Home alone music mix

Click here to view this mix in an iTunes playlist.

1. “In the Waiting Line” by Zero 7 (2001)
This sounds like the kind of tune that you’d wake up alone to, a few hours after a potentially regrettable overnight guest has fled. It’s a sleepy reminder of why you should sleep in.

2. “Life’s A Gas” by T. Rex (1971)
Here's an even lazier tune that will somehow make you want to get out of bed and do something great.

3. “Muscle N’ Flow” by Menomena (2007)
This one will help pull you into the kitchen to make that cuppa joe you need for your full day of absolutely nothing.

4. “Take it Easy” Hopeton Lewis (1971)
No Eagles here either. It’s just a bouncy reggae number that advises you to do what the title says and builds your confidence in the way of a supportive older brother.

5. “Louisiana” by The Walkmen (2006)
From the big-wheel-keep-on-churnin’ guitar intro to the heart-raising horns, this tune will transport you to all the places the singer mentions as you slowly unclutter your apartment and your mind.

6. “Swingtown” by Steve Miller Band (1977)
You’d never admit you still dig this quintessenitally high-school disco-rock schmaltz. The beauty of this me-time play list is that you don’t have to. It’s just a good thing that nobody is watching you do your windmills on air guitar.

7. “Alive & Amplified” by The Mooney Suzuki (2004)
This silly gospel ‘n’ roll owes a lot to Ween, but you’ll owe a lot to the M.S. when you realize you feel like the song title. You might even ski outside the trail of this play list and play “Dancing With Myself,” but we can’t in good conscience recommend you do that.

8. “Psycho” by The Sonics (1965)
It’s like “Louie Louie”’s little brother with ADHD. Regardless if you played “Dancing With Myself” or not, you are jumping up and down in your apartment by the time this crazy screamin’ stomp blares forth.
[Note: This song is not available on iTunes. You can listen to it on MySpace here here.]

9. “Hold Up” by Girl Talk (2006)
Speaking of ADHD, the mash-up artist who calls himself Girl Talk crams 30 million samples into one pop song that’s shorter than three minutes. This energetic burst is a perfect representation of his “Night Ripper” disc, and a perfect representation of your own schizo solitary activities. When you’ve got 50 Cent alongside James Taylor and Pixies, you know it’s a party … for one.
[Note: This song is not available on iTunes. You can acquire the album at www.illegalart.net/girltalk.]

10. “Grace Kelly” by Mika (2007)
In the nine circles of guilty pleasures, this bouncy ditty is the furthest away from the inferno. You know all the words, shout them to yourself when alone, and have no shame in recommending it to your friends, but when your boss asks you what kind of music you listen to, you would never in a bazillion years think of saying, “Have you heard of Mika?”