torture

For some reason, we thought it would be fun to make a list of our Top 15 songs. We set a date to get together with some friends and all share our lists and swap mix cds of our picks. (Sidebar: i find it incredibly redundant to write/type/say "to get together," since the word 'together' begins with the words 'to get.' It's terribly annoying and English is bonkers, but whatever.) Anyway, the sharing of lists was supposed to be revelatory and fun. The making of the lists was supposed to be trying, yet indulgent. In truth, for most of us the making of the list was frustrating and painful and confusing and not at all indulgent (except that we're educated, priveliged white kids with ipods and enough leisure time to sit around making song lists...so maybe indulgent in that sense). It was, in a word, torturous. And self-inflicted, which is an added layer of bothersome. Oh, and they had to be in order of1st Ultimate Topmostest to 15th Topmostest. The sharing was revelatory and fun, so our efforts were rewarded, but sweet baby jesus in the manger, what efforts. i was near tears when the Foo Fighters had to be booted because i couldn't make room for 'Best of You'. It felt like i was telling a very dear friend that they weren't good enough and that i wasn't inviting them to my super awesome birthday slumber party. It was difficult, but i highly recommend having a Top 15 party with your best pals. Just know there will be work involved, but you'll come away a better sense of your friends and a bunch of rad new music. Or a bunch of Radiohead, depending on your friends.
i'll post my top 15 in bits and pieces and if you want Josh's you'll have to beg him for it. Or he can pay me $5/song to post them for him.
My number 15 was Nina Simone's "Feelin Good". This song is a complete package: great lyrics set to balls-out music and a delivered by a worthy singer. It totally captures the feeling of being on top of the world, and if you're feeling on the BOTTOM of the world, with, oh, say a runny nose, phlegm-y chest, sore throat and chapped lips AND a monster crick in your neck...it will still manage to make you feel like you can capture the castle.
This is a really cool music video i found for the song. If the video doesn't work you can go to its page HERE. Turn up your volume, sit back, and hear how Miss Nina does it.

Feeling Good, Nina Simone
by mrfnk