30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #30

 Song from the album you played over and over and over in high school - Seven Mary Three - Lucky


Such an underrated band! Rock Crown is still one of my most very favorite albums. I think Times Like These is my favorite song (I listened to it about 1,000 times when I had pneumonia and needed something to fall asleep to).  I couldn't find the best rendition of it online, so check it out on itunes or something... 


And that concludes our spectacular. There are a few other music challenges I have found and I may continue those categories... I haven't decided yet. I'm kind of running around like a chicken with its head off here with work and school and everything else... but it keeps me sharp on my love for music...  and I kind of love that. :)

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #29

Favorite Vocal Performance - Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye


Such a huge talent. I've seen some musicians that try to replicate him - and I always have to wonder - why would you even try? I respect your taste in music, but no one can sing like Jeff. No one.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #28

A Song with Chord Changes that Really Thrill You: Metric - Combat Baby

The correct answer would be Tool or Perfect Circle, because dude plays some really obscure chords, but the build in the bridge of this song ALWAYS makes me happy, because it literally explodes into the chorus... and it really does thrill me.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #27

Favorite Oldie: Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby.


Okay... probably because of the kissing scene at the end of Never Been Kissed (Yes, I was 17 and in fact, had never been kissed, and so i kind of was attached... laugh if you must). But the beach boys deserve a shout.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #26

Song by the First Band You saw in Concert: Pearl Jam - Daughter

Just after I got trampled in a mosh pit... and surely thot it would be how I was going to die. They were amaizng live. natch.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #25

Song You Sing in the Shower: Phoebe Buffet (Lisa Kudrow) - The Shower Song :)


Love it.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #24

Song Your Parents Played at Parties: Tom Petty - Room at the Top

I'm not sure my mom ever really threw parties, but if I had to figure out how to make that true - any rowdy, uncontrollable-laughfests always included Jake. So - here's a little Tom Petty.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #23

Last Song that Got Stuck In Your Head - Matt Nathanson - Modern Love


Let's use this to promote a new release this week, shall we? This is a performance last night of the title track off of Matt's new album. I'm not loving the new image, but this sounds spectacular with the horn section! And I still love his sexy hip dancin'. Matty will always be my very most favorite.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #22

Song that Infuriates You - Train - Hey, Soul Sister. 


"My heart is bound to beat right out of my untrimmed chest." REALLY!? All of the lyrics are terrible. What's more irritating is that it's SO DAMN CATCHY! bahhhhhhh.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #21

Song by an artist you used to love, but now are ashamed of (because either you or they changed) - Mariah Carey - Fantasy.

It's not me, it's you, Mariah (actually... pretty sure she's always been, well... Mariah, so I guess it is me). I am more than a little embarrassed to post this -but 1. this song ruled and 2. it's perfect for the first official day of summer! Sunny Days ahead, my loves!

Let's move along now, shall we?

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #20

Song You Clean House To - Lykke Li - I'm Good I'm Gone

I put Lykke up there at the top, but made a little bit of a playlist for you - should be be cleaning house... :)

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #19

‎30DSSS - Day #19 - First song you ever illegally downloaded - Methods of Mayhem - Get Naked 


I went to college at the HEIGHT of Napster - so I can't remember what my first downloaded song was... but I do know I went for a lot of dirty gangsta rap. I was going to go for Akinyele - Put it in your Mouth, but it seems too vulgar... so, I toned it down JUST a bit and went for Methods of Mayhem :) Roof Roof!

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #18

‎30DSSS - A Song from the First Album you Ever Bought with Your Own Money - Wallflowers - One Headlight 


I bought two simulatneously. Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites and Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse. Maybe not the coolest items, but using my own dollars to buy music for the first time was a very clear memory. Plus it's Bob Dylan's son... awesome. Pretty sure I had a huge crush on him. Why do I always like the goofy-looking dudes?

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #17

30DSSS - A Song Recorded by an Artist Who was Under 18 at the Time of Recording - Jonny Lang - Rack 'Em Up:

Biggest no-brainer of the 30 days. I think he was 13 when he recorded this song (although he is older in this live version). Jonny reminds me of many a night in Julie Ann Lien's kitchen! He is sooooooooooo dreamy - and talented. and awesome. And he wrote a song called "Irish Angel" also included below... :)

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #16

Biggest Musical Misstep by an Artist you Usually Adore. Lady Gaga - Born This Way


Yeah... I said it. I love love LOVE her. She's an amazing performer. She can sing like all get-out, and I super respect her as a business woman. But... stick to the objectify men/girl power shtick and stop preaching at me. I support what you're pushing, but you're kind of getting obnoxious. Plus... the whole weird birthing thing? I get the symbolism, but creeeeeepy!

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #15

A Song You love from a Genre/Artist You Generally Dislike: Stabbing Westward - Save Yourself

Now, I appreciate alternative rock. And 80s rock. And Metallica and, you know... LOTS OF THINGS. But I don't tend to go for the industrial rock. Why? Because it's too hard.  I dated a guy once in a metal/industrial rock band and everytime he "rawwwwwwrrrrred" i'd roll my eyes at him and say, "You know, you sound a lot prettier when you just sing it instead of screaming at me."

Either way, I loved this song an entire summer when I was 16, living in Ft. Collins and had 100% access to 106.7 KBPI (which still rocks the rockies).  This song is genius.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #14

Favorite Duet/Collaboration by Two Artists you love: Glenn Phillips and John Mayer - Walk on the Ocean

Gorgeous. Early early on in John's career (i think when he was opening up for Toad...).  I don't have a whole lot more to add to it then that. :) Enjoy the piercing photo of John as you listen. In all honesty, he kind of looks like my friend Joey...



Uh... and this is more than two artists, but i forgot how FANTASTIC this project is --

George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbisson and Jeff Lynne (cowriter)

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #13

Song you put on Everyone's Mixed Tape: Amy Winehouse - Me & Mr. Jones

This is a completely unfair category, because everyone who makes mixes knows that they are purely subjective to the person receiving it, state of mind they are in and mood you are attempting to move them into by giving them the cd. I know some songs have made a few appearances on various mixes, but I chose Amy because it's current (kind of) but brings a 60s vibe to the table; it's not one of her huge hits, so people who don't have her albums generally miss it; it's a good slowdown on an upbeat cd, but can also serve as a pick-me-up on a breakup compilation, and it's always fun to dance to in the car.  Besides, Amy is phenomenal. And fuckery is bar-none, the best word. EVER.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #12

A song you love but can't bring yourself to listen to: A Perfect Circle - 3 Libras.

Greaaaaat song. GREAT. I can get through most of it, but when the grand finale chorus hits, I generally  can't make it through. My friend Christopher who passed used to cover this and nailed it. And since i can't hear him play it anymore, I just can't seem to give this a full listen anymore. You enjoy, though.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #11

A Song Which Seems Incredibly Deep No Matter How Many Times You Hear It - Patty Griffin - Florida.


So I have this amazing friend that makes me mixed cds on a regular basis. One year, when I was going through HELL and back, she not only wrote me a song, but gave me a mix that included Florida.  It pertained to what I was going through, and kind of tapped into some past history with my 'dad.'  It's a sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-while-tears-stream-down-your-face kind of a song. And it ALWAYS gets me.  Patty Nails it. 

30-Day Song Song Selection Spectacular Day #10

 A Song Which Makes You Think, If Temporarily, That You Love Everybody!: Lily Allen - LDN


This seems easy. How do you make Sami happy? Give her a bike (or moped). Give her a pretty dress, and comfy shoes. Surround her in a protective, rose-colored bubble and with good music.  I have always bobbed my head side to side to this song, but the video couldn't be more perfect!

30-Day Song Song Selection Spectacular Day #9

Song You Heard Live and Instantly Became Obsessed With: Howie Day - Ghost/Beams of Light

Uh... Obsess much? Howie ruled a good two years of my life, until he started drinking entire bottles of alcohol and participating in shady antics on his tour bus. Oh, and the whole dating Britney Spears thing...

I maybe should have saved this for Day #21 - A song by an artist that you used to love, but now are at least a little ashamed of (because either you or they changed) - but truth be told - this was in heavy, heavy, HEAVY rotation. And... i'm really not ashamed by it. I was given a photo pass at one of his shows to be in the pit, and i have a million photos to prove it. It sounds creepy, but talk to any Howie fan in the 1999-2003 era, and you'll observe the same characteristics.

So, yeah ... after my creepy set up - enjoy:

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #8

Song that made you pull over in your car - Edwin McCain - Sign on the Door

Sometimes a song just speaks directly to you. This was one of them. The first time I heard it, I was convinced it was Jonny Lang - but alas! Edwin comes through.  It's great when you need to just curl up and cry.  Which, lets face it... all of us need once in awhile...

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #7

Song that Breaks Your Heart with the First Few Notes: Adele - Someone Like You

This literally makes me grab my chest to hold my heart. I don't know why it struck me so much, but for awhile I couldn't even listen to it.  Girl's got an amazing voice - I'm so glad she shares it.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #6

Song You Can't Hear Just Once - Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On

One Line: In the end I was the Mean girl, or somebody's in-between girl...

This always gets two solid listens in my car (While singing at the top of my lungs, of course!)

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #5

A Song You Hear While Shopping: Duran Duran - Ordinary World

I don't really like this question, because I know I always hear the same songs when I shop, and I know I always sing/dance my way through the store, but I honestly can't think of any particular song. It's like when you get in an argument with someone and you bring up a frustration and they ask you to give them an example and all you can say is, "............"

So, I went for an 80s tune, and hope that you hear it next time you go buy Bananas.



On a side note... even though these kinds of people are KIND of obnoxious, I thought I'd post this, because it was mildly amusing (and Scissor Sisters are totally bad-ass).

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #4

Favorite Break-Up Song: 


#1 Dave Matthews - Stay or Leave - My last ex played this for me while we were still dating. This song KILLS me. Even though the smoke has cleared, I still cry when I hear it. But... it is kind of just the sweet, perfect goodbye to cherish good but recognize that cutting ties was in the best interest of both parties.



#2 Lissie - When I'm Alone - This runs close second because I think I listened to it EVERY SINGLE DAY from August - December of Last year.  While I walked. While I drove. While i laid in my bed and angrily cried. This got me through the healing process over not one, but two men - which apparently were addressed simultaneously.  This mostly applies to one over the other, but it helped build me back up.



#3 Maroon 5 - Through with You

This is by far my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE angry break-up song. I used to take many a drive in Flagstaff and just speed through highways singing this. Really taps into your dark, angry side. Songs About Jane will always be at the top of my favorite album list.

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #3

Song from your Favorite Movie: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal - Surrey with a Fringe on Top



I have a LOT of favorite movies. But this one has always stuck with me (in fact, i may go watch it right now...). I thought rather than get all moody on you with some indie film (like... Ryan Gosling singing in Blue Valentine (sha-wing!) - I'd go goofy and post this. :)

30-Day Song Selection Spectacular Day #2

Favorite Love Song: Zero 7 - Somersault

This one was easy, because I met the person it described right when it came out. Not a year later, we were spread out on his floor under christmas lights listening to this and I got to fully absorb it. Just listen to the lyrics...

30-Day Song Song Selection Spectacular Day #1

A friend of mine turned me onto this, and I thot, hey - sounds fun. So... stay tuned over the next thirty days for music, music, music (Read like... "Sunday SUNDAY SUNDAY!") This is meant for facebook, me thinks, but I figured I could use this to expand/share some other videos that definitely are included, because if you're anything like Rob Gordon, you can't ever pick just one. I"ll try to list these ratings wise top to bottom. Oh Yeah, categories are as follows:

1. Favorite cover version of a non-obscure song.
2. Favorite love song.
3. A song from your favorite movie.
4. Favorite breakup song.
5. A song you hear when you're shopping.
6. A song you can't listen to just once.
7. A song that breaks your heart with the first few notes.
8. A song that made you pull your car over (or otherwise completely halt whatever it was you were doing) the first time you heard it.
9. A song that you first heard live, that you became instantly obsessed with.
10. A song which makes you think, if temporarily, that you love everybody! (think: uplifting anthem).
11. A song which seems incredibly deep no matter how many times you hear it.
12. A song you love but can't bring yourself to listen to. (You fill in the reason.)
13. A song you put on everyone's mix tape.
14. Favorite duet/collaboration between two artists you love (or maybe you only love one of them).
15. A song you love from a genre/artist you usually dislike.
16. Biggest musical misstep by an artist you usually adore.
17. A song you like recorded by an artist who was under 18 at the time of  recording.
18. A song from the first album you ever bought with your own money (extra credit if you rode a spider bike to Woolworth's to make the purchase) or first 45 if you're old enough to know what that is.
19. First song you ever illegally downloaded.
20. A song that you clean house to.
21. A song by an artist that you used to love, but now are at least a little ashamed of (because either you or they changed).
22. A song that infuriates you.
23. Last song that got stuck in your head.
24. A song your parents would play during parties.
25. A song you love to sing in the shower.
26. A song by the first band you saw in concert.
27. Favorite oldie (a song you grew up thinking of as an oldie).
28. A song with chord changes that really thrill you.
29. Your favorite vocal performance.
30. Song from the album you played over and over and over in high school.

Day #1: Favorite Cover Version of a Non-Obscure Song.
#1 - Howie Day covering Toto - Africa...mostly because I've seen this live a few times and was always entranced by his looping skills. Also, since Howie doesn't exactly fit into any other category in the list for me, he needed to be included somewhere because I was mad-obsessed for about two solid years in my twenties...



#2 - Lissie covering Hank William's - Wedding Bells... This was on repeat when I was getting over not one, but two men (no, i'm not a two-timer, I just didn't address the issues until all at once. Pretty typical, really). I think if I were still broken hearted and crying on my long walks, this would have made number one, but... girl is happy these days.




#3 Maroon 5 covering NIN's Closer... I saw Maroon 5 open for Guster about a year before they hit big in Tucson, AZ in 2002 and when they played this, they had my heart.




#4 - Matt Nathanson covering Lyle Lovett's - If I had a Boat... just precious. i adore this man. and lyle lovett ain't too shabby, either. :)