Fall, Glimmer, Sparkle and Fade

:: Saturday, October 25, 2003 ::

Stripped

Deirdre got all fancy with this one:
a-cous-tic
1. Of or being an instrument that does not produce or enhance sound electronically: an acoustic guitar; an acoustic bass.
2. Being a performance that features such instruments

Top 5 Acoustic Songs. Go.

When the acoustic sound became the thing to like, it was either fans wanting to hear their favorite electric songs done a different way or them demanding a band have an acoustic ballad. I've always been a fan of both the stripped down versions (thus the title) and the occasional ballad. So I tried to mix and match here. My junior year of college I did a weekly four hour radio show of all acoustic songs, so I went through the hundreds of acoustic MP3s I have and was able to spit out these five. Enjoy.

1. Foo Fighters "Everlong"
- I truly believe this song started the new wave of the acoustic 'revolution'. After Dave Grohl performed this on the Howard Stern show, K-Rock started playing that version in place of the album cut. Every station, it seemed, across the country then started doing the same thing. Hearing an acoustic version of a song was now more and more common. Bands started offering acoustic versions of their hits as added-values and would even play a song twice in concert: electric and acoustic. I attribute all of that to this song. I can't fault the entire country for falling in love with this version because it's absolutely incredible. The song was transformed from a kick ass rock song in to a tortured love song. Don't get me wrong, the album version is awesome but the emotion of the song wasn't properly conveyed until it was performed acoustic.

I wonder
When I sing along with you
If every thing could ever be this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when

2. Fountains of Wayne "...Baby, One More Time"
- I've been a fan of FoW for about seven years or so and this surfaced shortly after their self-titled debut album came out. Since then I've heard plenty of crappy punk bands do horrible versions -- is a horrible version of a Britney Spears song an oxymoron? -- and I've heard a decent version that Travis put together, but everything pales in comparison to this. These guys not only make this song sound good in a novelty sort of way but in a -- dare I say it -- good song sort of way! If you had never seen Britney dancing in a high school hallway mouthing -- get those dirty thoughts out of your mind -- the words to this and only heard Fountains of Wayne's version, you just might think it's a quality song. I know, I know. I sound crazy. Just give it a listen and decide.

My loneliness is killing me
I must confess I still believe
When I'm not with you I lose my mind
Give me a sign

3. Matchbox Twenty "Time After Time"
- Hey, it's two covers in a row! This has been a staple of their live show from the very beginning. For a while it was one of two songs lead singer Rob Thomas played guitar on ("Hang" was the other). I heard this for the first time at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC back when they were in the middle of their first big tour. I was there with my girlfriend at the time and when Rob came out and played this, we both felt it was easily the highlight of the night. It's just him and an acoustic guitar and during the chorus the lead guitarist -- Kyle Cook -- comes in to help out with the vocals. Similar to Fountains of Wayne, they really make this song their own. I don't think cheesy 80's hit when I hear this.

If you're lost you can look
And you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you
I'll be waiting
Time after time

4. Jimmy Eat World "No Sensitivity"
- I consider myself a Jimmy Eat World fan but I don't own any of their split EPs, which is where the original version of this song can be found (it was later included on various import singles as well). So I had never even heard this previous to one day when I did a search for "Acoustic" on Kazaa. I was looking for some new materiel for my radio show and just for my personal collection. Near the bottom of the screen I saw Jimmy Eat World and just assumed it would be "Lucky Denver Mint" or "The Middle" seeing how those was really there only hits up until that point. No, it's this song called "No Sensitivity" and so just out of curiosity I d\l it to give a listen. Wow. This is the perfect example of what an "acoustic" version of a song should be: A man(or woman) and his/her guitar. That's it. No layered guitars or extra vocal tracks. He sat down, picked up his guitar, pressed record and started playing. Similar to "Everlong", the acoustic version really does help you 'feel' the song more. I've since heard the studio and several live versions and while it's a great song either way, but the whole track feels stronger when stripped down.

Your problems they aren't problems
Be glad they never will
I'm taking my kisses back
I want my kisses back from you

5. Jude "I Do"
- This falls under the 'acoustic from the beginning' title. You can find a different version on each of his three albums. Only the first two are acoustic though. This appeared as a live cut on his first album 430 N. Harper Ave. titled "Cammie". On his second record No One Is Really Beautiful you can find the best version. I'll spill the beans and say that when the "Best Love Songs" list comes around, as much as I hate recycling songs, this is going to be number one. It's strength as an acoustic song is proven when he tries to put some beats behind it on King of Yesterday and it just didn't work. The lyrics are amazing no matter what he does with it, but all he needs to express them the right way is an acoustic guitar.

And if you're ever wondering if love can be true
Well, think of me and remember darling like I do
Old friendships fade away, love falls apart
And you've not spent a single day outside my heart
And there's just one more dream that I have left for you
I hope you're smiling when he turns around and says I do

:: Ryan 4:54 AM [+] ::
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At Your Funeral

Thanks to Ms. Phoe for this one:
Top 5 songs you want played at your funeral. Yes.... I'm morbid.

Yikes, morbid is right. Now I wouldn't want the songs to be completely depressing, I mean a funeral in itself is depressing enough. But I also don't expect people rocking out to Tenacious D's "Tribute" either. So I attempted to mix and match slower songs with the more up tempo ones. As much as it might make sense to just play my favorite five songs, those obviously don't all deal with loss or even celebrating life. Here are my selections for this oh so very morbid list. The songs should be played in the order listed.

1. U2 "With or Without You"
- This comes to mind almost right away for every list if only because it's one of the greatest songs ever written. I immediately counted it out of this one though because I've never viewed it as a song about death. It is, however, most definitely a song about loss. And trying to cope with that loss. It is an absolutely beautiful song and really can set the tone for any other songs that will be played. The opening song should be solemn, which the beginning of this song most certainly is. Then it should also celebrate their life and how much they (or I in this case) meant to you along with how hard it will be to go on without them (see the title of the song). You must eventually come to grips with the fact that you are going to have to move on, even though in the back of your mind you think they (or again, I in this case) will come walking through the door any minute.

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait... without you

2. Jimmy Eat World "Hear You Me"
- This is the most contemporary song on the list, I thought about this one being the first song played, but it might just be too slow for that. Yes, too slow for a funeral. Well, too slow for mine anyways. Another absolutely beautiful song that I'm pissed I didn't write. He says so much with so little. So often you can tell that a song is just empty, but this one has so much raw emotion, it's incredible.

So what would you think of me now
So lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that
Now I'll never have a chance
May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads, the sleepless go
May angels lead you in
And if you were with me tonight
I'd sing to you just one more time
A song for a heart so big
God couldn't let it live

3. Ben Folds Five "Don't Change Your Plans"
- Now I'm going all the way to the other side of the spectrum from "Hear You Me" with this one. Ben Folds has always had a way of saying things that just make sense, so why not look to him in time of death. Unlike the first two songs that are being played more for the people at the funeral to help them cope or something along those lines, this would be a song saying what I would want to say. Just making sure everyone remembers that obviously I don't want to be gone, but just know that you are all the reasons why.

All I really wanna say is you're the reason I wanna stay
But destiny is calling and won't hold and when my time is up I'm outta here
All I know is I've gotta be where my heart says I oughta be
It often makes no sense
In fact I never understand these things I feel
I love you, goodbye

4. Little John and Ryan Jones "Goin' Away"
- Okay, now I know what you're saying: "Ryan, isn't this indulging just a bit?" My answer to that is: of course! It's my funeral, isn't it supposed to be about me? Yea, that's what I thought. Now those of you that didn't know me a few years ago (and to those that don't know me at all), my friend John (see the comments of the ring tones list) and I wrote a handful of songs about 4 years ago or so. Most were just fun pop songs that were pretty silly, but this was one of the more serious ones. If my memory serves, John wrote the initial lyrics about a breakup, but the overall theme of the song is about not knowing where the hell you're going to go next. That feeling of being completely lost is appropriate here.

Lyrics will be placed here when I find the official lyric sheet.

5. The Refreshments "Mekong"
- The ultimate song to celebrate life. Sometimes it seems like you've traveled the world three times over (maybe you literally have) but there is never any reason to stop celebrating the gift of life. The perfect song to end on, not concentrating on the loss, but rather what you still have. Yes, it may seem like life sucks sometimes, but every so often you have to sit back lift your glass and toast to life.

Is it true it's always happy hour here?
If it is I'd like to stay a while
And as cliche as it sounds
I'd like to raise another round
And if your bottles empty
Help yourself to mine
Thank you for your time
And here's to life

:: Ryan 3:29 AM [+] ::
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From Bad to Worse

This site is alive and kicking because of Deirdre:
Top 5 worst songs ever. Or should I Say Bottom 5! HA!

I know what you'll be thinking after you take a look at the list. "Where's the Culture Club, Barry Manilow and Warrant?" Putting together a small list of horrible songs would be impossible if I started looking through the 70's and 80's. Hell, even most of the 90's. Thus, this is going to be fairly contemporary. I obviously missed hundreds of God awful songs, so please share with the class.

1. Hilary Duff "Why Not?"
- Why not? I'll do better than tell you, I'll show you:
You always dress in yellow/When you want to dress in gold/Instead of listening to your heart/You do just what you're told/You keep waiting where you are/For what you'll never know/Let's just get into your car/And go, baby, go
Now I understand it isn't sweet little Hilary's fault for the lyrics. She doesn't write them. But unfortunately for her, that doesn't make the song any easier on the ears. I almost had to opt for "So Yesterday" and the very deep 'If the light is off then it isn't on' lyric, but "Why Not?" will have to do.

2. Sisqo "Thong Song"
- Here is a sample of Mr. Sisqo's 'classic cut':
I like it when the beat goes da na da na/Baby make your booty go da na da na/Girl I know you wanna show da na da na/That thong th thong thong thong/I like it when the beat goes da na da na/Baby make your booty go da na da na/Girl I know you wanna show da na da na/That thong th thong thong thong
I like the thong as much as the next guy (on girls that is, not on myself of course), but a) do we need a song about it and b) do we need every ugly girl under the sun showing the world theirs on the dance floor? I'm sure Sisqo's a great guy who just wanted to make a buck -- which he certainly made plenty off-- so good for him, but why do people still to this day need to hear this song? Let it go the way of "The Macarena". Please.

3. Hanson "MMMBop"
- These little fuckers ruined a whole summer for a lot of people. Every time you turned around you saw these blonde haired "kids" -- no one was quite sure if they were guys or girls -- running around on the TV singing that damn chorus. I am happy to see they're back with a new album and refuse to go away, I can respect that kind of ambition that goes along with trying to fight the label of one hit wonder. But I will forever reserve a little bit of hatred for them because of this waste of music.

4. Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On"
- Hanson might have ruined a summer, but this damn song ruined an entire year. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing this awful, awful track. Not to mention that it was a part of an equally horrific movie that also refused to go quietly into the night. Whenever the 'Worst Artist' list comes around, she will most definitely be on it, but this is by far her worst song which is saying a ton. Why couldn't see be the one hitting the ice berg?

5. R. Kelly "Thoia Thoing"
- This is the most recent of the five. It's bad enough that he has sex with thirteen year olds -- and video tapes it nonetheless -- but he doesn't help his case any when he puts out a big steaming pile of crap like this. I also question if it was in his best interest to release a track about sexing someone up when that someone he's 'singing' about is probably half my age. Gross. Maybe he should have went with "I Still Believe I Can Fly".

:: Ryan 3:22 AM [+] ::
...

Can you hear me now? Good.

I think we all know who it's from:
Your next assignment, should you chose to accept it, is to list your top 5 songs you'd consider for ring tones and why.

I get off easy with this one because I already have a song as my ring tone, so that will lock up the #1 slot. The next four were still difficult to come up with. I think I came up with some decent selections. Maybe not.

1. Counting Crows "Mr. Jones"
- C'mon you had to know this one was coming. As soon as I got my new fancy phone, I had to d\l this tone. Given, I find it to be much more amusing that others around me mainly because they don't make the association. Usually I find myself explaining it and then I get the "oh, now I get it. Your last name is Jones and your ring tone is 'Mr. Jones'". Yea, people are pretty slow. Now there's been a rumor flying around for years that this song is actually about Adam Duritz' penis. I bet you'll never listen to the song the same way again. Anyways, because of this potential 'special' meaning, I set it so that it's the tone anytime a female's name shows up on the call ID. I think it makes sense. But what do I know? Exactly.

2. Everclear "You Make Me Feel Like a Whore"
- I think it's pretty obvious there had to be an Everclear song on here. The only tone I've been able to find by them that works with my phone is Santa Monica. And it's a poor version at that. Even if I found a better version I don't think I'd want it as one of my tones, only because that would be even more predictable than using "Mr. Jones". If I had YMMFLW on my phone then I would get to have those wonderful conversations: "What song's that?" "You make me feel like a whore" "No need to get testy". It'd be great.

3. Quantum Leap Theme
- It's one of the best TV shows ever, so that should be reason enough for it to make the list. But on top of that the theme song is so damn catchy. Mike Post hasn't written a bad theme yet. I've been able to find tones for virtually every TV show (from "Chips" to "Blue's Clues"), but I can't track down even a bad muzak version of the Quantum Leap Theme. If you ever track one down that will work with a Verizon Wireless phone, drop me a line and I will be your best friend forever. Or at least until I d\l the tone.

4. Outkast "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)"
- Okay, now please put all politics aside here (we're talking about ring tones for God's sake). This one would get a good laugh out of anyone. C'mon we all knew someone that gave a little rendition of "B.O.B." when all this crap with Iraq started to go down. Even with that aside, the Outkast camp is always a good choice for a ring tone because their stuff is fast paced and even -- dare I say it -- fun! Yes, I said Outkast was fun. It must be the Top 40 radio creeping into my brain. I mean 50 Cent is a catchy tone and all, but... it's 50 Cent. I don't get that feeling with Outkast.

5. Survivor "Eye of the Tiger"
- This one will bring the house down every time someone blows you up (as the kids like to say). One of the most recognizable guitar riffs turns into one of the most recognizable ring tones. That's right, Survivor is gonna make a huge comeback and it will all be thanks to a ring tone. You can't ignore that hook and it also sticks in your head, which leads to people humming it all day long and cursing you every time they do. Okay, maybe that's not how you want people to remember you throughout the day. But you can't deny the strength of the tone.

:: Ryan 4:04 AM [+] ::
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