I like music, I really do. I don’t listen to music as much as other people, largely because I like music so much that it sucks me in. I can’t work with music playing, because I just stop and listen to the music. I can usually watch TV while working, because it doesn’t draw me an as much as music.
Here’s my problem: After my car accident, I don’t really recall all the music that I used to. I know of many artists, but my knowledge is usually responsive rather than something I can call up at will. (ie, I hear a song and I recognize it, but I’d never think of it before hearing it first)
I’m hoping those that read my blog can help with directing me to songs I might like. Please don’t hesitate to suggest something. My likes are widely varied, and change from day to day. The kind of music I really want to rediscover would be music that:
- Shows off really good vocals
- Showcases unique vocal talents, a voice that is easily identifiable.
- I prefer lighter instruments. If it’s not terribly clear, I’m big on vocals. π
- Art trumps perfection. The reason Miles Davis was so great was that he was perfect at his imperfections. The way he would fall off a note at the perfect time would add character not attainable with mere musical perfection. You can feel free to disagree, but that’s the kind of music I’m looking for. (Ironic I used an instrumental musician to showcase what I mean about vocals I really like — but a really good instrument counts too. Maybe it’s not just the human voice I like.)
- I really hope for specific song suggestions. Norah Jones, for example, I find to be absolutely brilliant. I don’t *feel* all of her songs though. So please, be specific.
So what do you think? Do you have any suggestions? Here are some random artists I enjoy from time to time:
Norah Jones, Jane’s Addiction, Nirvana, 3rd Day, Barry Manilow, Randy Travis, The Carpenters, Elton John, REM. I know there are tons more, but sadly I just can’t recall all the good ones. Please help me. π
Sultans of Swing – Dire Straights
Radar Love – Golden Earring
Locomotive Breath – Jethro Tull
This is kind of random, but I tried to keep with songs that have a unique voice or story.
Ani Difranco
– untouchable face
– wishin + hopin
Susan Vega
– blood makes noise
– language
– gypsy
Frank Sinatra
– i did it my way
Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto
– the girl from ipanema (original)
Eartha Kit
– Santa Baby
Michael Buble
– home
– … most anything, he’s awesome
MC Chris
– Fett’s Vette
– Hoodie Ninja .. good song, nice.. bounce
George Clinton
– Atomic Dog
– Stomp
Beatles
– Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
Blue Man Group
– White Rabbit w/Esthero
– I Feel Love w/Venus Hum
De Phazz feat. Pat Appleton
– The Mambo graze
Weird Al Yankovic
– Hardware Store
– You’re pitiful
– Melanie
Monty Python
– Always look on the bright side of life
– Every sperm is sacred
The All Seeing I
– The beat goes on
Andrew Lloyd Webber
– The Phantom of the Opera // The Phantom of the Opera
Meridith Brooks
– I’m a bitch
Sugarhill Gang
– Rappers Delight
Sinpence none the richer
– Kiss me
Sam the Sham and the Pharohs
– Little Red Riding Hood <– unique
Rosemary Clooney
– Mambo Italiano
Rod Stewart
– Rhythm of my heart
Nancy Sinatra
– The boots are made for walkin
Gorillaz
– Feel Good Inc
– Clint Eastwood
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
– I’ve got my love to keep me warm
Prince
– If I was your girlfriend
– Delirious
– U Got the Look
Al Green
– lets stay together
Urge Overkill
– Girl, you’ll be woman soon
The Statler Brothers
– Countin flowers on the wall
Dirty Vegas
– Days go by (video adds story to the music)
Hmmm… I went overboard here. Enjoy
Roundabout by Yes
everything by Rodrigo Y Gabriella
I have samples.
I would like to direct you to the Best Songs Ever π http://www.bestsongsever.com/ – love that site, I agree with most of them actually.
Eagles – Desperado
Annie Lennox – Into The West
Barenaked Ladies – Pinch Me
” ” – If I Had A Million Dollars
Warren Zevon – Lawyers, Guns and Money
” ” – Keep Me In Your Heart
Mc Chris is an interesting artist. He’s white he’s a nerd and he does rap. I think Fetts Vette is the funniest song he has. It’s a tribute to how awesome Boba Fett is.
Also you can’t go wrong with the Beatles.
Whenever Creed comes on the radio I have to turn it up, really like songs “with arms wide open” and ‘Higher”. Bill saw Creed in concert before he was with me.
I made myself a mix tape with songs some might be from after your accident, but I’ll share any way..
Alabama- Angels Among Us
Building 429- The Space In Between Us
Casting Crowns- East To West & Praise You In This storm
Chris Tomlin- Holy Is The Lord, God Almighty & How Great Is Our God
Collin Raye- Holes In The Floor Of Heaven
Josh Tuner- Long Black Train
Mercy Me- I Can Only Imagine
Micheal W. Smith- Our God Is An Awesome God
Newboys- He Reigns
Vince Gill- Go Rest High ON That Mountian
All good songs!!!
George Harrison – All Things Must Pass (the song or the album)
George Harrison – Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll)
The Eels – Last Stop This Town
The Eels – Rotten World Blues
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – O Children
Queen/Bowie – Under Pressure
Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
Three Dog Night – Shambala
Traveling Wilburys – End of the Line
Eagles of Death Metal – I Gotta Feelin (Just Ninteen)
All pretty good songs.
Francesca Battistelli, she has a rather unique voice. Newsboys (every song rocks), Third Day, Tree63, Ayiesha Woods (whom I actually thought was a guy at first, she was EXCELLENT in concert), Casting Crowns, Avalon (Adonai). I’m not sure why I’m even suggesting songs to you, you hear these artists all the time. It is very possible that they don’t do much for you π I really do wish that you would disengage from Nirvana and the Carpenters (I just can’t stomach either one) π
Based on what you said above, I recommend:
FLO Rider’s Low, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVuMIB2hC0 .
π
The Beatles – yeah, just anything although “In my life” or anything from Abby Road
Queen – ah, Freddie Mercury, we miss you. “Radio Ga Ga”, “These are the days of our lives,” “Fat bottom girls”
The Ramones – “Blitzkeig Bop,” “I wanna be sedated”
The Kinks – “Low budget,” “Superman,” “You’ve Really Got Me”
The Black Crows – “She talks to angels,” “Money Maker”
Talking Heads – “Psycho Killer,” “Once in a lifetime,” “Girlfriend is better,” “And she was,” “(nothing but) Flowers”
Stevie Ray Vaughn – “Little Wing” (instrumental, but OMG), “Life with out you,” “Pride and Joy”
Steely Dan – “FM,” “Reeling in the years”
Santana – “Smooth,” “Oh ya commo va”
Rush – “Farewell to kings,” “Closer to the heart,” “Spirit of radio,” “Freewill,” “Driven”
Fountains of Wayne – really, anything. Very few clankers in their catalog, but try “Hey Julie,” “Bright future in sales,” “Maureen,” “I’ll do the driving”
Other artists; Dar Williams, Billy Joel, Eurythmics and/or Annie Lennox, Joe Walsh, Led Zepplin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ozzy, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, and Randy Newman.