Michael's Greatest Hits Volume 1 Playlist



(This post was originally on my OLD Web site... probably 1996 or so.... Now, instead of a Mixtape or CDR, my GH is a playlist....Take this with the proverbial grain of salt... I was soooo young but the connections to the songs are still there.)


Heart of Glass : Blondie

This goes back a long time... I was in Junior High and this song was the best ever. I bought 45's then, and had to return to the K Mart 4 times because the single kept skipping. As in all of these songs, there is usually one line or sometimes a verse that goes straight to my heart... that speaks to me in MY voice...

"Lost inside, adorable illusion...."


Box of Rain : Grateful Dead

When I worked at the first Nightwinds music store, I opened every Wednesday. I would play the Fleetwood Mac White album and then AMERICAN BEAUTY by the Grateful Dead. This is song one and it has always been important to me.

 

"Then please don't be surprised if you find me dreamin' too..."

 

Southern Cross : CSN

For as long as I can remember I have loved this song. I have never seen the Southern Cross...someday, I know I will, but this song brings to light the idea that there is a greater purpose to things, and as many times that I HAVE fallen, there's always something important just beyond the everyday ups and downs. It might be the sea shore at sunset...Or climbing a hill at Yellowwood State Forest in the middle of the night to feel the wind blow through my hair...but there is something more....

"And the Southern Cross...."


Seven Bridges Road : Eagles

This rather country-style song contains some excellent harmonies that for some reason has always made me sad. "Sometimes there's a part of me..." Sometimes I feel like a need to turn from here and go -- like when I went to Washington.

"There are stars in the Southern Sky..."



Stand Back : Stevie Nicks

I always return to this song. When I'm angry, it's there, heartbeat loud and fervent. When I'm happy, it's a fast paced exhilaration. I love the words. It's a declaration of independence as well as an admission -- yes, I am emotional and yes, I would cry.... but don't mess with me.

" Like a willow, I can bend..."

 
Wonderous Stories : Yes

At IU, we spent a lot of time at Yellowwood State Forest. My friends and I, late at night would walk around the lake and under the trees. We played a lot of music then and many songs were by Yes. I always felt we were more in touch then. I remember Matt Z. and Julie and Tom and Lorre and Mark ...and Matt who visited from Mishawaka...

The "wonderous stories" were many. Sometimes I would like to return to hear more....

"As he spoke, my spirit climbed high into the sky..."

 
Love Letter : Bonnie Raitt

 A lighter tune. I loved this video, and Jennifer and I constructed a most wonderful fantasy video to this song involving the two owners of the store we worked at at the time -- mirroring the amazing video Bonnie did for this song!

"In the pouring rain...."


 
Silver Springs : Fleetwood Mac

 A most beautiful song from the Rumours era, never available until 1992 on CD.... It shimmers.... "Til the sound of my voice...."

"Time cast a spell on you . . . ."



Fast Car : Tracy Chapman

The first time I ever heard this song, I had been awake all night, driving to Florida for a vacation. The sun was coming up and hearing this simple tune tore me up! There's a theme brewing here -- escape... and remembering.

"I had a feeling that I belonged..."

 
Me in Honey : REM

1990: Driving like a maniac down from Michigan on a deserted country road, windows down and music loud. This is THE song.

Another angry song that I love.... Yeah, "WHAT ABOUT ME??" I had become fed up with a certain situation in my life. It was done. Time to let it die. But I still felt...something and I was mad. Like "Stand Back..." I demand at least some type of respect... "What about me?"

"You left me to love.....what it's doing to me..."


Heart of the Matter : Don Henley

Beyond "End of the Innocence" this is a favorite of mine from that absolutely amazing album. Sometimes I forget that forgiveness is one of the important things... and losing something or someone hurts...

" We all need a little tenderness..."


Do It Again : Steely Dan

When I was in Bloomington we spent a lot of listening to a lot of stuff from the 70's. We hung out in my bedroom, with the tapestries on the walls, the candles...crystals.... It was wonderful. This song reminds me most of those times... WILD college years... well, wild in my book..I was never really wild.

"The Quervo Gold...."

 

Do You Know : Fleetwood Mac

This is one of Fleetwood Mac's most beautiful songs. It is sad, but not... Well, "I can't leave it the way that it was..." Listen for the tambourine in the background... was that Stevie? The "tapestry of voices" shimmers like no other NEW Mac song.

 "And if I fall -- if I ever fall in love again, I hope I will feel the same."

 
If You Want To Sing Out : Cat Stevens

 I saw "Harold and Maude" in 1984 at Union Board Films on campus at IU . If you haven't seen it, run, don't walk to the nearest video store! I was enlightened! Maude preaches the word of NEW EXPERIENCE and LIVING LIFE. I had been mostly turtle-like, hiding in the proverbial shell. This film, and Cat Stevens' songs opened my mind.

" Cause there's a million things to be..."


Go Your Own Way : Fleetwood Mac

This is my favorite song by Lindsey Buckingham. I love the opening lines.... And the tambourine playing at the end. It's a great Fleetwood Mac song -- very loud, angry, coming on like a freight train! One of my favorite driving at night songs!

" Another lonely day...."

 
Comfortably Numb : Pink Floyd

 This is one of my favorite Floyd songs -- very dream-like. It floats... "like two balloons.." We used to listen to THE WALL at Nightwinds a lot. This was always the best song... I always wanted to run out of the store, up a hill and spread my arms out wide, the wind blowing against me...

" When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse...."

 
Bang A Gong - Get It On : T-Rex

 This song is too cool. The video is pure 60's psychedelia. The smiling girls dancing in floor length print dresses and boots - with 60's hair. Whenever I hear it, I would love to time travel back to whenever this was a hit and dance like a crazy guy in some discotheque -- with weird lights on the wall, and all of that cool stuff...

" Meanwhile, I'm still thinkin...."


Kid Fears : Indigo Girls

Matt and I went camping in the summer of '89, right before I went to Washington. I had just gotten this CD and the songs were -- and still are -- amazing. I sat in Matt's car on a rainy afternoon and listened. I was overwhelmed. So much emotion.... And Michael Stipe -- when he sings behind them -- that first line...I'm speechless.

" Are you on fire?"

Posted: Sat - December 6, 2003 at 09:51 AM      

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