Soundtrack, Part 1

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I’m headed to SxSW, and though I’m still sick, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the music you guys suggested. Speaking of which, wow. Thank you for all the suggestions. I’ve gotten through the first set of recommendations and I’ve also spent a little time with Pandora. For the record, apparently Nick Drake, Mumford and Sons, and Ryan Adams make people weep. Here’s what else has stood out so far.

Wishing Life Had a Fast Forward Button

Delicate from Damien Rice

Don’t You Remember from Adele

I just don’t think I’ll ever get over you from Colin Hay

Why from Annie Lennox

Good Woman from Cat Power

Casimar Pulanski Day from Sufjan Stevens

Shaking Your Fist at the Sky

Little Lion Man from Mumford and Sons

Call it Off from Tegan and Sara

The Cave from Mumford and Sons

Intuition from Feist

I Bombed Korea from Cake

Shine Like a New Pin from Camera Obscura

Dancing Around in Your Underwear

Raise Your Glass from Pink

Better Life from Keith Urban

Doctor Worm from They Might Be Giants

I Live In New York City from Sxip Shirey

All Day from Girl Talk
(Cover the kid’s ears if you’re clicking this without headphones.)

You’re so Damn Hot from OK Go

The Fratellis by Flathead

When I get through the next batch, I’ll post another roundup. Thanks, you guys.

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45 thoughts on “Soundtrack, Part 1”

  1. If you get a chance, go and see Lovebettie.
    I just saw them in Chicago, and they are fabulous!

    (This is totally unsolicited – I have no connection to them/incentive to say this)

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  3. Yay! I’m so glad you liked a couple of my suggestions!

    I’m usually in Austin on the weekends (I live in Dallas, but Boyfriend lives there), but Boyfriend’s coming to me this weekend. I was sorry to miss a Mighty Meetup. Next time.

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  6. I’m sure these were recommended when you first asked, but I’m going to second/third/fourth them:

    Breakin’ Up by Rilo Kiley-happy/sad
    Come Pick Me Up-Ryan Adams-sad

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  7. FYI re: the last item on your list, the band is “The Fratellis” and the song is “Flathead”, not the other way around.

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  9. Oof. Yes. Casmir Pulaski by good old Soofie. Somehow I listened to that song many times over without paying attention to the lyrics. Then one day, putting clothes away in my bedroom, I tuned into to the words during the last half of the song and was stunned. I remember stopping what I was doing and lying down on the bed. I couldn’t move after that for a little while.

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  12. Call it off is a great song but you realize that Tegan wrote it for her now girlfriend. Unrequited love that turned out to be true love. But still fits. May I suggest Good Woman by Cat Power, Mama you been on my mind by Bob Dylan, and Untouchable Face by Ani DiFranco? Take Austin by storm.

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  13. Thank-you so much for posting these! I was trying to go through the comments on that post and listen to them myself, but wow, there were a lot of them. I’ve discovered a lot of music through you, and it’s a wonderful thing to share. Always happy when you introduce me to more wonderful tunes and bands, thank-you!

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  20. Hoodie Allen’s Pep Rally, I dare you not to dance, run and or jam along. plus Free Energy, Girl Talk (I’m sure that’s been heartily suggested), Chiddy Bang and The Dudes. The XX for chillin’.

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  23. oh another really great feel good song…If I had a million dollars by Barenaked ladies. Always makes me happy! And, Happy by Sister Hazel! Fantastic songs and bands 🙂 Hope youre listening to more happy songs than sad now!

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  24. I really like “Houdini” and “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. Super good jams. I can’t stop playing them and I wake up singing them. Definitely happy, empowering jams! Check ’em out at SxSW, they are playing there as well! Probably bad-ass to see live! Wish I could.

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  26. Music is the perfect remedy. I had a terrible break up a few years back, and my best friend sent me a compilation of get pissed, get sad, and move forward type of music. The one that made me smile the most was Mein Herr, sung by Liza Minnelli in Cabaret. Put a casual spin on a very heavy situation. http://youtu.be/CX-24Zm0bjk.
    Be well.

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  29. Belle and Sebastian ‘ boy with the Arab strap’ makes me dance around in my underwear. Sounds particularly good when accompanied by marracca’s.
    Or ‘sexuality’ by Billy Bragg.

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  30. A sampling of my mix once upon a break-up time:

    Side A: The Sads
    1. Piazza New York Catcher – Belle & Sebastian
    2. You Had Time – Ani DiFranco
    3. That Particular Time – Alanis Morissette
    4. River – Joni Mitchell
    5. How to Fight Loneliness – Wilco
    6. I Know – Fiona Apple

    Side B: The It Does Not Get So Bads
    1. You Jerk – Kim Stockwood
    2. I Will Survive – Cake
    3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
    4. Young Hearts Run Free – Kym Mazelle
    5. Valerie – Amy Winehouse
    6. Irreplaceable – Beyonce

    Yeah — Side A’s kinda “tear your heart out depressing” and Side B’s kind of camp. But that’s the way I roll, baby.

    Sending you lots of good vibes, and I hope the music helps you as much as it did me.

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  31. I swear Tegan & Sara have written a song to get me through just about anything! I’d totally forgotten Annie Lennox ’til I saw her on your list though – that song breaks my heart.

    I’d add Azure Ray’s “Rise” to my “Wishing Life had a Fast-Forward Button List” too – they write nothing but break-up songs, it seems.

    ❤ Momo

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  32. How about a few classic oldies, since I’m old enough to be your (birthed you as a teenager) mom. Vanilla Fudge does a ripping “You Keep Me Hanging On.” Although I consider myself happily married, it took me a couple of tries to get here. (I had no shortage of proposals just kept picking Mr. Wrong) I have a category on my Ipod called “Spunky 60’s girl songs” with Dionne Warwick’s I’ll Never Fall In Love again (Elvis Costello does a great cover of this one too) and Leslie Gore’s You Don’t Own Me. Divorce can be a sad time, but it can also be a time of exploration. It is much easier to be super good to yourself when you are single.

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  33. I believe you have just listed some of my most treasured, most beloved songs. “Good Woman” by Cat Power is hauntingly beautiful and Damien Rice can do no wrong. I have recently re-discovered Brandi Carlile, whom I knew from “The Story” (and Grey’s Anatomy – no shame in admitting). I am now obsessed with Dying Day (check out the live performances on YouTube too) and her duets with Katie Herzig.

    Dying Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpYe-LfXkE

    Wish You Well with Katie Herzig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChVlctXm7xw

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  34. I’m a new reader and was really excited to see that we have similar taste in music. Thanks for sharing these. Love it.

    Here a couple of my favs:

    Wishing Life Had a Fast Forward Button:
    Sia–Breathe Me

    Shaking your fist at the sky:
    Teagan and Sara–The Con

    Dancing Around in Your Underwear:
    Spoon–You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb

    You Pick the Category:
    Rilo Kiley–Breakin’ Up (peppiest break-up song ever)

    Hope you enjoy, and sending you positive thoughts and such.

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  35. Sorry, I keep coming up with more. I’ve loved reading other people’s suggestions.
    Ain’t No Reason by Brett Dennen
    Love and Memories by OAR

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  37. Highly recommending the entire Girlyman catalogue, if you’re unfamiliar. They can do any mood and do it beautifully: from sad and introspective (try “Angel,” “Somewhere Different Now” or “Trees Still Bend”) to angry (“Storms Were Mine”) to toe-tapping joy, which is at least a cousin of underwear dancing (“Kittery Tide,” “Joyful Sign,” “Through to Sunrise”)

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  38. Thank you for this.

    I’ve spent the last week with my boyfriend who has been in Afghanistan for five months. A few days later I snapped two ligaments in my knee and now I can’t bend my leg or move without crutches. And now all the small details of life are challenging: putting on socks, having a bath/shower, carrying a cup of tea. Not ideal for someone who relies on her bike to get about and teach people how to grow food.

    We have broken up in the past and as I am slowly going through the list I am extremely grateful we are together. I couldn’t have done it without him. But still mourning the loss of my ligaments, my ability to move and my independence.

    It is beautifully sunny and I can’t get out into the garden. But will come out of all of this, for all of us.

    Here’s one for the mix that I listened to on repeat when I broke up with the man that is nursing back to health. “Moving Forward” by Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Awesome band name.

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  39. To whomever recommended Good Woman by Cat Power, thank you, I love it. (And I’m not even going through a breakup.)

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  40. Spent this morning listening at my desk … and I now know about and love Surfjan Stevens, Camera Obscura and Sxip Shirey. Sometimes I swear I must live under a rock. Hope things are going better for you Maggie!

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  42. I don’t find any sad mix to be complete without the short and bittersweet “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths.

    Word.

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  43. Have fun at SXSW! I want to gooooo.
    I have to give a “yo, go see my brother’s band, please!” shout out to Fang Island. Honestly, even if my brother wasn’t the best drummer ever & in this band, I would love them. They’re playing at Emo’s in the Sargent/Rodriguez Lopez showcase & at the Scoot Inn.
    I hope you like them…they’re the sound of everyone high-fiving, how could you not? 🙂

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  45. Lovely Day by Bill Withers ~ think of your son while listening and you’ll see why.

    Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing ~ Stevie Wonder

    Ok, these are the only songs I’ve been compelled to share. I always force myself to listen to them during my blue/crushed/inconsolable moments and they ALWAYS bring me to the other side. Call them Dual Purpose Wonders. I was well on my way to sending 40+ and finally decided on these two.

    You will have moments and you WILL get through them. You’re strong, smart, couragous and gifted. Just think of yourself on the other side of this slogginess ~ BETTER THAN EVER!

    Also, another mantra I always use on myself, no matter what, is You/This Will NOT Get The Best of Me! Whether it be a person, something silly or learning something new and I’m on the brink of giving up, I repeat this ad nauseum in my head.

    Say it. This WILL NOT get the best of me.

    Be well, Maggie. You will get through this.

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