The Soundtrack to 2009

My 5th annual. That's kinda a big deal, right?

1. Stuff is Messed up - The Offspring - This could pretty much be the theme song for the last decade.

"You know it’s all about the dream
The ends justify the means

Shopping Sprees, RPG’s,Ecstasy
Atrophy,Genocide, Pimp my ride
Politize, Euphemize, Injustice everywhere
Apathy, I don’t care, Hurricanes
Climate change

Therapy, I won’t tell, Rehab and LOL
Worldwide calamity, TV Reality, Euthanize, supersize
Death squads and boob jobs, VIP infamy
Gratify instantly"

2. Last One to Die - Rancid - An unabashedly in-your-face anthem that celebrates the fact that after two decades, they can still pack the club and inspire fanatical followers.

3. Generals Boombox - The Street Dogs - See previous blog to describe why this song is on here.

4. True Believers - The Bouncing Souls - Also blogged this one recently. A song about my best friends

"We live our life in our own way,
Never really listened to what they say,
The kind of faith that doesn't fade away
We are the true believers"

5. Galway Girl - The Elders - A great local Irish band. This song is a Steve Earle cover, but I like the Elders version of it. It's about a guy falling hopelessly in love with a girl, he says "What's a boy to do, cause her hair was black and her eyes were blue". Probably why I'm partial to it.

6. Black Betty - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - I've been listening to a ton of Nick Cave this year. He's great for just about anytime, but particularly bonfires and late night road trips. His cover of Black Betty is genius.

7. Maison Creole - CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis - Dirty swamp rock. Makes me want to get sweaty and dance real close to Brian. Maybe eat some crawfish and gumbo.

8. Whiskeys Gone - Zac Brown Band - One of my new favorite bands. They have a few popular hits on the country circuit right now, but they're best stuff is definitely the lesser known songs. This one sounds like something Hank III would sing.

9. Raging Sea - The Elders - Another one from The Elders. This song is a chanllange to try and learn all the words and then keep up with, a blast live.

10. Runaway - Love and Theft - Besides a fun band name, this song embodies the spirit of anyone that ever wanted to just hit the road and never look back. You feel me Jay?

11. Don't Take Me For Granted - Social Distortion -

"I'm your worn in leather jacket
I'm the volume in your...teenage band
I'm the dreams you had walking down the railroad tracks

I'm your first taste of romance
I'm your first broken heart on a Saturday night
Guys like us ain't got no chance
But I'm the thing that keeps you and me alive

So take me down the road
take me to the show
its something to believe in
that no one else knows
but don't take me for granted

I'm the blood on your guitar
I'm that wave you caught back in 1975
I'm as strong as a thousand armies"

12. She is Beautiful - Andrew WK - Okay, don't laugh! It's a great song and it reminds me of a fabulous couple that I know and makes me very happy for them. And it gets you all pumped up on the way to work in the morning.

13. Old White Lincoln - The Gaslight Anthem - "You and your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos." I just love that line!

14. East Bay Night - Rancid - A song about home. I could write one about Northeast Nights, or Franklin Ave Nights, or West Bank Night. Just glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about a part of your life.

Also, If I could add the entire cd that Tony made for me, The Return of the Blues Cowboy, I would. But I can't find the paper that tells me what is all on it. But I love it. Thanks TQ.

Listen, love it, live it.

Till next year...