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KSanders writesTop 10 Stevie Nicks Deep Cuts
wiritten by Kyle Sanders
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that "time makes you bolder." And Stevie Nicks is getting older, too. Yes, this year the Gold Dust Woman turned 70 on May 26th, and as a musician "taken by the wind" she seems to show no signs of slowing down.
The band that made her a household name, Fleetwood Mac, is about to embark on another tour (albeit sans guitarist Lindsey Buckingham), and earlier this year she and her band mates received the MusiCares "Person of the Year" award. Nicks even became "meme-worthy" when her song "Dreams" was included on a meme that went viral.
Looking back on her forty-five years in the music industry, Nicks has proven herself a fashion icon, a musical influence for aspiring female musicians, and one of rock's most celebrated songwriters. She's responsible for such enduring hits like "Rhiannon," "Landslide," "Dreams," "Gold Dust Woman," "Edge of Seventeen," and "Stand Back," but she has also written many other songs that are as valuable as any of those other classic rock mainstays.
In honor of her 70th birthday, here's a list of Stevie Nicks deep cuts (listed in chronological order):
"Crystal" (Buckingham Nicks, 1973/Fleetwood Mac, 1975/Practical Magic, 1998)
The only Nicks-penned tune with ex-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham on lead vocals, "Crystal" has popped up multiple times throughout Stevie's career, first introduced on the Buckingham Nicks LP, then as a track on the duo's debut with Fleetwood Mac in 1975.
Almost a bookend to Nicks' classic "Landslide," the lyrics showcase a theme of reflection and emotional growth: "How the faces of love have changed turning the pages / And I have changed, oh but you, you remain ageless..."
Nicks would ultimately dust off this song some twenty years later, as a contribution to the Practical Magic soundtrack, this time with her own weathered voice as lead.
Pat Mac writesTop Five Songs I Want Played at My Funeral
by Patrick McMahon
Death, despite all the advances of modern witchcraft and wizardry, remains undefeated. It endures as one of the few certainties in life, on par only with taxes and people getting uncomfortable when you talk to them about death. It comes for us all, so we may as well prepare accordingly.
Setting aside the fun stuff, like completing a last will and testament or picking out your pine box, make sure to prioritize the funeral playlist. Your funeral will be the last party you attend and you have full creative control on the soundtrack. Music sets the mood. Music can take an otherwise sad event and temporarily inject joy and lightness into even the heaviest and most somber room.
I've attended (too many) funerals, and without fail the music is a bummer. If you play sad music at a sad party, people are gonna cry. The goal of my festivities will be to keep tears to a minimum, and happy music seems like the best way to ensure success. The other consideration is to pick songs that attendees won't often have to hear; if your happy songs take on an unintended sad-by-association connotation, you want to avoid one that randomly pops up on the radio to ruin someone's day.
With that, the top 5 songs I want played at my funeral:
"When I'm Dead and Gone" by McGuiness Flint
The debut single from English group McGuinness Flint serves as the guiding light for this audio mood board. Mandolin and kazoo, two instruments incapable of sadness, are heavily featured. Vocalist Graham Lyle pleads that when he's dead and gone, nobody mourn beside his grave. We should all be so lucky.
Lily writesNine Songs For Your Break-Up Mixtape
by Lily Wellen
For some people, Valentine’s Day being around the corner is a reminder that things are not going so well with their sweetheart. Maybe it’s time to let go and move on from your partner. Have no fear, we have the tunes to help you out and make this all a little bit easier for you. Here’s your Break Up mixtape to help you get over your new ex:
"Dancing On My Own" by Robyn
Your former significant other in a new relationship? Well, it’s not ideal, but you can take your mind off of it by dancing to this catchy tune. Spin around circles, belt this out and show that you don’t care anymore.
Lily writesSix Songs to Play For Your “Gal-entine’s Day”
by Lily Wellen
Valentine’s Day has always been a silly holiday for me. It is supposed to be a day for showing love to your significant other, which to be honest I don't have usually. However, Parks and Recreation soon came into my life and shed some light. When I found out about their invented holiday, “Galentine’s Day,” all of this made sense to me. This holiday shouldn’t be exclusive to the significant others, it should be about celebrating anyone you love in your life in this case specifically your gal pals. Because of this, I decided to put together a list of songs to celebrate the lovely women in your life. Head to brunch, maybe even at JJ’s Diner, and press play on these songs.
“Woman” by Kesha
How do you not feel empowered after hearing this tune? She discusses the strength and power women have on their own and with each other. And, she makes you feel like you are a complete badass. It is the perfect anthem to celebrate ladies in our lives.
Eddie writesOh, So Cold Up North: 5 Songs To Help You Endure This Arctic Winter
by Eddie Sayago
We have just survived a long period of subarctic weather and for that, we are rewarded with a couple of rainy days with temps above 50 degrees. (It was 58 degrees at the time this very sentence about our short winter weather break was written.) And not only do we get winter weather again, but more snow is coming! And the storms have names now. Yippee!
Here are five songs about the cold to accompany you while are walking (in layers) in this winter wonderland. Stay warm!
“Cold Weather Blues” by Muddy Waters [from Folk Singer (1964, Chess Records)]
The opening (oh man, that guitar) 15 seconds is possibly the best way to step outside into this Chicago winter. Its early morning, still dark. Snow is falling onto your head. You can see your breath even though your mouth and nose is covered under a wool scarf. Recorded at Tel Mar Studios in the South Loop, this track includes Buddy Guy strumming on the guitar that sets the mood for the dark wintry day. Oh man, that guitar.