Music

In chronological order, a sampling of music that graced our ears on our magnificent journey East:

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Nirvana

Necessary when driving in/around Seattle.

“Priase You” Fatboy Slim:


“Chunk Up The Deuce” Paul Wall

“Rave On” M. Ward (A great story/conversation here; but it’s one you won’t hear. I’m sorry.)

Consolation prize:

An observation/experience (of sorts) I can relate to this song. This is an “everything’s OK song.” They’re not uncommon: for whatever reason, they’re songs with a melody, a feeling that gently gathers all the ire and discontent laying around and hides it, if only for a few moments. Not incidentally, it usually has nothing to do with the lyrics. For me, it will always be associated with a specific conversation about times Before, about growing to see things in life few recognize, let along understand—about the stinging nostalgia of visceral emotions few know exist, let alone feel.

Intense? Sure. But that’s how you do eastern Washington in the dark.

“Hip Hop Horray” Naughty By Nature:

“You Don’t Know How it Feels” Tom Petty

“Fortunate Son” Creedence Clearwater Revival

Admission Number Eleven:

  • Very few things are as Amurican as flying across western Montana listening to CCR. Seriously, try it. It’s right up there with Freedom Fries, wanting smaller government and more government services, credit card debt and this.

The entire Ra “From One” album.

“If you don’t give a damn” Lil John

“Jump Around” House of Pain:

“Santa Monica” Everclear

Note: Everclear is fantastic road trip music. Fantastic. We did most of their body of work in Wyoming. Had we known what eastern South Dakota was going to look like, we may have kept Everclear as our ace in the hole. Hindsight is 20/20.

“Hypnotize” Biggie

“Right Thur” Chingy

“Self Esteem” The Offspring

“I got 5 on it” Luniz

“One Headlight” The Wallflowers

“Izzo” (H.O.V.A.) Jay-Z

(Saved “Izzo” for Iowa, naturally.)

Music related quote of the entire trip:

J: (conclusion to a song by The Game) “Where did The Game go? I mean, he was making music for a while, then he just fell off the face of the earth.”

J: (Pause) Game over (?)

J: Yes.