Mix Tape of the Day: February 24, 2015 - Twitterpated

Spring seems to have hit us early here on the east coast, and it seems as if young love is blossoming all around.  And so, to make a dent in all of those love songs out there, I've decided to celebrate that spring feeling of being "twitterpated."

1. A Teenager in Love - Dion and the Belmonts (1959) The '50s and '60s are prime territory for songs of this nature.  I wanted this mix to be mostly upbeat, but I couldn't skip over this ode to young heartache.

2. I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos (1959) Thanks to Buffy, this song scares me, but with like feelings of love.  So, classic Buffy feelings.

3. Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys (1966) Such optimism, such hope, such innocence.

4. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison (1967) Yeah...this takes me back...to before I was born.

5. Hello, I Love You - The Doors (1968) Sometimes you just fall in love at first sight.  It's rare, but it happens.  That's what twitterpatin' is all about, isn't it?

6. Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer (1997) Now this just makes me want to be a kid again, falling in love for the first time.

7. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5 (2002) Back when Adam Levine wasn't everywhere, he was singing some lovely first love tunes.  Fun Fact! I listened to this song once while standing on someone's corner in the pouring rain.

8. Hands Down - Dashboard Confessional (2003) Written about a magnificent date, this song captures that wonderful feeling well.

9. Everytime We Touch - Cascada (2005) Wow, it seems like this song has been a part of my life for longer than it has.  It is one of my favorite dance songs, and that is high praise coming from me.

10. Here (In Your Arms) - Hellogoodbye (2006) And when you're through dancing, you just want to be near the other person.

11. That's How You Know - Amy Adams (2007) If you weren't a fan of Enchanted by the time this song rolled around, this was the one that got you.  It's presented as being completely ludicrous, but you can't help but want it to be true.

12. I Choose You - Sara Bareilles (2013) One of the other rare Sara Bareilles songs I actually like.  Like all songs on this mix, it's just happy and pleasant.  No need to be super critical or pessimistic.

13. I Think We're Alone Now - The Birthday Massacre (2008) The original is a classic, as is the Tiffany cover, but my money is on this version.  It's just amps up the adrenaline that one associates with new crushes.

Mix Tape of the Day: February 6, 2015 - The Best of 2010

2010 was all about the good, the bad, and the ugly side of love.  I mean, every year is about that.

1. Baby - Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris (2010) These are my thoughts on Justin Bieber: not a fan.  But, for how ridiculous it was when he became big in 2010, I'd have to admit, I found "Baby" to be pretty dope.  Kind of like "Friday," I found myself enjoying it unironically quite a bit.  Even Ludacris's ludicrous rap breakdown doesn't feel wrong to me.  I can groove to this.

2. Mine - Taylor Swift (2010) And here's my annual Taylor Swift pick.  It's odd going back in time with Swift, as things delve back into country territory and hopelessly romantic songs.  But she fulfilled that niche so well!

3. Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars (2010) 2010 has some very choice romantic memories that will forever remain with me.  And scoring those memories is this song.

4. Just a Dream - Nelly (2010) Oh, those glorious four chords!  For a song about dreaming about your exes, it's pretty fun and enjoyable.

5. Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Bublé (2009) Finally, a crooner who is also an unlucky hopeless romantic.  That's just what I needed in 2010.  And every year afterwards.

6. Magic - B.o.B. ft. Rivers Cuomo (2010) Thanks to the 24-Hour Show where this was played every hour on the hour, I can't think of a song that fills me with more happiness than this one.

7. Telephone - Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé (2009) Lady Gaga can do no wrong.  This 2010 was the year I became convinced of that fact.

8. King of Anything - Sara Bareilles (2010) Huh, I'm kind of surprised I like this song.  I'm not a big fan of Bareilles's style, but this one kind of works for me.  I can't stand "Love Song" or "Brave" though.  Sorry.

9. If I Die Young - The Band Perry (2010) Pass the tissues.  Next.

10. Bulletproof - La Roux (2009) I keep confusing this song with "Titanium."

11. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga (2009) This.  It took me a while, and I didn't like it at first, but then I realized that this was Lady Gaga's best song.  And I never looked down on her abilities again.  That "I don't want to be friends!" moment always gives me chills.

12. According to You - Orianthi (2009) Having been the "you," in this song more times than I can count, I was drawn to this one (especially in 2010).

13. Love the Way You Lie - Eminem ft. Rihanna (2010) This was a tough choice.  I love the original composition where the songwriter Skylar Grey just sings the female part.  But I had to include the more famous version.  The back and forth between man and woman in this song is so fraught with emotion (and that video, yeesh) that I had to consider it the best version (as well as the best song of 2010).