MixCD for an LDR

September 1, 2008 4:37 PM

What songs should I put on a long distance relationship themed mixed cd?

I know, I know. Asking what to put on a mix is like asking what to write in a love letter. But I've been wanting to put together a long-distance relationship themed CD for my SO for a while, and (after searching and searching through my mp3 collection) have only come up with five tracks. They are:

The Beatles - Got to Get You Into My Life
The Hollies - Pay You Back With Interest
The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
Built to Spill - The Weather
The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1

I've eliminated some options because I've used them on mixes before (Rilo Kiley's My Slumbering Heart, Songs: Ohia's Lioness, various other Beatles songs). It's been a few years and I guess I'm terribly rusty at this. The relationship is established and steady (6 years), which eliminates many "you live far away but we've just met and I think you're cute" songs. As you can see, my tastes run toward 60s rock and indie rock. The internet isn't offering up anything but that "Delilah" song by Plain White T's. So, mefites, any other (better) suggestions?

posted by PhoBWanKenobi to media & arts (52 comments total)

Erm, Let the Distance Keep Us Together by Britt Daniel & Bright Eyes on House IV. Listen to it before adding it.
posted by tmcw at 4:45 PM on September 1, 2008

Death Cab For Cutie - "Transatlanticism"

I'll probably think of like, a zillion more and post later, but this is THE ONE that stands out. I was in a trans-Atlantic LDR in college and this song evokes some pretty strong visceral memories of that time. Great song.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:46 PM on September 1, 2008

Transatlanticism by Death Cab for Cutie
posted by rancidchickn at 4:47 PM on September 1, 2008

Across the Sea by Weezer
posted by sararah at 4:47 PM on September 1, 2008

Here are a few...

So Far Away - Carole King
2000 Miles - The Pretenders
So Far Away - Dire Straits
posted by lovermont at 4:55 PM on September 1, 2008

The Beltones - Better Than A Kick in the Head or Lullabye
Biosphere - When I Leave
Blackfield - Where Is My Love (maybe a little too breakup-ish)
Boris with Michio Kurihara - You Laughed Like A Water Mark
Derek and the Dominos - I Am Yours
Eric Clapton - I Can't Hold Out (the 451 Ocean Boulevard version is particularly good)
John Foxx and Harold Budd - Missing Person
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Cowgirl in the Sand (Live at the Fillmore East version is excellent)
Opeth - Patterns in the Ivy II, Face of Melinda, or To Bid You Farewell
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Porcupine Tree - Waiting (Phase I), Mellotron Scratch, Where We Would Be, or Heart Attack in a Layby
Robert Fripp - Love Cannot Bear (the song, not the whole album)

That's all I got for now.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 4:55 PM on September 1, 2008

"Ain't No Sunshine" cover by Woven Hand. Just because I think pretty much every "romantic" mix tape should probably have that on it. And as you know, Songs: Ohia has plenty of this class of thing. "Two Blue Lights" and "Captain Badass" are personal favourites.
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:55 PM on September 1, 2008

Aeroplanes at 3AM by The Voom Blooms [lyrics]
posted by anifinder at 5:02 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

Listen to it before adding it.

Oh, of course--all songs will be listened to & the lyrics will be checked to make sure they're not really sweet-sounding but vicious breakup songs or anything like that. :)

Across the Sea by Weezer

While I love the refrain & both SO and I are Pinkerton fans, I think this one fails the "established relationship" test. I would feel a little silly adding a song that says "I can never touch you/I think it would be wrong"!

Generally great suggestions so far--keep em coming!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:10 PM on September 1, 2008

I feel like I answered this once before but can't find it but anyway:

Simon and Garfunkel, "kathy's song" is a classic of this genre. "Such great heights" by the Postal Service is a cliche at this point, but it's a cliche because it's really really good. Please do me a personal favor and don't use the Iron and Wine version.

Oh and "Teo Torriate" by Queen off the "Day at the races" album! (Almost all the tracks on that album are very romantic, if not specifically about long-distance).

oh, and "got to get you into my life" was written about pot. Just fyi. I am of the strong opinion that the listener, not the artist ultimately decides what the song is "about," so there's no reason not to use it. But just thought I'd throw that bit of info out there.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:10 PM on September 1, 2008

"Home and dry," Pet Shop Boys. (I'd recommend the ambient mix, actually.)
posted by beaucoupkevin at 5:15 PM on September 1, 2008

Almost forgot this one... It may be too much in the "you live far away but we've just met and I think you're cute" vein, but I like the angsty, wanna-be-with-you-right-now feeling conveyed by:

Next To You - The Police
posted by lovermont at 5:17 PM on September 1, 2008

oh, and "got to get you into my life" was written about pot. Just fyi. I am of the strong opinion that the listener, not the artist ultimately decides what the song is "about," so there's no reason not to use it. But just thought I'd throw that bit of info out there.

Oh yeah, I know--but the sentiment in the lyrics is right on regardless. :)
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:18 PM on September 1, 2008

Turgid Dahlia: Aint no Sunshine

I listened to the Mark Eitzel version, it was the "I got to leave the young things alone" verse that worries me.

How about Al Anderson's What's a Thousand Miles
posted by rakish_yet_centered at 5:21 PM on September 1, 2008

The Lucksmiths - "Guess How Much I Love You."
posted by nasreddin at 5:24 PM on September 1, 2008

From the mix I made for my long-distance relationship:

From My Own True Love (Lost At Sea) - Decemberists
Just One Thing - My Morning Jacket
Fools In Love - Inara George
Girl in America - Blinker the Star
Blue Eyes on a Gray Day - Jason Moss
In Love With A View - Mojave 3
To Be Alone With You - Sufjan Stevens
posted by rhapsodie at 5:35 PM on September 1, 2008

The Proclaimers - I'm gonna be (500 miles)

A friend of mine got an mp3 from her LD boyfriend that was Tony Bennett's I Left My Heart in San Francisco but every San Francisco was replaced with "New Brunswick" on what sounded like a Speak N' Spell. I thought it was pretty classy but I think it only has a one play shelf life.
posted by spec80 at 5:53 PM on September 1, 2008

Come Home - Everything but the Girl
posted by aclevername at 6:01 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

Distant Lover- Marvin Gaye... Live in Montreux 1980
posted by priested at 6:01 PM on September 1, 2008

Distant Lover- Marvin Gaye... Live in Montreux 1980... Can also find it on Let's Get it On (which might not hurt either).
posted by priested at 6:03 PM on September 1, 2008

sorry for the double (now triple) post. heh. while I'm at it, for the indie rock fan in you, Brant Bjork, "I Miss My Chick".
posted by priested at 6:06 PM on September 1, 2008

Crowded House, "When You Come": "When you come across the sea / Me like a beacon guiding you to safety / The sooner the better now..."
(The song's also fairly obviously about sex, too, so it's a nice combination of "you've been so far away" and "let's have hot sex again now that we're together!")

The Jam, "Monday" : "Rainclouds came and stole my thunder / left me barren like a desert / but a sunshine girl like you / it's worth going through / I will never be embarrassed about love again / oh baby, I'm dreamin' of Monday / oh baby, when I see you again"
(Suitable if you know the next time you'll see each other is on a Monday!)
posted by scody at 6:10 PM on September 1, 2008

"darling be home soon"
Loving Spoonful
posted by philip-random at 6:12 PM on September 1, 2008

Previously.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:21 PM on September 1, 2008

Destiny by Zero 7.
posted by OneOliveShort at 6:22 PM on September 1, 2008

"I Wish that I Could See You Soon" - Herman Dune

i've never heard anything that better conveyed the feelings of an LDR
posted by shokod at 6:31 PM on September 1, 2008

Rick Derringer: "The Airport Giveth (The Airport Taketh Away)"
The Byrds: "Eight Miles High"
All Natural Lemon and Lime Flavors: "Muffin57"
Television: "Days"
Fatboy Slim: "Praise"
Be-Bop Deluxe: "Music in Dreamland", "Kiss of Light", "Sleep that Burns"
Steve Morse: "The Road Home"
Level 42: "Guaranteed"
Bent: "I Love My Man"
B52s: "Roam"
Charlatans UK: "The Only One I Know"
The Cars: "Good Times Roll"
UB40: "Don't Let it Pass you By"
Mutton Birds: "Like This Train"
Polyrock: "Love Song"
Undertones: "It's Going to Happen"
Snow Patrol: "Same"
Steely Dan: "Josie"
Ultravox: "Can't Stay Long"
Stranglers: "Bring On the Nubiles"
Blur: "For Tomorrow"
Supergrass: "Your Love"
The Who: "Can't Explain"
Zero 7: "Destiny", "Red Dust"
posted by jet_silver at 6:43 PM on September 1, 2008

I-95 by Fountains of Wayne

It's a nine-hour drive
From me to you, south on I-95
And I'll do it till the day that I die
If I need to
Just to see you
Just to see you

Sniff!
posted by Sweetie Darling at 6:52 PM on September 1, 2008

The Magnetic Fields - Come Back From San Francisco
posted by yellowbinder at 6:57 PM on September 1, 2008

Another Who song -- "Magic Bus", perhaps? It ends with Townsend flat-out BUYING the bus so he can drive himself to see his girl any time he wants.

And it's sappy as ALL hell, but "Faithfully" by Journey is another one.

And screw the cover -- if you're gonna go with "Ain't No Sunshine," go with the original Bill Withers version.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:23 PM on September 1, 2008

Todd Rundgren - Hello It's me.
Great Big Sea - Boston and St. John's
posted by Gungho at 7:26 PM on September 1, 2008

California by Neko Case
posted by quentiniii at 7:44 PM on September 1, 2008

10,000 Miles Mary Chapin Carpenter
posted by watercarrier at 7:55 PM on September 1, 2008

Wish You Were Here is a funny choice because it's about the guy who went insane. But that shouldn't stop you from using it.

Sour Times-Portishead
Let Me Go-Cake
Sugarcube-Yo La Tengo
The Golden Days of Missing You-The Silver Jews
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now-Smiths
I Know It's Going to Happen Someday-Morrissey
Patience-Guns N Roses

And how 'bout throwin some hip-hop on there, pimpin?

Lost Ones- Jay-Z
posted by Wayman Tisdale at 8:01 PM on September 1, 2008

Cyndi Lauper or Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night
posted by watercarrier at 8:02 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

You Got Me- The Roots
posted by Wayman Tisdale at 8:08 PM on September 1, 2008

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Best Version Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye
posted by watercarrier at 8:09 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

Leaving on a jet plane - John Denver
Kills me every time.
posted by TomSophieIvy at 8:15 PM on September 1, 2008

The Zombies - Care of Cell 44
posted by mynameisluka at 8:35 PM on September 1, 2008

200 More Miles, Cowboy Junkies.
posted by hecho de la basura at 8:40 PM on September 1, 2008

Crazy Love by Van Morrison. There's the lovely duet with Ray Charles as well.
Opening Line "I can hear her heartbeat from a thousand miles"
posted by captainsohler at 9:03 PM on September 1, 2008

Coconut Records, "West Coast"
Franz Ferdinand, "Eleanor, Put Your Boots On" and "Come on Home"
Rhett Miller, "Hover"
posted by serialcomma at 10:14 PM on September 1, 2008

My Life Is Totally Boring Without You by Cracker
Burndt Jam by Weezer
Nite Club by Old 97's
posted by Kloryne at 10:20 PM on September 1, 2008

Snow Patrol's "Set the Fire to the Third Bar"; seems quite literally about a LDR of some sort. Though I'm not sure if it qualifies as one of the genres you'd prefer.
posted by nihraguk at 10:38 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" - Peter, Paul & Mary
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:09 AM on September 2, 2008

"Every time we say goodbye" by Ella Fitzgerald is both an incredible song and tailor made for long distance. Check it out.
posted by twirlypen at 3:25 AM on September 2, 2008

also previously
posted by noloveforned at 7:50 AM on September 2, 2008

Red Moon by The Walkmen
posted by melissam at 5:12 PM on September 2, 2008

Grandaddy - Miner at the Dial-a-View

I dream
at night
of going home someday..
posted by papafrita at 5:19 PM on September 2, 2008

I recommend The Spy (Part 2) by me. I'm indier than all of those dudes.

I also endorse The Lucksmiths.
posted by ludwig_van at 5:52 PM on September 2, 2008

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone! There were some great songs on there (found some wonderful music, even if I didn't end up using all of it) and some suggestions spurred me to find stuff that I thought fit even better. Here's what went on the final mix (called "Subspace Relationships"):

John Denver - Leaving on a Jet Plane
Buddy Holly - Dearest
Fountains of Wayne - I-95
The Decemberists - From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea)
Built to Spill - The Weather
Metafilter's Own ludwig_van - The Spy (Part 2)
The Avett Brothers - 40 East
The Raveonettes - My Boyfriend's Back
Yo la Tengo - Sugarcube
Cake - Let Me Go
The Hollies - Pay You Back with Interest
Rilo Kiley - My Slumbering Heart
The Beatles - Got to Get You Into My Life
Jimmy Ruffin - Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got

All of this eas interspersed with sound clips from Star Trek, because we're nerds. He loved it! In fact, I proposed the same night I gave it to him, and he said yes! I'd like to think that your mixtape assistance had something to do with that, or (at least) didn't hurt my cause!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:50 PM on September 28, 2008 [2 favorites]

Sweet! Congrats on the engagement!
posted by ludwig_van at 4:16 PM on September 28, 2008