Stealing from Craig and the Bruce, and looking to break the monopoly that sports have had on the blog in '05, here's my own 20 song lyrics quiz. These are the first 20 songs played at random when I fired up iTunes yesterday afternoon. I didn't use party shuffle; should that somehow violate the spirit of things, I promise to use it for a follow-up should this one go OK (which is an even money thing, I suppose).

Some notes about the songs:

1. I did leave in what I would consider album cuts, but where I did I tried to use opening lines (unless they include the name of the song or I think there will be a likely participant who knows the band pretty well). Songs I'd lump in here: 3, 6, 15, 18, and 20.
1a. You will notice that 18 is not in English. I will note that (a) the vast majority of the album the song is from is in English, and (b) the album did spawn one of the most popular songs in the year it was released (which is within the last 5 to 7 years).

2. Covers: 4, 5, and 14. The first two are reasonably well-known covers, while 14 has been done by a number of different people. Hint: this one is unplugged.

3. Email or comment answers, when a song is gotten (title and artist) I'll italicize it and give props. I'll give partial props where appropriate, but leave the lyrics in regular text.

4. Not sure what the protocol is for web searching. I assume it's frowned upon. Not like I can check.

5. Oh, yeah, groups are repeated. Assuming that matters.

Good luck!

(PS: I've never been sure what's the proper way to put lyrics into text like this, so I've done what seems most appropriate. If there's some sort of convention I've missed, please let me know.)

1. He roller coaster, he got early warning, he got muddy water, he want mojo filter. ("Come Together," The Beatles; Paul)

2. Oh give your love girl to whoever you choose, how can you lose with the stuff you use now
("It's Your Thing," Isley Brothers)

3. Lately I’ve been feeling low, a remedy is what I’m seeking, I take a taste of what’s below, come away to something better ("Jimi Thing," The Dave Matthews Band; Boggie)

4. What's the use of trying, all you get is pain, when I wanted sunshine I got rain ("I'm a Believer," Smash Mouth; Greg)

5. These people 'round here wear beaten down eyes, sunk in smoke dried faces, they’re so resigned to what their fate is ("Come on Eileen," Save Ferris; Ted)

6. You know you made me cry, I see no use in wonderin' why I cry for you
("Not a Second Time," The Beatles)

7. Rover was killed by a Pontiac, and it was done with such grace and artistry that the witnesses awarded the driver both ears and the tail. ("In Old Mexico," Tom Lehrer; Paul)

8. The fast guys get paid, they shoot, they score; Protect them, Buddy, that’s what you’re here for ("Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song)," Warren Zevon; Greg)

9. Bye bye babe it’s been sweet love, though this feeling I can’t change, but please don’t take this so badly, ‘Cause Lord knows I’m to blame ("Free Bird," Lynyrd Skynyrd; Paul)

10. Time after time, you refuse to even listen, I wouldn’t mind, If I knew what I was missing ("You Won't See Me, The Beatles; Brian)

11. I’ve been sleeping a thousand years it seems, got to open my eyes to everything ("Bring Me to Life," Evanescence; Boggie)

12. Months went by with us pretending, When did our light turn from green to red,
I took a chance and left you standing, Lost the will to do this once again
("Wasting My Time," Default)

13. I'm in the sky tonight, There I can keep by your side, Watching the whole world wind, Around and round ("Next Year," Foo Fighters; Greg)

14. Days may be cloudy or sunny, We're in or we're out of the money, But I'm with you always ("Come Rain or Come Shine," Glenn Frey; Paul on song, The Bruce on artist)

15. Lie beside me, Whisper to me that you want me, Arms around me, Whisper to me that you want me, There's nothing here to be afraid of
("Just the Morning," Lyle Lovett; Greg on artist)

16 Did you lose yourself somewhere out there? Did you get to be a star? Don't it make you sad to know that life, Is more than who we are ("Name," Goo Goo Dolls; Allyson)

17. I mean about future calamity, I used to think the idea was obsolete, Until I heard the old man stamping his feet. ("Hell," Squirrel Nut Zippers; Greg)

18. Herido y abandonado, Aber aber tu sabes dime mi amor por favor, Que dolor nos quedo
("Corazon Espinado," Santana)

19. I thought you’d come through, I thought you’d come clean, You were the best thing I should never have seen
("Human," The Pretenders)

20. We live in a beautiful world, Yeah we do, yeah we do ("Don't Panic," Coldplay; Boggie)