We all have fond memories of mix tapes. My friend Judy referred to them as the relationship-builders of the '80s and '90s.In July, I traveled to Indiana for a gathering of my high school friends. Todd, who gave us a ride, also happened to have a sweet collection of mix tapes in his car. (Because "sweet" is the best adjective for mix tapes.)
These were mix tapes that were made annually by a friend of the family. Not only did this guy carefully record all of the hottest songs of the '80s, he also added in voice-overs, talking about the songs and the artists.
Ever since then, I've been toying with adapting his idea to the year 2007. I really like the idea of having a record of what songs I listened to in a particular year. Music can inspire so much nostalgia; when you're ready to re-live a fond memory, just find the album for that year and you're all set!
Obviously it would be on CD instead of cassette. I love mix-tapes, and I lament that making them is a dying art. But I'm also a busy woman.
I also think that I would drop the voice-overs. Keith thinks I should definitely add my own. At first he said, "We should totally do it!"
"We?" I asked, eyebrow arched.
"By 'we' I mean you talk, and I hold the microphone," he amended.
So the voice-overs probably won't happen. But I'm thinking about adding some kind of data file or album cover that talks about either the artists, or the years' biggest news, or my personal thoughts about what that year has meant to me.
I've thought about it long enough that I've decided to get started. Which just means writing down some of the songs I want to include. Keep in mind—these are songs that I've listened to in 2007. That doesn't necessary mean the albums came out in 2007 or that they were chart-toppers (most likely none of them will be.)
I think I'll put them in roughly chronological order. Meaning, these are songs I was hooked on in January, and then we went to this concert in February ... you get the idea.
Here's a few of the current contenders:*
"Flatheat" by The Fratellis
"Baby's Got Sauce" by G. Love and Special Sauce
"Sons and Daughters" by the Decemberists
"Hamoa Beach" by Gomez
"That Time" by Regina Spektor
"Black Horse & the Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall
"Seventeen Years" by Ratatat
"Summer Skin" by Death Cab for Cutie
"Thickfreakness" by the Black Keys
"Bullets" by Bob Schneider"
What would you put on your 2007 mix?
*All links are to purchase albums at lala.com
5 comments:
I love the idea of including an extra track with something a bit more personal on it.
Excellent selection of music too.
I always think it's amazing how music can take us back to a place and a time.
Hi,
Here from BlogFriday!
I agree on the mix tapes, they were a huge part of my life in the 80's and 90's. I can't say what songs I'd have for this year because I mostly listen to music I already have (and a lot of it is on actual record albums!) but you've got me thinking about it now!
Jonathan, glad you like the selection! My music taste vastly improved the year that I lived in England, and started learning about all the music that didn't make it to the US Top 40.
Hi Sari (like Mary;), and welcome! There's never enough time to listen to the old favorites and all the new music I like, so I try to mix in a bit of both. And some of the music on my 2007 mix will definitely be older songs that I'm listening to now.
You already have excellent practice on your mix CD since you made us great house mix CDs at UD! I still listen to those while I'm driving in the car - it makes me feel like I'm in college again(even though I'm so far out out of college that I'm in the family SUV, the baby is in the backseat napping, and I'm probably driving to some crazy job site across town).
Andrea,
It's great to hear that you still listen to some of our old mixes. That means a lot to me!
We may be long out of college, but those student loans just keep hanging on, and on, and on ... ;)
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