Philosofette taught a lesson this week in her English class demonstrating how mood and tone were different things. She used music to give the example. There were two different approaches, and I was thinking maybe we could take a stab at both of them this week? Seemed like a fun conversation.

#1 "Pumped Up Kicks"

The song sounds happy, upbeat, light even. The lyrics are horrifying. I'm not sure which of those was supposed to be mood, and which was tone, but the "song that sounds one way, but means a different way" thing demonstrates something, right?

#2 "How Do You Like Me Now?"

Strategy #2 was to pick two (or more) songs that fit a common theme. My submission for her class was "happiness" and I guessed I narrowed it further by focusing on songs with a tone of "achievement." Two songs that couldn't be more different in mood, but both fit that tone, are Toby Keith's "How Do You Like Me Now" and Etta James' "At Last." Completely different, but somewhat the same too.

Anyway, what contrasting mood/tone songs do ya got? Happy ones? Sad ones? Mad ones? (I think that covers all the emotions, right?). Have at it!

I feel like I tend to do a lot of cooking in these brutal winter months. I'm sure I don't actually cook more (maybe I bake more?), but something about it seems to... fill the time in a way it doesn't in the summer. Summer cooking is easy. Winter cooking feels more purposeful. In the summer, I can put on whatever tunes I need for cooking to, because anything can fit. In the winter? I'm not quite sure. I often still use the same old Rat Pack songs, but those are happier, lighter, summery songs. I'm sure I'll be doing some baking of some sort this weekend, so help me out... what music should I be cooking to in the winter? Is it different for you too?

Funny little math fact coming from today's date.

I still like Random lists, because they get me commenting on various things.

P.S. to Phil: there were no drafts open when I posted this.

Alright, last week was sort of the inaugural "here's a theme, pick a song for it" effort, but it was the Friday after Thanksgiving, and weak all around. I blame the post-fundraiser lull. We'd all been seeing so much of each other that we just needed space, right? Like when you talk to your kids about sex, but then need to not see them for a few days. I've lost my train of thought here... Back to the issue at hand: music.

Every year around this time The New Standards put on a holiday concert. I've never been, but I'd love to go. Largely because I adore the "standards" and, maybe even more so, the concept of "new standards." So, today I'm looking for two songs on the theme: your favorite standard, and your nomination for a new standard (preferably not one covered by The New Standards).

I'll kick us off with my favorite standard: "Mack the Knife".
I'm still working on my suggestion for a new standard... a few ideas, but they're just not quite right.

This exists now. Drop a list if you want. Else, and we've done things like it before, but it is still a good idea, nominate just one song for The Holidays. Classic, modern, etc. What does our list look like?