So, I got an iPod Classic, with 80GB of space, or room for nearly my entire iTunes library at the time. That way, when I put it on shuffle there was a chance I would hear nearly every song I owned, eventually. But of course, being the music fanatic that I am, my iTunes library continued to grow, and I was forced to pick and choose what I would have on my iPod at any given time. But the shuffle function remained my favorite one on that iPod, and is still my favorite one today. A friend of mine liked to play this game where she would put her iPod on shuffle and list the first 18 songs that came up. They were always 18 of the wildest songs you could imagine, and usually crossed genres as well. So, I decided I would play along using my blog to list them. Here goes. Putting my Classic on shuffle…again…
1. Bad Girl – Madonna
“Bad girl, drunk by six. Kissing someone else’s lips. Smoked too many cigarettes today. I’m not happy when I act this way.” This video is dynamic, almost a little movie in its own right, with Christopher Walken doing a cameo in it. I remember watching it nearly every morning on VH1 during homeroom.
2. The Dynamo of Volition (Live) – Jason Mraz
You haven’t heard Jason Mraz until you’ve heard him live. I had the privilege of seeing him a couple of years ago in a small theater setting and it was phenomenal. This version of The Dynamo of Volition wasn’t from that concert, but it comes really close to the vibe from that show’s rendition.
3. Beautiful – Garbage
This is one of Garbage’s many amazing b-sides (if you’re unfamiliar with the term, it means the songs that used to be on the same CD/tape as the single that was officially released by the band). Many of Garbage’s b-sides — this one included — are as good as most other bands’ a-sides.
4. Know Your Product – Hunters & Collectors
Funny how I became a fan of this band. I ran into a bunch of Australian fans of the band Live on Live’s internet mailing list in 1995. Most of those fans that I began emailing and chatting with told me about this amazing band that was from down under that they thought compared with Live. There were so many of them shouting up the band that I had one of them send me a tape of a mix of their songs. I was hooked from the start. I highly suggest getting your hands on some H&C songs. You won’t be disappointed.
5. Sensitized – Kylie Minogue
Dance. Dance. Dance. Also curious that it makes two Aussies in a row on this Shuffle. That’s pretty rare.
6. Rebel, Rebel – David Bowie
The classic David Bowie anthem, this version was remastered from the original and on his Best of Bowie compilation.
7. Goodnight Elisabeth – Counting Crows
“I wish you were inside of me. I hope that you’re okay. I hope you’re resting quietly. I just wanted to say… good goodnight Elisabeth.” This is from the second record from the Crows, which in many ways for me is better than the first. This is a beautiful song that I’ve heard live more than once, and it doesn’t lose any of its hauntingly beautiful qualities.
8. Keep Giving Me Your Love – Ce Ce Peniston
More dance, dance, dance. I have quite a bit of dance music on my iPod, and Ce Ce takes me back to ’90s era dance. Nice.
9. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson
This song is the first track on the biggest selling album of all time, Thriller, and it creates a perfect start to that record. Interestingly enough, having it come not at the beginning but in the middle of this Shuffle makes it stand out even more. Great song.
10. Luminous Times (Hold On To Love) – U2
Speaking of b-sides, U2 has some of the best b-sides in the business, and this one comes courtesy of the a-side Where the Streets Have No Name. It is also included on the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of The Joshua Tree. It’s an eclectic tune that you would never find on the band’s official albums, but it’s unquestionably U2.
11. eBay – “Weird Al” Yankovic
This is Weird Al’s parody of the Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way, and it’s hilarious all of the things Al finds for sale on eBay. Some items include: a Smurf TV tray, an Alf alarm clock, a Pac-Man Fever lunchbox, Shatner’s old toupee, and a Kleenex used by Dr. Dre. It makes me die laughing at every single listen.
12. The Garden of Allah – Don Henley
Classic Henley, even though it never became a classic. It has all the elements of classic Henley, and it’s on his greatest hits CD, Actual Miles. Clocking in at over 7 minutes long, it’s one of his longest songs ever too.
13. Yes I Am – Radiohead
One of Radiohead’s earliest songs; it hails from the Creep era.
14. Plane – Jason Mraz
“And I’m up in the air, so baby, hell yeah. Well honey I can see your house from here.” Plane comes from undoubtedly Mr. A-Z’s best record, Mr. A-Z. It’s a mix of jazzy rhythms, quirky lyrics, and Jason’s smooth vocals. It also makes me think of looking at things from the perspective of Google Earth and its satellites.
15. Our Song – Taylor Swift
It’s Taylor Swift. ‘Nuff said.
16. Run Baby Run (Live) – Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow actually sounds better on her studio albums, but there’s something to be said about the raw quality of her voice on this particular song in concert that draws me in. I have 12 live version of this song in my collection and I’m always looking for more. Great Aldous Huxley reference, too.
17. Pick Myself Up – Peter Tosh
This song was in the very last episode of one of the best, and most underrated, television dramas of all time, Homicide: Life on the Street. I loved the song so much that even though I had nothing from Mr. Tosh previous to hearing that episode, I downloaded the song straightaway from iTunes and I listen to it all the time.
18. Drowned World/Substitute For Love – Madonna
I think it’s curious that Madonna bookends this Monday Shuffle, even though I do have 471 songs by the material girl on my iPod. This song could not be more different from the first, however, as it is the first track on her Ray of Light album, a record that went far afield from the previous pop records she made to that point. The best word I can use to describe the album, and this song, is “ethereal.”
You can try this Shuffle too sometime, and as long as you have a good mix of songs on your device, the results might be interesting. It can also help remind you of why you have the music that you do. It definitely helps me reminisce.
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 