Since I can’t (well technically won’t) tell you exactly what ‘major stuff’ is, I’ve come up with this wheeze instead. Ladies and Gentlemen, here is my personal angst as expressed through my current iPod playlist:
1. “FUN”
An answering machine message suggesting it might be fun to talk. I keep it because it has warm memories associated.
2. H-A-T-R-E-D – Tonio K
A song about anger at being dumped. Gloriously over the top but essentially comic. After wishing “I hope you wind up in the ground” it ends with “but then again, maybe with the proper counseling, we can work this out”
3. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
There are many versions of this song (I’ve got a whole album of covers of it). The original is still the best. A melancholic and yet heart-felt cry of prayer to God.
There’s a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
4. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (Rattle ‘n’ Hum live version)
Expresses the yearning for something better, spiritually and in life generally.
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
5. Nomah’s Land – Metisse (TV clip from Dead Like Me)
A man rails angrily at God over beautiful but sorrowful instrumental music.
6. Pardon Me For Living – Tonio K
One of Tonio K’s best and possibly my favourite song. It’s an expression of frustration at not being able to cope with life
I don’t know what you want, don’t know what you believe
I don’t know how to act anymore
or how long I can keep juggling
7. Pardon Me For Living – Tonio K
Told you it was a favourite.
Can’t I just confess and be forgiven?
Guilty of the grievous crime of human imperfection
pardon me
pardon me for living
8. Perfect World – Alias (snippet from a movie version)
Sadness at the breakup of a relationship.
In a perfect world it would never end like this
9. Perfect World – Tonio K
I’ve never had to walk away from anybody I wanted as much as you
Still hoping I don’t have to walk away.
10. You Will Go Free – Tonio K
Realistic yet hopeful.
and I know I can’t touch you now
and I don’t want to speak too soon
but when we get sprung
from out of these cages baby
God knows what we might do
So there you have it. Starts off nostalgic for a better time, moves through some anger more sadness, some blame and self-blame, some hoping/yearning/praying for something better and ends battered but still hoping.
That sums up my “major stuff”. You’ve probably got completely the wrong idea about what it actually is but, especially if you know the songs, you should at least get a flavour of the emotional content.
Or not. See ya!
P.S. I’d still walk it for you any time 😉