Day 2 of July. I’m so exhausted that I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open. My body feels like it wants a week of sleep, though I’m not sure my insomnia would ever allow it. So I’m drinking coffee like its a magic elixir and snacking on cashews and dried cranberries while working on formatting work reports and obsessing over today’s Top 5 Music Obsessions.
How is your 2nd day of July going?
Best parts of the day (so far) have been making my first pot of coffee in our new kitchen, listening to Armchair Expert’s latest with Bill Hader, walking outside for a bit with my friend/coworker, and listening to these 5 songs.
I’m looking forward to a 4-day holiday weekend (coming soon) which will include a birthday celebration, a Stranger Things binge, a trip to the Farmer’s Market/Street Fair, and more moving/unpacking things.
And hopefully some good sleep.
Top 5 Music Obsessions – July 2, 2019
Listen on Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora
1. “Forever Mine” by Andra Day
from the album, Cheers To the Fall (2015)
“My heart has been a chessboard.
Making moves and losing out.
Played so many times before,
and there ain’t nothing to brag about.
But, this must be a new brew.
When you’re gone I’m singing Blue Moon.
You turn me all the way around.”
Throwback vibes galore. I’m digging this tune to an obsessive degree today. I happened on this song while listening to a Riverdale playlist this morning and haven’t been able to stop playing it since.
I love discovering new songs and new artists. Both this song and Andra Day were new discoveries for me.
2. “Venus” by Shocking Blue
from the album, At Home (1969)
“Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire,
at your desire.”
I woke with this song in my head. This version released the year of my birth. 1969.
Though my original introduction to this track was Bananarama’s cover of it. Back in my high school/teen years, I was so obsessed with 80’s girl bands, like The Go-Go’s, The Bangles, Bananarama, etc. My best friend and I used to sing-a-long to all the girl-band-albums, singing with hairbrush mics, dancing around my bedroom, dreaming of being in a girl group of our own. Someday.
I want a Mariska Veres make-over for a night out. Look at her style, hair, eye make-up!
3. “Tia Tamera” by Doja Cat, featuring Rico Nasty
from the album, Amala (2019)
“Hair grow long like Chia.
Money go long like Nia.
I am the big idea.”
I’ve had this song stuck in my head since my daugther first played it for me a few days ago. Its been on a loop, off-and-on, ever since. It’s so catchy, rap-pop style, with a video that looks like ’90s kid-popular Lisa Frank designed it.
I’m putting together another walking/exercising playlist and this track has to be on it. Hit play and you’ll see/hear why. It makes you want to DANCE.
4. “TKO” by Le Tigre
from the album, This Island (2004)
“Take a good look.
Take a photo.
Write about it in your tiny notebook.”
Talk about wanting to dance. This song always makes me want to dance.
And, this album, especially this track, and “Viz” remind me so much of being pregnant with my son and living back in California after being in the Midwest for a few years.
I played this album (This Island) obsessively, back in 2004. It still holds up – way up.
Do you have a favorite track off of this album?
5. “Just My Kind” by The Julie Ruin
from the album, Run Fast (2013)
“So many summers have gone,
so much that we’ve been through.
Don’t you know that I’m just getting started with you?”
Doesn’t this song just feel like Summer?
It also feels like the ’80s to me, especially the bongos.
I think this one has to make its way to my walking/exercise playlist.
