Pat Benatar

As promised, here is the follow up to last week’s Dylan picks. And this time, it’s all about PB. PBen. Pat. It doesn’t matter what you call her because Pat Benatar is awesome.

*Little known fact: The Buggles “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first video ever broadcast on MTV. The second video was “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar. Since the Buggles don’t have a guitarist, the honor of first guitarist on MTV falls to Neil Giraldo, Pat’s guitarist and husband.

I know 80’s music isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time but Pat Benatar is amazing and sounds just as good now as she did back then. Since she hasn’t really put out anything recently, I’m just going to throw up my fav 5.

1. “We Belong”

This isn’t just my favorite Pat Benatar song, it is one of my top 7 all time favorite songs (and yes, I know 7 is a weird number). This song is great and if you don’t like it we really can’t be friends anymore—and I’m not even kidding.

2. “Shadows of the Night”

I will give anyone 10 dollars if they can honestly say they don’t sing along to the “We’re running with the shadows of the night…” part at the beginning. It can’t be done.

3. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”

I know it’s a bit over played but when you’ve got a good song, you’ve got a good song.

4. “Invincible”

The ultimate girl power song of the 80’s. So good it makes you want to go bust criminals or something Spiderman-style.

5. “Love is a Battlefield”

You can’t have a list of Pat Benatar songs and not have this on it. Even though it’s not my favorite, the video is a classic. And if those dance moves look familiar to you, they should. The video was choreographed by the same guy who did “Thriller.”

Bob Dylan

Next week’s a big week for me. I’m driving 3 hours to see Bob Dylan followed by an overnight 5 and a half hour drive to Sioux Falls followed immediately by a 5 hour drive to Iowa to see Meintsma and (more importantly, Pat Benatar).

I’m pretty stoked about these concerts so I figured today and next week’s KB Thinks Music could be focused on these two. I mean, Dylan is legendary and if you don’t sing along to every Pat Benatar song you hear there is clearly something really wrong with you. So for today’s listening pleasure I present 5 Bob Dylan songs

Something Old

“Blowin’ in the Wind”

Considering the fact that Dylan was originally known as a protest singer, it seems appropriate to include this in his “something old” category. And, let’s be honest, it’s hard to miss this song’s relevance in our culture now.

Something New

“Wedding Song”

This isn’t exactly a “new” song (considering the fact it's 30 years old) but it’s one that I’ve recently started appreciating more and more. For people that have a problem with Dylan’s voice, I recommend skipping this song because this is him at his “worst.” Speaking of new music: get pumped because Dylan is releasing a new album soon!

Something Borrowed

“Visions of Johanna”

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t originally sold on this song. I didn’t think it was one of his better songs and I didn’t think (and still don’t) that it needs to be seven and a half minutes long. However, one of my friends really like this songs and as much as it pains me to admit that she’s right… it’s a good pretty good song.

Something Blue

“It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”

What can you say? It’s a great song. Also, it has "blue" in the title.

Something Random

“Mr. Tambourine Man”

This is one of my all time favorite songs and one of the greatest songs ever to drive to. Seriously, drop what you’re doing, hop in your car, head out of town (preferably to a prairie), and play this song. Follow it up with America’s “Ventura Highway” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” and you’ve got yourself a good day ahead. Also, the last verse of this song is some of the best song writing I’ve ever heard.

Olympics

What are you fools doing??? The Olympics are on!!!! Go watch that instead of reading this. But if you must listen to something on this blog, look at this video: the NBC theme to the Olympics.

Slow Burner

I’m a sucker for those songs that have a slow build up then suddenly get really intense. Here are my 5 picks for the week.

Something Old

“Young London”- Angels and Airwaves

Remember when Angels and Airwaves was huge? I have to admit, I never really liked them all that much because I hated the fact that lead singer had left Blink 182 to join AA. But now that Blink is back together (not ashamed to admit that I love them) I can cherish the music Angels and Airwaves left us.

Something New

“A Leaving Song”- Broken Records

I’m not really sure how old this song is but I just heard it for the first time a couple weeks ago. Since then, it has collected an embarrassing high number of plays on my itunes. Enjoy.

Something Borrowed

“Torch Song”- Shady Bard

Just like I’m not ashamed to admit I love Blink 182, I’m also not ashamed to admit that I love The Vampire Diaries. Ok. Yes, I am a little ashamed to admit that. Whatever. All of you who are judging me for my poor taste suck (haha see what I did there?) This is a song that I downloaded after hearing it during one of the episodes.

Something Blue

“Caves”- Jack’s Mannequin

You know any song that starts out with single scales being playing on a piano is going to end pretty epically. I know this song is 7 minutes long but trust me, it’s worth it.

Something Random

“Transatlanticism”- Death Cab for Cutie

Remember a couple weeks ago when I mentioned I saw Death Cab live and they were awesome? Well they ended with this song. And it blew.my.fucking.mind. This is like the definition of a song that builds up. I’ve included the album version and the best live recording of this I could find. Just so you could be jealous that you missed out.

I'm a Little Bit Country...

I’ve recently rediscovered my love of country music.

Not really through my own choice but because the radio down at the pool has decided to stop picking up any stations except the two country ones. That’s left me with a lot of twang, heart breaks and pick-up trucks to I thought I’d share some of my favorites.

Something Old

“Crazy”- Patsy Cline

There’s a reason people are still talking about her. The song is great and the whole tragic-death thing adds to the mystique.

Something New

“Springsteen”- Eric Church

This song has all the essentials of a country song: looking back to when you were young, shout outs to famous musicians, summer, stars at night, lover, and some sort of fire (in this case a lighter). It’s all right there.

Something Borrowed

“Hurt”- Johnny Cash

At the risk of being disowned by the country community… I’m not a big Johnny Cash fan. I can’t explain it but he just doesn’t do it for me. However, this song is one of the best covers ever (it was originally done by Nine Inch Nails) and if you can make it through the video with out getting a little misty eyed, more power to you.

Something Blue

“Still Holding Out For You”- SHeDAISY

When I was younger I was absolutely obsessed with SHeDAISY. I have no idea what they’re doing now but I’m going to single handedly bring back their career with this song recommendation. When I was younger, I didn’t really listen to the lyrics to I had no idea how depressing this song actually is but jeez… what a sad story.

Something Random

“How Do You Like Me Now?”- Toby Keith

Toby Keith and I are about as opposite as it is possible to be. I don’t really like anything about him… except this song.

So park your truck out front, take your boots off, open a beer, sit next to your dog, hold your woman real close, and enjoy some country music.

Catchy Like A Rash

You know that annoying song that is stuck in your head all the time and no matter what you do, you can’t get it out? That is… until you’ve heard another equally annoying song. Here are my picks guaranteed to drive you crazy. But don’t lie, you’re secretly enjoying yourself.

Something Old

“Eye of the Tiger”- Survivor

I know you’re thinking, “great. Now I’m going to have this terrible song stuck in my head for the rest of the day” and you’re right! You will. But when you find yourself 10 times more productive today than another day, you can thank me and this ridiculously catchy song.

Something New

“Call Me Maybe”- Carly Rae Jepsen

Oh dear Lord. Not this song again. This song is everywhere this summer. One day I counted at the pool and I heard it 4 times in 4 hours. That’s a lot of “call me maybes.” And as much as I want to hate it… I just can’t. It’s too damn catchy. I have a theory that if you polled 50 people, at least 4 of them would have that song stuck in their head at any given time. Here’s your chance to be 1 of 4.

Something Borrowed

“Twist and Shout”- The Beatles

Remember that great scene in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (insert obligatory “Buhler, Buhler, Katie Buhler” here) with the epic parade? Well Ferris did The Beatles proud… who did the Isley Brothers proud first. And now, I dare you not to walk around the rest of the day singing “shake it up baby now (shake it up baby now)” while pretending you’re in your own parade.

Something Blue

“Graduation”- Vitamin C

Remember how I graduated a month and a half ago? And remember how I’m kind of an asshole? Well combine the two and you’ve got the torture I inflicted on my roommates by singing this song to them in the week leading up to graduation. Sad as hell yet still one of the catchiest songs ever.

Something Random

“Tubthumping”- Chumbawamba

I have no idea what this song is about. No idea what the lyrics mean. No idea what “tubthumping” is or what is has to do with the song. BUT… don’t act like you don’t belt out “I get knocked down…” every single time you hear it on the radio.

And now you’ll be “pissing the night away” singing these songs in your head over and over and over. You’re welcome mwuahahahahahaha (evil laugh)

Live Music

Being back home has really showed me one aspect of New York that I miss more than anything: access to new music. Pierre has 4 radio stations.

River 92.7 which plays a sickening collection of Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Train, Nickleback, Kelly Clarkson, and the novelty song of the week (aka “Call Me Maybe”)

Jack 95.3 which plays a really weird mix of basically whatever they’re feeling. I’ve heard everything from Beyonce to bad 80’s hair metal (a lot of bad 80’s hair metal)

94.5 Country which, obviously plays country hits but from a tower just far enough away that it comes in fuzzy

100.1 the Eagle which is a mix of oldies but goodies. Except for Saturday nights which is all 70’s disco crap.

Anyway, this has made me miss the huge variety of music I had the chance to not only hear, but also see live in New York.

And yes, I am aware this post is absolutely dripping with East Coast Elitism but that comes with the territory. Enjoy these 5 songs from bands I saw this year.

Something Old

“Soul Meets Body”- Death Cab for Cutie

Always a great song. And, luckily for me, I got to see Death Cab play with the Magik*Magik Orchestra which made all the songs sound about 15 times cooler than they already would have.

Something New

“Krocodile”- St. Vincent

So for those of you who don’t know, St. Vincent is fairly to mostly awesome. If you get a chance to see her live, go. She was phenomenal and finished her set with this song off her new record… while crowd surfing.

Something Borrowed

“I Don’t Want Love”- The Antlers

The same day I saw St. Vincent, I saw the Antlers and honestly, I felt a little too high from their music to take it all in. Thankfully, Lexi recommended this song and now I can remember their trippy, f-ed up show in its entirety.

Something Blue

“Lover Gone”- Peggy Sue

Don’t you love when you go to see one band and then find that the opening band is just as awesome, if not more awesome, than the band you came to see? I got lucky like that when I saw the British band Peggy Sue open for First Aid Kit. All of their music is worth checking out but this is my favorite.

Something Random

“Emmylou”- First Aid Kit

Speaking of First Aid Kit, they are my second favorite sister act featuring one or more lesbian (*cough* Tegan and Sara *cough*) and this is just an all around great song.

Enjoy!