What Your Favorite Disney Dude Says About You #4

Hello Humans. Welcome to edition 4 of What your favorite Disney Dude says about you. My resources are plentiful, and have I got some dudes for you.

Hades

I’ve certainly got something going for me in the hair department

If you like Hades, your favorite female villain is probably Yzma. You’ve got a thing for men of their word, even if it means bad stuff is going to go down. You like blue hair and flames and go to a lot of raves. Class, sass, and weird chins: Hades does it for you. Your favorite Shakespeare play is Macbeth. (Trust me on this one).

Kuzco

You like making an entrance. You would date David Spade. You rock a lot of weird sandals. You like flashy things like summer homes and pools and you don’t care what it takes or who you hurt to get it. You like a project. You’re fine with trying to get a flashy self-centered guy to notice you. Just try to avoid dating f-boys in the future k?

Bernard

OG precious cinnaonmon roll

You know what, I am 0% worried about you. You like adorable creampuffs who are devoted to you in the cutest way possible. Your ideal partner is someone kind-hearted and is willing to face their fears if it means getting to be by your side. Your favorite actor is Sean Astin.

Kocoum

Now remember kids, only you can prevent forest fires.

You go to a lot of music festivals and are still rocking the feather trend years after it’s ok. You like mega serious guys devoted to cultural integrity. Your man is fit from running around the woods and other hobbies involving nature. He probably has never seen a gym. That’s why everyone marvels at his impressive physique and tribal tattoos. You are really into the half-shaved skrillex  hair look on either gender.

(Something I learned during research for this post: the internet loves Kocoum).

 

Pacha 

These hills sing

You enjoy John Goodman films and are just looking for a nice dad for your kids (future kids? Current kids? Either one). You appreciate someone who owns hand carved mahogany and provides your with plenty of alpaca wool. You’re into that folksy peasant look.

Kenai 

Aladdin: 2003 edition

You love bears, and camping. Or maybe you like glamping, I don’t know you do you. You probably also just really like Joaquin Phoenix. You appreciate sibling revelry and someone who is as devoted to their family and their adopted family as they are to you. Your dream vacation is an Alaskan cruise. You pride yourself on how woke you are but maybe you might have to learn you’re not as woke as you think.

Captain Hook

Actual Codfish

You are fabulous and enjoy hats, shaving, and yelling at people named Smee. You have a vendetta against a magical 12 year old. You know what I can’t get behind this unless you’re talking about the new and improved Hook on Disney Soap Opera: Once Upon a Time.

Damn

Yep. Ok.

You’re into tortured souls, Irishmen, accents, perma-stubble, pirates, gratuitous v-necks, and GUY-LINER. (Read in Stefon from SNL’s voice). I don’t have much else to say. This Hook slays me.

Thank you Tumblr. I will see myself out now.

Things I Have Binge-watched This Summer

Tagline: I watched most of these shows because Maddy told me to. Who is Maddy you ask? One of the best humans. Check out her youtube channel here.

Summer is time when teachers like me catch up on curriculum for the next school year, relax, read, and also binge-watch the things we didn’t have time for when we got up at 5:30 and passed out by 9:30 for nine months.

1. Wynonna Earp

This is the show for you if you like the following things: bad-ass ladies, sometimes cheesy effects, clever dialogue, strong black men, old-school cowboys with moustaches, curses, red-head lady cops, LGBT representation, and no killing off of minorities for the sake of it. Basically, if you enjoy Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you will like this show. Fun fact: it is loosely based on a comic book of the same name. It aired on SYFY but I just want you to somehow find a way to watch it so it gets renewed for a second season.

Eugh. That comic is well, something. She’s much more realistic and #relatable on the show.

 

2. Couple-ish

Canada is our lovely and kind neighbor to the north and has always produced quality programming in my opinion. (I grew up watching TVO kids, Pingu, Fred Penner, and the Red Green Show). I’m also 1/4 Canadian so I guess that’s what we would call biased. But that quality programming has continued today on the internet. This show was written and created by Kaitlyn Alexander, a non-binary youtuber also known for acting in the web-series Carmilla. With compelling characters and dynamic acting, this show is a must.

Not even from this show, but these two are #FriendshipGoals 

3. Carmilla

I technically started watching this at the end of the school year. Sometimes you need a treat after getting all your school-related work done.

Based on a Gothic novella by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, this is a Canadian Web-series featuring the plucky nerd protagonist Laura and her ensemble cast of characters. It involves chases, escapes, vampires, magic, true love, miracles. All the good stuff.

 

4. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

My brother Cullen is also responsible for getting me to watch this and making it my new 10/10 would recommend. (Ps. he also has a youtube channel). This show has everything: a catchy theme song, a female protagonist, musical numbers out of nowhere, that guy who plays Hans from Frozen being snarky. (Santino Fontana is a national treasure and we should all cherish him).

The premise of this show is that Rebecca Bunch moves from New York to West Covina California to be near her ex-boyfriend from summer camp in high school. Hilarity ensues. For real though this is a fun show that doesn’t hate its characters. It handles everyone’s emotions and desires in a very valid and real way. Also it doesn’t shy away from letting its good characters make bad choices and suffer the consequences and letting its “bad” characters be shown to be humans too. It also just has really killer songs, like “Settle for Me.”

What Your Favorite Pixar Chick Says About You

It’s time for a new installment here: Pixar Chick Fridays! (Which became Saturday this week because my wifi is a fickle mistress). We’ve already been psychoanalyzing everyone based on male Disney characters, it’s time to trot out the ladies. Why Pixar you ask? The Disney princesses thing has been done to death on the internet. Do a lot of Pixar films fail the Bechdel test? Yes. Which is unfortunate because many of the ladies in these films are pretty compelling.

Jessie

A bright young woman with a beautiful yarn full of hair. 

You’re into strong-willed redheads and lets be honest who isn’t? Also you love that cowgirl look and adventurous spirit. You like your women with sad emotionally nuanced backstories. Additionally you love a good wacky sense of humor.

Honestly, Jessie is the Pixar character I most identify with: gangly weirdo.

When you see your favorite people

Bo Peep

So porcelain and shiny

You go for woman who knows what she wants and reaches out and grabs it. Don’t let the femme pink floof fool you, this is the kind of woman full of confidence, kindness, and some adorable pets. Annie Potts is your favorite part of Ghostbusters and Pretty in Pink.

Princess Atta

The men in this film baffle me.

Your favorite TV shows are Veep and Seinfeld. You like a woman with neuroses and sass. This chick put the dork in adorkable before New Girl was a thing. You go for giant blue eyes that judge your behavior when you mess up. And trust me, you will mess up. Most of all you love ladies in positions of power in a matriarchal society.

Celia

Sushi anyone? 

You like purple and your favorite mythology character is Medusa. You like taking your dates to hard to get into sushi restaurants and love a lady who is impressed by this. You love a good New York accent and a girl who knows what she wants.

Rosie 

I definitely have some stories about my past lives.

You aren’t afraid of a woman who could kill you if she wanted to. You enjoy vaguely goth ladies with legs for days. You enjoy the films of Bonnie Hunt. All of them, even Cheaper by the Dozen, because she’s a classy lady with a great voice. You appreciate a woman who does not suffer fools.

 

ElastiGirl/Helen Parr

 

You like snarky redheads who age into gorgeous auburn haired women with a mom cut. You like women who can handle themselves in any situation that comes their way and do it with both attitude and class. You enjoy Mama Bear types, because do not cross this one when it comes to the people she cares about. Helen is #goals. Always marry Elastigirl.

Violet

Are we having Tony-Loaf?

You go for the seemingly shy wallflower types who are actually full of depth and sarcasm. You own a lot of Sarah Vowell books. Your favorite actress is Aubrey Plaza. You also enjoy women who have a hidden weirdo side. You love Olivia Olson and Marceline the Vampire Queen.

Generic Teen interests 2004 edition.

 

What Your Favorite Disney Dude Says About You Part 3

And we are back Humans! By popular demand! I consulted my sources and have more animated dudes for you to analyze your life choices by. And for those of you that are more interested in those of the female persuasion, I may be cooking up something for you so stay tuned.

Kristoff

Need some ice towed or a fun wedding date? I’m your guy. 

If you like Kristoff you fall into one of three categories: people who follow lumbersexual accounts on Instagram, people who follow the Jonathan Groff’s Bike Helmet account on Instagram, or people who follow both of these Instagram accounts. You like rosy cheeks. You’re into the boy next door mountain man type you can bring to dinner at your parents’ house. You enjoy sarcasm, loyalty, and musical theater. You like a man who’s just as loyal to his pets/buddies as he is to you. You may have watched the Groffsauce and Lin-Manuel Miranda friendship video on youtube more times than should be allowed.

 

Hans 

My sideburns are very deceiving

You fall for false advertising all the time. You still have The Perfect Pancake, Hairdini, and Turbie Towel. You’re also just a sucker for a well coiffed man with deceivingly sincere eyebrows and ginger freckles. Come on Disney why is the ginger evil? You probably just really also like musical theater and watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend so you can see Santino Fontana being not-evil. (Seriously if you haven’t yet, watch that show. It’s on Netflix, you have no choice).

Gaston 

Which way is the gym brah? Cross-fit? 

You date bro-dudes who like to get swole at the gym, do cross-fit, drink brotein shakes, and are super misogynist to you. Your house is covered in empty beer tankards and those stupid bro-tanks with the sides cut open. (Also probably some super deep v-neck tees). You actually enjoy the patriarchy for some reason. You probably look like one of the bimbettes who faint in his presence in the movie. Honey, you need help.

Lumiere

Doing the eyebrow raise like I invented it. 

You like Don Juan types and bisexual candlesticks who turn back into a stereotypical Frenchman by the end of the movie I guess. You’re a foodie and enjoy dinner theater. You spent a summer abroad in Paris and Lumiere reminds you of the men there apparently. Your go-to Halloween costume is French maid. But in the most culturally sensitive way possible because you did study abroad there. You only serve Bordeaux wine at your parties and are an expert wino.

Hercules 

Actual Precious Cinnamon Roll

You were a Classical Studies/Mythology major in college. You’re super into Greek and other types of mythology and you love this movie despite its inaccuracies. You appreciate a man who doesn’t skip leg day but also is utterly devoted to you. Herc is a redhead with nice Greek youth curls and that killer smile that gets you every time. Just throwing this out there but you probably also enjoy the acting style of Andrew Rannells.

Jake (From Rescuers Down Under)

Heart = melted 

You are into the rugged, outdoorsy, hiking, and crocodile wrestling type. Growing up, you watched a lot of shows like Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, Kratt’s Creatures and Steve Erwin: Crocodile Hunter. You’re a sucker for an accent and like the Hemsworths and Hugh Jackman. Your dream job is to work at a zoo. You and your ideal mate both rock those khaki shorts like nobody’s business.

Fix It Felix Jr.

I knock Maxwell’s Silver Hammer out of the park. 

You love a good handyman and watch a lot of HGTV, Property Brothers in particular. You’re looking for someone good-natured, helpful, and willing to help you build your dream home in Napa Valley. You also just really enjoy 30 Rock, Martin Freeman, and fun-sized guys. You probably own a pair of Timberlands.

Oi With the Millennial Bashing Already

Well internet. We did it. We found a new scapegoat in a post-hipster man-bun world.

Humans. Hello. We need to stop categorizing each other and tearing whole generations down. People have as little control over what year they were born in as they do their race or sexual orientation. If I have to read or see one more millennial bashing article (especially a self-hate one written by other millennials) I’m going to eat my snapback hat on artisanal bread with avocado.

Are millennials different than previous generations? Sure. Others have delved into that more eloquently and deeply than I.

Or use Google 

But every generation is different. Each new group of people is unique and should be. If we weren’t continuing to grow and change as humans, that would be a problem. And some of the greatest generations have been enterprising advocates for change. Like the Revolutionary generation, or the WWII generation.

Are some of us maybe spoiled? Yes. Stereotypes exist for a reason after all. I will admit to being addicted to twitter, coffee, and my daily rants about the patriarchy like any good 20-something woman. But I, like others of my generation are more than those things. We are living, breathing humans in this world struggling to make it in this weird changing economic, political and planetary climate.

For every Kardashian and reality TV star wackadoo, I raise you a Taylor Swift, a Hannah Hart, a Tyler Oakley, an Anna Kendrick. These are creative people creating new ways to be hardworking and build your own self-made brand. We don’t live in a world anymore where you can only be successful working at the same company or firm for 50 years as an engineer or a lawyer. (No offense to those very valid career options). But I dub the millennial generation as the rise of the creator, the artist. With so many new places to share and create in this connected world, you can achieve your dreams and share your talents with the world. And even collaborate!

Our role models who are helping pave the way, those at the cusp between Gen X and Gen Y, the Vlogbrothers and Lin-Manuel Mirandas (heck even the Tina Feys who are solid Gen X-ers) of the world, prove that you can build a brand for yourself through perseverance, hard work, and a little bit of the American Dream.

So Humans. Let’s agree to stop tearing each other down when we should be working together inter-generationally to keep making this planet an even better place to live.

Being Irish

“For slavery fled, oh glorious dead, when you fell in the Foggy Dew.”

Being of Irish heritage is a lot like Irish music; it makes you feel simultaneously triumphantly happy and devastatingly sad at the same time. It’s the feeling you have when you are flying through the air during that split second of the Slip Jig where you hold yourself in the air for but a moment and your heart has never felt more free.

The feeling you have when you listen to “Into the Mystic,” by Van Morrison in particular The Swell Season’s live cover version.

It’s because you have to carry lotion with you everywhere year round because your skin was meant to be somewhere it rains all the time, not in the dry midwestern climate. It’s also how you carry sunscreen everywhere in the summertime and try to explain how you got “slightly tan” but all your friends see are more freckles on a pale backdrop. And how you look so pale and ghostlike in the winter that you can see your veins and you startle your cousin when you accidentally end up in the background of her snapchat photo. It’s how the only thing marking you as a person and not a ghost is your dark curly hair.

It’s the smile of your soul when you hear a bit of witty humor or wordplay or a beautifully worded phrase whether spoken or written because at heart all Irish are poets.

It’s in the lovely genes you inherited that make you glad you look so young yet irked when you get carded every time you buy whiskey.

It’s the pang in your heart when you visited Kilmainham Gaol and heard Sinead O’Connor’s version of “The Foggy Dew” over and over in your head and shed a tear for those jailed or killed during the Easter Rising. It’s that same pang which rises and boils up to a fiery rage and you hear “Zombie” by the Cranberries in your head when you see a t-shirt that reads “Ireland 1916.” Or someone casually mentions Orange vs. Green or that Oliver Cromwell was an interesting man and all you see before your eyes are mists of blood and genocide and starving children and your forebears suffering. When you see how much they sacrificed to get here and so you could have the privileges you have.

And you feel for your people every time someone uses a stereotype or you see a leprechaun because they aren’t even that important in Irish mythology. Why don’t more people know about CuChulain and why don’t we read The Tain instead of Beowulf, I love Beowulf but The Tain is still better and it explains my soft spot for cows. And what’s up with all these four leaf clovers masquerading as shamrocks which actually have only three leaves because how else would St. Patrick use one to illustrate the trinity? It’s how your Irish literature professor told you you are not allowed to answer anymore questions because you know too much about the Vikings.

CuChulain

It’s the empathy you feel for the other cultures that come to America and get stereotyped or slandered or encouraged to forget their culture and melt into the melting pot.

It’s that feeling of warmth and comfort you feel the first time you learn to make soda bread with your mother. It’s the smell of the rick dark coffee when you finally get to participate in after dinner coffee and conversation with the adults at family gatherings. It’s the coziness of your Aran knit sweater on a cold night. And it’s when the last words your Grandmother speaks to you are praising what a great cook you have become.

It’s when you are crying while listening to “The Long Journey Home” on the plane home from Ireland partly because you have a sinus infection, but mostly because your heart belongs there and you don’t think you will ever experience anything as painfully beautiful and home-feeling as that country again.

Well, at least that’s what being Irish means to me.

Hold on to your culture. Do not let anyone take it from you, because if you lose it, what do you have left?

11 Fun Facts

Today I bring to you, 11 fun facts of my week. Some of them might not be fun but they are all facts.

1. Everyone should listen to Hamilton. Just do it. You’ll thank me later.

2. It’s practically March so that means it’s time for what my dad refers to as Irish Ramadan. (Cultural appropriation can work sometimes). That’s the best way to describe the celebratory time leading up to St. Patrick’s day on the 17th. Growing up of Irish-American heritage this was like a second holiday season where I was often dancing at various events and parties. Albeit, it’s also during Lent, so it’s not like there was a ton of candy or anything. Just family, friends and fun times. Thus, I find myself taking a break from listening to Hamilton non-stop to listen to The Chieftains, Van Morrison, The Corrs, The Cranberries, Glen Hansard, The Dropkick Murphys, and many others. (We Irish are a prolific and musical folk). I’m particularly into this collab with the Chieftains and Ziggy Marley “Redemption Song.” 

The Corr’s version of Buachaill on Eirne is always a favorite as well. This video I linked translates the Gaelic into English and Spanish. It’s basically about this guy bragging about how awesome it is, yet in Irish it sounds so beautiful. Even the English translation of the last line is very poetic.

And your kiss is no more to me now than a shoe worn for a year

Burn.

3. Along with this time of year, Wack-Arnold’s (McDonald’s for the uninitiated), trots out their Shamrock shakes. Being lactose-intolerant, (which is odd for an Irish person), I cannot partake in the joy of a shake I once thought was made from actual Shamrocks. But Pinterest to the rescue! I found some really great dairy free and vegan Shamrock shake recipes I am definitely going to be trying out this month. Linkity link.

4. In the realm of more recommendations from me, the Liz Lemon-esque unrepentant fangirl, everyone should watch Agent Carter on ABC. The second season just ended and there are rumblings that it won’t get renewed which is awful. (Pro-tip, read this next part in Stefon from SNL’s voice). It has everything: late 1940’s fashion, Marvel, feminism, 2 British people, Chad Michael Murray, and a Joss Whedon-esque musical number.

I am not joking. Look how much fun they are having.

5. Tomorrow is Leap Day. Can we remember that the last Leap Day, four years ago 30 Rock was still on the TV and they aired their Leap Day Williams episode, which was weird, wonderful and I loved it. 30 Rock you are missed but never forgotten.

Happy Leap Day!

6. This week while eating Mild curry thai food I proclaimed that I had the highest spice tolerance in my family. Coming from an Irish family, this is not saying much and is not really a boast.

7. Lentil loaf is good I learned. Delicious even. Perfect for having gone vegetarian for Lent and being on a Student teacher’s budget.

8. Today my brother was trying to think of what Secret Santa is called. Instead he said “Blind Santa Claus.” I honestly think Blind Santa Claus is what I am going to call it from now on.

9. I have been so overstressed with work that I definitely needed the two snow days we had this week. When you get overstressed, you say weird things to the kids like: “Holden Caulfield is not really a woke bae,” “We all need to focus, like a Ford Focus,” and “Today I dressed like an Urban Outfitters ad.”

10. I am in love with this Ham4Ham video featuring all the Kings George from Hamilton lip-synching to the Schuyler Sisters song. Ham4Ham is when people wait to win tickets for the show in a lottery and sometimes the actors come out and do a little performance for them. You may recognize Andrew Rannels who is Elijah from Girls, and Jonathan Groff who plays Christoff in Frozen.

11. This video of Nanci Griffith singing the Irish tune, “Red is the Rose,” with the Chieftains is gold. The “Thank you Chieftains” at the end has become a catch phrase among my siblings and I. Not sure why, just one of those weird phrases you pick up like “the scare-floor will be painted.”

HAMILTON

I am totally obsessed with the Hamilton musical. It’s an addiction. Another blogger explains it perfectly here. The internet loves this musical. Just look at tumblr and Buzzfeed. And listen to the soundtrack, you’ll be listening to those 46 songs for days.

Lin Manuel Miranda you are a musical genius. Here I detail my addiction in the form of poetry.

 

 

ALEXANDER HAMILTON

The Hamilton soundtrack is like crack

the biography like candy

I haven’t been this addicted to something

since The Little Mermaid as a small child

or The Lord of the Rings as a preteen.

I love it more than I ever loved

1776, the former placeholder of my favorite musical

it mirrors though how I used to listen to the

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

soundtrack every day and pour over the lyrics sheet

like I was running out of time

There’s a million things I haven’t done

I’m hopeless

but I’m not throwing away my shot

Listening is easy, breaking this addiction is harder

but should I?

It fuels my nerd fire

it motivates me to get things done

How lucky am I to be alive right now?

I love you Hamilton

you were my first historical crush

(those are a thing)

this musical about you is my milieu

how does a bastard orphan immigrant

become a hero and a scholar?

There’s a million things I haven’t done

This is not a moment, it’s the movement

is anybody there?

Do you see what I see?

We are just like our country, young scrappy and hungry.

Rise up!

The country is older and colder or is it warmer

global warming is real.

We need more people who stand for their ideals

like Hamilton.

There’s a million things we haven’t done

we will never be satisfied.

I will write like I’m running out of time.

Weekly Listens: Holden Caulfield Angst

I’m eight chapters deep into teaching The Catcher in the Rye to high school juniors this week and this has spilled over into the songs I’ve been listening to and thus I made a playlist heavily influenced by New York City (and Hamilton). I think it’s also heavily influenced by my need for spring to come. I’m normally pretty ok with winter, having lived in Michigan my whole life I have to be. And there are plenty of magical things to love about winter. But lately I’ve been longing for warmth. The feeling of the end of winter and the beginning of spring is here. I can sense it. Every season has a feeling and now that February is breezing by, spring will come soon. This time of year also seems to be when I listen to a lot of Vampire Weekend and Beach Boys, particularly the Pet Sounds album.

1. Empire State of Mind, by JAY Z and Alicia Keys.

No NYC themed playlist would be complete without this song. I feel like Holden would enjoy this song. I tried to sing this to my students before we started chapter 8 since that’s when Holden decided to go into the city. Their reaction was Callaghan, why. This song just makes me feel awesome and I wold like to play when I finally get to go to NYC. It’s probably most well known for the misheard lyrics. Liz Lemon’s version is my personal favorite. Also the Adventure Time bacon pancakes mashup version is pretty choice. 

Here’s my favorite real lyric.

I’m the new Sinatra, and, since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yea, they love me everywhere

2. Theme from New York, New York, by Frank Sinatra

Another quintessential NYC song, this one makes you feel like you can accomplish anything. Sinatra was the Jay Z of his day basically. They both swank out a song that is a great ode to the city. One of my most permanent memories of this song is from the end of the Vampire Weekend concert I went to with my cousin. At the end of the show as people were clearing out, this song came on, most likely as a tribute to the band’s New York roots. I mean the album they were touring for was Modern Vampires of the City, so it was fitting. But it just gave me this really happy but sad feeling, because the show was over and it was amazing and I knew I wouldn’t have that feeling of seeing that same show ever again. I get that feeling a lot after shows I really like and enjoy.

If I can make it there
I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you
New York, New York

3. Summer in the City, by Regina Spektor

“Summer in the city, means cleavage, cleavage, cleavage.” Regina isn’t wrong. This melancholy song is definitely part of my hope for spring coming soon. Regina Spektor is great, I just love her anti-folk vibe and unique voice.

4. Always Something There to Remind Me, by Naked Eyes

What does this song have thematically to do with anything? Not much. I guess, unless you compare it to Holden pining for Jane. I just listened to it again for the first time in a long time because it came up on my Pandora and I just remembered how much I love a good 80s synth beat. It brings me back to the summers of 07 and 08 when I worked in a Deli inside a Fruit and Meat market and the radio was always playing a mixture of 80s music and Nickelback.

5. Alexander Hamilton, Original Broadway Cast Recording

I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS MUSICAL’S EXISTENCE. For starters, I am dying to go see it.Lin-Manuel Miranda is very talented and a skilled lyricist. I love the many shout outs and references throughout this soundtrack. This musical is totally my milieu, I love Alexander Hamilton. He was my historical crush. (I was a weird pre-teen/teen). I love giant biographies, just downloaded the Hamilton one by Ron Chernow on audible this musical was based on. 1776 is also my favorite musical and there’s a shoutout/reference to it in this musical and I LOVE IT. JOHN ADAMS IS MY OTHER FAVORITE FOUNDING FATHER.

Hamilton: the musical for nerds, fans of 1776, and fans of Jay Z.

Eyebrows on fleek

In New York you can
Be a new man—
In New York you can
Be a new man—

6. That’s Not Me, by The Beach Boys

“I once had a dream so I packed up and split for the city, I soon found out that my lonely life wasn’t so pretty.” This song follows the theme of going off to the city and trying to make your way. I always am reminded of my trip to Florida last spring and driving to Sanibel Island when I listen to this song.

7. Finger Back, by Vampire Weekend

The beat of this song and the fast paced lyrics are my favorite things. The Romeo-Juliet story of this song is actually based on a true story of an Orthodox girl falling in love with a falafel shop employee. It’s just so real and so America and New York and I love the way Ezra speaks the lyrics in that part of the song. Side note: I love falafel, it’s probably my favorite thing besides avocados.

Sing next year in Jerusalem
You know, the one at W. 103rd and B’way?
Cause this Orthodox girl fell in love with the guy at the falafel shop
And why not?
Should she have averted her eyes and just stared at the laminated poster of the Dome of the Rock?

8. America, by Simon and Garfunkel

No playlist about America and seeking one’s fortune would be complete without this classic. I think of this as the quintessential road trip song. I’ve purposely listened to it on trips even if I’m taking a plane or a train and not a car. I also associate it with road trips as a child and falling asleep in the back seat.

“Kathy”, I said, As we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh,
Michigan seems like a dream to me now.
It took me four days
To hitch-hike from Saginaw.
“I’ve come to look for America.”

9. Obvious Bicycle, by Vampire Weekend

The opener of the Modern Vampires of the City album, there’s always been something beautiful, haunting and sad about this song for me. It has a weird nostalgic feeling to it, even from the first time you hear it. I love the chorus of “Listen, oh,” it’s as if they are invoking the muse and inviting listeners to hear the rest of the album. Ezra has said the narrator of this song is like an old wizened version of the narrators from songs off the other albums. I love that Vampire Weekend albums serve as a sort of Bildungsroman of sorts, or like the progression of Brideshead Revisted. 

So while the sun’s coming out
Cover ground, cover ground
And if you find some love for these clowns
Turn around, turn around
I’ll be half asleep on the floor of a high school gym
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin

10. I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times, by the Beach Boys

No truer words were spoken or sung. I think everyone feels like this at some point. Sometimes despite all the cool and great things going on and how maybe this seems like the best possible time to be alive, there are things about any day and age that make you long for simpler times.

I think what I admire most about the Pet Sounds album is all the pathos in music that seemingly sounds so happy. Which connects them to Vampire Weekend in a way because VW does very similar things with their music. So does Passion Pit come to think of it.

Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can’t find nothin’ I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can’t find nothin’ I can put my heart and soul into)

11. Heroes, by David Bowie

“We can be heroes, just for one day.” But really we can be heroes any day and every day Bowie. He will be King and you, you will be queen. He just wishes you could swim like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim. This song really does make you feel like you can do anything and go anywhere and be anything. The power is yours. Long live Bowie.

Weekly Listens: Valentines Edition

Are these songs all love songs? Not really. Just the songs I’ve been listening to recently and some of them happen to be about love of all different kinds. A lot of them I just particularly love because of the artists who wrote/perform them.  I spent my V-day with a cold and watching movies with my teenage cousins. Not a bad day overall.

1. What about Love? by Heart

80s power ballads are where it’s at man. So many feels man in such an epic format. Also the 80s had so many rad girl bands. Bring it!

What about love?
Don’t you want someone to care about you?
And what about love?
Don’t let it slip away
What about love?
I only want to share it with you
You might need it someday

2. Down 4 So Long by ILoveMakonnen featuring Despot and Ezra Koenig

I heard this on Ezra’s itunes radio show and fell in love. I think I just love Ezra too much. Usually songs with too many people “feat-ing” on it are no, but I really like the verses on this one, Ezra’s guest verse goes all over the place and it’s an enjoyable ride. This song is just too smooth.

“I hate myself, I think Americans are whack, but other countries leave me feeling weird like afternoon naps.”

Ain’t that the truth, Ezra.

3. The Shade, by Metric

This song is more of a summer jam but I’ve been listening to it lately in hopes of warmer times soon I guess? The Groundhog predicted an early spring. But I live in the Midwest so who knows. I just like the feeling of this song. She wants it all. She’s ready to commit. Plus it has a great beat.

With eternal love, the stars above
All there is and ever was
I want it all, I want it all

4. The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out To Get Us! by Sufjan Stevens

Probably one of my favorite Sufjan songs of all time and that is saying a lot because I love him so much and he is the dreamiest. Great lyrics and storytelling as always, Suf gives us a story of childhood friends and childhood love. So simple. So pure.

Thinking outrageously I write in cursive
I hide in my bed with the lights on the floor

5. Unbelievers, by Vampire Weekend

I listen to this song all the time, every time, in all of the times of year. But for some reason I’ve been listening to it the most lately. It’s just one of my most favorite Vampire Weekend songs. Ezra puts so much emotion into the vocals in this one. I also love the mix of Irish instrumentation in this song. It makes me look ahead to March, and St. Patrick’s day on the horizon and celebrating my heritage and spring.

6. Sweet Thing, by David Bowie

The live version of this is bae, to use teen speak. The lyrics are great and I just like how smooth and beautiful it is. Bowie is great. I also love how this song connects with the Candidate song and Sweet Thing reprise on the Diamond Dogs album. I love when songs connect. It needs to happen more.

I’m glad that you’re older than me
Makes me feel important and free
Does that make you smile, isn’t that me?
I’m in your way, and I’ll steal every moment

7. All I Want Is You, Barry Louis Polisar

Song I fell in love with on the Juno soundtrack and is just the cutest weird love song and no one can stop me from loving it.

8. Have I the Right, by Vampire Weekend

This is a cover of the Honeycombs, a British band who originally released this song in 1964. I feel like Vampire Weekend are the perfect group to cover it, since it’s such a fun song and they are a fun band. Ezra’s vocals are the best, as always.

9. There is a Light that Never Goes Out, by the Smiths

Ahh emo Smiths love song but I can’t help it. And it’s on the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack so that makes it extra good. “To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die.” Quote that line to any self-respecting hipster you are crushing on and they are putty in your hands I guess?

10. Piazza New York Catcher, by Belle and Sebastian

This song this song this song. I love it so much, the lyrics, and the folky strumming of the guitar are so choice. I think what I love most about it is it’s simplicity and yet the lyrics are incredibly complex. Lyrics genius that stuff.

Elope with me Ms. Private and we’ll sail around the world
I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl
How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take
How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays
Oh elope with me in private and we’ll set something ablaze
A trail for the devil to erase

11. Sweet Jane, by The Velvet Underground

Probably my favorite Velvet Underground song. This playlist today is just full of all my most favorites. The beat of this song is so great and I love jamming out to it. And the lyrics are my fave. Especially this one: “All the poets studied rules of verse
And those ladies they rolled their eyes.”