Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year

U2 - New Year's Day

Monday, bloody Monday, last of the year. As the week starts, the year ends. But in the wise words of Bono, nothing changes on new year's day...

Die Roten Rosen - Auld Lang Syne

I know, I know, it's supposed to be manic monday, but because this year is nearly over, I can't think of a better song to end it.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Mika - Relax, Take it Easy

With a hot cup of soup before me and in the grips of an unforgiving cold, I can only try to relax and take it easy...

Aerosmith - Amazing

Well, here we are... last Sunday of yet another year gone by. So, a bit of musing on the meaning of life, the universe and everything from those dinosaurs of rock, Aerosmith, is probably in good order for our easy listening day. And remember, life's a journey, not a destination and you just can't tell what tomorrow brings.

ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man

Well, because I've been attending two birthday parties last night, I just realized that ZZ Top are right...

Shaft - Mucho Mambo (Sway)

Time to put electronic into the swing and sway this way to Mucho Mambo. In the sultry version of Shaft, made famous by a Coca Cola commercial. Because an ice-cold coke is just what you need after sweatin' it out to this tune.

Chubby Checker - Let's Twist Again

Grab a partner and let me see them skirts flying!

Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself

So, it's dancing time again... Well, if you haven't got a partner, you can always follow Billy's example and just dance with yourself :)

Deine Lakaien - Wunderbar

Well, this is the song that always jumps first to mind when I think of love songs... so here it is, the lovely and twisted declaration of love to a light post:)

Murray Gold - Love Don't Roam

Well, since apparently I am now caught in a streak of Doctor Who watching (meaning 4, 5, 6, 7 episodes a day during the holidays), let's fish around the soundtrack for melody for today.

Depeche Mode - World in My Eyes

Well, it ain't exactly what one might call a love song, but I think we all did try at some point to show to someone else the world thru our eyes...

Infected Mushroom - Becoming Insane

Just one of those days...

Soundgarden - Live to Rise

Not only was The Avengers one of the most fun movies to watch this year... but the soundtrack was also a pleasant surprise, because next to the Aussies from AC/DC shooting riffs to thrill us, there's also a comeback song by Soundgarden. Later during the year, they release a new album, preceded by a rather appropriately named single, Been Away Too Long. Indeed you have, guys but well... some people only Live to Rise.

Joey Ramone - What a Wonderful World

I know, I know, man of you will think this a heresy, but you all must admit that this cover kinda kicks ass.

Celtic Woman - Carol of the Bells

Continuing with the Christmas-related music, here a song that's really starting to grow on me... this is also a nod to a dear friend:)

Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby

Well, let's give the third and final nod to xmas this year on Ladies' Wednesday with this soul lady and her enduring classic, cheesy sweet song.

Aretha Franklin - The Christmas Song

So, it's the second day of Christmas, all of us are still celebrating and enjoying the presents received. Carols can still be heard everywhere, so I'll post  a Christmas related song, just to keep the mood :)

Wham! - Last Christmas

Somebody had to do it...

Die Roten Rosen - The Little Drummer Boy

So, on Christmas, here's a Christmas carol, sung by Die Toten Hosen Roten Rosen. Merry Christmas everyone!

The Killers Christmas Special

All righty folks... December 25th, Christmas Day. And I am going to break the rules around here regarding Tuesday = oldies, but hey, everyone indulges themselves on Christmas. We've already established that I am turning into a Grinch, so no Mariah Careys or White Christmases from me today (even though White Christmas *is* one of my favourite season songs and it would definitely qualify as an oldie).

But, if I am to indulge myself... I am a big fan of the Killers and these guys have been steadily releasing (slightly different) Christmas songs since performing together, with all proceeds going to charities. The spirit of giving and such. This year saw their seventh such single and because seven is such a nice mystical number, here they all are, wrapped up as Christmas presents to you (and me!).

A Great Big Sled (2006)

Don't Shoot Me, Santa (2007)

Joseph, Better You Than Me (2008)

¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe! (2009)

Boots (2010)

The Cowboys' Christmas Ball (2011)

I Feel It in My Bones (2012)

NOFX - Thank God It's Monday

Morten Harket - A Kind of Christmas Card

Well, since the holiday cheer has hit an alarming high-pitched level of cheap plastic fakeness, let the on-duty grinch put a dampener on it. Here is one of the saddest Christmas related songs ever. Not only that, but I don't know what is more pathetic: the down-on-the-luck cliche in the song's theme, the video, the wailing chorus or the seemingly desperate bid of the A-Ha frontman to be taken seriously. Downright depressing.

The Mamas & The Papas - Monday Monday

Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday... No more Monday, please...

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

Sunday, easy listening and a feeling of... well, feeling good? Well, then, Feel Good Inc. seems a good choice for a song. I can't believe it's been seven years since the Gorillaz released this stuff. Makes me feel really old...

No Doubt - Sunday Morning

So, it's Sunday... Sunday morning... Why, warum, pourqoi?

Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - I've Had the Time of My Life

Who hasn't seen "Dirty Dancing"? Who, I ask?

Prince - 1999

Well, since I'm alive to post this and you're alive to read it, it means we just about survived another apocalypse. Remember the hysteria surrounding y2k? That was supposed to be the end of the world as well. In fact, in 1983, the eccentric Prince released a song called 1999 and thereby established the idiom "party like it's 1999", meaning party like there's no tomorrow. Since Dec. 21st 2012 came and went just like Prince's supposedly inexistent tomorrow... wow, I'm either a cockroach or else very, very lucky to survive two ends of the world. I haven't heard any party-like-it's-2012 party anthems. Guess they don't make 'em like they used to, so for old times' sake, here's the original end of the world party anthem.

Depeche Mode - Nothing's Impossible

I have no idea how I managed to be the first one to get to post Depeche Mode around here, but hey, who am I do deny the chance. Plenty to choose from as well, since we're talking about a band that's been around for more than 30 years. Hell, they're older than me! In the end, I've settled for this underrated gem from 2005, when they were Playing the Angel. Dark moody song, yet somehow hopeful and with an anesthetizing effect. After all, nothing's impossible.

Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

Some different kind of love song...

White Town - Your Woman

In 1997, when this song came out, its video was one of the coolest around. It was its obsessive refrain that got stuck in my head and I kept humming half lines to myself until I figured out just what the song buzzing around my brain is. Well, it was this gem right here.

The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger

Because it's Tuesday, here's a hit from The Police. To bad they split up...

Anda Călugăreanu - Noi nu

Since we're already having Joan Baez as a guest today for Ladies' Wednesday, maybe we should go native. There is a certain lady who at some point was dubbed the Joan Baez of Romania. She is one of those stars shining on us from above now, where, if all goes by her heart, I'm sure she is still singing beautiful songs.

Joan Baez - Te recuerdo Amanda

- Amanda Moreno? asked the voice, with a very metallic sound and static in the background.
- Si, answered Amanda anxiously, sensing trouble ahead.
- I'm afraid that I have bad news... The factory... there has been an accident... The workers... Manuel...
- I'm sorry, I don't understand...
- Manuel is...

Sam The Sham & Pharaohs - Woolly Bully

Full Metal Jacket and the Vietnam War era...

Frank Sinatra - My Way

Frank-ly, it was only a matter of time until this name cropped up here, if you will excuse the pun. I can't quite see how we could've had an oldies section without Mr. Sinatra making a stop around here. And if you stopped random passers by on the street and ask for just one song title, I think their answers would be quite evenly split between New York, New York and My Way. So... flip a coin and there it goes.

New Order - Blue Monday

Flunk - Blue Monday

So, it's another Monday morning... I get out of bed and I try to clear my head, to shake off the week-end dreams and to face the truth: it's time to start a new week, with new stress, new deceptions and new wounds... But then, it hits me: it only lasts 24 hours...

Joy Division - She's Lost Control

It's been long ago established - Monday is not only manic, it's also depressingand all in all, the perfect day to lose control. And I can't think of a better soundtrack for it than this.

Primus - Wynona's Big Brown Beaver

Sunday morning, head full of Saturday night fever :) Primus sounds good at this hour... :)

Howard Shore - Misty Mountains Cold

It's time again for the world to be engulfed by Middle Earth frenzy. Anyone who is in the slightest excited by fantasy fiction immerses in the new epic storytelling movie based on master Tolkien's magnificent work. And once again Howard Shore has produced a soundtrack to match. From the first time I've seen the trailer, the dwarven song about their ancient homeland has sent shivers down my spine. And since we're in the snowy and icy grip of winter, this haunting tune is perfect for a Sunday by the fireplace while outside the world is drowned in white.

The Tango Project - Por Una Cabeza

Ever since I saw "True Lies", I fell in love with this song. Although it's not your typical "Saturday Night Fever" song, you can't love a good tango...

Shakira - Eyes Like Yours (Ojos Asi)

When it comes to swinging those hips, few can compare to that Colombian power pack that is Shakira. And there are few songs where she demonstrates it better than in the video for this butt-move-compelling song.

Pearl Jam - Soldier of Love

Pat Benatar might have spelled the obvious truth in her Love Is a Battlefield, but every battle needs its soldiers. Now for these particular shoes to fill, my money wouldn't have necessarily been on a grunge frontman with something of a bad boy image, but I guess Eddie Vedder has the grit and the voice to pull this one off.

Nazareth - Love Hurts

No comment...

Cornershop - Brimful of Asha

A celebration of the singers behind the scenes in Bollywood movies for our Thursday's Child. With a special dedication :)

Green Day - Basket Case

Well... It's Thursday again. And let me continue with a cliche: whilst you are reading these lines and listening to this song, I am at home, recovering working from my home office :)

Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield

This lady is often overlooked when great female voices are celebrated, even though she has earned herself a streak of four consecutive Grammies for Best Female Rock Performance in the early 80s. Not to mention that she has share an undeniable truth with the rest of the world, namely this one.

Janis Joplin - Cry Baby

I've heard her voice for the first time in 1991, in Germany, on an old LP record... And it sounded awesome. The song was called "Mercedes Benz". So, I wouldn't post that song, but I will post "Cry Baby" instead :)

BB King - The Thrill Is Gone

For the day of oldies, a recording as old as the moonwalking (and not Michael's!) and a sound as rich and sultry as the Mississippi Delta.

Kraftwerk - Die Roboter

Because it's Tuesday, and it's dedicate to those who made musical history, one way or the other, here's a song belonging tho that group that started all the electronic madness, Kraftwerk...

Metallica - St. Anger

An ugly song, as ugly as a winter Monday, with pushing and shoving in a city bus...

Matchbox Twenty - Unwell

Matchbox Twenty is one of those bands that you would probably get to hear on adult rock stations in the US, but that never quite got a footing in Europe, which is, as far as I'm concerned, a shame. You are more likely to have people around here have heard of lead singer Rob Thomas, though they might not recognize that name either until you point them in the direction of the smash collaboration with Santana, Smooth. Yet, they have a perfect manic Monday song.

Muse - Animals

A song that goes down easy and then hits hard for an election day special of the easy Sunday.

Advertise, franchise, expand 
Kill the competition 
And buy yourself an ocean 

Advertise, downsize 
Lay off
Kill yourself 
Come on and do us all a favour...

3 Doors Down - Kryptonite

After surviving Saturday night, we all feel like struck by a chunk of Kryptonite :)

The Trammps - Disco Inferno

Dance, dance, dance ...

Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancing

It's Saturday, which means time to boogie, as it's dancing songs day around here. But what do do if... I Don't Feel Like Dancing, no sir, no dancing today...

Bon Jovi - Always

As becomes a girl, it was a love song that initially got me hooked on music. For good. It was the winter of '94 and a metal hair band that had successfully survived the onslaught of grunge and the rise of hip hop and was celebrating with a best of release, championed on music channels with this song. The rest is, as they say, history. And a perpetual love story with music.

Die Toten Hosen - Was zählt

Because it's Friday and because this day is dedicated to love songs, here a nice one... A punk-rock love statement, by The Dead Trousers :)

Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down

Here's one from Johnny Cash...

Deana Carter - Once Upon a December

In Christian mythology, the 6th of December is a day to remember St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra and bringer of gifts to the children. It's also more or less the start of a string of winter holidays that last to the beginning of January. So, to bring a bit of winter fairy tale flair to our playlist, here is a song that featured in the animation movie Anastasia.

Annie Lennox & Aretha Franklin - Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves

How about we celebrate not one, but two great ladies (and indeed all ladies out there) with a single song? Then it would definitely have to be this one. The queen of soul herself, Aretha Franklin and the awesome Scottish lass that is Annie Lennox join forces to let us know that Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves.

Barbra Streisand - Woman in Love

Today is dedicated to all the great feminine voices out there, so this my tribute :)

The Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn

I have always had a thing for music older than me, I admit it - partly an attraction to the melodic lines themselves and partly a fascination with the world they depicted. I always perked up my ears when a so called oldie came up in radio. But the first time I purposely listened to music that fit that category was when I purchased the soundtrack to Forrest Gump, because the music in the film kept catching my attention. To me, it is not only one of the greatest movies ever made, it also had one of the best soundtracks out there. The Byrds' song Turn Turn Turn was part of that soundtrack and still to me one of the most soothing and calming musical pieces.

The Animals - The House of the Rising Sun

Oldies but goldies, so here's one my favorite oldies, "The House of  the Rising Sun", by The Animals.

The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays

Some people hate Mondays more than others. Some of them hate Mondays so much that they use it as a perfectly senseless excuse for perfectly senseless acts, such as shooting random people. Teenage killing sprees are not a product of the late 90s - The Boomtown Rats' major hit single from 1979 is a musical testimony to that. Bob Geldof was inspired to write it following an incident in San Diego, which involved a 16 year old girl killing two and injuring nine persons in an act simply motivated by "I don't like Mondays".

Seeing as it can always get worse, hope you have a good start into the week.

B. B. King - Stormy Monday

Just because it's Monday and it's gonna be a looooooooong week :)

Supertramp - Goodbye Stranger

So, it seems taking a bath really takes you down memory lane :). It got me to Supertramp, to one of their wonderful songs, from the "Breakfast in America" album...

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - We No Who U R

Since this is just too good to let it go unnoticed, here is another one of those sexy voices that could sing about simply anything and still make it sound good. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds have an album scheduled to come out in February next year (a sure sign that the end of the world has not yet arrived), titled Push the Sky Away. The first single is the haunting track below - in stores tomorrow.
 

AC/DC - Overdose

Easy listening ... is there such thing? If so, there's one of my obsessions, AC/DC with a track from "Let There Be Rock", called "Overdose". Enjoy :)

Faith No More - Easy

Lazy Sunday afternoons should be devoted to easy listening. The Kinks knew that and Small faces knew that. Even Lionel Richie knew it and started it in the morning. And on Sunday mornings, even Faith no More follow his example and are all easy like Sunday mornings.

The Bee Gees - Night Fever

Saturday Night Fever is the best Fever to have (though The Boss might disagree). It also makes you get up and dance or at least wiggle your butt on your seat. So we give Saturdays over to dancing kicking it off with John Travolta showing us the moves to the classic Bee Gees tune.

John Paul Young - Love Is In The Air

Love, love, love ... such a beautiful feeling...

The Cure - Friday I'm in Love

I didn't even have to brainstorm a song for this, because Friday I'm in Love started playing in my mind almost instantly. So, courtesy of the Cure, we shall devote this foreshadower of the weekend to the love songs out there.

David Bowie - Thursday's Child

Initially, this day also had a topic of its own. However, too many topics would probably leave some great songs out, that fit neither category. Neither category is fit by this chameleon either - Mr. David Bowie. So he kicks of and names the non-thematic Thursday with Thursday's Child.

Tori Amos - Wednesday

It's a jam for the ladies... especially on Wednesday, the day of the week devoted around here to the great female voices in music. The first little Wednesday story, named as such, comes from the cornflake girl herself, Tori Amos:

The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday

Tuesday is the day we will reserve for those songs older than us, that still rock, move and make us dance. Named for those granddaddies' of the stage's song, Ruby Tuesday, the day is devoted to oldies but goldies.

The Bangles - Manic Monday

Nothing better to kick off your week, than knowing that the whole 1st world sympathizes with your Monday blues... and even wrote songs about it to comiserate.

Musical Week Days

In an effort to revamp an old blog of mine, called A Day, A Song, here is the Musical Week Days blog. And here are the (very musical) posting categories. Their namesake songs will kick them off shortly.

Manic Monday 
Ruby Tuesday 
Wednesday for the ladies 
Thursday's Child 
Friday I'm In Love 
Saturday Night Fever 
Easy like Sunday morning