David

ENGL 122

5/13/09

Life As A Playlist

It takes more than just a list of songs to relate to my life. This Life As A Playlist project was a good chance to see how certain songs have affected me, or how they relate to me or my life. However, none of these songs really define my life. There are songs like “Ha Ha You’re Dead” that stick close to my heart, but that is about the closest any of these songs come to being an accurate description of my life.

Why did I pick these songs, then? There are a few core reasons that are nearly universal throughout the Liner notes. Great lyrics, great instruments, and great vocals make up the majority of the reasons that I like these songs. Only a few of them have any deeper meaning other than a simple “I like them.”

Many of the songs are from obscure bands, or one-hits wonders. Still, others like Rod Stewart and Green Day are big name bands with a long history, loved by many and hated by few. I don’t usually listen to bands simply because they’re famous, though there were a few bands I like that I was referred to by a friend. I pick bands, and with them my favorite songs, by how they sound. I don’t usually listen to what other people think of the bands I like.

This project has been, as a whole, a very excellent experience for me. It provided an amazing opportunity to tie in my school life and my personal life. I’ve never had a project like this before, and it really made me think of what songs had any meaning in my life. I am happy I had this class, so that I could work on this project.

1. “You and Me and One Spotlight”; Yellowcard; Paper Walls; 2007

This is one of my favorite songs ever. Brilliantly written love song.

2. “Young Turks”; Rod Stewart; Tonight I'm Yours; 1981

Classic Rod Stewart. Can’t help but love it.

3. “Spaceman”; The Killers; Day & Age; 2008

Jumpy song, full of energy. Awesome to see live.

4. “Airwaves and Frequencies”; Jon Black; The October Sky; 2006

Little known singer with a top quality voice. Beautiful song, with amazing lyrics and a great story of love.

5. “Speed of Sound”; Coldplay; X&Y; 2005

Great song by a great band. Well-written song about faith, discovery, and miracles.

6. “Requiem for a Dying Song”; Flogging Molly; Float; 2008

One of Flogging Molly’s best. Fun Irish-inspired song.

7. “History of a Boring Town”; Less Than Jake; Hello Rockview; 1998

Story of my life. Soft punk at its finest.

8. “Lean on Sheena”; The Bouncing Souls; The Gold Record; 2006

Another love song, actually a cover from another band.

9. “Dead!”; My Chemical Romance; The Black Parade; 2006

Both tracks 9 and 10 are “Dead!” One’s a live version of this awesome rock song.

10. “Ha Ha You’re Dead”; Green Day; Shenanigans; 2002

Story of my life again. Filled with cynical hatred.

11. “The Middle”; Jimmy Eat World; Bleed American; 2001

Heart-warming song about sticking to your beliefs through and through.

12. “Chasing Cars”; Snow Patrol; Eyes Open; 2006

Beautiful love song, about just wanting to be with someone.

13. “All Star”; Smash Mouth; Astro Lounge; 1999

Old hit, the song that first turned me onto music.

14. “St. Jimmy”; Green Day; American Idiot; 2004

Rebellious punk song. Can make anyone want to rock out.

15. “It’s America”; Rodney Atkins; It’s America; 2009

Poetic, patriotic, powerful. Country song that gives imagery of the America we love.

16. “I Don’t Care”; Fall Out Boy; Folie a Deux; 2008

Aagin, cynicism-filled rock. Basically saying, don’t worry about what other people think of you.

17. “Rough Draft”; Yellowcard; One for the Kids; 2001

Awesome acoustic song by an equally awesome band. Slightly sad, though.