( continues...) A song with a year in the title
"Disco 2000", Pulp. Not actually a disco song. This one reminds me of the scene from Wet Hot American Summer where they're talking about meeting up again ten years later ("What time should we meet?" "In ten years?").
12. A song about traveling
"The Next Best Western", Richard Shindell. To me, this is the quintessential American road song (okay, along with Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer's "Highway 80 (She's A Mighty Good Road"). Richard Shindell (actually, much like Dave & Tracy) has a knack for writing songs about religion that few others can touch; it's some admixture of subtlety, respect, intellect, humanism, faith, and lyrical talent.
13. A song that does not feature a guitar or a piano as the main instrument AND 20. A song with a chorus that compels you to sing along or that you cannot not dance to
"Kiss Me Like You Mean It", The Magnetic Fields. This is probably my favorite song to sing in the shower, ever. Also, there really aren't nearly enough songs featuring mandolins in my life.
14. A song by a band that you could have, but didn't, write about for Lost in The Grooves AND 23. A song you sing (or would sing) to your pet and/or child
"Sugarbowl", Kelly Hogan. Her labelmate Neko Case gets all the press, but in some ways I prefer Kelly Hogan. She's less showy than Neko, more honest. I just wish she were more prolific. I sing this song to my cat all the time, although he's neither particularly sweet nor much of a lady. But somehow, it just fits him. Sugarbowl!
15. An upbeat song about a sad thing
"Band of Gold", Freda Payne. I became mildly obsessed with this song last fall, for no discernable reason other than that it rocks. It works well as a counterpoint to "No Children".
17. More cowbell: A song containing that essential instrument
"It's So Easy", Linda Ronstadt. I first heard this on the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack, and now I hear it (and "Band of Gold", actually) at work ALL THE TIME. A useful skill when working in retail is the ability to gauge whether or not the customer will appreciate you busting out with "It's so easy to fall in love!" in the middle of your transaction.
18. A song that reminds you of your first love
"You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3", Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. I recently got into swing dancing (so much fun!) and realized I had very little Actual Swing Music, so I went out and got this album, one of the classics of the '90s swing revival. Listening to it, I was transported back to the summer before I left for college, when my boyfriend really loved this band, and we used to listen to it all the time. Whaddya mean it's last call?!
19. A song that references some kind of technology
"50 Special", Luna Pop. A love song to a Vespa! This was taken from a mix of Italian pop music that my friend gave me for my birthday, featuring such song titles as "Ci Vuole Un Fisico Bestiale" and "Dieci Ragazze Per Me", but "50 Special" is my favorite of the bunch.
21. A song that starts with a bassline
"Who Is He And What Is He To You", Me'Shell NdegeOcello. This slot pretty much had to go to Me'Shell NdegeOcello, one of the best bassists I know. Well, okay, I don't really know much about comparing bassists, but I do know that Me'Shell is phenomenally cool.
22. A song that relates to science
"Skullcrusher Mountain", Jonathan Coulton. I know a Buffista (maybe Betsy HP?) introduced me to Jonathan Coulton, so this seemed appropriate to include here. It is my very favorite mad scientist love song.
24. A song that haunts you
"Tony", Patty Griffin. I actually cried the first time I heard this song, and it can still suckerpunch me. Random fact: David Levithan's amazing and groundbreaking YA novel, Boy Meets Boy, was inspired by (and is dedicated to) the subject of this song. Probably most of you haven't heard of the book, but if you can get your hands (continued...)