No Eminem Links Here

OK, so this isn't going to become a habit or anything, but I am posting some mp3s online. This election year is such an ordeal, and so overwhelming, I sort of got to thinking about a soundtrack. Originally I just intended to post two songs (including the David Bowie song below), but I kept on looking through my collection, seeing songs that were appropriate. Since the mp3 blogs are clogged with rememberences of John Peel, links to Eminem's anti-Bush video, and Halloween tracks, I've taken it upon myself to foist an election soundtrack on my unsuspecting public. All four of you.

David Bowie: "Somebody Up There Likes Me"

This song always reminded me specifically of Clinton at his most beatific, but it can be applied most generally to any politician doing everything (s)he can to be elected into office. It sort of prefigures the shallowness of the modern electoral system:

Was a way when we were young, that
Any man was judged by what he'd done
But now you pick them on the screen
(What they look like) Where they've been

Okay, so "prefigure" is sort of a strong word. It's an awesome song, though. It's off the Young Americans album, and has a sort of spacey Philly International vibe, with Luther Vandross providing stellar back-up vocals.

Pussy 2000: "It's Gonna Be Alright (Original 2001 Mix)"

This is esentially a mash-up from 2001 of Sterling Void's "It's Alright" (a song the Pet Shop Boys had previously covered) and The Clash's "Rock the Casbah". It's not perfect, but it was sort of a post-9/11 dancefloor anthem (particularly effective if you recognized the source material), and the sentiment is reassuring. Now more than ever.

I'll be posting more until November 2. The links are temporary, natch, and I would kindly appreciate it if you don't rat me out to the RIAA.

Next up: LaBelle and John Cale!

"I'm Cornjob Feinstein, and I approved this message."