The Valentine's Grinch

Hello everyone, loved all your responses to my last post - but time for something a little more timely.
It's Valentine's Day this thursday and i decided to mix things up with an Anti-Valentine's playlist. A quick google shows that what i thought was an entirely original idea is far from it... oh well, hopefully my choices are unique.

Now why an anti-valentines list? well cause as much as i'm a sucker for Xmas and Halloween, i've never understood Valentines, why should you only be expressing your love on a particular day? The old adagio that it's a holiday created by florists and card makers seems to ring true with me, so here's a mixtape of sad songs, breakup tunes and acerbic hate. ENJOY!

(P.S. again links where available, and thanks to the respective blogs who provide them, if you want them down please e-mail me at skirmishbass14@hotmail.com)

VALENTINE'S GRINCH PLAYLIST

KELIS - CAUGHT OUT THERE
Perfectly sets the tone for our mix, a break up that highlights the farce that is St. Valentine's Day.
sample Lyric: I hate you so much right now/ARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!
watch it here

SOFT CELL - TAINTED LOVE
The classic break up song, and a brilliant cover to boot.
sample Lyric: once i ran to you/now i run from you/this tainted love you've given/i give you all a boy could give you
Download here

OUTKAST - LOVE HATER
Strange opener to Andre 3000's solo half, The Love Below, there's also the excellent Valentine's Day from the same album, but this tone sits better
sample lyric: love hater/hater of love
get it here

BEN FOLDS FIVE - SONG FOR THE DUMPED
What Anti-Valentine's playlist would be complete without asking for your money back, and don't forget the black t-shirt.
sample lyric: So you wanted to take a break/Slow it down some and have some space/Well fuck you too
Listen now

KATE NASH - DICKHEAD
Most of Kate Nash's songs deal with grubby, stupid boys. Errr cooties, but this one just takes the cake.
sample lyric: Thirty five People couldn't count/
On two hands the amount of times you made me stop/
Stop and think why are you being such a dickhead for
listen here

OZMA - HEARTACHE VS. HEARTBREAK
A cheeky lil' debate between the descriptions of both, with some great boy/girl vocal work
sample lyric: but my mind and body fail me now/and my shining armor's rusted now
available now

STARS - YOUR EX-LOVER IS DEAD
So achingly beautiful it almost hurts, this really captures the mood for anyone whose had to smile when they really don't wanna
sample lyric: i'm not sorry i met you/ i'm not sorry it's over/i'm not sorry there's nothing to say
acquaint yourself

PORCUPINE TREE - HATESONG
An eight minute workout that manages to say more with its music than its words
sample lyric: i hope when you hear this you'll want to sue
watch here

STABBING WESTWARD - THE THING I HATE
You have to include a band whose name refers to piercing your heart now don't you? from the classic break up album 'Darkest Days"
sample lyric: i won't become the thing i hate/ i won't become you
Watch a Riddick Street Fighter Video Version

WILCO - I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART
Quirky and Inventive, this still manages to tug at the heartstrings and crap all over the shiny image of Valentine card sentimentality
sample lyric: this is not a joke so please stop smiling/what was i thinking when i said it didn't hurt?
weep here

U2 - ONE
Ironically this is a favourite at weddings, people obviously haven't listend to the lyrics enough.
sample lyric: We're One/But we're not the same/ we hurt each other/then we do it again
reassess here

ELBOW - I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER
Just such a great, laidback approach. Particularly singer Guy Garvey's throwaway vocal.
sample lyric: grow a fucking heart love
YouTube it here

JIMMY EAT WORLD - OVER
J.E.W's ouvre could fill an entire album's worth of anti-valentines, but this is the jewel in the crown
sample lyric: your attention is still attention/it doesn't matter if it's fake or real/i'll take it if i get it
watch a fan video

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - SOMEDAY YOU WILL BE LOVED
I'm relying on the majesty of Benjamin Gibbard and co. to take me out with a lil' bit of hope. No matter how bad things get, time heals all wounds. Or is it wounds all heals?
sample lyric: The memories of me/will seem more like bad dreams/just a series of blurs/like i never occurred
listen now


Once again, feel free to contribute with your thoughts, i'd love to hear them.
And hope you have a grouchy Valentine's Day.

C'est La Vie,
Al