I found another track list in the same journal. So I'm back for more of the same.
This mix tape was also to that first love (Marie) but a few years later. Our relationship at this point (I am estimating this was the spring of 2000) had run the gamut - together, broken up, in between, friends (kinda), back-together, broken-up, wistfully broken up but still friends, etc., etc.
This found track list was in a rough draft of a letter explaining the tracks. It's incomplete and I am not sure if this ended up being a CD or tape. I was unsure what was more convenient for Marie at the time. I thought about giving Youtube links but they will eventually just expire, so just copy and paste them and take the two seconds. I promise you, some of these songs are awesome. Especially if you just been through a heart-break.
1. Paul Simon - I am Rock
2. The Apples in Stereo - You Said That Last Night
3. Ben Folds Five - Emaline
4. Radiohead - Black Star
5. Beatles - For No One
6. Spoon - Car Radio
7. Sloan - Bells On
8. Coward - unspecified
*Track 8 was probably Coward's "I'm Alright".
I must have felt this was a "desperate times call for desperate measures" time.
It was pathetic and ballsy all at the same time. It's equal parts sadness and defiance. I was also sending her the not-so-subtle hint, "I'd take you back in a heart-beat". If any track sums it all up, it's the Beatles "For No One" from Revolver. A great track that I had actually kinda forgotten about (Paul forgive me!). Another highlight is Radiohead's "Black Star" - crazy good song from a crazy good album.
The only track that isn't themed is the Spoon track (off the under-rated "A Series of Sneaks"), which was purposefully placed to give her some much needed lift after "For No One" and then, the slow and sleepy, "Bells On" from Sloan (from "Twice Removed" another excellent 90's under-rated album in the US - but not in Canada). I think I could have found a more fitting song but I adored that song, so that could explain it.
The Ben Folds track was very meaningful to me at the time. It described how I felt at the time to a tee (with some minor lyrical issues that were very specific to the song and not my life). Still a great track to this day.
If you haven't heard of Coward it's because they were FOW/Weezer type band that bombed. Still that CD is a wonderful, cheesy guilty pleasure. It's S/T - pick it up if you enjoy "Power Pop". That particular song would make for a great stopping point for a short tape or CD or the end of side A
Looking back, if there was a Side B, I don't know where I would have gone from there. The only logically place would be straight-up love songs. I don't remember what the final product was and it's even likely my rough draft changed a bit (but most definitely made it).
I have vague memories of eventually sending a CD instead of a tape but maybe that was yet ANOTHER mix-tape/CD. I remember I made a cover featuring this famous Van Gogh. Maybe it was another Van Gogh but this was what sprang to mind first.
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At the time we were living in separate cities so I sent some version of this sucker off in the mail to her. I have no recollection of how she responded, although I do know she listened to it (at least once). Time went by and....
It actually worked! The tape or CD worked!
It kept me fresh in Marie's mind and gave me a puncher's chance at getting her back. During December of 2000, we almost got back together (well, at least for one night). Maybe I'm giving this tape/CD too much credit....but so what? Just let me just live with the idea that it changed everything. Some of this is briefly recounted at the end of this blog. Mix-tapes and CD's are a lost art but they make for some great memories.
I doubt I will find another track list of a mix CD or tape but you never know.....plus if I get really bored I still have a box of tapes I could listen to and find more treasures from the 90's. Until that day, make your own mix today and go ahead, burn a copy and give it to your lover.
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