Perhaps the most meaningful gesture you can make is giving someone a mix CD ... at least that was the case when I was in high school. I’d sit down, open iTunes and, with fiery determination, pour hours into formulating the perfect playlist. Whether it was for my best friend or my crush-of-the-week, nothing mattered more than the playlist. The songs had to have subtle poignancy that could just barely be detected by the recipient. Sometimes, if you were lucky enough, I would write out a detailed explanation of why I chose each, individual track. The order of the songs needed to flow in a logical pattern from the soft ballads to the dancing jams. By the end of my high school career, I had perfected the art of creating mix CDs. Unfortunately, the era of the mix CD seemed to end with my era as a high school student, and I never burned another CD ... until now!

This is my first stab at a “mix CD” in almost four years and this time its for you, the reader. This CD holds songs both old and new that I think are worth sharing. There should be several tunes that you already know, and maybe a few that you don’t! Either way, I hope you enjoy this eclectic mess and appreciate the nostalgic sentiment of receiving a “mix CD.”

Here's the link to the playlist! https://open.spotify.com/user/demurestleaf/playlis...

1. “Run Like Hell” by Pink Floyd

I struggled to pick onlyone Pink Floyd song. This one is off my favorite Pink Floyd album, “The Wall.”

2. “I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li

If you want a spiced up version of this song check out The Magician remix. My family knows how to cut a rug to this one.

3. “Slow Motion” by Third Eye Blind

“Slow Motion” is dark, but I love it. The lyrics remind me of the film “American Beauty.” Both the movie and the song are worth checking out.

4. “The Wire” by HAIM

I saw HAIM live at the Bunbury Music Festival a couple weeks ago. I’d never heard of HAIM before, but as soon as they started playing I was hooked.

5. “Golden Years” by David Bowie

I heard “Golden Years” in “A Knight’s Tale” as a first grader, and I have never forgotten it.

6. “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed

“Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side.” That lyric says it all.

7. “Fake Empire” by The National

The National are the kings of melancholy. "Fake Empire" is evidence of their mastery of melancholy.

8. “Monarchy of Roses” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Who doesn’t love a jammin’ Chili Peppers song!?

9. “Amber” by 311

This tune is too groovy to overlook. It’s up there in my top 10 favorite songs.

10. “Time to Dance” by The Shoes

The music video for this one is out of this world. My favorite actor, Jake Gyllenhaal, is featured. That’s reason enough to watch! (WARNING: the video contains graphic violence.)

11. “Fire” by Jimi Hendrix

You can’t go wrong with any Hendrix song. Bust a move while you listen to “Fire.” I always do …

12. “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys inevitably buzz through my speakers during the summer.

13. “John Allyn Smith Sails” by Okkervil River

An appropriate follow up to “Sloop John B.”

14. “Old Friends” by Simon and Garfunkel

“A time it was, and what a time it was, it was

A time of innocence

A time of confidences

Long ago it must be

I have a photograph

Preserve your memories

They're all that's left you”

Need I say more? Yes, actually, I do need to say more. I could have picked any Simon and Garfunkel song and any one of them would have been perfect. Do I sound biased? Me? Never!

15. “Everybody’s Talkin’” by Harry Nilsson

Just a wonderful tune.

16. “Moondance” by Van Morrison

I snap along to this one every time and if I’m not snapping it’s only because I’m too busy dancing.

17. “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root

Anyone else think of Ice Age when you hear this one? I never tire of hearing “Send Me On My Way.”

18. “Abrasive” by Ratatat

The only instrumental song on the “mix CD,” but Ratatat makes up for the lack of lyrics with killer jams.

19. “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads

I first heard this on a mix CD given to me in high school. Just paying it forward!

20. “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes

Don’t resist! You have to sing along!

21. “This River is Wild” by The Killers

Almost everyone loves The Killers. They have numerous hits that everyone knows, but I think “This River is Wild” deserves some attention.

Maybe the mix CD will make a comeback just like 90s fashion did … fingers crossed!

Here is the Spotify link to the whole playlist, again!

https://open.spotify.com/user/demurestleaf/playlis...