Songs of hope and love redux

This was the first version of this playlist I did just about a month ago. Here’s the revised version for this month, and the current ... objective. There are some important but subtle differences in song selection. This will be the new CD for the car for at least the next week I think. Debating whether I should burn a copy for the person in question.

1. Take me out ~ Franz Ferdinand
Just like the first version, I picked this song to start things off. It’s an amusing choice since for the second Friday in a row, I’ve gone out by myself since no one returned my calls (0-3 tonight). Only really expected one person to call me back, and well, failure there too. I guess this song has become my Friday night anthem, mostly because Saturday nights have worked out a lot better.

I say don’t you know?
You say you don’t know
I say take me out

If I wane, this can die
If I wane, this can die
I want you to take me out

If I move, this could die
If I move, this could die
Come on, take me out

2. Save Tonight ~ Eagle Eye Cherry
An oldie but a goodie. Can’t believe this song is six years old. I’m not saying “goodbye” to anyone here... It’s another song about optimism. I can relate to the whole thing about not wanting a special night to end. Not that I’ve had any special nights lately. I like the part about “There’s a log on the fire/and it burns like me for you.”

Save tonight and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow - tomorrow I’ll be gone
Save tonight and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow - tomorrow I’ll be gone

There’s a log on the fire
And it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
To take me away [ohh it’s true]

3. Something about You ~ Five for Fighting
A good song since I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is I like about the “current objective.” There’s enough to hold my interest and make me curious. Safer to say I’m intrigued by him I guess.

It’s been to long and I’m about to be in time for me
It’s been to long and I’m in time, I’m in time

Baby there’s something about you that
I can hold on to I’m
Going to hold on to that
Baby there’s something about you that
I can hold on to I’m
Going to hold on to that

And I’m going to be there...
Be there... alright... alright...

I don’t know where to begin
I don’t know how to get out there to see you

4. Why Don’t You and I (featuring Alex Band) ~ Santana
This song makes me smile because I’ve had a few chances to let someone know how I feel and I’ve chickened out. It’s a combination of bad timing and me just being a chickenshit. So much for the “life’s too short not to take chances” school of thought. I don’t have a hard time talking to him at all; I rather enjoy it and we’ve had some pretty good talks. It’s just that *one* thing I need to tell him...

Since the moment I spotted you
Like walking ‘round with little wings on my shoes
My stomach’s filled with the butterflies
And it’s alright
Bouncing round from cloud to cloud
I got the feelin’ like I’m never gonna come down
If I said I didn’t like it then you know I’d lied

Every time I try to talk to you
I get tongue-tied
Turns out, everything I say to you
Comes out wrong and never comes out right

So I’ll say why don’t you and I get together an’ take on the world, be together forever
Heads we will and tails we’ll try again
So I say why don’t you and I hold each other, fly to the moon
and straight on to heaven
Cause without you they’re never gonna let me in

5. Crush (Stripped Version) ~ Gavin DeGraw
Ah, my buddy Gavin DeGraw comes through yet again. It’s been so long since I’ve had a crush on someone. That’s pretty much what this is right now, given that I’m too chicken to say what I’m feeling. I’m not even looking for this person to reciprocate; I just want him to know that there are other options besides friendship if he’s interested. A fairly simple thing, but I swear I feel like I’m back in high school again. Full lyrics here for effect.

When my pass came in, you dropped the ball
It didn’t change the way I feel
And I was wishing I’d break down your walls
The kiss will know if lips stay still
There is a line I crossed
And when you missed I lost
I’m not a loser
Girl, you know that I’ll be back again
My dear, I went for the steal
Maybe it was rushed
Oh my crush, I’ve gotta crush
I suppose that I could hold it in
But you excite my every cell
Sources say that senses are your friends
My senses say that I should tell
You that I’m not ashamed
You might just feel the same
But you have to try it
If you’re ever really gonna know
My dear, I went for the steal
Maybe it was rushed
Oh my crush, I’ve gotta crush
I want to
I need to
I have to have you
You’re so much to touch
Girl, you’re too much
And I can’t control it — you’ve got me all over the road
My dear, I went for the steal
Maybe it was rushed
Oh my crush
Damaging my soul
You blew me off, but I don’t mind
I just get better with time
And so do you
So do you
So do you
My crush

6. Closer To You ~ The Wallflowers
This has been a very slow process, but the more time I spend with him, the more comfortable we seem to be getting. I’m not really one to take things slowly; I’m very impulsive. But if there’s going to be anything more than friendship, it has to develop. And if we just stay friends, there’s still a lot we have to learn about each other. There’s no real sense of urgency, which really is a relief. I’ve never been this patient before. Chalk it up to old age, I guess.

How long an hour can take
When you’re staring into open space
When I feel I’m slipping further away
I remember that everyday
I get a little bit closer to you

7. Everywhere ~ Michelle Branch
I’ve got several Michelle Branch songs on the break-up playlist. Nice to have one that’s a bit happier. Truth be told, I think about this person way more than the ex. Still don’t have a clue if this person thinks about me at all. That’s a big reason why I need to suck it up and let him know how I feel.

Cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it’s you I see
You’re everything I know
That makes me believe
I’m not alone

Cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath
It’s you I breathe
You’re everything I know
That makes me believe
I’m not alone

You’re in everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?

8. Up And Away ~ Dave Matthews
This is the album version of this song. At the risk of getting even more sappy and high school-ish here, I have to admit that the eye contact we’ve had has been pretty intense for two folks who haven’t spent a ton of time together.

I saw you there, since then everyday
It’s like I’m lost and thinking of you in every way
Since I fell into your eyes
All I know is that you get me high
You get me high

Like I’m gone, ooo
Oh, up and away
You take me baby
Oh, you take me baby

9. Walk on the Ocean ~ Toad the Wet Sprocket
Another song I’ve always liked. For me, the ocean always will be special. The last two relationships I was in were tied to the Pacific ... two memorable trips to the ocean with one person, then falling in love in a coastal tourist town — basically the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived or visited. There are times when I wish I could go back to those days, to the way things were Monterey. But my life now isn’t so terrible I guess. At least I keep telling myself that.

We spotted the ocean at the head of the trail
Where are we going, so far away
And somebody told me that this is the place
Where everything’s better, everything’s safe

Walk on the ocean
Step on the stones
Flesh becomes water
Wood becomes bone

10. Hope for Me Yet ~ Marc Broussard
Another thank you to iTMS for introducing me to another artist I wouldn’t have found otherwise. He’s got such a fantastic voice. This song rings true on a lot of levels, most notably the fact I have no idea if I’m the kind of girl this guy is into. He’s eager enough to go out, so I’ve got that on my side. And he’s told me he’s had fun, so … at least I’m good conversation. We are different enough were we could learn a lot from each other, that’s for sure. I look forward to going out with him because I don’t know what to expect, don’t know what new thing I’m going to learn about him.

Sometimes when I look back
I don’t even know myself
It blows my mind to think that I’ve found grace in someone else
Baby your grace is something else

Baby if you could love someone like me
There’s no end to the possibility
Hopes and dreams push away the pain and regret
But loving you just lets me know
There might be hope for me yet

11. Times Like These ~ Foo Fighters
I wasn’t really a big fan of these guys at first. But they’ve grown on me. This is one of my favorite songs; I need to track down the version they did on SNL a few years ago when Jim Carrey jumped on stage with them. The energy from their performance was pretty amazing. Another good song about moving on and deciding what’s important to you.

It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these, time and time again

I, I’m a new day risin’
I’m the brand new sky
To hang stars upon tonight
I, I’m a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?

12. Gotta Be More ~ Marc Broussard
No matter what ends up happening, I know I’m better off than I was when I was married. I’m meeting new people, trying new things. Just the experience of making a new friend as an “adult” is good for me. It’s really refreshing to head into something with no expectations, no pressure (except for what I’ve placed on myself). It’s kind of neat to be calling the shots. Another optimistic song.

Cast my eyes towards the sky
Looking down on me
So far all I’ve seen are clouds
But I’m not gonna let ‘em get me down

No way
No how
Not ever
Not now

There’s gotta be more here
Than what I see
There’s gotta be more here
Than what I see

Walking down the road again
One step at a time
So far all I’ve seen are stop signs
But I’m not gonna let ‘em get me this time

My life
Keep my head high
Yeah

There’s gotta be more here
Than what I see
There’s gotta be more here
Than what I see

Are those the clouds of my mind that hide the stars?
Will I ever find the road that leads me home again?
Does it seem so far
From looking way to hard
Now I know my heart is where my searching all begins

High low is where I stand
Looking for the man in charge
High low is where I stand
Looking for the man in charge
High low is where I stand
Looking for the man in charge
High and low is where I search
But you know that I didn’t have to look this far

I believe there’s more here to see
Oh yeah
I believe there’s more here to see
‘Cause the dirt has been wiped away from my eyes and
I know what I’m supposed to be
There’s got to be more
There’s got to be more
There’s got to be more
There’s got to be more
There’s got to be more

13. Let Me Down Easy ~ Chris Isaak
I’m feeling a bit more guarded, but this song still applies. It’s tough to know how much effort to put into this. That’s why this verse is pretty appropriate.

Another day, you’re passing by
Today’s the day I’m gonna try
You don’t know how much I’m hoping, how I’m hoping
Please. Oh, please let me down easy
Please just let me down easy

Can’t you hear my heart is calling
You don’t know how hard I’ve fallen for you

14. What It Is ~ Mark Knopfler
Love the guitar in this song. And I’ve always enjoyed Mark Knopfler’s voice.

The drinking dens are spilling out
There’s staggering in the square
There’s lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody’s looking for
Somebody’s arms to fall into
And it’s what it is
It’s what it is now

15. More ~ Jesse Harris & The Ferdinandos
Another iTMS discovery. Jesse Harris wrote five songs for Norah Jones’ “Come Away with Me” and has some pretty good tunes of his own. Very simple song lyrically, but a decently complex arrangement. Nice play between the acoustic guitar, lead, bass and horns. Drums are tight and unobtrusive — nice to know there are still musicians out there who can avoid beating the living shit out of the snare drum.

Don’t cry
I’ll wait
Patient
While we
Pass through
Something
More than you
More than me
Larger than memory
So let go
You must know
One thing
It’s more than you
More than me
Larger than memory

16. Something Beautiful ~ Great Big Sea
Out of all the songs on this list, this is one that isn’t coming from my point of view. It’s one of those songs where the lyrics really seem like they could be directed at me. It’s not so much he was my only friend; he was my best friend. I like this part in particular: “On this so unwelcome journey from the bottom to the top.” Posted this one earlier, so here are my favorite parts.

Hey you, you lost your only friend
You can’t believe you’re broken heart will ever mend
But every mountain has its faces that’d make you want to stop
On this so unwelcome journey from the bottom to the top.

Move along
I believe there’s something beautiful to see
Move along
I believe there’s something beautiful
Just waiting for you and me

I know you’ll never count the tears you’ve cried
Though you’ve asked a million questions
No one could tell you why
A single soul is chosen to be the one put to the test
But there will be some consolation for a heart that never rests

Edit: The last two lines are a comfort... will the consolation be me getting what I want? Or will it be me being happy with my current situation? Either way, I've definitely been tested, and I seem to be OK. I think.

17. Come Around ~ Marc Broussard
Yeah, the third song from him. I get like that with musicians. Fun and soulful. “Baby you can use me/Any way that you enjoy.” I know, I know, getting ahead of myself. But I like to keep my options open.

Baby you can use me
Any way that you enjoy
You know how to groove me
I’m dancing like a little boy
You do something to me
I just want to lay you down
Any time or place
So come around

My life was full of doubt til you came around
So baby come around, keep on comin’ around
I’d never been so turned out until you came around
So baby come around, please keep coming around

18. Time After Time ~ Tuck & Patti
I struggled with which version of this song to use. I like the Willie Nelson cover, and hadn’t heard this version until last night. But the fact it’s so simple made me buy it. Her voice is wonderful; a more soulful, smoldering version of the original. I do like Cyndi Lauper’s version, but there’s something about the texture of this one that really grabbed me. It’s a very sensuous version of the song.

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And think of you
Caught up in circles confusion
Is nothing new
Flashback warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories,
Time after

Sometimes you picture me
I’m walking too far ahead
You’re calling to me, I can’t hear
What you’ve said
Then you say go slow
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I’ll be waiting
Time after time

19. What Makes You ~ Jesse Harris & The Ferdinandos
Norah Jones on vocals and piano on this one. They really work well together. A good song to end on. “But If you feel/The way I feel/Don’t hide it/Don’t conceal it from me.” Simple lyrics again, and there’s not a whole lot of vocals to it. But what’s there is pretty good. I like songs like this.

What makes you think you’re so smart?
What makes you think that you’re not part of this?
Long ago you were fooled into thinking
You were removed from this life
But if you feel
The way that I feel
Don’t hide it
Don’t conceal it from me

This playlist beats the other one by a song for length. The songs are a bit mellower — they match my feelings on this. Yes, if this develops into something, great. If not, well, I’m sure I will be disappointed, but at least we should still be friends. I’m used to the whole unrequited love thing at this point. That’s not to say I’m in love with him; too many questions to be answered before I can make that leap. But I’m used to not having feelings reciprocated, the end of my marriage being the biggest example of that. So I’ll have to see what happens.