All Mixed Up 01.05.09: New Years Resolution Songs
Posted by Tom Santoro on 01.05.2009
Say you got a resolution? Well yeah; we all want to change the world
Each year people around the world use the opportunity of a new year to try to make changes about themselves. It is a tradition that is full of hopeful improvement but more than likely people will be unable to commit to these changes. Whether it be that you want to shave a few pounds off of your tummy or save some money, they are all things people should be doing but don't. So here is a list of songs about common resolutions to help you stay focused at least for another day.
Track 1: Death Cab For Cutie "The New Year"
You need a good opener that sums up your subject in general and this one does the trick. The song starts off with the lyric "So this is the new year/and I don't feel any different." The song represents the hope that the slate will be wiped clean when the calendar changes to a new year, however you know that you will be back to your old habits an hour later. From the album Transatlanticism
Track 2: Motion City Soundtrack "Together We'll Ring in the New Year"
Like the Death Cab song, this one also represents that the new year will be the same as the old year. It is punctuated by the line "This must be it welcome to the new year" starting and ending the song. At the beginning it is a line of hope, while at the end it is a little more depressing that nothing has changed. It is preformed by Justin Pierre and his guitar driving home the point of loneliness. From the album Commit This To Memory
Track 3: The Lawrence Arms "100 Resolutions"
A power punk anthem about things you wish to change about yourself. They pretty much cover everything about changing things about yourself in the song. The line "I've got 100 resolutions, but I have no solutions" is great because it shows that resolutions are just talk because they are things you hope to change about yourself. From the album Cocktails & Dreams
Track 4: David Bowie "Changes"
"Turn and face the strange." This song makes the play list because it gives a confidence boost to try things differently. If improvements are to be made, a different way of going about your life may be in order to do it. From the album Hunky Dory
Track 5: Olivia Newton-John "Physical"
The number one resolution for Americans on USA.Gov's list of America's top resolutions is to lose weight, getting fit (5) and eating right (6) are also in the top 10. Obviously with America topping the lists of westernized countries as being most obese, this would be a common choice for self improvement. Olivia Newton-John's 1981 song may be about "doing it" but somewhere in early 80s conservatism the song took on the literal meaning of working out and getting fit. I am sure this is a staple on Richard Simmons' work out tapes. From the album Physical
Track 6: Pink Floyd - "Money"
After a dismal economic crisis in 2008, many folks are listing money as cause for improvement. Managing debt and saving money are numbers two and three respectively on the top resolutions list. I chose money because it shows that money is needed to do everything in this world. It also shows that greed and excess are what got many of us into our personal financial messes, where gold teeth and Xboxes come before saving money and paying bills. Oh status. From the album Dark Side of the Moon
Track 7: Face to Face "Debt"
Charge it! Number 2 on the list is Managing debt. Everybody is overspending and looking for the Government to bail them out. The irony is the government needs a bailout. The problem is again greed and excess. People buy new cars, bigger houses they can't afford, go out to eat everyday and then have credit card charges up the wazoo. They then pay the minimum and stay in debt forever. I chose this song because of the line "I Don't Owe You Anything!" From the album Big Choice
Track 8: Lil' Scrappy featuring Young Buck "Money in the Bank"
As number 3 on the list saving money is something everybody strives to do. Lil Scrappy and Young Buck prefer to use cash to pay for their libations. So the moral of the story is that if you save your money you can get shawties! From the album Money in the Bank
Track 9: The Silhouettes "Get a Job"
Hardcore hip hop to 50s doo wop? Tom how do you do it? Easy you have common themes for a mix tape. 35% of people say they are unhappy with their job (according to Snagajob.com). This fact places get a better job number 4 on the list. The Silhouettes basically wrote a commercial jingle for the labor department, so stop flipping burgers and do something more meaningful like make copies or push a broom. Forget it stay where you are, at least you get free food. From the album .
Track 10: The Offspring "Why Don't You Go Get a Job?"
Just to drive the point home, you need money to pay for things, so get off yer arse and get a job slacker. Maybe I should take my own advice and get a better job. From the album Americana
Track 11: Joe Jackson "What's the use of Getting Sober (When You're Only Gonna Get Drunk Again?)
This is a cover of a Louis Jordan tune. I think the title sums up the number 8 resolution. The actual resolution is to drink less alcohol. Notice it doesn't say stop drinking, it just says drink less. Of course this resolution will be said over and over again throughout the year when you wake up with a pounding headache and try to recount any regrettable things you may have done the night before. Song available on Itunes. From the album Jumpin' Jive
Track 12: P!nk "Sober"
This song designates the regrets you may have about being the party girl. She wants to quit drinking but knows it will be futile. Sometimes you need a good pop song on a mix. From the album Funhouse
Track 13: Amy Winehouse "Rehab"
How can I have a mix about giving up drinking et al without this song? I know it is actually about an obsession with Ray Charles but in light of her addiction and abuse problems the song really takes on the literal meaning. It has also become an anthem of sorts to addicts who do not want to be clean. Not a great message. From the album Back to Black
Track 14: Bill Engvall "Quit Smoking"
Sometimes a good comedy bit fits in the mix. Actually I had a hard time finding a song about quitting smoking. Apparently it is a subject that rock stars are reluctant to talk about but it is good enough to cover the number 9 resolution on the list. From the album The Blue Collar Comedy Tour The Movie Soundtrack
Track 15: Go-Gos "Vacation"
Everyone likes to get away, whether it is a Caribbean Island or a ski lodge. Every year more people take less time off. I personally get vacation rejected because I am a valued employee. What a reward for applying myself. This is the obvious choice for the number 11 resolution. From the album Vacation
Track 16: Billy Swan "I Can Help"
Written by Kris Kristofferson, Billy Swan sang this little ditty about lending a hand when someone is in need of assistance. It has been used in a number of PSAs and is a positive message. From the album The Best of Billy Swan
Track 17: Naked Eyes "Promises, Promises"
I placed this one on the mix because everyone means well when they make resolutions but more than likely they will not keep their promise and fall back into their old habits. "You made me promises, promises. You can never keep." From the album Naked Eyes
Track 18: Die Toten Hosen "Auld Lang Syne"
Finally you need a song to drive home your point. There are literally thousands of versions of this song, but I chose this one. The song is one big resolution: "May old acquaintance be forgot." That means get away from the familiar a try something new.
So here is the final playlist:
1. Death Cab for Cutie "The New Year"
2. Motion City Soundtrack "Together We'll Bring in the New Year"
3. The Lawrence Arms "100 Resolutions"
4. David Bowie "Changes"
5. Olivia Newton-John "Physical"
6. Pink Floyd "Money"
7. Face to Face "Debt"
8. Lil' Scrappy featuring Young Buck "Money in the Bank"
9. The Silhouettes "Get a Job"
10. The Offspring "Why Don't You Get a Job?"
11. Joe Jackson "What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You're Only Going To Get Drunk Again)?"
12. P!nk "Sober"
13. Amy Winehouse "Rehab"
14. Bill Engvall "Quit Smoking"
15. The Go- Gos "Vacation"
16. Billy Swan "I Can Help"
17. Naked Eyes "Promises, Promises"
18. Die Toten Hosen "Auld Lang Syne"
There you have it, a mix tape for New Year's resolutions. Good luck losing weight, saving money, quitting drinking or smoking and taking that vacation, hopefully you will stick to them for a few more days. Feel free to add songs to the list.
Mini Mix
Each week I will also put together a mini mix of five songs I am currently obsessed with so here they are:
1. Fall Out Boy "I Don't Care"
2. Bon Iver "Skinny Love"
3. M83 "Kim and Jessie"
4. The Lonely Island "Jizz in My Pants"
5. Kings of Leon "Be Somebody"
