Songs for scrubbing and dusting
Each morning at the gym I usually ignore the telly, preferring to wrap myself up my carefully crafted (ha!) running mixes. However, this morning something on the box caught my eye – an ad for a new CD compilation, one that would be a perfect gift for Mothers Day. It is a CD called 101 Housework Songs. Yes, I can just see the look on my mums face if I gave her a CD to do the chores to as a Mothers Day gift…
But anyway, 101 Housework Songs contains a peculiar selection of tracks. There are some absolute pop classics in anyone’s books (The Turtles ‘Happy Together’, McFadden & Whitehead ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’ and Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’), quite possibly some of the worst songs of all time (Guru Josh ‘Infinity’ and Stars on 45 – their Beatles and ABBA medleys) and some downright strange ones (Nat ‘King’ Cole ‘Unforgettable’ and Peggy Lee ‘Fever’ – what kind of housework are you doing to those?!).
Typically, this got me thinking about my favourite ’housework music’. Or more to the point, how limited it is. I have five favourite housework albums which I’m going to unashamedly share with you here:
- Let it Bleed – The Rolling Stones
- 30something – Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
- Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
- Golden Afrique Vol.1 (70s dance music from West Africa)
- Diana – Diana Ross
I tend not to listen to anything else other than these albums, and perhaps the radio. I don’t know why. These records just always wind up on the stereo. Any ideas on how to broaden my housework playlist?
Tags: spic and span
March 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
How about ‘Housework’ by the B52s? A wistful plea for “someone to share dreams and wishes, someone to help me do the dishes.”
March 20th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Now i feel like the odd one out i don’t have housework music (and before anyone’s sharp tongue jumps into action i do do housework) I just play waht i feel like admitedly it’s let’s get in on! Mark steel has story in one of his books of having a strange moment realising he was shouting along to Rage against the machine (the one with swearing in it) whilst hoovering.
the finest worksong …might do?
or our house by either nutty boys or csn.
or maybe some TMBG ? i will have a harder think.
BTW have you heard LCD soundsystem special running tracks for use at the gym he wrote them to fit with warming up cooling down etc
March 20th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
You’re both being very literal! I was thinking of generally good music for encouraging elbow grease. The B52s though could be very good for cleaning.
No, BLTP, haven’t heard the LCD soundsystem CD. Not sure about it either, sounds a bit too… keen. And anyway, I arrogantly say, nothing would beat my killer mix of the likes of the Wonderstuff, Toto, The Clash and Grandmaster Flash.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
get you with your new logo very nice more spring cleaning!
uplifting positive songs:
Mbop by hanson, something by the mamas and poppas?
March 21st, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Mmmbop!? Haven’t heard that in a long time. Now whatever happened to them…
I’ve re-uploaded the Lupin the Third track – see if it works this time. If not, then ???
March 21st, 2009 at 11:09 pm
God! I know what I’d do with that CD if someone gave me that for mother’s day.
Housework? You do housework? You have favourite housework music?
Anything to take your mind off it, would be my suggestion.
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
yep, housework music helps you get through it Crafty. Fortunately I’m lucky enough to live with someone who loves vacuuming. Weird, I know but useful nontheless.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 am
I don’t do cleaning. Problem solved!
Groovy new look, BTW
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
My bustle about CD is generally – Corduroy’sDad Man Cat
http://www.corduroy.co.uk/discography/albums/dadmancat.html
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Lucky you (or unlucky Mrs F-C?) is all I can say F-C.
And PM, Corduroy! I’d forgotten all about them. Good choice! I have a copy of their classic cover of Motorhead somewhere at home. Must dig it out…
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
CM:
I’ll check it out later thanks it’s probably a microsoft vs. apple thing no biggy. I did some sorting out yesterday (including putting vinegar on me windas) listening to sonic youth and otis redding if that helps.