Day 24- A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral

This one has been the hardest one so far, most definitely.  I'm definitely thinking about it too much, oh most definitely.  I don't want to pick something sad and mopey, but I don't want it to be too tongue-in-cheek.  And I want it to represent me without being fake or silly or...

See what I mean?

SO... I decided to go with some classical.  Something beautiful.  A song I love, that makes me happy, that will make others smile.  It's so pretty.  It makes me want to steal a ton of money and walk away one by one.

Day 23- A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding

A few of the songs I have used on this list were played at my wedding, as I said in their entries.  The DJ we had was pretty awesome, who looked up and downloaded any songs we requested to have played, including the Rivers song and some Daft Punk too.  For the most part, he had a great selection of tunes that I knew I'd like.  Plenty of 80's jams and other cheesy things that make dancing at a wedding fun. 

However, there was one song that I did not request, but my DJ decided to play it anyway.  Though it wasn't officially on the "play list," it was definitely needed.  See, I got married in January, because I'm one of those weird people who likes winter (and I'd sweated my butt off at enough weddings before that).  To make my January Wedding perfectly wintry, it snowed!  Therefore... it was such a nice day for a WHITE WEDDING.  Nobody talks to Billy Idol that way!

Day 22- A Song That You Listen To When You're Sad

I get teased a lot for liking what The Hubs calls "Sad Bastard Music."  I have plenty of choices to listen to when I'm sad- The Cure, Damien Rice, Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley.  Oh, plenty.  However, there's always one song that I can listen to over and over again when I'm feeling blue, and that's The Smiths' short lovely tune "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want."  No matter what the reason for the sadness is, this song works for me.  Something about Morrissey's voice just... moves me, makes me feel what he's feeling, and it just works.  What's even better is that, it's so short, so as soon as the song ends, it makes me sad and need to listen to the song again.

It's a vicious cycle.

Day 21- A Song That You Listen To When You're Happy

And with this, I'm all caught up to today.

When I am happy, I like to keep being happy (unlike when I am angry).  I like to listen to my favorite songs or my favorite artists or my favorite albums or basically anything that I can sing along to and dance around to and in general express my happiness in full form.  All of those things happen whenever I hear this song.  I cannot be tamed.  I just love it.  Maybe it's the nerdy girl in me that loves the story of how she wins the dude, how he picked her instead of the "other girl," but I love it.  I also love Paramore so much, and singing along with Hayley in general makes me happy.  It just feels SO GOOD.

Day 20- A Song That You Listen To When You're Angry

I've been spending a long time trying to think of something good, something angry, something that will fit with the rest of the songs I've picked.  However, despite what you may have heard about me, I don't like to be angry for a long time.  When I am angry, I usually try to do something to get me out of the anger.  Usually, I listen to a happy-sounding song that has angry words.  You know what's good for that?  Reel Big Fish.

I've also been trying to keep the cursing to a bare minimum on the blog.  But, in picking the perfect angry song (especially the perfect RBF angry song), it's darn near impossible to find one without at least one f-bomb.  I went with this gem that I used to sing LOUDLY and ANGRILY on bad days in high school.  Especially one line in particular...
(I love this video, and I love that Dan is dressed like a bee, and I basically love Scott Klopfenstein FOREVER)

Day 19- A Song From Your Favorite Album

Eek!  With my super stressful weekend, I totes forgot to post my song challenge songs!  So, you lucky readers get THREE POSTS today!  Woooooooo.

So, Friday was supposed to be a song from my favorite album.  I have many favorite albums (duh) like Whatever and Ever Amen, the White Album, and Feed the Animals.  This is from one of my new favorites, Florence + the Machine.  I picked this track in particular, and this VIDEO in particular, to showcase just how amazing Ms. Florence is.  In this day of autotuning, pitch correction, and overproduction, Florence Welch rocks her own unique style and her fanTAStic voice at every opportunity.  So fresh, so lovely.  Go out and buy Lungs RIGHT NOW.

Day 18- A Song That You Wish You Heard On The Radio

In earlier posts, I talked about how Incubus becoming popular pretty much ruined them for me (there were other mitigating factors, like how my music taste changed, but I'd rather blame them).  Picking a song that I wish I heard on the radio is hard for me, because I wish I heard songs on the radio by bands that no one's heard of, and then people would hear them, and then they'd get too popular, and I'd be sad.

So... now that I've said all that... this is what I pick.  Because I like this song, and I wish I heard it on the radio, and that's the truth.  And, if Motion City Soundtrack got popular... well, it sure wouldn't surprise me.  Because they are GREAT.

Day 17- A Song That You Hear Often On The Radio

We are lucky to have two great alternative stations in Charlottesville (as well as lots of other random fun stations).  However, sometimes they should listen to each other a little more.  Recently, I've heard this song played on one station, and immediately heard it when I turned to the other.  One fateful day, I heard it playing AT THE SAME TIME on both stations.  Granted, I ain't complaining because at least this song is good.  However, it always reminds me of Mr. Banana Grabber (trademark pending).

I've made a huge mistake.

Day 16- A Song That You Used To Love But Now "Hate"

If I used to love a song, I rarely grow to hate it.  Ever.  Even silly pop songs I used to love as a kid, I still like them now, even if they are overplayed and I've heard them a million times.  So... this is the closest I've come to turning my back on a song, and a band for that matter.

I used to LOVE Incubus.  LOVE THEM.  In high school, I could constantly be found jamming out to my S.C.I.E.N.C.E. cassette (yes, CASSETTE) in my busted ole Celica.  Especially if it was Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song).  Man, that song is so sexy... Anyway, my freshman year at JMU, Incubus released a new album, Make Yourself, and I loved it too.  I used to have both albums in my car so I could rock out on my way home from work that summer.  That and 'N Sync's No Strings Attached were my soundtrack during the summer of 2000.  Wow, that's kind of embarrassing to admit.  ANYWAY, I really loved this song when I first heard it.  After it became their single, and basically their BREAKOUT single, I got tired of hearing about it.  I also got tired of hearing about how great this band was from everyone.  I mean... duh.  I already knew.  THREE YEARS AGO.  Catch up, people.  (Man, I'm so meeeeean.)

Day 15- A Song That Describes You

This is one of my "theme songs."  I know I'm not a mess at the core, but... I do wonder if people will want to deal with my messes.  Thus... will you love me if I'm a mess?

Fun tidbit: this song is by Steve Burns, aka Steve from Blue's Clues.  I LOVE Steve.  LOVE.  I was so sad when he "left for college" and his cousin Joe showed up.  I found this album by a total fluke, and it's actually pretty freakin' great.

Day 14- A Song That No One Would Expect You To Love

Yet again, another toughie.  I have a fairly bizarre and wide-ranging taste in music, so it really doesn't surprise people when I like songs that are "unlike" me.  However, I do have a sort-of typical style of music- acoustic guitars, pianos, female singers, usually of the indie rock persuasion.  That's why I went with this little ditty.  I'm not usually a fan of top 40 anything, mostly because a lot of it isn't any good.  Sometimes, though, I'll get an earworm that I can-NOT shake.  Which is how I came to love this song.

I've been very vocal about my love of a cappella music and my jinga-jing past.  During the first season of The Sing-Off, Nota did a version of this song, and it was used in EVERY COMMERCIAL.  By the time the show aired, I couldn't wait to hear them perform, and they KILLED it.  I knew they were going to win right then, and I was very pleased when they did!  And got to perform this song WITH Jay Sean!  This is totally off my usual style, and it even has LIL JOHN featured on it.  Yet, I love it.  If this song is on while I'm driving, I'm probably doing a super-terrible-embarrassing car dance.

Day 13- A Song That Is A Guilty Pleasure

Back in the summer of 1999, right after I graduated from high school, I went on a trip to Spain & France.  It was nothing short of incredible, and I've been dying to go back pretty much since the moment I left.  However, on the plane home, British Airways was showing a documentary on ABBA, a sort of Where-Are-They-Now piece.  In conjunction with this documentary, one of the radio stations played all ABBA songs.  When I touched down on American soil, I hugged my parents and asked if we could stop by the record store so I could purchase ABBA Gold.  I spent my freshman year of college introducing my friends to ABBA songs that weren't "Dancing Queen," and we had a blast singing the harmonies and over-pronouncing our R's.  This was all before Mamma Mia! hit Broadway and before we learned that Pierce Brosnan is a mediocre singer.

Still, these years later, I lurve my ABBA.  It's great driving music, when the weather's just getting nice, and you can roll your windows down and really nerd it up.  This one, Super Trouper, is my cheesy favorite.  The video really perpetuates my guilty pleasure love of it.

Day 12- A Song From A Band You Hate

It started when I worked at a call center back in '03.  We sold concert tickets and merchandise.  The worst fans I ever talked to, the worst people were OAR fans.  They were SO RUDE and terrible, and they all acted like I stole their preordered CDs.  Just... awful.  It made me capital H-HATE this band.  Ugh.

Day 11- A Song From Your Favorite Band

Well... crap.  I already said I wouldn't use any more Jimmy Eat World songs... but they are my favorite band.  So, I decided to go with my OTHER favorite "band," New Kids On The Block.  I do love me some NKOTB.  I hope to see them this summer on their NKOTBSB tour :)
Step ONE: we can have lotsa fun!

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!

St. Patrick's Day has always been a happy and celebrated holiday in our household, which one would imagine would be the case when you marry an Irishman.  Granted, he was born here, as was his father, as was HIS father... but he's ginger, he's got lots of freckles, and he was once gifted his pint glass at a pub in Brooklyn because the Irish bartender hadn't seen anyone but a fellow countryman drink as much Guinness as my husband did in one night without keeling over.  I'm very proud of him for that one.

For the past few years, because of the way our money situation has been, we haven't had our usual celebrations other than finding a place that will serve us cider and stout.  On occasions like this, I remember the year we had the best St. Patrick's Day ever.

Four years ago, we had the pleasure of being in Ireland for the big event.  We (meaning myself, The Hubs who was still The Boyfriend back then, and our friend living in London who I will now refer to as The Friend) hopped on a puddlejumper-esque flight from London to Shannon, then took a 2 hour bus ride from Shannon to Galway in the rain.  After a very bizarre stop at a burger joint, the three of us met a seriously wonderful couple who talked to us about their trips to Washington DC, who bought us tons of pints for wishing their father a happy birthday, and who told us all the best places to go the next day once we'd recovered.  I found out that Ireland is the place I should always be because a- I don't get hungover and b- I am considered hot enough to be hit on at EVERY SINGLE BAR we went to.  That has never, ever, EVER happened to me.  Ever.  In fact, one guy stood behind me and pointed me out to his friends, who cheered him on.  The Boyfriend asked me to politely point out that I was already taken, and The Guy Who Would Hit On Me took it well, even staying around to chat about football with us for a while before going back to his buddies.  At the end of the night, we were very into eating some food, so as my friend and I sprinted through the square to Abrakebabra, two local girls appeared from thin air, shouting happy things in Gaelic to The Boyfriend while alternately hugging him.  With wide, surprised eyes, he shook his head and told them that he had no idea what they were saying.  Strangely, they seemed more excited that he was American, but he had to politely tell them he couldn't stand around to speak because he was afraid to leave The Friend and I alone.  Apparently, we were too "celebratory" to be trusted out on our own.  He was right not to trust us, as he found us stuffing our faces with fries drenched in shredded cheese and a garlic cream sauce.  It was delicious at the time.

To sum up, it was an epically fun night.

This year... will not be like that.  However, tonight, I will crack open a bottle of Magners, pour it in a glass over ice, and sit back and remember that wonderfully awesome night.  For one brief evening, I was a Galway Girl.

Day 10- A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep

Many years ago at my grandparents' house, I could not fall asleep to save my life.  I did everything I could to make myself sleep, but it just wouldn't come.  Finally, I whipped out my Discman and popped in Journey's Greatest Hits.  I listened to this number on repeat.  Ever since then, it's worked like a dream.  Pun intended.

"Don't they get together in the end?"

SQUEEEEEEEE.

That was the sound that my entire neighborhood last night around 8:30 eastern when Blaine finally declared his feelings for Kurt, and they shared a precious and lovely first couple kiss.  Oh my stars and garters, I know The Hubs and The Pup were both quite happy to be elsewhere during the show last night, even though my squeal was so high-pitched that only The Pup could have heard it anyway.  I checked out my Tumblr dashboard this morning, which was not-so-shockingly filled with animated gifs and gorgeous graphics from last night's Glee, most of which featured The Kiss.  I'm actually surprised Tumblr was still operational after all that.

To sum up, I was pleased.

Say what you will about Glee, but thank goodness there is a show that's not afraid to show true love and emotion between two people, no matter their gender or orientation.  Chris Colfer and Darren Criss acted the everloving CRAP out of that scene, and I applaud their talent.  It was one of the truest, realest kisses I have ever seen on a television show, especially one centered around "teenagers."  Their chemistry is undeniable, and we all benefit from seeing it unfold.  I hope this kind of emotion continues to plaster itself all over my television from here on out.

Also... MAN, Darren Criss has the prettiest eyes.  SERIOUSLY.

Day 09- A Song That You Can Dance To

I just got a new Wii game for Christmas called Just Dance 2.  It's very very fun.  This song makes it the most fun for me.  Now, whenever I hear it, I can't help but to dance.  Vampire Weekend, your songs are so catchy!

Day 08- A Song That You Know All The Words To

I pride myself on knowing song lyrics, so I know all the words to literally hundreds, maybe even thousands, of songs.  Knowing all the words to this one has gotten me some cred before, though, so it's my choice today.  Also, this homemade MS Paint video kind of makes it for me.  Also also, I knew a certain blog follower and enjoyer of my 30 Day Song Challenge would thoroughly enjoy this one too.  Gotta love those Beastie Boys.

Day 07- A Song That Reminds You Of A Certain Event

I have known The Hubs for almost 11 years now.  We first became friends in 2000, when we were in marching band together at JMU (nerrrrrds).  We found out quickly that we both had fabulous taste in music, and we were both big fans of Weezer.  In fact, one of his first memories of me, where he first knew that I wasn't like other girls he knew, is a conversation we had about a Pixies tribute album where Weezer does a cover of "Velouria," and he said he loved the fact that I knew that AND that I knew who the Pixies were in the first place.  We spent much of our college years going to shows all over Virginia, and I was with him for my very first Weezer show (an excellent lineup at American University, with Ozma and The Get-Up Kids opening).  As our friendship blossomed into romance, we kept up this trend of discovering new and awesome music together.

So, in late 2007, as an engaged couple, we were having some trouble picking a song for our First Dance.  I didn't want to pick some cheesy love song that didn't have any meaning for us, and I knew I couldn't keep a straight face through something sappy.  Around that time, River Cuomo released an album of his home recordings, which we bought the week it came out.  That was where we found "I Was Made For You." One listen, and we knew we'd found our song.  So... on our wedding day, we danced to Rivers, which was just perfect.  Here's to you, my awesome dude, my very best friend, my Hubs.

Day 06- A Song That Reminds You of Somewhere

Like yesterday's song, I picked another that reminds me of a place every time I hear it.  For this, I picked a song that reminds me of our trip to London in 2007.  Every place we went, this song was on.  I'm not remotely joking.  Every shop, every pub, every place.  Kaiser Chiefs.  Angry Mob.  For the entire trip, The Hubs and I had the last part of this jam permanently lodged in our heads.  At least we actually LIKE it.  But still, whenever I hear the words "we are the angry mob," I want to put on my red sweatshirt and get myself one pint Bulmers.

Day 05- A Song That Reminds You of Someone

Today's challenge could have gone many ways.  Songs hold deep memories for me, so most songs conjure up at least 4 different people for 4 distinct reasons.  So, for the official decision, I chose a song that reminds me of someone every time I listen to it, not just from time to time.  Also, since yesterday's song was sad (as per the theme) and because today has been so sad as well (#prayforjapan), I wanted to pick something that reminded me of good times with my best friend.

My BFF Lindsey and I love to sing in the car together.  This is one of our classics.  It was included on my wedding playlist because I had to have a special singalong with my maid of honor.  We love this, and I love her!

Day 04- A Song That Makes You Sad

This was a tough one.  There are plenty of songs out there that make me sad, and most of them are schmaltzy crap.  Some songs make me sad because I hate them so much (see also DROPS OF JUPITER).  However, there's only one song that comes to mind that will make me come close to shedding tears when I hear it.  Again, it's by Jimmy Eat World.  I didn't want to pick them again because I'm trying to be diverse, but I really had no other choice in the matter.  This song helped me through a very tough time (which is partially why it makes me sad), and the story behind the song itself also makes me sad.  If you're not familiar with it, do a quick Google search of Mykel & Carli Allen.  Good people, tragic story.

Here You Me.

Day 03- A Song That Make You Happy

For today's song pick, I dug deep into my soul of happiness and came up with James.  I cannot hear this song without singing along loudly.  If this song should be on and you try to have a conversation with me, you should know that I'm not listening to you.  It reminds me of a very fun Friday evening with Magner's and 2 of my favorite dudes.  Please note that this is the radio edit, so my favorite line is changed from "comes" to "sings."

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Day 02- Your Least Favorite Song

Here's my Day 2 song- Drops of Jupiter by Train.  I really, really, really hate it.  I cannot abide by it.  AT ALL.  Whenever I hear it on the radio, I immediately change it.  I think it's because it was in constant rotation when I was working retail, and it came on EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Ugh.

Day 01- Your Favorite Song

My super awesome GBF just started the 30 Day Song Challenge on his FB page.  I looked it up, and not only does it seem right up my alley, it also goes along with what I already do on this jank all the time, which is post videos and talk about why I like them.  I decided to do it too, posting the songs on FB as well as explaining them here.

So... Day 01.  Your Favorite Song.

This one was sort of impossible for me.  I have no "official" favorite song.  It changes depending on mood, day, time, wind speed- you get the picture.  However, there is one song that I always come back to, that always blows me away with every listen.  Every. Single. Listen.  Thus, it takes the cake as my Favorite Song.