Ellen and Whitney go through their favorites of 2015, everything ranging from books to music, movies and TV, performances and scenes. We’ve got you covered. Will Ellen go a full hour without talking about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? (Don’t count on it.) Will Whitney be able to overlook the swooniness of Oscar Isaac? (Don’t put money on it.) But still listen to find out.
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My name is Whitney, and I work… in an office.
Everyday presents a new challenge.
And my co-workers are great.
In general, it’s just a really fulfilling way to make a living.
But sometimes, even your dream job can be invaded by occasional moments of tedium and drudgery. I know it’s hard to believe that ennui can set in when you’re making 300 copies of a 90 page, 2-sided insurance document, but it can happen. To combat that, I developed a passionate relationship with podcasts and I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned. Here are the top five podcasts to get you through the workday, according to me (aka The Final Word).
5. The Black List Table Reads
I like to believe that one day, technology will provide me a way to sit at my desk and watch movies all day while appearing only marginally unproductive. The Blacklist Table Reads is the closest thing we have in 2015. It’s essentially a recorded table read of awesome unproduced scripts, performed by some surprisingly big names. Paul Sheer, June Diane Raphael, Rose McIver, and Parminder Nagra are just a few of the many voices you’ll recognize. If you have even the remotest interest in movies, Black List Table Reads should be a safe bet for you.
4. Science V.
Ok, this one isn’t, strictly speaking, an entertainment podcast. It is, however, absurdly entertaining. This show takes 
popular science fads and pins them against hard scientific data. Before you panic, it’s not remedial Statistics. The format is really engaging and host Wendy Zukerman feels like a BFF waiting to happen. So far, the show has tackled e-cigarettes, race, the female brain, and lots more. Season one just concluded, but that means all of season one is locked, loaded, and ready to binge.
3. Mystery Show
This one is slightly harder to synopsize. It’s sort of like if Veronica Mars were a Wes Anderson movie. It’s a show that ostensibly solves a weekly mystery, but the mysteries are less whodunnit and more “exactly how tall is Jake Gyllenhaal?”. Not kidding about that. It’s laughably addictive. Just trust me.
2. This is Actually Happening
Another entertaining, non-entertainment podcast. I stumbled across this one by accident and became hooked, in spite of myself. It’s people, just ordinary people, sharing stories. The stories themselves can often be hard to listen to, and a few are admittedly very disturbing. It’s sort of like being at a sleep over, post-3 am. You know, when everyone is talking and sharing intimate details about themselves, and suddenly someone tells the most insane, personal, unbelievable anecdote and no one ever mentions it again? It’s like that.
1. Pop Rocket
Pop Rocket is my salvation. Everything I need, I can get from one weekly dose of this show. It’s a round table homage to all things pop culture, hosted by the ineffably charming and hilarious Guy Branum. Every panelist has a particular area of expertise: Guy the Comedian, Wynter Mitchell the Media Strategist, Oliver Wang the Academic, and Margaret Wappler the Journalist. They are all so well spoken, so smart, and so distinctive that they warrant a dedicated Fangirly post of their own (but who has THE TIME?). Point is, you could spend your day trying to make small talk at dinguses with whom you share a work-space, or you could listen to interesting people talk about their passions. I leave it to you.
-Whitney
Summer is here and with it rolls in my favorite anytime of year dance competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. However, never before this year has SYTYCD had such a dishy judge on the panel (with the exception of guest judge Twitch, but that is for another week). Jason Derulo joined the show as a permanent judge this season and, honey, he can talk dirty to me (and more) all he likes. I know, it’s an obvious joke, but still true.
I had never really paid him much mind because “Talk Dirty to Me” is the only song of his that I know, but I perked up a bit when they brought him on the show. And THEN, I perked up a lot when he sang and dance with a group of kids on this week’s premiere. Maybe if he is a really poor judge on SYTYCD I will lose interest, but for now I’m all in.
– Ellen
I have discussed my nostalgia for my cassette tape of theme songs from the “Disney Afternoon” lineup and I am a human being on planet Earth so, of course, I love Beyoncé. That being said, it should come as no surprise that this video is my new favorite thing. The creator of this video and I should probably be best friends.
If you like than should have put a “woo-ooo” on it.
– Ellen
It has been so long that I have almost forgotten how to do tYPing THIng, but I imagine I’ll get the hang of it again.
While I may have been crap at posting Fangirly updates, worry not because I have remained diligent on the crushing front. One such victim over the past couple months has been Hozier. This only seemed fair after a friend and I spent the entirety of his performance at the Victoria’s Secret runway show discussing the various things we would let him do to us, some of which I could mention here but won’t. You will undoubtedly know Hozier from his now overplayed hit “Take Me to Church”, but I highly recommend you check out the rest of his self-titled album because it is all great and his voice is so swoony. If you already indoctrinated in the tunage of Hozier, check out these amazing covers he did of Arctic Monkeys and Ariana Grande.
He’s the sweet, grungy rocker of my dreams.
– Ellen
On Sunday Night, ABC will be airing a special called “The ABC’s of Schoolhouse Rock” and seeing how my love for Schoolhouse Rock knows no ends, I will, of course, be tuning in. When I was just a wee little lassie, my mom got us a VHS set of these educational little ditties and I gobbled them up. At the age of five, I was singing the preamble to the Constitution, my multiplication tables, and conjunctions even if I didn’t really understand what I was singing.
Schoolhouse Rock holds a very special, nostalgic place in my heart, but I still have my favorites. I should say that my favorites tend to be different than the most popular songs (“Conjunction Junction”, “I’m Just a Bill”) and I am not very familiar with the newer songs.
10. “The Preamble” – When reciting the preamble to the Constituttion, I am incapable of not making certain one syllable words become two syllable words. It was a little embarassing in 8th grade. Best line: “..promote the general welfare a-and…fo-or the United States o-of America”
9. “Do the Circulation” – In an era where jogging was the new craze (I believe that’s a soft “j”), Schoolhouse Rock was urging kids to do the circulation by animating adorable fat people working out. Best line: “There’s a great new craze that’s sweeping the nation. Come on, do the Circulation!”
8. “Sufferin’ ’til Suffrage” – Sing it, sister! Between your Disney Princess movies, instill some feminism in your youngsters with this upbeat number about all your favorite suffragettes. Best line: “Since 1920, Sisters, unite! Vote on!”
7. “A Noun Is A Person, Place Or Thing” – This was probably my favorite when I was really young, probably because it is one of the easier concepts to grasp. Although, I had no idea who Chubby Checker was. Best line: “I heard Chubby Checker, he was doing the twist, and the Beatles and the Monkees. It goes like this.”
6. “No More Kings” – Have you ever wanted to cram 4 months of 5th grade US History into one song? Have you ever wanted a song with a villainized caricature of King George III? Well, I know just the song for you. Best line: “That’s called taxation without representation and it’s not fair.”
5. “Three is a Magic Number” – Imagine, if you will, a little bespectacled Ellen in third grade who is having a heck of a time wrapping her head around her 3 multiplication table. Schoolhouse Rock stepped in and saved the day, mainly because I watched this song on repeat until I had it down. Best line: “A man and a woman had a little baby. Yes, they did. They had three in the family. That’s a magic number”
4. “Interplanet Janet” – I like to think that any comets are just this galaxy girl jet setting from planet to planet. I blame this song for my continuing to draw the sun with sunglasses. He’s a cool star. (Also, RIP Pluto) Best line: “It’s a star, it’s a star! So Janet got an autograph!”
3. “Mother Necessity” – Let’s not talk about how it took me a few years before I realized that Mother Necessity was not an actual woman in a rocking chair who played a role in the lives of our most famous inventors. Best line: “Elias, how?” (Do you see what they did there?)
2. “The Tale of Mr. Morton” – Listen, if you are not in love with Mr. Morton by the end of this song, you are a callous, heartless person and you should probably re-evaluate your life’s choices. Any song about a grammar-based romance is a win in my book. Best line: “Mister Morton talked to his cat. Mister Morton talked. (Hello, cat, you look good)”
1. “Interjections!” – In my opinion, this is their funniest video, while still remaining informative. Everybody should say “Wow!” like the woman in this song. Best line: “Yow! That’s not fair, giving a guy a shot down there!”
Do you have a favorite Schoolhouse Rock? Were these songs as ingrained in your childhood?
– Ellen
Look, look, look. I know that everyone is going on about how great their moms are and I believe you, I really do. My mom is pretty great, too, but let’s look at the reasons I have the COOLEST mom out there.
10. She rocks her Beastie Boys CD pretty hard.
9. She sponsors our annual family dance party by outfitting us in our threads (Christmas jammies).
8. She gave me my wry, snarky sense of humor that I get to employ on this blog!
7. She is tech savvy! I have yet get a phone call asking her how to work her iPhone/iPad/laptop/email, etc. Now, Dad on the other hand…
6. She once had a dream where she made out with Adam Sandler in her dad’s Cadillac. (Sorry, Mom. The world needed to know).
5. While most moms were into easy listening (Kenny G, Celine Dion, etc.), my mom scoffed at that music! We were rocking out to Tom Petty, Queen, Van Halen, Blondie, Madonna, U2, INXS, and Alanis, among others.
4. As a four year old, were you headbanging a la Wayne’s World to “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Were you laughing at jokes on Mystery Science Theater that you didn’t get? Was your favorite music video “Centerfold” by the J. Geils Band? (We mainly loved it because of that gif below) Were you and your brother running around the house quoting Saturday Night Live on the regular? Well, I was. And that’s pretty cool, Mom.
3. She gets me. Probably because she created me. Whether we are singing at the top of our lungs on road trips, having phone conversations about our TV shows, or going to see the latest superhero movie together (so that we can ogle the men), we are always having a good time.
2. She laughs. A LOT. Mainly at her own jokes, but I am pretty sure that no one makes her laugh more than her own kids.
1. My mom goes to Comic Con with me every year. BOOM! The ultimate proof that my mom is the coolest.
There you have it. Don’t I have the coolest mom? I sure think so.
– Ellen
I am more than an little excited for the release of The Fault in Our Stars, so I am latching on to any and all little tidbits that come out and you are just going to have to deal with it.
Check out the music video for “Let Me In” by Grouplove that was just released. It has a lot of brand new adorkable clips (name that one at 0:25) and, hey, the song is pretty good, too!
– Ellen
Life is full of regrets, everyone knows that. The following are my life’s biggest.
1) Babysitters Club T-Shirt – This was so rare and awesome that even the internet couldn’t help me find it again. Back in 1994, little Ellen loved her Scholastic book order catalogs. Many of them featured a special offer at the back where you could join the Baby-Sitters Club Fan Club. So exclusive. So VIP. I begged my mom for months and finally, she caved. Among the membership benefits was the coolest t-shirt you have ever seen. It was bright and colorful with hip phrases like “Best Friends Forever” and “Mary-Ann + Logan”, but worst of all, it was big enough on me back then that I could still totally rock it to this day. Sigh. This one hurts the most.
2) DTV Romancin’ VHS Recording – Back in the late 80s to early 90s, Disney Channel tried to cash in on the MTV cash cow and make music videos to popular songs using clips from their cartoons. These music videos would often appear between their cartoons and sometimes they would air specials. My favorite of these specials was DTV Romancin’ (also aired as DTV Valentines). It had Chip and Dale dancing to Madonna, the cast of Bambi wooing to Lionel Richie’s “Hello”, and just about every clip of a phone from a Disney cartoon played with “I Just Called to Say I Love You”. Needless to say, I wore this VHS out.
3) 90210 Blow Dryer – I was far too young to care about this 90210 blow dryer, but I felt like the coolest 1st grader on the black when I would (attempt to) blow dry my hair with this beauty. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t a very good blow dryer, it only mattered that it was aqua green and purple and was emblazoned with that zip code. In my head, it was the blow dryer that Kelly, Brenda, and Donna used.
4) Full House Michelle Scrapbook – Have you ever wanted to look at pictures of episodes of Full House? Then have I got the book for you! This book has it all. Michelle gives all the dirt, like how Uncle Joey is so silly! And how Uncle Jesse is so cool! Did you know that DJ loves Steve? Or that Stephanie thinks you are so “rude”? (Mainly I wish I still had this one so that I could marvel at how obsessed I was with this stupid book).
5) Handheld Beauty and the Beast Game – I blame this game for making me so easily addicted to games on my iPhone. I was never great at your Nintendos and your Playstations, but even I could handle three buttons. Dodge left, dodge right, and of course, “MAGIC”! The premise was pretty basic, because those three buttons won’t allow for much. At first you hide from the beast, but then you kiss him and then you hide from Gaston so that you can get to the beast and kiss him and finally, you escape the mob led by Gaston so that you can get to the beast and kiss him so that he becomes the “handsome” prince. It’s a wonder that I ended up with even a shred of feminist sensibilities.
6) Spice Girls Pin – When I was in fifth grade, one of my friends got this set of five pins that spelled out SPICE. We divvied up the pins, each girl getting the pin with the Spice Girl that they most embodied. See that “P” with Ginger? That was all mine. Somehow, as a 10 year old, I was Ginger Spice. Probably because I had the closest thing resembling red hair, was terrible at sports, and hated Posh.
7) Little Mermaid Sheets – At the age of 3, I was so hard core about The Little Mermaid that it was a bit ridiculous. I had the entire soundtrack memorized before I had seen the movie. When I finally DID see the movie, I stood on my seat and sang along with the whole thing. I mainly wish that I still had these sheets because I still have a twin bed and would SO sleep on these bad boys.
8) 101 Dalmatians Giga Pet – I was very explicit with Santa. I am a Giga Pet girl and NOT a Tamagotchi girl. Also, don’t even think about getting me a cat. Apparently, this led Santa to a 101 Dalmatians Giga Pet because it was the same Christmas that the live action movie came out, and I was more than happy to receive my little demanding dalmatian.
9) Minnie paraphernalia – This girl had a lot of Minnie Mouse paraphernalia. It is unclear as to whether this was due to an obsession on my part or on my mother’s part, who was buying all of it. Either way, I loved Minnie Mouse and demanded to see her almost immediately upon my first arrival at Disneyland. The item I most wish I still had that I cannot find is this tubular neon school folder, but I am pretty sure I wore it to tatters.
10) Disney Afternoon soundtrack tape – I loved Disney afternoon, but what kid in the early 90s with Disney Channel didn’t? And almost more than the cartoons themselves, I loved the theme songs, mainly because of this cassette tape. I may or may not have most of these downloaded to my iTunes. And I may or may not bust them out on a regular basis. And I may or may not be able to still do the breakdown on the Tale Spin theme song. “Spin it, let’s begin it, bear and grin it when you’re in it, you can win it in a minute when you spin it, spin it, spin it. So spin it. Tale Spin!”
What item from your childhood are you most upset that your mom talked you into throwing out?
– Ellen
This trailer gives me Reels-Feels. Still trying to decide whether my undying faith in Marc Webb can overcome my fear of the Superhero Sophomore Slump.
-Whitney
I am, by nature, pretty shameless when it comes to my tastes and pop culture preferences. However, I recently had to explain to a 12 year-old why Mouserat was the greatest band ever (which included my own rendition of “5000 Candles in the Wind”) and he managed to make me feel like a total bung-hole in a way only a 12 year-old can. That totally demoralizing conversation forced me to confront the fact that a really disproportionate number of my favorite bands are, umm, not real. To numb the shame, I compiled a list of the best fictional bands, ever.
5) The Electric Dream Machine (It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia)
4) Crutial Taunt (Wayne’s World)
3) The Wonders (That Thing You Do)
2) Clash at Demonhead (Scott Pilgrim v. The World)
1) Powerline (A Goofy Movie)
-Whitney
I should add a big huge fat note that these are MY favorite Christmas songs and not what I consider to be the greatest of all time. Also, you are going to notice from my list that I have a very specific type of Christmas music that I prefer: female Jazz vocalists. What can I say? I know what I like.
10. “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time” – Paul McCartney: Back in my hometown, there is a radio that played Christmas music beginning earlier and earlier each year (i’m sure a lot of you can relate). This was my main discovery from that radio station. This is partly a nostalgic pick because a friend on my high school carpool and I would get really excited when it came on. Probably because it is one of a kind and wasn’t Michael Bolton singing some song that has been recorded a million times. They played a lot of that kind of stuff.
9. “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” – Julie London: This one has been recorded a few times but I dare you to find one that is, well, sexier. This recording and her voice really makes you believe that she has got some love to keep her warm, if you know what I’m sayin’.
8. “The Christmas Waltz” – Nancy Wilson: It should be noted that when I was about 13, my dad got these Christmas CDs called Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails and I became obsessed. Most of the songs on this list come from those CDs and I am ever grateful to them for discoveries like Ms. Nancy Wilson. This is a great, not overly played Christmas song and my favorite version of it.
7. “Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys: I had the Beach Boys Christmas album on a cassette tape when I was about 7, so you can just imagine little Ellen bumping this on her Boombox. Yeah, this one is definitely a nostalgic pick.
6. “Sleigh Ride” – Ella Fitzgerald: Remember what I said about my preference for jazzy female vocalists? Well, it doesn’t get much better than Ella. She just makes every Christmas song… cooler. I highly recommend her Christmas album. I mean, it’s called Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas. What’s not to like?
5. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland: This one falls under the “Classic Christmas” category, and of course, the original Judy Garland version from Meet Me in St. Louis is the best.
4. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” – Nancy Wilson: Now, you may argue with me that this is not a real Christmas song because it is about New Year’s Eve, right? Wrong. The whole premise of the song is the singer is asking early to get a leg up on the competition. While the recent Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt video is pretty good because I am sucker for some ukulele, Nancy Wilson’s version still reigns supreme in my book.
3. “All I Want For Christmas” – Mariah Carey: The newest song on the list and the only Christmas recording from the past 20 years that should be on this list. This song is fabulous, everyone knows it. It is only bettered by the fact that it is featured so prominently in one of my favorite movies of all time, Love Actually.
2. “The Man with the Bag” – Kay Starr: I love this song! Another one that I probably like more because it is not played non-stop throughout the course of the Christmas season, but also it is fun, jazzy and has a great vocal. Favorite line has to be “Everybody’s waitn’, they’re all congregatin'”
1. “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole: This one had to be number one. I know that it is number one on a lot of these lists, but it is for good reason. There are few songs that make you really feel like it is Christmas, but this one always delivers. I can’t help but get that warm, happy feeling and be transported to a some big cozy chair in front of a glowing Christmas tree and warm fireplace. Can you?
What do you think? Do you disagree with my list? Guess what? I don’t care if you do. But let me know some of your favorites regardless. If you didn’t already see them, check out my favorite Christmas movies, TV episodes, and specials.
– Ellen
“I Remember You” Rilo Kiley – I really should just list the whole RKives album here, but that’s not how this list works. That being said, you should also check out “Emotional“, “Patiently“, “Let Me Back In” and “I’ll Get You There” My only complaint against the album is that it is not a reunion album and just a compilation of unreleased tracks. Come back to us, Rilo Kiley! This song just happens to be the track I have been rocking the hardest. What can I say? I’m a sucker for bouncy, happy songs.
“S.O.S. in Bel Air” Phoenix – I have been rocking this album pretty hard lately, as well. There is something about Phoenix’s music that just make me want to dance! You know? Really let loose and dance like no one is watching. This happens to be the track that I enjoy doing that to the most.
“Diane Young” Vampire Weekend – It must be the oncoming summer season that is really drawing me to all these peppy songs. If you saw Vampire Weekend on SNL last week, you probably already downloaded this song, but in case you didn’t, I suggest you get this one and begin blasting it in your with the windows rolled down. I know I have been.
“That Girl” Justin Timberlake – I know there are some haters out there for my boy JT’s latest album, and while it is not as good as FutureSex/LoveSounds, I enjoy the throwback quality of 20/20, perfectly exhibited with “That Girl” and my other fav from the album “Pusher Love Girl“. Don’t hate. Just get down and dirty. It’s what JT would want.
“I Always Knew” The Vaccines – If you saw the New Girl finale, you should not have to ask why this song is on the list. Nothing like a good Nick Miller snog to endear a song to me. How perfect is the line “Let’s go to bed, before you say something real” for Nick and Jess? Also, the song is just plain catchy and cute.
“Blurred Lines” Robin Thicke feat. T.I and Pharrell – This month’s playlist was missing a good solid pop/dance track. Then this song came out. Have you heard this song? I am incapable of not dancing to this song. Please tell me that I’m not the only one.
“Romeo and Juliet” The Killers – This song is obviously old news because the original is 30 years old and this cover has been around for a few years, but it doesn’t hurt to remind ourselves of how perfect this song is. Really listen to this song and tell me that it isn’t one of those perfect songs where every aspect just comes together to create music magic. That is your homework for this post.
“Sunday Girl” She & Him – Admittedly, I have been a little disappointed with Volume 3. I don’t think anything will ever live up to Volume 1, but this cover of Blondie’s “Sunday Girl” is pretty darn infectious and a definite highlight on this latest album. “London” and “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” are my other highlights if you were interested.
“Doin’ it Right” Daft Punk – I feel pretty cliche listing a Daft Punk song from their new album, Random Access Memories because the internet seems to be pretty obsessed with it right now, but this song is LEGIT. Check it out. Definitely my favorite from the album so far.
“Back to Black” Beyonce and Andre 3000 – I have yet to see The Great Gatsby and I know there are mixed reviews on how the music works within the context of the movie, but regardless of that, the soundtrack for this movie is a pretty dang awesome compilation of music. This is just one of many highlights on the album. (Did not mean to have so many covers on the list).
– Ellen
These posts take me a while to write, so let’s skip the chit chat and get to it.
“Little Numbers” BOY – This is my number one pick that I’m pushing this month because I want more people to be as obsessed with this song as I am. I just saw them them in concert this past Friday and they were so adorably genuine and just plum excited to be singing their songs for people. Not to mention, the song is dang catchy. I dare you listen and not start bopping your head or humming along by the last chorus.
“Heartbreaker” Alabama Shakes – Last month began my love affair with Alabama Shakes. I may be a little behind, but I have certainly made up for lost time over the past few weeks. I love the Brittany’s voice and the sort of old school soul and garage band rock melding that they have going on. Rather than recommend their two main tracks (“Hold On” and “Boys and Girls”, both of which I LOVE), I thought I would recommend the B-side-ish tracks that I really like. “Heartbreaker” has all the possible passion that could fit into one song.
“Breakin’ Up” Rilo Kiley – I had to include a Rilo Kiley song in this month’s mix because I am so excited for their new album that is coming out next month. Like, beyond excited. This is mainly due to the fact that they have not come out with a new album since 2007! “Breakin’ Up” is a little more peppy than what I am expecting from their new album, but that doesn’t make me love it any less. (The video I linked is this goofy, homemade video, but their dancing amuses me).
“White Nights” Oh Land – While I don’t think I will ever be able to endorse Girls, I can safely say that I fully endorse the Girls soundtrack. It has given me a few price gems, such as “White Nights” from this band I have never heard of. It’s great. Thanks for this, Girls, but stay away from Parks and Recreation Emmy awards.
“Velvet Elvis” Alex Winston – While driving to the aforementioned concert this past weekend, my friend played this odd little song for me. It is about a girl who is in love with a velvet portrait of Elvis. I know what you’re thinking. “Another Velvet Elvis song?” But this was the earworm that would not leave after I listened to it, so I proceeded to buy and listen to it for three days, as you do with earworms. Which brings us to present day, where I am still listening to it on repeat.
“Girl from the North Country” Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash– I’ve always been a mix girl rather than an album girl. I am often made fun of for my eclectic mixes, but variety is the spice of life. I think this is why I have always loved soundtracks. They are mix CDs made by your favorite filmmakers and the songs have little music videos in your favorite movies. Over the course of my three viewings of Silver Linings Playbook, this song has endeared itself to me. Believe me, no one is more surprised than me to have two Bob Dylan songs in two months’ mixes, but it happened.
“Say You’ll Be There” Spice Girls – I was recently discussing the value of Spice Girls with a friend of mine and I’m just going to come out and say it: I STILL love the Spice Girls. I bust out my Spice Girls albums on the regular. They are just a plain ol’ good time and I am not going to hide in shame, so if you are in the LA area and you see a girl blasting this song in her car with reckless abandon, you’ll know who it is.
“Temptation” New Order – I have encountered New Order a few time on my hipster movie soundtracks and have come to the conclusion that I love New Order. Any time they are on a mix or soundtrack, that song is always my favorite song on the CD. When I got the Perks of Being a Wallflower (I haven’t seen it, but why wouldn’t I usually like the soundtracks of hipsterific movies set in the 80s) soundtrack and saw that there was a New Order song, I knew that I was a goner. Sure enough, I love “Temptation”.
“Skin” BOY – Another sampling from BOY. I had to include this song and link a video that someone took from the show that I went to because while I like the original recording of this song, I really loved the stripped down, melancholy version that they do live. Now I can only wish that they will release this version somewhere so that I can download it and have it as my own.
“Always Alright” Alabama Shakes – Another Alabama Shakes song, also featured on Silver Linings Playbook, because I just can’t get enough. Seriously, watch the linked video and answer me this: How cool is she? I love her.
– Ellen
I love my car, I really do. It is practical and in pretty good condition. If I had to have one complaint it would be that it came out the year before they started putting iPod jacks in cars, but after they stopped installing tape decks. This puts me in quite the pickle for what to do about music, because I can’t do radio.
My solution to this quandry has been to make a mix CD (or two, or three) every month, just to keep things fresh. The mixes are usually a mix of new songs and old favorites that I want to listen to that month. While it can sometimes be a pain, it is also kind of fun to sit down and reflect on what is jiving with me. It also ends up being like a sort of musical journal entry, because I can go back to my May 2012 playlist and be taken right back to that month.
I thought I may as well write about some of my top picks for each month, because I like to think I have somewhat good taste and it is certainly eclectic enough to strike a chord with a wide range of people.
“Thrift Shop” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz – Yeah, I know. Me and everyone else on planet earth. But just in case, this one hasn’t ended up on your radar yet, you need to change that. I have been listening to this while walking to my office from our parking garage and I have a really hard time not dancing. I sneak in some moves and let people think I am moving to fight off the cold.
“All For You” Sister Hazel – Whatever, don’t hate the playa, hate the fact that 90’s music is awesome. This one came on my Pandora last week and I went and downloaded it right away. It’s happy. If you don’t end up singing and/or bouncing along to this song, you need to get over yourself.
“Boys and Buses” Hayden Panettiere – Something you will quickly learn about me is that my TV/movie viewing dictates a lot of my music discoveries. If you told me last year that I would be downloading a whole lot of country music, I would have laughed in your face, but that’s just what happens when you watch a whole lot of Nashville. I enjoy the lyrical simplicity of this one. Yeah, Juliette. Boys and buses, DO have a lot in common.
“Brooklyn We Go Hard” Jay-Z Feat. Santogold – Another download that came about after hearing it on TV, this one coming from the trailer for the upcoming 42 (the Jackie Robinson movie). Side note: As an extremely white girl, do I need to feel weird about blasting this in my car and bopping my head like I’m gangsta?
“Silver Springs” Fleetwood Mac – Confession: this song was a blind spot in my Fleetwood Mac listening until it popped up on the recent covers album, Just Tell Me That You Want Me, being covered by Lykke Li. While I discovered the song through that cover, nothing is going to compare to Stevie, right? Right.
“How Come You Don’t Want Me” Tegan and Sara – I just got this album (Heartthrob) and I am liking it quite a bit. I picked this song specifically because haven’t we all thought this at one point? (It’s also a really good song).
“I’d Rather Go Blind” Etta James – I may be weird, but there is nothing sexier to me than old school R&B. There’s something about it that just… just… just watch this dance to see what I mean without making things awkward. This is a perfect of that languid, sexy, vibe that I’m talking about. I’d rather go deaf than never get to listen to Etta James again. (See also “Sunday Kind of Love”)
“Shelter From the Storm” Bob Dylan – Let the record state that I do not like Bob Dylan. His voice and general attitude usually annoy me, but when I heard this song in Warm Bodies I reluctantly fell in love with it. There was just something about a zombie playing it to express to his human crush that he would protect her that really got to me. (Another reason to not like Bob Dylan is that apparently he won’t allow YouTube play his music, but Vimeo got him somehow even if it isn’t the version I like).
“Suit & Tie” Justin Timberlake Feat. Jay-Z – You guys, I love Justin. Did you see him at the Grammys? He is just so… cool! Then Jay-Z just ambles up and does his thing and then goes and sits back in the audience with Beyonce. No biggie. I know that a lot of people are disappointed with this song, but let’s respect it for what it is: a pretty dang infectious hook with JT’s swagger. I’m all in.
“Yer So Bad” Tom Petty – I’ve been on a Tom Petty kick lately. Well, really, for my whole life, but I’ve been digging into some of the B-Sides and this one is my current jam. That strum in the chorus gets me rocking out every time and I love “Yer so bad, best that I ever had.” Once you get past all the divorce and suicide, it’s a pretty sweet song.
Whew. Click on the links and watch some videos (official and fan made). What is your current jam? I’m also interested in recommendations. Aside from all those I have just listed, I am downloaded every song that is featured in Warm Bodies and I am loving all of them. Check out the music and the movie.
– Ellen
Before “D**k in a Box”, before “Lazy Sunday”, and even before Andy Samberg showed up on SNL, my friend and I were college freshman who were obsessed with three guys who made random web videos about The ‘Bu, storks, sandwiches, and a “frazzy-haired Jew girl”.
When it comes to the guys known as the Lonely Island, I really CAN say that I knew them when they were nobodies and I have always loved that my boys are now getting to make their videos with a somewhat higher production value.
In case you haven’t already seen it, I give you “Yolo”, the song that knows that we really do only live once and we should be careful with that precious gift of life.
Considering that my previously mentioned college roommate and I would regularly argue over which of the Lonely Island boys was the cutest, we would have gone nuts for this video, because all of them are looking pretty fly in their acid-washed denim jackets.
Watch the video and see if your heart is also sent aflutter.
– Ellen
What makes an artist? Some say it’s creativity, or passion, or talent. Personally, and I apologize if this sounds pretentious, I feel that a true artist dances around in midriff tops and leather pants to catchy 90’s chart toppers. Call me fastidious, but that’s just my opinion. And few people fit that definition better than Billie Piper, the brilliant teen-pop-idol-turned-serious-actress. I could present you with well-planned arguments to support my case, but if Billie’s music has taught me anything, it’s that style is WAY more important than substance. So without further ado, I present you with three of my favorite Billie Piper music videos.
-Whitney
I thought I would break the mold a bit here and NOT pick someone that is on a TV show (but expect us to return to form soon). Although, I have to admit that I was reminded of my love for this week’s crush by his appearance on a TV show. I’m talking about The Lumineers’ appearance on Saturday Night Live, and by default, lead singer’s Wesley Schultz.
My love affair with The Lumineers started over a year again when I heard “Ho Hey” on an episode of Hart of Dixie (don’t judge). The album wasn’t out yet and neither were any videos….
Said love affair took a turn when said videos and press photos came out. Wesley Schultz. Hum-a-nuh-hum-a-nuh. He is my hipster dreamboat, y’all, and he has the same name as the Carey Elwes in The Princess Bride. Also, it doesn’t hurt that The Lumineers album was my soundtrack of 2012 and his voice pierced my soul for the duration.
Check out Wesley’s general crush-worthiness in the video below.
– Ellen
Some of you may recall from a previous post that I had acquired an addiction for watching the trailer of Pitch Perfect. It is a blessed relief that this movie came out this weekend in select cities, one of which I inhabit, because I needed more to base this obsession on than the trailer and brief promo clip alone.
In talking to people about this movie, both before and after seeing it, there seem to be a lot of preconceived notions out there as to what this movie is all about. I thought this would be a good opportunity to debunk some of those myths while also gush about how much I FREAKING LOVED THIS MOVIE!
Let’s proceed, shall we:
1. This is a Glee rip-off – They are singing at a school and, yes, they go to Regionals with aims for Nationals. But that is pretty much where the similarities end. One of my moviegoing comrades put it well when she described it as “Bridesmaids with a capella”. This is Glee with a heck of a lot more bite.
2. All of the funny lines are in the trailer – False. The truth of the matter is that they can’t put all of the funny lines in the trailer because of that “approved for appropriate audiences” disclaimer. Let’s just say, this movie went to levels I was not expecting it to go to, but I was happy to ride along.
3. Rebel Wilson is the only good part – There is no denying that Rebel Wilson is a major scene-stealer, but I feel like the trailers are making her seem like the only funny character when that isn’t the case. Every character seems to have their moment to shine, especially the girls in the Bellas. For example, there is the soft-spoken Asian girl who says her lines so quietly that the other girls don’t hear her talking about her time in County or how she ate her twin in the womb. And then there’s the boy. Being the type of movie that it is, there has to be a boy. Skylar Astin’s Jesse is both charming and dorky at same time, which suits me just fine. Ladies, go see it and tell me if you aren’t swooning by the end.
4. A Capella music? Please. – This one is harder for me to address, because I find a capella to be entertaining. I don’t listen to it on a regular basis, but it is definitely entertaining to see performed. That said, a capella aside, the mash-ups in the movie are really cool, unique, and not necessarily all current top 40, which I found refreshing. Did I buy the soundtrack when I got home? Guilty. If loving fun mash-ups is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
5. That’s a total chick movie – Speaking as a chick, I can’t definitively say that all dudes would love this movie, but I believe I can safely say that any guy that would be dragged to it by his girlfriend/sister/mother/girl he is pursuing would leave the theatre being pleasantly surprised at how much he enjoyed it. There was a fair amount of the menfolk in our (sold out) screening and there didn’t seem to be any sour faces in the lobby afterwards.
Bottom line: I was beyond excited to see this movie and my expectations were exceeded. It was everything I wanted it be and more. If you don’t take pleasure in the joys that life has to offer, then you probably shouldn’t see this movie, but if you are into that then you might like it. All I know is that this movie was the most fun I’ve had at the theatre in a long while.
Did you see it this weekend? Do you want to see it? Did I change your mind about seeing it, for better or worse? Let me know!
–Ellen
I may or may not have a Pandora playlist titled “Guilty Pleasures” that may or may not be based on such artists as Mariah Carey, Spice Girls, Ace of Base, Britney Spears, and N*Sync that I may or may not listen to with alarming regularity (did you follow all that ambiguity).
While listening to this playlist at work today, I was treated to the lyrical poetry of Brian Mcknight’s “Back at One”. I’m not sure how or when, but at some point I learned all of the words to this song. I don’t even remember liking it that much. Apparently, this song has some strong claws in my brain
In my defense, Mr. Mcknight makes it easy to learn the words to this song by literally laying them out in a step-by-step process. “One, you’re like a dream come true. Two, just want to be with you…”
Is this a blast to the past for you, too?
-Ellen
Fangirly 