Don't Forget To Dance

“A New England” by Billy Bragg

For the second installment of Love Stinks Week, I’ve decided to post a song that I’m sure some of you have heard before by a man who should be known by all of you. Not only did Billy Bragg raise the bar extremely high with this track off his debut album, 1983’s Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy, but he wrote a great break-up song while he was at it. So, while you’re crying your eyes out, see if you can dance between the tear drops listening to “A New England” by Billy Bragg!

I saw two shooting stars last night
I wished on them but they were only satellites
Is it wrong to wish on space hardware
I wish, I wish, I wish you’d care

“No Children” by The Mountain Goats

As you may have noticed from the many empty heart-shaped boxes and dead roses on the curb, Valentine’s Day, that Hallmarkiest of holidays, is finally over. And while it does not mean an end to the love song posts, it does mean that I am no longer held back by the Powers-That-Be (I’m looking at you, Matt) from posting what are often (IMHO) the best songs - anti-love songs. This week is my unofficial Love Stinks week.

I begin the week with arguably the best anti-love song ever written (prove me wrong, fellow Don’t Forget to Dancers), “No Children” by The Mountain Goats off their 2002 album Tallahassee from the British4AD label.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with John Darnielle’s lyrical ability, listen, laugh and learn….but don’t forget to dance!

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow
I hope it bleeds all day long
Our friends say it’s darkest before the sun rises
We’re pretty sure they’re all wrong

“Brooklyn” by Neva Dinova

Probably best known for their collaboration with Bright Eyes on the 2004 EP One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels, Omaha based Neva Dinova has a mellow atmospheric style with the occasional heavy rocker or upbeat ditty.

Here’s the song that first got me listening to them, upbeat stalker love song “Brooklyn” off their 2002 debut album Neva Dinova.

Well, I should’a known something when she called the police

And I should’a known something when she asked me to leave

But a man just can’t give up on the girl he wants to keep

“Let’s Pretend” -by Tindersticks

The term, “bourbon voice,” was surely created to describe Stuart Staples, lead singer of UK indie Tindersticks. Often overlooked as just another Ry Cooder, Leonard Cohen or Nick Cave soundalike, Staples’ voice perfectly complements the soaring orchestration and Morricone-esque horns featured on Tindersticks’ 1997 Curtains LP.

In the spirit of “Love Week” here on DFTD, put the headphones on, lean your seat back and take a listen to Tindersticks’ “Let’s Pretend” - a song about the kind of love the best songs are always about - doomed love.