This is the list of the CD Collection I made for Abby. There were more I meant to add, but that just gives me a good excuse to write more later.
"The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage" (Panic at the Disco)
I love Panic at the Disco. Pure and simple. And when they make a movie of my life, this is going to be the opening song, especially since the song opens with "I'm the narrator and this is just the prologue". An excellent wake-up song.
"Donna" (Drew Sarich, "Hair")
There should be no playlist that doesn't involve Drew Sarich singing Donna. End of story.
Angry Break-Up Music
"I Write Sins Not Tragedies" (Panic at the Disco)
This is perhaps one of the snarkiest songs ever, on several levels. And it's always nice to trash the groom's bride. And pretend she's....whoever you need her to be.
"A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More "Touch Me"" (Fall Out Boy)
First off, the video for this song is ridiculous and absurd and involves vampires. Second, it's on the top of my list of "songs to play absurdly loudly while driving up and down the highway". Though, by and large, if Fall Out Boy performed the song, it made that list.
"Hum Hallelujah" (Fall Out Boy)
The parody of "Hallelujah" on this gets me everytime. For some reason, my iPod downloaded this song twice, so whenever I play this album, I hear this song back to back. And I listen to it all the way through each time. Which either says its an adorably cynical song, or I'm too lazy to change the track.
"Grand Theft Autumn" (Fall Out Boy)
The first best song Fall Out Boy every did. I don't know what else to say. I just love it.
"But It's Better If You Do" (Panic at the Disco)
Again, this video for this song is as good, if not better than the song itself. Also, the line in the refrain of "I may have faked it and I wouldn't be caught dead in this place" makes it one of the most fulfilling songs a break-up can have.
"I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth" (Fall Out Boy)
Far and away one of my top five favorite songs ever. That I would allow to be on my one cd when I am left on a desert island. Because I am secretly an angsty teenage boy. Every story in my head has a scene where this is played. One of those songs that reminds you that someone else has been through it. And that if you turn up the volume enough, it will be ok.
"XO" (Fall Out Boy)
A song about a random hook-up. That involves the phrase "loose lips sink ships". What more do you need?
The Driving List
"Joyride" (International Victim)
Drew Sarich said he grew up listening to the Beach Boys, and you can hear it in this. I thought you'd like it, especially as it says "I'll be your partner in crime".
"Lux" (International Victim)
They might not be the next Greatest Band on Earth, but I think this song is worryingly enjoyable. And it's also a song about the guy who got left behind. Which I can relate to, all too well.
"Billy Liar" (The Decemberists)
The Decemberists are ridiculous. And they have these songs that are whole stories and fables and nonsense verses all rolled into one. And this one is terribly hummable, involves mail room clerks, geishas, mermaids and sea-faring adventures. And I think the refrain is one of those silly-yet-hopelessly-romantic little tugs on your heart moments that make a song a Song.
"(Coffee's for Closers)" (Fall Out Boy)
Written about the Obama election, which I thought was appropriate. Also, it has the really loud thumps of the clap they do at baseball games. You can't not be awake and chipper with this song.
"Feel Good Song of the Year" (Big Top Vertigo)
Listen close. You can hear a Boston accent (the guys in this were at Berkeley when they made this album, then split up, broke my heart and I've never been the same). I like the really sarcastic "I'm going to write the song you want to hear and then mock you mercilessly in it" aspect of it. And it's well done, too. This whole album, as a matter of fact, is near perfect.
"Lay All Your Love on Me" (ABBA)
It's Abba. There is nothing more that needs be said.
"Culling of the Fold" (The Decemberists)
This was kind of a remnant from the "nasty break-up" section. But it's kind of like a smoky nightclub-esque song of revenge.
"Snow" (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Confession time: I listen to this song every time I read one of my Pendergast novels. So this song, to me, is Lizardmen in the New York Subways and alligators in a Louisiana bayou and all sorts of mayhem. My mother also recommended it to me, which I think is adorable. So now I'm passing it on.
The "Remember Your Roots" Interlude
"Massachusetts Mile" (Zach Berkman)
I have no clue what the difference between a Massachusetts Mile and a mile anywhere else is, but the song is really sweet. Especially when you consider that Zach Berkman is from New York. It just feels like fall and crisp leaves and those days when you just start to need a jacket outside.
"Dirty Water" (The Standells)
I cry every time I hear this song. Which explains why "Tessie" isn't on this cd--I bawl. It's really embarrassing. Apparently, it was Kevin Millar who started this song playing at Fenway. It also mentions the Strangler, which I think is nifty. But then again, I would.
"Heaven On Their Minds" (Drew Sarich)
I'm not sure why this in this place on the list, but enjoy it.
Warm and Fuzzy Section
"Outside" (Zach Berkman)
I listened to this song walking around Greenwich Park every weekend and I can't hear it without being incredibly happy. So listen to it in a place where you are really happy and I hope it has the same effect on you.
"Unknown Song" (Drew Sarich)
So named because I genuinely have no idea what it's called. Drew performed it at a club in Vienna and, as you can hear, the person recording it missed the first few seconds. It's a really good song for days when the world is too big. Also, there is a line about "ask back in Kansas", in his midwest accent, and I adore it.
"Smoke in Air" (Zack Berkman)
I hear this, and it's Spingtime in London at 1:30 in the morning. It's easy and breezy and jazzy and really clever. And is a bit like my life sometimes.
"Stumble" (Zach Berkman)
I had to edit this song since it went into a hidden track that isn't that great. But this song is catchy and makes me think that I have Experienced Things and have Tales to Tell. And it makes me dance in line at the grocery store. Which is really fun.
"South" (Drew Sarich)
Ok, seriously, the more I listen to this song, the more I'm convinced that it is just one enormous innuendo. I'm terrible at these things, so I'm still not sure. And even if it is, I love it way too much to care. It sounds...sultry. Yeah. Sultry.
"Comet" (Drew Sarich)
This was the song he wrote when everyone was telling him to come home from Europe and be responsible. It's a song for wanderers and explorers and people who want to live their life. It's like a musical hug.
"To the Prairie Light" (Zack Berkman)
I was writing a story with a character named Tabitha, so this song stuck with me. The more I listened to it, though, the more I just fell in love with it. It's another one of those songs that makes you feel better about needing to do the stuff that might not be Wise and Sensible. I have a huge thing for wistful songs, if you can't tell. I think the next CD I make is going to be "Bridget's Wistful List"...
Friendship Songs
"Storms of Change" (Big Top Vertigo)
If you need a survival song, look no further. I can't hear this song without feeling a little better and a little more defiant. I also can't listen to it without wanting to act like Mary Tyler Moore and throw my hat up in the air and dance a little. Enjoy.
"Down to Earth" (Barenaked Ladies)
Again, this might be good for the break-up list, but it is also a great "I'm great" song. And the Barenaked Ladies are super at biting sarcasm.
"Bank Job"
"How do you plan for a bank full of nuns?" My mother and I listen to this song on every driving trip and sing it very loudly. I think the line "They were like zebras, they had us confused" is priceless. Just listen, and think of some of our more...colorful exploits.
"All for You" (Sister Hazel)
I love this song. It's the closing credits of a phenomenal adventure. Best of all, it's a song about loving someone. Not why, or why not. Just that they are awesome.
"I Have Friends in Holy Spaces" (Panic at the Disco)
Since these next three songs all blend into each other, I put them in order here. The 1920's jazz club awesomeness of this song not withstanding, I love asking the sun to come out and sing with me. My car dances to this song.
"Northern Downpour" (Panic at the Disco)
Again, these dudes may not be the Greatest Band Ever, but there are lines here and there that take my breath away. "I missed your skin when you were east" is one of them. There are a few more winners in this song, but that line makes me swoon every time.
"When the Day Met the Night" (Panic at the Disco)
A charming little love affair song. "So he said, would it be ok, if we just sat and talked for a little while, if in exchange for your time, I gave you this smile." Awww....
"Oh Babe, What Would You Say?" (Hurricane Smith)
Another charmer. I just imagine some guy in a suit and cravat coming along and sweeping me away. And it's from the Fever Pitch soundtrack, so he's a Red Sox fan and has season tickets.
"Red Right Ankle" (The Decemberists)
Another of my top five favorite songs ever ever ever. I listened to this while reading Oscar and Lucinda (Peter Carey, bestest book ever), and I always associate the two in my head. But there is something haunting and lovely and inevitable and romantic about it. I love it. Too much to explain.
"I'm Sticking With You" (The Decemberists)
This is just about the silliest song on earth, but it makes me laugh. And it is a good Abby and Bridget song. Because we would hold up stagecoaches in the rain, among other things...
"Boston" (Big Top Vertigo)
My favorite Boston song ever. Cry nearly every time I hear it, but in the good way. Don't want to spoil it with too much more talk. But if you're from here, you'll get it.
Wow. That was a lot of words.....
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