Mix Tape of the Day: January 22, 2015 - Taking a Journey

It's Steve Perry's birthday!  And I've already used "Don't Stop Believing" on a previous mix...  Fortunately, Journey has some other great hits.

1. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey (1983) I fear this one may have been a bit too overplayed on the radio recently, thanks to it's use in the latest Tron film.  But that doesn't mean we should overlook it. (Thanks to Tom Servo's riffing, this song always reminds me of another sci-fi "classic," Space Mutiny.)

2. Feeling That Way - Journey (1978) While Journey existed throughout the 1970s, they didn't become "Journey" until Steve Perry joined the group in 1977, taking over as lead singer.  He is such a powerful driving force behind the band, that his voice be forever linked with the sound and feel of Journey.  Although this isn't one of their most familiar standards, this is clearly a great early entry for the band.

3. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - Journey (1979) Na na na na na na na na na na na.  Sheer poetry.

4. Just the Same Way - Journey (1979) More classic Journey, before we break into the big guns.

5. Open Arms - Journey (1981) I was introduced to this song by a great friend who I once loved, so of course this song has held a special place in my heart (as I'm sure it has many people over the years).

6. Stone in Love - Journey (1981) Escape was the Journey album to own.  "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Open Arms"?  Pretty great one-two punch.  But don't forget the rest of the album.  "Stone in Love" fits right alongside those two greats.

7. Chain Reaction - Journey (1983) Like "Stone in Love," this one may be overshadowed by the two big hits from the Frontiers album, but it delivers.

8. Faithfully - Journey (1983) If you're going to pick a Journey love ballad, might as well go with this personal cut, which any musician in a popular rock'n'roll band can identify with.

9. Oh Sherrie - Steve Perry (1984) For a few years, Steve Perry took a break from Journey to work on a solo career.  While it wasn't as successful as Journey, it did produce some songs that later became adopted by Journey because they were just as good.  "Oh Sherrie" is the best known of these efforts.

10. Be Good to Yourself - Journey (1986) Perry returned to the band and wrote this song, based on his mantra of enjoying life and making it amazing.  While Journey would continue to produce music well into the 21st century, this was probably the last of those classic numbers.  It's like every Journey hit rolled into one.

11. You Better Wait - Steve Perry (1994) Perry took another break in the '90s and I just really liked this song and his great '90s hairstyle.

12. Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast (2009) Okay, I had to get this song on here.  And I have no qualms about using the Glee version.  This was not only the song that kicked off the show (which was legitimately entertaining during its first season), but it was part of the big Journey resurgence of the latter '00s. And this cover is awesome, despite what your instincts may want you to believe. (And I love how the band's library became a recurring motif of the show, leading to the joke, "We aren't thinking hard enough! There has to be a Journey song we haven't covered yet!")

13. Any Way You Want It - Journey (1980) Thanks to Caddyshack (and the Caddyshack-themed Simpsons episode), I will forever associate this song with random parties and endings that don't have to make sense.

Mix Tape of the Day: January 2, 2015 - The Day After New Year's Day

Around the world, many cultures celebrate "the Day After New Year's Day."  Except for those countries where Carnivals are occurring, the standard traditions involve making this New Year's Day, Part 2.  But instead of focusing on new beginnings for yourself, you visit with friends (generally out at a pub or restaurant) to wish them well in the new year.  So, I took that idea of the first night out with friends, capturing the fun and danger that comes with having a party so soon after making New Year's Resolutions.

1. Modest Mouth - Neil Cicierega (2014) I debated between starting this set with "Float On" or "All Star" but thankfully, Mr. Cicierega has got us covered.  Mouth Sounds was one of my favorite creations last year, and I feel this particular mashup sets the mood just right.  Silly fun and a lighthearted laid back attitude.  How else would you want to spend a night with friends?

2. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey (1981) I'm aiming for a general night out soundtrack that also inspires the usual New Years attitude, so I figured I have to go with the classic '80s staple.  Hopefully we can hold on to this feeling all year long!

3. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (1986) Originally, I was hoping to play with the duality of the joy and fear that follows New Years Day for this whole mix and I leaned toward upbeat songs with melancholy subject matter.  Those that worked well with the other songs remained on the list and I felt there was no better way to follow "Don't Stop Believin'" than with this secretly depressing jaunt.  I'm all about playing with emotions subliminally.

4. What's Up? - 4 Non Blondes (1993) And then sometimes, you just need to ignore the subject matter and go back to singing unapologetically.

5. That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings (2008) It was then I decided to move into more modern, indie territory.  This may not be indicative of your best night out, but if this song comes on, you know I'm going to stop everything and dance.

6. Kids - MGMT (2008) Yep.  No regrets.

7. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People (2010) When I hear "Kids," I always want to follow it with this song.  I don't know why.  They just go together in my mind.  And, once again, upbeat depressing music is the name of the game.

8. Last Nite - The Strokes (2001) It feels so wrong including this song.  But also so right.

9. Piano Man - Billy Joel (1973) We now enter the quieter (but still fun) portion of the evening.  So of course we need to feature the Piano Man himself.  I wasn't expecting to feature this song so early in the year, but hey, we always need the Piano Man.

10. Who Knows Who Cares - Local Natives (2009) At this point, I just wanted a chill song that reminded you of the fun of hanging out with friends without having to go through all the energy of shouting and dancing.  I found this to be pleasantly charming and calming.

11. Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve (1997) I don't have to explain this choice to you.

12. Wish You Well - Katie Herzig (2008) I wanted at least one song to represent the "well wishes for the new year" element of today, and all songs about that subject also involve saying goodbye to a loved one.  So, I went with the most beautiful one.  Think of it as an introspective moment before you leave the bar, one last chance to see a beloved friend before the year takes them down a different path.

13. Hey Jude - The Beatles (1968) One final pick-me-up, sing-along before the group leaves the bar for the night.  Sure, we are saying goodbye to the old year, but as always, tomorrow is another year.