Now that I’m driving to work again, and don’t have Sirius radio (I’m a cheapass – I don’t have enough of a commute to justify paying for Sirius) – and pretty much rely on what’s on my USB drive to entertain me on my drives to and from work? Except when my music system has to “index” and plays nothing but Peter Gabriel songs (seriously that’s a weird thing that happens which makes me either put in a CD or try my luck with the radio). But that’s another blog toipic!

Today, I decided it was time to download some “new” songs! I tend to keep my music on “shuffle” pretty much all of the time, unless I get into a…mood – where I have to listen to “certain” songs.” Which is a bit of a pain in the ass, since I have to finger fuck the touch screen thingie in my 2013 Chevy Malibu into submission! Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap….is there an oncoming car? Oh no, distracted driving! Did my drive home unwittingly become a game of “chicken” with another vehicle? Will I win – or will that Freightliner semi win (spoiler alert – I probably will not win).

When I first went back to work a couple of weeks ago, it turns out I was in a bit of an… ornery mood! How so? I HAD to listen to Rammstein (Heirate Mich), Rob Zombie (Living Dead Girl), Joan Jett (Do You Want To Touch Me)… and even “I’ve Got a Name” by Jim Croce (don’t ask me to explain). I’m a white girl and occasionally like the stylings of Jim Croce, so there! Making fun of me for that will make me meaner than a junkyard dog (LOL)!

I’ve since mellowed out a bit! In fact, just yesterday, I decided I just HAD to listen to “Sitting” by Cat Stevens! Now if that’s not a “tell” that my mood is a bit mellow, I don’t know what is! As it turns out, “Sitting” is actually kind of a “deep” song. It deals with subjects such as death…and stuff! It’s pretty well publicized that Cat Stevens legally changed his moniker to “Yusuf Islam” and eventually converted to Islam, which he still follows today. Though I think he uses the more brief moniker “Yusuf” now (single names are just too cool, aren’t they):

I’m not making love to anyone’s wishes

Only for that guide I see

‘Cause when I’m dead and lowered low in my grave

That’s gonna be the only thing that’s left of me

So why did I HAVE to hear this song? I honestly don’t know! Do I like the piano stylings of the session musician Jean Roussel (whom is a Mauritius native)? Possibly! Do I like the raw passion and off the cuff honesty in the lyrics? Bingo…that’s probably it!

All of that said, I still needed to add some tunes to my thumb drive. Which I did today, here are some of the songs from this “eclectic” mix encompassing songs from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s (no judging, sorry I don’t like most music that has been recorded in the past 20 years, unless it’s a random Eminem song):

• PJ Harvey, “Down By The Water”
• Depeche Mode, “Happiest Girl,” “Shame,” “Stories of Old,” “In Your Room” (that last song is an important plot point)
• Styx, “Too Much Time On My Hands.”
• Billy Idol, “Eyes Without a Face,” this is going to sound SO sweet in my car…
• The High Kings, “Parting Glass.”
• Paul McCartney and the Wings, “Mull of Kintyre.”
• Gerry Rafferty, “Baker Street” and “Right Down The Line.”
• The Bangles, “In Your Room,” (see I said it was an important plot point)
• Erasure, “The Circus.”
• Guns ‘n Roses, “Estranged.”
• Gorillaz, “Clint Eastwood” and “Feel Good Inc.”
• Chicago, “You’re The Inspiration.”
• Bill Withers, “Use Me.”

Now my husband is telling me he wants a random track from the 1987 anime movie Akira. Which I just downloaded (will have to add to USB drive). Now who isn’t gunning for wife of the year? Especially when he hears “The Parting Glass,” which will turn him into a bawling baby!