A Big Day

I have a confession to make.

I... I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to say it fast:

I don't know everything.

It's true.

I know!

I'm just as shocked as you are.

OK, get over it. There's more.

I haven't heard every song ever written.

Gasp! Shock! The horror!

Be strong. We'll get through this somehow. Together.

It gets worse...

In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably tell you that some of those songs I don't know are by fairly well-known musicians. Some might even call them "classics." (But, I mean, come on-- I know all the words to James' "Laid"-- THAT song is a classic!)

To be fair (to me), some of these songs came out before I was born!

Anyway, a few of my more awesome friends have taken it upon themselves to fill in the gaps in my musical education. They tell me what songs I should know; they perform music inspections and create pop quizzes to make sure I've been listening; they even feign horror when I know something cheesy but not one of their "classics." (Them: You know every word to "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" by England Dan and John Ford Coley, but you don't know "Radar Love"?!? Me: I totally know "Radar Love"... Now.)

One of the cutest of those friends happens to be having a birthday today. As he is one of the most diligent (and probably, therefore, the most frustrated) in expanding my song horizons, I would like to honour him by showing just SOME of the songs I would likely not otherwise know.

A mix of some classics, some obscure-- all unknown prior to this year.

(Thanks, Peter-- I appreciate your patience and that you don't make fun of me TOO much. Happy Birthday-- you're the best!)

I make no apologies for not knowing these songs. At least I'm learning! Hope you can learn something too... Enjoy!

37 Songs I Have Learned This Year
(In no particular order. Of course.)

"Angie" - Rolling Stones
"Gimme Shelter" - Rolling Stones
"Thunder Road" - Bruce Springsteen
"Undun" - The Guess Who
"Father and Son" - Cat Stevens
"Wish You Were Here" - Pink Floyd (NOT the same as the Incubus song. Who knew?!)
"Bastards of Young" - The Replacements
"Wouldn't It Be Good" - Nik Kershaw
"New Orleans Is Sinking" - The Tragically Hip
"Smalltown Boy" - Bronski Beat
"Try" - Blue Rodeo
"First Day Of Spring" - The Gandharvas
"Underwhelmed" - Sloan
"Apparitions" - Matthew Good Band
"Every Day Should Be A Holiday" - Dandy Warhols
"Born Slippy" - Underworld
"78 Stone Wobble" - Gomez
"Pure Shores" - All Saints
"If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" - Manic Street Preachers
"Spin The Bottle" - Juliana Hatfield Three
"Something So Strong" - Crowded House
"Beautiful Girl" - Pete Droge and the Sinners
"Suffering" - Satchel
"The Day Brings" - Brad
"Nautical Disaster" - The Tragically Hip
"Dry The Rain" - The Beta Band
"Something In The Air" - Thunderclap Newman
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" - Joy Division
"Secret" - The Pierces
"Mr. Soul" - Buffalo Springfield
"Heroes" - David Bowie
"Heart of Gold" - Neil Young
"Eli's Coming" - Three Dog Night
"Spinning Wheel" - Blood, Sweat, and Tears
"Dirty Work" - Steely Dan
"Sunshine of Your Love" - Cream

And, finally...


("Hair of the Dog" - Nazareth)

*****

(You know what Peter would probably like MOST for his birthday?)

(Coke and hookers, yes.)

(You know what ELSE Peter would like for his birthday? For you to buy a copy of his book. And, really, getting to read his book is a gift. So it's almost like HE would be giving YOU a gift for his birthday. Such a giver.)

(Better buy two copies. Christmas is coming!)