Lesson #4: Is any song worth singing if it doesn't help?

i'm tired, boys. i'm weary. yer old pal needs a boost. anyone?

1.wishful thinking-wilco. on a ghost is born (great title). the title of this piece came from this song. but mostly i love this song 'cuz of this:

open your arms as far as they'll go

take off your dress

an embarrassing poem was written when i was alone

in love with you.

i read an interview with tweedy where he said on his new album he wanted to write nice, peaceful songs because he had never written an album that didn't make his wife worry. that's nice. i wish ida thought of that.

2. Tower Song-townes van zandt. and if you don't know the song or if you don't know the artist there is something lacking in your life. just so beautiful it takes your breath away. then it gives it back. a little shallower.

3. Parting of the Sensory- Modest Mouse off of the great "we were dead before the ship even sank". far and away the album of the year. and this is the best song on the album. "Aw fuck it i guess we lost". isaac brocks voice is a thing of beauty. all raw and wild, like a pit bull on a rope leash. one of those guys i have a tough time listening to because he makes me think i may be right about the world. god, i hope i'm not.

4. Goodnight My Love-alex chilton. i love when someone knows how to close an album. the sweetest goodnight i've ever heard. i've always thought of chilton as a less naive johnathan richman. where johnathan really likes people, alex really wants to. i think of my nephews when i hear this song.

5. A Pair of Brown Eyes-the pogues. god damn! can words express how great this song is? no, they can't.

i don't know. listen to the songs, really. as i get older it becomes clearer that music is the only beautiful thing man is capable of. fuck it. i'm tired. i'm weary. i going to sleep. just ...one...more...song....