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first of the month: let's start with a song

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 by alana

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We have a little get together on New Year’s Eve every year where we pretend we’re in London so we can celebrate at 7:00. It started way back when I was pregnant with Rosie and we had a few friends over who were also pregnant and would never make it until midnight. It’s grown a bit since then, so every New Year’s day holds a bit in common with the one before it, that is, I’ve had too much Champagne even though I swore I wouldn’t have any, and I always say goodbye to the last year and hello to the next while I’m doing dishes with Joey. Hooray, hooray, we say. Another year, another load for the dishwasher.
I’ve been thinking about all the things we might talk about for this first of the month. Being the first of the year, we could have some good, deep discussions about goals and resolutions or about our wishes for the year ahead. I woke up this morning trying to write the post in my head, and all those words swam with the champagne, and they never quite came together.
Instead, I stumbled into the kitchen and made a strong cup of coffee. My friend, Alice, had been sleeping on the couch, and she stumbled in too, and we surveyed the solid mass of dishes still undone from the night before. Then Joey (yes, yes, also stumbling a bit) put on a song I haven’t heard in ages, but it was exactly right for that moment. And with that, 2014 began, really.
So, today, for the first of the year, how about a song? I’ll start with the one Joey chose so well, and then, if you like, will you leave a song in the comments? We have plenty of time to talk about big things, but right now, let’s make a playlist to get it all going.
Happy 2014, friends. Another year, another load for the dishwasher! (If the songs keep playing, I don’t mind. I’ll do dishes all day long…)

 
 

Filed Under: 1st of the Month

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Comments

  1. Michael Schneider says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 3:24 am

    Oh, I •like• this idea. Here’s my favorite song of 2013, by a mile. (And I’m hoping the embedding link will work.)
    ~MS

    • Michael Schneider says

      Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 3:25 am

      … but apparently embedding is disabled on your blog, so here you go:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4n_8R5lKnw

      • alana says

        Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:38 am

        Ooh, I like this, Michael!

  2. Maria says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 3:27 am

    Since I am nursing a bit of a Counting Crows obsession, I would have to pick “Round Here/Raining in Baltimore” the tract from the August and Everything After Live at Town Hall album

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:38 am

      That brings back some pretty serious memories 🙂

  3. Sophie says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 3:53 am

    Wonderful idea!!
    My song would be “Prends garde a ta langue” from Zaz. It’s about realizing all the poop that people are trying to have you believe for one reason or another and calling them on it. I find myself doing this a lot more now that I have 2 little girls to love and raise into smart and caring beings.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULq0l_jV-bc

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:40 am

      This is great, Sophie. And I’m so glad you told me what it was about, because my French is not so hot.

  4. Julie says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Perfect timing! I’m currently obsessed with this lovely young woman and her utterly emotional music (been playing her album non-stop). Hanna interviewed her at the radio station, and got me a signed photo. (She’s from Oregon!)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyUoUwf3CI4

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:40 am

      Lovely, Julie- thank you!

  5. Lisa M says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    Maggie Mae has and always will be my very favorite—Rod Stewart rocks! Coming in 2nd would be Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. Am I
    showing my age??? Happy New Year Alana!

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:41 am

      YES! I mean to the songs, not to showing your age. As far as I’m concerned, it just shows good taste. Happy New Year to you, Lisa xo

  6. Lisa Cohen says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    What a great idea! Happy new year! My favorite song to start the year (or any day, since I try to listen to this song at least once a day) is Stardust Universe by Jakob Dylan. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:43 am

      Ah- such a good New Year starting out song!

  7. Hannah says

    Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    … and do what you’ve gotta do … perfect pick Joey! He has a sense, doesn’t he? 🙂
    Happy New Year to all of you. I’m thinking this morning about Big Sur, so how about this one to add to the mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1fGNCvZL_w

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:46 am

      He’s definitely got a sense. I’ve never met anyone who can make a mixtape like him.
      I think I knew this song way back! You Californians and your feel good rock songs (cue Luna- California…)

  8. Jessica Hoffman says

    Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    This got me into the 2014 groove on my first day back to work in the New Year after a great and long Christmas break! And I never heard it before! Thanks, Pandora! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HVkY7iBfmU <–Streetlight by Joshua Radin … Happy New Year!

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:48 am

      Yup, I’m a Pandora convert myself- and Joey always gets frustrated and says “Don’t you want to CHOOSE what you listen to?” But then I’d never hear anything new! This one is great.

  9. Mikaela says

    Friday, January 3, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Here’s a catchy one that’s great for a new beginning – Sarah Slean’s “Set it Free”
    http://youtu.be/1TZYa_0yJeA

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:49 am

      I love all the glitter in this video!

  10. Joëlle says

    Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:37 am

    I know, some people might not love this one as much as I do. But I just rediscovered it this week and it has been playing on repeat ever since! I just love the lyrics, and the little piano at the beginning.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK5YGWS5H84

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:51 am

      You, know I saw Marc Cohn at a little club when I was a teenager, and still to this day it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. I’m with you.

  11. jmp says

    Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    Laura Stevenson – Journey to the Center of the Earth, http://youtu.be/ts22LT-o-c0

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:54 am

      Wow- she’s new to me, and I think it’s great. Tracking down more…

  12. Margo, Thrift at Home says

    Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    ah, what a nice way to start the new year!
    The kids and I have had this on repeat recently for kitchen dancing: the Waterboys, I’m on my way to heaven
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa3a-WE-4ZA

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:57 am

      Oh, it’s been ages since I heard this one. Such a great song.

  13. Candy says

    Monday, January 6, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    My feel-good song right now is “Wherever You Are” from Michael Franti & Spearhead
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZxv08xtKz8

    • alana says

      Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:59 am

      Oh this is great. I think I might need to do a little feel-good January mix with all these.

  14. Ali says

    Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 1:42 am

    I love the idea of celebrating New Year’s at 7pm, “as if you were in London” – sounds like a plan for next year! P.S. I didn’t stay up this time, either!


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