If you ride in the Jetta you might hear...

In the spirit of John Cusack's character in "High Fidelity", I have created a list of my top ten favorite songs of 2004. This list is dedicated to my soul mate in music, Kris. This weekend, he and I decided to make this the endeavor of the week. We only came up with two rules in listing the songs: 1) the actual album that the song is on did not have to be released in 2004, just the single 2) the lyrics to the song must be posted.

Anyone that has been anywhere with me in the Jetta knows that I have, what I like to call, music ADHD. I listen to a million bands and I am constantly switching out albums (reason #376 why I need an iPod) and skipping tracks, etc. It is difficult for me to think of my top ten favorite artists, let alone my top ten favorite albums, and it is almost incomprehensible that I could even try to narrow the plethora of songs that I listen to down to a mere ten. Nonetheless, I am going to try. This, my friends, was a true challenge, and it hurts my heart to leave several of my favorite songs off of this list.

I was lucky enough to catch one of Levi Smith's acoustic sets at The Leaf a few months ago. I immediately enjoyed his style and lyrics. He used to be a local artist, but now resides in Corpus Christi. He often travels, playing in college towns in front of crowds of twenty-somethings. This song is incredible-- beautifully simple and acoustic, and the lyrics get me every time.

#10- Levi Smith "I'd Like to Think So"
You were unexpected, but not unwelcome
'cause you can wake me anytime.
When I stumbled to the door—glad to let you in from
the middle of this winter night.
Into my heart and my apartment—a thought crossed my drowsy mind.
Could it be that these arms were meant to hold her?
Could it be that her head was tailor-made for my shoulder?
Are these fingers designed to be intertwined
while we watch our feelings grow?
I’d like to think so.
I can’t sleep lately, it’s a problem I’ve been having,
so come on over with your charm.
I’ll keep you calm and you can keep me laughing in the middle of the storm.
Here’s my jacket—you can have it.
It’s not as cold when you are warm.
Could it be that these arms were meant to hold her?
Could it be that her head was tailor-made for my shoulder?
Are these fingers designed to be intertwined
while coffee candles glow?
I’d like to think so.
I’m inclined to shy away, but she moves me—without words and without moving.
Could it be that these arms were meant to hold her?
Could it be that her head was tailor-made for my shoulder?
Are these fingers designed to be intertwined
how am I supposed to know?
I’d like to think so.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs...hmm...there really isn't much to say about this band. They are strange, so I, in turn, am strangely attracted to their music. "Maps" is one of their catchier tunes that often gets stuck in my head. I was a huge fan of this song this summer and I still love it; for me, that means something. It stands the test of time in my collection-- time being six months.

#9- Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Maps"
Pack up
I've strayed
Enough
Oh, say say say
Oh, say say say
Oh, say say say
Oh, say say say
Wait! They don't love you like I love you.
Wait! They don't love you like I love you.
Ma-a-a-a-ps, wait!
They don't love you like I love you.
Made off
Don't stray
My kind's your kind
I'll stay the same
Pack up
Don't stray
Oh, say say say
Oh, say say say
Wait! They don't love you like I love you
Wait! They don't love you like I love you
Ma-a-a-aps, wait!
They don't love you like I love you.

When I began listening to Maroon 5 it was the summer of 2003 when "Harder to Breathe" was topping the charts. I immediately loved them, but never invested in their album "Songs About Jane"; that turned out to be a grievous error. There are definitely gems that stick out on the album, "She Will Be Loved" being the main one for me. I love the basic concept behind the lyrics, and loving literature and images that paint pictures, I enjoy their imagery very much. I think we all want a love that we are willing to stand out in the pouring rain for, just to say "hey, come with me and you will be loved."

#8- Maroon 5 "She Will Be Loved"
Queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehowI want more
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved
Tap on my window, knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along
My heart is full and my doors always open
You can come anytime you want
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved
I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all comes back and begs me
to catch her every time she falls
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved.

The first time I heard this song I said "yes"! Edgy, innovative, new style, new sound...I love you Frou Frou! Now, the only problem is deciding what genre of music they fall into. Maybe Frou Frou should form their own genre. This song reminds us to take risks, jump in feet first, because it may be the best decision our lives and if it's not, there is beauty in the breakdown.

#7- Frou Frou "Let Go"
Drink up baby doll
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you
Excuse me too busy you're writing a tragedy
These mess-ups
You bubble-wrap
When you've no idea what you're like
So, let go
Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So, let go
Just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
It gains the more it gives
And then advances with the form
So, honey, back for more
Can't you see that all the stuff's essential?
Such boundless pleasure
We've no time for later
Now you can wait
You roll your eyes
We've twenty seconds to comply
So, let go
Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It's al right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So, let go
Just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown.

I was truly in awe when I first heard Gavin, and more specifically, this song. First off, if you know me you know acoustic singer-songwriters tend to be my favorite genre of music. I guess the genre would be "rock", but give me some guitar, maybe a violin or a cello, and good lyrics, and chances are that artist has won my heart. Gavin won me over in the opening chord of this song and I have never turned back.

#6- Gavin Degraw "Belief"
Belief, makes things real.
Makes things feel, feel alright.
Belief, makes things true.
Things like you, you and I.
Tonight, you arrested my mind.
When you came to my defense.
With a knife in the shape of your mouth,
in the form of your body,
with the wrath of a god.
Oh, you stood by me.
Belief builds from scrath.
Doesn't have to relax, it doesn't need space.
Long live the queen and I'll be the king.
In the colour of grace.
Tonight, you arrested my mind.
When you came to my defense.
With a knife in the shape of your mouth,
in the form of your body,
with the wrath of a god.
Oh, you stood by me, belief.
I'm going to yell it from the rooftops.
I'll wear a sign on my chest.
That's the least I can do, it's the least I can do.
Tonight, you arrested my mind.
When you came to my defense.
With a knife, in the shape of your mouth,
in the form of your body,
with the wrath of a god.
Oh, you stood by me.
And I'll stand by my belief.
Oh, I'll stand by my belief.

This song has a simple rhythm and great lyrics. What can I say, I am a sucker for great lyrics.

#5- Iron & Wine "Such Great Heights"
I am thinking it's a sign
That the freckles in our eyes
Are mirror images and
When we kiss they're perfectly aligned
And I have to speculate
That God himself did make us into
Corresponding shapes like puzzles pieces
From the clay
True, it may seem like a stretch
But it's thoughts like this
That catch my troubled head
When you're away, when I am missing you to death
When you were out there on the road
For several weeks of shows
And when you scan the radio
I hope this song will guide you home
They will see us waving from such great heights
"Come down now," they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away
"Come down now," but we'll stay
I've tried my best to leave
This all on your machine
But the persistent beat
Sounded thin upon listening
That frankly will not fly
You will hear the shrillest highs
And lowest lows with the windows down
When this is guiding you home
They will see us waving from such great heights
"Come down now," they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away
"Come down now," but we'll stay...

I think I must have played this song over 100 times in the first week I got the album. It's terrific driving music, it's super catchy, and the message is universal: love will come through.

#4- Travis "Love Will Come Through"
If I told you a secret
You won't tell a soul
Will you hold it and keep it alive
Cause it's burning a hole
And I can't get to sleep
And I can't live alone in this lie
So look up
Take it away
Don't look da-da-da- down the mountain
If the world isn't turning
Your heart won't return
Anyone, anything, anyhow
So take me don't leave me
Take me don't leave me
Baby, love will come through it's just waiting for you
Well I stand at the crossroads
Of highroads and lowroads
And I got a feeling it's right
If it's real what I'm feeling
There's no makebelieving
The sound of the wings of the flight of a dove
Take it away
Don't look da-da-da down the mountain
If the world isn't turning
Your heart won't return anyone anything anyhow...
So take me don't leave me
Take me don't leave me
Baby, love will come through it's just waiting for you
So look up
Take it away
Don't look da-da-da- down
If the world isn't turning
Your heart won't return anyone anything anyhow...
So take me don't leave me
Take me don't leave me
Baby, love will come through it's just waiting for you
Love will come through
Love will come through
Love will come through

This is another song where the lyrics just get me. The first time I heard it I just let it soak in and the lyrics made me nostaligic, longing for something I can't put my finger on. I love Keane and the music video for this song is awesome. They're a British band; that should say it all!

#3- Keane "Somewhere Only We Know"
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?

Her album is incredible, her voice is ethereal, her lyrics are poetic, and I love Rachael Yamagata. This song is off of her debut album, "Happenstance", which I recommend to everyone. I typically don't like to (or can't because of the music ADHD) listen to an album straight through, but I like every track on this album. In listing "Under My Skin", I really just had to pick one because there are several other songs off of this album I would have liked to have listed. Go buy "Happenstance", you won't be sorry.

#2- "Under My Skin" Rachael Yamagata
I hesitate to say I was bait for you
Could that be something that you all would do?
I'd be lying if I did now say I wasn't intrigued
But timing is everything here, and for the moment the "we" is reprieved
But, as I watch the girl unfold before my eyes, I discover
That I like her
Would you please get out from under my skin?
'Cause I can't begin this yet
And I don't know what my intentions are
They're speaking in a different tongue
And deep inside, I'm not as tough as I seem
But I won't let you know
Until it's right, I'm gonna stay my distance
And you should go
I'm in the dance, and it's a chance
But stay and watch awhile
I'll be singing a tune just for you with a smile
And maybe, if I'm lucky
You'll tip your hat to me, and you'll discover
That you like her
Would you please get out from under my skin?
'Cause I can't begin this yet
And I don't know what my intentions are
They're speaking in a different tongue
And, deep inside, I'm not as tough as I seem
But I won't let you know
Until it's right, I'm gonna stay my distance
And you should go
Crazy as it all plays out
I think I'm lonelier than I've ever been before
'Cause I was so close
To going through that door
But I don't want to be to blame for them
I don't want to be to blame
Oh, would you please get out from under my skin?
'Cause I can't begin this yet
And I don't know what my intentions are
They're speaking in a different tongue
And, deep inside, I'm not as tough as I seem
But I won't let you know
Until it's right, I'm gonna stay my distance, and you should go
Oh, would you please get out
I'm not as strong as I seem, but I won't let you know.

I can't say enough about Damien Rice and how his music has changed my life; I know that seems like an overstatement, but it's not. I can count on one hand how many songs affect me to the point of crying or wanting to-- songs that touch me so deeply that it is hard to convey why. Maybe I attach them to certain incidents in my life, maybe I find the blend of strings, piano, and his voice so heartwrenching that it makes emotions rise to the surface. Either way, his album "O" causes this emotional chemistry within me. This song is from the movie "Closer". I heard the song before I saw the movie, but it fits so perfectly,almost as if it was written for the film. I told several friends that if there was ever a song that could make me instantaneously want to weep, it would be this one.

#1- Damien Rice "The Blower's Daughter"
And so it is
Just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time
And so it is
The shorter story
No love, no glory
No hero in her sky
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes...
And so it is
Just like you said it should be
We'll both forget the breeze
Most of the time
And so it is
The colder water
The blower's daughter
The pupil in denial
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes...
Did I say that I loathe you?
Did I say that I want to
Leave it all behind?
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind...
My mind...my mind...
'Til I find somebody new

I want to thank all of the artists that I listen to. You all produced really top-notch, superb music, but only a select few could make the cut. I want to hand out honorable mention awards to several songs that almost made the elite cut, but just didn't quite hack it:

The Autumns- "The End"
Damien Rice- Cannonball
Snow Patrol- "Run"
Muse- "Time is Running Out"
Jason Mraz- "You and I Both"
Counting Crows- "Accidentally in Love"
Dashboard Confessional- "Vindicated"