Month: February 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is back again with another Top Ten Songs list by request. This time its Garbage that is getting some Top Ten attention thanks to Amber’s request. I thought for sure I’d done a Garbage Top Ten List in the past, but after a few searches through the lyriquediscorde Archive, I don’t see one. I’m surprised, but actually quite happy that this will be a fresh and new go at picking my ten Favorite Garbage Songs.

Thinking back, I do not have a pinnacle Garbage moment of when their Music came into my life. Instead, I feel like they’ve always been there since the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack introduced me. It was 1996, and I was going through various Music Obsessions, including Trip Hop, Indie Folk, Britpop, and so many women in Music. I feel like Shirley Manson and Garbage fit a little into all of that, sound and style wise. Perhaps that’s why I don’t remember one big Garbage moment because they were weaving their Songs through all of it.

Since 1996, Garbage Songs have been a part of so many Mix Tapes, CD’s and Playlists I’ve made. There are a few Songs that seem to be usual suspects, finding their way into Playlists over and over and over. These were the first Songs I that made their way into this Top Ten List.

Garbage formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1993. It consists of Scottish Musician Shirley Manson (vocals, guitar), and American Musicians Duke Erikson (guitar, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar), and Butch Vig (percussion). All four have been involved in songwriting and production. The band has sold over 17 million Albums worldwide. (from Wikipedia)

Through the years Shirley Manson has become one of my Music Favorites. Her voice, her strength, her presence, her kickass personality, and her big part in Women in Music are inspiring. Its transcended my love of Garbage and gone into some of the other endeavors and collaborations she’s been a part of. I would love to see/hear a Solo Album from her, along with a pairing up with Alison Mosshart, of The Kills and The Dead Weather.

What are your Favorite Garbage Songs? Here’s mine:

Top Ten Garbage Songs
Top Ten Tuesday

1. “#1 Crush”
from the Albums, Absolute Garbage (2007) and Romeo + Juliet Original Soundtrack (1996)

2. “Milk”
from the Album, Self-Titled (1995)

3. “Stupid Girl”
from the Album, Self-Titled (1995)
co-written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones

4. “Special”
from the Album, Version 2.0 (1998)
includes vocal interpolation of Lyrics from The Pretenders Track “Talk of the Town”

5. “Only Happy When It Rains”
from the Album, Self-Titled (1995)

6. “Even Though Our Love Is Doomed”
from the Album, Strange Little Birds (2016)

7. “Cup of Coffee”
from the Album, beautifulgarbage (2001)

8. “Queer”
from the Album, Self-Titled (1995)

9. “All Over But the Crying”
from the Album, Bleed Like Me (2005)

10. “Supervixen”
from the Album, Self-Titled (1995)

Tuesday is a little heavier than Monday felt. My emotions feel strung out and threadbare. I feel internally exhausted and in need of a mental vacation. Last night driving in the pouring rain with so many accidents in my path I felt my anxiety rise to levels I’ve not felt in a while. I know that attacks of that nature take it out of me and that the next day I feel emotionally hungover. I think that’s part of my Tuesday makeup. A rush of bittersweet memories has been blowing thru me today, as well. Music triggered, of course, though my subconscious probably has something to do with it, as well. Music and my subconscious, they like to get together sometimes and make out for hours, causing memories and past feelings to get stirred up and enunciated.Electrified emotive responses, that’s part of what I’m feeling today. The only thing to really do is Turn the Music up and breathe. Inhale and exhale the memories, the feelings, the static cling of the past, and get to the other side.

Today’s Top 5 Music Obsessions are indicative of how I’m feeling and experiencing the day. Song 1 is “Make This Go On Forever” by Snow Patrol. A best friend of mine put this on a February Playlist she made and listening to it I was reminded that the last part of the Song, the Lyrics and the way the pares down and becomes stark, always makes me cry. Today is no exception. “Day I Die” by The National is up next.  I woke up in a National frame of mind as my Song of the Day today will attest, so I definitely needed one more Song. A new Tricky discovery is Track 3 of Today’s Top 5. “The Only Way”, which is labeled as the “Stripped Down Tricky” version, feels like a mix of Trip Hop and Dream Pop and is truly delicious sounding. “We Could Send Letters” by Aztec Camera is a trip back in time to 1983. Listening to it today I’m reminded of Belle And Sebastian. Last, but not least is one of my Favorite Songs from Dawes. The storytelling aspect of “That Western Skyline” is like a short story, the best in a collection, so vivid and beautifully heartbreaking. Lying back and listening close I can see it all plays like a Movie on the inside of my closed eyelids.

I hope this Tuesday is a good one for you and that your own Music Obsessions are filling you up. If it’s a rough one I hope there is Music to help you feel better. I know Music always does that for me – the best medicine there ever could be. Let me know what you think of these Top 5 Music Obsessions in the comments, and please share what’s playing in your world today, too.

Stream Today’s Five Songs, and all the rest of the week as we go here at Spotify and YouTube. Or, Press Play at the bottom of this post to stream via YouTube right here.

Top 5 Music Obsessions of the Day – February 27, 2018

1. “Make This Go On Forever” by Snow Patrol

2. “Day I Die” by The National

3. “The Only Way” (Stripped Down Tricky Mix) by Tricky

4. “We Could Send Letters” by Aztec Camera

5. “That Western Skyline” by Dawes

I hope you enjoy this Tuesday’s Top 5 Music Obsessions. This week is shaping up to be one of my Favorite Top 5 Music Obsessions weeks, so far. Do you have a Favorite Song, so far?

Top 5 Music Obsessions for the Week of February 26, 2018

I woke up this morning with Matt Berninger singing in my head. This isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last. The National is one of those Bands whose Songs burrow under my skin and swirl around in my subconscious. The half soothing/half haunting baritone of Berninger’s voice plants Stories in me that are far and beyond the Songs themselves. I’ve felt that way since the first time I heard The National and was reminded of it again when I woke with “Slow Show” dangling off my tongue. I knew I’d have to Press Play and Listen to it as soon as I could. I knew I’d be singing-a-long.

“Slow Show” by The National
from the Album, The Boxer (2007)

I think one of the reasons that The National is one of my go-to Bands when I’m writing is because Berninger’s Lyrics are often so odd, veering between literal moments that you can identify, to odd descriptions and scenarios that are near impossible to pin down (“Bloodbuzz Ohio”, for example). When doing a bit of research on The National, and “Slow Show”, I found an article with Paste where he was asked about each Song on The Boxer, including “Slow Show”, and these Lyrics specifically:

“I wanna hurry home to you,
put on a slow dumb show for you,
and crack you up.”

That one’s actually kind of literal, wanting to get out of some anxiety-filled public situation, where there’s a party of something and you just want to escape and be home, close the doors with someone that you really care about and just be stupid and laugh. Forgetting about social pretenses and how you have to act in public, you can just be a fool with this person, you know, ugly and awkward and silly and they won’t judge you.

For me, it is this Lyric that stands out, and shakes loose a significant time and place in my memories:

“A little more stupid,
a little more scared,
every minute more unprepared.”

I’m reminded of a past relationship that was fraught with complications, long distance, and broken boundaries. I remember feeling completely out of my depth within it, even within some of the more blissful moments. Every moment, every decision and move we made I kept questioning, over-thinking beyond extreme, frightened that the friendship that came before the relationship was risked at every turn. Somehow I knew we’d lose something because of it, and I never wanted to lose the “us” that came before. The Lyrics above take me back there almost every time I Listen.

Its funny, I suppose, that a different Song from The National came out of that relationship. A Song we shared that was actually my introduction to the Band and their Music. Yet, it is this one that takes me back there, to Hotels on each side of the pond, and to misguided attempts at love between two best friends. “Slow Show” grabs my hand gently and leads me back into those days, and sometimes I welcome the visit. Other times it hurts too much to go back.

“You know I dreamed about you,
for twenty-nine years before I saw you.
You know I dreamed about you,
I missed you for,
for twenty-nine years.”

There’s something in the “29 years” in the Lyrics above that get to me, too, and connect back to that time. Thinking back, was that his age? I know it wasn’t mine. But there was a gap of age between us. Another “complication”, though in all honesty, it was the lesser of them.

These repeated Lyrics, they seem so soaked in sadness. In loss and disappointment. As if something you’ve wanted when realized never lives up to the dream of it. Or maybe that’s just how I’m taking this Song in today.

On a lighter side of the Lyrics, it may be the only Song I can think of that has the words “my dick” in it that is not a parody, or derrogatory in nature. Can you think of a love Song/melancholic Song with a Lyric about “my dick”?

“Slow Show” (live, at The Brooklyn Academy of Music, 2010) by The National

Another Monday is upon us. The very last for February 2018. Are you ready to Turn Up another Northern Soul Monday Stomper? We’ve cleared and talced the floor. All you’ve got to do is put on your Northern Soul best and Dance.

The first Track of the Night? “Bari Track” by Doni Burdick. It was released through the Sound Impression label and features Mike Terry on the saxophone. Have yourself a listen.

“Bari Track” by Doni Burdick
Northern Soul Monday

Not much is known about “Bari Track” except that it was recorded by Doni Burdick, a Soul Singer from Michigan. Doni was active during the sixties and seventies, but only “Bari Track”, and it’s B-Side “If You Walk Out of My Life” was released while Doni was active in the Music scene.

“If You Walk Out of My Life” by Doni Burdick
(B-Side to “Bari Track”)

Doni did release a few other Soul Tracks independently that all became popular in the Northern Soul scene – “Whatcha Gonna Do”, “Candle (In the Window)”, and “I have Faith In You”. (from Wikipedia)

“Candle (In the Window”) by Doni Burdick

Now Hiring: Muses and Lost Love
A Mixtape Monday Playlist

Listen on Spotify and YouTube

“Slave to Love” by Bryan Ferry
“E-Bow the Letter” by R.E.M., featuring Patti Smith
“If There’s a Heaven Above” by Love And Rockets
“Lola and Joseph” by July Talk
“Read My Mind” by The Killers
“(Are You) the One That I’ve Been Waiting For” by Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
“Landslide” by The Smashing Pumpkins
“Cloud On My Tongue” by Tori Amos
“Just Another” by Pete Yorn
“Thirteen” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
“Forget Me Not” by Brian Fallon
“If I Could Talk I’d Tell You” by The Lemonheads
“Late At Night” by Buffalo Tom
“Fond Farewell” by Seth Avett And Jessica Lea Mayfield
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles
“Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga
“Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens
“Bloodbuzz Ohio” by The National
“Wonderwall” by Oasis
“For What It’s Worth” by Liam Gallagher
“New Slang” by The Shins
“Miss Misery” (Early Version) by Elliott Smith
“Go Your Own Way” by The Cranberries
“T-Shirt” by The Beaches
“Style” by Ryan Adams
“Follow Me” by The Shacks
“Passenger Seat” by Arkells
“Tiny Vessels” by Death Cab For Cutie
“Always Gold” by Radical Face
“The Funeral” by Band Of Horses

Now Hiring: Muses and Lost Love

Monday seems full of hope and promise. A little lighter than usual, a little less chaotic. It could be because I got a better night’s sleep than I have recently, that the last few nights have been in that “better sleep” place. I’m remembering dreams again, vividly, and feeling less worn and weary. The sun was out and the weather a tiny bit warmer. I can feel the upcoming months in the air, the way that sooner rather than later I will be another year older, and after that, not too far off, those hot Summer months when I long for a reason to wear boots and sweaters again. But right now, after a week, or so, of cold weather (cold for Southern California), I’m happy to see that sun in the sky. I think today I’ll take a walk at “lunch”, bring along my headphones and a book. There’s a spot just across from one of the art museums where I like to sit. It’s in the midst of so much – food trucks, tourists, business people in the lunch rush, buskers, the whir and honking cars, the homeless, and low flying birds hoping for left behind treats. Sometimes it’s all too much to be among and still be able to concentrate on reading. Some days I turn the Music up and watch the world instead of taking in words on a page. But other times I can lose myself there, in the midst of it all, and escape into whatever story I’m involved in. No matter what though, I take the Music with me. Always the Music.

Today’s Top 5 Music Obsessions starts off with the first Song I heard this morning.  “Marbles” by Tindersticks played while I made a pot of coffee, and got ready for the day. I hadn’t heard them in quite awhile and was happy to be “surprise reunited” via this week’s Discover Weekly Playlist from Spotify. Next up is actually the next Song on that Playlist. I couldn’t help but include the both of them as they sound so great together. I’ve been binging on “The Cedar Room” by Doves off-and-on all morning. Track 3 is my Favorite Jeff Buckley Song – “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over”. I’m still feeling last night’s in theater viewing of A Concert for George (Harrison). The Performances from it are still singing in my head. I don’t think I ever took in George’s Song “Isn’t It a Pity” completely, but after the moving rendition of it in the Concert Film, and Eric Clapton’s description of why he loves it, I’m really hearing (and loving) it. Last, but not least, is one of my Favorite Songs by The Replacements. “Skyway” always reminds me of living in Chicago, and the bittersweet love I had there.

I hope you are finding some good in this Monday, and that your own Music Obsessions are filling you up. Maybe you’ll enjoy these Five on your Monday along with me. Let me know what you think in the comments, and please share what’s playing in your world today, too.

Stream Today’s Five Songs, and all the rest of the week as we go here at Spotify and YouTube. Or, Press Play at the bottom of this post to stream via YouTube right here.

Top 5 Music Obsessions of the Day – February 26, 2018

1. “Marbles” by Tindersticks

2. “The Cedar Room” by Doves

3. “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley

4. “Isn’t It a Pity” by George Harrison

5. “Skyway” by The Replacements

I hope you enjoy this Monday’s Top 5 Music Obsessions. This may be my Favorite Monday Five in awhile. I know I’ll be Pressing Play and listening over-and-over a lot today.

Top 5 Music Obsessions for the Week of February 26, 2018

Yesterday was George Harrison’s birthday. Yesterday my Mom, who introduced me (I like to say in utero) to The Beatles and Music, took me with her to see Concert for George, a Tribute, and Celebration of George Harrison’s Music performed at the Royal Albert Hall back in 2002, on the one year mark of his passing. It was an incredible experience to share this with the person in my life who gifted me my love of Music, and it was a gift in itself to see her moved by these Artists who were so much a part of her coming-of-age. I was moved to tears many times, as she was, and even though we were there together, connected by blood and memories and that mysterious cord of family, I know our emotions were different. I’m grateful to have been there with her.

“My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison, off of his Album All Things Pass, has been on the fringe of my life for almost my entire life (it came out the year after I was born), and I have known people who connected and loved the Song in that big, encompassing way. Though I was aware of it and liked it, I never had those big feelings about it that make it a Favorite Song. Last night changed that.

“My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison
from the Album, All Things Must Pass (1970)

There was something about hearing it recorded live by family and friends who were grieving their family and friend. There was something powerful in all of the Musicians there from different parts of the world coming together. There was something about seeing George’s son Danny playing guitar to it, singing the harmonies, and showing very visible emotions from it. Most of all, though, there was something in the Lyrics that shook me to the core.

“I really want to see you.
Really want to be with you.
Really want to see you, Lord.
But it takes so long, my Lord.”

As an Agnostic who broke up with religion and all its trappings at the end of my adolescence, my idea of a God is complicated at best, and often non-existent. That said, there are parts of me who grew up in and around belief in a higher power that still questions it, still nudges me on the inside to believe. I am deeply moved by people who do believe, and I think also envious if I’m being honest. Though I didn’t leave the theater suddenly changing my Agnostic views, I was deeply and emotionally moved. Listening to the Lyrics somehow made George’s death seem not as sad as I’d felt before. There was something peaceful about it, serene, and hopeful. It was a huge loss losing George, you could see it and feel it on everyone on the stage. But, maybe it was a passing through to this hope that he had to someday meet the definition of “God” he believed in.

It was beautiful. And, its left me feeling very different about the Song. It is very beautiful, too.

Harrison wrote “My Sweet Lord” in praise of the Hindu god Krishna, while at the same time intending the lyrics to serve as a call to abandon religious sectarianism through his deliberate blending of the Hebrew word hallelujah with chants of “Hare Krishna” and Vedic prayer. The recording features producer Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound treatment and heralded the arrival of Harrison’s much-admired slide guitar technique, which one biographer described as being “musically as distinctive a signature as the mark of Zorro”. Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and the group Badfinger are among the other musicians appearing on the recording. (from Wikipedia)

The above is a little “My Sweet Lord” History, and it makes me love the Song, and the Performance I witnessed even more. Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Billy Preston were all there performing it, along with Paul McCartney, Danny Harrison, and other Musicians, friends, and family, and the powerful emotion of it was so impactful. It brought tears to my eyes.

It was by far my favorite performance of the night, followed closely by my second Favorite Beatles Song, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.

“My Sweet Lord” (Live from Concert for George) by Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Danny Harrison, and Many Others

The visuals are not great, but the audio is – and this is the only clip I could find that still plays on YouTube. If you get a chance to see Concert for George in its entirety I highly recommend it.

What happens when one of my Favorite Women in Music covers another of my Favorite Women in Music? “Gold Dust Woman”, originally by Fleetwood Mac (lead sung by Stevie Nicks) covered by Hole (lead sung by Courtney Love) is an example of when this kind of Cover Song magic happens.

Though the original will forever by my Favorite, Hole’s version featured on The Crow: City of Angels 1996 Soundtrack, is a very close second Favorite.

“Gold Dust Woman” by Hole

“Gold Dust Woman” was originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac and appeared on their hit 1977 Album, Rumours. The Song was written and sung by Stevie Nicks, and was released as the B-Side to the “Don’t Stop” Single in the UK, and as the B-Side to “You Make Loving Fun” Single in the U.S. (from Wikipedia)

Hole’s Cover Version was released in 1996 as their ninth Single on CD by Geffen Records. It was also featured on the Soundtrack to The Crow: City of Angels and was produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars. (from Wikipedia)

Rumors about what “Gold Dust Woman”, originally from Rumours, is about have varied, but the two major themes have been Cocaine and Stevie’s notorious break-up with bandmate Lindsay Buckingham. An interview Stevie Nicks gave to Rolling Stone Magazine during Fleetwood Mac’s 2014-15 Tour seems to suggest the former “rumor” is true.

During that tour, the Band performed an extended version of the Song that would often stretch past 10 minutes, and it was reported that Stevie would lose herself in the Music during the long instrumental break. She is said to have often felt the effects the next day, as the dancing took a toll on her back. This is how she described the experience to Rolling Stone:

“It’s the drug addict in ‘Gold Dust Woman’ who is breaking her back. She’s out there looking for drugs, and I’m trying to create that situation onstage so people get what it’s about, which was a very heavy, bad time in my life.”

In 1997, Courtney Love and Stevie Nicks were interviewed together by Spin Magazine. When Courtney asked Stevie about the Song Stevie had this to say:

“You know what, Courtney? I don’t really know what ‘Gold Dust Woman’ is about. I know there was cocaine there and that I fancied it gold dust, somehow. I’m going to have to go back to my journals and see if I can pull something out about ‘Gold Dust Woman.’ Because I don’t really know. It’s weird that I’m not quite sure. It can’t be all about cocaine.”

“Gold Dust Woman” by Fleetwood Mac

What do you think of Hole’s Cover Version? How does it compare to the original to you? Do you have a favorite of the two? There are other Covers of “Gold Dust Woman”, is there one that you prefer as a Cover?

Don’t forget to check back next Sunday for another Edition of Under the Covers Sunday. You won’t want to miss it.

A new feature for lyriquediscorde is Character Study Playlists. I will be picking fictional characters from Film, TV, Books, and I may even share some from the novel I’m working on. The idea is to fill a Playlist with songs that are indicative of the character, describe the character, and/or are songs one might find in their Music collection. The time that the character exists within does not matter with Song selection, though it may have an influence on some of the choices.

Feel free to drop some requests in the comments for future Character Study Playlists.

For my first round I chose Clementine Kruczynski from the Film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. She is one of my all-time Favorite fictional characters so she seemed the perfect one to start with.

She’s complicated, mercurial, emotional, endearing, frustrating, intriguing, and unforgettable. What better collection of traits could you ask for to build a stellar Playlist?So here we go, the first edition of Character Study Playlists featuring Clementine Kruczynski. Press Play and I’ll meet you in Montauk.

Special thanks to Amber for her help with some song selections.

Clementine Kruczynski
Character Study Playlist

Listen on Spotify or YouTube

“Push + Pull” by July Talk
“Doll Parts” by Hole
“Even Though Our Love is Doomed” by Garbage
“Ship to Wreck” by Florence And The Machine
“Back In Your Head” by Tegan And Sara
“Flaws” by Bastille
“Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage The Elephant
“Not a Pretty Girl” by Ani DiFranco
“Crazy” by The Kills
“Skinny Love” by Birdy
“Stay” by Belly
“Take Me Home” by Concrete Blonde
“Misguided Angel” by Cowboy Junkies
“Chandelier” (Piano Version) by Sia
“Sleep To Dream” by Fiona Apple
“A Better Son/Daughter” by Rilo Kiley
“Lua” by Bright Eyes
“It Ain’t Me Babe” by Bob Dylan
“How To Disappear Completely” by Radiohead
“She Runs Away” by Duncan Sheik
“This Is How It Goes” by Aimee Mann
“Cornflake Girl” by Tori Amos
“Just Another” by Pete Yorn
“Junebug” by Robert Francis
“Let Go” by Frou Frou
“Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” by Lemonheads, featuring Liv Tyler
“Romeo and Juliet” by The Killers
“E-Bow the Letter” by R.E.M., featuring Patti Smith
“Miss You” by The Concretes
“Stay (Faraway, So Close)” by U2

Clementine Kruczynski

Back to the 90’s for another Soundtrack Saturdays Feature. This time let’s focus in on Romeo + Juliet, a Film from 1996 that actually had two Soundtrack releases because there was too much great Music for one Album to hold. Today, though, it is the first release we are going to focus on – William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Music From the Motion Picture.

Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack (1996)
Soundtrack Saturdays

Baz  Luhrmann is known for his use of Music in his Films. It is a personal signature that makes his Movies some of my Favorites. I love when Music is used well in Film, and in the case of Romeo + Juliet, the Music becomes part of the plot. It almost plays like a character within itself.

The Artists and Bands included on the Soundtrack are a mix of 90’s Icons and Indie Acts that were little known at the time. Stina Nordenstam is one Artist that comes immediately to mind, a Singer who I discovered because of the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack. I remember, too, that it was one of my first introductions to Garbage, one that helped lead me to be a Fan of the band, and of Shirley Manson. Gavin Friday, Kym Mazelle, and Des’ree were big stand-outs to me, too.

The Soundtrack was a hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and going triple-platinum in U.S. sales. It was especially successful in Australia (home of Baz Luhrmann) where it became the second-highest selling album in 1997, going five times platinum in sales. A number of hits came off of the Soundtrack, too, including “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, “Kissing You” (love theme from Romeo + Juliet) by Des’ree, and a cover of “Young Hearts Run Free” by Kym Mazelle. Quindon Tarver’s choral rendition of Rozalla’s “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)” was later used in Luhrmann’s “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen” Single. (from Wikipedia)

What was your Favorite Track off of the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack? Here’s mine:

Top 5 Songs from the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack

1. “#1 Crush” by Garbage

2. “Talk Show Host” by Radiohead

3. “Little Star” by Stina Nordenstam

4. “Kissing You (Love Theme from Romeo + Juliet)” by Des’ree

5. “Kissing You” (Instrumental) by Craig Armstrong (Bonus Track on 10th Anniversary Release)