Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Mix it Up

I love a good mixed tape. There is nothing better than having someone carefully craft a sequence of 15-20 songs just for your listening pleasure.

A friend and I were discussing music and I mentioned that oftentimes lyrics are not what hooks me to a song. It's usually the hook. Pun intended. But I know I have more soul than that so I've compiled a list of some of my favorite soulful songs.
If you know me at all, you know that any musical list I put together will have an unhealthy amount of Mayer on it. But I can't help, especially in this category. In my eyes he is lyricist extraordinaire so it was unavoidable. You’re lucky the whole list is not all of him.
Most of these songs are great for listening to after a break-up and you want to cry your eyes out because they really pinpoint feelings that come out of the situation. There are some feel good songs too. The common thread is they all have soooooouuuulllll….
1. Split Screen Sadness – John Mayer: The second verse is my favorite batch of lyrics EVER. It’s absolute poetry… “It’s only the air you took and the breath you left.”
2. Back to You – John Mayer: My number one favorite song of all time. Particularly, his earlier version on “Inside Wants Out” that is more raw, and I think much better than the over-produced version on “Room for Squares.”
3. Elias – Dispatch: This song paints a picture of life in Africa with Elias. He’s a real person!
4. The Day Forever Died – Matt Wertz: Nothing worse than a surprise break-up. The title is perfect.
5. Meaning – Gavin Degraw: Love gives us meaning in this crazy world.
6. Belief – John Mayer: “Belief is a beautiful armor.” Offers a unique perspective about how people’s beliefs and opinions can work for and against them. Check out this BA video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEgUUTkqRRQ
7. Learning to Fly – Tom Petty: Nothing better than a good ol’ coming of age song that makes you think fondly of the good times that have come and gone.
8. Lost Myself in Search of You – Matt Nathanson: About wanting a relationship so badly you’re willing to put up with too much crap and turn into someone who's no good.
9. Grace’s Amazing Hands – Dave Barnes: One word. Beautiful. Has to be an acoustic version to be enjoyed thoroughly.
10. Beast of Burden – The Rolling Stones: The epitome of a love song; you can’t have your man or woman bringing you down.
11. Tracing – John Mayer: Going through the motions in a relationship, knowing it’s not going to last because it was never that good to start.
12. Stay Away – Dave Barnes: It’s hard to get your own heart jerked around, but maybe harder to have it happen to a close friend because your hands are tied.
13. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer: Things have changed in a relationship, and you both know it, but neither of you want to end it, but know that it is coming. The title is absolute genius and says it all.
14. Hallelujah – Rufus Wainwright: How could I not put this song on here?

It turns out most of these songs are on my "Greatest Songs of All Time" list so I guess I have more soul than I thought...