The Hooksexup Mixtape With Reggie Watts
Reggie’s take on Anita Baker, Paul McCartney, and the true meaning of The Cars’ “Drive.”
Reggie Watts is a comedian who incorporates a capella musical performances into his stand-up. Or maybe he's a musician who's just really funny. Either way, we thought he'd be a great choice to make us a romantic mixtape, and he didn't disappoint. His most recent standup special, Reggie Watts A Live in Central Park, aired last week on Comedy Central, and clips are available here. The CD/DVD version of the special came out yesterday, and it's available here. Reggie Watts is on tour this summer, and we highly recommend seeing him live; he'll also be on IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! starting June 8. While you're waiting for him to come to your town/television, check out this Spotify playlist of his Hooksexup Mixtape.
1. Anita Baker, “Sweet Love”
It's a great, kind of weird track. People thought her voice was really strange. They didn't think she should make music, and then she made music. [idly perusing Wikipedia] Oh, she was born on May 4, 1958. I think girls might like it, but they also might say, "Oh, this is so cheesy!" so who knows.
2. Paul McCartney and Wings, "My Love"
This just has a great melody. [Sings] “Buh-du-du-du-du my love! Nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh.” I just couldn't stop thinking of it, then I thought about it in the context of him writing it for Linda. It's just so romantic.
3. Midlake, “It Covers the Hillsides”
Basically talking about snow, and all the things associated with that. It puts me in a good space ― offers a kind of “rugged individual” take on life.
4. Zero 7, "Home"
This is actually sung by Tina Dico ― she's a Danish artist. It has a beautiful melody, great orchestration, lots of horns and things like that ― it just puts me in a really cool groove.
5. Pantha du Prince, “Welt Am Dracht”
Pretty much anything by Pantha du Prince works.
6. Boards of Canada, “Dayvan Cowboy”
Boards of Canada are just supreme, because their music makes for excellent background instrumentals.
7. Steely Dan, “Hey Nineteen”
It’s pure sexuality.
8. Stereolab, “Cybele’s Reverie”
The guitar changes are really nice, and I like the production of it. Stereolab is such a great weird callback to the ‘60s in a strange way ― every time I hear that song it makes me happy, like the old days.
9. Van Hunt, “Dust”
Just a great song.
10. Billy Joel, “She's Always a Woman to Me”
I always liked this song. [So does Hugh Harris of the Kooks. ― Ed.]
11. The B-52’s, “She Brakes for Rainbows”
I really love this song. It just reminds me of growing up in the ‘80s, hanging out with my friends and smoking weed. It never fails to make me feel really happy.
12. The Aviation Orange, “Etch a Postcard”
There's no story behind it ― I just like it. It's very Smiths, very Smithian.
13. Ambrosia, “How Much I Feel”
This is just good songwriting. It's got a weird, period feel to it too, so you feel like you're time-traveling a little bit.
14. The Cars, “Drive”
It's just talking about who's going to drive you home. Like, the identity of that person is in question.
Do you want to find someone who will drive you home tonight? Find them on Hooksexup.
