Note From Jon

Adieu.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

When it's time to MoveOn.org

The other day I was reminded about the emotional power of music... when the wrong song popped up on my iPod as I drove a friend home. In what seems to be a bit of a theme among my friends, he has been getting over someone and the song definitely brought that to the surface. (Note to Jon: Take Woke Up New by The Mountain Goats out of the shuffle rotation!) This got me thinking though about what songs would be good to listen to when getting over someone (other than generally happy songs and not any songs that have special memories with that person). I'll share my conclusions in a minute but first I recommend that anyone getting over someone (or anyone who likes to laugh) watch this video:



The playlist I came up with, based on my own experiences of songs that have helped me move on over the years looks something like:

  1. Looking for a Song by Big Audio Dynamite
  2. I'm Not Crying by Flight of the Conchords
  3. I'll Be On My Way by Corduroy
  4. Just One More by Jon-Rae and the River
  5. Shake Some Action by The Farm
  6. The Internet is for Porn by Avenue Q
  7. Rain by Bishop Allen
  8. I Believe by Booth and the Bad Angel
  9. Get Rhythm by Johnny Cash
  10. Let Your Troubles Roll By by Carbon Leaf
  11. Float On by Modest Mouse
  12. Tomorrow by James
  13. Beautiful Day by U2
And the annotated version for anyone interested in why I chose those songs in roughly that order:
  1. Looking for a Song by Big Audio Dynamite:
    • For some reason I had in my head that the chorus of this song was "Looking for a song, to help me move along". It's not. But I had already determined that it was kicking off the mix and I will continue to sing the chorus my way.
  2. I'm Not Crying by Flight of the Conchords
    • Denial (that you care). "I'm not crying, it's just been raining... on my face"
  3. I'll Be On My Way by Corduroy
    • Anger. "I'll say fuck you and then I'll be on my way!"
  4. Just One More by Jon-Rae and the River
    • Bonus Night! The title says it all, please "Just One More". Could also lead to Phase 3 of the Breakup video
  5. Shake Some Action by The Farm
    • Random Hook Ups. Everyone figures "some action's what I need"
  6. The Internet is for Porn by Avenue Q
    • Really a 5b for any friends who aren't having much luck with 5a
  7. Rain by Bishop Allen
    • On side B of this LP we start to get to the more healing, uplifting songs starting with: "Cause if its ever gonna get any better, it's gotta get worse for a day"
  8. I Believe by Booth and the Bad Angel
    • "Why be a song if you can be a symphony, don't give your power away"
  9. Get Rhythm by Johnny Cash
    • "When you get the blues, come on get rhythm"
  10. Let Your Troubles Roll By by Carbon Leaf
    • "When all of your tears dry, let your troubles roll by"
  11. Float On by Modest Mouse
    • Just a damn great song... "And we'll all float on okay..."
  12. Tomorrow by James
    • "Can't catch love with a net or a gun, gotta keep faith that your path will change, gotta keep faith that your luck will change... tomorrow"
  13. Beautiful Day by U2
    • The verse starting at 3:20 sums everything up perfectly for me "What you don't have you don't need it now, don't need it now..."
And of course, as Lev says "As soon as you are perfectly happy and content about being alone... get a new girlfriend and repeat from the beginning..."

Maybe I'll make a CD for my friend...

What would be on your list?

6 comments:

overly effervesant said...

Untouchable Face by Ani DiFranco is a great one "fuck you, for existing in the first place".

Jon said...

That's too funny. I originally had it on my list but it was actually more of a downer than I expected so I left it off. It was probably worth having it on the list if just for that one line though.

Jan Louis said...

Welll there you go again Jon - you made me do a list also.......

Anonymous said...

Song for the Dumped by Ben Folds Five. Lyrics:

So you wanted
to take a break
Slow it down some and
have some space
Well fXXX you too
Give me my money back
Give me my money back
you bitch
I want my money back
(And don't forget to give
me back my black T-Shirt)

Jessica said...

That was a truly awesome video - thanks!

"Like A Friend" by Pulp. Angry and bitter, party of one!

Telecomedian said...

A few I came up with:

Steve Kilbey, the lead singer of the Church, had a solo song out years ago "Wish That I Was Over You." Nice tune, perfect pop melody. Melon-collie without the infinite sadness.

The Clarks, a Replacements-esque band from Pittsburgh, has "Better Off Without You" which is great for bitter, angry, "I'm moving on! Dammit!!" days.

Power of Dreams, a fantastic early `90s British band, had a minor hit album called "Immigrants, Emigrants and Me" and the whole album is essentially a love song about loves lost. Rather remarkable heartache in a tasty pop/rock shell. "My Average Day" sounds just as fresh in 2007 as it did in...hell, almost 20 years ago. Eesh.

Barenaked Ladies "Didn't Mean To Break Your Heart." Stephen Page's voice is one step down from opera, one step above the blues, in this piece.

The Trashcan Sinatras, my favorite band, has at least one song per album that will make you go "damn..." Check out Leave Me Alone on this page.
http://www.trashcansinatras.com/lyrics-snow.php


And, of course, no list would be complete without The Butt Trumpet's "You're Ugly" which will really make you feel better about your life and the world in general. You can kinda figure out the rest of the song from there.