the smedley log - suburban scrawl

Friday random ten
(such a dirty habit)

I’ll see you again when the stars fall from the sky,
and the moon has turned red over…

One Tree Hill – U2
That’s Just What You Are – Aimee Mann
One Way Out – Allman Brothers
Dare You to Move – Switchfoot
Rosebud – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Willingly – Vigilantes of Love
Four Seasons in One Day – Crowded House
Lakini’s Juice – Live
Solidify – Sheryl Crow
I Wanna Be Like You – Los Lobos

Worlds above and worlds below:
Ben
Cziltang
Jessica

Friday random ten
(lemonade stands everywhere)

“I’m afraid I’m not all that you see
all along the coast of me;
I’m camouflaged,
a desert mirage,
a nobody…”

Nobody Number One – Over the Rhine
What You Need – INXS
Daylight – Better than Ezra
Mr. Magoo – 77s
Moondance – Over the Rhine
On the Good Ship Lollipop – Lost Dogs
Endgame – R.E.M.
James – Huffamoose
Bartering Lines – Ryan Adams
Too Cool for School – Fountains of Wayne

Heart-strings that play soft and low:
Ben

Friday random ten
(just like two balloons)

They were making available the dreams of the past,
for a limited time, while the supply lasts…

Offer – Vigilantes of Love
Happy Being Lonely, Lonely Being Happy – Vigilantes of Love
Comfortably Numb – Dar Williams
Jezebel – 10,000 Maniacs
Blossom and Blood – Midnight Oil
Grey in L.A. – Loudon Wainwright III
Hunger – Nicolai Dunger
Loves Comes Tumbling – U2
Constantinople – The Decemberists
Sock Heaven – Steve Taylor

Happy coincidence: The first two songs had me wondering if the entire list would be coming from the Vigilantes (which for me would be no problem at all).
Inspired by Knocked Up: The Loudon Wainwright number is off the soundtrack album from the aforementioned motion picture. On a related note, I’ve been attempting to solicit haiku from a couple of my Modern Letter Project contacts. This week, one of my most faithful (and entertaining) correspondents sent me one, and it’s inspired by the same film as the Wainwright tune. (I’m not sure the writer consents to this publication, but she had to know it was a possibility, right?)

You don’t get pinkeye
from wayward poop particles.
That is just a myth.

All people with dreams:
Ben
Fred

Friday random ten
(breaking the fall)

“You see so much,
see not much at all…”

Estoy Sentado Aquí – Los Lobos
North and South of the River – U2
Too Busy Thinking about My Baby – Marvin Gaye
The Other Side of Summer – Elvis Costello
Much Different – Richie Angelucci
We’re the Same – Matthew Sweet
Sinaloa Cowboys – Cracker
Stupid – Toad the Wet Sprocket
I Still Love You – Glen Phillips
Glory and the Dream – Vigilantes of Love

I don’t add the commentary on songs much anymore, but I have to say, among a bunch of fantastic tunes on this list, the Glen Phillips song is a great love song – by which I mean a song about people appreciating each other for who they are rather than their superficial trappings. I could go on about several of the other songs, but I’ll spare you the inevitable ramble that would follow.

Can we stop playing these old tattoos?
Ben
Fred

Friday random ten
(chimps who send their love from Amsterdam)

I ain’t afraid of hurt;
I’ve had so much it feels just like normal to me now…

Now That You’re Gone – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Peace on Earth – U2
Adia – Sarah McLachlan
Mrs. Rita – Gin Blossoms
I’m on a Roll – Over the Rhine
Where Are We Going? – Marvin Gaye
I Know You Well – Fountains of Wayne
A Murder of One – Counting Crows
Another Postcard – Barenaked Ladies
The Hustle – Marah

(Linked song titles lead to YouTube)

Can’t turn the music down to silence out the rest of you:
Ben
Fred
Jessica

Friday random ten
(from the mouths of decadence)

If ever there was a moment so quick that it blurred,
I’d be the only one-liner that you ever heard…

Firecracker – Marah
River Runs Red – Midnight Oil
Your Body Is a Wonderland – John Mayer
Shadows and Tall Trees – U2
Bullet Train – Lost Dogs
Hunger Strike – Temple of the Dog
Whipping Post – Allman Brothers
The Year New York Fell Down – John Francis
Hotel Room – Vigilantes of Love
Burnie – Midnight Oil

How about that – two songs from the Oils and songs from two different “dog” groups. This may be one of the better lists we’ve had.

And God knows they got more room:
Ben
Fred

Friday random ten
(pulling the puzzles apart)

I know a boy, a boy called trampoline,
if you know what I mean…

Party Girl – U2
Starry Eyed – Vigilantes of Love
Another Town – Steve Earle
Hey Jack Kerouac – 10,000 Maniacs
The Scientist – Coldplay
One Tree Hill – Pickin’ on U2 (Bluegrass Tribute)
Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Beautiful Sorta – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
We Do What We Can – Sheryl Crow
Rotting Piñata – Sponge

We’re princes and paupers, we look the same:
Andrea
Ben
Fred
Jessica

Friday random ten
(wounds to heal and cracks to fix)

But give me love over this…

Set Me Free (Rosa Lee) – Los Lobos
Outfit – Drive-by Truckers
Politik – Coldplay
Three Sunrises – U2
My Old Man – Tonic
Jerusalem – Steve Earle
One Last “Woohoo!” for the Pullman – Sufjan Stevens
You – Switchfoot
If a Song Could Be President – Over the Rhine
Hold Your Hand – Stargazer Lily

It’s Bob’s fault I downloaded this, but it is pretty good: “Outfit” (those Drive-by Truckers ain’t half bad)
In the subjective and the objective: Steve Earle sings one song, and he’s named in another.
By far the shortest song on the list: the one with the longest title (at a whopping 6 seconds)

It’s not me; it’s you:
Cziltang
Fred
Lauren

Friday random ten
(’til I took the pill that made you real)

“I’ve been good because I know you don’t want me to”

Easy Plateau – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Cassidy – Suzanne Vega
Love Is the Movement – Switchfoot
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Adam Again
If You Wear that Velvet Dress – U2
Blossom and Blood – Midnight Oil
Episode One – Ellipsis
The Demon of White Sadness – Marah
Goes without Saying – Vigilantes of Love
Sparks – Coldplay

All people with dreams:
Bob
Cziltang
Fred

Friday random ten
(something in the way she eases my mind)

55% of the way to my JDRF fund-raising goal with a little over 2 weeks to go…

Anger – Marvin Gaye
Bad (Live) – U2
Snake – 77s
Another Spin – Barenaked Ladies
When Will You Come Back Home – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Love Sweet Love – Lynn Miles
After All You’ve Done for Me – Bill Mallonee
Goes without Saying (Live) – Vigilantes of Love
Train Song – Stargazer Lily
Kerosene Hat – Cracker

Shadows dancing up in the window:
Fred, Bob (incidentally, both of the preceding lists feature the vocal skills of a particular guy named Steve)

Friday random ten
(only just light years to go)

Luka – Suzanne Vega
American Dream – Better than Ezra
Blues – Switchfoot
Winding Wheel – Ryan Adams
Dream Awake – The Frames
I Don’t Wanna Waste Your Time – Over the Rhine
Brain of J. – Pearl Jam
Oh My Sweet Carolina – Ryan Adams
Crumbs from Your Table – U2
Find the River – R.E.M.

It started and ended strong this week, with hints of promise in between, including two of the stronger tunes (in my opinion) from Ryan Adams’ debut album and one from Over the Rhine’s latest. (And I’m pretty sure this is the first time in years I’ve recalled the crush I used to have on Suzanne Vega.)

For the broken arms and broken noses in the back:
Ben, Bob, Fred, Jill

Friday random ten
(bring your alibis)

Who You’d Be Today – Kenny Chesney
Hayling – FC Kahuna
Hotel California – Eagles
Walk between the Raindrops – Adam Again
Hey Julie – Fountains of Wayne
The Bed’s too Big without You – Police
It’s Only Natural – Crowded House
Wise Up – Aimee Mann
Troubled Man – 77s
The Side You Never Get to See – Frames

Quickly becoming my musical mantra: “Hayling”
Interesting re-use of a melody: The folks at one of Philly’s several sportstalk radio stations have harnessed the musical prowess of FoW’s “Hey Julie” to great effect by rewriting the lyrics and retitling it “Hey Charlie” – a twisted little tribute to every Philadelphian’s favorite baseball manager. It works for me, but I wonder how many folks in the Philly area actually get the fact that it’s a ripoff of an actual song?

‘Cause we’re never alone:
Ben, Cziltang, Fred

Friday random ten
(just like a de-tuned radio)

Ventriloquist – John Francis
Karma Police – Radiohead
Christian Street – Marah
Red, White and Blue – The Lost Dogs
When Love Comes to Town – U2
Long Shot – Aimee Mann
Hey Jealousy – Gin Blossoms
Grace – U2
All Kinds of Time – Fountains of Wayne
The Ocean – Dar Williams

Favorite track (at the moment): “Karma Police”
Local flavors: John Francis and Marah (two of Philly’s best, imho)
Just in time for pigskin season: “All Kinds of Time”

I might not be alone:
Ben, Cziltang, Fred, Jess

Friday random ten
(it’s obvious the trouble we’re in)

Come Pick Me up – Ryan Adams
I’ve Been Delivered – The Wallflowers
Into Temptation – Crowded House
Small Favors – Fountains of Wayne
Bannerman – Steve Taylor
Pillow – King’s X
I Can’t Understand – Los Lobos
Little Martha – Allman Brothers
Measure 1 – Matt Pond PA
No One Said It Would Be Easy – Sheryl Crow

And then do it again:
Ben
Cziltang (I don’t recognize a single title on his list this week)
Fred

Friday random ten
(another party for the hippies to ruin)

Sooner or Later – Marah
Sink or Swim – Garrison Starr
People Get Ready – The Frames
Crumbs from Your Table – U2
She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
Still Know Your Number by Heart – Chagall Guevara
I Won’t Be Your Yoko Ono – Dar Williams
Mysterious Ways – Pickin’ on U2 (Bluegrass tribute)
Unsheathed – Live
I’m a Loser – Lost Dogs

You’ll be coming back sooner or later; we’ll be waiting for you:
Andrea, Cziltang, Fred

Friday random ten
(your voice on everyone’s lips)

“You think you’re so smart, but I’ve seen you naked,
and I’ll probably see you naked again.”

Ventriloquist Waltz – John Francis
Crowing – Toad the Wet Sprocket
Hackensack – Fountains of Wayne
Blame It on Me – Barenaked Ladies
Streets of Philadelphia – Marah
Mind’s Made up – The Frames
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
One – U2
Decatur – Sufjan Stevens
Daylight – Better than Ezra

Sisters, brothers:
Ben, Cziltang, Jessica, Rachel

Friday random ten
(wake up dreaming)

“People sure buy a lot of what doesn’t make ‘em happy”

Follow you Down – Gin Blossoms
Lord Randall – Prodigals
Radiation Vibe – Fountains of Wayne
I’ll Be Doggone – Marvin Gaye
Where Were You – Jonatha Brooke
High…and Lonesome – Bill Mallonee
Bad Bone – The Frames
Send a Picture of Mother – Johnny Cash
Fair – Remy Zero
Life Is Beautiful – Ryan Adams
Spark – Over the Rhine

Are they gonna find us lying face down in the sand?
Ben, Cziltang, Fred, Jessica, Lauren

Friday random ten
(lines I shouldn’t have crossed)

I was scared, I was scared, tired and under-prepared…

»In My Place – Coldplay
»Learning the Hard Way – Gin Blossoms
»Broadway – Goo Goo Dolls
»Family Tradition – Cracker
»Casual Affair – Tonic
»Didn’t Think You Cared – Glen Phillips
»Beautiful Delilah (live) – Stray Cats
»Now as the Train Pulls away – Vigilantes of Love
»Ain’t That Peculiar – Marvin Gaye
»Yahweh – U2

Wish I had more to say. I might be around later to add to this list of those who had a better list than me:
Andrea, Ben, Cziltang, Fred, Jessica, Lauren

Friday random ten
(I feel strange)

As Philly officially goes from 5th to 6th largest U.S. city…

»When Will You Come Back Home – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
»Still Running – Ellipsis
»A Matter of Time – Los Lobos
»Memphis Time – Gin Blossoms
»Grey in L.A. – Loudon Wainwright III
»In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man… – Sufjan Stevens
»When You Come – Crowded House
»Truckload of Art – Cracker
»What a Letdown – Barenaked Ladies
»Overcome – Better than Ezra

Favorite tune on this list is “A Matter of Time” from Los Lobos

Color me happy when I found out the latest from Loudon Wainwright would be on eMusic. “Grey in L.A.” and “Daughter” (both from the Strange Weirdos album) were two songs that caught my ear while watching the closing credits to Knocked Up.

Wherever they always appear:
Ben, Brian, Cziltang, Fred, Lauren, Marisa, Rachel, Troy

Friday random ten
(some jackass comment)

Exactly 50/50 on the male/female vocalist ratio

If I Wrote You – Dar Williams
Spark – Over the Rhine
Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room – Cracker
Let It Ride – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Down on the Riverbed – Los Lobos
The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts – Sufjan Stevens
Glide – Ellipsis
Sitting – Vigilantes of Love
I Like You Better – Raina Rose
So Hard – Dixie Chicks

Number of singers on this list I’ve actually met: 5
Local flavor on the list: Ellipsis (click here to see video from a recent local TV performance)
Sister of a local flavor: Raina Rose

until it all comes ‘round again:
Ben, Brian, Ellen, Fred, Jessica, Marisa, Rachel