Best Music of 2008
Best Music from TV Commercials 2008
So, as a mother I've learned it's very hard to keep up with music. Most of 2008 I missed, with the lovely exception of music in commercials. So, to make it easier on all of the busy moms out there, here is your neat little guide to all the great music you've been hearing while cleaning/sewing/working/diapering. It's not hard to be cool anymore, just watch TV.
Apple
Long list here, no surprise. Didn't Apple start this whole good music in a commercial trend?
The Submarines - You Me & The Bourgeoisie
Wolfmother - Love Train
Steriogram - Walkie Talkie
Yael Naim - New Soul
Orba Squara - Perfect Timing This Morning
Audi
Simone White - The Beep Beep Song
Axe Deodorant and Body Spray
Yeah, I know. Puke. But I like the commercial and the song.
Allen Toussaint - Sweet Touch of Love
Bounce
Almost makes me want to do laundry. Almost. Those who know me know, I am addicted to Downy, so this song was hard to love, but it's stuck.
Emilie Mover - Ordinary Day
Cotton
Scandal - Goodbye to You
Dell
You've been looking for this one, trust me.
Kira Willey - Colors
Everybody and their Dog
Meaning these songs are ALL over the place.
Five for FIghting - World
Duffy - Mercy
Lenka - The Show
Geico
Seriously, enough with the cavemen, but thanks for the music.
The Sounds - Hurt You
Royksopp - Reminder
HBO
Soprano's Box set, almost makes me want to watch it. Almost. I'm not really into violence or blood and something tells me the Soprano's is nothing but, am I right? Love the song.
R.L. Burnside - It's Bad You Know
Honda Civic
I saw Grandaddy in Kentucky, they opened for Elliott Smith and we missed the whole show waiting outside. Just before we got in out walked the lead singer with a white cat. Odd man, great music.
Grandaddy - Nature Anthem
JC Penney
1st one is a remake, please don't be offended, it's beautiful
Josh Radin - Only You
Regina Spektor - Music Box
Jet Dry
Oooo, love this one.
Gotan Project - Epoca
Kia
Most days are a Joe Purdy day around here. Thanks for putting it to music and thanks Kia for giving it to me.
Arryn Eldon - Get the Feeling
Joe Purdy - Can't Get it Right Today
Kohl's
Ben Lee - We're All In This Together
Lifetime
Maybe? It's from the new Heather Locklear movie, Flirting with Forty.
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Marriott
Honestly I don't remember this commercial, but I'm including it here because the song reminds me of middle school dances where nobody was allowed to touch!
Junior Boys - In the Morning
Nivea
Chrisette Michele - Love Is You
Duffy - Oh Boy
Old Navy
Yeah, cause I need another sweater. Thing is, I don't, until I hear one of these songs!
Lights - Last Thing on Your Mind
Lights - February Air
Samsung
Need a new workout tune?
The Blue Van - Silly Boy
Sears
This commercial is a little newer, so you may not have heard it. Addictive nonetheless.
The Silver Seas - Imaginary Girl
Sprint
Remember the commercial with the funky laser lights? Yes, you do.
Architecture in Helsinki -Souvenirs
Target
I think I'm going to make a mix CD of every song Target has ever featured.
Tim Myers - A Beautiful World
The Kinks - Everybody's a Star (Starmaker)
Badly Drawn Boy - All Possibilities
The 88 - Coming Home
The Concretes - Say Something
The Icicles - La Ti Da
Tide with Downy
Cait La Dee - Take Me Home
TLC
From the family night promo, I think.
Fisher - Beautiful Life
Volkswagon
I think this was from another country, but it's Wilco and if you don't already love Wilco now is a good time to start.
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Zune
The Helio Sequence - Don't Look Away
And my favorite, probably not from this year but deserves a note since I adore it: Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John
Best Music from TV Shows 2008
There's a new trend in the closing credits on TV shows lately, "tonight's show featured music from...." with a handy sponsor to help you find the music that fit so perfectly into the scene that made you cry. I don't know about you, but I rarely remember to look it up or even write it down. So, here is a handy dandy of the music I liked the best in 2008 on television. Good or bad, most shows are an easy way to find a new song to cry laugh or dance to.
90210
I saw the first episode but never made it to the second. With so many shows doing their best to copy what 90210 was, it's odd the original has had a hard time finding steady footing.
Beat Control - Tilly and the Wall
I Always Knew - Jem
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Now - Mates of State
Recommended for You
Army Wives
I haven't seen the show yet but always mean to start watching when I see a promo!
Nowhere to Now-here - The Kin
Blue Mind - Alexi Murdoch
I Believe in You - Cat Power
Healing Hands - Marc Cohn
Brothers & Sisters
Good show, short on good music, but here are a few.
Stolen Car - Beth Orton
Make it Mine - Jason Mraz
Slow Moves - Jose Gonzalez
Fragment - Trespassers William
Chuck
I am so desperately in love with Chuck, not just the show, Chuck himself. The Bon Iver song listed here is like a drug. Too much and you'll never stop crying your eyes out, be careful.
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Returning to the Fold - The Thermals
The Kooks - Love It All
Fake Empire - The National
Time and Space - The Accidental
Buildings and Mountains - The Republic Tigers
Don't Worry - Love as Laughter
Grey's Anatomy
Of course the show that borrows its episode titles is full of great music.
Pitter-Pat - Erin McCarley
One of Those Days - Joshua Radin
Ordinary Day - Emilie Mover
Live Like You're Dying - Lenka
Walcott - Vampire Weekend
Falling for You - Seabird
Winter Birds - Ray LaMontagne
Gossip Girl
Totally stupid great show for teens, but if I had a teen there is no way I'd let him/her anywhere near this show. Good place for new music, almost as good as it's distant cousin The OC. I cannot stop listening to My Only Offer...
Strict Machine - Goldfrapp
Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
Tell Me a Lie -The Fratellis
The Wake Up Song - The Submarines
Dark on Fire -Turin Brakes
Closer - Kings of Leon
My Only Offer - Mates of State
Slow Show - The National
House
Never watched House, but a good place for a few good tunes anyhow.
You Might Die Trying - Dave Matthews Band
Could We Survive - Joseph Arthur
Dark Road - Annie Lennox
Private Practice
Three good songs, from the whole season. I am not sure what the thinking on music is here…mostly very outdated.
On and On and On - Wilco
Little Tornado - Aimee Mann
Swing Gently - Leona Naess
Scrubs
I find it odd I don't watch Scrubs, there is not a TV show more in sync with my music tastes, yet here we are starting season 8 (?) soon and I am totally unfamiliar. Zach Braff's best talent is not his acting, it's the music he picks for the show. Do not miss Jose Gonzalez and Jump Little Children, swoon!
Where We Gonna Go From Here - Mat Kearney
Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez
Opportunity - Pete Murray
The Man - Pete Yorn
B-13 - Jump Little Children
Missed the Boat - Modest Mouse
Turn - Travis
Winter - Joshua Radin
Courage - Glenn Phillips
Ugly Betty
The most familiar song here, The Show by Lenka. I think every show used it in their episode or promo this fall!
American Girl - Val Emmich
American Girl - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Lost - Coldplay
You are Free - Mates of State
The Show - Lenka
Up - The Saturdays
She's So Lovely - Scouting for Girls
FAVORITE STAFF PICK’S FROM 2008
Here are the Staff Pick’s that stuck with me and have become permanent fixtures in my “most played” list.
Josh Kelley, Special Company
Kelley’s album was released shortly after his wedding to Grey’s Anatomy actress Katherine Heigl (the namesake for the song Hey Katie) and it’s clear that these songs were written by a man in love. Listening to Two Cups of Coffee, Tidal Wave, Special Company and Stay Awake will remind you of the early years of love when your thoughts where consumed by the man of your dreams. (Oh, we know he’s still in there…don’t be surprised if a few of these songs bring him back to the top of your list.)
Tristan Prettyman, Hello
My motherhood addled brain rarely holds onto information that I’ve heard 3 or 4 times…let alone something I’ve heard only once. While up with the babe in the wee hours of the morning, I caught a music video by Tristan Prettyman. When I found myself walking through the house later that day singing the chorus to Madly, I knew I was hooked. I’m not going to even bother with listing my favorite tracks – they’re all good.
James Morrison, Undiscovered
Undiscovered by James Morrison is upbeat enough to keep me energized yet smooth enough to listen to all day. Morrison’s singing is soulful and rich…the lyrics thoughtful. My favorite songs on this album are Under the Influence, You Give Me Something, Wonderful World, One Last Chance, Undiscovered and Call the Police.
Morrison has just released his 2nd album (Songs For You, Truths For Me) so if you listen to Undiscovered (his 1st album) and your simply must have more well then, hey, lucky you. Sometimes it pays to come late to the party.
Happy Listening!
-Emily & Erin
