When I was about nine years old the boy who lived next door to me, Ben Askew, rang my house pretending to work for a comic I read. He told me I had won a BMX bike in a competition and that it would be delivered to my house the next day.
I told my parents and they expressed their doubts. Why would they be ringing on a Saturday? And who would they find to deliver a bike on a Sunday? But I didn’t listen. I had faith. I told all my friends I was going to get a brand new bike and I waited in all day Sunday for it. At 6pm it still hadn’t come, and then Ben rang the house and said it had all been a joke.
I think that was the most disappointed I have ever felt in my entire life.
I didn’t win the iPod. But that doesn’t really matter. Coke appear to have an additional promotion on where you automatically win a iTune track as well as getting your regular entry. So now I have 46 free songs. And I have an idea about how to use them
I want to create the ultimate All That Comes With It Soundtrack. I would like everyone who reads this blog to suggest one or two songs and then I shall put them all together to form a marvelous mixture of musical masterpieces. It doesn’t matter if it’s well known or obscure. It doesn’t matter if you think I’ll like it or if you think I’ll hate it. All that matters is that you like it. When I have all 46 tracks I’m going to make them into a podcast, because I’ve always known that I was born to be an inane radio DJ.
I want everyone participating here. Both the regular commenters and the lurkers. Go on, you know you really want to.
And Ben Askew. Yes you, the Ben Askew who owns Ben Askew Caravans, Lincolnshire. You owe me a BMX you bastard.
If you fancy something sweet…ish -
Call and Answer by BareNaked Ladies,
Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung,
She Talks To Angels by The Black Crowes
or Easy Tonight by Five For Fighting…
…
It’s going to be that kind of Saturday!
(Oh, first time reader… but I think I’ll be staying…)
These are three songs that I absolutely love.
“A Simple How Are You” by The Bigger Lovers
“Let’s Have A Baby” by Candy Butchers
“There She Goes” by The La’s
My humble recommendations:
Shiver - Natalie Imbruglia (then again, she could sing the Barney theme song and it wouldn’t matter!)
Layla - Eric Clapton (since it appears you are missing some classic rock from the list so far….AND it is the best song ever!)
Non Ti Scordar Di Me - Lucianno Pavarotti (I am a sucker for Italian love songs and for my favorite fat guy. Plus, I can’t imagine that anyone else in the world would like it)
Hurt - Johnny Cash (makes me want to launch myself out the window)
Centerfold - J Geils Band (sorry, guilty pleasure and reminds of my raging hormones in middle school)
More than A Feeling - Boston (more classic rock. Boston!)
Weekend in New England - Barry Manilow (you are allowed to puke now, but I am a closet “fanilow” Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!)
Today Has Been OK - Emiliana Torrini (cute)
Dust in the Wind - Sarah Brightman (I know she looks like the ubiquitous deer in the headlights, but I love this version)
Wuthering Heights - BOTH Kate Bush and Hayley Westenra (How can you go wrong with crazy Kathy!)
The Look of Love - Diana Krall (I stumble when I hear her sing)
Trouble - Ray LaMontagne (you can chew on Ray’s voice)
Should I stop now? Sorry, got carried away.
Have fun…GREAT IDEA! You are certainly a winner to all your readers!
Breakout - Swing Out Sister
Paper Sun - Traffic
Have I told you lately - Van Morrison
Macarana for Amy - or have I just blown my choices?
Ben Folds Five - Battle of Who Could Care Less
(catchy and clever)
Stevie Wonder - I Wish
(a classic)
Las Ketchup - The Ketchup Song
(you can dance to it)
Baby Got Back - because it’s a masterpiece and it suits you, and,
Hummer - because it’s my favourite track ever
Forgot to say, only the original of Baby Got Back, 1992 Sir Mix-a-lot.
Oh and Hummer is on Siamese Dream, Smashing Pumpkins.
Sorry, I’m hung over.
Jolly good, that’s six tracks purchased. Keep em coming. If less than 46 people respond (which is highly likely) then I’ll select more than one track from some people.
Lullaby - The Cure
Wonderful - Adam Ant
Soft Things - Devo
Switchblade - Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers
It’s the first song I bought on I-tunes. My crazy ex-drug-addict friend put in on a mix for me. It is now my gift to you.
One for My Baby, and One More for the Road-Frank Sinatra.
I know it’s nerdy but what the hell.
How about The Lonely Goatherd? Just kidding.
I like Dan Leone’s choices…except for Manilow.
How about some Jimmy Buffett? Last Mango in Paris? I like A Pirate Looks at 40 too, but I’d rather suggest something more upbeat.
Good luck getting the BMX. I had a bike stolen as a kid…that was traumatic too.
Torture me by the Chilli Peppers. Not particularly relevent or in keeping, but I have been playing it on repeat in my car this week and imagining I am rocking out on stage when the guitar solo comes on…people in other cars think I am strange.
You’ll find that you’ve misspelt “inferior” there Sam. It’s I,N,F,E,R,I,O,R not B,E,T,T,E,R.
Just thought I’d clear that up. Oh, and the people in the other cars are right. You are strange.
Non Je Ne Regrette Rien - Edith Piaf
Every Day Is Like Sunday - Morissey
Somethings Gotten Hold Of My Heart - the Marc Almond solo version
God Bless - Combichrist
The Munster Theme Tune
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
Black Cherry - Goldfrapp
Its The End of The World - REM
Every Time We Say Goodbye - preferably Ella Fitzgerald’s version.
Theme Tune to Grange Hill
Just suggestions of course…..
The Ship Song by Nic Cave and the Badseeds - it’s just brilliant - probably my favourite followed by Paranoid Android - Radiohead.
Great idea!
While “Hurt” is some good Johnny, there is better…
“Sunday Morning Coming Down” or “Jackson” come to mind…maybe not great for the family themed blog..
More appropriate:
“Tennessee Stud” (I like the Cash version)
“Teach Your Children Well” (CSN)
“I’m Gonna Live Forever” (Cash or anyone really)
“Where is Maria” (Greg Brown)
“Hey Baby Hey” (Greg Brown)
Actually, one of the last two is my recommendation.
Fantastic. I’ve picked one song from everyone who’s suggested one, and so far it’s sounding wonderfully eclectic - just what I wanted.
There’s 15 songs in the playlist, but I have another 31 credits staring at me from my iTunes toolbar. We’re a third of the way there.
Go on, leave a comment if you haven’t already. I’ll be your best friend if you do.
I am delurking for this….
Collective Soul - Under Heaven’s Skies
(the accoustic version is great too)
Crikey, I’ll be back with some songs- just wanted to reserve my spot in the mix.
Whew, that was a close one. Okay, here are a few quick picks. Yes, I’m a big softie.
Mason Jennings- Ballad for My One True Love (this song should be played for every pregnant woman by the bloke that loves her)
Tom Waits- Please Call Me, Baby
Badly Drawn Boy- Something to Talk About
Cold War Kids- Hang Me Up to Dry
Nick Drake- Pink Moon
Josh Ritter- Good Man
The Beatles- Sexy Sadie
Joseph Arthur- Honey and the Moon
Belle and Sebastion- If She Wants Me
Sorry to be a P.I.T.A. but if I get a second song, then may I suggest:
All I Really Wanna Do by Bob Dylan
‘Tis the blogging song!
I’m a big fan of Maximo Park at the moment (and I recently discovered that I went to school with the keyboard player). My favourite track from their new album is “Books from Boxes”.
Also, I caught The Decemberists on the radio last year, and I really like “16 Military Wives”. Reminds me a little of They Might Be Giants’ “Birdhouse in Your Soul”.
That’s my three.
46 Queen songs? Heh, I kid.
First thing that comes to mind is “Cold Water” by Tom Waits. That song always brings a smile to my face and makes me sway back and forth in a slightly drunken manner. It’s a problem to listen to at work. Then there’s “Book of the Month” by Lovage on their brilliant “Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By” album. I can barely even describe it, the whole album’s fantastic and weird.
When I was in high school, I once called a girl I liked while she was at work at the mall telling her she’d won a scholarship. I didn’t win many points when I clued her in it was a joke, but it was worth it.
“What an Atmosphere” - Russ Abbott
I don’t see any Elvis Costello in these comments. But since he’s only written 2 or 3 songs it shouldn’t be hard to pick one. NOT!
I don’t really care which one - pick one of your favorites. If you don’t have one, how about…. (I don’t want to go to) Chelsea. I always feel like dancing when I hear that one. On the mushier side, you can’t go wrong with Allison.
Bridge over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
Annie’s Song - John Denver
Crazy - Willie Nelson version
The piece of music from the trip to Prague dvd - Red Hot Chilli Peppers?
Hey Jude - Beatles
Island Girl - Hang on… what was your first song? The big bottom one (of which you said “it suits you”) or the Hummer one?
I am very easily confused.
Um, for my songs, the order is from best to worst:
1. Hummer
2. All I Really Wanna Do
3. Luscious Bottom Song
But you can pick any of those that you like!
Sorry for the confusion. Even the simplest of structured tasks is difficult for me.
Sandip - I realize your suggestion was made in jest, but I tried to buy “What an Atmosphere†by Russ Abbott but itunes don’t have it.
After a bit of investigation I discovered that Russ has actually bought the rights to the record and refuses to have it sold or played on the radio as he feels that it is too crap. That’s not a joke, it’s true.
Any other requests?
Mine would be the first song I downloaded when I found out you could do these things - Solace of You by Living Color. Although you probably could have worked it out as it’s my ring tone.
I noticed no Leonard Cohen - so I’ll through Tower of Song and Everybody Knows in the mix too!
Too many to think of.
But you do need something by the Arcade Fire. Maybe “Keep The Car Running” off “Neon Bible”. Or The National’s “Secret Meeting” (actually, the whole of the last two The National albums).
Joanna Newsom - just pick the longest track off her last album.
Skame about the Abbott situation. I’ll see if I can get it.
In all seriousness though, here are a few tracks I love:
Guns of Brixton - The Clash
Everybody’s Talkin’ - Harry Nilsson
Only A Dream Away (Theme From Time Bandits) - George Harrison -
King Of Rock`N`Roll - Prefab Sprout
Disco Inferno - The Trammps
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence - Ryuichi Sakamoto
Somewhere in my Heart - Aztec Camera
More Peas - The JB’s & Fred Wesley
Nobody Does It Better - carly Simon
“Hole Hearted” by Extreme - can’t stop myself from singing along at the top of my lungs when I hear it.
“At Last” by Etta James - for sentimental reasons
I’m feeling romantic.
Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder
The Luckiest - Ben Folds
I Will - The Beatles
I’ll second Greg’s recommendation of “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds… Beautiful song!
this is a great idea, dan! songs have been popping in and out of my head for two days now, because i keep thinking, “no wait, what about…” i’m trying to think of those songs i heard for the first time, and flew over to the radio to turn it up. deb’s choice of at last is a goodie! it really pissed me off when they started using it for a cat food commercial! sames thing goes for a cruise line using iggy pop’s lust for life. ugh…
what’s your tally so far?
I See You Baby by Groove Armada
Thunder Road by Springsteen is my ultimate all time favourite ever song for the optimism in the last line: It’s a town full of losers and I’m pulling out of here to win.
Also, Eric Clapton: Layla.
For obvious reasons.
There are 28 songs on the playlist so far - I’m going to start randomly choosing some people to get a second choice included pretty soon as I think that’s probably going to be it. That won’t be tonight though - possibly tomorrow.
So you still have an opportunity to suggest something if you want to Bon Bon, or anyone else for that matter.
I’m looking forward to putting them all together. I’ve had the playlist on pretty constant shuffle since I started this thing, and I have to say it’s looking pretty good.
alright, take your pick from these——
Look For Me–Neko Case
Timebomb–Old 97’s
O Death–Ralph Stanley
Jesus Walks–Kanye West
Chocolate Jesus–Tom Waits
(those last two are my only form of religion)
Crazy–Patsy Cline
I’m So Lomesome I Could Cry–Hank Williams
Arlene–the Handsome Family
Beyond The Sea–Django Reinhardt
Fell In Love With a Girl–The White Stripes
Flathead–The Fratellis
…but if you decide to only go with one, please pick
Smells Like Teen Spirit–Nirvana
i know that one is well known compared to most of mine but at the time, it hit me like a ton of bricks! never before had i wanted to stay young forever, because when i’m old and frail, i’ll be a pretty pathetic sight rocking out to nirvana.
this has been painful for me having to cut from a much longer list! i’m curious to hear what you’re including, dan…
oops! sorry about the jibberish! i added an em dash…you can just clean those up…
:o)
How about a Tori Amos song…hmmm…I sort of like Happy Phantom as an unknown song but also love Silent All These Years for something that’s a bit more commercial sounding.
And I’ve been listening to a lot of kiddie music as well - what about something from the They Might Be Giants album, No! Maybe Four of Two? Or the House At The Top Of The Tree?
And what about a song from the Curious George album….maybe Upside Down…gotta love Jack Johnson.
Hey, I’ve been listening nonstop to your CD while I’m here in Seattle! LOVING IT! Maybe I’ll write up a review in a couple of days.
Hey, I’m bumping up a song to my #2 slot. Please file this in the, why should you care file.
La Mar (the ocean) by The Beautiful Girls
and while I’m here, how about Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
I know I’ve far surpassed the limit, but at least listen to a clip of them, all good stuff!
Wow, I only need two more comments for this post to reach the fifty comments mark.
Not that I care about such things of course.
ahem.
I’ll just have to help out then! In case I’m not too late…
Where Do I Begin - Chemical Brother’s.
No one Know’s - Queens of the Stone Age.
Emerge - Fischerspooner.
3 Kilos - The Prodigy.
Moving - Supergrass.
Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins.
Sorry, if I wasn’t clear. The Mason Jennings was my first choice, but only because it has a sentimental thing for me. When Tricia was pregnant with Thing 1 that was her theme song, and we went and saw Jennings play at a smoky little bar in Seattle when she was at 8 months. We sat in the very back with another very pregnant woman, there for the same reason.
I do love the Josh Ritter song though. It’s your show, man, you pick out of those gems.