The other day, Fat Bridesmaid wrote a great post about blogging, about how blogs reflect who we are and the message we want to put out there. It got me really thinking about my blog and where I started and who I was when I started. In the olden days, when I had nothing to say, I used to play iPod Roulette. iPod Roulette? Yes. Hit shuffle on your iPod, iPhone, iTouch, iTunes, iWhatever and admit to the first 10 songs that come up. It’s so much fun!
Tonight’s selection comes from Jake, my trusty running iPod.
Broken From the Start – Jon Foreman. Nice, shuffle. I listened to a lot of Jon Foreman’s solo eps when I was in the emotional thick of the miscarriage. Life is a gift like fresh cut roses, cut from the branch and brought inside. It’s a slow contradiction that’s beauty in a vase. When the cord is cut, it’s when you start to die. Strangely comforting, though.
Shadowboxer – Fiona Apple. This song takes me waaaay back to the college days, at the gym in the evenings. My friend Michael brought the music, and he usually chose either Fiona or the soundtrack from My Best Friend’s Wedding. Fiona will always make me think of him. And the time my roommate flew off the back of the treadmill. Good times.
Big Rock Candy Mountain – Harry McClintock. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou = best. movie. ever. That is all that needs to be said. The theme song to Nate’s favorite cartoon is also very similar, but much faster. I like the thought of little streams of alcohol trickling down the rocks. I’d paddle all around that in a big canoe. Just sayin.
In Your Eyes – Jeffrey Gaines (the artist per our iTunes is “Not Peter Gabriel”). At this point, I yelled, “Oh man! Really!” because this is the best shuffle ever. The Peter Gabriel verison is our song. I think it’s been on just about every shuffle I’ve done here. I look to these times with you to keep me awake and alive. I heart my Nathan. Sigh. (And I will resist the urge to put a picture of him here.)
Warehouse – Dave Matthews Band (Live from the Gorge). One of my favorite DMB concert songs. Even though it’s been 10 years since we’ve seen them live, I can still see the lights during this song. It also reminds me of college summers, driving home from Krogers after my shift ended at 2am. In my red toyota celica, windows down, blasting Dave down the highway. Wow, I was young.
Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s. Guilty pleasure? Yes, please. A while back, I told Nathan that this is the reincarnation of Elton John’s “Your Song” and I stand by that. Simple. Cozy. Big smile.
Twelve Days of Christmas – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Seriously. I get the occasional Christmas song and have no idea why they are on my iPod. I have no Christmas playlists. I don’t get it. Interesting Bela Fleck story: We saw him play with the Sparrow Quartet at Woodsongs and stayed around after to meet him. I mentioned how we’d seen him a zillion times – with Dave Matthews Band and Nickel Creek and now with Sparrow Quartet – and he responded, “Really? I’m so sorry.” Just a really nice guy.
In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins. Best night driving song ever. Running too. That is all. (And don’t you dare say anything about Phil. He’s my friend.)
Clap Hands – Peter Mulvey. I stalked Peter Mulvey when I was in college. He played at my college the first week of my freshman year and then coffee houses around Louisville for a few years. I listened to his cds on repeat when I drove back and forth from home to school. This is probably my least favorite Peter song. Check out November (and Calvin and Hobbs). That’s a great song.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing – Sufjan Stevens. It may be on his Christmas cds, but it is not necessarily a Christmas song. I love old hymns, and this one is beautifully done. I cry every time. (Jars of Clay’s version of Jordan’s Stormy Banks does that to me too.)
How do I feel about this shuffle? Nothing particurarly embarrassing. That’s kinda a bummer. And no Nickel Creek or Thile/Watkins/Watkins post-Nickel Creek incarnations? For shame, for shame.
What does your iPod Roulette bring up? Play along! It’s so much fun!
(and I’m handing this over to Nathan right now to do his, so check the comments! His musical interests are all over the place.)
Recently: Bluegrass Tribute to Dave Matthews Band – It turns out a lot of DMB songs translate really well into bluegrass renditions.
It Makes a Change: Natalie Merchant – This is from her recent ‘Leave Your Sleep’ album where she’s put nursery rhymes and whatnot to music. I haven’t listened to this particular song much, but there are 2-3 that are really racking up the playcount.
The Norwegian Ridgeback and a Change of Season: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – I’ve added a lot of movie scores to my iPod. I still like Sorcerer’s Stone most out of the Harry Potter movies.
Beethoveen: Piano Sonata &c., &c. – Bela Fleck – The ‘&c.’ bit is because the song title goes on & on. Despite the fact I have a man crush on Chris Thile I still think Bela Fleck’s ‘Perpetual Motion’ album is my favorite album of all time.
Slow Song for a Dog: Thile and Meyer – Chris Thile (mandolin) and Edgar Meyer (double bass) unleash their talents on instrumentals that aren’t for everybody. Regardless of whether one likes the style or not, one cannot deny their talent.
A Holy Measure: Wovenhand (The Threshingfloor) – I’ve read someone describe Wovenhand’s music as psychedelic-gothic-gospel-folk and I’d say that’s as accurate as you’ll get. I think he creeps Krissie out a little bit, but I really like his music.
Moon: George Winston – I grew up listening to his ‘December’ album every Christmas season (it’s great, check it out), and even though we’ve only had it for a year or two a lot of the songs on his ‘Autumn’ album already make me think of, well, Autumn.
The Prisoner Wishes to Say a Word: More Music from Braveheart – This is what it sounds like. I may need to whittle down the movie soundtracks on this thing.
Poem for Carlita: Yo-Yo Ma, Mark O’Conner, Edgar Meyer (Appalachian Journey) – Cello, Fiddle, and Double Bass as good as you’ll hear.
Look Away : Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile – What can I say, we bought this song because of Meyer and Thile.
I just have to comment to say that I LOVE Sufjan Stevens and I never find anyone else whos heard anything!
My boyfriend and I love him! You should hang out with us. :) Illinois is our favorite of his albums.
Great songs! And to Nathan: I love the Bluegrass album of DMB covers!
I happened to be updating my Shuffle (loaded with all the songs I use during my workouts) as I was reading this, so I tried the experiment:
1. Napoleon (Ani Difrano): One of my favorite Ani songs. This is supposedly about her bitterness towards Sarah McLachlan selling out and signing onto a major record label. But that could just be one big girl-rock-gossip.
2. Nothing Better (The Postal Service): I love running to this because the song is so peaceful and builds up quite nicely. It’s such a heartbreaking break-up song, but love the lyrics (and yes, I know them by heart) which have lots of wit and clever metaphors: “Will someone please call a surgeon/who can crack my ribs and repair this broken heart that you’re deserting for better company/I can’t accept that it’s over and I will block the door like a goalie tending the net in the third quarter in a tied game rivalry…”
*I’ll leave out the Car Talk and Rachel Maddow podcasts that popped up between songs*
3. Crash Into Me (Dave Matthews Band): College flashback. This is my all time favorite DMB song–I melt a little each time I hear it.
4. 1234 (Feist): I was running to this the other day and thought I’d be willing to give out sweaty hugs at the triathlon if people would be willing to sing this song during my run. I’m very bummed about the no iPod rule and don’t want to risk getting DQ-ed, but this is one song I’ll be humming along to myself along the route.
5. Gotta Get Through This (Daniel Beddingfield): I’m not typically a fan of dance music, but this one has been a staple in my workout mixes for years.
6. Hold You in My Arms (Ray LaMontagne): What a great song. I love his gritty voice and the ability to sing love. Some may consider this too slow for a running/workout mix, but I love songs like this for running. They help me be at peace, slow my breathing and focus on the lyrics instead of how bored or uncomfortable I am.
7. Idioteque (Radiohead): I love that this is a longer song. It’s easier for me to forget about how much time has passed in my run. Thom Yorke’s voice almost works like an instrument in this song. I don’t pay attention to the lyrics at all–just the hypnotic sounds.
8. Gepetto (Belly): Now that’s a happy little flashback from my high school days! This reminds me of being introduced to college radio/indie rock and first starting to really LOVE music. At the time, I babysat for a little girl who had parents who were total music geeks. They had a huge collection of CDs–despite the fact that CDs had only just become popular–and the babysitting gig often required me to put their daughter to bed, allowing me to listen to their music collection for hours.
9. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac): Again, longer song with a good build-up, which helps me stay motivated during my runs. I love their harmonies and find them to be amazing musicians–especially Lindsay Buckingham’s guitar skills.
10. Neighborhood #3 Power Out (Arcade Fire): Awwww…. I’m a little bummed I won’t get to see them when they perform nearby in August (tickets sold so quickly). I discovered Arcade Fire just before my students did. When they heard I was listening to this group, they were impressed, and I won instant street cred.
I remember playing this way back! I’m so going to do it again!
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