What's on your 2009 MixTape?

(If you don't read the entire thing, here's my question to you: what songs are on your list for a 2009 mixtape? Please leave your answers in the comments.)

Way back in the stone age (1995), my brother used to make me sit next to the stereo with the tape deck on record/pause, just waiting for a particular song to come on the radio so he could have it on tape. I don't want to tell you what the songs were, since they might embarrass him a little, so...wait, didn't he make me sit next to a boombox for hours?

"Carnival" by Natalie Merchant
"Kiss from a Rose" by Seal
"I'll be There for You" by The Rembrandts

We might use CDs for our mixes now, but no matter what media you use, mixtapes get outdated VERY quickly. They are dominated by songs we like right now, and because of that we tend to listen to them over and over and over again. But the fun part, to me, is coming back to the mix a year later and immersing yourself in that old season.

That feeling was the impetus for a project I started with my circle of friends from college. We make mixes in December composed of songs that sum up the year for us. Some chosen songs remind people of important events (moving, a wedding, kickboxing championship), others represent a period in their year. Then, at our annual weekend trip, we talk about the songs we chose. It's a good way to share stories, keep up to date with friends, and hear new music.

Before I tell you what we compiled in 2008, I'll list my completely arbitrary process and rules:

• Each person ranks up to five songs
• Songs will only be used if they were released or peaked in the last 18 months
• All first choices are used
• All duplicates are used
• Any person who gets married or has a child is allowed to choose any song, regardless of year (the Evie Rule)
• 2nd through 5th choices are added based on space
• Up to 2 Editor's picks (special events)

Last year's list was a fun one. Brett (bld) shied away from his normal routine of listening to songs that just got old to the rest of us, picking some current charttoppers. Criss introduced us to Duffy's B sides, all the way from Kazakhstan. Coldplay and Sara Bareilles got their share of nominations. And everyone got rickrolled one last time:

(initials listed, * denotes top choice)

Coldplay - Life in Technicolor - ai*, hi*
Sara Bareilles - Love Song - hi, dp, bm
Yael Naim - New Soul - bm
Bruce Springsteen - The Wrestler - dp*
Duffy - Warwick Avenue - cn*
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours - bm, hi, bhd
Kate Perry - Hot N Cold - bld
Brandon Heath - Give me Your Eyes - ai
Los Lobos - Evangeline (1987) - hi mommy pick
Ray LaMontagne - Winter Birds - dp
Duffy - Delayed Devotions - cn
Sara Bareilles - Bottle it Up - dp, hi
Jason Castro - Hallelujah - bm*
Taylor Swift - Love Story - bhd, kc*
Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry on Their Own - bld
Coldplay - Viva la Vida - bhd*, bld*
Brandi Carlile - The Story - sm*
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride and Joy (1983) - ai daddy pick
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give you Up - editor's pick rickrolled
Sara Bareilles - Many the Miles - ai, bm
Brett Dennen - San Francisco - editor's pick location

(Most of the songs are in the playlist below. Some that aren't are linked from youtube videos. But go buy the songs!)

I'll be sending out the requests in December, but in the meantime, here's my question to you: what songs are on your list for 2009? Comment, please!



Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes



Los Lobos - Evangeline


Sara Bareilles - Many the Miles


Brett Dennen - San Francisco