I’m going to cite a theme for a mix CD, and you must come up with ten to twelve tracks - not nine or less, and not 13 or more - that fit the theme.
For instance, I might call for a mix CD that includes nothing but songs that cite, by name, either God or the Devil (Jesus or Satan, etc. would also be acceptable) and so you might come up with a mix CD of:
“Sympathy for the Devil,” The Rolling Stones
“What if God was One Of Us,” Joan Osbourne
“Devil with the Blue Dress,” Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
“God Moving Over The Face of the Waters,” Moby
… So on and so forth. When putting your songs together, all genres are acceptable.
And so now I set out the first three challenges:
CHALLENGE ONE: Complete the example. A mix CD of songs whose titles refer to God or the Devil, or Jesus or Allah or Satan, or what have you. “Angels” are NOT acceptable. We’re looking for the big players, not their minions.
CHALLENGE TWO: Complete a mix CD of songs with “Car” or “Cars” or a specific type of car in the title.
CHALANGE THREE: Complete a mix CD of songs with a male name in the title.
Bill
Happiness is Just a Thing Called Joe
A Boy Named Sue
Fernando
Johnny, Are You Queer?
A Message to You Rudy
Robert DeNiro’s Waiting
Just Like Jesse James
Romeo and Juliet
Sharkey’s Day
God of Wine – Third Eye Blind
Devil in Disguise - Elivs Presley
In God’s Country - U2
Devil’s and Dust - Bruce Springsteen
God Don’t Make Lonely Girls – Wallflowers
Devil Inside - INXS
Thank God It’s Christmas - Queen
Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
I See God in You - India Arie
Devil Baby - Mark Knopfler
God Save The Queen - The Sex Pistols
Devil’s Haircut - Beck
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Christmas Carol
Jesus Christ, Superstar - Soundtrack
Jesus - Queen
You’re the Devil in Disguise - Elvis P.
God Bless America - Kate Smith and others
God Didn’t Make Little Green Apples - Can’t Remember Artist
The Theme from The Godfather - Movie Sountrack
Jesus Loves Me - Hymn. Sung by Many
Jesus Loves the Little Children - Hymn - Sung by many
Voodoo Cadillac - Southern Culture on the Skids
Little Deuce Coup - The Beach Boys
Chevy Impala - Four Bitchin’ Babes
Chevy Van - Sammy Kershaw
Old Fords and a Natural Stone - Willie Nelson
Little Red Corvette - Prince
Impala Blues - Charley Pride
Rocket 88 - Jerry Lee Lewis
Ford Econoline - Nanci Griffith
Ray’s Dad’s Cadillac - Joni Mitchell
Lime Green Pacer - Lisa Brokop
Pink Cadillac - Natalie Cole
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
Johnny B. Goode - one of those 50’s or 60’s rockers
Benny and the Jets - Elton John
Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Ray of Light - Madonna
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Christmas Song
Freddy’s Dead - Curtis Mayfield, Superfly Soundtrack
Eddie You Should have Known Better - Curtis Mayfield, Superfly Soundtrack
Pete’s Dragon - was it Helen Reddy?
Tommy - The Who
Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues - Bob Dylan
Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
Lord Franklin - Pentangle
Andy Warhol - David Bowie
My Johnny Was A Shoemaker - Steeleye Span
From Hank to Hendrix - Neil Young
Michael From Mountains - Joni Mitchell
Abraham, Martin, and John - Harry Belafonte (because you never hear it)
Tom’s Diner - Suzanne Vega
The Story of Issac - Leonard Cohen
Moby Dick - Led Zeppelin
CHALLENGE 1
[ol]
[li]“The Devil Went Down to Newport (Totally Rocking)” - Mono Puff[/li][li]“Why Is the Devil Red?” - Lost Dogs[/li][li]“God Only Knows” - The Beach Boys[/li][li]“Oh My God” - The Police[/li][li]“Jesus Is Just Alright” - The Doobie Brothers[/li][li]“God Gave Rock and Roll To You” - Argent[/li][li]“My Sweet Lord” - George Harrison[/li][li]“The Devil Went Down To Georgia” - Charlie Daniels Band[/li][li]“God” - John Lennon[/li][li]“God Part II” - U2[/li][li]“Dear God” - XTC[/li][/ol] CHALLENGE 2
[ol]
[li]“Little Red Corvette” - Prince[/li][li]“Mercury Blues” - The Steve Miller Band[/li][li]“409” - The Beach Boys[/li][li]“Little Deuce Coupe” - The Beach Boys[/li][li]“Drive My Car” - The Beatles[/li][li]“Driving In My Car” - Madness[/li][li]“Mercedes Benz” - Janis Joplin[/li][li]“Big Yellow Taxi” - Joni Mitchell[/li][li]“Cadillac” - The Kinks (orig. Bo Diddley)[/li][li]“Cars” - Gary Numan[/li][li]“Bonneville” - Trip Shakespeare[/li][/ol]
CHALLENGE 2
[ol]
[li]“Levon” - Elton John[/li][li]“Cotton Eyed Joe” - Rednex[/li][li]“Leroy Brown” - Jim Croce[/li][li]“Hey Jude” - The Beatles[/li][li]“Johnny Carson” - The Beach Boys[/li][li]“You Can Call Me Al” - Paul Simon[/li][li]“Steven’s Last Night In Town” - Ben Folds Five[/li][li]“Meet James Ensor” - They Might Be Giants[/li][li]“Oliver’s Army” - Elvis Costello & the Attractions[/li][li]“Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing” - Buffalo Springfield[/li][li]“Buddy Holly” - Weezer[/li][li]“A Boy Named Sue” - Johnny Cash[/li][/ol]
01 Kanye West - Jesus Walks
02 Drive-By Truckers - Too Much Sex (Too Little Jesus)
03 The Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen
04 XTC - Dear God
05 Sufjan Stevens - Oh God, Where Are You Now? (In Pickeral Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?)
06 U2 - In God’s Country
07 Loretta Lynn - God Makes No Mistakes
08 The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
09 Nirvana - Jesus Don’t Want Me For A Sunbeam
10 Ill Bill - God Is An Atheist
11 Coheed and Cambria - Devil In Jersey City
12 Green Day - Jesus Of Suburbia Mix 2: Chrome Wheeled, Fuel Injected
01 Modest Mouse - Black Cadillacs
02 The Blood Brothers - Ambulance v Ambulance
03 Jawbreaker - Boxcar
04 The Clash - Brand New Cadillac
05 David Banner - Cadillac On 22s (Chopped and Screwed)
06 Thrill Da Playa ft. T-Pain & Doughboy - Yo’ Chevy (Remix)
07 Prince - Little Red Corvette
08 Built To Spill - Car
09 Everclear - Volvo Driving Soccer Mom
10 Radiohead - Killer Cars
11 The Flaming Lips - Mr Ambulance Driver
12 Belle and Sebastian - I Love My Car Mix 3: I Like A Boy In Uniform (School Uniform)
01 Ryan Adams - Damn, Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains)
02 The Replacements - Alex Chilton
03 Elvis Costello - Oliver’s Army
04 Eminem - Stan
05 Three 6 Mafia - Paul With Da 45
06 Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs’ Tears
07 Bright Eyes - Padraic, My Prince
08 The Decemberists - Billy Liar
09 Dntel - (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan
10 The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing
11 Electric Six - Jimmy Carter
12 Helen Love - Debby Loves Joey
The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God
Drive-By Truckers - Where The Devil Don’t Stay
Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus
Gomez - Devil Will Ride
Modest Mouse - Jesus Christ Was An Only Child
Bad Religion - God’s Love
Uncle Tupelo - Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Steve Earle - Angel Is The Devil
Hot Hot Heat - Oh, Goddammit
A Silver Mt. Zion - God Bless Our Dead Marines
Full Artists’ Names Metioned by Other Artists
[ol][li]Air - Mike Mills[/li][li]Fiery Furnaces - Chris Michaels[/li][li]Da Vinci’s Notebook - Face Like Billy Joel (Uncle Buford Mega-Mix Part 3)[/li][li]Cake - Meanwhile Rick James[/li][li]SR-71 - Paul McCartney[/li][li]Nine Days - Bob Dylan[/li][li]Bongwater - Nick Cave Dolls[/li][li]Mojo Nixon - Don Henley Must Die[/li][li]Was (Not Was) - I Feel Better Than James Brown[/li][li]Negativland - Michael Jackson[/li][li]U2 - Elvis Presley And America[/li][li]The Jam - David Watts[/li]Zappa & The Mothers - Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue[/ol]
Bits and Pieces Mix
“Detachable Penis” - King Missile
“Pussy” - Lords of Acid
“Break Your Ankle Punk” - Mephiskapheles
“Machine Head” - Bush
“Face to Face” - Daft Punk
“Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain” - DJ Shadow
“From Your Mouth” - God Lives Underwater
“Left Hand Suzuki Method” - Gorillaz
“Fingerlickin Good” - Lords of Acid
“Dancing Barefoot” - MC 900 Foot Jesus
“Head Like a Hole” - Nine Inch Nails
“Bone Machine” - Pixies
Clothing:
Green Shirt - Elvis Costello
Don’t Touch My Hat - Lyle Lovett
Coat of Many Colors - Dolly Parton
Shirt - Peter Mulvey
Flying Shoes - Townes van Zandt
Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes - Paul Simon
Dress of Laces - Nanci Griffith
Short Skirt and a Long Jacket - Cake
Coattail Rider - Supersuckers
High Heel Sneakers - Buddy Guy
Alcoholic Beverages:
One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer - John Lee Hooker
Tastes Like Wine - Government Mule
Sangria Wine - Jerry Jeff Walker
Liquor Wine and Beer - Supersuckers
Down at the Corner Beer Joint - Willie Nelson
Jockey Full of Bourbon - Tom Waits
Rye Whiskey - Tex Ritter
Whiskey Before Breakfast - traditional
Moonshiner - traditional
Whiskey in the Jar - traditional
Body Parts
Blenderhead - Bad Religion
Chest Fever - the Band
Foot of Pride - Bob Dylan
Legs - ZZ Top
Even a Dog Can Shake Hands - Warren Zevon
Rollin’ in my Sweet Baby’s Arms - Del McCoury Band
She Cut Off Her Long Silken Hair - Richard Thompson
Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits
With These Hands - Alejandro Escovedo
The Devil’s Right Hand - Steve Earle
Animals:
Wolf at the Door - Patty Larkin
China Cat Sunflower - Grateful Dead
Tiger by the Tail - Buck Owens
Horses - Zero
Waiting for the Worms - Pink Floyd
Bulldog Front - Fugazi
Cat’s in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
Crawdad Hole - Doc Watson
The Hep Cat - Michelle Shocked
Cool for Cats - Squeeze
Don’t you know there ain’t no devil; that’s just God when he’s drunk:
With God on our Side - Bob Dylan
Satan Gave me a Taco - Beck
And a God Descended - Dar Williams
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down - Uncle Tupelo
God’s Comic - Elvis Costello
The Devil’s Real - Chris Smither
God Loves a Drunk - Richard Thompson
Me and the Devil Blues - Robert Johnson
Speak of the Devil - Misfits
Blue Eyed Devil - Soul Coughing
Cars:
Brand New ‘64 Dodge - Greg Brown
1952 Vincent Black Lightning - Richard Thompson (motorcylces count, right?)
She Has Funny Cars - Allman Brothers
Police Truck - Dead Kennedys
Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man - the Byrds
Stolen Car - Beth Orton
Long Black Cadillac - Ceili Rain
Long White Cadillac - Dwight Yoakam
Cadillac Ranch - Bruce Springsteen
MGB-GT - Richard Thompson
Male Names:
Jimmy Jazz - the Clash
The Ballad of Hollis Brown - Bob Dylan
Frankie and Albert - Mississippi John Hurt
Commodore Peter - the Silos
George’s Bar - Pat Green
Billy and Bonnie - Steve Earle
Pretty Boy Floyd - Woody Guthrie
Pancho and Lefty - Townes van Zandt
The Rebel Johnny Yuma - Johnny Cash
Billy’s Bones - the Pogues
One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer - G Thoroughgood & Del Destroyers
Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers - ZZ Top
Sippin’ on Gin & Juice - ?
Whiskey Talk - Guadalcanal Diary
Margaritaville - Buffett
Mexican Wine - Fountains of Wayne
Boat Drinks - Buffett
Here we come a Wassailing
…and some “punny” ones to get to 12:
Ripple - Grateful Dead
Spirits in the material World - The Police
Stone Cold Bus(c)h - Red Hot Chili Peppers
If this Bass Could Only Talk - Stanley Clarke
Wild Horses - Rolling Stones
The Eagle and the Hawk - John Denver
Dogs of War - Pink Floyd
Cat scratch Fever - Ted Nugent or Eric Frampton(?)
Bagherra - Blues Traveler
Fly on a Plane - Christine Lavin
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - traditional
War Pigs - Black Sabbath
Mary had a Little Lamb - Stevie Ray Vaughn
Pulling Mussels - Squeeze
Kitty - Presidents of the United States
Using nothing more than XTC songs (okay, and a Dukes title):
Men’s names:
Making Plans for Nigel
Sgt. Rock (is Going to Help Me)
Jason and the Argonauts
Officer Blue
Punch and Judy
Hold Me My Daddy
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
You’re a Good Man, Albert Brown (Curse You Red Barrel)
Standing in for Joe
Anatomical Details:
No Language in our Lungs
Knuckle Down
Strange Tales, Strange Tails
Looking for Footprints
Pink Thing [about Andy’s penis]
Poor Skeleton Steps Out
Fauna:
Fly on the Wall
Shake You Donkey Up
Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
I Bought Myself a Liarbird
Tissue Tigers (The Arguers)
Across This Antheap
My Bird Performs
The Smartest Monkeys
Crocodile
Rook
Wounded Horse
THE LION…
[ol]
[li]“Hey Bulldog” - The Beatles[/li][li]“Sample the Dog” - Timbuk3[/li][li]“Phenomenal Cat” - The Kinks[/li][li]“Year of the Cat” - Al Stewart[/li][li]“Hungry Like the Wolf” - Duran Duran[/li][li]“Union of the Snake” - Duran Duran[/li][li]“Crocodile Rock” - Elton John[/li][li]“Harry the Hairy Ape” - Ray Stevens[/li][li]“Shock the Monkey” - Peter Gabriel[/li][li]“Horse With No Name” - America[/li][li]“Muskrat Love” - America[/li][li]“The Chipmunk Song” - The Chipmunks[/li][/ol]
…THE WHICH…
[ol]
[li]“Hat and Feet” - Fountains of Wayne[/li][li]“Total Eclipse of the Heart” - Bonnie Tyler[/li][li]“Eye in the Sky” - The Alan Parsons Project[/li][li]“Open Arms” - Journey[/li][li]“Legs” - ZZ Top[/li][li]“Big Eyes” - Cheap Trick[/li][li]“Fat Bottomed Girls” - Queen[/li][li]“I Wanna Hold Your Hand” - The Beatles[/li][li]“Hold My Hand” - Hootie & the Blowfish[/li][li]“Our Lips Are Sealed” - The Go-Gos[/li][/ol]
…AND THE WARDROBE
[ol]
[li]“The Fez” - Steely Dan[/li][li]“Bad Sneakers” - Steely Dan[/li][li]“The Slacks” - Trip Shakespeare[/li][li]“The Man in the Long Black Coat” - Bob Dylan[/li][li]“Your Green Shirt” - Elvis Costello and the Attractions[/li][li]“Blue Suede Shoes” - Carl Perkins or Elvis Presley[/li][li]“Thong Song” - Sisqo[/li][li]“Raspberry Beret” - Prince[/li][li]“These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” - Nancy Sinatra[/li][li]“Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes” - Paul Simon[/li][li]“Purple Toupee” - They Might Be Giants[/li][/ol]
- Johnny Cash[/li][/ol]