30 Day Music Challenge (in One Day)

For those who like lists, here are my answers to the 30 Day Music Challenge, in one post.


1. Your favorite song: 
"Pilgrim" by Enya 


Always, always, this song speaks to me. "In your heart you wonder, which of these is true: the road that leads that leads to nowhere, to road that leads to you. Will you find the answer in all you say and do? Will you find the answer in you?"


2. Your least favorite song:
"How You Remind Me" by Nickleback


I change the channel whenever this song comes on the radio. I dislike the Rihanna's and Ke$ha's of the world, but, I can understand their value in our culture and where they fit in. Nickleback, I don't know how they fit in, because to give their music any thought or brainpower would be giving them too much credit. Honestly, putting them on this list pretty much tops out my tolerance for them.


3. A song that makes you happy:
"We No Speak Americano" by  Yolanda Be Cool & D Cup


This one is actually a two-fer: The song itself is happy and bouncy. Then there's this music video, where they got some people who do basically Riverdance with their hands, and... it's just amazing. Sure, I speak American, but this song can always at least bring a smirk to my face.

4. A song that makes you sad:
"I Don't Want To Waste Your Time" by Over The Rhine


I love this song. It's amazing. It's poignant. It's beautiful. It's also kind of a downer. It's a mournful plead to a lover, and, it's almost heart-breaking. In spite of that, it is still one of my all-time-favorites.


5. A song that reminds you of someone:
"Undying Love" by Two Steps from Hell


"A song that reminds you of someone." Someone fictional? If so, then, this song. Listen to it. Get through the first minute. It's pretty much the most beautiful music ever, right? It's so sweeping, so moving, so... pure. So, in one of my stories that I'll never fully write that will exist in my head for all eternity, this piece plays out when two characters who have had an on-off romance for seasons (this is a TV show) finally decide to declare their love for each other and kiss. With this music, it can't be anything but a Princess Bride-type Top 5 passionate kiss, right? It's just incredible.

Or maybe I'll just play this at my wedding when it's time for the kiss. It'll be memorable for everyone!


6. A song that reminds you of somewhere:
"Round About Midnight" by Gotan Project ft. Chet Baker


I enjoy taking walks. Sometimes, five-to-six-mile walks. So, one needs plenty of music. There's one trail that I walk, alongside a creek, that I usually don't get to after a few miles, so, I'm already in that head-space that one gets to while exercising (*cough*high*cough*). On a sunny day, walking alongside the woods and water with this piece on, is so relaxing and so rewarding. It's a beautiful time on the walk to slow down a bit and just enjoy the surroundings. If I'm near this piece on my playlist when approaching the trail, I always skip towards it. It's my trail buddy.


7. A song that reminds you of a certain event:
"To America We Go" by Ahsley MacIsaac & Mary Jane Lamond


For a few years I would host some "Tiki Parties" at our house. The first year was actually done by my oldest sister, and she wanted some world music to spice up the event. The second year I took over, and, I spent a lot of money buying songs. Just cruising through iTunes, through different world music sections, and buying this, that, and everything. So, whenever I hear one of the songs I bought from the "binge," I think a bit about those parties. I'm grateful to have had the parties -- and to have the music!! (PLUS: This is a unusual, but very neat song.)


8. A song that you know all the words to:
"Those Were The Days" by Mary Hopkins


Not that it's necessarily a complicated song to remember. Those were the days, oh yes those were the days...


9. A song that you can dance to:
"The Casper Cha-Cha" by Casper


Is this cheating? Because they give the directions in the song? In fact, the song is a tutorial. This is like saying my favorite video game is "Help." Oh well. I get down with it much funkier than in this music video. I also have fond memories of "dancing" to "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. I like to dance, I just... can't dance. Not that it stops me! I just hope that if I smile every now and then, people are okay with it.


10. A song that makes you fall asleep:
"The Battle" by Hans Zimmer


I used to pop in "The Gladiator" soundtrack when I couldn't get to sleep, and I could usually fall to sleep during this track. I tried to imagine a battle, an army of hundreds approaching a band of dozens. In a desert. Very hilly, making for some great combat action. Then mostly everyone does, except, the army keeps one person alive, to warn everyone else about them. Then it gets sad, and mournful, and kind of.. overly dramatic. I'm usually asleep by then, so, there's not much more story fleshed out beyond that battle. 


11. A song from your favorite band:
"Hang on Little Tomato" by Pink Martini


Pink Martini is, by virtue of how many albums I own, my favorite band. They are classy, classical, word-infused musicians. You can tango to their music, clean, sleep... they have so much variety, and it all still fits their style, I love them so much. This song in particular gets bonus points, because the first few notes sound a little bit like music from NBC's "30 Rock." Put it back on in the beginning, picture an establishing shot of Rockefeller Center, then Liz walking into Jack's office... it works, doesn't it?

12. A song from a band you hate:
"How You Remind Me" by Nickleback


They're really terrible.


13. A song that is a guilty pleasure:
"I Don't Feel Like Dancing" by Scissor Sisters


The song, not the video. The video is... if you ever have friends who are showing you "the most trippy music video ever," you just have to show them this video to win the conversation. It's a trump card in weirdness. The song, though, is fun and catchy. My favorite line: "You've got so many colors / make a blind man so confused."



14. A song that no one would expect you to love:
"The Animals Are Behind Bars" by Circus Contraption


Unless you expected me to love a song about drunk animals from a band whose music is meant to sound like a demented circus? Although, honestly... there's a section of you who would not be surprised by this. At all. (Circus Contraption is great, but... some of their stuff is a little *too* dark. Venture carefully!)


15. A song that describes you:
"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon


Who makes a list of 30 songs that describe oneself, puts it on a personal blog, and then links to it from their Facebook account? Vain people, that's who.


16. A song that you used to love but now hate:
"Amazing Grace" on bagpipes


Yes, bagpipes can be soul-piercing. Yes, few songs are as meaningful to us as "Amazing Grace" is. I understand combining the two. I remember once standing in awe as I watched a bagpiper play "Amazing Grace." It was incredible. Absolutely incredible. Little did I know at the time, that bagpipes were invented solely to play "Amazing Grace." Take advice from the swift-boaters and Move On, bagpipers. Move on.


17. A song that you hear often on the radio:
"Rolling In The Deep" by Adele


This is kind of "my song." I loved Adele's first album, "19," and was looking forward to hearing her follow up. She was only moderately successful, so, I didn't expect her to become a bit hit. I mean, every single year there's a "singer vs. sensation" battle, and the sensation always wins, right? So, when I saw this video late 2010/early 2011, I was in awe. Absolutely in awe, of the song and the video. This was before it even had a million views... now it has what, 120 million views?! I know it's overexposed and most people are tired of this song. But, as an Adele fan, I am still glad every single time I hear this song.


18. A song that you wish you heard on the radio:
"Poison and Wine" by The Civil Wars


In fairness, they may be on the radio somewhere, on some easy listening channel. So, it may more reflect my radio choices than this song. Nevertheless, the emotions and honesty of this song makes it an incredible listening experience. These people, they have amazing talent. Plus, you can just pretend the one singer is Johnny Depp.


19. A song from your favorite album:
"Pompeii" by E.S. Posthumus


I enjoy soundtracks and orchestral music. I am also a big fan of "movie trailer music," which is becoming it's own sub-genre of soundtracks, which, I love. Arguably, "Unearthed" is the album that launched this tiny trend. With epic, trailer-like music (which has been used in many trailers and commercials since), it's a great listen. "Pompeii" is a blood-pumping-good-time. It's pretty energizing!


20. A song that you listen to when you’re angry:
"Study War" by Moby


I'm kind of cheating with this song and the next two, because it's not like I get angry, and I go "I HAVE TO LISTEN TO MOBY or else I'll go INSANE." I'm not like that. Usually I listen to my most recently purchased music. But, I guess "Study War" is a song I do come back to, in times of downwards emotions.


21. A song that you listen to when you’re happy:
"Fundamental Things" by Melinda Doolittle


An old-timey-type song from an "American Idol" contestant who *should have* won. She was better than Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis! This song shows off her range, too. Musically, she sounds like an early Tina Turner. This song in particular is fun, bouncy, and a throwback to when songs were more fun.


22. A song that you listen to when you’re sad:
"Hey Jude" by Joe Anderson


The song was written for a sad child, so, this isn't too far off, right? I don't know, there's something soothing about this arrangement... you can loose yourself in it, and get your mind back to a more calm, reasonable state. More Vulcan-like. If not, then, usually the screaming irritates me, and, then my focus is changed to that. Problem still solved!

23. A song that you want to play at your wedding:
"I'll Never Stop Loving You" by Doris Day 


Because I don't think "Wipe Out" would be allowed. I'd actually like the Melinda Doolittle cover version to be played, but, the internet doesn't seem to have that one readily available. Not that Doris Day is a slouch by any means.

24. A song that you want to play at your funeral:
"Jerusalem the Golden" by Bernard of Cluny and John Mason Neale


Just not this video. I couldn't fine a better version of this song, in this tune, sung. Teardrop. Why this song? A) It's probably my favorite hymn ever. B) The words are amazing, appropriate for occasions to mark life or death, C) "Up from the Grave He Arose" may be deemed inappropriate for a funeral.

25. A song that makes you laugh:
"Bananaphone" by Raffi


Just listen to it. It's amazing, right? Ring ring ring bananaphone! Ring ring ring ring ring bananaphone! Also, it's also funnier if you've seen this web short (warning: f-words!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ4j-MBnLQo.


26. A song that you can play on an instrument:
"Ode to Joy" by Ludwig Beethoven


Granted, it's a piano version made for beginners... but still! I can play Ode to Joy on a piano. I can also do the "Star Wars" theme from memory, and sometimes Zelda's Lullaby. I could never really get the hang of playing the left hand on piano (which is funny, since I'm left-handed), and I didn't like practicing, so, I gave up lessons. But I'm still glad that I can play a few songs whenever I sit down at a piano.

27. A song that you wish you could play:
"If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys


I've never really thought about "a song that you wish you could play" before. But! I tried learning piano. I like Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys plays the piano. So... I guess any Alicia Keys song? This one's my favorite, so, Occam's Razor! I guess it's this one. I guess.

28. A song that makes you feel guilty:
"Tired of Being Sorry" by Ringside


Not that I can related to the implied infidelity in this song, but, I think everyone can related to being tired of feeling sorry. So, well done, song! NOTE: I like this video, shown above. NOT the Enrique Iglesias version. That cover is just... horrific, coming off of the Ringside version.


29. A song from your childhood:
"Fish Don't Stink" from "Bobby's World"


"Bobby's World"was a fantastic show to watch growing up. It was funny, well-written, and it produced a memorable song. Growing up, I still sing "under the water the fish don't stink."

30. Your favorite song at this time last year:
"Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine


So last year, Florence + The Machine was the "voice" in the annual "voice vs. sensation" battle. She lost, badly. But this Welch singer still has lungs and talent and songs to match. Plus: A weird music video.

IN CONCLUSION:
What a completely arbitrary list. I still don't feel like I've shared a lot of my favorite songs with you. Oh wells. So it goes, I suppose!

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