The reason mixtapes are made. Songs to let someone know you really like them.
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Track 1: Just My Kind – The Julie Ruin
I was making a mixtape for my girlfriend and this song summed up everything I felt about her in a 3:50 pop pocket of perfection.
Track 2: You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Hall and Oats
It’s super cute and also a reference to one of my favourite old-school internet videos. So if you get that, you get me!
Track 3: You Can Have It All – George McCrae
Track 4: Swing Lynn – Harmless
Track 5: Broken Arrow: Robbie Robertson
One of the greatest love songs ever written.
Track 6: Message to My Girl – Split Enz
The lyrics and the melancholy mood of the song speaks to how hard it is to say, I like you or ‘I love you’. A song that speaks to that trepidation and can be your voice is a beautiful song.
Track 7: Beautiful Cosmos – Ivor Cutler
It’s the best song about love, companionship, tea and sandwiches.
Track 8: I Guess That’s Why They Call it The Blues – Elton John
As a kid, before I really got into music, I always thought this was one of the most lovely romantic songs I’d ever heard and that hasn’t changed.
Track 9: I Wanna Be Yours – John Cooper Clarke
I’ve spent many a mixtape agonising over the deeper meaning of songs that someone I like has sent me – so this one is straight to the point.
Track 10: When I’m With You – Best Coast
When I read the theme, I was trying to think of some different options – and it took me a few moments to realise that there was already a song playing in the back of my head. I don’t know if it was there before or not, but it’s actually the perfect answer!
It’s often in my head when I think about my lovely lover and how much I love him. It also makes me think of the craziness of having a crush and the complexity of putting some of your worth into your relationship of another person (the whole album does). It was an album I was really into when I was 18-19ish and had lots of crushes and confusion. ‘Crazy’ by Best Coast was a close second.
Track 11: Stuck – Peven Everett
It makes me feel good.
Track 12: Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
The song is about having you heart crushed but maintaining an optimistic out look on life, which I guess makes it a weird song to send to someone you like… I don’t know I still think its a beautiful song with a a clear message that life is bitter sweet so just try and enjoy it all.
Track 13: It’s Only Natural – Crowded House
It’s a very wholesome, happy yet smooth melody. It’s not at all forceful, but rather upbeat and conveys a sense of care and trust. Makes you feel almost naively happy and at peace, without a worry in the world, which is how you’d want someone to make you feel at ease.
Track 14: Heart of Gold – Johnny Cash
Track 15: Love Story – Loya and Bushwaka!
One of the greatest house mixes and love songs ever!
Track 16: Sunday Morning – Margo Guryan
Track 17: My Very Good Friend The Milkman – Fats Waller
Track 18: Real Love – Big Thief
Hard to choose between one hundred potential songs but this more recent one seems to be a perfect example of what “real love” can be: raw, intense and challenging. And also for the best line in a long time: “Real love makes your lungs black, real love is a heart attack” <3
Track 19: Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
Beautiful dreamy song and a classic 90’s for me personally.
Track 20: Baby You’re my Destiny – Taj Mahal
It’s our song.
Track 21: Bohemian Like You – Dandy Warhols
This song reminds me of a time in my twenties when I would go out to the same night club every Saturday night to dance the night away with my friends, and often also hoping my crush would walk in the door as well. This song was played multiple times a night.
Track 22: Midnight, The Stars and You – Deerhoof
Access the Mixtape here : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2e5Hhp1jx9XlFzJnuLvViQ
END OF MIXTAPE 1.