my happy place

Last Saturday marked my 25th time (yes that says 2-5) seeing my most favorite band, Dave Matthews Band. They have played a very important part in my life over the last 16 years and it started with the 1st time I saw the video for "What Would You Say? on MTV (when they still played those things) my freshman year of high school. I will never forget that moment. I immediately thought (and might have said out loud at that moment) "Wow. This band is different. This song sounds amazing." I was in awe that a band with such a different sound was on MTV. Except for maybe the occasional Stone Temple Pilots or Nirvana song, if it wasn't rap, hip hop or something extremely popular (all things I didn't very much enjoy) it meant MTV didn't show it. After finding out that they not only had a saxophone player but also a violin player, I became even more intrigued with this band.

I think what officially cemented me as a fan was the first time I heard Boyd's violin solo in "Ants Marching" - not only because it was getting airtime on the radio but mainly because it FUCKING ROCKED. I remember thinking "HOLY CRAP! There's a violin solo in this song and it kicks ass AND it's being played on a major market radio station!" I had never heard someone play violin like that and I was hooked. I was so amazed that I began playing the violin and played throughout High School. I think we can officially say that is when the obsession began.

Seeing them live is an entirely different beast. In general, I love music and one of my favorite things in the world is hearing live music. I definitely have moments where I would rather listen to a studio version of a song over a live version but nothing really is better than a live show. The energy & emotion that you see, hear & feel is something that needs to be bottled & sold.... I believe I just created the solution that will help save the economy.

My first time seeing them live wasn't until college. Seeing them live is an experience in and of itself. Now I've had my fun at some shows (drinking and/or smoking some mind-altering things) but I can honestly say that I've been to more DMB shows sober and still always have the time of my life. Just seeing them play gets me high (and I mean more than that contact high I'm getting from that joint being passed around behind me.) I always walk away with a smile on my face & an amazing few hours of music to store away in my head. I've gone to see DMB with many different people over the years and I always give them fair warning that I will be the person standing the whole time, dancing, playing air guitar, singing along to every song - I'll pretty much be in my own world. I truly wish I could duplicate the feeling I have when I see them live. I get goosebumps when I just listen to their music on my ipod so you can imagine that I am in my euphoric mecca when I see them come onto the stage.

This past Saturday's show was no different. I had an amazing 3 hours of pure happiness & excitement but something really special happened though. Something really hit me that night. It was one of the best shows I have seen of theirs (and I have a lot of them to compare it to) but not just solely for what songs they played (they are notorious for never playing the same setlists) but for what they, as truly great artists and actual human beings can do and will do for their fans.

Dave was extremely hoarse from the start of the show. He mentioned early on that he woke up not feeling well and that he hoped we still would have a great time and that he will try his best for us. The band goes on to play for almost 3 hours, with the audience singing some songs almost karaoke/sing a-long style since Dave can not hit some notes. He continues to thank us for our 'help' and 'voices' throughout the night & is even playful at some points - his voice cracked at the beginning of a song, makes mention of his screw up through a improv scat & then goes right back into the original song.

Listening back on some of Saturday's tracks online, I can hear that Dave sounds much worse than I originally heard (probably because I was singing most of the time myself) but he is close to losing his voice as it cracks and gives out on him throughout. Yet, the band played for ALMOST 3 HOURS. and the band seemed to love every minute of it. They knew they had a show to do for a sold out crowd filled with fans like myself. It's like they kept feeding off our energy & excitement and love. It made me realize that they truly do appreciate us and do all the touring, all the shows for us, the fans. They just kept on going and going. I bet if Dave felt better and the garden didn't have a time limit for shows, they would've played until after midnight. It truly was an experience that will stay with me for quite sometime.

With this show fresh in my mind and after having a conversation with a friend about where & how many times I've seen them, I decided to make a list. Sure you can call me crazy, but honestly, this is my happy list.

Happiness to me is... or proof of my craziness

80's anyone?

My recent blog entry about my Deserted Island Soundtrack got a lot of positive feedback & made for some interesting conversation starters. I was asked what would be my top 10 songs from the 80s. Now there is a distinct difference between 80s rock & 80s pop and because I could easily pick a ton of songs from each, I will be giving them each a separate list & entry. I'll start with the cheesy & the corny - the Pop list. I also couldn't just pick 10. So deal.

These are my favorite 80's Pop Songs. They have a special place in my heart & like Pavlov's dog, if any of these started playing any time at any place, I would definitely start belting out all the lyrics of all of them:

"Alone" - Heart
I LOVE THIS SONG. This could possibly make a run for my #1 favorite 80s song.

"How Soon is Now?" - The Smiths
What can you say about Morrissey? An amazing band & an amazing song.

"Just like Heaven" - The Cure
This is such a feel good song. LOVE LOVE LOVE Robert Smith. This band is one of the defining groups of the decade.

"Need You Tonight" - INXS
I don't think there is an INXS song I don't like, but this one is so fun to sing to. RIP Michael Hutchins.

"Wake Me Up (Before You Go-Go) - Wham!
This song reminds me of growing up. I had this on a 45 and would play it on my fisher price record player and dance around the living room.

"Everything She Wants" - Wham!
This is my favorite Wham! song. It's fun to sing for karaoke with a ton of other people.

"Modern Love" - David Bowie
Bowie not only conquers another decade with awesome music, but tempts Jennifer Connelly as the Goblin King in Labyrinth (can he do no wrong?) Another one of those songs that just makes me feel good.

'Policy of Truth' - Depeche Mode
I didn't really truly discover Depeche Mode until I was in my teens but man everything about them, the lyrics, the beats, David Gahan's voice all made me fall in love instantly. New wave had made its way into my teenage years and it's never left. This is my favorite DM song, I'm not entirely sure why but it definitely just hit me. It's so simple yet complicated all at the same time. It's amazing.

"West End Girls" - Pet Shop Boys feat. Dusty Springfield
I love the sound of Dusty Springfield's voice in the song, love the beat, and just the feeling of 'mysteriousness' that this song give off .

"Walk like an Egyptian" - The Bangles
Do you remember pocket rockers? Well I had that EXACT player. You see that little cassette in the corner? It was one side "Walk like an Egyptian", one side "Manic Monday". I played the CRAP out of that cassette. Also, whenever I think of this song I immediately think of the video of just all random people they filmed dancing & "Walking like an Egyptian".

"Break it Down Again" - Tears for Fears
I know this wasn't released in the 80s (it was the early 90s) but it is very 80s-esque and is my favorite Tears for Fears song.

"King of Pain" - The Police
This is my favorite Police song. that is all.

"Every Breathe you Take" - The Police
Before I found out this song was about a stalker fan of Sting/The Police, I wanted this to be my wedding song.... and it is still up there in the ranking to be.

"And She Was" - Talking Heads
I think I listen to this song at least once a day. This (and Psycho Killer) are 2 my favorite Talking Heads songs.

"Bad" - Michael Jackson
The leather jacket. The video. The dancing. I remember this being one of the first videos I ever saw & just wanted to watch it over & over. How could you not love everything & anything Michael Jackson did back in the 80s?

"Billie Jean" - MJ
a classic. enough said.


and these are some honorable mentions that I wanted to include but don't really have anything to add about:

"Keep Me Hangin' On" - Kim Wilde
"Maneater" - Hall & Oates
"The Promise" - When in Rome
"What Do All the People Know?" - The Monroes
"Invisible Touch" - Genesis
"Tenderness" - General Public


next up.... my Top 80s Rock songs.

My Deserted Island Soundtrack

A friend of mine who is a fellow blogger recently had a post entitled "My Island CD" stating the 10 songs he would want to be stuck on a deserted island with for an indefinite period of time. He mentioned to me after writing this blog that he would be interested in finding out what mine would be, since he knows how passionate I am about music & how it's influenced my life.

Now, he had some stipulations with his list, which he has every right to since it is his list. I am not going to put any restrictions on my list - the only thing I do want to say is that it will consist of songs that would fit on a single CD (which is about 80 minutes). Also the order is merely the suggested way I would listen to it (but shuffle works with it too).
So here it is:

1. "Over the Hills And Far Away" - Led Zeppelin (4:46)
Most people consider Led Zeppelin one of the best rock bands of all time. I consider them THE best. Led Zeppelin is one of two bands that if I was asked to pick my favorite song by them, I wouldn't be able to. Not only do they have so many amazing songs, but they all have different vibes & meanings to me. How I'm feeling/the mood I'm in makes a difference on what I would want to listen to. This song ranks in my Top 5 Led Zeppelin songs. It makes me smile and it is a pretty awesome song to start off a soundtrack. Oh, and if the opening guitar solo in this song doesn't make you want to pick up a guitar, you must hate music.


2. "A Girl Like You" - Edwyn Collins(3:55)
I love this song just as much as the first time I heard it. This song reminds me of High School and at times it does bring me back there when I listen to it. It's most known for being on the Empire Records soundtrack and getting Edwyn Collins his 15 mins of fame/one hit wonder. It has that Iggy Pop/David Bowie vibe to it (and most mistake it as a Bowie song) but then you hear the electric guitar, vibraphone & other instruments and its slight new wave feel but not overly so. And anyone that uses the word 'allegorically' in a song gets brownie points in my book.


3. "Bad Reputation" - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (2:48)
If guys can have man crushes, Joan Jett is my girl crush. She is my idol. I loved her & my She-Ra action figure growing up. I hope to God that I can look half as awesome as she does when I'm her age. She was & still is SO FUCKING bad ass. I love the message of "I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks, I just do what I want because it's what I want to do". If I could pick an anthem, this would be it. "...and I don't really care if you think I'm strange, I ain't gonna change"... sing it Joan, sing your fucking heart out.


4. Thunderstruck" - AC/DC (4:52)
I love AC/DC, from both the Bon Scott days & Brian Johnson days. This song would have been amazing to see live back in the late 70s. To me, this one of those songs that defines what is amazing, mind blowing rock & roll. I have said on many occasions that if I played for the NY Yankees, this kick ass song would be the one they play every time I would go up to bat.


5. "Lie In Our Graves (Live)" - Dave Matthews Band - Live in Chicago 12.19.98 (12:21)
I had the hardest time choosing a song by this band. (so I picked 2, ha!) It's like asking a chef to pick their favorite food or an artist to pick their favorite painting. I could easily write an essay on why I love this song. Hell, I could write an entire book on why I love each album of theirs and the difference between listening to a live recording of a song or the studio recorded version. Ok, I admit it, I'm obsessed with Dave Matthews Band. Anyway, I chose this specific song, a live one, because 2 words come to mind if I had to describe it - passion & energy. DMB shows are full of both but this particular song has hit me more so than others. The violin solo in this song is one of the best pieces I've ever heard Boyd play and I can hear & feeling the emotion come off the strings & bow as he plays it. Tim Reynolds makes a guitar talk and in this song I can almost hear its pain. I also just love this song - it's fun & reminds me of summer and driving to all of shows I've been to in the my life, especially DMB shows.


6. "Sunday Morning" - No Doubt (4:33)
When Tragic Kingdom came out in 1995, I listened to it CONSTANTLY. I almost burned out my stereo & a hole through the CD. This particular song opens with a 1min+ drum line, it has this amazing smooth yet punk beat throughout the song, and Gwen's vocals & the lyrics all add up to my favorite track on the album. It also makes for an awesome karaoke song.


7. "One" - Metallica (7:27)
I have so many memories that involve Metallica and their music. My late friend Dan gave me my first Metallica album in 1995 and I never turned back. This is one of my top 5 Metallica songs but I picked this song for this soundtrack because I love how simple & melodic the guitars are at the beginning (if you haven't noticed already, I'm a sucker for a good guitar solo) but then all hell breaks loose and they rock the fuck out... while never breaking a sweat. You can't get much heavier than the end of a Metallica song. I do enjoy the meaning behind the song as well (a soldier's reactions/memories/feelings towards losing his mind & own body parts due to fighting in war) but even without knowing that this song is truly an amazing piece of work.


8. "Run like Hell" - Pink Floyd (4:24)
This is my favorite song off the 'The Wall'. There are many others that are amazing and iconic but I have never been one to agree with the masses about things. Maybe it's because it has the only keyboard solo on that entire album or the fact that they incorporate the live crowd effects into it or the chanting of "Run" by David Gilmour to start off the song but there's just something about this song that pulls me in. It is one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs, but this may be the only song on my soundtrack where I don't have a concrete reason why or how I came to love this song. I just do.


9. "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" - The Ramones (2:46)
I love the Ramones and this particular song just reminds me of all the shit hole bars and venues I've seen bands perform in NYC, especially CBGB's. I never got the chance to see them live but their presence was definitely felt every time you walked there. I miss that place.


10. "Caught Up in You" - .38 Special (4:38)
Some may disagree with the following statement: this song is the 'cheesy/corny' track on my soundtrack. But I do love this song. This is another feel good, windows open, sing-a-long song that makes me want to just dance around my apartment and totally rock the air guitar (don't you judge me - i know every single one of you have done it).


11. "Bad" - U2 (5:51)
This song is about addiction. I find it kind of funny that not only is it my favorite U2 song, but it made its way onto a list of songs I'd want to be stuck listening to quite possibly for the rest of time... yeah I have a problem. I know A LOT about music, enough to impress people at trivia nights and have decent conversations about it at least. I even impress myself with the tidbits that come pouring out of my brain. When it only takes me 3 notes to name a song or name the artist of that one-hit wonder no one else can ever remember, a thought comes to my head, "I think I'm addicted to music" - is that possible?


12. "Crash" - Dave Matthews Band (5:16)
See, I told you. I couldn't pick just one DMB song. But I thought it was fair that I picked 1 live & 1 studio recorded song. This song means a lot to me for many reasons, not all of which I will name here, but one of the most important is simple: it's so beautiful. Everything about this song - the opening melody, the lyrics, the rising tone Dave's voice throughout the song, the way Boyd and LeRoi play so delicately but add such depth to the song it makes me want to melt, I could go on but this is one of the songs that seriously changed the way I think about, listen to & love music. This song also is one of the few songs that makes me almost want to cry. (I said almost.)


13. "Possession" - Sarah McLachlan (4:39)
While Joan Jett is my idol/girl crush, Sarah McLachlan is the sister I never had. She is probably my favorite female solo artist. She has an insanely amazing voice that is so sweet & smooth. She seems like a person I would want to have as a friend or a sister or someone to turn to. I used to fall asleep listening to her albums my 1st year of college because it would block out noise & also just comfort me. This song specifically I remember hearing for the first time in 7th or 8th grade and just loving everything about it.


14. "Fix You" - Coldplay (4:54)
Coldplay had me at Yellow back in the distant year of 2000. I'm actually sort of shocked that I would consider putting a Coldplay song on my island soundtrack but this is one of those songs that I just absolutely fell in love with from the first time I heard it. I didn't know this initially but Chris Martin wrote this for his daughter after she was born and has put even more meaning into this song for me. It is also one of those songs that it doesn't matter what mood I'm in or what kind of day it is, I could listen to this at anytime. For some reason I can't really explain, I just feel an immense connection to this song.


15. "Dancing with Myself" - Billy Idol (6:01)
Good Lord I love this song. I dare anyone, ANYONE, to put this song on and just sit still & not sing along. If this song doesn't make you want to get up, dance 'Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club' style and want to be Billy Idol, then you have no soul. AND that also means you don't like Billy Idol or the 80s and I don't think we should be friends anymore.


16. "Thank You" - Led Zeppelin (4:46)
Starting and ending with the best. I've never been the type of girl who thinks about her 'dream wedding' or has specific plans for her special day... except when it comes to my wedding song. If I ever get married ('if' being the keyword there), there is a 66.7% chance that this will be the song. I have a few others that come close to possibly beating it out but if I make no other decision on my wedding day but to choose the music, I would be fine with that.


There you have it. My deserted island soundtrack.
and in case you were wondering, the Total Running Time is 79 minutes and change.
Go ahead, add up minutes. I dare you.


Side Note: If for some reason I could have multiple albums with me (like a case of CDs) these would be the albums I would want with me:

Led Zeppelin Boxed Set
Incubus "Science"
The Cranberries "Everyone else is doing it so why can't we?"
DMB "Under the Table and Dreaming" "Before These Crowded Streets" and "Live Trax Vol. 3 - Meadows Music Theatre"... hell, I'll just say my entire DMB collection to make things easier.
Linkin Park "Meteora"
Pink Floyd "Echoes"
Alanis Morissette "Jagged Little Pill"
Queen "Greatest Hits"
No Doubt "Tragic Kingdom"
Sarah McLachlan "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy"
Metallica's entire catalog up to "Load" & also the S&M live album.
Bob Marley & the Wailers "One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers" (because you can't be stuck on a deserted island without some Bob Marley)