Hangover Songs
The walk of shame, the broken-egg brain, the clammy paranoia that you said or did (or kissed) something last night that will forever alter the course of humanity -- or at least get you fired. Ah yes, the karmic hangover, the morning-after blues. We've all been there. In fact, you could say I'm there right now, sweaters on my teeth, gnomes dancing inside my skull.
So I ask you...WHAT SONGS DO YOU PLAY TO HELP PATCH UP THE WOUNDS? TO GET YOU FOCUSED ON THE PATH TO REDEMPTION?
I'm obsessed with this topic. In fact, I'm pretty sure I blogged about it before. But it's so good, I'm doing it again. I'll tell you right now, the greatest hangover song ever is The Playboy Mansion by U2. There's just something about it's resigned, lethargic pace, its gently cruel ironies brushing up against its fantastic possibilites. If you're feeling like death after a night of box wine, that song is a salve.
Here are a few of my sonic remedies (yes, Rhinestone Cowboy included. Seriously, you should try it sometime). Feel free to share your own Hangover Songs...
Que Sera Sera -- Sly & the Family Stone
Hands on the Wheel -- Willie Nelson
Ride On -- AC/DC
We Haven't Turned Around -- Gomez
Killing the Blues -- Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Fugitive Motel -- Elbow
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk -- Rufus Wainwright
A Wedding in Cherokee County -- Randy Newman
Rhinestone Cowboy -- Glen Campbell
You Don't Know Me -- Ray Charles
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Great list, as always, Mr. Daly. I'm nursing a bit of a morning-after hangover and these tune suggestions are just what I need. I may put the Rufus song on repeat play.
BTW, listened to that Ry Cooder and Other-Dude-Whose-Name-Escapes-Me-At-The-Moment album you recommended last night, as our cruise ship was rounding around the coast of Cuba. Perfect tunage for the setting.
Posted by: jane | January 01, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Although I'm not nursing a hangover this morning (Yep, I chose not to drink last night).. it's a good list. I'm sure Marissa has said this before, but Sean.. you keep comming up with these great songs, and we're all going to be in the poor house!
Now for heaven's sake... go brush your teeth and get those 'sweaters'! (ewww!)
Happy 2008!
Posted by: Carla | January 01, 2008 at 10:22 AM
PS: My personal favorite hangover songs are anything in the bossa nova family. Soothing, melodic and more than a little sexy. Just the thing to bridge the debauchery of the night before and the tinges of regret of the morning after.
Not that I'd know anything about that.
Posted by: jane | January 01, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Yes, I know that your hatred of The Doors knows no bounds, but I gotta say that "Roadhouse Blues" belongs on this list.
"Well I woke up this morning/I got myself a beer/well the future's uncertain/and the end is always near"
Posted by: Sherrie | January 01, 2008 at 01:48 PM
The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love) - Journey (this song is to drive home the point that you are no longer 21)
Superman's Song - The Crash Test Dummies
Do You Believe In Shame? - Duran Duran
Hallelujah - John Cale
Posted by: Bassnote | January 01, 2008 at 03:18 PM
"I Hate Myself and Want To Die" - Nirvana
Just in case you really stepped over the bounds like kissing your wifes best friend or accidentally killing a neighbor after a drunken game of lawnmower chicken.
Posted by: Brian Hall | January 01, 2008 at 03:32 PM
awww, Bassnote.. a man after my own heart!! Love... The Party's Over!!
Posted by: Carla | January 01, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Cold Pizza For Breakfast - Christine Lavin
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | January 01, 2008 at 03:57 PM
"Somebody Kill me Please"~ The Wedding Singer
Posted by: Marissa | January 01, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Seriously ... LOL Marissa! Good one!
Posted by: Carla | January 01, 2008 at 08:19 PM
That was dedicated to our beloved Steven Q. Spears.
Posted by: Marissa | January 01, 2008 at 08:35 PM
"The Losing Kind" by John Doe
Posted by: Walter Cox | January 02, 2008 at 08:40 AM