Today started with wanting to stay in bed, low energy cozied up with anxiety coaxing me to stay under the softness of our duvet and hide from all the everything out there called a new day. I resisted though. I got up and made a pot of coffee, put an outfit together to wear, drank water, took meds, even did my make-up, then took my younger daughter out for a driving lesson. Her car-playlist helped to wake me and cheer me up. One of the songs from the morning’s drive is in today’s give me five, in tribute to her stellar car-DJ skills, and the much appreciated kick to get going.
So, let’s get going and play some songs.
GIVE ME FIVE…JULY 6, 2022
Available to listen on Spotify and YouTube
SONG 1: “PORTA” BY SHARON VAN ETTEN
“Want to hear myself,
wanna be there.
Wanna stay but I don’t want to leave it.
Want to hold head up,
don’t want to stay down.
I want to live my life.”
Later this month I get to see three of my favorite women in music perform together, at the Greek theater, with one of my best friends. Sharon Van Etten will be performing with Angel Olsen and Julien Baker for their Wild Hearts tour. I can’t hardly wait.
“Porta” is one of Sharon’s new songs, one that I’ve been digging ever since I first the day it dropped. She has a new album out, too, which I am going to dive into later today. Watch this space. I’m sure there will be songs from it around here soon.
Side note: I am leaning towards a haircut like Sharon’s (see photos and video) later this month.
To hear more of Sharon Van Etten, to get info on her newest release, and the Wild Hearts Tour, go HERE.
SONG 2: “THIS IS A LIFE” BY SON LUX WITH MITSKI AND DAVID BYRNE
“This is a life.
Free from destiny.
Not only what we sow.
Not only what we show.”
This weekend I watched the film Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. I do not want to disclose anything about it as it is better to go in knowing very little. All I will say is that it moved me tremendously. The movie made me laugh, cry, and feel BIG feelings. It was a “change my perspective” and a “wake me up” type of movie – one that I didn’t know I needed. It has earned a high spot in my list of all-time favorite movies.
One of my oldest daughter’s favorite groups, Son Lux, did the music for the film. This track is from Son Lux, along with Mitski and David Byrne. It is glorious.
Press play and enjoy.
To hear more of Son Lux, click HERE. For more of Mitski, click HERE. For more of David Byrne, go HERE.
And go see Everything, Everywhere, All At Once if you haven’t already.
SONG 3: “CAN YOU GET TO THAT” BY FUNKADELIC
“I once had a life,
or rather,
life had me.”
From the car ride this morning, courtesy of DJ V-Rock (aka Veronica), this is the song that made my morning.
I’ve been obsessively loving this song since I heard a cover of it a few years back while watching a series from Australia, Sisters. I wish the show had more than one season – but at least it led me to this gem of a song.
SONG 4: “SPOON” BY CIBO MATTO
“We belong as two,
two together.”
Cibo Matto is another discovery I had while working at Tower Records, in the 90’s. It was their song “Sugar Water” that I first heard, and got seriously music-addicted to. For some reason I always connect Cibo Matto with the Beastie Boys, though I am not sure why. Maybe I heard them after a Beastie’s album during that shift at Tower? I really don’t know. The two line up in my mind though, nonetheless.
This song is just perfect for today. It encapsulates the way I feel right now, this afternoon, in my living room, with the sun streaming in the windows, while one of our cats lounges in the warm glow.
SONG 5: “THORN IN MY SIDE” BY EURYTHMICS
“Thorn in my side.
You know that’s all you’ll ever be.
So don’t think you know better.
‘Cause that’s what you mean to me.”
Revenge is one of the Eurythmics albums that I often overlook, and then when I happen across my copy of it and throw it on the turntable I wonder what took me so long (again) to listen, and get back to it.
I love the guitar strums at the intro of this song. There is something ahead of its time to the sound, something more from the 90’s, until the saxophone comes in, that is. That opening guitar reminds me of the opening to “There She Goes” by The La’s.
This is such a good song. One definitely worth revisiting, and turning up to LOUD, and sing-a-long to.
To hear more Eurythmics, head on over HERE.
