My Playlist
1. Never Let You Go
2. Santeria
3. Loser
4. No Rain
5. Steal My Sunshine
6. Semi-Charmed Life
7. The Kids Aren't Alright
8. Every Morning
9. Only Wanna Be With You
10. Run Around
11. What's My Age Again?
12. Mr. Jones
13. Follow You Down
14. Mmmbop
15. 3 AM
My audiotopic playlist consists of pop/rock hits of the 1990s. As a child of the 90s, I grew up listening to these songs on the radio. These particular songs appeal to my idea of an audiotopia because of musical arrangements, catchy choruses, profoundly emotional vocals, or any combination of the three.
The music of the 1990s varied, with the continuation of teen pop through the emergence of grunge, to the rise of alternative bands. The songs that I have chosen for this playlist represent mostly the mainstream pop/rock acts of the decade. The upbeat tunes, regardless of the lyrics, for me summarized the entire decade. Things flourished in the 1990s and this playlist serves as a reminder of better, happier, and freer times.
Artist: Third Eye Blind
Song: Never Let You Go
Song: Never Let You Go
Album: Blue
Record Company: Elektra
Date of Publication: 1999
Catalog number: 62415-2
This song was written for the former girlfriend of the lead singer, as he professes to always stay with her. The song says that maybe they’ll just be friends, but at the end he says that he can’t get rid of her. This song possess a superb guitar riff that immediately catches my attention. In addition to the initial guitar, the song leads into a different sounding guitar that remains in different parts of the song. The singer’s nearly falsetto chorus also sets it apart from other songs and helps it stand out in mind.
Artist: Sublime
Song: Santeria
Album: Sublime
Record Company: MCA
Date of Publication: 1996
Catalog number: GASD-11413
Lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/search.php?what=songs&s=santeria
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYN5w4T_aM
"Santeria" was written about a guy trying to get back at his lover. He is willing to use dark magic or voodoo to take revenge on his former girl. This song is part of my audiotopia because of its catchy rhythm that is very relaxing to me. The beat is up-tempo and the guitar provides a rhythm that makes the entire song sound relaxing.
Artist: Beck
Song: Loser
Album: Mellow Gold
Record Company: DGC
Date of Publication: 1994
Catalog number: DGCD-24634
"Loser" is one of the strange songs that was written without any true meaning. With senseless lyrics that don’t have any real rhyme or reason, Loser was written “accidentally” by Beck. The songs main components area slide guitar riff, a sitar, and the bassline which give the song a weird sound, unlike most other songs. I like the coming together of many different sounds, most notably the sitar, which gives the song an easy feeling sound, and Beck’s flow of words that sound like a slow rap.
Artist: Blind Melon
Song: No Rain
Album: Blind Melon
Record Company: Capitol
Date of Publication: 1992
Catalog number: CDP 596585
"No Rain" was written about one of the band member’s former girlfriends and her struggle with depression. The song fits into my audiotopia because of its unique sound. The acoustic guitar and the snapping rhythm provides a really catchy and upbeat sound that puts me in a good mood. Even though the song is sung about depression, the lead singer’s voice is soothing to me, and in combination with the background instruments, reminds me of summertime
Artist: Len
Song: Steal My Sunshine
Album: You Can't Stop the Bum Rush
Record Company: Work
Date of Publication: 1999
Catalog number: 69528
"Steal My Sunshine" is about troubled teenage love, yet it is sung in an upbeat fashion which downplays the actual meaning. For me, “Steal My Sunshine” perfectly portrays my audiotopia. I hear the beat and the piano looped in the background and I can instantly picture myself on a beach during the summer in Southern California.
Artist: Third Eye Blind
Song: Semi-Charmed Life
Album: Third Eye Blind
Record Company: Elektra
Date of Publication: 1997
Catalog number: 62012-2
"Semi-Charmed Life" contains dark lyrics about a drug user's descent into crystal meth addiction and his implied sexual activities. However, this message is hidden beneath an upbeat melody and a fast, catchy chorus that found its way into mainstream pop culture. This song is part of my audiotopia because of its upbeat guitar playing and its upbeat and very catchy chorus that I can’t help sing along too.
Artist: The Offspring
Song: The Kids Aren't Alright
Album: Americana
Record Company: Columbia
Date of Publication: 1998
Catalog number: COL 491656
"The Kids Aren’t Alright" is a reference to the song “The Kids Are Alright” originally recorded by The Who. The song is about a trip the lead singer took back to his old neighborhood where he remembers all different tragedies and other events that took place. Slightly different from the first tracks of this playlist, The Kids Aren’t Alright fit more into the punk rock category of the 1990s. This song still fits into my audiotopia because of its fast guitar playing and strong drumming that give it an excellent beat. Along with the guitar and drums, the harmonized, and catchy, chorus is very characteristic of pop/rock music from the 90s.
Artist: Sugar Ray
Song: Every Morning
Album: 14:59
Record Company: Atlantic
Date of Publication: 1999
Catalog number: 83151-2
“Every Morning” was written about the lead singer’s troubles with his lover. He doesn’t feel like he can trust her after she’s deceived him so many times in their relationship. This song combines an acoustic guitar background with higher-toned singing. As the song is sung in a high pitch, it seems lighter than most other songs. The guitar provides a good rhythm and the looped sample in the background fits the summery feel to the song which is why it is included in my audiotopia.
Artist: Hootie & The Blowfish
Song: Only Wanna Be With You
Album: Cracked Rear View
Record Company: Atlantic
Date of Publication: 1994
Catalog number: 82613-2
This song is about a man singing about his happy relationship with his special girlfriend. The two most prominent parts of this song that play to my audiotopia are the backing guitars and the lead singer’s vocals. The acoustic guitar provides a great, upbeat rhythm without the heaviness of an electric guitar. The lead singer’s voice is also fantastic as it sounds like he’s not putting any effort into his vocals, but they come out perfectly in tune with the song.
Song: Run Around
Album: four
Record Company: A&M
Date of Publication: 1994
Catalog number: 31454 0265 2
Although the true meaning of this song is not known, it’s believed to be about an argument the lead singer had with a former girlfriend. Also a little different from the previous tracks, Run Around fuses a more country sound with bongo drums and a harmonica. The two elements of the song that fit into my audiotopia are the sound of the lead singer’s voice that has a southern twang to it and the harmonica that is featured prominently in the song that gives the song even more of a country feel.
Song: What's My Age Again
Album: Enema of the State
Record Company: MCA
Date of Publication: 1999
Catalog number: 11950
"What’s My Age Again" is about an extremely immature 23 year old who still behaves like a child and doesn’t want to grow up. Another punk rock song, this song combines loud electric guitars and hard drums that are featured throughout the song. What I like most about this song is the strong melody that is created by the electric guitar and the loud drumming and the switching between a fast and slow pace during the song. The song flawlessly transitions from the hard, punk rock sound to a much more quiet and mellow sound, and then back to the hard rock sound.
Song: Mr. Jones
Album: August and Everything After
Record Company: Geffen
Date of Publication: 1993
Catalog number: DGCD2-25222
Thought to be a reference to the lead singer’s friend, Mr. Jones, “Mr. Jones” is the story of the lead singer’s life. After attending his friend’s father’s concert, the lead singer realizes that he wants to be famous for his music. This song fits into my audiotopia because of its captivating guitar riffs and the guitars sound in contrast to the lead singer’s voice. While the guitar sounds upbeat and happy to me, the lead singer’s voice is lower and more whiny. However because his voice is so good, the whole song works together to become what I see as a quintessential 90s song.
Song: Follow You Down
Album: Congratulations...I'm Sorry
Record Company: A&M
Date of Publication: 1996
Catalog number: 31454 0469 2
"Follow You Down" was written about the lead singer and his lover who he would do almost anything for. At the beginning of the song he claims he’ll follow her anywhere, but “not too far”, but by the end he realizes that he’ll actually follow her wherever she goes to be with her. This song fits into my audiotopia for many of the same reasons the other ones do. The song alternates between slow melodic verses and faster, more catchy choruses that draw in the listener. In addition, the use of the harmonica is a key part of the song which I really enjoy listening to.
Song: Mmmbop
Album: Middle of Nowhere
Record Company: Mercury/ Universal
Date of Publication: 1996
Catalog number: 534615
"Mmmbop" was written about having to hold on to the things that you have in life. People need to remember to hold on to the things in life that matter most to them, no matter what those things are. This song fits into my audiotopia for the great melody and perfectly harmonized voices throughout the song. What really draws me into the song is the chorus in which all three members of the band come together to sing in a doo-wop kind of fashion. It fits together perfectly to produce a memorable sound.
Song: 3 AM
Album: Yourself or Someone Like You
Record Company: Atlantic
Date of Publication: 1996
Catalog number: 92721-2
"3 AM" was written about the lead singer’s mother’s experience with cancer. He wrote this song about his frustration and loneliness during that time in his life. Though not one of the upbeat songs that’s on this list, 3 AM fits into my audiotopia because of its melodic acoustic guitar in the background that provides a great rhythm for the song. The song starts slowly and builds up to its soulful chorus that I feel truly reflects the singer’s feelings toward the song, giving it an authentic feel that fits into my audiotopic playlist.
