Asymmetric Music

Here's one you don't necessarily want at a high bitrate. Somehow, it's not the same without the video.

The trash doesn't get picked up because of executive pay, or something like that. Green buses. Obama philosophy in song?

The Best of the Stylistics

Ladies' turn. For the Bros, go here.

Same rules apply. Pro-love, no pain. Holding off on Motown and Doo Wop.

"You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman," by Aretha Franklin.

Unlike the debate over the best male Soul singer, there's a consensus choice for distaff Soul, Aretha Franklin. Her best slow song is "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman." I appreciate the reference to natural law and Christian theology on the matter of sexual relations. It also reminds me of a joke from my favorite comedy show, Bienvenidos. The girl asks the guy to "make me a woman." The guy replies with, "OK, iron these shirts." Podcast, above.

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Methodology:

"Soul" is not a synonym for "black music." It's a specific style of music, the characteristics of which are a melismatic and emotional vocal style derivative of the black churches and a conventional R&B backbeat- not funk or disco. You'll notice that I stretched the category a little while excepting Motown and Doo Wop, which I'll reserve for other posts.

Originally, my wife was to choose the songs for this post, but the process derailed halfway when I noticed the potential for disaster. There's no doubt in my mind that had I continued to let her choose, this post would have turned into a mushy, sticky mess. Sorry, baby, I couldn't let that happen.

The songs couldn't be about break up or cheating- they had to represent the sunny side of love. "Let's Get it On," for all of its romantic utility, is more sexual than romantic.

I could have delved deep into my collection and dazzled you with some rarities, but that would have been childish.

I'll separate the sexes. Guy's first only because I already started it.

Here they are:

Wilson Pickett passed away recently so I'll put him up first. Forget intellectual coherence, "I Found a Love" is 100% emotion. The guy's so happy about his find that he just has to yell. It's the podcast.

Wilson Pickett's Greatest Hits

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The musical starts at Obama's birth:

But, fast-forwards to the 2004 Democratic convention. The song above, "Could it be I'm Falling in Love" by the Spinners (below), contemplates those still-not-fully-developed feelings.

A One of a Kind Love Affair: The Anthology

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Abba, "Happy New Year." Stop shouting, please! I like Abba- a lot. Don't ask me what the heck they're talking about. I don't know either.

Happy New Year

More chronistic music below:

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A musical summation of McCain's relationship with talk radio:

He was Despised, Messiah.

-Handel.

Luciano Pavarotti, the most famous opera tenor of his time died today.

Listen to Gessch Bambino.

The bambino in question is Jesus Christ. I pray that he's with Him tonight.