mixtape

What other musical genre has its own sport? Much like the water-based activity its named for, surf rock is often almost always played by men. This BitchTapes is devoted to women surf musicians, including my best friend, who not only surfs, but tremolo picks like she's Dick Dale's daughter. Listening to this why-can't-it-be-summer-yet summer mix, I hope you feel heat-induced calm, tidal anticipation, and even a little danger...enjoy!

It's Money, Honey from BitchTapes on 8tracks.

It's Friday, which means (at least for some of us) that it's payday! Which for most of us also means being able to pay rent, go grocery shopping, and splurge on a microbrew instead of PBR at the bar this weekend. This playlist, inspired by Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl," is all about women's relationships with the green: wanting and needing it, wishing and working for it, pretending to have it, and not caring either way.

Mixing classics with covers, this edition of BitchTapes contains some of our favorite Christmas songs, spanning decades, genres, and levels of corniness. From Thao Nguyen to Loretta Lynn and from Kristy MacColl to Eartha Kitt, you're sure to hear something you'll like. Plus, our mix contains a fair amount of songs that emphasize the not-so-jolly aspects of the season, like if you're heartbroken, broke, or in prison. Enjoy, and we hope your winter celebrations are swell! (Track list after the jump!)

Today's BitchTapes is dedicated to that traditional end-of-summer treat... (no, not fudgesicles!) The Road Trip. So play on playa, cause you're looking at 8 songs for, and about, the joys of the open road. Track list after the jump!

Hooray for the Prop 8 ruling! Sure, we have to wait to see what the Supreme Court says, but in the meantime I thought we could celebrate with a special BitchTapes (the way all important political events should be celebrated, obvs). A mix filled with fun songs about weddings, complete with some same-sex marriage jams! So, without further ado, I now pronounce you feminist and mixtape. (Track list after the jump!)

The supermarket where I shop plays music of a certain vintage (which, as we’ve recently discussed, could be anything from last year's Billboard Top 40 to ditties from the War of 1812). The other day it happened to be Fleetwood Mac’s "Don’t Stop". As I browsed the selection of veggie sushi, I thought of how appropriate this particular song is for the commencement season (forget about Clinton campaigning to it back in the 90s), especially a commencement season in which there isn’t exactly a lot of cockeyed optimism being dished out for the class of 2010.


Photo by bitzcelt

Of course, my brain started whirring and I tried to think of other oldies radio staples and bona fide pop classics (very loosely defined as songs at least as old as the kids I’d dedicate them to) that would suit the occasion. I came up with the following mental mix tape that I’d offer up to the country’s newest crop of college grads. Feel free to chime in in the comments section with your own (more current/eclectic) selections.