Mix Tape Friday: The Wizard of Oz

It appears that Fridays are no longer my own. Beloved Aussie blog vivant Mountjoy, from Ribbed for Your Pleasure, recently retired from the blogworld (something about continuing life as a grown-up), and asked to host a mix tape as his e-swan song. I didn’t want to start an international incident, so I'm giving him my page for the day. Mountjoy, throw some tunes on the barbie and get this mix tape rolling.

Okay, Coffey addicts, welcome to a special Down Under edition of the Friday Mix Tape. Beth has kindly agreed to let me mix up the tunes this week, and in doing so has given me the chance to put a compilation of home grown music from Australia and New Zealand out there for your enjoyment. Couple that with the fact that today is ANZAC Day (the down under equivalent of Memorial Day, when we celebrate our war dead) and I hope you will take this slice of Southern Hemisphere hospitality and enjoy.

I make no apologies for the bias of this collection — it is retro and fairly clichéd, but it’s also a cross-section of the music that makes me proud to be an Aussie, and at the same time sad that a lot of these acts never went on to bigger and better things. It’s a safe bet that if you aren’t from these parts of the globe, you will have missed a lot of this magic. Many of these tracks were staples heard on the radio when I was a teenager growing up in Sydney in the 1970s, and although the majority have disbanded, most still get plenty of radio airplay today.

Editor’s Note: The track listing is chronological so that you can sit back, listen, and experience Mountjoy’s life and maturation via his homeland’s turntable. I've been listening to the mix all week, and feel more worldly and aurally educated than I did a week ago. Oh, and the songs are awesome.

I’ve tried to avoid the obvious choices — so while INXS are present, you’ll hear “Burn for You” from The Swing, the album many Aussies think is their best, capturing them at their prime before they hit the big time with Listen Like Thieves and Kick. Cold Chisel’s “Khe Sanh” is my concession to public opinion — this song is the unofficial national anthem for a generation, spoiled only by over-saturation on the radio even today, some 30 years since its original release. Not all of you will find a song like “Tenterfield Saddler”— an autobiographical song, almost country & western, by the late Peter Allen (who was a master songwriter, penning Olivia Newton John’s “I Honestly Love You,” also part of the list today) — to your taste, but to hear the man who is probably best known for the flamboyant “I Go to Rio” singing so soulfully about his life story is a timeless.

Making the song choices for this list was incredibly hard; nearly every act represented here has a fistful of songs I wish I could share. The best I can do is to give you a taste, and hope maybe you’ll find your own diamonds within this grab bag. So from Johnny O’Keefe’s 1959 cover version of the Isley Brother’s “Shout,” all the way through to Powderfinger’s 2007 hit “Lost and Running,” I invite you to sit back, download, and enjoy some of the best pop and rock music Down Under has had to offer in the past half a century.

Johnny O’Keefe :: Shout

The Easybeats :: Friday on My Mind

Daddy Cool :: Eagle Rock

Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs :: Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy)

Peter Allen :: Tenterfield Saddler

Stevie Wright :: Evie (Part 1)

Olivia Newton John :: I Honestly Love You

Skyhooks :: Living in the 70s

Sherbet :: Howzat!

Jon English :: Hollywood Seven

Dragon :: April Sun in Cuba

Cold Chisel :: Khe Sanh

Ignatious Jones :: I’m Not Like Everybody Else

The Angels :: Marsellies

Australian Crawl :: The Boys Light Up

Mental as Anything :: Berserk Warriors

Men at Work :: Who Can It Be Now

The Church :: Almost With You

Splitz Enz :: Six Months in a Leaky Boat

The Divinyls :: Boys in Town

Midnight Oil :: Power and the Passion

INXS :: Burn for You

Mondo Rock :: Come Said the Boy

Mi-Sex :: Down the Line

Jimmy Barnes :: I’d Die to Be with You Tonight

Do-Ré-Mi :: Man Overboard

Paul Kelly :: To Her Door

The Go Betweens :: Streets of Your Town

Richard Clapton :: Deep Water

Hunters and Collectors :: Throw Your Arms Around Me

John Farnham :: That’s Freedom

Hoodoo Gurus :: 1000 Miles Away

Crowded House :: Weather with You

Noiseworks :: Hot Chilli Woman

Weddings Parties Anything :: Father’s Day

Wendy Matthews :: The Day You Went Away

Kylie Minogue :: Cowboy Style

Delta Goodrem :: In This Life

Powderfinger :: Lost and Running

It may take days to get to Australia — but you can get there aurally in a snap with this handy zip file. It extracts file counterclockwise, however.

Beth will be back to mixing tapes next week — tapes with R.E.M. tunes, no doubt.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Left of the Dial (Side B)

Today’s post was mixed together and written by Tenacious S. It’s a great homage to her college radio years — and the songs kick aural ass! Enjoy it. Praise her here and on her blog; she deserves it.

Take it away, Tenacious S!

A Love Song for College Radio: 1984–88

I think all of us are a collage influenced by those we’ve known throughout our lives. Some periods of our lives allow us to be more open to influence, changing us as we interact with others, seeing and hearing the world the way that they do. For me, college was that time and my years in college radio influenced more than just what I listened to. Music to an avid music fan speaks volumes about who they are and what moves them.

WCAL and WUSC presented me with the opportunity to meet some amazing people and for their influence to expand my own musical vocabulary. There was music that I loved that I brought with me to my experience at the stations and music that I learned to love through the passion of my friends. This is a love song to my friends from a time gone by and to the music that has shaped who I am today.

SIDE 1: The WCAL Years (1984–86)

Porl Thompson, Joy, Julianne (WCAL's fearless GM), Lol Tolhurst, and me backstage after The Cure's Head on the Door Tour show in Detroit.

Hüsker Dü :: Hate Paper Doll

Phil and Derek
I started doing college radio because I listened to Phil and Derek’s show, and they invited my roommate, Jeanne, and me down to the station to hang. Best choice of my life.

The Jesus & Mary Chain :: The Hardest Walk

Me
One of the perks of working at the station was reviewing new albums. I remember flopping this one onto the turntable and feeling my brain vibrate in a way I never knew it could. It felt a little dirty, but it felt so good.

Tones on Tail :: Performance

Dwayne
Dwayne was one of my good friends and was responsible for spoon feeding me Bauhaus and its derivatives. If you ever want to know what my brain actually sounds like, well, this is it.

The Cure :: A Night Like This

Julianne
Julianne was the General Manager of our little station. More than once, we hopped into a car and drove some crazy distance to see a show. We had the very good fortune of scoring backstage passes for The Cure’s Head on the Door tour show in Detroit and got to meet the band. They were really nice guys and liked our trench coats. I swear I have never blown anything up. It was only a fashion statement.

The Smiths :: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

Chad
Chad loved The Smiths. I loved The Smiths. Lulu loved The Smiths. Coaster Punchman loved The Smiths. Chad almost died of heatstroke at The Aragon Ballroom at their show, but damn, it was amazing. That Morrisey guy is quite a frontman!

Lloyd Cole & The Commotions :: Brand New Friend

Me
Lloyd Cole is everything that was good about college radio in the ‘80s. You could write a good song and people would play it. No corporate pizzazz was needed. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy every time I hear this album.

The Jazz Butcher :: The Devil Is My Friend

Dwayne
Dwayne is double-billed because he was probably the most influential person in the development of my musical taste. I think I still have the notes Dwayne gave me from the cassettes he would make for me. There were smiley faces next to songs he really loved. This was one of them.

The Suburbs :: Love Is the Law

Jeanne
Jeanne was my very best friend at WCAL and at Calvin. She was from Minneapolis, and The Suburbs defined that city for me at the time. She was my partner on my very first show. At first, she did the talking and I was DJ girl spinning the records, but soon I figured it out and was able to do two things at once and we went our separate ways.

Red Hot Chili Peppers :: True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes

Brent
Brent was the Music Director my first year at the station. He had just spent a lot of time in LA and came back with this cool record from this cool unknown band. Brent taught me a lot about how to program a station and how to deal with the labels.

Misfits :: Where Eagles Dare

Mark
Technically a song reissued in a year that I was in college, Mark loved this and everyone knew he was a huge Misfits fan. Truth be known, I was a huge Mark fan, but I am only 5’1’’ and Mark the last he measured himself was 6’7”. Folks, I’m just saying, there’s not enough love in the world that will fix that problem.

SIDE 2: The WUSC Years (1986–88)

Yes, I changed schools just to work at a better college radio station. I am that smart!

Me in my room during my WUSC years.
What was important to me? I wonder?
[Editor's Note: Check out the blue poster to TenS' right.]

Sisters of Mercy :: Dominion/Mother Russia

Vanessa
Vanessa was a cool chick. We had a lot in common. We were both English majors, we both liked a lot of the same music, we both, uh, liked a lot of the same boys.

Violent Femmes :: Kiss Off

Lulu
OK, this might seem a little out of order, but Lulu did figure into my college radio career. I listened to what she listened to as well. Lu liked the twangier stuff. I liked the crunchier stuff. The only time I have ever heard Lulu go silent was when I handed her the microphone at the station. Who knew?

The Flaming Lips :: One Million Billionth of a Millisecond on a Sunday Morning

Seana
God bless Seana for turning me onto some of the more psychedelic-type bands. Seana, at the time, loved really garagey-sounding bands. She also has one of the best laughs on the planet.

The The :: Sweet Bird of Truth

Zork
Zork, a.k.a Bill, had amazing taste in music and an album collection that I lusted after. Plus, I believe he had military base privileges to buy beer on Sunday, which was a problem in South Carolina.

Hoodoo Gurus :: Hell for Leather

Heather
Heather was my best friend at the station and in life in South Carolina. Our house was called the Hoodoo Hut, probably because Heather loved the Hoodoo Gurus — and why not?

XTC :: Grass

Chris
Chris worked at the station and because I ended up living in a house with him, I ended up dating his brother (later discussion). Chris’ room was across from mine and I was always glad that Chris loved XTC as much as I did.

Marshall Crenshaw :: The Distance Between Us

Jon
Brother of Chris, bass player in a local band named Bedlam Hour, love of my life my last year in college. I almost get a little misty-eyed when I think about this song and I think about Jon. Jon was a smart, gentle guy that graced my life for a year. I often feel bad about how it ended and wish him well in my heart. Although we never really speak anymore, he left his love of Marshall Crenshaw with me. That’s a pretty great gift.

New Model Army :: 51st State of America

Johnny
Johnny (Fish) was destined for greatness. He was the reason I transferred down there. I heard him on a panel at the convention and he loved college radio the way that I did and was pretty much my guru. He seemed to understand that a band could be cool and make money at the same time, and he was ready to promote that idea. Shocking, I know.

Beastie Boys :: Brass Monkey

Jeannie
Jeannie was and is one of the coolest girls I have ever known. She was one of the first people I knew who had a Mohawk and now she is a roller-derby girl. Now that’s cool!

American Music Club :: At My Mercy

Janet
If Johnny was the guru, Janet was the Yoda. She was the graduate student who broke all the rules and worked at the station even when she wasn’t supposed to. Janet was a genius in school and had what I thought to be very sophisticated musical taste.

Ministry :: Everyday Is Halloween

Me
Dragged this with me from Chicago to wherever I landed. Kind of was my credo at the time.

Jason & The Scorchers :: Golden Ball and Chain

Paige
Paige was a Chicago girl who embraced the South with all her heart. I think of Paige and I think of alternative country music. Trust me when I tell you, this was an acquired taste for me.

The Replacements :: I Will Dare

Michael
Michael and I trained together at WUSC and did our on-air test together. In my mind, at the time, he was the physical manifestation of my inner rock self.

Naked Raygun :: Peacemaker

Me
How could I talk about college radio or me without mentioning Naked Raygun? They were my local heroes and one of my very first interviews. I had to fight with Michael to use them for my on-air test. They are still one of my very favoritest bands of all time. Never bland, full of big crunchy guitar and Chicago swagger. They are my heart and soul.

The Cult :: Wildflower

Vinnie
Vinnie was my roommate and good friends with Chris. He was literally deaf in one ear, but it didn’t ever stop him from playing what he loved at 11.

Take the easy route to the mid-1980s: download the zip file.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Left of the Dial (Side A)

A Love Song for College Radio: 1980–81

I’ve waxed nostalgically a time or eleven about my college radio days. It was one of the best times of my life. It was all about being young with no responsibilities, discovering new bands, going to a music club nearly every night of the week, dancing the days away, spending my days at the station instead of in class. Many of the records from my time there — 1980–81 — are still among my favorites. I was there at a good time — post-punk and new wave ruled our airwaves. I wish I could put in writing how thrilling it was the first time I dropped the needle on The Pretenders' debut album, or Roxy Music's cover of "In the Midnight Hour" (still my favorite Bryan Ferry song), or the first Psychedelic Furs album (we gave away a hot-pink — a psychedelic — faux fur coat).

Yes, a Side B is coming next Friday. Covering the college radio years of 1984–88, it’s Tenacious S' contest-winning mix tape! And it’s a groovy one, kids. We’ll cover 1982–83 later this spring; some amazing songs came out during those two years.

My college radio station was Georgia State University’s WRAS — 88.5 on your FM dial. Album 88 has long been considered one of the top college stations in the country, and is the only college station broadcasting on 100,000 watts. (Somewhere I have a mix tape that starts with R.E.M.’s Mike Mills’ congratulating WRAS on getting those 100,000 watts.)

Sadly, I never had a shift, never got to play deejay. I spent 1980–81 as the station’s public relations/public affairs director, coordinating giveaways (which means I was on the guest list at the Agora Ballroom and 688 Club every night of the week) and PSAs. I desperately wanted a shift … but I talk way too fast for radio … and when I slow down to a normal speed … well, I sound rather drawly. I did get my FCC license, though.

Today I finally get to be a WRAS jock. The record is paused at the quarter turn, ready to spin. And so I present 44 songs about 88.5.

The Jam :: That’s Entertainment!

The Clash :: The Magnificent Seven

The Pretenders :: Tattooed Love Boys

Talking Heads :: Once in a Lifetime

Graham Parker :: Endless Night

English Beat :: Tears of a Clown

Mission of Burma :: Academy Fight Song

The B-52’s :: Quiche Lorraine

Roxy Music :: In the Midnight Hour

Blondie :: Rapture

XTC :: Generals and Majors

Buzzcocks :: Everybody’s Happy Nowadays

Peter Gabriel :: I Don’t Remember

R.E.M. :: Radio Free Europe (original Hibtone single)

Soft Boys :: Queen of Eyes

Siouxsie & The Banshees :: Spellbound

Gang of Four :: What We All Want

Devo :: Girl U Want

The Replacements :: More Cigarettes

Dead Kennedys :: Holiday in Cambodia

Spizzenergi :: Where’s Captain Kirk?

Swimming Pool Q’s :: Rat Bait

The Specials :: Rat Race

X :: Los Angeles

10,000 Maniacs :: Groove Dub

Altered Images :: I Could Be Happy

Squeeze :: Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)

Rockpile :: Teacher Teacher

The Police :: Spirits in the Material World

Joy Division :: Love Will Tear Us Apart

Patti Smith Group :: Dancing Barefoot

Psychedelic Furs :: Imitation of Christ

Pylon :: Crazy

Wreckless Eric :: Broken Doll

Split Enz :: One Step Ahead

The Stranglers :: Golden Brown

Suicide :: Johnny Dance

Oh-OK :: Whore Boy

Young Marble Giants :: Salad Days

Elvis Costello & The Attractions :: New Amsterdam

Bill Nelson :: Do You Dream in Colour

Method Actors :: Rang-A-Tang

The Basics :: Sexual Object

The Thrills:: Hey! (Not Another Face in the Crowd)

The Ramones:: Rock ‘n’ Roll High School

Who has time to right-click forty-four times? Grab the zip file instead. The zip file includes a bonus track: the most requested song from my WRAS days — “Sweet Transvestite.” Yeah, I know it came out in 1975 — but for some reason its popularity never waned with our listeners.

To keep today's tape at 44 for 88.5, I had to cut some great songs from my college radio era: Joe Jackson and The dB's ... Joan Armatrading's "Me Myself I" (the first free album I got at the station, with English Beat's I Just Can't Stop It!) ... Georgia's The Brains and The Producers ... maybe there's a part two that must be mixed.

Putting together this mix tape brought back some great concert memories: The B-52’s at the Agora Ballroom, Fred walking one of those invisible dog leashes during “Quiche Lorraine” … Talking Heads at Agora for their Remain in Light tour (and I could have partied with them until dawn, had I left my friends on the floor and gone to the VIP section as invited) … R.E.M. at 688, opening for Gang of Four … local bands like The Basics and Swimming Pool Q’s and The Method Actors. It was a fun time to be in Atlanta.

We had some great in-studio moments and interviews. My favorite? Split Enz performing in the studio. (Remember their groovy laser-etched vinyl for True Colors?) Is it worth bragging that The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward held my hand the entire time he was in the studio promoting his solo album? Or is that as lame as my Eddie Money moment?

You know, it may be worth it to register for some classes and finally get that shift.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: The Ones I Love

And that, of course, would be R.E.M.

We’ve been in Acceleration this week. In case you didn’t know, R.E.M.’s fourteenth studio album, Accelerate, was released this week to great reviews and great dance moves up and down my hallway.

Psssssst: Have you heard the news?

Secondly, Saturday marks the twenty-eighth anniversary of the band’s first performance — a big day on the calendars of us R.E.M. nerds. Can you imagine doing the same job with the same folks for nearly thirty years?

This has been a fun week for me — and I want you to join in the fun, to understand why I’ve loved R.E.M. totally and completely for most of my adult life. To help you get in that Athens frame of mind, here are fifty of my favorite non-album tracks — B-sides, fan club singles, cuts from soundtracks and tribute albums, a couple of live tracks.

Check in this weekend for one more R.E.M.-centric post — and a big announcement.

Let's start with a love song of sorts to R.E.M., and then dive into the cool tunes.

Pavement :: Unseen Power of the Picket Fence

R.E.M. :: Windout

R.E.M. :: Funtime

R.E.M. :: First We Take Manhattan

R.E.M. :: Burning Down

R.E.M. :: See No Evil

R.E.M. :: Bad Day

R.E.M. :: All the Right Friends

R.E.M. :: After Hours

R.E.M. :: Academy Fight Song

R.E.M. :: Sex Bomb

R.E.M. :: Ghost Riders

R.E.M. :: Chance (Dub)

R.E.M. :: There She Goes Again

R.E.M. :: Wall of Death

R.E.M. :: Memphis Train Blues

R.E.M. :: Adagio

R.E.M. :: Pale Blue Eyes

R.E.M. :: I Will Survive

R.E.M. :: Live for Today

R.E.M. :: Jimmy Crack Corn/Behind Closed Doors

R.E.M. :: Bandwagon

R.E.M. :: Dark Globe

R.E.M. :: The Lions Sleeps Tonight

R.E.M. :: Hot Java

R.E.M. feat. The Muppets :: Furry Happy Monsters

R.E.M. :: Only in America

R.E.M. :: Arms of Love

R.E.M. :: Baby Baby

R.E.M. :: Love Is All Around

R.E.M. feat. Robyn Hitchcock + Billy Bragg :: Tom’s Diner

R.E.M. :: Femme Fatale

R.E.M. feat. Kate Pearson :: Fretless

R.E.M. :: Wicked Game

R.E.M. :: Summertime

R.E.M. :: 2JN

R.E.M. :: Surfing the Ganges

R.E.M. :: The Passenger

R.E.M. :: Tired of Singing Trouble

R.E.M. :: Walter’s Theme

R.E.M. :: Sponge

R.E.M. :: Animal

R.E.M. feat. William S. Burroughs :: Star Me Kitten

R.E.M. :: #9 Dream

R.E.M. :: Jesus Christ

R.E.M. :: Favorite Writer

R.E.M. :: Dream (All I Have to Do)

R.E.M. :: Crazy

R.E.M. :: Wichita Lineman

R.E.M. feat. Bruce Springsteen :: Because the Night

Automatic Baby :: One

Too Accelerated to download each track? Take the shortcut to the zip file.

I could go on … and on … and on about every damn one of these tracks, but I’m trying hard not to bore you with minutiae. But let me point out what a groovy pool of artists R.E.M. has covered: Velvet Underground, Television and Mission of Burma, Big Star and Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen and Richard Thompson, Iggy and Syd — even Athens neighbors Pylon, Magnapop, and Vic Chesnutt.

These songs have me too distracted to continue typing. Think it’s time to Winamp up the room and dance. Hope you love this tape.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Country Comfort

Favorite Boy and I recently saw a wonderful photography exhibit of Nashville’s finest singers and songwriters — which inspired this week’s post.

As I wrote when I waxed poetic about the Man in Black, I’m a Southern girl and I can't help but love country music. I prefer more traditional country music — Cash and Jones, Carter and Lynn, Haggard and Nelson, Twitty and Parton. Seems many of my favorite artists do, too, by this group of covers.

I’ve wanted to do a tape of country covers for a while. There are some great songwriters, and these interpretations are interesting. I broke one of my rules this week. I’ve included a couple of songs twice — Loretta Lynn’s “Rated X” and Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” — because the covers are so completely different.

Grab a pair of jeans and a longnecked Bud, and enjoy today’s hoedown.

R.E.M. :: Dallas

The White Stripes :: Rated X

Wilco :: 100 Years from Now

Syd Straw & The Skeletons :: Harper Valley PTA

Lyle Lovett :: Stand by Your Man

Richard Buckner :: Lovin' Her Was Easier

Shelby Lynne :: I Walk the Line

John Prine + Iris Dement :: (We're Not) The Jet Set

Teddy Thompson :: She Thinks I Still Care

Elvis Costello :: He’s Got You

Gomez :: Wichita Lineman

Beck :: Your Cheatin’ Heart

Cowboy Junkies :: Walkin’ After Midnight

Ryan Adams :: Lovesick Blues

Chris Isaak :: I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry

Grant Lee Phillips :: Hickory Wind

Linda Ronstadt feat. Emmylou Harris :: I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)

R.E.M. :: Jackson

The Jayhawks :: Ode to Billy Joe

John Doe :: I Can’t Hold Myself in Line

Kelly Hogan + John Wesley Harding :: It’s Only Make Believe

The Mekons :: Sweet Dreams of You

Wendy O. Williams + Lemmy :: Stand by Your Man

Neko Case & The Sadies :: Rated X

k.d. lang :: Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray

Jeff Buckley :: Satisfied Mind

Joan Osborne :: Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?

The Lemonheads :: Brass Buttons

Lucinda Williams :: You Don’t Have Very Far to Go

Marshall Crenshaw :: Silver Wings

The Pretenders + Emmylou Harris :: She

Calexico :: Casey’s Last Ride

Jason & The Scorchers :: Lost Highway

R.E.M. :: King of the Road

Since you’re clutching that Bud, you probably don’t have the extra hand (or dexterity) to right-click each of these, so here’s the zip file.

By now you’re possibly shocked that I didn’t include a cover of “Ring of Fire.” Well, I have so damn many, I’m giving the June Carter-penned Cash classic its own subsection:

Rings of Fire

June Carter Cash
Elvis Costello
Allison Moorer
Moby
Cigar Store Indians
Social Distortion
Coldplay
Joaquin Phoenix
Grace Jones
Wall of Voodoo
Country Joe McDonald
Blondie
Dwight Yoakum
The Animals
Johnny Cash + Bob Dylan

Have a lovely hoedown of a spring weekend, kids.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Boys + Girls

According to Weather.com, it’s going to be a frigid weekend — but my personal forecast predicts a hot and steamy one, as I get Favorite Boy all to myself. And so, in honor of my lovely weekend-to-be, we’re listening to duets this Friday morning.

Some of these are true duets, some are bands who feature the singing strengths of both their male and female members. Either way, listening to boy/girl duets never fail to please.

The First Mix Tape Friday Contest results will be announced Sunday evening. One lucky winner will snag the chance to co-produce the March 28 mix tape. Exciting, isn’t it?

This is the second duet in the mix tape series; Guys and Dolls featured many of the songs you’re about to whine about not being on this one.

Grab a guy, or a doll, or both … find a dark, cozy corner … and snuggle or frug to these boy/girl-ettes.

Aimee Mann + Michael Penn :: Two of Us

The Decemberists :: Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)

Dwight Yoakum feat. Sheryl Crow :: Baby Don’t Go

Marvin Gaye + Tammi Terrell :: Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing

Omar feat. Angie Stone :: Be Thankful

Chumbawamba :: Tubthumping

Basement Jaxx feat. Me'shell Ndegeocello :: Right Here’s the Spot

Mick Jagger + Tina Turner :: State of Shock

The B-52’s :: Bushfire

The New Pornographers :: Miss Teen Wordpower

Ronnie Spector feat. Joey Ramone :: You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory

Jonathan Richman + Moe Tucker :: I’m Sticking with You

Syd Straw + Evan Dando :: For Shame of Doing Wrong

R.E.M. feat. Natalie Merchant :: Photograph

Jeff Buckley + Elizabeth Fraser :: All Flowers in Time Bend Towards the Sun

Buddy + Julie Miller :: The River’s Gonna Run

Dean Wareham + Britta Phillips :: Moonshot

Glen Hansard + Marketa Irglová :: When Your Mind's Made Up

Billy Bragg + Kirsty MacColl :: A New England

Gregg Allman + Cher :: You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me

John Prine + Bonnie Raitt :: Angel from Montgomery

Lyle Lovett feat. Rickie Lee Jones :: North Dakota

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals feat. Norah Jones :: Dear John

Otis Redding + Carla Thomas :: Knock on Wood

The Postal Service feat. Jenny Lewis :: We Will Become Silhouettes

Macy Gray + Robert Bradley :: Down on Me

B.B. King feat. Tracey Chapman :: The Thrill Is Gone

Al Green + Annie Lennox :: Put a Little Love in Your Heart

Josh Ritter feat. Blake Hazard :: Tonight You Belong to Me

Warren Zevon feat. Emmylou Harris :: Please Stay

It’s date night. You’re probably spending your extra minutes primping the hair, shining the shoes. I don’t want to hold you up, so download the zip file and get back to fabulizing yourself.

Several of these pairings — Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, Dwight Yoakum and Sheryl Crow, Jeff Buckley and Elizabeth Fraser, Buddy and Julie Miller, Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglová, Gregg Allman and Cher — are (or were) coupled. Rumors still swirl around about Marvin and Tammi; I hope they spent some lovely nights together.

And that’s all for today. I’m off to get boy favors ...

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: I Wanna Rawk!

We’ve been swooning and sobbing over love for the last two weeks. Always interesting — but I’m getting antsy. It’s time to rawk — and we’re bustin’ out the jams with alternative bands covering rock classics. (You know I love covers.)

Announcing the First Mix Tape Friday Contest!

And it’s an easy one: E-mail me the list of original artists for each of these forty songs. All winning entries go into the pot. If I draw your name, you win a chance to co-produce the March 14 mix tape. The e-mail address is on the navbar. Can you stand the excitement?

Loosen up those neck muscles, kids, because you’re getting ready to bang the head.

Dave Grohl :: Stairway to Heaven

Scissor Sisters :: Comfortably Numb

Of Montreal :: Suffragette City

Bryan Ferry :: Sympathy for the Devil

Stone Temple Pilots :: Revolution

Fishbone :: Shattered

The Flaming Lips :: Bohemian Rhapsody

The Cardigans :: Iron Man

Bauhaus :: Ziggy Stardust

The Ramones :: Time Has Come Today

Pearl Jam :: Baba O’Riley

The Replacements :: Jumping Jack Flash

Kristin Hersh :: When the Levee Breaks

The Decemberists :: Think About Me

Aztec Camera :: Jump

Seu Jorge :: Life on Mars?

R.E.M. :: Tusk

Lily Allen :: Mr. Blue Sky

Elvis Costello :: All You Need Is Love

Liz Phair :: Emotional Rescue

Everclear :: The Boys Are Back in Town

Buzzcocks :: Ballroom Blitz

Rage Against the Machine :: Street Fighting Man

Devo :: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

U2 :: Radar Love

Sleater-Kinney :: White Rabbit

Ted Leo :: Dancing in the Dark

Soup Dragons :: I’m Free

The Cure :: Young Americans

Wilco :: Paranoid

World Party :: All the Young Dudes

Sheryl Crow :: Squeeze Box

The Stranglers :: All Day and All of the Night

The Hold Steady :: Against the Wind

Belle & Sebastian :: (Don’t Fear) The Reaper

Jay Farrar :: Like a Hurricane

Joe Jackson :: Oh Well

R.E.M. :: D.O.A.

The Pogues :: Honky Tonk Women

Oasis :: My Generation

Too jittery from contest excitement? Download the zip file and conserve that right-click energy.

These covers are interesting. Some are very true to the original, such as Jay Farrar’s “Like a Hurricane” and Joe Jackson’s “Oh Well.” Others, like Aztec’s Camera’s wonderful “Jump” (way before Nouvelle Vague and Richard Cheese) and Scissor Sisters’ “Comfortably Numb,” become an entirely different song.

I crack up every time I listen to R.E.M.’s "D.O.A." cover (performed at NYC’s Peppermint Lounge, Halloween 1983). As Michael says in the introduction, it’s probably the worst song ever written. It was my fav-o-rite song in eighth grade. Zandra Wonoski (didn’t every girl have a friend named Zandra in junior high?) and I thought we were so frickin’ cool listening to it — and I had the original and the live albums. Listening to the drumbeat slow as his heart slows and dies was just awesome … when you were thirteen in 1972.

I adore musicians who sing a lot of cover tunes — and Dave Grohl may win the prize as the most prolific and most brilliant. I have him covering everone from Creed and The Spice Girls to "Baker Street" and Prince — and I don’t spend much time searching for his songs. He’s so adorable. Show of hands of everyone who’s crushing on Grohl?

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Misery Masala

So last week’s mix tape was all about sex and candy, flowers and fluttering hearts. But not everyone got to celebrate and swoon last Thursday — and thus today’s mix tape is for you. I’ve simmered up a masala of misery — chunky bites of unrequited love and heartbreak, with a dash of bitterness and a sweet hint of hope. I didn’t get too spicy with the hopelessness and despair because I believe there’s always another great dish waiting to be served.

I’m getting excited about the new season of Top Chef!

It ain’t all love and happiness every day, kids. And there’s nothing better than a sad, sad song to help us fully enjoy that funk. Sometimes you just need to feel sorry for your lonely ol’ self.

Al Green :: Tired of Being Alone

The Young Rascals :: (I've Been) Lonely too Long

The Cardigans :: Lovefool

Otis Redding :: Mr. Pitiful

Liz Phair :: Extraordinary

Matthew Sweet :: Girlfriend

Wings :: Arrow Through Me

Billy Bragg :: Wish You Were Her

The Carpenters :: Superstar

Elvis Costello :: I Want You

Buzzcocks :: Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have?)

Joy Division :: Love Will Tear Us Apart

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes :: The Love I Lost (Part 1)

Derek & The Dominoes :: Layla

Ivan Neville :: Why Can’t I Fall in Love?

Alanis Morissette :: Uninvited

Jeff Buckley :: Last Goodbye

The Replacements :: Unsatisfied

Res :: Let Love

eels :: Jeannie’s Diary

Lyle Lovett :: If I Were the Man You Wanted

Gladys Knight & The Pips :: If I Were Your Woman

Cake :: Sad Songs and Waltzes

Damien Rice :: When Doves Cry

Michael Stipe :: Last Day of Our Acquaintance

The Rolling Stones :: Almost Hear You Sigh

Amy Winehouse :: Wake up Alone

Cat Stevens :: Trouble

Squeeze :: Points of View

Bonnie Raitt :: I Can’t Make You Love Me

Warren Zevon :: Reconsider Me

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles :: The Tracks of My Tears

Joe Jackson :: Is She Really Going out with Him?

Rufus Wainwright :: April Fools

Smog :: Cold Blooded Old Times

Nico :: These Days

Nick Drake :: Which Will

Nanci Griffith :: Morning Song for Sally

Bob Dylan :: If You See Her, Say Hello

Tom Waits :: Trampled Rose

Rickie Lee Jones :: Company

Jimmy Buffet :: Coast of Marseilles

George Jones :: He Stopped Loving Her Today

Here’s the zip file for those of you too unrequited or bitter to right-click fortysomething times.

“Morning Song for Sally” is one of my very favorite songs in the world. It’s perfect, a lovely tale about a love that can’t be. Jerry Jeff Walker wrote it, and Nanci’s cover is sublime. I listen to it over … and over … and over again … for an hour or more. (I love the drama of heartache. And I'm a bit OCD.) It's a very visual song, almost like a short story.

Funny story about that Alanis Morrissette tune. I was enjoying a lovely, late-night online flirtfest with this wonderful guy. He was sending me his favorite YouTubes (most on the sexier side of the lyrics sheet) between e-flirts. I sent an e-mail about how cute I thought he was (he was, and I believe he still is). A few minutes later, he sends the “Uninvited” video — a song with lyrics like Like anyone would be / I am flattered by your fascination with me / Like any hot blooded woman / I have simply wanted an object to crave / But you're not allowed / You're uninvited / An unfortunate slight. Say wha… ? Never had I been slapped down so completely, misjudged someone’s interest. With a few tears stinging my eyes (remember, I live my life like a Douglas Sirk character), I sent an e-mail backing out of a date later that week … which confused him … which led to one of those dreaded he said/she saids … which led to a deeper conversation we needed to have ... about his never paying attention to the words. Boys, if you’re going to send a girl a video with a song you think is romantic, take the time to check a lyrics site, or you’ll be home watching Numb3rs again.

Between this and December’s heartbreak tape, you’re set for a weekend of moping and moaning. But then get your a** up Monday get your flirt on.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Thursday: Love + Happiness

It’s Valentine’s Day — the one day of the year you’re allowed to indulge in your crushes and flirt with abandon. (Okay, some of us live that way every day — but this is the day for you shy kids.)

Today’s mix tape has two sides (you’re welcome, Anandamide). Side A is the Love side — those songs that make you swoon over romantic lyrics, make you want to fall madly in love, leave you aching for long, deep kisses. Side B is the Happiness side — because what makes us happier than the sexy side of love? These are the songs that make me wanna … well, you know ... the songs that send those delicious shivers between my shoulder blades.

Disclaimer: You may scratch your head over some selections — but there are personal reasons behind them, so quit scratching and start enjoying.

Some sleazebag bloggers have been stealing my MP3 URLs and publishing them on other sites without permission — which is eating up the download bandwidth for you — so this week I’m linking just A-side and B-side zip files. Don’t you hate slimy weenies who ruin it for the rest of us?

Spending a week listening to songs about love has left me in a romantic tizzy. I’ve been swooning and swaying all week, my hand dramatically pressed against my forehead as if I’m in a Douglas Sirk flick — in Technicolor, of course. Listening to Side B has left me in a whole different type of tizzy.

Side A: LOVE

Al Green :: Love and Happiness

Aretha Franklin :: I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)

Sinéad O'Connor :: Nothing Compares 2 U

Bruce Springsteen :: She’s the One

Grant Lee Buffalo :: Truly, Truly

Joss Stone :: Fell in Love with a Boy

Edwyn Collins :: A Girl Like You

Matthew Sweet :: Looking at the Sun

R.E.M. :: Be Mine

Pearl Jam :: Love Reign O'er Me

Oasis :: Wonderwall

Elvis Costello :: She

Petra Haden + Bill Frisell :: I've Got a Crush on You

Shane MacGowan + Sinéad O'Connor :: Haunted

John Lennon :: Oh My Love

Bruce Cockburn :: Last Night of the World

Nick Drake :: Northern Sky

Iron & Wine :: Love and Some Verses

Glen Hansard + Marketa Irglová :: Falling Slowly

k.d. lang :: So in Love

Big Star :: Thirteen

Landon Pigg :: Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop

Shelby Lynne :: Dreamsome

Van Morrison :: Someone Like You

Etta James :: A Sunday Kind of Love

Neil Young :: Harvest Moon

The Beatles :: I Will

The Rolling Stones :: Wild Horses

The National :: Wasp Nest

Sam Phillips :: When I Fall

David Bowie :: Without You

Anita Baker :: Caught up in the Rapture

John Hiatt :: Learning How to Love You

Warren Zevon :: Keep Me in Your Heart

Otis Redding :: Try a Little Tenderness


Side B: HAPPINESS

Al Green :: Here I Am (Come and Take Me)

Marvin Gaye :: Let’s Get It On

Bob Dylan :: Lay, Lady, Lay

Chris Isaak :: Wicked Game

Lucinda Williams :: Hot Blood

Rufus feat. Chaka Khan :: Tell Me Something Good

Dave Matthews Band :: Crash into Me

R.E.M. :: Perfect Circle

The Patti Smith Group :: Because the Night

Marcy Playground :: Sex and Candy

Psychedelic Furs :: Love My Way

Ryan Adams :: Wonderwall

The Beatles :: Love You To

U2 :: With or Without You

Joe Cocker :: You Can Leave Your Hat On

Lisa Stansfield :: Never, Never Gonna Give You Up

King Floyd :: Groove Me

Nina Simone :: Feeling Good

Stevie Wonder :: Boogie on Reggae Woman

The Brothers Johnson :: Strawberry Letter #23

Luka Bloom :: I Need Love

Joan Armatrading :: Turn out the Light

Major Harris :: Love Won’t Let Me Wait

Teddy Pendergrass :: Turn off the Lights

Luther Ingram :: (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right

Peggy Lee :: Fever

Iggy Pop & The Stooges :: I Wanna Be Your Dog

Jeff Buckley :: So Real

R.E.M. :: Turn You Inside-out

Bruce Springsteen :: Tunnel of Love

Bill Withers :: Use Me

Joan Osborne :: Right Hand Man

Barry White :: I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby

Serge Gainsbourg feat. Jane Birkin :: Je T'aime Moi Non Plus

Touch and Go :: Would You …?

I could pontificate for paragraphs about these seventy songs — but it’s Valentine’s Day. Do you really want to read? No, you don’t. You want to download these tasty little tunes and get on with your seductions. Go. Have fun. Wear sexy panties. Make me proud.

And come back tomorrow to let me know if the mix tape helped you score.

Thanks to HollyC and RCofCHS, Filegod and The Bastard, Renae and Simeon, The Northwest Doppelganger and the Sister, Scrivener and The Occasionally Beloved Engineer for their lovely suggestions.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles!

Tomorrow night marks the 44th anniversary of The Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (click the link to hear that introduction) — probably one of the five most important pop-culture moments of my life. I was one of the 73 million who watched that show. I’ve blogged before about what The Beatles mean to me, so I’ll spare you that repeated tale.

But I never quit talking about The Beatles, not really. Favorite Boy and I were talking over the weekend about how The Beatles affected our lives, our love of music. As he said (much more eloquently than I did):

I still remember seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan when I was five and thinking, “Wow, this is different.” Those early songs taught me what rock and roll was supposed to sound like. They were the songs heard on small transistor radios under the sheets after I was supposed to be asleep. These were the songs that made me wish I had a girl that I could love eight days a week.

I started to mix a tape of Beatles tunes, but two things stopped that idea: (1) I couldn’t narrow down to 44 of their songs I like best (I’m obsessive, you know); (2) most of you who love The Beatles probably own the same extensive collection. So I went with my tried-and-true: a covers tape. The fun thing about a Beatles mix tape is everyone covers them — rock and R&B artists, punk boys and indie girls, easy-listeners and new wavers, country greats and psychedelic grands. I limited the tape to 44 songs — one for each year since that pivotal Sullivan moment — ending with my favorite Beatles B-side.

Twist and shout, kids.

Elton John feat. John Lennon :: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Stevie Wonder :: We Can Work It Out

Mike Mills & The Backbeat Band :: Roadrunner

Ted Leo :: I’m Looking Through You

Oasis :: I Am the Walrus

Aerosmith :: Come Together

Ike & Tina Turner :: Get Back

Earth Wind & Fire :: Got to Get You into My Life

Joe Cocker :: She Came in Through the Bathroom Window

U2 :: Helter Skelter

Stereophonics :: Don’t Let Me Down

Al Green :: I Want to Hold Your Hand

Greg Dulli & The Backbeat Band :: Twist and Shout

The Donnas :: Drive My Car

Little Richard :: I Saw Her Standing There

The Jam :: And Your Bird Can Sing

Sonic Youth :: Within You Without You

Eddie Vedder :: You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away

David Bowie :: Penny Lane

Elvis Presley :: Hey Jude

Frank Sinatra:: Something

Robyn Hitchcock :: She Said She Said

Elvis Costello + Paul McCartney :: One After 909

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 :: Day Tripper

The Fiery Furnaces :: Norwegian Wood

The Feelies :: Everybody's Got Something to Hide (Except Me and My Monkey)

Foo Fighters :: Blackbird

13th Floor Elevators :: The Word

Ray Charles :: Eleanor Rigby

Nellie McKay :: If I Needed Someone

Gregg Allman :: Rain

Johnny Cash :: In My Life

Billy Bragg :: She’s Leaving Home

Elliott Smith :: I Me Mine

Joe Jackson :: For No One

Paul Westerberg :: Nowhere Man

Nina Simone :: Here Comes the Sun

The Breeders :: Happiness Is a Warm Gun

Hüsker Dü :: Ticket to Ride

Echo & The Bunnymen :: All You Need Is Love

XTC :: Strawberry Fields Forever

The Ventures :: I Feel Fine

Yo La Tengo :: Paperback Writer

The Beatles :: You Know My Name (Look up the Number)

Interesting set of covers, huh? A few of the tracks on here are cheesy — but not the ones you’d expect. Yeah, Elvis Presley’s is very Vegas, but it makes me laugh. Nina Simone’s “Here Comes the Sun” is splendid, and I love Sergio Mendes’ “Day Tripper.” Johnny Cash brings a different, more heartbreaking feel to “In My Life.” I’ve always been a bit disappointed with Little Richard’s “I Saw Her Standing There” since you can hear his influence on Paul in the original, but it’s still pretty good. Mr. Charles nails “Eleanor Rigby”; I think I prefer his version.

Of course, there are many terrible Beatles covers out there — and this is one of my favorite groaners:

Bill Cosby :: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club

The Backbeat Band may be the greatest supergroup few have heard: R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Nirvana’s Dave Grohl, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers’ Greg Dulli, Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner, and Gumball’s Don Fleming. They grouped for the (quite fun) Backbeat soundtrack. I included my two favorite songs from the album: Mike Mills’ “Roadrunner” (his vocals and bass playing kick a**!) and the Greg Dulli-led “Twist and Shout” (a fun, true-to-tune cover).

Speaking of Greg Dulli, does anyone want to see him and Mark Lanegan with me in March? I cannot miss Mr. Dulli, I have decided. Check the navbar for details.

Be sure to listen to “You Know My Name (Look up the Number).” It was the B-side to the “Let It Be” single. Whenever I listen to it, I wonder if that’s the last good time Paul and John had together. Wonderfully weird song.

I want to know some of your favorite Beatles covers; there are so many fun ones to choose from. Discuss in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: 52 Girls

I’m in a girlie mood this week. I get much of my creative inspiration from The B-52’s — hairdo and hemlines, catch phrases and cosmic things — so let’s base today’s mix tape on one of my favorite tunes by the B’s: 52 Girls.

Interesting mix of girls today — dynamic and danceable, sad and swooning — even a song about a prime minister. Celebrate the ladies today with pretty pink pop.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions :: Alison

Richard Buckner :: Ariel Ramirez

The Who :: Athena

The Four Tops :: Bernadette

Kiss :: Beth

The Twilight Singers :: Bonnie Brae

Warren Zevon :: Carmelita

Simon & Garfunkel :: Cecilia

Billy Bragg :: Cindy of a Thousand Lives

Big Star :: O, Dana

Beck :: Debra

Robyn Hitchcock feat. Peter Buck + Scott McCaughey :: Elizabeth Jade

Beulah :: Emma Blowgun's Last Stand

Lyle Lovett :: Fiona

John Hiatt :: Georgia Rae

The Brunettes :: Too Big for Bridget

Johnny Thunders :: Gloria

Neil Diamond :: Holly Holy

Ian Hunter :: Irene Wilde

Split Enz :: Iris

Van Halen :: Jamie’s Crying

Jon Astley :: Jane’s Getting Serious

Donovan :: Jennifer Juniper

Belle & Sebastian :: Photo Jenny

Guided by Voices :: The Best of Jill Hives

Clem Snide :: Joan Jett of Arc

Michael Nesmith & The First National Band :: Joanne

Steely Dan :: Josie

John Fred & His Playboy Band :: Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)

The Beatles :: Julia

The Decemberists :: Leslie Anne Levine

Blood, Sweat, & Tears :: Lucretia McEvil

Rod Stewart :: Maggie Mae

The English Beat :: Stand Down Margaret

Lloyd Cole :: Margo’s Waltz

Nick Lowe :: Maureen

The Association :: Along Comes Mary

The Allman Brothers Band :: Melissa

Grant Lee Phillips :: Mona Lisa

Pete Yorn :: For Nancy (Cos’ It Already Is)

Prince :: Darling Nikki

Rickie Lee Jones :: Walk Away Renee

Billy Joel :: Rosalinda’s Eyes

Bruce Springsteen :: Rosalita (Come out Tonight)

Edison Lighthouse :: Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)

Cake :: Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town

Death Cab for Cutie :: What Sarah Said

The Ramones :: Sheena Is a Punk Rocker

The Four Seasons :: Sherry

Elton John :: Susie (Dramas)

Camper Van Beethoven :: Tania

The Rolling Stones :: Sweet Virginia

Some of my very favorite songs are on this list. If I’d ever had a daughter, I would have named her after John Lennon’s beautiful and haunting “Julia.” The Four Tops’ tune is another Top 100; I embarrassed myself every damn day this week shouting “Bernadette!” whenever I played it. (Speaking of self-embarrassment, I went way over the top singing Michael Nesmith’s “ah-HA-ah” in “Joanne”; it’s great for those days when you feel a bit cowboy.) And what about that one-two aural punch of “Irene Wilde” and “Iris”! There’s brilliance in alphabetical order, kids.

One of my least favorite songs — Kiss’ “Beth” — is also included here, because … well, because that’s the only song I can find with my name, dammit. Guys always sang that to me in high school and college. Blech. The only person who can get by singing it to me is Sherman Alexie. Well, I’d also giggle if Bruce Campbell or Keith Olbermmmmm serenaded me with it.

Strangely, some of my favorite ones did NOT make the list. I included Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” because it has such great energy — but I prefer “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.”

R.E.M. doesn’t sing a lot of songs to girls — except “Hey, Hey Nadine,” which I included on a mix tape a month or so ago — but Mr. Buck is representin’ the beloveds with Robyn Hitchcock.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: I Was 99X

This morning marks a sad moment for the Atlanta airwaves: 99X, our commercial alternative radio station since 1992, loses its terrestrial radio home to its sister Top 40 station. 99X lost its uniqueness and thus lost its listeners.

The station was brilliantly programmed through much of the 1990s. The station is credited for breaking tunes such as The Cranberries’ “Linger” and bands like Silverchair (not a personal fave, but some people like those Down Under kids). As alternative lost its newness, the station veered toward modern rock to capture that 18–30 demographic. Nirvana and Pearl Jam gave way to crap like Incubus and Linkin Park. And so 99X lost loyal listeners like me. Granted, I’m not in a prime demographic. But the kids in my age group aren’t the only ones who quit listening.

For those still interested in listening to the station, 99X will continue to broadcast online.

I can’t help but wonder if 99X would have survived had Leslie Fram paid attention to my shouts in the car and added more indie bands to the playlist. There are many radio-friendly indie tunes that would have worked brilliantly on the playlist. Some bands got the chance — Modest Mouse and The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie and Gomez, Flaming Lips and Radiohead. But many deserving bands didn’t. And so today I’m programming the no-longer station with a handful of artists who should have had some 99X airplay during the aughts — and could have saved the station.

Those of you who don’t know these songs — give ‘em a try. Let me know if you would have stayed on the station had these been played.

Belle & Sebastian :: Another Sunny Day

Cherry Ghost :: Alfred the Great

The Whigs :: O.K. Alright

The New Pornographers :: Chump Change

Art Brut :: People in Love

Super Furry Animals :: (Drawing) Rings Around the World

Spoon :: Don’t You Evah

Yo La Tengo :: Mr. Tough

The Pipettes :: Dirty Mind

eels :: Dirty Girl

The Clientele :: Bookshop Casanova

Guided by Voices :: Back to the Lake

Beulah :: My Side of the City

The Minus 5 :: The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply

The National :: Apartment Story

Burning Brides :: Artic Snow

Sonic Youth :: Incinerate

The Detroit Cobras :: (I Wanna Know) What's Going On

The Raveonettes :: Love in a Trashcasn

Sleater-Kinney :: Off With Your Head

Rilo Kiley :: Portions for Foxes

Postal Service :: Such Great Heights

Annie :: Chewing Gum

Of Montreal :: Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games

Bob Mould :: (Shine Your) Light Love Hope

The Rosebuds :: Get up Get Out

Camera Obscura :: If Looks Could Kill

Stephen Malkmus :: Phantasies

Wilco :: Pot Kettle Black

Badly Drawn Boy :: Something to Talk About

Modern Skirts :: September Days

Teddy Thompson :: I Should Get Up

Cat Power :: Aretha, Sing One for Me

The Decemberists :: Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect

Sufjan Stevens :: Chicago

The Thrills :: Deckchairs and Cigarettes

The Twilight Singers :: My Time (Has Come)

Holly Golightly :: Run Cold

Wussy :: Soak It Up

Pernice Brothers :: How to Live Alone

This was a hard list to whittle down to forty. A lot of great bands ended up in the Next Time folder — so whine away in the comments box about your favorite overlooked bands.

What’s particularly frustrating about this list of 99X-denied artists is many are based in or affiliated with Georgia. Chan Marshall of Cat Power is an Atlanta girl and has a house here. The Whigs, Modern Skirts, and Of Montreal call Athens home. Bob Mould spent some time in Athens, and The Minus 5 lineup includes the beloved Peter Buck (with Jeff Tweedy guesting on guitar here). Paste magazine — HQ’ed around the corner from my cozy little home — tapped The National’s The Boxer as 2007’s album of the year. And Scrivener loves Wilco as much as I love R.E.M.

You may recognize the Of Montreal track, but maybe you can’t place from where. They refocused “Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games” for an Outback commercial.

You may recognize some of these songs from soundtracks. “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect” was used in an episode of How I Met Your Mother. Badly Drawn Boy did the (brilliant) soundtrack for About a Boy, which includes this track. You hear eels all over the movie palace (“Dirty Girl” hasn’t been used in a movie — that I know of — but it’s this month’s fave for personal reasons).

Give him a listen: Teddy Thompson is the offspring of Richard and Linda Thompson — and one of Rufus Wainwright’s BFFs. Very talented guy, very good album.

Luckily, we’re not quite living in the town that lost its groove supply, thanks to WRAS (my oft-mention alma station) and Dave FM, which plays a mix crossing different genres, including alternative. Dave FM has been known to play Wilco.

* * * * * *

Mix Tape Friday: Guilty Pleasures

Sean at the palindromatic and entertaining Everything Is Pop, Pop Is Everything suggested a great mix tape: guilty pleasures. I love pleasures that leave me feeling a bit guilty, so let’s go there this week. There’s nothing more fun than a guilty pleasure song. You know it’s lame, you may be embarrassed if friends catch you listening to it — but you can’t help but sing along and give the tune your full music love and affection.

I have an electronic treasure trove filled with guilty pleasure songs — plenty to fill several mix tapes. But I reached out to the beloveds — Renae and the sister, HollyC and RCofCHS, French and Filegod, the Northwest Doppelganger and Swirlie Grrrl — to help me flesh out this week’s tape.

I’m dying to tell who suggested what, but their secrets are safe. I also wish I could tell some of the stories behind their choices — some are surprising, some are just damn funny — but those are their tales. They need to get their own blogs.

The beloveds and I are around the same age, so some of these — The Partridge Family, The Monkees, and Bread, in particular — were requested more than once. Interesting that a lot of our guilty pleasures are rooted in our childhoods; I hope you young’uns can appreciate the brilliance of this bopping banality.

Embrace your lameness!

Toni Basil :: Mickey

Avril Lavigne :: Girlfriend

R.E.M. :: Shiny Happy People (Hip Mix)

The Archies :: Sugar, Sugar

Shalamar :: Dead Giveaway

Josie Cotton :: Johnny, Are You Queer?

The Monkees :: I’m a Believer

Power Station :: Get It On (Bang a Gong)

Queen :: Flash Gordon

Def Leppard :: Photograph

Bon Jovi :: You Give Love a Bad Name

Lynyrd Skynyrd :: Gimme Three Steps

Tim Curry :: I Do the Rock

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition :: Something’s Burning

Lou Christie :: Lightning Strikes

Nu Shooz :: Lost Your Number

Mariah Carey :: Vision of Love

Christina Aguilera :: Dirrty

The Cowsills :: Hair

The Partridge Family :: I Think I Love You

Marshall Tucker Band :: Heard It in a Love Song

10CC :: The Things We Do for Love

The Fifth Dimension :: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In

Wham :: Everything She Wants

Bree Sharp :: David Duchovny

Bread :: Baby I’m-A Want You

Barry Manilow :: Mandy

The Bee Gees :: Lonely Days

The Carpenters :: Superstar

Al Stewart :: Year of the Cat

And now for the lamest of the lame — and this one’s mine. I lost some of Favorite Boy’s respect when I ‘fessed up to this one:

Richard Harris :: MacArthur Park

We had the 45 of this Jimmy Webb classic growing up. The B-side was “Didn’t We”; I wanted to include that, too, but I couldn’t find a digital copy.

Bet you didn’t think I could pick an R.E.M. song that could rate as a guilty pleasure, did you? You underestimate me. Michael wanted to do an Archies-type song — and “Shiny Happy People” was born. Rumor has it he so hates the song, he gives all those residual dollars to charity. So we have Michael’s guilt and our pleasure whenever we dance to the song. This is a different mix, and it’s a bit more entertaining — especially when followed by the inspirational “Sugar, Sugar.”

“Everything She Wants” is one of my very favorite guilty pleasures. Whenever I hear it, I become George Michael. I emote. My hips move. I throw my arms wide and sing at the top of my lungs. It used to embarrass the Beloved Ex; he was always shushing me in fear that the neighbors would hear me. To hell with ‘em, I say!

If you monitor Shows I Gotta See on the navbar, you’ve probably giggled over this week’s show — a concert by one of this week’s guilty pleasurers. Yep, I’m goin’ all Manilow this weekend. The sister and I are taking my mother as part of her birthday celebration. Secretly, between you and me, I think I’m going to enjoy the show. Let’s hope this weekend’s snow forecast doesn’t shut down the Copacabana.

* * * * * *