TSotD (The Song of the Day) » Pop Folk

Mungo Jerry – "In the Summertime" (1970)

TSotD — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:00:48 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc9wIzi96_E

Sinéad Lohan – "Whatever It Takes" (1998)

TSotD — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:00:15 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj0Yz6q3zEk

you will find me down by the river
getting high on my mortality
i'll be holding hands with nameless beauty
or whoever wants to stand next to me

..or my skunkified dog because he has to.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Pop Folk

Click here for more info on Sinéad Lohan – No Mermaid – "Whatever It Takes".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Sinéad Lohan - No Mermaid

Graffiti6 – "Annie You Save Me" (2010)

TSotD — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:02:37 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iaU3WAOACo

I really like this song by Graffiti6. I had saw a review say it sounds like nothing they had ever heard before, but I think it is quite the opposite. It is little psychedelic, folky, and pop rock, with spashes of soul, all mishmashed. Yet, I strain for a prefect match.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Psychedelic Rock

Click here for more info on Graffiti6 – Colours – "Annie You Save Me".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Graffiti6 - Colours

Joni Mitchell – "River" (1971)

TSotD — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:38:39 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM3vKiaKe_w

It is the winter solstice. Joni Mitchell's classic seems like the song to fit the moment.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Christmas

Click here for more info on Joni Mitchell – Blue – "River".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Joni Mitchell - Blue

Stacy Clark – "White Lies" (2010)

TSotD — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:51:37 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1PDKzXOAQ0

Today is election day in the United States of America. I have never been so uninspired before.

Our politicians have no interest in working together to solve problems. They are only interested in fighting the other side. They are also largely only interested in keeping their sponsors (usually corporations, or individuals with corporate interests) happy. It seems like they only "care" about their actual constituents up until election day, and then our part is done. We are no longer required.

In many voting districts there is basically no contest. The district is either has so many Republicans or Democrats that the other side doesn't even bother putting up any opposition. Funny… that doesn't sound like the democracy we seek to uphold?

I blame three things for the situation…

1. Coporate Involvement:

Corporations and businesses, large and small, donate to political campaigns. In order to expect the same or larger donations for the candidate's next term, they are implicitly beholden to uphold some of the interests of those corporations and businesses. The corporations and businesses are not donating because they like the guy (or girl) but rather it is an investment into their interests. They effectively have more power over the candidate than any individual voters (AKA constituents) because there is money involved. And as I already mentioned, individual voters are only useful up to election day.

Oh and it is getting worse, not better "In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, on Jan, 2010, the US Supreme court ruled that the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002, the US federal law that regulates the financing of political campaigns, was in violation of corporations' and unions' First Amendment rights. Under the January 2010 ruling, corporations and unions are no longer barred from promoting the election of one candidate over another candidate." (source)

To further their influence, large corporations and industries lobby lawmakers. Even if the are playing by the rules (e.g. no bribing) which is not true all the time, they are still always in the ear of our politicians, where as most of us citizens have day jobs and cannot be at our elected officials' sides all the time. Most of us probably cannot afford the trip to do so!

Lobbying Expenditures by Sector from 1998 to 2006:

$2,558,205,882 Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
$2,298,865,053 Health
$2,257,719,539 Misc Business
$2,092,700,759 Communications/Electronics
$1,670,116,451 Energy & Natural Resources

(source)

Gee I don't have that much in my "lobbying the government" part of my household budget. But once again, this is a business transaction. They are buying legislation, and thus displacing the desires of voting citizens!

My proposed solution may be over simplified, but it is a start: Only individual citizens should be allowed to donate or lobby government. While lobbying they must represent themselves and cannot be paid to do so.

2. Eliminate Gerrymandering:

What is it? "Gerrymandering is a form of boundary delimitation (redistricting) in which electoral district or constituency boundaries are deliberately modified for electoral purposes, thereby producing a contorted or unusual shape. The resulting district is known as a gerrymander; however, that word can also refer to the process."

It sounds like it should be illegal, but it is not. In fact it is a strategy used by the Republicans and Democrats to try to hold on to more elected positions at all levels of government. It is clearly unethical though and ultimately takes away citizens' ability to have a choice.

Once again, this does not sound like democracy!

I like the "minimum district to convex polygon ratio" solution when controlled by a neutral agency (ideally made up of a cross section of the citizens). (Read more about it here.) It is at least worth a try.

3. Eliminate Political Parties:

Who is sick of the bickering between the left and the right? The red and the blue? The Republicans and the Democrats? Everyone should be! There is little compromise and little "working together to solve problems", which is what we want as citizens, right? And most of us would prefer a compromised solution. e.g. Sure I would like lower taxes, but I don't want ALL the services cut!

The parties perpetuate the fighting though. They are not interested in compromise. They only seek to take control.

I started to wonder a couple of years ago why this is ok. Why should a group of people have such huge influence over the entire democracy? Why is that ok, especially when the result is that citizens have less power over their elected officials. In addition to corporate donors, elected officials are beholden to the party that helped them get elected. Once again this means they are NOT listening to the citizens they are supposed to be representing because they have to worry about their party and corporate sponsors.

Shouldn't we just be voting for the individual and not the party they belong to anyway? Why do they need to be part of a party at all. If "Frank" wants to run for office, and he has some good ideas to solve the top issues of the day, then why do we care so much about what party he is part of? It shouldn't matter. And if we vote Frank into office, then do we really want other politicians or corporations telling him what he should be doing? NO! It should be us! As Abraham Lincoln said in his Gettysburg Address, it should be "of the people, by the people, for the people". It shoud not be "of the industry lobbyists, by the Republicans and Democrats, for the corporations". But that is what it has become.

*sigh*

My power as a voter has been chipped away, piece by piece, before I was even born. On top of that, as an independent I feel I have no vote and no say. It is as though my choices are processed chicken or processed beef, yet I am a vegetarian who prefers organic foods.

I also see no solution to these fundamental issues unless we vote against the establishment. I encourage everyone to consider the 3rd candidate today. Consider the Libertarian, or the Socialist on your ballot. The Green party or the Freedom party or the I Don't Like Taxes party. Corporations have not put money behind these guys because in most cases they will lose. They have new ideas though and are willing to work to make them happen, and they might just listen to their constituents and the citizens they represent. Or it may be a wake up call to the establishment that maybe they shouldn't take us voters for granted. Either way, we win!

With that… I am off to vote!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Indie Pop

Click here for more info on Stacy Clark – Connect the Dots – "White Lies".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Stacy Clark - Connect the Dots

Carole King & Louise Goffin – "Where You Lead I Will Follow" (2000)

TSotD — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:55:15 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKXIoKYDdo4

When you can start to smell autumn in the air, I also start to hear this over and over…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0shLINhTH4

Yes, it is G's annual Gilmore Girls marathon time! She burns through all seven seasons, turning it on in the background throughout the day. The show itself is peppered with delightful musical, literary and pop culture references, in addition to being very funny, so I tune in when I can.

I have to laugh because the one minute opening part of the song, by Carole King and her daughter Louise Goffin, I know so well, hearing the whole thing now is odd. Hearing the original 1971 version of "Where You Lead" by Carole King and Toni Stern on the album "Tapestry" is even weirder now:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWI-LZfNUzc

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Folk Rock

Click here for more info on Carole King & Louise Goffin – Love Makes The World (Deluxe Edition) – "Where You Lead I Will Follow".

The CD may be purchased here…

Carole King - Love Makes The World

Neil Diamond – "Play Me" (1972)

TSotD — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:45:13 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HD6O9patDE

I woke up to Neil Diamond's "Play Me" in a loop in my head. In particular the part…

For I've been lonely
In need of someone

It just so happened last night G and I had discussed some people we know who are in unfortunate relationships. These people stay in them even though they recognize the relationship is not what they want. I put the two together… the song lyrics and the conversation last night. The fear of loneliness or rejection may be the driving force that keeps these people where they are. Perhaps it even extends beyond the spouse/significant other too? Perhaps fear of social consequences, financial consequences, or even just "change" are keeping these people locked in place. The necessary changes that appear obvious to everyone else are less easy or obvious to those in the center. But still, change must occur or else they will be prisoners of their relationships, possible for the rest of their lives. Were they to succeed, perhaps they would just find another equally unfortunate relationship?

I know that isn't the message Neil intended for this song, but it is the caution and the truth I bring to you. That "need" many have for a relationship may lead them to a place they do not wish to be. I suppose the question for those on the outside is, do you try to console and counsel? If so, for how long? Or do you stand by and watch? When do you give up? When do you walk away when you've tried to help someone by they seem to refuse to help themselves? A test of friendship I suppose.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Pop Folk

Click here for more info on Neil Diamond – Moods – "Play Me".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Neil Diamond - Moods

Dar Williams – "The Christians And The Pagans" (1996)

TSotD — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:55:39 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_KiHRHwaAs

I was up late at a winter solstice party and on the way home I heard this song on the radio. I think perhaps I am more Wiccan than not when I hear this line…

And you find magic from your God,
and we find magic everywhere

I've seen Dar Williams multiple times in concert. She was so nonchalant and quirky and fun. I don't go anymore though. It is too bad about that last time I went to see her and ended up getting sucker punched, but that is a story for another time.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest the music genre:

Christmas

Click here for more info on Dar Williams – Mortal City – "The Christians And The Pagans".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Dar Williams - Mortal City

Grey Eye Glances – "Sleepy" (1998)

TSotD — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:44:19 +0000

Audio Stream: http://www.last.fm/music/Grey+Eye+Glances/_/Sleepy?autostart

I get so tired sometimes. I try to do so much and yet accomplish so little. Today for example I worked from 6 AM until 3 PM, only to rush home, paint the front porch, cut the lawn, shower, eat dinner, and poof, it was already 8:30 PM. A full day of work and yet the lawn will need cutting in a week, and my day job is an endless list of inane tasks most of the time. Painting the front porch was fun I suppose. If only I could cut out the things I really do not want to do. Oh the time I would have.

Fortunately this blog barely takes any time each day, but I do wonder where I am going to go with it next. How do I make it more enticing? Do I care? Should I quit and seek out being a DJ of some sort? What am I doing? I have these questions and more and no answers other than I enjoy it as it is for now, so it will continue as is for now. Aside from a few friends who are too kind, I doubt I have many "readers" per se. I provide very little to read anyway and it is never as funny as I wish it could be. I'm just not that funny. If anything the day to day topics are schizophrenic, jumping all over the place. No theme, just whatever the hell I feel like blabbing. I might was well just write *squawk squawk squawk* most days.

That is ok. This blog is mostly about the music anyway. That was the point of this blog. To share music. To say "hey, I like this song, you should check it out". Let's face it. Any blathering I do is really for me. You reading it is just icing on my cake. If anything I should write more about what is making me happy or sad… what is really pissing me off. Perhaps another day. For now I am just sleepy and will be going to bed shortly. This fun and catchy song by Grey Eye Glances will be my anthem as I march to bed.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Progressive Rock

Click here for more info on Grey Eye Glances – Painted Pictures – "Sleepy".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Grey Eye Glances - Painted Pictures

Ingrid Michaelson – "The Way I Am" (2007)

TSotD — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:13:14 +0000

I would like to thank G for salvaging my weekend with this song. Our combined families had scheduled the entire weekend for us it had seemed, thus preventing me from doing anything I wanted (or needed) to do. She talked me back to the ground. I get too wrapped up in what other people want of me and fail to take care of myself. "No" is not in my vocabulary, so G helps me to say it from time to time.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Pop Folk

Click here for more info on Ingrid Michaelson – Girls and Boys – "The Way I Am".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Ingrid Michaelson - Girls and Boys

The Mamas & The Papas – "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" (1968)

TSotD — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:20:53 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajwnmkEqYpo

I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" last night and among the many good songs in the movie, this song came on… not "The Mamas & The Papas" version, but the "Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream a Little Dream)" by "The Beautiful South". I'd swear the song is following me because I had just listened to "The Mamas & The Papas" version specifically the day before. (It is the best one I think!)

The song is actually quite old, written by "Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt" and performed by "Wayne King and his Orchestra with vocal by Ernie Birchill" in 1931.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=keFkJ9HDHlQ

Here is the "Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream a Little Dream)" version from 2001 by "The Beautiful South", which also happened to be in the movie "French Kiss" in addition to "The Devil Wears Prada".

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1JhKQBSyuk

A beautiful song in any language, n'est ce pas?

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Pop Folk

Click here for more info on The Mamas & The Papas – The Papas & The Mamas – "Dream A Little Dream Of Me".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

The Mamas & The Papas - The Papas & The Mamas

Album of the Week: Joni Mitchell – "Blue" (1971)

TSotD — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:50:36 +0000

Track 1: All I Want:
http://www.imeem.com/people/20fwT9/music/oqR1TItK/joni-mitchell-all-i-want/

It has been a cold summer so far, but usually about this time of year, when you can roll your windows down all the way and not feel even the slightest chill driving along, I feel compelled to pull out Joni Mitchell's "Blue". I suppose summer, like Joni, makes me think I should be slowing down from my busy day to day tasks, and refocusing on the things that are really important in life, like enjoying the smells and sights of summer. It is easier said than done with a "to do" list a mile long, and vacation days still a long way off. However this album will at least provide a breath from that life, at least for a moment. It is like yoga in album form. Good for the soul!

Here are my 5 favorites from the album, with "All I Want" being my favorite.

Track 1: All I Want
http://www.imeem.com/people/20fwT9/music/oqR1TItK/joni-mitchell-all-i-want/

Track 2: My Old Man
http://www.imeem.com/artists/joni_mitchell/music/y9DJpYqH/joni-mitchell-my-old-man-lp-version/

Track 3: Little Green
http://www.imeem.com/artists/joni_mitchell/music/K3GrsjNn/joni-mitchell-little-green-lp-version/

Track 4: Carey
ttp://www.imeem.com/artists/joni_mitchell/music/uaj0h2qZ/joni-mitchell-carey-remastered-lp-version/

Track 8: River
http://www.imeem.com/people/20fwT9/music/9-Zfz3zU/joni-mitchell-river/

Click here for other album suggestions!

Click here for more info on Joni Mitchell – "Blue".

The MP3 album may be purchased here…

Joni Mitchell - Blue

Simon & Garfunkel – "Leaves That Are Green" (1966)

TSotD — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:06:30 +0000

This is a beautiful and lesser known song by Simon & Garfunkel. The version in the video above was not the one I had in mind originally, but I like it too. The fan made video is impressive too, so I thought I'd share it. The original version off the album "Sounds of Silence" may be heard by clicking here.

I think we can (or should) all agree Simon & Garfunkel are just excellent song writers.

Click here for more info on Simon & Garfunkel – Sounds Of Silence – "Leaves That Are Green".

The MP3 (of the original) may be purchased here…

Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds Of Silence

Emiliana Torrini – "Birds" (2008)

TSotD — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:00:48 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=110nVTF26-U

I started this blog about a month ago. I had been posting my "song of the day" on facebook before then, and it all started with this song on 2/25. It was on that day I was driving to work and thinking this song is so good. Her voice is so beautiful, and with just the guitar for the first section it is so beautiful a sound.

And then the lyrics themselves…

Let's stay awake and listen to the dark.
Before the birds, before they all wake up.
It's the ending of a play and soon begins another.
Hear the leaves applaud the wind.

(…more lyrics are here.)

And then how clever how the band comes in half way through, changing the mood of the song a bit, like the rising sun changes the morning. Also using the guitars to make bird like sounds. So clever!

This song impressed me so much and yet most people will never know. Most people probably only know her at all from "Gollum's Song" (the closing credits of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"). Perhaps you've heard this song on Grey's Anatomy too? I had to tell someone. So I posted it on facebook, and I am posting it here now. This was my first documented "song of the day" and inevitably the reason I have this blog. Songs like this need to be heard and I'm trying to pick them out of the sea of music an playing them one by one.

Thank you Emiliana!

PS: Now that I have posted all my "song of the day" songs to date, the "bonus song of the day" category will not be a daily thing, but truly a bonus.

Click here for more info on Emiliana Torrini – Me and Armini – "Birds".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini