Chunk's Truffle Shuffle: Sugarland

It's been awhile since Chunk has spun the wheel that is my iTunes shuffle button and picked a daily song. There's been so much good music this fall that it's hard to get some of that older stuff we love so much out here for you all to hear.  Driving into work this morning, in the rain, I heard Every Girl Like Me, from the incredible country duo Sugarland.  The first 10 seconds or so, I immediately thought "Oh yesss!  Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher!"  Boy was I wrong.  This song is perfect for a rainy (or even sunny) Friday morning.  Their latest album, The Incredible Machine, was released this past Tuesday and has even more pop-rock appeal than ever before.  Anyone who claims they're not a country fan will be upon first listen of this album.  I for one can say that I'm proud to be (and always have been) a Sugarland fan.  Happy Friday!

Sugarland - Every Girl Like Me

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New Kids on the block had a bunch of hits

Granola? Check.  Yogurt? Check.  Katy Perry's latest greatest creation blaring from iTunes? Check.  Flashback Friday, thanks to Chunk's Truffle Shuffle = LFO "Girl On Tv."  What the hell?  Yeah, completely forgot that in my collection of 22,000 songs in iTunes, there lies the Light Funky Ones.  But don't judge me - cause I know you like a few of their songs too.  Yeah, YOU!  You can't tell me that you don't know "Summer Girls" or "Girl On TV."  Though they sort of fall into that "one hit wonder" category, had many failed attempts to reunite their band, they definitely left a mark in the music world in the 90's - even if just for a good laugh.  TGIF everyone! 

   

LFO - Girl On Tv

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Chunk's Truffle Shuffle for Monday

It must be something like "Run Fat Boy Run" because Chunk has been MIA the past few weeks.  Well, he's back and has helped me choose today's random song.  Chunk laid of the potato chips this morning and helped choose the shuffle of the day by spinning that wheel and up came the Canadian singer/songwriter Anjulie's "Boom."  I'm honestly too tired for this Monday to write anymore.  So google the girl.  :)

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Chunk's Truffle Shuffle for Monday

What ever happened to Panic! At the Disco?  Though they always sounded awful live, their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out was freakin' fun.  Their second album, not so much.  And then they disbanded.  In 2009 of last year, guitarist Ryan Ross & bassist Jon Walker left the band, because they had too much of the jumping and screaming and repetitious shit of creative differences.  They formed a new band called The Young Veins and haven't looked back.  I am not all that familiar with their music however, they do have a nice Indie-Alt-Rock feel to their style.  Here's one of Panic!'s hit singles, "Nine in the Afternoon." 

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Chunk's Truffle Shuffle for this Hump Day

Chunk hasn't shuffled all that much these past few weeks.  Maybe it's because he's been eating too much food.  Or perhaps, it's because I've been too damn busy moving, painting, re-organizing my life.  No, actually, I think it's mainly because Simplify Media shut off their damn services.  Sell outs!! And now everyone seems to be trying to release their amazing "streaming" software for iTunes.  Thank God I found my Mojo.  I can successfully have Chunk spin the draddle iTunes shuffler and choose a random song of the day.

In my collection of 23,000 + iTunes (yes, it's officially hit 23,000 as of this past weekend and if I ever lose my external hard drive in a fire, I'm fu*ked!), Chunk's jolly love handles landed on none other than Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up."  If anyone out there still think he's alive, think again.  Today he'd be 75 and with all those drugs potato chips he got shook up with, he wouldn't have made it to 40.  Oh shit, he lived to be 42... well, in any case, the "legend" is dead.  Will kids in 2200 still think he's a legend?

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Happy Hump Day Truffle Shufflers

Though I don't have any "little monsters" like Lady Gaga, I am assuming I do have a few fans out there reading Wonky Pop (hello? are you there?).  It's hard to tell these days- no one seems to comment on the postings or re-tweets them, etc... are you listening, Wonky Poppers?  God that's an awful name for fans.  Sounds like some weird-gay-fetish.  Anyway, Chunk's daily truffle shuffle for this partly cloudy hump day is Delta Goodrem's "Innocent Eyes."  This beautiful Australian singer/actress/songwriter was signed to Sony at the very young age of 15 and has been a hit ever since.  Her third studio album, "Innocent Eyes" became the biggest selling record in Australia of the decade.  She is said to be working on her 4th studio album and soon to release this year.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

It's Friday. Finally.  How did this week seem so long, it was only four days?!  I'd high-kick it like Chunk but I just don't have the strength, energy or the talent.  Got to work about 30 minutes early today, which gives me some time to get a few things posted.  It's gonna be a long one- I can just FEEL it.  Maybe it's the mugginess in the air today- rain again?? REALLY?? Really?!  Come on San Francisco!  This isn't January!  Where is our sun?!  

Chunk pressed play and did the shuffle and as a result, we got old school Rihanna blaring out my MacBook early this morning with "There's A Thug In My Life."  It's amazing how much this song is completely unrelated to my life.  The closest thing to a "thug" in my life would be the homeless guy with the Giants jacket, standing at the 5th street ramp exit every night on my commute home.  "Starvin' Like Marvin" his sign sometimes reads, if he's holding it properly.  Some days, he just doesn't care and it appears that he's sleeping...  too much food that day I guess.

There's A Thug In My Life - Rihanna by Wonky Pop

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

The best part of a 3-day weekend is that Monday doesn't seem to exist- we got through the hardest day of the week!  The bad part is, there are only 3 days and it's only Tuesday...  I am sure most of you (like me) are trying to make it thru today, without having to do too much work.  Three days off is such a teaser- just by the time you really de-stress and relax, BAM, you're back at the office again.  At least it's June (though for us San Franciscans, this means FOG is going to be effecting most of our mornings and nights) and summer is here.  This weekend made me realize, I am in dire need of a beach vacation- at least 7 days long.  For now, I'll get back in the groove of things (kinda like Stella did) and post some of my favorite artists for the summery months ahead of us.

Chunk's Truffle Shuffle of today is Arrested Development's "People Everyday."  Great song, especially for the summer.  How did Chunk know I could use a shaken lemonade song such as this?

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Who's got the weef

I think Chunk is hungry today... it could be the rain that got him going, but today's shuffle from my 21,000 iTunes library (and growing everyday) is none other than G. Love & Special Sauce's "Who's Got the Weed" from their "Superhero Brother" album (circa 2008).  I may not dable in the ganja stuff, but it seems fitting for various reasons on this rainy day in San Francisco.  With it being so available (just hop on a muni, sit in the park for a few minutes or turn to your neighbor) and the legalization of marijuna to be on the ballot this coming November, the Pennsylvanian band would fit right in with the SF scene.

Here's "Who's Got the Weed" and one of my other favorites from G Love, "Wiggle Worm."

Happy wet one day.

Who's Got The Weed - G Love & Special Sauce by Wonky Pop
Wiggle Worm - G Love and Special Sauce by Wonky Pop

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

There's nothing like a good mashup to get over the hump of the week, especially before a holiday weekend.  I am definitely counting down the hours until Friday hits so I can jump in my car, race home and sit my ass in front of the TV and catch up on my DVR of Real Housewives and Glee.  I MEAN... so I can go on holiday, hiking and BBQing all weekend...... yup, I can be a loser at times.

Chunk has truffled shuffled my iTunes and today's shuffle of the day is the MTV mashup "Sex Kiss Machine" (ie, the mashup of Prince's "Kiss" and James Brown's "Sex Machine.")  Happy Hump Day!

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Chunk had a long weekend, the weather was freezing and he drank a bit too much.  Now Monday is here and he's way behind schedule and just choosing his shuffle of the day at 1:30!  He's a mess.  I may have to trade him in for someone that can handle their liquor, like Chelsea Handler.  Now that Chunk got his shiz together, he spun the wheel and chose Jason Mraz's "Hey Love" from his Live & Acoustic album (the first one) as the shuffle of the day.  Jason may have hit it big with that chick last year (Colbie Callllllllaattt sp???)  but I still dig his voice and his lyrics.  Who can turn away from "turn my head and cough" or "if you like the way i'm thinking baby wink at it."  This song shows the softer, more emotional (aka gay side) of JM.  You may need to crank this up a bit to hear it.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle (and a personal note)

Chunk's been taking a rest over the past week (too much shuffling) but is back today with Bebo Norman's "Walk Down This Mountain."  Bebo is the Contemporary Christian music hearthrob that sent millions of teenage (and adult) girls everywhere confess their love to him... until he got married a few years back, then it all came crumbling down (sort of).  I have been an avid Bebo fan since his very first album, "The Fabric of Verse" from 1996.  I have seen Bebo live in concert over 10 times (you'd think I was one of those crazy teenage girls) and he has never disappointed.

His incredible voice and deep lyrics has been keeping me coming back for more, year after year.  To date, my favorite albums include "Myself When I Am Real" and "Big Blue Sky."  Big Blue Sky has a very personal connection with me and nearly saved my life back in 2000.  Listening to his song "Tip of My Heart" while the rain poured down over my 1994 red Plymouth Duster, as I drove out onto the freeway thru the hills of Wisconsin, it got to me.  I was at a breaking point in my own life and ready to kiss this world goodbye.  I was hoping that during the drive, I would lose control over the car and crash into a freeway embankment or a concrete wall.  I just couldn't bare to live another day, with being so unhappy with who I was.  This song summed up the very way I was feeling.

It's on the tip of my heart, the words to say
But I fall apart and I walk away
There's an angry world pressed against my back 
And at every turn I keep looking back
And I know you promise me
Love through eternity
So why can't I just hold on

I want to live, I want to love
But I'm afraid my simple faith will never be enough
I want to laugh, I want to be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
But I don't know where to start
It's on the tip of my heart

So would you take my hand, because I'm sinking in
To this life I've made, but don't understand
The clock moves so slowly, but time goes so fast
In this whirlwind world that will never last
This love you're giving me
It's not just make believe
Help me just to hold one
You open the sky, and open my eyes
And all my fears are scattered away
So I walk in grace, because I've seen your face
You are all that matters to me

So I'm gonna live, I'm gonna love
I'm not afraid because your grace will always be enough 
I'm gonna laugh, I'm gonna be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
You have shown me where to start
It's on the tip of my heart

This song was a wake up call for me.  Everything the world had been telling me, that I wasn't worth it, that I wasn't enough, that I was just mediocre, was a complete lie and I had an entire life ahead of me full of grace and mercy and peace.  I am so thankful that I allow music to impact the very depths of my soul on a daily basis.  Had I not been so willing to hear what Bebo was singing about, I may not be here today.

I don't want this to be a depressing post or a pity post.  I honestly am so happy with my life right now.  I'm like a Gummi Bear, dancing here and there and everywhere (anyone get that reference?).  Sure, there have been bumps in the road but there are great musicians and artists like Bebo who keep me moving forward with their honest lyrics and deep faith.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Was it Pete Wentz or Smashley Simpson that broke up Fallout Boy?  I guess we will never know (though we do know it was both of them allegedly).  Peter Peter pumpkin eater wrote on his blog back in February that the break may be indefinite with FOB and he may never play with them again (that's fo' sho!).  Founded in 2001 and going double-platinum in the US, FOB is no more and had a great 9 year run.  Chunk has chosen "This Ain't A Scene It's An Arms Race" as his shuffle for today.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Like a moth to a flame... or a flame to a joint.... um.... Chunk's wild dial landed on the great mary-jane-u-wanna's Sublime's "Great Stone."  Formed in 1988 in Long Beach, California, the original members were together until 1996 when the lead singer Bradley Nowell overdosed on heroin.  Immediately the members separated until 2009, adding a new singer Rome Ramirez.  Today they perform under the name "Sublime with Rome."  Though Sublime only had one #1 hit (What I Got), they went on to sell more than 17 million records worldwide.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Founded in 1995 in Waco, Texas, the David Crowder Band has always stayed true to their style and the heart of their music.  They are by default a Worship Band but they are so much more.  I had the privilege of meeting David Crowder at a concert at Bethel College in Minnesota back in 1997 and he is one of the kindest and most humble individuals I have ever met.  Christian or not, he is one of the most talented writers and singers of this generation.  In 2006, I ran into him again while living in southern Connecticut.  He hadn't changed in those 9 years at all.  Still the same humble, kind hearted and goofy guy out there.  I remember when I met him again, my friend Jenny said to him "I can't get over just how awesome you guys are!"  She was like a kid in a candy store- extremely excited.  David turned to her and replied with the simple statement of "we're just doing what we were made to do.  It's fans like you that keep us going."  Singer-songwriter bands/artists are still my favorite and it's comments such as that, that keeps us coming back for more.  DCB's latest album "Church Music" was released in September of last year and it's an incredible record.  Don't let the name fool you.  This ain't your typical "church music."


Here's Chunk's shuffle of the day, with a fan-created video of their song "Intoxicating" from their Sunsets & Sushi album.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

It's Friday and only 25 minutes til' 5 (for your West Coasters)... not that I'm counting (but I totally am).  There must be something in the air (perhaps cigarette smoke, hair and dirty underwear) because Chunk has chosen Britney Spears' "Everybody" from her Blackout album.  I swear, just because I recently put up a Britney posting has nothing to do with Chunk's choice.  I can't control him- I mean, look at that!  He can't be stopped.  Yes, she's overly-auto-tuned and it was during her 'darker days' (right after she shaved her head) but this album was great (I think better than Circus).  She does (her producers actually) pay homage to the great Annie Lennox during her Eurythmics days (Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)) and for that, I cannot get myself to delete this song from my iTunes library.  TGIMFF! 

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Chunk has shuffled again and this time has chosen The White Tie Affair's "Enemy" as the daily shuffle.  The White Tie Affair is an electronica/rock/dance group hailing from Chicago and released their first album in 2008.  According to the band's site, the two founding members both agreed they wanted to bring some fun back to a music scene that largely has negative lyrics and sound.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Chunk's daily shuffle for today is none other than Rascal Flatt's "Bless the Broken Road."  Yes, we DO support Country music here at Wonky Pop.  Don't let the name fool ya, we do enjoy a good shit-kickin' tune from time to time.  Five weeks at Number 1 on the Billboards back in 2004, it's still a great song.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle

Everyday, Chunk, the famous "Truffle Shuffler" from Goonies will help Wonky Pop choose a random song from its 20,000+ (and growing) iTunes library.  Wonky Pop is not embarrassed by its eclectic taste in music, but sometimes we should be.  Chunk will not allow us to skip ahead if it's a song we don't really like or wish to share with you, our viewers... he's threatened to sit on us if we do that.  You just never know what the Shuffle will bring!

Today's Truffle Shuffle of the day is Sugar Ray's "Girls Were Made to Love (ft. Collie Buddz)"... for those of you who don't even remember this song, it was on their album "Music for Cougars."  It wasn't a well received album to say the least.

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