As you might have read here previously couple of my work and I buddies have started a music exchange. Each person had to come up with 20 songs from different musicians and genres, burn a cd and give it to the other members. The idea is to edutain others about the music that you like.
From my previous list Emm Gryner and Cibo Matto got the most votes and Belle & Sebastian, Liz Phair, Tegan & Sara and Laibach got honourable mention. Only the White Stripes got chewed up.
The next challenge is to come up with songs that are associated with emotions. As I like to complicate things, I’ve tried to include some “classics” since my co-workers are into different types of music and have not had too much chance to hear some of the musicians that I think have had a big influence. For your browsing pleasure here is my preliminary song list with annotations:
When I was coming up with the following list I had hard time distinguishing “Dancey” songs from the “Emotions” songs. I had made a point of choosing as many “Dancey” songs for all categories. Also, I have decided to focus on what I call “Classic Rock” bands. Unlike Led Zeppelin, these bands might not be in constant rotation on the CHEZ 106.1 or the Bear but have substantial following within their respective genres. Some of the songs on this list have a nostalgic significance to me. If they sound like teenagey songs, that that is probably because I danced to them as a teenager.
Happy
§ “Kiss Factory” by Miss Kittin from “I com”, 2004.
§ “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed from “Trainspotting Soundtrack”, 1996 (Classic, Dancey)
Bulk of Lou Reed’s music that I’m familiar with is from his Velvet Underground days. He continued on with successful music career after that and is still releasing records. This song was originally released in the early 70’s (don’t quote me on that though). Chris and I picked it as our wedding song.
Funny
§ “Know your Chicken” by Cibo Matto from “Viva la Woman”, 1996
Cibo Matto are back by popular demand. The video for this song is funny too.
§ “Chicken Song’ ? by Grandmaster Chicken & DJ Duck ? ?
I don’t actually have a copy of this song. I could not find it on iTunes either. I’ll try and find it, but I’m not making any promises. I can’t even get the full name of the song because of the CBC strike. I think I will replace this entry with the “I bet you they won’t play this song on the radio” by Monty Phyton.
§ “The Bob Dylan Song” by Brendan Nolan from Southern Sunset, 1996
Brendan Nolan used to be the house musician at the Old Dublin in Montreal. This song is written by another chap, one Eric Bogle, with whom I am not familiar.
§ “Canada Song” by MST3K cast from an episode
This is a sorry excuse for lack of Canadian content in this edition of the “Music Challenge”. Though not Canadian this song is taken from a TV show skit. The TV Show “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” is about a guy and two puppets in front of a movie screen showing straight to video release or B movies. The guy and puppets add commentary to the goings on in the film and do sketches before and after commercials. In this particular episode, they’re watching an independent Canadian film where a kid hides in the back of a pick-up to find and destroy an evil cult. In the skit, one of the puppets is dressed as a mountie and wants to honour Canada, but the other, more sinister, puppet derails him. Hopefully it is still funny without seeing the show.
Angry
§ “Let’s Lynch the Landlord” by Dead Kennedys from “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables”, 1980 (Classic, Dancey)
Dead Kennedys are the key 80s political Hard Core Punk band. Soundtrack to my teenage years would have a hole the size of Mac truck without them. I still see kids on the street wearing DK badges. Besides, if you’ve ever lived in the apartment building and required repairs, or hot water, you can at least somewhat appreciate the song.
§ “Ocean”by Sebadoh from “Harmacy”, 1996 (Dancey)
This song is more brooding and accusatory than angry, but I still feel that it fits into this category. It also fits into the 90’s indy music category. I downloaded the video to this song by fluke a few years ago and could not stop playing it over and over again.
§ “Clash City Rockers” by The Clash from “The Clash[US]”, 1979 (Classic)
Alongside Sex Pistols, The Clash is THE British Punk Rock band of all ages.
Sad
§ “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths from “The Queen Is Dead”, 1986 (Classic)
If it is sad and it is music it must be the Smiths. The quintessential British band (80’s indy) that single-handedly captured all the loneliness, alienation and angst of growing up in this modern world.
§ “Marian” by The Sisters of Mercy from “The First and Last and Always”, 1985 (Classic, Dancey)
The Sisters of Mercy are as 80’s Goth as they get. Their single “Temple of Love” is still overplayed at seedy Montreal Goth clubs, or at least it was when I was frequenting these gloomy establishments in the late 90’s. Though I was always more interested in Industrial than Goth “Marian” makes me want to dance no matter what the circumstances are. At least until about the middle of the song at which point I get bored and wonder off.
§ “Hey That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” by Leonard Cohen from “The Songs of Leonard Cohen”, 1968 (Classic, Canadian)
It is difficult to pick a single song from Cohen’s flawless debut album, or a single song from any of his albums but I love the lines about the shoreline and the sea so it’s decided.