Talk about being late to the party! I serendipitously discovered Jen Kehl’s Twisted Mix-tape Tuesday – a weekly Blog Hop where bloggers compile playlists based on a specific theme – when That Cynking Feeling shared my Joni Mitchell tribute last week. Suddenly, I was immersed in playlists and loading my iPod with new finds and forgotten favorites.
It was awesome! I’ve been putting together themed song collections since the Beatles and Rolling Stones were considered hot boy bands, so I’m hooked. And I’m definitely playing along. (I know it’s Thursday but I’ve been a little busy this week with, ahem, the after-effects of my Blogger Idol confession – speaking of which, if you haven’t voted yet, you have until midnight tonight, please.)
Anyway, this week’s theme is “Epics: Songs that Tell a Story.” Here are my five. Be sure to check out the others because there are a lot of great ones. And join in, if you feel like it!
The Queen and the Soldier by Suzanne Vega
This is such a simple song that reminds me of my “War is not healthy for children and other living things” days. The ending kills me.
Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen
You can’t talk about songs that tell a story without including The Boss. This classic about one night in Jersey could be a movie in itself.
Sunny Came Home by Shawn Colvin
Shawn Colvin is one of my favorite singer/songwriters, and the catchy melody makes its powerful lyrics even more haunting.
For Free by Joni Mitchell
Ah, Joni. The voice, the imagery, the poetry. A gorgeous tribute to the pure joy of making and listening to music.
The Last Resort by the Eagles
Like Big Yellow Taxi, this song just nails it. It literally brings tears to my eyes as it builds to the last stanza. But because I can’t find a video of it, I’m going to go with Before the Deluge by Jackson Browne, which beautifully tells a similar, cautionary tale.
So glad you were inspired to link up!
Good luck with this week’s Blogger Idol vote.
Thanks so much! Love this!
OMG… I am SOOO participating in this! LOVE it… thanks for turning me on to it!
I love your selections!
I was just saying yesterday — because “Hotel California” was playing in the back of the house (the kitchen portion of the restaurant where we listen to what we want to listen to, as opposed to the piped in dining room music — ugh!), that while I love that song — and I do — my favorite song on that album is “The Last Resort”. My boss had never heard it before. So, of course, I began singing it — which no one wants to hear, really. LOL!
OMG —
She came from Providence
The one in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
Heavy in the air.
She packed her hopes and dreams
Like a refugee
Just as her father came
Across the sea
I did that from memory, so I hope it’s right, but you get the picture — goosebumps!
“Jungleland” is my husband’s favorite Bruce song — it’s a law here in Jersey, everyone has to have at least ONE, LOL! (Mine is “Thunder Road”!)
Of course “Before the Deluge” is near and dear to my heart — as is every single Jackson Browne song ever written, LOL!
Love this. Just loved it!
YES! The Last Resort is one of my all-time favorites — it gives me goosebumps too! — and I was so bummed I couldn’t find a video of it. AND OMG Jackie, Thunder Road is my favorite Springsteen song EVER (check out the About Me page on my blog, where I mention it!). Let’s do this together! Can’t wait to see yours! xo
P.S. Isn’t this a great way to do a NaBloPoMo post?!
They call it paradise/I don’t know why/You call someplace paradise/kiss it goodbye
Makes me cry just thinking of the lyrics. Love!
Oh… you are now inspiring titles for December’s song a day challenge. How about Deep-Track December? Not quite there but getting closer. Yep, I do love alliterations….
By the way you just stole one of my choices — The Last Resort! I better put some more back ups on my list because I get the feeling we may have some duplication my friend!
I knew I loved you, Ruth!
Very cool idea! Great choices. Got me thinking… Have you heard Dar Williams–“When I was a Boy” or “The Babysitter’s Here”? A couple of real tearjerkers. Also, Paul Simon’s “America.” Thanks for the inspiration!
Lois, I love these selections and what a fun idea! And, Risa, “When I was a Boy” is amazing!
Oh, the soundtracks of our lives.. Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Snow, The Beatles, through the years of Billy Joel, Bruce, James Taylor, Dar WIlliams, Madeline Payrouz, Mayer Hawthorne… And down the rabbit hole I go!
This post is perfect! Thank you so much for joining this week. I get to everyone no matter how late they pop in 🙂 Really beautiful choices, so I had to listen to them all. Sometimes The Boss just does me in. I’m hot and cold with him but this was a perfect piece. And Sunny Came Home? I can’t believe no one else picked it. And if you have read any of my other mixes you would know I really love Jackson Browne, sometimes I can’t help but say, he’s so freaking talented I can’t hold all that other stuff against him.
Well, I sure hope you come back again! Thank you for a great mix 🙂
hello, welcome, and great list
You had me at the great Suzanne vega and didn’t let go
Had not heard of this! And now I am feeling a little like Michael…what, I have to read your blog to find things out? KIDDING. Now that I feel 1K pounds lighter I think I will play next week too! xo
I have to agree with Jen above that I’m a bit hot/cold on the Boss but I like this one.
And you had me with Sunny Came Home – haven’t thought about that song in years – and it’s a lovely song.
I can’t listen to Bruce the way I once did but certain songs of his definitely remind me why he’s the Boss!
I might play next week, too. True thing: the name of the antagonist in my novel is Sunny. I’ve had Sunny Came Home stuck in my head all day. Hmmm… lol