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

Day Ninteen: Bring 2 Life a Vision in One's Mind

Today's topic is pretty simple, a song from your favorite album. As previously mentioned my favorite album in Prince's "Purple Rain." You can take take the girl out of Minnesota but you can't take the Minnesota out of the girl. . . as they say. I don't really have any pithy anecdotes today nor do I have any waxing of the poetic. So, in an attempt to not spout any more cliches, we'll keep things simple today.

Here it is, one of my all time favorite songs from my all time favorite album. When I saw Prince this summer his performance of this song was my fave part of the show.

At this point in the movie Prince is all sorts of torn up about Apollonia 6 and her inability to choose between him and Morris Day (tough choice-not).

Here it is. "The Beautiful Ones" by Prince.



Lyrics
The Beautiful Ones
Prince

Baby, baby, baby
What's it gonna be
Baby, baby, baby
Is it him or is it me?
Don't make me waste my time
Don't make me lose my mind baby

Baby, baby, baby
Can't u stay with me tonight
Oh baby, baby, baby
Don't my kisses please u right
U were so hard 2 find
The beautiful ones, they hurt u everytime

Paint a perfect picture
Bring 2 life a vision in one's mind
The beautiful ones
Always smash the picture
Always everytime

If I told u baby
That I was in love with u
Oh baby, baby, baby
If we got married
Would that be cool?

U make me so confused
The beautiful ones
U always seem 2 lose

Baby, baby,
Baby, baby,
Baby, baby,
Baby,
What's it gonna be baby?

Do u want him?
Or do u want me?
Cause I want u
Said I want u
Tell me, babe
Do u want me?
I gotta know, I gotta know
Do u want me?
Baby, baby, baby
Listen 2 me
I may not know where I'm going (babe)
I said I may not know what I need
One thing, one thing's 4 certain baby
I know what I want, yeah
and if it please u baby
please u, baby
I'm begging down on my knees
I want u
Yes I do
Baby, baby, baby, baby
I want you

Yes I do



Next Up:
A song you listen to when you are angry

Day 18: Dear Radio, You Could Be Better

Sometimes the radio is awesome. Sometimes it's pretty lame. Overall I'm glad it exists. There is something very exciting about not knowing what song will play next. Anticipation and what not. Not even "shuffle" can induce the kind of nervous excitement the way the radio can. Who isn't hyped when they hear 3-5 amazing songs in a row?! It's like a miracle happened. I, for one, used to love the seek button on my car's stereo system. I was addicted to "seeking." We recently rented a car to drive to North Carolina, I "seeked" for a good hour just because I had so much pent up desire to do so. Seeking out the best possible song playing on the radio at a particular moment is a major passion of mine. Most people who find themselves in a car with me find this particular idiosyncrasy annoying. Kyle doesn't and that is how I know I've chosen a quality partner for myself.

So today's song is a song that I would like to hear on the radio. I knew the answer almost instantly. Practically from birth I have been a huge David Bowie fan. There is one Bowie song that you will never hear on the radio but I think the radio would be a little bit sweeter if it put this song on rotation from time to time. The song is. . . drum roll please. . . "Magic Dance" by David Bowie from the hit Jim Henson film The Labyrinth.

So here it is, a song that I wish I heard on the radio. Because you have to be dead inside not to be hyped on it.




"Magic Dance"

You remind me of the babe
What babe? babe with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the babe

I saw my baby, crying hard as babe could cry
What could I do
My baby's love had gone
And left my baby blue
Nobody knew

What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dogs' tails
Thunder or lightning
Then baby said
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby, make him free

I saw my baby, trying hard as babe could try
What could I do
My baby's fun had gone
And left my baby blue
Nobody knew

What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dog's tails
Thunder or lightning
Then baby said
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby, make him free
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that baby spell on me (ooh)

You remind me of the babe
What babe? the babe with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the babe

Dance magic, dance, ooh ooh ooh
Dance magic, dance magic, ooh ooh ooh
Dance magic

What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dog tails
Thunder or lightning
Something frightening

Dance magic, dance
Dance magic, dance
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump
Jump magic, jump
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby make him free
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic
Slap that slap that baby make him free
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)

Bonus Video

"As The World Falls Down"



Runners Up:
1. "Porch Light" by Neko Case
2. Different Strokes theme song
3. "Poop Song" by Sarah Silverman

Next Up:
A song from your favorite album

Day 17: I'm Not The Only One

Today's topic is pretty boring so I am just going to get right to it. Today's song gets a ton of play. . . on the radio. People love to love it but don't really seem to get it or we'd be living in a much different world.

So here it is, a song often heard on the radio:

Imagine by John Lennon



Lyrics

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one



So, next time you hear this song on the radio, which, if you listen to the radio, will be shortly, I challenge you to imagine a world in which people listen to this song and actually take the time to understand the words that they're warbling along to. Imagine a world in which people adhere to/believe in the message professed in this much beloved song.


Next Up:
A song you wish you heard on the radio

Day Sixteen: Loving to Hate and Hating to Love

So I unexpectedly did not have to go in to work today endowing me with tons of extra time to waste on this blog entry. Today's super fun topic? A song you used to love and now hate. I've actually been keeping this in the back of my mind for a couple days now, only to come up with nothing. About an hour ago a lightbulb appeared, telling me to look toward my computer for the answer.

So I've got a vintage e-mac from the winter of 2003 (thank you dad!) that contains all the music I used to like from that era of my life. The only problem? I can't remember the password.



So, being one of the TVless, I've been using said E-mac to watch Dvd's. A few months ago we had a falling out when she decided not to give me back my Gilmore Girls Season four disc five. So you know what I did? I shut that slut down only to find out upon restart that I no longer remembered my own login password. I am getting a bit up there in the years. So I was like "whatever, I don't need you anyway E-mac. See if I care." But today, I did need her. I needed her a lot. There was literally nothing else I needed more. Lucky for me, the internet exists. Thanks to all the nerds out there who need to break into their old computers to do/retrieve nerdy things-then write about the experience on nerd forums. Breaking into my computer was a breeze. I am pretty sure I could break into anyone's computer now.

So I get in and open up my I-tunes, expecting to find a treasure trove of songs I used to love but now hate. Seemed logical. Error upon Error. In reality so much time has elapsed that I found a treasure trove of songs I used to love-then hated-and now love again! (ex. Steve Miller Band's "Space Cowboy") Life is so crazy. I listened to Whitney Houston's "My Love is Your Love" twice. The second time I sang along with lyrics that I pulled up on the afore mentioned internet. Currently I am listening to Nelly's "Air Force Ones." Do yourself a favor and revisit Nelly, no joke. Shit's good. Then, listen to Skee-lo's "I wish." You won't regret it. So I didn't find past loved/currently hated songs hand-over-fist the way I had anticipated but I was able to find a few. Enough to work with at least.

I actually can't really choose. So today we have a tie.

#1

In my younger years I thought going to Raves was way awesome. Actually, they were way cool. Some of my best memories are from my raving days-yes memories, my friends and I were the only ravers in the world not doing drugs or drinking. We just really liked to dance all night, and being underage, there really wasn't any other venue for such romping. One night, we drove to a rave in Duluth, Minnesota, put on our rave gear in a random rest stop (boas and all), Danced all night, then drove home (4 hours) at 6a.m. We stopped for Hardees breakfast of course. We also went to a Halloween rave at the Medina Ballroom. I was a vampire.

Anyway, liking this song was a bi-product of my raver ways.

So here it is, a song I used to love (an understatement), that I now hate. We used to listen to this on repeat and drive around Minneapolis smoking cigarettes.

Paul Okenfold's remix of Delerium's "Silence" featuring Sarah McLachlan

#2

I used to love Staind. Now I hate them. Big surprise. So here is song number two:




So far, out of all the 30 Day Song Challenge posts I've done, this one is, hands down, the most embarrassing.

Next up: A song you often hear on the radio