Some songs Paige might love!

Happy Valentine's Day Paige! This year I thought I'd try something different by creating a playlist of songs that I thought you might like - or even love. There's a bit of range in here, so let's start listening!

Dog Days Are Over, Florence + The Machine

Let's get started with something a bit bold with some positive energy that I hope you'll like. Florence + The Machine make big, sweeping, emotional anthem indie rock music. "Dog Days Are Over" is off their debut album in 2009. Florence + The Machine are known for putting on spectacular live shows. Following the performance of "Dog Days Are Over" on the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, the track sold 96,000 digital downloads which signified a 257% increase over the previous week and leaped to number 21 giving Florence her first top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. So much energy in this song - and I love the little false ending that unleashes the big, triumphant conclusion.

Care, beabadoobee

Here's a fairly new song that I've come across on Spotify. beabadoobee is the "coffee for your head" singer. But I promise, this song is way better. She released the coffee song in 2017. And she also released a song called "I wish I was Stephen Malkmus" which I think is pretty cool - cuz Stephen Malkmus was an indie-rock guy from the 90s who I particularly like. Anyway, "Care" was released in 2020 and as she says “This song has end-of-a-90s movie vibes, like you’re driving down a highway." It does have kind of a 90s feel - which is something I'm noticing in a lot of new artists lately (and which I love, of course!) She goes on to say "It is pretty much me being angry at society, or people around me who I just don’t think know me and don’t care. I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I just want you to understand what I’ve been through."

Everyone Blooms, The Front Bottoms

This song came out over last summer, and it just kinda stuck with me. It's deceptively simple, but it builds and shifts along the way. And it's just a wonderfully positive message - and by the time we get to the end and we're singing the chorus over and over the energy is just awesome!

Cannibal, Tally Hall

I came across this song while listening to Beach Bunny radio (told you I was obsessed). It's a really great twist on a love song. And I found out these guys are from Ann Arbor which makes them even cooler. Apparently they wear color coordinated neckties - which feels a bit Wiggles-like. But I'll cut them some slack cuz this song has the great feel of classic power pop, which I love.

Short Skirt / Long Jacket, Cake

Of course we have to include this one! Like you, I love this song. Such a cool and somewhat unusual song. The singer sort of sing-talks over a cool, groovy beat, that's complemented by interesting percussion and some great trumpet playing. The song was released in 2000 and was a pretty big hit for these guys. I've always felt the lyrics were sort of this guy recognizing a really strong, powerful woman and admiring her from afar. He never really gets up the courage to talk to her or connect with her, he just sort of appreciates her, and clearly pines for her. It's a fun listen.

MMMBob, Hanson

Why have I included this little bit of bubblegum pop you may ask? Well, it was the number one song in the country the week you were born, so it's notable for that! Hanson were three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma and this was their debut, and arguably biggest hit. There's a Wikipedia post where the singer tries to explain what the song is all about. But I'm not buying. It's just a simple pop song, like so many before it. And there's nothing wrong with that, not every song has to be deep to be good. Or successful - MMMBop was #1 in 12 different countries and nominated for two Grammys.

Good Girls Don't Get Used, Beach Bunny

And now from sugary popsters to alt-punk feminists. I'll admit I'm kind of obsessed with this band at the moment and a lot of the remaining songs on this list are because of that. This EP came out in January and in the four songs, singer Lili Trifilio sings of how society views girls/women, and she's not really up for that. Hence this particular song. I also love the cover art. Another band with a bit of a 90s alt rock feel, but so much musicality. I also particularly like how most of their songs don't end the way they start. Little touches like that really show the time and attention that went into writing the song. Yes, I'm a fan.

Tom Boy, Bettie Serveert

So in some ways, Bettie Serveert are the godmothers to Beach Bunny. A bit grungier sound (it was the 90s) but similarities in tone, content and a style that was all their own. The band's name translates to "Bettie Serves" which has a little subtext all it's own. This was a big hit on alt radio in the day, from their debut album Palomine, which I highly recommend. A look at the lyrics and you can see the connection to Beach Bunny - "They call me a tom boy and I love it. 'Cause only a tom boy could stand above it. By simply changing"

Shooting Stars, Bag Raiders

Honestly I don't know how I discovered this song. But I really love it. The band, a duo from Australia, released the song in 2008, but it's stuck around for quite some time. In 2017 it became part of a pretty big internet meme of people falling through space. Lady Gaga even incorporated the song and the meme into her 2017 Super Bowl performance. Pretty cool. I think it's just a great song, that starts out with a nice simple refrain that builds and builds over time, then shifts into a big, beautiful sing-along chorus.

Future Me Hates Me, The Beths

Believe it or not, I discovered this song by The Beths before I became with Beach Bunny. Crazy right? Anyway, another band with a bit of a 90s vibe and some really incredible songwriting. The premise of the lyrics is really cool as the singer looks into her future, knowing that she's about to let love lead her to some poor choices. And the song just has a great structure, beautiful melody, wonderful harmonies, great bridge! The Beths hail from New Zealand, and have a number of great songs - check 'em out.

Let Go, RAC, Kele, MNDR

Another song that I'm not entirely sure where I found it. But one I think you'll like. It's got some connections to 80s synth pop, but with a more modern beat. The song came out in 2013, from an artist who goes by RAC. He's sort of a producer/DJ/songwriter who does a lot of remixes. This song features a couple of other artists. Kele Okereke, is an English dude from a really cool post-alt rock band called Bloc Party, and MNDR, a woman named Amanda Warner who's another producer/DJ/singer/songwriter. In the song, the narrator is offering support and trying to convince a loved one to open up and change their behavior. Kele sings the verses sweetly and MNDR brings some bigness to the chorus. I just love it.

Circles, Post Malone

Ok, I know I've been kinda hard on Post Malone, what with all the face tattoos and all. But, he won me over when he did the Nirvana tribute concert on YouTube, and then I came across this song which I really enjoy. It just has a vibe to it that's undeniable. It is one of those songs that never really changes (the chord structure is exactly the same throughout) but he changes up the arrangement and melody enough to keep it interesting. "Circles" became the first song to spend 30 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 radio airplay chart, where it also ranked at number one for 10 weeks, becoming the first single by a solo male artist to achieve double-digit frames at number one on that chart. The song spent 61 weeks on the chart before leaving in November 2020. And it's got a trippy music video where he plays a knight on a mission. Pretty impressive.

Level of Concern, Twenty One Pilots

This was apparently the #1 alternative song of 2020 - and I'll admit I'd never heard it before. But I like it. I'm not sure what happened to these guys - seems like 3 or 4 years ago they were everywhere but I've sort of lost track of them. But hey, they seem to be doing OK. This song sold 500,000 copies which is no small feat. A portion of the song's proceeds are being donated to the charity Crew Nation, a global relief fund made by Live Nation for touring and venue personnel made redundant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is cool.

Disolve, Absofacto

This is a song I'd heard before I looked it up. It was the #3 alternative song of 2020 (which is weird cuz it looks like the song was released in 2017). Turns out, Absofacto is a solo project by musician Jonathan Visger, a member of Michigan-based indie rock band Mason Proper (so now I gotta look those guys up!). Seems like it's been a hit on TikTok - but a few folks kinda got creepy with it so Visger went out and asked his fans on TikTok to take the song back, which thankfully they did.

King of All the World, Old 97s

Old 97s are an alt-country band out of Dallas. Apparently alt-country was a thing in the 90s. Not exactly sure how I came across these guys either - I guess I discover music in lots of ways. But I really like this band and this album in particular which was released in 2001. They sort of blend rock, country, and rockabilly into a fun and endearing style. Doesn't hurt that the singer has a great voice and writes excellent lyrics. 

When The Stars Go Blue, Ryan Adams

Rembember when Blake Lewis sang this on American Idol? Well, the song was written and originally performed by Ryan Adams, another alt-country musician, and probably the biggest and best known in that genre. He's produced a ton of music (much of which I own. for starters, listen to Strangers Almanac which is by the band Whiskeytown which he was in, and Gold which is probably his biggest). Over the years, he's flirted with alt-rock and pop - and even recorded a complete cover of Taylor Swift's album 1989 which isn't half bad. "Where The Stars Go Blue" is a lovely song, with a sort of soft melancholy melody and Ryan's graceful voice arcing over the top. Really great.

Come And Get Your Love, Redbone

An awesome song from the first GoTG movie. Released 1974 it was a pretty big hit getting as high as #4 on the US charts. Redbone was made up of Mexican and Native Americans and was the first Native American band to reach the top five. I love this song - the melody, the singing, the awesome sing-along chorus! I think there may be some drug references in there, but hey, it was the 70s.

Brand, Looking Glass

Another classic from the second GoTG movie. Released in 1972, "Brandy" managed to hit #1 for just one week. Interestingly, Following the song's release in 1972, "Brandy" increased in popularity as a girl's name in the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Brandy was the 353rd most popular name in 1971, 140th in 1972, and, in 1973 (the first full year after the song's popularity), 82nd. Well, not sure that was a wise choice, but it's a great song and one of my karaoke go-tos!

Fever Dream, mxmtoon

OK, let's get back to something current. I'll be honest, I just discovered this song a couple of days ago and really like it. She's a 20-year old singer/songwriter from California who apparently likes to play ukulele. And get this - Her 2018 self-released EP, Plum Blossom, recorded on her laptop in her parents' guest bedroom, has been streamed over 100 million times! Whoa. "Fever Dream" was released last year and she describes it as being about "the leap of faith that's required when you make decisions in your life at different points. you may not always know the outcome, but trusting yourself, allowing yourself the opportunity to take risks, and the chance to face new challenges can be utterly rewarding." Seems pretty cool to me.

In and Out, Blonder

Yet another song that I'm not sure how I discovered. I think it might be on the soundtrack of one of my cycling videos. But no matter, it's a great song. Really great melody, lots of energy and tempo and a fantastic chorus with harmonies - even a little bridge breakdown in the middle. Blonder is actually a project by a Brooklyn musician named Constantine Anastasakis. Released in 2017, Constantine described the song as "the verses were basically about talking to someone you're attracted to for the first time, and the potential that maybe you could fall in love...but it's kind of like a lament that maybe you wouldn't." Deep. Whatever, it's a great song.

Lovely Rita, The Beatles

Gotta have a Beatles song! This album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was huge for me and my earliest memory of falling in love with music. The album jacket had all the lyrics printed on it and I used to sit in front of the stereo listening to this album and following along with the lyrics. This is arguably one of the greatest rock records ever made. And "Lovely Rita" is a great example of how the Beatles were able to blend so many different styles. On the surface it's a pop song, but it's also influenced by British music hall, and has a strong psychedelic influence at the end. According to some sources, "Lovely Rita" originates from when a female traffic warden named Meta Davies issued a parking ticket to McCartney outside Abbey Road Studios. Instead of becoming angry, he accepted it with good grace and expressed his feelings in song. When asked why he had called her "Rita", McCartney replied, "Well, she looked like a Rita to me". Man I love Paul. Enjoy!

Well that's it. Hope you have a great Valentine's Day and hope you find some songs in here that you love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lots of love,

Dad