A journal page for my '28 Days In February' music challenge thread.
Day One: a song that makes you feel unstoppable
You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire - Queens Of The Stone Age
Songs For The Deaf (2002)
I mean...just hit play.
Day Two: a song that captures a generation
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Nevermind (1991)
Who doesn't know Smells Like Teen Spirit...? This was the first song I ever learned how to play on bass and guitar. Smells Like Teen Spirit was a song that ignited a power keg at the perfect time and became such a defining moment for Generation X and even folks like myself born on the earlier end of Gen Z (late 90s). The intro still gives me chills!
Day Three: a song outside your usual taste
Take You Back (The Iron Hoof Cattle Call) - Orville Peck
Pony (2019)
I'm not into country music, but I'll always turn up for my man Orville Peck. Take You Back (The Iron Hoof Cattle Call) is one of the most electric tracks on his debut album, Pony (2019). Really love this Audiotree performance which captures the raw energy of the live version.
Day Four: A song that feels brutally honest
Lover, You Should've Come Over - Jeff Buckley
Grace (1994)
"Sometimes a man gets carried away / When he feels like should be having his fun / Much too blind to see the damage he's done." Yeah, I don't think it gets more honest than that. Lover, You Should've Come Over perfectly encapsulates a tumultuous affair.
Day Five: A song that you wish was longer
Little Wing - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Axis: Bold As Love (1967)
I wish Little Wing was longer, but perhaps that is the brilliance of it: knowing that Hendrix was capable of composing long, sweeping instrumentals like Pali Gap, yet Little Wing cuts strait to the point - a wonderful reminder that the sweetest moments in life are sometimes the most fleeting. There couldn't have been a better name for the song.
Day Six: A song with no clear chorus
The Mercy Seat - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Tender Prey (1988)
Nick Cave is a master of abandoning traditional song structure and often writes songs without a chorus in favour of long, wordy verses and catchy refrains. The Mercy Seat is one such example!
Day Seven: A song with a unique voice
Hyperballad - Björk
Post (1995)
This was the first Björk song I ever heard, and her unconvential singing style and distinct voice was became instantly memorable for me.
Day Eight: A song that made you explore an era of music
Kool Thing - Sonic Youth
Goo (1990)
Sonic Youth were my gateway into all things 90s noise/shogaze/indie/alternative rock, riot grrl, DIY ethos and so much more. P.S if you remember me from when I was a Sonic Youth blog on tumblr, you're entitled to a veteran’s discount. I still have that iconic shirt, it's battered and of holes, but the memories remain. This will forever be the band I wish I got to see live.
Day Nine: A song that feels underrated
Apollo - HUM
Downward Is Heavenward (1998)
The 'underrated' discussion is always difficult for me as I find it hard not to pick music that I think more people should know about. With that said, Apollo is a (seemingly) lesser discussed track from one of my top 5 albums of all time.
Day Ten: A perfect song for dancing
Soul Love - David Bowie
Moonage Daydream (1971)
One of my favourite memories from a small record store/cafe in regional New South Wales was seeing an old couple dancing to Soul Love by David Bowie. I think you can't go wrong with Bowie when it comes to dancing.
Day Eleven: A song that sounds unlike anything else
Stress (WWW) - Justice
Woman Worldwide (2017)
You know that video of Lady Gaga talking about Stress by Justice? Yeah. I love the original, but there's something about their live mix that's just absolutely mind-melting. I wish I could link the Hyperdrama live version of Stress, but that won't be officially released until later this year. That said, if you're curious what this sounds and looks like at their live show, here's a cool fan recorded video - but be mindful if you can't handle strobes/flashing lights.
Day Twelve: A song with beautiful harmonies
Somethin' Kinda Crazy - Red Velvet
Ice Cream Cake (2015)
Red Velvet have some of the strongest vocalists out of any k-pop group, and there are so many examples of songs from their discography built around harmonising. This is one of my all time favourite songs by them.
Day Thirteen: A song with complex production
Tuna In The Brine - Silverchair
Diorama (2002)
This song came out in 2002 and there was genuinely nothing else like it, and it was also such a huge departure from Silverchair's grunge/punk rock origins. It was also the first time Daniel Johns had ever dabbled in orchestral arrangements, and it's crazy to see how much his ear for it had blossomed on the following album, Young Modern.
I grew up in Newcastle and the legacy of Silverchair is so deeply woven into the history of that city. I had school teachers and neighbours who were teenagers or adults at the time Silverchair made it big and I've heard countless anecdotes, and even briefly worked for two of the members in their post-Silverchair career ventures. I will always adore them.
Day Fourteen: A song about missing someone
A Million Days - Prince
Musicology (2004)
I still can't believe that Prince is no longer with us. The news of his passing came just mere weeks after I saw him perform on his Piano & A Microphone tour at Sydney Opera House. Two wonderful nights without a setlist, no phones allowed, just a purple spotlight on Prince at his piano, playing whatever songs he felt matched the atmosphere of the crowd. The live version of A Million Days really blew me away and gave me a newfound appreciation for the studio version too. I can confidently say Prince was the best live performer I will ever see in my lifetime.
Day Fifteen: A song that always makes you cry
Seasons - Chris Cornell
Singles [Soundtrack](1992)
I'll always get emotional and teary eyed whenever I hear Chris Cornell's voice. I miss both him and Soundgarden so much, I simply wouldn't have the people in my life today without that band.
Day Sixteen: A song you disliked at first
Sticker - NCT 127
Sticker (2021)
Day Seventeen: A song that feels claustrophobic
What You Waiting For? - Gwen Stefani
L.A.M.B (2004)
This song is a banger, but it also has an anxiety inducing feeling to it. Gwen Stefani in all her questionable glory back really went off with this track, bringing rock into the pop world.
Day Eighteen: A song that feels cold
소년, 소녀 (Let Me In) - HaSeul (LOONA)
2016
It's not just the fact the music video was filmed in Iceland, but the classical components of the song itself has a chilling feeling about it. HaSeul is a classically trained opera singer and has one of the most beautiful voices in all of k-pop!
Day Nineteen: A song that feels warm
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads
Speaking In Tongues (1983)
This song really speaks for itself. There are few songs that feel as good as this one - it's a timeless classic for a reason.
Day Twenty: A song that shaped your music taste
crushcrushcrush - Paramore
Riot! (2007)
This was the first Paramore song I ever heard and it was a life changing one for me! I'd just started listening to a lot of Fueled By Ramen/00s Warped Tour bands and was really in awe of Hayley Williams. This pushed me towards discovering more women-fronted punk and rock bands.
Day Twenty-One: A song that you discovered by accident
Sophisticated Lover - Donny Benet
Don't Hold Back (2018)
This was back when The Don first started making a name for himself in Sydney's music scene. I heard this in a pre-show setlist at an Oxford Art Factory gig and have been following his brilliance ever since.
Day Twenty-Two: A song you'd choose as your life soundtrack
Fun House - The Stooges
Fun House (1970)
Easily my favourite Stooges record + when I saw them back in 2014 or so, I managed to climb on stage during this song, and got to squeeze Iggy Pop's nipple. Feel free to ask me about the texture anytime. Fun times!
Day Twenty-Three: A perfect song to sing along to
Lay All Your Love On Me - ABBA
Super Trouper (1980)
ABBA will forever be THE karaoke band!
Day Twenty-Four: A song that feels like an apology
What A Catch, Donnie - Fall Out Boy
Folie A Deux (2007)
Such a beautiful and unexpected ballad from Fall Out Boy that was equal parts apology and (at the time) a farewell letter to fans
Day Twenty-Five: A song you associate with vinyl
Long Distance Winner - Buckingham Nicks
Buckingham Nicks (1973)
Given that vinyl and high quality rips of it was the only format you could listen to this record on up until last year, I will always associate it with vinyl. I picked up my copy of it from a record store in Newcastle when I was a teenager and have listened to it many times!
Day Twenty-Six: A song that influenced many artists
Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin (1971)
A lot of artists I love have cited Led Zeppelin as a major inspiration for them, so this feels like a great song to choose here!
Day Twenty-Seven: A song you consider a masterpiece
Malibu - Hole
Celebrity Skin (1998)
I've often said this song has one of the most perfect intros ever written and I will always stand by that. Malibu isn't what I personally consider to be the best Hole song, but it has a timeless pop-friendly rock sound to it that always makes it sound 'fresh' no matter what. It has aged impeccably well.
Day Twenty-Eight: A song that you'll probably love forever
Sleep To Dream - Fiona Apple
Tidal (1996)
I used to obsessively listen to Fiona Apple when I was a teenager and whilst I hardly listen to her albums these days, (and not from lack of interest!) I will always treasure how much I adore this song.