With my Acting class no longer meeting during fourth period (it was a semester-long class in the fall), I find that I now have an additional prep period - usually during one of my least lucid moments of the day. Having some catchy music to hum/sing generally helps me get through this part of the day (well, that and caffeine). I usually put on my YouTube playlist and go to town, listening to artists and bands as varied and diverse as Jay-Z and Feist, Kiss and the Swell Season, Fuel and Iron & Wine.
Today, though, I found songs not even on my standard playlist running through my head, which seemed odd to me. Here's a list of the songs that have been running through my head today (complete with YouTube videos, to allow you to get them stuck in your head as well). Enjoy!
Carol Channing - "Hello, Dolly!"
Though I've never seen it, I am vaguely familiar with the musical "Hello Dolly!" and really enjoy it - particularly the title song. Forget Barbra Streisand - for my money, no one captures the wonder and charisma of the titular Dolly than the person for whom the role was written, Carol Channing. Couldn't tell you why, but this song was stuck in my head through the entirety of first period.
Bonnie Tyler - "It's a Heartache"
Much like "Dolly," I'm not entirely sure how this song managed to weasel its way into my head. However, when second period rolled around, who should be mentally serenading me by Ms. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" herself. While others of her songs are decidedly more well-known (particularly "Holding Out for a Hero" and the aforementioned "Eclipse"), this song remains something of an 'unsung hero' in Tyler's repertoire. It captures the emotion of "Eclipse" while using softer elements, showcasing Tyler's vaguely raspy voice to full effect. Lovely!
Janis Joplin - "Piece of My Heart"
This one's been in my head perennially since November. It was responsible for igniting my love of Janis Joplin. There's something about the emotion in the song that pulls me in and want to join her, shouting the bold challenge from the rooftops to any takers out there who would like to "take another little piece of my heart." Awesome. I can realistically see myself devoting an entire "Melodic Monday" to Joplin at some point in the near future. Stay tuned!
Reel Big Fish - "Sell Out"
This was very probably one of the first ska songs I was ever really exposed to. I always loved, even as a middle schooler who didn't really understand the word, the irony of a band becoming famous and 'selling out' as the result of a song all about the dangers and ills of selling out. Lines like "the radio plays what they want you to hear" and "the record company's gonna give me lots of money" always struck me as amusing when juxtaposed with the reality that this song was a huge radio hit in its day. Beyond that, it's just dang catchy!
(*NOTE* - The first part of the music video is pretty obnoxious. The song itself starts at 1:45 into the video. You're welcome!)
Fergie - "Be Italian"
Nine was easily my favorite movie of last year. Part of it was the cast - Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, and Fergie. This latter inclusion hardly seemed a fitting addition to the cast... until I heard this track. It's easily one of my favorite parts of the show and makes me wonder why Fergie the artist has wasted so much time singing pop music that does nothing to showcase her true talents. This song has found its way into my head a lot lately... eventually, I'm just going to have to break down and buy the Nine movie soundtrack...
What songs have you been listening to today?
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