Dance-Around-Your Apartment Playlist

Sometimes - oftentimes - usually - I like to listen to loud music and dance around like a fool when I am feeling stressed, happy, excited, tired, hungry, have to do homework, have to clean the house, should be doing work-work, and pretty much all other conditions you can imagine. Below is a good playlist to blast while procrastinating and actually doing a little bit of homework and house work. It is necessary to shake your hips, jump up and down, shimmy, and probably wave your arms around while singing along. 


Sweet Pea - Amos Lee
This is a good warm-up song. It isn't too fast, and there isn't a wide vocal range. In addition, it is pretty mellow, so your neighbors don't really know what is in store for them.

That's Not My Name  - The Ting Tongs
 I enjoyed this song when it was on the radio a while back, and now it is on my Wii Just Dance game. Go ahead and judge, but it gets me moving on nights I would rather sit on the couch and stare at the wall. This is a good song to do some awesome finger shaking. That's not my name!

I Write Sins Not Tragedies  - Panic! At the Disco
 My poor neighbor has heard me sing this song quite often lately, as I like to blast it while doing anything laundry related - folding, sorting, putting away, looking at, etc. There is a lot of jumping, moving from side to side, dramatically reciting the verses with gesticulations, and shouting the chorus. Of course, you can do what you please in your apartment.

You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) - Dead or Alive
 Here I recommend singing at the top of your lungs while swiveling your hips. This one works well for doing dishes, since you can continue using your hands to NOT break your mugs and plates.

Man or Muppet - Jason Segel and Walter
 Another good one for a dramatic interpretation, "Man or Muppet" requires a loud, broadway singer voice coupled with wide, sweeping motions of the arms, and occasional spinning.

Kangaroo - Kyle Andrews
 I know he is probably saying "picture" in the first line, because contextually that makes sense, but it really, honestly sounds like he is saying "fiction". This is just a good head-bobbing, bouncing around song, which fits the title, really. Also, he is spelling the word 'kangaroo', so don't waste any time trying to figure it out and singing random letters. Not that I did that the second time I heard this song while reading a text book on pragmatics.

Tequila -The Champs
Because sometimes we just need a drink, but can't have one. Plus, who doesn't like yelling "TEQUILA!"?

End of the Line - The Traveling Wilburys
 It's alright ridin' around in the please, livin' the life you please. And you know what? I am doing the best I can, and I am lending a hand. And it IS alright even if they say I am wrong. I don't know who they are, but it is alright. This is just a good song. I highly recommend, especially if your spirits are feeling a bit low.

All The Same to Me - Anya Marina
I like anything that gives me an adult excuses to sing "e-i-e-i-e-i-o". For some reason, I enjoy listening to this while cooking.

Prepo-Preposition

Today I heard this song numerous times with my fifth graders:



There are some errors in the typed lyrics, but that was fine. Can you guess what we are studying right now in our fifth grade ESOL and intervention grammar groups? Did you guess prepo-prepositions? Then you are correct.

It was amazing to see some of the students who don't usually engage perk right up and sing along. Also, we did this kind of as an intro before taking our notes, and the kids were adding things to the definition and answering questions before the information was even on the board. It is always impressive, even though I myself studied in college and still memorize things today by turning it all into made-up songs, how much people can remember and learn from music.

My little brother (who isn't little) is looking to get his MA in music therapy and focus on using music to help Alzheimer's and dementia patients with memory through the use of music. Yesterday while volunteering, a patient who is never coherent, though sweet as sugar, knew all the words to every single Christmas carol we sang.

Music, my friends, is incredible. In fact, it is so fantastico.

Busy Fall Playlist

This fall has been a busy one, especially between work and the developments in my romantic relationship with the handsome Mr. Sturm. I seem to not have enough time to go out for nachos with friends, do my dishes, or even hang the pictures back on the wall that have been sitting on my living room floor since I painted in August.

Still, this fall has been a good one, and I am feeling stressed, but confident and happy, so I have compiled a playlist to enjoy on an autumn day. The days are getting shorter and colder, the leaves are falling off the trees and crunching under your feet when you walk, work demands every waking minute from Monday to Friday, but the weekends are yours.

Manic Monday - The Bangles
This classic off of The Bangles’ album “Different Life” was played quite often during my childhood. I’ve been thinking recently about the cassette tapes that were played repeated as a child, and this was one of them. I often feel like Manic Mondays aren’t necessarily on Mondays, and I disagree that Sunday is the fun day. It really all depends on the week. Still, the sentiment is accurate, even if Susanna Hoff’s Manic Monday is my average day, plus it is incredibly catchy and fun to sing along with. Sometimes I imagine I have shoulder pads, hoop earrings, and awesome bangs.

Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
This song always brings me back to 6^th grade English class with my teacher, “H”. He used to play music rather loudly while we  did our independent work. While he played many different songs, he really cranked this one and Sugar Ray’s “Every Morning”. All around, this is a good song, whether looked at musically, emotionally, or lyrically. In fact, Chris Martin from Coldplay was, on the record, heard saying that he wished he had written this fabulous song.

I Put a Spell on You - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Halloween is nearly upon us, and so I put a spell on you, my friends. Now you are all mine. Just try to listen to this song without singing along and doing dramatic, slightly witch-like hand gestures. I dare you.

Crimson & Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells
While perhaps on the long side, this is an excellent song. Also, if you are looking to learn the lyrics to about five minutes worth of music, this song is the song for you. There really are not that many words. Still, it is fun to listen to and sing along with, and even my music-listening-in-the-car-ADD can be staved off, despite the repetitiveness. Might I also recommend the Jimmy Eat World rendition?

Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
I wish I could still whistle, but after the unfortunate rollerblading accident several years ago, alas I cannot. Still, when alone, I pretend to whistle along to this or replace the whistling with “doo”s and puckered lips, which is almost as effective.

Don't Bring Me Down - ELO
 Mr. Sturm is convinced that there is no word after the “Don’t bring me down!” part, but I disagree. I’m pretty sure they are either saying “Grrrrrruuussss!” or possibly “Bruce!”, and I am also completely convinced that it is an integral, intentional, important part of the song. One day, it will just come to me, then I will know the secret of life.

Hot Blooded  - Foreigner
Poor Mr. Sturm had to hear part of my off-key, ear-damaging rendition of this song this past weekend. It had been a little too long since I had last eaten, and I was getting a little slap-happy, so I was singing this and being goofy. Politely, he asked me, “What is that from?” To which I responded, “From? It is a song by ‘Foreigner’! Can’t you tell?” When I resumed singing, he concluded, “We need to get some more food into you.” That’s how I got caramel brownies.

Keep Your Hands to Yourself - The Georgia Satellites
While not really a country music fan, nor do I believe the whole “getting the milk for free” thing, I enjoy this song a ridiculous, almost embarrassing amount. Best cranked to an almost uncomfortable volume, the sing-alonger must mimic the inflection and vocal tics of the singer in order to truly enjoy the experience. It is also really important to kind of act out the parts. For example, when he says, “That’s when she started talkin’ about true love, started talkin’ about sin,” the sing-alonger must put their hands out and place an incredulous, almost confused look on their face.
Oh man, is this a fun song. 

Let's Spend the Night Together - The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones need to make most playlists. I really quite enjoy The Rolling Stones, and some of my favorites don’t really belong on this particular list. I am getting what I want, I can get some satisfaction, I am not a Honky Tonk Woman, and I don’t need anyone to give me shelter, I’ve got that taken care of, thank you very much. And so, I can focus on other things. And after all, “This doesn’t happen to me every day. Let’s spend the night together. No excuses offered, anyway.”

Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingford
The first time I heard this song, I did not like it. The second time I heard this song, I still did not like it. Somehow, I managed to hear it enough times that it has wormed its way into my heart. And you know what? I do. I do have a pocketful of sunshine and a love that is all mine, so there.

You Don't Know How it Feels - Tom Petty
You don’t know how it feels. You don’t know how it feels – to be me. While I am not about to go roll a joint, I do love to sing the chorus if I am mildly frustrated. Just get to the point already! Come on, people!

You Always Make Me Smile - Kyle Andrews
 This happy song is fun to listen to in the parking lot at work before going in. While Mr. Sturm does not wear colorful gym shoes (in fact, he wears black, non-tennis shoes), nor is his hair particularly messy (unless I’m purposely messing it up), it still reminds me of him because he always makes me smile. And smiling is good. Smiling is fun. Smiling makes you happier and want to smile even more.


Enjoy your sweater weather!

Shameless Plug

My good friend Kyle recently joined a band called The Nonsense Doctors where he "slaps some bass". (I really love the movie "I Love You, Man".) . Last night, I went to go see them at the Brunswick Zone in Lakeville, MN. They were fabulous.

Check them out on their facebook page here, watch their youtube clip below, and then go see them play whenever you can!



Please note that Kyle is not in that video clip, but he's super awesome, and so is the band, so I'm sure more recent clips will be posted soon!

An Exciting Operatic Extravagance

I am beyond excited because yesterday I bought tickets for three operas! My seats and show dates were confirmed today!

Last February I attended "La Traviata" performed by the Minnesota Opera at the Ordway in St. Paul with Mr. Sturm. This year, I am going to be attending Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte" in October. The seats were ridiculously cheap, and I'm told I may have a somewhat obstructed view since I'm not terribly tall, but whatever! My plan is to bring Mr. Sturm with me again to this opera, and I was informed by the man on the phone that his height will provide him with an excellent view of the stage and the translation screen.

This will probably just give him more ammunition. Despite the fact that I am a little taller than the average female in the United States, people in Minnesota tend to be on the tall side, and Mr. Sturm is no exception. More than once he has brought up my height. Honestly, it would bother me more, but because of the spirit and motive behind the teasing, I kind of enjoy it, actually.

"Cosi Fan Tutte" is not the only opera I will be attending this season. Later on, I will be attending the world premier of "Silent Night" in November and "Madame Butterfly" in April. I was going to get tickets for "Werther", but the lady on the phone was very convincing. She not only talked me out of it, but talked me into "Silent Night". It is in four different languages and should be half decent.

Don't I lead an exciting life? I think so.

Inspiration From Bad Music

On Saturday, I read some columns from a Dave Barry book at my folks' house. I'd kind of been working on some crossword puzzles and reading a little bit of Sex With Kings, which sounds like a great book, and should be a great book, but the style is not for me. In my opinion, it is not written or organized well. And so, I also picked up Dave Barry is NOT Making This Up! which is a collection of some of his articles.

One of the last articles I read was the one on Mr. Barry's bad music survey. It was laugh-out-loud funny, which was actually kind of awkward. You see, we were sitting at the counter drinking tea and eating scones. My mother was sitting on my right completely engrossed in The Help, and Mr. Sturm was reading (at my insistence) Sense and Sensibility. There I was laughing out loud and reading Dave Barry. I stand by my choice.

Then, a little more than twenty four hours after reading those articles, I attended the Uriah Heep concert on the river here in Rochester. My colleague, Cadi, was there with her new roommate and her boyfriend, and my friend Derek came down with some of his Morris people. Friends, let me tell you, Uriah Heep is not a fantastic band. I spent a lot of the concert either confused by songs such as what is either called "Dream on, Steven", "McGee Gets Even!", or "Rainbow Demon". The rest of the concert I spent laughing out loud and singing along to such classics as "Hit The Nail Right on the Head". Go listen to it.

What does he want you to do? He wants you to hit the nail right on the head. Over and over again! To be honest, I don't think the lead singer was lucid enough to remember the lyrics to the verses, so we pretty much only heard the chorus for about 20 minutes, which is a long time to hear that sentence. Derek and I have a great idea for his next album. Please see the possible track list below and imagine how the song would go based on what you just heard.


Uriah Heep's Household Tasks Album!

1. Wash the Soap Right Off the Plate
2. Turn that Vacuum On
3. Lather, Rinse, Repeat
4. Stir The Cream of Wheat

And that's really all that is going to fit on the album since, from what I gathered from the concert last night, all Uriah Heep songs are at between 20 minutes and an eternity long.

Anyway, Uriah Heep and Dave Barry got me thinking about bad songs and bad lyrics. There are a lot of bad songs out there, and there are some perfectly decent songs musically that have horrid lyrics. What I would like is for you to think about the worst overall song as well as what song has the worst lyrics. They could be the same song, even, if you would like. Just post as comments so that I can keep track all in one place.

It would be lovely if you could leave your post using the following template, please:

Worst Overall Song:

Reasoning:

Worst Lyrics:

Sample:

I'm So Happy Playlist

Things are looking pretty good right now, even though I still don't have a contract for next year, yet.  Still I am feeling pretty confident about work, and I know I am good at my job. That doesn't mean I am not feeling a certain amount of stress about the whole thing. It just means I am stressed out but in a good way.

In other news, the new (and unfortunately more expensive than the old) asthma meds are working. Sure, I'm a little extra jittery and have trouble focusing from time to time, but I can take a deep breath without pain. Also, I ran - ran - up the stairs today, and still had energy to do a little jumping around dance. After all of that, I still wasn't out of breath. That, my friends, is pretty awesome.

In other other news, a nice, funny, intelligent, cute, etc. gentleman has voluntarily kissed me more than once.

So below is my "I'm So Happy" Playlist. Unfortunately for you, it seems being involved with someone romantically kind of makes me like some stupid music. In any case, I'm feeling good, and you should feel good, too.

I’m So Happy – Hokus Pick

Alright. I know this is a Christian pop/rock group, but I don’t care. I like this song, ok? Get off of my back! Geez! It is very happy, upbeat, and sounds like the best day ever. One line is, “Free food inside!” You know how I feel about food. Plus, the title of this ditty and the refrain explain how I feel right now pretty well. I am so happy.

I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred

Because I am so happy, it has made me a little goofier. I feel more confident and silly. This means that sometimes when I am at home, I put on this song really loud and sing along while doing really exaggerated and made-up model moves, faces, and poses. Luckily, I have so far remembered to close the blinds before these performances, but Downstairs Neighbor is probably wondering what is going on up here. Not that hearing “I’m Too Sexy” with a lot of footsteps is probably the weirdest thing he hears coming from up here.

Come Fly Away – Jeremy Fisher

Just like “I Can Change” by LCD Soundsystem, this particular song was introduced to me on the radio. Since there is about one and a half radio stations here, and they apparently each only are allowed to play three songs at any given time, whenever I do listen to the radio, I am brainwashed into liking music I wouldn’t otherwise have sought out. “Come Fly Away” is very upbeat and very easy to sing along with. It really isn’t anything amazing or innovative, but it is definitely a happy song and has been very successful in raising my spirits even higher. This one is a good one to listen to in the morning when at the stoplight at the intersection of 3^rd and highway 14. Trust me.

You Really Got Me – The Kinks

First of all, The Kinks are just awesome, and this song is just awesome. This song is a good one to blast and sing at the top of your lungs – practically screaming – while dancing as much as possible in the car on the way to work. You can do this routine on the way to work if you’d like, but I personally need something a little more relaxing on the way to work these days. I need to save my energy.

Never Let You Go – Third Eye Blind

This song brings me back. Right now I am at the point in my life where I can’t tell if I am a real adult or not. This means I don’t know if I am old or young right now, and I am constantly receiving conflicting information from the world. All of that aside, though, this song is fun to sing in kind of a falsetto voice, and it is absolutely necessary to know all of the words, including during the speaking (rap?) part. You might want to sing the guitar part, too, when there is no vocal part.

Oh, Boy! – The Crickets

Fantastic song. Period. This is one of those songs I can listen to six times in a row and not be bored. 

Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum

A song that has stood the test of time and proven its awesomeness time and time again, “Spirit In The Sky” is, quite simply, fantastic. I personally enjoy singing this song when driving around and running errands. Naturally it needs to be played very loudly so all the other cars around you who aren’t cool enough to be listening to music can tell what you are listening to inside your car. Also, you need to sing Mr. Greenbaum’s part as well as the backup singers’ parts, and for added emphasis, you should probably wave your arms around in the air a lot. 

In The Summer Time – Mungo Jerry

Right now, in case you haven’t noticed, it is summertime in Rochester, so this song just seems fitting. This song is very fun, despite the part about, “If her daddy’s rich, take her out for a meal. If her daddy’s poor, just do what you feel.”  Does she not get any say in these summertime dating activities? Also, I’ll admit that I rarely listen to the whole song. While it is only 3:33, it sometimes feels at least twenty times as long. Still, the opening is happy enough and lends itself well to silly dancing that I recommend it and probably listen to the first minute or so a couple of times a day.

Faster – Matt Nathanson

I will admit that I got this song free from Starbucks. One day after work but with still several things to do that evening, I broke down and bought a fluffy coffee at Starbucks and I got a free iTunes playlist which was pretty exciting. For some reason, this is my favorite song on the list, and I listen to it quite often. It makes me kind of want to dance and sing and smile, which I think is the point.  After about the thirteenth listen or so, even though I could sing along, I actually started thinking about the lyrics. Depending on how you think about it, this could be a very dirty song. This actually makes me like it even more.

I Want You To Want Me – Cheap Trick

I’ve always liked this song. I have mentioned more than once here, too, that it is very fun to say the lyrics to your friends in a very serious voice while putting your hand on their arm and making pleading eye contact. If your friends are as amazing as mine, they will play along.

Hey! Baby – Bruce Channel

I have liked this song since we played it in pep band in high school. The fact that it is in the movie Dirty Dancing earns it another thousand points, so it is very high on my personal list of good songs. When I sing along either by myself or if other people that were in my high school band are around, I like to add the “Ooh! Ah!” part, even though it isn’t in the recording. “Hey! Baby! (Ooh! Ah!) I wanna know-ow-ow if you’ll be my girl!”

Don’t Bring Me Down – ELO

Bruce? Gruss? Who cares? Hey, guys, don’t bring me down, ok? Oh-whoo hoo!

Lov3r – Kyle Andrews

I’m not really sure how I started listening to this song, but I don’t regret it. I kind of get a kick out of it because I actually saw the title the day after I had a discussion with Mr. Sturm about using numbers for letters in writing.  Also, the name of the album is “Kangaroo” which is pretty great.

Blister In The Sun – Violent Femmes

I was shocked – SHOCKED – to discover that my 13 year old sister had not heard this song prior to me blasting it at her in the car on the way home from one of her swim meets. Where did my parents go wrong?

“Let me go on! Like a blister in the sun!” That is some vivid imagery. Can’t you imagine a blister in the sun? Think about it. It sounds so gross, but wonderful. This song is another full-body-dancing-in-the-car-don’t-care-that-the-guy-in-the-truck-next-to-you- is-staring-and-the-lady-next-to-you-is-laughing songs.

Who Makes My Dreams Come True?

Last night, I went to bed exhausted, but feeling pretty darn good. This morning, I felt fantastic. There is no reason really for me to feel so fantastic. In fact, I should feel downright cruddy - My job is done with June 10th at 4pm; I may never see my students again; I have a lot more paperwork to get done; I need to finish packing my entire room; I need to inventory the curriculum; and I start a new job on Monday that I know very little about.

But against all odds, I felt truly great and really good about myself this morning. In fact, I had this wonderful Hall and Oates song stuck in my head from the moment I woke up.



Of course, as usual, I don't know all the words, so when I sang it to myself at work I used mostly nonsense syllables. At home, the nonsense syllables are really not that big of a deal, but when I am singing audibly at school surrounded by my students and colleagues, I probably should not just be singing in non-English sounding syllables, especially considering I do not have a good singing voice. Come to think of it, it probably sounds like I am just speaking gibberish to myself with no discernible melody.

How am I not in a padded cell right now?

Ever since I saw (500) Days of Summer, the song as always reminded me of this scene:



It is such a great scene. Have you ever woken up in the morning and felt just like that? Like the music is going, you're dancing, and the world is doing an entirely upbeat and choreographed number with you? Gosh it feels good! That's how I felt this morning, and for no reason! I haven't even entered into a satisfying sexual relationship with a partner I've been thinking about for a while (as in the scene above).

Hopefully I won't soon be wallowing in self-pity and loneliness again any time soon, though, like the character from this film. I would rather take my time focusing on the happy, world-is-playing-with-me, exciting-choreographed-musical-numbers part.

Do you ever wish your life was a musical?

"I Want a Spring Romance" Playlist

The sun was actually shining today, and it was warm enough that I wore a t-shirt and no jacket today. This is amazing because it actually snowed twice last week.

This warm, bright, happy weather has lifted my spirit. Sure I am currently searching for two jobs, my future is extremely uncertain, my allergies are making my voice husky and nose runny, and so what if a fourth grader basically told me my life was pathetic and I was a lost cause. (Correction - not "basically", that is what the fourth grader said.) The sun is out, the sky is blue, and I feel happy.

All this happiness is making me want to direct my efforts towards cultivating a spring romance. I'm turning into a dopey, lovesick sixteen year old girl, I guess. But I suppose worse things could happen.

In honor of my loss of insanity as well as the recent glimpse of spring, I present to you an "I Want a Spring Romance!" playlist. Please enjoy and make sure you sing along nice and loud. Dancing is also required for most tracks.

Spring Romance - Bend Sinister

Obviously this song makes the cut for a number of reasons. The reason it is at the top of the list is, of course, the title of the song. Besides that, Bend Sinister is awesome, the album is awesome, and I really enjoy the song musically. The content speaks to me as well. On the first listening, you might not be too impressed, so I encourage you to listen to it two or three times in a row, then come back and re-listen the next day. You’ll end up really liking it.

I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick

I’ve already discussed this song before, but it is truly a great song. Not only does it necessitate crazy dancing and singing out of tune, but, as I’ve asserted before, it is extremely fun to quote in a serious, conversational tone to friends.

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

This annoyingly catchy song has been a part of my life since about the time I learned to ride a bike. It is one of those songs that is both irritating and fantastic simultaneously. In fact, I have recently recovered from a couple-year-spell where I did not particularly care for this song, but now I can listen to it a couple of times in a row and enjoy it more with every playing. It is kind of a sweet song. He’d walk 1,000 miles to fall down at her door. That’s a lot of miles. No one is proclaiming they’d do that for me.

Also, I don’t know what “havering” is, and I know I could easily look it up online, but at this point I feel like it would ruin part of the magic of the song.

And Then He Kissed Me -  The Crystals

This Crystals' hit is one of the many songs on my playlist consisting entirely of 1960’s girl group songs. It is a pretty amazing playlist of cliché lyrics, predictable melodies, non-existent harmonies, and fantastic story lines. The Protagitron was once compiling a playlist of teen love tragedy songs, and I suppose this is my not-as-depressing version. “And Then He Kissed Me” is so delightfully upbeat and fun to sing along with. I also enjoy making funny faces and shaking my hips to this ditty while scrubbing the stovetop. It makes chores more fun.

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

Though it certainly isn’t for lack of trying.

In a Different Light - The Bangles

This eighties hit is a little creepy, but to be fair, many songs from the eighties were creepy or inappropriate. While most people know “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Manic Monday” off of this album, this track is actually the name of the entire album. It certainly has a driving beat and a catchy refrain. 

She's So High - Tal Bachman

This song really brings me back to middle school. I know that I was a huge dork in middle school, and I know that I am still an enormous geek, and I am ok with that. Recently, Dani went back to our middle school where one of our favorite and most beloved teachers tried to tell her that we were not huge dorks. While I appreciate her effort, I’ve embraced my uncoolness. Anyway, this song was basically on the radio non-stop one year – possibly 7^th grade?

It should be noted that while this song was released on cd, it was also released on cassette tape. Remember cassette tapes? I tried to explain what a walkman is to my first graders last week. It did not go well.

 

Love Man - Otis Redding 

While I'm not a man, six feet something, 210 lbs, nor do I want to take out a bunch of girls, I somehow still connect to this song. I don’t know how. It is in many movies that I enjoy, and I really like to circle my hips and skip around while this song plays.

Syrup and Honey - Duffy

 You may recognize the distinctive voice from the incredibly popular “Mercy”, but I think this song is just as good. I completely agree with her, too. I don’t want any future significant other wasting money on syrup and honey, because I am sweet enough. Also, I don’t want them spending every minute “making a living” because I’d probably like to see them sometimes, too. I assume we are together because we enjoy each other’s company. Anyway, good song, and should I ever be in a real relationship again, I’m sure I’ll feel something similar.

Oh! Darling - The Beatles

Ever since I got my driver’s license, I’ve loved – LOVED – listening to this song at an alarmingly loud volume on repeat while basically screaming the lyrics and using my entire upper body to emphasize certain words. 

If You Wanna Be Happy – Jimmy Soul

I once had a good friend tell me this song gave her hope. She’s of course ridiculous since she is an amazing and beautiful person, although she’d probably deny it until her face turned blue. As someone who is not, shall we say, “pretty”?, I get a kick out of this song. Sure I’m not gorgeous, but there are certainly good things about that. Plus, I love the screaming in the song that reminds me of Scuttle from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”.

Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side - The Magnetic Fields

Again, I know I’ve already discussed this song, but I really, truly enjoy it. It is one of the songs that really got me interested in The Magnetic Fields. It is quirky and funny and real, and I certainly appreciate that.

Ain't We Got Fun - Doris Day with The Norman Luboff Choir; Paul Weston & His Orchestra

Off my album “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, I can’t help but raise my eyebrows and pretend like I know how to dance like they did back in the Roaring Twenties.

Hold Me Tight - Evan Rachel Wood (from "Across the Universe")

A Beatle’s cover, I actually prefer the version from the movie to the original. “Hold Me Tight” is a good song to belt out at while really shaking it at a stop light on the drive to work. It sounds better if the window is rolled down. It is simple science, really.

You Really Got Me - The Kinks

I actually really like The Kinks, and while this is definitely one of their most popular songs, it should not be discounted because of it. One of the best parts of this song is mimicking some of the interesting vowel pronunciations. Did I mention I’m a huge geek?

Another Playlist

The following playlist is ideal for cleaning, commuting, or doing tedious tasks. It is meant to be listened to alone so you can really belt it out and dance like a crazy person.

Manic Monday – The Bangles

This marvelous song off The Bangles’ album “Different Light” was fairly popular back in the day. I remember listening to it on cassette tape quite loudly in my father’s car. My mother, too, played this tape, though not quite as loudly. I enjoy it partially for nostalgic purposes, partly because of its upbeatness, and mostly because I feel like most days of the week are “manic Mondays”. Really, this song applies to almost every day.

Resistensen – Kaizers Orchestra

Recommended to me by a man who apparently knows his stuff, this song really reeled me in. After the first listening, I was intrigued, and after the third listening, I was hooked. Can I understand what they are saying? No, not other than the occasional word such as “revolver” or “Hong Kong”, which seem to be the same in Norwegian and English.

I Can Change – LCD Soundsystem

This song was played often on The Current last month, and when I was too lazy or in too much of a hurry to plug in my ipod, my morning choices were The Current or nothing. Please know that I really do enjoy The Current, it just seemed that they were playing the same three songs every day on the way to work. This one kind of grew on me.

Walk Like an Egyptian – The Bangles

Another one from my childhood, this particular Bangles hit is known even by those who don’t know The Bangles. It is fun to dance to in the car, and fun to sing along with. Way-o! Way-o! WA-a-a-ay-O!

I Want You to Want Me – Cheap Trick

While I certainly enjoy the cover by Letters to Cleo, Cheap Trick definitely deserves props for this song. How wonderful are these lyrics? Pretty wonderful. How fun is it to sing to song? Pretty fun. How much more fun is it to recite these lines in a very serious speaking voice to your friends? Incredibly so.

Time is on My Side – The Rolling Stones

This underrated Rolling Stones song is worth a listen, especially if you only know the super-duper big hits. This one is fun to sing while swaying back and forth and gesticulating forcefully (as if drunk) when saying “Yes it is!”

Vare Demoner – Kaizers Orchestra

So much did I enjoy “Resistensen” that I began listening to other songs by Kaizers Orchestra. The opening to this one reminds me of surfing and makes me dance kind of goofy in the car. Granted, I always dance goofy, especially when in the car, but when this song comes on, goofy is my intent.  Unfortunately, since I can’t understand anything, I am having a beast of a time singing along. Mostly I just mumble nonsense syllables.

How Can I Love You If You Won’t Lie Down – Silver Jews

Just the title of the song gets a giggle out of me. After that, I enjoy the opening tambourine roll. All in all, a short little song that is fun to sing along to.

Mother’s Little Helper – The Rolling Stones

Somedays, even though I am not a mother, I feel like I could use one of those little helpers.  Sometimes colleagues recommend margaritas, and yet I remain sober. While work may make be extremely batty somedays, I do love my job. Also, as a feminist, I find this song both amusing and repulsive.

What’s Victoria’s Secret – Rick Springfield

After seeing Rick Springfield in concert (which was awesome and not at all lame), I did add a couple of his other songs (songs that are not “Jessie’s Girl”) to my playlist. I like this one because it is so remarkably close to “Jessie’s Girl” it was easy to learn. Good old Rick Springfield found a hit, and tried to make it work again with different lyrics.

A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off – Magnetic Fields

The Magnetic Fields are awesome, and if you don’t listen to them, you should. This one gives some very interesting and amusing imagery. Also, I really love the lyrics and tune during the bridge. “We don’t have to be stars exploding in the night or electric eels under the covers. We don’t have to be anything quite so unreal, let’s just be lovers.”

Mercy – Duffy

This one is super fun to sing and super fun to flail around (ahem…I mean “dance”) to. Not only good for the car, like all others on this list, it is wonderful for cooking or doing dishes to, as well as cleaning the floor, folding laundry, or whatever, as long as you don’t have to have any sort of steady hand. I guarantee that if you start singing along, you will start moving, too.

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers

This one I like to sing in a silly, pretend serious voice while making a funny face.  Of course it is necessary to sing all parts, especially when it comes to the “dadadada”s.

Things I Love*

I love...

• Popcorn with extra butter and salt
• I am talking about popcorn you make in the air popper, then pour real melted butter over. Right now, I really enjoy putting the salt on the popcorn, because my salt shaker is a little yellow bear, and that makes me smile. Popcorn is so ridiculously delicious. Sometimes I have a large mixing bowl full of popcorn for dinner. While I prefer the air-popped popcorn smothered in butter, I occasionally enjoy the microwave variety, and it is practically impossible to see a movie sans-popcorn!
• Tea
• Earl Grey, Lady Grey, Mint, Orange Pekoe, Green, White, Darjeeling, Chamomile, they are all wonderful. This year, I have really been experimenting will loose teas, and I believe there are about five varieties of loose tea on my shelf right now. Tea is good in the morning, afternoon, or nighttime. Tea is just amazing. If  you don't drink tea, you should start immediately! I think I drink about 3-6 cups of tea per day.
• Playing with Squeaky
• My cat is awesome. She is 16 years old and still loves to play and run around. She also has the most attitude I have ever seen in a cat, and she things she is a person. Squeaky will try to hold a conversation with anyone who comes into our home, and I think she can understand what we're saying, because if someone makes fun of her, she glares at them for a while. Tonight I got her a new tunnel to play in and a new feathery toy on a stick. She enjoys them both.
• My Friends
• I am pretty sure I have some of the best, most amazing, talented, hilarious,unique, intelligent, kind, generous, down-right fantastic friends in all of the world. I love them all.
• Ice Cream for Breakfast
• I prefer to eat it with a spoon right out of the container while checking my email and sitting on the couch. There is nothing like a little chocolate chip cookie dough or mint chocolate chip ice cream to start your day off right.
• My Family
• My family, while absolutely crazy, is a great bunch of people. Good job, guys!
• Singing Aloud Really Loudly in the Car
• Especially now that I am listening to my ipod in the car, this has become a once again frequent activity. Songs that are super-fun to sing along with include, but are certainly not limited to: "I Can't Get No Satisfaction", "The Little Things You Do", "Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side",  "Jessie's Girl", "Resistensen", and "Someday" (Leo Laleo).
• Dancing Like a Maniac
• I'm a maniac! MANIAC on the floor! And I'm dancing like I've never danced before! This can be done in the car, in the kitchen while cooking, in the living room, while cleaning, before bed, or in the classroom. Usually I try to refrain in more public places - such as the grocery store - where such activities are generally frowned upon and may cause security to come have a chat with you.
• Mittens
• If you don't agree that mittens are amazing, then I don't know that I can trust your opinion on anything. They are so fun! And they come in so many colors and designs and fabrics! Plus they keep your hands, fingers, and wrists toasty warm through the 132,004 days of Minnesota Winter!
• When the Leaves Change Colors in the Fall
• Autumn foliage can be breathtakingly beautiful, especially if admired while on the water. Plus I just enjoy the smell, feeling, and temperature of fall.
• Playing the Piano
• This is one of my favorite de-stressing activities at the end of the day.
• My Job
• While incredibly stressful, and I am overworked, under-payed,  unappreciated, and quite often thrown under the bus or verbally abused by children, I love my job. I love working with my students, even if they are hooligans! They are my hooligans! We sing songs, read books, dance, discuss, practice our pronunciation, and talk about our cultures. They make me life and teach me so much! I can't imagine doing anything else with my life!
• When Squeaky Curls up and Snuggles Me
• She always prefers to curl up and sleep near my knees. I appreciate this, and I like knowing she is there. In her older age, she stay longer with me, and doesn't get so upset when I move around in the night.
• Crossword Puzzles
• I like to think that this will help me prevent or delay Alzheimer's or make me smarter or something.  While not particularly good at the New York Times Crossword Puzzles, I have a book of them in every room in the house, almost, and one in my car. It is a good way to spend the time with a cup of tea and a cat.
• Going to See Any Kind of Live Performance
• It can be a play, opera, orchestra concert, musical, a magic show, Rick Springfield concert, a couple of banjos - it doesn't matter. I will probably enjoy it.
• Playing Board Games - Especially ones that have to do with words or words play
• Maybe I am super lame, but I love playing board games! My favorites are of course games like Bananagrams, Boggle, or anything that allows me to manipulate words and letters, however I enjoy strategy games such as Othello as well or games that encourage social interaction, such as Curses, Imaginiff, Pictophone, or Fact or Crap.
• Going to the Cabin
• The cabin is a wonderful place. Ideally I would like to have a home in the woods on the water someday. 
• Reading Signs Out Loud
• This is just really fun. When I am in the car alone, I love reading signs aloud. "WANA - mingoooooo!" "Super Soup This Way!" "Demolition Landfill" "We Do Cows!" "Karaoke every Tuesday at 7pm". The sign doesn't always have to be particularly interesting or shocking, but I really enjoy reading them out loud. Sometimes I even do it when I am in the car or walking with someone else. Occasionally I will even stop mid-sentence or interrupt a friend to read a sign out loud. This odd - but I hope charmingly quirky - habit might be contagious, because I have caught some of my friends doing it more recently as well.

*A small sampling of the list in no particular order

Now quick! Take the grocery store survey!