Why It Matters

So you’ve decided that 2012 is the year you drop that dead weight, whatever his or her name is, or take a trip to Greece while it’s still there.  Here are some songs to soundtrack your resolutions.

Resolution 1: Change Your Relationship Status

“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” Led Zeppelin:  Sorry, woman, I got to ramble.

“Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green:  Don’t go, baby!  I was just kidding!

Resolution 2: Getting Fit, or Getting That PR in Your Next Race

“Run to the Hills,” Iron Maiden

“The Distance,” Cake: Sacramento, California’s finest.

Resolution 3: Writing That Novel

“Everyday I Write the Book,” Elvis Costello

Resolution 4: Travel More

“Travelin’ Man,” Ricky Nelson.  It’s taken me a while, but Ricky Nelson’s talent is finally seeping through my thick skull.

“Ramblin’ Man,” Steve Martin:  I haven’t mentioned Steve Martin previously, but as a kid I committed his first two albums to memory. Well, me and every other eleven year-old nerd.

Resolution 5: Abstinence

“I Don’t Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me),” Marilyn Manson

“Drugs,” Simple Kid:  I don’t know why this guy didn’t blow up.  Maybe it was timing or maybe he’s not as good as I think he is, but I loved his first album.  This is an interesting take, but the studio version is much better.

Resolution 6: Get Involved

“I’d Love to Change the World,” Ten Years After:  This is on my desert island playlist.

“Paint the White House Black,” George Clinton:  This is your lucky day.  You’re going to get a double dose of funk from George.

Resolution 7:  Get the Financial House in Order

“Funky Dollar Bill,” Funkadelic:  Kind of like Schoolhouse Rock only more stoned.

“Free Money,” Patty Smith Group

Resolution 8:  Get Organized

“Red Angel Dragnet,” The Clash:  Listen, enjoy.  Your payoff is the last line.

Resolution 9: Find or Lose Religion

“Bring Me the Head of the Preacher Man,” Siouxsie and the Banshees.  From the Hyaena album of which you should own at least two copies.  You don’t?  How dare you.

“Runnin’ With the Devil,” David Lee Roth:  The classic isolated vocal track.  I’ve listened to this probably 50 times and laughed every time.

Resolution #10: Learn Something New

“Lessons Learned from Rocky I to Rocky III,” Cornershop:  I saw these guys open for Oasis at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas about ten years ago, but that’s a story for another day.

“Teacher,” Jethro Tull:  I don’t know if it was ever cool to like Jethro Tull, but it was pretty much forbidden after they won the inaugural heavy metal Grammy in 1988.  Regardless, I’ve always liked them so deal with it. This isn’t a deep cut but I’m willing to bet most of you didn’t know the title, and the old Beat Club footage is very cool.