This morning, I read Paul Simon’s recent interview in New York magazine, where he talks about staying creative in his seventies, no longer fearing death, and several other things that remind one just how cool he is. Writer Alan Light adds that Simon’s mortality may be balanced by the apparent immortality of the Graceland album and the song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

That made me imagine the year 2230, when choral societies will perform “You Can Call Me Al” and the unfrozen head of Alex Ross will discuss the classical characteristics of the “Sail on, Silver Girl” verse.

And then I mused—while taking a shower—that “Bridge Over Troubled Water” might endure not only because it’s beautiful, but also because it’s simultaneously intimate and vague. The lyrics evoke a feeling of caring for someone, of loving them so much that you would do anything for them, but they never reduce that affection to a specific relationship. Is the song written from one lover to another? A parent to a child? A friend to a friend? It could be about any of those things, and that makes it suit any number of ceremonies and private fantasies in your kitchen while you imagine singing it to someone who lives 1,000 miles away and is having a very hard week. (Ahem. So I’d imagine.)

Then as I got out of the shower—face freshly scrubbed with Checks and Balances face wash—I realized that I’ve always heard “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as a message from one friend to another. Maybe that’s because I heard that Simon wrote it for Art Garfunkel, but whatever the case, I think of it as a loving song but not a romantic one.

And finally I thought about how much I love songs like that. Sometimes, friends can forget to tell each other how much they matter, and songs like this remind us to do it.

With that, I present my top five Songs From Your Best Friend. What do you think of my choices? What would you add to the list?

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Sometimes, a pop song is more than just a delicious sound nugget. Sometimes, its’ a learning tool. I mean, I think anyone who was sentient in 1989 had his or her knowledge of 20th-century history tripled by “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and if you want to know about Belgian painters or the gases of the sun, then you’d better get some They Might Be Giants in your ears.

And then there are songs that teach us to spell. Here are my five favorite spelling moments in pop music. What are yours?

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My friends Dave and Sylvia (who are also my brother-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law) are getting married this weekend. They want their reception to be a mind-blowing Danceateria, and to guarantee groovtastiness, they’ve asked  several of their intimates to be wedding DJs. Each of us will play songs for about an hour.

I’ve got the first slot, which means that after the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance, it’s my job to get the party started.

That is no small responsibility, but I shoulder it gladly.

Working with the bride and groom, and paying careful attention to my fellow DJ’s brilliant playlists, I have crafted a set so booty shaking, so speakerboxxing, that I must share it with you all. No matter where you are this Saturday, take a moment to crank a hit on the following list. Know that somewhere—especially around 8:00 PM California time—a group of revelers will be dancing with you.

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Did you know that Nelly Furtado just released a new single? In Spanish? I just found out today, and I’ve been bobbing my head en Espanol all afternoon.

When I listen to music in a language I don’t speak (which is every language except English and German), I find I have a very different relationship to what I’m hearing. It’s nice sometimes to turn off my language receptors and just respond to a beat or a vocal technique. It often lets ms appreciate songs that, if I knew what they were about, I might dismiss as corny.

After the jump, I’ll drop a few of my favorite foreign-language tracks (including the new Nelly Furtado single), and then I want to hear about yours!

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For a variety of reasons, I’ve spent the last week thinking about obscure songs from the 80s and 90s—more than usual,  I mean—and I’ve been reminded of some tunes that didn’t get nearly enough attention when they were released.

After the jump, I’m going to anoint two singles that should have been more popular. After you read my selections, tell me which hits you think deserved to be bigger.

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You know you’ve got them: Songs and artists that you reach for in a pinch. Maybe you’re searching for something to belt in the shower, and you return to one of your stand-bys. Maybe you’re on a road trip, and the first CD you play is a mix you made seven years ago.

After I tell you what’s in my permanent rotation, I want to hear about yours!

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One of my favorite parts of being a reporter is getting to interview people I respect, and fortunately for me, that happens a lot. I’m usually level-headed about this, but every now and then, I get worked up about meeting someone. When I interviewed Elton John, for instance,  I had to psych myself up, and I’m still giggly about the phone conversation I had with Paul Rudd a few years ago. 

This afternoon, I’m meeting a pair of actors I really respect, but since we’re talking about a play they’re in—and I’m so familiar with the theater world—I’ve pretty much got it together. However, prepping for this story has gotten me thinking about my occasional pre-interview jiiters and what I do to overcome them.

Unsurprisingly, I turn to music, so ater the jump, I’ll share my personal soundtrack for slowing my roll. Once you’ve read mine, tell me yours!

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Two recent singles have forced me to admit that certain artists are better than I thought.

So following President Obama’s lead on the whole Tom Daschle thing, I’m going to admit my mistakes. When it’s time to reevaluate your choices—or the artists on the radio—then Crank These Hits!

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Today was a strange one in my freelance life: I lost a story, gained three more, lost the star of the next Critical Condition video, and then immediately found a great replacement.

To think there was a time when I couldn’t handle sudden change.

Well, to be honest, I kind of still can’t, but my bizarro professional life has been trying to pound that fear out of me for the past four years. Somehow, month after month, I’ve survived (or better), even though there were days I was convinced I’d be living in my friend Kerri’s car. (Kerri, stop driving my living room!)

These are the songs that help me slowly embrace the unexpected. If you’re trying to go with the flow, I say… Crank That Hit!

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Thanksgiving is a time of bounty, and we should be thankful for the cornucopia of great new songs that is currently spilling onto the plastic tablecloth of our hearts.

If you’re looking for five hot jams to liven up your holiday, then crank these hits!

(1) “Heartless” by Kanye West — You guys? I love “Love Lockdown,” but I looove “Heartless.” The insistence of the beat; the simple, pounding rhythm of Kanye’s rap-singing; the guys yelling “Hey!” after every line… it’s all so urgent and dark and exciting. And once again, I’m struck by Kanye’s vulnerability. He may swagger at awards shows, but his music lays down raw feeling. That’s so much more engaging than a generic rap about clubbing.

(2) “Mr. Hurricane” by Beast — Once again, the free iTunes download has done me right. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know about this Canadian band, and that would be sad. I mean, how cool is that gospel choir in the chorus? How sick is the drum loop? This song is perfect for walking down a crowded city street. You hear it, and you feel like an instant ass kicker.

(3) “Cold Shoulder” by Adele

Adele’s from the Duffy/Winehouse/Estelle school of young British woman who sound like throwbacks to the beehive hairdo. Her music is so stylishly cool that it might as well be polished chrome, and “Cold Shoulder” proves why that’s awesome. Because it sounds like it doesn’t have a hair out of place, the song treats heartbreak with cold curiosity, as though the narrator is more fascinated by her pain than controlled by it. That’s some sexy self-possession! 

(4) “Blame Me! Blame Me!” by Anberlin — Clearly, I’m in the mood for high energy music right now, because I love this song’s frantic pace. And like all the songs on Anberlin’s fantastic new album, this one lays guitar and drum noise over a strong melody. You can rock out, but you can also enjoy the pretty hook and lovely singing. Even better, the lyrics are genuinely perceptive, exploring how some couples would rather keep fighting about nothing than discuss what’s actually scaring them. For a pop song, that’s pretty deep. 

(5) “Good With You” by L.P.

 

Do you know why I love this song? Because of the gut-ripping wail L.P. unleashes at :34, like she’s not even trying. Because of the quavering note she sings immediately afterward, on the words “but you.” Because of the stadium-burning chorus, which has so many vocals, guitars, and violins that it’s like a fist in my face. But most of all, I love this song because L.P.’s voice doesn’t sound so great at 2:54. That shit ain’t pitch corrected, y’all, and it’s awesome. She needs to sound messed up because she wants her girlfriend like crazy. That’s a messy way to feel, and a rock song that respects that is a rock song for me.