Marina Monsisvais is a special events coordinator for the University of Texas at El Paso and all-around cool chica.
Music is life, and that’s why coming up with my top ten songs is really hard to do.
I can think of “Top Ten Songs to Make Out To” (Suede’s “Metal Mickey” would definitely be on that list), “Top Ten Songs to Dance To” (MIA’s “Bucky Done Gun” would be on it). This may be TMI but I once took one of those aptitude tests with funny shapes, noises, etc only to learn the obvious — that I listen to music on a whole other level. Those results solidified how I’m easily distracted or taken in by the slightest beat from any commercial/TV show, etc. (ps. I’m secretly pleased with how much MTV reality show music programmers continually use At the Drive In songs). Another downside is that I’m a music sponge, so I’ve got everything from “Secret Lovers” to “Bomba” stuck in my head forever! I know it’s annoying to my husband so I try not to vocalize that super cool level change or how the split timing on that drum beat is so subtle it’s amazing—I keep those comments to myself unless it’s utterly mind blowing and I noticed him catch it too. So you must feel my pain when I vocalize that coming up with Top Ten of All-Time is a truly difficult task, here goes my attempt at it (Note: this list is subject to change every day).
In no particular order because I can’t event commit to that:
1) Foo Fighters, “Everlong” — Clearly the best song ever written by a modern rock band. It’s a physical reaction; this song gives me the chills that come with a good thing—that’s how great this song is, and when Dave Grohl says, “breathe out, so I can breathe you in… .” Hoo wee, this girl needs a cold shower.
2) The Breeders, “Saints” — Simple timing, Kim Deal’s coolness, and hot summer fun…gotta love it. Best line in the song: “I like sticky everywhere…” Apropos since I got to see the Breeders on a hot sticky Mexican beach.
3) Sonic Youth, “100%” — This song is so good it’s always too short at 2:29. The best part is the drum break/micro solo (yes, I’m one of those people that sings along to the music boom boom clack clack boom boom clack) It’s all climax build till you get to that point, and then it all hangs out. Good stuff.
4) The Clash, “Police on My Back” — See how easy it is to get tricked into liking a song that’s about some not so good times and pop this one into your player. This is a jam! But the messed up thing is that it’s about living in a Police state where you can’t do the most ordinary things that a human being is entitled to because someone’s always on your nuts (simply put). Leave it to The Clash to get you schooled on oppression while getting you off your butt to dance (I guess that’s the idea, get off your butt and do something, we’ve got Tibet, Darfur, and our backyard to contend with).
5) Le Tigre, “Shred A” — It’s thick, fuzzy, electro sound is buff like a strong chick with a drum machine that can kick ass. It’s talking back to all the talkers, Kathleen Hanna is pissed (when isn’t she, right?) so pissed, she’s not going to waste her time to despise and that’s nice ☺
6) The Raconteurs, “Together” — Smooth like a mug!!! Brendan Benson earns his keep and then some. It’s hard to pick this song only, because this song goes great in a “Racounteurs sandwich” that involves “Level.” Not only is it a good show/use of restraint, you can tell they had fun with sound, listen carefully and the whispers and levels are all tweaked with consideration to the song’s lyrics and particular sentiments. Thing is, they paid meticulous attention and didn’t over do it, a hard thing to do when the attention is so deliberate. It makes me wonder if they sold their souls…
7) The Beatles, “Sexy Sadie” — The forefathers of restraint (BTW with all this talk about restraint, I think it’s important to give props where props are called for. Mastery of restraint award goes to Rufus’ “Tell Me Something Good”). The thing I don’t get is that this song is all about dissing the hot chick that they all wanted to hang with only the hot chick in this song is really the Maharishi, the guru that The Beatles went to meditate/find themselves/do the weird things that rich people do to feel good about themselves. So as to not hurt the Maharishi, The Beatles named the song for the type of girl we all love to hate. It’s a great song with a sentiment that I’m sure we’ve all felt and I’m here to speak up for Sexy Sadie, she didn’t do it, the Maharishi did it when he hit on one of The Beatles’ (girl) friends.
8) Aaron Neville, “Tell it Like it is” — Mr. Neville lays it on the line, don’t mess with him because he doesn’t have the time for that, but you know, you may be here today and gone tomorrow, so you might as well go and get what you want—talk about a smooth operator. I can’t say it’s about the falsetto, exactly. It’s about the whole package, mole and all-- solid gold.
9) Bad Religion, “The Handshake” — This song captures that gross feeling I get when dismissed by that person who thinks that because she has money and so-called status, my smarts, ideas, values, and friendship offer nothing, all because of the way I look. Truth is, this type of person is no better than any one and is only selling herself short by choosing to remain in her condescending bubble. We all come in different shapes and sizes and this person chooses to live in a world where fake handshakes are more important than real people. Bad Religion simply says, no thank you, to The Handshake. You don’t have to live in that kind of world to be successful. Best line: “Now I believe in unity, and I am willing to compromise, but I’m not going to lie or sell my soul.” Good advice from some super smart punk rockers.
10) Murder City Devils, “Boom Swagger Boom” — Ultimate indie rock song that captures midnight romps, whiskey on ice, and some good dancing—nuff said.
Recent Comments