Election results burning in my ears, last November I made a mix tape called “Gratitude.”
The idea was to ratchet back the hate and give some thanks, but by the second or third song I’d pulled out R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” and wasn’t looking back.
This year my Gratitude Mix is more like the musical equivalent to sheetcaking — a sugary binge of stuff that sounds good and makes me feel better in the moment. Which, to be honest, is what I prefer in my music in general. And which goes along with my current television binge, Gilmore Girls, which I’m watching in its entirety for the second time. (I don’t care if you judge.)
Speaking of sheetcaking, I saw this beauty at Safeway last week and was really tempted to buy it for the dinner table. I held back. But there’s still time. No promises.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful celebration, whatever that looks like — I continue to be grateful for this space and the friends I’ve made here.
GRATITUDE MIX 2017
What a Wonderful World * Joey Ramone
Pompeii * Bastille
Reflecting Light * Sam Phillips
Cut Your Bangs * girlpool
Tire Swing * Kimya Dawson
Could It Be Another Change * The Samples
The Only Living Boy in New York * Simon & Garfunkel
Helplessness Blues * Fleet Foxes
Strange Boy * El Michels Affair
Off She Goes * Bad Suns
Feels * Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean
Me Voy * Julieta Venegas
Ordinary Joe * Terry Callier
I’m Going Down * Vampire Weekend
Hallelujah * Rufus Wainwright
Thank You Girl * The Smithereens
Up All Night * Beck
While I’m Alive * Psychic Twin
On Location * Public Access T.V.
Louder in Outer Space * Louise Post & Nina Gordon
Thank You for the Music * ABBA