When is the last time you listened to a song 14 times in a row?
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
Today I had a bit of a moment driving both to and from work. I really think things like this happen once in a great while, and it has left me high on music for the first time in quite some time.
I was driving in to work today as I normally do, ready for another day of meetings and getting my room ready for the first day of school. Had a coffee in one hand, windows down and music playing. I have said it a million times before, but I think music sounds better with the sound of the wind coming in from an open car window. The music of choice today happened to be the new album from the Gaslight Anthem. It has been one I have been listening to quite a bit although most of my listening time has been while driving in my car. This usually means that I get to about track 9 or 10 and then my driving is over for the day. I have had the album for exactly a week, and yet have not gotten to the two last songs once.
When I got in the car today I fast forwarded to track number 10, and felt this would be a good spot to start listening for the day. It was when track 11 hit that I got lost in the music, and hitting rewind became the only thing that was important to me for the rest of my commute into work.
I would like to say first how incredible I feel this album actually is. When I had first read comparisons to Bruce Springsteen I wondered how people could say such a thing. I look at the Boss as being such a figure in the rock world. One who has songs that tell stories, ones that people fall in love with at some point in their lives. When track 11 began I did not hear the Gaslight Anthem singing, instead it almost felt as if this was a song Bruce Springsteen might have wrote a good 20 years ago. Both the lyrics and the delivery sent chills down my spine, and right after the song had finished I wanted to hear it again and again.
My work day came and went and soon I found myself back in my car on my way to my fantasy football draft which was a good 45 minutes away. The entire time I listened to this song, and not once did it grow old with me. I like songs that tell stories, and this one did just that. I would like to use the word haunting to describe it, but I feel that would be something a hipster would say. I will just say this has to be one of the best songs I have heard in 2008, and hope some of you moggers take some time to give it a listen.
The lyrics if you are so inclined:
You can tell Gayle, if she calls,
That I'm famous now for all of these rock and roll songs.
And even if that's a lie, she should've given me a try.
When were kids on the field of the first day of school.
I would've been her fool.
And I would've sang out her name in those old high school halls.
You tell that to Gayle, if she calls.
And you can tell Jane, if she writes,
That I'm drunk off all these stars and all these crazy Hollywood nights.
That's total deceit, but she should've married me.
And tell her I spent every night of my youth on the floor,
Bleeding out from all these wounds.
I would've gotten her a ride out of that town she despised.
You tell that to Janey, if she writes.
But boys will be boys and girls have those eyes
That will cut you to ribbons sometimes.
And all you can do is just wait by the moon
And bleed if it's what she says you oughta do.
You remind Nana, if she asks why,
That a thief stole my heart while she was making up her mind.
I heard she lives in Brooklyn with the cool,
Goes crazy over that New York scene on 7th Avenue.
But I used to wait at the diner, a million nights without her,
Praying she won't cancel again tonight.
And the waiter served my coffee with a consolation sigh.
You remind Nana, if she asks why.
You know it's hard to tell you this.
Oh it's hard to tell you this.
Here's looking at you, Kid.
Comments (32)
Timothy... Jet
The Show Must Go On... Queen
The Carnival is Over... Dead Can Dance
that jet song is quite good I must say
Rips my heart out with a dull spoon... I could listen to that one on repeat gladly - and when it gets going i am right there with them singing along in my car....
Carnivale is Over is sheer brilliance as well... think i put that on a mix for you. It just does something to me.
Ooh, I like that one. I had a similiar moment with this Donovan song the other day...but I wasn't in the car, I was in my school art studio setting up. I realized I had it on 'repeat' for like 20 minutes!
I've haven't had the chance to be around, but I'm glad to see you're still on the mog even with school starting again, Kev. This is my first time hearing Gaslight Anthem, love it!
I think the latest song that had me hooked like that is "Double" by Vetiver (you can find that, and another "here":http://mog.com/goodmusiconly/blog/162396 ... if you like stories "I Know No Pardon" might be up your alley). :)
Man, I wish that button was working. Great lyrics.
Here's a few I can remember:
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk - Rufus Wainwright
Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
and funny enough, Lizzie reminded me of listening to "Ride The Wild Wind" by Queen in 7th Grade(off the same album as "The Show Must Go On"
The last time I can remember listening to a song repetedly over and over was kinda embarasing. It was "House of Pain" by Faster Pussycat. I was probably 13 and I devised a way with my mom's boyfriend how to kind of do a sort of karaoke recording, singing along to the song through his 4 track recorder (he was a musician). I made the most horrible sounds croaking along in what would probably remind most people of the Brady Bunch episode where Bobby's voice changes. I tried again and again, but it never worked as easily as I had envisioned in my head. My timing was horrible and my voice was worse. Before the humbling experience, I had the idea that I must be able to sing well, becuase I felt the songs so deeeply as I sung along with them on the radio. After that experience, I never wanted to hear a recording of my singing voice again.
Yes you did Liz, and it is a great song.
Ongoingly, loved hearing this tonight. It is storming outside and seems to be sounding even better as a result
Erin, it is great to see you on here as well. thanks for the good luck wishes and if you want to listen more let me know. I can hook you up on the M
Contra two things here. 1. That story made me laugh out loud and I feel the same way anytime I hear a recording of my voice. 2. See if the video plays for you
I don't think I've listened to one certain song that many times in a row. I get tired of 'em quick. Maybe when I'm writing a review of a cd & focusing on one song I might have come close to that number. Nice song btw. Sounds alot like Springsteen.
august I am the same way when it comes to songs. This one did it for me today and like good sex you dont want it to stop............did I just say that
Off the top of my head, the only one I can remember was Kissing Families - Silversun Pickups.
Yes, you did Erkel!
hmm
very rarely happens but...
'the importance of being' - (unknown artist)
'new mate' - figurine
Maybe I'm easy, or at least my ears are, because that happens to me at least once a month. This is the last song to get me:
I've got to get that album. Dying to hear it now, especially after reading the lyrics. Suede's version of "Shipbuiliding" comes close but that was probably only 5 times.
On the roll-down-the-windows-and-crank-up-the-music tip, It's not easy to hear music w/ the windows rolled down for me. I have such a loud car (96 Jeep) and my stereo system isn't really the best. Now if I had something better, more people would hear me blasting stuff...for now, it's just loud static.
Weirdly enough, this happened for the first times in ages last week. And even weirder, the song was the Tubes' "Don't Touch Me There"....
Was the question: a song I could hear over and over?
It's still "The Passenger" by Iggy Pop. I think I could hear it forever. And because I ride by bike to work (1 hour ride) I've given in to singing really loudly and flailing my arms to the music, and yes, I am trying to convince the world I am nuts. It's working too.
Finally heard the song. Real nice.
I could probably listen to Ziggy Stardust ad naseum.
Here's another track I thought of:
Everyday I listen to someone on repeat.
I'm not going to even say who it is or what song...I will just get teased and made fun of (not hard to figure out anyways).
I realize I am obsessive about my music...so sue me.
coincidentally, as I read this Postal Service came on...am I getting close?
Perhaps...perhaps...perhaps.
Not fever hot though...but very warm...like toaster warm...but not oven hot. Definately not cold though.
And what song might I ask?
Not that I am obsessing or anything...just curious really.
Damn....now I have to listen to "District Sleeps Alone Tonight" now.
Curse you CBW!
Blame fate. I was listening to Portishead's newest (which fuckin' rocks my world) and it was next on iTunes. I actually enjoy that album more than the Death Cab I've heard. To be fair, I haven't fully given DCFC a fair chance.
All I can say is...
Come to the dark side Luke!
I've never said this outloud, but have thought many times...
I love your avatar.
Egads woman! What will the children think!?
Me too, another kismet image connection thanks to google image search.
Most recently, Martha Wainwright's "Bleeding All Over You." May have even hit 15 times in a row. No keeding.
And I should add how terrific that Gaslight Anthem number is. Beauty, Kev.
johnny cash's version of gordon lightfoot's "if you could read my mind"
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of The Understatement.
And 14 times really is an understatement.
I can't say there was ever one song I've ever listened to more than 3 times in a row. I can't do it. In fact, I'm just starting to listen to whole albums more than one time in a row.