190. My Ever Changing Moods (12 Inch Version) by the Style Council (The Singular Adventures of the Style Council)
The other classic from Paul Weller's big-band phase (along with "Have You Ever Had It Blue").
191. Me & Mr. Jones by Amy Winehouse (Back to Black)
"What kind of fuckery is this? You made me miss the Slick Rick gig." What more is there to say? Winehouse's album, mixing old-school soul with decidely new-school references, remains a treasure.
192. The Boy With the Arab Strap by Belle & Sebastian (The Boy With the Arab Strap)
For Jonathan, who had the filthiest laugh.
193. Dance With Me by Ra Ra Riot (Beta Love)
The only times I listen to new music are in the car and when Tracy or Kristen send me CDs. This was from a car ride; some station did a long interview with this band I had never heard of—but found totally charming—and "Dance With Me" was one of the songs they played. It's pretty good to sing along with, thanks to a monster hook.
194. Crush (David Morales Radio Alt Intro) by Jennifer Paige
Speaking of hooks: "Crush" is a pop song with no wrong moves, and I love it best because the narrator is rather iffy on the relationship ("It's not like I faint every time we touch").
195. Engine to Turn by Tift Merritt (See You on the Moon)
And this is for Adam, because it's one of the rare contemporary songs he'll sing along with (at least the title).
196. Dirty Back Road by the B-52's (Wild Planet)
You may have noticed that I've been on a huge B-52's kick recently—really only the ones where only the women sing. "Dirty Back Road" stands out in that they don't sing out they way they usually do, giving it an air of a melancholy trance. Plus, I love how they sing "in my hair" as if there were periods after each word.
197. Say What You Want by Texas (White on Blonde)
I think this song may be somewhat generic, but it has a hold on me.
198. Changing by the Airborne Toxic Event
It sounds like Big Country at first, doesn't it?
199. Tear Me Down by Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Hedwig and the Angry Inch)
Would someone please bring Hedwig to Broadway?
200. Little Room by the White Stripes (White Blood Cells)
Totally unhinged and all the better for it. But then I think every mixtape should have at least one song under a minute.
201. Get Me Bodied by Beyoncé (B-Day)
Check out from 2:15 on: This is what Beyoncé would sound like if she ever sang like no one was listening.
202. Le Jazz Hot by Julie Andrews (Victor/Victoria)
Irresistible kitsch.
203. Turn the Page by Terence Trent D'Arby (Symphony or Damn)
There are a bunch of lines that burble around in my head (I'm thinking of "Because I love you, and you're my friend, I gotta tell you these facts," "One thing is sure, and that is change," and even more, "It is not why, it just is"). Symphony or Damn was underrated.
204. Dreamsome by Shelby Lynne (I Am Shelby Lynne)
The phrase "easy listening" gets a bad wrap. Take "Dreamsome," which goes down like cool water—it's smooth—and yet there's an awful lot going on in it.
205. Ring on the Sill by Cowboy Junkies (Pale Sun Crescent Moon)
A song that always reminds me of Carol Shields's The Republic of Love, which is praise as high as I'm likely to give.
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