hot, hottie, hot.

the countdown to get your vote in for 'the triple j hottest one hundred of all time' is on kids, i believe voting closes this sunday, june 28th. everyman and his abc youth network loving dog has his or her chance to name their ultimate top ten mixtape, a task that many music lovers would find difficult. no exception here folks, this is a daunting list to even begin to imagine to compile. so don't imagine, just do and you'll find it comes a lot easier.

if you're on struggle street with making your list, you might also find the following helpful:

1) do not read anyone else's list* to try and get ideas for your own. try! well for one you should not have to try, the hardest part should be culling the damn thing! and the reason for including a song in the list has to be genuine, not just cos some dude, in some band, who you think might be quite cool at the moment, thinks it's cool. or something.

2) the beauty of lists and mixtapes is that there are always going to be more to be made. if you're lucky, the opportunity to produce lists and mixtapes will never run dry (if they do you may need to make some new friends). in fact, probably in a few days time i'll be compiling a mixtape titled 'the 10 songs i actually wish i'd voted for in the triple j hottest one hundred of all-time'.

anyway, without any further fanfare and in an order ascertained by me drawing crumpled pieces of paper out of a hat, here is mine - with linkable bits so your ears can understand exactly what i'm going on about.

*disclaimer - it is totally ok to read kit/katie dazzle's list as you are probably awesome and have already placed your vote, and would never steal another's personal musical memories anyway. x

lou reed - walk on the wildside

i liked transformers as a kid and not knowing anything of lou reed or the velvet underground, believed that was reason enough to get this album. lucky i was such a dork when i was little, the standout track for me on an entirely stellar album.

feist - i feel it all

feist is a female force to me, and she always makes me feel strong and independent. this song in particular taught me how a house can really be a home. and that you can never be too big for fireworks.

portishead - glory box

mysterious, haunting and lingering. and although it's wrapped up in a fuzz of desperate electric guitar, hearing this for the first time made me realise that sad songs make me happy.

the shins - new slang

i saw this song live and actually think i had an out of body experience - no drugs necessary. for some reason now when i listen to the album i always wish i was walking through snow... power of the tambourine perhaps?

tom petty & the heartbreakers - learning to fly

most mornings, there is an amazing homeless aboriginal man who sits at either central or redfern train station with a battered guitar, singing for money. his voice is completely mesmerising - so strong yet so raw. when he sings tom petty it's so hopeful, it puts a skip in my heart and no matter what has happened the day or night before, i know it's going to be a good day. and it always is. tom petty goes alright too.

the cure - friday i'm in love

such a hopeful song to me. maybe you're only in love one day of the week, but friday is only ever another seven days away. i was hooked from the opening notes.

azure ray - rise

the way this song builds is amazing, i love the way my heart actually swells and contracts when i listen to it. i'm so glad i don't associate it with any personal heartbreak (yet) because i never want to stop being able to listen to this song. so painful yet so, so beautiful.

the beatles - blackbird

cute and lovely. evokes memories of that nursery rhyme where some blackbirds are baked in a pie. i think they got trapped. in this song they would be set free again, lilting and uplifting from an iconic group of musicians.

the stranglers - golden brown

this was my song when i was growing up, given to me by the parentals due to the colour of my hair. now a redhead, the wispy golden tendrils are gone, but the awesomeness of the song remains - who doesn't dig a harpsichord?

the panics - don't fight it

when i first heard this song i was on my lunchbreak in the postage stamp sized backroom of a retail tenure i'd rather forget. i think i may have decided then and there to quit, and properly find my way into the music industry. so guess i owe the panics some thanks - this song might be enough though. jae's voice cuts like wire, the piano makes my heart pound, the panics make me happy to be part of the australian music scene.