So last week we ended a bit of an era in the blogosphere.

Jen Kehl’s Twisted Mixed Tape Tuesdays went on hiatus.

But, with Jen’s support, in came Jackie from Ambling and Rambling to fill the void and offer us a musical hop, with a slightly different focus.

A musical A to Z.

Each week a different letter to musically do with as you will.

With the wine from Easter dinner coursing through my veins Sunday night, inspiration struck, and I drafted my list.

I’ve been in a bit of a funk for the last week or so: pressures of work; trying to balance everything; generally feeling overwhelmed about everything I need to do for everyone else and the lack of, well, anything ever being about me.

So, I took some me time; musically wallowed; considered; and came with a “What about my needs!” musical “A Game.”

1.  Meredith Brooks – (All) I Need (1997)

So here’s the thing.  First song up and I’ve already cheated.  The song is really just called I Need.  But it’s the first song I thought of when I started thinking about, well, me and what I needed to, well, feel more like myself again.  And I always think of it with the “All” in front, so I’m making it count.  My blog; my rules.

And I think I’d be good if I covered off much of Meredith’s list.  As an example:

I need some good luck; I need a best friend;
I need a rough dog; I need a mountain;
I need some new clothes, a TV, a cause;
A trip to Nirvana, the thrill of applause.

I need a wet kiss, I need to confess;
I need a vision, religion;
The right to be silent, and then to be heard;
A week on an island, a diet that works.

And then my favourite bit a bit later on:

I need a Guru, I need to chill
I need a Mercedes 280SL.
Yeah, that’ll fix it, I’ll be complete.
I need a, I need a, I need a…

See how easy I am to please?

2.  Alanis Morrissette – All I Really Want (1995)

Given I cheated on the first one, I figure I should get double “A” points here – for both artist and title.  Ooh Yeah.

I’ve posted Alanis music twice before on this blog; but both times it was from her lesser known debut pop album as a bit of a lark.  So I don’t really feel I’ve ever done who she became as an artist justice.  This song, from her breakout album Jagged Little Pill, hits the mark a bit better than my previous choices.

I covered needs in my first pick, so I figure it’s time to see if I can catch a few wants while I’m at it.

And the lyrics just kind of resonated with the current level of chaos and busy in my life – especially when thrown together with my Type A personality (Another A!  Score!):

Do I stress you out?
My sweater is on backwards and inside out.
And you say how appropriate.

I don’t want to dissect everything today.
I don’t mean to pick you apart you see
But I can’t help it.

There I go jumping before the gunshot has gone off.
Slap me with a splintered ruler.
And it would knock me to the floor if I wasn’t there already.
If only I could hunt the hunter.

And all I really want is some patience.
A way to calm the angry voice.
And all I really want is deliverance.

But enough about me.  Let’s talk about you for a minute.

3.  Lenny Kravitz – Are you Gonna Go My Way? (1993)

Because it would be nice to have you over here with me.  If it helps, we have wine.

And if that doesn’t win people over to Team Me?  Well, there’s always blind faith!

4.  Mike and the Mechanics – All I Need is a Miracle (1985)

I loved this song from the moment I heard it when I was eight.  And it always has a calming effect on me.  I think it’s because it brings me back to childhood; to taping songs off the radio; to holding my breath at open swim so I could listen to this song through the underwater speakers at the pool.  So there’s a happy, escapist quality to it for me.

Also, it comes with a nice reminder to appreciate and be thankful for what you have:

But it’s always the same old story.
You never know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.

And that’s the thought that brings me to my last choice of the evening, the need to find and celebrate the good in life.

5.  Monty Python – Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (1979)

Nothing like a little humour and perspective, right?

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So, that’s my contribution to the first week of A to Z in music.  I don’t know that I’ll find my inspiration every week, but I certainly wanted to join in for the first week on the hop to (hopefully) help with a successful launch of what I hope is another fun space to share a bit of music online.