Calling All Songs
If you knew me better, you would know that I probably spend too much time compiling imaginary, themed mix CDs in my head. I'm trying to come up with songs that reference every year of your 20s, either in their lyrics, title, or both. I've listed songs below that I think could make the cut, though some are there just because they fit the qualifications for the list, not because they're personal favorites (I'm pretty indifferent on Incubus, for instance). I'm more than willing to double up on songs, since a 10-track CD would be pretty light, so really, any suggestions would be welcome. (Well, not all. Let's try and keep the cornball stuff to an absolute minimum. Anyone who offers up Five For Fighting's "100 Years" gets a time-out and a punch in the chode.) Soon enough I can compile them and then rebuild the fourth wall I just kicked over. Anyway, here's what I have so far, just off the top of my head:
20
(needed)
21
(needed)
22
"When Yer Twenty-Two," Flaming Lips
23
"Dancing Nancies," Dave Matthews Band
"What's My Age Again," Blink 182
"Pardon Me," Incubus
24
"Twenty-Four," Switchfoot
25
"Streets of Where I'm From," Old 97's
26
(needed)
27
"Let It Ride," Ryan Adams
28
(needed)
29
"29," Gin Blossoms
Sure, I could bury myself in Google and try to put the rest of the list together. But really, it'd be a lot easier if you all did it for me. And besides, it's always better to get songs that have a personal meaning to someone, even if it's not me, than to just throw them on there because some search algorithm said they'd fit.
So, have at it.
[And, yes, I'm admittedly surprised that the day I published this post, which I originally cobbled together 3-4 days ago, is also the day that Peter Lynn is also writing about themed mixes. I have no idea how these things happen, but I like to think my subconscious sent out some kind of beacon that alerted him to the idea.]
Comments: 23
That's an odd coincidence, all right. How about the following:
20: "20 Going On" - Tsunami Bomb
21: "The Story Of My Life" - Good Charlotte
26: "My Fault" - Eminem
28: "All Over Me" - Drowning Pool
Also, the Tragically Hip's "38 Years Old" refers to a prison break by the main character 18 years after his incarceration for killing his sister's rapist. So it's kind of a reference to the age of 20 (but really more of one to age 38).
"24 Turned 25" by Dension Witmer would qualify for two years.
"22" by Richard Buckner qualifies very clearly, but it's too depressing a song to include on any mix about an entire decade of one's life.
Peter, I tried to post on your blog, but was stymied by your security system. I posted about the calendar mix idea a while back, here:
http://specialwayofbeingafraid.blogspot.com/2005/11/mix-2-calendar.html
We had three overlaps.
21: "Unemployed in Summertime," Emiliana Torrini
29: "Twenty Nine" by Ryan Adams.
21: Hives - Statecontrol
http://www.lyricsondemand.com/h/thehiveslyrics/statecontrollyrics.html
21. This is getting into ancient territory, but Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty" would qualify here
My security system's been acting funny. Lately, it gives some internal server error that makes it look like the post has failed, even though it's actually worked just fine. And if you try to preview the post, it messes things up and gives the "I've activated a feature to prevent malicious posting" malarky. I don't know what's going on there, but at least it keeps out the ridiculous amounts of spam I used to get.
I like your list. I was never happy with my October, as it's an instrumental. It's also nice to see that everyone seems to want to pick September Gurls. There's no other reasonable choice.
(Dan: Sorry to hijack your comment thread.)
(That was of course addressed to JMW, by the way.)
Hey, hijack away.
I also meant to post on your blog, but was barred by your security system, which seems to have taken a personal dislike toward me. On your Rock Around The Clock mix, I would go with Tom Waits' "Ol' 55" for 6 a.m.
25: by the time you're 25, by sleater-kinney.
I'm sure I'll think of more.
I have a friend that we do mix tape games like this all the time... the last one we did were songs referring to murder.
General Rudie is a (disbanded) ska band from Montreal. They have a song called "You're Not 21"
www.generalrudie.net to listen to their last album.
Hmmm. This is harder than I thought.
18 & 23: "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" by Paulo Nutini.
Billy Bragg, A New England - 21 & 22.
(Hi Dan. Long-time lurker, first time commenter).
Here are a couple by Neil Young:
20: "Sugar Mountain"
24: "Old Man"
you've already got "Twenty-four" by Switchfoot, but they've got another song (written when Jon Foreman was turning 22):
"It's my birthday tomorrow / No one hear could know / I was born this Thursday / Twenty-two years ago" (from "Let That Be Enough")
Well, there is a cranberries song called "21." I kind of hate it though, and also it's rather a downer. I was going to mention "old man" (my theme song for the year I was 24) but nicole up there beat me to it.
25: "Chocolate" by Snow Patrol
It's interesting that the majority of the songs are for the twenty-somethings.
I guess, at that age, every year seems like some momentous milestone that should be laden with cosmic meaning or marked with some world-changing accomplishment.
Then you hit your thirties and realize that's all pretty much bullshit.
this could be open to some interpretation, but you could do "Needle Time" by Elvis Costello for 27.
The lyrics....
"I've got this suitcase of phony wisdom to dispense
These twenty-seven or so years
You'd think I (would have) made them some cents
Now they want me fingerprinted
Like I was smuggling drugs
While the government does deals with the most convenient thugs"
Even if you don't use it, you should check out that album anyway. I can't stop listening to it.
this could be open to some interpretation, but you could do "Needle Time" by Elvis Costello for 27.
The lyrics....
"I've got this suitcase of phony wisdom to dispense
These twenty-seven or so years
You'd think I (would have) made them some cents
Now they want me fingerprinted
Like I was smuggling drugs
While the government does deals with the most convenient thugs"
Even if you don't use it, you should check out that album anyway. I can't stop listening to it.
ooops.
in fact it's so good i had to say it twice.
you suck ultimate balls geek man
oh yeah.... i can't believe you don't have "niteclub" by the old 97's for 22.
"The Good Life" by Weezer might fit as an end to the mix too, although they don't mention a certain age in it.
Bugger -- the twenties? That disqualifies Winger's whole catalog. Here's another for 25, though: Ben Folds Five, "Last Polka."
She said, You've been pushing me like I was a sore tooth / You can't respect me 'cause I've done so much for you / He said, Well I hate that it's come to this /
But baby I was doing fine. How do you think / That I survived the other 25 before you?
May 29, 2007 4:03 PM