musical serendipity

I saw this on Barb’s blog, and I thought it was an interesting coincidence, since I’d just been discussing with a co-worker this morning how I listen to certain music when writing certain things (O, Brother, Where Art Thou Soundtrack during the composition of my senior thesis, Bily Joel’s “Downeaster Alexa” during the writing of my first novella), and she was telling me that her husband and her running partner both queue up U2’s “Beautiful Day” on race day. So I thought I’d try it, despite the fact that it’s difficult to limit myself:

1. Name one song you hate to admit you like.

(whispering) TOXIC, Britney Spears. I know, but it’s just so catchy.

2. Name two songs that always make you cry.

I’M ALREADY THERE, Lonestar. I actually got stopped by a cop once because I was crying so hard to this song, he was worried about me.
THE SONG REMEMBERS WHEN, Trisha Yearwood. Damn country singers.

***Bonus*** LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYIN’ Tim Mc Graw. Country singers again!

3. Name three songs that turn you on.

SATELLITE, Dave Matthews Band. Don’t ask me why.
CLOSER, Nine Inch Nails (apparently this is the title, not the one I always assumed it was).
FIELDS OF GOLD, Sting (yes, I realize these two are very different).

***Bonus*** AURAL PLEASURE, Blackalicious (and that’s not even getting into the Rolling Stones, etc.)

4. Name four songs that always make you feel good.

THE MIDDLE, Jimmy Eat World. Play this one every single time I get a rejection.
RED RUBBER BALL, Simon & Garfunkel
CHANTILLY LACE, Big Bopper
WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE, Billy Joel (because I know all the words… and what they mean)

***BONUS*** WHAT DO YOU LOVE MORE THAN LOVE Dar Williams (this song saved my life)

5. Name five songs you couldn’t ever do without.

Like numbers 3, 4 and 5 on this list, I’m finding it difficult to narrow this down. There are so many songs that turn me on (the Prince oeuvre springs immediately to mind) and so many that make me feel good (more Sting, a lot of Elvis, much 80s pop, a fair bit of Nelly and WATERLOO by ABBA). This is *hard*. Five songs whose lack of existence would make my world a miserable place?

IOWA, Dar Williams
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE (Who did this?)
YOUR SONG, Elton John
THE PROMISE, When in Rome
BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD, Outkast

Oh man, that doesn’t even begin to touch it. I need ROCK THE KASBAA the Clash, more Sting, some Beatles, TIME AFTER TIME Cyndi Lauper, THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL Michael Jackson… okay, clearly we need to multiply these numbers.