Megan suggested I do a survey-like entry that is seemingly trivial, but reveals a lot about my current state of mind. I’ve chosen to tell you the top five songs on my ipod. These are the songs I play frequently, and thus, have stuck in my head, which leads me to play them even more frequently…
1) “Feel Good Inc.” - This Gorillaz song has been on my ipod for awhile, but I’ve only been listening and re-listening to it in recent weeks. I get down in my cool, socially acceptable style on the subway on my way to work. I like the beat and the maniacal laughter. “Watch me as I gravitate - hahahahaha!”
2) “14th Street” - Laura Cantrell’s New York City country song is perfect! It’s about seeing an unrequited love on the streets and deciding whether or not to catch up with the person and risk your feelings: “I don’t wanna catch up with you, ’cause once we got started, we’d have to see it through… People said, ‘Watch out for that situation. It’s nothing more than a crazy infatuation.’ Insisted it was love, I weighed common sense. I paid with my heart ’til I saw how much I spent.”
3) “Bright Future in Sales” - Fountains of Wayne ironically captures dead-end jobs and the angst of growing up with lyrics like, “Sittin’ on a planner in the Port Authority, waitin’ for my bus to come. Seven scotch and sodas at the office party, now I can’t remember where I’m from.” This song makes me rock out in solidarity and I feel elated, because I know things could be worse and I’ll overcome my trying job.
4) “Five Years” - I love a good kiss-off song, because though I’m not vengeful, I absolutely cherish those “boo ya” moments in life. Alanis Morissette’s “Right Through You” is a classic. “Five Years” by Jamie Paxton is less angry, and more snarky. In the song, she admits that she shouldn’t have stayed in a particular bad relationship, that she knew better, that she’s not a victim. She doesn’t even explain what went wrong. All we know is that she’s better off without the person she’s singing about: “I hope I never see you again, but I promise you’ll want me. I may never see your face, but I know you’ll see me… You should probably watch out for me.” You go, girl.
5) “My Doorbell” - So the bell ringing thing has been done. It can be a hardly veiled sexual innuendo or it can mean a literal visitation from friends. Both work in The White Stripes song. The song explains that one misses a companion at first, but eventually gets over it. There’s always someone else out there just waiting to ring your bell. Try not to bounce up and down while listening to, “I’mthinkingboutmydoorbell. Whenyagonnaringitwhenyagonnaringit?” It’s kind of a mouthful at first, but after the 32nd listen, you’ll be singing the lyrics perfectly AND playing air guitar.
