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Top 10 Depressing Songs.

Photo 19-3-13 2 06 27 PM

Ahh, the monthly surge of hormones, and propensity for moments of quiet depression has led me to make many a depression playlist. Here’s the top ten songs that truly throw me into a melancholic funk.

1. The Cure – Pictures of You

“If only I’d thought of the right words, I could have held on to your heart. If only I’d thought of the right words, I wouldn’t be breaking apart… all my pictures of you” This song never fails to get me and brought tears to my eyes at The Cure concert like a deranged Michael Jackson fan.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8UR2TFUp8w]

 

2. Carly Simon – Coming Round Again

“So don’t mind if I fall apart, there’s more room in a broken heart” Mostly extending from the movie “Heartburn”, this song is poignant, hopeful, realistic and sad all at the same time. Points for including a souffle mention.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0A7jAVDPJU]

 

3. Fleetwood Mac – Storms

“Every night you do not come, your softness fades away. Did I ever really care that much? Is there anything left to say?” Stevie Nicks is my soul in lyrics, she makes the unprettiest confessions with pretty words. She also has a magnificent way with scarves.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g3EwYZbFMU]

 

4. Aimee Mann – Today’s The Day

“And baby isn’t this your chance, to make a break with circumstance? And isn’t it enough to prove today’s the day?” This song reminds me of a break-up, and wondering about your true motives about any sort of ending really. At some point, this song becomes rhetorical.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcTv1hhYoyE]

 

5. Bruce Springsteen – Secret Garden

“She’s got a secret garden, where everything you want, where everything you need, will always stay a million miles away” Minus the Jerry Maguire associations (which was a great movie), this song makes me feel uncomfortable because there’s always a part of myself that I irrationally hold back. I am aware it’s irrational. It’s probably not even that important, like my recipe for keylime cupcakes, or something.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtMhtMc1GW8]

 

6. Coldplay – The Scientist

“Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard” I don’t know how people can hate on Coldplay when this song exists. This song is perfection from beginning to end, and so is the video. (It’s ok to hate Coldplay if you really hate Gwyneth Paltrow though)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWLpTKBFcU]

 

7. David Gray – This Year’s Love

“But when you hold me like you do, it feels so right. I start to forget how my heart gets torn” This song is like a jump rope of emotions – in between hope and pain. Unfortunately, this song has been used in 2 Kirsten Dunst movies.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-tp0JZvUA]

 

8. Don Henley – Heart of the Matter

“What are these voices outside love’s open door, make us throw off our contentment, and beg for something more?” This song is sadness from the first riff to the last and the words in the middle, are pure poetry about temptation, mistakes, regrets and forgiveness. I thought it would be overkill to post the entire song’s lyrics here but they are so beautiful. “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I thought I figured out, I have to learn again”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xezg3z5IE8I]

 

9. Eagles – Desperado

“Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds boy, she’ll beat you if she’s able. You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet” I quoted this song in an essay when I was 15. 15. I should have known my life wasn’t going to be “normal”. I do love my Don Henley. Little wonder that he was with my beloved Stevie Nicks.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE-U5e78WHc]

 

10. Radiohead – No Surprises

“I’ll take the quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide, no alarms and no surprises” Lyrics aside, this song has one of the most melancholic melodies ever. It once made my little niece break out into silent sobs. Maybe it was just Thom Yorke.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CVsCnxyXg]

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Cry Me a River – The Best Break-up Songs

No relationship is the same and therefore, no break-up is the same. They can range the gamut of emotions from sadness, regret, anger, bitterness, denial and sometimes, good old fashioned revenge. So, here’s a mixed bag of break-up songs to fit any of your “what the hell just happened” moments. I’ve saved my personal favorite for last. 🙂

• Beyoncé – Irreplaceable

Oh, this song has to be on every girl’s list. It’s the perfect blend of “not giving a shit”, sassiness, “next better player” and a hint of bitterness. Best line of the song: Keep talking that mess, that’s fine, could you walk and talk at the same time?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ&ob=av2e]

 

• Pixie Lott – Cry Me Out

A quintessential “boo-hoo, I don’t care about you” song – straightforward, tell it like it is. Best line of the song: It’s out of my hands, since you blew your last chance, when you played me.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsKnKB4nbls&ob=av2n]

 

• Todd Rundgren – Can We Still Be Friends?

The classic, slightly condescending yet sweet offering of friendship in lieu of a failed romance. Best line of the song (the first one, obviously): We can’t play this game anymore, but can we still be friends?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6s6Hw4MMok]

 

• James Morrison – The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore

Ok, we’ve entered the depression part of this post. For the most part, break-ups are (usually) sad, and I’ve personally feel it’s sad when the grounds of a break-up is simply love fading away. This song is particularly personal to me (so cheesy!) and while it has no relevance in my current life, it’s still a very sad song. Best line of the song: Well, I can’t explain why it’s not enough cause I gave it all to you. And if you leave me now, oh just leave me now, it’s the better thing to do. It’s time to surrender, it’s been too long pretending, there’s no use in trying when the pieces don’t fit anymore.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIg8kNfJpsg&ob=av2e]

 

• ABBA – Knowing Me, Knowing You

Yes, ABBA. Discount the 70’s cheese, vocal whispers and side profiles – it’s still a pretty sad song about being realistic. Best line of the song: Knowing me, knowing you, we just have to face it, this time we’re through.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrzicaiRLU&ob=av2e]

 

• Gladys Knight & The Pips – Neither One Of Us

This is SUCH a sad song. One of the most common reasons for people staying together – afraid of the alternatives and repercussions. Best line of the song: There can be no way this can have a happy ending. So we just go on hurting and pretending, convincing ourselves to give it just one more try.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Lh4MFiw08&feature=related]

 

• Bonnie Raitt – I Can’t Make You Love Me

This song is definitely the Mayor of Depressionville – regardless of who covers it – Bon Iver, George Michael, or even Tank. Something about the simplicity of the original song makes it extra tender and sad. Best line of the song: Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power; but you won’t.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW9Cu6GYqxo&ob=av2e]

 

• Alicia Keys – Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Classic push-and-pull break-up song: I want you but I don’t want to want you. Best line of the song: Anybody could’ve told you right from the start, it’s bound to fall apart.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srMBZiqNMaM&ob=av3e]

 

• Bob Dylan – Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

I love this too-cool-for-break-up song where he basically calls her (the “her” is actually his lady love featured on that magical The Freewheelin’ cover. Shit, if that album cover can’t make it, what chance do the rest of us have?) out on all her bullshit but tells her, don’t worry about, it’s ok, you can’t hurt me. Best line of the song: I ain’t saying you treated me unkind, you could’ve done better but I don’t mind. You just kinda wasted my precious time but don’t think twice, it’s all right.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6FnrZOpzqs]

 

• Boyz II Men – Doin’ Just Fine

Denial much? There is the possibility that you’re actually doing fine, but I think you doth protest too much. Best line of the song: Because you let our love just fall apart, you no longer have my heart.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Koz393gAwjQ&ob=av2e]

 

• Tony Bennett – I Wanna Be Around

The ultimate of break-up songs, with the best theme ever: Revenge. This song is teeming with loathing, malice and “bitch, you’re gonna get yours”. I absolutely love it. Shows that revenge is definitely a dish best served cold, and classy. Best line of the song: That’s when I’ll discover that revenge is sweet, as I sit there applauding from a front row seat, when somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Yg6sxxtNQ]

Happy break-ups, everyone and in the words of Ivana Trump, “Don’t get mad, get everything”.

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Pearl Jam – twenty years later.

Last night, I had the immense pleasure of watching PJ 20 – the retrospective documentary directed by (my golden god), Cameron Crowe. I was hooked from the first 10 seconds (completely biased because I love them so much) but also because I knew this was going to be a look, not just into Pearl Jam’s history, but into the entire Seattle music scene of the late 80’s, early 90’s. I knew it was going to be good from the first mention of “Green River”. And of course, practically half an hour was devoted to Mother Love Bone – the band that kicked it all off for me. The footage of Andrew Wood was amazing to watch – he had such stage presence and I can’t even imagine the band they would have become had he not died.

The best scene of the entire movie was when the MLB and Pearl Jam world collided with footage of them covering Crown of Thorns. It brought goosebumps. “And this is my kinda love, is the kind that moves on, is the kind that leaves me alone”. Gorgeous. Second best scene was all the Vedder climbing footage put together.

Mad props to Cameron Crowe for narrating it beautifully and following a fantastic sequence that let the story unfold beautifully, as though we were all hearing it for the first time. Chris Cornell’s perspective added another great voice to the mix (and also some major eye candy) and greater depth to the Temple of Doom album. I found the Alice in Chains voice missing though, they were another one of my favorite bands at the time and I’m surprised Jerry Cantrell didn’t feature, considering he even cameo-ed in Crowe’s “Jerry Maguire”. Also, thanks to Crowe for not focussing too much on “Jeremy” – which is my least favorite song from the band. One of my favorites would have to be “Black”.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEa6mUyJYok]

They also finally addressed the issue of their Spinal Tap drummer situation! While I love Matt Cameron (the man is tank for timing and solid beats), I was always more a fan of the Dave Abbruzzese era – I found his drumming very fluid and enjoyed it more.

It was a very real, honest and raw documentary of one of the most hardworking bands that survived a fad (I always hated that word “grunge” and it was great to see that they all hated it too!), survived pop music and most importantly, survived themselves. I felt like a complete teenager in the cinema, and I think everyone else did, because we clapped like it was Sundance or something at the end of the screening.

So, here’s a picture of I got from the Ten Club (has it been 20 years already?) together with part of my cd collection. Now, where’s my Citizen Dick tshirt?

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Top 5 Songs When Stranded On A Deserted Island.

I got to one of my favourite songs on my iPod  that day and got to thinking about the kind of music I’d like to have with me, for my eventual exile on a deserted island. This list was picked very carefully and is in order!

1. Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch-OUs1j-vs]

This would be the song where I would wash up on the deserted island – exhausted but glad to be alive! This is my No.1 favourite song of all time that always gets me on the dance floor – so this would be perfect to kick-start my island getaway.

2. Pearl Jam – State of Love and Trust

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICiFYdBmrjo]

Pearl Jam is one of my all-time favourite bands since I was 14 (and Lord knows, that’s a long time ago) and this would be favourite song from them. It would the perfect song to fuel me to survival on the island – finding wood, cracking coconuts, talking to volleyballs… I’ve also always had a dream of going to a club and being able to dance to this song (like they did in the movie, Singles). It’ll never happen – but on my island, it might…

3. Don Henley – Boys of Summer

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqYBGcv41M8]

Also one of my favourite songs – ever. I think will be a good 80’s montage song for my island seclusion – the attempts to make SOS signs, head bands out of clothes that don’t fit me anymore, watching sunsets, climbing up hills (ok, maybe not this) and a poignant shot of me screaming in desperation (delirium?) to the ocean.

4. Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack – Gethsemane

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3mFBh2z9sc&feature=related]

Oh, this is the beginning of the end – the contemplation of my death. Let’s face it – it’s probably been a couple of months now, I’m definitely only surviving on what I can get my hands on – the fish spear didn’t quite work. I don’t think I will be the kind of person that will try and build a raft for my escape. I’ll probably be sobbing while swatting mosquitos. I’ve gone quite mad and will fashion a noose. (Side note: I think Ted Neely (Jesus in this musical) started my Jesus fetish)

5. Iron & Wine – Trapeze Swinger

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZKVWhHA-vc]

The sweet, tender end.

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Songs That Would Be Awesome For A Wedding.

Since I’m not the kind of girl that gushes at wedding and daydreams about her own wedding dress, I always appreciate a little entertainment and humour at such a blessed event. Some wedding walk-ins are so dull, I feel like slitting my wrist just to see the blood spray on the bride’s dress. The horror, the horror! We get it, you’re in love – can you display something else, like a sense of humour, instead?

1. Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard

Just for the big bang introduction alone. It would, however, probably have been used already by the strippers at the stag/hen party.

2. Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar

A realistic take, I would say.

3. Mind Games – John Lennon

My favourite song from John Lennon and one of my favourite, most optimistic quotes about love: Love is the answer. And you know that for sure.

4. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window – The Beatles

Strictly for a crowd that can appreciate humour.

5. I Want To Break Free – Queen

The commitment song of choice for the commitment phobic.

6. Modern Love – David Bowie

A song for the more cynical at heart – “never gonna fall for modern love”.

7. Bittersweet Symphony

Mostly for the strings introduction. I wouldn’t recommend keeping the line, “you’re a slave to money, then you die” though.

8. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys

Such a whimsical, youthful song about commitment. “You know it’s gonna make it that much better when we can say goodnight and stay together”. Better than, “You know it’s gonna make it that much better when you can actually replace the toilet paper instead of just leaving the cardboard roll there”

9. I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss

I was actually at a wedding once where the couple walked into the ballroom to this song. It does happen!

10. Even Better Than The Real Thing – U2

The introduction of the song would be so awesome with wedding bells in the background.