Confused as to what the heck this 1000 Minutes Project is about? Start here.
10.) Carole King – Beautiful (3:08) [Time Remaining: 968.21]
This next entry might garner me some kind of hippie/flower child label, but I’m willing to put on my rose-colored glasses and whip out my best peace sign in the interest of adding Carole King to my track list. In the realm of female songwriters there are very few I consider standouts. Unfortunate, but true. Cat Power aka Charlyn Marshall currently holds the title of reigning champion, but Carole King remains a nostalgic part of my childhood, and must be acknowledged as a pioneer for female recording artists everywhere. Her best and most well-known album, 1971’s Tapestry spent an astounding six years on the U.S. album chart, and a record-setting 15 consecutive weeks at No. 1. Though I considered choosing her hit “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” (penned by King at the young age of 17), ultimately the stand out song off this iconic album for me is the inspiring, lesser-known “Beautiful.” Perhaps it’s because my mother used to hum this one to me as a sort of alarm clock substitute back in my grade school days, but ultimately the track is a timeless conveyance of female empowerment.
11.) Radiohead – Killer Cars (Live) (2:17) [Time Remaining: 966.04]
Is it cliche and uncool to claim Radiohead fandom these days? There seems to be an ever-increasing need to name drop these guys in popular culture, but judgmental third parties be damned, I freaking love the English quintet. Music critic Chris Packham has said that “… from OK Computer onwards I thought Radiohead disappeared up their own backsides.” Perhaps this is true, but Thom, Jonny, and company don’t strike me as the conceited types. It’s hard to reach their current level of success without some ego inflation, but the band’s solo and side projects, coupled with their charitable contributions to such efforts as The Bridge School Benefit concerts and the recent Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy album, have me convinced their wholly motivated by creative/artistic invention. My first 1000 minute track from the groundbreaking band (yes, there will be others) is 1994′s amazing live rendition of “Killer Cars,” off the album Itch. The track was only previously released on the very rare issue of “Creep” on 12″ vinyl. Something inexplicable about this track guts, disturbs, and comforts me simultaneously.
