Asymmetric Music

The Dow's performace today brought back memories of 1997. Let me think. I had been married two years, living in a small apartment. I worked at Gomper's Middle School in Los Angeles, one of the two worst schools in California. My first son was born.

The music? I stopped listening to contemporary music in the early nineties so I really couldn't say. This dude made a list. I'll use it and add some video. The good part is that most of the acts are old enough to have greatest hits.

1. Smash Mouth, Walking on the Sun.

Follow up:

Ouch!

All Star Smash Hits

2. Hanson - MMMBop

Ummm, no.

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Hanson

3. Shawn Colvin - Sunny Came Home

Gobbledygook lyrics (She didn't believe in transcendence? And?) OK music.

Polaroids: A Greatest Hits Collection

4. Puff Daddy and Faith Evans feat. 112 - I'll Be Missing You

Unoriginal, to say the least.

1997 Danse Plus by Notoriuous B.I.G., LL Cool J, Wyclef Jean, Robyn, Savage Garden, Hanson, Puff Daddy & Faith Evans, Unique II, Jet Fuel, Various Artists

5. Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me

Dave Matthew's Band was my best Army buddy, Julio's, favorite band. I'd never heard one of their songs until now. Sorry, Julio, this is weak.

6. Various Artists - ESPN Presents the Jock Jams

I like this one. My favorite so far.

7. Wallflowers - One Headlight

One headlight short.

Retrospective by Wallflowers

8. Elton John - Candle In the Wind 1997

Crap. Was this that year? 1997 was when the English-speaking world lost all perspective, the year of the weepy chick. Britain especially fell apart, mustering some power to help free Iraq six years later. I wonder if it'll ever do such a thing again. The shame of the Church of England to allow Elton John, of all people, to perform this New Agey song in Westminster Abbey, of all places.

Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002

9. No Doubt - Don't Speak

I like this one. Beatlesque. Nice sentiment. Good hook, singing. The whole package. I happen to have acquired this one, in Iraq, so it's the podcast.

The Singles 1992-2003

It's funny how acts think calling something "the singles" is more artsy than "greatest hits." Give me one hit that wasn't a single.

10. Spice Girls - Wannabe

Oh, yeah! Finally, something worth repeating. The year after Gompers, I taught fourth grade at Durfee Elementary. The girls would beg me to play the Spice Girls' video. I relented. The song's fun. I generally think it's good for young ladies to make demands of potential mating partners.

Greatest Hits by Spice Girls