(Birthday) Celebrity Playlist: Lucia Iman

You know how on itunes they have famous people make up playlists of their favourite tracks and then the person (actor, musician, icon) talks about the songs?
Well, I've always wanted to make one, and although I'm not a celebrity (yet), it's my Birthday and I'll make one if I want to.
So here's my own Birthday Celebrity playlist. I hope you'll like it and maybe you can share some of your faves as well!
(this is NOT about the videos, it's about the songs themselves....these are in random order)



As (Stevie Wonder)
Stevie Wonder's music always manages to make me feel better. I love the feel and the lyrics of this song, it's so universal, and a few years ago I sang it at my best friend's wedding. So many good tunes by this artist, but this one is a special one for me.
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Little Bird (Annie Lennox)
This woman is a genius. Her style is so theatrical and visual, and her songs are amazing. "Diva" was one of the first tapes I ever had and I still remember every word to every song in it. Her voice is powerful and yet very subtle, and in my book she'll never go out of style. Annie you rock!!! By the way, seeing her live is priceless.
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Hyperballad (Bjork)
I had to put some Bjork in this list. Saying her sound is unique is an understatement, but what I love when I listen to her is that quirky, yet familiar childlike, yet very sophisticated quality. Her and Sigur Ros alone make me wanna jump on a plane straight to Iceland, so much magic in which to get lost in...
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Invisible Ink (Aimee Mann)
I'm obsessed with the album "Lost in Space". Aimee Mann's songwriting is not only witty and eloquent but also very romantic in a dry romantic kind of way. It's so relatable it's like I had written (wish) it, especially living in Los Angeles. I could have chosen "The Moth" but this one has such a triumphant chorus, I couldn't resist it. You should listen to the whole album over and over, driving around LA like I do.
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Don't give up (Peter Gabriel)
Peter Gabriel is one of my all time favorite artists because he's so DAMN good. This is one of those songs that get embedded in your soul, it's like medicine when I'm feeling melancholy, it has sort of a magical quality to it. Me and my friend Nick used to sing this when we were 11 and 12 (he would sing the Peter Gabriel part and I would sing Kate Bush's) It's still as good after all these years.
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Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits)
Again, another old school track that means a lot to me. This reminds me of when I was a young idealist romantic at the age of 14, I learned the lyrics and still remember them now. I got to see Mark Knopfler live at the Greek Theater recently and I was mesmerized throughout the whole show, and they played this song :) I also got to meet Mark, what a gentleman. You cannot not love this song.
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1,2,3,4 (Feist)
I adore Feist, and if I could name one artist that I admire and I aspire to be like in the current music scene, that would be this Canadian songbird. She has some of Joni Mitchell, and dare I say, Bjork, but she is her own Feist. This is one of the best summer songs ever....it makes you wanna get up and dance until you break your shoes or lose your mind. Time to dance!
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Cucurrucucu Paloma (Caetano Veloso)
This song is not his, but a traditional tune, however, his rendition (his voice and the cello) is so intricately beautiful I had to choose it (although there are tons of songs I could have chosen) Caetano embodies that sweetness, coolness and sensuality that Brazil is made of, and his voice is one of an angel..I wish he would serenade me!
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Be Here now (Ray Lamontagne)
Ray Lamontagne has the soul of Ottis Redding in his voice. His singing is heart wrenching and warms any cold night. This is a very special song, just listen to the music very silently, and pay attention to the lyrics. He is one of the true talents of today's music.
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Float on (Modest Mouse)
I always feel like a mischief maker when I play Modest Mouse. They're not only great musicians, but their songs have the natural ability to make you feel happy and ultra naughty like a kid. I love dancing to this album while riding in my man's van and making it sound extra loud on a sunny California day, for everyone to hear and have obscene amounts of fun Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!(We'll for sure be playing this at my birthday).
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Glorybox (Portishead)
Along with Massive Attack and Radiohead, Portishead represent trip-hop and electronica at its best, especially at that specific moment in time. This song still haunts me, as does the whole record. I aspire to sound ever as cool as this amazing band.
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No Surprises (Radiohead)
Ok Computer is probably my favourite album by Radiohead, such a perfect album all around. Melancholy, beautiful, rocking at times and more mellow in some songs. It's the lyrics, the arrangements, but most of all the feel of the music, that intangible texture that makes them so f@$%^*g painfully good. There's no doubt about it, Radiohead is one of the best bands in the world.
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5 O'Clock (The Perceptionists)
I was recently introduced to the Perceptionists and ever since I've been listening to them non stop. Their raps are thoughtful, intelligent and positive and the beats are awesome. This song kicks ass...talking about enjoying what you do for a living and taking responsibility for it...very inspiring and super fun song to play loud and (try) to rap to it.
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Dear Alice (The Shins)
Along with Modest Mouse, The Shins was all I listened to for a few months earlier this year. They both represent NOW (2008), and remind me of other eras at the same time as well. This is such a great all around album, and I love this song....I though of "Red Rabbit" as well, but this looked so great with the video. Check their whole catalogue, though, they won't dissapoint!!
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The Sprout and the Bean (Joanna Newsom)
Joanna is a jewel and a blessing to today's music. With her harp she paints bucolic landscapes and takes you back to a fantasy world in the middle of some forest of a different dimension...makes you wanna grow flowers and live in an enchanted fairytale!!!
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