A few weeks ago Time magazine's cover declared 2000-2009 "The Worst Decade Ever!" Really? Sorry, Time, but this decade was pretty darn special for me. I married my soulmate, became mother to the two most beautiful children on the face of the planet, grew to love my Jesus even more, made wonderful new friends, rekindled old friendships, and nurtured relationships with ladies I've known most of my 35 years.
See? Special. Indeed.
The tunes of these most recent 10 years were pretty hard rockin', as well. There's no way I could list all of my favorite musical offerings of the past 3,650 days...but I will highlight 10* of them. For your listening pleasure. Because I'm cool like that. And because music is my thing, of course.
"Lovestoned/I Think She Knows," by Justin Timberlake
2006
It makes me dance. It's also Tiffany's ringtone. 'Nuff said.
As my husband relates,
"If you say you don't like JT, you're a LIAR!"
Word.
"Set the Fire to the Third Bar," by Snow Patrol & Martha Wainwright
2006
Utterly & completely romantic.
"Your words in my memory, are like music to me..."
"Roslyn," by Bon Iver & St. Vincent
2009
My favorite song of this past year...
...brilliantly written, performed, & produced.
It's ethereal.
"My Party," by Kings of Leon
2007
I've loved these guys for years, long before they were uber famous.
It's just good, real, raw rock & roll. Plain and simple.
"Hysteria," by Muse
2003
From one of my favorite bands comes one of my favorite songs.
It's edgy and glamorous, passionate and pleading...
everything I love in angsty rock!
"I want you now...I want you now...I feel my heart implode..."
"Run, " George Strait
2001
There's a reason this is the ringtone for my husband...
"...straight in a straight line, you can't get here fast enough."
"I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," by Wilco
2002
Sigh...a song that tells a story...and a heartbreaking one, at that.
Genius, Jeff Tweedy. I applaud you.
"Love, Where Is Your Fire," by Brooke Fraser
2008 (the Live at the Aotea version is my favorite)
The sound of my soul...the desire of my heart...the words of this song.
"Till the time when You come and I'm whole and we are one,
and the fire in me is complete..."
"Ghost In This House," by Alison Krauss & Union Station
2002
It's hauntingly beautiful, and I'm certain Alison's voice
is how angels sound.
"Reckoner," by Radiohead
2007
Never before have the tambourine & cymbals made their presence known
so eloquently in a song.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I've played this song
over 500 times in the past two years.
"Because we separate...it ripples our reflections..."
"Teenage Dirtbag," by Wheatus
2000
*Yes, this makes song #11. But it's a story song--and, as previously mentioned, I love story songs. Plus this one was released when I was a newlywed and I'd drive around Spartanburg, South Carolina, singing it at the top of my lungs. Oh, the memories. Good times.
Honorable mentions:
--"Bounce," by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Dr. Dre, and Missy Elliott
Yes, it's dirrty, but it's my jam of the decade, with the best hook ever.
--"Mad World," by Gary Jules.
His cover of Tears for Fears' original is sublime. Still listen to it almost daily.
--"Sweet Sacrifice," by Evanescence
Because when I grow up, I want to sing like (and look like!) Amy Lee.
"It's true...we're all a little insane..."
"Winter White Hymnal," by Fleet Foxes
They're like the 2nd coming of Simon & Garfunkel. Love this band.
--"Say Please," by Monsters of Folk
My 2nd most favorite song of 2009.
Now I wanna know...what songs/albums/artists have you enjoyed this decade? Please share!
29 comments:
Okay, I came by here to leave you a comment saying:
Lula!!!!Come out, come out, wherever you are!!!
'Cause on my blog it said "2 weeks" since Lulaville had a new post.
2 Weeks! I know you didn't have power, and it was Christmas and all, but seriously...I was getting worried.
As for this post, I haven't heard of half of these artists, but I trust your judgement; I am so not worthy when it comes to music. You know you are the reason I love KOL, and I love that we bonded over the Followill brothers (and some MJ fumes...).
Right now I'm still oohing and aahhing over the Glee soundtracks.
So in love with this list. I'm pretty sure if I don't have these songs, I will be downloading in the next couple of days.
Bon Iver is probably my favorite find of 2008 coming in closely with KOL.
I have to say Lady Gaga makes my list as well, I love her stuff and her art.
I'm not sure I have a list for the decade, maybe I will think more on it and do a blog post.
I love when you talk music, I always, always find great stuff from you & your blog!
x, ash
lula - you make the best mix tapes ever...and your list is fantastic. even if i don't listen to george strait.
i love you still. forever and always.
-stungun
I'm sorry...but was there anything after JT? Because once I saw him, I got all soft and mushy and my eyes glazed over....
My sister flew from Washington, and I drove from here to VEGAS just so we could see him in concert.
It was the best moment of my life.
Until I met you.
Loved this. Love Radiohead, also love Bon Iver, how amazing is that creepy, yet soufoul sound. I know little of music, but I have to agree with what you said...Muisc in the first decade of 00's did not suck!
Brandi Carlile - Creep, Acoustic & Live from Boston literally made my life better.
You know, Brooke Fraser and I go way back. ; )
The Maine, NeedtoBreathe, Robbie Seay Band & Thriving Ivory also made me very happy. Plus Wolfmother and 50 Cent ; ). I can't help myself.
Um - how could I ever forget The Civil Wars? Best album in a long time.
I completely agree with you -- 2000-2009 was by far NOT the worst decade ever. I love your selection of music. Radiohead just melted me, and Justin Timberlake was my guilty pleasure that I decided really wasn't so guilty after all.
Loving this post. Allison Kraus-most amazing voice ever. I will have to think about my favorite songs of the decade and get back with you. I have 2 kids DYING to go shovel snow...and who am I to deny them?!
Time proves once again how out of touch it is. I'll grant them that some bad stuff happened. 9/11, Iraq, Obama. But worst decade ever. Puh-lease.
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is arguably one of the best albums. Ever.
What other albums/songs made my list?
The Swell Season - The Once soundtrack. I listened to it over and over and over. Their voices are just gorgeous.
Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head. Every single song touches me. In a good way.
Spoon - Girls Can Tell. This is the soundtrack for about two years of my life.
Lady Gaga. I resisted her at first because, hello, girl is wack, but every song on that album is rockin'. I admit it now. I love the Lady.
There are a ton more but it would take me all day and the comment would be way too long.
I'm gonna have to say my biggest musical discoveries of this decade were Coldplay and Nickel Creek. Nickel Creek's been around longer than just the decade, but my favorite album by them, "Why Should the Fire Die?" came out this decade. Amazing band!
Your hubs is a smart, smart man. JT rawks.
And he married you. Nuff said.
Oh Lula, I love your eclectic tastes!!!!!! One of my goals this week is to listen to every song you mentioned (if I don't know it already).
And this was a special decade for me too: married the man, started a relationship with Jesus, then had a son. And then made special friends I never expected. In that order.
As for music, Terry & I fell in love while loving David Gray, before he was famous. He'll always have a soft spot in my heart. And Run was my favorite song that year.
Happy New Year my friend!!!!!
I'm so much less eclectic in my music taste than most. I like Christy Nockels- Life Light Up.
I'm really digging most of the Twilight/New Moon Stuff.
I love Michael Buble and Jack Johnson. Pretty much everything they do is hot.
Black-Eyed Peas have always been able to get my blood pumping.
I haven't heard of most of these that you have mention, but like Heather, I trust your judgement.
I, too, like Heather, have wondered where you have gone. I'm still waiting for a reply to the email I sent you several weeks ago. Are we alright?
I feel old and not with it anymore. I only knew the George Strait and Allison Krause songs. I used to make fun of my mom for not knowing any of the recent songs. I am now my mother.
I don't think that I have anything to add but I really like this music list and I am going to have to add some to my iPod.
Happy New Year.
Okay,I just spent 45 minutes listening to your list, because you know I'm not up on this kind of thing and didn't know even 1/3 of the songs you recommended. (I totally depend on you.) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Winter Hymnal. How in the heck do you find all this stuff? I'm totally serious, I've got to figure out how to be hip like Lula.
What a great list!
Brooke Fraser (sigh)...
99% of the time I have NO CLUE who's singing what or from what album. Stupid, I know. Mostly I listen to classical and those guys aren't making anything new anymore, lol!!
Hugs!
2009 was the year I FINALLY quit smoking AND the year I discovered stamping. (Just switched addictions, lol!) So it was a damned fine year!!
teenage dirtbag?! yes, please!
love it
I love your taste in music, and I think this decade was pretty special, too.
Can I sync my ipod to yours from here? :)
shoot. everyone is reminiscing, and i don't remember this crap. lol.
i'm amanda, and suffer from memory loss at the age of 19. welcome me into the fold.
anywho. i just recently found brighton, ma & must say i am in love.
and sea wolf. love.them.
i will be listening to your entire list soon!
I really only listen to Contemporary Christian, so I'm pretty much left out! My faves are Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant...Just give me some good ol' worship music and I'm happy!
These are some great choices. I especially love that Snow Patrol song. I got a little bit giddy when I heard a week or so ago on a movie trailer.
JT most definitely. And the BEPeas.
More recent faves would be Cobra Starship. KOL, of course.
A few songs in heavy rotation on my iPod right now are:
Muse - Uprising
Mealnie Fiona - Give It To Me Right
Justin Nozuka - Golden Train
And like Cara, I resisted Lady Gaga at first. But her music has won me over.
yay a music lula post!
yes, this is all i have for you. bc i might die if i try to type more.
-achoo
OK, tonight was a perfect night to listen to your songs. I wanted to not just read your post but REALLY know what music makes you tick. So:
Love Where is Your Fire - I am buying a CD of hers. She reminds me of when I loved Brandi Carlisle before she got mainstream. That is if she even is. I loved her so long before that. I know I would love all her stuff.
Mad World - still love that from when you 1st introduced it to me.
Rosyln - hauntingly beautiful. Was it played in one of the scenes. It's familiar.....
Alison Krauss can read a recipe book and it would make me cry.
LOL. On my notes here I wrote White Winter Hymnal - hahahah. Wow, so that's what Indie Folk sounds like? That was really cool. I can see listening to that, definitely with a cocktail but just not sure if while cooking or while just lying around or what.
OK girl. I am SO glad to get a closer look into the music you love. Your taste is amazingly varied and I love that about you. I really do!!!!!
P.S. Oh my and Bounce. Did he really say something like your arse having hiccups. LOL.
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