This is what 2011 sounded like over here. This lists spans all of 2011, in chronological order, more or less. There are some songs that have fallen through the cracks of this list, but this is a long enough list as it is. Enjoy!
"In My Mind" - Amanda Palmer
I remember listening to this song a lot at the beginning of 2011. The lyrics were really relevant to me, realizing I was already done with college and nearly 23... Realizing that I'm not some kid locked in my bedroom, dreaming about when I grow up. I became the grown up at some point. This song is brilliant, and it's exactly what I needed at the beginning of this transitional year.
"Humble Me" - Norah Jones
A lonely little song.
"Throw Me a Rope" - KT Tunstall
This song breaks my heart every time I hear it.
"Everybody Knows" - John Legend
I just like this groove. This reminds me more of the beginning of 2011.
"Brown Eyed Girl" - Everclear
Everclear and I spent a lot of time together this year. It's hard to pick one specific Everclear song, but I went for this one. "I Never Learnt to Share" - James Blake
I distinctly remember the first time I heard this song. For someone with a horrible memory, that's saying something. This song will probably haunt me for the rest of my life. haha I had to take it off my iPod because every time it came on shuffle, I would get chills and it would just completely change my mood.
"Constant Surprises" - Little Dragon
Specifically, sitting in Main Street Cafe in Grapevine on my break and unexpectedly hearing this play.
In retrospect, if there ever was a sign, this should have been it: Robert Smith of the Cure, who I love, stepping in to shake my shoulders. haha, Oh well. Mistakes can make fun memories.
"Dance Me to the End of Love" - Leonard Cohen / The Civil Wars
Both versions of this song are lovely, and both meant a lot this year.
"Georgia on My Mind" - Billie Holiday
Thank you, Half Price Books in Keller.
"This Charming Man" - cover by Death Cab for Cutie
Keller
"Adolescents" - Incubus
Keller.
"The Sound of Sunshine" - Michael Franti
"A Day at the Races" - Jurassic 5
Mind-blowing.
"Friday" - Rebecca Black
Obviously.
"Satisfied Mind" - Jeff Buckley
I first heard Jeff Buckley's unfinished album Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk this spring, and I remember listening to this song in my car as I drove to work a nanny event at Great Wolf Lodge. It came to mean a lot more after Tori died.
"Black Sands" - Bonobo
I remember this from a lot of my drives home from work when I was still living in Keller. It fit beautifully with the view.
"Bixby Canyon Bridge" - Death Cab for CutieThis song is for Tori.
"My Little Girl" - Jack Johnson
I found this song very comforting. I always let it play.
"Goodbye" - Eddie Vedder
I mostly listened to this in my car on long drives. It's beautiful, but it's really hard to listen to.
"I'm Alright" - Madeleine Peyroux
I listened to a lot of Madeleine Peyroux this summer. "Set Fire to the Rain" - Adele
Adele belts it the way I wish I could in the shower. haha, This song got me through some stuff.
"Little Bit" - Lykke Li featuring Drake
I must have listened to this song a thousand times. Something about it... It clicked with me.
"Til the World Ends"
for my nights dancing at S4
"Super Bass"
for the new apartment & nights at S4
"Judas"
dancing at S4... running next to Leah @ LA Fitness. "Jew DA!" :)
"Beau Fixe"
a sad little lullaby from when my heart was being messed with
"Wait" - Alexi Murdoch
There were days when I put this song on repeat. I might have ruined it for myself. haha But, really, it's beautiful.
"Me Llaman Calle" - Manu Chao
"Parliament" - Morzsa Records
Really beautiful song sung by Justin Spike of Har Herrar & Mount Righteous.
"Jejune Stars" - Bright Eyes
I saw my first famous-person concert ever this year with Karly, thanks to Liz Jackson. It was pretty bomb diggity. This song makes me think of highway-driving at night."Call Your Girlfriend" - Robyn
The first song to make me want to treat the treadmill as a dance floor. I have a very lovely memory of dancing in an empty (except for the jazz band unloading their instruments) bar with Jen Muh, Leah, & Erica in Deep Ellum.
"Valerie" Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson
"Where Our Destination Lies" - Death Cab for Cutie
Thank you to Karly for putting this on a cd for me. I listened to this the day I drove to the house I grew up in in Plano, and I felt unbelievably more at peace,
"Stay Young Go Dancing" - Death Cab for Cutie
Thank you to Karly for putting this on a cd for me. This is exactly how I feel just about every time I go out with my friends because I am so nostalgic that I already am imagining looking back on these ridiculous outings with a lot of gushy love.
"These Days" - St. Vincent
The first time I heard this song, I was waiting for my mom in Main Street Cafe. I was being a bit of a hipster, listening to my iPod while drinking my black coffee out of a big white coffee cup. And then this song came on, and the sunlight was coming in through these old windows... It was magical."Mass Destruction" - Faithless
Dave Grohl spoke about this song in Q magazine. And, yes, it's really good.
"Lithium" - Little Roy
This Nirvana cover is the bomb, and you should check it out. You'll jam.
"Dream a Little Dream" - Louis Armstrong
Haunting and sweet. I really got into Louis Armstrong this year.
"Green Lights" - Aloe Blacc
Talk about a smooth groove of gratitude.
"What Am I Gonna Get (for Chrimbus)" - Tim & Eric"The Christmas Waltz" - She & Him
I fell in love with this. It fit perfectly with the vibe of this Christmas - calm, content, warm & fuzzy.
Albums of the Year
Adele's 21
I heard this album playing in every Barnes and Noble, every Starbucks, every everywhere. This album definitely made this year its own.
Jeff Buckley Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk
There are some really phenomenal songs on these two cds. Jeff Buckley was incredible.
Jeff Buckley's Live at Sin-é
The big Half Price Books in Dallas definitely became a beloved spot, especially after I stumbled up this treasure. Pick it up. It's a wonderful live cd from a time before Jeff Buckley's fame.
Foo Fighters' Wasting Light
I first saw a flyer for this album in a Cafe Brazil in Dallas. I love Dave Grohl, so even if this album was really terrible, I'd listen to it.
Gavin Degraw's Chariot
This album came out forever ago, I know. But I bought it in May, and when Tori died, it was basically the only thing I listened to for a month straight. Well, not the only thing. But when I had to make the drive from my job in Dallas back to Keller 5 days a week for 6 weeks, I pretty much only listened to this. I don't think I could have handled sad indie music then, so Gavin Degraw swooped in and made things not so nuts.
Everclear's Slowmotion Daydream & Songs From an American Movie
I listened to so much Everclear this year. Cowpunk is awesome.
Madeleine Peyroux's Careless Love
She's exactly who I like to listen to on quiet, sunny Saturday mornings. And she makes me crave France.
Radiohead's The Bends & OK Computer
I heard these for the first time ever this year. I have been missing out on a lot by not having these albums earlier. But, better late than never!
Bonobo's Black Sands
I am a huge fan of this album. When I hear the music, I see sunsets over rolling hills in Tarrant County... driving on empty highways... lovely.
St. Vincent's Strange Mercy
This is a newer addition, but I have loved this album so much. It will no doubt spill over into the sound of 2012.
So that's 2011. This year changed me so completely. I have let go of a lot of the weak parts of myself, sometimes by choice and sometimes because I simply had to deal with things out of my control. It was a hard year, but I am very happy to be who I am now.
Happy New Year!
xoxo
Amanda Rachel
No comments:
Post a Comment