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Category: Blog
July 11, 2007
The other day, someone asked me a question that has haunted me ever since. It mocks me in dreams. It whispers in my head when I’m sitting at traffic lights, minding my own business and thinking surely it would be fine to just pop into the McDonald’s drive-through for a cheeseburger, right? Cheeseburgers are so little. It follows me when I’m taking the laundry over to the washing machine and wondering if I really need to go through my pockets for change, because really, do I ever put change in my pocket because I don’t remember ever doing that and why are you following me, question, when I really am just going over here and I’ll be right back I promise.
What is your favorite song?
My favorite song? The one I like best out of all songs that have ever been sung? The one song I would bring with me if I were stranded forever on a remote island and had to listen to just that one song for the rest of my life, which likely wouldn’t be all that long, since I would soon starve or get bitten by a creepy endangered spider that only lived on that one island and there are only two of them left, but somehow I managed to step right on one and since I had lost my shoes and was barefoot, I didn’t squash it but only made it mad and it chased me down (because that’s the one special trait of this uniquely skilled endangered spider) and bit me right on my toe, which swelled right up and sent poison into my stranded, starving heart. What song would I want to hear as I lay dying is really the question.
How am I supposed to answer something like that?
I had a long drive soon after, and so I fired up the iPod, intent on discovering my favorite song. Surely it would be somewhere on my 2500 song playlist. What I discovered is that my iPod holds a lot of crap. And apparently I have no taste in music. No wonder I don’t have a favorite song. I don’t own any good ones to choose from.
Sure, I’ve got Britney and NSync, but I apologize for none of that because it keeps me on the elliptical. And I’ve got AC/DC and Def Leppard and Guns ‘N Roses and ABBA, which is great old stuff, but not necessarily favorite song ever material. And I have some U2 and Madonna and Carpenters, which may be timeless, but is it worthy of agonizing spider bite death accompaniment? I’m not sure sure.
I have some Lemonheads, which is totally worth having if only for the “Outdoor Type” song with the line, “I can’t go away with you on a rock climbing weekend; what if something’s on TV and it’s never shown again”. Although these days dude, get a tivo.
I also have songs from Jennifer Love Hewitt’s first album, and honestly, there’s a reason she did better in her acting career than her musical one. I have Creed. Lord knows why. I even have something by Luckydog, which I’m sad to say I know is that band that that guy who won Survivor that one time was in. Fortunately, I don’t remember his name.
Clearly, there is no best song ever in the universe in this bunch.
So, I need some help. I have accumulated several iTunes gift cards and need to buy some decent music. What should I get? No matter what you suggest, it can’t be worse than Nick Carter singing “Rhythm of my Heart” before he was in the Backstreet Boys.
And I’m curious, what is your favorite song? And how many times could you hear it on endangered spider island before throwing it over a cliff and getting the resident chipmunks to hum?
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Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor (“Moonlight”).
Also in the running: “All Blues”, “Linus and Lucy”, “O Holy Night”, “Poinciana”, “What a Wonderful World”, “Blackbird”, “Ramble On”, “Lithium”, “Rhapsody in Blue”, and “Rainbow Connection”.
Hi, V!
The first adult rock LP I ever get my mother to buy for me was Iggy Pop and the Stooges’s Raw Power. It paved the way for my love of punk, new wave, alternative, grunge and goth.
So what is my favorite song? Swirly goth favorite Sounds Become Screens by Delerium on the Semantic Spaces album. Most folks who know Delerium remember the Karma album because of the song Silence. Both are great, but Semantic Spaces is required listening for those who like to flow on the dance floor.
“Final Russian” by Talkdemonic is the best song ever. But maybe I wouldn’t think that if they hadn’t just played a live show last week. If you asked me earlier, I might have said the best song ever was “B.L.O.S.S.O.M.” by Komeda, but not the version from the Minty Fresh album Kokomemedada. The good mix is the one on the “Heroes and Villains” compilation. Yes, that’s the compilation of music inspired by the Powerpuff Girls. Shut up. Or maybe the best song ever is the theme music from “Hawaii 5-0″. Or maybe it’s “Little Babies” by Sleater-Kinney. Or maybe “Big Trak Attack” by Man or Astro-man? Or maybe “I Like Choco Bars” by Shonen Knife. Or maybe “Guns of Navaronne” performed in ska style, e.g., by the Ska Flames. Or maybe “Song of India” by Tommy Dorsey. Or maybe “Highway a Go Go” by Zoobombs. Or maybe “Montezuma (Was a Man of Faith)” by Andy Prieboy. Or maybe “Copy Shoot Cop” by Spiritualized. Or maybe “Thrice All American” by Neko Case. Or maybe “Isolation” by Joy Division. Or maybe “Chach” by Calexico. Or maybe “Waiting Room” by Fugazi. Or maybe “Developers Developers Developers Developers (Techno Remix)” by Steve Ballmer et al. Or maybe “Brown” by Grotus. Or maybe “Burrito Mojado” by the Fabulous Hedgehogs. Or maybe “You Used to Call Me” by Lynn August. Or maybe “Linda Linda” by the Blue Hearts. Or maybe “Change” by Boingo. Or maybe “Flint Jack” by the Monks of Doom. Or maybe “Stuart” by the Dead Milkmen. Or maybe “Get Back” by the Beatles. I’m pretty sure that best song ever changes at least once a week. Or if it doesn’t, it should.
Miss Sarajevo by U2 – with Pavarotti.. when Pavarotti kicks in midway through the song it gives me goose pimples.. powerful stuff(and I shamlessly admit I’m a softy) – means even more if you know what the Italian means..
Dici che il fiume
Trova la via al mare
E come il fiume
Giungerai a me
Oltre i confini
E le terre assetate
Dici che come fiume
Come fiume…
L’amore giungerà
L’amore…
E non so più pregare
E nell’amore non so più sperare
E quell’amore non so più aspettare
Translates to..
You say that the river
finds the way to the sea
and like the river
you will come to me
beyond the borders
and the dry lands
You say that like a river
like a river…
the love will come
the love…
And i don’t know how to pray anymore
and in love i don’t know how to hope anymore
and for that love i don’t know how to wait anymore
Kind of cool lyrics for those ‘running around an island being chased by a manic spider dead at any moment’ reflective moments.
M
Like you, I don’t have a favorite song. If I ever find myself on that island which you’ve made me want to never go to in my entire life (like really, how despondent can you make it look?), there is really no song I want to have with me, maybe something else, but no song. I can’t even bear to listen to a song more than twice in a particular day. I get tired of it…
Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
Even though I do have a favorite song, I totally share your feelings about your iTunes collection. I once left my ipod at the gym and was almost too embarrassed to claim it the next day at the front desk. I am certain she had that “I can’t believe you actually bought the Hilary Duff CD” smirk on her face as she handed it over.
One I wouldn’t want would be “it’s a small world” it would drive a person nuts on spider island. Just in case you feel like going nuts, here’s a 14 minute version, Small World.
On the other hand, if there is a song titled, “how to get off an island”, that would be handy to have.
ooh so many songs
at the moment i’me leaning towards.
“The drifter” Roy Pollard
“Long After Tonight is over” Jimmy Radcliffe
“You’ll Lose A Good Thing” Barbara Lynn
Wow, what a great list.
At this moment, I’m listening some electronic music and electronic rock such as :
The Gossip (Standing way of the control) (Listen Up)
Justice (D.A.N.C.E)
Daft Punk (Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger) (Human after all) (Around the World)
Chemical Brothers (Under the Influence)
Some are old but… This is so good…
Don Henley, Boys of Summer.
Hehe – ‘Small World’? I was once on a mailing list where one of the 2 rules was ‘No mentioning That Song’. You had to figure out what song not to mention on your own. Of course, everyone snuck in subtle references to it
And, Vanessa? You realise you just set off Nick Carter in my head, right? Oh, yeah, I do know it was deliberate. I’ll get you for that
Hmmm – a fitting accompaniment to ‘Agonizing Death by Poison Spider Bite’…..hmmm
Perhaps ‘Hallelujah Chorus’
Day in the Life, by the Beatles, of course. Hope you’re having a blast at Zillow, miss you at Google
To fit with the mood how about:
I’m going slightly mad – Queen
If you’re thinking of topping yourself using a vine from the coconut tree:
Mad world – Gary Jules
(absolutely nothing on my iPod that I’m embarrassed about *puts thumb over screen showing Kylie & Dannii Minogue songs*)
Fela Kuti – if you’re feeling african and soulful.
Hmm. I define a favorite song as a song that I not only enjoy, but can listen to over and over again without getting sick of it. Although the spider scene is an interesting twist.
2 songs came to mind:
Kenny Chesney – Old Blue Chair
Linkin Park – My December
hey who’s got a beef with it’s a small world, I’ve totally got a bootleg source audio file from Disney, and the monorail spiel (both in park and orlando international airport) and parade music and …
“Peace Piece” by Bill Evans, which was adapted the following year into the equally beautiful (and modal) “Flamenco Sketches” when he played on the Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” album.
Both tunes go well with a glass of red.
OMG – ACDC is old – i need to go dye my hair or something
Fave Song of the Day is as close as I can get -
Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues is on my ipod right now and I’m digging it.
Hmmmm, if lying there dying, i think I’d want something like “somewhere over the rainbow” covered by that Hawaiian guy. Need something to bring ones spirits up.
But favorite song? Hmm. Right now I’m digging Unwind by Donerail.
I just looked through my iTunes and I have a similar problem – don’t know. Though some good ones are:
Sonny Boy by Mandy Patinkin
Remember When It Rained by Josh Groban
The Reason by Hoobastank
(yes I have a strange collection too)
Thomas – My first major job after my undergrad degree was in Far North Queensland. I was working as a scientist trying to devise reward algorithms to help the Aus Sugar industry shift from an 100 year old protectionist monopoly situation to operating in a ‘free market’ where their income was no longer protected (their income was cut by 60% overnight)
It was an ‘interesting’ and highly stressful position, so I used to spin a bit of vinyl on the weekends at one of the local bars in Port Douglas (Danny’s Bar – run by an ex drag queen from Sydney – one of the folks ‘Priscilla’ was written about – it was a blast) to let off some steam. At that stage ‘Silence’ (delerium) was at the top of the charts – thanks for letting me know about ‘Semantic Spaces’ – downloaded it and LOVING it – brings back some cool memories.
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wow that is a tough one – best song ever? i know i can’t pick just one, but i felt the urge to help you break away from that crappy music you’re listening to.
try some wilco or ryan adams – great favorite song material by both. i just don’t get why more people don’t listen to them, especially ryan adams, the man’s a musical genius.
(i know, you’re probably like who the heck is this kimber person telling me what to listen to, but trust me, it’s good stuff!)
This is so great. I’m going to download a bunch over the weekend then report back. I’m sure I won’t mock any bad suggestions. Much.
Hi Google people! Come over for dinner!
dockarl, why you gotta make me so sad?
graywolf, I have the mp3s for both the pirates of the caribbean and the haunted mansion rides.
Aaron, trying them with a glass of red sounds fantastic.
Now if you said you like a band called “Dream Theater”, I would dub you the coolest chick ever!
Hmmm… My favorite song of all time may be a cover of Bob Dylan’s, “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix (a Seattle Native, BTW), but that may be because it inspired me to play the guitar. I must have listened to it a million times while learning to play it note-for-note, but I never grew tired of it (although you may need to be a guitar player to really appreciate it).
Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear the Reaper
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird
They Might Be Giants – Istanbul
With art, it’s rather hard to pick a favorite, because it’s hard to judge all songs in an objective manner …
I find that an easy question, there are too many to choose from though! So after narrowing it down with some flow charts and pie diagrams the winner is….
Foo Fighters – Everlong.
I recomend them highly and The Colour And The Shape is a fantasic piece of music to enjoy on a long drive through the MickyDees drive-trough while craving a tiny cheezeburger.
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I can’t believe no one here mentioned TOOL.
One of my favorite bands. Their music has scale, the lyrics have poetry and the songs have so much hidden meaning.
Some of my other favorites are: A Perfect Circle, STP, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Bebel Gilberto, Air, Aqualung, Dredg, Pink Floyd, Ben Harper, Supertramp…man, so many!
No way I could have one single favorite song!