Turns out, music exists. I thought it didn't anymore. I thought, while I was away in Raffiland, music had simply stopped. It had driven down to the levy, and the levy had been dry. But it hadn't. It has been going on without me, and I can't say I'm very happy about it. Why didn't it even call?
And you! Some kind of friend you turned out to be. I bet you knew the music hadn't died, didn't you? Didn't you? And did you tell me? No, you didn't. Not even a simple phone call, saying, "Hey, The Dad, I was, you know, down at the mall and, well, I kinda heard some music. I just thought you ought to know. Don't be mad."
But I'm not mad, not anymore, not now that he shock has worn off. How could I be mad when I'm dancing around my house for two hours everyday listening to WHATEVER I WANT. Yes, that's what I'm doing instead of writing posts for you. Or laundry. Or making money. Don't get me wrong, I'm always one song away from doing all those things, one song away from sitting down and bringing you the funny, but then the next song starts and, wow, it's another one not about little red cabooses, or kangaroos, or how five is such a pretty number and how awfully glad I should be that I have five people in my family but right now its me, just me, and I'm dancing around to songs that are about drugs and booze and sex and say words that I can't say here because my mom reads this and that I sure couldn't say in front of my kids even though I'm pretty sure Lila said motherfucker yesterday as she crapped behind the couch but she didn't hear it from me and she didn't here it from my music although she'd sure be hearing it now because that's what somebody is yelling from my speakers and I'm yelling right along with it and it doesn't matter what else I need to be doing because this is rock and roll and rock and roll waits for nobody. Except when I pause it to go pee, because I evidently drank way too much coffee this morning.
I'm listening to it all. Everything I have. There are albums here from back when I wore an earring and thought I was alternative. There are albums here from back when I wore a nipple ring and really was alternative. There are albums here from when my hair was longer than my wife's and from when my head was shaved bald. There are even a few from the past few years that friends have sent me or I have gone out and gotten myself, but have never really listened to. Not like they should have been listened to, you know?
You know that slightly disturbed friend you had in college who made mix tapes for every occasion? The one who would sit down in front of his stereo and put together 90 minutes of music for every break-up, every first kiss, every grade better than a D in Spanish class? That was me. When I listened to music, I really listened, with every pompous fiber of my being I listened. And so did everybody in my dorm, because I turned my stereo up to eleven and made them. And they should have thanked me, instead of calling the campus police. Ungrateful bastards.
So here's what I was thinking: Let's make a mix tape. Right now, together. Throw out a song, a good song, in the comments. You can explain your choice or just let the song speak for itself. It doesn't have to be deep or pompous or obscure and it doesn't have to show off your amazing indie cred, unless of course you live in the Lower East Side and then you can't help it. It just has to be good. And then maybe I'll do something with it. I don't know what that something will be, maybe nothing if you guys have really sucky music taste, but maybe I'll compile it all onto a disc or two and give it away as the prize for our next poetry contest.
I'll start. The opening song on our mix tape, which will, incidentally, be titled Turned Up to Eleven, is Elise, Elise, by The Real Heroes. (Click on the link and find it under "Listen." You'll be happy you did.)
What's next?
I should have known you would start with an Austin band. OK, following the subtext of "disease" you started, next should be Ben Lee's "Catch My Disease."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Eq4oClFiA
Posted by: The Whole Jackson | October 13, 2007 at 07:08 AM
In Lila's defense, I curse every time I poop behind the couch, as well. It just seems appropriate.
A nipple ring? Really? In your nipple? Was it a dare?
Music = Gomez. Revolutionary Kind. They're a British band that, I swear, for years I thought consisted solely of Latinos. They're that talented. I'll send you the mp3.
Posted by: You can call me, 'Sir' | October 13, 2007 at 07:45 AM
My newest love is "I Hate Everyone" by Get Set Go. It's this shiny-happy little tune with beautiful harmonizations about having a really shit day and hating the world. There are days when I just need that song, because it is so awesome.
Posted by: Janelle | October 13, 2007 at 08:21 AM
Falling On by Finger Eleven... cause I love it. LOVE IT AND WANT TO MARRY IT!!
Posted by: amy | October 13, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Blue October.......Hate me
Posted by: Adrienne | October 13, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Something from Tim Blane's second album, "Clockwork." Perhaps the second track, "Tennessee."
Posted by: Alison | October 13, 2007 at 11:03 AM
I'm throwing in Jens Lekman's "A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill":
- listen
- watch
Posted by: schmutzie | October 13, 2007 at 11:04 AM
On a bit of a Linkin Park craze at the moment.
"The Little Things Give You Away"
Sooooooooooooooooo much better then Elmo.
So . much . better.
Posted by: floreksa | October 13, 2007 at 12:26 PM
"Where'd You Hide the Body" or anything else by James McMurtry.
Posted by: Crystal | October 13, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Almost anything by Jonathan Coulton, but I'll throw out Skullcrusher Mountain, about the evil genius's crush on the beautiful young thing his assistant Scarface brought him, and his not understanding why she doesn't like him.
Posted by: Joye | October 13, 2007 at 01:24 PM
No mix tape is complete without a dirty 80's song: Dixie Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
Aaand.. Breaking Benjamin - Had Enough
Posted by: Kate | October 13, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Gogol Bordello. Mebbe "Start Wearing Purple"?
I bet you thought I'd say "Hate Paper Doll'!
Posted by: Stacia | October 13, 2007 at 02:48 PM
I've always thought you were kidding about the nipple ring. Kidding and trying to gross me out. Please tell me you are kidding.
As an homage to our one-and-only 3-Martini Night Out, I propose Cat Power's "Nude As the News" for the mixtape. Reminds me of my life pre-twins when I was all dark and depressed and full of angst and... oh wait, I'm still like that. I just have to listen to Music for Aardvarks now. Grrr.
Posted by: Jennifer, 3-Martini Jennifer | October 13, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Heres's one of my fav mixes, which I so lovingly titled "GOOD SHIT:"
stevie wonder - superstition
the staple singers - i'll take you there
tom petty - free falling
sarah mclachlan - sweet surrender
blue october - breakfast after ten
gnarls barkly - crazy
guns n' roses - you're crazzy
the rolling stones - little baby
mungo jerry - in the summertime
stine j. - you are my sunshine (this is a rock mix)
beck - scarecrow
bloc party - this modern love
miss elliott - we run this
red hot chili peppers - suck my kiss
kanye west - diamonds are forever
butch walker - hot girls in good moods
wolfmother - woman
levi weaver - good medicine
black crows - hard to handle
wa la!
Posted by: shelleysoars | October 13, 2007 at 03:59 PM
How about an awesome reggae classic: "Police and Thieves," by Junior Murvin, later covered most excellently by The Clash. Either version!
OR - "Kung Fu" by The Dirtbombs (or "Chains of Love")
OR - Alan Braxe's remix of "Black History Month" by Death From Above 1979 (it's on the remix album called Romance Bloody Romance)
Posted by: Johanna | October 13, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Still Dirrty by Xtina. What could be more appropriate?
Posted by: dregina | October 13, 2007 at 04:09 PM
Loved On Look, by The Sadies. amazing song.
Posted by: niz | October 13, 2007 at 04:30 PM
Were we separated at birth? I was a little crazy with the mix tapes, too. The key difference between us may be that I escaped NJ and you are doomed there for eternity. I can't really decide which my suggestion would be. I can't ever hear enough Ben Folds or Jeff Buckley. My favorite from the former would be "Trusted" and by the latter would be "Last Goodbye." I think "Trusted" might get the nod just for being so damn clever.
Now off to put my earring in, listen to some Love and Rockets and the Smiths, and be morose for the rest of the day.
Posted by: John | October 13, 2007 at 04:38 PM
I'm very lucky, my daughter falls asleep to Pink Floyd and dances to rock and roll. She hates the kids music (so far).
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Posted by: Veronica | October 13, 2007 at 05:11 PM
Twilight Zone by Golden Earring.
Posted by: Rebecca F. | October 13, 2007 at 05:44 PM
Is it bad form to post several suggestions? I can't help myself.
I thought of a few more:
"Better on Holiday" by Franz Ferdinand
"More Brother Rides" by Palace (Viva Las Blues)
"Army of Me" by Bjork
Posted by: Johanna | October 13, 2007 at 05:45 PM
I remember a slightly disturbed friend in high school who put together a lot of mix tapes. He was a little pompous, too, about educating me about the music of the 60's...hmmm... how about a tribute to The Dad with a song from one of his first mix tapes: "Obladi Oblada" by the Beatles. And why do I still have these tapes? They're pretty damn good and I may use them with my kids.
To be honest, The Dad, I'm surprised you haven't exposed your girls to a whole variety of genres by now. My kids have jammed out to New Order and the B 52's already. (Can you tell I'm stuck in the 80s?)
Posted by: mommy24x7 | October 13, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Could it even BE a mix tape without "Come on Eileen?"
Posted by: sasha | October 13, 2007 at 06:01 PM
"Crazy Bitch" by Buckcherry gets a lot play on my ipod since I also like to sing and curse at the same time, it's so liberating! For a little more upbeat vibe I like "Kiss You Off" and "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" by Scissor Sisters. I have to listen to my ipod in the car while my twin girls watch the dvd system or I find myself yearning to drive the car into a ditch, anything to get the Disney fanfare out of my head.
Posted by: Melody_NC | October 13, 2007 at 07:13 PM
This post made me think of the song Rock and Roll by the Velvet Underground. (Only weirdos with nipple rings listen to the Velvet Underground. And me.) Ian Dury's Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll might be appropriate as well.
Posted by: Joy | October 13, 2007 at 07:43 PM