10-TRACK MIND: Simba was my first crush. Whatever.

POSTED: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 1:00 PM

Intern Dylan Williams put his iPod on shuffle. This is where it led him ...

1. Anaïs Mitchell — “Before the Eyes of Storytelling Girls”
I discovered this indie-folk tune from the iTunes library of one of the photo labs at my high school. Since then it has become my anthem. It is beautiful and soul-wrenching and glorious, and the lyrics are pure poetry (EXA). One of the best chill songs I know.

2. Nash Ensemble — “Shostakovich Piano Trio #2, IV. Allegretto”
If you’re going to listen to only one classical composer, forget Mozart, Bach, or Beethoven — it had better be Shostakovich. The most prominent Soviet composer working under the yoke of censorship during the 1930s, Shostie composed a number of important works, including the Soviet National Anthem, a few great symphonies, and one fantastic and infamously difficult cello concerto. In this, his hauntingly beautiful second piano trio, the composer shows off his partiality to the ironically manic. Listen to the movements in order (and, just between the two of us, listen to the “Stern, Ma, & Ax” recording).

3. Sarah Silverman — “Give the Jew Girl Toys”
I don’t care what well-respected critics say, Sarah Silverman is one of the funniest women on TV. Her standup comedy, characterized by gut-wrenching raunchiness and general in-your-effing-face demeanor, translates seamlessly into song in this, one of the ballads from her movie Jesus Is Magic, in which she lambastes Santa Claus for his extensive history anti-Jewish bigotry. Other favorites include “I Love You More” and “The Porn Song”.

4. The Noisettes — “Never Forget You”
This British soul-pop fusion band is great because it sates my desire for both classic Motown and indie Brit-rock. The lead singer, Shingai Shoniwa, is one of the most fashionable ladies in the business, and her doubling as the band’s bassist makes me love her even more. This track, the most R&B-ish in their set, always makes me feel good. Listen on a rainy day.

5. Kanye West — “All Falls Down (feat. Syleena)”
Although this isn’t my favorite Kanye song, it was one of his first to get big and deserves credit just in that capacity. Syleena’s part is pretty catchy, and the rapping is pretty good as well ... actually, scratch what I said. This is a pretty good song. And the whole thing is Kanye rapping about being self-conscious — a unique message in today’s hyper-commercial, hyper-masculine rap world.

6. Nicki Minaj — “Itty Bitty Piggy”
Nicki Minaj is the best female rapper alive. There, I said it. Not that she doesn’t say it all the time, but I figured it needs to be said by someone other than herself. In this track, off her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up, Scotty!, Ms. Minaj discusses — surprise! — her proclivity to being the best female rapper out there. Watch out, because there’s some raunchy language, but an abundance of incredible puns makes the questionable themes totally worth it.

7. Sam Cooke — “Another Saturday Night”
Tied for my favorite male artist from the Motown-era (with Otis Redding), Sam Cooke did some amazing stuff before he was shot at the Hacienda Motel by a woman he was “courting.” One of his liveliest songs, “Another Saturday Night” mourns the trials and tribulations of a stranger in a new town; the song makes me feel viscerally happy and carefree. Also check out the cover by Cat Stevens (more famous, although not as good).

8. Arthur Russell — “This Is How We Walk On the Moon”
Arthur Russell is by far my favorite random artist no one’s ever heard of, and his albums are just about the pride and joy of my iTunes library. This funky, experimental track blends synth effects with hauntingly beautiful cello melodies, creating a chilling and beautiful musical experience that makes the heart swell.

9. The Beatles — “For No One”
One of my favorite Beatles songs from the band’s transitional period in the mid-'60s, this track, off the incredible album Revolver, features some awesome vocals by McCartney and — wait for it — a freaking french horn solo!! Awesome. Also, McCartney wrote it on vacation at a Swiss chalet, so just image Paul skiing and writing this song. That makes it ten times better.

10. The Lion King Soundtrack — “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”
I mean, what can I say? This one’s an absolute classic. Disney at its best. There’s nothing quite like a good bildungsroman. Also, Simba was my first crush. Whatever.

Wanna play 10-TRACK MIND? Put your iPod on shuffle, write about the first 10 songs and send it to josh.middleton@citypaper.net. It'll show up on this space not long after!

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