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Playlist #151: Women’s History Month

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Happy Monday, folks! A slightly chilly Monday as winter tries its damnedest to cling to life in its final week. Here are ten songs, all by some of my favorite female artists, in celebration of Women’s History Month.

  1. Waxahatchee, “War”: This song was stuck in my head for a good part of the weekend. Which would’ve been fine if I could’ve remembered the name of the song and who it was by, but I couldn’t. Then I remembered. ADHD is a bitch sometimes.
  2. Hurray for the Riff Raff, “Snake Planet (The Past Is Still Alive)”: So I’m, like, 90% sure Alynda Segarra is non-binary, but I’m still gonna count them for this list? They’ve got a good voice and are doing interesting things with Americana, so I dig ’em.
  3. Aimee Mann, “Stranger Into Starman”: Every time I try to come up with an Aimee Mann song to put on a playlist, this is always the first song that pops into my head. Is it her best song? No. Is it the most memorable? Probably not. Is it one that I absolutely love and will listen to over and over because I love it and I love her voice? Oh my, yes.
  4. Alabama Shakes, “Gimme All Your Love”: Damn, this woman’s voice. She could sing the phonebook and I’d be enthralled.
  5. Alison Krauss & Union Station, “Doesn’t Have To Be This Way”: I didn’t sleep well last night, and there’s the chance that listening to this song will put me back to sleep. But that’s okay, because it’s such a beautiful song to drift off to.
  6. Amanda Palmer & Friends, “Beds Are Burning”: Who doesn’t love an Australian cover? New Zealanders, that’s who.
  7. Aretha Franklin, “Respect”: When you mention the Queen’s name, you’d best put some respect on it.
  8. Dolly Parton, “Seven Bridges Road”: A perfect match of a voice and a song.
  9. Elastica, “Stutter”: Who doesn’t love surreptitious songs about erectile dysfunction?
  10. Nina Simone, “Feeling Good”: But damn, this woman had a voice that could make a dead man walk.

Playlist #118

/ xeyeti / Leave a comment

Happy Monday, folks! Hard to believe we’re already at the end of July. School will be starting again soon, as I’m sure your desperate and terrified children can attest to. Anyway, here’s a playlist to get you through those hot summer days.

  1. Andrew Bird, “Mancey”: “M, as in Mancy.”
  2. Jimmy Eat World, “A Praise Chorus (feat. Davey Vonbohlen)”: A song that references everything from “Crimson and Clover” to They Might Be Giants’ “Don’t Let’s Start.” All in just over four minutes.
  3. Elastica, “Stutter”: Punky song about Damon Albarn’s erectile dysfunction (it’s true!).
  4. Paul McCartney, “Every Night”: For every clunker or half-finished song idea that’s barely more than a demo on his self-titled, DIY album, there’s a gem like this one.
  5. Drive-By Truckers, “Danko/Manuel”: Who doesn’t love songs about the Band?
  6. Stevie Wonder, “Pastime Paradise”: Ever wonder where Coolio got the sample for “Gangsta’s Paradise?” It’s from this song.
  7. Simon & Garfunkel, “A Hazy Shade Of Winter”: I, for one, am done with this ridiculous heat and ready for winter to return.
  8. Rob Thomas, “Streetcorner Symphony”: I have a completely unironic love for this guy’s music. I can’t explain why.
  9. The Gaslight Anthem, “Say I Won’t (Recognize)”: From an early EP by the band, where they’re still trying to find their footing and figure out who they are as a band (they’re a punk band with delusions of Springsteen. That is as awesome as it sounds).
  10. Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares 2 U”: Is it the obvious pick from this artist? Yes, yes it is. Is it still just an absolute stone-cold classic of a song that everyone should listen to and enjoy at every available opportunity? Yes, yes it is.