Let’s pretend for a moment that you and I are going out. We may not know each other, much less ever come to the very rare and exhilarating consequence of being attracted to one another, but let’s just say that is what is happening to us right now. I like you, and you like me. But other than that, nothing’s really happened yet. We both spend some portion of our waking hours dizzily daydreaming about the possible outcomes of our erstwhile love affair, and overall, life is a little sweeter. Everything is candy coated with Heath Bars mixed in. Because love, or even the idea that love might happen soon, is often enough to keep us going yet another day. Maybe I think of you more than you think of me, but that’s unlikely, because I like you because you like me, and anyway, it doesn’t matter much. Not right now. Because now is the time when the realm of fantasy crashes into the dull grey of the working week. Now is my favorite part. The beginning of us. Whether or not we give birth to an ‘us’ isn’t important. The world is spinning and my head is spinning and I am just giving in to it. No matter what happened last time. Or the time before that. Because the human heart is capable of the most startling kind of amnesia, and with a new crush in full bloom, I create myself from a single cell once again. The most telling thing I could do at this point would be to make you a mix tape. Of course it wouldn’t be a tape. Who even has a cassette player anymore? But since this isn’t really real, let’s just say that’s what I am doing.
1) “This World vs the Next World” by The Music Lovers
My favorite band at the moment, and the best music happening right now. Matthew ‘Ted’ Edwards is the gorgeous genius singer and songwriter, and he is making me believe that pop will save itself. The Music Lovers sound is lush and voluptuous, making me think of clouds and rain, strings and guitars, both orchestral and earthy, akin to the sublime pleasure of holding your head in my lap, oh my beautiful one.
2) “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell
I want to wake up in our cozy cabin in Idlewild, as the mist of the morning rises up from the mountain, and drink black coffee mellowed with chicory, and watch you as you chop wood, or whittle, or something else really butch.
3) “Disney Girls” by the Beach Boys
It’s for you because you are my forever wife. This song makes me want to play piano better, so that I could pound the keys while making meaningful eye contact. But the way I play right now, I have to keep looking down or else I miss the chords.
4) “Love and Affection” by Joan Armatrading
From “The L-Word” soundtrack. It’s same sex hotness with an escalating refrain. Bette and Tina having make-up sex after they broke up after the first season. Nothing is better than lesbian make-up sex. And you don’t have to be a lesbian, or even a woman to have it!
5) “The Kiss” by Judee Sill
A tragically beautiful song from a tragically beautiful artist. Obscure but profound, and sounds like ecstatic union feels.
6) “Sing” by The Dresden Dolls
Exemplary urgency from the majestically grand duo who say they are from Boston but are really from Berlin in the early ’30’s.
7) “Virginia Lights” by The Music Lovers
“… if there’s a void let’s fill it, if you’ve got the time, let’s kill it…” I am completely head over heels in love with this band and I want to change my name to Virginia because it sounds so very good when he sings it.
8) “Ladytron” by Roxy Music
Sinister and seductive and I am making Bryan Ferry eyes at you right now.
9) “Happiness” by Elliott Smith
This song makes me want to put my nose in your hair.
10) “At the Chime of a City Clock” by Nick Drake.
If we were in a moving car, I would open the window and welcome in the night as it rushed past us.
11) “Just a Lil Bit” by 50 Cent
We are going to have sex soon right?
12) “That’s the Spirit” by Judee Sill
I wish I could go to the church of you, because then I would join the choir.
13) “Delinquent Lullaby” by The Music Lovers
” …. These looks belie, a terrible love inside…” Did I mention I love this band? Beautiful music for the beauty in us all.
P.S. The Music Lovers are playing at The Sensuous Woman on June 21.