Written By Rachael Lefebvre ’12
“Perfect Day”- Lou Reed.
Now children, I feel like I’m not one of those people who constantly demands you listen to this song, or that band, because frankly, I hate those people. I don’t go out seeking music, I’m lazy, and wait for it to come to me. Come to think about it, that’s probably why I’m still rocking out to “Genie in a Bottle”, but I’m getting off topic. What I meant to say was that if there is only one song artist on this list you look up, please let it be Lou Reed. Now, I’m known to be dramatic, but I love Lou Reed so much, that if that wrinkled old drug-addled 69-year-old man proposed to me, I’d go out and buy me a veil. Many people know the song “Walk on the Wild Side”, but few have heard “Perfect Day”. Lou Reed has the ability to make you feel what he’s feeling, and damn, I nearly ripped my heart out when I first heard this song. The man sounds like he has a bottle of pills in one hand and in the other a handle of bourbon, and when he’s done playing the amazing piano solo he’s going to end his life. Just one of those songs that is so true, so sparse and pure that it makes an incredible impact.
“Back and Gold”- Sam Sparro.
Now, I love this song for many reasons, but the main one isn’t about the music ( a great thumping heartbeat that makes you think of underground clubs in Amsterdam) or the lyrics (Simple but captivating) but it lies in this man’s voice. When I first heard this song, I thought I was listening to Lenny Kravitz, and when I looked up “Sam Sparro” on Google I came face-to-face with a scrawny white man with a love of neon, not a beautiful black rock-god who sleeps on a pile of money and models. Trust me, this is one of those songs everyone loves, so check it out.
“Attitude”- The Misfits.
So you fancy yourself a punk huh? What, no? You don’t think you’re the next Sid Vicious? You would rather cuddle puppies than mosh in all your dirty, grimy glory? Well that’s okay, because if your angry or about to verbally smack down somebody, listen to this song first, and you’ll have more adolescent rage than Johnny Rotten.
“Waiting in Vain”- Bob Marley .
In my opinion, Bob Marley is one of those few artists who everybody likes. I have yet to find anyone who doesn’t like at least one song by dear old Bob. I personally love a lot of Marley’s songs, but this one has a very special place in my heart, maybe because of the hazy, soft beat, or maybe because everyone can relate to Marley’s simple message.
“Boys Don’t Cry”- The Cure.
Really, this is just a great song. This is one of my wake-up songs in the morning, it’s punky but peppy, what’s not to love? I like the video too, because Robert Smith (lead singer/guitar/songwriter) looks like a tiny adorable troll doll from the 80’s. You almost expect that if you lifted up his shirt he’d have a rhinestone for a bellybutton.
“Walk on the Wild Side”- Lou Reed.
Yes, yes, I’m putting him in here again, but simply because the man is awesome, and you’re doing your ears a favor when you listen to him. This is a classic song, and it’s soft lazy sound brings me right back to summer, back to that feeling of possibility, like anything can happen. I think that’s what great songs are supposed to do ( and this is certainly a great song), the songs we love are as much a part of our personality as our sense of humor or the clothes we wear. Music is a time line of our most triumphant moments, and our most dismal failures. When I turn on this song, I feel myself going back to sunshine, and that wonderful feeling that time has slowed to a crawl. Give it a chance, maybe you’ll feel the same.
“I Wanna Be Your Lover”- Prince.
Oh Prince, just…you’re so fabulous. I think we should hang out and you should let me wear that jacket you have on the cover of “Purple Rain”. I think (or at least hope) that everyone likes one Prince song. This is my dance song, and I don’t dance, but if this came on, I’d be whippin’ out all the white girl awkwardness that the club could handle.
“Suck My Kiss”- The Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Let me just say, I love The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I actually do, they are my musical soul mates, and if Anthony Kiedis grows his hair long again, and shaves off that mustache, he would also be my soul mate (don’t worry Lou, I have enough love for two). And if if they ever decide to get their fancy “ Too-good-for-an-American-tour” butts over here, I will be the first to get tickets, and I will demand they play this song, because it is an awesome, body-rollicking ballad. It’s basically a musical punch in your face, except it doesn’t hurt, it just rocks. But than again, that’s what most RHCP songs are like.
Rachel’s Embarrassing Song of The Week: “It Wasn’t Me”- Shaggy feat. Ricardo Ducent
Okay, technically, I’m not really ashamed I like this song, but I mean, any song with Shaggy is bound to be kinda embarrassing because I mean…it’s Shaggy. When he sings or raps or whatever it is, he sounds like a dog on tranquilizers trying to scat. But this song has hardly any Shaggy in it, and it’s pretty addictive. That doesn’t make it right, but it makes it a little less shameful.
The Hawk's Claw 