A special Saturday edition of the Top 5 Music Obsessions, something I’m hoping to do more of this year, features five songs that I’ve been obsessing over this week from five musical artists (and/or bands) that I’ve been obsessing over for some time. Saturdays are a little different than the weekdays. I don’t always listen to music first thing in the morning. Often I wake up, make coffee, and climb back into bed, curling up close to my boyfriend, and grabbing a bedside book to read. That said, I may start beginning my Saturday with more music in the coming weeks.
How do you start your Saturdays usually? Does any of your Saturday-routine include music?
Top 5 Music Obsessions – Saturday, January 5, 2019
Lyriquediscorde
1. “Right Down the Line” by Lucius
from the album, NUDES (2018)
“I know how much I lean on you.
Only you can see,
the changes that I’ve been through,
have left a mark on me.
You’ve been as constant as a Northern Star,
the brightest light that shines.
It’s been you, woman,
right down the line.”
I somehow missed that Lucius had a new album last year, but I’ve remedied the missing this week, playing 2018’s NUDES over and over again.
My first listen favorite is this track, “Right Down the Line”. I can’t seem to get enough of it.
Nudes features Roger Waters, of Pink Floyd fame, on bass, and Wilco’s Nils Cline, on guitar. It is an acoustic album full of original and cover songs, recorded over two days at New York’s legendary Electric Lady Studios.
Lucius members Jess and Holly said to Rolling Stone magazine, about the album NUDES:
“It’s these moments that have inspired our newest project, Nudes. Recorded over two days at New York’s legendary Electric Lady Studios, Nudes is a collection of acoustic songs: new, from our back catalog – reimagined, and covers we’ve always wanted to record. It is a record giving homage to what has been … and a hint at what’s to come.”
2. “Ventura” by Lucinda Williams
from the album, World Without Tears (2003)
“I wanna watch the ocean bend,
the edges of the sun then,
I wanna get swallowed up in,
an ocean of love.”
“Ventura” has become my favorite track off of 2003’s album World Without Tears.
I’ve listened to the album a lot over the past few months, learning it by heart, and this song, track three off the album, I’ve taken most to heart, loving it more and more with every listen. I love the California feel to the song and all the ocean references.
I especially love that the ocean is associated with love in this song, something that resonates deeply with me. I can’t wait to visit the ocean with my love. I can’t believe we’ve not gone yet. Definitely, something to add to our “resolutions” list for this New Year.
“Ventura” (live) by Lucinda Williams
3. “I Love You” by Daniel Lanois, featuring Emmylou Harris
from the album, Shine (2003)
“Ah, the dream machine,
makes it hard to see.
If I could stand outside myself,
and watch it come to me,
I’d make the dream filter down,
to my fingers,
and rip at the fools head,
and follow your scent that lingers.
Cause I love you.”
A gorgeously passionate love song that I fall for every time I play it again.
I just love Daniel and Emmylou singing and playing together.
Lyrically the song reads like poetry, the rhythm of it, and the word choices. I’m drawn to it, all of it. I can tell it’s going to make its way to “my favorite love songs” list. Definitely.
I remember seeing Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris play live together at The Coach House. It was mid-to-late 90’s. It was an incredible show.
Damn, that was a long time ago.
“I Love You” (live) by Daniel Lanois
4. “Let’s Be Still” by The Head and the Heart
from the album, Let’s Be Still (2013)
“The world’s just spinning,
a little too fast.
If things don’t slow down soon,
we might not last.
So just for the moment,
let’s be still.”
The perfect Saturday-song.
We move through the world so fast, days blurring into each other, especially on the weekdays. Long days, longer commutes, deadlines, to-do lists, dinners to make, appointments to keep, and so on, and so on. Saturdays are a good day to catch your breath, sleep in if you can (I’m not so good at that), write, reflect, and find some time to just be – even if you have errands to run and household things to do. Still, there’s usually an opportunity to stop, breathe, and be.
This song has that spirit to it, which is why its one I’m obsessing over this Saturday.
“Let’s Be Still” (live) by The Head and the Heart
5. “Girlfriend” by The Modern Lovers
from the album, Self-Titled (1976)
“If I were to walk to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston,
well, first I’d go to the room where they keep the Cézanne.
But,
if I had by my side a girlfriend,
then I could look through the paintings.
I could look right through them.
Because I’d have found something that I understand,
I understand a girlfriend.”
Lyrically odd, but musically utterly catchy.
We’ve been digging into this album, The Modern Lovers’ Self-Titled, a lot lately. It is a new discovery for my boyfriend, and a re-discovery for me. It’s addicting, the album, and this song. Off-kilter tunes with pop and punk sensibilities. Kinda perfect to start the weekend off with – don’t you think?
“Girlfriend” (live) by Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers
