Okay, my first song is up there. And #2 is on it's way. Should I put my playlist up here tonight or wait until the end of the week, when the uploads are finished?

Well, if Sue started, I'm going to too.

(Yay, another excuse not to clean!)

I vote for now for the liner notes.

1. The first song you'd put on a mix tape for somebody you were attracted to
Call me, Blondie
I had a really hard time with this one, maybe because I feel much too old to be making mix tapes. I finally chose this one because I am also too old to be coy, so I figured I couldn't go wrong with the ultimate booty call song.

2. A song that makes you think of BTVS that was never used on the show
Come to my window, Melissa Etheridge
Buffy yearning for Angel, Seasons 1 and 2.

3. Cross-genre cover song (such as a soul musician covering a country song)
Smells like teen spirit , Paul Anka
This whole album makes me happy, especially this song. Who knew Paul Anka still had it in him?

4. Quotes another song, either in the music or words – bonus points if by the same artist
Love like a rocket, Bob Geldof
Terry, Julie, and the Waterloo Sunset were all originally characters in the Kinks’ song Waterloo Sunset.

5. Makes you want to get high, drunk, or, if it's your druthers, dizzy & giddy from spinning around in circles
Here we go again, Ray Charles
To me, this has always seemed like a sitting by yourself staring out the window at the rain with a bottle of scotch on the floor next to you kind of song.

6. Features a great bridge
Badge, Cream
I’m not sure if this is my favorite bridge, but it is the song the High School Boy used to explain bridges when he was trying to get into my pants impress me with all of his musical expertise, so I have a soft spot for it.

7. A song released the year you turned 21 (you didn't have to know about it then)
I Keep Forgettin’, Michael McDonald
I loved Michael McDonald’s voice when I was 21, and I still do.

8. A song dedicated to your nemesis (or who you imagine y our nemesis to be)
Alcohol, Bare Naked Ladies
It was either this or You’re So Vain.

9. A song about committing a crime
Goodbye Earl, Dixie Chicks
A catchy tune, and really, Earl did have to die.

10. A song from a tribute or charity album
Well did you evah from Red Hot + Blue, a Tribute to Cole Porter.
It’s Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop covering Cole Porter and dissing Pia Zadora. Who needs more?

11 A song with a year in the title
’39, Queen
This song is not so much with the sense making, but I like the wistful, wishful feel of it.

12. A song about traveling
Rodrigo Bay, Working Week, from the Absolute Beginners sound track.
Like Hec and a few others on the board, I am a big Absolute Beginners fan, and love chances to pimp it and especially the sound track.

13. A song that does not feature a guitar or a piano as the main instrument
That was your mother, Paul Simon
Even though there is some guitar in the song, for me the accordian, washboard, and saxophone far outweigh it.

14. A song by a band that you could have, but didn't, write about for Lost in The Grooves.
Wedding Vows in Vegas, Was not Was
I’m not sure if I would say that Was Not Was was underrated as a band, but I’ve always thought this song should have been better known, especially since they even got Frank Sinatra Jr to sing on it.

15. An upbeat song about a sad thing
A few of my songs fit this category, but I’ll go with Rodrigo Bay (used for #12)
I wish more of my break ups involved trips to Portiugal and upbeat music.

16. Midnight driving in the rain music.
Viva Las Vegas, Bruce Springsteen
I don’t like driving in the rain, especially at night. I do like the Boss and Vegas though, and both help distract me from the rain and the fact that I can’t go (all that) fast.

17. More cowbell: A song containing that essential instrument
Both Come to my window (used for #2) and Goodbye Earl (used for #9) qualify, and I think a couple of others might as well. (continued...)

( continues...)

18. A song that reminds you of your first love
I Keep Forgettin’ (also used for #7)
It’s the college thing, and (for me) never quite being sure about what is and isn’t true and worth continuing, let alone good for you.

19. A song that references some kind of technology
Kodachrome
I thought this was especially appropriate right now, when film of all sorts is becoming obsolete technology.

20. A song with a chorus that compels you to sing along or that you cannot not dance to
Guess things happen that way, Johnny Cash
I went for a depressing song for the "makes you want to get drunk or high" category, so I thought I would here as well. I can never not sign along with "I don't like it, but I guess things happen that way." (bah dum bah duhmp)

21. A song that starts with a bassline
A few of my songs, including Rodrigo Bay, fit this category, but since I used Badge for the other “musical construction” category, I’ll use it for this one too.

22. A song that relates to science
Mr. Spaceman, the Byrds
Aliens and flying saucers are good science, right?

23. A song you sing (or would sing) to your pet and/or child
C is for cookie, the Muppets
It’s the Muppets and Sesame Street, and that’s good enough for me.

24. A song that haunts you
You can sleep while I drive, Melissa Etheridge
In addition to loving Melissa’ Etheridge’s voice and how she uses it here, the idea of trying to out-drive problems really strikes a chord with me.

25. A song that you would sing to yourself if you were ever in a dire situation and needed it to keep going
Oliver’s Army, Elvis Costello
The first thing that came to mind for this category was myself singing a mish-mash of songs, most of which were by Elvis Costello. Unfortunately, “ Pump it up… radio is a sound salvation…and her name is Veronica…C is for cookie…just like watching the detectives” can’t be counted as a song. Oliver’s Army can though, and the line “And I would rather be anywhere else than here today” seems appropriate.

26. A song by a band with an awful name
The Suffering, Fishbone and the Familyhood Nextperience.
Not sure anything else needs to be said.

27. A song that even when you know it's time to LEAVE the BAR someone can put on the jukebox to make you stay
Lady Marmalade, Labelle
I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I do love this song.

Well did you evah from Red Hot + Blue, a Tribute to Cole Porter. It’s Debby Harry and Iggy Pop covering Cole Porter and dissing Pia Zadora. Who needs more?

I almost used this one! Superfun video too.

Superfun video too.

Ooh, do you have it, by any chance? I saw it once or twice, but a very long time ago.

Here's my notes:

1. The first song you'd put on a mix tape for somebody you were attracted to - The Reasons - Weakerthans

This caused some agony, and my pick was probably the fifth song that I had for this category. I decided all the others were either too mushy, love-you-forever romantic or were just too baby-I-want-to-do-you. (Maybe that's why I'm still single.) Anyway, this song should have been obvious to me, but it wasn't.

2. A song that makes you think of BTVS that was never used on the show - Busby Berkeley Dreams - The Magnetic Fields

Before the disappointment that came with seeing "Once More With Feeling," my anticipation of the BTVS musical always conjured the wit and style of this song what would be present. Instead I got SMG singing, in a tinny voice, songs reminiscent of 1980's Yes.

3. Cross-genre cover song (such as a soul musician covering a country song) & 20. A song with a chorus that compels you to sing along or that you cannot not dance to

Money - The Flying Lizards

This is a soul classic done in a cool New Wave style, and I literally cannot not dance to it, even if I am just bopping up and down in my chair.

4. Quotes another song, either in the music or words – bonus points if by the same artist - Little Girl Blue [Mono Alternative Take] - Nina Simone

This just doesn't quote another song, but builds over the melody of one song to create a whole other song. What I recognize as the tune to Good King Wenceslas, Wikipedia tells me is "Tempus Adest Floridum" ("Spring has unwrapped her flowers"), a 13th century spring carol. Anyway, this song is gorgeous, heartbreaking and I bought a whole box set just to get this song after I heard it once.

5. Makes you want to get high, drunk, or, if it's your druthers, dizzy & giddy from spinning around in circles - Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground

The day I graduated from university was also the first time I tried LSD. After wandering around the city all night we came back to my apartment and someone put this on the turntable. This song felt like falling into a cozy bed, then...

9. A song about committing a crime- I'm Waiting for The Man - Velvet Underground. As cozy as Sunday Morning is, the energy of this song makes my want to stir the pot, do something crazy. However, it's never made me want to buy heroin, which is what this is about.

6. Features a great bridge & 8. A song dedicated to your nemesis (or who you imagine your nemesis to be) & 14. A song by a band that you could have, but didn't, write about for Lost in The Grooves & 21. A song that starts with a bassline - Sick - Rebecca West

Four in one. Rebecca West were a local band in the early-90's that released one album and one EP. They weren't a girly rock band that were typical of the Sloan-centric scene. This is a great song that starts with the bass (and finger snaps) and is about discovering that someone isn't quite the stand up person you thought. It’s really a break-up song, but it works for a nemesis.

7. A song released the year you turned 21 (you didn't have to know about it then) - Oh! - The Breeders

This could have also been in the category of song that makes you what to get high or drunk.

11. A song with a year in the title & 26. A song by a band with an awful name - Hatfield 1980 - Everything But the Girl

Okay their name isn't the worst name, but it also doesn't trip off the tongue, either. I have managed to stick with this band from their folksy pop beginnings through many style changes to where they ended with electronica influenced music. Tracey Thorn's voice is just that great.

12. A song about traveling: Buddah - Al Tuck & No Action

From a band with a bad name to a band with a great name. (It took me a while to get it.) A song about the perils of leaving home, if you're the Buddah. Maybe this song is only funny if you had a run in with the crazy Halifax Buddhists--largely comprised of former American former hippies who are now yuppies and very defensive about it. A lot of them are (continued...)

( continues...) anything but Zen.

13. A song that does not feature a guitar or a piano as the main instrument - This is the Dream of Win and Regine - Final Fantasy

A song featuring violin. Final Fantasy is mostly, Owen Pallett, a Toronto guy obsessed with video games, who has played with The Arcade Fire and The Hidden Cameras. Strangely, he's toured with the Vinyl Cafe, which is the Canadian equivalent of a Prairie Home Companion.

15. An upbeat song about a sad thing. - Jolie Louis - Daniel Lanois

Unemployment, despair, domestic violence, in Franglais, all to a Cajun inspired ditty. I don't know whether to pity Jean Guy or not.

16. Midnight driving in the rain music. - Climb On (A Back that's Strong) - Shawn Colvin

I like to sing along when I drive. (Or when I'm in the passenger seat.) This album has always been a road trip favourite for me and my BFFs.

17. More cowbell: A song containing that essential instrument - Bye Bye Mon Cowboy - Mitsou

One of the few Quebec pop songs that crossed over into English language charts. After years of being a pop princess, she's now also a journalist and an actress.

18. A song that reminds you of your first love & 19. A song that references some kind of technology - Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

A strange combination, I know. I realized that Cloudbusting doesn't really mention outright the weather machine that's in the video, but I'm sticking with it. And all Kate Bush reminds me of my first love.

22. A song that relates to science - Bachelor of Science - Buck 65

Buck 65 was from Mt Uniacke, NS, but now he lives in Paris. Having a science degree is related enough, eh?

23. A song you sing (or would sing) to your pet and/or child & 10. A song from a tribute or charity album - Biko - Peter Gabriel

Most of my songs for my pets are original works, thank you very much. But since there's no recording of "Mr. Handsomepants" we'll have to settle for Biko. One of my cats is named Pico, so he would often have the chorus of this song sung to him with his name and different lyrics.

24. A song that haunts you - Powerful Lights - The Joel Plaskett Emergency. (with Al Tuck)

You might argue that it's a worse band name than Everything But the Girl and you wouldn't get much disagreement from me. I don't know why this song haunts me, but it does. If it comes up on my iPod, I don't just listen to it once, but 3 or 4 times in a row.

25. A song that you would sing to yourself if you were ever in a dire situation and needed it to keep going - The Theme to Indiana Jones.

It's crazy but true. Whenever I'm under the gun to get something done, I find myself singing this. Whenever, I'm sleep deprived and stressed out, show tunes pop in my head, and I hate that.

27. A song that when you know it's time to LEAVE the BAR someone can put on the jukebox to make you stay - The Best of You - The Foo Fighters.

I am having a little love affair with this song. A month from now, I might look at this mix and say, "What was I thinking?" It's very of the moment.

I bought the "Ramblin' Man" ep by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan on itunes a while back and really enjoy it. So, I plan on getting the album.

I'm loving that we're getting some NS and other 'regional' songs/artists. This will make me think extra-hard about including some Boston-music.