, and this is what we listen to:

A TOP THREE LIST OF MY HAPPY SONGS!!!!

3. Starship "We Built This City"

It doesn't involve too much thinking. It's super fun and pop-y. I love pretending that I had some hand in building a city on rock and roll. It seems super satisfying/gratifying to build a city on rock and roll. I don't really understand why all cities aren't built on rock and roll. If I were President I would create a mandate specifying that all new cities must be built on rock and roll (and some old stupid cities would have to be rebuilt on rock and roll as well-I'm looking at you Lincoln, Nebraska)

Bonus, timing the high notes is a fun game.

2. Nappy Roots "Aw Naw"

A delightfully enjoyable song about what life is like as a country boy. Not only does this song bring back blissful memories of my youth (I was not a "country boy" I just listened to this song. . . a lot), it is also incredibly fun to sing along with, you know, because there are so many fun singing/rapping styles. Plus, who doesn't love big fat wheels?

1. The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations"

This is my all time favorite happy song. I think because it has just an ever so slight tinge of heartbreak/sorrow which creates an aesthetically pleasing dynamism. It's not cheesy. It's melodic. The Beach Boys rule. It's just a really wonderful musical composition. It's a really nice song to have stuck in your head. I recommend it.

Next Up:

A song you listen to when you're sad

Day 20. . . When Very Angry. . .

So, let's talk about anger, shall we? I for one am not a big fan of being angry. In general, I am opposed to emotions that are useless, but, being human, I do experience them from time to time. So today's fun little theme involves music that one listens to when one is angry. So, those who know me well are aware that I am prone to the anxiety, frustration, and occasional panic attack. No big deal, it's just my nature to run a bit high strung. I've even been told it's a bit charming. That said, music has wonderful therapeutic/nerve calming qualities that I do often take advantage of when I am in the stress. I love to sing. It is pretty much my favorite thing to do. Singing is the ultimate stress reliever, therefore, I often sing my anger away. However, there are also times when I enjoy wallowing in a foul mood and this pastime requires a much different soundtrack. So here, today, on this little blog, let us explore both means of handling anger.

So, anger suits some people. It's like their schtick. I am not one of those people. In my prior life as a Minnesotan I best handled stress through driving around and blaring my stereo, you know, putting on a little bit of a concert for myself. I had a few go to crowd pleasers. Maybe this warrants a top ten list? Maybe Warrant makes an appearance on said list? So here it is (Prince omitted because I write about him way too often, although he is fabulous):

Top Ten List of Songs that De-stress This Lady (When Performed in a Car):

10. Ozzy Osbourne "Mamma I'm Coming Home"

9. Guns N' Roses "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"

8. George Michel "Faith" and "Teacher"

7. Elton John "Tiny Dancer"

6. Sisqo "Thong Song"

5. T.I. "Whatever You Like"

4. MGMT "Kids"

3. Vampire Weekend "Oxford Comma"

2. Talking Heads "Road To Nowhere"

and, number one, for no reason in particular aside from the fact that in this moment I feel like making it number 1. . .

actually, upon further reflection, this might be the greatest song in the world ever written, ever. Honestly. It is really superlatively amazing. Someday I will Karaoke it. 'Twill be magnificent. Really though, if this song does not snap you out of a bad mood then you probably suck at life.

Anyway, I've veered a bit from the topic at hand. More than anything, I have just materialized a list of my go to favorite songs to sing along to. But they do induce happiness so I do listen to them when I am angry.

Now for the other kind of angry song. This kind of song perpetuates anger, it allows one to revel in a foul mood. It is perfect to listen to while grimacing. Even the sweetest of us are not immune from these dark life moments. Sometimes a person just needs to spend some time being mad. Sometimes a person just needs to yell along to an angry song. So here is another top ten list of songs I listen to when I want to perpetuate a baditude.

Top Ten List of My Baditudinal Songs

10. Danzig "Mother"

9. Skid Row "18 and Life"

8. Echo and the Bunnymen "The Killing Moon"

7. Kanye West "Can't Tell Me Nothing"

6. Ozzy Osbourne "Road to Nowhere"

5. Nine Inch Nails "Hurt"

4. Hole "Take Everything"

3. Roy Orbison "Working For the Man"

2. ACDC "Highway to Hell"

and number 1 is. . .

Because it is perfect.

Next Up:

A song that you listen to when you're happy