A big "Thank you!" to all of you for the good luck wishes on my run this past weekend. I felt great for most of the run, but hit a wall somewhere around mile 7. The last three miles were U-G-L-Y (and they don't have no alibi!) but I pushed through and even smiled crossing the finish line. I shaved about 5 minutes off from last year, so that made me feel good. All things considered, I'm right on track for my half marathon in 4 weeks! I'll try to share some tunes that powered me through the low parts. (Here's a hint: letters P and T.)
On to the letter N!
1. 9, Damien Rice
Yes, the name of the album is actually the number nine, which makes it a pretty easy "N" entry. I had a similar experience with this album like I did with Enya (see "E"). During my 2007 trip to Ireland, I wanted to spend the afternoon driving around with no real plan in sight. So I grabbed my map, CDs, and my keys, and hit the road. I took the N59 south out of Westport and hung a right on R335, looping my way back to Westport. The whole trip only took about two hours (stopped for lots of pictures!), but I enjoyed this album while on the road. Now, when any track from this album comes on, I am instantly teleported back to the far west coast of Ireland. Here's the video for "9 Crimes", the first track on the album.
2. "Nightswimming" by REM
This song always takes me back to high school. For no logical reason, it always makes me think of that guy who I had a big crush on for years. And it makes me want to get a used piano and buy the sheet music so I can play it at home. No idea why. But whenever I need some music to match my melancholy mood, "Nightswimming" makes the short list.
Honorable mentions with N: "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra, "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, and "Night Train" by Amos Lee (like it's any surprise to see him here. Again.).
You tell me: What N's did I overlook? What do you think of Damien Rice--too much angst for you, or just right when you need music to match your mood?
Wow, congrats on your run - impressive! I know what it's like when you're pushing to finish a race and your body is saying NOOOOOOO. Well done for pushing through!
ReplyDeleteGlad you pushed through that wall on your run!
ReplyDeleteHad to give that REM song a listen. Wasn't familiar with that one. And we need angsty songs now and then to help us push through that wall.
Great job on the run!
ReplyDeleteI love Damien Rice. I'm crap with the names of songs and albums, but one that begins with and 'N' that I love is New Soul by Yael Naim (do I get double points for the song and the last name of the songstress starting with 'N'?).
ReplyDeleteLove love LOVE! 9 Crimes and nightswimming. Good choices!
ReplyDeleteAnd i was just going to email you and ask how the race went but now i don't need to. Go you!!!
Way. to. go. on your RUN!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing your music picks for N!
Damien Rice is definitely too angsty, which is why I have both his albums, plus three concerts. :-)
ReplyDeleteFinally I see Damien on your list!!! I love, love, love that guy...but I think I mentioned that back in D! :-)
ReplyDeleteNot a big fan of REM, but you know what's funny - New Soul by Yael Naim mentioned up above in the comments. hahahaha Serendipitous... :-)
Thanks for all the positive support, guys! It really brought a smile to my face today, especially because I'm nursing all sorts of muscle aches.
ReplyDeleteI love how there are so many of you who are Damien Rice fans. Three concerts, Maine? Nice! And yes, Lindsay, I'll give you extra credit for the two N's!
I love Damien Rice's Cannonball!
ReplyDeleteCheers for finishing the race!
ReplyDeleteDamien Rice definitely works when I'm in the proper mood! My N's right now are "No Church in the Wild" by Jay-Z & Kanye West, "Nobody's Baby" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, and "Nice Guys Finish Last" by Green Day.
Thanks for the tune suggestions! I like Jay-Z, but I think Kanye is such an angry little man that I can't separate the artist from the ranter.
DeleteOoh, I love Nightswimming.
ReplyDeleteThe top N for me, though, has to be Nirvana with Nevermind.
Holy crap--Why isn't Nevermind on my list?! GREAT catch! What an amazing album, especially for its time. Thanks for the reminder!
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