go west, life is peaceful there

Sometimes when things are great in my life (like when I get to go to Minneapolis!) things suck so bad in the world. I can't do anything about that but be really bummed out, so instead I will do this, which lovely Lulu sent me ages ago.

Tell your six current favorite songs and say why.

I've been obsessively listening to David Sedaris read his stories on my iPod lately (it's just seemed like the right thing to do), but when I actually listen to a song, it's usually one of these:

1. All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
I have a terrible habit of not listening to albums when I get them. Then as the songs pop up in my iPod on shuffle, I hear them and either say "Very nice." Or skip. Sometimes I said, "Oh my." and play them incessantly on repeat. This is one such song. I just watched them perform it onstage in London for Live 8, actually, and it was fantastic. It's a huge anthem with fantastic lyrics and a hot breakdown. What more can you ask for?

2. Put That Woman First - Jaheim
I love Jaheim's voice. This is a co-opting of the Stax classic "To Be a Lover" (which I first knew as Billy Idol's "Forgot to Be a Lover," full disclosure) updated to note that if his life was much better, he'd have remembered. The best part is when he admits that part of the reason he forgot to be a lover was that his woman busted the headlines of his car in a fight. Jaheim warns to put that woman first, not because it's right, but because she'll leave you if you don't.

3. Oblivious - Aztec Camera
A couple of weeks back I went to an '80s dance party and they played this and I died. There's something almost perfect about this song. It is sunny and happy and magic and great, and has the line, "They call us lonely when we're really just alone." And it is very fun for dancing.

4. Go West - Pet Shop Boys
With "Beauty & the Geek" using "Opportunities" as its theme, I recalled how much I hated that song (and "West End Girls" -- and absolutely despised "Always on My Mind"). It wasn't until "What Have I Done to Deserve This" that I liked them at all (and you can probably thank Dusty Springfield for that). So why do I think I love Pet Shop Boys? This song. Maybe it is because I only found out last week that it was a Village People song (honestly, under a rock), but it has so much feeling and romance, I can't imagine the original is better. PS I always cry.

5. That "You Can't Try to Break My Heart" or whatever song by The Dears
This isn't even on record anywhere yet, but I've heard it live and it stuck with me. Oh, it is so wonderful. If you've seen them recently, I bet they played it, and I hope you loved it, because you should. I can't wait for this album now.

6. Trapped in the Closet Pts 1-5 - R. Kelly
I don't think this is cheating (to list all 5, I mean. Clearly what's happening in the songs is cheating), because they are nothing without each other. It's just ... wow. It's like 20 minutes worth of that "Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-TEE!" bit from the end of "Feeling on Your Booty," that ridiculous and amazing.

Alright then!

I pick Kim, Virgo and Sharyn (who hates these things, but it's better than which pie are you, isn't it?)

PS I know I owe so many emails and such, and I am so so sorry. When I get home on Monday, I will -- well, I will sleep. Tuesday, I catch up on emails.