5 Songs For a Melow Day

Start things off with Challengers by the New Pornogrophers.

Then you bring in Jeff Buckley singing Hallelujah (Rufus doesn’t cut it for me personally, also props to Leonard Cohen for creating such a poignant song)

Then throw in The National for good measure with Little Faith.

Followed by Jesus etc by Wilco

Finish it up with Evaporated by Ben Folds (because there aren’t any good Not Dark Yet videos by Dylan)

Hope you enjoyed.

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6 Sad Songs

I don’t know a lot about blues music, but I wish I did. I’ve heard some John Lee Hooker and B. B. King (I prefer Hooker). Other than that my knowledge is pretty much deficient. I say this because I like blues music, or at least I like the idea behind blues music. The idea that you can put your sorrow into sound and song. The idea that hearing the sorrow then soothes the soul.

It is said that David played the lyre for King Saul when he was troubled by evil spirits. And David’s music would soothe Saul’s demons (1 Sam 16:23). I’d like to think that David played the blues or the ancient Israelite equivalent.

But I don’t know a lot about the blues. I just know that music has the ability to move us, to ease our troubles, to give us catharsis. With that said, here are 6 sad songs I listen to when life gets the better of me.

Bob Dylan- “Most of the Time”

Subtle and powerful music with Dylan’s rare gift of lyrical storytelling, that doesn’t so much tell a story as it does a feeling. Also the scene in “High Fidelity” with “Most of the Time” playing in the background, is one of my favorite cinematic scenes of all time. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a good Dylan version of this song online, so here is Sophie Zelmani’s cover.

Ben Folds- “Evaporated”

For me this song captures so many aspects of romantic sorrow. The feeling of numb emptiness, wounded pride, and all the self questioning that comes with it.

Johnny Cash- “Hurt”

Probably the my favorite cover since Hendrix took on “All Along the Watchtower.” There is something to be said about an artist who can take another persons song and add depth and meaning to it. Somehow Cash manages to do that. The video for this one is good as well. Cash showing the stages of his life and the events that shaped him, as well as the life that he shaped for himself.

Wilco- “How to Fight Loneliness”

Beautiful song about putting up a front. Some of the phrases in this song are incredible: shine your teeth till meaningless, fill your heart with smoke, the first thing that you want will be the last thing that you need. This was the only video with good sound quality (I’ve never seen the movie girl interrupted).

Chris Isaak- “Wicked Game”

Chris Isaak’s wailing voice lamenting falling in love. He has incredible vocals that just make you feel his longing and regret. A pretty good live video.

The Velvet Underground- “Oh Sweet Nuthin'”

Once again music that you hear and feel.

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