Playlist #162

Happy Monday, folks! The school year is winding to a close as we speak; this time next week, I’ll only have a day or so left before I’m free for the summer! Here’s some songs to tide you over until then.

  1. Tom Petty, “Casa Dega”: Why this never received an official release on an actual album, I’ll never understand. It’s a classic Petty song, and Benmont Tench’s keyboards feature heavily. An absolute classic.
  2. Soul Asylum, “Runaway Train”: This playlist initially started out as a list of songs that I like to play but cannot play and sing at the same time (or at least, can’t sing well). I enjoy playing this one immensely, and I love singing along to it on the radio, but I struggle to put the two together.
  3. Onnu Josu Son, “True Love Will Find You In The End”: Quite possibly the simplest song on this playlist, and one of the most heartfelt and beautiful.
  4. Pearl Jam, “Wreckage”: I…really enjoyed the newest Pearl Jam album? Like, legitimately? I dunno, man. It’s weird.
  5. Counting Crows, “Hanginaround”: It’s a great way to kick off an album or start a party, I think. And the way it melts into “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby” on the album? *Chef’s kiss*
  6. Toad the Wet Sprocket, “Whatever I Fear the Most”: Somewhere along the way, this turned into “songs Chuck likes from the ’90s” and, to be honest, it kinda got away from me.
  7. Josh Ritter, “Monster Ballads”: Okay, maybe now we’re back on firmer, “I can’t sing and play this well” footing? Maybe. This one is juuuuuust a little too low for my vocal range.
  8. Waxahatchee, “War”: I have abandoned any premise or presupposition of a theme for this playlist. It’s just damn good songs now.
  9. Dr, Dre, “Forgot About Dre”: And also this song about how Dr. Dre feels forgotten and, instead of being forlorn about it (as I would’ve done), he gets rapper snippy.
  10. Blind Melon, “No Rain”: Who among us hasn’t danced as a bee girl in a field?

Playlist #135

Happy Cyber Monday, folks! That’s the Monday after Thanksgiving where everyone buys all their cybers for the coming year. I suppose you could buy one of my books if you were so inclined. Or you can order a CD directly from me! Anyway, here’s a new playlist for ya!

  1. Blind Melon, “No Rain”: Best video featuring a girl dressed in a bee costume you will ever see.
  2. Jason Isbell, “Relatively Easy”: The more I hear songs by this guy, the more I love him. The more I listen to particular songs by him, the more I’m convinced he’s probably one of this generation’s best songwriters.
  3. Adeem the Artist, “Dirt Bike”: Adeem the Artist has found ways to distill youth and youthful energy into each one of their songs and make it sound humble, playful, innocent, and nostalgic. It’s a good skill to have.
  4. Natalie Layne, “Grateful For (Piano Version)”: I didn’t realize this musician was a Christian ArtistTM until I had already downloaded the song. It’s a good song despite this fact? I dunno. Listen and judge for yourself.
  5. Iron & Wine, “Judgement”: Speaking of judgement…
  6. Gin Blossoms, “Just South of Nowhere”: Why do I like this song so much? Is it because it feels very much like a late-night drive where things are just starting to go off the rails and there’s very little you can do other than hold on and pray for dawn? Probably.
  7. Andrew Bird, “Frogs Singing”: I just love the harmonies and the rhythm of this one.
  8. The Avett Brothers, “Will You Return?”: Every time my wife hears them count in at the beginning of this song, she gets so excited that it’ll be OutKast’s “Hey Ya,” and every time she is disappointed.
  9. David Gray, “What Am I Doing Wrong?”: Sell, Sell, Sell is still the peak of early David Gray. I will not be taking any questions at this time.
  10. Pearl Jam, “Porch”: It’s hard to tell with Eddie Vedder’s singing what the actual lyrics are to any given song, but I don’t think this song mentions porches or sitting on them or even standing on them even once. Just a real missed opportunity, that.