Thursday, December 22, 2005

It discovers you

For some reason music has not played a huge part in my life through the years. I'd listen to whatever was popular I guess... I really didn't have an eclectic taste in music nor did I really care. Music just wasn't that important to me. It's gotten better over the years but I really never knew a lot about music or artists and I didn't have many CDs that I hadn't acquired between the ages of 14 and 18.

Not that I didn't know what I liked.

Recently my friend Marcy and I were out at a bar and, as was our norm, we heard a great song on the juke box and got up to start dancing. People looked at us as if we were crazy but we didn't care... we loved to dance and we found that particular song dance-worthy.

(I was actually reminded of us last night when watching the Bobby Brown Christmas Special. A group of carolers come to their house and begin to sing something carolly like "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" or something equally as Christmas-ey and Bobby and Whitney started grooving to the music. Dancing like they were listening to "Word Up" or something. Sure, it could have been that they were high as kites, but I like to think Marcy and I have something in common with Whitney and Bobby... the groove is IN US.)

But I digress.

So I posted earlier that I started a thing called Dance Dance Party Party. It's kind of taking over my life. I love it so much I really can't remember the last time I was this into something (non-human). It's made me start listening for great dance songs everywhere I go. I'll be in the deli and hear a song and quickly write down the title (or lyrics if I have no idea what the title is which happens most of the time because, again, I never really listened to music) and head home to immediately download it.

Not that I never listened to music, that's sort of impossible. But I never really HEARD music before now. I didn't fall in love with Radiohead until I was 24 and their album "Hail to the Thief" came out. Yes, sadly that was my first real exposure to Radiohead. Now I'm completely in love with them (and have all their other albums).

I'll download songs like "Electric Avenue" or "You can dance if you want to" for DDPP and although I know I've heard them a million times I'm like "this is such a great song!!" as if it's a new release.

I also love to listen to songs over and over until I can't hear it one more time. My latest song obsession is "Keeping the dream alive" by Freiheit. I'm pretty sure it's reaching the top of my 'most played' on my ipod. The synthesyzery voices wrap my brain in comfort only matched by the consumption of multiple glasses of wine and a few horse tranquelizers. It covers my brain in butter. It wraps me in swadling clothes and rocks me gently. It's so good! And again, I'm pretty sure I've heard this song before but just now it's brand new to me.

Same goes for Madonna. I never ever liked her in the 80s or 90s. I actually kind of hated her. I know that's almost sacrilege but it's true. I'm coming clean, people. Now I can't get enough Madonna (although I'm not too crazy about the bits of her new album I've heard. Is there another great dance song on there aside from Hung Up?

Same goes for Elvis Costello. How amazing is he??

I got "the pocket dj" by Sarah Lewittin (DJ Ultragrrrl) and I'm finding some gems in there.

So here's my request for you guys. Give me some more stuff to listen to and download. Stuff that I probably haven't heard, something that makes you tap your foot, or just moves you.

So I guess the saying is true, you don't discover music; it discovers you. Is that a saying? Can it be now?

Looking forward to your responses!

Glennis

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you want to dance you have to have PARLIMENT FUNKADELIC - it will change your life - Next time they come this way -I'll take you to a concert cuz you can't fully appreciate the Pfunk if you don't see them live! - KDAWGGY

Glennis McMurray said...

You're ON Kirbdawg!!

Anonymous said...

This might sound weird because I'm a dude BUT I can't seem to get enough of Liz Phair, Exile In Guyville. Check out the song Mesmerizing... it's the balls!
Also! If you have a chance to revisit Beck's Odelay I highly recomend it. I have more if you need it.

UncleM

Glennis McMurray said...

Thank you! And yes... I always need more.

Anonymous said...

My dear Glennis,

You must check out Imogen Heap. Shes not dance but more eclectic, but her song HIDE AND SEEK is amazing. And have you shaken your groove thing to PUSH on Madonnas new cd? Love it baby laminate it.

Happy Holidays
Thadd

Glennis McMurray said...

Thank you my dearest Thadd! I promise to report back to you my love of the new music you've recommended. Any other suggestions you think of let me know!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Hey. I got another one. Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet. I totally forgot about this song and I am in Chiccago for the holidays and I have heard this song in almost all the bars. It is a lot of fun
Unclem