Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Angels
Artist: Robbie Williams
Album: The Ego Has Landed (1999)

I had to let some time pass in using this song since that kid on Idol with the crazy dad sang it. But in all truth, this is easily one of my All-Time Top Five Songs. I know - took me a while to get here...

The connection to this song starts with the connection to the artist.

There is something about Robbie Williams that just clicks with me. Maybe it's the cocky, devilish-grin demeanor that you see on stage and TV that is replaced by an often-times crippling self-doubt and worry about success. Or maybe it's struggling to find your own voice for a few years before striking a chord and moving forward that does it. Whatever it is, I get Robbie Williams.

(Note: If you're at all inclined and want a good read, pick up the Feel by Chris Heath)

While I love almost everything the guy has done, what makes this song the #1 on the list and a lock for my ATT5 is how different it is from most of the other Robbie Williams material.

There is no pomp and circumstance, no flashy stage show that you can see in your head as the song plays, Robbie bouncing around the stage as the ultimate performer. Alright, so there is a little Robbie Williams in the linked clip - but it's Robbie Williams for chrissakes... that's what he does!

Unlike last week's entry, we've got some lyrical content working here too.

And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead

I've got a couple angels in my life and I know that the "whether I'm right or wrong" line is 100% true with them.

Sometimes, you just find an artist that you connect with.
Sometimes they've got one song that speaks to you more than others.

This is how it is for me, Robbie Williams and "Angels" and I hope you enjoy it.

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The Rundown

I like the idea of having things that will appear on specific days - like the Things I Learned This Week that will appear every Sunday. For one, it makes determining what I'm going to write a little bit easier and two, if it's good, you get used to it and make a habit of coming back, at least on those specific days.

With that in mind, Wednesday is going to become home to The Rundown.

What is The Rundown?

It's going to be a list of five somethings. Top 5 Movies, Top Five Albums, Top Five Songs and on and on and on. But it won't only be mundane, normal stuff like that. What else is going to be covered? Stuff like this week's:

Top Five Man Crushes

I have no problem admitting to having man-crushes. I actually got the idea from my interview with Cabbie, because he used it in reference to his favoute athlete ever Eddie George.

Anyway, on with the show...

5. Robbie Williams, Pop Star
The "fat one" from British Boy Band Take That became a fav well after harmonizing on "I Want You Back." It actually started when I first heard the song "Angels," which has since become a karaoke favourite of mine unfortunately for those in attendance. What is it about Williams that I love? It's the mixture of arrogance, charisma and showmanship coupled with the willingness to be extremely open about who he is and the things he's done. Plus, I'm sure he'd knock back a few pints of the dark with me if I ever ran into him... and that's cool.

4. Johnny Depp, Actor
I actually don't think this one needs much explaining. Anyone who is as ridiculously talented as the former 21 Jump Street star and has the integrity to march to the beat of his own drum is aces in my books.

3. Chuck Klosterman, Writer
Everyone needs to have their model of who'd they aspire to be like and Klosterman is one of mine. It's not just that he is a writer, but also what he writes, how he writes and who he writes for. Beyond his own novels - Fargo Rock City, Sex Drugs & Cocoa Puffs, Killing Yourself to Live and IV - Klosterman writes his own column in Esquire, does numerous guest spots on ESPN and The Magazine and pretty much does it all in the exact same way I one day aspire to.

2. Don Cheadle, Actor / Activist
Listen. You can say whatever you want about whoever you want, but if you say something bad about Don Cheadle, we're fighting. Dude is just lights out every time. He can be funny, serious, part of an ensemble or carry a movie all by himself, which speaks volumes about his talent. But it's more than that. Cheadle is also the co-founder of Not On Our Watch, an organization that focuses global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities as in Darfur and is also very outspoken about racism, an issue close to my heart. Seriously, I'll fight you over Don Cheadle. And he ain't even #1...

1. George Stroumboulopoulos
Every Canadian knows this man or at least they should. Those of us who grew up in and around The GTA met him on The Edge 102.1. Some watched him on The Nation's Music Station, Much Music which I gotta say was painful,, other than The New Music. But where Stroumbo has gotten his most attention - and deservedly so - is as the host of CBC's The Hour. Part talk show, part news magazine, all Stroumbo... it is hands down the best show on Canadian television and one of the best on TV period. YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS SHOW PEOPLE! George is intelligent, well-spoken, funny, self-deprecating, sarcastic and just plain effin' awesome. When I grow up, I wanna be George Stroumboulopoulos...

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If there is something you want to see in The Rundown, let me know in the comments section. Nothing is off-limits...

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