We all have them, songs that seem to speak right to that secret place in your soul – sometimes secret even from you. They flow into you, through you, whirling, swirling around until they completely surround a tiny spot deep down inside of you. And then they never leave. They can grow and occasionally fester in you like an open wound, or they can heal you, fill you up and inspire you.
Many times they don’t even reflect your normal musical tastes. They can be shameful secrets that you keep from family and friends – in my case it’s Janet Jackson – sneaking listens when no one is home or when you’re alone in your car. You feel like a drug addict craving your next fix. Thank jebus for MP3 players – the syringe of those who are suffering this affliction.
Well I have decided to own my dirty little secrets – and some of them are VERY dirty. I’m even going to own those that aren’t dirty little secrets. This is my list of some of the songs that speak to me in ways (and places) no person can (or has yet).
In no particular order:
Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
This is about writing and about being unwritten, something I have always felt I am. It also uses a phrase that echoes something I have said for years (long before the song’s release in August 2005) “Feel the rain on your skin/ No one else can feel it for you”. It has always been my ambition to write to make people feel the rain on their skin. It also has a musical quality that lends itself to belly dancing and as a belly dancer that appeals to me. How could I not love this song?
I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) - Sandi Thom
I know it’s not been out long, but it only takes once to get hooked you know. I don’t know if it’s the Joni Mitchell style lyrics and vocals or the addictive clapping that do it for me. Or maybe it’s that I grew up a punk/goth in the 80’s in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hard to imagine I know but Mormons tend to look the other way when they see something they don’t like or understand and that allows Salt Lake to have a vibrant and thriving counterculture. It wasn’t a bad place to grow up and this song brings some of that back for me.
Turbulence – The Working Title
This song is a new one that I first heard when I reviewed The Working Title’s new CD About Face. This song actually touches more than my soul. In fact it touches me in a different region altogether. It makes me weak at the knees and quite… sticky.
Holding Out for A Hero – Frou Frou
Yes it’s the song originally sung by 80’s poodle-perm diva Bonny Tyler. This song appears on the “Shrek 2” soundtrack and is, for me anyway, only magical when performed by Frou Frou. Maybe it’s Imogen Heap’s vocal styling’s that do it for me. Or maybe it’s because the lyrics “It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet” and “I can feel his approach like fire in my blood” really appeal to me.
Smooth – Santana feat. Rob Thomas
It’s not just the Latin beat, which of course does appeal to the dancer in me, but the fabulous guitar and Rob Thomas’ throaty, raw, sexual vocals that make me feel tingly all over.
Jolene – Dolly Parton/The White Stripes
While I prefer the White Stripes version, with the heavier rock guitar and Jack Whites amazing vocals, but I also adore Dolly. I think this song appeals to me because I have “Flaming locks of auburn hair” and “eyes of emerald green”. It’s like my own personal anthem.
Too Lost In You – Sugababes
It’s my first dirty little secret. But it’s just that I want to feel this way about someone. And I want someone to feel this way about me. Is that really so wrong?!
Pure Morning – Placebo
I love Brian Molko’s whiny, scratchy and distinctive voice. His voice is the reason I watched the movie Velvet Goldmine - Ewan McGregor’s cock is the reason I kept watching and eventually bought the DVD – but it was Brian first. And although I know this is not, by any stretch of the imagination Placebo’s best song, it’s the one that got in.
London Rain – Heather Nova
A lovely upbeat song about coming home from a long trip, wrapping yourself in your lover’s arms and shagging like mad. What’s not to like?!
Call The Ships To Port - Covenant
They create fabulous gothic, electronic, industrial music. And it makes me want to dance!
Feelin’ Love – Paula Cole
Maybe it’s Paula’s fantastic voice, or lyrics that include lines like “you make me feel like the Amazon’s running between my thighs” and
“You make me feel like I want to be dumb blonde in a centrefold/ The girl next door/ And I would open the door and I’d be all wet/ With my tits soaking through this tiny little t-shirt that I’m wearing/ And you would open the door/ And tie me up to the bed.”
Umm…yes please… let’s do that. Any volunteers?
It also doesn’t hurt that the entire end of the song (two and a half minutes) seems to be one long, amazing orgasm that she is just trying to keep singing through.
When we Oooo – Janet Jackson
Yes I know. I’m so ashamed. But my dirty little secret doesn’t end with this song. Oh no. My betrayal goes much deeper. I really like Janet Jackson songs. I can’t help it! It’s not my fault! It’s just that I’m a very naughty girl and Janet sings to that side of me like no one else can.
Jessie’s Girl - Rick Springfield
I was 11 when this was released. Rick Springfield’s was the first “rock” concert I ever went to (and the only one with my mother). More than that I can’t offer, I just love this song! I believe it may be a sickness. They say admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.
This is by no means the end of my list. It’s just the end of my list for now. It’s been emotionally draining and I need a lie down and a cup of tea.
how didya find ur link on my blog? wow…
clownz
June 7th, 2006