One of the odder challenges I’ve set myself during Hand Luggage Only is to visit every Apple Retail Store in Australia in a single day. But while I get to do the organising and the hard yards, Lifehacker readers can reap the rewards — in the form of three $100 iTunes cards that are up for grabs.
Getting to two of the official Aussie Apple stores in a day – the flagship branch in Sydney’s George St, and another in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood — isn’t too hard. But the third one is located in Chadstone in Melbourne, so it’s going to be a busy day come Thursday May 7, especially as I won’t be using taxis at either end.
But what’s bad for my shoe leather could be good for your wallet. At each store, I’m going to purchase a $100 iTunes card (or a pair of $50 cards, or five $20 cards depending how puckish I’m feeling — but the total value will be $100). Those cards are being offered as prizes to three lucky Lifehacker readers. You can’t do much better when it comes to money-saving strategies for iTunes.
So how can you win yourself a card? I want you to come up with a list of five essential tracks which you’d suggest an iTunes newcomer should purchase as their first five additions to their shiny new iPod. Each track you suggest has to be currently available in the Australian iTunes store. Post your list in the comments below. After the competition closes, I’ll pick the three most convincing and creative entries as winners.
Full terms and conditions can be found here. Entries close Friday May 8 at 5pm AEST, so get assembling those playlists!
Throughout May 2009, Lifehacker Australia editor Angus Kidman will be travelling throughout Australia with just one carry-on bag for the Hand Luggage Only project.
Andrew Braithwaite
May 4, 2009 at 6:45 PM
I’d choose songs that likely helped inspire the iPod purchase in the first place… Songs used on the iPod ads!
1) Feist – 1234
Report Permalink2) CSS – Music is my hot hot sex
3) U2 – Vertigo
4) Jet – Are you Gonna be my girl
5) Fratellis – Flathead
Steve
May 4, 2009 at 6:48 PM
1. Nights in Venice, The Saints (A HLO visit)
2. Carlton, Skyhooks (Lygon St restaurants – Hmmm)
3. Perfect Day, Lou Reed (HLO vacations with my love)
4. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult (Just a great riff)
5. Roam, the B-52s (What we do with HLO)
Report PermalinkJohnny
May 4, 2009 at 8:07 PM
1. Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
Report Permalink2. Empire of the Sun – Country
3. New Order – Thieves Like Us
4. Elbow – Any Day Now
5. Orbital – Halycon On & On
Hayden
May 4, 2009 at 8:11 PM
1). Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
2). Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
3). Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
4). Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
5). Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
nuff said.
Report PermalinkKarina
May 4, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Ooh from my own soundtrack playlist:
1. Music is the Victim- Scissor Sisters
2. Carnival – Natalie Merchant
3. More Than A Feeling – Boston
4. You Weren’t In Love With Me – Sarah McLeod
5. Business – Eminem
All the bases are covered!(except for classical music which really should have its own Top 5)
Report Permalinkbuckleup
May 4, 2009 at 10:18 PM
1. Crazy in Love – Beyonce Knowles
2. Crazy – Seal
3. I’ll Go Crazy (If I don’t Go Crazy Tonight)- U2
4. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
5. (You Drive Me) Crazy – Britney Spears
You’d be wacky to have any other inaugural playlist when this one gives a spread of the best pop for the last two decades.
Report PermalinkAdrian
May 4, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Report PermalinkNatalie Bassingthwaighte – 1000 stars
Beyonce – If I were a boy
lily allen – f**k you
The Proclaimers – I’m gonna be (500 miles)
Zacha
May 4, 2009 at 11:37 PM
All of these songs are versions of the traditional song ‘La Llorona’ (‘The Weeper’). The song is about the ghost of a woman who drowned her own children in desperation, after being abandoned by her husband. It’s the best, and saddest, Mexican song I know.
Anyone with these 5 songs in their iPod would be too sad to think about buying anything else.
1. La llorona – Chavela Vargas
&
2. La llorona – Lila Downs & Mariachi Juvenil de Tecalitlán
Both from ‘Frida (Soundtrack from the Motion picture)’
Chavela Vargas has had an unbelievably sad life, and has such a sad deep voice that she can be mistaken for a man. Born during the Mexican Civil War, she was 83 when she recorded this song as a cameo in the Salma Hayek film ‘Frida’. The film is an interesting enough version of Frida’s life, especially for the non-Mexican; but when Vargas comes on screen and starts singing this song, it’s such a profound moment that you’re wrenched into a different movie. Until I heard Vargas, I didn’t get the point of this song.
Lila Downs is a contemporary, popular Mexican-American singer. She also appears in the film, and her version has a Mariachi backing.
3. La Llorona – Beirut – ‘March of the Zapotec’ & ‘Realpeople – Holland’
This is and isn’t a version of La Llorona. It was recorded in the Mexican State of Oaxaca (‘wo;ha-ka’), and has Zach Condon singing a modern English dirge over a Mexican Zapotec Funeral Band. Condon sounds like Stephin Merritt doing his soundtracks to the children’s books ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’. But the backing band is pure Mexican, and playing La Llorona in spite of him.
4. La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) – Joan Baez – ‘Gracias a la Vida (Here’s to Life)’
Another Spanish version, by 60s protest singer Joan Baez. I had no idea that Joan Baez spoke Spanish. I told my partner – a native Spanish speaker – who said “Of course she does, everybody knows that.”
5. Your Llorona – Concrete Blonde – ‘Group Therapy’
This was the first version of this song I ever heard. It’s in English, and tells the story from the point of view of the ghost, calling to and waiting for her lost lover.
This is a rough English translation of the lyrics:
Everyone calls me the dark-skinned Weeper,
Dark-skinned but loving.
I am like the green chili, Weeper,
Chili hot, but delightful.
Woe is me, Weeper,
From yesterday and today.
Yesterday I was marvelous, Weeper,
And now I’m not even a shadow.
They say I don’t grieve, Weeper,
Because they don’t see me cry.
There are dead ones who make no sound, Weeper,
And it’s only greater, their suffering.
Woe is me, Weeper, Weeper
Report PermalinkOf sky-blue.
And even if it costs me my life, Weeper,
I won’t stop loving you.
Ben
May 5, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Why don’t you hold off and do it on Saturday 9th after the Gold Coast store opens? :)
Report PermalinkAngus Kidman
May 5, 2009 at 7:52 AM
Because Apple stores are never pleasant on opening day. :-)
I scheduled this so long ago that the Robina opening wasn’t on anyone’s mind. But clearly I might have to revisit the concept later in the year. Timing would be tight though! I’ll stick to my claim that on the date specified, I’ll be visiting every store that exisits . . .
Report Permalinkcolourfulclock
May 5, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Hey,
Are you aware theres a new Apple Retail Store opening on the Gold Coast this Friday??
Now you’ll have to travel all the way to Queensland to visit every Apple store in a day haha.
Its in Robina on the Gold Coast i think:)
Report PermalinkSteve Tarone
May 5, 2009 at 10:27 AM
1. My Generation – The Kinks
Report Permalink2. Figjam – Butterfingers
3. Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
4. Talk Like That – The Presets
5. Girls & Boys – Blur
Hamish
May 5, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Here’s my list:
it’s based loosely on the first few songs in a playlist I use to get through my morning commute. I think a decent playlist-in-transit is one of the first things someone using itunes+ipod should discover.
Let Go – Frou Frou
Report PermalinkGravity (Acoustic) – John West
Know How – Kings of Convenience
Miss You (Radio Edit) – Trentemøller
Dreaming (Lucid’s 12″ Club Mix) - BT
Michael Green
May 5, 2009 at 1:32 PM
The five tracks must cover these five genres:
1) Music the kids are listening to
2) Music that no one else knows about
3) Music to show some real class and taste
4) Music to reflect on
5) Music to move to
So here they are!
1) Ladyhawke – My Delirium. Hard to fault Ladyhawke so far. no one will fault you with this on.
2) Mostly Made of Water – Kid Sam. New from Melbourne, possibly the new Gotye.
3) 2080 – Yeasayer. The thinking person’s MGMT.
4) Tonight – Stars. Sad, heartbreaking, gorgeous.
5) Dance Wiv Me – Dizzee Rascal. Grooves, changes, slides and makes anyone move.
Report PermalinkDavid H
May 5, 2009 at 8:33 PM
1. Money, Money, Money – ABBA (As you have just droped some cash for the ipod and even more for these 5 songs, get used to forking out the cash for more songs, videos and apps!)
Report Permalink2. You’re The Voice – John Farnham (No better song to belt out in public or to spontanously break out the air drums!)
3. Holy Grail – Hunters & Collectors (What better way to celebrate the purchase of your new iPod than the most iconic aussie song about the ultimate triumph!)
4. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – Jet (The song that got Jet recognised and the song that probably made us all want an iPod in the first place!)
5. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (What more can you say, it has it all!)
Kath
May 5, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Hmmm… only five?
1. Superstition – Stevie Wonder (always creates a groovy mood, even on a crap day.)
Report Permalink2. Stand by Me – Playing for Change (proceeds go to a great cause, and it’s a fantastic rendition of a classic song)
3. Great Southern Land – Icehouse (vital for any road trip in Australia)
4. Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand (nothing gets your pace moving while walking better than this song)
5. Shake a Tailfeather – Ray Charles and the Blues Brothers (cos it’s just a classic!)
Karina
May 5, 2009 at 9:41 PM
A playlist to feel like you’re a star – on the big and small screen
Report Permalink1. More than a Feeling- Boston. For those impromptu Air Band sessions a la Scrubs
2. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen. For you and your mates to recreate Wayne’s World in your Torana
3. My Sharona – the Knack – Dancing around a 7-11 at 2 in the morning with Winona, Janene and Ethan. And that other guy with the glasses…
4. Staying Alive – Bee Gees – covers everything from an outbreak of Saturday Night Fever to Romy and Michelle’s total fabulousness. And the Bee Gees are Australian aren’t they?
5. (Out of left field choice)Oxygene Part II – Jean Michel Jarre – You’re in Gallipoli. You’re running. Will you get to your mate in time?
Ginger
May 5, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Down on the Street – The Stooges
Open My Eyes – The Nazz
Berlin Chair – You Am I
Soon – My Bloody Valentine (from Glider EP)
Don’t Fight It Feel It – Primal Scream
The I-Pod is all about enjoying yr music whilst on the go, and if these tracks don’t get you strutting, check your pulse! I’ve included some hard-edged muscle (The Stooges), some great 60′s psyche-rock (The Nazz), an Oz Rock Pub classic (You Am I), a shoe-gazer anthem (My Bloody Valentine), and a guaranteed dancefloor filler (Primal Scream). Enjoy!
Report PermalinkLauren Istvandity
May 6, 2009 at 10:08 AM
1. Don’t Worry Baby – The Beach Boys: The ipod earphones definately payoff when you can have the Beach Boys inside your head; a great way to hear the beautiful harmonies in this track.
Report Permalink2. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel: Hey maybe its a bit girly but its so upbeat how can you not like its bouncy charm and ultimate vocal and instrumental arrangement?
3. Rainbow Connection – Me First and the Gimme Gimmes: A punk cover of kermit, what could be better – at least you can hear it while on the bus or train, something I have trouble with a lot!
4. No Sex for Ben – The Rapture: Such a funky song definately deserves a place on your ‘pod. Due to the compression of your ipod’s music the bass gets skimped on, luckily there’s not a massive bassline in this song so you don’t miss out on too much!
5. Frontier Psychiatrist – The Avalanches: There’s no better way to listen to this kind of awesome sampling and produciton. A classic track.
Facebook User
May 6, 2009 at 12:07 PM
How can you only have five! Given I mostly listen to this stuff on the iPod through headphones, I like music with a bit of up-front presence and detail, which are often live recordings or stuff that isn’t over-produced. I doubt very much that you would approve of my selections (not a lot of 80s pop on the list!):
Report Permalink1. Across the Universe (Liam O’Maonlai & Eddi Redder version) – RockWiz Duets Vol. 2
2. Hound Dog Blues – Seasick Steve
3. St Louis Blues (long version) – Louis Armstrong: 16 Most Requested Songs
4. I Want You – Elvis Costello
5. From Her to Eternity – Live Seeds (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)
Tamzyn
May 6, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I guess seeing as any type of person could be owning a ipod these days I recomend the ‘i’ theme!
Some classics and some new ones!
1. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ Scissor Sisters
Report Permalink2. If I Could Turn Back Time Cher
3. I Love Rock N Roll Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
4. If I Know You The Presets
5. Nothing I Can Do About It Now Willie Nelson
Ros
May 6, 2009 at 3:31 PM
1. The Tape Song – The Kills
2. Gouge Away – Pixies
3. Fools Gold – The Stone Roses
4. Transmission – Joy Division
5. Paranoid Android – Radiohead
A bit eclectic, and entirely biased by my current playlist. I chose these as songs that people are far less likely to chance across by themselves(given the lists above already submitted), that are replayable frequently, and that are highly enjoyable.
Report PermalinkIain Dickson
May 6, 2009 at 3:33 PM
1. Stairway to Heaven – Far Corporation (Better than Led imo.)
2. Wish you were here – Pink Floyd
3. With or Without You – U2
4. The Man who Sold the World – David Bowie
5. Piano Man – Billy Joel (NOT THE RADIO EDIT!)
All good songs for headphones :)
Report PermalinkMichael Stephenson
May 6, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Before there was all this new fangled downloading people used to buy things called albums. The following 5 tracks make up one of those albums that are _ESSENTIAL_ for any iPod:
Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pt. 1
Welcome to the Machine
Have a Cigar
Wish You Were Here
Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pt. 2
Together, they are Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.
Report PermalinkAndrew Lane
May 6, 2009 at 8:19 PM
1. Push the button – Sugababes
2. Spinning the Wheel – George Michael
3. One Froggy Evening (TV)- Looney Tunes
4. You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) – Dead or Alive
5. The Apple – Bill Cosby
Not bitching tracks, but instead all are somehow connected with Apple / symbolistic parts of an iPod.
Report PermalinkYagan Kiely
May 6, 2009 at 8:20 PM
1: Raiders March – John Williams (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
2: Also Sprach Zarathustra – Richard Strauss
3: Imagine – John Lennon
4: Tuesday’s Gone – Lynyrd Skynyrd
5: Moonlight Sonata (first movement) – L.V.Beethoven
UPDATED
Version Two:
1: Raiders March – John Williams (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
Report Permalink2: Also Sprach Zarathustra – Richard Strauss
3: Imagine – John Lennon
4: Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
5: Moonlight Sonata (first movement) – L.V.Beethoven