Seven Songs I’m Into Right Now

Joel just tagged me to list 7 songs I’m into right now, or actually 7 songs I’m listening to now, whether I like them or not. I haven’t been listening to music as much as I usually do, since a) I’m driving a lot less, and b) I’m busy homeschooling Neil. But I could still come up with 7 songs which are definitely on my current playlist.

1) “Let’s All Dance to Joy Division” by the Wombats. I’m so happy this song has finally hit American radio. Come on, everyone, let’s all dance to Joy Division! Whoo, they’re so fun!

2) Symphonie Fantastique, Fifth Movement by Hector Berlioz. I swear, I am not being some classic music snob by this choice. My music appreciation teacher turned me on to this symphony in the first place, and now I’m revisiting it, thanks to the Fundamentals of Music Course I’m making Neil listen to. From thecol legno bouncing of bows on violins to mimic the sounds of dancing skeletons in a graveyard and the distorted Dies Arie as sung by ghosts, it’s a goth fest. And it has all the over-sentimental drama I love in my favorite classical composers. Turns out Neil loves it too. In short, la Symphonie Fantastique rocks.

3) “Do the Panic” by Phantom Planet. I can’t explain why I like this band, but I just have since their first album. This, like other of their best songs, is insipid, yet deep, with that inexplicable Californian cool. As soon as I heard it, I had to download it.

4) “Santa Monica” by Everclear. It’s a summer song. It’s about going to the beach to escape your woes! It’s Everclear. What more do I need to say?

5) “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell. I was at a party yesterday and some sixteen year olds were singing the song amongst themselves. I said, “I know that song. OMG, it’s so totally 80s!” And then we all looked at each other and were totally mortified.

6) “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. I loathe Coldplay. Specifically, I loathe Chris Martin, because he is so incredibly P.C. and pathetically sincere. But it caught my attention with “the king is dead, long live the king,” and the whole (maybe) tie-in to medieval history. So I love hearing it, but I still reserve the right to hate Coldplay.

7) “No Handlebars” by The Flobots. I thought of it as a Spring song, because it was in heavy rotation then. But now that Neil and Kelly are singing “I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars” as we’re walking to the bus (or light rail) stop, it’s definitely a summer song. Ironic, though, that they’re singing about biking as they’re walking. Wishful singing?