I changed the comments settings. Didn't realize you had to have an account to leave one before. Now anyone can leave one, so please do so if you feel so inclined.
110. "Wind It Up" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
More of a silly break up song, the type of song BNL are more known for. The guitar part in this song is one of the better ones in their catalogue, and overall it's just a nice steady rock song. The video is also one of my favorites. BNL had an air guitar contest for this song, and the winners got clips of their videos in the official video. My personal favorite is the little kid doing the "Addicted To Love" type video.
Line: "I was a baby when I learned to suck, but you have raised it to an art form."
109. "Hollow Hills" by Bauhaus (Mask)
Definitely one of the more somber and morose songs on my little list. For only being around for about four years or so, Bauhaus had an amazing impact on the "Goth" music scene, yet you rarely ever hear them being named as an influence for anybody, even when they are blatantly ripping them off. At any rate, this is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard, even if you can't really understand half of what's being sung.
Line: "Love lies there still... So sad."
108. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Probably the best pure rock song My Chemical Romance have recorded. And yes, it's another break up song. Love the guitars in this song, too.
Line: "Forget about the dirty looks, the photographs your boyfriend took."
107. "High Hopes" by Pink Floyd (The Division Bell)
This is one of only two Pink Floyd songs on here, surprising with how much I like them. Then again, I like The Who even more, and they aren't on here at all. Go figure. A lot of people didn't really like this album, but I thought it was pretty good. Since it ended up being their last studio album, this song, the final one on the album, seems like a fitting finale for one of the best bands ever.
Line: "Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon, though down this road we've been so many times."
106. "A Few Hours After This" by The Cure (B-side of "Inbetween Days" single)
One of the very few B-sides on this list, but one of the many by The Cure that could have been album tracks, or even singles in some cases. I personally think this song would have fit better on The Head On the Door (the album "Inbetween Days" is from) better than at least 3 songs that actually made it on to the album. The orchestration is some of the best they did in the earlier years, and the drum part is one of my favorite of any song they've done, even with as simple as it is.
Line: "Put your hands around my heart and squeeze me til I'm dry."
(Video note -- There's no video of any versions that are actually by The Cure, so this is from a Cure cover band called The Curse. The live strings don't sound as impressive as the synthesized strings on the original recording, but it's not too bad of a version.)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Favorite Songs: 115-111
115. "True Faith" by New Order (Substance)
One of the most instantly recognizable songs from the '80s, even if nobody ever remembers the name of the song. Just really great Euro-pop back when there was such a thing.
Line: "Now I feel you've left me standing in a world that's so demanding."
114. "Was It Something I Said?" by Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark (Sugar Tax)
This is just a stellar song. It's written and sung as if it's about the breakup with an ex lover, but in reality it's about the breakup of OMD. Andy McCluskey, lead singer of OMD, split with the band under rather ugly circumstances, and released Sugar Tax under the OMD name even though it was just him. This is pretty much aimed at the rest of the band in general, and co-founding member Paul Humphries in particular.
Line: "I can hate you no more, I can't even the score. Almost half of my life just fell right on the floor."
113. "Ring the Bells" by James (Seven)
I really don't know why I waited so long to buy this album. I first started listening to James in '93, when Laid came out, and have gotten nearly every album of theirs since, as they have really become one of my three favorite bands. This album, however, which was the album before Laid, for some reason I didn't get until earlier this year, and since the first time I listened to it I've been kicking myself for waiting so long. This is definitely one of the 2 best songs on the album, but not even top ten for the band. You will be seeing them on this list quite a bit.
Line: "Got to keep awake to what is happening. I can't see a thing through my ambition. I no longer feel like God is watching over me."
112. "Washing Of the Water" by Peter Gabriel (Us)
One of the most absolutely beautiful songs I've ever heard, off one of my top 5 all time favorite albums.
Line: "So tough to stay with this thing 'cause if I follow through, I face what I denied."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKp1C6zrTc
111. "Not Enough Time" by INXS (Welcome To Wherever You Are)
One of the most underrated INXS songs, off what is unquestionably their most unappreciated album. One of the most blatant love songs on this list (so far), it is all about devotion, start to finish.
Line: "Making love, we are immortal. We are the last two left on Earth."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijf1b23xC80
Damned disabled embedding. Grr.
One of the most instantly recognizable songs from the '80s, even if nobody ever remembers the name of the song. Just really great Euro-pop back when there was such a thing.
Line: "Now I feel you've left me standing in a world that's so demanding."
114. "Was It Something I Said?" by Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark (Sugar Tax)
This is just a stellar song. It's written and sung as if it's about the breakup with an ex lover, but in reality it's about the breakup of OMD. Andy McCluskey, lead singer of OMD, split with the band under rather ugly circumstances, and released Sugar Tax under the OMD name even though it was just him. This is pretty much aimed at the rest of the band in general, and co-founding member Paul Humphries in particular.
Line: "I can hate you no more, I can't even the score. Almost half of my life just fell right on the floor."
113. "Ring the Bells" by James (Seven)
I really don't know why I waited so long to buy this album. I first started listening to James in '93, when Laid came out, and have gotten nearly every album of theirs since, as they have really become one of my three favorite bands. This album, however, which was the album before Laid, for some reason I didn't get until earlier this year, and since the first time I listened to it I've been kicking myself for waiting so long. This is definitely one of the 2 best songs on the album, but not even top ten for the band. You will be seeing them on this list quite a bit.
Line: "Got to keep awake to what is happening. I can't see a thing through my ambition. I no longer feel like God is watching over me."
112. "Washing Of the Water" by Peter Gabriel (Us)
One of the most absolutely beautiful songs I've ever heard, off one of my top 5 all time favorite albums.
Line: "So tough to stay with this thing 'cause if I follow through, I face what I denied."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKp1C6zrTc
111. "Not Enough Time" by INXS (Welcome To Wherever You Are)
One of the most underrated INXS songs, off what is unquestionably their most unappreciated album. One of the most blatant love songs on this list (so far), it is all about devotion, start to finish.
Line: "Making love, we are immortal. We are the last two left on Earth."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijf1b23xC80
Damned disabled embedding. Grr.
Favorite Songs: 119-116
119. "Dead!" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
So yeah, I never really read the lyrics to this song before, and actually debated moving it up the list once I did. The Black Parade is basically all about someone dying, and all the situations and emotions surrounding it, and this is one of the more central songs to that theme. Great song.
Line: "Tongue-tied and oh-so squeamish you never fell in love did you get what you deserved?"
118. "Softly" by The Soup Dragons (Lovegod)
Just a really pretty song that got lost on a mediocre at best album. Met these guys at a pre-concert meet-and-greet at the old Empire in downtown Cleveland. One of the girls at the table I was at was telling the bass player about a friend of theirs that came to the show hoping to get a ticket at the door, but was stuck waiting in the car because it was sold out. The dude took the girl out to the car, got her friend, and brought him in, completely free. Thought that was pretty bad ass. Too bad the rest of the band were a bunch of douche bags. Throwing another song by them on here that is also pretty good, called "Dream-E-Forever," because I can't find any videos for "Softly."
Line: "Every time I see your face, you know I softly die."
117. "Pray Your Gods" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (fear)
These guys were popular for about 5 minutes, and it was mostly due to some of their worst songs, such as "Walk On the Ocean" and "All I Want." This song was off the same album, which wasn't anywhere near as good as their first album, Pale. This is probably the best song off fear, just a beautiful, haunting, chilling song. This is also one of my favorite lines from any song...
Line: "Is it that they fear the pain of death? Or could it be they fear the joy of life?"
116. "A Thousand Hours" by The Cure (Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me)
Definitely one of the prettier Cure songs from the pre-Disintegration albums. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me is probably one of the most... I don't know... odd, I guess, albums that I have. Never quite follows one specific path. Goes from angry hate filled songs ("The Kiss", "Torture", "The Snakepit") to some of the more romantic songs Robert Smith has ever written (""A Thousand Hours", "Catch", "One More Time") to just straight up pop ("Just Like Heaven", "Hot Hot Hot!!!", "Why Can't I Be You?"). It would have probably been better if it was split up into two separate albums instead of one double album, because in the end it is such a mess that some really good songs get lost in all the chaos.
Line: "A thousand wasted hours a day, just to feel my heart for a second."
So yeah, I never really read the lyrics to this song before, and actually debated moving it up the list once I did. The Black Parade is basically all about someone dying, and all the situations and emotions surrounding it, and this is one of the more central songs to that theme. Great song.
Line: "Tongue-tied and oh-so squeamish you never fell in love did you get what you deserved?"
118. "Softly" by The Soup Dragons (Lovegod)
Just a really pretty song that got lost on a mediocre at best album. Met these guys at a pre-concert meet-and-greet at the old Empire in downtown Cleveland. One of the girls at the table I was at was telling the bass player about a friend of theirs that came to the show hoping to get a ticket at the door, but was stuck waiting in the car because it was sold out. The dude took the girl out to the car, got her friend, and brought him in, completely free. Thought that was pretty bad ass. Too bad the rest of the band were a bunch of douche bags. Throwing another song by them on here that is also pretty good, called "Dream-E-Forever," because I can't find any videos for "Softly."
Line: "Every time I see your face, you know I softly die."
117. "Pray Your Gods" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (fear)
These guys were popular for about 5 minutes, and it was mostly due to some of their worst songs, such as "Walk On the Ocean" and "All I Want." This song was off the same album, which wasn't anywhere near as good as their first album, Pale. This is probably the best song off fear, just a beautiful, haunting, chilling song. This is also one of my favorite lines from any song...
Line: "Is it that they fear the pain of death? Or could it be they fear the joy of life?"
116. "A Thousand Hours" by The Cure (Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me)
Definitely one of the prettier Cure songs from the pre-Disintegration albums. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me is probably one of the most... I don't know... odd, I guess, albums that I have. Never quite follows one specific path. Goes from angry hate filled songs ("The Kiss", "Torture", "The Snakepit") to some of the more romantic songs Robert Smith has ever written (""A Thousand Hours", "Catch", "One More Time") to just straight up pop ("Just Like Heaven", "Hot Hot Hot!!!", "Why Can't I Be You?"). It would have probably been better if it was split up into two separate albums instead of one double album, because in the end it is such a mess that some really good songs get lost in all the chaos.
Line: "A thousand wasted hours a day, just to feel my heart for a second."
Friday, November 20, 2009
Favorite Songs: 124-120
Please leave a comment if you're reading this. Just curious how many people actually are, since I only know of 2. Even if it's "your taste in music sucks and this list is a waste of time," that's fine. ha ha ha
124. "Call and Answer" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Another "serious" BNL song, and yet another single by them that never really got any air play. It's another of my favorite songs to sing at kareoke, even though I rarely ever sing it since it's so slow and sad. Plus the repetition of the word "rebuild" at the end gets annoying to an extent. Anyway, I just really dig on this song. I love how it just changes moods in the last little verse, going from defensive to an attack. This was also the last song performed by the band in their last show with Steven Page (the fat one) before he quit the band.
Line: "I think it's time to make this something that is more than only fair."
123. "Hello" by Evanescene (Fallen)
Of all the great songs on Fallen, this is by far my favorite. Just lets Any Lee's voice shine like it should. Wow. I totally sounded like a fag there.
Line: "Don't try to fix me I'm not broken."
122. "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" by U2 (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
If I were ever to write a song about my dad, well, it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as this, but this is the blueprint I would use for it. Hunt down the original video (fucking disabled embedding. Grr!) and this is what Bono wrote that is shown at the beginning of the video:
"My father Bob worked in the post office by day and sang opera by night. We lived on the north side of Dublin in a place called Cedarwood Road. He had a lot of attitude. He gave some to me - and a voice. I wish I'd known him better."
Sums it up better than I ever could.
Line: "I don't need to hear you say that if we weren't so alike you'd like me a whole lot more."
121. "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak (Forever Blue)
Just a bad bad bad ass tune. I've really become a Chris Isaak fan over the past 6 or 7 years. And if you never got a chance to see his show that he did on HBO a few years back, try to find it. It was friggin' hilarious.
Line: "You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two? I didn't think so."
120. "Please" by U2 (Pop)
I kind of remember reading at some point that this song was written about a suicide bomber. But that may have been "Wake Up Dead Man." Not sure anymore. Either way, this is a killer song. (And now, I'm thinking that it was indeed "Wake Up Dead Man" that was about a suicide bomber. Damn memory.) Think this one was more religious in nature. I don't know. Oh well.
Line: "You know I found it hard to receive 'cause you, my love, I could never believe."
124. "Call and Answer" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Another "serious" BNL song, and yet another single by them that never really got any air play. It's another of my favorite songs to sing at kareoke, even though I rarely ever sing it since it's so slow and sad. Plus the repetition of the word "rebuild" at the end gets annoying to an extent. Anyway, I just really dig on this song. I love how it just changes moods in the last little verse, going from defensive to an attack. This was also the last song performed by the band in their last show with Steven Page (the fat one) before he quit the band.
Line: "I think it's time to make this something that is more than only fair."
123. "Hello" by Evanescene (Fallen)
Of all the great songs on Fallen, this is by far my favorite. Just lets Any Lee's voice shine like it should. Wow. I totally sounded like a fag there.
Line: "Don't try to fix me I'm not broken."
122. "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" by U2 (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
If I were ever to write a song about my dad, well, it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as this, but this is the blueprint I would use for it. Hunt down the original video (fucking disabled embedding. Grr!) and this is what Bono wrote that is shown at the beginning of the video:
"My father Bob worked in the post office by day and sang opera by night. We lived on the north side of Dublin in a place called Cedarwood Road. He had a lot of attitude. He gave some to me - and a voice. I wish I'd known him better."
Sums it up better than I ever could.
Line: "I don't need to hear you say that if we weren't so alike you'd like me a whole lot more."
121. "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak (Forever Blue)
Just a bad bad bad ass tune. I've really become a Chris Isaak fan over the past 6 or 7 years. And if you never got a chance to see his show that he did on HBO a few years back, try to find it. It was friggin' hilarious.
Line: "You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two? I didn't think so."
120. "Please" by U2 (Pop)
I kind of remember reading at some point that this song was written about a suicide bomber. But that may have been "Wake Up Dead Man." Not sure anymore. Either way, this is a killer song. (And now, I'm thinking that it was indeed "Wake Up Dead Man" that was about a suicide bomber. Damn memory.) Think this one was more religious in nature. I don't know. Oh well.
Line: "You know I found it hard to receive 'cause you, my love, I could never believe."
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Favorite Songs: 129-125
129. "Wave Of Mutilation" by Pixies. (Doolittle)
I'm including both versions of this song, although I actually prefer the slow version. The fast version is the original, the slow version was on the soundtrack of the movie Pump Up the Volume. (Bad ass movie, by the way.) Can't really miss with either version, though.
Line: "You'll think I'm dead, but I'll sail away on a wave of mutilation."
Slow version:
Fast version:
128. "Three Days" by Jane's Addiction (Ritual de lo Habitual)
Probably the longest song on here, right around 11 minutes. 11 minutes of absolute rock. The awesomeness of this song is just insane. Around the 5 minute mark Dave Navarro plays probably the best guitar part of his life. Just starts rippin shit apart. Good times.
Line: "True hunting's over. No herds to follow. Without game men prey on each other."
127. "Oh Boy!" by Buddy Holly and the Crickets (The Chirpin' Crickets)
Buddy Holly is probably my favorite singer from the '50s and '60s, even though he's only on this list this one time. This is my favorite song to sing at kareoke.
Line: "Stars appear and the shadows are fallin', and you can hear my heart a-callin'."
126. "Glycerine" by Bush (Sixteen Stone)
Total chick song, I know. But I still like it. No real reason, just do.
Line: "I'm never alone. I'm alone all the time."
125. "Underneath the Stars" by The Cure (4:13 Dream)
The last two Cure albums have been kinda crappy, in my opinion. This is the only song from either of them that made this list. This song sounds like it could have been written during the same time as the songs for Disintegration or Bloodflowers. Just a sweeping majestic song on the order of "Plainsong" "Pictures Of You" "Out Of This World" or "39." This is the type of song I think of right away when someone asks me to describe The Cure. The tour they did for this album last year was phenomenal. Saw them in Cleveland, and they were on stage for over three hours, playing over 30 songs from throughout the history of the band. The only break in the set was when they went off stage for about 3 minutes between each of the three encores. You have to love a band that actually comes out to play, as opposed to some bands that come out, burn through 20 songs in an hour and a half, and get the fuck out of Dodge.
Line: "Whisper in my ear a wish: we could float away."
(Just a fan-made video using clips from other videos, since there isn't actually one.)
I'm including both versions of this song, although I actually prefer the slow version. The fast version is the original, the slow version was on the soundtrack of the movie Pump Up the Volume. (Bad ass movie, by the way.) Can't really miss with either version, though.
Line: "You'll think I'm dead, but I'll sail away on a wave of mutilation."
Slow version:
Fast version:
128. "Three Days" by Jane's Addiction (Ritual de lo Habitual)
Probably the longest song on here, right around 11 minutes. 11 minutes of absolute rock. The awesomeness of this song is just insane. Around the 5 minute mark Dave Navarro plays probably the best guitar part of his life. Just starts rippin shit apart. Good times.
Line: "True hunting's over. No herds to follow. Without game men prey on each other."
127. "Oh Boy!" by Buddy Holly and the Crickets (The Chirpin' Crickets)
Buddy Holly is probably my favorite singer from the '50s and '60s, even though he's only on this list this one time. This is my favorite song to sing at kareoke.
Line: "Stars appear and the shadows are fallin', and you can hear my heart a-callin'."
126. "Glycerine" by Bush (Sixteen Stone)
Total chick song, I know. But I still like it. No real reason, just do.
Line: "I'm never alone. I'm alone all the time."
125. "Underneath the Stars" by The Cure (4:13 Dream)
The last two Cure albums have been kinda crappy, in my opinion. This is the only song from either of them that made this list. This song sounds like it could have been written during the same time as the songs for Disintegration or Bloodflowers. Just a sweeping majestic song on the order of "Plainsong" "Pictures Of You" "Out Of This World" or "39." This is the type of song I think of right away when someone asks me to describe The Cure. The tour they did for this album last year was phenomenal. Saw them in Cleveland, and they were on stage for over three hours, playing over 30 songs from throughout the history of the band. The only break in the set was when they went off stage for about 3 minutes between each of the three encores. You have to love a band that actually comes out to play, as opposed to some bands that come out, burn through 20 songs in an hour and a half, and get the fuck out of Dodge.
Line: "Whisper in my ear a wish: we could float away."
(Just a fan-made video using clips from other videos, since there isn't actually one.)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Favorite Songs: 134-130
134. "Suedehead" by Morrissey (Viva Hate)The lyrics to this song are pretty evil, when you really think about it. Basically it's about an ex lover feeling jilted and still hanging around. The "I'm so sorry" apology is supposed to be sarcastic, I think. Especially when you look at the last, oh, third of the song or so, just saying "it was a good lay" over and over. I dunno. Could be wrong.
Line: "You had to sneak into my room just to read my diary. It was just to see just to see all the things you knew I'd written about you."
133. "I'm Burning" by Jesus Jones (Doubt)
Sandwiched on Jesus Jones' most popular album, between their two most popular songs ("International Bright Young Thing" and "Right Here, Right Now") is one of their best songs. Another jilted lover song, to an extent, but not anywhere near as bitter and sarcastic as "Suedehead." Just a really pretty song.
Line: "So when I cried, where were you? You knw I cried. I saw you."
132. "Numb" by U2 (Zooropa)
Zooropa is probably one of the 2 most underrated U2 albums ever, along with Pop. God forbid a band tries to change its sound and do something different! Coming off the heels of Achtung Baby, well, they really only had 2 choices. Make the same album again, or go down a completely different path. I'm glad they chose the latter. This is one of the few songs in general, and the only single that I can think of, that The Edge sings instead of Bono. Good beat, and the monotone delivery of the lyrics is very fitting to the theme of being numb to everything around.
Line: "Don't move don't talk out of time don't think don't worry everything's just fine. Just fine."
131. "Stigmata" by Ministry (The Land Of Rape and Honey)
When I was talking about Front 242 having the second most aggressive song on this list, this is the song I was referring to as being the most aggressive. From the openeing (synthesized) cymbal beats to the closing grating guitars, it's just a song about pure hate. Love it when I'm in a bad mood.
Line: "Cutting my face, and walking on splinters. I lost my soul to the look in your eyes."
130. "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles (Revolver)
And we'll go to the opposite end of the spectrum now. Obviously there had to be a couple Beatles songs on here. (Actually I think there may only be 1 more. Not sure.) Another quick song clocking in right around 2 minutes, this is by far one of my top 3 Beatles songs. Probably always will be. The video I chose to use for this is someone's claymation art. Doesn't go with the song at all, I just thought it was really cool.
Line: "All the lonely people. Where do they all come from?"
Line: "You had to sneak into my room just to read my diary. It was just to see just to see all the things you knew I'd written about you."
133. "I'm Burning" by Jesus Jones (Doubt)
Sandwiched on Jesus Jones' most popular album, between their two most popular songs ("International Bright Young Thing" and "Right Here, Right Now") is one of their best songs. Another jilted lover song, to an extent, but not anywhere near as bitter and sarcastic as "Suedehead." Just a really pretty song.
Line: "So when I cried, where were you? You knw I cried. I saw you."
132. "Numb" by U2 (Zooropa)
Zooropa is probably one of the 2 most underrated U2 albums ever, along with Pop. God forbid a band tries to change its sound and do something different! Coming off the heels of Achtung Baby, well, they really only had 2 choices. Make the same album again, or go down a completely different path. I'm glad they chose the latter. This is one of the few songs in general, and the only single that I can think of, that The Edge sings instead of Bono. Good beat, and the monotone delivery of the lyrics is very fitting to the theme of being numb to everything around.
Line: "Don't move don't talk out of time don't think don't worry everything's just fine. Just fine."
131. "Stigmata" by Ministry (The Land Of Rape and Honey)
When I was talking about Front 242 having the second most aggressive song on this list, this is the song I was referring to as being the most aggressive. From the openeing (synthesized) cymbal beats to the closing grating guitars, it's just a song about pure hate. Love it when I'm in a bad mood.
Line: "Cutting my face, and walking on splinters. I lost my soul to the look in your eyes."
130. "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles (Revolver)
And we'll go to the opposite end of the spectrum now. Obviously there had to be a couple Beatles songs on here. (Actually I think there may only be 1 more. Not sure.) Another quick song clocking in right around 2 minutes, this is by far one of my top 3 Beatles songs. Probably always will be. The video I chose to use for this is someone's claymation art. Doesn't go with the song at all, I just thought it was really cool.
Line: "All the lonely people. Where do they all come from?"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Favorite Songs: 139-135
139. "Jealousy" by Pet Shop Boys (Behaviour)
I am kind of surprised there aren't more Pet Shop Boys songs on this list, honestly. Granted, the only CD I have of theirs is Discography, the singles collection that came out in 1991. However, that only encompassed their first 3 albums. Since then, they've released 9 more albums, a live album, and a couple more singles collections and greatest hits albums. Anyway. That has nothing to do with this song. Honestly, when I bought Discography it was only for "West End Girls" and their cover version of "Where the Streets Have No Name." It instantly became one of my favorite CD's to listen to, especially for the slower moodier songs, like this one. If you can hunt down the actual video on YouTube, it's worth it. The live version I linked is good too, but the original video's better. Just couldn't embed it.
Line: "I never knew time passed so slow. I wish I'd never met you."
138. "The Last Beat Of My Heart" by Siouxsie and the Banshees (Peepshow)
This story is kind of the same as above. The only difference is I actually have a few other albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees, not just their singles collection. Peepshow is one of those albums, and the album version of this song is amazing. The version on the singles collection is live, and while it's still good, it kind of misses the atmosphere of this version. Either way, bad ass song from one of my favorite female singers.
Line: "At the close of the day the sunset cloaks these words in shadow play."
137. "Your Song" by Elton John (Elton John)
This one kinda had to be on here, seeing as how it was the song Holley and I danced to at our wedding. Otherwise, it honestly might not have even been included on this list. Still a classic song though.
Line: "I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you're in the world."
136. "Drop" by The Jesus and Mary Chain (Automatic)
I used to like this album a lot more in high school, but it's still a solid offering. My love for this song, though, has never changed. Clocks in at just under 2 minutes, and just leaves me longing for more.
Line: "The way you drop is like a stone. Make like you're flying, but you've just been thrown."
135. "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
When we went to see My Chemical Romance in '08, this was one of the highlights of the show. (But not the highlight. That's later on the list. Ooooh! Foreshadowing!) I wasn't really a fan of this song until then, but it just stood out so much that I've liked it since. The video is so much of a ripoff of the "In the Flesh" scene from the movie Pink Floyd's The Wall that it's amazing these guys weren't sued for infringement.
Line: " They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me."
I am kind of surprised there aren't more Pet Shop Boys songs on this list, honestly. Granted, the only CD I have of theirs is Discography, the singles collection that came out in 1991. However, that only encompassed their first 3 albums. Since then, they've released 9 more albums, a live album, and a couple more singles collections and greatest hits albums. Anyway. That has nothing to do with this song. Honestly, when I bought Discography it was only for "West End Girls" and their cover version of "Where the Streets Have No Name." It instantly became one of my favorite CD's to listen to, especially for the slower moodier songs, like this one. If you can hunt down the actual video on YouTube, it's worth it. The live version I linked is good too, but the original video's better. Just couldn't embed it.
Line: "I never knew time passed so slow. I wish I'd never met you."
138. "The Last Beat Of My Heart" by Siouxsie and the Banshees (Peepshow)
This story is kind of the same as above. The only difference is I actually have a few other albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees, not just their singles collection. Peepshow is one of those albums, and the album version of this song is amazing. The version on the singles collection is live, and while it's still good, it kind of misses the atmosphere of this version. Either way, bad ass song from one of my favorite female singers.
Line: "At the close of the day the sunset cloaks these words in shadow play."
137. "Your Song" by Elton John (Elton John)
This one kinda had to be on here, seeing as how it was the song Holley and I danced to at our wedding. Otherwise, it honestly might not have even been included on this list. Still a classic song though.
Line: "I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you're in the world."
136. "Drop" by The Jesus and Mary Chain (Automatic)
I used to like this album a lot more in high school, but it's still a solid offering. My love for this song, though, has never changed. Clocks in at just under 2 minutes, and just leaves me longing for more.
Line: "The way you drop is like a stone. Make like you're flying, but you've just been thrown."
135. "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
When we went to see My Chemical Romance in '08, this was one of the highlights of the show. (But not the highlight. That's later on the list. Ooooh! Foreshadowing!) I wasn't really a fan of this song until then, but it just stood out so much that I've liked it since. The video is so much of a ripoff of the "In the Flesh" scene from the movie Pink Floyd's The Wall that it's amazing these guys weren't sued for infringement.
Line: " They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Favorite Songs: 144-140
Screw it. I am doing 5 songs at a time from now on. Just too damned bored.
144. "Lullaby" by The Cure (Disintegration)
First of many entries from one of my three favorite bands of all time (along with U2 and James), plus first of several songs off of my all time favorite album. This would probably make a really good song to have playing at Halloween, just because it's so damned creepy. The video is also one of my all time favorites.
Line: "Stealing past the windows of the blissfully dead, looking for the victim shivering in bed."
143. "Little Black Backpack" by Stroke 9 (Nasty Little Thoughts)
This is one of those songs that I loved back in the day, then completely forgot about. Heard it on the radio about 6 months ago, and it's been on my mp3 player and in my main iTunes play list since. So bad ass.
Line: "Your mind is lined with layers of lead. Have you heard one thing that I've said?"
142. "I Want You" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (Blood and Chocolate)
Holy fucking stalker Batman! This is probably the single most obsessive song on my list, as well as one of the creepiest. I find it really bizarre that nearly every video I've seen on YouTube interprets this as a love song, when it's really not. (There's no official video, so it's all live versions and home made videos.) Oh well. What ya gonna do? The line "I want you" is repeated over and over throughout the song, between nearly every other line, and by the end it's just dripping with possessive obsession. Beautiful.
Line: "I want you. Go on and hurt me then we'll let it drop. I want you. I'm afraid I won't know where to stop. I want you."
141. "Tonight Is the Night I Fell Asleep At the Wheel" by Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)
This is kind of a crazy song. The music's all pretty and shit, it's sung all sweetly, it seems pretty nice. Then you read the lyrics. It's basically a song about the final thoughts of a person who, as the title says, falls asleep at the wheel on their way to see their... Significant other, I'm guessing. The line "You're the last thing on my mind" changes meaning significantly from the first verse to the last. In the first verse, it's like, "Yeah, not even thinking about you, just trying to get home." At the end, it's "You are the last thing I am thinking about as I die." Pretty bad ass song that really gets overlooked.
Line: "From the ceiling my coffee cup drips, while out the window the horizon does flips."
(The song doesn't actually start until about the 1:50 mark. the first 2 minutes are just ad-lib stuff)
140. "Pretty' by The Cranberries (Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?)
There's really nothing spectacular or meaningful about this song, I've just always liked it. Just a quick, pretty song.
Line: "You got to say it if you want to, but you won't change me."
144. "Lullaby" by The Cure (Disintegration)
First of many entries from one of my three favorite bands of all time (along with U2 and James), plus first of several songs off of my all time favorite album. This would probably make a really good song to have playing at Halloween, just because it's so damned creepy. The video is also one of my all time favorites.
Line: "Stealing past the windows of the blissfully dead, looking for the victim shivering in bed."
143. "Little Black Backpack" by Stroke 9 (Nasty Little Thoughts)
This is one of those songs that I loved back in the day, then completely forgot about. Heard it on the radio about 6 months ago, and it's been on my mp3 player and in my main iTunes play list since. So bad ass.
Line: "Your mind is lined with layers of lead. Have you heard one thing that I've said?"
142. "I Want You" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (Blood and Chocolate)
Holy fucking stalker Batman! This is probably the single most obsessive song on my list, as well as one of the creepiest. I find it really bizarre that nearly every video I've seen on YouTube interprets this as a love song, when it's really not. (There's no official video, so it's all live versions and home made videos.) Oh well. What ya gonna do? The line "I want you" is repeated over and over throughout the song, between nearly every other line, and by the end it's just dripping with possessive obsession. Beautiful.
Line: "I want you. Go on and hurt me then we'll let it drop. I want you. I'm afraid I won't know where to stop. I want you."
141. "Tonight Is the Night I Fell Asleep At the Wheel" by Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)
This is kind of a crazy song. The music's all pretty and shit, it's sung all sweetly, it seems pretty nice. Then you read the lyrics. It's basically a song about the final thoughts of a person who, as the title says, falls asleep at the wheel on their way to see their... Significant other, I'm guessing. The line "You're the last thing on my mind" changes meaning significantly from the first verse to the last. In the first verse, it's like, "Yeah, not even thinking about you, just trying to get home." At the end, it's "You are the last thing I am thinking about as I die." Pretty bad ass song that really gets overlooked.
Line: "From the ceiling my coffee cup drips, while out the window the horizon does flips."
(The song doesn't actually start until about the 1:50 mark. the first 2 minutes are just ad-lib stuff)
140. "Pretty' by The Cranberries (Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?)
There's really nothing spectacular or meaningful about this song, I've just always liked it. Just a quick, pretty song.
Line: "You got to say it if you want to, but you won't change me."
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Favorite Songs: 147-145
Happy Sunday. Bored yet again, so doing a few more songs.
147. "Miss World" by Hole (Live Through This)
Seriously, Courtney Love made some insanely bad ass music back in the day. Too bad she's a fucking nut case any more.
Line: "I've made my bed I'll lie in it. I've made my bed I'll die in it."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnAPsouye0
(Embedding is disabled, so there's the link.)
146. "I'll Be That Girl" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Yeah, there are a lot of Barenaked Ladies songs at this end of the list, I know. This one's about trying (and failing) to impress a girl, to the point where it's necessary to become her for her to take notice. Stuck up self centered bitch. Ha. (P.S. I'm a sucker for accordian. Ha ha.)
Line: "If you will not have me as myself, perhaps as someone else, perhaps as you, I'd be worth noticing."
145. "You Are the Everything" by R.E.M. (Green)
Not kidding. Love the accordian. This was by far my favorite song on Green from the first time I listend to that album. Twenty years later, still one of my favorite R.E.M. songs.
Line: "The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen and they're there for you, for you alone, you are the everything."
147. "Miss World" by Hole (Live Through This)
Seriously, Courtney Love made some insanely bad ass music back in the day. Too bad she's a fucking nut case any more.
Line: "I've made my bed I'll lie in it. I've made my bed I'll die in it."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnAPsouye0
(Embedding is disabled, so there's the link.)
146. "I'll Be That Girl" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Yeah, there are a lot of Barenaked Ladies songs at this end of the list, I know. This one's about trying (and failing) to impress a girl, to the point where it's necessary to become her for her to take notice. Stuck up self centered bitch. Ha. (P.S. I'm a sucker for accordian. Ha ha.)
Line: "If you will not have me as myself, perhaps as someone else, perhaps as you, I'd be worth noticing."
145. "You Are the Everything" by R.E.M. (Green)
Not kidding. Love the accordian. This was by far my favorite song on Green from the first time I listend to that album. Twenty years later, still one of my favorite R.E.M. songs.
Line: "The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen and they're there for you, for you alone, you are the everything."
Friday, November 13, 2009
Favorite Songs: 150 - 148
150. "Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harem (Procol Harem)
Easily one of the most instantly recognizable songs on this list for one simple reason -- the bad ass organ. A study of British radio airplay logs showed that this was the most played song in England over the past 70 years. Over The Beatles, the Stones, The Who, everyone. There are over 800 known cover versions of this song. Not bad for a one hit wonder group.
Line: "And so it was that later, as the miller told his tale, that her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale."
149. "Raining In Baltimore" by Counting Crows (August and Everything After)
I have loved this song ever since I got this album. In fact, it's the only song I ever really listen to by Counting Crows any more. Absolute desperation, longing and loneliness at their best.
Line: "I miss you. I guess that I should."
148. "The Ghost Of You" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm a My Chemical Romance fan. I like the theatricality of the music and videos, I like that they don't write about getting drunk or fucking, I like that their songs actually tell stories. Sue me.
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge is a pretty decent album, and this is one of the three best songs off of it.
Line: "I never said I'd try and wait forever. If I died we'd be together now."
Easily one of the most instantly recognizable songs on this list for one simple reason -- the bad ass organ. A study of British radio airplay logs showed that this was the most played song in England over the past 70 years. Over The Beatles, the Stones, The Who, everyone. There are over 800 known cover versions of this song. Not bad for a one hit wonder group.
Line: "And so it was that later, as the miller told his tale, that her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale."
149. "Raining In Baltimore" by Counting Crows (August and Everything After)
I have loved this song ever since I got this album. In fact, it's the only song I ever really listen to by Counting Crows any more. Absolute desperation, longing and loneliness at their best.
Line: "I miss you. I guess that I should."
148. "The Ghost Of You" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm a My Chemical Romance fan. I like the theatricality of the music and videos, I like that they don't write about getting drunk or fucking, I like that their songs actually tell stories. Sue me.
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge is a pretty decent album, and this is one of the three best songs off of it.
Line: "I never said I'd try and wait forever. If I died we'd be together now."
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Favorite Songs: 153-151
Well, at least one person is reading this, so it continues...
153. "Maybe You're Right" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
This is another of those "serious" BNL songs. It's got a nice slow build up, and by the time it gets to the last section of the song it pretty much goes from an apology to an attack. Lovely little tune.
Line: "There was a time when a crime was a crime. Now I think I'm losing my mind."
152. "Look Mum, No Hands!" by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (1992 - The Love Album)
Total opposite end of the spectrum on this tune. This is without question a very angry and attacking song, about suicide bonbings in Northern Ireland, on both sides of the seperatist movement.
Line: "One less for St. Nicholas, there's nothing as vile, or as sad and ridiculous as the coffin of a child."
(No video available)
151. "Headhunter" by Front 242 (Front By Front)
Probably the secong most aggressive song on this list. It is pretty much about what the title implies: a headhunter or bounty hunter tracking and killing his target. The true Godfathers of techno at their absolute best.
Line: "I'm looking for this man to sell him to the other man to sell him to the other man at ten times the price at least."
And yeah... until I find something better to occupy my time with, I'll probably be updating this every other day or so. Originally I figured it would be once a week, but seeing as how Im bored senseless, it will definitely be much more frequent than that.
153. "Maybe You're Right" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
This is another of those "serious" BNL songs. It's got a nice slow build up, and by the time it gets to the last section of the song it pretty much goes from an apology to an attack. Lovely little tune.
Line: "There was a time when a crime was a crime. Now I think I'm losing my mind."
152. "Look Mum, No Hands!" by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (1992 - The Love Album)
Total opposite end of the spectrum on this tune. This is without question a very angry and attacking song, about suicide bonbings in Northern Ireland, on both sides of the seperatist movement.
Line: "One less for St. Nicholas, there's nothing as vile, or as sad and ridiculous as the coffin of a child."
(No video available)
151. "Headhunter" by Front 242 (Front By Front)
Probably the secong most aggressive song on this list. It is pretty much about what the title implies: a headhunter or bounty hunter tracking and killing his target. The true Godfathers of techno at their absolute best.
Line: "I'm looking for this man to sell him to the other man to sell him to the other man at ten times the price at least."
And yeah... until I find something better to occupy my time with, I'll probably be updating this every other day or so. Originally I figured it would be once a week, but seeing as how Im bored senseless, it will definitely be much more frequent than that.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Favorite Songs: 156-154
Well, I'm officially a stay-at-home dad for the time being, so I guess it's time to start this silly little list that nobody's even going to read. Oh well. It'll keep me occupied.
For each song, I will follow the same format:
"song title" by artist (album it's from)
Short little blurb (in most cases. Some of them may be a tad longer)
Line: from the song that I think is the best line of the song.
Hopefully people actually read this. If not, oh well. But if you do read it, drop me a line on facebook or leave a comment here and let me know what you think.
And away we go...
156. "Don't Believe It" by Jesus Jones (Perverse)
I'm still a fan of Jesus Jones. Had they come out about 6 years earlier than they did, they probably would have been huge, but they really had horrible timing, with their one big song, "Right Here, Right Now" coming out right before "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. This song was on their 3rd album, Perverse, which is overall a pretty solid album.
Line: "You came at the right time, filled the right space, and ever since then I've never seen your true face."
(No video available)
155. "Under Pressure" by Queen with David Bowie (Hot Space)
Not the greatest Queen song, sure. But it's still one of my favorites by them, Vanilla Ice rip offs and all. Great hook, good lyrics, and, oh yeah, David Bowie.
Line: "Why can't we give love one more chance?"
154. "What A Good Boy" by Barenaked Ladies (Gordon)
While BNL are mostly known for the sillier songs, like "If I Had $1,000,000" or "Pinch Me," it's on the more serious songs where they really shine, I think. This is one of the better examples of such, off their debut album.
Line: "I wake up scared, I wake up strange, I wake up wondering if anything in my life is ever gonna change."
For each song, I will follow the same format:
"song title" by artist (album it's from)
Short little blurb (in most cases. Some of them may be a tad longer)
Line: from the song that I think is the best line of the song.
Hopefully people actually read this. If not, oh well. But if you do read it, drop me a line on facebook or leave a comment here and let me know what you think.
And away we go...
156. "Don't Believe It" by Jesus Jones (Perverse)
I'm still a fan of Jesus Jones. Had they come out about 6 years earlier than they did, they probably would have been huge, but they really had horrible timing, with their one big song, "Right Here, Right Now" coming out right before "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. This song was on their 3rd album, Perverse, which is overall a pretty solid album.
Line: "You came at the right time, filled the right space, and ever since then I've never seen your true face."
(No video available)
155. "Under Pressure" by Queen with David Bowie (Hot Space)
Not the greatest Queen song, sure. But it's still one of my favorites by them, Vanilla Ice rip offs and all. Great hook, good lyrics, and, oh yeah, David Bowie.
Line: "Why can't we give love one more chance?"
154. "What A Good Boy" by Barenaked Ladies (Gordon)
While BNL are mostly known for the sillier songs, like "If I Had $1,000,000" or "Pinch Me," it's on the more serious songs where they really shine, I think. This is one of the better examples of such, off their debut album.
Line: "I wake up scared, I wake up strange, I wake up wondering if anything in my life is ever gonna change."
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Favorite Songs List...
So, I am bored and suddenly have a shit load of time on my hands, thus I've decided I'm going to start up a little music blog about my favorite songs ever. It's standing at 156 songs right now, and I'm not really sure if I'm going to make it an even 160 or possibly 175, or just stay with what I'm at. Leaning toward staying at 156, just cuz... you know... I can. Plus, 156 is divisible by 3 and neither 160 nor 175 are, so it'll help me in my goal of doing 3 songs per post. So yeah, I'm staying at 156.
SO!
Here are the ground rules I set for myself:
1. Any song is fair game, as long as I actually possess a copy of said song. B-sides, live tracks, non-singles, it doesn't matter. Between cd's, cassettes, and actual vinyl records, I've got somewhere around 900 albums, and using an average of 10 songs per album that's approximately 9000 songs to choose from. Throw in albums like Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure (18 songs) and live albums and greatest hits albums, usually around 20 songs, plus various cassette/cd singles (not to mention shit I've downloaded... shhhhhhhh!) and we're looking at probably 10,000 songs. So yeah, it's all fair game.
2. Yeah, that's really the only rule, actually.
My plan, for now, is to not just list the songs, like this:
156. Blah Blah Blah by So and So
155. Whatever by Whoever
154. XYZ by ABC
No. The plan is to actually write about the song, why I like it, what deep seeded memories I have about it, whatever. I'll also include my favorite line from each song, and try to link a video of it, if I can figure out how to do that. (If anyone knows how to do that, I'd love some help on that one.)
So... Look for those starting probably next weekend, possibly earlier depending on the job situation. Til then...
SO!
Here are the ground rules I set for myself:
1. Any song is fair game, as long as I actually possess a copy of said song. B-sides, live tracks, non-singles, it doesn't matter. Between cd's, cassettes, and actual vinyl records, I've got somewhere around 900 albums, and using an average of 10 songs per album that's approximately 9000 songs to choose from. Throw in albums like Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure (18 songs) and live albums and greatest hits albums, usually around 20 songs, plus various cassette/cd singles (not to mention shit I've downloaded... shhhhhhhh!) and we're looking at probably 10,000 songs. So yeah, it's all fair game.
2. Yeah, that's really the only rule, actually.
My plan, for now, is to not just list the songs, like this:
156. Blah Blah Blah by So and So
155. Whatever by Whoever
154. XYZ by ABC
No. The plan is to actually write about the song, why I like it, what deep seeded memories I have about it, whatever. I'll also include my favorite line from each song, and try to link a video of it, if I can figure out how to do that. (If anyone knows how to do that, I'd love some help on that one.)
So... Look for those starting probably next weekend, possibly earlier depending on the job situation. Til then...
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