In the days when you were hopeless before, I just liked you more

In the continuing tradition of my affinity to lists, I’ve made a new playlist. Here are some of my favourites and why I love them. (If you don’t already love these songs, you must download them!)

1.“Red House” – Jimi Hendrix
A brilliant opening. The guitar in this song just has so much soul! One of my most favourite Hendrix tunes.

2. “Half a Person” – The Smiths
No other song has ever made being creepy as endearing as this one. He’s spent 6 years on her trail, and only wants 5 seconds of her time. How absolutely darling.

3. “Ashes to Ashes” – David Bowie
Such a danceable and sexy song. The music is so good it just needs to be sampled as many times as possible.

4. “Grand Hotel” – Francoise Hardy
This song makes me think of lovers in French films drinking champagne and slow dancing. It’s in French, but the jazzy piano, violins, and her voice are all so seductive, it almost doesn’t matter what’s in the lyrics.

5. “Houseboat” – Camera Obscura
I’ve felt this way about almost every boy I’ve had in my life. Le sigh.

6. “Walk on the Wild Side” – Lou Reed
The bass line on this is also sample-worthy…and apparently it has been sampled a lot in hip hop. I want to make a film for the sole purpose of using this song.

7. “Too Drunk to Fuck” – Nouvelle Vague
This is probably my favourite band these days. Who would have ever thought of taking a Dead Kennedys song and doing a lounge version? I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it’s better than the original (most of their songs are!).

8. “Femme Fatale” The Velvet Underground
I love this song because it’s about a different type of femme fatale—a charismatic artsy girl who charms all without even knowing.

9. “Spiral Staircase” – Kings of Leon
This song is crazy awesome. A throwback to when rock and roll was bluesy and had true spirit.

10. “Wild Horses” – Rolling Stones
What a beautiful moment it must have been when Marianne Faithfull woke up from a drug-induced coma and told Mick Jagger that wild horses couldn’t drag her away. There is nothing more romantic.

11. “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” – The Decemberists
This song describes LA perfectly. Angelenos have such a love/hate relationship with the city. It can be a viciously intimidating place, but it’s not for the faint of heart. There is no other place like it.

12. “Over Time” – Lucinda Williams
Her voice on the backdrop of the guitar tremolo and brush drums are heartwrenching.

13. “Stephanie Says” – The Velvet Underground
This is my all-time favourite song. It was written about who I was in my college years, which is the most memorable time of my life to date.

14. "Punkrocker" - Teddybears featuring Iggy Pop
Dance dance dance! And is Iggy Pop the last living rock star?

15. “Age of Consent” – New Order
The perfect ending to any playlist.