Weekly Song List: Friday, August 17th

It's been a nutty week here in the Fussy Gussy studio. Getting ready for the Rock & Roll Yard Sale on Sunday. I'm very excited. But more on that tomorrow.

For now, on this ridiculously humid Friday night in mid-August, I give you the Fussy Gussy "Weekly Song List". I've included the usual 7 songs for the week, plus one "bonus" song that has been sort of my anthem this week. Enjoy!

1. In the Long Run. The Carrie Nations: From one of my favorite movies Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (not to be confused with Valley of the Dolls). The Carrie Nations are the all girl band at the center of the plot. This is my favorite of their songs. But they're all great!

2. Does He Love You?. Rilo Kiley: I love Jenny Lewis' voice so much. It's a perfect blend of sweet and strong. I think she's amazing. And this song is one of Rilo Kiley's best, I think. Great story. Love the build.

3. A Song For You. The Carpenters: Written by Leon Russell, though I'm most familiar with The Carpenters version of the song. Beautiful, heartbreaking song. My favorite lyric: "I love you in a place where there's no space or time". Swoon.

4. Raining Twilight Coast. Robyn Hitchcock: I was lucky enough to see this man live in a very small, dark club. When I was, maybe, 16 or 17. I remember much of the set (if not all of it) being just the man and his guitar. This song brings me back to that show. Brilliant.

5. Little By Little. Radiohead: I recently fell head over heels in love with the Radiohead album The King of Limbs on an afternoon car ride (there's something magical about listening to music in the car). This is my favorite song from the album.

6. Black Tin Box. Miike Snow: My favorite Miike Snow song right now. Great deep, gritty sounds. Spatially dense. I'm going to be seeing these guys live this Fall, and I'm so very excited. I think it's going to be one of the best shows ever.

7. We Own the Sky. M83: Simple. Electronic. Yummy. Gorgeousness.

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8. (Happy Friday Bonus Song) Ball & Biscuit. The White Stripes: Thank goodness this song is over 7 minutes long. Amazing guitar. Love everything about it!

Photo: The Carrie Nations

Happy New Year + Jenny Lewis

First off, Happy New Year! I hope that you had a wonderful holiday and have started off the New Year with a splash. Or perhaps in a more low key way, like me. I've started my New Year off with a lot of movie/TV show watching. And lots and lots of tea. Too much perhaps. But not to worry...I've switched to decaf Irish breakfast, so I can drink all I want and still get to sleep at night.

As part of my Wintertime hibernation, I checked out an episode of the British/Canadian TV show Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... and was so excited to see one of my favorites, Jenny Lewis, hit the stage. Lewis and her band were joined by M. Ward and Costello himself (both on guitar) for a perfectly bittersweet and lovely performance of "Pretty Bird" from her 2008 album Acid Tongue.

Lewis was also interviewed by Costello, and she was really cool and down to earth. I just love her!

Jenny Lewis + Acid Tongue

I LOVE Jenny Lewis' "new" album (it came out in September, hence the quotes). I bought it when it first came out, and liked it right away, but something about my mood lately...I don't know...I'm just extra loving the album now. It's sparse, and a little sad. Her voice sounds lovely on every song. I also love this photo, and the hat.