220. Halah by Mazzy Star
I can still remember the first time I heard this song. It's the first one on She Hangs Brightly, Mazzy Star's debut, and I lay down and listened to the whole album.
221. Willow Weep for Me by Carmel
Carmel is a white British soul singer who broke out in the '80s—an ur-Winehouse. I had always remembered "Willow Weep for Me" fondly from KROQ, and I finally dug the song up on YouTube and then bought the CD. I love when her voice turns into a growl at 2:17.
222. From This Moment On by Jimmy Somerville
Not the best or most ambitious song from the Red Hot + Blue compilation of the early 90s, but a charmer; Cole Porter as disco lite.
223. Jazz Music by De-Phazz
I only know this from a Hôtel Costes compilation—those things were essential in Manhattan in the late 90s. I find "Jazz Music" impossibly hooky.
224. Rude Boy by Rihanna
Speaking of hooky: My favorite Rihanna song will own you.
225. Say You by Colourbox
Another 1980s band that made it bigger with me than anywhere else. I can sing five or six Colourbox songs by heart.
226. It's Only Natural by Crowded House
Crowded House was so good, and Woodface was its best album, every song a winner (well, not the first single, "Chocolate Cake"). Things picked up with the second song.
227. I Cry by Llorca
The other night, "I Cry" came on while Adam and I were driving home from dinner, and he said, "I know this song." I said he might know it from a CD I had made for him years ago, but I doubt he had heard it elsewhere. The CD came out in 2002 and I don't think it did well at all. (See "Indigo Blues," song no. 60.) Listen to the percussion, how it's nearly irrhythmic.
228. Glitter in the Air by Pink
A nice song that feels like something you'd slow-dance to at prom—and then the last stanza ("There you are / Sitting in the garden / Clutching my coffee / Calling me Sugar / You called me Sugar") turns it so personal and real, instantly lifting the whole song into better territory. There's a video online of her performing it at the Grammy's that really should be seen.
229. Sweetest Thing by U2
I bet that as time goes on, the B-side to "Where the Streets Have No Name" will become the more-favored song. They should've lightened up more often.
230. This Bed by Alicia Keys
If you needed proof that Alicia Keys knows her Prince. I swear, this could've been written by him—complete with spoken interlude....
231. 17 Days by Prince
See what I mean? The full title is "17 Days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose.)," and it was the B-side of "When Doves Cry."
232. Drive by the Cars
I hate that I can't hear this lovely song without seeing Paulina Porizkova over-emoting in the video. That and the keyboards.
233. Dust by Van Hunt
Should've been huge.
234. Monsters and Angels by Voice of the Beehive
For Tracy.
235. Pale Blue Eyes by the Velvet Underground
"The fact that you are married only proves you're my best friend."
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