The Dao of iPod

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW OUTRAGEOUS IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the note from.

Note: I honestly did this just as described. I did not cherry pick the music, this is honestly what came up on shuffle.

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Run Like Hell – Pink Floyd

As crazy as it sounds, this song has always been a positive song for me. The kind of “take no prisoners” attitude that we all need sometimes. To me, it is a reminder to remember who you are, not to fall for the trappings of the easy thing to get along. In the business I’m in it is a daily occurrence to have to deal with those people you hate. The soulless vacant machines that infest politics, squeaky from leaking oil and guzzling grease. They’re broken down, worn out and they know it. The worst part is, they’re like those perpetually existing bad guys in the movies. The more they’re beaten, the harder they fight. The more you slay them, the more they come back. DIE FOUL BEASTS, RETURN TO YOUR MERKY PIT OF PESTILENCE AND PLAGUE!

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PE RSONALITY?
Ode to a Butterfly – Nickel Creek

Silent and elegant. Hurried and yet without care. To watch a butterfly anywhere in the world is a beautiful thing. They fight so hard to go only a short distance. I encourage you to stop your day the next time you see a butterfly, just watch as they hurry up and wait, hurry up and wait. Never a straight line to anything, but always a new destination to get to. My childhood home is in the migratory path for Monarch Butterflies, I’ve always been fascinated by them, how they always find the same places in their long travels, they always find home.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Ground On Down – Ben Harper

How can you not feel this song? Harper plugged in is the best Harper to be heard. The journey of this song, the discovery of the beautiful existence of struggle. The duality of that relationship that kills, whether it be work, love or life in general. The passion that makes you drive for those things that are most unachievable. The warning of what makes your life worth living, making it worth the time and interaction that makes life a beautiful struggle. It is this I look for in my friends as well as my love and it is this quality that strikes me hardest in the one I love.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Abraham – Sufjan Stevens

I’m not sure how this might relate, but here are the lyrics.

Abraham, worth a righteous one.
Take up on the wood,
put it on your son.
Lake or lamb.
There is none to harm.
When the angel came,
you had raised your arm.

Abraham, put off on your son.
Take instead the ram
until Jesus comes

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?

Give a Man a Home – Ben Harper

I mean, this is supposed to be a completely random thing, but it makes you wonder when you are homeless and at the mercy of friends’ couches to have a roof over your head, so come on, Give a Man a Home!

Have you ever lost your way
have you ever feared another day
have you ever misplaced your mind
watching this world leave you behind
won't you
won't you give
won't you give a man
give a man a home

have you ever worn thin
have you ever never known where to begin
have you ever lost your belief
watching your faith turn to grief

won't you
won't you give
won't you give a man
give a man a home

in a world that is unwhole
you have got to fight to keep your soul
some would rather give than receive
some would rather give up before they believe

won't you
won't you give
won't you give a man
give a man a home

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Creep – Damien Rice

This was a funny coincidence. One of my favorite songs in the world and one of the few covers I actually allow to be played on my iPod. This song has embodied so many moments of my life. I’ve always felt as though I was the perpetual outcast, always the Black Sheep trying so hard to find the conformity. I’ve tried, as many of us have at some point, to be that person that you want to be around, the person that people say “where is he?” when they get together. My closest of friends have helped me to maintain my sanity through these bouts of narcissistic Munchhausen’s, I’ve never hurt myself and I never would, but I have definitely pushed myself to breaking points to be “that guy”, “that clown here to amuse you”.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
Wrong Way – Sublime

I’m a guy, we all think about those things. But, I have always tried to play the part of hero, the rescuer. Usually I’m the one that ends up needing the rescue, but it was funny that this came up on the random.

WHAT IS 2+2?
Bongo Joe – Galactic

Of course it is. To anyone who knows Galactic, you’ll know why this was a very fitting song for a question meant to throw a curve ball. Funky jazz from NOLA, 4 beats with an aggressive down beat. Of course 2+2 = Bongo Joe.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Gotta Serve Somebody – Bob Dylan

Since all of my best friends are in the line of work called Public Service, this is a quite fitting song. We’ve all worked for Demons and Angels, but we all served somebody in the process. Just remember, we all serve somebody.

You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance,
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage,
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage,
You may be a business man or some high degree thief,
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk,
You may be the head of some big TV network,
You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame,
You may be living in another country under another name

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a construction worker working on a home,
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome,
You might own guns and you might even own tanks,
You might be somebody's landlord, you might even own banks

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride,
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side,
You may be workin' in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair,
You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk,
Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk,
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread,
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy,
You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy,
You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray,
You may call me anything but no matter what you say

You're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Vivid Unknown – Philip Glass & Yo Yo Ma

It doesn’t get much better than Philip Glass when it comes to what kind of classical music I love. His minimalist approach to music, simple and repetitive, is exactly what we all want to have when we get hold of the things that make us smile. We want them always, more and more, real or in memory. Then you bring in Yo Yo Ma, the only person I’ve ever known to tell a story with no words, he paints the picture of the memory with every mournful stroke of the cello. Now add the visual narration of the movie for which this music was written and you get the full story. For me, this music can paint every drive, every dinner, every coffee, every walk, every photo, and every hug. I see them all, feel them all and miss them all. Though slow, sad and droning, the final 2 minutes drive to that rapture of conclusion, that moment of finality, wherever that moment may occur.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Hey Hey - Dispatch

Love found, love lost. Work found, work lost. Cycles upon cycles. No regrets, that’s what we’re supposed to say, right?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Supposed To Be – Jack Johnson

Perfect song for this question, because I have no idea what I want to be. I’ve only done the things I’m supposed to do. I’ve usually always moved like water, sometimes with the flow, sometimes forcing myself through rock. I’ve almost always done it alone, even when I’ve had friends there to help, I’ve been really good at making sure to drive them away, force them to swim to the nearest shore or be drowned in the rapids of my life. Maybe this is what it is supposed to be, I have no idea.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
45 Degrees (East’s Heart Divided) – Songs:Ohia

This song doesn’t make much sense, but it has a nice angst driven push to it. Sleeping in wartime and having to ask permission to be there, seems about right sometimes. But again, it is the wonders of shuffle on iPod.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Oh God, Where are you now? – Sufjan Stevens

Song as prayer or prayer as song, take your pick. But, it definitely has the feeling of parents asking for a watchful eye for their boy. Probably a bit too sad for my parents though.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
A Winner Needs a Wand – Sufjan Stevens

Random is a wonderful thing, though I would probably have some Sufjan playing at my wedding, I’m not sure this is the song that I would choose. It is a wonderfully tight storyline, the dynamic alliteration and somewhat nonsense lyrics, actually tell a wonderful love story of struggling identity.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Born at the Right Time – Paul Simon

This is one of my favorite songs of Paul Simon’s, though I’ve never thought it to be particularly relating to my life. I am one of those people though that has actually spent time thinking about what songs they’d hope to have played at their funeral. I’m kind of like the main character in High Fidelity, bit scary sometimes. So….

Top 5 Songs to play at the funeral of Brendan Beattie, no particular order…

China Cat Sunflower into You Know Me Rider – Grateful Dead

Heaven – Talking Heads

The Harder They Come – Jimmy Cliff

When the Saints Come Marching in – Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Castles Made of Sand – Jimi Hendrix

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Cello Song – Nick Drake

Honestly in the Top 10 Funeral Songs, just doesn’t quite break into the above 5. It does certainly relate to what has essentially become the purpose of my life, that of helping others to achieve their little slice of heaven. I hope someday there are hands reaching down to me in my time of need, until then, I’ll keep pushing up from the bottom, Sit and wait and sing my song.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Miami – Yo Gotti ft. Rick Ross

‘Cus we roll hard. Go Hard, Go Home. We Run This.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Romeo - Sublime

The shuffle strikes again with another outside hit. At least at first glance, but when you get into the lyrics… The story of Romeo is truly one of the worst things that could happen. Sublime’s version however, is of course stained with all kinds of seediness, but then, so is my life.

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
A Punch-Up at a Wedding – Radiohead

Title is fitting, as I could definitely see this happening in real life. The arguments of the lyrics however, I see myself more as the one singing than the person being sung to, but who knows…

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Motion Picture Soundtrack – Radiohead

Such a sad song, reminds me of the one time in my life that I almost completely lost my mind. It was one of the largest regrets I’ve ever had, letting that person turn me into something so helpless and lost. It is not who I am and I’m glad I’m better now. Thank you to those people that helped me through that period of my life, you know who you are.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Ain’t No Reason – Brett Dennen

If you don’t know Brett Dennen, you should. This song is probably the closest thing to explaining what goes through my head every day, so yes, It makes me smile and laugh.

there ain't no reasons things are this way
its how they've always been and they intend to stay
I can't explain why we live this way
we do it every day
preachers on the podiums speaking to saints
prophets on the sidewalks begging for change
old ladies laughing from the fire escape, cursing my name
i got a basket full of lemons and they all taste the same
a window and a pigeon with a broken wing
you can spend your whole life working for something
just to have it taken away
people walk around pushing back their desks
wearing pay checks like necklaces and bracelets
talking 'bout nothing, not thinking about their
every little heart beat, every little breath
people walk a tight rope on a razor's edge
carrying their hurt and hatred and weapons
it could be a bomb or a bullet or a pin
or a thought or a word or a sentence.
There ain't no reasons things are this way
its how they've always been and they intend to stay
I don't know why i say the things i say,
but I say them anyway.
but love will come set me free
love will come set me free
i do believe
love will come set me free
i know it will
love will come set me free
yes
prison walls still standing tall
some things never change at all
keep on building prisons,
gonna fill them all.
keep on building bombs
gonna drop them all
working your fingers bare to the bone
breaking your back, make you sell your soul
like a lung is filled with coal, suffocating slow
the wind blows wild and I may move
but politicians lie and I’m not fooled
you don't need no reason or a 3 piece suit
to argue the truth
the air on my skin and the world under my toes
Slavery stitched into the fabric of my clothes
chaos and commotion wherever I go
love, I try to follow
but love will come set me free
love will come set me free
I do believe
love will come set me free
I know it will
love will come set me free
yes
there ain't no reasons things are this way
its how they've always been and they intend to stay
I can't explain why we live this way;
we do it every day.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Whenever I have Done a Thing in Flames – Songs:Ohia

I’m not sure why, but this band gets to me on a lot of levels. None of their songs are really longer than a paragraph, but they are powerful. Just read the lyrics.

in any house in the world there is background of flames
in any house in the world there is background of storms
and any house in the world a winter spent alone
wherever I have done a thing for love it has ruined me
rebuild the day out of flames
rebuild the day out of the silence of that day
I'm going to choose, I will have to choose
whenever I have done a thing in flames (x2)
it has saved me

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Please, Please Me – Ben Harper

I’ve asked myself this question a few times. My younger sister is married, many of my friends and colleagues are married, and all of them seem happy. But for some reason, this has not been one of my life goals. It is not that I haven’t found someone I could see myself spending the rest of my life with, I have. It isn’t that love has left me or gone unrequited, but more of a sense of not needing that sort of recognition as required by society of what 2 people share. I’m sure someday, baby, I just, maybe… but until then, I just want someone to Please me like they want to, not like they have to.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
The Partisan – Leonard Cohen

When they poured across the border
I was cautioned to surrender,
this I could not do;
I took my gun and vanished.
I have changed my name so often,
I've lost my wife and children
but I have many friends,
and some of them are with me.

An old woman gave us shelter,
kept us hidden in the garret,
then the soldiers came;
she died without a whisper.

There were three of us this morning
I'm the only one this evening
but I must go on;
the frontiers are my prison.

Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing,
through the graves the wind is blowing,
freedom soon will come;
then we'll come from the shadows.

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Bang Bang - Dispatch

Shuffle knows all. I can’t wait for the next adventure with you all.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Aish Tamid - Matisyahu

I would go back to the point where I was supposed to see the city crumbling, so I knew when to start rebuilding; much easier to do when things first fall apart than returning to a lost civilization.

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Darling, You Are - Songs:Ohia

darling you are one of the bad women
darling you are one of.....

need I write more?