shivers

Every once in awhile you hear that song where the vocals stay with you. The singer doesn't have to have the best voice, in fact classically trained voices rarely make me feel that rawness. You know the ones I'm talking about. You save them for rainy days and broken hearts. They send shivers down your spine and make you cry.

"Kozmic Blues" by Janis Joplin
I had to start the playlist with Janis, for raw vocal emotion there is no one to match. "Kozmic Blues" is a gem, take a listen.


"Your Eyes" by Adam Pascal (RENT)
This song never fails to make me cry. You think I'm a baby? Listen to the damn track.

"Don't Think Twice It's Alright" by Bob Dylan
Out of all the amazing material Dylan writes this simple song makes me feel more than anything else. Maybe the man let his guard down just a little bit, just enough for him to seem human instead of an immortal legend.

"Hurt" by Johnny Cash
The Man in Black put so much of himself into this cover, when I listen to it I always forget it's a cover.

"Everything Reminds Me of Her" by Elliott Smith
Intensity is a word that always comes up when Elliott Smith is mentioned and this song is very intense. Elliott's voice cracks with the intensity.

"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
Lush, gorgeous. I love Leonard Cohen for writing this song and I love Jeff Buckley for immortalizing it.


"Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by Carole King
Tapestry is an amazing album, Carole King's masterpiece. Although this song became cheezified in Dirty Dancing the sentiment and feeling are strong enough to overcome anything that threatens its beauty.

"The Needle and the Damage Done" by Neil Young
It speaks for itself.

"The Prayer" by Charlotte Church & Josh Groban
Two of the few classically trained vocalists who can really stir emotion. This song is just amazing.

"Dandelion" by Antje Duvekot
"You were looking for an orchid and I will always be a dandelion."

"Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" by Counting Crows
"If dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts." I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!

"Radio" by Rancid
Some will say that Tim Armstrong has a bad voice, I say think about the years of long nights of cigarrettes and alcohol and then listen to "Radio" Raw punk angst.

"Sweet Jane" by the Cowboy Junkies
Another cover that changes the entire feeling of the song and makes it their own.

"Fuck and Run" by Liz Phair
Liz Phair when she was good. Liz Phair when she was raw and edgy. Liz Phair before she sold out.

"Within Your Reach" by The Replacements
Watch Say Anything and then tell me this song isn't great. I love how they make the guitars sound like airplanes.