A Playlist for the Apocalypse May 20, 2011
Posted by Matt in music, top ten.Tags: AC/DC, Apocalypse music, Beck, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, end of the world, Hayes Carll, John Prine, Johnny Cash, May 21, Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, playlist, Prince, Radiohead, Soundgarden
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My friend Susan gave me an idea today when she posted R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” on my Facebook wall in celebration of the global apocalypse scheduled for tomorrow (Check your local listings). I think we need a good playlist to celebrate our last day on earth. Here are some choices from my iPod.
10. Hayes Carll – She Left Me For JesusIt’s time for those last minute conversions and this is the perfect song for it.
9. Beck – Earthquake WeatherAccording to the apocalyptic prognosticators, we can expect a global earthquake tomorrow that should reach us around 6:00 pm. I think we should dance to Beck.
8. Prince – Sign O’ the TimesYes, we should have been looking for the signs, I know, I know…
7. Radiohead – How to Disappear CompletelyWell, that is what happens in the rapture, right? Cars will veer off the road unattended and suddenly unpiloted planes will crash and burn. Well, either that or it will just get a little more pleasant for the rest of us.
6. Pearl Jam – Given to FlyThen again, maybe we’ll actually see people ascend bodily into heaven. That would be much cooler.
5. Johnny Cash – The Man Comes Around / Metallica – The Four HorsemenYeah, worldwide destruction is what’s in store for those of us left behind. At least we have some diverse music choices dealing with it.
4. Soundgarden – Black Hole SunThe sun will turn into a black hole? I think they’re reading of Revelation may be a little off.
3. AC/DC – Highway to Hell / Nirvana – Lake of FireSorry, evildoers, but this is the end of the line.
2. John Prine – Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven AnymoreMaybe extreme patriotism isn’t the best way after all…
1. Bob Dylan – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door / Oasis – Live Forever / Pink Floyd – The Great Gig in the SkyFinally, how about some tunes for those who make it…
P.S.
Most likely, though, I think this song will be appropriate for those actually expecting the world the end tomorrow.
Bob Marley – Waiting in Vain
What songs would you put on the End of the World Playlist?
Ten for Friday (?): Mama Songs May 7, 2010
Posted by Matt in top ten.Tags: Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, LL Cool J, mama songs, Merle Haggard, Mother's day, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Dead Weather, top ten, Tupac, Willie Nelson
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David Alan Coe (probably the only time you’ll here him quoted around here) once sang that a defining characteristic of the “perfect country and western song” is a mention of “mama.” With Mother’s Day around the corner and that statement from Mr. Coe in my head, I thought this would be a good day to list ten songs from my Ipod or my memory that mention mother, mama, or ma in the title. Granted, these songs are not all necessarily about mothers, but this was much easier to come up with. So, without further ado, here is your Mother’s Day top ten.
10. Ozzy Osbourne – Mama I’m Coming Home
Aww, the Prince of Darkness gets a little sentimental. According to Wikipedia the song is actually about his wife, Sharon, but it still fits the criteria for this list.
9. The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother
Because it’s Jack White and he should be on every list.
8. LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
The story goes that LL Cool J’s grandmother told him to “knock out” his critics when they said that his career was going downhill in the early 90’s, so this is the comeback (Don’t call it a comeback!) song he gave us.
7. The Beatles – Your Mother Should Know / Mother Nature’s Son
These may not be their best songs, but come on, they are the Beatles!
6. Aerosmith – Mama Kin
Once upon a time, long before they wrote songs commemorating Bruce Willis saving us from the destructive power of a giant meteor, Aerosmith was actually relevant. This song is proof.
5. Pink Floyd – Mother
A great song in which Roger Waters incessantly asks “mother” questions like a pestering 3 year old (Mother do you think they’ll drop the bomb? / Mother do you think they’ll like this song?…).
4. Tupac – Dear Mama
Everyone’s favorite thug gets all sweet talking about his mama. Awww…
3. Willie Nelson/Waylon Jennings – Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys
Listen up mothers. If you need advice on raising your children, Willie Nelson is definitely the one to ask.
2. Bob Dylan – It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Even though its cryptic lyrics are up for any number of interpretations (that’s what Dylan does best), it does mention Ma and it does come from Bob Dylan.
And the greatest mama song is…
1. Merle Haggard – Mama Tried
One of my favorite songs of all time, this one just had to lead the pack when it comes to mama songs.
I turned 21 in prison / Doing life without parole / No one could steer me right / But mama tried, mama tried.
You just don’t get any better than that.
So, what else should be on the list?
Ten For Tuesday – Running Songs April 27, 2010
Posted by Matt in top ten.Tags: Blues Traveler, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Phish, Pink Floyd, running, songs, The Beatles, Tom Petty, top ten, Van Halen
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In keeping with the running theme from today’s earlier blog entry, I put together a list of ten songs with the word “run” in the title. These are not necessarily good songs to run along with, but they do include the word and I will add a few of the lyrics pertaining to running. Some of these are from memory and some are from my Ipod, but I’m sure I left a lot of great ones out. Let me know what should be added.
10. Blues Traveler – Run-Around
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
When all it does is slow me down.
9. Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris – All the Roadrunning
If it’s all for nothing
All the road running has been in vain.
8. The Beatles – Run for Your Life
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end’a little girl
7. Phish – Run Like an Antelope
Set the gearshift for the high gear of your soul
You’ve got to run like an antelope, out of control
6. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Run Through the Jungle
Better run through the jungle,
Whoa, don’t look back
5. Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell
Run, run, run, run
You better run all day
And run all night
4. Tom Petty – Running Down a Dream
I’m running down a dream
That never would come to me
Working on a mystery
Going wherever it leads
Running down a dream
3. Van Halen – Running with the Devil
(Ahh!) Runnin’ with the devil (Ahh-hah! Yeah!)
(Woo-hoo-oo!) Runnin’ with the devil
2. Neil Young – Long May You Run
Long may you run, long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run
1. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
Baby this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we’re young
‘Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run
