1/. 'Volare' - Dean Martin.
Y'know when a song comes up on shuffle that you would usually skip, but you can't be bothered, and then you're really glad you didn't because you forgot how much you loved that song? Well, that's kind of what happened here. Basically, both of my parents are pretty big Rat Pack fans, so I put Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin's Greatest Hits albums on my iPod about 3/4 months ago. Needless to say, I didn't really listen to them at all. But one day I was walking into school and 'Volare' comes on, and I'm just thinking, "WHY did I skip this before?" And now I love Dean Martin - hooray for him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgeI0NeOjhI
2/. 'Rearrange (Skreamix)' - Miles Kane.
This is a weird one for me to like really, because a) it's a remix and b) it's a remix by acceptable dubstepper Skream [I like what you did there btw, Skream. Skreamix? Genius.] The truth is, I heard this version before I heard the original. I never expected to like it - I downloaded it because it was free - but once I'd heard it a few times, I began to really like it. It's not "proper dubstep", nor is it really dubstep at all [no filthy drop or any of that - sorry to disappoint!] Personally, I like the fact that it's only vaguely dubsteppy, plus Miles Kane's voice sounds amazing with the electronics. Subsequently, I heard the original and really liked that too, but in a completely different way - everything about it, even the video, is reminiscent of 60s mod culture. Feel free to make your decision on which version is better; I've stuck links for both below.
original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SV422fSYE4
skreamix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhShcq7ECVM
3/. 'A Certain Shade Of Green (Acoustic)' - Incubus.
I love an acoustic guitar and beautiful voice, and that's exactly what this song is about. If you don't know Incubus, they're an alt. rock band that have been around since 1991, and are still going now. This acoustic rendition of the song, however, is from their 2009 greatest hits album. There are loads of Incubus songs I absolutely adore, including the original, heavier, shoutier version of 'A Certain Shade Of Green', but this is up there in my top 3 Incubus songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPZqRktTSNI
4/. 'Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue' - The Ramones.
Right, so here's a funny story. I was in an R.E lesson [absolutely banterific... just sayin'] and my teacher was asking us to work in groups, revising different passages from Mark's Gospel. We were given the fantastic 'Caesarea Phillippi' to focus on - y'know, the "GET BEHIND ME, SATAN!" one - which basically consisted of me reading it aloud once, while the other three didn't really listen, followed by simply doing whatever we wanted, providing we stayed in the confines of our corner. For me and my friend, this was fantastic, as it allowed us to sing along to shockingly random music without being told off. When we were asked to feedback about the passage, I began by reading it to the class. However, I forgot to take my headphone out so as I get about halfway through, already managing to ignore the distracting pokes and sniggers from around me, this song comes on. As expected, I burst out laughing, though still ploughing through the passage, and when I finished I looked at my friend to see her shouting, "Now I wanna sniff some glue! Now I wanna have sum'n to do!" Okay, not funny? Maybe you had to be there...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwJnnf1Ogcw
5/. 'Jake Ryan' - Summer Camp.
There's always one song on every monthly mixtape that I become obsessed with and listen to for months on end. In April, it was this song. I love how creepy, yet relatable, the lyrics are: "You say you'll never leave, but, God, I hope you do. Come back in the middle of the night, no calls or texts from you. And that's called heartache, and that's what I want." The music's really tranquil and beautiful, which makes the song sound so much more optimistic than it really is. Definitely one of my songs of the summer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpdzdH-ppvk
6/. 'Ladder Song' - Bright Eyes.
I'm aware that there will always be people who come up to me and say "Do you remember when you were an emo? You were so pathetic! Pahahaha!" or something, followed by, "But that's okay, 'cos you're not like that anymore! Bwahahahaha!" Obviously, I'll kinda laugh along and look down, all embarrassed, but the fact of the matter is, I'm still that girl sometimes. Despite Bright Eyes being branded an emo band, very few of their songs are actually emo. I find the haunting piano compliments the hopeless tone of Conor Oberst's husky voice perfectly to remind me of those days where I'd be proud of my studded belt and idolise Hayley Williams. I don't even care - this song's beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBVWQekc_Rw
7/. 'Norgaard' - The Vaccines.
Let us take a moment to fully appreciate The Vaccines... HOLY MOTHER OF PAUL MCCARTNEY, I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. IT'S SO UPBEAT AND CATCHY. IT'S SO SHORT THAT IF YOU BLINK, YOU'LL MISS IT... AND I LOVE THAT. GOD, IT'S JUST SUCH A PERFECT SONG. "She's only seventeen, so she's probably not readaaaaay! A-M-A-N-D-A Norgaard, saw you on a cover on Cross Bay Boulevard!" Moment over.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blxusFwdgbs
8/. 'Georgia' - Alex Day.
There's a pretty obvious reason why this song is on here: I met Alex Day in April <333333333 [Apologies for the use of <3... it seemed fitting, seeing as I'm a massive fangirl] Either way, I love this song, particularly because he wrote this song about somebody he'd never even met before. Georgia, you're a very, very lucky girl, that's all I'm saying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTsLkhEOSig
9/. 'Friends' - Adam & The Ants.
If there's one thing I love, it's a comedy pop song that references people I recognise. In this song, it's that person who never shuts up about the fact that they know somebody whose cousin's grandmother's sister-in-law sometimes sees Tinie Tempah at the local pub... or something similar. The line "I'm a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. And if I come here tonight, can I get in free?" reminds me of those tools you see in Windsor, y'know? Also, Adam Ant does strange impressions of the people he mentions when he says they're names, which is hilarious. My favourite? "I'm a friend of... BRYAN FERRAAAAY!" lolinmypants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgYD_uCUbcc
10/. 'Guess I'm A Fool' - Hugh Laurie.
Yes, Dr. House does music. And it's bloody great. I loved him from Fry & Laurie, so I really wanted him to be good. Maybe I'm being biased, but I just think his voice works perfectly with his jazzy/bluesy music. You should absolutely give it a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjVytrNO5Tk
11/. 'Unprofessional Wrestling' - Art Brut.
This is another song that I'll love for ages, I know it. I first heard of Art Brut in an episode of Skins, when their song 'Good Weekend' was playing in the background. I did a bit of googling, found it pretty quickly and it wasn't long before I was obsessed with it. I didn't really bother to listen to their other songs, but when I discovered they had a new song, I had to listen to it immediately. Both of these songs are about sex. 'Good Weekend' seems to be from the perspective of a teenage boy with raging hormones, as you can see in the line "I've seen her naked... TWICE!", but in 'Unprofessional Wrestling' it appears as though this boy has become rather more experienced, and is now comparing his mating ritual with his ladyfriend to wrestling. My favourite line? "I can wear a leotard if that's your thing, we're unprofessional wrestling!" Brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkcgQ_FtNSE
12/. 'Internet Love Song' - Tom Milsom.
I never bothered listening to Tom Milsom until I heard a cover of this song by another YouTuber, called ConstellationLCD [check him out, he's awesomely nerdy and totally under-rated.] I felt it was wrong to not listen to the original after hearing such a beautiful cover, and discovered that it was actually pretty similar. I proceeded to download 6 Tom Milsom albums, though most of them are pretty strange, and then when I met him, I ended up telling him about how I'd put this on a mixtape for one of my friends. However, this was after I'd insulted him, so he wasn't really having it. Either way, this song is so adorable and tells the story of a cyber-relationship that seems a little one-sided.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmhSEExbmJw
13/. 'The Look' - Metronomy.
Hey, look! Metronomy are still awesome. I got their new album, 'The English Riviera', from Rough Trade East on Record Store Day and it's really good. 'The Look' is their latest single release, and has a tranquility about it, though it would be difficult for a paralysed man not to tap his toes to the beat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrNsSnk8GM
14/. 'Fashion' - David Bowie.
It's a shame I've never been a Bowie fan, but so be it. I tried so hard to like him, but it just wasn't happening. Not until I came across this gem! It's just such a great party song, it's unbelievable. I think the best thing about it is the fact that as soon as you hear the music, you know it's from the 80s. It's as though 80s music has a trademark or something, but I can't put my finger on it. I'm still not a Bowie fan, not by any stretch of the imagination, but at least now I like one song. That's where it starts, dunnit?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA27aQZCQMk
15/. 'Mr Understanding' - Pete & The Pirates.
Again, a chance to reminisce about Record Store Day. This is probably the most famous song, and I still love it. I was impressed with myself for still knowing all the words, and so were they by the looks of it! Not only are they a great indie band, but they're also really lovely guys and disgustingly talented. [Anyone who reads NME, they're in the On The Road section this week! WIN!] This song's so catchy - it even has claps and an abundance of 'do's in it! I know you can't resist claps and 'do's, so just give it a go!
I tried to upload a video I took from their performance at Rough Trade West, but it didn'tt upload D: I guess this'll have to do. SORREH! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14_U78314T8
16/. 'Till There Was You' - The Beatles.
It's a beautiful Paul McCartney love song. Need I say more?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUjFpdxFWHU
17/. 'In Arms' - David's Lyre.
There's something fascinating about this song. It begins in a very typical strings-and-fantastic-male-vocals-from-a-guy-who-probably-comes-from-the-countryside way that you expect from 21st century British folk music but then the piano and drums begin to warp slightly and it becomes ever so slightly electronic. I don't know whose idea it was to do that, but kudos to them, because it adds originality to the song and I simply can't help but adore it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQtzatoiY5g
18/. 'The Balcony' - The Rumour Said Fire.
This song is just so lovely - the harmonicas and the spectacular harmonies; the cutesy, yet completely nonsensical lyrics ("so your mouth tastes like sunshine, baby") - it's just such a perfect summer song. It's pretty much guaranteed to cheer anybody up and I'd definitely dance in a forest to this. [There's a story behind that, but it's not very interesting. It's a good thing though!]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZVPLlXcV6A
19/. 'I Saw The Dead' - Villagers.
I performed my devised piece of Drama last Thursday; it was possibly one of the most horrible experiences of my life. I think I was shaking more on stage that night than when I met Alex Day, and that's certainly saying something! Anyway, this song was used in one of the stylised physicalisations we used in our performance, and I felt it had to be on this mixtape. It's such a creepy song, but I love that about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eCykKwW4XQ
20/. 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want' - The Smiths.
I'm aware that it's not always possible to make happy music, but seriously? As much as I love The Smiths, this song's a bit of a joke to me. I like it, but in that "Oh, God, my life is so horrendous I think I might just hang myself from my curtains! LOL JK, I'm not that much of an attention seeker." way. Morrissey needs to stop complaining and give me music that's perfect for "good times, for a change" [See what I did thur? Smiths puns FTW!] Listen to it because it's The Smiths, but it might make you vomit - just a warning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQbzLrvwlE
I hope you enjoyed this month's mixtape, and I'll leave you with a great story and an even greater picture:
Today I was playing rounders in P.E and got hit in the face with the ball. What was the best bit? I hit the ball after it bounced off my face. DAMN, I'M AWESOME.
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