I'd Give You Everything I've Got For A Little Peace of Mind

I threw a mix in the trash the other day; I've never thrown a mix I made for someone away in my entire life. But, I made it, and when I finally had the chance to give it to its recipient, it was no longer relevant. Except for one song, which I've already posted.

Maybe I'll tell that story soon, told through the songs of what could have been, but wasn't. What was lost, through no fault of my own.

Tonight, however, I'm just plum tired. A long week ahead, too. Need to stay relatively focused.

Threw it away...some days, I even surprise myself.

I'm So Tired - The Beatles.

MP3 File

How Long Must We Sing This Song?

There is always more than one side to armed conflict. There are always perspectives not clear to the watching world.

As we sit and watch the growing unrest and violence in Egypt today, the anniversary of another violent and deadly protest against a government is marked today. Thirty-nine years ago today, the Bogside Massacre occurred in Derry, perhaps best known in America as the event that inspired today's song.

So, as the news of the world unfolds before us, I have to join in this chorus, and ask the question, "how long, how long must we sing this song?"



Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2

Sooner or Later

You said you'd listened to more Bob Dylan in this last year and a half than any person ever has. If that's the case, I'm sure Shelter From the Storm passed your way at least once. I've offered that to you before.

I'm equally certain this one passed your ears as well. It's more relevant to me today than it ever has been, or ever will be again.

But, sooner or later, one of us must know
You just did what you’re supposed to do
Sooner or later, one of us must know
That I really did try to get close to you...

One of Us Must Know(Sooner or Later)- Bob Dylan

MP3 File

So Bitter And So Sweet

I could drink a case of you, and still be on my feet...

About sums it up, all of this. Talk about seismic shifts.



A Case of You - Joni Mitchell

Come In, She Said...

... I'll give you shelter from the storm.

Shelter From the Storm - Bob Dylan

MP3 File

The Waiting

...is the hardest part ;)

The Waiting - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

MP3 File

Strength In The Distances Between Us

Come here, stand in front of the light.
Stand still, so I can see your silouhette.
I hope that you have got all night,
Because I am not done looking at you yet.

Great song.

Overlap - Ani DiFranco

MP3 File

Turn Them Speakers Up Full Blast...

Ah, Warren...

Not too many people deserve the label genius, but Warren certainly could give it a run for its money. Today would have been his 64th birthday. There are many, many, many incredible, and more well known songs I could have chosen, but I have a particular fondness for this one, and the Drive-by Truckers do an amazing cover of it.

So, Happy Birthday, Warren. We miss you.

Interlude No.1/Play It All Night Long - Warren Zevon

MP3 File

Pretend That I Am Weightless, And In This Moment I Am Happy

"And in this moment I am happy..."

Wish You Were Here- Incubus

MP3 File

What's Done In The Dark Will Be Brought To The Light

Going to see True Grit tonight. This song was used, appropriately so, in a promotional trailer for that movie. A Western about revenge and redemption can have this song as a soundtrack. NOT A JEEP COMMERCIAL...

Enjoy Saturday.

God's Gonna Cut You Down - Johnny Cash (video, click here).

You Know We're Gonna Do It Again

Another night with The Full-Time Dreamers!! Lots of good people coming out for this show. Friday night's alright with me!

Knockin' - The Full-Time Dreamers

MP3 File

Lucero Rules

I cannot get enough of this band...

I Don't Wanna Be The One - Lucero

MP3 File

Are Friends Electric?

Well, the friend who sent me two cds today, although not electric, is certainly electrically inspired when it comes to his taste in music. A facebook connection from the past; I've written about him twice already this year, when we first reconnected. The cds he mailed me as a Christmas present finally arrived, and they are typically unusual and funky. And synth driven.

They will be wonderful in my car. And, although this song isn't on them, this should give you the general idea.

Robot Rock - Daft Punk

MP3 File

Treading Around In the Gathering Rain

That is certainly the sound and the image for the evening. Shoveled three inches of slush, went to yoga and worked out the kinks. Came home, showered and had dinner in my pj's. On to some school committee reading and an early bed.

I am also of the opinion that the first two Counting Crows albums are some of the finest music to come out of the 90s, and they should have just quit while they were ahead. Discuss among yourselves.

Omaha - Counting Crows

MP3 File

So If I'm Inside Your Head

My apartment really responds to sunlight. Different rooms in my house capture it at different points of the day, and even when the blinds are drawn, the quality of light, the softness, the warmth, makes me really love this little home I've made here on my own.

This morning, I was lazily prolonging my time in bed, as I have the day off today. And as the sun grew higher in the sky as the morning drew on, I dozed on and off as the light in the room changed from darkness, to this soft dove gray, brightening over time. And it was warm, and quiet, and a beautiful, inviting, calming light, and I finally dragged myself out of bed. I'll be honest, I was remembering something(one) specific in that light, and I just didn't want to be in there by myself any more.

But even something slightly wistful like that does not keep me from loving the light in that room in the early morning, and my big warm comforter, and multiple pillows. And sometimes, I don't want to share that light with anyone; it's mine. Some mornings, though, I remember.

Waste - Phish

MP3 File

I Read The News Today, Oh Boy...

So, adding 30 seconds on to my proverbial 15 minutes of fame, I was featured in today's Boston Globe Magazine. Months ago, and I MEAN months ago, I filled out a survey to be considered for one of their columns, Dinner With Cupid. Fill out the survey, and the Globe staff attempts to match you up with someone else, sends you on a blind dinner date, and then the post-mortem survey gets published in the magazine on Sundays. I have been reading this column forever, and in a lingering spirit of Ireland's adventurousness, and being unattached, I said, "what the hell?" Filled it out, sent it away, and then heard nothing. Nothing for so long, I'd almost forgotten I did it.

Until the first week in December, when I get an email from the column's editor stating they may have found me a match; was I still interested? And, in the continuing spirit of living life out loud and being open to whatever the universe was throwing my direction, I replied saying, "Sure."

You can read the synopsis yourself. It was a perfectly lovely, no-sparks evening. Worth the time, but the conclusion to this story is no surprise, and I completely don't care. I'm just glad for the experience. And, the comments my friends are making on my facebook page and texting to me are priceless.

So, although only the first line of this song fits, it's running through my head. Enjoy the read! I certainly did ;)

A Day In The Life - The Beatles

MP3 File

The Echo of Whomever Spoke...

My favorite Phish song. Happy Saturday!

Bouncin' Round The Room - Phish

MP3 File

Counting the Cars on the New Jersey Turnpike

The title of this song was used as a code once. It signaled to a friend that I was on my way to see him. It's a line from this song, one of his favorites, which is also used so wonderfully in our favorite shared movie, Almost Famous.

I'll see you soon. We can count the cars when I get there.

America - Simon and Garfunkel

MP3 File

Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From

One of the great honors of my life thus far was officiating my sister Colleen's wedding. Another responsibility I was handed for that occasion was to create the playlists for dinner and for dancing after dinner. They had the reception at a local restaurant, owned by friends of my mother, and a DJ was not practical for the space. However, my 8000+ iTunes library provided ample material for hours of listening and grooving. Seriously.

I saved both playlists for a few reasons. The dancing playlist is a masterpiece; 6 hours of ass-shaking goodness, with something for every age level there. The dinner playlist was much more personal. Not only did it incorporate love songs inspired by the bride and groom, but I paid tribute to several friends with different song choices, and channeled the feel of the playlist that ran during dinner at Brian's wedding. Some songs from that event are there. Liz's wedding song is there. Songs that remind me of old loves, current wishful thinkings, and the song that will eventually be my wedding song, should I ever take that plunge again, are sprinkled among the tunes. I wanted it to be a celebration of love, and not just sappy romantic love.

Sometimes, love challenges you. Sometimes, love is a pain in the ass. Sometimes, love will break you. And always, love will change you forever. And for two people, coming back to their hometown and finding each other again, and beginning to build a new home in an old place, this song seemed to say it all.

"My cares slip away when I see your face,
I lose my confusion,
Your love is the place where I come from..."

Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From - Teenage Fanclub

MP3 File

It's Been A While Since I Could Call You

Inspired by a couple of phone conversations this week. It's been a while, indeed...

It's Been A While - Staind

MP3 File

Like Snowflakes Melting In The Breeze

Mostly in honor of today's date, 1/11/11, but this song has always killed me.

One By One - Billy Bragg and Wilco

MP3 File

I Remember When I Lost My Mind

For real, I need to stop with the Angry Birds...

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

MP3 File

And BANG! That's When I Remember My Dream

Repost from a year ago, I think, but this song is on my mind today...

Last night, this entire song played in a dream I had about you. I remember when she played this live the night we saw her, and I was so overjoyed to hear her sing this one, particularly for that last verse, and for standing there with you. The live version you captured from that radio stream was the one playing in my dream, not this one, but still, I dreamed about a moment of real joy I experienced with you, so early on, and seemingly now, so fleeting, and I woke up with that and sadness wrestling in my heart.

"But in the garden of simple
where all of us are nameless
you were never anything but beautiful to me...

...and what i meant to say is xxoo which means i'm thinking of ya
which means i've been thinking of you
all along..."

I guess this song is still what I wish for, when it comes to wishing about anything regarding you.

Garden of Simple - Ani DiFranco

MP3 File

Lunatic Fringe, In The Twilight's Last Gleaming...

"...this is open season, but you won't get too far.."



This song is decades old, decades. Check the lyrics; it's frightening.

My heart goes out to the families of those wounded and killed in Arizona, in this bizarre and senseless tragedy. It rings close to home for me, a minor elected public official, as well as the shooting at a Florida school committee meeting several weeks ago.

How did we come to this, America? What happened to principled dissent? What happened to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"? I am so frightened and disheartened by where we are headed.

I should have been writing about David Bowie, or Elvis, or my brother-in-law who shares their birthday, but instead, I'm watching the news in horror, and this is the only song that makes sense today.

Ain't Flinging Tears Down On The Dusty Ground

Just one of those songs, for one of those moods.

That demon, Life, indeed...

Sway - The Rolling Stones

MP3 File

Hey, Hey, Mercy, Woman Plays A Song And No One Listens

One of my favorite Monkees' songs, because it's so unlike a Monkees' song.

"Play the drum just a little bit louder, tell me we can live without her, now that we have listened to the band..."

Listen To The Band - The Monkees

MP3 File

There's No Nicer Witch Than You...

Just because...



Well, no, this song is not "just because". This song is part of a larger story that I am going to tell, in song and in words, at some point during this year. And whereas I have the songs--plenty of songs--the words, they will be much more difficult. Not difficult as in painful, but difficult as in, where the hell do I begin, or even end? And how much does the world really need to know of all the twisted wonderfulness that is associated with this song, and so many others?

There are a couple of stories coming this year. Please keep reading. For now, know this:

I am the witch in this song. At least, I was once. And it still makes me smile.

Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra

Winding Your Way Down Baker Street

The Foo Fighters perform a great cover of one of my favorite songs from the seventies. Sad to learn today of the death of Gerry Rafferty, author of this and the Stealer's Wheels classic "Stuck in the Middle With You". The original is below:



I can remember hearing "Baker Street" on the car radio and asking my mother not to turn the station. It was summer, and we were driving down a long road in Westwood, and that saxophone was just swirling around me.

Baker Street - The Foo Fighters

MP3 File

Get Out The Way...

I love this shit...

Shake your ass. It's Monday; don't fall into that "I don't like Mondays" crap. You make your own fun.

Oh No - Girl Talk

MP3 File

I Know It Don't Thrill You

So, it's the last evening of vacation. I've spent the afternoon dismantling Christmas. It's always sad to see my house after the decorations have been put away, even though it's been returned to the state it lives in 11 months out of the year. I just love the festive feel, and it always makes me a little blue.

Combine that with the return to work tomorrow, and a less than stellar New Year's celebration, I'm feeling a little cranky. Such is life. It's about to get crazy busy for me too, as I start teaching a grad course on the 11th, and my own coursework starts on the 21st.

Enjoy the last night of the winter holidays, folks. Breathe deeply tomorrow.

Welcome to the Working Week - Elvis Costello

MP3 File

My Tears Don't Matter Much

Although lyrically, this song has nothing to do with my mood today, the chorus did. And this song kept the evil thoughts away and let me move through those tears, which, really don't matter much in the grand scheme of things making my cry last night.

An amazing band I need to have more of in my life. Thank you, Lucero, for keeping me off the ledge :)

Tears Don't Matter Much - Lucero

MP3 File