Mix Tape #9: Stick it to them dirty dishes!

I can't believe how long it's been since I've made a mix tape!! Well, here we go... my ninth mix! It's for washing dishes. :) Because really, what's more boring and unpleasant than washing dishes? Not a lot. Which is why the activity sorely needs an accompanying mix of music full of energy and catchy choruses.
Just a heads-up, I find that this one's mainly composed of older songs from the 60-80s, because I guess I  prefer scrubbing dishes to oldie classics. I hope you do too! Enjoy. :D

1. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
This is kind of the most inspirational song ever, which makes it great for washing dishes. I find that when I start out, I always feel so hopeless because I know I have a mountain of spaghetti covered ceramic staring at me from the sink. BUT, when I play this song I feel like I can do ANYTHING. I mean, it's all like "DUH. DUH DUH DUH. DUH DUH DUH. DUH DUH DUHHHHHHHH." So it's always a great way to start off a dish washing mix tape!

2. "Modern Love" by David Bowie
I LOVE DAVID BOWIE. I know I've definitely said this before but I just thought I'd repeat it in case anyone had forgotten... Since David Bowie is awesome, he obviously has to be featured in this mix. Come on, think about it. How can you be unhappy when David Bowie is playing anywhere within a 30 ft radius?? Pshhh, I'll tell you: it's impossible. Even if you're elbow deep in a mixture of water and other people's half eaten food! This song is also full of energy and really fun to sing along to. I think it's very important to listen to songs that you enjoy singing when you wash dishes. It always makes things 10 times more fun.

3. "Greased Lightning" by Grease (John Travolta)
Yes. This is happening, I am including a song from Grease. You're welcome Polethene Pam! Is it just me, or is hunky, young John Travolta not absolutely drool-worthy? I just loooove him. And honestly, even today (though I find him less attractive) he's pretty great. He was hilarious in Hairspray... Anyways, this is one of my favorite songs from the movie (yes I'm talking movie here, not the musical) and I just love it! Why this car could be systematic... Hydromatic... Ultramatic... Why it could be greased lightning!


4. "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations
SUCH a great sing along song. And sooooo much fun to dance around to with your friends!! It's just one of those songs that are incredibly catchy and classic.... It always puts me in a good mood, no matter what state I'm in. Do you have a song like that? You should totally share it with me. ;)

5. "Copacabana" by Barry Manilow
This and "Eye of the Tiger" are the two songs I never ever EVER leave out of my dish washing mix tapes. Ever. I first heard "Copacabana" in my 6th grade music class, and we had to learn the lyrics and analyze the song and I fell in love with it instantly. The moment I got home, I went straight to iTunes and bought it immediately! I love playing it with friends, or even just my little brother. We sing along and dance around and act out the verses... It's great. And though it's a little harder to dance to when you're stuck at the sink, I think it just gives a challenging twist to the dish washing process. If you haven't heard this song before: 1) I AM SHOCKED! and 2) I'm not gonna tell you exactly what happens, because I'd spoil it. But I will say I think it's intriguing how happy and upbeat it is, while the actual story is so utterly depressing in the end...

6. "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
I sort of felt like I should try to include a couple newer songs, so I chose Maroon 5 as one of my contemporary selections. I really love Maroon 5 (Adam Levine.... ahhhhhhhhh) and this is a pretty great song. Even my dad likes it, and he's very critical of my generation's music. I also think it's cool how they use actual footage of Mick Jagger in the music video. And it's hilarious that in this same video... Adam Levine really doesn't have a whole lot of moves at all. Yes, a gorgeous body he does have, but moves like Jagger? Not so much.

7. "Don't Fuck With My Money" by Penguin Prison
And this is my second contemporary song! I guess they're back to back.... Hmmmmm I don't know how I feel about that.. But oh well. I think it sounds good this way. Anywho, this is a song that I discovered a little while back. The singing is very much my style, and the lyrics are super catchy. And the whole song is this protest/response from the middle class to wall street and the 1%. It's from their first album, and I am CRAZY EXCITED about the group. Ooh and the music video is AWESOME. So awesome in fact, that I think I have to include it here:

If you haven't heard this song, I strongly suggest you listen to it. Oh, and if you have an aversion to profanity, even when used in an epic context such as this one, no fear! There's a clean version called "Don't Fuss With My Money".

8. "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham!
Though the last two songs strayed a little from the style I had previously set up for our dish washing adventure, this last one, I think, returns the mix to it nicely. It's another really great, classic feel-good song that's uber catchy and fun to move around to. And it's a great way to scrape the gunk off of those last few dishes... Hoorahhhh.

Yep. That's my mix tape for today! I hope you liked it and maybe even use it next time you are given the unpleasant task of kitchen cleanup. Oh, and let me just say, dishes are the most fun when you're doing them with friends! So whenever you're at a dinner party or something where the adults have the NERVE to make the children do the dishes (GAAASSSPPP), if you have some buddies there, just play this mix and have fun! It'll go by like a blast.

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Modern Love by David Bowie
Greased Lightning by Grease (John Travolta)
Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
Copacabana by Barry Manilow
Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
Don't Fuck With My Money by Penguin Prison
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham!

Oh Florence...

Isn't she lovely?

My favorite Florence + The Machine songs (not in any particular order):

1. Cosmic Love

2. Shake It Out

3. Dog Days Are Over

4. Strangeness and Charm

5. Bedroom Hymns

And so many more...

Mix Tape #8: HOLIDAY HOOPLA!

Yesss.... Christmas music. THIS. IS. HAPPENING.
It may be terribly cheesy, but one of my favorite parts of Christmas is the music. Since I've listened to it every Christmas since before I can remember, it's become a very important part of the season for me. So I just have to make a quick mix about it! Especially since it's Christmas Eve. Again, sorry if you don't celebrate the holiday, but I think you can still enjoy the music! I prefer songs that are happy and santa clausy and capture the feel of the holiday, not the religious aspect of it. For me, the season is really more about celebrating family, friends and SUGAR. But that's just me, to each his own!
Anyways, let's return to the music. I think anybody who listens to Christmas music know the Christmas classics. When you're making a Christmas mix tape, the question really isn't "which songs do I include?" but rather "which artists?" So I'm including my favorite artist for each song straight up, then explaining my decision in the little narration thingy. Okay, are you ready? Let's go!

1. "The Christmas Song" by Frank Sinatra
I think this song is just a Christmas classic. I actually got into a really funny argument about it the other day with a couple people. Two of my friends, who we shall call Chuck and Irene, were convinced that the song went "Jack Frost BITING at your TOES", when in reality it goes "Jack Frost NIPPING at your NOSE". During this argument, I actually exclaimed the phrase, "CHUCK, WHY ON EARTH WOULD HE NIP AT YOUR TOES WHEN YOUR NOSE IS FULLY EXPOSED??" Say it out loud, it's a pretty funny sentence. AAAHhhhh but I'm getting off topic. Let's get back to the song. It's a classic, and therefore recorded many, many, many times by lots and lots of different people, from Justin Bieber all the way to Ella Fitzgerald. But my personal favorite is Frank Sinatra's. I mean, he's Frank Sinatra! A classic, singing a classic. Perfect.

2. "White Christmas" by Elvis Presley
Also, a classic. Argh who am I kidding these are all classics! This one has also been recorded by loads of musicians, but my personal favorite is the version by none other than the king of rock n roll himself... Mr. Elvis Presley. He just puts this whole new spin on the song, but makes it sound so natural and... perfect! This song just makes me fall in love with the king over and over... :) You should check it out if you haven't heard it before. It's really good.

3. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by James Taylor ft. Natalie Cole
I LOVE this song so so so much. It's my favorite duet. Not Christmas duet. Duet. PERIOD. I just love it. It's so cute and fun to sing and just awesome. I love this version because I just love James Taylor's voice. It's so different and relaxing and gorgeous. And the two are so cute in the song! They talk a little in between verses and it's actually pretty funny. I love how he says the last sentence at the end, "It is a PERFECTLY NICE DRINK." Really. Listen, you'll see. But umm.. I have a confession. As you may know my celebrity crush is Darren Criss and I have to admit I really love his and Chris Colfer's version from Glee. There, I said it. I feel like such a teenager. But it really is good and I like it. So deal. :)

4. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
Again, there are quite a few covers of this song but I really think that in this case, the original is the very best. Mariah Carey does such a great job with this song and it always makes me feel so cheery and smiley. I really never pay any attention to the other versions 'cuz I like this one so much more. How about you?

5. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jackson 5
I have to say, this is one weird song. I mean, I love it, but it's pretty messed up. I guess it's supposed to be about this kid who sees his mom kissing Santa and then decides to go taddle to his daddy, not realizing that it was in fact this very same parental unit who was dressed up as Santa. But this doesn't make any sense! Why would the dad dress up as Santa? Maybe because he knew his nosy little kid would be spying on the stocking-filling process? But then why would he go kiss his wife if he knew the kid was watching?!?! Why would you want to wish such a traumatic experience onto your tiny child? And let's remember, this wasn't only kissing. It was kissing and TICKLING. Ewwww parent PDA. So to sum up: either the parents know the kid's there and want him to spend the next 10 years in intensive therapy, OR the dad just enjoys waking up in the middle of the night to dress up like Santa Claus. Both explanations are pretty creepy. But never the less, this song is best when it's being sung by little Michael Jackson. :) It's perfect because in the recording he's actually at the perfect age for this song, instead of an adult creepily trying to sound like a kid. So yeah. The Jackson 5 version is my favorite. :)

6. "Winter Wonderland" by Bing Crosby
I figured I ought to include a Bing Crosby song, since he kind of is one of the big Christmas music classics. I really like his version of Winter Wonderland, so that's the one I'm including here. Fun Fact: the Eurythmics did a pretty cool cover of this song if you're interested.

7. "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt
Okay, I have heard SO MANY versions of this song, but I can't stand any of them. Not even Madonna's. Because Eartha Kitt's is the best. Man, I feel like such a Christmas song nerd. But that's my stand on this song. There's simply no competition. She captures the essence of it all, but she doesn't overdue it. And her voice is just so perfect for it! In fact... I'm gonna go listen to it... "I really do believe in you.. Let's see if you.. believe in meeee..." :D

8. "Tennessee Christmas" by Amy Grant
This is my mom's absolute favorite Christmas song (even though we don't live in Tennessee). And I can definitely see why. It's so sweet and tender and Christmas-y.... And Amy Grant's voice is just a dream. I just love it! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzzy. And I can't resist the phrase "tender Tennessee Christmas". What can I say, I'm a sucker for alliteration.

So there ya go! I realize this is a little late, seeing as it's already Christmas eve, but I hope you enjoy it anyhow. And besides, I don't really think the Christmas music's got to end the day after Christmas! It doesn't, does it? Maybe I'm just nuts. Ohhh well. Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you get everything you wished for!! If you didn't, come talk to me. I've got connections up at the North Pole (I used to do Santa's dry cleaning. SO. MANY. COOKIE CRUMBS.)

The Christmas Song (Frank Sinatra)
White Christmas (Elvis Presley)
Baby, It's Cold Outside (James Taylor ft. Natalie Cole)
All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey)
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Jackson 5)
Winter Wonderland (Bing Crosby)
Santa Baby (Eartha Kit)
Tennessee Christmas (Amy Grant)

Mix Tape #7: Make you believe in MAGIC.

Hi guys!! Guess what??? I'm bringing. Back. The mixed tapes. Yep. Even though it's not a Wednesday. I've just skipped so many! So I've decided in the spirit of the season, to make up for all my missed mixes in the next few days! Eeeeep I'm excited. Are you excited? I'M EXCITED.
Now, since this is my seventh mixed tape, and by tradition 7 is supposed to be the most magical number, I'm going to center my theme around magicalness! Don't misunderstand me, it's not going to have songs about magic (though that does sound pretty cool). It's going to be a mix with seven songs that make me believe in magic. You know those kind of songs that are just so beautiful, so incredible, that they have this almost magical feeling? Maybe I'm just weird, but sometimes, certain music can just... sweep me off my feet. Or take my breath away. Or break my heart. You know?
So here are seven songs that have that wondrous, eery, extraordinary effect on me. Hope you like them too! :)

1. "Big Jet Plane" by Angus and Julia Stone
This is just such a beautiful song... It's really special to me because I always connect it with the moment I first heard it. As you may or may not know, depending on how often you actually read my blogs, I was recently in this school play and I made a bunch of new friends. During one of the shows, I and a couple other girls were waiting for our next scene, and someone found a guitar. We all sort of drifted into a circle and started singing songs and this one girl, Kimberly, started playing the guitar along to them. Then she started playing and singing this song and it was just such a wonderful, magical moment. One of those moments I don't think I'll ever forget. Then of course I went home and listened to the actual song and fell in love with it. So now it has this magical feel to me. Will it for you as well? Check it out. :)

2. "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes are just a magical band in general. They're the kind of sound that make my day no matter how bad of a mood I'm in. This song in particular just makes me happy. It gives me a big smile like this --> :D And when I'm feeling depressed and cynical, it gives me hope. I think you'll like it.

3. "Hold On, Hold On" by Neko Case
Neko Case is, in my opinion, an awesome singer. Her voice is really beautiful and sounds exactly the same live as it does in her recorded tracks, which is very impressive. This song is really beautiful and it sends shivers down my spine. It's a song that really doesn't make any logical sense lyrics wise, but at the same time it brings home this powerful emotional reaction for me that goes beyond words. Which, I think, is a bit like magic.

4. "Bedroom Hymns" by Florence + The Machine
Florence is such a magical, surreal, other-worldly musician, isn't she? I just feel like she doesn't belong on earth. Doesn't she sound as if she came tumbling down from the sky like a fallen star? She's just too beautiful for us! What did we do to deserve her? This is one of my favorite songs from her album "Ceremonials". I'm not a religious person at all to be honest, but this song, to me, is a religious experience.

5. "Twice" by Little Dragon
This is another song that just transforms my mood every time I hear it, but rather than make me happy and hopeful like "40 Day Dream", it makes me feel more sad and quietly philosophic. It just has this rhythm and this voice that sweeps me away. I also listened to it when I had this really strong crush on a guy this one summer, so it reminds me of him. :) I think of all of these songs, this one might actually have the most magical, splendiferous and, at the same time, painful effect on me. It's really just beautiful.

6. "Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine
Sorry! I just HAD to include another Florence song. "Cosmic Love" is just too gorgeous and magical to leave out. I've sort of already talked about dear Florence, so I think I'll cut this narration short. Listen to the song if you haven't already heard it! It's lovely...

7. "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
Yep. Had to include it. This could be considered a rather unoriginal choice since it is pretty much Led Zeppelin's most popular song, but that doesn't change the fact that it's one of my favorites. It's just such an amazing song by an amazing band. The very definition of magic. :) Especially since there are so many Lord of the Ring references!

So that's my mix tape of magical songs for you. :) I do recommend you go listen to them! I'm afraid I'm rather terrible at describing music, but I do my best. But that makes it all the more necessary that you go listen to the actual songs yourself! GO! GO NOW!
Just in an attempt to force you to listen to them, I'm going to include the links below. Gosh, I'm sneaky. ;)

Big Jet Plane The music video for this song is soooo strange and fantastic. Check it out.
40 Day Dream
Hold On, Hold On
Bedroom Hymns
Twice This music video is also really cool.
Cosmic Love You should watch this video just because Florence is GORGEOUS.
Stairway to Heaven

The first of hopefully many more to come!!

Hello my lovely little... umm... I don't know.. lemurs? Yeah, we'll go with that. Anyways. Hello! I thought that today I would show you some super cool earbuds that I stole from various parts of the internet. This idea was inspired by my wonderful friend Miss Mixie, who sent me a picture of some earbuds that reminded her of my blog. 

Here they are! Can you see the connection? ;)

And here are the ones I found:

Rubber duckies! They just make me so happy... :D

"So doctor.... How's it sound?"

"..."

"Doctor?"

"A little like... Pink Floyd."

I actually use to have these! .........but then I lost them. Oops.

Like zee piggy earbuds!!! But weinerlicious. <3

MMmmmmmmmm cupcakes.

Gosh I'm excited. My winter break has officially started, and now I have 15 glorious days to bask in the sweet light of Doctor Who and write and read and shop aaaannnnddd BLOGGG!! So prepare for a tidal wave of blog posts! Oooh and one of the next few posts will be my giveaway which will be very exciting so  stay tuned!

RAWR!

AHHHH I'm sneaking 5 minutes to write a post. I just can't help it, I miss it too much and it hasn't even been a day! It's just knowing I shouldn't makes me wanna procrastinate on my blog so baaaadd!!
Okay, I just wanted to share an obsession that's been creeping up on me for a while now. If you read the title, you've probably guessed. Dinosaurs. :D

They just make me so happy!

You know I think it may have really started with Frank. You know the Black Keys, right? Well with their album "Brothers", they made some REALLY cool music videos that are stupendously awesome. A couple of them feature the sort of new mascot of the Black Keys. Frank. Frank... is a Funkosauraus Rex. And a puppet. And a playa. And the greatest dinosaur in the world. See for yourself:

Make sure you read the yellow writing.... It will make your day.

And you know what I did that I am actually super proud of??? After I was officially obsessed with Frank, I made it my life's ambition to track down the identical puppet. And. I. Did. I eventually found him on Amazon and it's by this company "Folkmanis". Or at least, I'm like 98% sure it's the exact same one.

Folkmanis dinosaur....

...and Frank! SEE???

Then, a couple of days ago, I found out he's now available on Barnes & Noble's website!!!! Get your own, here! I actually want this little guy SO BAD. Ahhhhhh. He will be my pet dinosaur and HE SHALL EAT ALL MY ENEMIES!!

Okay now I really must go. Sorry if this post is weird or has any typos or anything 'cuz I didn't really get to work on it as long as I usually do... Oh well, dinosaurs don't use proper grammar, neither shall I.

I am a tumblr photo stealing thief :P

I just thought I'd share some photos off of various random tumblrs that I thought were really awesome, or inspiring, or creative or just hilarious... Hope you like them too. :)

AHHHH, KITTAY!!! Kitties are just so cute, especially when they're giving you a legitimate excuse to not do your chores. I wish my cat would fall asleep on my broom... or better yet, my vacuum cleaner.

Kind of one of the coolest things ever. I wish there was a Star Trek one though... Ahhh, I need this sweatshirt. It would make me feel 600% cooler.

I love House. <3 He. Is. Hilarious. 

I actually really wish I could buy this and take it to an airport, just so I could see how security would react. What do you think they would do? O.o

Look how itty bitty this bunny is!!! It's so cute, I could eat it! .......That didn't really come out right.

I wonder who Monsieur Panda Bear is waiting for.... This photo reminds me of the music video for "Paradise" by Coldplay, where they're all running around in elephant suits. Omigosh, I don't know why, but that video actually makes me SOOO sad! And then a little happy at the end, but mostly sad.

Just.......... awesome. 

I want to hug the person who took the time to do this.

Okay, now I'm going to go check out some thrift stores. I need to find some good shoes for my lego project! I've decided, since I have Thanksgiving week off, I'm gonna cram it full to the brim with super awesome art projects. And hours of shopping, of course. :D 

Greatest Moustaches in History!!

Why didn't this song exist when I was making  my mustache mix tape!!?? Soooo gooood.

By "BreakOriginals" <3 

Where can I get that t-shirt??? Oh and one more thing... Let's not forget that Spock also sported a moustache in "Mirror, mirror" so that makes mustaches not only aesthetically awesome, but LOGICAL as well! Feast your eyes upon his glorious visage:

Mix Tape #6: Let's learn a little history :D

That's right. HISTORY. I'm telling you, listen to this mix tape and you'll ace that social studies exam! HAH. Not really. Well... hmm. Maybe...
I had a really great time making this mix and, it's weird to type it out loud but, I kind of learned things from it. Like, academically relevant things. Who'da thunk, right? But seriously, I actually reeeaaaalllly love music about historical events and figures. You learn things, you get to spazz out to great music and then you can dazzle your fellow nerds with totally random facts from scattered moments in history. It's a win win WIN! So, without further ado, I present to you my mix tape of KNOWLEDGE!!!


1. "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan
What can I say, I love Steely Dan! Now, when I first saw the title of this song, I remember thinkin, "pshhh, no brainer, it's about KING Charlemagne". And then I was like, "Why the hell would anyone write a song about King Charlemagne?" And then I listened to the song and was all "ohhhhhhhhhhh." Basically, this song is about this infamous LSD chemist and dealer who lived in San Francisco, named Owsley Stanley. WOAH WOAH WOAH, don't freak out! It's not encouraging drugs or anything, it's just telling the story of this guy in a super awesome way. Steely Dan is just an incredible band when it comes to song lyrics. :) And the lyrics to this song are really great with all these obscure references to bits of Owsley's history that almost no one is actually going to understand. If you want to fully comprehend it, I suggest seeing if it has a wikipedia page or something. Actually, never mind. Wait a minute....


Here ya go. (<---CLICK ON IT!!)


2. "Pearl's Eye View" by Nanci Griffith
This is the song that made me want to make a collection of history themed music! It's the story of this Vietnam photographer named Dickey Chapelle. She was one of very few female war photographers of the time and (spoiler alert!) the first to be killed in action. :'( It's called "Pearl's Eye View" because she was known for wearing pearl earrings while she worked. My dad was the one who played it for me for the first time, only I listened to the Kennedys' version, and I remember it was the coolest song ever because I actually learned all this really awesome stuff about this amazing photographer I'd never heard of before! Nanci Griffith also has such a unique voice and the song is really well written and it's got this great energy even when it gets really sad. Returning to Dickey Chapelle, she was killed when hit by flying shrapnel from a land mine that another soldier up ahead stepped on. Another photographer who was with her actually got a photo of her receiving her last rights while dying. This is it:

Yup. Sad stuff. :'( But the song is peppy even though the content is sad so... that's good.

3. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2

I love this song. There's a reason it's one of U2's biggest hits! It always pulls this really weird emotional response from me. I know it's cheesy, but it's true. It's just so beautiful and sad, you know? It has a lot of great harmonies and a really powerful beat. In case you don't know, it's a song that U2 wrote about the Bloody Sunday deaths in Ireland, where British troops fatally shot a bunch of unarmed protestors. If you haven't heard this song... well then you need to. It's one of the best protest songs ever, in my humble opinion. And, hehe, it's also really fun to sing cause it makes you feel all deep and epic. "SUUNDAAAAY BLOODAY SUNNDDAAAY!!!" Doesn't that just make you feel cool?

4. "99 Red Balloons"/"99 Luftballons" by Nena

This is a song by a German group called Nena. So puurrttyyy... And I love the original German version.. even though I don't understand a word of it. But hey, listen to the English one and then you know what's going on so it doesn't matter! I decided to include this song a) because it's a protest song about the Cold War and b) because it references Star Trek <3. Even in the German version!!!

"Everyone's a superhero,

Everyone's a Captain Kirk." 

I also think her voice is really nice and I love her German-y English. :)

5. "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix

I LOVE Jimi Hendrix. Honestly, who doesn't? My mom, that's who. Anyways, this song is just.... indescribable. It's also about the Vietnam war. It has this really amazing feel. Like, I actually feel like I'm in the thick of it all when I listen to it. I think it just captures the feeling of the war in this awe-inspiring way that's really hard to articulate. It's one of those songs where words really aren't that necessary either. You don't need them to explain what you're trying to convey, cause the instrumental does it all. But the lyrics that Jimi does have are really.... BOOM. I'm out of words so I'm just gonna use that sound effect. The drums also sound like machine guns btw, so if you play this really loud, I'm warning ya so you don't have a heart attack. There are also these really eerie, sort of ghostly "ooooh-ooooh"s that go on later in the song that sound like sirens and all of this back-up vocal stuff happening and it's just something you HAVE to listen to first hand. So listen to it! It'll change you! Or not. WHATEVER. 

Here's a little taste, lyrics-wise:

"...Machine gun, tearing my, tearing my body all apart..."

"...Evil men make me kill ya, evil men make you kill me..."

"...So I pick up my axe and fight like a farmer... But your bullets keep cutting me down just the same, just the same..."

6. "Rasputin" by Boney M.

I thought I'd include this just to balance out all the angst and violence of the last song. Don't worry, this one is also about history... which means it's also got plenty of death and stuff, it's just sung in a happier, peppier fashion. ;) This song was a disco hit from 1978, by a German-based pop group called "Boney M.", about a mystic named "Grigori Rasputin" who was an advisor to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. It's sort of just this musical biography that talks about him being a playboy and a "healer" and a big political figure all at the same time. In the end it describes his demise, but all in a really funky, disco-y way. There's this really deep guy's voice singing part of it, and a woman singing the other part and it's all very dramatic and rhythmic and awesome. Great for dancing and studying Russian history. ;) I actually learned a lot about Rasputin through this song which is really cool! :D It also reminded me of something. There's an apartment building really close to my house with this big neon sign that says "Rasputin" above the door!!! Crazy, right? Does that word mean something in Russian (other than a last name)?? Hmmm. I also like the last line: "Oh, those RUSSIANS...."

7. "Cortez the Killer" by Neil Young

Neil Young is what I listen to when I feel like relaxing and pondering the mysteries of the universe. This song really sobers me up, you know? What I mean is it puts me in a very thoughtful, reflective mood. It also makes me feel sad for all those Indians we killed with our Small Pox infested blankets... And Conquistadores, of course. Which is the subject of this song! (duh.) It's about the conquistador "Hernan Cortez" and how he killed Montezuma and the Aztecs :( But it's very beautiful, so I think you should listen to it despite it's high sadness factor. And come on. It's Neil Young...

8. "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel

This is a more fast-paced and energizing way to end this mix! It's kind of awesome. It's basically just a huge mesh of all the big events and celebrities and discoveries from 1949 to 1989. Kind of what you'd play for someone who had just woken up from a comma and missed the last 62 years (of course then you'd have to find another way of covering the 22 years after 1989). I think one of the messages that he's trying to convey here is that the Baby Boomer generation (of which he's a part of) isn't solely responsible for all the problems in the world, because I think that at the time, people were very prone to blaming it on them poor boomers of babies! But I could just be crazy. 

I hope you learned a little bit from this educational mix tape! Mind you, ya need to actually listen to the songs to really soak in all the information. So be gone!!! Scurry off and learn from the musical world! (May I recommend Spotify? It is really fantastic, you can just connect through facebook and listen to free, legal music w/ barely any ads. I was kind of skeptical at first but I have since had to eat all my doubts because Spotify is awesome.)

If you're not interested in Spotify though, here are some YouTube links:

Kid Charlemagne

Couldn't find Pearl's Eye View on YouTube! :(

Sunday Bloody Sunday

99 Red Balloons

Machine Gun

Rasputin

Cortez the Killer

We Didn't Start the Fire

Mix Tape #5: Great Music--Indie-time, Indie-where

To begin with: AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Do you like my horribly cheesy pun? Yeah, me neither. I think my mom is rubbing off on me... But it gets the point across. ....does it?
Today, we are going to be looking at a super awesome list of great Indie Pop/Rock songs. I lovvee Indie Rock (and btw, I'm including Alternative Rock w/ Indie Rock here) and it's probably one of my favorite genres just because it's so diverse and dreamy and personal and real... So making this mix was fun!

1. "Fluorescent Adolescent" by Arctic Monkeys
I really, really like Arctic Monkeys. They're one of those bands where I kind of like everything they do, you know? What I mean is, there are artists who have really great stuff that is totally your style, but then they also have stuff that makes you go "gaaacckkkk". Then there are bands like Arctic Monkeys (in my case) where, no matter which one of their songs you're listening to, you have a good time. So yeah. I hope you have artists like that. :) Here's an idea: share them with me!! Anyways, this song by Arctic Monkeys is particularly amazing.

2. "Phantom Limb" by The Shins
I like "Fluorescent Adolescent", but I LOVE this song.... It was one of the first Shins songs that I ever heard and it is my favorite of allll their music. Which is saying something, cause I also really love The Shins! It's just.... so... goooodd. When I listen to it, I get this sort of warm and tingly sensation and it puts me in a very dreamy, philosophic mood. There's just something indescribably magical about this song, you know? I love the lyrics too, even though they don't make any sense. The Shins are really good in general, I think, at making songs that at once make no sense at all, but leave you feeling like you've just transcended into this higher level of worldly understanding and infinite wisdom. I just reread that, and I sound like a crazy person. That's what happens when you try to describe the indescribable...

3. "Paris is Burning" by Ladyhawke
I only recently started listening to Ladyhawke, but I really like her. I love the rhythm of this song (it's really good for dancing fyi). I also love that it's about Paris, but in a very non-cliche kind of way, you know? Most songs are like: Paris.. BAGUETTES! EIFFEL TOWER! ROMANTIC DINNERS FOR TWO! TRUE LOVEEE... And this song is more a partying in Paris sort of thing, which is cool. There's also this TV Show that I really love called Gilmore Girls. It had 7 seasons and it was super witty and hilarious and it had great characters. One episode was called "Paris is Burning" and it involved a character who was actually named "Paris". Before, I thought they just made up the title around that character, but now I realize, they probably named it after this song!! I love making discoveries like that...

4. "In The Sun" by She & Him
This is Zooey Deschanel's band! She has such a unique voice.... Have you seen her new show, "New Girl"?? IT IS THE BESTTT. I have to say, she's my girl crush. She's just so gorgeous and totally hilarious.

Ohhhh Zooey... <3

 I like this song because even though it's sort of talking about something a little sad (being rejected/unwanted by someone you love), it's still really frothy and happy and makes me smile. I always feel like skipping around in the sun when I listen to it. :)

5. "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes
I kind of LOVE Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes. Their music is sort of a combination of Indie folk and Alternative Rock and it's just so different and magical and happy and I looovvvee it. And I loveeeee this song so much... It's the kind of song that just turns my whole mood around.

6. "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster The People
This is a song that I thinnnnnk has become pretty popular lately and I have to say I agree with the masses on this one. It's surreal, you know? That's how I'm gonna describe it. I just don't want to sound crazy again like I did when I tried to articulate my thoughts on "Phantom Limb" (though let the record show that The Shins still kick Foster The People's butt). I think I heard this for the first time on SNL... and that just automatically makes it awesome. Well.... not necessarily. But I love SNL, so I like to think only really awesome music is ever played there.

7. "How To Save A Life" by The Fray
I know what you're thinking, okay!! "My god this is an old and unoriginal Fray song! What were you thinking?" Sorry, if that's not what you thought, I'm just an insecure and untrusting person. :P Anyways. Yes. I do know this is an old song. But it's still my favorite Fray song so THERE.

8. "The Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells
This band has James Mercer from The Shins so... you kind of know it has to be great. And it is. "The Ghost Inside" has an epic beat and some pretty crazy lyrics (does that remind you of any other songs? Hmmmm? *nudge nudge*) Apparently the band is a collaboration between him and this band called "Danger Mouse", which I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard of until now... Sorry... I'll go check them out later.

9. "Where Does the Good Go" by Tegan and Sara
Okay, I really, really, really like this group. Tegan and Sara are two identical twin sisters who both play guitar, keyboard, write and sing! Their voices are very similar (because of the whole identical twin thing DUH..), but they are incredibly unique and I kind of love them. I don't know how to describe just how fantastically original their voices are (today isn't a good day for me, description-wise) but trust me, they are awesome. And I love this song and the lyrics to it and the beat to it and it's just great. They should really be more popular than they are, in my opinion.

10. "Bedroom Hymns" by Florence + The Machine
This is a pretty new song, I'm pretty sure their new album "Ceremonials" only JUST came out. I. Love. Florence. She is supercalifragilistic. Her voice is beautiful, in my opinion, and her music is really passionate and I don't know why but it pulls a really emotional response from me... This song has a lot of religious references (which is something I've always been kind of intrigued by, even though I'm not really very religious). It kind of reminds me of Lady Gaga in that way. But going back to Florence, the song is really powerful and the whole album in general is fantastic so you should check it out.

11. "No Illusions" by 78 Saab
I found this song through the TV Show "Grey's Anatomy" which has (or at least had) really great, obscure music in it. I don't know if I really like the band's collective work, so much as this one particular song of theirs, but I think I will check out a little more of their music before I make my final decision. But yeah, this song is really nice. It's just very beautiful and relaxing and it's good for calming me down after a lot of rowdy music. That's why I figured it would be a good end to the mix.

Well, that's it! I hope you like Indie Rock/Indie Punk/Alternative Rock/Indie Folk.... Cause if you don't... Well then, I've sort of wasted your time. Heh. But you've also wasted mine, SO THERE. Hm, I just thought about that and I'm not sure that makes any sense. Oh well. It's already typed and I'm too lazy to delete it. I hope you liked my Indie Mix and my random goofy shot of Zooey Deschanel... Until next timeeee. BYE.

One pretty huge reason to love Weird Al

I have made possibly the most ground breakingly awesome and life changing discovery of my entire life. Get ready, it has to do with pick up lines. .......wow. I can just see you shutting your computer and walking away after reading that but I command you to STOP. TURN AROUND. RETURN TO MAGIC PICTURE BOX. Please give me this moment to bathe in the glory of my fabulous discovery...

Okay, enough suspense. I'm just gonna say it: I discovered that in 2003, Weird Al included a song on his album "Poodle Hat", that is nothing but an indubiously fantastic combination of all the worst and most hilarious pick up lines in the world. I don't know about you, but I find this absolutely SPLENDIFEROUS. The song is SO funny and full of so many pick up line classics, as well as hysterical innuendos, you have no idea. Well actually, I guess you do since I just told you about it. But anyways!

The song contains such gems as:

• I'll bet you're magically delicious, like a bowl of Lucky Charms.
• Well, how'd you get through security? 'Cause baby, you're the bomb.
• Baby, you've seen my picture, it's in the dictionary under "Kablaaam!"
• Girl you must be Jamaican, cause... JAMAICAN ME CRAZY!!
  

Why don't you have a listen? Unless you don't like the occasional Weird Al (aka you have no soul). No, but seriously I get it. His voice gets so annoying, I get to the point after I've listened to too many of his songs where I just want to decapitate him. It would be messy,  but at least he'd stop singing. Ya dig what I'm saying, ma home skillet? ....that was weird. Just go listen:

Yeah. Soak in those sweet, smooth lines. Play this song for your gal/guy and you know you've sealed the deal. <-- Notice the sarcasm laced with a subtle undertone of embarrassing seriousness. 

It's like when someone says: "Man, I HATE that Justin Bieber guy, he's just so stupid and his voice sucks." and you're like "Haha yeah... Such a loser...." But at the same time you're thinking: "Though that one song he did a while back was kinda okay... I mean... And that other one wasn't so bad either.... Kinda catchy... Oooh and his latest was actually... Oh but of course other than that he totally sucks. ......Right...?"   You know what I mean? It doesn't have to be Justin Beiber, that's just an example. Sorry if none of that made any sense.

ANYWHO. Just wanted to tell you how much I love my new pick up line song. I will definitely have it memorized by tomorrow... Until then, DO SVYDANIYA!

Let's talk Katy Perry

So when I was surfing around on YouTube, avoiding my homework (obviously), I came across this old Katy Perry song that I had completely forgotten. It's called "Ur So Gay" and it's from the time when she was really completely unheard of and just trying to introduce herself to the music world before releasing her songs predicted to become hits ("I Kissed A Girl" and "Hot n Cold") back in 2008. The music video to "Ur So Gay" is actually really funny and I remember watching it before I knew who she was and before I'd even heard "I Kissed A Girl". It uses barbie dolls. Mhmmmmm. 

I guess you could interpret it as homophobic, but personally, I think it's more just a commentary on some metrosexual guy who's trying to act all cool and hipster with his hybrid car, Hemingway quotes, soy food and skinny jeans. The music video also kind of makes you think it's about some guy who's really superficial because he's only interested in getting together with her after she changes her look. 

Check it out:

It's interesting to see how much she's changed her style since then...  She used to be much more quirky and genuine, I think. It makes me sad. :( I'm not saying I don't like her music now though. Don't get me wrong, it's still fun to jump around to, ya know? 

The second Katy Perry song that I noticed, which I had not heard before, was "Thinking of You" from all the way back in 2009. I clicked on it because her music videos usually make me happy, but this one was really sad! :'( If you want to see what I mean, you can watch it:

It has the guy from Kyle XY. I never saw that show but I saw a lot of ads for it. Wait, is it still going on? Huh. I don't know, and I really don't care enough to check... But do you see what I mean? Sad!! But the clothes are really awesome.

Just to balance out the sadness of that last video, I'm gonna include a happier one. Have you seen the video for Hot n Cold? Yes? No? Yes? Make up your mind already!! You're so HOT AND COLD!!! AHAHAHAHA. EEZ FUNNY, BECAUSE DEE SONG EEZ CALLED "HOT N COLD". (Family Guy joke.) You can't see it but I'm slapping my knee. ....Okay now I just feel stupid.

So to conclude, I must admit I like her music videos... and I find a lot of her music catchy and fun to sing along to. She's a really great entertainer and performer, but I think as a musician, I don't like her all that much. She doesn't have a good voice unless you edit it (you should hear her live, it's horrible), and she doesn't even write her own music! I think she's mostly popular cause she's insanely gorgeous (you know it's true), her songs are catchy, and she's so often found shooting things out of her boobs. Again, you know it's true.

Okay, to conclude this post on a goofy note, is this not the most adorable thing you've ever seen?

Ya, I know it's not related to Katy Perry. But look at that!! Doesn't that just make your day??

Mix Tape #4: Wanna hear a secret? I kinda love you.

Since my first three mix tapes have been pretty silly and cheery, I've decided to throw in some sappy love songs for the heck of it. Hey, at least I made it 3 weeks before busting out the mushy stuff. Be grateful for that, if nothing else... But seriously, I love love songs. There's a reason that stuff is so popular. All the most incredible songs are about great love or great loss, if you think about it!
Okay, soo... there's this guy. Yeah, we're going to talk about boys now, pull through it! Or skip this paragraph, that works too. Basically, I don't really know him all that well and I don't have any classes with him but he's really cute... I work in the cafeteria and he started getting his lunch there everyday with his brother and I don't know why but he kind of.. this is going to sound weird but, "caught my eye". Yeah. I feel like a creeper. Anyways, every day he has this really cute smile and he looks at me in this way that makes me feel all fuzzy. That's the only way to describe it, I think. Fuzzzzy. And I really don't know him that well but every day we talk a little when he comes through the line. He always gets a chicken sandwich, except for when there are cheeseburgers (that's the only thing I definitely know about him so I decided to include that...) and I like to make fun of him for getting the same thing everyday but I secretly like it because it means I get to see him every day (chicken sandwiches are on my side.) The other day he "officially" introduced himself and his name is going to be Patrick as far as you're concerned. :) Haha anyways, that's why I thought I'd put together a little "crushing" mix tape. Whether you're in the same kind of situation or happily in a relationship/living comfortably with your cats, these songs are still great and I think you're bound to like at least one of them. Check 'em out!

1. "Gray or Blue" by Jaymay
I absolutely adore this song! It has an incredible voice to it and the lyrics are great. The words just feel like they've been ripped from your own feelings and thoughts and it's just a really great song that isn't nearly as popular as it should be! The ending of it is kind of sad and sometimes I listen to it and I don't really feel "better", but I feel understood. Miss Mixie, if you're reading this, I think you should listen to this song. I miss youuu, gorgeous! <3

2. "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift
Of course, no crush mix tape would be complete without a couple Taylor Swift songs. She is the country pop queen of cutesy love/crush songs. Fun fact: She's also my little brother's first celebrity crush!! Adorable, right? Now I decided to limit myself to one only so it was between this and "Teardrops on My Guitar". That was the first song I ever heard by her and also my little bro's favorite! But truthfully, it is far from my fav Taylor Swift song.. Sorry C-Dawg! And all you Taylor Swift haters out there... I hope you slip on a banana peel and twist your ankle! Losers. Sorry, but I fully support Taylor Swift. Yes, some of her songs are rather similar, but she has a good voice, she's very young, she writes ALL her own music, she's beautiful but not in a sad, fake way and I think she has handled her fame and success very well. That's all I'm gonna say on the subject. Conclusion: I'm pro-Taylor Swift.

3. "I'll Kiss You" by Cyndi Lauper
This is a little less sweet and subtle, more "AHHH LEMME KISS YOUUU!!" but it's also great. I love love love Cyndi, how can you not? She is fabulous and this song is great. Basically, she gets a potion from a gypsy that will give her the courage to go up to the guy she likes and kiss him. It's funny and awesome for singing along to and great for dancing too. Listen, it'll cheer you up after pining long and hard for your big crush. :P

4. "Crushcrushcrush" by Paramore
So this is not quite a normal lovey-dovey kind of song, it almost seems like she's using the word "crush" as in "smoosh" or "destroy". But I like Paramore and this is a good song with a very appropriate name. Something different about this is that it's more from the point of view of someone who knows they are being crushed upon.


5. "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" by Darren Criss (originally by The Black Kids)
A mouthful, I know. If you're one of those obsessive glee fans, you'll know this one already. First off, I watch Glee cause it's a great show and I'M NOT EMBARRASSED AT ALL. But also (mostly) because of DARREN CRISS!!! I lovveeee him... He's my celebrity crush... ;) You know those celeb crushes that make your heart physically hurt? You kind of have to be a teenage girl to get it. Anyways, it's one of those... And this song is just so... SEXY. I said it. (My opinion, obviously.) It's basically about this guy who loves this girl who has a boyfriend. She doesn't realize he loves her and he's saying "I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you, because I don't want you guys to stay together." I know, I didn't see that coming either. <-- (sarcasm, people).

6. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
Super great song from the 80s! And perfect for this mix tape! I like that it's a guy who's pining too, cause it's usually a girl. Sooo... yeah. Classic song. For me at least. Go listen. :)

7. "The Girl From Ipanema" by Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto
I love this song too. It's very calm and relaxing but also very sad. :( It's about this boy who is in love with a beautiful woman who walks by every day, but he's never spoken to her before and she has no idea he exists. It's truly beautiful and a great way to end this romantic mix tape!

That is our mix tape for today! Sorry if you just can't stand mushy music... Better luck next time. BUT, if you are a hormonal teenager pathetically crushing from afar, or a grown adult falling in love, I hope this mix may have helped you at least a little. Good luck, my little lovebirds! Or not-lovebirds. Whatever. Bye!

"We went for a walk..." "On our feet, if I remember correctly."

So making my nerd mix tape got me thinking about Flight of the Conchords and how much I LOVE them... I thought I'd just share a couple really funny songs of theirs because it gives me an excuse to sit around and listen to them...

1. Business Time
   --> This is one of the few things that can make my dad laugh so hard he almost needs medical attention.
2. Ladies of the World
   --> First Flight of the Conchords song I ever heard!!! I heard it but I didn't know the name of the song so I just looked up bits of the lyrics and then finally I found it and it changed my life... forever...
3. Think About It
   --> Basically, they talk about the issues. You know, the things that are wrong with the world. Turns out they're almost funnier when they talk about "serious" things. "A man is lying on the street, some punk has chopped off his head, and I'm the only one who stops to see if he's dead! ....Turns out he's dead..."
4. The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)
   --> "Well looking 'round the room, I can tell you are the most beautiful girl in the room. In the whole wide room! And when you're on the street, depending on the street, I'll bet you are definitely in the top three. Good looking girls on the street (depending on the street)..." Hilarious.
5. Jenny
   --> This one is really, really funny when you watch them perform it live on YouTube. It's basically this really awkward conversation between these two people at the park and it's hilarious. I won't give anything away, but trust me, you want to watch it. In fact...

Go watch it. NOW. Like seriously. NOW. NOW. NOW. Okay? Cool. And remember, it's long but stick around cause it's hilarious and it just gets better and better and better... Plus, if you watch it, you'll understand my title! Seriously, don't do it for me, do it for you. It'll brighten up your day, I promise. :)

Mix Tape #3: Get your geek on, son!

So as you guys all know, I pride myself in being a huge geek/nerd. And not in an Ooh-look-at-me-I'm-so-hip-and-different-with-my-chunky-black-glasses-and-my-suspenders-I-don't-follow-the-rules-of-society-I'm-edgy-and-different-but-not-a-legitimate-dork-cuz-that-would-be-like-so-uncool kind of way.
Sorry if that was weird, I just really hate it when people try to be different just so they'll get noticed. I mean, isn't purposefully not bending to the ways of society just as bad as conforming? I don't know, I just hate it when people aren't themselves. The ironic part of all of this is that I DO wear chunky black glasses (prescription fyi) and I DO love and wear suspenders... Oh what a hypocrite you are, Ms. Lady Calypso... Anyways, as I said, I am a nerd. A real nerd. And by that, I mean I can be a dork and a loser and a freak. And I think we should all try to embrace that part of ourselves. ...Great, now I'm beginning to sound like an episode of Glee. Let's just get to the mix tape.

I made this mix so that we can all bring out that inner geekiness. Enjoy!

1. "Constellations" by Darwin Deez
Darwin Deez is, quite possibly, one of the most hilariously hipster people I have ever seen. He has the craziest hairstyle on the planet and he wears this really awkwardly thin headband around the middle of his forehead which he never, ever takes off. Basically: he's very funny. Anywaysss, I actually like this song a lot. It's sort of about space and the cosmos and constellations and stuff. The music video is really good too. You should go check it out. :)

2. "She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby
I. Love. This. Song. It is sooooo good. And a classic. (At least for me.) I've never been quite clear on what it's all about though. I've always thought it was a song about a guy who's really into his science/math teacher but I don't know, that might just be something I made up in my head. What do you think? Go listen and let me know! Either way, it is an awesome song. She blinded me with science! SCIENCE!

3. "Pancreas" by Weird Al Yankovic
It's Weird Al, so of course it's hilarious. Now I know what you're thinking, where's "White & Nerdy"? Doesn't that seem like a no-brainer? I mean, it has "nerdy" in the title! Yes. Yes, yes, yes, it is the perfect song. But I thought I'd do a slightly less well known Weird Al. This song is really funny and it teaches you about a vital part of the body! If you're a nerd, you'll love learning that. :)

4. "Home At Last" by Steely Dan
We really are all over the place today aren't we? Luckily, nerdiness spans over a wide range of styles and subjects. I picked this song because it's about the Odyssey. And I really like Steely Dan. You know what, mostly because I really like Steely Dan... But still! I love it when songs are based off of books or historical events. It's just so cool!

5. "Ramble On" by Led Zeppellin
This song is great. And can you guess why I picked it? Go listen to it and try to figure it out! I'll wait. Done? Did you like it? Nah, you probably didn't listen but just kept on reading because you're LAZY... Don't worry about it, that's what I would have done. Anyways, I'll tell you why. It's happening in Middle Earth! That's right, Lord of the Rings. Led Zeppellin's music is actually significantly inspired by JRR Tolkien, did you know that? Oh yeah. The Battle of Evermore, Stairway to Heaven... I know right? <3

6. "Robots" by Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords.... GODS. So, so funny. They are the fourth most popular folk-parody duo in New Zealand (if you got that joke then you're obviously already familiar with them). No matter, they are undeniably awesome. You actually NEED to check them out now and listen to alllll of their stuff. This is the perfect song for a sci-fi geek like me. Honestly, it's the perfect song for anyone, geek or non-geek (synonymous with non-awesome btw). And yes, the year 2000 stuff is a JOKE. Get with it, people!

7. "Starman" by David Bowie
David Bowie is also one of my all time fav musicians... My mom disagrees though... She doesn't like my Bowie t-shirts. :'( Woe is me... Anywho, there are just so many Bowie songs from the Ziggy Stardust album that would be PERFECT for this mix tape, but I decided to do "Starman". It's a very special song for me, because it was the first song I ever heard from the album and it's what sparked my love for his sheer brilliance. I sat down and listened to all his other space songs and fell in love with him. This song just always makes me feel so happy and uplifted... It's one of those things that can just totally turn my mood around. :) I hope you like it too. Some of my other favorite Bowie songs are "Ziggy Stardust", "John, I'm Only Dancing", "Modern Love", "Suffragette City", "Space Oddity" and oh, who am I kidding, I love them all sooo much!!

8. "Space Oddity" by David Bowie
You know what, I'm just gonna do it. David Bowie is the greatest thing ever, so I don't feel bad about including a second of his songs. If I had it my way, everybody would have a dose of at least 5 bowie songs a day! At least! Okay, that might get annoying, but you know what I mean. And don't worry, it's okay if you don't like David Bowie. I won't say anything. Just know you're less of a human being. (I'm talking to you, MOM.)

Okay, well this is a really long post... I think Major Tom is a sad, but good way to end this mix. I hope you liked it! It was a little more silly than other mixes but nerdiness is a silly thing.

Embrace it, my friend. Embrace the silliness. :P

Mix Tape #2: Mustache Music

So this is my second mix tape! It's a mustache mix tape that I made as a gift to my wonderfully amazing friend, Miss Mixie! (Click her fabulous name if you want to see her fabulous blog!) She is the one who inspired me to make mine! Anyways, she is obsessed with mustaches and so I made that the theme of my playlist! So here you go:

1. "Moustaches" by Mr. Weebl
So the trouble with making a mustache mix, is that there really isn't enough mustache music out there. It's quite tragic, actually. And about half the stuff that is out there consists of really bad homemade songs posted on YouTube. This first track is a YouTube song and it's delightfully hilarious and lively.

2. "Mustaches" by That1Guy
This is a similar title, but a very different kind of song. It's also mustache themed (duh) but in a weird, sort of obscure, metaphoric sense. I love this guy... he's just... so hipster.

3. "Your Mustache Treats Me Right" by The Tyme Machines
This was the first mustache song I heard and it inspired me to make Miss Mixie her mix tape! I love how serious the band is about the whole thing. I don't think they made it as a "ha, ha, let's make a mustache song, it'll be a huge laugh" sort of thing.

4. "Free Mustache Rides" by Apefight
A heavy rock song... about... you guessed it! Free mustache rides. I gotta say, I'm pretty certain no one's taken him up on his offer.

5. "Mr. Moustache" by Nirvana
So this song has absolutely nothing to do with the title. I have no idea, and apparently nobody else does either, what Kurt Cobain is talking about. But it's called "Mr. Moustache" and it's by Nirvana, so I felt I sort of had to include it...

6. "Mustache Man" by Cake
Again, not really sure what the song has to do with mustache men or any sort of facial hair in general, but it's by Cake!! I love Cake.

7. "Pencil Thin Mustache" by Jimmy Buffet
Jimmy wishes he had a pencil thin mustache. 'Nuff said.

8. "The Girlie had a Mustache" by DJ Jazzy and the Fresh Prince
One of Will Smith's clean raps and possibly the best thing ever. Sooo funny.

9. "The Mustache Rap" by the Safety Scissor Surges
I think this started as a YouTube song but it's now available on iTunes. Maybe because people hunger for the incoherent, the incomprehensible and the totally random. No seriously, this rap doesn't make any sense. Ex: "I like spaghettios and so does my 'stache."

10. "I Grew a Mustache" by The Motion Sick
Basically, a pop song about the benefits of growing a mustache on your face. I. Know. Right?

11. "A Song for a Friend" by Unicorns and Mustaches
This is not at all related to mustaches, but it's by a band called "Unicorns and Mustaches". It is possibly the sweetest song ever. It's about friendship and love and being there for your buddy. :) It just leaves you feeling so warm and fuzzzzy, making it the perfect way to end a mustache mix tape. Cause that's all mustaches really are about, right? Friendship? Ummmm... yeah. Let's go with that. Mustaches = Friendship

Well that's all for today, folks! I hope you enjoyed this slightly goofy mustache mix tape! May it brighten your Thursday if it's dark and cloudy, or if it's already sunny... may it render your morning as hot and blinding as a tanning booth. ...I guess. What? What's happening? I don't know what I'm talking about anymore. ......Bye.

Mix Tape #1: WORKOUT FUNKY LIKE

Behold! 'Tis my first weekly mix tape... Be it pleasing to your eyes--I mean ears?

I made it as a workout mix tape for running and lifting weights and getting exercise and releasing all those glorious endorphins! Obviously, because of this, it's very peppy and for the most part, fast paced. I also tried to find songs with good beats and a lot of energy so you can really get into it and forget how exhausting and unpleasant exercise really is. Unless you're one of those endorphin junkies... then I guess it could be fun... no. eww.

This one is a longer mix, just over 50 minutes, so you can really get a good workout. Enjoy!

1. “Push It” by Salt ‘n’ Pepa

Yes. That's right. PUSH IT. This was a song released as a single in 1986 and it is awesome. Because of this song, Salt n Pepa was the first female rap act to go gold or platinum, so obviously other people also found it to be awesome. :) I think that it is a really great song to run along to but remember, it's only for the sexy people!

2. “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

My brother and I have spent many an afternoon singing along with Freddy Mercury and the boys and I just had to include it. "Another One Bites the Dust" was probably Queen's most popular song ever and definitely the most recognizable today. I think. Something cool: Michael Jackson was the one who originally told Freddy to release the song as a single! Ooh and, after its release, Christian Evangelists tried to convince the public that the song contained "backward masking" which is when a song says a hidden message if you play it backwards. They were convinced that, played backwards, you could hear them singing "decide to smoke marijuana, decide to smoke marijuana". Crazy, right?

3. "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys

I loooovvve The Black Keys. If you haven't heard them before then you need to check them out RIGHT NOW. They're a band made up of two white and nerdy looking guys who sound way more soulful and blues-y then you'd ever expect them to sound. Also, they make amazing and hilarious music videos. Check those out too! They have this dinosaur puppet in them named Frank. He's a Funkesaurus Rex and a real player. Haha, you'll see what I mean.

4. "Let's Work" by Prince

I think this is a great song for a workout playlist because it's got a great beat and good energy. Prince always makes me want to move, how about you? What artist makes you want to get your groove on?

5. "Burning Up" by Madonna

Madonna's music always has a great beat as well. I know a lot of people don't like her anymore but I have to say, she was revolutionary for her time and I respect that! I think her voice has also improved over the course of her career, okay? Don't hate on Madonna. Just don't, it's not cool.

6. "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance

This song is just so... mind-bogglingly brilliant!!! I just love the way Gerard Way sings this and the whole musical style of it is so splendiferous and so different from their usual sound. It's pretty different from the other songs on my list, a little less pep, a little more angst, but I just had to include it. It also has a distinct beat and I really like it for lifting weights.

7. "Suffragette City" by David Bowie

A classic Bowie song. And one of my favorites. :) It's from his Ziggy Stardust album, which is probably also my favorite of his albums! Wham bam thank ya ma'am!

8. "Bulletproof" by La Roux

I always think of running around California when I here this song. I first heard it last summer when I was visiting the golden coast, and it was crazzzy popular and I remember it playing on the radios non-stop, all the time. I eventually bought it and whenever I went out with my Cali friends I'd listen to it so it always makes me happy and hyper. It's also got the perfect beat for running around, lifting weights... It'll have you sweating bullets! <-- this is an example of a failed pun. you're welcome.

9. "She Bop" by Cyndi Lauper

First off, I love the way Cyndi's name is spelled! I love it when people spell their names in weird and original ways! There's a girl in my health class named "Dallana" (pronounced Diana) and another girl I know named "Lili" (pronounced just like Lily). I'm just so jealous... My name is so boring in comparison. :( Anywho, this song really doesn't make any sense but it's fun to sing along to. It's also fun to dance around to and I have to say that as a result, I look really weird when I run and listen to it at the same time. I kind of wiggle and bounce around as I run, which looks pretty hilarious, I'm sure.

10. "I'll Make a Man out of You" by Donny Osmond & others

Okay, I know this is a Disney song, but I love it. I LOVE IT! Mulan is my favorite Disney movie ever!! Ever! And the scene this is from, the one where Captain Li Shang is training Mulan and the boys, is like the most inspiring movie scene in the history of the universe. It just makes you feel like you can accomplish anything and it's particularly helpful when you're working you're butt off on the treadmill and about ready to collapse. I mean, if Mulan can climb up a 60 foot wooden pole carrying two heavy medallion thingies, wearing shoes with absolutely no grip on them, I think I can run another 10-15 minutes alone in my basement in my flip-floppers. So yeah. And, it's strategically placed to help boost your moral when you're about half way through and getting kind of tired. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me!

11. "Beat It" by Michael Jackson

Gotta have the king of pop on your workout mix. No further explanation necessary. Oh wait, hey, did you know Weird Al made a spoof on it called "Eat It"? So funny... You might wanna listen to it if you have time and are into that sort of stuff.

12. "Piece of me" by Britney Spears

Yes, yes, yes I know it's Britney Spears. But.......here's the thing......... she's so fun to dance to! And really, in my humble opinion, great for getting your freaky-inner-health-nut on. I like this song of hers (released in 2007) because it's basically a retort to all the crap the media has given her. And it's sassy... and catchy.... and.... FUN. Okay? Stop laughing at me!!! Stop it!!

13. "Judas" by Lady Gaga

A very fun gaga song. It's from her newest album and it has SUCH a great music video!! I command that you go watch it. Right now. Nownownownownow. It's just fabulous.

14. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an epic, awe-inspiring band. This is a little toned down, to let you ease out of your calorie burning fury and I feel like it gives the playlist a little closure.

15. "Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles

Well... By now, it'll have been a hard day's night from all that working like a dog. This is for you to sit back and relax to after a long, hopefully fruitful, workout. We all know and love The Beatles, so you know this is a great song and a great way to end our mix tape!

Well, I hope you liked it! This one was a little rushed but I don't think it turned out too bad. I definitely recommend you check out some of the songs on YouTube or Spotify if they look interesting. Most of these are pretty famous (I tried not to go to crazy), so I think you can expect some less well known songs next Wednesday, just to even it out a little. That's all then! Happy Listening!