Posted on

My Gen X Playlist: Sunday – The Cranberries

Scroll down to see more content

I’d been away for a short while and was catching up on blogs while listening to Spotify. I came upon justrojie’s post about CDs and the combination with my playlist in my ear got me thinking about making mixed tapes when I was younger.

There is an art to a good mixed tape. Some are batched together by themes, vibes or a specific event or era. It was fun piecing this puzzle together. Later when technology evolved, I burned CDs. I remember thinking, How cool is this?

The last time I made a mixed tape, I was living in Japan. The train ride to Tokyo was a little over an hour and I remember burning CDs for the journey. I didn’t over think the mix when I made them. I just wanted to enjoy my ride to and from and find a connection to home. Homesickness can do that to you.

Living abroad can be challenging. I survived the transition and eventually came to enjoy my time there. A big thank you to those mixed tapes. Small things can have big impacts. This was one of those times for me. Here are a few songs that remind me of my train rides in Japan.

Linger – The Cranberries

Fields of Gold – Sting

Half a World Away – REM

Everyday is Like Sunday – Morrissey

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

Hey Jack Kerouac – 10,000 Maniacs

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m looking For – U2

There’s a Light that Never Goes Out – The Smiths

These are Days – Natalie Merchant

Ghost in You – The Psychedelic Furs

Closer to Fine – The Indigo Girls

Tears of a Clown – The English Beat

Linger makes the top of the list because I bought this CD while in Japan. The Cranberries had just debuted Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We right before I hopped on a plane. In my homesickness and need for connection, I paid a pretty penny because it was considered an import CD in Japan. Best money I ever spent, though. It never fails. When I hear old Cranberries’ music, I’m transported to those train rides in Japan.

For the playlist, here is Sunday from that album. It’s a song about confusion and uncertainty. While the song is referring to relationships, the theme crosswalked to me second guessing my decision to live in a foreign country and putting my life on hold. Later I’d realize that this one year was only a minor blip on the spectrum. It turned out not to be a big sacrifice after all, well worth the once in a lifetime experience.

*** I also remember making separate grunge and 80’s New Wave mixed tapes as well. Maybe I’ll jot these down in later posts. Stay tuned. ***

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Oh, do you know
Where to go?
Where to go?
Something on your mind
Wanna leave me behind
Wanna leave me behind

You're spinning me around
My feet are off the ground
I don't know where I stand
Do you have to hold my hand?

You mystify me
You mystify me
You mystify me

Oh-whoa, when you walk into the room
It happened all so soon
I didn't want to know
'Cause you really have to go

You mystify me
You mystify me
You mystify me
Oh

And I didn't find the words
To say I love you
And I couldn't find the time
To say I need you
It wouldn't come out right
It wouldn't come out right
It just came out all wrong

Oh-whoa, you're spinning me around
My feet are off the ground
I don't know where I stand
Do you have to hold my hand?

You mystify me
You mystify me
You mystify me

Oh, do you know
Where to go?
Where to go? Oh
Something on your mind
Wanna leave me behind
Wanna leave me behind

23 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Sunday – The Cranberries”

  1. Mix tapes, yes. I remember making them for special friends and vice versa. I can still picture the one my dear departed friend Carla made for me—her curvy handwriting listing each song title. I remember Mama Africa by Peter Tosh was on it. Such a great but long song. And my high school boyfriend made me a Neil Young mix tape. I remember us singing along to Heart of Gold in the car. Great memories, thanks 😊

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  2. I still have my burned CDs and whenever I run across them, it reminds me of diary entries. It’s a part of our lives, and we made them depending on the theme or maybe for someone else (in my case lol). Love your mix, btw! Linger was one of my favorite songs, and it still is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for sharing. I love hearing people’s connection to music or specific songs. Something as simple as mixed tapes can be so nostalgic.

      Linger is such a good song. I still listen to it consistently to this day. The lyrics and melody aren’t complex but it totally emotes strong feelings. It doesn’t hurt the Riordan’s voice is amazing…

      Like

      Reply

  3. Great list of songs! Took a screenshot so I can download later…honestly I had completely forgotten Fields of Gold, it’s got some kinda nostalgic tether to me, maybe when I listen I’ll remember what/why.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. There IS something about that song. It usually stirs emotions in me, it’s incredibly beautiful. The lyrics, melody and Sting’s voice are a perfect match. I hope you rediscover your connection to it. That would be so cool.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I’ve been listening to it! And Linger…it was playing in the car when I picked my 18 year old daughter up from work today and I was so shocked when she started singing along lol…I actually sent the song to both my daughters this morning on FB Messenger when I downloaded it (and Fields of Gold). I said to her I just sent this song to you this morning how could you possibly already know the words, knowing full well she’d never actually click on the link of a song her old mother would recommend but apparently she knew it somehow on her own. She’s like of course I know this song Mom!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I like it when the younger people discover and enjoy our “older” music. I was reading there was a resurgence on “Sunday” when it was picked up on TikTok. Linger is just so catchy.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. They never returned it because they were so good! I’m sure they brought smiles to your friends. Such a cool thing. My prediction: one day down the road a good friend will tell you the happiness it brought them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment