20 songs

i made this list for facebook, but thought it was interesting enough to post here too:

i don't really know how to choose 20 songs. my tastes in music, as in many things, are questionable at times. but i like what i like, and here are 20 songs (in no particular order, and not necessarily my favorites) that i like (and two that i don't).

1. sucking ice cubes - luna ... brings back so many memories, especially driving way late at night in the middle of nowhere nj and feeling like i was on another planet. lately it has a totally different meaning. it is on a cd that i often play while i am giving erik a bath, and every time that feedback starts he looks at me with a huge grin and then bounces to the rhythm.

2. try not to breathe - r.e.m. ... i am not a big r.e.m. fan, but automatic for the people is one of those few albums that i can listen to from start to finish and enjoy every track. this song is melancholy but hopeful and i feel like i can really relate to it.

3. trigger cut - pavement ... i don't know why. i just love it! reminds me of fun times in high school.

4. let down - radiohead ... ok computer is another one of those albums that i can (and regularly do) listen to from beginning to end and never get the urge to skip a track. let down is one of my favorite songs to listen to when i'm feeling angsty. and no surprises too.

5. born of frustration - james ... james is one of those bands that i forget how much i like until i listen to them after a long break. this is maybe my favorite james song.

6. la poupée qui fait non - michel polnareff ... luna did a really nice cover, but i definitely prefer the original. this is the first song erik ever sang along with and he still loves it.

7. strange - galaxie 500 ... 'i stood in line and ate my twinkies.' does it get any better than that? i too often wonder why everybody looks so strange.

8. the divorce song - liz phair ... reminds me of driving home from high school with my best friend every day. we must've listened to this song a thousand times. i used to adore liz phair. now, not so much.

9. magnificent seventies - the american analog set ... just really groovy and i love it. the rest of the song doesn't live up to the perfect opening, but it's still one of my faves.

10. leslie ann levine - the decemberists ... who knew an accordian could sound so good?

11. perfect day - lou reed ... 'i thought i was someone else, someone good.' at first glance the lyrics might seem to speak of a happy day in the park, but it's really so melancholy. it's beautiful and sad. transformer is another album i have listened to over and over again.

12. wanted dead or alive - bon jovi ... i don't really like this song, but it was the first i was able to play all the way through on expert drums in rock band. yes, i am a HUGE dork!

13. sunshine superman - donovan ... one of many great donovan songs. 'cause i made my mind up you're going to be mine.'

14. i'm waiting for the man - the velvet underground ... it speaks of a lifestyle very different from my own. but i always wondered ... 'feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive'

15. oh my darling, clementine (traditional) ... oddly one of the top played tracks on my ipod. i never really listened to the whole song before erik was born, but it's really sad. (i'm sensing a trend here ... i seem to fall for sad songs.) 'ruby lips above the water blowing bubbles soft and fine'

16. ceremony - new order ... amazing song. 'i'll break them down, no mercy shown/heaven knows it's go to be this time'

17. kksuck2 - the dead milkmen ... with a name like that, it sounds awful, but it's actually a pretty lovely instrumental. i could have chosen any number of dm songs, but i have always really liked this one.

18. she drives me crazy - fine young cannibals ... i don't like this song (or group) at all, but every time i hear it (which is mercifully rarely) i laugh out loud because when it first came out, my mom thought the lyrics were 'she tries to get pregnant (and i can't help myself)' and was completely appalled.

19. night nurse - dean & britta ... absolutely beautiful. my favorite dean & britta song to date.

20. super-electric - stereolab ... infectious beat and just sounds really really cool. i especially like the version recorded live for the bbc on abc music.