Guilty Pleasure CD: The Very Best of Sheryl Crow

My sister and I were having a phone date the other day, when she mentioned in a low voice that she'd just purchased a new cd at Target.  I think it goes without saying that if music is purchased at Target, it's probably a guilty pleasure.  The cashiers won't make fun of your musical choices, unlike the guys who work at some of the local music stores and apparently have their PhDs in Musicology.  

"It's Sheryl Crow's greatest hits cd," she admitted.  "I can't stop listening to it!"

"No way!"  I said.  "I bought it too...also at Target!  I think we have guilty pleasure ESP.  I can't stop listening to it, either!"

I wouldn't have guessed that I'd like a Sheryl Crow cd so much.  Ten years ago when All I Wanna Do first came out, I wasn't a big fan of the song.  I remember hearing it in a bar and seeing two mildly intoxicated, yet perfectly coiffed women singing along to it. They were the type of women I can't relate to: the ones who look "put together" as if the J Crew catalog came to life.  Sporting matching outfits that certainly weren't purchased at the thrift store, with perfect hair and manicured nails, they were sitting at a table daintily sipping small cocktails.  That may be the complete opposite of me, my friends. I think this introduction led me to dismiss the song prematurely.  Later, upon further listening I found that I really liked the line, "I like a good beer buzz early in the morning."  Hehehe.  I doubt that the JCrew girls have ever awakened to crack open the breakfast of champions.  Maybe Sheryl was my kind of girl after all...

Her next big hit seemed to indicate that this was the case. I liked Strong Enough immediately, and it's probably still my favorite of all of her songs.  The tune reminded me of the theme to thirtysomething (that's a compliment, really) and the lyrics resonated with me.  Even in 1994, "Are you strong enough to be my man?" was a question I'd ponder when gazing at my boyfriend.  In 2004 I know that the answer was no.  Sadly, this has frequently been the case with the menz.  It turns out that lots of them aren't even as emotionally strong as marshmallows.  And I'm talking about mini-marshmallows, people.  But that's a rant for another time.  This is a review.  And Strong Enough is still a good song, ten years later.

If her lyrics from the songs on this collection are an indicator, it seems that Sheryl is not one of those perfectly put-together girls, either.  She sings about being depressed (If It Makes You Happy), times when you're low on cash but high on fun (Soak Up the Sun), being involved with the wrong guy, but not able to let go of him (My Favorite Mistake), and learning from the past and looking toward the future (Leaving Las Vegas and Every Day is a Winding Road).  Even the songs she chose to remake are really good and fit into this theme.  The relationship in the cheesy, but highly singable Picture seems pretty hopeless, so it's extra funny that it's a duet with her ex, Kid Rock. And anyone who has had his or her heart smashed to pieces can join me at karaoke and we'll sing The First Cut is the Deepest together and cry into our beers.

This cd is great!  I don't care who makes fun of me for saying so.  I suppose I like it so much because all of these songs sound kind of like me and my world.  Woo-hoo...finally some love for those of us who fuck up!  I highly recommend The Very Best of Sheryl Crow.  It's well worth your guilty pleasure dollar.

-Gigi 03.04.04