Wallow, the Soundtrack

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So sick. I woke up with a fever and chills and the smell of death on the air. I wish this bed would stop touching me so I could sleep.

Anyway, when I was young and feeling heartbroken, I used to make breakup tapes with one side for feeling sorry for myself and one with happy music. Did you ever do this? While I’m incapacitated, please add links to songs to weep by and songs that make you dance around in your underwear.

When my skin isn’t peeling up at the edges, I shall make a mixtape.

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321 thoughts on “Wallow, the Soundtrack”

  1. Heartbreak: No Regrets – Midge Ure

    Dance around the house: Come on Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners

    Joy will return to your life… hang in there.

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  2. Little Girl Blue, Janis Joplin. She knows what’s in your soul, no matter what it is- she’s a genius that way. Feel better, Maggie, on every level! Sending love from North Carolina. You have inspired a bunch of my favorite people (including myself) to create life lists, and then set about helping each other achieve them. We’re cheering you on as you move to your next chapter.

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  4. Sad
    Fire and Rain-James Taylor
    These Days-St. Vincent (This is a cover. I’m not sure who sings the original.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxQs84FMWQ

    Happy
    Chicken Fried-Zac Brown Band
    Party in the U.S.A-Miley Cyrus
    Uptight-Stevie Wonder

    Sad But Sounds Happy
    Where does the Good Go?-Tegan and Sara
    The Execution of All Things-Rilo Kiley

    Hope you feel better!

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  5. How about “This is the Last Day Of Our Acquaintance,” by Sinead? And “Groove is in the Heart,” Dee Lite.

    I have been thinking about you and wish you lots and lots of happiness. And I hope you feel better soon.

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  7. Maggie, music is the best therapy there is. Enjoy these.

    For heartfelt tears:
    Rusted Root, “Beautiful People” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSR0fZVmppc)

    Two songs that are sad, but still make you dance and feel like a hero:
    Rilo Kiley, “Better Son or Daughter” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0sy7y54XAE)
    REM, “Bad Day” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyk-Vdd_Qrk)

    Just plain for dancing:
    T. Rex, “Get it On” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBin9qC5dKg)

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  12. For Weeping:

    The Avett Brothers – Pretty Girl at the Airport

    Bird York – In the Deep

    Brandi Carlisle – What Can I Say

    Iron and Wine – Passing Afternoon

    For Dancing:

    Andy Grammer – Keep Your Head Up

    The Spinners – The Rubberband Man

    Lo Fidelity Allstars – Battleflag (this one is explicit)

    Better days, Maggie. And enjoy the dancing!

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  13. When my partner and I broke up last year I could not stop listening and crying to The Mountain Goats’ “Woke Up New”:

    I also got my “who needs ’em anyway” vibe on by listening to the ENTIRE back catalogue of Ani DiFranco. She is one seriously righteous babe. Especially check out “Dilate” and “Untouchable Face”. Oh yeah.

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  14. I might accidentally keep sending you links. The wine is fine, this evening.

    “I’m So Happy That I Can’t Stop Crying” Sting

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  15. I’ve always been a big Ani DiFranco fan for times of change. Had a spectacular meltdown in college for which the song “As Is” was my soundtrack. Also recommend Pictures of You by the Cure.

    For dancing with your ladies “shameless” by Ani DiFranco is a good one. And my all time favorite, first song I pick on the jukebox, make me smile song is Bright Side of the Road by Van Morrison.

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  16. If you really want to cry, listen to Beck – Sea Change. It’ll definitely get you in the mood. Guess I don’t listen to much happy peppy music, cuz I can’t really think of anything….

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  17. Oh, just thought of the happy song! Talking Heads – This must be the place! This song always makes me happy and feel safe! Feel better, Miss Maggie!

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  19. For weeping (and it was my official Divorce Song)– The Reason Why by Rachael Yamagata

    For mad dancing, Employee of the Month by The Anomalies. Hats and Glasses by the same band is also excellent and contains both cowbell and brass section.

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  20. “Get on the Road” by Tired Pony is one of those songs that makes me feel kinda achey and filled with longing, no matter what my mood is to begin with. But I always feel better by the end of it. Also recommended: singing along really loudly and pretending you’re doing Zooey Deschanel’s part. Take care, lady.

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  21. Gosh it’s so awesome to read everyone’s suggestions here. We are good people, Mighty Folks.

    Mine are a little weird, but my tastes vary, so here goes:

    Optimistic and spectacular though not necessarily “peppy”:
    “Gabriel and the Vagabond” by Foy Vance. One of the lyrics (which might be my first tattoo: “She never was a fighter until he laid beside her and gently whispered, “Hope.”) Omg. Teary just thinking about it.
    “You Are Not Alone” by Mavis Staples. Preach, Mavis, preach.
    “Journey of The Featherless” by Cloud Cult. Got me through a whole hell of a lot.
    “Postcards From Hell” by The Wood Brothers. If there were a band that I would recommend to everyone everywhere without doubt or hesitation, it would be The Wood Brothers. Ridiculously talented. Sick, really.
    “Your New Man” by Mason Jennings (Lyric: “his name is probably Rodge, he probably drives a truck and his hands are probably big”)

    Underwear dancing:
    “Breathe, Stretch, Shake” by Mace
    “To Be With You” by Mr. Big
    “Complicated” by Poi Dog Pondering
    “Pride (In the Name of Love) by Soweto Gospel Choir (omg. Swoon.)
    “One More Time” by Daft Punk
    “Heavy Metal Drummer” by Wilco
    “Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez” by Maná (which is actually a break-up song, but it’s in Spanish and so peppy so just rock out with your badself)
    “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by the Temptaions

    Songs for wallowing:
    anything by Crooked Fingers. Yowza.
    “At Least That’s What You Said” by Wilco
    “Open Fire” by The Sarah Mac Band (I once put this on a “fuck you” CD for an ex-boyfriend. Classy? No. Dramatic? Oh yes.)
    “Hanging By a Thread” by Nickel Creek
    “Holiday in Spain” and “Chelsea” by Counting Crows
    “Bent” by Matt Nathanson
    “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Eva Cassidy. KILLER voice, that Eva.
    and a classic “Hallelujah” (Jeff Buckley version, obvi)

    Wow. Way too long. Sorry about that… I was on a roll.

    Lovin’ you, Maggie!

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  22. I second Built to Spill’s ‘Things Fall Apart.’

    Another gut-wrenching lyric: Stay out of my nightmares, stay out of my dreams. You’re not even welcome in my memories.

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  23. I want to add that I am loving these comments. I’m also currently slogging through the disintegration of marriage and a soundtrack — both sad and happy — are requirements to get through these days.

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  24. Get yourself a copy of Lowest of the Low, Shakespeare My Butt, and crank up Henry Needs a New Pair of Shoes:

    For wallowing there’s always June Tabor’s No Man’s Land at:

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  25. Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch doing Lua – when I need some sad…

    http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=KxO8CoOvr-I

    Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots are Made for Walkin’ – always a classic when you’re feeling the power return!

    Also, in a sort of weird combination of both: Superchunk’s Driveway to Driveway.

    Feel better!

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  27. Dancing on the Ceiling, Dancing in the Moonlight…hope they help you get your groove on for short moments…and Stand, by Rascal Flatts to get your inspiration when you most need it. Best wishes and good thoughts to you!

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  28. Say what you will, but the soundtrack from City of Angels punches me in the gut. Every single song.

    And every single song on the French Kiss soundtrack makes me feel like, well, Paris in the Springtime.

    Yes, I have love for 90’s Meg Ryan.

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  29. You can do anything you want to do, Maggie. You’ve proved that over and over through this blog, inspiring (mostly) women to do anything that ~they~ want to do. You can do THIS, too.

    Happy Song: I’m addicted to Keri Hilson right now (I know, right?). Her version of Turn my swag on is my anthem song right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k77Nqgx8p9E. I also enjoy Ben Fold’s You Don’t Know Me.

    Sad Song: Ingrid Michaelson’s December Baby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpRIDaJrIFE was on replay during my last break up. It makes my chest clench even today.

    Thinking of you often and sending hugs and love every time I do.

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  30. Wallow: I Just Don’t Know What to do With Myself (Dusty Springfield)
    Dance: Rock’n’Roll High School (The Ramones)

    Gabba Gabba Hey!

    PS Don’t do the Wallow unless you’re feeling a bit less horrible. Wallow songs tend to make me look at the knife drawer longingly if I’m at all, er, “sensitive” ESPECIALLY not if PMS is in the wind. Just sayin’

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  31. The World Spins Madly On (The Weepies)

    Also anything by Bright Eyes but especially:

    “A Perfect Sonnet”. For angry tears and throwing things across the room.

    and “Lua”. For general mourning/ crying in bed.

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  32. Forgot to mention, “I Move On” is to be danced to while wearing fishnet thigh-highs. (See comment 83.) Plan accordingly.

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  33. So, I suck at linking but I can write a list like nobody’s business.

    Wallowing:

    What Do you Want by Jerrod Niemann
    Love You Til The End by The Pogues
    It Must Have Been Love by Roxette
    Book of Love by Peter Gabriel
    Over It by Katherine McPhee
    Let Him Fly by Jessica Simpson

    Dancing Around:

    F**k You by Cee Lo Green (this could go either way actually)
    Boomshakalak from Dumb & Dumber soundtrack
    Raise Your Glass by Pink

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  35. Oh! and Not Big by Lily Allen…it’s not very mature but it sure makes me chuckle.

    Also, I wish I could “like” comments on here like you can on Facebook.

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  37. I’m so far down this list, I doubt you’ll get to me, but if you do, I HIGHLY recommend the following songs.

    sad: Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars (currently free on Amazon)
    Woods by Bon Iver
    Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson
    A Boy, A Girl, and A Graveyard by Jeremy Messersmith
    When the Night Comes by Dan Auerbach (though comforting)
    A Slow Parade by AA Bondy

    Happy: All the Pretty Girls by fun.
    Clap Your Hands by Sia
    Bonafied Lovin’ by Chromeo
    Apollo Throwdown by The Go! Team

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  38. Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band is killing my mascara every single time since calling off my wedding.
    But Good Morning Baltimore from the soundtrack to Hairspray makes me so darn happy in the cheesiest way possible.

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  39. Good for when you’re just about ready to be done wallowing: Untouchable Face by Ani DiFranco.

    And for when you know you’re done wallowing and ready to dance, but may still have some anger to work out: Lose Yourself by the incomparable Marshall Mathers.

    Hang in there, and thank you, as always, for sharing your life with us.

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  40. Get good and dah-runk and listen to Nina Simone’s “Lilac Wine.” Lordy, I have to be picked up off the floor after that every single time.

    Then get happy and dance your ass off to “Sugarfoot” by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears.

    Take care of yourself. I’m so sorry you are going through such a dark time. You will come out on the other side more than okay. It just takes time…

    Virtual hugs.

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  41. Oh please share that mix tape with us? pretty please?
    i’ll go through my itunes and select some for you!

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  42. sad songs:
    Two by Ryan Adams
    Turpentine by Brandi Carlile

    and follow up with a good dance-in-your-underwear session:
    P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson
    All Good by Zeroleen

    wishing you peace, Maggie
    xo
    Cammie

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  43. Maggie, I’m wishing you a speedy recovery. In so many ways.

    My picks for sad are: Keepsake by State Radio, Blu by Zucchero (not the awful one with Sheryl Crow, but the original Italian one), and Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen.

    My happy picks are (I can feel the eyes rolling) MmmmBop by Hanson, Right Round by Dead or Alive, and The Lonely Goatherd from The Sound of Music.

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  49. Happy:
    Untouched by the Veronicas
    I’ll Believe in Anything by Wolf Parade
    Let’s Dance to Joy Division by The Wombats

    Sad (sometimes these go both ways though):
    Butterfly Nets by Bishop Allen
    Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes
    Home by Breathe Owl Breathe

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  50. I commented earlier, and ever since have been going through all the comments and finding some great songs! Totally loving this!
    Here is another fun, dancing in your underwear song, Blame It on the Pop by DJ Earworm:

    I love this one more than the 2010 mashup. More of his stuff can be found on youtube or his website, which is djearworm.com

    And don’t forget Fat Boy Slim and The Rockafellar Skank.

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