"Shelf Life": Songs About Books n' Reading

So we've been cooking this up for awhile-- and though we're definitely not the first to tackle this, we did try and make this one as original as possible. Of course we couldn't avoid some obvious choices (Elvis Costello, but c'mon, that song is fantastic). We also didn't want this to look like we just went into our iTunes and searched for "book." It's definitely an eclectic mix, but hey, so are we. It's a generalist's mix. How about them apples?

Here's the tracklist. Click below to download in Zip file format (from zShare.net 55.23MB).

1. Bo Diddley, "You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover"
A classic. Not exactly related to reading, but you gotta admit this is kind of clever.

2. Scholastic Deth, "Bookstore Core"
I needed help finding obscure songs, so I turned to my greatest resource-- my fellow Green Applers. I asked Appler Jeff M. for assistance, and within seconds he recommended now-defunct hardcore group Scholastic Deth. The ending says it all: "Even if I had / All the time in the world / I doubt I could / Read all the books / That I should / Bookstore Core!"

3. Talking Heads, "The Book I Read"
4. Belle & Sebastian, "Wrapped Up In Books"
5. Echo & the Bunnymen, "Read It In Books"

6. Elvis Costello, "Everyday I Write the Book"
If this song comes on when I'm drinking, it gets pretty embarrassing. Same with the Misfits' "When Eagles Dare". Bad dance moves and fist pumping.

7. Last Emperor, "Secret Wars (Prince Paul Remix)"
The only hip-hop track in the bunch, "Secret Wars" takes its title from the Marvel Comics saga of the same name. But here rapper Last Emperor reimagines his favorite superheroes taking on legendary lyricists, and an epic war ensues. A must hear for Last Emperor's dead-on impressions. Comic books are books, too.

8. Bloodhag, "Iain M. Banks"
This one's from fellow Appler EH. Apparently this band screams about science fiction writers, they play shows in libraries, and pummel their fans with paperbacks during shows. HOW DID I MISS THESE GUYS? Good luck deciphering their lyrics.

9. Modest Mouse, "Bukowski"
I know, obvious. A good song, even if it does make us look like hipsters. I think it's too late for that.

10. Camera Obscura, "Books Written For Girls"
11. X, "Adult Books"
12. Magnetic Fields, "The Book of Love"
13. Seabear, "Libraries"

ENJOY! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD! (there are ads all over this site. we don't take responsibility for them.)