What’s on YOUR iPod?

Hey guys, long time no post.  I’m planning on putting up my iTunes columns sometime this week or next, so be on the lookout for those.

I just got a new iPod, a review is forthcoming.  Again, be on the lookout for that.

And on that note, I got an idea while listening to my new iPod: What’s on the regular Joe’s iPod?  We have all these great playlists from celebrities like Michael Cera on iTunes, but what about the guys like you or me (since Apple ain’t looking toward the blogosphere for celebrities to make their playlists anytime soon…)?

So here’s the criteria: 25 songs and 10 albums that you couldn’t live without on your iPod.  So, to kick things off, here’s my list:

Albums:

1. Heart – Heart (1985).  Greatest album ever.  Nuff said.
2. Anne Murray – A Little Good News (1983).  One of the best singers period, Canadian or otherwise.
3. Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert – Lifeline Extended (2006).  One of the best live albums to ever grace CD, cassette or iPod.
4. Genesis – We Can’t Dance (1991).  I absolutely LOVE this album by Genesis.
5. Linda Ronstadt feat. Aaron Neville – Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind (1989).  Linda Ronstadt’s pop return, and ome of my absolute favourite albums period.
6. Phil Collins – No Jacket Required.  I had a tape of this that I wore out (literally).  My favorites are Don’t Lose My Number, Sussudio and Inside Out.
7. Peter, Paul, and Mary – No Easy Walk to Freedom.  Songs of conscience, along with PP&M’s comeback!  What could be any better?
8. Bonnie Raitt – Luck of the Draw.  Bonnie Raitt’s very best, by far.
9. Heart – Alive in Seattle (2003).  Another fantastic live album from the best live band around.

Songs:

1. Linda Ronstadt: When I Grow Too Old To Dream – Off her Living In The U.S.A. album, she performed this ditty when she guest-starred on The Muppet Show alongside Kermit, who’d been locked in with Gonzo’s mold collection almost the entire show.  Still puts a chill up my spine every time I listen.
2. Bette Midler: From A Distance – Off her Some People’s Lives album, Bette Midler is truly and utterly in her element here, and from a distance, all seems calm, even today.
3. John Fogerty: Gunslinger – Off his Revival album, John Fogerty calls for someone to upset the balance of power.  Boy, did he get what he wished for (and we all benefited).
4. Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind – Off her For The Roses album, this just so happens to be one of my all-time favorites.
5. Bonnie Raitt: Not The Only One – Off her Luck of the Draw album, Bonnie Raitt knows that she isn’t the only lonely one.
6. Bruce Springsteen: Magic – Off his recent album of the same name, Bruce warns us of what will be when we believe the words of a press “magician”.
7. Jimmy Buffett: They Don’t Dance Like Carmen No More – Off A White Sportcoat and a Pink Crustacean, Jimmy Buffett wistfully recalls Carmen Miranda’s reign on the movie screen…
8. Linda Ronstadt: Different Drum – from Linda Ronstadt’s stint with her short-lived backup band, The Stone Poneys, this song evokes rebelliousness.
9. Los Lobos: La Bamba – from Just Another Band from East LA, this is one of those Spanish-language standards that gets an updated twist.
10. Martina McBride: Anyway – a recent single, Martina McBride (whom I first heard singing the end theme from A Muppet Christmas Carol) kicks it up several notches in the country music realm.
11. Mary Chapin Carpenter: Passionate Kisses – From Come On Come On, this was originally a Lucinda Williams song (!), and Mary Chapin Carpenter (despite what she says) gives it a country twist.
12. Olivia Newton-John: Physical – From, well, Physical, Olivia Newton-John sings about physical contact with the opposite sex with a very upbeat tempo.  Unfortunately, several people got things mixed up because Olivia (being the sexy woman she was back then) dressed up in a fashionable exercise outfit…
13. Pat Benatar: Helter Skelter – From Precious Time, Pat Benatar does her rockin’ Beatles cover.
14. Paula Abdul: Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow – A rather recent Paula single, she brings the pop again due to her exposure-grabbing stint as a judge on American Idol.
15. Peter, Paul & Mary: Light One Candle – From No Easy Walk to Freedom, this song of conscience, disguised as a song about the Hanukkah story, rings true even today.
16. Phil Collins: Inside Out – From No Jacket Required, this is easily one of my favorites.
17. REO Speedwagon: Ridin’ The Storm Out – From Ridin’ The Storm Out, this seems to be a fixture at Brevard College women’s basketball games.
18. Poison: Talk Dirty to Me – This song was featured on Guitar Hero 3, which is how I managed to get into this song.
19. Ray Parker Junior: Ghostbusters – Who DOESN’T love this song??
20. Pretenders: I’ll Stand By You – From Last of the Independents, this song should be the anthem of all faithful men and women.
21. Reba McEntire: The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia – Originated by Vicki Lawrence, Reba took this song to a whole other level, and with the music video, explained the song’s complicated imagery quite well (a rarity for music videos of the time).
22. Sal: Devil May Care – The theme song for the Devil May Care audiobook in the UK, it’s one heck of a good song (and I do believe you can still download the song from MySpace, but if not, go to the band’s offical website, http://www.saltheband.co.uk/).
23. Steve Goodman: Go Cubs Go – The Chicago Cubs theme song these days (always is played upon every Cubs victory), what a great song!
24. Van Halen: When It’s Love – How do you NOT mention one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever?
25. The Who: Baba O’Riley – Contrary to popular belief, it’s NOT called “Teenage Wasteland”.  From Who’s Next, one of The Who’s most popular songs ever, and just got put up on the Rock Band store for download this summer.

So, I hear you wondering, “How do I send MY list in?  This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”  Well, here’s how you do it:

1. Send me an email, supermacgeek@gmail.com with the subject line “What’s On My iPod” (without the quotes preferrably)
2. Give me a list of 10 albums and 25 songs you absolutely cannot live without on your iPod with a brief description along with your name so I can credit you (both in the title and in the actual post).

I’ll post them when I can (and when I get usable lists)!