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 second disc covering the world of live music. If one were to judge my enjoyment of these discs based on how often I listen to the same songs today, this would likely go down as my least favorite disc. That probably says more about the audio quality of some of these bootlegs than the musical quality. So, without further ado, I bring you Live Music, volume 2.
Garbage – Vow
I have 6 different live versions of this song on MP3, so I’m not exactly sure which version this is.
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011
Van Halen – You Really Got Me
I am led to believe that this version was from the early days of the band, before they had become the huge superstars they were destined to be.
iTunes stats: Never played
Aerosmith – Dream On
Performed live with an orchestra for MTV’s 10th anniversary special.
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/31/2011
No Doubt – Don’t Speak
In 1997, the song was ranked at number 495 on Blender magazine’s “The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born”.
iTunes stats: Never played
Veruca Salt – Volcano Girls
The last hit featuring Nina Gordon as a member of the band.
iTunes stats: Never played
Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
Pitchfork Media placed the song at number 19 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
iTunes stats: Never played
The Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There
In 2004, it was ranked #139 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
iTunes stats: Never played
Liz Phair – Polyester Bride
Recorded live at the Vic.
iTunes stats: Never played
Alanis Morissette – Uninvited
I have 2 live versions of this, one from MTV Unplugged and one from VH1 Storytellers.
iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/2/2008
Nirvana – Rape Me
The song was relabeled “Waif Me” on the packaging for Wal-Mart and Kmart stores, which found the actual title too controversial.
iTunes stats: Never played
Elvis Presley- Yesterday
The MP3 claims to be from February of 1970.
iTunes stats: Never played
Nirvana – About A Girl
The song was written after Kurt Cobain spent an entire afternoon repeatedly listening to Meet The Beatles!
iTunes stats: Never played
Scorpions – Wind Of Change
The song is currently the 10th best-selling single of all time in Germany.
iTunes stats: 1 play, on 1/30/2009
The Corrs – Everybody Hurts
This REM cover was included on the Irish band’s MTV Unplugged release.
iTunes stats: Never played
REM – Orange Crush
Michael Stipe introduces the song by singing the US Army jingle, “Be all that you can be, in the Army.”
iTunes stats: Never played
Susanna Hoffs – Eternal Flame
The lead singer of The Bangles performed this live at Lillith Fair.
iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012
Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
Again, I have 2 live versions of this, one from MTV Unplugged and one from VH1 Storytellers.
iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 4/12/2010