Song-A-Day Mojo

Matt Pond PA's "Holiday Road"

2006-12-21T23:17:38Z

Day 4 of The 5 Days of Mojo

Matt Pond PA's cover of "Holiday Road"

Another "new" holiday song that was sprung on me. My roommate left a cd with 150 holiday themed songs he had found for a mix by my door this morning, and the most unexpected gem on the disc was this track. I have always loved the Lindsey Buckingham original (best known as the theme song from National Lampoon's Vacation). This version, though, is something completely different. Matt Pond PA has managed to take an 80's summer anthem and turn it into a legitimate holiday track.

I love good cover songs, but especially ones where the covering artist finds something new to add to the track. Keeping the energy of the original, but adding a quality that makes the cover uniquely your own. This cover is the very definition of that formula. The song lends itself so well to a winter theme that I am amazed no one has done this before. It is a beautifully arranged and performed version, and I'll be damned if they didn't throw in a little pedal steel guitar just to completely reel me in. Yet another song that I didn't expect to to put on this list, but one that completely deserves it's place.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg's "Dick In A Box"

2006-12-21T03:06:21Z

On the 3rd day of Mojo my true love gave to me...

Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg's "Dick In A Box"

I had no intention of putting this up when I first heard it. This week was going to be about the songs I wanted to be new Christmas classics. But this damn song has been stuck in my head for 4 days straight now, and I still laugh out loud ever time I watch the video.

Sure, maybe I'm juvenile, but what's not to like about "Dick In A Box". It's a perfect spoof of those Color Me Bad-esque R&B tracks that ruled the radio in the mid 90's, and the joke is so perfectly written into the song that they don't wear it out. Just when you think hearing "dick in a box" would get old, they change it up by describing how to make a dick in a box. Genius.

Do I think that this will become a new classic? Who knows. But it was funny enough to hold my attention for 4 days here, and therefore it gets the nod. Way to go JT.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Run-DMC's "Christmas In Hollis"

2006-12-20T02:51:32Z

Day 2 of the 5 Days of Mojo

Run-DMC's "Christmas In Hollis"

One of the best modern Christmas songs ever written. Many try to imitate, but none can come close. The hook, the old school flow, and the only song ever to point out the "illness of reindeer". It's a track that should go down in history with the likes of Rudolph, Frosty, and Jingle Bells.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Stars' "What The Snowman Learned About Love"

2006-12-19T04:38:31Z

As I get older Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Where as a kid it was more about presents, as an adult it's now about family. I spend more time trying to find the perfect gifts for my parents, sisters, and sweetheart than I do thinking about what I want, and the closer Christmas gets, the more and more excited I get to go home and see my family. It has gone from a somewhat material day to a peaceful and emotional one, and I look forward to the week I get to spend at home each year more that I look forward to just about anything. There is one thing about Christmas, however, that I have always hated... the music. Carols and standards and blah blah blah. There are very few that have ever stuck with me, and I tend to find most of the songs popular artists release during christmas as soul less. I could go into the origins my deep rooted distaste of holiday music, but that is not what this is about. Over the years I have found a few holiday songs that I enjoy. Even if they aren't about Christmas directly, they are seasonally themed in some way, and they are the things I want to hear while opening presents and playing games with my family. So, my good friends, I give to you The 5 Days Of Mojo! 5 holiday-ish songs to help start a new tradition of music.

Stars' "What The Snowman Learned About Love"

I love this song. In fact, this may be my favorite Stars song. All synth and acoustic guitar and awesome. And yes, I realize that, "snowman" aside, this isn't much of a holiday song. But to me the music invokes pictures of snow covered hills. Trudging through the powder, holding hands. Sitting bundled up by the window watching the white drift from the sky to the ground. This makes me think of winter, and winter makes me think of home, and to me home and Christmas are one in the same. To me, this is a carol at it's best.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

song_a_day_mojo Week 3 Throwdown

2006-12-16T21:11:41Z

View Poll: song_a_day_mojo Throwdown, Week 3

Death Cab For Cutie's "Your Heart Is An Empty Room"

2006-12-15T19:42:45Z

Death Cab For Cutie's "Your Heart Is An Empty Room"

Like many of the wonderful things in my life, I was introduced to Death Cab by my lady, Heidi. She played "We Have The Facts We're Voting Yes" for me right after I moved to LA, and I fell in love with the sound immediately. Like I've said, I like the whiny, visual, rock your self to sleep brand of indie pop, so Death Cab shot to the top of my favorites list very quickly. Damn they can write a song! And damn they can whine! It's great.

The funny thing about Death Cab for me, however, is how long it take for an album to grow on me. I was quickly hooked by "We Have The Facts...", but not impressed by "The Photo Album". Then I started to listen to that more, and the more I listened the more it bonded with me. Same for Transatlantisicm. It's never that I don't like the album, just that I always found myself saying "Well, their last one was better". But then I would listen and listen and something new would click for me. Despite sharing a trademark sound, each of Death Cab's albums is very different, and each displays a progression in their music. "Plans" took the longest for me to get into. I had had the album for a year before it really started to grow on me, but when it did I was hooked.

"Your Heart Is An Empty Room" is the song that brought me back to Plans. It was featured in the trailer for The Science Of Sleep, a movie which I was very excited for this year. I started listening to the song on repeat, which led to listening to the songs around it, and eventually to the whole album. Had I discovered it last year when the album came out it probably would have made my top 10 songs of the year list. Instead it will have to be content to be on the list as one of my most played songs in 2006.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

R.E.M.'s "Driver 8"

2006-12-14T21:28:56Z

R.E.M.'s "Driver 8"

In an earlier post I mentioned that R.E.M. had been one of my favorite bands throughout high school and college. I, of course, knew all their standard radio play songs (Losing My Religion, End Of The World, etc.), but it was the "Automatic For The People" album that really cemented my interest in them. The lyrics and orchestration on that album made it one of my favorites, and it opened up the entire world of R.E.M. to me. I began to work my way backwards through their catalog, and with each album I found new songs and sounds to connect with. I think that my affinity for "alternative, college pop rock" can be directly attributed to the amount of R.E.M. that I listened to in high school.

For sentimental reasons, "Automatic" has always been my favorite R.E.M. album, but I think my favorite individual songs mostly come from their earlier albums. Don't get me wrong, there are a slew of later songs that I love, but there was just something so new about a lot of the old IRS stuff. Even now, after 2 decades of bands have copied and bastardized their sound, there is something fresh about tracks like "Driver 8". The poetry, the guitar lycs, the constant running bass line. It is a brilliantly crafted and infinitely listenable song.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Mylo's "Drop The Pressure"

2006-12-14T06:37:31Z

Mylo's "Drop The Pressure"

During my last two years of high school and first year and a half of college I was pretty into electronic music. I remember telling my parents I was staying at a friends and instead going to some of the big traveling raves that were popular in the late 90's. Skylab, Thunderdome, Zeitgeist. It was like being part of some secret club. You would buy your ticket and get a phone number to call at 7:00. The message at the other end of the number would give you directions to a warehouse of farm, and the rave contained within would go until dawn. I was never into the drug scene at these raves (that phase came later in my life), but I loved the music and the people. At some point, however, the electronic music coming out just seemed to loose it's originality and power, and I moved on to different interests.

One of my roommates is kind of obsessive. He'll find something he likes and completely immerse himself in it until he either gets bored of it or finds something else to draw is attention. His current obsession is electronic music, and his level of commitment to the obsession is such that he went out and bought a full DJ setup so he could learn how to spin. The great thing about having an obsessive roommate is that he likes to share what he is into, and so I get to discover tons of new music, authors, movies, and distractions through him. Since he is into electronic music, I have been exposed to all kinds of new artists and forms that weren't around when I was into the scene 10 years ago. There is still some stuff I don't dig, but there is also a lot of it that reminds me why I liked the genre so much when I was younger.

Mylo is a great example of the things that got me excited about electronic music. The solid beat, pulsing rhythm, and hook that gets locked into your brain for days on end. There is a genuine energy to well produced electronic and dance music that is hard to duplicate in any other format, an energy that borders on euphoric if you really take the time to listen to it. Even though I'm not much of a dancer, it doesn't take a lot to see why so many people spend their saturday nights seeking out the clubs and DJs who spin great electronic and dance music. It is a fun, bold, and careless medium, and while there is a lot of room for error in a type of music build to strongly off of repetition and cycles, there is something about it in the hands of a great musical or DJ that gives it a life of it's own.

It is exciting to hear that something I enjoyed so much when I was younger has seemed to grow up and get better with me. And while I'm not going to replace my current playlists what all electronic music, it is cool that it has made it back into my listening rotation.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Big Country's "In A Big Country"

2006-12-12T21:24:07Z

Big Country's "In A Big Country"

I was looking over an old Myspace time waster survey I had filled out, and one of the questions was "Favorite 80's one hit wonder song". The answer is absolutely "In A Big Country" by Big Country. I remember loving this song with as a kid. It was one of those tracks that stayed with me as I grew up. I don't know if it's the soaring guitar riffs, the perfectly simple vocals and harmonies, or the fact that it's the only song you can legitimately yell "Shaaa!" out while singing. The entire anthem is put together perfectly. Even the lyrics, while still displaying their mandatory "you can do it" 80's message, are poetically visual and skillfully crafted.

"I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert
But I can live and breathe and see the sun in winter time"

Good stuff.

And let us not forget that bonus points should be awarded any time the band name and their only hit song are eponymous.

"SHAAAA!"

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Sufjan Stevens' "The Avalanche"

2006-12-12T00:10:52Z

Sufjan Stevens' "The Avalanche"

There are certain songs that I wish with all my being I could have written. Songs that so perfectly express the sounds and instruments and progressions I hear in my head but am never able to achieve in my own music. Songs that I hear and connect with so fully that I feel it had to have come from me.

The Avalanche is epitome of that song.

Just listening to the introduction defines what I mean when I say "interplay of instruments". Each element an individual sound that perfectly compliments the whole of the sound. The guitars, banjos, and pianos set a lush stage, which is only further accented by Sufjan's delicate vocals and perfectly arranged horn section. The instruments feel as though they were approached more as a symphony than an alternative rock song, beautifully thought out and arranged. Every note is intentional, though it still manages to sound rough and alive. The music creates a depth and texture I think is rare in modern songwriting.

"The Avalanche" was easily my favorite song from last year, even though it was only a b-side from Sufjan's epic Illinoise album. It was first released as an i-Tunes exclusive, then later as a bonus track on the vinyl pressing of Illinoise. This year it was released as the title track on a collection of b-sides from the Illinoise sessions. As much as it surprises me that this was left off of the main album, it makes me happy to see how available the song has been made since the album's release.

Sufjan's music has become some of my absolute favorite over the last few years. From his albums to his live performances, his style as a musician is one that I greatly admire.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

song_a_day_mojo Week 2 Throwdown

2006-12-09T20:21:01Z

View Poll: song_a_day_mojo Throwdown, Week 2

Tom Waits' "Step Right Up" and "Clap Hands"

2006-12-09T03:11:12Z

So it happened. I missed a day. In my defense, it was a day where I spent 15 hours at work without so much as a bathroom break, but still. So to make up for yesterday's absence, I present a two pack from one of my favorite artists of all time. Ladies and gentlemen, I present...

Tom Waits' "Step Right Up" and "Clap Hands"

"Step Right Up" was my introduction to Tom Waits. There was a wonderfully lazy period in my life before I moved to LA where every Saturday was spent with my friends Jeff, Dave, Tim, and Joe playing video games, eating Thunderbird Burgers, and listening to music. Many of the artists I listen to now were discovered in the living room of the 650 house, and it was there that I first heard Wait's iconic growl and bark. I was immediately enthralled by "Step Right Up". The lyrical flow, the perfect rasp of Tom's voice, the vaudeville feel of the whole thing. Every sales pitch you have every heard rolled up into a string the best carnival barker would envy. There was just something about the way Waits presented himself on the album that I had never heard before. There is no doubt that his music could be considered a kind of an acquired taste, often riding the line between brilliance and bizarre, but I was immediately fascinated and couldn't stop listening.

"Clap Hands" was the track that vaulted Waits from a fascination to one of my favorite musicians of all time. The instruments, the vocals, the rhythms. There is something so pure about Wait's music. Songs that come from some dark, drunken alley that you can't help but wander down. Each of his songs creates an atmosphere you can visualize. I have always wanted to write a scene for "Clap Hands", to take its hollow rhythms and choreograph an entire story motivated my it's movements. It is a truly original, haunting, and amazing track.

I remember talking to one of my uncles about John Lennon. He was telling me how fascinated he had become with Lennon's music, and how, even though Lennon wasn't his favorite musician, his music had changed his whole outlook on art. I think that Tom Waits is my John Lennon. He has had a profound effect on me and the way I listen to music.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Ghostface's "Biscuits"

2006-12-06T23:01:15Z

Ghostface's "Biscuits"

I had a totally different song in mind for today, but then I got into the office and started listening to the Wu-Tang. No matter what I listened to afterwords, I had Ghostface's flow stuck in my head, so my listening went from it's normal, whiny, curl up in a ball indie rotation to all Pretty Toney all the time.

I am a huge fan of good sampling. When a producer nails a hook it is electrifying. The beats get the head bobbing while the loops pull you into the song. Ghostface always has mind blowing hooks. Tracks that make you move along with them even without you noticing. They are groves that you feel as much as you hear, and I have absolute an absolute respect for those that can take existing elements and give them a life of their own. "Biscuits" hooks are damn close to perfect, especially when Ghostface lays his flow over them.

The thing about Ghostface that I have always respected is how tight his flow is without sacrificing any of his own character. I have always believed that the best MCs are the ones who know that the flow is as much a compliment to the hook as the hook is to the flow. I feel that Ghostface completely understands this, not trying to overshadow the instruments, but to make them pop even louder with his style and vocal breakdown. Obviously the message is in the lyrics, but he knows that the hooks will further his words if he works with them, not against them. You never feel like he is rapping just to rap, but doing it to create a complete musical experience. The flow, the lyrics, the beat, the hooks, each one spot on in complimenting the other.

Anyone who still thinks hip-hop is not a "musical" art form need only listen to the complexities and skill in "Biscuits" to be proved wrong.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

The Smith's "Stretch Out And Wait"

2006-12-05T21:32:42Z

The Smith's "Stretch Out And Wait"

It is almost impossible for me to choose just one Smith's song to write about. They have been my favorite band since the end of my freshman year of college, and I honestly believe that they will be my favorite band for as long as I can imagine. Over my lifetime I have had several "favorite" bands. Van Halen, Pink Floyd, R.E.M., The Dave Matthews Band... at one point I could truly say each of these was a favorite, but they were all bands I grew out of after a while. Sure, I still love a lot of their music, but to call any of them a favorite now would be a misstatement. I connected very quickly with The Smiths, and have continued to do so throughout my adult life. The combination of their genuine poppy bounce and full on curl in a ball and rock yourself to sleep in the corner misery appeals to me in ways that few other artists can. Only Elliott Smith has come close to speaking to me in the ways that The Smith's music does, but he is the topic of a whole separate section unto himself.

There are hundreds of songs I could have chosen as my first Smiths post. Songs that through meaning, association, and sheer brilliance have taken up a very personal tie with me. Songs that almost anyone could recognize by title alone. But I have chosen a song that is not as frequently celebrated as "William, It Was Really Nothing" or "Girlfriend In A Coma" or "Cemetery Gates". It is a track that, from a band notorious for recycling songs on several albums, only appears on one... and it isn't even a "proper" album (Louder Than Bombs is a compilation). Yet for all it's being overshadowed, "Stretch Out And Wait" contains some of Morrissey's sweetest and most visual lyrics, and a tender genuineness that is hard not to fall in love with. It's instruments are almost symphonic, creating a soft bed for Moz's familiar croon. Paired with "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" and "Asleep", both of which are also found on the final side of Louder Than Bombs, the Smiths have created the perfect trilogy of alternative lullabies.

I guarantee you will hear a lot more Smiths from me. But I figure that this is as good a starting place as any other.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Junior Boys' "In The Morning"

2006-12-04T22:56:30Z

Just to clarify, my Song-A-Day project is designed to be a Monday through Friday endeavor. Saturday's will find the weekly Throwdown poll posted, in which you the reader can voice your opinion as to which of my weekly picks was your favorite. Sunday the theater sits dark. The first week was a lot of fun and I can't wait to keep on going, so with that in mind I proudly present...

Junior Boys' "In The Morning"

There are certain sounds that I am a complete sucker for. Arpegiation in a minor key is a huge one. So are xylophone/vibraphone/bell sounds (both synthesized and real). Add to that rhythmic guitar parts that primarily consist of only 2 notes (I don't know how to describe that any better) and a solid beat that uses breathing and voice as an instrument. My favorite instrumental sound ever is the perfectly played wail of a pedal steel guitar, but that's a damn hard one to pull off.

The pedal steel is the only one fo those that can't be found in "In The Morning". It was as if the Junior Boys said "Hey, what do you think would make that Chris guy totally fucking love our song.", and then they did it.

I was first introduced to Junior Boys by one of my roommates who is big into what he calls "dance music for white people". After one listen to their first album "Last Exit", I was sold. Their new album "So This Is Goodbye" is a serious contender for my best albums of 2006 list, with "In The Morning" leading a charge on my best songs list. They are talented and fun as hell to listen to, embodying all of what is good about electronic music without embracing the cliches.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

song_a_day_mojo Week 1 Throwdown

2006-12-02T18:57:41Z

View Poll: song_a_day_mojo Throwdown, Week 1

Talking Heads' "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)"

2006-12-02T12:44:40Z

Talking Heads' "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)"

I remember my dad telling me that the best written music is one where each instrument has it's own voice. Each instrument is played to it's strengths and weaknesses, with parts that exemplify the sound of that specific instrument. The thing he said that most stuck with me is that each part should be like a little melody. All of the parts could be played separately and maintain their interest and integrity, yet when played together each one's line perfectly compliments the others. That was when I realized how difficult the art of composition was.

Naive Melody is a perfect example of his theory.

Each instrument could play along, even the repetitive bass and guitar lines, and maintain interest. Yet when combined these pieces pull together to form a rich and complex synth pop masterpiece. Each riff is masterfully crafted, pulling it's own weight forward in the song while complimenting all the other notes and patterns present at any given time. the end result is a beautiful tapestry of sounds, rhythms, and voices. It easily goes on my favorite songs of all time list, and is a strong contender, in my mind, for the title of greatest song every written.

The Talking Heads truly seemed to have a gift for understand music. Their compositions, both ridiculously simple and compellingly intricate (often at the same time) display a level of mastery and creativity achieved by few in the music industry . Their catalog contains more unbelievable tracks that I can even name, and every time I put on a Heads record I find I new song I hadn't given due attention to before.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Neutral Milk Hotels "Holland, 1945"

2006-12-01T00:37:52Z

Neutral Milk Hotel's "Holland, 1945"

...2, 1, 2, 3, 4

There's something about a great horn section in a rock song that gets me every time. It's hard to pull off, balancing the abrasive sound of the brass with all of the other instruments, and if done wrong I think it sounds terrible. There are few better examples of the perfect marriage between rock and brass than "Holland, 1945"

It's a song that fits many moods. It all at once happy and angry and ruckus and sentimental. I have played it as often on shitty days as I have on great ones, and it's relevance never seems to wane. It is a song that I am always happy to hear.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Steely Dan's "Peg"

2006-11-30T00:16:51Z

Steely Dan's "Peg"

This is the definition of a "Hell yeah!" song. One of those songs that comes on at a club, or in your car, or over the speakers at a department store, and makes you nod to your self and say "Hell yeah!". From that point on, everything you do has a little bounce. Your walk moves to the beat. Your head nods side to side. Every action you take just has a little more energy. It's hard to be upset when Peg is playing.

I remember loving the sample from Peg when I heard it in De La Soul's "Eye Know" back in the day, though I had no idea where it came from. I searched high and low for it, but could never find it's source. Then one day in a record store Peg came on and I had a "Hell yeah!" moment. I ran to the register to ask what album he was playing. He looked at me with condescending sympathy. This poor poor boy, having a "Hell yeah!" moment and not even knowing it was Steely Dan who was bringing it to him. I bought the record immediately.

I have often wondered who Peg is about. I'm sure that the answer to that is one of those well known pieces of rock and roll trivia, and that just by mentioning my ignorance I am seperating myself from the musical elite. I suppose you can add that to the fact that it took me years to figure out where the De La Soul sample came from, a deduce that just because someone has a passion for music, it doesn't mean thair smart about it... though you'll never get me to admit that in public again.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

The Stone Roses' "I Wanna Be Adored"

2006-11-28T23:40:24Z

The Stone Roses' "I Wanna Be Adored"

I'm not the type of person who can easily identify my favorite song of all time. I tend to get pretty wrapped up by songs, and the answer varies depending on my mood, situation, or taste at any given moment. Obviously, I have a stable of songs that always make the list. Tracks that I tend to gravitate to no matter what is happening in my life. Of all the music I love, I think I can honestly say that "I Wanna Be Adored" has sat at number one more times than any other song.

I had heard "I Wanna Be Adored" many times over the years, but it really wasn't until around 2001 that my love affair with it truly began. I used to frequent the brit pop/indie rock dance night at a bar called the Snake Pit in Denver with several of my close friends. We would sit and drink John Courage and listen to Blur and The Smiths and New Order, and watch all bad white kid dancing that is usually associated with these bands. I am not much of a dancer, but get a few pints into me and I can be convinced. Every single night, it was "I Wanna Be Adored" that convinced me. That familiar bass line would come on (arguably the greatest bass line ever written), and by the time that iconic snare drum hits twice I would be on my feet, dancing badly will all the other kids. This would usually last the rest of the night.

I don't know exactly what it is about this song that so thoroughly engrosses me. The perfect instrumental and vocal interplay. The fact that a melancholy song can be so danceable. Or perhaps the fact that the lyrics speak so perfectly to my deceptively fragile ego. Whatever it is, it has a strong hold on me, and I imagine that it always will.

Be sure to check out what Glenn, Rachael, Niveous, Andy, and Heuristics Inc chose for today.

Paul Simon's "Graceland"

2006-11-27T21:41:08Z

As inspired by Mr. Glenn Case, I have decided to start a Song-A-Day Blog. Glenn is a smart man, and I like attention, so by stealing his idea I can honor his smarts and feed my ego at the same time. (Just like ice cream cake, you get it all in one bite. The fat kids know what I'm talkin' about!) Anyway, please check out his Song-A-Day blog, as well as those of the many talented folks who are jumping on his bandwagon.

I thought it only appropriate to start out with the title track of one of my favorite albums of all time...

Paul Simon's "Graceland"

Graceland was the second CD I ever owned. In fact, I still have the cardboard longbox that it came in. (You know, back in the day before the re-usable plastic security holders.) I bought it for "Call Me Al", but quickly became engulfed by the entire album. I listened to it constantly through high school. It was the first album in my modern life that I can honestly remember listening to all the way through over and over, not skipping tracks, not going back, just enjoying as a whole. At the time it was like nothing I had heard before.

The title track has always stuck with me. The snare fires in, marching you forward. The bass plodding on, making way for the claps, which make way for the guitar. The notes slide in, a combination of sad and hopeful, backed by soft voices. The instruments in the intro forecast a voyage, Simon's vocals come in confirming the instruments. The song itself is a pilgrimage, preaching that the journey is more important than the destination, and you can't help but want to join in. It is the ultimate road trip track.

I had never in my life had any desire to go to see Graceland before. It has now taken on a whole new meaning to me. One day I will pack my car and go, not because Elvis told me to, but because Paul did.

Years later my father would tell me that he heard a lot of Graceland in my music. he would say that every time he listened to this album, it reminded him of songs I had written. I had never thought about it before, and had certainly never strived to sound like Paul Simon, but I suppose it's hard not to subconsciously be influenced by things you surround yourself with. I have certainly surrounded myself with Graceland over the past 15 years.