I've been on a music kick all of my life. I guess at some point I could stop calling it a "kick" but I've always (incorrectly) believed that since I'm not a singer or musician, I can't claim to love music as anything more than a kick or hobby. I'm a music lover - that's what I am.
I don't know whether I like having my last.fm playlist broadcasting my listening habits on my blog 24 hours a day. I know there have been many times when I've played the same song repeatedly for well over an hour. I decided I would claim the ticker must be stuck if anyone asked me why 'Thriller' is the only song showing up. When I say I am a music lover, that does not mean I am a music snob. Oh no, I willingly admit to all of the music I adore. There's no shame in my game.
Perhaps I call it a music kick because I tend to go through stages with music. It all depends on my mood, weather, and circumstances. I will go weeks only listening to one genre before something will click and I stop listening to it all together for something else. Right now, I'm on an "any song that makes me feel something" kick. I have a playlist filled with only those songs (from all sorts of genres) that makes me...well, feel something! I don't care if it is sadness, happiness, peace, laughter, outrage, or horny ... I just want to listen to songs that make me think and feel alive. Not all songs do that, you know.
I love looking at people's playlists to get ideas for new music (or to re-discover a song) to listen too. I've found a lot of great music this way. So, I thought I'd do my own "meme" (although I wouldn't be surprised if someone else has already done this) and list my top ten most played songs according to iTunes.
1. Into the Mystic - Joe Cocker - Played 103 times.
I have no idea why I listen to this song so much and I was surprised to see it as number one because it just doesn't seem like my most played song. I don't even like this version but iTunes isn't selling the Van Morrison version so I settled for Joe Cocker.
Despite all of that, I do love this song. It makes me want to be on a boat in the middle of the ocean with a shirtless, tanned young man and an endless supply of margaritas and pineapple. I think I played this a lot this winter.
2. She Gives Me Religion - Van Morrison - 70 times
My favorite Van Morrison song. I just love his voice. He makes me smile and rock back and forth like Taylor Hicks. Again, hard to believe I've listened to this song this many times but there ya have it.
3. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley - 68 times
This song was just released in the US earlier this week and I've already listened to it this many times? Crazy!
4. Thriller - Michael Jackson - 48 times
Oh, I'm sorry. You thought I was kidding when I said I listen to Thriller on repeat?
5. This Woman's Work - Kate Bush - 46 times
Love her. Love this song.
6. Give Me You - Mary J. Blige & Eric Clapton - 44
I don't know why I've listened to this so often but it is a beautiful song and I love Mary J. Her voice is so unique. I do wish she'd get rid of that braid she's been wearing lately. She reminds me of the Swiss Miss girl.
7. Push - Sarah McLachlan - 44
I won't lie. I used to love this song mightily and I decided I would use the instrumental version as the music for my wedding march music. Now, I can't really listen to it without throwing up a little in my mouth. It's still a beautiful song though and I still relate to the lyrics.
8. A Smile That Explodes - Joseph Arthur - 42
His voice is haunting to me. I feel like he should be singing while standing in the middle of a graveyard. And his vocal back-up on this is just as haunting - only she sounds etherel, as if she's singing from the grave. It's really a good song though. Very soft and lonesome.
9. This Year's Love - David Gray - 31
I love David Gray. But, I love this song specifically because when Chris and I began dating, I remember thinking, "This better last". And not soon after, I heard this song. It was kind of my own private theme song for that relationship. Could be why it didn't last.
10. Love Ridden - Fiona Apple - 31
Again, not my favorite song of hers but I love her, period. She makes good thinking music. I like listening to her when I'm working.
What are your ten most played songs? Leave a comment or post in your own blog but be sure to let me know so I can check it out!
I've been on an iTunes obsession lately. The thing is, I've been clicking on all of those iMixes and getting ideas from other people. I always like seeing what's on other people's playlists so here's the first ten on my list of recently downloaded songs.
Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick - this song is so magnificent that it makes me hold my breath.
You by R.E.M. - because it was on Kathy Griffin's iMix and she stated, "You cannot listen to this song and not immediately turn to the person next to you and begin making out." She was right.
Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings by Lucinda Williams - her voice has a sexy, scratchiness to it that makes me want to sit on the tailgate of a truck, in the middle of a corn field, in the middle of summer, with a cooler of beer in the truck and a cowboy by my side.
Bad Day by Daniel Powter - this was a free download on iTunes last week. I almost always download the free downloads because ... well, they are free. Sometimes, I never listen to the song again. Other times, the song makes me so happy that it becomes an instant favorite. This is one of those songs.
Mix Tape by the Cast of Avenue Q - this song makes me laugh. If you were a teen in the 80s, then you have either made someone a mix tape or you have received one. How can you resist this song with lyrics like this one, "Sometimes when someone has a crush on you, they'll make you a mix tape to give you a clue. Let's see... You've Got a Friend, The Theme from Friends, That's What Friends are For ... Shit!"
Skid Row by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors) - I dare you to not get out of your chair and sing along.
This Year's Love by David Gray - I love his voice. I love the words.
And won't you kiss me
On that midnight street
Sweep me off my feet
Singing ain't this life so sweet
This year's love had better last
Piano Man by Billy Joel - sometimes, I will hear a song on the radio and remember how much I've always adored it. I will wonder why it's been so long since I've heard it and then I will go home and promptly download it so that I can listen to it as often as I like.
I Know by Fiona Apple - sultry.
Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz - I can't help it. It's the evil laugh.
Self-Made Man 