She rose to fame in the mid-’90s, with hits like “Numb” and “Elmo.” Today, Holly McNarland releases her fourth full-length studio album, Run Body Run. It’s the Toronto singer-songwriter’s first LP in nearly five years. Judging from the new songs on her CBC Music profile, McNarland still knows how to craft pop radio hits.
CBC Music asked McNarland to put her iPod on shuffle, and share the first 10 tracks to come up. The result is an eclectic mix of songs from Modest Mouse, country crooner Don Williams and experimental rockers Ween. Plus, some children’s music McNarland guarantees you won’t want to throw out the car window.
Check out this playlist on rdio
1. “No Ordinary Love” 
Sade
“This is a monthly installment in my house. Fell in love with her [when I was] 19 and haven’t looked back.”
2. “Black Cadillacs”
Modest Mouse
“I love that I can hear his lisp through his great lyrics.”
3. “Farewell”
Rosie Thomas
“My guy introduced me to this beautiful voice. I love all her trills.”
4. “Set This Heart on Fire”
Listen“Catherine is one of the best songwriters I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.”
5. “Smile”
The Jayhawks
“I love this band and every song they write.”
6. “Faded”
The Afghan Whigs
“For some reason I love his pitchy voice and his songwriting blows my heart up.”
7. “I Believe in You”
Don Williams
“I grew up singing country music and he was my mom’s favourite. He makes me feel like I’m home.”
8. “Fluffy”
Ween
“What can you really say about Ween? They are just perfectly wrong in all the right ways.”
9. “Black Heart”
Calexico
“This is what I play while I clean, and [I play it] really loud!”
10. “Animal Crackers in My Soup”
John Lithgow
“If you have kids, do yourself a favour and throw out the [stuff] your family gives you, and buy this.”
What's your favourite track on McNarland's list? Let us know in the comments.
Related song:
ListenHolly McNarland
Dig a Little
From
Run Body Run
posted by
Elliott Garnier
on May 15, 2012