Listening to> 'Same' - Snow Patrol
Reading> 'A Gryffindor and a Slytherin' - Furiousity on Schnoogle (finished)
Working On> Writing essay for film internship
Film of the moment> None!
My parents understand!
Unbelievable! My dad must be getting old. He wrote two e-mails trying to convince me to return home as soon possible. I actually called work and gave them my two weeks notice, even though I didn't want to. It's for the best. I can barely write or pick things up. I'm not sure how I will pay rent for next month, but oh well.
The bad part is that it means the end of drinking, smoking, and carousing. Boo!
Meh. Had to give it up sometime. Hopefully I get a car so that I may go to Vegas with a few friends and tear it up! Yah!
Anyhoo, this entry is about my fave songs of 2004. See, I still have some ideas up my sleeve. Note: All the songs listed here can be heard on Amazon.com (or just click the link).
'City of Blinding Lights' - U2
Classic U2 song. I have heard it so many times that I have memorised it from the beginning to the very end. It's a bit like an opera: starts off slow, has a few crescendos, a big finale, and slowly tapers down into a satisfying (yet slightly depressing) conclusion.
'I’ve seen you walk unafraid. I’ve seen you in the clothes you made. Can you see the beauty inside of me? What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?'
It's the sort of song everyone feels uplifted by. Even more so than 'Beautiful Day'.
'Blinded By The Lights' - The Streets
Just a listen and you'll be transported to a club, almost smothered by the beats, and feeling claustrophobic with the amount of people around you. The Streets is Mike Skinner, and he is a genius when it comes to storytelling. This song doesn't advocate drugs, but merely illustrates the scene. Very smart. Other good songs from his masterful album 'A Grand Don't Come for Free' include 'Dry Your Eyes', the superb breaking up song that will leave you in tears, and 'Fit But You Know It', a cocky catchy jingle.
'Inner Universe' - Origa
Otherwise known as the opening song to the anime 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex'. It's brilliant and complex: a J-pop song in Russian and English, with a boy soprano singing the choral bit. It's techno, but upper-class techno, and very haunting. Its different layers just wash over your ears, and is a very different sensation from listening to say, Britney Spears. Give it a listen!
'Somewhere Only We Know' - Keane
My favourite band of last summer! On the strength of one song I heard on BBC Radio I (the best place for new songs) which was 'Everybody's Changing', I bought the CD. And I fell in love! Only did I realise that there were no guitars. But every song in the CD is catchy and easy to sing to. 'Somewhere' is that one song that makes me smile whenever I hear, and plus, it was featured in a Victoria's Secret advert. I guarantee satisfaction. If you like thoughtful lyrics and beautiful melodies, listen to Keane. Buy it in Target - it's only $8.99!
'Run' - Snow Petrol
The song everyone seems to compare to Coldplay's 'Yellow'. The lyrics are just as sweet, regarding a young man who is on the run with his girl.
I'll sing it one last time for you, Then we really have to go. You've been the only thing that's right, In all I've done.
And I can barely look at you, But every single time I do. I know we'll make it anywhere. Away from here.
Light up, light up, As if you have a choice. Even if you cannot hear my voice, I'll be right beside you dear.
Doesn't those words just say it all?
'Maps' - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The auteur rock band. The video was what drew me in. Karen O grasping onto the mic for dear life, tears dripping down her mascara stained face, singing out her sorrows. A sad love song with a hook that will not let go.
'These Words' - Natasha Bedingfield
Very, very catchy. My favourite lines: Read some Byron, Shelley, and Keats, recited over a hip-hop beat. I'm having some trouble saying what I mean with dead poets and drum machines. Natasha is the sister of Daniel Bedingfield, and thank god she's replaced him at the charts. I couldn't stand him! She's hipper, and has the cool funky beats as befitting a boho girl. Yay!
'Ashes' - Embrace
The torch song of the year. The song is simple enough, but it's the chorus that's the key. If you've heard it once, chances are, you're going to sing along the next time you hear it. It's hard not to. I can imagine the many groups of people reaching cliff ends and singing, 'Now watch me rise up and leave all the ashes you made out of me. When you said that we were wrong, life goes on, just look at how long I've agreed'. It creeps under your skin, and the next thing you know you're singing it out the window in the middle of a traffic jam, waving at your neighbours and acting like a bloody fool. 'Watch me...'
'You Knows I Love You' - Goldie Lookin Chain
Imagine Bloodhound Gang as rappers. Goldie Lookin Chain are a group of Welsh rappers (yes, Welsh) and are hilarious. While not as offensive as 'Your Mother's Got A Penis' and 'Guns Don't Kill People Rappers Do', it has its moments. For example:
It begins with a greasy sounding man who states (ala bad SNL skit) that he is going to 'make you sweat like a pig sweats on a hot day'. And 'maybe you're the skywalker to my luke (!)'. Then the chorus kicks in with a bunch of morose, sulky men singing 'You and me baby'. And someone whinging, 'You knows I fucking loves you, right?'
'Girl you knows it's true, like Milli Vanilli. I'll buy you ten fags on a daytrip to Caerphilly. I'm after your heart, Oh don't you see. And your three kids doesn't bother me'
And... 'I'll give you a rose, pull out your chair when we eat. Fuck I can't, 'cos in McDonalds it's a bolted seat'.
And... 'I'll never want another like I want you. To prove my love, I gotta tattoo - on my bollocks. I was gonna have your name but I only got initials 'cos I couldn't stand the pain'
BWAHAHAHAH!!!
'Lovers and Friends' - Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz feat. Usher & Ludacris
What can I say, except that it's a very catchy slow song? Who knew Lil Jon could produce a slow jam? Truth to be told, the only thing I like about 'Lovers and Friends' is Luda's rap:
'Opened up your heart 'cause you said I made you feel so comfortable, Used to play back then, now you all grown-up like Rudy Huxtable'
'Be a good girl now, turn around, and get these whippings, You know you like it like that, You don't have to fight back, Here's a pillow - bite...that'
The first time me and Stinky heard it in the car we were open-mouthed. It was... crazy. Stinky: Did he just say bite that? Me: I dunno, but if Luda says I like it, I guess I do.
He always seem to make the most unromantic lyrics. Honestly! Listen to my other favourite Luda semi-romantic song, 'Splash Waterfalls (remix)' and you'll get what I mean. If I didn't like Luda, I might be tempted to think... Let's just say if it were Usher singing those rhymes, I would slap him.
'Come Rain or Come Shine' - Ray Charles
Although this is not a song released in 2004, it holds a special place in my heart. A week after Ray Charles's death, I was listening to AM 570 (a standards station) where the DJ was speaking about the late musician. Truth to be told, I didn't know much about Ray, other than he did 'Hit the road, Jack' and that there was a biopic of him in theatres. But when this gospel-tinged song played, I felt a shiver down my spine. It's beautiful, and more powerful than the other versions of 'Rain or Shine'. The way Ray sings, you'd think love is religious. And when he sings, 'I'm gonna love you, like no one's ever love you. Well, if you let me', no one can resist.
Rest in peace, Ray Charles. We'll remember your memory, come rain or come shine.