Look what I picked up off the sidewalk! It's the music meme, first seen by me on Tom the Dog's site, then plucked from the god-knows-where to which Rose and Steven recently tossed it.

1. Total amount of music files on your computer:
   
   Around 3 gig.


2. The last CD you bought was:
   
   I think the last CD I bought was a gift for someone else, and the last CD I got was one I received as a gift. It was a title I asked for, "Van Lear Rose" by Loretta Lynn.


3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
   
   "From this Moment On," performed by Rosemary Clooney, off the three-disc set "You're Sensational: Cole Porter in the '20s, '30s and 40s."


4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
   
   

   "Smile," performed by Judy Garland. There are a number of versions out there, but I'm referring to the version on Disc 2 of "Judy Garland, The One & Only: The London Sessions." This is such a troubled song to begin with, but when Judy sings it everything that's disturbed about it becomes magnified. When she's singing the lines, "Light up your face with gladness / Hide every trace of sadness," it seems impossible that she's going to get to the end of the song without slashing her wrists.

   
   

   "I Fought the Law (And the Law Won)" performed by the Clash on the album "The Clash." This song title is so profound I think I may have it chiseled on my gravestone. It's a great summation, don't you think? "She fought the law. And the law won." Plus I love the Clash, they do a great version of this song.

   
   

   "Across the Universe" by the Beatles from "Let It Be...Naked." I listen to this track a lot because it makes me feel peaceful. It's sort of like self-hypnosis--I know I can change my mood and clear out my thoughts by listening to it. A lot of bloggers are into productivity tricks and I suppose this song is one of mine, because it lets me get past the trivial stuff that's bothering me and connect to something that feels more eternal. Maybe that large expanse "across the universe." Musically, I like the Indian elements in the song and that sweet cast in John's voice.

   
   

   "Simply Beautiful" performed by Queen Latifah with Al Green, from "The Dana Owens Album." Every track on this album is so fine. Push replay.

   
   

   In the "listen to often" category, I'm going to list "Kill the Poor" by the Dead Kennedys. Not because I've actually played it recently--although I do have it on a 45--but because it's been stuck in my head for the last week. I think it has to do with Bush's budget and his privatize Social Security scheme. It's not as bad as having an annoying song or a an advertising jingle stuck in your head, but it's been pretty upsetting nonetheless. Everytime I see or hear a member of the Bush administration on the news I hear Jello Biafra screaming inside my head:
   
   ALL SYSTEMS GO TO KILL THE POOR TONIGHT!
   
   KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL THE POOR
   
   KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL THE POOR
   
   KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL THE POOR TONIGHT! RIGHT!
   
   



5. Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why?
   
   Joe, of course. Federico, because he's been writing about being blocked lately, and nothing cures blogger's block like a good web quiz or meme. And Ron, because he has interesting musical tastes so I want to hear what he has to say.