Over the weekend, I went to my first traditional Jewish wedding. Oh, I’d seen a huppa and danced the hora before, but this was my first time hearing all the prayers and blessings, hearing the marriage contract read aloud, and watching the bride and groom go off for a moment of seclusion.

The ceremony was really moving. From my perspective, the wedding welcomed the couple into a global and historical family. The bride and groom performed the same rituals that millions of others had performed before, and so they became part of a massive community that spans both distance and time. Through their marriage, they were welcomed into a new world.

Experiencing that tradition for the first time has made think about the value of doing new things. If you’re ready to walk on the wild side–or at least a different side–then I suggest you Crank That Hit!

(Do something new… after the jump)

(1) “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” by Darius Rucker — So on one level, Darius Rucker releasing a country album is nothing new at all. Tons of faded nineties pop stars have been pulling on cowboy boots recently, and you know what, Jewel? And Jessica Simpson? It’s not working. Especially Jewel.

But then again, Kenny Rogers started out as a psychedelic rocker, and I don’t think any of us would claim The Gambler ain’t pure country. Obviously, the new direction can work for some people.

Based on this single, I’d say it’s working for Darius “Hootie and the Blowfish” Rucker. Lest the Hootie backlash make us forget, he’s got a great, cracked-sob voice, which works well for country emotion. And his songwriting here is solid:

This song is almost in the top ten of Billboard’s country chart. I hope it makes it. I’d be interested to hear more from the Ruckster. (I can call him that, right? I mean, we have met zero times.)

(2) “What’ll I Do” by Janet Jackson – Remember that magical time when Janet Jackson was awesome? You know, before she revealed herself to be just as crazy as the rest of her family, and before she replaced songs with “songs.”

That was the time when Janet was changing the rules of a what a dance-R&B artist can sound like.

For instance, there’s the hard rocking anthem”Black Cat,” which is one of the few metal-influenced number one hits by a woman. And then there’s “What’ll I Do,” her left-field tribute to jangly sixties pop. This was an album track on janet., which I’d say was her last truly great album, and it sill sounds as fresh and exciting as that record’s best singles (“Again,” “If,” “That’s The Way Love Goes.”)

(3) “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and the Shondells – Tommy James and the Shondells kicked off their careers as chipper, sunny popsters. In less than two years, they dropped “Hanky Panky,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” and “Mony Mony” like fun-bombs.

And then in late 1968, the group suddenly became masters of the psychedelic sound. The distance between “Hanky Panky” and “Crimson and Clover,” both number one singles, is kind of astonishing.

I know the Beatles made a similar, brilliant shift, but TJ doesn’t get nearly as much attention. If you like Sgt. Peppers’, then you should treat yourself to “Crimson and Clover” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”

(4) “Walk this Way” by Run-D.M.C. (featuring Aerosmith) – Rock plus rap? In 1986, that was totally something new. And have you listened to this song recently? It’s amazing. If you’re trying to to psych yourself into doing something brave, this could be the adrenaline boost you need.

(5) “New Attitude” by Patti LaBelle — I know this song is a bit on the nose for the theme, but goodness gracious me, can you think of a better inspiration to get out there and do something different with your day? While wearing shoulder pads?