The Last Song - Bruce Springsteen - "Born To Run"

Well, folks, this is it.  A year ago, I didn't consciously pick August 25th as the day to start the #YearlongMixtape, but felt like it was something fun that I wanted to do.  And then I found out that last August 25th, 2014, was the 39th anniversary of Born To Run.  It's the album that made Bruce a star.

The first song I chose a year ago was my favorite from the album, "She's The One."  And it's only fitting that - just as Jon Stewart ended his Daily Show run with Bruce and the E Streeters, and he was a guest at U2's last NYC show a few weeks ago - so shall this silly thing I did for the past year end with Bruce on the 40th anniversary of this juggernaut of an album.  He is first and last - the Alpha and the Omega - of rock music for me.

I chose this particular performance because, even after all these years, he and the band continue to put on great shows.  Still 3 hours straight.  And the fans are as engaged and passionate as they've ever been.  Second only to U2, he's the artist I've seen the most in concert.  I cannot stress this enough - you simply have to see him and the band live.  I'll go with you.  It'll change your life forever.

It's also the 10th anniversary of the 30th anniversary BTR box set.  If you haven't seen the beautiful documentary that was produced for the box set, it is a must-see, and you can watch the whole thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwkt6L_vY-I

I've tried to make the list as diverse as possible, but I know I've probably fallen short of that.  I am working on compiling everything into a blog or a Spotify setlist (if I can figure out how Spotify works).  I may occasionally post an "Oh no I forgot one!" song, because there's so much to share.

This one is for Clarence and Danny, two E Streeters who we've lost in the past few years.  And thank you all so much for reading and listening - I hope it's been half as much for you as it's been for me!

"Someday girl, I don't know when
We're gonna get to that place
Where we really wanna go
And we'll walk in the sun
But till then tramps like us
Baby we were born to run"

#YearlongMixtape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA4OWZ2a23Y

Everything But The Kitchen Sink!

Tomorrow is the last day of the #YearlongMixtape, so tonight, I’m doing an “everything but the kitchen sink” post: a bunch of songs that I can’t go without posting, but just ran out of time.  So here goes!

First up – BOWIE!!  Have I mentioned that I love him?

“Suffragette City”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEkXAHIKdKI #HeyMan

and

“Fame”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-_30HA7rec #WhatsYourName

Gaga and Beyonce, “Telephone”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U

The Killers’ spectacular “All These Things That I’ve Done”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZTpLvsYYHw

My absolute favorite Keane song, the heartbreaking “Try Again”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uGdrPMfKYc

The Pointer Sisters – “Automatic” (I might have already posted this one, but it’s so great, you need to hear it again!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNi8aW8Nf6s

Bruce Willis (wait, what?), with June Pointer, covering the great Staple Singers classic– “Respect Yourself” – yessss!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SqFRYW0mrI

This is the greatest cover of the most over-covered song ever: “Hallelujah.”  Bono’s interpretation gives it an entirely new meaning.  You might need a cigarette after you listen.  You’re welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSwQX0Z5mHo

And finally, the song that Bon Jovi (and countless other bands) have been trying to rewrite for years.  Most of their subsequent albums have had songs like this one, with the “my life is tough, but I’m livin’ it, and I’m doin’ things my way” kind of songs.  From “It’s My Life,” to “Have A Nice Day,” to “We Weren’t Born To Follow,” they will never beat the best: “Livin’ On A Prayer.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk

Stay tuned for a very special ending tomorrow night!

#YearlongMixtape  

The Clash - "Rock The Casbah" and "The Magnificent Seven"

Gotta give love to The Clash!  "The only (punk) band that matters," or at least that I can listen to for extended periods of time - I love their politics, their energy, and the sheer effort they put into their art.

It's probably not very cool to have "Rock The Casbah" as one of your favorite Clash songs, but I LOVE "Rock The Casbah"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ9r8LMU9bQ

And my favorite from their amazing triple (triple!) album with the great name - Sandinista!  I don't think there's another band who could turn the slog of work life into a vibrant jam.  Love this high energy performance from the late great Tom Snyder's Tomorrow Show.

"You lot! What?
Don't stop! Give it all you got!
You lot! What?
Don't stop! Yeah!"

#YearlongMixtape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijiazWlawUY

Toto - "Africa"

This one is for my African Well Fund​ friends!

I have loved this song for a long time, and obviously have an affinity the topic of Africa.  I recently learned, though, that the members of Toto had not actually been to Africa when they wrote the song, and instead were writing from a romanticized idea of what they thought it was like.  It made me think of the joke (that is funny because it's true) that a lot of people think Africa is one country, because they hear it referred to as one place, and that "Africans" are all the same.  And it made me think of the adjectives that are used when we talk or think about them.

Diginified.

Corrupt (ignoring the fact that someone has to give the bribe before it can be taken, and you'd take a bribe too if you were trying to feed your family).

Joyful (oh those jolly Africans don't know how bad they have it!).

Uneducated (because there is only one correct path to knowledge, and that is the Western Way).

Poor (because money is the only way to measure wealth).

What we don't think about is the fact that Africa is 54 very different countries, with 1.1 billion people, and massive inequality in access to food, shelter, clean water, health care, physical and psychological safety, and other resources.

We don't think about how colonialism and exploitation have created the mess that many of the countries and people now find themselves in.  My main hope is that we stop romanticizing this idea of "Africa," because I think it oversimplifies and absolves us from dealing with the problems that exist.  And, more importantly, that we understand the diversity of the people who live there, and listen to them as they work to build better futures.  They already know the answers - they are not voiceless - and we need to stop telling them what we think is best for them and give them room for self-determination and liberation.

I still love the song, even though it's kind of cheesy, and the only "African" in the video is a shadowy Bushman with a spear.  If it makes you think about the continent and want to get involved, then that's not such a bad thing :)

#YearlongMixtape

#BlessTheRains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQbiNvZqaY

Bonus clip!  Here is a really funny Tonight Show sketch with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake singing this song as kids in a summer camp.  Hilarious!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9F86cAoi3o

U2 Week - "Magnificent"

“If I am close to the music, and you are close to the music, then we are close to each other.” – Bono

After last night’s rant, I have to end with a little love fest.  It is Bono and Ali’s anniversary after all!  (Happy anniversary you crazy kids!) 

There is one reason why I love this band so much: the joyful noise.  It takes so long for them to make an album because they play around and wait for divine inspiration to come.  You can call it God, or magic, but it is something greater than ourselves.  They are imperfect messengers, creating music for an imperfect audience, but this is the most wonderful, transformative music I have ever heard or will ever hear.  Although it does help that they’re adorable.

“Magnificent” is the best song from No Line On The Horizon – I was shocked when I heard it, because even after all these years, they still try harder than anyone else to create art that can move so many people.  Their shows are part party, part church, and 18 years into my journey with them, part reunion with my beautiful friends who I’ve met along the way.  I hope this one makes its way back into the setlist.

Thank you all for joining me this week.  I hope it’s been as fun for you as it’s been for me!  (If you were playing along, I did go over my 10-song rule. This is number 12.)

And now I’ll shut up and let you listen…

“I was born


I was born to sing for you 



I didn't have a choice but to lift you up 


And sing whatever song you wanted me to


I give you back my voice 


From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise ...



Only love, only love can leave such a mark



But only love, only love can heal such a scar”

#YearlongMixtape

#U2Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5StJhm5tv0

U2 Week - "Every Breaking Wave"

I have been wanting to write this post for a while, but wasn’t quite sure of the tone I wanted to take.  It will likely be very long, maybe take a tangent or two, but I hope you’ll hang in there with me.

I first have to explain that “Every Breaking Wave” is, hands down, my favorite song on the new album.  It is about two lovers whose relationship can’t survive because of their inability and/or unwillingness to overcome the difficult circumstances of their lives.  Bono said it’s been his favorite to perform on this tour.  It’s so beautiful.

There is a line that rips my heart out every time I hear it:

“Like every breaking wave on the shore, this is as far as I could reach.” 

In fact, the first time I heard it live, a few weeks ago, I cried when Bono sang those words.  A lot.

I had a somewhat traumatic childhood and a strained relationship with both of my parents.  I don’t say that asking for pity, but only to explain that I surrounded myself with music as a way to bring joy into my life.  Because I felt like both of my parents had let me down in significant ways, I became very angry and developed impossibly high expectations for myself and others.  It became an excuse to push people away when I became disappointed that they weren’t perfect.  That they weren’t reaching as far as I wanted them to.

When I became a U2 fan, I really did idolize them.  I put them on a pedestal and wanted to meet them.  I wanted them to validate me.  I was especially drawn to Bono because he’s charismatic and smart and gregarious.  A perfect target for my unresolved daddy issues. 

I joined the Jubilee movement because Bono inspired me, and even though I didn’t join to meet him, I…okay I kind of wanted to meet him.  I wanted him to know my name, because somehow I thought that it would make me important.  And then he left, and started another organization.  I am eternally grateful for the inspiration – it has set me on an incredibly life-affirming path, but I have a lot of philosophical problems with the work he’s currently doing.  I won’t get into here because it will probably offend a lot of people.  I’ll just say that when he has the conversation with his 19-year-old self during Bullet the Blue Sky, and young Bono is scolding him for the hypocrisy of “fighting poverty” while flying on private jets and hanging out with rich people, I am that 19-year-old.  I don’t think he’s naïve – I think he echoes the calls of the people living the injustice.  Bono talks about vision over visibility; that the goal is more important than the attention he gets from doing the work.  But I am disappointed by the message it sends that you care about the poor, but not enough to stop vacationing on your yacht.  He’s not willing to reach that far.

The other disappointment is the way they run ticket sales and the GA line.  They used to take care of fan club members.  They’ve said that they want their fans to get first dibs at tickets.  But not enough to take on the corrupt Ticketmaster monster in a meaningful way.  This has been going on for several tours.  I hope that what happened in New York will change things, but probably not.  And they still haven’t figured out a safe, security-run GA line system that other bands figured out a long time ago.  It just requires a little bit of extra effort.  But they aren’t willing to reach that far.

And lastly, I say this with all of the love in my heart, but we as fans have to respect ourselves enough to say no to them.  We get so caught up in seeing them live, in filling that hole in our hearts, that we will do anything.  We still buy from ticket resellers (who are really scalpers) because we want to be in the room.  We want that validation. I love them, and I love all of you.  I cannot imagine my life without this music and without the friendships I’ve made along the way.  But I would rather miss a show than be that desperate.  I want to be treated with dignity, not like some fool who will do anything, so why should they bother making it a safer, better process.  How far are we willing to reach to say enough?

On a side note, I also wanted to point out that my former boss at the crazy job I left last fall was also a boat captain.  He spent so much time (and preferred) being on a boat, that he didn’t run his company.  He didn’t care enough that I was struggling to stay afloat.  Like U2, he said he cared, but his actions said otherwise. I spent a lot of time being angry at him because he let me down repeatedly.  I had to leave to save my sanity.  I, unfortunately, sometimes think of him when I hear this song because of the reference to the sailor and the “shipwrecked soul.”  You get to a point where the other person won’t meet you halfway, and maybe is sucking the life out of you, and you cannot reach anymore.

I recognize that it’s probably not fair to have such high expectations.  We are all human.  Maybe it’s enough just to have fun and be alive in the moment.  But fairness and doing what is right is so important to me, that even when I see myself or someone else fall short of that, I still want to try to do better.  Otherwise, what’s the point?

So when I hear those words being sung by the person who I wanted to see me, and acknowledge me, and make me feel special, I feel a physical ache knowing that that probably won’t happen.  If I meet any of them at some point, that’s fine, but I don’t need it anymore.  It’s actually very freeing to be “willing to be swept off our feet, and stop chasing every breaking wave.”  I wish that for all of you who are struggling with whatever hurt is in your heart.

I really love the live version, and this performance is especially powerful.  I think I spent a full week after the last NYC shows just looking for performances of this song.  Bono puts his whole self into the song.  And can we get some love for Edge on piano?  The best!

Thank you so much for reading.  I welcome any discussion, either in the comments below, or as a private message.  I promise tomorrow night’s post will be a lot more fun!

#YearlongMixtape

#U2Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eT_Mucn0PM 

U2 Week - The "Girl" Songs - "Drowning Man," "Heartland," "A Man And A Woman," "Stateless," and "The Crystal Ballroom"

Tonight on #U2Week, it’s all about the “girl” songs.  There are five songs – I know that’s a bunch, but I have faith that you’ll get through it.  These are songs that seem to be popular with many heterosexual female U2 fans.  They’re mostly kind of mushy love songs, but with U2, they’re so much better.  Thoughtful.  Complicated.  In awe of the feminine side of the universe.  Melodic and rhythmic and interesting and you need to sit down to listen to them because your knees are be getting a little weak.  And if they ever actually played any of them live, you might melt into a puddle on the floor.  They’ll always be my grown-up boy band.

This post is dedicated to my lovely U2 friend Tasha Hindman, who I haven’t seen in far too long, and with whom I spent much time during the Elevation Tour discussing our dream set list.  At the Baltimore show in 2001, she gave me an actual cassette mixtape of our list.  My choices may have changed slightly since then (or just expanded with each new album), but I still have it, and it’s one of my favorite things.  Thank you friend!

First, is a highly underrated, stunningly beautiful song from the War album – “Drowning Man.”  “I’ll cross the sky for your love.”  I mean, come on.  Everyone’s part is spectacular.  And they were in their early 20s when they wrote it!  Unbelievable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1jH5MuXSv4

Next is “Heartland” from Rattle & Hum.  About the American Heartland, it’s kind of a love letter to the United States, and the road trip they took while on the Joshua Tree tour.  They’re pretty darn adorable in this video.  Those drums.  Those howling vocals.  Sigh…

“Dawn changes everything…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AbGE2AjS1Q

The next one is (in my opinion) the standout of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb – “A Man And A Woman.”  I very clearly remember the first time I heard it.  I was at an old job, and I had bought the album on my lunch break the day it came out.  I was at my desk, and I could only partially pay attention because I was busy.  Then this song came on, and it was like, “Stop the press, what is THAT?” 

Bono and Edge performed it at a ceremony honoring The Clinton Foundation in 2011, but other than that, they’ve never performed it live.  The lyrics are among Bono’s best.  I love the little “Sweet Caroline” snippet too – “How can I hurt when I’m holding you?”
 

And Adam’s bass playing is beyond.  He recently said that this and Heartland are two of his favorite U2 songs, and he has forever won my heart because of it.  And since he has a strong feminine side, it proves my theory.

This song is dedicated to Rob Wanenchak, who absolutely hates it – haha!  It’s a great song Rob – stop fighting it!

“The soul needs beauty for a soul mate

When the soul wants, the soul waits…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_1xHhFZZP0

The next song is a super rarity – “Stateless.”  This is on the soundtrack of a film called The Million Dollar Hotel, for which Bono co-wrote the screenplay.  I never got around to seeing it (it might be terrible).  Pre-crazy Mel Gibson and Milla Jovovich are in it.  But the soundtrack features U2 and Daniel Lanois, so you can’t go wrong with that.  And this song – I am telling you right now – you need to hear it.

“I've got no home in this world


Just gravity, luck, and time


I've got no home in this world


Just you and you are not mine”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqWVAfVxUwo

“The Crystal Ballroom” was an instant fan favorite on the deluxe version of the new album.  It’s one of the best songs they’ve ever written, about a club in Dublin where they used to play, and where Bono’s parents used to go on dates.  I don’t know why it’s not on the actual album; maybe it doesn’t quite fit.  They’ve only played it twice on tour so far, but we’re all reeeeally hoping they play it more.

Bono said in an interview that “Girls like ‘Crystal Ballroom.’ They like to dance.”  Which is totally true for me.  I don’t really know what’s going on in the video, but it is quite enjoyable to watch.

My favorite lyric from the song describes how I feel about their tour, and life right now – all good. 

“Born for bliss,

Born for this…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmGXWUUfQPY

#YearlongMixtape

#U2Week

#TheGirlSongs 

U2 Week - 90s Night - "Acrobat," "Discotheque," "Please," & "Lemon"

It's no secret that the 90s are my favorite U2 era (see what I did there? #TheFly).  Although I am totally diggin' the 2010s so far, I became a fan when Pop came out, and I love beyond words their artier, dancier, darker side.  The fact that a rock band can completely transform their music and image, and revolutionize the live concert experience is astounding and inspiring to me.

Tonight, I'm sharing one song from each of the 3 albums they released during the 90s.  First, is the greatest album of all time, Achtung Baby.  Since they will likely never play fan-favorite "Acrobat" in concert, I have to share it.  It is one of their most intense songs,

"And you can dream
So dream out loud
You know that your time is coming 'round
So don't let the bastards grind you down"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgwvqO-_luM

Going slightly out of order to Pop, their most underrated album.  I still don't understand why people hated it so much.  Is rock not allowed to be colorful?  It is a very dark album, accompanied by their shiniest and brightest visuals.  And a 40' tall mirrorball lemon.  Because, as Edge said, why not a lemon?

I'm sharing two songs from the album, because they could not be more different, and that is their genius and contradiction.  They can write a glossy song about the riddle of love - "Discotheque" - and dress up like the Village People in the video, AND they can make a desperate song about the violence in Northern Ireland, with "Please."

Here is Discotheque:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2AjpPNDe-8

#BoomCha

And here is Please - the powerful Live from Mexico City version:

"So love is hard
And love is tough
But love is not
What you're thinking of"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1l0Zq0mN4M

And then, of course, my beloved Lemon.  Inspired by a video of Bono's mother Iris wearing a lemon-colored dress, it's a dance song with a falsetto vocal about a man trying to figure out the world around and inside of himself by looking at his dead mother.  Totally and utterly amazing.  The video also features the band in their lemon suits, and Bono as his character, MacPhisto, that he developed along with The Fly and the Mirrorball Man on the ZooTV tour.  All three are caricatures of rock stars in some way - a commentary on the ridiculous lives they lead.  I miss them making fun of themselves in this way.

I said this before, but I really want them to do some kind of acoustic arrangement of this song and perform it live.  I think the song is strong enough to handle a complete reworking.  (CC: Rob Trigalet​ and John Austin​)

"And these are the days
When our work has come asunder
And these are the days
When we look for something other"

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj22n_u2-lemon_music

I also just realized that all of these songs have one-word titles.  Don't know if that means anything, but I like it when a title either gets directly to the point, or makes you wonder what in the world it's about.

#YearlongMixtape

#U2Week

U2 Week - "Where The Streets Have No Name"

It's the week you've all been waiting for (or dreading - lol) - U2 Week!  I wanted to wait until I saw them on tour to post songs, because I wanted to see if I would be inspired in a certain way, and, indeed, I was.

I'm starting with the greatest live song in the history of music.  You have not lived until you are in a room with 20,004 of your closest friends (the 4 are U2), and the house lights go up.  It is the best feeling in the world.  I always look around at the entire room to see the look of joy of everyone's face, just taking in all of the love and sense of community.

I also will briefly give the story of how I became a U2 fan.  I didn't know who they were until The Joshua Tree, when they blew up, but I was too young at the time to appreciate their music.  I remember reading about Rattle & Hum in Seventeen magazine, and I thought it was a cool title, but that was the extent of my knowledge of who this band was.  I was a teeny bopper and loved Madonna and Janet, and later, the New Kids.  I didn't like them during the Achtung Baby/Zoo TV era, which is funny because now that's my favorite album and favorite tour-that-I-never-saw.  I thought they were weird and I didn't get the joke.

Then, in December of 1996, I was a 20-year-old sophomore in college, and over holiday break, I was at home watching TV on a Friday night.  I flipped through the channels on the little TV in my room, and I got to VH1.  There was a commercial on, and for some reason, I decided to not change the channel and waited to see what was on.  Then, after the commercial break, this performance of "Streets" came on (hardcore fans just call it "Streets"), with the "Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona" title screen.  I saw these figures walk out on stage, and the song started.  It took a minute (we didn't have those digital cable guides to see what was on), but I realized "Oh, this must be that Rattle & Hum movie."  And I decided to watch it.  The song comes on about halfway through the film, so I only saw the second half, but it was interesting.  Then, I think about a week later, it was on again, and I saw a little bit more.  And I was fascinated by these young men who seemed so genuine.  It was originally panned by critics who misunderstood their intent.  They were showing an appreciation of American music, but critics thought they were being phony or trying to pretend that they were as good as BB King and Elvis.  Since I got to see it so many years later, I just watched it from a pure place, and immediately understood who they were.  It was a pretty intense reaction.

Not long after that, in I think February of 1997, I started hearing their new single, Discotheque, on the radio.  I had been in rock land, after years of loving pop and dance and rap, so it took me a little while to reconcile the dance-y U2 with the rock/folk/blues hybrid I had just heard in Rattle & Hum.  They were all over MTV promoting Pop, and I bought the album and forced myself to listen to it until I "got" it.  And I learned as much as I could about them (not easy to do when the Internet was still relatively new).  And then I saw them on tour that year.  And it's been love ever since.  I've always thought the intro to this song was like a sunrise. It was the start of a new adventure that's lasted 18 years. So far.

So this week, I will be focusing on mostly less well-known songs, except for "Streets," because I want you to experience the full awesomeness that is this band.  I promise I'll try to behave - I could do a U2 Month and it wouldn't be enough - but I'll keep it to 10 songs or less in the next 5 days :)

Going up!

#YearlongMixtape

#U2Week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkPkXSoS0Y

Mariah Carey - "Anytime You Need A Friend" and "Can't Let Go"

Don't judge - I love me some Mariah!  I wore out my Emotions album cassette in 1991.  She is such a gifted singer that I couldn't help but be in awe of her.  And in the early 90s, I really did love those cheesy pop songs.  But she makes them 1000 times better.

Of course, in my car, I sound exactly like Mariah, so if you're ever in the car with me and one of her songs comes on, I'd like to apologize in advance.

I actually just heard "Anytime You Need A Friend" in a drug store the other day and I had forgotten what a fantastic song it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li6vpAMmfw0

I was also OBSESSED with the song and video for "Can't Let Go."  I wanted Mariah's whole look, from the french twist/kind of beehive hairstyle, to her (what I now realize is a) very low and high cut dress.  She really, uh, leans in to her performance :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU1knfz15xI

#YearlongMixtape

#thesetdesignerreallylikedroses

Beastie Boys - "Sabotage," "Ch-Check It Out," & "So What'cha Want"

This is the second of the two part "Why wasn't I a bigger fan of this band?" feature. I'm sorry it's a little late. I have to start with a confession: I was only a casual Beasties fan until Adam Yauch passed away 3 years ago. I always respected them as a band, and it just seems like they've always been a part of our lives. I had heard that they were really great to their fans, and were socially conscious (including organizing the Tibetan Freedom Concerts), but that was the extent of my knowledge and interest.

And then I heard that Yauch got cancer, and it was sad but I think everyone felt that he was going to be okay. And then, in 2012, when I heard that he passed away, there was an overwhelming sense of mourning among so many people who loved their music. I had an immediate emotional reaction that was not proportional to how much I liked them at that point. I bought every one of their albums that I didn't already own. I don't know how to explain it, but I just felt like I was making up for lost time. And the more I listened and learned about them, the sadder I got, because I couldn't believe I had missed all of this while he was still alive. I never got to see them live. I was just devastated because it was so unfair. Like, really Universe, you're gonna let Dick Cheney survive 5 major heart surgeries, but you're taking this beautiful soul away from his family and friends and fans?

I love their sense of humor, their great music, their social activism, and their genuine appreciation of hip hop. As 3 white Jewish kids, they've always created their music from a place of love for the art form. When they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chuck D and LL Cool J spoke about them with such respect and appreciation. And they remind me of U2 in the way that they started as and remain friends first, and that they worked in a kind of (slow!) jamming session style, figuring out the music and lyrics as they went along. They're a really special band. I'm just sorry it took me so long to realize it.

So I have a bunch of songs that I love, so it was REALLY difficult narrowing down the list. My two favorite albums are 1998's Hello Nasty (the one with Intergalactic on it - which was released when I was in college and had a radio show. I played that song every week), and 2004's To The 5 Boroughs, which is basically a love letter to NYC after 9/11. There's so much good stuff.

In 1995, I had the cassette single of Sabotage, and I played it over and over and over again. I just couldn't get enough, and of course the video is legendary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE

"Ch-Check It Out" is the opening track on To The 5 Boroughs, and they did a really awesome performance on Letterman (a big fan!) in 2004:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ2ZHkBzmHQ

I don't know that "So What'cha Want" is my absolute favorite of theirs, but it's way up there. Just an all around perfect song, from the "When the Levee Breaks"-style drums, to the loose guitar, and the lyrics are incredible:

"I got depth of perception in my text, y'all,
I get props at my mention 'cause I vex, y'all"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3gH27Fn6E

#YearlongMixtape

INXS - "Suicide Blonde" and "Need You Tonight"

I'm doing kind of a weird two-night "Why was I not a bigger fan of these bands?" #YearlongMixtape feature.  First, I have to explain that I love both bands, but then a significant member of each passed away, and I found myself listening to their music and wondering why I didn't like them more earlier.

I think a small part of it might be the universe protecting me. Which sounds super self-centered, but I often think that maybe I couldn't handle it if someone in a band I REALLY loved died.  I am completely spoiled that U2 has been around for so long, and they are all healthy (although we need to keep an eye on that singer).  NKOTB are all fine, and they even got back together just for me! (Okay, maybe not, but it's been pretty awesome).  I get so emotionally attached to this music and the people who make it, and maybe that's unhealthy, but it's how I feel.

So the first band is INXS.  A couple of my friends absolutely loved this band, and I think of them both whenever I hear an INXS song.  Of course I was a fan back in the day, and love their mix of dance and rock music.  Bono was a close friend of Michael's.  I've only seen them live one time, and it was after they did that Rock Band talent contest to find a new lead singer.  The show was outstanding - they're a really genuinely talented band - but the singer didn't last too long, and they officially broke up recently.

I'm sharing two songs.  The first is probably in poor taste, but it's my favorite INXS song: Suicide Blonde.  They opened the show I saw with this one, and it tore the roof off the joint!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psDTiUV0PNI

And second is "Need You Tonight," one of their biggest hits, off of their huge album, KICK.  Such a great, sexy song. Gotta include the version with Mediate too!
(Bonus: check out Tim's epic mullet in the video!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1FPlLV_BmI

#YearlongMixtape

#EverybodyDanceYeah

Bob Dylan Trifecta: "Lay Lady Lay," "Like A Rolling Stone," & "Things Have Changed"

I haven't posted any Dylan songs yet for two reasons:
1) until recently, it's been pretty difficult to find videos of his songs online
2) how in the world do you even narrow the songs down enough to include in one or two posts?  Or even a week?  I mean, really!  He's a genius!  A legend!

Anyway, here are three of my favorites.  First is "Lay Lady Lay," which I fully admit makes me melt like butter.  Even when he sings it in his now old, gravelly voice.  Swoon...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrZnnvEyTUs

Next is probably my favorite of favorites, "Like A Rolling Stone." Because I've often felt adrift in the world, because haven't we all, because it's a masterpiece:

"You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain’t no good
You shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for you"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syNLBJ_Lq9E

And, of course, "Things Have Changed," which is a newer song, for which he won an Oscar.  He's known for his amazing lyrics, and these are direct and perfect.

"I used to care, but things have changed."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9EKqQWPjyo

#YearlongMixtape

Hip Hop Jammy Jams - The Cool Kids "88", Violator Feat. Q-Tip "Vivrant Thing", & Kanye Feat. Jamie Foxx "Gold Digger"

Tonight, I’m featuring 3 hip hop jammy jams!

First is a song by The Cool Kids called “88.”  I can’t actually remember where I first heard it – I think it might’ve been free on iTunes.  The lyrics are pretty explicit, but there are lots of late 80s references, and the beats are the illest!

“I press and twist knobs just to make your head nod”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po3Vawcwwl4

“Vivrant Thing” is a really fun song (also containing some kind of bleeped-out explicit lyrics and scantily-clad ladies), featuring the great Q-Tip! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYTjBhplTGY

And finally, say what you want about Kanye, but I really respect him as an artist. “Gold Digger” has hilarious lyrics, and Jamie Foxx singing Ray Charles – so much amazing!

#YearlongMixtape

#HipHopJammyJams

#WeWantPreNupYeah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vwNcNOTVzY

Salt-N-Pepa - "Push It"

Salt N Pepa's here and we're in effect!  I don't think I can overstate the hugeness of this song.  Not just as a hit record, but the impact it had on giving female hip hop artists a voice, and influencing a gazillion young women to feel empowered.  

#YearlongMixtape 

http://youtu.be/vCadcBR95oU 

Billy Joel Night part 2 - "My Life"

Honorable mention: this one isn't sappy but it's still awesome!  Not just because it was the Bosom Buddies theme song, but it helps.  The year would not be complete without a Bosom Buddies reference!  So much late '70s greatness!

#YearlongMixtape

#BillyJoelNight

"They will tell you you can't sleep alone
In a strange place
Then they'll tell you you can't sleep
With somebody else
Ah, but sooner or later you sleep
In your own space
Either way it's okay
You wake up with yourself"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3JFEfdK_Ls

Sappy Billy Joel Song Night - "She's Always A Woman" & "Just The Way You Are"

There are only about 2 weeks left in the #YearlongMixtape (it goes by so fast!), so I'm going to cram everything in.

Tonight, it's sappy Billy Joel song night!  Get a tissue kids!

#YearlongMixtape

#BillyJoelNight

Here's "She's Always A Woman":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4nQB3V10i8

"Oh, she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind"

And, of course: "Just The Way You Are":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJWM5FmZyqU

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Learning To Fly" and "Runnin' Down A Dream"

Let's do a pair of Petty perfection!  First is "Learning To Fly," which became a favorite when I saw him a few years ago in Philly.  As this video shows, his fans are AMAZING. Totally dedicated and great at singalongs.

I love when he sings the "fly over my troubles, fly over my worries" part.  So beautiful.  (And yes, that is Stevie Nicks singing backup!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxXBhKJnRR8

And, of course, perhaps the greatest road trip song of all time - "Runnin' Down A Dream"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1D3a5eDJIs

#YearlongMixtape

#PettyPerfection

Cyndi Lauper X 2 - "All Through The Night" and "Change of Heart"

I don't think I've posted any Cyndi Lauper songs yet, so let's do a two-fer tonight.  She is just the coolest!

First up, from the album with the greatest title ever - She's So Unusual - is "All Through The Night."  That voice!  That style!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqDSNZTo8js

And possibly my absolute favorite of hers, "Change of Heart"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svHeFdSvPL0

#YearlongMixtape

Whopalooza - "Tea and Theatre"

This is a sad and beautiful stunner off of The Who's totally outstanding 2006 album, Endless Wire.

The song might be a little autobiographical, and especially poignant when Pete and Roger perform it together alone on stage.  It's so great that I'm posting all of the lyrics.

"Will you have some tea
At the theatre with me?
We did it all
Didn't we?

Jumped every wall
Instinctively
Unravelled codes
Ingeniously

Wired all the roads
So seamlessly
We made it work
But one of us failed
That makes it so sad
A great dream derailed

One of us - gone
One of us - mad
One of us - me
All of us sad
All of us sad

Lean on my shoulder now
This story is done
It's getting colder now
A thousand songs

Still smoulder now
We play them as one
We're older now
All of us sad
All of us free
Before we walk from this stage
Two of us

Will you have some tea
Will you have some tea
At the theatre with me"

Here's a cute live version from a show a few years ago. I just love their interaction (and Roger's unbuttoned shirt. He's old enough to be my father and has the body of a 25-year-old!  Down girl!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7TSxjgYb0c

#YearlongMixtape

#Whopalooza

#RIPKeithandJohn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK8XBsYJf5U

The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"

I know I keep posting about U2, but I do have to acknowledge that they inducted The Who into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.  Bono was not yet the smooth, funny speech-giver that he is now, but I have never actually seen the full speech until now and it's really sweet. Larry even speaks about Keith Moon and it is totally adorable.  (They also covered this song at a club show in 2000 and did a very respectable job!)

Here is the speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14AgJJKCKEA

This is my favorite mic-flinging, guitar arm-windmilling, bass virtuoso-ing, drum-mastering Who song!  The amount of talent in this band would be greedy if it weren't so perfectly great.

#YearlongMixtape

#Whopalooza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE

 

The Who - "Eminence Front"

One of my favorite Who songs, about the "fronts" we hide behind, instead of allowing our true selves to show.  Love it when Pete sings too!

"The news slows
People forget
The shares crash, hopes are dashed
People forget
Forget they're hiding."

#YearlongMixtape

#Whopalooza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5kkcOvPW6Y

The Who - "Who Are You"

Let's do a Who-palooza!  Love love love this band!! One of my faves - you know I enjoy a little existential odyssey :) 

http://youtu.be/PdLIerfXuZ4

#YearlongMixtape 

#Whopalooza 

Duran Duran - "Notorious"

"Notorious" is one of my very favorite Duran Duran songs.  Sadly this album was the first one released after Roger and Andy left the band, but I believe it's the first time Nile Rodgers of Chic worked with them.  Nick said that the keyboard part came from Nile showing him how to play Nile's distinctive funky guitar sound on a keyboard.  So great!!

"Don't ask me to bleed about it;
I need this blood to survive."

#YearlongMixtape

#DurannieFest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGDmBLAPikU

Duran Duran - "Come Undone"

This will be short because I'm unbearably tired, but I'm doing a Durannie-thon for all of my Durannies!

One of my faves, although it's tough because Roger and Andy weren't in the band at the time. 

#YearlongMixtape 

#DurannieThon 

http://youtu.be/ICnlyNUt_0o