Mix Tape Monday – Workout

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc created specifically for working out.  The selection is mostly European dance music which has a good beat intended to keep me moving.  Sadly, I can’t say how well it worked.  So, without further ado, I bring you Workout, volume 1.

The SKLF – 3 AM Eternal

Numerous versions of the song were released as singles between 1989 and 1992, with the January 1991 acid house pop version of the song becoming an international top ten hit single, reaching #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 3/30/2011

Information Society – What’s On Your Mind

The dance/freestyle/synthpop hit, which went straight to No. 1 on the dance chart and spent 39 weeks on the chart and would peak at #3 on the Hot 100 pop chart, included vocal samples of Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy from the Star Trek episodes Errand of Mercy and I, Mudd, respectively.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 1/27/2009

2 Unlimited – Get Ready For This

The single from the Dutch Eurodance group worked its way up to #38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart only three after its original release.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 1/4/2011

Snap! – Rhythm Is A Dancer

The single from the German Eurodance project shot to #1 in Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and peaked at #5 in the US.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/16/2012

Real McCoy – Another Night

The German Eurodance group found worldwide fame when this single shot to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1994.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 10/16/2012

Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone

The Dutch Eurodance group launched their career in July 1999 with this single, reaching #3 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play and #27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/22/2012

Garbage – Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go) (Howie B Remix)

This remix of the hit song was included on the Japanese single.

iTunes stats: Never played

Cathy Dennis featuring D-Mob – C’mon And Get My Love

The sing is regarded as an underground classic in the dance music field.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/7/2011

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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 4

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

 

Volume 4 places us smack dab in the middle of my junior year of high school, from late 1990 and into 1991, and once again features a healthy dose of hair metal and pop, with a little dance electronica thrown in for good measure.  Judging solely from this tape, you would have no idea that Nirvana’s Nevermind would be released later this year.

 

Side A

Damn Yankees – High Enough

The one big hit from the supergroup featuring Ted Nugent was taped off of the radio, most likely Z95.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/15/2011

Sweet Sensation – If Wishes Came True

The pop hit was taped off the radio, courtesy of Shadoe Stevens and American Top 40.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/21/2011

Poison – Fallen Angel

This out of sequence hit was taped off the cassette, but I’m not sure whose.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 8/7/2011

Simpsons – Do The Bart Man

With the Simpsons being the hottest thing in pop culture, the first single from their album was taped off the radio from Z95.

iTunes stats: Never played

Roxette – The Look

The first hit from Roxette was taped off of the cassette.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/3/2009

Poison – I Won’t Forget You

Taped off a mixtape I “borrowed” from my friend Mike’s sister.  I’m pretty sure I gave it back eventually.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 3/19/2011

Side B

Continue reading →

Snowplow Shuffle

Another snowstorm has hit.  Here’s the soundtrack that got me through clearing the driveway both yesterday afternoon and this morning.

 

Loser (LP Version) Beck Loser 1/20/2012 4:00 PM
Smells Like Teen Spirit Tori Amos Crucify 1/20/2012 4:04 PM
Sunny Came Home Shawn Colvin A Few Small Repairs 1/20/2012 4:08 PM
The Taste Oblivion Sweatpants USA 1/20/2012 4:12 PM
Buffy Theme Nerf Herder Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album 1/20/2012 4:13 PM
Finish What Ya Started Van Halen The Best Of Both Worlds [Disc 1] 1/20/2012 4:17 PM
Everlong (Acoustic Version) Foo Fighters Greatest Hits 1/20/2012 4:22 PM
C’mon And Get My Love Cathy Dennis featuring D-Mob Move to This 1/20/2012 4:25 PM
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) Mötley Crüe Motley Crue Greatest Hits 1/20/2012 4:30 PM
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite R.E.M. Automatic For The People 1/21/2012 9:19 AM
Oh Yeah Yello Stella 1/21/2012 9:22 AM
Walking After You Foo Fighters The Colour And The Shape 1/21/2012 9:27 AM
I Want You Back The Jackson 5 Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 1/21/2012 9:30 AM
True Colors Cyndi Lauper True Colors 1/21/2012 9:34 AM

Small break to get a new snowblower.

Everything Zen Bush Sixteen Stone 1/21/2012 10:41 AM
Life’s A Happy Song Finale The Muppets The Muppets 1/21/2012 10:43 AM
This Is Love PJ Harvey Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back 1/21/2012 10:47 AM
Mr. Bass Man Floyd & Scooter Muppet Hits 1/21/2012 10:49 AM
Downtown Tegan and Sara So Jealous 1/21/2012 10:54 AM

Goodbye, iPhone 3G – Music Edition

As I wait for tomorrow’s delivery of my new iPhone 4S, it is time to say goodbye to the 3G that has been my trusty companion for nearly the past 3 1/2 years.  We’ve traveled the world together (well, at least Canada and the UK) and have listened to a lot of music.  Here is every song (all 1597 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary!

He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 100
Gordon Beckham Intro 91
Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 87
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 84
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 83
sox05_montage 75
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 73
Boom P.O.D. Satellite 70
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 69
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 65

No surprise that the top 10 are all part of (or were part of) my White Sox victory playlist.  This gets played on the way home from every White Sox winner, plus the occassional ride to a game.  Continue reading →

Monday Night Commute

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, and a late afternoon chat about listening to music on the drive home has put me in the mood to do another.

Why Do You Love Me Garbage Absolute Garbage 6/13/2011 5:30 PM
Free Fallin’ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Greatest Hits 6/13/2011 5:34 PM
Coda The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Once More, With Feeling 6/13/2011 5:35 PM
The Humpty Dance Digital Underground Millennium Hip-Hop Party 6/13/2011 5:39 PM
Walk This Way Run-D.M.C. Millennium Hip-Hop Party 6/13/2011 5:43 PM
Cradle of Love Billy Idol Billy Idol: Greatest Hits 6/13/2011 5:48 PM
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da The Beatles The Beatles (White Album) [Disc 1] [2009 Stereo Remaster] 6/13/2011 5:51 PM
Happy Together The Turtles AM Gold: 1967 6/13/2011 5:54 PM
Our Lips Are Sealed The Go-Go’s Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion 6/13/2011 5:56 PM
Start Me Up The Rolling Stones Forty Licks (Disc 2) 6/13/2011 6:00 PM
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band [2009 Stereo Remaster] 6/13/2011 6:02 PM
Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana Nevermind 6/13/2011 6:07 PM
Bang Gorky Park Gorky Park 6/13/2011 6:12 PM
Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love Cheap Trick The Greatest Hits 6/13/2011 6:16 PM
I’ll Be Your Shelter Taylor Dayne Greatest Hits 6/13/2011 6:20 PM
Pretty Penny Stone Temple Pilots Purple 6/13/2011 6:24 PM
C’mon And Get My Love Cathy Dennis featuring D-Mob Move to This 6/13/2011 6:28 PM
Do The Stanley Mexican Cheerleader Kings And Kings’ Hoots 6/13/2011 6:33 PM
In The Still Of The Night (I’ll Remember) Boyz II Men Boyz II Men: Legacy – The Greatest Hits Collection 6/13/2011 6:35 PM
Fuck And Run Liz Phair Exile in Guyville 6/13/2011 6:39 PM
Ready To Go (U.S. Mix) Republica Republica 6/13/2011 6:44 PM
Eight Days A Week The Beatles Beatles For Sale [2009 Stereo Remaster] 6/13/2011 6:46 PM
Something The Beatles Abbey Road [2009 Stereo Remaster] 6/13/2011 6:49 PM

Snowpocalypse 2011 – Shoveling Mix

In Bloom Nirvana Nevermind 2/2/2011 9:54 AM
Get Back The Beatles Let It Be… Naked 2/2/2011 9:57 AM
Since I Don’t Have You The Skyliners Fonzie’s Make Out Music 2/2/2011 10:00 AM
Wild World Mr. Big Bump Ahead 2/2/2011 10:03 AM
No One Else Weezer Weezer 2/2/2011 10:07 AM
Fly Sugar Ray (Featuring Super Cat) The Absolute Hits 2/2/2011 10:11 AM
Labour Of Love Frente! Marvin The Album 2/2/2011 10:14 AM
This Is A Call Foo Fighters Foo Fighters 2/2/2011 10:18 AM
If Wishes Came True Sweet Sensation Love Child 2/2/2011 10:24 AM
Flavor Of The Weak American Hi-Fi American Hi-Fi 2/2/2011 10:27 AM
Aeroplane Red Hot Chili Peppers One Hot Minute 2/2/2011 10:32 AM
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C Band Shuffle

Standing The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Once More, With Feeling 12/14/2010 5:54 PM
Best Of You Foo Fighters Skin And Bones 12/14/2010 5:59 PM
Ms. Jackson OutKast Stankonia 12/14/2010 6:03 PM
Dancing Days Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy 12/14/2010 6:07 PM
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 12/14/2010 6:11 PM
California Dreamin’ The Mamas & The Papas California Dreamin’ 12/14/2010 6:14 PM
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Thursday Night’s Commute

Thursday night’s ride home should not be this long.

Cherry Bomb Dakota Fanning The Runaways: Music From The Motion Picture 9/23/2010 4:33 PM
Fallen Angel Poison Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 9/23/2010 4:37 PM
Spin The Black Circle Pearl Jam Vitalogy 9/23/2010 4:40 PM
Kim the Waitress Material Issue Freak City Soundtrack 9/23/2010 4:45 PM
Yesterday The Beatles Help! [2009 Stereo Remaster] 9/23/2010 4:47 PM
Monkey Wrench Foo Fighters The Colour And The Shape 9/23/2010 4:51 PM
Glorified G Pearl Jam Vs. 9/23/2010 4:55 PM
Walking With a Ghost Tegan and Sara 5 Songs Live from the Phoenix – EP 9/23/2010 4:58 PM
Continue reading →