Random Rules

Every once in a while the shuffle setting on my iPod will play a string of songs that lead me to believe there is an intelligence involved. I am not talking about mere similarities of BPMs or genres. That wouldn't be worthy of mention. I am talking about the juxtaposition of ironic song content or similarly themed song subjects that would seem to require an acuity not possessed by most of your flesh-and-blood DJs.

While driving back from the shoot in Matamoras, PA, this weekend my little white pal played a photography themed three-fer. Here we were fresh from a photo shoot and the iPod randomly plays three photography related songs in a row. By chance? Not bloody likely. The answer must be more sinister and probably involves some kind of nefarious contextual marketing conspiracy between the Illuminati, Steve Jobs, and Sony BMG.

Did I mention that I was wearing my tin foil top hat during this whole episode?

The event got me thinking about my favorite photography themed songs. A lot of songs immediately came to mind--Photograph by Def Leppard, Girls on Film by Duran Duran, Kodachrome by Paul Simon, Centerfold by the J. Geils Band--but they don't exactly qualify as favorites in my book.

So, here's my quick top 8 photography songs:

Pictures of Lily -- Who
I Turn My Camera On -- Spoon
Pictures of Me -- Elliot Smith
Camera Shy -- Lucksmiths
All the Photos -- Sea and Cake
Kamera -- Wilco
Photographic -- Depeche Mode
People Take Pictures Of Each Other -- Kinks

What's missing from my list? What are your favorite photo songs or your favorite songs to play while you're taking photos?