OK, so Sandy poked me about the Friday iPod Challenge, or I'd have forgotten. Because my brain cells are being otherwise used right now.
Hey, sailor, new in town? Then let me explain the iPod Challenge, which doesn't actually require an iPod. It was more inspired by my iPod, the source of all that is good and holy in the universe.
Where was I? Oh yeah, the challenge. Set any program of any kind, including any MP3 player or program such as iTunes, that will randomly shuffle all the music it contains, to generate a list of ten songs. The key point here is this has to be completely random. You can't delete Barry Manilow songs or whatever. You're also not supposed to restrict the shuffle to one playlist, either... (glaring at ooogyfan2).
Last week I did a little commentary about each song, just as sort of a wankfest an experiment. I'd love for you to do the same when you post your random playlist, but you don't have to. But either way, come play. It's Friday!
1. Everything That Rises Must Converge - Shriekback
I think I had a Shriekback song last week, too. That one was about drugs and booze and hangovers. This one is a love song. Sort of. Not really. And Oil and Gold is one of my top ten albums of all time, and this is one of the best five songs on it.
2. All American Girl - Melissa Etheridge
I love Xena: Warrior Princess, and I love Melissa Etheridge. That's how I know I'm a lesbian. This is just rock and roll, and it's about girls who have it tough.
3. Your Eyes - Rent, Original Broadway Cast
Oh well, kill me now. Just knife me in the gut and get it over with. The final ballad in the Broadway musical Rent, which I've seen three times on stage, two in the theaters, and once on DVD. Not that I like it or anything. "You were the song all along, and before the song dies, I should tell you, I should tell you, I have always loved you, Mimi." She lives. I die.
4. Dirty Old Town - Pogues
The Pogues' first album, Red Roses for Me, blew my mind. It came out in 1984, and for a punk girl like me, raised in the heart of an Irish Catholic extended family, to have someone come out with this filthy, rough hybrid of traditional Irish music and punk was the sweetest thing evah. "Dirty Old Town" is from their second album, Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash, which includes also "The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn," seriously one of my favorite songs.
5. Happy Feet (Paul Mac High Heels Mix) - Blam
Always some little thing from the Queer as Folk soundtrack. But seriously, this is the background music to an auto-erotic asphyxiation scene, which is just like, freakish. And yet, it's a fantastic song, a catchy, upbeat remix of a popular 30s tune. I mean, Gina would like this song.
6. With Or Without You - U2
"I can't live, with or without you." The kind of thing I love in songs, hate in real life. That Bono, such a romantic.
7. He Whipped my Ass in Tennis, Then I Fucked His Ass in Bed - Pansy Division
Is there actually any need to comment on this song, beyond the title? Other than to mention this is Pansy Division's top downloaded song on iTunes. Because the world is weirder than we know.
8. When The Dawn Breaks - Narcotic Thrust
Narcotic Thrust's only single with a male lead vocal. At first I resisted that, but it's a great dance song. "Dreaming in the color of the dress you wore, I wake up haunted, wanting more."
9. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
Ah, Joy Division and the happy happy days of my youth. After the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis, they morphed into the still-fabulous but much happier New Order. Great song for a "Rock Against Romance" playlist.
10. She's Lost Control - Joy Division
OK, same band, so I'll just say, this is their best song. And it's not happy, but then again, 1980? Me neither.
OK, your turn!
Me first! Me first!
1) "I Won't Dance," Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
The Gale Harrold anthem ... oops, that should be "I Can't Dance."
2) "Touch the Hem of His Garment," Sam Cooke
When I was living near Tallahassee, there was a gospel music station. Man, it was sweet. I love that stuff.
3) "The River," Bruce Springsteen
When this came out, my friend Russ told me this was the story of most of the people he went to school with in Tulare, and why he was so driven for it NOT to be his story. He's the Business Editor of the L.A. Times. "The River" is soooo not his story.
4) "River Will Take You," Greg Brown
I like Greg Brown. Many people love him. He has a cult following that's a little intense. And he's married to another of my favorite new-alt-folkies, Iris DeMent.
5) "Deeper Than a Holler," Randy Travis.
Oh, that voice. Gimme some old-time pre-pop country music.
6) "Chattanooga Choo Choo," Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
Won't you carry me home .....
7) "Last Night I Had a Dream," Randy Newman
Hmmm ... did it involve Tom DeLay scurrying out of Congress like the cockroach he is?
8) "Octopus Garden," The Persuasions
Cool CD. Persuasions sing the Beatles.
9) "Want Not Want Not," The Roches
You go, girls. Which reminds me: Where DID they go?
10) "Down at the Twist and Shout," Mary Chapin Carpenter
MCC can do no wrong.
Posted by: Gina | 09 June 2006 at 02:14 PM
Ok, here it goes. This one turned out kinda like a feminist folk singer mix...
1) Crying, Waiting, Hoping by Marshall Crenshaw. From the movie soundtrack for La Bamba. I liked this movie and the music way back in the mid-80s and it made it onto my iPod.
2) Valentin by Susana Baca. Not sure if this is here because it's a chick music thing or it landed on here because of my salsa lessons. I have a lot of miscelleneous latin music on my iPod due to dancing.
3. Sea Level, Blazing Redheads. These womyn were at one the Michigan Womyn's Music Festivals I attended in the 80s.... and nothing like Alix Dobkin.
4. As, by Stevie Wonder. From Songs in the Key of Life. I bought this album because I liked something Stevie wrote in the liner notes.
5. One Suitcase, by Laura Smith. My good friend Susan lived in Canada a number of years and introduced me to a number of Canadian artists that are not well known here. I liked Holly Cole and Laura Smith the best. Laura's pretty folky, Holly's more jazz-something.
6. Gentle Rain by Diana Krall. No story, it's just here on the iPod.
7. Foolin' Myself by Melanie Hammet. Geesh, another girl with a guitar, or piano, or whatever. My friend Daniel introduced me to this album.
8. Dhyana & Donalogue by Sheila Chandra. I downloaded this album a couple of months ago. I need to listen to it a few more times before I present an opinion.
9. Tango by Blechblaserensemble. I took American Tango lessons too, and so my iPod has a bunch of music for certain dance genres that I would never listen to outside of dance.
10. Gypsy in My Soul by Van Morrison. Van is a God.
Posted by: Mara57 | 09 June 2006 at 11:27 PM
Don't have time for commentary but wanted to put my ten randoms in:
1. Keep Fishin' by Weezer
2. Flames Turn Blue by David Gray (Adore Him)
3. Stupid by Sarah McLachlan
4. Vertigo by U2
5. Sweet Jane by Cowboy Junkies
6. Bachelor's High by New Bomb Turks...ummm??
7. I'm a Rocker by The Raspberries
8. Holy Roller Novacaine by Kings of Leon
9. It's All In My Head by Teenage Fanclub
10. Hello, Hello by The Rentals
Posted by: Melanie | 10 June 2006 at 07:32 AM
glaring at ooogyfan2
*glares back*
Your jedi mind tricks do not work on me.
1. Rapture (Iio)
Brian and Justin are so in love.
2. True (The Faggot is You) (Morel)
OH! He said a bad word!
3. Sandstorm (Darude)
Angels sing, harps play, Brian and Justin meet under a lamp post.
4. Save the Last Dance (Ben E. King & The Drifters)
Prom, so sweet. We'll forget what happens after that.
5. Mundian To Bach Ke (Punjabi MC)
Get Christie to tell you about this one, she can rhapsodize about Peter Paige's dancing and eyeliner, it's very very boring. I think she watched Queer as Folk for the PLOT.
6. Ambition (The Doves)
I can't speak of it.
7. Horny (Mousse vs. Hot N Juicy)
Christie tried to explain the "vs" thing to me. I'm a middle aged housewife from the Midwest, it went totally over my head.
8. Tight (INXS)
I've never really understood this song and besides, it was one of those scenes where Gale Harold dances with Peter Paige and we took a poll and decided that was just wrong. See, I'm playing fair, I SHOULD have deleted this song.
9. Where Do I Begin (The Chemical Brothers)
OK, this is not a Brian Justin song and yet I really like it so it must actually be good.
10. Go to the Water (Jamie Oakes)
I think I got this one before, maybe? This song is sad and beautiful.
All from Queer as Folk. Bite me.
Posted by: ooogyfan2 | 11 June 2006 at 02:22 AM
I think she watched Queer as Folk for the PLOT.
Snort... ooogy, really, seek professional help now before I have to hurt you and confiscate your iPod. And please don't talk to me about the plot of Queer as Folk - since you fast forwarded through it all anyway.
Posted by: Christie Keith | 11 June 2006 at 02:39 AM
Late, but here it is.
1. Rose's Turn from Gypsy, sung by Bette Midler. What do you want from me? I admit I'm a musical theater queen, and Bette has been one of my favorites for years. Plus this song is very powerful theater.
2. We Don't Need Another Hero by Tina Turner. I loved this song from Mad Max, Beyond Thunderdome. Great children's voices in the choruses, and Tina is amazing.
3. Language of the Kiss by the Indigo Girls. I just love the Indigo Girls. Out and proud, and great harmonies.
4. What Would It Take by Anne Murray with guest vocalist Brian Adams. It's a wonderfully infectious song.
5. Seasons of Love from Rent. See above note about being a musical theater queen.
6. Together, Wherever We Go from Gypsy. Again, see above.
7. All I Need is the Girl from Gypsy. Blah, blah, blah. See above.
8. Jubilee by Mary Chapin Carpenter. I love this song. It speaks to me about how when we're ready to come out of our shells and our pain, there are people who do love us, and will let us take our place at the table.
9. Small World from Gypsy. It's a ruthlessly practical love song. Even if that does sound like an oxymoron.
10. Asimbonanga by Johnny Clegg. Half in Afrikaans and half in English. It's a wonderful song about the struggles of South Africa before Nelson Mandela was released.
Travis
Posted by: Travis | 12 June 2006 at 12:51 PM