Girl Talk Thursday is a weekly event run by Maria of Mommy Melee. This week, we’re discussing our favourite songs.  It’s been interesting to watch the Twitter conversation around this topic, because several women seem to be saying that that our favourite songs, or the ones that are most meaningful to us, bring tears to our eyes and strike at our hearts.

I’ve definitely felt that while putting together this list, but I didn’t really get into a lot of the stories behind these songs, if only because some of them are so intensely personal that they’re too personal to type here. Yes.  I, who have written about A LOT here, won’t write about certain stories. But there are some of you girls I’d love to share personal stories with over a bottle of wine.

I settled on ten songs — four in video form, six with links to their vid on YouTube.

“Every Now and Then” by Tony Henry. My favourite slow jam song – if you listen to NOTHING else on this list, nothing else today, if you hate music, it doesn’t matter, you must, must, must listen to this song.  I am not joking.  It is AMAZING.  That this man is not an international star is beyond me.  This vid is nothing but the name of the song and the artist, so you can even work in another window while listening and not miss anything visually.  There is another Tony Henry that’s a recording artist, but he’s like an opera dude or something? Not the same.  (Thank you, Mark, for introducing me to this song — one of the MANY MANY MANY amazing artists you’ve brought to my attention.)

“Fast as You” by Dwight Yoakam is my favourite country song. I’m pretty sure this is the favourite country song of everyone in my family with the possible exception of my very Polish grandfather, who loves “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. Also: LOOK AT THAT LEG ACTION! Smooth.

“Reckless Girl” by The Beginerz used to remind me of myself.  Still kinda does, a little bit.  But it’s just got a great groove to it.  “I ain’t much at cookin’ & sewin’, but my man is crazy for me.  I spend his money like there’s no tomorrow, I’m a reckless girl, I agree.”

“Angel” by Massive Attack is “our” song. This played at our wedding, but Chris was too cool to dance with his new wife. Ironically, I was introduced to this band — hell, this entire genre of music — by the Professor.  This song really gets to me.  It’s so powerful, the beat throbs, the singer’s voice is ethereal… shivers.  Serious shivers.

“Dirrty” by Cristina Aguilera is my favourite sexy song – . Chris and I first bonded and flirted over how fking hot this video is, all those years ago. I don’t know why, but I love the part around 4:03 where she kicks the water up.  It always sticks in my mind.

“Just to Get By” by Talib Kweli is the song I have an unexpected but deep love affair with. Love the chorus on this one — hell, I love all the lyrics.  It’s just inspiring.  Also, Talib Kweli tweets!

“Breathe Me” by Sia is THE song that makes me cry. Mom, I know you have heard this one before and it made you cry, too (I think at the end of “Six Feet Under”?).  Not only is it lyrically and musically beautiful, but it unlocks certain painful memories.  For that reason, I rarely listen to it… but when I do, I am always moved.

“Love Shack” by the B-52s is my favourite 80s groove.. Is there anyone that doesn’t love this song?  Also, if your answer is yes, please just close my blog now.  Don’t bother telling me in the comments.  I’ll just pretend you didn’t write it anyway.

“As The Rush Comes (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)” by Motorcycle takes the title of best song you’ve never heard but you should. Vid is just that one image, but this is the kind of song you just listen to and feel.

Last, but certainly not least, the song I consider to be my “theme song”: “Penny On the Train Track” by Ben Kweller.

I’m just a penny on the train track
Waitin’ for my judgement day
Come on baby girl let me see those legs
Before I get flattened away

I wait
Yeah, I wait
For something good, for something great

Stoppin’ in somebody’s old home town
Gotta get that midnight meal
If you can’t get behind your own life
Get behind the driving wheel

And go, just go
Find a place that you don’t know

Ran into a friend just the other night
Got a badge, he’s a local cop
Haven’t seen that boy in over seven years
Since out of high school I dropped

I see, I see
All the things that I should be

Oh baby dance with me!

Even lucky man has a bad day
And pretty girl has a scar
After that train comes and takes me away
Pick up that guitar

And play, just play
Play that rock and roll for me

He’s in the yard just washin’ his car
Thinkin’ ’bout his pretty wife
Makin’ lemonade with the kitchen aid
Makin’ him a perfect life

And it’s grim, so dim
When you wish that you were just like him

I’m just a penny on the train track
Waitin’ for my judgement day
Come on baby girl let me see those legs
Before I get flattened away

I wait, I wait
For something good, for something great

And I try, oh I try
I can’t stop, I don’t know why