both sides now
About this time last year, my dear friend Lucas gave me a miraculous thing: a two-disc collection of his favorite songs of 2004. There were 10 or 11 songs included that I loved: Snow Patrol, Kaskade, Tegan and Sara. Great gift from a great guy.
This year I'm following the landslide myself and making a greatest hits disc of 2005 of my own. And, guess what? It's damn hard.
First there's the consideration of what songs were actually the best, as opposed to just the ones I listened to most. (Yes, those lists are not always the same.) And then there's the issue that arises when a song wasn't technically from '05: Many, many of my favorite tracks of the year were actually older. (Both Arcade Fire and Neko Case show up often in my most played list in iTunes, though they had nothing new in '05.)
In the end, I decided to just go with what felt right, focusing mainly on what new(er) songs made me happy this past year.
Here's my list so far, in no particular order.
1. Casimir Pulaski Day — Sufjan Stevens
Selecting just one track from his amazing record was nigh impossible. This one nearly made me cry when I realized what it was about.
2. Winter In the Hamptons — Josh Rouse
Despite the name, this track makes me think of late summer in the city.
3. I've Got a Life — Eurythmics
Not one of Annie's best ever, but I'm so happy for something new from her and Dave.
4. I Wasn't Kidding — Angie Stone
Me neither, girl.
5. Me Plus One — Annie
Big bubblegum for Big Fags. I love it.
6.Both Sides Now — Dolly Parton
So, somehow I never knew the original. But once I heard Dolly do it, I downloaded the Judy Collins track and listened to it EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT MONTH. It's life's illusions I recall: I really don't know life, at all.
7. We Will Become Silhouettes — The Shins
Makes me think of Wings. In a good way.
8. Lotion — Greenskeepers
Actually from 2004. It's so dirty/creepy/wrong. Thanks, Heather, for showing me.
9. Ready To Go — Jennifer O'Connor
One of those CDs that I really wanted to like, but just didn't. Great song, though.
10. Gold Digger — Kanye West
Much to the BF's chagrin, his sister and I bonded over our love of Jamie Foxx.
11. Daft Punk Is Playing At My House — LCD Soundsystem
Secretly, I like the song "Yeah" better. But it's way too long for the disc.
12. Feeling Good — Michael Buble
I've written here before about this amazing cover.
13. Feel Good Inc. — Gorillaz
One of those tracks that I liked OK, then forgot, then rediscovered, then became obsessed with.
14. It Got All Black — Shivaree
See Jennifer O'Connor.
15. The River — Missy Higgins
I wrote about Missy for David magazine, and listening to this one gives me chills even now.
16. I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up for Christmas — Aimee Mann
Me too, girl.
17. Hummingbird — Wilco
Actually a couple of years old, I think, but new to me.
Honorable mentions:
Doorbell — The White Stripes
A little too Lynyrd Skynyrd for repeat listening, but it still makes me grin.
Johnny Met June — Shelby Lynne
I also loved "I Won't Die Today" from her latest.
Four Hours in Washington — M. Ward
The highlight of his show in Battery Park over the summer.
Back to Me — Kathleen Edwards
Cute song, cute girl. Rest of the disc was just OK.
Forever Lost — The Magic Numbers
Awesome animated video, not a bad track.
Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole — Martha Wainwright
I went back and forth over whether or not to include this one on the CD. A title like that has a way of making the whole year look bitter.
Lord, Lucas, how ever did you do it? (For the answer, check out his own list of 2005's best CDs.)
This year I'm following the landslide myself and making a greatest hits disc of 2005 of my own. And, guess what? It's damn hard.
First there's the consideration of what songs were actually the best, as opposed to just the ones I listened to most. (Yes, those lists are not always the same.) And then there's the issue that arises when a song wasn't technically from '05: Many, many of my favorite tracks of the year were actually older. (Both Arcade Fire and Neko Case show up often in my most played list in iTunes, though they had nothing new in '05.)
In the end, I decided to just go with what felt right, focusing mainly on what new(er) songs made me happy this past year.
Here's my list so far, in no particular order.
1. Casimir Pulaski Day — Sufjan StevensSelecting just one track from his amazing record was nigh impossible. This one nearly made me cry when I realized what it was about.
2. Winter In the Hamptons — Josh Rouse
Despite the name, this track makes me think of late summer in the city.
3. I've Got a Life — Eurythmics
Not one of Annie's best ever, but I'm so happy for something new from her and Dave.
4. I Wasn't Kidding — Angie Stone
Me neither, girl.
5. Me Plus One — Annie
Big bubblegum for Big Fags. I love it.
6.Both Sides Now — Dolly Parton
So, somehow I never knew the original. But once I heard Dolly do it, I downloaded the Judy Collins track and listened to it EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT MONTH. It's life's illusions I recall: I really don't know life, at all.
7. We Will Become Silhouettes — The Shins
Makes me think of Wings. In a good way.
8. Lotion — Greenskeepers
Actually from 2004. It's so dirty/creepy/wrong. Thanks, Heather, for showing me.
9. Ready To Go — Jennifer O'Connor
One of those CDs that I really wanted to like, but just didn't. Great song, though.
10. Gold Digger — Kanye West
Much to the BF's chagrin, his sister and I bonded over our love of Jamie Foxx.
11. Daft Punk Is Playing At My House — LCD Soundsystem
Secretly, I like the song "Yeah" better. But it's way too long for the disc.
12. Feeling Good — Michael Buble
I've written here before about this amazing cover.
13. Feel Good Inc. — Gorillaz
One of those tracks that I liked OK, then forgot, then rediscovered, then became obsessed with.
14. It Got All Black — Shivaree
See Jennifer O'Connor.
15. The River — Missy Higgins
I wrote about Missy for David magazine, and listening to this one gives me chills even now.
16. I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up for Christmas — Aimee Mann
Me too, girl.
17. Hummingbird — Wilco
Actually a couple of years old, I think, but new to me.
Honorable mentions:
Doorbell — The White Stripes
A little too Lynyrd Skynyrd for repeat listening, but it still makes me grin.
Johnny Met June — Shelby Lynne
I also loved "I Won't Die Today" from her latest.
Four Hours in Washington — M. Ward
The highlight of his show in Battery Park over the summer.
Back to Me — Kathleen Edwards
Cute song, cute girl. Rest of the disc was just OK.
Forever Lost — The Magic Numbers
Awesome animated video, not a bad track.
Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole — Martha Wainwright
I went back and forth over whether or not to include this one on the CD. A title like that has a way of making the whole year look bitter.
Lord, Lucas, how ever did you do it? (For the answer, check out his own list of 2005's best CDs.)
2 Comments:
I'm highly disappointed Mr. Butler. No Ringside? Natasha Bedingfield? Garbage?
Just kidding. What's your e-mail addy again? I've got some stuff that just came out of the lab I want you to test drive.
Happy New Year,
Arman
Psst... "Both Sides Now" was originally a Joni Mitchell song before it was a Judy Collins song! (Well Joni wrote it...) Anyway, good mix. I'd listen to it gladly.
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