Friday is here finally. Even though this was technically a “short week”, work-wise at least, Friday seems like its taken forever to get here. I’m so ready for the weekend. I’m looking forward to a Saturday of doing not much besides relaxing and catching up on some TV. And then later putting together a taco and enchilada night. Sunday morning its coffee with two amazing women who I love, and some thrift shop visits. I’m hoping for some pre-Autumn weather, though I’m expecting more end of Summer Southern California heat. I’m so ready for Fall.
This will be our first Fall together. I’m looking forward to it so much, especially October which is probably my favorite month of the year. I love that we still have so many “firsts” to experience together. That said, I’m looking forward to all our “fifths” and “sixths” and “tenths” and “twentieth” together, too. It’s exciting to think about our future together.
All five songs in today’s Top 5 Music Obsessions list all feel like Fall to me. I can’t help it. I’m so ready for the season change (not that we get much “seasons” here). I’m ready to start making Autumn playlists soon, as well as re-visiting, and re-listening, to ones I’ve put together in the past. What songs do you associate with Fall?
Top 5 Music Obsessions – Friday, September 7, 2018
Listen via Spotify and YouTube
1. “On Your Side” by Pete Yorn
from the album, musicforthemorningafter (2001)
“And I listen.
Yeah, I listen.
Can you listen?
Now I’m listening.”
Sometimes it is listening, more than talking, and more than words, that really defines a relationship. There is something in the moments of really listening to another person, and to each other, that builds intimacy and trust, and makes you really feel like the other person is “On Your Side”.
Also, this song, and the entire musicforthemorningafter album, always feels like Autumn to me. Yes, even though there’s a song called “June” on it.
2. “Back On the Chain Gang” by Pretenders
from the album, Learning To Crawl (1984)
“I found a picture of you,
oh-oh-oh-oh.
Those were the happiest days of my life.”
This is my favorite Pretenders song, and one of my all-time favorite songs, too. I love everything about it, and I love Chrissie Hynde. I have since I was a preteen and first discovered her, and the Pretenders.
I have so many memories attached to this song. And though these 5 tracks I picked because they feel like Fall to me, this song actually always reminds me of Winter, in Chicago, with lots of snow everywhere.
It also reminds me of the hours and hours I used to spend watching MTV, and keeping notebooks full of the names and artists/bands of my favorite songs I’d see videos for. I’d take those notebooks with me to record stores so I’d know what albums to look for, and scan music magazines for mentions of them, or even better, interviews, in hopes I’d not only learn more about the music but also discover even more music through learning about their influences.
3. “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith
from the album, Either/Or (1997)
“Drink up, baby,
look at the stars,
I’ll kiss you again,
between the bars.
Where I’m seeing you there,
with your hands in the air,
waiting to finally be caught.”
This song, and the album Either/Or, feel so Autumn to me. Melancholic, melodic, and heartbreakingly beautiful. I never get tired of this song. I love it so much.
I still have a story that spins around in my mind when I listen to “Between the Bars”. I think some of that story has found its way into the character of James in my Los Angeles/Music novel I’m working on. That said, it still might become a short story someday. Maybe featuring James. A side story, perhaps.
4. “I’ve Been Waiting” by Matthew Sweet
from the album, Girlfriend (1991)
“But I’ve been waiting,
waiting,
and I want to,
have you.”
Matthew Sweet is one of my favorite singer-songwriters from the 90’s. And though my heart forever belongs to the album 100% Fun, the more I dig into his “quintessential” album Girlfriend, the more I fall for it. It may be becoming tied for favorite with 100% Fun.
5. “Misfire” by Nadia Schilling, featuring Marina Gasolina
from the album, Above the Trees (2017)
“If you think there’s a fire,
you’re wrong.
As I told you,
more than one time,
my heart is gone.
Pack your funny adventures,
your poems,
and leave this door
Don’t hold on to the dusk of my feelings anymore.”
I’ve shared Nadia’s music before in previous Top 5 Music Obsessions. I keep returning to her album, Above the Trees and discovering songs I adore. This morning when I did another revisit it was this song – “Misfire” – recorded with Marina Gasolina (their harmonies are stunning), that grabbed hold of me.
Doesn’t it sound like Fall to you?
Top 5 Music Obsessions – Week of September 3, 2018
