create the soundtrack to my life

hmmm… this is harder than I thought! by the way there are over 1700 people basically doing this on 43T (aka 43things) check it out…
http://www.43things.com/things/view/128603/create-the-soundtrack-to…

Hey, remember when John Cusack’s character in high fidelity finally put himself out there a bit and started ‘top 5 records?’ love that clip.

So, here’s a stab at my top 5… in chronological order
1) Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run … hmm. or maybe Darkness of the Edge of Town
Side one: 1. “Badlands” – 4:01; 2. “Adam Raised a Cain” – 4:32; 3. “Something in the Night” – 5:11; 4. “Candy’s Room” – 2:51; 5. “Racing in the Street” – 6:53; Side two: 1. “The Promised Land” – 4:33; 2. “Factory” – 2:17; 3. “Streets of Fire” – 4:09; 4. “Prove It All Night” – 3:56; 5. “Darkness on the Edge of Town” – 4:30
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkness_on_the_Edge_of_Town

2) Billie Holiday at Storyville (live) – collection of standards sometimes perfectly sung, sometimes more like an impaired slurring… but very intimate – it does feel like you’re there… To me, these recordings are sublime and perfect. Love the piano by carl drinkard on ‘willow weep’ -
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=11126

Track listing: 1. I Cover the Waterfront 2. Introduction 3. Too Marvelous for Words 4. I Loves You, Porgy 5. Them There Eyes 6. Willow Weep for Me 7. Introduction 8. I Only Have Eyes for You 9. You Go to My Head 10. He’s Funny That Way 11. Billie’s Blues 12. Miss Brown to You 13. Lover, Come Back to Me 14. ‘Tain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do 15. You’re Driving Me Crazy

3) KGSR Broadcasts – Volumes 3 & 4 – (107.1 Austin) – These are compilations… but my tastes shifted in a major way after I had these in my hot little hands… includes stuff from Guy Clark, Alejandro Escovedo, Patty Griffin, Storyville, Butch Hancock, Wilco, Kevin Welch, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Shawn Colvin, Joe Ely, John Hiatt, Tish Hinajosa, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Kelly Willis…
http://www.last.fm/music/Various+Artists/107.1+KGSR+Broadcasts,+Vol…(disc+2)
http://www.last.fm/music/Various+Artists/107.1+KGSR+Broadcasts,+Vol…(disc+2)

4) Townes Van Zandt – Far Cry from Dead – it’s easy to listen to this obsessively. but I wouldn’t recommend it. Has anyone ever noticed he looks just like a young tony perkins? Tracks include: 1. Dollar Bill Blues; 2. To Live’s to Fly; 3. Rex’s Blues; 4. Sanitarium Blues; 5. Ain’t Leavin’ Your Love; 6. Greensboro Woman; 7. Snake Mountain Blues; 8. Pancho and Lefty; 9. For the Sake of the Song; 10. Waiting Around to Die; 11. Many a Fine Lady; 12. Tower Song; 13. Squash

5) Emmylou Harris – Wrecking Ball (nods to Buddy Miller and Daniel Lanois) It was only a few years ago that I realized a disproportionate number of my favorite albums were produced by two people: Daniel Lanois and T.Bone Burnett…
1. “Where Will I Be?” [with Daniel Lanois] (Daniel Lanois) – 4:15
2. “Goodbye” (Steve Earle) – 4:53
3. “All My Tears” (Julie Miller) – 3:42
4. “Wrecking Ball” (Neil Young) – 4:49
5. “Goin’ Back to Harlan” (Anna McGarrigle) – 4:51
6. “Deeper Well” (David Olney, Lanois, Emmylou Harris) – 4:19
7. “Every Grain of Sand” (Bob Dylan) – 3:56
8. “Sweet Old World” (Lucinda Williams) – 5:06
9. “May This Be Love” [with Daniel Lanois] (Jimi Hendrix) – 4:45
10. “Orphan Girl” (Gillian Welch) – 3:15
11. “Blackhawk” (Daniel Lanois) – 4:28
12. “Waltz Across Texas Tonight” (Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris) – 4:46

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEwQbptSnAk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRNcz23TeUk

This is an incredibly beautiful version of the song by Liane Carroll. Just stumbled upon it – she does do it justice. wow. The original is very simple and perfect like a forget me not.

Sun come up it was blue and gold
Sun come up it was blue and gold
Sun come up it was blue and gold
Ever since I put your picture
In a frame.
I come calling in my Sunday best
I come calling in my Sunday best
I come calling in my Sunday best
Every since I put your picture
In a frame
I’m gonna love you
Till the wheels come off
Oh yea
I love you baby and I always will
I love you baby and I always will
I love you baby and I always will
Ever since I put your picture
In a frame

- addicted to Diana Krall’s version from live in paris…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGrsc5FeQDs

A Case of You

Just before our love got lost you said
“I am as constant as a northern star”
And said, “Constantly in the darkness…
Where’s that at?
If you want me I’ll be in the bar”

On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
And your face sketched on it twice

Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and you taste so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I’d be on my feet
I’d still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I’m frightened by the devil
And drawn to those who ain’t afraid
I remember when you told me
“Love is touching souls”
Surely you touched mine
Part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

You are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and you taste so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you
I could drink a case of you darling
Still I’d be on my feet
I’d still be on my feet

I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
She said
“Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed”
You are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and you taste so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I’d be on my feet
I’d still be on my feet

Track listing

[edit] Volume 1

1. "Blister in the Sun" (Violent Femmes) – 2:08
 2. "Rudie Can't Fail" (The Clash) – 3:31
 3. "Mirror In The Bathroom" (English Beat) – 3:09
 4. "Under Pressure" (David Bowie and Queen) – 4:03
 5. "I Can See Clearly Now" (Johnny Nash) – 2:46
 6. "Live and Let Die" (Guns N' Roses) – 3:02
 7. "We Care a Lot" (Faith No More) – 4:03
 8. "Pressure Drop" (The Specials) – 4:18
 9. "Absolute Beginners" (The Jam) – 2:50
10. "Armagideon Time" (The Clash) – 3:53
11. "El Matador" (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs) – 4:34
12. "Let My Love Open the Door (E. Cola Mix)" (Pete Townshend) – 4:58
13. "Blister 2000" (Violent Femmes) – 2:58

[edit] Volume 2

1. "A Message to You, Rudy" (The Specials) – 2:53
 2. "Cities in Dust" (Siouxsie & the Banshees) – 3:49
 3. "The Killing Moon" (Echo & the Bunnymen) – 5:44
 4. "Monkey Gone to Heaven" (Pixies) – 2:56
 5. "Lorca's Novena" (The Pogues) – 4:35
 6. "Go!" (Tones on Tail) – 2:32
 7. "Let it Whip" (Dazz Band) – 4:24
 8. "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" (Dominatrix) – 3:40
 9. "War Cry" (Joe Strummer) – 5:58
10. "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" (Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel) – 7:24
11. "Take on Me" (a-ha) – 3:46
12. "You're Wondering Now" (The Specials) – 2:37
13. "99 Luftballons" (Nena)-3:52

so many great songs, perfectly sung…

Billie Holiday – You go to my Head
Haven Gillespie / J. Fred Coots

You go to my head
You linger like a haunting refrain
And I find you spinning round
In my brain
Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne

You go to my head
Like a sip of sparkling burgundy brew
And I find the very mention of you
Like the kicker in a julep or two

The thrill of the thought
That you might give a thought
To my plea, casts a spell over me

Still I say to myself
Get ahold of yourself
Can’t you see that it never can be

You go to my head with a smile
That makes my temperature rise
Like a summer with a thousand Julys
You intoxicate my soul with your eyes

Though I’m certain that this heart of mine
Hasn’t a ghost of a chance
In this crazy romance
You go to my head, you go to my head

Mad Mission
by Patty Griffin

We were drinking like the Irish
But we were drinking scotch
Bartender turned on a movie
Everybody turned to watch
And every single eye was gleaming
As he reached the final scene
Well, at least mine did
Here’s lookin’ at you, kid

It’s a mad mission
Under difficult conditions
not everybody makes it
To the loving cup
It’s a mad mission
But I got the ambition
Mad, mad mission
sign me up

I think I’ve seen the look before,yes,
it’s kind of non-commital
It says come hither, baby, but then he’s hard wood to whittle
it says it don’t mean a thing, but still, somebody does
He’d like you to join the club that likes to say
there’s no such thing as love and

It’s a mad mission
Under difficult conditions
not everybody makes it
To the loving cup
It’s a mad mission
But I got the ambition
Mad, mad mission
sign me up

Sometimes you find yourself
flying low at night
Flying blind and looking for
Any sign of light
You’re cold and scared, and all alone
You’d do anything just to make it home

It’s a mad mission
Under difficult conditions
not everybody makes it
To the loving cup
It’s a mad mission
But I got the ambition
Mad, mad mission
sign me up

Sign me up [or don’t]

Maybe not the most mature concept of love, but one I can relate to. Also, this visually captures my alter ego quite nicely except not quite as tough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo7HvUlrGe4

Kathleen Edwards, Back to Me Lyrics
Artist: Edwards Kathleen
Song: Back to Me
Album: Back to Me
Kathleen Edwards Sheet Music
Kathleen Edwards CDs

I’ve got ways to make you sorry
start my life with someone else
I’ve got ways to make you fall
I’ll tell you all the things that I lied about
I’ve got ways to make you mad
Laughing at the girl sitting on your lap
I’ve got ways to make you sing my songs
Ones I ain’t written yet

I’ve got lights you’ve never seen
I’ve got moves I’ve never used
I’ve got ways to make you come
back to me

I’ve got ways to make you strange
Drug you up and drag you home
I’ve got ways to track you down
In all of the places you like to go
I’ve got ways to make you crazy
wear all the things you always wanted me to
I’ve got ways to make you run
My daddy is coming for you

I’ve got lights you’ve never seen
I’ve got moves I’ve never used
I’ve got ways to make you come
back to me

I’ve got ways to make you hear me
just by whispering your name
I’ve got ways to make you think
you’ll never be happy again
I’ve got ways to make you see
I’m so much better than before
I’ve got ways to make you swear
you won’t want your old life anymore

I’ve got lights you’ve never seen
I’ve got moves I’ve never used
I’ve got ways to make you come
Back to me

You’re not my boyfriend. I don’t want a boyfriend.
Just make a little trouble over me.
In your kitchen, on the way to your window, walking down your hallway,
Make some trouble over me.
I’ll play hard to get but if I mean it,
Just make a little trouble over me.
Leave me alone. Do what you want to.
See, I got some things on my mind.

Chorus:
Don’t treat me bad, that’s not what I’m asking.
Look out your window, everyone’s in line.
Paper truth in strings, hearts and broken things,
Love goes for quite a price.
I don’t want you for mine. Oh, but don’t we get along fine.

Tell me a secret before you meant to.
Worry what I’ll do. Trouble over me.
If you touch me, it’s only by accident.
Oh, wrists and fingertips, trouble over me.

Chorus

In your kitchen, on the way to your window,
Walking down your hallway, make some trouble over me.
Button my coat up, stumble with your words some,
Let me think that you might go to a little
Trouble over me.
Just a little,
Just a little trouble,
Just a little trouble over me.

[Tift Merritt – Bramble Rose]

I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
till the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life

Well, Ive been afraid of changing
cause Ive built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
Im getting older too

Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down

If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring it down