My dirty little secret is I barely ever listen to words in songs. I’ve been a musician since I was 13, so I honestly first listen to melody, harmonic structure, production, etc etc etc. My wife actually makes fun of me because I sing “fake words” (aka weird sounds) along with the melody (in key mind you) but yeah, I suck at knowing words to songs.
So a few weeks ago when I sat down to do my February mix, I pre-emptively pulled a few songs for a Valentine’s day mix. Many of the songs I pulled didn’t make the final list but were a great start. Usually when I set out to make a playlist with a specific theme, it takes a little longer than other mixes. Your focus isn’t on what’s new, or a certain style, but evoking emotion, tone, and most of all making sure that lyrical content matches.
My worst nightmare, and it happens regularly, is finding a song that matches the tone and feeling I’m seeking and the words are a complete disconnect. Trying to find a Radiohead song, for example, to include on my wedding mix (they were our favors at the wedding because we’re fucking cool) proved impossible.
In the end, the constraints always yield good results.
I ordered this mix in an attempt to follow the curve of a heart shape; starting slowly, flaring sharply and then gradually decreasing into a lull. I didn’t stick to a particular genre or preiod, mixing Bob Dylan with Muse, Silverchair with Lily Allen, etc. Sometimes that works out, other times it sounds like eating chicken wings with mint chip ice cream.
Download the mix, burn a CD and give it to someone.
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