The Incredibly Long Song Survey (Thanks Kim/Dee)

Day 01 - Your favourite song 

- Fix You by Coldplay

Everybody has different criteria for judging a song. For me, first it needs to sound good. That'll get you something that you can listen to (anything with good production value can fall into here). Second you need good writing, that'll keep the song with you longer than then a 4 week run with the flavour of the day (ie, By the Way by RHCP). If you have those two things, you have a pretty good song. But to get a great song, it needs to be relatable, I have to feel some sort of emotional connection to the content of the lyrics (ie, Wonderwall by Oasis). Favourite song? It's got to hit you like an emotional sledgehammer to the face! But it also has to be complex and layered conceptually. For me it became a toss up between the haunting sadness to positive uprising of Fix You by Coldplay and rawness and simplicity of Hurt by Johnny Cash. 

Fix You won barely by a hair. When I first heard the song, not even half way through the song, I was blown away. You start with the haunting church organ solo, layered with lyrics about failure, sadness, isolation and despair. Break into the delicate piano solo work with lyrics about recovery and retrospect. This is followed by building uprising guitar solo, the climax crashing into play with huge drums and the return of both the piano and organ of previous. 

Day 02 - Your least favourite song

- Waving Flag by K'Naan

To me, this song is the most overplayed song of recent. Also at what point did we celebrate the crappiest grammar ever?

Day 03 - A song that makes you happy

- Stay (Wasting Time) by Dave Matthews Band

It's just a song about chilling and having a good time. And it's peppy. And it's got acoustic guitar. And it's got sax And it's got gospel background vocals. Now that's a feel good song.

Day 04 - A song that makes you sad 

- Hurt by Johnny Cash

This song is almost my favourite song, it's so incredibly raw and powerful. It's simple and minimalistic, got an acoustic guitar and Johnny Cash, that's all you really need. The words of retrospect and regret are poetic, but to the point. It goes right after you and just grabs you by the heart. "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel, I focus on the pain, the only that's real." I mean c'mon, how much more gut wrenching do you want. The song is incredibly sad on it's own. But the music video is so much sadder. And if you know about Johnny Cash, it's even more so.

Day 05 - A song that reminds you of someone - Fix You by Coldplay

Day 06 - A song that reminds of you of somewhere 

- Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men

Every time we go on vacation in the Caribbean, this seems to play at least once.

Day 07 - A song that reminds you of a certain event 

- Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden

This was the big slow song when we had prom. When I hear it, it's like I'm 18, wearing a suit and slow dancing with Gloria from art class all over again.

Day 08 - A song that you know all the words to 

- N/A

I seriously don't know ALL the words to any song. I have a pretty bad memory when it comes to songs. There are a few songs where I know most of the words, but not all. 

Day 09 - A song that you can dance to 

- Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson

There are certainly newer songs that are danceable, but this one for me is the classic. Whenever I hear it, it makes me want to dance, although it is a very sad sight to see. :P 

Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep

- Red Dust by Zero 7

It's just super chill, if you haven't, listen to Zero 7's album Simple Things. Even if you don't like acid jazz or what I'd rather call mellow techno (St Germain, Theivery Corp, etc...), it's AWESOME. It's great for a road trip, it's great for a dinner party, it's great to fall asleep to, it's that good.

Day 11 - A song from your favourite band

- Grey Street by Dave Matthews Band

Favourite band was a tough one. I know most of Coldplay's collection and the first three Oasis albums will always be classic, but I went with Dave Matthews Band. Now it's coming down to the favourite "band", not to be confused with the "music". Chris Martin's "half diva/half grouchy genius recluse" act has worn on me and their OxFam stuff, while I hope it does some good, they're becoming too much like Bono/U2. And not in a good way, for anybody who knows my thoughts on Bono (if you don't, I think he's an egomaniacal douchebag, wrapped in some philanthropy). Oasis' infighting has always caused turmoil. Liam is a big jerk, plain and simple. He's a hooligan who's lucky that he's got some musical talent, and an even more talented songwriting brother, Noel.

That leaves us with Dave Matthews Band. They got together with an appreciation for each others' musical talents in Virginia, playing in local bars. They float their live concert recordings on the internet for free. They're a mix of rock, country, folk and jazz. Nobody sounds like them, literally nobody. Their musicianship and arrangements at their live shows are complicated and always on point. Their concerts are huge parties, people dancing all through the aisles. They're all about the music, you just don't find that anymore. A cult following built from the grassroots. No marketing push, no flashy music videos, no crazy dance numbers, no fluff. Because of that, they're my favourite band.  

Day 12 - A song from a band you hate 

- Don't 'Cha by Pussycat Dolls

They're not even a real singing group. Nicole is the only one that sings! The rest are juts glorified back up dancers! Are they even a real group or something manufactured by a marketing machine. I'm guessing it's the latter. They have no aspects of burlesque, from the original Vegas show.

Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure 

- Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Okay so I know people out there have mad Lady Gaga love, I'm not really one of them. She's crazy creative, to the point of way out there (yes, I mean you dress made out of raw meat). But her songs are incredibly catchy, but Bad Romance is more than that, it actually has some pretty good lyrics.

Day 14 - A song that no one would expect you to love

- Viva Forever by Spice Girls

That's right, Spice Girls! As shallow as their song writing was at first, I found their later stuff got much better, not that they wrote any of it themselves most likely. And unlike Britney Spears, they can pull off some sincerity.

Day 15 - A song that describes you

- Fire by Franz Ferdinand

From what I hear, I'm a pretty super intense guy, a person of extremes. If I get angry, it's super angry. If I'm into a hobby, I get obsessed. My ex gf thought this song was perfect for me, and I guess she's as good a source as anybody could be.

Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate

- Waiting for Tonight by J-Lo

At first, I thought insanely catchy and danceble. Now I think no vocal range and sparse lyrics. J-Lo, I think you're a charismatic performer, but purely as a singer, you suck.

Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio 

- Rolling in the Deep by Adele

Though I'm sure this will change soon, it's what's hot right now. It helps that the song is AMAZING, so I'm just enjoying it until it becomes overplayed.

Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio 

- Carolina by Matt Wertz

Really any song by Matt Wertz. I've never heard him on the radio, but his live cd is one of my favourite albums of all time. I'd describe him as a west coast, goofier version of John Mayer. I kind of feel like he could develop a following if he'd just get a chance.

Day 19 - A song from your favourite album

- Clocks by Coldplay

It's not my favourite song off of Rush of Blood to the Head, but it's the most catchy, and arguably the most recognizable. I have yet to find another album, where songs 1-5 are awesome, right off the bat. I usually skip Daylight and A Whisper. Green Eyes has grown on me over time. But all the rest of the songs, in my mind, are downright amazing. 

Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you're angry 

- Fire by Franz Ferdinand

It's pretty intense, I guess I've heard that I'm that way. And when an ex-girlfriend thinks it's a perfect theme song for you, I guess it's coming from a pretty good source.

Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you're happy 

- Panther Dash by Go!Team

Actually it's more like their entire album Thunder!Lightning!Strike! it's hard to define, I guess it's like bobbity, funky, high school marching band, electronic, with a sprinkle of hip hop. And it's super contagious, at least for me it is. 

Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you're sad 

- Stop Crying Your Heart Out by Oasis

I look at this song as the things will get better song. It's sad, but it has an uplifting message, I think it's the perfect song for when you're sad about something it's exactly what you need to hear. 

Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding

- Flowers in the Window by Travis

It talks (to me anyway) about a guy whose life is kinda blah, until he meets this woman. Then the song is kind of a lyrical journey of their relationship. It goes "Wow look at us now, Flowers in the window,

It's such a lovely day, And I'm glad you feel the same, Cause to stand up, out in the crowd, You are one in a million, And I love you so, Lets watch the flowers grow". That sounds about right to me how it should be.

Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral 

- Don't Look Back in Anger by Oasis

I just think it's a good way to look at life in general. Think it's a good send off message, and hope that I feel that way when the end comes.

Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh

- Fuck You by Cee-Lo

The song is catchy, the vocals are great. But the lyrics are the thing that really shine. The story and the wording used is just perfect. It's self deprecating, rebellious, but most of all, they're funny.

Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument 

- N/A

I can't play anything! Boooooooo! I wish I could play guitar though.

Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play

- Wonderwall by Oasis

My favourite song by one of my favourite bands. I have no idea what a Wonderwall is, but that guitar hook right at the beginning is so catchy and recognizable. After about 3-5 cords, you instantly know what's coming soon. "Today's gonna be the day..."

Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty

- The Other Man by Sloan

Unfortunately, yeah I've been that guy. Not exactly, but fairly close. This song just about sums up all the feelings that come with it.

Day 29 - A song from your childhood 

- Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

Despite his later accusations of child molestation, he was it when it came to music growing up. The music video with the glowing street tiles was so cool. Then there was the fedora throw, the sparkle glove and of course the moonwalk.

Day 30 - Your favourite song at this time last year 

- How You Like Me Now? by The Heavy

I found out about the song on Esquire's list of songs from the SXSW festival last year. Before you know it, their song is on a commercial for Buick, the US Open tennis tournament and the opening song for the Oscar nominated movie The Fighter. 

Day 31 - Favourite new song 

- Smash It by Martin Solveig

I'm going through a techno period right now. I loved his big single Hello with Dragonette earlier this year, but this song is so much better.

Day 32 - Favourite old song 

- Hey Jude by The Beatles

I'm more of a late era Beatles fan, their work is much more complex, particularly in concept and lyrical content. I think Hey Jude shows their range (in all ways) off very well, delicate and solemn at the beginning, to a rollicking, shout out loud ending.

Day 33 - Favourite music video

- Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai

Just one man dancing in this futuristic, minimalistic room singing. And the ENTIRE room moves around with him! Also the lyrics and his Steve Wonder-like voice are really good too.

Day 34 - A song you like to sing

Day 35 - Song you hate by a band you love

- Swallowed by the Sea by Coldplay

It's slow, it's boring and I have no idea what this song is about. On my iTunes, it's the only song by them that I have skipped EVERYTIME. I literally have not listened to it once. I think this is one of Chris Martin's attempts to come off being clever, but it's a complete dud. Stop pulling these Bono-ish moves! At least it's not Discotheque...

Day 36 - Favourite song for lyrics

Day 37 - Favourite song to hear live

Day 38 - Favourite cover song

- God Put a Smile on Your Face by Mark Ronson

This British DJ takes out all the vocals, and arranges the entire instrumental with a brass section. Speed up the tempo and re-styled into an improve upbeat jazz party, it's good stuff!

Day 39 - Favourite song by a band you hate

* This list has been a work in progress since June/July 2011, some things may not be accurate anymore. For instance, Adele is not played on the radio nearly as much now. I'd probably replace it with Foster the People

You Never Know Where the Day/Night Will Take You

So far I'm about 2/3 of the way through the long weekend of what you could call the unofficial end of summer. I have to say the first 1/3 was EPIC. I don't like using that word because it's so trendy, overhyped and exaggeratory, but it seriously was. After beach volleyball yesterday, the plan was pretty much to come home.

It started raining slightly around 4 in the afternoon and people wanted to pack up. My thought was, what a bunch of wimps! So we packed up the nets and then it stopped raining! I was like WTF! Then one of the girls in the group said she has a bbq to go to. We were all like okay, then she invited all 5 of us to come along! I was a little apprehensive, as I don't really know people from volleyball that well. I see them maybe twice a week for the last month or two. Plus we're all sweaty and sandy and stuff, and just all crashed this strangers place, it seemed awkward. Though it did help that one guy in the group had a photo of her, and she was gorgeous! I was getting pumped for the idea, but wasn't sure a stranger would just let a bunch of people come by in 15 minutes. Surprisingly, she was super inviting and said all of us could come over!

So we piled up into two cars then made a beeline to No Frills and LCBO. At No Frills we were wandering around with the idea of just picking up burgers and chips, and I'm like, "why don't we make stuff?". So we bought ground beef and a ton of veggies, I decided I would make salsa and guacamole, it's fast, easy, healthy and fresh. Also got ingredients to make a tex-mex burger. One person gathered ingredients to make a Greek salad and before you know it, it was on! $150 later, we had a pile of food and alcohol and took off to this girl's place. We get there, and she was so awesome and friendly, and she was baking chocolate chip cookies, awesome! We got right to the kitchen, got some drinks and went away to work. Then while we were there, her roommates started coming home. Two young French (Parisian, not Quebecois) couples came home (the girls, again super hot), then saw a whole kitchen full of strangers cooking. So what do they do? They start baking a chocolate cake!

An hour or two later, we have this gigantic spread and about 20 people just chilling, having a good time. I stopped drinking and people are like, why aren't you drinking? I said I had to drive and give people rides home. They're like, you're not driving home, you guys are crashing here, then put a beer in my hand. OMG, only getting better! The drinking games start and we all get to know each other better, but of course the questions are all sexual in nature. Funny how much you learn about people in an hour of Q&A. By this time it's around 2 in the morning, what do we do? Start breaking out some tunes for karaoke party! Then another roommate comes home who is a bartender, and she's gorgeous too! And she's got this amazing Irish accent. After a long day of work, what does she do? All of a sudden I hear "Who wants margaritas?!" By this time it must be round 4 or 5 of drinking. The margaritas were refreshing. So we are singing classic songs, and the bartender, we said she can join us only if she sings. She says she can sing a bit. Then she starts belting out U2 all of a sudden, super powerful pitch perfect voice! WTF!!! Apparently she was a classically trained opera singer, and was a finalist in the European Union's version of American Idol. OMG!!! We had quite a few sing-a-longs, and it died down for a bit.

It's about 3:30 in the morning now. We check the weather for volleyball the next day, it's suppose to rain at 10. What should we do? How about lets go to the beach at 6 in the morning?!?! Sure! What do we do until then? The host sits at the piano, and starts play Les Miserables! And the bartender pulls up beside her and starts singing the songs!!!

After an hour of another amazing performances, the night winds down to the special bonding moments. We've drank ALL the liquor available in the house and pretty loose. We start talking about life, relationships, all the big stuff. Awwwwwwwwwww...

It's 5:30 in the morning, and it's close to volleyball time, but people are getting tired. Time for some coffee and then a nap. Little do we know, a little bit later, one of the girls from volleyball leaves the house and just takes off! WTF?!?!?! We find out from the host, that this isn't the first time she's done this. People have had no sleep and a couple of her friends start freaking out.

6 in the morning we pile up in my car and drive around the neighbourhood looking for this girl. This night took a huge downward swing all of a sudden. After an hour of driving home, we give up and come back. Some people just end up passing out. The host and I are too mentally wired to go to sleep, so we clean the entire first floor. After working off the tension, but still worried. we both go for a nap at around 8:30 am.

11:30 hits and somebody has finally received a phone call about the girl who took off! Where did she go? She went home because of her contact lenses!!! WTF?!?!?! And she didn't understand why we were worried at all! No apology, nothing! We were all pretty grumpy about that. Then guess what, she wants to play volleyball! None of us were in the mood to talk to her let alone play volleyball. She had gone home, had her 5 hours of sleep, while the rest of us were running around frantic getting 2-3 hours of barely restful naps.

I'm like "I'm hungry, screw this", So I get some of the left over ingredients from the night before and made everybody grilled cheese sandwiches and omelettes. Somebody else was the barista making coffees for all. This guy was our DJ for the morning and busts out what of all things? Shakira. Oh man, he didn't read the crowd right at all. :P People were getting agitated, he quickly switched to Thievery Corporation and all was right. We all sat and ate breakfast together, and while the last few hours were stressful, we had all bonded. People who I had just met 18 hours before, others who I've spent maybe two or three saturdays with, all of a sudden we had all these shared memories and inside jokes.

Finally made it back to my place, the next day around 3 in the afternoon. Half of my long weekend gone, with half to go. I had never expected it to be as eventful as it was, let alone for it to take all the twists and turns that it did. In the end, it was the most awesome time I've had in a really long time.

I'll remember the following:
"Exploding Elbow Bumps", "The Dream", "The Eiffel Tower", High five poses, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vodka with Water and Lemon, Margaritas, "Yeah Buddy!", "Single is awesome", "Pictures are awesome", amongst many other things

Okay time to catch up on some sleep.