Spread it!
On my way to a cafe (to write) this morning, I pushed the little round, grey button on my iPod and hit skip a bunch of times to take note of the first seven songs from the random shuffle. They say “all songs are love songs.” I’m not sure if this is true, so I put the theory to the test given that Tiffany and Roddykat asked me about my musical tastes. Here it goes. The first few songs I listened to en route to the cafe:
- “I’m Going Back to Tahiti” by Marty Dread. I met this Hawaiian / reggae singer when I was in Kihea, Maui visiting a friend several years ago. Strolling along on the beach, I heard him play live. He was great. Everybody was really into it, and he invited us all back to this bar for a free concert. I went. My friend bought his CD for me and convinced him to sign it. I still have it. “I’m Going Back to Tahiti” is a song about finding his girlfriend in Tahiti. Love song? Yes.
- “This Love (Acoustic version)” by Maroon 5. Adam Levine is fine as hell and this tortured love song is one of my faves.
- “Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon. Not sure if I talked about this yet, but I’m a HUGE Beatles fan. I’ve got a ton of their stuff, and I own Abbey Road on vinyl. I think Beautiful Boy was written after John went solo; the lyrics are a love song to his son.
- “Is This Love” by Bob Marley and the Wailers is definitely a love song.
- “How Deep Is the Ocean” by Ray Charles. Ah, Ray. It’s always about lovin’ when it comes to Ray.
- “Kiss of Life” by Sade. Her voice is so hot and smooth it could melt the extra 2 pounds of winter fat from my inner thighs! Kiss of Life is, of course, a love song.
- “Gloomy Sunday” by Billie Holiday. And, alright, we struck out folks. Billie Holiday’s song is a about suicide, not love.
Six of seven of the song that boomed from my little music box were love songs. How about all of you? Tell me about the types of songs and podcasts you listen to. What’s your favorite kind of music?
————-
CREDIT: Photo by Steve Wood.
NOTE: Check out Friday Favecast
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Recently I have got addicted to Muse. From the new bands it’s definitely The Ting Tings. What else… Coldplay, The Fratelies, Killers, Gossip, RHCP and a few thing from Lennon.
Plus, a polish band called Hey. Quite nice stuff. But doubt anyone from here would understand what they sing :). Pity.
Podcasts? Scott Mills Daily and Chris Moyles – best guys from BBC Radio 1.
Hope everything’s okay in your NYC world. :)
Always tuned.
rfl
I respectfully disagree – I think Gloomy Sunday is most definitely a love song. Just a fucked up, super sad one.
Anyhoo, I love the theme of this post and might borrow (fine, steal) it for one of my own. :)
Happy writing!
Calypso, classic gospel, salsa, and Black Impressionist (your readers call it jazz) all float my boat, among many other types of sounds.
Weird quirky indie bands. Moving to Glasgow has really made me appreciate the local music scene so bands like ‘Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura, The Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand, Teenage Fanclub etc are on my list a lot. Also currently really liking ‘Architecture in Helskink, I’m From Barcelona, and the Silver Jews. Oh and I’m going through my usual ‘The Smiths’ obsession too.
Your love of Adam Levine is well documented. I actually expected you to put more M5. :) Nice list. It’s as eclectic as you are(A very good compliment, by the way).
Despite musical diversification over the last decade, my heart still belongs foremost to punk/ska.
Browsing the genres in my iTunes would indicate that I favour R&B, Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Pop, Alt Rock, Classic Rock and strangely enough Soundtracks. But there is at least one track from just about every other genre in there as well.
I don’t think I have a favorite type of music. I’ve always been a firm believer that it’s enough that we all like MUSIC as an art form in itself. If people looked hard enough I’m sure that they could find at least one song they liked in a genre of music that they supposedly ‘hate’. Of course it’s easier to find plenty of songs you hate in a genre you supposedly ‘love’. So why bother? Just enjoy the music for what it is.
In terms of love songs I have a whole Valentine’s Day play list. It includes: At Last by Etta James, Underneath it All by No Doubt, Prototype by Outkast, Caramel by Suzanne Vega, Again by Lenny Kravitz, He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat) by Jill Scott, #1 Crush by Garbage, Love At First Sight by Kylie Minogue, and River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner, among many others.
I’m really all over the place when it comes to musical taste. I wouldn’t go so fast as to call myself eclectic. But I have gotten more than a few odd looks from friends who’s borrowed my iPod at one point or another. As for podcasts I keep it to few. The Cute with Chris Podcast. Kevin Smith’s SmodCast and the Grey’s Anatomy Podcast when I’m working too much to sit and actually watch the show.
this love from maroon 5 is one of my favourite songs. love that album too.
beatles! i’ve got the whole discography on my pc :P it’s part of my british obsession :P
oh sade…i love her music too! :D
fbc…i have borrowed your theme today as the subject of my post. i love music. period.
hope you meet your deadline :-)
You were so sweet when I stopped you in the middle of the Village to tell you I think you’re interesting. It was so random but an amazing bump because I JUST discovered your blog a few days ago. Your words and face were fresh in my mind. You were probably listening to this lovely play list when I started waving and pointing. I was rocking Freddie McGregor, Damien Marley, his dad, and Sam Cooke at the time. I also love Patty Griffin and Doria Roberts. But, my fave song in the entire world is Here Comes the Sun. :-) If you’re ever in Harlem, let me know. This upcoming Tuesday EZ’s Woodshed is having a Farewell, So Long party. It’s sad its closing, but I’m sure the gathering will be fun. Truly…it was lovely meeting you. I’m so glad I’m not on deadlines anymore. I really don’t miss being a reporter. All the best! ~francia
Personally, I despise love songs. Not because I’m a cold-hearted bastard, but because the topic has been done to death and very very few artists bring anything new lyrically.
My favorite song right now is Gil Scott Heron’s “We Almost Lost Detroit”, a song about a nuclear power plant. The imagery and emotion are beyond tight.
PS – I’m writing a book now and also gave myself a June deadline. Looks like I wont make it, though.
I’m old-school all the way..love R & B..especially Angie Stone..Raheem Devaughn..Jill Scott..but i have to admit..i love Nas..UGK..ok..maybe a little hard core but thats me..:)
Best love song of all time: Jimmy Buffett’s immortal “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw”.
Personally I’m a big fan of Mark Knopfler, and most of his stuff is definitely NOT a bunch of love songs.
My favorite love song is “I Swear” by After 7. Love that song.
@ rfl: Not addicted to Muse, but I’ve SOOOOO gobbled up Pandora lately. :) And, yes, things are going well in the NYC world little overworked re: deadline. But, hanging in there. :)
@ Meeks: Thanks for the happy writing wishes!
@ Lee Coles: You have excellent tastes in music, my dear!
@ Darwin: I hear the music scene in Glasgow is really really good. Haven’t been up there, but I sooo wanna see that place someday.
@ Roddykat: Thanks for the compliment! :)
@ Brenz: Punk/ska? I used to like Sugar Ray. Does that count?
@ Grace: Good point. Music is def an art form. By the way, I love that song “He Loves Me.”
@ carolina pereira: Sounds like we have similar tastes in music! :)
@ wynsters the tigress: Thanks for the shout out credit / link loving. :)
@ Bodhisattva Harlem Mama: You were too sweet, too!! :) Love “Here Comes the Sun.” Can’t make it to EZ’s Woodshed cuz I’m writing like a mofo this week. Next week is MUCH more free and clear.
@ Jeffrey Wilson: You cold-hearted bastard!!!!! ;) We should sooooo talk book-writing sometime. You going to Blakeley’s next party?
@ mrsbigg: If I ruled the world. I’d free all boys and girls. I love em love em, baby! Black diamonds and pearls … .
@ Baba Doodlius: Don’t forget Margaritaville! :)
@ Ree: Good choice!
It most absolutely does not.
“Stellar” – Incubus. Brandon Boyd’s voice and the collaborative writing of the lyrics make this song one of my favorites.
“Turn your lights down low” – Bob Marley and The Wailers – nothing says it more directly.
“Jamming” – Bob Marley and The Wailers – too fun to pass up.
“Your Song” – Elton John – fun to sing along with.
I am very ecclectic, a good mix of music from Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Pantera, to reggae. i like some hip hop/ and some rap. and my favorite electronica artist is Aphex Twin (Richard D. James), autechre is good too, squarepusher, daft punk, peaches, that sort of thing… peaches is off the wall but fun.
Miles… James Brown…. Sly…. ‘Trane…. Bootsy…. Francis Albert…. Bowie….Peabo…
Clapton….Matthews….Sara… Lena…. And….. Lady Day….. and if I left anyone out,
it’s due to extreme jetlag…. and a killer Stromboli…..
lamesabassman….. Greetings from the Blue Mts….. Jamaica…
@ Brenz: [Bats eyelashes.] Virtual kisses on your lips for the music!
@ qp the magnificent: OMG, I LOVE “Turn your lights down low.” Seriously, have you heard the version with Lauryn Hill on Chant Down Babylon? Your list is great; I think we might have similar tastes in music, too. By the way, sh!t, I should probably TOTALLY plug my friend Tina’s music here, huh? Here’s the link: http://www.tinacox.com.
@ lamesabassman: Miles Davis is amazing!!
Tina’s music is good for dancing tunes. I am more into Acid, Trance, and Hardcore. Tina is chilled down and relaxing, its stuff I’d listen to if I wanted to rewind and have some drinks.
Yeah, I love Tina’s stuff; it’s really smooth. :)
Yup, I’ll be attending “The Mesh”, hopefully with the person i’m mentoring.
But back on topic, I just thought of a love song that never fails to get to me: Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds”, aka music to slit you wrist to.
Alotta folks see it as a sappy love track, but for me, its a song about some of the best days, and friends, from years past that I’ll never get back.
Rumor has it that I may have shed a man-tear or two to the song. I can neither confirm or deny said rumor.
Which means it’s true.
Phil Collins makes you cry man tears?!? :) I’m sooo giving you shit about that the next time I see you at The Mesh!
By the way, I’m not a fan of the Sussudio man but I loooooove that “Against All Odds” song.
FBC, are you attending any of the Afropunk events? I went to today’s show and it was a rockin good time!
ah, i love this idea. and i’m procrastinating so i’ll do the same thing…first seven songs on shuffle:
1. My Love–Jill Scott
2. I Remember–Keyshia Cole
3. Fortunate–Maxwell
4. The Truth–India Arie
5. Waiting in Vain–Floetry
6. Refuge (When it’s Cold Outside)–John Legend
7. Trouble Sleeping–Corinne Bailey Rae
yup…all about love found or love lost. interesting.
” Sitting in the Park ” ……. Billy Steward….. and ” Stay in my Corner ” …. The Dells.
made to make you melt……
lamesabassman……. blue light music…… forever.
@ Jeffrey Wilson: Damn it!! There’s so much going on in this city that I keep missing stuff. That’s at BAM, right? Are you going again? If so, let me tag along with you!!! :)
@ negrita: Heeeey, all seven of your are love songs too!!! :) By the way, excellent taste in music my friend! :)
@ lamesabassman: Great songs.
really i didn\’t think this song is good
Hi. Very pleasant info. I found your good blog while searching bing. For the last few days I’ve been trying to learn more. Specially anything to do with the diet talk. I’ve seen it all and my cousin keeps pushing her recent weight loss fad on me. So I’m happy I encountered you. Bye! :)