Turn on the bright lights

Interpol has been mostly hit or miss for me since their debut album. They've had some good tunes, but nothing that compares to Turn on the Bright Lights, or really, "NYC." This is, for me, one of the most perfect songs ever written.

I know you've supported me for a long time
Somehow I'm not impressed

But New York cares...

Watch out, the world's behind you

Today isn't Sunday and it's definitely not the morning. This song is still awesome.

Watch out, the world's behind you
There's always someone around you who will call
It's nothing at all

If I was my heart, I'd rather be restless

This song got me through a tough time. I hope you're at peace now Ms. Winehouse.

Pour myself over him
Moon spilling in
And I wake up alone

My eyes they saw a better day

I love cover songs. I think my first favorite was Rufus Wainwright's cover of Hallelujah, which I heard way back in 2001 (before ad nauseam covers became a indie music artist rite of passage). Something like 45% of my music collection is made up covers.

Bob Dylan covers are popular because while no one can dispute he is one of the best songwriters of all time, his voice isn't always the... nicest? (Personally, I love his 60s and 70s work, but don't dispute his voice has only gotten worse over the years).

That's definitely not a problem for Ms. Chan Marshall.

The trail is dusty,
The road it might be rough,
But the good road is a-waitin'
And boys it ain't far off.

My baby's gone with the wind

For a northern-bred, bleeding heart liberal, I seem to have an odd obsession for all things Southern. Whether it's my favorite baseball team, one of my favorite movies, or a favorite TV show, I'm probably a poor excuse for a Yankee. Lynyrd Skynyrd is really far from my favorite 70s rock band, but this song is awesome. And really, better than Free Bird in my opinion.

Train roll on many miles from my home,
See, I'm riding my blues away.
Tuesday, you see, she had to be free
But somehow I've got to carry on.

Can I hold it for a week

I fell in love with the band Low in the most un-hipster way possible. I heard one of their songs on Dawson's Creek.

This song only has 5 lines.

On the step you handed me
Pieces of the plan

But at night it's a different world

I grew up listening to oldies, so most of the songs I associate with my childhood are of the British Invasion, Motown, and other 1960s musical trends. I didn't live in city, but I did live in a place where it regularly hit the upper 90s, plus 70% and above humidity. I suppose I should be grateful for dry heat?

As a teenager, I more regularly associated this song with the opening scene of the 3rd Die Hard movie.

And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city