All Things Go Valentines Day Mixtape III

It’s that time of the year again. Keeping on with the tradition I’ve had for the past two years, I present you with the All Things Go Valentine’s Day Mixtape III. This one has a bit more of a nostalgic flavor, with classics from the Rolling Stones and Sam Cooke, covers of classics by Rogue Wave and Spoon, and some acoustic beauties in the form of Nick Miller and Bon Iver. It also features numerous covers, so you guys can hear some of your favorite songs sung by more contemporary artists.

The mixtape starts out with one of my all-time favorite songs and one that was introduced to me over two years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized how well it would fit here. Her Space Holiday’s songs tend to be more about love lost or tend to be more bleak, but “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend” bucks that trend in a big way. Up next is Rogue Wave’s cover of “All You Need Is Love”, with the original finding a spot on our second V-day mixtape. Track three is one of my girlfriend’s favorites, and for good reason. This absolute classic has been covered and recovered hundreds, if not thousands of times. Hell, even my friend Jackson covered it in his high school jazz band, but nothing beats the original. Soft, sexy, just plain beautiful. The next two songs are courtesy of Sam Cooke, the epitome of a crooner. I didn’t truly appreciate the genius that is Sam Cooke until I started taking a “black music and american cultural history” class, and realized that Cooke was not only had a breathtaking voice, but also a strong will and thoughtful approach to his music, which Britt Daniel captures quite nicely in his rendition of “Bring it on Home to Me”.

Cloud Cult delivers “Chemicals Collide” next, followed by Tom Vek’s “C-C (You Set the Fire in Me)”, which has special meaning for me (see: Claire Cafritz). Mark Ronson produces song eight, while D.C.-based up-and-coming awesome super sweet legit badass mastermind rapper Wale contributes the verses, and the two blend together to create a doozy of a re-take on Marvin Gaye’s classic. The Stones make their second appearance on a V-Day Mix (“Under My Thumb” was on Vol. II), this time with “Beast of Burden”. While Mick and the gang are a tough act to follow, Michael Cera and Ellen Page, stars of the it indie film of 2007 (Juno), try their best with their almost unbearably innocent and sweet cover of The Moldy Peaches’ “Anyone Else But You”. Next, resident musician Nick Miller contributes an acoustic cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, which I simply cannot get enough of. After that it’s Dntel’s “Rock My Boat” (with Mia Doi Todd), off of Dumb Luck, which was a CRIMINALLY underrated album. Bon Iver then closes out this warm and loving mix with one of the most passionate and gorgeous songs on the mixtape, and maybe the most wonderful song of 07, “Skinny Love”.

Well, there you have it….WAIT….

You thought it was over? It’s just getting started. It’s “Business Time”, so put on that old t-shirt you got from your work’s softball team, do the dishes, then come hop in bed for the best two minutes of your life.

DOWNLOAD: All Things Go Valentine’s Day Mixtape III [follow link]

MP3: 01. Her Space Holiday – “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend”
MP3: 02. Rogue Wave – “All You Need is Love (Beatles Cover)”
MP3: 03. Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto – “The Girl From Ipanema”
MP3: 04. Sam Cooke – “You Send Me”
MP3: 05. Spoon – “Bring it on Home to Me (Sam Cooke Cover)”
MP3: 06. Cloud Cult – “Chemicals Collide”
MP3: 07. Tom Vek – “C-C (You Set the Fire in Me)”
MP3: 08. Mark Ronson ft. Wale – “You’re All I Need to Get By”
MP3: 09. The Rolling Stones – “Beast of Burden”
MP3: 10. Michael Cera & Ellen Page – “Anyone Else But You”
MP3: 11. Nick Miller – “Umbrella”
MP3: 12. Dntel – “Rock My Boat (ft. Mia Doi Todd)”
MP3: 13. Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
MP3: 14. Flight of the Conchords – “Business Time”

Treat your loved one special today folks, and enjoy your Valentine’s Day. And if you don’t have a loved one, go find one. And if you don’t want to find one, eat a gallon of ice cream in your pajamas while you sit at home alone crying about how February 14th is a stupid and meaningless holiday. Your choice.

Love,
Zack