Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days.
I decided to randomly throw one of these out in no particular order when in strikes my fancy.
'Tough ass days'? Huh.
Hard saying! I have always had a peculiar (but not uncommon, I am finding) habit of listening to music that matches my mood, rather than counteracts it: Sad for sad instead of happy for sad, for example. I doubt that makes sadness any better, but at the time it usually feels like the right thing to do.
I can remember listening to Fiona Apple, The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, and Veruca Salt when I was a freshman in high school and going through a very low period.
4 cds basically on repeat. Tidal, Melon Collie and The Infinite Sadness, Neon Ballroom, and American Thighs. I already loved Fiona Apple for her sullen, skinny 90's self, and when I saw this hilarious video, I fell in love with her all over again. Extra hard. Not to mention that Extraordinary Machine was phenomenal both to listen to and to dance to/choreograph for. Now that I mention it, I find it a little strange that TSP and Veruca Salt are both bands out of Chicago, being that I live here now. I'm not really sure what drove my love of the Smashing Pumpkins. I remember finding Billy Corgan oddly alluring, which is embarrassing. Veruca Salt caught my attention because one of my favorite authors is Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is where the name of the band came from, and they held it. Similarly, The Silver Chair is the title of one of "The Chronicles of Narnia," by C.S. Lewis, another favorite of mine.
I also used to listen to loud, screamy music when I was angry. Metal, industrial, punk. In recent years I have been more prone to listen to rap/hip hop in either of these situations. If the hook and the beat are there, I get so into it that it gets my mind off of whatever and I often end up dancing around as well, which is funny for anyone involved. Among my faves: Missy Elliott, Trina, Lil Kim, Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy (Nann (explicit language)), Outkast...Outkast was also a big part of my high school survival. Stankonia. They have so many songs that are almost impossible to not at LEAST tap your foot to.
Missy Elliot's lyrics are sometimes impressively stupid (one tame example: "I eat filet mignon and I'm nice and young/ Best believe I'm number one") but they are so catchy... and I love her. I just can't help myself. If Lil Kim has never done anything but this song, I would still be a fan.
Last but not least, if I for some reason had to select only one album to listen to for the rest of my life, it would probably be Janis Joplin with Big Brother & the Holding Company, Live at Winterland '69.
What the heck.... When did you listen to the Barry Manilow albums on your shelf? xo
ReplyDeleteI adore Fiona Apple's Not About Love. The video is just the icing on the cake. Also- I adore you! I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since we really hung out. Since you were sitting across from me in art class... I remember your mouth hanging open in disbelief when I confessed to you that I didn't know who Billy Corgan was. :) You were the cool girl and I was the lame freshman following you around.
ReplyDelete10 years...insanity. I think it is so funny that you remember me that way. The idea that anyone could have possibly thought I was 'cool' is nearly unfathomable to me. I didn't think you were lame or follow-y, I actually wanted to get to know you better. :)
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