I was something of a mixtape master earlier in my life. I made compilations galore for family, friends and girlfriends, putting loads of time and effort into coming up with the perfect musical blend.
The best mixtapes are just that — tapes — and for me the emergence of the recordable CD killed off the practice. You’d think I would have jumped at the chance to produce musical mixes in a flash with iTunes and a stack of CDs, but it was quite the opposite. I think I’ve made one mix CD in my time compared to dozens on cassette. Of course, it could also have a lot to do with where I am in my life now (kids, a more demanding job) compared to in my heavy mixtape days.
All of this week’s songs will touch on some aspect of a mixtape I’ve given or received over the years.
Starting things off is the opening track of Tift Merritt’s new album, See You On the Moon. Called ‘Mixtape,’ appropriately enough, it’s an ode to their creation. Tift seems to share my affection for the cassette format… funny how quaint the idea of pressing rewind has become in the digital age.
I take the advice I find in your eyes.
Me, I’ve been waiting outside
Most of my life,
Oh like a rare b-side.
I’m just making you mixtapes with homemade covers.
Analog to show we’re lovers,
And here under the jacket folds inside,
I’ve taped my heart for you to find.
To find the perfect way,
Which album to say,
I la la love you.
With this plastic cassette,
It’s not finished yet,
It’s gonna tell you slowly.
I’m just making you mixtapes with homemade covers.
Strings and drawings show we’re lovers,
When you’re driving around in the summertime,
To hear again, just press rewind.
Rewind, the world comes to an end,
Turns over again,
Another 1000 times.
But me, I’ll be the same.
No, I never change,
Oh, like a rare B-side.
I’ll be making you mixtapes with homemade covers.
Analog to show we’re lovers,
So much rock and roll love in a plastic case,
Play it loudly, see my face.
I’m just making you mixtapes with homemade covers,
Mazzy Star, Donovan’s Colors,
Just an audio love letter painted blue,
I spent all day making for you.
Meet Me In Montauk 
After reading High Fidelity for the first time this summer, I have a whole new appreciation for the art of the mix tape. Now and then I’ll come across one of those coveted mix tapes I was lucky enough to receive from you, and I’m always so sad that I don’t have an easy way to play them now; can you transfer a tape to a recordable CD? Tift’s homemade covers were your ingenious, clever, enigmatic titles. Did you keep a master list of those somewhere?
As for your foray into making a “mix CD” (doesn’t have the same ring to it, I agree), Maddie loves her 13 Beatles songs for her 13th birthday, so maybe you ought to embrace the opportunity to once again put your skills to work. I’m sure many of us would appreciate it 🙂
Now for today’s SOTD. LOVE IT. What a great song – sound, lyrics, everything. I love when a song seamlessly utilizes a metaphor (such as making mix tapes) to express complexities about a relationship, and this one does it effortlessly. Just love it!
I have the playlists and titles of a few tapes stored on my computer but I fear the majority are lost (or at least lost to me). My general rule for tape (and side) titles is to pull from the lyrics of a song on that side (the tape’s title can pull from a song on either side).
I see that Tift and Rihanna are vying for disproportionate representation on your blog. Oh, Jackson Browne and Joe Jackson, where art thou? But as between your two obsessions, I’ll take this one, especially with songs as good as this.
I can see where the “art” of making a mixtape might be lost in the CD age, but I agree with Amy that the product is still much appreciated in CD form, and let’s face it, it is a hell of a lot easier and quicker to make nowadays.
I remember fondly the mixtapes you made for us in the past. We would listen to them in the car all the time. There were great mixes of Simon, Springsteen, jazz, and even classical music. Thanks again for all the time and effort you put into it. This is a lovely song and so is her voice.