Were these people conscious in the 90s?

I take 90s music seriously, and have noticed some glaring omissions on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Songs of the 1990s.

While I may not be a music expert, some of the songs I remember best from that decade weren't even listed! Here are my additions:


Boyz II Men - Water Runs Dry, Motownphilly, or End of the Road
Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey - One Sweet Day (This one baffles me)
Cardigans - Lovefool (I owned every Cardigans album)

Janet Jackson - That's the Way Love Goes, If, Together Again, anything really. Janet was still big in the 90s.
NKOTB - Step by Step
The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony
Bush - Everything Zen
Madonna - Take a Bow, Ray of Light
Blind Melon - No Rain
No Doubt - Spiderwebs, Just a Girl
R. Kelly - Bump n' Grind, I Believe I Can Fly
Foo Fighters - Big Me (you all remember the Mentos-inspired video), Everlong (my wedding song), or My Hero
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
Smashing Pumpkins - 1979, Disarm, Tonight Tonight, or Bullet With Butterfly Wings
Blink 182 - All the Small Things
Savage Garden - I Want You, Truly Madly Deeply (this is for Caitlin)
Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) 
Snoop - Gin n' Juice
Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Garbage - I'm Only Happy When it Rains, Stupid Girl
Aerosmith - Cryin', Crazy, I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing (It also surprises me that this one wasn't listed)
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony - Crossroads
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - Scream
Mariah Carey - Fantasy

and last but not least...
Guns N' Roses - November Rain


WTF, VH1?

Listomania

Once upon a time I made a goal of reading all the books on The Modern Library's list of 100 Best Novels of All Time. Then, I realized that the list doesn't contain many of the books I consider to be the best novels of all time (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Outsiders, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Beloved, The Color Purple, etc.). Some of those books are on the "Reader's Picks" list, as well as some other authors that were overlooked by the Modern Library's Board, such as Ayn Rand.

What do all of those excluded books have in common? They were all written by women! Is the board sexist? I think so. J.K. Rowling at least deserves an honorable mention! Jane Austin and the Bronte sisters are missing from the list because it only includes books published after 1900. But, I find it hard to believe that some of the others aren't included.

I also have a beef with Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. They put Tiny Dancer as number 397, and I think it clearly belongs in the top 10.

Note to all listmakers: please consult me first, because you are probably wrong.

I'm a vegetable!

Last night Christine, Anita and I went to the opening day of Michael Jackson's This is it. Little MJ came too:



I loved the movie, and resisted the urge to sing along. I recommend it for: MJ fans, people who like dance, musicians, nerds, jocks, young people, old people, EVERYONE!

a playlist I made

For your listening enjoyment.

(I didn't want to embed it, so click the above link.)

Love is a mixtape

When I was at my parents' house in Moab a couple weeks ago I grabbed a handful of old mix tapes on my way out the door. Our new/old car (lovingly named "Deuce") has only a tape deck, and I wanted some 'tunes for the ride home. I had no idea I would soon unleash a flood of childhood memories.
From my best guess, the tapes were made between 1994-1996.

Some noteworthy mix tape moments:
5 Boyz II Men songs on one tape
Donna Lewis' one-hit-wonder "I Love You, Always Forever"
Joni Lewis' "Big Yellow Taxi" followed by Ace of Base's "Don't Turn Around"
Dave Matthews Band and Toad the Wet Sprocket songs--not bad taste for a youngster.

Misheard Song Lyrics

Surprisingly, this is not my first blog post about a cartoon mascot for cereal.

While driving back from Greenville today, Matt and I were singing along to Elton John. I sang, "Someone saved my life tonight, Shouldn't ya there?" Matt sang, "Someone saved my life tonight, Sugar Bear."
I immediately thought of this dude:

It turns out Matt was right about the lyrics. But the real question is, why was E.J. singing about Super Sugar Crisp, or its more recent incarnation, Golden Crisp, aka MY FAVORITE CEREAL?

According to the sometimes-reliable source Wikipedia, Sugar Bear had some nemeses, the most interesting of which is "Blob" who eats pickles and soda for breakfast. Pickles and soda? That sounds like a delicious breakfast of toxic acid proportions.

Song lyrics are tricky. I remember thinking the lyrics to Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Bad Moon Rising" were "I see a bathroom on the right hand, I see trouble on the floor." It makes total sense! I know of many public restrooms that fit the bill.

My sister thought the Steve Miller Band's song "Jet Airliner" was about a big fat woman named "Jedda Lina."

What are your favorite misheard lyrics?

2009

I haven't blogged in a while, so I decided to make a post about my favorite music of 2008.

Best Album: Q-Tip - The Renaissance
honorable mentions: Jamie Lidell - Jim, Atmosphere - When life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold

Best Single:Alicia Keys - Teenage Love Affair (I know this album came out before 2008, but the single was in 2008. And it's damn catchy.)

Best Guilty Pleasure: Jonas Brothers - Burnin' Up

Most listened to Song of 2008: (tie) Justin Timberlake-Damn Girl and The Rapture - Don Gon Do It.

Most disappointing album: Death Cab - Narrow Stairs

Best Comeback: New Kids on the Block

And finally, my 25 most listened to songs of 2008. (click on it for a larger view)