Songs of Wanting and Receiving

I must confess that life, that ol’ bastard, has finally managed to beat the holiday spirit right out of me.

I no longer like most holiday songs and the few I do like, I’ve heard too often.  Except for the Kinks’ “Father Christmas”, which since it’s a song about widespread economic malaise ruining the magic of childhood, is literally the only holiday song I even remotely relate to any more.  But no, I’m not bitter, why do you ask?

Anyhoo, instead of reheating a bunch of stale Mariah Carey ditties that I never liked to start with, I’ve compiled a double list of songs about wanting something really bad and then about the pleasure of finally getting it, for people who hate holiday music just as much as I do.

It’s a two pronged attack of musical joy coming right down your chimney.  Stockings, prepare for a hearty stuffing.

*****

First – the anticipation.

Carly Simon, kick it off by doing what you do best.  Singing about “Anticipation”.

*****

Ever longed for a Pirate Folk Metal genre  Really?  Well, you’re so lucky I drew your name this year.

Storm Seeker, “The Longing”

*****

If the holidays bring out the type of emotions for you they do for me, you may like this song.

The Smiths, “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want”.

*****

The 15 year old girl still dwelling inside of me thinks this is, like, totally the most romantic song ever for some reason.  I have given her an eviction notice and if she’s not gone in 72 hours I’m calling the sheriff.

Jack Wagner, “All I Need”

*****

I spent this entire video trying to figure out which of these guys was Justin Timberlake.

Backstreet Boys, “I Want It That Way”

*****

This is kind of a repetitive song, but then again wanting something really badly can be like that. Droning on and on in your head with only minor key changes and the occasional introduction of another instrument playing the exact same tune.

The Beatles “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”

*****

It is a little known fact that Better Than Ezra has 30% more angst than just Regular Ezra.

Better Than Ezra, “Desperately Wanting”

*****

In 2019, I hope u find someone who looks at you the way babyfaced crooner Leo Sayer looks at the English Countryside.

Leo Sayer, “When I Need You”

https://youtu.be/w26EX5tW3Ic

*****

Sometimes you don’t even really know what it is you want but you want it anyway.  It’s prolly not an Amazon gift card tho.

Joe Jackson “You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)”

*****

Don’t you hate shopping for this chick?

The Bangles, “If She Knew What She Wants”

*****

You may be shocked, SHOCKED to learn that this song was written by Paul McCartney.

Badfinger, “Come And Get It”

And finally, the ultimate paean to childhood greed.

Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka (I assume that is her full name), “I Want It Now”

And now, for Part Two:

Some people say that wanting is better than getting, but getting is pretty good too.

So let’s listen to some songs about getting what you wanted.

*****

Sometimes, getting what you want is like a Monkey’s Paw – comes with some definite downsides.

Brook Benton, “I Got What I Wanted”

https://youtu.be/VFUzKBybkrA

*****

There’s an entire subset of songs that are dedicated to rewarding loyal women who wait around for dudes to recognize how awesome they are, so they can live happily ever after.  Eventually.

 Survivor, “The Search Is Over”

*****

The only thing better than one Badfinger song in a music article is TWO Badfinger songs in a music article.

This girl didn’t wait around for the guy to wise up I guess.  As Mr. Finger says, all he got was what he deserved.

Badfinger, “Baby Blue”

*****

If the question “what ever became of that cash me ousside girl” has been keeping you up at night, here she is.

I’m really sorry for this BTW.

Bhad Bhabie, “I Got It”

*****

If you’d like to wash the Bhad Bhabie from your beleaguered ears, I give you the musical equivalent of several gallons of high fructose corn syrup to do exactly that.

Jim Brickman, “The Gift”

*****

Here’s a fun little 2 minute long insight into the complexities of female psychology.

The Good Lovelies, “Baby I Got My Way”

*****

Sometimes you get what you wanted, against all odds.  (Disturbing video!)  I love this song.

The Dead Weather, “Impossible Winner”

*****

This purely joyful song was written by Duke Ellington for his 1941 musical review, Jump for Joy.

I hope everyone on OT has a lot of reasons to jump in this upcoming year.

Sarah Vaughan, “Jump For Joy”

*****

Speaking of Joy, people have been writing music about that feeling for a long time.  Let’s take a ride in the WayBach Machine and listen to Celtic Woman’s production of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”.

*****

Did you get everything on your list??  Everything?  Somebody super loves you, or else you’re a spoiled brat.

Detroit Emeralds, “You Want It, You Got It”

*****

Don’t you hate it when you think the presents are all opened and you’re feeling totally disappointed then your mom brings out that one last thing you actually wanted from the closet?  Me either!

Vanessa Williams, “Save The Best For Last”

*****

And if you didn’t get what you wanted this year, there’s a song for that.

Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”