Another no-brainer: “Driver 8” by R.E.M.

I’ll write about it another day, just know that this is the strangest thing to be posting today. You’ll see prescheduled posts for the next several days while my mind is somewhere else. Love to all of you.

This was a no-brainer. I play this all the damn time in the car or in the house when I’m alone. Y’all know I love R.E.M. and this is “Finest Worksong.” Now, because I’m a superfan, I have six versions of this song including live and remastered issues — BUT what I’m going you to say are the original from 1997’s Document AND the controversial Mutual Drum Horn mix from the Eponymous album (the first greatest hits album). Yes, R.E.M. went and put horns on the track. I like both versions, I really do. I’m posting both, so decide for yourself.

I give you two videos of “Finest Worksong.”

I went back and forth on this one. My desire to be mean and stick to to a couple of people (who deserve it and worse) for anyone who reads my blog to see lost out to someone who truly needs to be forgotten. The people I’m referring to have not been written about previously, so don’t go assuming. I may be a lot of things, but I’m not mean. I’m not cruel.

And so, I give you “President Gas” by the Psychedelic Furs. This song has one of my favorite lines ever, “President Gas on everything but roller skates.”

Summer is great. Not my favorite season, but within it, my favorite month.

I give you “July, July!” by The Decemberists. I love this song. I love this band.

For this challenge I’m going to try not to pick obvious songs, as to maybe surprise and/or introduce you, Dear Reader, to something new. A new artist or song from an older artist.

Today’s challenge had many options. I was going to go with “Lucky One” by Michael Penn, (who is the best) but I absolutely love his duet with his wife, Aimee Mann — the Beatles cover of “Two of Us” from the I am Sam soundtrack.

Here you go.

This challenge is going to be fun.

One of my favorite songs is “(The Angels Wanna Wear) My Red Shoes” by Elvis Costello. It doesn’t get better than this.

P.S. y’all thought I was going to pick “Pretty in Pink,” right?

A couple of times each year, one of my best friends and I do blog challenges. You know her, you love her. I give you the one and only Professor Doctor Hillary.

This time it’s about music, but it’s different than others we’ve done. Tomorrow’s post is about a color in the title of a song.

Here’s what you can expect:

We’re well into the beginning of school. I had a not great dental appointment today. Giant pimple. Kids. House. Stuff.

Tomorrow I’ll tell y’all about a blog challenge I will be doing in September.

Tonight I’m tired, but I want y’all to know I love you, Readers.

In fact —

Lang Leav, once again, is the best