I realized today that I’ve been in Denver now for nearly three years, and have been friends with Tiffany for nearly two of those. In that time, we’ve hit lots and lots of rock shows, lots and lots of bars with jukeboxes, and rode around on our bikes to the tune of a tinny boombox in a basket. So there are lots of great songs that make me think of Tiffany moments. Here are my top ten:
1. Wreckless Eric, “Whole Wide World.” Not only is this a great song that has a great role in a great movie, it’s a great song to which Tiffany and I have danced our asses off to, annoying her downstairs neighbors. Ah well.
2. Travis Morrison Hellfighters, “I’m Not Supposed To Like You (But).” Ah, cocktails at Tiffany’s to TMH. I believe this was playing during a brunch we had not too long ago, and I remember really digging this song when she later had me review the album. Maybe it was the strong association it carried with strong mimosas and bacon.
3. Madonna, “Lucky Star.” I’m not even sure this is the exact Madonna song that was playing when I was helping Tiff paint her positively Wonka-esque hallway, but it will always remind me of getting yellow paint all over me on that hot summer day.
4. Spinto Band, “Oh Mandy.” I am not even *that* into Spinto Band, but this song just screams Tiffany. It’s as light and bright as a candy necklace and while I can’t point to a specific time I heard it when I was with Tiffany, it just seems like the kind of song that should follow her around, like “Dream Weaver” follows Tia Carrere in “Wayne’s World.”
5. Everything Absent or Distorted, “Exit Parade.” Tiffany and I first met at an EAOD show, and became friends mostly because we kept seeing each other at EAOD shows. We have danced onstage to this song, we have danced offstage to this song. When we’re old and living in the Patsy home, we’ll probably dance in our chairs to this song.
6. Johnny Cash and June Carter, “Family Circle.” I just remember that this is a song that was playing when Tiffany and I were pretending to be pool sharks at Gabors once. Ah, good times.
7. Bel Biv Devoe, “Poison.” C’mon, Tiff. You know all the worlds. Can’t trust a big butt and a smile.
8. Journey, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” If there was ever a song to be sung drunkenly and irreverently while riding bicycles and wearing wigs, this would be the one.
9. Arcade Fire: ” No Cars Go.” I just remember the group of us being dumbfounded by this show on red rocks last year, and especially by this song. One of the best shows, ever.
10. Pelle Carlberg, “Clever Girls Like Clever Boys Much More Than Clever Boys Like Clever Girls.” This reminds me of countless times that Megan, Tiffany and I haven hung out at one or the other’s houses, and listened to music. Because even though Pelle Calrberg is a relatively obscure artist, you can find his music at all three of our houses. The music is kind of our lifeline to each other, an ever-expanding web of connections that keep us together, and sometimes even manages to draw in strangers from outside. We make mix CDs, we send promos to eachother, we share music tips like some girls share a hot newfound shopping secret.
So happy b-day to Tiffany, and I hope your thirties continue to be all about music, cocktails, writing, and random wiggery.
