2009- The Music of My Mind

Another year, another compilation of songs that got stuck in my head this last year! As you can tell from my previous posts (as you can see I haven't blogged since last year) that I like to gather up a list of all the songs that really moved me, rocked me, and became part of me within the last 365 days. They don't have to be from 2009, there is so much music to discover that I find normal means of chronology confining. If it's new to me, even if it came out fifty years ago, and it's a song that defined who I was this year, it makes the list. Hope you all enjoy what I've posted—maybe you'll find something that will dance in your head for the next couple days or weeks!

Do The Joy Air (2009)
A short French electronic symphony! I like the robotish dialogue in the middle.


Sing Sang Sung Air (2009)
A refreshing joyful burst of childlike soul from the same album, Love 2 that came out this last year. My favorite part is, "Don't be so dumb."

Sing Sang Sung official video

Eye in the Sky The Alan Parsons Project
A grocery store discovery. I was shopping for spaghetti sauce ingredients at the Pick N Save here in Shorewood and I could hear it just enough over the shopping carts and scanners and everything else. It seemed like I was being serenaded down the grocery aisles. "I can read your mind!" Anyway, I taped it using the audio function on my camera and looked up the lyrics afterward when I got home.



Closer Animals Within Animals
There is a great website online that takes your favorite songs and reinterprets them using alternating computer voices for each word of the song. It's educational and fun! My good friend Matt made a great homemade video of the song for the annual Blossom Lane Film Fest. It rocked!
Singing Dictionary

Anthonio (Original Version) Annie (2009)
This past year, was a complete tease for fans of Annie. The Norwegian indie electronic pop princess was due to release it, but thing after thing resulted in delay. Argh! Luckily, she made and released this single while the album was in the works. A driving synth song with a mix of dancibility, sadness, longing, and morality.


Songs Remind Me Of You Annie (2009)
Yay! Annie released her new album finally toward the end of the year and it is extraordinary! This is the vanguard of pop music!


Hell Yes Beck
Beck is a musical genius, and he's always coming with some interesting musical concoction. Hell Yes is a mix of something off of his Mellow Gold and his Midnight Vulture album. I love the "Hell Yes" statement and the inclusion of the Japanese girl.
Hell Yes video

Gamma Ray Beck
This is a 60's style hot rod song re-imagined Beck-style. A mix of race car driving, spy thriller, and a desert mirage.

Beck - Gamma Ray
Music Video Codes at www.roxwel.com

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) Beyoncé (2009)
Sorry, I'm sick of this song too.


Again & Again The Bird And The Bee
It's like the Carpenters meeting Brian Wilson, this song is a pop confectionary.
Again and Again

Don't Stop The Music (Rihanna Cover) The Bird and the Bee
A second The Bird and the Bee song on my list...like the Charo song later on in the list, it's a cover a Rihanna song. On my quest to find that online, I stumbled upon this version. It's impeccable. Very dreamy and addictive!


That's When The Tears Start The Blossoms
This year I discovered a series of CDs put out collecting old 1950's and 1960's Girl Group songs. This one by the phenomenal Blossoms, known best as a backing band for many of the hits of the time, is one of the best of the collection. The lead singer is Darlene Love, one of the greatest singers ever. When I found the video to this song, lip-synched about forty years after the song was cut and released, I just fell in love. You can see the joy of the three Blossoms being together again. I played it over and over about a thousand times!


Heaven On Earth Britney Spears
Everyone thought Britney Spears was a washout and a has-been, but I guess she came back. I'm not a fan of hers by any stretch of the imagination. As a symbol of pop music she represents the worst, but I guess her people know how to find the right collaborators to bring out the best.


Great Mistake Brookville (2009)
Brookville is Andy Chase from the New York band Ivy, and this is from his latest solo effort. I was really hoping to meet him on his tour with the Postmarks, who he produces and plays as an opening act for, when they came to Milwaukee; but, he didn't show up. I think he make a great sensitive little guy. You should see him sing this song riding his cycle around NYC.


French Navy Camera Obscura (2009)
I'm such a huge fan of Camera Obscura's sound, a sometimes danceable, toe-tapping blend of melancholy pop. I guess it like old girl group sound mixed in with the twee-pop sound of fellow Scottish band Belle and Sebastian. I was so incredibly lucky to see them live this year at Turner Hall here in Milwaukee and they were utterly fascinating. There sound is so spot on, every member of the band is a true musician.


The Sweetest Thing Camera Obscura (2009)
More Camera Obscura heart-baring symphonic pop. This song makes you think, ruminate, run nostalgic, all while making you tap your toes and sway. Lead singer Traceyanne Campbell makes you think about love....sigh!


The Way I Want To Touch You Captain & Tennille
My first words were to their more popular song, "Love Will Keep Us Together, (I will! I will! I will!)" but that was about all I really knew about the Captain and the Tenille. Then I found their greatest hits collection on one of my numerous library musical trips and found this song. I like the eager vocal force that build up to the sunshine-shadow contrast. Tenille had it real bad for the Captain. I want to be someone's captain again.
Captain And Tennille - The Way That I Want To Touch You


Nobody Does It Better Carly Simon
Somehow, for the thirty plus years of my life this song escaped me...until this year, when I heard it three times, three different places in the same 24 hour period! The Loud Family in the building next door, a family of about 12 people who shared a two-bedroom apartment congregate certain nights for an evening of karaoke. As a black family, they sang Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and other Motown and rap songs...but when they broke into "Nobody does it better..." I was perplexed and amused. A classic moment hearing all 12 singing about, "The spy who loved me!" Then in the morning I heard at I was searching the aisles of the dollar store for shampoo or something; and then again at a karaoke bar that evening! God was pulling a practical joke on me!


Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams Charlie Christian
This song found its way to me along my search for the same song by Les Paul and his wife Mary Ford, which I heard earlier on an internet radio station. From the swing period, Charlie was an innovator in using the electric guitar in jazz. Just listen to that opening! Wow!
Charlie Christian on Itunes

Don't Stop the Music Charo (2009)
Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon gave us a special treat of Charo really working it—lip synching and gyrating to her own recorded version of Rihanna's Don't Stop the Music. It's fascinating! You can't get the vision of sixty-plus old Charo grinding her crotch into the bodies and faces of telethon audience members. Charo really made this song hers.


Call on Me Chicago
This automatically goes on my early 70's AM favorites, up there with Bread, Gordon Lightfoot, and Stevie Wonder.


You Are What You Are (Beautiful) Christina Aguilera
I really enjoyed this reworked version of her big hit from years ago. It sounds like the group Air or Goldfrapp got their remixers wrapped around it. Low-key, more humble, and more future-forward than what everyone knows.


The Next Step Youll Take Club 8
I feel like going out getting an early early morning coffee in Rio when I hear this song.
The Next Step You'll Take on Lala player

Technologic (Basement Jaxx Kontrol Mixx) Daft Punk
I'm going to try and get a different remix of Technologic on my music list every year. I keep finding more! This song is c-c-c-c-raaaaaaazy in an insane robot chipmunk way!


True Stories Datarock (2009)
Datarock, my favorite Norwegian rock band are at it again! This song is a catchy tune whose every lyric is from a Talking Heads song. Datarock put on an awesome energetic show, red jumpsuits and hoods and all!


When Love Takes Over (Original Mix) David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland (2009)
If there were songs like this on the stupid radio, I might actually turn it on someday.
When Love Takes Over video

Foolish Fool Dee Dee Warwick
My friend Steven has incredibly good taste in music and he passed this gem along over to me.


To Have and to Hold Here Today Gone Tomorrow The Distant Cousins
One night when I first installed my digital teevee converter box, one of those late night black and white B-Movie programs that are hosted by beatniks on a couch was on. It was "Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster" with a few songs by sixties band the Distant Cousins. There was a great scene in the movie where some guy and his girl are riding a scooter around Italy or Hawaii (European streets and palm trees and ocean???) Anyway the song got stuck in my head, and I couldn't find it (well, now it's on youtube). I can't find any internet documentation of Here Today Gone Tomorrow.


Lying Still (Level 42 cover) (BL Rewind 2) Electric Youth (2009)
One of my favorite songs of all time is Level 42's "Something About You." Well, the weird thing is, is that I don't any of their other songs—at least until I stumbled upon a great website that got new artists to cover all their favorite hits in a rewind sort of way. I really dug this cover of Lying Still without ever hearing the original. Well, I have heard it and I love it, but this has a more up-tempo beat and spritish-punkish pop vibe to it.


Hijack Enoch Light
Thanks to the Sonic Youth "Sacred Trickster" video I discovered this song. In the beginning of their video the band members are digging through an old box of records and and there's this Enoch Light album. It's like Ewoks in the Playboy Mansion. And I can't find a video or mp3 of it...


Ada - Luckycharm/ Erlend Øye - Intuition (Acapella) Erlend Øye
I don't know how this song escape me from the year before....anyway I played it much more to make up for that slight. A perfect song to first whistle along with, then to snap along too. It's from his DJ Kicks album, one of series of albums where cool musical artists make a mix of songs. I like checking these out and finding cool new grooves.


We All Wanna Be Prince Felix Da Housecat (2009)
From the beginning synth beat and drum to the Prince vibe this was probably the most infectious song of the year!


Borderline (Madonna's Cover) The Flaming Lips (2009)
The slow build-up and following intensity of this song is gi-normous. They take a simple 80's pop delight and develop it into an epic statement. It grabs you and enthralls you in it's majesty. Wow.

2009 Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs - Borderline from George Salisbury on Vimeo.

I Can Be A Frog (Featuring Karen O) The Flaming Lips (2009)
A short dreamy childlike classic. Karen O on a telephone answering machine tape making short playful animal noises and the Flaming Lips pining for love.


Over My Head Fleetwood Mac
I think I need to get more into Fleetwood Mac. This dreamy song is by Christine McVie who I just found out is a July 12th baby, just like me!


Swimming Pool Freezepop
From Freezepop's 2007 album, this song didn't make it's way into my soul until this year. My music player is set on shuffle and with over 12,000 songs it sometimes takes some time for a song to embed itself into my psyche, but I think this one finally made it since I picked up swimming this semester at the university pool.


Paris Friendly Fires (2009)
The Friendly Fires know how to mix the synth beats and a cool dancing vibe. They know how to wow you with dreams of love tomorrow.


I'm Gonna Be Strong Gene Pitney
As my friend Shelli would say, "Gene, take it like a man!" Mr. Pitney was one of the greats voices of music in the last fifty years. This song was his affirmation of survival after losing love...sigh....


When They Fight They Fight Generationals (2009)
This song has a great grab-you sixties pop feel. I thought it would be a great sitting at a Mexican bar drinking a margaritha song and then it seemed like someone on youtube had the same idea!


Kevin Is Gay Giant Drag
Hahaha, I think most Kevins are gay.


We Almost Lost Detroit Gil Scott-Heron
As an urban planner and designer this song gets me hooked, but then I get reeled in with the 70's underwatery psychedelic groove and the soulful lament of Gil Scott-Heron. "What would Karen Silkwood say?"



Lust For Life Girls (2009)
This is my poser indie power-pop song of the list.


This City Kills Janove Ottesen
I don't know much, if anything, about the background of the song, but it makes me think of being a young slightly poetic Canadian in a plaid scarf sitting around outside with a cup of hot chocolate. The mind is a funny thing.
This City Kills mp3 on Lala

I Hate People Jemina Pearl & Iggy Pop (2009)
Iggy Pop needs to put out a duets album. On my computer I him and Kate Pierson of the B52's. Peaches. And now Jemima Pearl. For some reason I have in my head, Iggy is some kind of punk monster luring her from the nice little Nashville scene and trashed her up a bit, kind of a reverse Cinderella situation.


Save Room John Legend
I love how this song starts on the chords of "Stormy." For some reason this song is on my list even though it sounds like something you would hear when you're cashing your check in a small town bank.

John Legend Save Room
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Stop This Train John Mayer
When I feel like a high schooler trapped in the throes of growing up and making hard decisions this song is the one for me. Another great standing in line at the bank song.


11th Dimension Julian Casablancas (2009)
A happy synth dance ditty from the lead singer of the Strokes.


Justified And Ancient The KLF
From the amazing amazing concept album from the KLF back in 1992 or so. Transcendent!
Justified and Ancient mp3 snippet from Lala

Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) Lady GaGa (2009)
This is one of Lady Gaga's simpler pop songs. Just reminds me of someone.


Paparazzi Lady Gaga (2009)
I like to replace the word "Paparazzi" with "Pupparoni" for some reason. It was weird watching Lady Gaga become popular this year. I remember when whe wore masks like a singing super-hero (villain) last year and Christina Aguillera stealing her image for awhile.


How High The Moon Les Paul & Mary Ford
As soon as I heard this song I downloaded every Les Paul song that I could. I'm such a huge fan of the early early electric guitar. I also have an affinity for the multi-track layering this song makes use of extraordinarily well!


Celebration (Benny Benassi Edit) Madonna (2009)
This song was so much better than most of that stinkfest album of hers from last year. That was gross. This song, from another greatest hits cd (who still buys those????), I think is better because of the collaboration with Benny Benassi who is kind of a good remixer. He gives this song a bit of a drive.


I Want You Madonna
It's always weird finding new old music from Madonna. This is from a 1981 demo tape. She was a bit more rock then. Very refreshing from all her overproduced shit.


Be Thankful For What You`ve Got Massive Attack
Massive Attack has a new album out now, but this, I think, is from their first release. It has a bit of Northern Philly soul feel to it, again, I think. I do know, it got stuck in my head for quite a while.


Just Ain't Gonna Work Out Mayer Hawthorne (2009)
Such a great sound, a soul throwback much like Amy Winehouse or Nicole Willis.


Freak-A-Zoid Midnight Star
This song will help form the core trinity of songs that will play during my funeral after I croak. The others are Styx' "Mr. Roboto" and Missy Elliott's "Lose Control."


Massive Fear (Massive Attack vs. Lily Allen) Mighty Mike (2009)
The first of a couple of mash-ups on my list. This one is a brilliant bridge between the new Lily Allen song and an old Massive Attack song. They fit together quite well.


Party in the USA and Party and Bullshit Mashup Miley Cyrus and Notorious B.I.G. (2009)
My party song of the year. "Where the party at???"


Most Of All Morgan Geist (2009)
Winsome. Very nice collaboration with the Junior Boys' Jeremy Greenspan. The Junior Boys are one of my favorite bands out right now.


Want You Back Nite Jewel (2009)
Annie advised her fans to take a listen to Nite Jewel's stuff. Amazing. Dreamy. I think I need to move to Europe and get involved in the art and music scene there.


Wild Young Hearts Noisettes (2009)
Starts off with hand clapping and la-la-la's. A great song that recalls the fun nights of summer. Mine was a blast! Lots of nights and Summer Shandy at the Memorial Union Terrace! (Thanks to Steven for turning me onto the Noisettes!)
Wild Young Hearts video

Requiem For O.M.M.2 Of Montreal
I never watched the OC teevee program, but I picked up a nifty cd collection of songs they put together for each season. The library is my friend. A great garage dance song.


Please Don't Keep Me Waiting Olivia Newton-John
The greatest movie that no one has ever seen is the "Beaver Trilogy" A story of a young starstruck man who yearns to become famous. Although not gay, nor a female impersonator, this guy sings this Olivia Newton-John son,one that I've never heard before, at a local talent contest. It's pretty sad and intense all balled up into one. Haunting. The movie amps it up with a young Sean Penn and Crispin Glover reinacting the story of the young man and singing the song on stage too.



Amoureuse Olivia Newton-John
ONJ has included a bunch of cover songs on her earlier country-slash-vocal albums. This is a song from a French singer I don't know of, and was also a song covered by Kiki Dee. It lifts you up and then carries you.


Sleepyhead Passion Pit (2009)
This is pure musical crack. Word is, this is from an album some guy made for a Valentine's Day gift for his girlfriend.


Dreamer's Bay Patience & Prudence
From the same 1950's sister group who sang "Tonight You Belong To Me" and "A Smile and a Ribbon." I got the entire collection of their songs. Sometimes simple is better.


Serpentine Peaches (2009)
This is the direct opposite of the last song! Got to see Peaches twice this year, both time in Wisconsin, wow! Anyways this song rocks as much as the video for it. Watched it in the Urban Planning workroom at school with a few friends. Made some instant Peaches fans right there! "Never a straight line, Serpentine!" "Touch me here and give you Impetigo."


Lose You Peaches (2009)
Lots of songs from Peaches last album "I Feel Cream." Peaches is surprisingly vulnerable in this song.


Billionaire Peaches (2009)
A rousing declaration from Peaches..."F*** You Like a Billionaire!"


Take You On Peaches (2009)
I can't remember if this was the song that Peaches walked across the top of the audience at the Milwaukee show, but it reminds me of holding her up by the boot and she stood there and sang!


Hanky Code Peaches
An extra song to an older album of hers, that I somehow didn't hear until this year. Everytime I went out, I looked to see if anyone was wearing a hanky. I also sang this song as I rode my bike home from school. I'm kinda weird, I know.


15 to 20 The Phenomenal Handclap Band (2009)
Thanks to my good friend Shelli for getting me into this one!!! A great counting song with vocals by the Lady Tigra!!!


11:59 The Postmarks
Speaking of numbers, the Postmarks put out a number themed cover album where each song is about the number that song is in order of on the cd. The first song is "One Note Samba." The eleventh song is Blondie's amazing "11:59." I saw the Postmarks play at Shank Hall this fall..along with six other people! They played this song and I bought the album from them afterward. They hung out with me too and autographed my cd!


No One Said This Would Be Easy The Postmarks (2009)
Phil Specter meets spy movie music meets indie pop. I like the jangled symphonic soul of this band.


Too Too Too Fast Ra Ra Riot
This band and song speaks to me on a mental level.


David The Radio Dept. (2009)
The Radio Dept., best known for their soundtrack contributions to Sofia Coppala's Marie Antoinette movie put out a single this year. It makes me get all dreamy over someone.


Wildcat Ratatat
If there is a cat noise in a song it is automatically one of my favorites. This one, theoretically could have lost the cougar growl, and I would have still loved it. But it is there!!!! RAWR!!!!


Last Dance The Raveonettes (2009)
This is probably one of the Raveonettes more sugary concoctions. I love the oooo-ooo-wooooing.


Juliet Robin Gibb
Andy Gibb's brother put out a solo record years ago in the early eighties. Thanks to the rewind cover website I found this last year I heard a remix of this song. Although that version was okay, it wasn't as great as the original.


Get Up Get Out The Rosebuds
This band must like OMD, New Order, and other alternative eighties band as much as me!


Happy Up Here Röyksopp (2009)
Shades of "So Eple" from their first album.


The Girl And The Robot Röyksopp (2009)
Norwegian Royksopp collaborates with Swedish Robyn. A driving pop song, European style.


When You're Young And In Love Ruby & The Romantics
A lost girl group dreamy classic by the same group who sang "Our Day Will Come."
When You're Young And In Love video

Love In July Sally Shapiro (2009)
Etheral and danceable. I'm such a sucker for Sally.


Jackie Junior (Junior Boys Remix) Sally Shapiro
A great remix of Sally Shapiro's great "Jackie, Jackie" by the Junior Boys! Wow! I'm glad I finally found this remix!


Tear Drop Santo & Johnny
From the wailing guitars of Santo and Johnny, the masterminds behind "Sleepwalk" came another classic. That guitar has more emotion in one wire than I have in my whole body.


Who Do You Love Sapphires
I ask this all the time. Well, I loooooove this song, that's who.


She Wolf Shakira (2009)
I was trapped in Covance as a medical guinea pig when one of the staff members played me the video for this goofy Shakira classic. Awooooo!


Sacred Trickster Sonic Youth (2009)
Sonic Youth is still at it! This is the type of music that brings out my artistic side.


Shout to the Top The Style Council
My favorite song find of the year! I love every note, lyric, and message. If you were in a car next to me waiting for a red light, I am sorry for what you saw. The video for this amazing too! I love how they are just hanging out in some room and the way each one gets involved with the song is intriguing. Pure 1980's bliss!!


Swim (To Reach the End) Surfer Blood (2009)
I think this was the last song to make the list this year. Anthemic and catchy!



Lipstick Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro is one of the true queens of rock and roll. I'm glad I finally got to hear this song!


CNR Weird Al Yankovich
My mom loves the Match Game! She would tape reruns of it everyday. So it was great to hear Weird Al did a great story song about how great Mr. Reilly was! Done in the style of the White Stripes!


Million Dollar Bill Whitney Houston (2009)
Thanks Steven, for making me really like one Whitney Houston song! Put one hand in the air!


À Cause Des Garçons (Tepr Remix) Yelle
I turn into a dancing machine whenever this song comes on!!!
A Cause Des Garcons video