1. "Better Days" by both Eddie Vedder and Amos Lee.
No, they didn't collaborate--but wouldn't that be amazing if they did?!--but both Amos Lee and Eddie Vedder have songs titled "Better Days" and both of them have seen some serious playtime, according to my iTunes count. I've linked to the Eddie Vedder version below. The first time I heard this song, I was in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin at a ranch house with some girlfriends. One girl popped in the Eat, Pray, Love soundtrack and I'm pretty sure the album was on repeat for the remainder of the weekend. This song makes me feel fiercely lonely and hopeful at the same time. And, true story, one line in this song inspired a story idea that is still percolating in the back of my head.
"Our future's paved with better days." This line resonates with my inner optimist.
2. "Bittersweet Symphony", The Verve
I've been a fan of this song for a number of years (holy crap--I've been out of high school how long?), but it carried an extra special meaning after my high school boyfriend suddenly passed away three years ago. He had been married four months; they hadn't even gone on their honeymoon. Knowing a young, vibrant life like his ended as a result of a "routine procedure" makes me incredibly sad. This song was played at his visitation. This one's for you, KVH.
3. The Beastie Boys
Really, I can't pick just one. My love for these guys goes back to Lollapalooza, 1994. Beastie Boys AND Smashing Pumpkins? Um, yes, please! A guy asked if I wanted to go--it wasn't until later that I realized he liked me. Here, I thought he was just offering me a ticket because he knew how much I loved the Beastie Boys. Yeah, I wasn't savvy when it came to boys. Anyway, if I had to pick only one Beasties album for a roadtrip, I'd stick to the oldie but goodie, Licensed to Ill. Brass Monkey, She's Crafty, or my fave, No Sleep Till Brooklyn. Intergalactic on the Hello Nasty album gets a very close honorable mention as well.
So sorry about your old boyfriend - a bittersweet symphony indeed.
ReplyDeleteGreat band, though - that song got me to listen to the rest of their catalog, and it's still my favorite.
Have you listened to Richard Ashcroft's newer stuff? It's not too bad, all things considered.
DeleteAnd his collaboration w/Coldplay (hint hit on the letter C!) on Bittersweet Symphony is pretty excellent as well.
Correction: Coldplay is coming, just not tomorrow... Though I suppose tomorrow would've made a load of logic seeing it's the letter C.
DeleteI actually heard Ashcroft first - "Nature is the Law" on a folk station. And I looked it up and loved his "Words Just Get in the Way" too, and then looked him up on Wiki and realized he was the guy from the Verve, and listened to more of their stuff.
DeleteHow did one explore music before the web?
Beastie Boys and The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony? You just won the Internet.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you approve!
DeleteNo pressure to not disappoint on future tunes or anything... (gulp) :)
all great great songs/singers/bands... my 3 year old loved listening to Sabotage
ReplyDeletePicturing a 3 yr old rockin' out to Sabotage absolutely makes me smile. :)
DeleteI'm saving this post so I can listen to the songs after work (grr, no sound aloud on the work comp!). Great post :)
ReplyDeleteOh no! I didn't even think about sound and/or YouTube videos being blocked on computers. It's amazing what I take for granted at my job...
DeleteSpringsteen also has a 'Better Days.' I don't think you asked for our votes, but I'm voting for it anyways. :)
ReplyDeleteHa! Excellent--I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!
DeleteYES on the Smashing Pumkins love! Huge fan!
ReplyDeleteI like the Beastie Boys OK, but i do LOVE Bittersweet Symphony. What a great song
I lost my Siamese Dream album and was BUMMED. I remember speeding down the back country roads (late for class, per usual) listening to "Today." Great tune.
DeleteIsn't it funny how songs take us back to exact moments? Sorry to hear about your h.s. boyfriend. There are a couple songs that hit me like that about people I've lost, too.
ReplyDeleteYup--music is sneaky like that. Incredibly powerful, and if you don't pay attention, it can jump up and hit you so hard that you have no recourse but to cry it out.
DeleteI count seeing Lollapalooza in 1994 as one of the greatest days in my life. My mind was blown for weeks afterward.
ReplyDeleteThe Beastie Boys remind me so much of high school! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry about your high school boyfriend. It was nice of you to dedicate such a special song to him. Julie
ReplyDelete