I have just restumbled upon Friday Five, wherein random webloggers and online self-publishing folk such as this author answer five questions published by Friday Five Dot Org. Disregarding the fact that today is Monday, a dearth of content produced locally, and a music theme in the latest edition, compels yours truly to tackle the five questions herein.

I have just restumbled upon Friday Five, wherein random webloggers and online self-publishing folk such as this author answer five questions published by Friday Five Dot Org. Disregarding the fact that today is Monday, a dearth of content produced locally, and a music theme in the latest edition, compels yours truly to tackle the five questions herein.

1. Name one song you hate to admit you like.

I’m pretty open with my musical tastes, including most guilty pleasures. I am, after all, a lifelong Kiss fan. But I must confess to enjoying, quietly and consistently, all the big Richard Marx hits.

2. Name two songs that always make you cry.

Music doesn’t make me cry. It does, however, make me swoon. Songs that get me include “Moby Octopad,” by Yo La Tengo, and, once upon a time, “Black Velvet,” by Alannah Myles (at least, it did, before it got played and cliched).

3. Name three songs that turn you on.

In lieu of particular songs, I will give you, dear reader, the one fuck-while-listening-to-this CD you ever need to own, given that you already know to stock your shelves with good jazz and Marvin Gaye to set the mood beforehand:

No Protection, Massive Attack v. Mad Professor

You can thank me later. It’s also quite good on its own.

4. Name four songs that always make you feel good.

So so many. A few zingers off the top of my head:

~ “Sweetness and Love,” Odds

~ “Where’s Summer B,” Ben Folds Five

~ “Riding on the Back,” Francis Dunnery

~ “Cult of Personality,” Living Colour

5. Name five songs you couldn’t ever do without.

Once upon a time I compiled a list of 33 1/3 albums and 78 songs I considered essential to my collection. Here are five of those songs, best as I can remember (someday I’ll recompile and publish the big sheet). Some of the artists and songs listed above—no, not Richard Marx—are among my 78.

~ “Movin’,” Supergrass

~ “The Jam,” Larry Graham Band

~ “Parasite,” Kiss

~ “Time Capsule,” Matthew Sweet

~ “A Love Supreme,” John Coltrane

There are so many more that the shortlist pains me. But it’s a start.