Music for various situations and moods. Apr 26 '07    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line the blue light was my blues and the red light was my mind... I think the title is fairly self-explanatory: I, who have nothing better to do with my time than make lengthy playlists for the most esoteric situations possible, am going to help you realize that even when the foibles of human nature get you down, Tom Waits (among others) is always there to help. Bear in mind that, while writing this, I myself am in a foul mood (damn foibles) that is being dealt with by my various playlists, so I'm using personal experience here. Let the therapy begin! Tom Waits, "Anywhere I Lay My Head" (for when you've had a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day) The great thing about Tom Waits and bad moods is that he always, always sounds like he's had an even worse day than you have. On this particular track (off the spectacular album Rain Dogs) he really lets the angst fly, from the first syllable on through--it sounds like nothing short of a mourning song, with the horn section wailing behind him. If break-ups had originated in Louisiana, this is probably how their grimness (is that even a word?) would be translated. Amy Rigby, "I Don't Want To Talk About Love No More" (for when you've just been dumped and you want to be angry) In general, I am not that big a fan of Amy Rigby's Little Fugitive album; there are a few gems, but too many songs that bore me to tears. This is not one of them. It, for lack of a better word, rocks like a mofo, especially on Amy's always-sharp lyrics (never more pointed than on lines like "I'm sick of the O's and the X's and the sex and the battles and the battle of the sexes"). Amy Rigby's music is conducive to heartbreak; she is wonderfully sympathetic, like that one friend that shows up at your doorstep so the two of you can go do something immature like toilet paper your ex-boyfriend's house. Not that that's ever happened to me. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Tick" (for when there's something horrible in your head that you just want to drown out) I don't know if this situation even applies to anyone else, but sometimes something bad will happen to me and, even though I find it impossible, all I want to do is keep it out of my head. Such a situation occurred this past Monday, and my first thought for drowning out the nasty babbling in my head was to put on this song. It's so loud and fast-paced that it just doesn't allow space in your head for other things; it takes over completely from the second Karen O starts moaning about making her tick to the last fifty times she sings the word. By the time it's over, whatever I'm trying to forget has usually been pushed out for the time being, leaving me with about five minutes of peace before I even have to deal with it. Sleater-Kinney, "Words and Guitar" (for that moment when you're just stepping off the subway train) Sleater-Kinney will probably appear on this list several times because at least one of their songs will fit every one of my moods, and since I am a woman, that's no small feat. This particular one is best suited for the second you start walking. Corin and Carrie sing over a Chuck Berry riff, while Janet sneaks in drum fills in the tightest spaces possible. The whole thing is two-and-a-half minutes of irresistible. The Dresden Dolls, "Truce" (for when you've just been dumped, and you are vengeful) There's nothing particularly vengeful about this song until the last two minutes or so, when the whole tone changes, every instrument is turned up to 11, and Amanda Palmer begins having about six fits at once at her ex-lover. I don't think this guy escaped with his testicles intact, judging by the snarling, yelping way this portion of the song is sung, and Amanda's lyrics could not possibly be filled with more vitriol and hate. "You can fake it for the papers," she howls, "but I'm on to you, I'm on to you, I'm on to you, I'M ON TO YOU!" Jesus. Somebody hide her matches. Robert Johnson, "Love In Vain" (for when you want to cry) Somebody once told me she thought that all of Robert Johnson's songs sounded the same, which is (let's face it) pretty much true. The man was not known for great stylistic departures. However, once you know what the lyrics actually are underneath that scratchy 1930's recording quality, you can hear that they have in his voice a true poignancy. This song is about the day he has to see his woman leave him, and really, anyone who's been dumped and had to watch the person walk away has been in the same situation; it's horrible. So, when you just want to sniffle about it, put on this song. The Pretenders, "Brass In Pocket" (for when you are about to call someone to ask them out, and you are working up the nerve) Chrissie Hynde is, on this song anyway, one of the sexiest people alive; I have no doubt that she could swagger into a party and instantly be the center of attention. Just this morning, I had butterflies in my stomach about asking someone to go to a concert with me, and then this song came on the radio with its strident beat and insistent, seductive lyrics. Then it turned out that the concert was sold out and I had to go back and uninvite the guy in question. Still, though. The song does help with nerves. Well, that's all for the moment; I may go back and add more, or do another installment, or else just go back and be a recluse. But, yeah. Good songs. Get them now.

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