Valen-times are Happy-times

Yes, yes, I know...it's so fashionable to be either really against Valentines Day, or really into it. I have to confess, after flip flopping for a long time...I'm not either. It's a day, and it's full of expectation, which is silly, but what's wrong with a day that condones the mass consumption of chocolate?

Tell me, really?

But a great way to spend Valentines Day is to listen to heart wrenchingly good music. So, for your listening pleasure, I've composed a Valentines Day mix. It's not about storybook love, or anything... it's those songs that describe every stage of love, from the unrequited to the ended, to the ridiculous. Understand...there are infinity songs out there, so to pick just a few almost hurts a little (time and bandwidth limitations), but here's a nice random sampling. (Honorable mention to; Fresh Feeling by Eels, Love You Madly by Cake, Harbor by Vienna Teng).

Valentines Day in Juarez- The Ike Reilly Assassination
Yesterday I smoked, today I don't.
Not very cheery, but still awesome.




Spit on a Stranger- Pavement
Honey I'm a prize, and you're a catch, and we're a perfect match.



You Left the Water Running- Otis Redding
The man can sing a good break up song. It moves the guts.




Wedding Day- Rosie Thomas
Falling in love with the world is definitely worth doing.



Foundations- Kate Nash
Clever, spunky, and a little bitter, and a great song. Kate, in her always cheeky way, tells of that time in a relationship when it can be harder to call it quits than to stay in a situation that isn't quite right. What an astute observation!



Sex Bomb- Tom Jones
It's not dirty, it's tastefully lurid.


On Ice- Chris Thile
This is off Chris' solo album Deceiver, written for his now ex-wife. In his lyrical (and musical) brilliance, Thile honestly talks about his own relationship insecurities and his mistake of running away from what he really wanted.



I'm Always in Love- Wilco
It was between this and I'm the Man Who Loves You. Wilco never fails to deliver a poignant, fun song. I always liked Summerteeth because it's fun and spunky, and this song so simply delivers its title. Yeah. I'm always in love.


I Know You By Heart- Eva Cassidy
When I first heard this song, it drove me to tears, really. Sixteen years old, and Cassidy got me to cry over the idea of losing love. Her voice is haunting, the melody is haunting, and it's all just beautiful.



The Promise- Michael Nyman
Sometimes no words are needed.



Songs of Love- Ben Folds
Off of the EP Supersunnyspeedgraphic, Ben Folds analyzes prepubescent love through the eyes of a musician. Spot on!


Anything You Want- Spoon
This song always jumps out at me from Girls Can Tell, but I do have that theory that the sixth track on any album is bound to be good. I don't know why, but Spoon proves me right in this ditty about that someone that never leaves your brain no matter how hard you try.


Wading in the Velvet Sea- Phish
OK, so this song has some significance given that it is the first song anyone has ever played for me, but it's still right on in all of its lyrical simplicity. Wait through the super long intro, and you will be rewarded.



Ophelia- The Band
They've got soul, and in my opinion, what some of these heartache ballads need is a little more of that.



Young- Nickel Creek
OK, so I feel bad putting a Chris Thile and Nickel Creek song on here, but Young is a much-overlooked song about why does everything have to be so serious? It's not like I want to get married/ I never asked you to kiss me/Just don't want you to be sorry you didn't try. Everyone has those times that we realize we just take everything so darn seriously, and sometimes it's just time to let go!



Hard to Get- Rich Mullins
This happens to be my personal Valentines Day Song, because everything ends up coming back to my love with God, and honestly...it's the relationship I abuse and can't figure out the most. Rich understands. He always understands. Also, this is the demo version off his The Jesus Record, and it is much less finished than the produced track. It's just Rich in a church with his guitar and a mic. Powerful. Still I'm so scared/ I'm holding my breath/ While you're up there just playing hard to get.



Wonderwall- Ryan Adams
Originally an Oasis song, yes, but I prefer the nitty gritty Love is Hell version that Ryan Adams put out. The original is most often put on Luv Mixes to significant others, so I love the context of Ryan's Wonderwall, in the midst of an album laden with rainy day, hit the bottom reflections.


And, well, there you go. My Valentines Mix 2008. I hope you have a delightful day full of love, whatever kind of love it is. Love for you, love for someone else, love for love, you choose!