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Making a mixtape for every kind of girl in your life

The first mixtape I ever made was for my best friend, Megan. Tiffany’s “Hold an Old Friend’s Hand,” “Electric Youth” by Debbie Gibson, a snippet of me singing the theme song we’d made up to accompany our radio show which, despite being entirely pretend, had won multiple prestigious awards. On the cassette I wrote in bold sharpie, “LISTEN TO ALONE!!”

Later, mix CDs became an essential wooing tool. (This, by the way, is also how I refer to John Mayer.) The process as important as the product, I burned CDs for new girlfriends, satisfied by the slow routine of compiling songs which moved me, tweaking the order to perfect the narrative arc, then listening and imagining the emotions my creation might elicit. Eventually mix CDs became Spotify playlists, less gratifying, in the way that pressing ‘end’ to finish a cell phone argument can’t compare to the harsh pleasure of slamming down a phone.

Who knows what the future holds? Within the year we may be downloading playlists directly into a new love interest’s head. However curated playlists evolve, one truth remains; mixes offer the capacity to reveal a relationship’s inequalities or highlight its triumphs. Once for example, I made a super sexual mix (Think Nine Inch Nails‘ “Closer,” Melissa Ferrick‘s “Drive,” Lucinda Williams‘ “Essence”) for a woman I’d been dating for three weeks. She handed over a CD bursting with love songs and references to forever. I back-pedaled (“Um, I just think sex exists as, you know, the most direct means to express, um…love.”) but the discrepancy was clear.

Thinking back on the incident, I wonder about the mutual misfire. Did our incongruous mixes bespeak our ultimate incompatibility? (Excuse me while I trademark the phrase “ultimate Incompatibility” and pitch it to ABC. I see clashing couples loose on an obstacle course. Maybe a therapist and an Olympic coach offering a play-by-play.) If so, could I have saved myself three months spent shifting my gaze and shoving her hand down my pants when she wanted to lose hours gazing soulfully into my eyes? What if instead of feeling guilty about my sex tape versus her feelings tape I’d taken the hint? No regrets, I guess. If I had, you’d be reading another recap of Orange is the New Black instead of this merry list of mixes gone wrong.

Scenario: After a blind date. You ducked out early, certain the lack of chemistry was mutual. On your doorstep the next day, you find a CD.

The Mix:

“Truly, Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden

“Marry You” – Bruno Mars

“I Will Possess Your Heart” – Death Cab For Cutie

“I Say a Little Prayer for You” – Aretha Franklin

“Going To The Chapel of Love” – The Dixie Cups

“Let’s Make Love” – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

“You Light Up My Life” – Debby Boone

“Into The Mystic” – Van Morrison

“I Want To Get Married” – Nellie MacKay

Scenario: You’ve taken her to the restaurant you went to on your first date. You’ve asked your waiter to slip the ring into her sundae. Without looking at you, she hands you a flash-drive.

The Mix:

“Puke” – Eminem

“You Fucked Up” – Ween

“You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon

“I’d Rather Be Alone” – IV Xample

“Save Yourself” – Stabbing Westward

“Choke On This” – Senses Fail

“Don’t Take It Personal” – Jermaine Jackson

Scenario: You’re a year into a relationship with a formerly straight girl who swore she’d never go back to men and you’re finally getting comfortable. Then one night she stays out till four a.m., leaving a CD on your nightstand.

The Mix:

“It’s Raining Men” – The Weather Girls

“Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – U2

“Whatta Man” – Salt ‘n Pepa

“I Need a Man” – The Eurythmics

“The One I Love” – REM

“Rude Boy” – Rihanna

“Adam and Eve” – Ani DiFranco

Scenario: You’ve been dating for three months and the sexual tension is palpable. You’re convinced you’ll share the best sex of your life. Tonight’s the night, you think. She asks you up after dinner and when you put your hand on her thigh she pulls up a playlist on her iPhone….

The Mixtape:

“S.O.S” – Julie Miller

“I Do Not Hook Up” – Kelly Clarkson

“Love Cocoon” – Vigilantes Of Love

“Wait For Me” – Rebecca St James

“No Wed No Bed” – Pettidee

“Amazing Grace”

“Have a Talk With God” – Stevie Wonder

 

The Scenario: Your third anniversary. Things couldn’t be better. Or so you think until she shares her Spotify playlist. Via Facebook.

The Mix:

“Last Day of Our Acquaintance” – Sinead O’Connor

“Used to Love You (John Legend)

“Stupid In Love (Rihanna)

“Divorce Song (Liz Phair)

“Tainted Love (Soft Cell)

“Angie (The Rolling Stones)

“Break-up Song (Melissa Ferrick)

“It’s Too Late (Carol King)

“You Gave Me Nothing (Mark Ronson And The Business International)

The Scenario: Your underwear is on the floor and she reaches to turn on her ipod. “I’ve made something for us,” she says.

The Mix:

“Thong Song” – Sisko

“Sexy and I Know It” – LMFAO

“I’m Too Sexy” – Right Said Fred

“I Want to Sex You Up” – Color Me Badd

“Promiscuous” – Nelly Furtado

“I Touch Myself” – Divinyls

“Crash Into Me” – Dave Matthews Band

“Relax” – Frankie Goes to Hollywood

“Do Me” – Bel Biv DeVoe

“Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye

“Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” – Rod Stewart

The Scenario: You finally pull the plug on a bad relationship. When you arrive home your front door is unlocked and iTunes is open on your laptop.Your cat is nowhere to be found.

The Mix:

“Possession” – Sarah McLachlan

“Every Breath You Take” – Sting

“Watching You” – Melissa Etheridge

“You Were Meant for Me” – Jewel

“I Want You To Want Me” – Cheap Trick

“How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” –Michael Bolton

“Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Olivia Newton John

“Ghost” – Indigo Girls

“Sweet Disposition” –The Temper Trap

The Scenario: You’re a music snob who thinks she’s found love.

The Mix: Twelve different dances remixes of Katy Perry‘s “Firework.”

The Scenario: You’re vanilla and afraid to explore. She’s hot, she’s new and you’re already intimidated when she emails you this.

The Mix:

“S&M” – Rihanna

“Choke Me, Spank Me, Pull My Hair” – Xzibit

“Passenger” –Deftones

“Oh My God” – Pink

“My Latex Queen” – Dark Funeral

“I Wanna Be Your Dog” – Iggy and the Stooges

“Rein, Raus” – Rammstein

“Johnny Feel Good” – Liz Phair

“She’s Your Cocaine” – Tori Amos

“Treat Me Like The Dog I Am” – Mötley Crüe

“Teeth” – Lady Gaga

“Venus In Furs” – Velvet Underground

“Oh Bondage, Up Yours” – X-Ray Spex

To end on a positive note, a selection of songs I’d swoon to receive:

“Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley

“Breathe Me” – Sia

“The Origin of Love” – John Cameron Mitchell

“Essence” – Lucinda Williams

 

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