I Need a Mixtape.

Raised in the 80s has done something to my sense of coping and how it really should be done.  When times get tough they just seem to need a soundtrack in order to see it through.

If you were born in that time or have parents who couldn't let this period go you know that a mixtape is the medicine and voice of the heart. If you were sad over a recent breakup chances are you sang Lisa Lisa's part in "All Cried Out" with the intensity Lisa herself couldn't muster. If you were wooing a girl you may have been prone to the whining style of Keith Sweat in "I wanna her" or maybe you were more smooth and leaned more toward Kool & the Gang with "Fresh". Doesn't really matter what you were in to because once you made the tape that took you all weekend long on to make on the cool looking Memorex cassette

you gave it a title, inscribed the card that came with it so that all the songs and artists were properly documented then you may have even added your own graffiti street name to top it off. Come Monday you were either immersed in your new mixtape or had bequeathed it via locker delivery to its intended recipient. The feeling of accomplishment was a like a weight had been lifted and you had just completed your dissertation for a doctorate in love and/or heart break as the case maybe. My favorite of the mixtape kings out there are those who were clever enough to attach a letter with said mixtape explaining why we received such a gift. The reason this is marvelous accompaniment is it usually meant the titles of the songs in the mixtape were incorporated in the letter and underlined for effect. Where are those passionate boys today I wonder.

These days its a playlist. Though saying "I need a playlist" hardly has the meaning and strength that is needed when one gets to the point of musical expression as means of leaving through matters of the heart. So I will stick with my dated tagline, tell a little of why I need one then share the one I put together. Careful before you get excited, I am going to say one sentence about why because the music is more important than the why. The reason these songs were chosen however is for the lyrics and shear musical emotion they invoke when held by the music that entraps them.

So the reason for my mixtape is the loss of a boyfriend by way of me being let go of by him but the important bit is the loss of one my best friends.  The real tragedy is he is one of the four people I would run to in times likes these. (I know that was two sentences but in fairness one explained and the other commented.)  C'est La Vie according to Robbie Nevil, right.

Mix Tape Title: Adiós mi amante y amigo
Mixtape Songs & Artists:
The Space Between (Dave Matthews)
Sideways (Citizen Cope)
Do What You Have to Do (Sarah McLachlan)
Shine (Sevendust)
Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
You Learn (Alanis Morrisette)
Misery (Pink featuring Steve Tyler)
Jar Of Heart (Christina Perri)
Anotherloverholenyohead (Prince)
Tear in Your Hand (Tori Amos)
Sail On (Commodores)
Big Yellow Taxi (Counting Crows & Vanessa Carlton)
Let Him Fly (Dixie Chicks)

The letter would read something like:

The space between is growing infinitely it seems and even in the sideways rain of tears I still feel you should be here with me. But when faced with decisions like these you do what you have to do in the hopes that one day again you will shine. It will always be in my heart, somewhere only we know the memory of us will reside for keeps. You learn about yourself, the love you give and the fact will still remains nothing replaces a friend who is also a lover. Misery will cloud me for a long time I know but i will try not to contribute to the jar of hearts that have given up on themselves. So early in this process I can't help but to feel like I need anotherloverholnyohead like I need two heart for the breaking. As I sail on and you take a big yellow taxi away from us I will remember that I let him fly if only to maintain my dignity.

Adiós mi amante y amigo


What's on your mixtape?