Songs for the perfect make-out mix tape

Music is a blessing, in our lives. I truly believe that it has tremendous healing powers. Case in point: About thirty minutes ago I was dealing with an incredibly difficult teenager at work. If you know me, you know that I have quite a good bit of patience--but in this particular situation I was not far from leaping over my desk and hulking out on the afforementioned youth. I didn't, though...of course. That would've resulted in job loss, probable law suits, and (again, probably) some sort of court-forced therapy. Eventually the kid walked away and I continued to sit there shaking. Two minutes later another teen started playing "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley on his I-Pod. There are few things in this life that can sooth the savage wrath like a happy, chill, Bob Marley tune. I sat back, took in the song, and laughed in spite of myself. This job has it's ups and downs. Today's episode exemplified a "down." Luckily, they are few and far between. I need to remember that. I also need to remember Bob's words, "don't worry...about a thing. 'Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright." Most importantly though, I need to remember not to let dumb-ass thirteen year old's piss me off. Odds are that kid will probably get eaten by a lyger one day or something.

BUT ANYWAY! Today's blog features some of the more provacative picks from my music library. A list of twenty songs for the perfect make-out mix!



1. Bonita Applebaum, by A Tribe Called Quest
Let's start things out with a super sexy hip hop classic shall we? Oh my, yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-j-DCz_V3U



2. Stranglehold, by Ted Nugent
Dirty, hot, strange and sassy. Say what you want about The Nuge. He may be a whackadoo conservative bow-hunting mad man. But wang-dang that long-haired hillbilly sure can write a hot damn tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c3d7QgZr7g



3. Dazed n Confused, by Led Zeppelin
Black lights. Incense. A shot of bourbon. And a filthy, sexy Led Zeppelin record. Do you need anything else? NO. I didn't think so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auDv6cf2PBM



4. The Whipping Post, by The Allman Brothers
The Whipping Post has virtually the same effect as Dazed n Confused. The difference though is that there are varying versions of this song. If your lucky you can find some live versions that go on for more than twenty minutes. And hey, let's be honest. The longer the song the better on a make-out mix right? Yes. I thought so too. The version i've posted here features guest guitarist zakk wylde (yay!) and goes for nearly 15 minutes. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVrUbb3jWZQ



5. Young Lust, by Pink Floyd
::::shrugs shoulders and smiles sheepishly:::::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGmIL2gtieU



6. Happiness is a warm gun, by The Beatles
Is there a naughtier song by The Beatles than this one? Well, there is always the blatant "Why don't we do it in the road" but that one relies more heavily on the quirk factor, whereas Happiness is just straight up gritty and sensual but in a classy/bluesy sort of way. Nobody does it quite like The Beatles. ...no pun intended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5j-S6Eq81g



7. Purple Stain, by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
But then again what's wrong with a little quirk in your make out mix anyway? Such a compilation wouldn't be complete without a funky rendezvous from a track from the "By The Way" album by these delightful young men.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2HirOvyqi4



8. Heard it Through the grape vine, by Creedence Clearwater Revival
One word: SINister

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx6bb0t0yhQ



9. Give in to me, by Michael Jackson
God he was good. This is a really under-rated song too. It's not as recognized as your "Beat it's" and "Man in the Mirror's" or your "Billie Jeans." The man had more problems than the universe could hold--but, Lord could he write a tune. Tsk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ7qXHjxj_0



10. Bang Bang, by Nancy Sinatra
My baby shot me down....A sexy tune doesn't always have to rock. It can be slow, and haunting, and dangerous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAPMUSCFVhg



11. Criminal, by Fiona Apple
I've been a bad, bad squirrel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOzayDpWoI



12. Honey Bee, by Tom Petty
This is quite possibly the most provocative song Tom Petty has ever written. Buzz awhile ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYUGOOvABLI&feature=related




13. Cut Like a Buffalo, by The Dead Weather
I think this the most recent song on this list. The Dead Weather is of course one of Jack White's many musical projects. They formed in 2009 and have already released two studio albums. It's bluesy, like the White Stripes, but where the Stripes had more of a humorous edge, The Dead Weather is absolutely musical sex. The energy is so raw, and the tension is so tight you could bounce a silver dollar on it. "Cut like a buffalo" is from their first album, "Horehound."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImbW-p4c4gQ



14. Crazy, by Aerosmith
I guess....well....cause some guilty pleasures will never, ever, expire :)

COME HERE BABY! ::::ENTER GLORIOUS DRUM FILL::::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMNgbISmF4I



15. Got you where I want you, by The Flys
did'ja know that I can dance? Could we talk for a while?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM_OWaItNJM



16. Swallowed, by Bush
Does this one take you back? It takes me back...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io1GyrHG_w0



17. Fishin in the Dark, by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Don't judge me. I want to live this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvDh9eeHDWc



18. I Alone, by Live
Surreal. And oh so true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNrQOUtXYOo



19. Red House, by Jimi Hendrix
in the words of Jimi Hendrix, "AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW YEAH BABY." Need we say more? The song speaks for itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbqchLSjAaI



20. Say Goodbye, by Dave Matthews Band featuring John Popper of Blues Traveler
I don't know many songs that are simultaneously sweet, sad, strong yet delicate, sensual and evocative of a light summer evening. But this one has it all. "Say Goodbye" is a sexy, heart-breaking tune; and I can think of none better to round out a list of songs to put on a make-out mix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rltqh-Yu2rM



Honorable Mentions: pretty much anything by She & Him


And now, ladies and gentleman, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, lovers and cousins (what?) i'm going to go home, and watch Macgyver


:)


Next Week's blog: Songs that completely transform your mood

wedding songs

In stark contrast to last week's blog; this evening shall focus on twenty songs to be played at my wedding. In reality, I intend to have far more than a mere twenty; so let's consider this to be a starting point. :)





In other news, I literally overheard a teenager just now say, "I need something hard........to write on."





In further news, I require a butterscotch dinosaur. What?





LET THE CURTAIN RISE!





1. Crazy Love--by Van Morrison
The only song that could be a better opener to a list like this would be "I want you" by Bob Dylan; but i've used that one already in a different list. That song, and this one--I consider to possibly be the two greatest love songs ever written.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky_Uh2mKvAc



2. Wet Sand--by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
No, seriously. Listen to it and tell me i'm wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32dlZL1HPDk



3. Beautiful--by The Smashing Pumpkins
Dear Billy Corgan, write more songs like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuD6b9JGtfA



4. These Arms of Mine--by Otis Redding
I've been carrying this song around with me for a long, long time. Since, well...ever since "Dirty Dancing" came out in 1987 when I was six years old. I loved all the songs from that movie, but "These Arms of Mine" struck a chord with me more than anything else on that sound track. You can hear the sincerity in Otis's voice. It is love, and passion, and tenderness personified through song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqVrNK4uiB4



5. Never My Love--by The Association
A couple weeks ago, I featured a cover of this song--done by Adam Green. Here is the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=munErg-ykYU



6. She Loves You--by The Beatles
Cause we want to dance, and they can't all be slow dances. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YifXhm-Zc



7. Dance, Dance, Dance--by Steve Miller Band
I repeat, "Cause we want to dance, and they can't all be slow dances." :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sntYyYQJgqc



8. So Happy Together--by The Turtles
I don't care if it's cliched. I love the crap out of this song. I also love turtles. I mean...The Turtles were a cool band......but....I also just really like turtles. Additionally, I can't see me lovin nobody but you. True statement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTvhWVTwRnM



9. Salley Garden--an instrumental, traditional Irish tune
As far as background music pre-ceremony is concerned, this just off the top of my head would definitely have to be considered. This is another song that has been with me a long time. I first heard it on a collection of old Irish Ballads that I bought from Cracker Barrell when I was 15 or 16. Really. It's a lovely tune. I listen to this whenever i'm tweaking out due to stress, and it helps immensley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fIZwm5KPaQ



10. All of My Love--by Led Zeppelin
Interestingly, this could potentially be another pre-ceremony tune...provided we weren't blaring it, of course :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpJia1TrzL8

or how about this orchestral version?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAb3njLQHEc



11. I will Always Love You--By Dolly Parton
Because she's the best. In truth, this song is actually a little bit sad......but it's also just so damn pretty; and honest. And that's what it's all about. Open, brutal, honesty; and love. Honestly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMmYqRvSRS8



12. Moonlight Serenade--by Glen Miller Orchestra
The last of my pre-ceremony picks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92ATE3IgIs



13. Oh How Happy--by The Jackson 5
I had to fit little mikey and company on this list somewhere. And this is just a terrific, delightful, sweet song. Sometimes I want to climb to the top of the highest hill and proclaim the chorus of this song for all the world to hear; in my honest, off key voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ebT7Qv9yMQ



14. Wouldn't it be nice--by The Beach Boys
No words are necessary here--just click the link and drown in Brian's ethereal vocals. Mega-happy pop classics are what's up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMytHN6odD4



15. I want to grow old with you--by Adam Sandler
Dear Adam Sandler, please go back to making decent movies with real heart, and genuine hilarity. We miss them. Much obliged.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKs3bybeTO8



16. Passionate Kisses--by Lucinda Williams
I mean, cause...really...who DOESN'T want passionate kisses at their wedding? Just sayin...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMGMT3_Dx4k



17. The Love Song From Disney's Robin Hood
I know what i'm talking about. Trust me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Jf1P9wKIg&feature=related



18. Here Comes my Girl--by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"Cause you know when i've got that little girl stand right by my side I can tell the whole wide world to SHOVE IT!" Yeah...amen to THAT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOOiZAHFvfc



19. Another You--by The Seekers.
I feel like this song should have been featured somewhere on the six season run of "LOST." But, since it wasn't, it will just have to feature here instead. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ga9Bs4fzSY



20. Pure Imagination--from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, sung by Gene Wilder
This is the first dance. That is all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6aH7rMZe8




and on those sweet notes, I bid you a good evening. If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it...