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Catchy songs about f*cked up things: A playlist by Jana and Erin

by Jana 9 Comments

This entry is part 1 of 8 in the series Playlists

Last Thursday of the month means it’s time for another playlist with Jana  and Erin. Although June is our birthday month and we could have done birthday themed songs, we opted for something a little darker because let’s face it, that makes way more sense. Playlist

You know the saying “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” and how it means something sinister disguised as something sweet and cute? Well, that’s essentially the theme of this month’s playlist except we’re calling it “Catchy Songs About Fucked Up Things”. We actually had to whittle the list down, and I’m sure we could do a part 2, but for now, we’ll just go with these 12:

“Make it Stop (September’s Children)” by Rise Against. I (Jana) had actually mentioned this song to Erin pre-Pulse shooting because this song makes me tear up every time I listen to it, particularly when they list some of the kids–CHILDREN–who’ve committed suicide because of being gay. Post-Pulse, it’s even more poignant and a necessary inclusion. 

“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. School shooting song. We shouldn’t even still be talking about school or any type of mass shootings but that’s another topic for another time. 

“Fade to Black” by Metallica. This one’s about death and suicidal feelings. 

“Last Resort” by Papa Roach. Also about death and suicide. I (Jana) think that’s enough on this topic for now so we’ll move to something else. 

“Mr. Brownstone” by Guns N Roses. Drugs! This one’s about drugs. We struggled between using this one or “Dr. Feelgood” by Motley Crue so I’m mentioning the latter to sneak it into the post anyway. #sorrynotsorry

“Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind. Another song about drugs. Meth this time, instead of cocaine or heroin. Not sure that we’re moving up or down but at least it’s not death. 

“Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also drugs but also about loneliness and desperation and isolation because of drugs. 

“Crawling” by Linkin Park. Another one about the battle with substance abuse, drawing on Chester Bennington’s own experiences. 

“Jeremy” by Pearl Jam. This is the first song I (Jana) was consciously aware of the lyrics and the meaning and having it impact me. Suzanne Vega’s “Luka” should have that honor but I was only 10 at the time of the song’s release so I didn’t pick up on it right away (I actually believe it’s one of the most heartwrenching songs ever). We’re showing the video for “Jeremy” instead of just the song because Erin feels that it’s the most impactful video ever made. 

“Wrong Way” by Sublime. A nice song about child prostitution. Maybe also a little child abuse. Bradley Nowell was masterful at writing awesome songs about fucked up things (see: “Santeria”, “April 29, 1992”, “Date Rape”) and who knows what else he could have done. Sadly, he’s a member of the 27 Club so we’ll never know. 

“Face Down” by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. This one’s about domestic violence. It’s more obvious in subject matter than some of the others, and the band has done a lot of stuff for domestic violence prevention in the years since. 

“Manhattan Project” by Rush. Pretty obvious what this is about. It’s not as dark as some of the others so I (Jana) thought it was a fitting way to end the list. Also a good way to finally get Rush on one of these playlists. 

Honorable mentions: “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks (murder, domestic violence), “Never Again” by Nickelback (domestic violence), “Janie’s Got a Gun” by Aerosmith (child abuse, murder), “Me and a Gun” by Tori Amos (rape), “Hurt” by NIN (so many things), “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Warrant (murder with a not so thinly veiled racist title), “Coming Undone” by Korn (mental health issues), “Adam’s Song” by Blink 182 (teen suicide). It’s a really long list. 

What are some of your favorite songs about fucked up things? 

Musicians gone too soon: A Jana and Erin playlist

by Jana 8 Comments

It’s that time again, the last Thursday of the month, the time that Jana and Erin bring you a playlist that usually has a theme with a twist.  With the realization that we’ve been losing a lot of musical icons in recent times, we were inspired to bring you this post: favorite songs by (now) dead people.
*This is a long one.  We make no apologies.  We culled.  We swear we did.

The plane crashes:


Buddy Holly (Peggy Sue) – It’s been called “Rock’s First Tragedy” and “The Day That Music Died” when a plane crashed in snowy Iowa February 1959.  It carried Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper, and one of Jana’s faves, Buddy Holly.

Stevie Ray Vaughan (Pride & Joy) – A bronze statue overlooks Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas to honor the loss of this guitar virtuoso and Texas son, another plane crash casualty (this one happening in 1990).

Lynyrd Skynyrd (Free Bird) – In 1977, three members perished in a plane crash carrying band members of this Southern Rock band.  Most everyone knows “Sweet Home Alabama” and possibly have heard someone from a crowd yell “Free Bird!”…but when I listen to the opening lyrics “If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?”…well, damn, considering how the man singing those lyrics died, it gives me chills every time.

The drink:

AC/DC – original lead singer, Bon Scott (T.N.T.) – I, Erin, have a personal story.  My 8 year old stepson’s favorite band is AC/DC.  He can identify a song when it comes on the radio within a few notes.  My husband and I had our first conversation about the dangers of too much alcohol with this 8 year old kid by telling him the history and untimely death of  Bon Scott.  In honor of my stepkid, here’s his favorite AC/DC song.

Def Leppard – original lead guitarist and songwriter, Steve Clark (Armageddon It) – You could not be our age and not have some memory associated with a Def Leppard song.  They were “that” big for a time period.  In 1991, the height of their fame and popularity (#1 albums, sold out stadium tours), Steve Clark died of alcohol poisoning.  The last album that he played fully on was their highest selling album of all time (25 million+), and Armageddon It is Jana’s favorite song (Jana’s edit: on this album. Not in general. Although it’s probably in my top 20).  (He’s the one with the most bleached-blonde hair playing guitar.)

Warrant – lead singer, songwriter, Jani Lane (I Saw Red) – From Erin: this one hurt.  I loved Warrant.  I saw Warrant’s last performance together with Jani singing in 2008.  It was a trainwreck due to Jani’s addiction.  Some various documentary footage of Jani makes me almost cry.  He is bloated and red-faced.  His depression is palpable.  He died alone in a hotel room from years of alcohol abuse.  This is one of the all-time best power ballads.  (Jani, I promise I won’t remember you just as “the Cherry Pie guy”.) Jana’s edit: Poison and Warrant was the first concert I was allowed to go to by myself. This one hurt me, too.

The drugs, oh, the drugs:

Janis Joplin (Piece of My Heart because we think we’ve already used Me & My Bobby McGee on a previous post) – One of the members of the infamous “27” club, musicians that died at the young age of 27.  She could  sing like she had balls and party as hard as the guys, but suffered because of it.  Her cause of death was listed as heroin and alcohol.

The Doors – lead singer, songwriter, wearer of leather pants like no one’s business, Jim Morrison (although other members have passed too)…(Break on Through) – Another 27 club member; some aren’t fans of the psychedelic rock that The Doors produced.  We are.  Pretty sure we’d been crazy dancing groupies at the Whisky-a-go-go if we were in our late teens/early 20s in the late ’60s.

Blind Melon – lead vocals and songwriter, Shannon Hoon (No Rain) – This band didn’t have much time to reach a lot of success, but if you were alive pre-1995, listened to music, and/or watched MTV…you knew this song.  Hoon, like several others on this list, died on his tour bus due to a drug overdose.

Sublime – lead vocals and guitar, Bradley Nowell (Santeria) – Ska punk?  From us?  Sure.  We have eclectic tastes.  Sadly, Bradley didn’t get to experience the height of his recognition (due to his heroin overdose in 1996) as most of Sublime’s biggest hits came posthumously.

Drowning Pool – lead singer, Dave Williams (Bodies) – Another tour bus tragedy.  Officially, cause of death is due to an “undiagnosed heart condition”; unofficially, all that cocaine didn’t help that unhealthy heart keep pumping.

Alice in Chains – lead vocalist, Layne Staley and bassist, Mike Starr (Rooster) – Not one, but two deaths by drug overdose.  So many songs to choose.  Jana had to choose.  Erin just couldn’t.  They are all too good.  Their songs, although labeled “grunge”, are timeless rock music.

Stone Temple Pilots (and Velvet Revolver) – lead vocals and songwriter, Scott Weiland (Sex Type Thing) – From Erin: Out of all the artists listed, this is the one that has taken my money again and again.  I’ve seen him live more times that I can count with STP, VR, and solo.  I own his book.  His ex-wife’s too.  I own many albums.  STP “Core” still ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums ever.  Scott’s addiction was often in the media and in his lyrics.  It was no surprise that he was found dead on a tour bus after a recent relapse.  Terribly sad, but no surprise.



Violence:

Run DMC – dj, cut creator, mixer Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell (It’s Tricky) – From Erin: In the world of hip hop and untimely deaths, Biggie Smalls and Tupac are the most mentioned.  Run DMC was the first rap album (cassette, although my brother did own the vinyl record) that I owned.  The fact that a southern suburban white girl knew every word to many of their songs is testament to the musical influence they had.  When he was murdered, I was sad.  Still am.



Pantera/Damageplan – lead guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott – No song attached; we had one in last month’s post, but we still thought we’d share that time that Erin visited his grave outside Dallas, Texas.  Shot dead by a Pantera “fan” at a concert with his new group Damageplan while his brother watched from the drum kit.

Mental illness, drugs, and violence:


INXS – lead singer and lyricist, Michael Hutchence (Never Tear Us Apart) – He was dreamy to look at and to listen to, but he was battling some heavy demons.  They caught up with Michael in 1997.  His death was ruled by an Australian coroner as a “suicide while depressed under the influence of drugs and alcohol”.  His loss is still strongly felt in Australia.  INXS Greatest Hits still regularly spends time in the top 10 of Australian sales charts.

 
Nirvana- lead singer and songwriter, Kurt Cobain (In Bloom) – A death that will be examined until music stops playing.  A sufferer from reportedly various diagnoses of mental illness (severe ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder), Kurt Cobain self-medicated by abusing hardcore drugs.  Ultimately, this combination took his life which was ruled a suicide.
 
Complications from AIDS:
RATT – guitarist Robbin Crosby (Round and Round) – Predictably, a hair band musician is on a list of ours.  Robbin’s story is just heartbreaking about the perils of living the glamourized rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.  He was friends with his bandmates.  Friends with other band members on the scene.  (Nikki Sixx has frequently talked about their friendship.)  Groupies don’t have a bad word to say about him.  Until the drugs took over.  He was a heroin addict.  He had a lot of unprotected sex.  He was HIV positive and ultimately died from a heroin overdose while battling pneumonia as a complication of AIDS.  (He’s the super big blonde guy playing guitar.)
N.W.A. and solo rapper – Eric “Eazy E” Wright (Boyz in the Hood) – We have our East Coast representation from Jam Master Jay, and now West Coast legend, Eazy E.  He was diagnosed and publicly announced in 1995.  One month later he died from complications of AIDS.
Of course………
 
Queen – singer, songwriter, genius, Freddie Mercury (Somebody to Love) – One of the greatest vocalists to ever perform rock ‘n’ roll.  There are not enough words to describe this guy.  The music he left behind does all the talking needed.
Cancer sucks:
Beastie Boys – vocals, songwriter, keyboard, and bass, Adam “MCA” Yauch (You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party) – After his diagnosis, he announced his cancer was “very treatable”.  That cancer, she’s a bitch.  Sadly, she’s been known to take down some of the best, like this hip hop legend and humanitarian.
 
Cause of death unknown (so far):
Prince – musician of a thousand instruments, singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, snazzy dresser, His Purple Highness, and more – He wasn’t one that supported sharing his videos on youtube, but take a look at this display of talent right here playing a purple acoustic guitar.
And the list could go on for days…so, tell us who we missed.  We know we left many on the edit floor.  What is your favorite song by a (now) dead person?
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Angry songs: A Jana and Erin Playlist

by Jana 9 Comments

I, Erin, shared Kristen’s post about angry music in my most recent share of Blogger Love.  Jana and Erin consulted and agreed to steal be inspired by Kristen’s post.  We will give you our own version of a collection of “Angry Tunes”.
Warning:  if you don’t like explicit lyrics, this isn’t the playlist or blog post for you.

1.  Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit – Judge all you want because of the band; this is a song that is a go-to for both of us when we want to listen to angry tunes.

2.  Face to Face by Sevendust – A song that calls someone a “fuck stick”, a “motherfucker”, and a “prick” is an angry song for us.
3.  Sick by Adelitas Way – This song is all about being “sick” in the head and “sick” of a lot of other shit too.
4.  Scum of the Earth by Rob Zombie – The title tells you enough, doesn’t it?
5.  Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine – The song ends with “Fuck you! I won’t do what you tell me!” about 20 times.  No exaggeration.  That alone is enough to make our list.
6.  Walk by Pantera – “Fun” fact from Erin: Pantera in Texas is the one and only concert that I got out of the pit because I thought there was a reasonably high possibility I could die.  A lot of anger was expressed at a Pantera show, folks.
7.  Mother Mother by Tracy Bonham – No real reason for this one except the screaming is cathartic.
8.  Down with the Sickness by Disturbed – A superb song that talks about demons, sickness, and madness inside of us.
9.  You Call Me a Bitch Like It’s a Bad Thing by Halestorm – Enough said.
10.  One Step Closer by Linkin Park – Shout it with me: “Shut up when I’m talking to you!”
11.  Headstrong by Trapt – The chorus includes a “fun” to sing lyric “Back off I’ll take you on; Headstrong to take on anyone”.
12.  Here to Die by Five Finger Death Punch – Opening lyrics: “This wasn’t meant to be a love song, Matter fact this one’s about hate”; he growls a little more than preferred but breaks into beautiful melodic sounds soon enough.
Tell us your favorite go-to angry tune.

 

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Playlist with Jana and Erin: 80s movies tribute

by Jana 8 Comments

 ​It’s that time again, the last Thursday of the month, the time that Jana and Erin bring you a playlist that usually has a theme with a twist.  This month, we are talking about songs from ’80s movies.  Yep, this playlist is as fun as it sounds.  There are a few obvious choices and a few hidden gems.  Take a look/listen and walk down memory lane with us.  Or, for some of you who weren’t born yet, here’s a history lesson.

 
Fame (1980) – I Sing the Body Electric by the Cast of Fame – Fun fact: this is also the name of a Walt Whitman poem
 
Urban Cowboy (1980) – Love the World Away by Kenny Rogers – Erin’s Texas roots started showing, and this was probably the most difficult soundtrack to choose a favorite song for her.
 
 
9 to 5 (1980) – 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton – We both love Dolly; this was a given.
 
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) – Somebody’s Baby by Jackson Browne –  The song playing when Stacy is going to lose her virginity to an older man…statutory rape is never good, but this song is.

Easy Money (1983) – Easy Money by Billy Joel – A Rodney Dangerfield movie from the ’80s was going to be represented; “I’m Alright” from Caddyshack almost made the list too.

Valley Girl (1983) – I Melt with You by Modern English – A humming sing-a-long is good stuff … if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to listen to the song.

Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) – On the Dark Side by John Cafferty – Damn, this song is soooo good.  Damn, the lead actor of this movie was soooo hot. 

Flashdance (1983) – What a Feeling by Irene Cara – This song still gets regular airplay.  That’s the testament of a good song.

Footloose (1984) – I’m Free by Kenny Loggins – We had to consult each other for this choice.  Too many songs on the Footloose soundtrack to choose from, but you can’t pass up the moment that Ren dances around the factory performing a high bar routine.

Purple Rain (1984) – Jungle Love by The Time – Arguably, the best soundtrack of the ’80s (or all-time), but why not a Prince song?  Apparently, Prince doesn’t do spotify.

Against All Odds (1984) – Against All Odds by Phil Collins – Pretty sure I’ve never seen this movie, but this power ballad of song is awesome.

Streets of Fire (1984) – I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman – The movie was advertised as “A Rock & Roll Fable”.  Of course, we are going to have a song from such a movie.

St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) – St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) by John Parr – This song is still in heavy rotation on Australian radio, as it should be.

The Breakfast Club (1985) – Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds – The timeless and definitive teen movie from the ’80s is represented by a timeless song.

The Goonies (1985) – The Goonies R Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper – Gosh, this lady sure can sing some fun songs.  A fun song for a fun movie.

The Legend of Billie Jean (1985) – Invincible by Pat Benatar – Jana mentioned this song, and Erin sang it for the next 3 days.  Friends, listen to this song.

Vision Quest (1985) – Crazy for You by Madonna – A song from the days that Madonna made entertaining music.

Pretty in Pink (1986) – If You Leave by OMD – The song is a reminder of a classic ’80s teen movie moment (the girl runs to the boy at prom leaving her best friend behind); you can’t hear this song and not think of that movie scene.

Dirty Dancing (1987) – She’s Like the Wind by Patrick Swayze – That’s right.  Patrick Swayze sings a song on this soundtrack, and it is wonderful.

The Lost Boys (1987) – Good Times by INXS with Jimmy Barnes – Americans don’t know Jimmy Barnes, but Australians sure do.  When the quintessential Australian band teamed with an iconic Aussie voice, they made a fantastic song.

Disorderlies (1987) – Edge of a Broken Heart by Bon Jovi – Duh.  Erin has a say in this playlist.  Bon Jovi is represented…but y’all, this song is really, really good.  Promise!

Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (1987) – Dream Warriors by Dokken – Duh.  Jana and Erin created this playlist.  Hair bands are represented.  Plus, an ’80s teen horror movie needed to be represented.

Say Anything (1989) – In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel – John Cusack holding a boombox over his head to profess his love for a girl.  Classic ’80s moment. 

What song(s) did we miss?  We know there’s more because we knowingly left off so many.  Tell us your favorites.

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P.S. While you can totally go to iTunes and subscribe  (just search podcasts for The Armchair Librarians. Hopefully the cover art has updated by now and it’s actually easy to read), you can also listen to the Armchair Librarians right here on this very blog. This week’s episode contains a very special cohost, my daughter, Erica, and we chat with her about some of her favorite books. Hope you enjoy! And also, this week should be (fingers crossed) the last one with major audio issues. We think, thanks to some help from Stephanie, it’s all fixed.

Playlist with Jana and Erin: Surprising songs

by Jana 19 Comments

It’s that time again, the last Thursday of the month, the time that Jana and Erin bring you a playlist that usually has a theme with a twist.  This month, we are talking about songs that may surprise you to find out we are fans.

If you ask either of us about our favorite music, we are going to tell you that we are rock chicks, rock ‘n’ roll fans through and through.  Then, we come up with lists like this, and we realize that we actually have quite eclectic tastes, and we assume others should know this already.

But, let’s share ten songs that we love, and they may surprise you:

Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis – (from Erin) – It’s pretty obvious that she is heavily influenced by Mariah Carey, and both Jana and I despise Mariah Carey music…but I like this song so much that it is on my work playlist, and I hear it probably four or five times a day.

When you think of Jana and Erin’s favorite music, boy bands are probably not what you assume is going to be represented.  But.  Here’s two songs that we love:
Me and My Broken Heart by Rixton
Perfect by One Direction
Battle Scars by Guy Sebastian & Lupe Fiasco – Guy Sebastian was Australian Idol’s first winner (before Erin lived in Australia and now the show is defunct); we know nothing about Lupe Fiasco, but this is a catchy little tune.
Everyday by Buddy Holly – Actually, Jana said “(p)retty much anything by Buddy Holly. I fucking love him.”  So, Everyday it is.  He is considered a pioneer of rock’n’roll, so it may not be that surprising after all.  But, 1950s rock is not exactly what you’d expect from us.
Lose Yourself by Eminem – Rap.  Rap isn’t something you’d necessarily expect from us either, but damn, this is a solid song.

Ride Wit Me by Nelly – What?  More rap?  Some of these crossover rap songs make it into the pop charts because they are just too catchy to look past.  Nelly figured that out with a number of his songs.  Jana and Erin are guilty for falling for some of those catchy-pop ploys.

It may not surprise you for Erin to list a country song, after all, she’s from Texas.  But, Long Island native/Delaware dwelling Jana naming a super-twang-infused country song?   That should surprise you…
Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares) by Travis Tritt

Hollywood by Michael Buble – He’s cheesy, and his music is not at the top of most of our playlists.  But, hey, we like what we like, and won’t feel guilty about it.

Womanizer by Britney Spears – Pop princesses are not on our regular listening rotation, for the most part.  But, dang, sometimes they grab you and won’t let go…even if you want to let them go, they stay in your head, they make you dance and sing along, and well, that’s just what this song does.

What songs would we be surprised that you love?  Are you surprised by any of these??

 

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