No. 95: Hannah's 2008 List of Songs to Live To Pt. I

So here's what I've decided to do. I'm going to give a list of songs to live by, seven at a time ('cause sevens are lucky and holy), as they become significant in my life. They will be a mixed bunch, delivered once a week on Sunday by yours truly. I'll try to provide brief explanations as to why I chose them, but sometimes they'll just be there. Not really sure why I've decided to do this, but I have. I'll start now.

BTW, Note to Self: The SAGS are on the 27th. Remember.

Hannah's 2008 List of Songs to Live To: Pt. I

1. "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople: First of all, how could this not be on there? The band is Mott the Hoople, and we recently celebrated the change of year. It's impossible not to be on there. Good for a group sing, good for a drive, great for an empty house dance-about with much signaling of rock and roll.
   
2. "Paper Planes" by M.I.A.: This is my New Year's Eve song. There are reasons, but I'm not going to share them. It's been stuck in my head for days. But it's damn catchy, and aside from the fact that she funds terrorism, M.I.A. is mad incredible.
   
3. "No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley and the Wailers: You must have a live version of this song. It's highlight is 500 people all belting out the bridge. "Everything is gonna be alright". Make me believe it this year, Bob. Please?
   
4. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones: This is true. So true. But if you try (or even if you don't, sometimes) you get what you need. Leave it to Jagger and Richards to be simultaneously bleak and hopeful.
   
5. "Leaving New York" by R.E.M.: This song basically depresses the hell out of me. However, it also happens to be one of my favorite R.E.M. songs of all time and they happen to be in my top 10 favorite bands of all time, and this band happens to also be tied into my utterly bizarre new year's experience. But basically, it's on here because of the tight and excruciatingly beautiful feeling in my chest that occurs when, on the new live album, Michael Stipe has to strain his voice to hit the shouting notes on the line 'I might have lived my life in a dream but i swear it/ this is REAL!'.
   
6. "I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City" by Harry Nilsson: Two songs involving New York in my first list, and I haven't been since July. Kind of weird. I don't even like New York that much, any more. People write beautiful music about it, I suppose. In any case-- I love Harry Nilsson and have since I was a little girl and first heard "The Point" (which I finally can play my vinyl of again, thanks Geof).
   
7. "Somehow" by Citizen Cope: The line that makes this special, the line that cinches this song for me in songs for life (despite the fact that I don't think people will be remembering Citizen Cope for any but sentimental reasons in five or so years), is this: "You've got your coat on/got me focused on/ you're moving in slow motion/ and every time I see you, it's just enough...".

SO there are the first 7. The next seven will have more educated and interesting quips, but start building your play lists, people.

H.