The Music Game

Posted on by gr4c5

I have a proposition to make. I’m exploring the idea of running on emotion. Right now I’m running by heartbeat. Bass and drums, bass and drums. Driving beats that match footfall. “Last night” I ran to Paint It Black five times because it got me where I wanted to go. That’s nice and all, but I want more. I need more. I found that I get more “fired up”, more “pumped” to run when there is a strong emotion behind it. Does that make sense? I’m looking to explore the idea of running angry (since I have so much of it, naturally), running happy, running with purpose. I’m thinking running angry will be a good substitute for energy since I’m less likely to have a surplus of that thing called energy, ha!  ipod
Last night I was discussing the “angry” songs with kisa. I think he was surprised to hear Gravedigger by Dave Matthews is on the list, but when he asked “1940 to 1992?” I knew he understood completely. It’s the line that gets me every single time. What’s The Matter Here? by 10,000 Maniacs goes without saying. How could any song about child abuse not get you pissed off? Uncomfortable by sirsy is another great one.

So here’s a question for you: if you could pick 10 songs; 10 all-time favorite, YOUR greatest songs ever, what would they be? How about if there were rules attached like one had to be from the 1980s (‘cuz I’m an ’80s child), one had to be a love song, one had to be personal (for whatever the reason), and one had to outside your comfort zone. Could you pick 10 and only 10? If you can do it, lemme have ’em!

Here’s my all-time 10 (don’t laugh)ipods

  1. These are Days ~10,000 maniacs
  2. Take Me To the Top ~ Loverboy
  3. Paint it Black ~ Rolling Stones
  4. Bulls on Parade ~ Rage Against the Machine
  5. Holiday ~ Scorpions
  6. Please Let Me Be ~ sirsy
  7. Thick as Thieves ~ Natalie Merchant
  8. Pretty Polly/Diver Boy ~ traditional murder ballads
  9. Grace is Gone ~ Dave Matthews Band
  10. Island Woman ~ the Merrymen

I think it’s pretty obvious where my inspirations are hiding. 80s song, love song, personal song, out-of-comfort-zone song. They’re all there. Those of you who know me will be able to spot them in a second. I doubt there will be any surprises. Your turn.

Unknown's avatar

Published by gr4c5

I write. I read. I cook. I run. That's me, in a nutshell.

16 thoughts on “The Music Game”

  1. I don’t know if this my “all time” list … but it seems to feel right for today.

    1. Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2
    2. I Want to Take you Higher – Sly and the Family Stone
    3. Flying Red Horse – John Gorka
    4. Watershed – Indigo Girls
    5. Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder
    6. Lose Yourself – Eminem
    7. I am the Bullgod – Kid Rock
    8. Add it Up – Violent Femmes
    9. Chan Chan – The Mammals
    10. Go Be Young – Edwin McCain

  2. Add it Up – your 80s or love song? (heehee) 🙂 Great choices. I’m loading them into the ipod asap! The playlist will be called Sage Tuesday!

  3. 1. the scientist ~ coldplay
    2. hotel california ~ the eagles
    3. lose yourself ~ eminem
    4. i love rock n’ roll ~ joan jett and the blackhearts
    5. the sound of silence ~ simon and garfunkle
    6. dreaming with broken heart ~ john mayer
    7. boston ~ augustana
    8. mr. brightside ~ the killers
    9. all my life ~ linda ronstadt
    10. save a horse, ride a cowboy ~ big & rich

    damn i have a vast array of music tastes! and by the way, i finally got those cds in the mail so they shoudl e there in a few days. let’s catch up and have a glass or two of wine soon. xo

  4. Right now, off the top of my head…

    1.Guerilla Radio-Rage Against the Machine
    2.We Didn’t Start the Fire-Billy Joel
    3.Morningside-Sara Bareilles (or maybe Fairytale…)
    4.Clockwork-Tim Blane
    5.Small Town Girl-Journey
    6. Brick-Ben Folds Five
    7. Oh Darling -The Beatles
    8.I Want it That Way-Backstreet boys (laugh if you want. i don’t care!!)
    9.Kiss Me-Sixpence None the Richer
    10.The Ballad of Sweeney Todd-Sweeney Todd Soundtrack

    it’s a weird little collection. if put into a room together they would fight it out (sweeney would win) …however, in no particular order, these are the songs I’d pick today. Ask me tomorrow, next week, or in 20 minutes and I would probably pick different ones. Not all good running songs-mostly not. but they’re all making me smile today.

  5. Manda~ I just saw a bio on Billy Joel and I was thinking We Didn’t Start The Fire was a perfect song to run to (that and Angry Young Man)! I don’t know Tim Blane so it will be fun discovering new music. Thanks for your picks. Your playlist will be called “NY Lady” 🙂

    Bec~ What, no Crazy Bitch? 😉 I expected the Eagles (always think of you when I hear ’em). I don’t know Big & Rich…(my country song would have to be Two of a Kind (working on a Full House) by Garth Brooks. I think I’ll call your playlist “Will Run for Wine.” I’ll call you soon!

  6. a playlist for me? oh fun. I can send you anything you don’t have…I think. 🙂

    I saw Billy Joel and Elton John together at MSG a few years ago-a really really awesome experience. Once in a lifetime. that and the Simon and Garfunkel tour in ’03. my parents get the best big-time-concert tickets. 🙂

    Tim is excellent. He’s from Boston area. PS…I am coming up for interviews on the 24th-26th. I would love to see you beforehand…what are you doing that Saturday the 22nd?

  8. ugh! until when?

    I can come visit in the summer. I graduate Memorial day weekend…so after that.
    Hopefully next year I’ll get one of these jobs I’m interviewing for and will be back in the greater boston area and much more easily able to dash off to visit you. 🙂

  10. oh…well perhaps I can come by on my way home and see you for a bit. yeah it would be the middle of the week, but we could have dinner or something. I need to see how many I end up scheduling. 🙂

  11. i tend to like the sad songs no matter what stage of life i’m in.

    a song i absolutely love is “better man” by pearl jam

    workout favorites for me are-
    “proud” biggest loser theme
    “lose yourself” enimem
    “beautiful day”- U2
    “fighter” christina agueliera
    “since you been gone” kelly clarkson
    “we’re not going to take it”- ???? blanking on who its by
    “jump around” cyprus hill

    (i’m very pop)

  12. hmmmm…you have only 8 songs Miss Sarah! Nice call on the Twisted Sister! I love “better man” – what a great tune! What should I call your play list?

  13. i didn’t have my ipod with me when i wrote that.

    2 more songs….

    “blessed”- martina mcbride

    and “semi-charmed life”-third eye blind

    my playlist title “Sarah” of course 😛

  15. but you know sometimes on long runs, when i’m really sucking, i just take my ipod off, and “focus” on a very very bad commercial jingle. play this in me brain again, and again, and again. i hate it. but i also don’t think of anything else but the damn jingle. soon enough it’s the finish line.

    this comment is kinda late but i’m glad to be reading your blogs again.

Share Your Thoughts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.