As with everything else, I go through music phases too. I will find or rediscover a song and listen to it at least three times a day until I know the lyrics off by heart and can sing it to the tiny human at bedtime without having to mime.
I am a die-hard Counting Crows fan. As in DIE HARD. A couple of years ago I bought their album, Underwater Sunshine, and sadly so have not had a chance to listen to all the songs at least a hundred times. Well, it sounds a little contradictory since I am such a huge fan that I have not had a chance to thoroughly listen to it. Well, here’s the thing: My CD player won’t play CD’s anymore. My computer’s disc drive is *still* not working. And my laptop is either busy or stored away from tiny hands. The only place I have to get a proper go at CD’s is in my car, and I do not get out much. Lately, I have been driving quite a bit, which is fabulous in the sense that I can actually listen to my CD properly.
My initial favourite from the album was Ooh La La. But on Wednesday a random line from another track got stuck in my head.
if it feels like fallin’, boy, you probably already fell
Sure, after I listened to the song a couple of times I realised what it was about, but at that particular moment, I honestly felt like I was falling. You know, a tough day. One where I was longing for people I don’t know, lack of concentration due to sleep deprivation, an I-just-want-my-mom kind of day. And I realised, yup, I already fell. And it is time to get up. (Before you realise that you already fell.)
So I have been listening to Like Teenage Gravitysince then. Every time I get into the car, I replay it and I follow the storyline. That’s what I love most about Counting Crows; there is always a story. The original version was done by Kasey Anderson and The Honkies, but for a damn good reason, Counting Crows decided to add it to their shelf full of stories. And I love it.
Playlists have always been one of my hidden talents. Give me a theme, an era, a specific person; no can do, sir. I suppose I won’t give up my day job to become a DJ, but every road trip and every birthday party and every new painting or drawing project always get a custom playlist. And I am good at that. However, there are a couple of songs you just can’t play in the background at say a braai or casual G&T’s on a Friday afternoon. You need to really play them. There is a song by Meatloaf about that. Well, sorta. But, there are these two particular parts that put this post in a nutshell for me:
You’re never alone ’cause you can put on the phones
And let the drummer tell your heart what to do…
and then
…When you really really need it the most
That’s when rock and roll dreams come through*
Here are my non-negotiable top-volume songs in no particular order. So, in silence and in solitude; turn these up!
Meatloaf – Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
ACDC – Thunderstruck
Counting Crows – Hard Candy | Round Here | Holiday in Spain | Possibility Days | Untitled (Blues Run the Game)
Foo Fighters – Learning to Fly | Hero | Everlong | Best of You | Monkey Wrench
Nine Inch Nails – Hurt | Something I Can Never Have
George Ezra – Budapest
50 Cent – In Da Club
Boomtown Rats – I don’t like Mondays
Nirvana – My Girl | In Bloom | Lake of Fire
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio | All the Wine | Fake Empire
James – Out to Get You
Guns n Roses – Paradise City
Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire | Born to Run
Neil Diamond – Holly Holy
I honestly recommend you give these a go. Don’t be shy to shake your booty or bang your head along the way. Nobody who truly enjoys the music pays attention to other dancers!
*I always thought he said true, and have to admit I was a little disappointed when I realised it was through.
