Big Music Post

My friend Jenny tagged me with one of those memes that is going around:  List seven songs you are into right now, no matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good but they must be songs you're really enjoying now.  (Headphones photo by J. Star)

I am a complete music junkie and practically talk/think in lyrics, so narrowing it down to just 7 songs is impossible.  Even narrowing it down to what I am about to post was really hard.  I posted mp3s as well as lyrics (where applicable), plus some of my favorite lines from each.  I don't tag other people so if you want to do this, feel free.  Let me know if you have any problems with any of the links.  Enjoy!

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
I'm listing this first because it is the first song I listen to anytime I am in my car.  That's because it's the first song on my thumb drive that I store all my music on.  Maybe one of these days I should switch up the order? Ha.  Black bandana, sweet Louisiana / robbing on a bank in the state of Indiana / she's a runner, rebel, and a stunner / on her merry way sayin' "Baby, whatcha gonna?" / looking down the barrel of a hot metal .45 / just another way to survive.

JT ft. Rick Ross and Pit Bull - What Goes Around... Comes Around -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
I decided to get the embarassing tracks out of the way first.  Look, sometimes life is kind of ridiculous and then you find songs that a) fit and b) let you dance about it.  This would be one of them.  I don't care if you make fun of me.  Plus when Pit Bull starts in with that "Mama you know you're the only one" crap, I just can't help but laugh.  It's breaking my heart to watch you run around / 'cause I know that you're living a lie / but that's okay baby 'cause in time you will find / what goes around, goes around, goes around / comes all the way back around.

Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland - Say It Right [Extended Main Mix] -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
I'm not even that embarassed about this one.  I love to dance, and if you're not moving by the time you get through the opening 32 beats (4 up, 4 back, x4) of this song -- check your pulse.  I listen to this on the way to work and then spend the rest of the day itching to go out and shake my ass.  I can't say that I don't love the light and the dark / I can't say that I don't know that I am alive / And all of what I feel / I could show you tonight.  Oh, and months later, I am still a sucker for Promiscuous -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}.  How can you not love that sassy, back-and-forth wordplay??

Dead Prez - Mind Sex -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
I couldn't possibly make this huge music post without throwing some good hip-hop up here for you guys!  This entire album (Let's Get Free - go get it!!) is fucking amazing, but this particular song will always have a special place in my heart because it's just so damned true.  It's like walking the hot sands and finding an oasis / opposites attract - that's the basis / our sex is the wind that separates the yin from the yang / the balance that means complete change.

Blackalicious - Powers -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
Another solid hip-hop track.  Ladies, if you are having a bad day: listen to this song.  It will be impossible for you to not smile =)  She holds you down but when you need a push / she keeps it honest, she reflects / then she'll force you to look / you dig everything about her / from her head down to her follicles / there's a heaven in her smile / she'll steal your heart like a crook.

The Devil Makes Three - Old No. 7 -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
I admit it: I am not always in a happy place.  When I am in turmoil, having a hard time, or just generally moping about life, this is the song I listen to.  On repeat.  For hours (or however long it takes for me to get up and go on with my life.)  This is also probably the only song I would ever willingly sing in front of anyone.  Tell me what is it that I should do / when I'm swimming in the liquor only halfway through / so I'm watching as his wings spread as wide as can be / come on now and wrap them around me / cause all I want to do now is fall asleep / come down here and lay next to me.

Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
In a complete change of pace from the above song, here is one that makes me stupidly happy.  I don't care how cheesy this song is -- by the time that second chorus starts, I am rocking out and I do not care who can see me.  I get weird looks from people driving next to me and all that makes me do is turn the volume up.  This song is exactly how I feel about love: it doesn't make sense, it will take you to the ends of the Earth, it will be a struggle, it will never be easy.... and most of all, it will be worth it.  A recent film featured this song in a very perfect way and that just cemented my love for it even more.  I'd go the whole wide world / I'd go the whole wide world / just to find her / I'd go the whole wide world / I'd go the whole wide world / to find out where they hide her.

L.S.G. - Westside -- {mp3}
Some techno for ya.  If you don't have this album (Into Deep), just go get it.  Yes, right now.  Really.  It's an old release (1998?) but still so, so good.

DJ Rap - Good to Be Alive -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
More old-ish techno (Learning Curve, 1999).  I got to see DJ Rap at Ultra a few years ago and I have to say I was disappointed by her live performance.  Regardless, this is still a great track.  It's good to be alive / sometimes I wonder how I survived / and in my mind's eye / when you're low, no one seems to know / a fallen angel tonight / I feel no shame when I'm high / it feels so good must be right / it feels so good inside.  Bonus:  Bad Girl -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}  A thousand reasons why our self-esteem can't stand / a million women let it slip right through their hands / don't show me anger cause your attitudes could change / that glass ceiling should be radically erased / I'm trying to show you that as friends we'd get along / respect my body cause that's where you came from.

M.I.A. - Fire, Fire -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
Again, go get this album (Arular).  It is awesome.  This is also some of my favorite music to listen to when I am running, especially this song.  Her tracks have so much energy, it's incredible.  You shoulda been good to me / then I wouldn't get so rowdy rowdy / you shoulda kept your eye on me / then I wouldn't get so baddy baddy   ///    Got my own flow, get you to the dance floor / little mama doing the booty rolls / crump clowns got me rootin for the linos.  Bonus: Amazon -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}  Smoking on a Benson / trying to get me undone / let me go - I don't want your attention / under submission / out of frustration - I'll do it / I'll scream for the nation.

Page France - Junkyard -- {mp3} -- {lyrics}
I was pretty sure that "Chariot" would always be my favorite Page France song.  Now I am not so sure.  This one is addictive.  (Though "Chariot" is still really, really good!!)  I was born to lie here patiently / be dragged on by the black star / and you were told to glow majestically / and love until your hands bleed.  (Isn't that just the greatest image too?!?  "Love until your hands bleed.")

Calla - Rise -- {mp3}
This song is new to me (Jenny had it on her original list of 7) but I have already fallen in love with it.  Hard.  This is off their newest album so I couldn't find the lyrics online (sorry).  If I fell / if I rise...    ///     Love don't worry, I can see in your eyes / strength in numbers is a surefire plan / I don't say this to no one else.

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Good Kind of Crazy -- {mp3}
I am also lacking lyrics for this one (sorry).  Still a great song though!  Still we all need to be rebels / don't need to be told / drag our feet 'til we wear out the souls.

And I would rather just show you the video for this, one of my favorites: NIN - Perfect Drug.



In closing, you would not believe how long it took me to put this post together. Ridiculous.

Feel free to let me know what you: liked / didn't like / want more of.