songs about songs

[stephanie]

Been having an unequivocally, relentlessly shit week, LPTJ, for no precise reason in particular save my growing conviction that I've wasted the past decade-plus of my life devoting every waking second to the sudden-behemoth that is indie rock.  Blessing, curse, &c.

And barring disaster/giving up everything I have worked my whole life to get, I need to chin up about this whole ordeal.
I need to make a mix that says, hey, it's okay to have your entire existence revolve around rock music because sometimes, when I'm up at 4 a.m. feeling sick and uneasy because every cent I earn goes out toward new music and shows and every boy I have been close to in the past 5 years has been in a goddamned touring band, it doesn't feel okay.
So, like -- what are some songs about songs?  Meta songs.  Songs about knowing you could probably survive without any/everything you have now EXCEPT... yr record collection.

Off the top of my head:
The Smiths, "Rubber Ring" (OBVS)
Actionslacks, "33 1/3"
Ben Folds Five, "Underground"
The Mountain Goats, "Dance Music"
Sleater-Kinney, "Words + Guitar"
The Hold Steady, "Certain Songs"
The Replacements, "Alex Chilton"/"Left of the Dial"

YSI super-mega-appreciated if you think I might not own it already.

[Universal Coffee]

Radiohead - My Iron Lung. Lolzer!

[dieblucasdie]

The Game - Dreams (OH yes I did)
The Pixies - Allison
Sebadoh - Gimme Indie Rock!
Ted Leo - Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?
M. Mard - Sad Sad Song
Pavement - Gold Soundz

Off the top of my head.  I'll think of obscurer ones to make me look cool later.   8)

Edit:

Ohohoh Archers of Loaf - Plumb Line pwns this thread.

[nonotyet]

The Game - Dreams (OH yes I did)

As well you should. Because what did Aaliyah have? Aaliyah had a DREAM. And the video is rigoddamndiculous.
Seriously, though, I love that song.

[heather marie]

I actually tried to make something like this myself a few months ago, but never finished it. I had almost everything you had (save for the Ben Folds and Actionslacks):


in an indirect way, "You Were Right" by Built to Spill
Mos Def, "Rock & Roll"
the Magnetic Fields, "Acoustic Guitar"
Archers of Loaf, "Plumb Line"

[bmc]

Mary Lou Lord - His Indie World.

Wait, no.  That's a song about songs, but not in a good way.

OK, how about Built To Spill - You Were Wrong.

Hmm, that's only a little better.

[nonotyet]

Cursive, "Sink To The Beat"
I have not heard this song by Archers of Loaf but I am pretty sure this song pwns yr puny mortal thread.

I mean, not that it's puny. Or mortal. I mean...wait.

[Andrew_TSKS]

the descendents - "thank you"

I listen to you for hours, I'll listen all day
Just keep hitting me the right way
Sing your song in the shower
Cause you got a way
To say what I can never say right - right on
When I feel weak you make me feel strong
Make me feel strong

I won't say your name
But you know who you are
I'll never be the same again now - no way
I just want to say
Thank you for playing the way you play

You don't get played on the radio
That's not the game you play
Well I don't care anyway
I glued your tape in the stereo
So I know every word, every note
And every chord is right - right on
When I feel weak you make me feel strong
Make me feel strong feel like nothing's wrong

I won't say your name
You know who you are
I'll never be the same again now - no way
I just want to say thank you for playing the
Way you play

Did you know you're why I go
And waste my time
At a rock and roll show
You let me know I'm not alone
You make me feel strong, make me feel strong,
Feel like nothing's wrong

I won't say your name, you know who you are
I'll never be the same again now - no way
I just want to say
Thank you for playing the way you play
Thank you for playing the way you play
Thank you for playing the way you play

that about sums it up right there.

[Andrew_TSKS]

Cursive, "Sink To The Beat"
I have not heard this song by Archers of Loaf but I am pretty sure this song pwns yr puny mortal thread.

I mean, not that it's puny. Or mortal. I mean...wait.

the song by archers of loaf has a chorus that goes "she's an indie rocker, nothing's gonna stop her..."

[nonotyet]

Aherm.

this unique approach to start an EP
intended to shock, create a mystique
a cheap strategy, a marketing scheme
building awareness for the next LP
they've got a good fan base
they've got integrity
they've got a DC sound
Shudder to Think, Fugazi
and Chapel Hill Around The early 90's
this is the latest from Saddle Creek

Granted it's not a particularly positive or life-affirming song, and I suspect that's maybe the subtext of what she was going for, but I WIN.

MINE IS AN EVIL LAUGH.

[coldforge]

Man I'm surprised I've come in this late and nobody's mentioned "Only a Northern Song" yet.

[DCDave]

Man I'm surprised I've come in this late and nobody's mentioned "Only a Northern Song" yet.

"this late" = .5 h.

Edit: P.S. I am thinking about the actual topic.

[Andrew_TSKS]

what the hell, you guys are all coming up with songs that are meta in a negative way. that's probably just gonna make stephanie feel even worse. come on now, stay focused!

[DCDave]

Album of the Year - The Good Life

[coldforge]

Oh, like songs about music, as opposed to songs about themelves? The phrase 'meta-songs' threw me off. Well, then, hell, Elvis Costello's "Radio, Radio" is always one, and a negative one to boot.

Not to mention the entire Manowar catalog.

[davy]

weezer - in my garage

[stephanie]

the descendents - "thank you"

This is EXACTLY the kinda stuff I'm looking for.  Lovely.  Aw, I Milo.

Thanks, y'all!

PS:  "Sink to the Beat" is indeed an obvious one, but it depresses the fuck out of me, which is kinda the opposite effect I'm ISO.

[DCDave]

But Stephanie I'm not in a band.  Has our burgeoning e-romance now quelled to ashes of despair?

 

[stephanie]

But Stephanie I'm not in a band.  Has our burgeoning e-romance now quelled to ashes of despair?

 

Er.. you can be the e-exception to the rule.

[DCDave]

But Stephanie I'm not in a band.  Has our burgeoning e-romance now quelled to ashes of despair?

 

Er.. you can be the e-exception to the rule.

E-rule.  

I once played the clarinet in band class.

I bet Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles have an awesome bunch of songs about songs but not indie rock songs but whatever because Stevie Wonder is indie rock in my book.

I played "Pasttime Paradise" at the jukebox at a bar the other day and everyone thought it was someone covering Coolio.

 

[TheNames]

The Rentals - Waiting

[galeferris]

tullycraft - stowaway

that's all i got for now

[swilkes]

tullycraft - stowaway

that's all i got for now

A better Tullycraft example might be "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend's Too Stupid to Know About."

...though now that I think on it, it doesn't really mention songs, just namechecks bands. Posting this anyway...

[Maaik]

The Clash - Complete Control
Juno - Covered With Hair
Cake - Sad Songs and Waltzes

I'll think of more, I'm sure.

[elpollodiablo]

Gillian Welch - One Little Song