Are you good at choosing great music to play during dates? Perhaps you’re a whiz at making playlists or rocked the mix tapes back in the day? I need your help.
I first encountered the idea of a song incorporating a “message” when a friend of my father told me that rock music contained secret messages from Satan. I was 10 at the time and thought it was odd that Satan hadn’t chosen an older genre to share his message. Years later, I found out about another kind of musical message. Instead of grumbling in the background like beelzebub, this message was one of affection shared through normal songs grouped together into a mix.
If it weren’t for the message in the mix, would I have listened to 43 uninterrupted minutes of Mariah Carey with two versions of “You’ll always be my baby”? Of course not. I was listening because she, the one who burnt the CD and wrote my name on the cover with a sharpie, had said something with her choice of songs. (I later realized that if it takes a girl 43 minutes of Mariah Carey to say something, her conflict resolution style might leave something to be desired.)
Here’s where I need some help: In your experience, what are the best songs to say the following things?
- I’m really glad to be here with you.
- I’m sorry.
- I like you a lot (the type that leads to conversations and buddy hugs)
- Let’s do it!
- I like you a lot (like, as in the type that leads to fluid exchanges)
If you’d like to add more messages or just explain what your favorite mix selections mean, that’d be great, too!
Update: Thanks to Melanie for making sense of the song order! =)
What are the best songs to play during a date?
Hey! I think you probably want to put those songs in the order listed in your note, so, more like 1–5–3–4–2, no? The caveat is that I haven’t listened to new music since, like, 2007.
I apparently listen to a lot of very unhappy, unapologetic jerks who like people and want to do it…so let me help you with issues 3, 4, and 2.
Easy People by The Nields
What If We Do by Mia Doi Todd
Love You Madly by Cake (that’s a maybe…I prefer the next one)
Girl Inform Me by The Shins
and if you are feeling cheeky:
I Wanna Sex You Up by Color Me Badd
Oh, yes. You’re right. I’ll switch that. =)
How had I never come across Mia before? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ZGq_XuNfI is the youtube link for anybody who would like to check it out.
Perfect!
Color Me Badd, on the other hand…I’d be laughing too hard at the song for it to share any sort of “message.” =)
Probably the most amazing kiss to music was when I was in high school. The song? Led Zeppelin’s version of Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You.
That’s a classic. I’m guessing you’ve updated the moves to go with the music recently? =)
My friend Jason and I went to a show she was doing, once…she was opening for–get this–a Swedish punk metal band. We were as confused about that as she was. She kept asking the audience to be quiet and got pretty annoyed about it, but of course, half of the people there weren’t interested in her at all, and were there for the crazy party going on after her. We felt a bit bad for her, but at the same time, SOMEBODY (her, or her agent, or SOMEONE) should have known that she, a woman of excellent *quiet* music, was being booked before some serious noise music!
That must have been awful for her! Time to fire the agent!
Here music is really beautiful. So glad you suggested her!
What were you doing listening to Swedish Punk Metal?? You never fail to surprise! =)
My playlists cross many decades and many Genres… but these are my spontaneous thoughts:
1. I’m really glad to be here with you.
You make me smile- Uncle Kracker
2. I’m sorry.
Hard to say Im sorry- Chicago
3. I like you a lot (the type that leads to conversations and buddy hugs)
Come to my window- Mellissa Etheridge
4. Let’s do it!
She’s my kind of Rain- Tim McGraw
5. I like you a lot (like, as in the type that leads to fluid exchanges)
Against all odds -Phil Collins
Please try to understand my mixed up sense of music
(Heck yeah this is awesome): Kings of Leon – Ragoo
(Forgive me, I’m sorry): Maria Taylor – Clean Getaway
(We love buddy hugs): Matt and Kim – Daylight
(Let’s do it): Rilo Kiley – Moneymaker
(Rawr): Uffie – Pop the Glock
Thanks Maura!
Uffie is a new one for me. Had forgotten about KOL. Thanks! =)
1.I’m really glad to be here with you.
Bowl of Oranges- Bright Eyes
idk thats a hard one
2.I’m sorry.
The First Day of My Life- Bright Eyes
“I realize that I need you, and I’m wondering if I could come home…”
VERY sweet. All the right things to say….
3.I like you a lot (the type that leads to conversations and buddy hugs)
Just like Heaven- The Cure or the Dinosaur Jr. cover if she’s really cool.
Its fun. Its happy. Its sweet. Its The Cure.
Or
I Want You – Bob Dylan
4.Let’s do it!
Idioteque- Radiohead (its a “do it” song? It just sounds erotic. But its prolly just opinion)
5.I like you a lot (like, as in the type that leads to fluid exchanges)
Pull My Hair-Bright Eyes
or
Your Body is a Wonderland- John Mayer
If you need help looking any up, lemme know
I enjoyed the blog and the interesting choices suggested in the comments. I used to make mix CDs for people a few years back until my life became too hectic. It’d take me hours to compile one CD. Many of my loves have made them for me. It’s great to know someone thought about you so intensely. Or thought about “impressing” you so intensely!
This is an interesting arena, but for me I really don’t like music unless we are already to the point of being beyond the music. Maybe I’m really a geezer in this regard. Comfortable silence makes me happy.
The only CD that ever had a huge place in my relationship canon was Portishead’s ‘Dummy’ because it was on repeat for hours while… well, while “things” happened! And they happened for hours!
Otherwise I tend to enjoy most sound and love to discover new music even if the music is from a bygone era… If a date pumps up the tunes I get bored though. I won’t sit there listening for “the message”. Yes, I might be a geezer after all. Can someone so young be a geez? probably.
1. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
2. Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera (Its not the original, but I love it. Especially the part where they go “baby I can’t live without you not even a day” without taking a breathe. Chicago one is awesome too Melanie. I was stumped on this one and had to remix it a bit. Thanks Melanie!)
3. I’m Yours – Eric Mraz
4. Stellar – Incubus
5. EVerlong – Foo Fighters
Nice article. I totally agree that it is just the sweetest when someone makes a playlist/mixtape for another person – it’s just really thoughtful. Not only can it reflect the giver’s musical taste, but also his or her personality through the songs chosen in the mix.
Sadly, though, I’m not big in making these play list thingies. But from what I’ve learned, a perfect mix would include really sweet songs that tell how you feel.