Monday, September 29, 2008

song shuffle

I think this little game was invented by someone at least 20 years younger than me, but still, I think it's going to be fun. I first read Kate's answers many months ago, and at that time I thought to myself, "Hmm... I think I'd like to do that someday." Many things have come to pass between then and now, but the song shuffle has always been in the back of my mind. Now its time has come.

I love the way randomness often reveals truths. Or at least gives us another lense with which to see ourselves. Or makes absolutely no sense at all. Kind of like Tarot or Astrology or a Magic 8 Ball.

The way this works: Hit "shuffle" on your iPod, and the names of the songs as they fall in the random sequence are the answers to the questions. Here goes.......

1. How would you describe yourself?
Che Doce Simpatia.... Ecco Megl'orti Tuoi (Cecilia Bartolli)

Well, I guess what this means is that I don't really, even yet, understand myself! I'm still working on the translation.
Simpatia...... sympathy according to the translation site I just consulted. That makes sense. I seem to be sympathetic to the whole world.


2. What do you like in a guy / girl?
Vigilante Man (Burns Sisters)

Hmmmmmm...... perhaps I do like to be looked after much more than I would ever freely admit.

3. What is your motto?
Paper Kitten Nightmare (Margot & the Nuclear So and So's)

Now those are some absurdist words to live by. Perhaps I should make them my motto.

4. What do your friends think of you?
In the Garden (Dolores O'Riorden)

Not sure about this one. I keep thinking of biblical gardens (I can't help it, I was a religious studies major) ...... Eden....... Gethsemane...... they weren't exactly conducive to friendship now, were they? How about the garden in my backyard, then, where everyone is welcome.........

5. What do you think about often?
On a Freezing Chicago Street (Margot & the Nuclear So and So's)

Yeah, that's me..... just daydreaming away about being cold and lost in an unfamiliar city.

..... Actually, now that I think about it, being lost in unfamiliar places really IS something I daydream about. It's the cold part I can't quite handle.


6. What do your parents think of you?
Your Heart is an Empty Room (Death Cab for Cutie)

Well, my mom's dead, and I'm pretty sure she never would have said this about me. My dad, however, might very well try to enlighten me with some sort of wise saying that has this phrase in it.

7. What do you think of your best friend?
Cannonball (Damien Rice)

No idea.

8. What do you think of the person you like?
Different Names for the Same Thing (Death Cab for Cutie)

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! Over and over and over again.

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Sleep Don't Weep (Damien Rice)

A good night's sleep would be most welcome.

10. What do you think when you see a person you like?
Lascia La Spina, Cogli La Rosa (Cecilia Bartolli)

I will tell you that listening to this song will tear your heart into a million little pieces.....

11. What song will they play at your wedding?
What I Be (Michael Franti and Spearhead)

Well, my wedding is now nearly 13 years in the past. I will say, however, that what is quintessentially ME was all over that ceremony, from the juggling to the candlelighting to the vow writing and reading to the contradancing.

12. What will they play at your funeral?
Now That You're Gone (Ryan Adams)

That's what turned up. I swear.

13. What is your hobby / interest?
Tell Me You're Alive (Michael Franti and Spearhead)

Interesting............ I have this "pillow" hanging in my bedroom made by my friend Marina. Painted in neon yellow letters is the word "ALIVE". She left it on my porch before moving to Brooklyn. Alive is one of my favorite words. I look at it every morning when I wake up. Most times, Alive is enough. Sometimes Alive is even more than we can handle. How dare we demand more?

14. What is your biggest fear?
I Found It (Klayton Kendall)

We search our whole life for "It". If we actually found it, then what would be the purpose of life? And having no purpose in life is my greatest fear.

15. What is your biggest secret?
We Used to Vacation (Cold War Kids)

Now this is NO secret at all! Of course we used to vacation. Before we had kids and were poor and settled in jobs and had a mortgage and ..........

16. What do you think of your friends?
Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine (John Prine and another guy named Mac)

This sort of paints a picture of hanging out with folks on the patio, or in the backyard of a summer eve. Yeah.

17. What is your theme song?
Punch and Judy (Elliott Smith)

Yes! This is the best one so far. "Huzzah, huzzah! I killed the Devil!"

18. What do you think of your family?
Blossom (Cold Roses)

Corny. But, really, what do our children do but blossom right before our eyes?

19. What is your best friend's theme song?
Yes, I Will (Michael Franti and Spearhead)

My husband has said, I don't know how many times, that he will be here, for me, for the boys, no matter what. Yes, he will.

20. What is your mood right now?
Crow Waltz (The Be Good Tanyas)

Waltzing. I love waltzing! I've waltzed three times in the past week. It makes me all happy inside.

21. If your heart could talk, what would it say?
What Sarah Said (Death Cab for Cutie)

Sara (no h) knows my heart about as well as I.

22. What do your co-workers think of you?
God's Promise (Burns Sisters)

Depends on your idea of "God" I suppose.

23. What does your future look like?
Brothers on a Hotel Bed (Death Cab for Cutie)

Um.... sounds fun, but...... I don't think so. Let's try that one again, shall we?

Streetwalker (Delta Spirit)

Uh, no, don't think that's it either. One more time.

You Can Close Your Eyes (James Taylor)

Ok, that's more like it.

7 comments:

Friar Tuck said...

Very cute. Of course our musical tastes have very little overlap.

It is interesting that you said you had biblical imagery with the title In the Garden. That is a rather well known gospel song--in the garden

I come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses

here is the johnny cash version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-24J_ZDmYdY

Anonymous said...

No, by all means, you must never find it!

suesun said...

Friar- awesome! thank you.

K - Yes, the purpose lies in the search, not in the answers.

Anonymous said...

I may have to try this one. I have to admit, I hadn't heard of a lot of those songs, but that's one of the things that makes it interesting. It's almost like interpreting dreams - you have these enigmatic bits of information to make sense of.

Kate said...

Holy cow!

I have never heard of any of these artists (that's bad, huh?)! Next stop, iTunes, to check them all out. Recommendations?

Kirsten said...

Sue has a way cool playlist. Here are mine:
1. How would you describe yourself?
Norwegian Wood (as sung by Sergio Mende) Well, I am Norwegian…
2. What do you like in a guy / girl?
The Chain Gang. No comment!
3. What is your motto?
It’s a Fire (Portishead)
4. What do your friends think of you?
Mana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin (Shaan)
A Bollywood classic remixed as salsa.. Which none of my friends would be surprised to find on my playlist.
5. What do you think about often?
You’re a Bastard (Kenny Rogers) Can this thing read my mind or what?
6. What do your parents think of you?
The Look of Love Awwww
7. What do you think of your best friend? Triste Hope you’re not “triste”, Sue!
8. What do you think of the person you like?
Over the Hills and Far Away (folk tune) alas, all too true
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
New Moon (MC 900 foot Jesus)
10. What do you think when you see a person you like?
Universe of Love (Joey Negro)
11. What song will they play at your wedding?
Spinning Around (Kylie Minogue) love the idea of playing Kylie at my wedding!
12. What will they play at your funeral?
Hey Trolly Lolly Lo (English folk tune) That's what turned up. I swear. Visions of Morris Dancers on my grave!
13. What is your hobby / interest?
Helpless (sung by k.d. lang) hope I’m not interested in being helpless!
14. What is your biggest fear?
The Butterfly Hornpipe (folk tune) Fear of flying?
15. What is your biggest secret?
Get Off (Prince)
16. What do you think of your friends?
Resonet in Laudibus I think this translates as “resonant praise”. I do like them, but steady on!
17. What is your theme song?
The Coffee Song yup.
18. What do you think of your family?
Solitude (Billy Holliday) interesting…
19. What is your best friend's theme song?
Lovely Head (Goldfrapp)
20. What is your mood right now?
Broken Silence (Eberhard Weber)
21. If your heart could talk, what would it say?
May You Never (John Martyn) Ah, yes…“may you never lay your head down without a hand to hold/may you never make your bed out in the cold” That is indeed what my heart would say.
22. What do your co-workers think of you?
Say a little prayer for you (Dionne Warwick) Depends on your idea of "prayer" I suppose.
23. What does your future look like?
A Little Less Conversation (Elvis Presley) “A little less conversation, a little more action” Ok, Elvis, point taken.

Cindy Fey said...

Wasn't that weird how the songs lined up? Thanks for a bunch of good music suggestions.