Well I May Be A Sinner but It Wasn't Me This Time!

Happy Monday folks. And what a Monday it was. For me it was filled with rain, frequent trips to the "Fresh Air" deck and making old man jokes about Brett Favre. Overall...not a bad way to start the week. And now that the pleasantries are over with....let's shuffle.

Take It on The Run by REO Speedwagon - Can anyone explain to me why I get laughed at every time I admit to liking REO Speedwagon? This song in particular is pretty damn awesome. It is one of the ultimate challenge song. There is something oddly sexy about the line "If you leave tonight keep running and you need never look back again." I also like the reality of it, in the sense that at the beginning he doesn't believe it but by the end of it he basically slams the door in her face. It's just a good tune. It is an easy song to sing along because lets face it, you know some of the words even if you don't want to admit it. Best Line: If that's the way you want it baby then I don't want you around."

Thick as Thieves by Dashboard Confessional - OK now here is a song of devotion. This guy is ready hang for this chick and its clear about one third of the way into the song that she doesn't deserve. What is it about dumb men sticking up for bitchy women? Oh well...not really the point. Vocally and lyrically this song is phenomenal though it is not one of the more popular DC songs. Another plus of the song is that fact that it is quick. It is not one of those songs that drags on forrrrrrrevvvvvver. Its in and out in less than 3 minutes but totally gets the job done. Again...another great little tune. Best Line: I swear I'll make it right."

Joey by Concrete Blonde - This is such a sad little song for me. I am not sure why it makes me sad because I sure that there is a chance that Joey and his love worked things out but I don't really think so. If the guy is passed out on the floor I'd say that the ship has sailed. What makes this song so great is the unabashed pleading for another chance. I think that deep down most of our egos yearn to have someone plead and fight for our love like that. I also think we all want to love someone so much that our hearts refuse to let them go. Or maybe its just me. Best Line: But if its love you're looking for then I can give a little more."

You Will Love This Song by Amber Rubarth - If you have never heard of Amber Rubarth before, don't feel bad....most people haven't. Now that being said...go out and download this song. It is one of the most well written story telling songs I have heard in a long time. The details of this song make it easy for you to picture the way that the whole relationship played out which is cool. More significantly, anyone who has ever been dumped can relate to the song so that takes it up a notch on the greatness charts. But best of all, it is not a depressing song. Her bubbly and sweet voice is catchy and pleasant to listen to. So yeah...download this song. Best Line: Now I'm wondering if I imagined it or if it was ever really there?"

Your Words In My Memory...Are Like Music To Me

Happy Monday Folks. I hope that all of you had pleasant long weekends. Now enough with the pleasantries...let's shuffle!

Every Little Step by Bobby Brown - The best part of this song is that it serves as a reminder that there was once a time when Bobby Brown was cool. True it was long ago and never likely to have a revival but that is not the point. For a moment in time we were singing and bobbing our heads along to this catchy tune without getting laughed at. Truth is that this is a fun little song to jam to which is why you still catch people listening to it today. It is a peppy love song for the guy trying to get the girl. I don't seek this song out but I always enjoy hearing it. Best Line: "No matter what your friends try to tell you, we were meant to fall in love."

Together by The Kin - So a couple of months ago I had no clue who in the hell The Kin was and now I absolutely love them. They opened up for my beloved Joshua Radin in NYC and it took all of about 45 seconds of them being on stage for me to fall in love with them. If you have no clue who they are do yourself a favor and YouTube them. They are cute and talented which is awesome. So here is your typical song about about staying together even after all the pain. It reminds me that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Nothing fancy but enjoyable. Check it out! And yeah...that is me with one of the brothers from The Kin. Don't ask me which one because I have no clue. Best Line: "Its all gonna be the same when you get there."

Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey - I think that this was the last song by Mariah before she went crazy. It was sweet and not slutty and I loved it. I miss the sweet and sober Mariah of my youth....but that is not the point. Remember how cute the video for this song was? The two kids away at camp and how in love with the girl the little boy was? It was adorable. The song itself is pretty adorable. I'll admit...I still like to sing it today. It is a confident little love song which is why it works. There is not much too it. Lyrically nor vocally is it one of Mariah's best songs but that is okay. Not every song can be a Hero. It is kind of like sangria. It doesn't pack a heavy punch but it is always enjoyable. Best Line: "Boy don't you know you can't escape me, oh darling cuz you'll always be my baby."

Set Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol - OK so this song is FUCKING AWESOME. I hate that haven't listened to it as much as I want to and am doing everything that I can to fix that without overplaying it. I kid you not, I listen to it at least three times a day. I would listen to it more by I feel bad for Pat who can hear everything in my cube. Anyone who has been to a movie in the past three months has heard this song because it is used in the trailer for Dear John. If that didn't hook you I don't know if I can help you but I am trying. Just listen to it once in its entirety and tell me it is one of the sexiest and most awesome songs EVER. I dare you. Best Line: "I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms."

Good Girl Gone by MIKA - Again I submit to you that I am truly grateful for the awesomeness that is MIKA. How in the world did I ever get out of a bad mood without him? I swear to you that you cannot be in a bad mood when listening to MIKA. His peppy beats mixed with his ass shaking beats always result in an outstanding song. This song is my favorite off his latest album. I think that I tend to personalize this song a little bit which would account for my near obsession with the song. This is another song that I listen to at least once a day. If you do one thing to better yourself this week, make it downloading a MIKA song. Best Line: "Needs somebody to notice but the goodness gets her down."

Good Night Peeps! Luv, Millie

Big Lights Will Inspire You

So for those of you who are new to the blog...(Mo Bless You)...my favorite part of the blog is the Monday Night Shuffle. The Monday Night Shuffle is when I sit down in front of the computer, put the iPod on Shuffle, and write about whatever song comes on. Most of the commentary is the view from my driver seat but you can't really complain about that since it is my blog. My hope is that you are reminded of a song that you had previously forgotten and maybe...maybe just maybe...I manage to get you to laugh at my take on them. Enjoy my friends!

Blame it on the Rain by Milli Vanilli – OK so I am assuming that you probably have tears in your eyes from laughing at me for having this on my iPod…dry your eyes and keep on reading. Aside from being one of the most laughable songs on my iPod this song happens to be one of the worst for getting stuck in one’s head. I think that is why I still like after all of these years. Say what you will about it about I am pretty sure that you have sung this song at least once in your life. Blame It on the Rain has to be the all time greatest bull-shit excuse ever written…opening the door for songs such as “It Wasn’t Me”. It is such a ridiculous excuse that one might be tempted to let the injustice pass simply because it is so ludicrous. And when you think about it…there is some truth to it. I mean…you have to blame it on something so why not the rain? I am pretty sure that they got it right when they said that the rain doesn’t care. So where is the harm? Nonetheless…I will forever think of this song whenever it is raining and my hope is that after reading this that you will too. Best Line: “Whatever you do…don’t put the blame on you.”

80 by Green Day - So the truth is that you really have to be a fan in order to know and appreciate this song. While it has received virtually no play time the undeniable fact is that this song is fucking awesome! The idea behind it is nothing new but the lyrics are so clever that it stands above the rest. It is early Green Day which means that the song is a bit raw but that's okay. Early Green Day tends to be better Green Day (American Idiot album excluded). This is a fun punk song that sings out for help. It begs to be rescued from the love that is driving you crazy. You know this part of the relationship, you know that you need to escape or lose your mind but you also know that you are too in love to actually do it so you beg anyone and everyone to help you be free. This song is truly a forgotten gem. Best Line: "Is there any cure for this disease that some call love.

Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys – Let’s hear it for New York indeed. There has not been a better shout out song to the greatest city on the planet since Ole Blue Eyes sang about waking up in the city that never sleeps. I think that it has a special part in my heart because of the live performance of it prior to Game 2. It was such a great performance that I can’t even be mad about the fact that the performance was supposed to be done at Game 1 while I was there but got moved to Game 2 which I missed. Oh well. The reason that this song is so solid has to be the fact that it is not some dumb “cool city” song that is just made up of catchy lines. This song is real and therefore manages to captures the greatness that is New York. Dreams truly are made there and if you doubt that, take someone who has never been to the city into Times Square, or Rockefeller Center, or Yankee Stadium and look into their eyes as they try to absorb the sights. I was lucky enough to share all three places with NYC Virgins and it was a lifetime memory experience. Only a place as grand as NYC can inspire a grown man to run away with a skip in their step, light in their eyes, and a smile on their face. Kudos to Jay-Z for capturing this in five minute song. Best Line: “The concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden – I tend to be unkind to this song and mostly because it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo overplayed in its heyday. However when I force myself to get over that not so minor fact I am reminded of the fact that it is actually a damn good song. Sure it is a pretty sappy love song but as far as sappy love songs go this one is better than most. The feeling that I get from this song is that the love is enough and that is no small thing. He promises to love her and her alone, as well as love more with every breath until the end of time. Now I am no longer stupid enough to believe that such a promise could ever be honored but that doesn’t mean that I don’t wish that it could be. Musically there is nothing special about this song but lyrically it is impressive. While it is a bit mushy and flowery at times, it is not overly so to the point that it makes me want to vomit. I guess it boils down to the fact that though I know that no one person could be my everything I still want someone to try…and this song is the promise of that. Pretty fucked up when you think about it. Good thing that I usually push past this song when it comes up on the shuffle because it is enough to push me closer to brink of insanity. The song gets bonus points for having the best line of the song being the opening line…you know what a sucker I am for opening lines. Best Line: “ I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy.”

(You Want To) Make A Memory by Bon Jovi – Funny how time changes things. The thoughts that came up with this song a year ago are definitely not the thoughts that I have this year. For me this song will now be known as my World Series song. This song came on my iPod as I was driving back to the base after having been blessed to see the Yankees win the 2009 World Series. Nothing was said for the duration of the song. For my part I was thinking of the impact that the night had on me. The New York Yankees stole a piece of time for all of Yankee Universe that night. They made history that night and I was there to see it. I remember parts of the night as clearly as if they happened yesterday, while other parts are unclear but clouded with bliss. I might never see or speak to some of the people that I spent that night with again but for that night we were the closest of friends. Even if the stars align and the same thing happens again next year it will not be the same. There was nowhere else for me to be that night and I will never be back there again in that very same place but that’s OK. I stole a piece of time that night and it is locked away in my mind and heart forever. Best Line: “Baby just breathe, there is nowhere else that we should be.”

Much Love, Millie

Its Gonna Be Alright

Back to Back iPod Shuffles? Have I gone crazy? Only slightly but one has nothing to do with the other. The fact is that I have duty tonight and shuffles are easily done once I get burnt out on work stuff. So let’s jump into it.

Do You Believe In Us by Jon Secada – What ever happened to Jon Secada? Poor guy apparently had terrible timing…as he seemed to fade away before the Latin craze took over thanks to Selena, Ricky, and Enrique. Oh well. Jon had a few decent hits. This is probably the least popular of his hits and truthfully not one of my favorites. I am not entirely sure why it is on my iPod. Jon sounds moderately sexy as he serenades his way through this catchy tune that begs the subject to have faith and give their love one more chance. Apparently she lacks his optimism about the matter. In spite of the fact that it is not one of my favorite songs…I can still honestly say that I would fall for his crooning and take another chance. God I am sucker. Best Line: “I know that we belong…just give us another chance.”

You’re Not Sorry by Taylor Swift – OK so I am pretty far behind the crowd but I am finally onboard the Taylor Swift bandwagon. Courtesy of the fine folks at CSI I suspect that many more non-country fans will be climbing onboard as well. So the reason that this song is awesome is because it is just dead on. At some point, she is going to have enough. The apologies and excuses are going to fall on deaf ears because eventually she is going to see that if he really cared he wouldn’t put her through everything that he does. Good for her. Best Line: “I would have loved you all my life if you hadn’t left me waiting in the cold.”

Cecilia by Simon & Garfunkel – How awesome is this song? This song is the perfect friend building song in the sense that no one can resist singing it when it plays. For the 3 minutes that it is blasting from the speakers (I’m sure that I don’t have to explain that this is another one of those song that instinctively makes you crank up the volume) everyone is singing and everyone is friends. Together you smile and tap your feet, clap your hands and so on and all is well for those three minutes. If only Paul and Art could make peace with one another enough to reunite…world peace could feasibly follow if they put out another song of this caliber. Best Line: “I fall on the floor and I’m laughing.”
Song Sung Blue by Neil Diamond – I have been getting shit daily at work ever since I admitted that I am a huge Neil Diamond fan. It is worth it all because of songs like this one. Has another other solo artist given us so many great songs that are such a joy to sing? I think not. This is one of those that is pretty easy to sing and makes you sway a little bit as you do. And when you really think about it…the song is pretty damn accurate. We all do get the blues every now and then and when you sing about them you start to feel better. So haters be damned…I am gonna sing ‘em out again and I really don’t care how hard you laugh at me. Best Line: “Funny thing but you can sing it with a cry in your voice and before you know it start feeling good…you simply got no choice.”
If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher – First let me say that I smile every time that I hear this song because I am reminded that Robin was never an asshole without trying to make up for it using my kryptonite…i,e music. This particular memory that I am referring to is one that will always be one that I keep close and will forever make me smile. Moving on…since most of you weren’t there for the Robin moment, odds are that you think of Jack on Will & Grace and his silly way of singing this song. Either way…this song should make you smile. It is a pretty good tune that is always a hit at the karaoke bar. It is also a great song for singing in the shower. It is impossible to sing this song quietly so unless you can actually sing…it is best to do it in front a bunch of drunk people who also cannot sing or with the water running during your morning shampoo. I am fan of either method. Best Line: “If I could reach the stars…I’d give them all to you.”

Banana Boat Song by Harry Belafonte – Just hearing this song excites me more than words can possibly say! Only 28 more days until the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium! I don’t care how many stadiums still this song for their own use…it belongs to the Yankees. For those of you non-baseball fans (which really is a crime against nature)…here is another fun association for you to reflect on with this song. Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Best Line: “Day-O….Day-O”

Let It Out and Move On

OK...so I posted a well-written Star Wars related post tonight...read it and realized that I had better pull the post. It was too dark of a posting and would get me referred to worklife or even worse...result in a paranoid phone call from my parents. (Email me if really want to read it). So instead...here is a complimentary shuffle. It is sort of like when baseball has a rain delay and so you end up watching an episode of Will & Grace instead.

Sally's Song Catherine O'Hara (137) - I love The Nightmare Before Christmas...specifically this song. Sally is probably my favorite fictional heroine. She was one smart and tough cookie...and yet so sad. Tonight especially...I feel Sally's pain. The best line of the song is the opening line...which makes it all the more awesome. Best line: "I sense there's something in the wind...that feels like tragedy's at hand." It is the type of 1st line that really hooks the listener.

Cradle of Love by Billy Idol (195) - I LOVE this song. It is the best song by any Billy...there I said it. ;>) AU I was actually singing this song in the car this morning...when I was still somewhat upbeat...completely unaware that the day would be one of the worst in a long time. I love this song because it is extremely sexy though I can't exactly say why.

Try Me by James Brown (245) - Love songs...they just don't make them like they used to. This is another song that I hear and immediately shut my eyes to better see the one that always comes to mind from the moment I hear the 1st note. There is no real reason for it since there is no connection between the two but it doesn't stop me from wishing that there was. I suspect that this song would be perfect to slow dance to...just as I suspect that I will never know for sure. Best line: "Darling tell me...I need you."

I Grieve by Peter Gabriel (174) - I don't know about the rest of you...but I always think of Nicholas Cage's character Seth in City of Angels when I hear this song. Remember how completely crushed he was by the loss of Maggie? I always picture the devastated yet determined look on his face at the market as he loaded his basket with pears as this song played in the background. He had tears in his eyes as he grabbed pear after pear, clearly fueled by his rage and pain. It might be my favorite Cage scene ever...as I totally bought it. I remember several of my guys friends making fun of this scene...(what else did I expect from teenage boys?) and yet I will always remember the tender way two of those insensitive jerks (kidding my dear friends) sang part of this song this to me at my saddest hour. Much like Seth in the movie...this song ended up giving me comfort...which is why it totally kicks ass. Best line: "Did I dream this belief or did I believe this dream?"

Of course...one must sleep in order to dream.