Some Songs Considered

The Some Songs Considered 500

I started writing this blog not too long after The Pitchfork 500 came out.  It was not the catalyst for this project, but it was and remains an influence.  For a while, I deliberately avoided songs covered in the book in order to distance any comparisons that are, quite honestly, out of my league (or worse – repeating their interpretations).  At some point, I found that I had my own interpretations of those songs, so the overlap embargo ended, but the book continues to be the kind of thing I’ll flip through from time to time and read a few entries.  For someone like me who geeks out about music writing, it’s an essential anthology of some of the best writers from the past few years.

A little more than a week ago, I wrote about the five hundredth different song, and in a moment of reflection, I thought about The Pitchfork 500.  This wasn’t a quality comparison; first, I’d lose that by a landslide (I don’t hold a candle to it), and secondly that wasn’t the purpose of my project (nobody wants this as a book, trust me).  I started writing about songs that I love in order to learn about my taste in music and to give myself something to write about everyday.  It’s become something more than that – at times it’s conversational, at times it’s a place to sort through personal memories, and at times it’s an intellectual exercise.  It’s probably the best creative decision I’ve made in my entire life, and the idea that I’ve stuck with it through five hundred (plus, at this point) songs makes me incredibly proud of myself for sticking it out so long.

Anyway, this milestone was a good point to stop and think through the entire project, and I have on and off for the past week.  I’ve come to the following conclusions:

1. At one point, I expected concrete revelations about my taste in music, and while there are a few, they are tiny at best.  I’ve also realized that I’m not as interested in that anymore – the tiny revelations about individual songs are enough for me.
2. I need a break.  I thought after hitting every day in 2009 that I could slow down but couldn’t bring myself to lessen my schedule.  Still, as the reposts suggest, there are some nights where Real Life gets in the way of writing.  Thus, I’m making a compromise with myself – I’m going to continue to write every day with the option of taking a day (or weekend) off from time to time.  At this point, writing a good (or at least decent post) is more important than simply just writing. 
3. While I have no plans on ending this blog soon, I’ve also accepted that it can’t run forever.  I don’t have a number in mind, but if I had to guess I’d say it’s closer to 500 than 1000.  Then again, it might adapt itself into something different by then – a lot can happen in five hundred songs’ time.
4. That said, I’m open to trying some new things.  I’m not really sure what, save for my podcast idea that may or may not come about in June, but I’m willing to think about it. 
5. Finally, I’m humbled that anyone reads this blog.  Quite honestly, more people read this on a regular basis than I ever imagined.  Whether it’s the Tumblr community or subscriptions or blind luck that leads you here, I’m constantly moved that people spend a little part of their day on my site (let alone the kind and encouraging words and recommendations).  Simply put, I would have closed up shop a long time ago.

That’s it for now – no new post tonight, a few new posts the rest of the week, and perhaps something new at some point in the not-too-distant future.  Thanks for sticking with me through the first five hundred songs, and rest assured that there are plenty more in the future.

Perpetually grateful,
Brian