97! So this is way late in coming, but I’ve been a busy guy. I asked for you to provide the soundtrack for the celebration of the 101st class. The theme was to think back to our days on campus and send along any song that brings you back to old Columbus town. You responded with a few songs about home, a couple about moms, and plenty of great memories. There is not a song from everyone, and more than one from a few. The creation is 2 compilations, 28 songs in all, to remind you of our good times as a Buckeye, your fellow links, and that weekend 4 (holy shit! four whole years!) years after we all came together for the first time…and then all managed to come back together one more time. It was a truly excellent weekend. I thank you all for making the effort to return to our “second home” and most of all, I thank you for you friendship. Let me know if you still need a copy of the compilation.
Disc One
1. Lit Up – Buckcherry
Our favorite Bolivian PCV made me promise to include this one. Ben used to pop this song in as we cruised around campus in “White Rice”. It did not take long before this song became our theme for riding to Sphinx meetings together. Best played very loud!
2. Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Bon Jovi (featuring Jennifer Nettles)
This one comes straight from Maine…thanks to Mikal Nolan for the perfect anthem for this past weekend.
3. Hey Ya – Outkast
This one got a mention from Ms. Buker and I grabbed it for the mix because it also would have been a pick from our Bolivian PCV’s dad. Yep, Joe Ranz digs Outkast and he was in the Homecoming Parade with 97, so here you have it!
4. Shake Ya Tail Feather – Nelly
This song would have most certainly been the K-Mart pick had she any recollection of the night she made the title phrase famous during our advance to Wisconsin. The game, well it was wet and cold and we lost. But Kristi totally redeemed it all with a mischievous/drunken grin and that little whisper “Shake your tail feather.”
5. Hot in Herre – Nelly
This is one more that was just played so many times during our college days and so nicely rounded out a solid hip-hop section on the mix. It also delivers a solid message to young college girls everywhere.
6. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
Yes, this song has appeared on a Sphinx mix before (Wisconsin Advance Disc 2 for those of you keeping score at home), BUT this song IS Kerry Buker and as she so appropriately noted, it became even more so after that Wisconsin mix. I know I will never be able to hear this song without imagining Buker tearing up the dance floor.
7. Hold My Hand – Hootie and the Blowfish
OK, so I had to get in my Hootie! To me this song is just classic and full of all kinds of hope and friendship. It became one of my favorite Hootie songs when Ranz and I went to see them live at the Fraze in Dayton for my birthday freshman year and they played this last in the encore…f-ing sweet.
8. Second Home – O.A.R.
Just the perfect song for the weekend. As Frank put it when he sent it to me, “Listen to the lyrics.”
9. The Joker – Steve Miller Band
Thanks to Josh for calling out this one for inclusion on the mix. Fantastic song to sing really loud at a party when you are wasted and as Josh mentioned, “I think every time I was at 4 kegs or walking past it, this song was on.”
10. Home – Marc Broussard
Jammers is all full of blues with this pick. Obviously a solid pick for a weekend at, well, home. I think that this song becomes Tynan’s theme song when he lands in New Orleans this fall. I call Tynan’s couch for Mardi Gras 2008!
11. In the Sun – Joseph Arthur
A little something to slow things down…thanks Gosnell!
12. We’re Going to Be Friends – The White Stripes
This is a classic brought to us by Mikal Nolan, and I believe it was also featured on the Ranz Sphinx Slide Show.
13. History Repeating – Propellerheads & Miss Shirley Bassey
Thanks to everyone’s favorite music educator from 97 for introducing us to one that I bet wasn’t already in your play list.
14. Sphinx Song (The Original) – Mizzelder
I mean, seriously, has there ever been another point in your life where you knew someone that wrote a song and lyrics and performed that song right in front of all of those people that the song was about? Honestly? Have you ever even heard of someone doing something that cool? Ever? Of course not. Elder = Awesome. Thanks to Tynan for ensuring this one did not get overlooked.
DISC TWO
1. Hey Girl – O.A.R.
Nothing like one more dose of this Columbus favorite to kick of the second CD. Specht provided the suggestion and I think the song is awesome and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I rocked out to this one driving up and down 71 from Cincinnati.
2. Amsterdam – Guster
So here, I must come clean. First of all it must be said how awesome this song is. I saw Guster live in DC a couple of months back and my night was made as soon as they played this song. I have great memories of going to see Guster after the inaugural Rock the Block. But, I digress from the real explanation necessary here. Sarah Elder picked an incredibly thoughtful song with a great memory attached – All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. As Sarah pointed out, that song brings you straight back the Sasso Christmas bash. We decided that for the sake of the mix, Guster was the right fit, but this one definitely deserved a mention.
3. Ignition (Remix) – R. Kelly
Right now stop everything you are doing and go find the video online of the crazy Asian kids at Duke making this song so freaking hilarious. Multiple Links requested this one and I must admit it was at the top of my own list.
4. Stacey’s Mom – Fountain of Wayne
Had Nate sent in a song this would have been it. Instead like five others recommended it for him. How come all I can seem to think about right now is Ranz without a shirt on?
5. When You Were Young – The Killers
Another from Spechtacular. Solid.
6. Take Your Mama – Scissor Sisters
I had never heard this, but it totally bums me out that it took long of my life before I did. This is such a fun song. Thanks Gosnell! And word to your respective mothers.
7. Flying Horses – Dispatch
Becky Tippett called in this song because it brings her straight back to the dorms in Lincoln Tower. Dispatch is one of those bands I discovered while is college as well. Check them out if you haven’t already.
8. Let Go – Frou Frou
Hooray for Uma passing along this solid tune. I think you might be able to find it on the Garden State soundtrack, but it sounds to me like a Grey’s Anatomy cut…Speaking of which, did anyone see the season finale??!!? Is Burke gone for good? What is going to happen to George? And is Meredith’s half-sister going to steal McDreamy? I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it through the summer.
9. Piano Man – Billy Joel
Let’s hear is straight from T: At the Mirrors dance senior year (my first), I came running in late because of some random prior engagement. "Piano Man" came on as soon as I came in and I was immediately pulled into the circle of 97 by one link or another before I even had time to put my stuff down. Everyone greeted me with a big "T!!" and we proceeded with our off-key, yet fabulous, swaying rendition of the song. It's silly, but always what I think about when I hear the song - standing in the ballroom at The Blackwell, looking all snazzy and swaying in a circle of 97 to this song. This was before our spring quarter of madness and when people got really close and we would sing this every chance we got...this was the beginning....
10. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – Elton John
This became the song of the swaying circle. I cannot listen to this without hearing Ranz at the part where he sings “…Good morning to the night” and then the notes on the piano that Ben would sing when he was rather intoxicated “boop boop beep boop booo!!!”
11. Seasons of Love – Rent Soundtrack
I never got the chance to see Rent, but I remember everyone going on trips through the dorm to go see it and people listening to the music in Bradley Hall. But this song isn’t for my memories, Dave Tynan called in this one as a must for the mix of OSU memories.
12. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
This one came in from a few people. Well, now it is just one more thing to remind me of how I missed the trip to Vegas…but I digress. So the crew was standing outside of the Bellagio watching the amazing fountain show as this song played…A moment that became an instant memory. Who’s planning Sphinx Takes Vegas II??
13. Hang on Sloop – The McCoys
The official rock and roll song of the State of Ohio. If this doesn’t make you think Ohio State…well, never mind, of course it does.
14. Carmen Ohio – Cie Grant
I still can’t believe that I was going to a school when it won the NCAA football championship. What an amazing season with so many great memories. This sums them all up with a great rendition of the Alma Mater by one of the team’s great players. Thanks to Cindy for making sure we had this one to wrap it all up. How firm thy friendship…no doubt. All the best!
