Real World Graduation Mixes

When I began my first post-collegiate year (as the 5 year reunion winks from afar in 2009, how lovely to finally feel my quote un-quote post-collegiate stage is over . . . meaning of course that bracket of time when you still refer to your alma mater on a regular basis, relate old college stories, talk to new friends about old friends you haven’t seen or heard from in years) I joked that I was starting my freshman year of the REAL WORLD. This equation served useful during many of my bouts of depressing isolation as I returned to my hometown . . . where I literally knew no one except for my family and a few acquaintances from high school.

Well slowly those acquaintances dragged me out of my hole at the Lemontree/Hyde Park holla! and made me go to parties and meet people. Slowly, very slowly I began to find part-time work (Zach Scott, the horror! Exceptions are a seldom few) which led to more part-time work (UT) which lead to a summer in the wardrobe department (Best Friends for Life POWER UP +3, sort of like how sophomore year of college you really get your shit together, make best friends, etc ) which lead to building a theater company and talent agency internship which finally lead to my soon-to-be former position Resourcing Humans for a large non-profit organization. I’m looking back at the past four years and they are chockful of amazing projects, wonderfully talented and funny friends, just too many good times, great oldies (college joke! holla!).

So now I proudly present to you: My Real World Mixes. These songs got me through the thick and thin and one of these days I’ll make a big project out of actually creating Muxtape mixes so you can actually have a listen.

SENIOR YEAR, FINALLY HERE (Summer 2007 - Spring 2008 )

• Check My Grill - The Hot as Shits

  Hilah’s band. Uhm. She’s a rockstar.
  

• I Just Wanna Love U - Jay-Z, Unplugged

  Have you asked me about my Jay-Z Unplugged obsession? This album is seriously killa. I don’t even use that word. It’s killa.

• She’s Like a Rainbow - Rolling Stone

  Blame the Rainbow Family of the Serendipitious Now. Lots of psychedelic rock in the playlist.

• You’re Gonna Miss Me - 13th Floor Elevators

  Again. Rainbow Family. Also I just love a good howl.

• Pollyshka - The ______’s

  I asked Mercedes to create a song for Like Meat Love Salt using my lyrics for the final “had a dream song.” She went to the laboratory and spliced together a jazzy banjo Russian folk song which was beautiful but too jazz-Ruse for my production. Still, I love this song.

• TV Eye - Iggy Pop

  Damn. I just love some Stooges. ROWR. I bet you didn’t know that about me.

• With a Girl Like You - The Troggs

  
  This was on a mix my friend had from a DJ who spins 60s garage, surf, pop music. I know. Swooooon. I also love love love: Whatcha Gonna Do - Small Faces (youtube here)
  

• Wilt - Starnes and Shah

  You would think . . . with all my friends’ music on here that I’m either a big fake or just a huge geek. Trust me. I’m a huge geek. I seriously love my friends’ music. Check their site here: www.starnesandshah.com And word on the streets is that an ANIMATED VIDEO for this song will be up on YouTube soon. Hello famous!
  

• Say it Right - Nelly Furtado
  

  Just when you thought I might have pretty good taste in music . . . Yeah you forget I also love really bad pop songs. The lyrics are out of this world:

From my hands I could give you
Something that I made
From my mouth I could sing you another brick that I laid
From my body I could show you a place God knows
You should know the space is holy
Do you really want to go?

I do a great emo version of this song on piano.

• Sensual Seduction - Snoop Dog

  I fell in love with the video first. What a world we live in. Remember when you fell in love with a song before the video? A book before the movie?
  
  Also you must have seen this by now, if not enjoy:
  

• Africa -Toto

  My pal Erik KILLZ on this song in karaoke.
  

• My Moon, My Man - Feist

  My friend circle is split on Feist lovers and haters. I’m not obsessed with her but I don’t hate her. I like this song. But I like this video better:
  
  I like that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. I can relate.

• Lights - Journey

  Did you know I can play this song on recorder, ukulele and piano? That wasn’t a mistake you know.

• Weak -SWV

  Erik gave me this as a “song challenge.” I can play it on uke but I really wanted to master a sort of doo-wop girl group version on piano. Sidebar: I gave Erik Kissed By A Rose by Seal. HE KILLZ IT. Look for the Sweded Songs, volume 1 coming atcha soon [ a new project where we swap mix CDs and have to create our own recreations of the songs in any fashion we choose].

JUNIOR YEAR IS VERY WEIRD II: Escape Route Remix (Summer 2006 - Spring 2007 )

• Smiley Faces- Gnarls Barkley

  I fucking love this song. I even loved it after sitting in 100 degree weather at ACL standing next to frat boys with rubber bracelets and cargo shorts howling the lyrics off-key.

• How Does It Feel - The Ronettes

  Aw yeah. This is the good shit.

• Wild Honey Pie - The Beatles

  I loooove youuu . . .

• Rehab - Amy Winehouse.

  This album was literally forced into my hands by a friend. “You don’t own it? Just take it home. No I don’t want to hear it. Take it home. Listen to it.” This was way way before the whole missing teeth Blake in jail media extravaganza. I knew from reading the British tabloids online that she was cracking crazy . . . but I decided I would like her album anyway.

• Ghost Rider - Suicide

  I first heard this song in a play (LMDA Collaboration Project 2005! Holla) and couldn’t get it out of my head. Suicide (the band) was a great find for 2006.

• Eternal Flame - The Bangles

  I learned this song for Spurt: A Coming of Age Valentine. I actually don’t think Fern has covered it yet on YouTube. Hmmm.

• Latin Fuzzy - The Heartbreaking Lyrics

  Yeah, I know. This is sort of conceited. I wrote this song as jam band tune. Mercedes was in town for the first time for SXSW and we rocked it bass-guitar-drumz. Check the Myspace for a listen.

• ???? - ???? (aka track 14 - Work Mix)
  

  Shit. I had this on a work mix (aka mellow safe for work tunes mix) and I can’t for the life of me find out who wrote this song or the title. I just know I like it.

I’M OK WITH ME, SOPHOMORE OF THE REAL WORLD MIX (Summer 2005 - Spring 2006)

• This Bear is for Siobhan - Devendra Banhart

  Uh. He’s dating Natalie Portman? That’ll last.

• In the Backseat - Arcade Fire

  Remember when they were so fucking cool? They all screamed onstage, banged their drums and then Bowie played with them for Fashion Rocks. I can’t remember if I found that lame or an official endorsement. Anywho. I like this song.

• Love Will Tear Us Apart - Nouvelle Vague

  Really their entire first album is amazing. Haven’t really gotten into the second so much but the first is just DIVINE.

• Fistful of Love - Antony and the Johnsons

  Where were you when you first found Antony?
  
  Also a favorite is Today I’m a Girl or what I call “The Miss Josie Song” (character from You Are Pretty). I realized later that his music is all over that British indie film Beautiful Thing (which I LOVE! Yes I am a gay teenage boy sometimes. Also how can you not love a film that features Mama Cass’ solo album in the soundtrack?!!) so I’d actually heard (and loved it) before.

• What are You - Bonnie Prince Billy

  Superwolf was the first Will Oldham (et al his various pseudonyms) I fell in love with. Hard.
  
  Beast for Thee is another favorite. Bed is for Sleeping is another. Ah. The whole album is a sweet treat, a night-time road trip, a book before bed.

• Nothing Compares 2 U - Jimmy Scott

  Very important: this is the JIMMY SCOTT cover of Prince’s song. Need a good cry? Investigate.
  
  Also file under obsession with men who sound like women when they sing and vice versa.
  

• Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones

  This song, for me, is all about Merry Clayton.
  

• DARE - Gorillaz

  Slumber party! Dance around! File under obsession with DJ Dangermouse aka DJ Dangerboyfriend.

• He Hit Me - The Crystals

  I couldn’t believe it when I first heard the lyrics to this song. Wow.

• Under Pressure - Queen

  Courtesy of Karaoke Revolution. I love that my little sister (a big Barney/Dora fan) LOVES this song. If you can ever catch her crooning along it will make you melt. In fact that might be the problem with the ice caps. They heard Robyn sing Under Pressure.

• Out of the Races & Onto the Tracks- Rapture

  This is probably the only song of theirs I like. I heard it first in Rules of Attraction starring James Van Der Beek’s chin and forehead. I couldn’t believe how much I liked that movie, I was seriously all set to hate it. Whenever I want to generate a black cloud of angst about romance and relationships I watch that film. “No one ever knows anyone. You’re not going to know me.” Yeah, I nod. You said it. Bonus points for the little dance Ian Somehalder does when this song plays in a party scene. You can actually see him play “gay man dancing.” It’s hilarious.

• Just One of Those Things - Verve Remixed 3

  I’m not a jazz-purist, save for Billie Holiday’s version of Strange Fruit. Okay and maybe Nina Simone’s Four Women. So aside from those two songs I am A-OKAY with the concept of a jazz remix. And this song so eloquently sums up my love life (tacky time!).
  

FRESHMAN YEAR OF THE REAL WORLD (Summer 2004 to Spring 2005)

• Lover You Should’ve Come Over - Jeff Buckley

  No other dead man can make me squeal outloud like a little girl. Hottttie hot hot. I think this was the first time I truly discovered “Grace.” Aw. That was poetic without intention. Like frisbee games in the snow.

• Dirt Off Ya Shoulder - The Grey Album

  For a while (tacky time!) this was my cell phone ringtone for whenever I boy I sort of kind of liked would call. It reminded me to act coooooooooool.
  

• Geography - Dania

  Before Starnes and Shah there was just Shah. Dania’s first full length album is a KILLA. I listened to this song on repeat through some of my hardest times. It made me nostalgic for all the people I left behind in NYC and sort of helped motivate me for the big changes ahead. Definitely going to make sure this one is saved to my computer and iShuffle for the journey ahead of me. You can purchase her first album as well as her current release on CDBABY.COM.

• Joy to the World - Three Dog Night

  Again, courtesy of Karaoke Revolution on PS2. Old school. I KILLZ IT.

• The Light - Common

  “I’ll tell you the rest when I see you . . .” Uhm. Where can I date? Please?!

• Video - The Saras

  Yet another friend’s band. I seriously love me some Saras (RIP). I listened to this album nonstop my first summer out of school. This is my FAVORITE song. Good luck finding a CD. They are hard to come by.

• Daytripper - The Beatles

  I actually managed to figure this song out on guitar - - with the help of some tab sites. I think this was my first “Aha. I can figure out this tab thing!” moment.

• Cold Blooded Old Times - Smog
  

  Yeah. Just . . . . yeah.

• Book of Love - Magnetic Fields

  This will play at my wedding if I ever have one. I’ll probably be playing it. On my uke. While my husband sings in falsetto. And my family do an interpretive dance. And my friends perform floor gymnastics. That’s how I see it. Also my wedding will feature the best fair-trade chocolate cake ever baked, ever.

• Black Trombone - Serge Gainsbourg

  Everyone goes through this phase. Right?

• Crack Crack - Babaloo

  Give me punk and give me mambo. I think I found this CD through my job working with the office of Student Activities in college, maybe they sent it out to book a gig or something? I rescued it from the trash and LOVE IT. They’re the best band you’ve never heard of.

• B.O.B. - Outkast

  I used to put this song on volume up and just DANCE LIKE A CRAZY PERSON until it was over. Then I made a mix tape for my car and whenever it would come on I would crank it up and DANCE LIKE A CRAZY PERSON IN MY SEAT.

• You Don’t Know My Name - Alicia Keys

  I dunno. I thought it was sweet. And then I saw Maria Bamford’s impression and thought, “Yeah. Wait. That talking part is weeeird.”

• Waltz 2 - Elliot Smith
  

  I got into Elliot Smith too late. Same with Kurt Cobain. Almost with Nina Simone (although my mother was always a big fan. She forbade me to play her Single Woman album because it “brought up too many memories”).
  

• Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys - Willie Nelson

  The assumption is if you’re from the South, especially if you grew up in Texas that you looooooove country music. And football. And avocados. I’m one of those exceptions. I just cannot stand country music save for a few select exceptions. This song is one, others include anything by Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, some Dixie Chicks (I’m fine until they get into YEE HAW CRAZY FIDDLE stuff) and Gene Autry’s Silver Haired Daddy of Mine (actually my favorite version is the one my dad sings because he used to sing this to me every night before bed when I was a little girl). Let me just warn you. That other thing Willie is known for in Texas . . . will set you back a few days. I’ve tried it before, just a teensy tinsy bit . . . and it was IN-TENSE.

Alright kids. There you have em. In the course of writing this blog I found this other random items to share with you:

JIM’S GOING TO PROPOSE TO PAM?! I seriously squealed OUTLOUD and starting crying. And then he did the fake kneel thing I SQUEALED AGAIN AND CRIED AGAIN. I feel like my two best friends are getting married.

I’ve thought about this a lot . . . so . . . please know that this next statement isn’t just a fly by night snap judgment. I’ve given it time. I’ve watched episodes. I really wanted to like it . . . but . . . uhm . . . aside from Tracy Morgan (HI-LAR-I-OUS) and Jack McBrayer (dollface) . . . I do not like 30 Rock. Sorry.

Scrubs. I don’t get it. Sometimes I laugh. Most times I don’t. Maybe they need a laugh track. Oh wait except they try to cram jokes down your throat every other second so laugh track would just sound like when my sister gets a new music toy and repeatedly pushes the button so sounds interrupt themselves. “Ha-ha-h-ho-hee-haa-haa-ah-ha-a-h-haaaa-ha.” There you have it. The imagined Scrubs laugh track transcribed.

My cough is giving me the most amazing voice ever. I squeal and squeak a lot. I should record an album RIGHT NOW. My lower register is amazing.

I really really want to watch Jurassic Park 2 and Lost World. Since I don’t have Netflix anymore I will seriously watch ANY DVD or VHS I can find. My roommate had this and I’ll tell you: I got so fucking into it. AMPED as they say. Velociraptors in the breaker room?! IN-TENSE.

In another weird note . . . I hate being angry. You probably don’t know this but right now I’m sifting through some rather strong feelings of anger. And I don’t like it because seriously, last thing I need to be feeling on top of SAD-ANXIOUS-EXCITED . . . is MAD. But I’m going to work through it. Just like everything else. My Yogi tea today say “You are unlimited.” And goddammit. I am.

ANTM: Anyone surprised Stacey Ann went home? Anyone . . . care??! I found that I still had Claire on my team from last week. I am really stinking up the reality TV fantasy leagues this time around. Fuuuhck.

You know those moments when you are really thankful for the way you were raised? I had one of those the other day on the bus. There was a woman in a wheelchair who needed to get off at the current stop and she kept trying to get the driver’s attention and no one helped. Maybe they didn’t understand what she was saying, maybe they were just being fucking assholes, whatever. I was the one to say something. I don’t understand what the hang up is on treating everyone as equal. I don’t understand what is so scary or weird that people feel the need to walk an extra step out of their way to avoid someone with special needs out in public or be patronizing or rude. Very few people in my life have met my family or even know where I come from in terms of my upbringing, primarily because we’re not a very mobile/social crew . . . but I’m extremely proud of my family. And thankful for avoiding the whole “asshole towards people with special needs” thing.

You know those moments where you surprise yourself? I’m biking/busing to work everyday, I drink green tea instead of coffee (no caffeine for two weeks now), I’m going country-western dancing (despite the whole not liking country music thing), I’m actively pursuing the whole 7-8 hours of sleep and trying to take good care of myself. It’s great. It’s crazy. I feel like I’m in a movie about my life but twenty minutes into the thing they flipped to a different actress portraying the role of Adrienne. Like in Palindromes. And you’re like, “Wait. New story? Or same? Are these all vignettes or is there a bigger picture here?!” It’s good. It’s all good. No complaints yet.

Last thing: did you know you have to now buy Sudafed at the Pharmacy counter? Because you can make meth from it?! What?! I felt like a drug addict today holding up the line at CVS all for some measly generic CVS brand Sudafed. What ruined it was my attempt to make a joke to the lady behind me, “Damn those meth heads! Now I have to sign a release to get Sudafed?” Because I’m sure I sounded like a drug addict. I also had my pants in “bike mode” which means one leg pinned up above my knee. And I was sweaty. Yeah. I definitely walked out of that one looking like a drug addict. Great.

PHEW. OKAY. Now I will never blog again for the rest of my life*.

*Kidding. Big Life Transition. BRB.