30 Day Song Challenge: Your Favourite Song At This Time Last Year

You've Got The Love by Florence and The Machine
Having just finished the Vodka Train this time last year, this song was a major feature of that trip, and the weeks afterwards.

It also now has another special significance for me now, after the wedding of Liz and Cathal.

Florence is amazing.

And that brings up the end of the 30 Day Song Challenge!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song From Your Childhood

Now, speaking of sisters, this song is a reminder of watching Video Hits of a Saturday morning, or taping rage all night, and then recording off the stereo - and is one of those songs my sisters and I used to love and sing along to...and still to this day, can belt out a few lines together at random.


Stay by Shakesspears Sister
Love the crazy second singer, halfway through the song - always our favorite bit!

This track reminds me of those times when we would come up with dance routines in our always-too-small lounge room, somersaults and stifled handstands, and being told off for getting too close to the speakers, or glass things around us, etc. And then of course, random, intense sing-a-longs during car trips. So fun and silly.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

Antony and the Johnsons featuring Boy George - You Are My Sister
For every crazy thing I have ever asked of my sisters. Every little mean thing said. Every dollar asked to borrow. Every outrageous expection I ever put on them.

Just one line makes me think all that. The rest reminds me how very special those 3 siblings I have are to me. Every tough time we have been through together. Every crisis or hospital visit. And every silly night out. Every in-joke we have running. Every amazing experience together.

I love them. The most important people in my life.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Wish You Could Play

Impossible Soul, by Sufjan Stevens
All 25 minutes, 23 seconds qualifies for Day 27 of the 30 Day Song Challenge for me! So much going on in this song, musically and lyrical anthem-eque, with such an emotive atmosphere. The build! I could climb into this song, and never need to get out! Ha! Imagine having the musical talent to put this together! Incredible.

Seeing this live this year was truely amazing! Genius.

I would love to be able to play this - wouldn't everyone! But seeing it played live, it is put together by multi-instrumentalists, and I am pretty sure I wouldn't even be able to manage the precision timing of the chime bells! Ha!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument

All Nothing by The Good China
Ok, not really. But I can do the claps! Ha!

Love this song, and this little indie pop Melbourne band! A cheeky inclusion for Day 26 of the 30 Day Song Challenge.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Makes You Laugh

Every F****** City by Paul Kelly
The delivery is just spot on! Hilarious. A track for every traveller out there, by one of Australia's singer songwriter geniuses.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral

Jeff Buckley's version of Satisfied Mind
So beautiful, and poignant. They played this at his funeral, and I think a powerful last message.

How many times have you heard someone say,
"If I had money, I would do things my way."
But little they know, that it's so hard to find
one rich man in ten, with a satisfied mind.

Money can't buy back all your youth when you're old,
a friend when you're lonely, or peace to your soul.
The wealthiest person, is a pauper at times
compared to the man with a satisfied mind

When my life is over and my time has run out,
my friends and my loved ones, I will leave there's no doubt.
But one thing's for certain, when it comes my time,
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind.

Day 24 of the 30 Day Song Challenge.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding

Jens Lekman's Into Eternity
If I don't feel like this, then I don't want to get married! I mean, I can't actually imagine ever getting married, but still, this would be a song I would choose in the unlikely event.

I picture most guests with a percussion instrument, to bring the full sound of the album version, in a little Love Actually style moment! Ha!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Listen To When You’re Sad

Empty by The Cranberries
Still as amazing and powerful as when it was released in 1994.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Listen To When You’re Happy

You Looked So Good, Clare Bowditch
Listening to the brilliant Clare, one of my favourite Aussie artists, singer songwriters, and people on the planet, will always make me the happiest! This song is so cheeky and sexy, it fits as Day 21's entry for the 30 Day Song Challenge.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Listen To When You’re Angry

I Will Not Go Quietly (Duffy's Song) by The Whitlams
A song that works for me on most occasions when I am angry...it usually fits!

I will not go quietly
I will not behave myself
It's not for sake of fighting
It's not for you or anyone else

How funny is this clip, with Tim trying to be all tough-footy head, for the show this song was written for, Love Is A Four Letter Word!

Lana's Farewell

Friday night I drove down to Melbourne again, and left the car at Jessie's, before meeting Nikki to head into town. We arrived at the door of Silk Road to find our booking on the list, and thus entry into the upmarket bar with all it's chandeliers and glitz.

We were seated at our table, first to arrive, as we ordered drinks and caught up on each other's worlds. Soon we were joined by Lana, Alissa, Mary, and Bec, in quite the mini-reunion of old work times. Tapas were ordered, and I got to catch up on Lana's big Europe plans. So exciting, and I am more than a little envious!

Changing venues, we found the Red Hummingbird entrance, after a stop for snacking, to catch up with Jess, Bree and Damien, and also got to check out the baby belly! Having not been here before, surprisingly, I loved the first level up the stairs, and then the rooftop bar amid the high rise buildings.

A great night, and perhaps larger than I had thought and felt! Was great to catch up with the Melbourne work crew that I know. A big, excited good luck to Lana - can't wait to hear of the new adventures!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song From Your Favourite Album

Hold On My Heart, from As Day Follows Night by Sarah Blasko
Oh! She's so cute! Love this dress, and this tour....and still rate this album very, very highly. Am surprised it was a couple of years ago now, cos it is still a highly played and immensely loved musical creation for me.

You can't please somebody, can't please somebody else
Until you learn to look after yourself
You can't be somebody, can't be somebody else
You've learned your lesson, put in on the shelf

Hold on my heart
Hold on my heart
Find your stronger parts
Hold on my heart

Anna Karenina

After driving all day for work on Wednesday, I met Jessie and Jenny for dinner in Melbourne. Discovering that Soul Mama is no longer in business, we settled for Republica for red wine and pizza.

We then braved the cold again, and the traffic build-up due to tram track works, to find the Alliance Francaise de Melbourne, where The Stork Theatre can be found.

We had tickets to see Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, and were soon shown to our seats in one of the small, high-ceiling front rooms. The stage was a platform in front of the window, and was soon lit up from the projector behind us, for the beginning of the play.

The translated and adapted story of Anna, and her chance meeting at a Moscow train station with Count Vronsky...and the pain and isolation following such a love led to. Powerful, full-on performances in this little room, by this little cast. I think the simulated sex scene cleared the rest of our row after interval!

The first in a series of three plays this season, on women who 'ultimately paid the highest price to be the agent of her own destiny'.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Wish You Heard On The Radio

The No. 1 Cause of Death Amongst Youth Today by The Basics
I will never understand why The Basics never get the airplay and coverage they deserve by Aussie broadcasters. This song is amazing...and frankly, upon hearing for the first time, thought it was destined to be Number 1 for the Triple J's Hottest 100. But did anyone not already a fan of their actually get to hear it? Such a shame.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Hear Often On The Radio

I don't actually listen to the radio. I get impatient with the radio cos there is so much talking, and it's too large a lottery until you hear something good...when I could just have my iPod on shuffle, and have tunes I like on always!

So I choose this song from an album released this year which will easily be in my top albums of the year, for Day 17 of the 30 Day Song Challenge, based on the fact that Jessie said that she hears it on the radio all the time. A couple of weeks ago, admittedly.


Sparkadia's China
Maybe radio airplay have moved into AB's next single by now..I don't know! But this track is so great!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Used To Love But Now Hate

Hate's a strong word! Once I love a song, it's hardly going to change to a song I hate. For this entry in the 30 Day Song Challenge, I pick a song I am currently tired of....but I know that I will like it again, with time and a break from it's over-played status of early 2011 in the Aussie music world.


Big Jet Plane by Angus and Julia Stone
Since winning the Triple J Hottest 100 this year, it has been everywhere. But just listening to this clip, and seeing these two play together, I know I will get past it's recent overkill! They are just so lovely live!

This song actually irked me when it was listed on the Down The Way track list, as I felted ripped off by one song, since I already had and loved it on Angus' solo Lady Of The Sunshine album.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Describes You

Lost And Running by Powderfinger
Maybe always! I can't imagine that this song could cease being relevant for me! Number 15 for the 30 Day Song Challenge.

Great video, I love the bit from when he enters the bandroom onwards. And that verse is my favourite:

I'm taking my time I'll let it float away
Spare me no lies and you'll have nothing to say
The further we slip into this rabbit hole
The harder we look for a new place to go

I'm still lost and running

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That No One Would Expect You To Love

I have struggled with this entry of the 30 Day Song Challenge, because I am not really sure what anyone expects my music taste to be! To be honest, my iPod is a pretty eclectic range of tracks and artists.

So I choose George Micheal, perhaps because of the reaction of most people when I was so excited to see him live - with 2 of those shows easily in my favourite gigs of all time! He is such such a great performer, and I have loved his music for such a long time.


George Michael's Praying for Time
I have loved this song since I started playing it when I still shared a room with Melissa at home, with Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 album popping up for the last years of high school, and then I remember it being a feature during my first year of college. And I still love it today.

Maybe this doesn't fit within the indie folk music I mostly listen to now, but to be honest, I usually stay very loyal to artists that I love, and thus the mixed up music collection that I happily listen to on shuffle, with a no-skip policy!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Is A Guilty Pleasure

Wonderwoman by Leaf
This is a Dutch band we happened upon when we were on our weekend in Amsterdam, and were totally enchanted by the song. Charlotte and I kept it in mind for months, and I finally looked it up and downloaded it when I was home and it had just popped into my head as a random memory.

Being my entry for Day 13 for the 30 Day Song Challenge, this song is a guilty pleasure for me because, whilst I know my life isn't really boring, and I acknowledge that I get to do some bloody awesome things....I do love indulging in this track when I am not doing anything much. I hate this waiting and saving to do something amazing....and this song gets that spot on. Let along the single girl references, too!

Now why can't I be just an ordinary girl
Bread and cheese for breakfast every day

I also actually wonder sometimes why I can't be the kind of girl who is content with what every other person seems to be content with! I do wonder!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Why’s my life so boring
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
There’s gotta be a little bit more in store for me
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Why’s my life so boring
Oh, I’m up for a little bit

Oh give me just a little bit!
Yeah I’m up for a little bit more!

(The actual clip is much more interesting, but is blocked from embedding!)

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song From A Band You Hate

I was actually aiming for New Kids On The Block here, which is the band I couldn't stand in my teens, and whilst I have a great cover version for them, I am using the band covering that track for another post for the 30 Day Song Challenge...and I wanted to mix up the bands for this challange.

Alas, we have Bobby Brown as the disliked artist, and that works, for obvious psychosocial reasons!


The band performing this cover, however, on the always awesome Like A Version segment on Triple J, are Bluejuice, who are popping up more and more on music discussions and blogs. Plus they are penned on the line up for Splendour this year. One to watch!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song From Your Favourite Band

O Valencia! by The Decemberists

A Latin American Romeo and Juliet story....just gorgeous.

The Decemberists, hailing from Portland, Oregon, USA, are the stand out band for me for Day 11 of the 30 Day Song Challenge. The engaging storytelling of each song, the continuous nature of their Hazards Of Love album, and their instrumental range have me listening over and over. And I will never tire of listening to Colin's voice - easily one I could listen to forever! Their release for 2011 would be high, if not top, of my list of Album of the Year already.

I don't quite know what this video is about really, cos I am sure I have heard Colin explain the actual story at a gig.

At last year's show they had claimed 'see you next year', however the news of Jenny Conlee's breast cancer may make this very difficult. Good luck to Jenny with her fight, and here's hoping we hear the band's tunes on our shores again soon. A brilliant indie folk rock band.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep

Well, music is such a big part of my day, a usual soundtrack to large portions of it, everyday, that this Day 10 request for the 30 Day Song Challenge doesn't fit. Music is not for falling asleep to, it's for indulgence and storytelling, and emotive escapism. So I have decided to share the dreamy new tracks from Seeker Lover Keeper, of whom I am totally obsessed with since their announcement, and particularly since their album release a week ago.


How great are these videos, with our Aussie male actors lip syncing to the vocals of Sarah Blasko, Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann! Enchanting!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Can Dance To

Architecture In Helsinki's That Beep
This song is the most ridiculous amount of fun. If this plays at a crucial point, it's a definate sign that it's going to be a crazy, fun night out. Many a large night at Karova, post gig, has started with the DJ putting this on.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That You Know All The Words To

The Horses by Daryl Braithwaite
Somehow this song has become an anthem for the 4 Reid girls, whenever we are out together. Drunken requests to cover bands, and then belting it out, loud and proud. It's the stuff of a great night out with the sibs!

Posted for Day 8 of the 30 Day Song Challenge.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Reminds You Of A Certain Event

Hunters and Collectors' Holy Grail
I cannot hear this song without instantly thinking about the AFL Grand Final. Not just our Grand Final in 2008, but the event itself. Some ever-present and clever advertising by Channel 10 has paired it with the one day in September (October last and this year).

Of course, this posted version for Day 7 of the 30 Day Song Challenge, has also let me indulge in reviewing some of the clips from Sound Relief. Now that was some amazing music and communtiy spirited event!

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Reminds You Of Somewhere

Sunrise by Norah Jones
Song 6 for the 30 Day Song Challenge takes me right back to the train ride from Kandy to Colombo, in the middle of Sri Lanka, in 2004.

I actually think I just had a discman and a folder of random CDs. And I remember this was the song that I listened to as my train pulled out of the station, to travel along the mountainside, as dawn broke. So beautiful.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

Pokerface by Lady Gaga
Reminds me of Harris! In a club in Bejing! With all the moves! Ha! Such a great night!

As we are currently reminising about our trip of a lifetime this time last year, this song takes me back to meeting and hanging out with Harris for those three weeks. Our crazy Pom on the Vodka Train.

Amazingly, he has made it around the world, in his big year-long trip in the one direction around the globe, and is home now back in Pompy! I think this song will now always remind me of Harris!

This is Day 5 of the 30 Day Song Challenge.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Makes You Sad

London Still by The Waifs
Gets me everytime, especially live, but particularly when I am away, anywhere, doing anything. The homesickness song that calls to every Aussie no matter where and what you are doing, when you are far from home, family and friends.

Day 4 for the 30 Day Song Challenge, is a track I first heard sung acoustic by the very talented Dom, at the Peace Cafe in Phnom Penh. I don't even think we had been there all that long in reality, but it still captured those growing pangs for home. And then, of course, when I was indeed living in London, this song would catch me unawares and bring me undone on occasion!

Those lines in the final verse catches me everytime.

30 Day Song Challenge: A Song That Makes You Happy

Muscles' Ice Cream
How can you not be happy with a track that makes you sing out:

Ice cream, is gonna save the day
Ice cream, is gonna save the day, again

A totally silly, crazy song, and yet so simple. Seeing the kid from Shepp do this live, and see a room full of people call out that line over and over....awesome. Ha!

I have really struggled with locking in a choice here, oscillating between a few tracks. Maybe cos I used up my immediate choice on Day 1.

30 Day Song Challenge: Your Least Favourite Song

I hate Jessie's Girl! By Rick Springfield. My entry for Day 2. This song usually drives a drunk me to declare such to anyone who will listen at weddings, dancefloors, pubs, in the car...but thankfully, and strangely, it is only usually found in a wedding play mix.

Which is just weird. I mean, is anyone listening to what this loser is singing?? Creepy!



And finding the Glee version just doubles this post of leastest favourite song. Ha!

Pretty sure this will also be the only song for the 30 Day Song Challenge that I don't have, nor ever will have, in my personal music collection.

30 Day Song Challenge: Your Favourite Song

Gotye's Learnalilgivinanlovin
I just love this song, everything about it! I defy anyone not to feel on top of the world and inspired by this track. Seeing him put this together on stage is just brilliant!

This is Day One of the 30 Day Song Challenge, which I will try to complete this June. Just something to mix up a month with very little plans, with a projected long cold Ballarat Winter.... Plus I have loved reading others answers on Facebook and on various blogs, seeing some tracks that I love or loathe and their meaning to different people.