THIS IS LIL WHY

The Kills- Pale Blue Eyes (The Velvet Underground Cover)

What a lovely cover. The Kills definitely re-interpret this classic, but they maintain some sort of hybrid 1950s guitar meets modern rock. Brilliant way to rock up Lou Reed’s mellow brilliance. If for some reason this is the first time you’ve heard this track, do go seek out the original as its a modern classic.

“Linger on…”

Ani Di Franco- Untouchable Face 

The greatest Fuck You -and your untouchable face- song? Ani weaponizes her words here allowing the music to remain mellow for an impressively calm invective. The quiet tone to the music might make the lyrics even more effective.

“Fuck you for existing in the first place.”

Alanis Morissette- You Ought To Know

Can’t escape the Fury that is Alanis (on this track). We’re not huge fans of the Canadian, but no one more effectively conveys the tragic anger inherent in the scorned/abandoned/cheated on/heart broken/ broken up with woman. It’s impressive that this translates to any dissolved relationship because ultimately, someone will always be hurt. The person in question, needs this track on repeat.

“It was a slap in the face/ how quickly I was replaced/ and are you thinking of me when you fuck her?”

Grouplove- Tongue Tied

Can’t help but root for this Group. From the interviews we’ve read, they seem like genuine artists who only want to express themselves and connect to others through music. Their music conveys an idealized adolescence, an experience that these free spirited kidz probably happily endured. If an alien were to understand teenagedom through this music, if would seem lovely, free from acne, and unable to convey awkwardness.

Love this group. Period.

Bob Dylan- Masters Of War

If there was ever a better written vituperative track, please do let us know because we haven’t heard anything to match the invective evidenced here. Moreover, this song hasn’t aged whatsoever. The litmus test of a classic? Students have still been questioned for playing this one at schools, if Greenday covered this (oy don’t get any ideas) their fans would believe this was written recently, although protest songs were much more fun during the Bush Rove/Cheney administration.

“Is your money that good? / Could it buy you forgiveness? / Do you think that it could? / I think you will find / when your death takes its toll / all the money you made / will never buy back your soul.”

Nirvana- Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Leadbelly Cover)

What’s a countdown without Nirvana? This one was a game changer for us, merging grunge with folk, the obsessions that followed the initial listening of this track. We found this cover to display was the rawest emotion of all the songs off of MTV Unplugged In New York, one of our favorite live albums. This was one of Kurt’s last shows and though it’s historical speculation here, we can just hear the desperation of the tortured young man in his final yawp, “shiverrrrrr.” Apparently he was asked to do an encore following the song, but refused knowing that he couldn’t top his performance of the Leadbelly classic. He was probably right.

“…Where the sun don’t ever shine I’d shiver the whole night through.”

The White Stripes- 300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues

Man, we haven’t rocked out to The White Stripes since middle school. In fact, the last time we belted Seven Nation Army it was a football beer drankin chant (amen)! Still, these lyrics are clever, “I”m getting hard on myself / sitting in my easy chair.” Classic.

“Well, There’s three people in the mirror, I can’t decide which one of them I should choose.”

Dirty Pretty Things- Bang Bang You’re Dead

This one takes us back. Back to a time when the Brits were going to bring back rock-n-roll instead of purposeless rioting in the streets and unapologetic racism on public transport. At least this song pretty much unintentionally depicts the fighting technique of Cassius Clay - Happy bday Muhammad! However, we always believed this to be an invective critique of Doherty shooting up.

Guess Ali and Doherty sure know how to go out with a bang!

U2- Pride (In The Name Of Love)

                          Yeah, yeah we picked the most obvious song for MLK day, but we’re more into these old clips of his speeches, so “in the name of love” bear with us. We’re not here to present King as a perfect person. In fact, we should be humbled that such a complex and flawed man accomplished so much. He was no saint, simply an ordinary individual with an extraordinarily courageous eloquence. 

Dream on.

The Bravery- Believe

How much longer will you let Lilwhy indulge in past favourites for? If you can’t handle much longer then better backtrack to Facebook. This song has been through the CW ringer, going from Gossip Girl all the way to a Twilight promo (swoon), but fortunately we can separate its trite usage from its value as a classic emo-y track. We recommend this one for an angry/sad run.

“I am just nothing, that’s just what I’ve become, what am I waiting for? It’s already done.”