Bree’s 5 Songs

1. Just A Girl – No Doubt This song paved for a lifetime of idol worship. I could never join the ranks of real riot grrl’s (Beyond 6th grade, I never even received a detention). Besides, they were in a permanent state of “Pissed Off.” Gwen & Co. narrated my adolescence through unrequited love, fickle friends, unrelenting stalker types, prickish flings and hair color changes. Between her and Monique Powell of Save Ferris, I had strong role models that helped me develop a “Ill do what I want, when I want– and look good doing it” attitude that I would I hope I still exude to this day.

2. Tired Of You – Foo Fighters I went to the midnight record release of One By One @ Virgin Records. I have never been so IMMEDIATELY transfixed by a song in my life (although Ok Go’s “Let It Rain” comes in at a close second). When I stood in line afterward to get it signed, I was completely tongue tied. After Taylor Hawkins raved about my hair, he asked my name… and I replied in barely a whisper. He put out his hand and I just stared at it… so he patted me on the shoulder. Groan.

3. My Hotel Year (acoustic) The Ataris So when I was 19 I had this mini-fling with a boy at my work, and we both liked The Ataris. One day he announced he was going to see The Ataris at the Glasshouse. He did not invite me. So I invited another boy from work. I somehow found myself standing between the both of them during this song, and the line “I’m more alone with you then when I’m by myself” jumped out at me. Obviously, Kris Roe was trying to warn me of inevitable future heartbreak– and I did not listen. Such is life for someone who does thing for the sake of a good story to tell later.

4. Rock Star Land – Yellowcard I was in Chain Reaction, sitting on the corner of the bar, suffering in the aftermath of Screech’s cacophonic rock band Salty the Pocketknife. And then I heard a violin. I was so in love. I bought the CD right after they finished playing, and tried to figure out who was in the band so I could get them to sign my cd, because I was sure they were going to be huge someday. I went to 60-some shows, but around show 20-something, they asked me to stop paying for shows. They told me I was their friend. It’s a really long story, filled with smaller stories, some of which only mean something to me— but without Yellowcard, I would not be where I am now. They let me be a part of something that I always wanted to be a part of (music)– without them, I would not have met 95% of my closest friends, including my most trusted– Annette, Abbey, Kevin. I would not have pushed to get all the interships I did, would not have had to drop that math class because I took a test hungover. I mean, what? Without YC I would have met Over It, and without Over It and me loitering in their Warped tent, I would not have met my boyfriend, who has also changed my life. Things have changed over the years, but I would still pretty much defend them to the death, because they mean a lot to me.

5. Rocket – Save Ferris This was a song Save Ferris played live a lot, before they broke up, but they never recorded it. They always dedicated it to the fans, because thats what its about– being a fan. And about idols falling. She said she wrote the song when she met one of her idols, and he/she wasn’t what she expected. She was dissapointed. So she wrote this song from the innocent perspective, from a fan who is just there for the music. I have all the lyrics transcribed on my computer at home, but here are some.

Lyrics: Well the kids keep rockin no matter what you play And were lovin you no matter what you say Well always be here And were youre devoted fans All you have to do is rock it… While were making no demands And we just wanna hear it -we just wanna hear it – we just wanna hear it all over again Well you really think you know just what we want? We really just want everything youve got we just wanna hear it all over again…

It’s a good song for times when you forget that your idols are human, that they’re not infallible. It’s a good song to help you refocus on the music, because that’s what matters most.