I’ve come to realize that Rob had it right “what really matters is what you like, not what you are like… Books, records, films – these things matter.” I might seem shallow but I’ve come to realize (after lots of experimenting) that I get along a lot better with people who like the music and movies I like, specifically my Top 5. Without further ado, my Top 5 Movies
5) Gladiator – When I talk about this list, I almost always list the top 4 and then throw out a couple titles that cycle in and out of this last spot. American History X and High Fidelity pop up occasionally too (the former more than the latter), but this is definitely the most consistent one. I tend to stray away from admitting this is my number 5 because (as you will see from the rest of the list), I seem to have a problem with picking blockbuster (also comedy, as it were) movies as my favorites. Not that I don’t love movies like Star Wars and The Godfather etc… but maybe I’m just a little pretentious. Lets move on, shall we?
4) This Is England – This one started at #3 but I think this is a good spot for it…for the moment. I change my mind too much on the 4 and 5 spot. (True Story, Based on the Director’s Childhood)
3) Almost Famous – THE BEST MOVIE ABOUT MUSIC I’VE EVER SEEN… Ok Ray was pretty good too. The most feel good movie on the list, and at this point I think it’s tied with High Fidelity as the most quoted source on this here blog. Everytime I see the scene that says “I need to go home”…”You are home”, I wish I could be living so care free. “Show me a guy who didnt want to be popular, and ill show you someone who was scared” (True Story, Based on the Director’s Childhood) I’m also gonna point out that this has one of the best soundtracks ever put together.
2) Oldboy – This movie will blow your mind. In a poll (not gonna bother with a source here, it’s been a while since I saw it) it was ranked the #2 most epic ending of all time. Be warned: it’s graphic, hardcore, and twisted (typical Korean movie, I guess). So much so that I can usually only watch it about twice a year, but its about that time of year again, so it’ll happen again soon. Im gonna be livid if Spike Lee messes up the remake. (Not a true story, thank god) “Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone”
1) City Of God – Included in numerous “Films to see before you die” and “Best movies of all time” lists, City of God was nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Directing, Best Editing and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) in 2004. Based on the childhood of one of the main characters, it follows a group of children as they grow up to run the slums just 15 miles away from the beautiful Rio De Janeiro. “If you run it will get you. If you stay it will eat you”. Go see this movie…then thank me after
Thank you Starbucks, for you provide me with free (not including the delicious mocha frap) wifi.
So todays (very late night) post is inspired by the band-aids from the movie Almost Famous (if you think I’m referencing adhesive bandages then bookmark this page, watch the movie, come back and then keep reading). Right after the band thinks they’re gonna break up (this isn’t a spoiler, it happens in every movie with a band in it), one of the band-aids is talking to Stillwater’s manager about the new groupies and says: “They don’t even know what it is to be a fan. Y’know? To truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts.” During the concert scenes of the movie, the band-aids are shown simply listening to the music. Soaking it in with a smile on their face as if to say I wish this moment would never end. And from this comes the theme, if you will, of this post.
Songs that make you feel good.
It can be when you’re having a great day and a song comes on that makes you smile from ear to ear. Maybe you’re having a bad day and all you wanna do is sing at the top of your lungs to a song that, may not be the best song ever made, but It’ll bring the tears. And sometimes thats the one thing you (and I) need. So heres a list that covers that for me, anyways. Its hard to categorize such a wide variety of music into a few basic groups, but here are the main ones I can think of. Songs that:
1) You can listen and relate to 2) Bring back memories, either personal or just something you think is funny 3) Are funny. For me there isn’t much better than hearing a line in a song that makes me start laughing hysterically 4) Are just good songs. Listening to my favorite music and feeling better after makes me re-realize why I listened to those songs in the first place
Before I (finally) start this list, there is one basic, but very key rule. It ALWAYS makes the song better when you sing along. Period.
1) Songs you can listen and relate to:
“Chicken Fried” Zach Brown Band – This is one of only 2 country songs on this list, and for good reason. a) I just dont get country. and b) the only time I can listen to it is when I’m heartbroken, and it doesn’t cheer me up. But every line in this song reminds you of the simple things in life. Fried chicken, cold beer, comfy jeans, and good music? Country or not, if you can’t get down with that then I’m not sure you can call yourself an American. Shout out to James Ganley for showing me this
“Callin Baton Rouge” Garth Brookes – Long. Lost. Love…. Pretty self-explanatory. I usually kick up the volume (and sing louder) when the second verse starts
2) Songs that bring back memories (It’s all about the buildup)
“Lose Control” Missy Elliot Ft. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop – This is the only song that has always stuck with me as the song I will always get up and dance to. Or in the case of Sean, Justin and me driving down University Ave past Panda Express with the windows down throwing ourselves around the car like lunatics while Justin has his foot out the window into the next lane doing some kind of stanky leg, sitting down and dancing to.
“Crescendolls” Daft Punk – Prospect park, 3rd St. playrground (BK,Ny) As David Butler wisely put it, “It’s so welcoming” (2:24)
“Canned Heat” Jamiroquai – First off, until I looked up this band, I thought the singer was a black chick. And secondly… Napoleon Dynamite anyone?
“Let Me See the Booty” The Dream Ft. Lil Jon – The constant presence in every gym visit. You know you have no shame when you dance in front of the mirrors in a full gym. Thanks to this song, and Sean, that shame left me a long time ago.
3) The Funny Songs (What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?)
“Girl I Wanna Lay You Down” Jack Johnson – As much as this song might have been meant to be somewhat romantic, that got thrown away when he wrote “wrap your arms around my love handles”, and every other punch-line in the song for that matter. p.s. I love the difference the audience makes in the live version…helps me get into it***
“Dirty Girl” Atmosphere – A little dirty, but in the best way. Probably in the top 5 of my favorite Atmosphere songs. (Woman Tonight by Murs & Slug almost made it on the list simply for the reiteration of the best date ever in the 2nd verse)
“Just Playin (Dreams)” Notorious B.I.G. – There seems to be a reoccurring theme in this group but I cant quite put my finger on it… This song makes me laugh. The simple reason being that I think its hilarious C. Wallace decided to make a song telling everyone all of the singers he wants to get with. I had “smack Tina Turner give her flashbacks of Ike” stuck in my head forever until my friends in provo (mike, mostly) got sick of it so I moved on…to the 2nd phrase of “Suicidal Thoughts” (don’t make sense…)
***pun was not intended
4) The Ones that Stick With You (You got what I neeeddddddddd)
“Feel It” Three 6 Mafia Ft. Tiesto – (how did they win an oscar?) I first heard this song in the library at BYU in one of the single person cubicles. Arnold Palmers and redbulls lined the back of the desk as I sat down to study for midterms. Saw this song when someone posted it on facebook, ended up replaying it for 45 minutes or so, packed up, and went back to my place. Wish I could say that wasn’t true. Its a good song, but what makes it for me is the buildup, and then the drop. And then after the drop it picks up to a whole new level above that. It makes me feel giddy.
“Defying Gravity” Wicked – Once I started hitting the high notes at the end this became my number one song to sing as loud and care free as I please. Not quite my favorite song on the album (“For Good” but that makes me cry if i sing it) but this one still gets me emotional enough if I’m in the mood (I may or may not have teared up during this song when I saw it on broadway).
Some Honorable Mention:
(2) “Africa” Toto – Troy and Abed singing with Betty White. (Donald Glover has a great voice). J.D. in Elliot’s bath…mango body butter anyone?
(2) “Shout” Otis Day & The Knights – Pick your own favorite quote. Dibs on the cucumber line.
(3) “Beer” Reel Big Fish – not a big fan of the verses, but the chorus gets me. “And if you’re drinkin well you know that you’re my friend and ill say, I guess ill have myself a beer” In the words of a kid named Peter that I met at a party “You gave me a beer. Thats friendship”
Obviously this list wont apply to everyone, but for those reading, if you find even 1 or 2 songs that you can take with you, then I’ll take that as a win (FTK!)
As I look back on this a couple of thoughts come to mind. First, if it wasn’t Hana’s birthday today, would I still be up writing this so she could see it whenever she got up (Happy birthday Hana!). And second, did anyone actually get this far. But that second one is besides the point. The point is:
If someone asked me the question; So Nate, what do you love about music? I’d flip my chair around, sit down and say…
I was gonna start this off with my top 5 movies as a background but its late at night and my mind cant handle all the youtube searching for that. In their place however, are my brief thoughts about the arts that I love to be a part of while keeping in mind one of my favorite movie quotes:
Christmas ’04, 10 months after College Dropout dropped, I sat on my loft bed listening to it play over and over after I didn’t get the present I wanted (who knows what it was now) until I fell asleep. Ever since then when I feel like I cant pull positivity out of the world, I turn to my music to lift me out. In short, I do indeed concentrate on the wackness. But throwing on my headphones and jamming to some ill beats makes me feel good inside. So heres to that not stopping anytime soon.
“…and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends”
WeDontBelongg 