Reading Playlist 3: Pretend you're on an island

When I was a missionary on Ishigaki Island, halfway between Okinawa and Taiwan, my companions and I tracted for long hours. It was always 31 degrees Celsius and 115 percent humidity. That's right. It was drier in the ocean than on land. After a few months of this, I developed a coping mechanism: Pretend you're on an island. I don't know why, but even when I actually was on an island, I had to pretend.

1. Fishbowl Eyes by Go Jimmy Go

The only thing more islandic than ska is Hawaiian ska. Think offbeats, brass, super-smarmy vocals and steel guitar.

2. Give It to You by G. Love and Jack Johnson

G. Love and Jack Johnson have recorded many songs together, including one for the Curious George soundtrack. The movie was all warm colors and monkey noises, but the soundtrack was amazing. Sarah keeps saying she doesn't remember this, but Curious George was the first movie we ever went to together.

3. Johnny Go Ska by the Toasters

A ska take on Johnny B. Goode by none other than the official historians of ska, The Toasters. Every other song of theirs explains the origins of ska.

4. Stir It Up by Bob Marley

Because your recipe is so tasty.

5. Revolution Rock by The Clash

Get that cheesegrater going. The organ in this song is fantastic. It's a cover of a Danny Ray song. The original was more feel-good -- the Clash added lines like, "I have got the sharpest knife, so I get the biggest slice," and, "I'm so pilled-up that I rattle." They also added the organ and the brass, though, and that seals the deal for me.

6. La Mar by The Beautiful Girls

I think this is the second time The Beautiful Girls have made the playlist. Get used to it.

7. Shima-uta by Rimi Natsukawa

This was one of my favorite songs while I was in Okinawa. The original -- recorded in 1992 -- wasn't written by an Okinawan, but they love the song more than anybody down there. This cover is a lot lighter on the electric rock-ballad guitar.

8. I Can Dig It by Kalai

Utah's favorite Alaska-born Hawaiian.


9. Drunken Master by The Pietasters

This song inspires a wonderful sense of false confidence. I listen to it every time before I take a test.

10. Bangerang Crash by The Specials

 I have no idea what any of the words to this song are, but it makes me feel happy.

11. Holiday by Weezer

You may ask why I didn't choose "Island in the Sun." Because no matter what anyone says, the Blue Album was Weezer's best, and this song is the anthem for wishing you were someplace else. Also, the right speaker on my computer keeps crapping out, and "Island in the Sun" doesn't sound nearly as good in mono.