Devoted to publishing, publishers and to those who craft the written word

Seriously, I would stop writing without music. 

Hoping to save my friends and family, I make a compilation CD for the holidays, sharing the songs that I loved the year before. This year, my circle of friends and family has expanded to include you. 

So happy holidays, here's a long, long list of gorgeous writing music. I challenge you to listen to these songs without scribbling some stories.

Here's the first part, complete with links and stories. In all, there are twenty songs on my Best Songs of 2007 list. This year, the whole mix is entitled: "Turn My Life Over and Over Again." (Free CD to the first person to spot which song contains that wonderful line. The list is not ranked in order of my favorites, I put the songs in Ideal Listening Order instead.

Feel free to add your own selections in the comments section...

20. "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe" from The Stage Names by Okkervil River This is a choice cut from my favorite album of the year. It took a week, but I woke up one morning humming this catchy tune--I never looked back.  

19. "Missed the Boat" from Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse. A spectacular song from a so-so album. You will be wearing a big, big grin by the time that they start singing about "the tiny claps of tiny hands." 

18. "One Two Three Four" from The Reminder by Feist. This lovely new singer will rock every "Best Songs of 2007" list this year. But you already knew that.

17. "Chemicals Collide" from The Meaning of 8 by Cloud Cult. This sweet song cheered me up when I needed it this year.

16. "If The Brakeman Turns My Way" Cassadaga by Bright Eyes. When I couldn't be cheered up, this song somehow nailed every single anxiety and sadness that came crawling to the surface.