We - uh, I - have stolen the idea to one British television show and made it into a column. The Pit of Hades is a not-so-subtle rip off of Room 101, a popular program in England. A show where celebrities nominate items they would like to be seen chucked into Room 101. The room is an idea stolen from George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. In the book, Room 101 is torture chamber in the Ministry of Love where a prisoner is subjected to the worst fears and phobias. The BBC stole it first. They started it Mom.
With that in mind, why not steal another game from the Brits? Let's play Desert Island Discs.
Desert Island Discs is a British institution. First broadcast on January 29, 1942. According to folks at Guinness - the Book of Records, not the alcoholic beverage, you lush - Desert Island Discs is the longest running music program in the history of radio.
Six United Kingdom Prime Ministers have participated. Politicians and scientists. Athletes and actors. All have given their selections of what they would bring with them to a desert island. Johnny Cash, Stephen Hawking, Stephen King, Paul McCartney, J.K. Rowling, Ricky Gervais and Yoko Ono are just a few of the hundreds that have made their selections.
I'm modifying the rules a bit. It's my column and I'll amend if I want to. (Try singing that last sentence. It works.)
You select 11 songs, (up from the 8 D.I.D's allows), 7 films, (D.I.D. doesn't have films, I felt like having them), one book besides The Bible or other religious text - The Torah, Koran, Dead Sea Scrolls, On the Origin of Species, etc., and one "luxury item." The luxury item can be anything.
My selections: 11 Songs:
1. "Desolation Row" - Bob Dylan
2. "Death Letter" - Son House
3. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - The Beatles
4. "Ball and a Biscuit" - The White Stripes
5. "(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais - The Clash
6. "Over the Hills and Far Away" - Led Zeppelin
7. "When I Paint My Masterpiece" - The Band
8. "Flesh and Blood" - Johnny Cash
9. "Tom Traubert's Blues" - Tom Waits
10. "Yellow Ledbetter" - Pearl Jam
11. "My Way" - Frank Sinatra
7 Films:
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
3. Hoosiers
4. The Empire Strikes Back
5. The Sting
6. His Girl Friday
7. Miller's Crossing
1 Book:
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
I am cheating a little here. However, my justification is this; Professor Tolkien intended the books to be one long epic. The publishers broke the book up into three chapters. In fact, Tolkien did not approve of the decision and hated the title of the third installment being The Return of the King. Technically, it's one book.
1 Luxury Item:
This one is hard. I considered cheese and crackers, Coca-Cola, one of my guitars, a basketball and hoop and Sportscenter. I settled on something more simple; A stack of 100 Mead Composition Notebooks and 100 Pilot Precise Grip - Bold pens. My weapon of choice.
I'd be pretty content with those selections on a desert island. Of course I'd also want a talking volleyball.
Thanks for playing our game. We have some lovely parting gifts for you. They can be claimed after the show.
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As far as the books go, I guess I'd want something long. So maybe some Dickens. Maybe Dombey and Sons or Our Mutual Friend (haven't read these guys btw, but I know they're big).
The only way I'd finish Ulysses or Recerche du Temps Perdu would be if I was stuck on an island, so they might be good choices too.
I need a couple of clarifications before I play.
Can the luxury Item be a person?
Your luxury item really seemed like a number of luxury Items.
So with a luxury item, is it ok to include accesories?
Songs:
"Tanya" - Dexter Gordon
"Tranquility" - Ahmad Jamal
"Jardin Botanico" - Michael Franks
"Lithium" - Nirvana
"Aja" - Steely Dan
"The Third Eye" - Roy Ayers
"Apple Tree" - Erykah Badu
"Machine Gun" - Jimi Hendrix
"Harvest For The World" - Isley Brothers
"Knee Deep" - Funkadelic
"Think Twice" - Donald Byrd
Movies:
"Stormy Weather"
"Dogma"
"Vacation"
"Usual Suspects"
"Original Sin"
"The Professional"
"The World According to Garp"
Book: "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops" - George Carlin
Luxury item: A gun so I can blow my brains out from the depression of being stuck on an island.
Movies:
1. The Wire Season 1
2. The Wire Season 2
3. The Wire Season 3
4. The Wire Season 4
5. The Wire Season 5
6. Grease
7. Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Damnit JW, "What 5 albums would you take with you to a Deserted Island" was going to be my next Forum posting. Your challenge is much better, though.
I'm off to ponder ...
If the luxury item can be a person I'm going with Cameron Diaz. If not, I want a pannini grill.
Music (no order)
1. Our lips are sealed - Gogos
2. 8 Days a Week - You know who
3. Waiting on a Friend - Stones
4. Rock and Roll - Zep
5. Memphis Egypt - Mekons
6. Teenage Lobotomy - Ramones
7. Waiting for the Man - Velvet Underground
8. Rehab - Amy Winehouse
9. Hopelessly Devoted - Olivia Newton John
10. Guess that's why they call it the blues - Elton John
11. Bed of Roses - Screaming Trees
Shit JW this is tough. I'd have to go with...
Tunes: (I'm cheating)
"Change" by Fishbone
"Good Times" by Sam Cook
"Sunsets" by Powderfinger
"Paradise City" Guns & Roses
"Where the streets have no name" by U2
"Brother's Unaware" - Live
"Stand by Me" by Ben E. King
"Youth are getting restless" - Bad Brains
"Mad World" by Michael Andrews
"Damage Inc." - Metallica
"Welcome to the Terrordome" - Public Enemy
Movies:
Star Wars
The Road Warrior
Inherit the Wind (The spencer tracey version)
The Matrix
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
The Princess Bride
Coming to America
Books:
Jurassic Park
Luxury Item:
A case of Bacon Flavored Vodka
11 Songs:
1.) November Rain - Guns n' roses
2.) Sympathy for the devil - Stones
3.) Paint it Black - Stones
4.) Whiplash - Metallica
5.) Rainy Day Women - Bob Dylan
6.) Into the Lungs of Hell - Megadeth
7.) Sedated - Ramones
8.) The Broken Road - Rascall Flatts (to remind me of my wife)
9.) Devil went down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels
10.) AEnima - Tool
11.) Wynona's Big Brown Beaver - Primus
7 Films:
1-3.) Star wars trilogy
4.) Reservoir Dogs
5.) Pulp Fiction
6.) Sin City
7.) Taxi Driver
1 Book:
1.) The More Than Complete Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy - Douglas Adams
(It's all one book, and it currently resides in my bathroom)
Luxury Item:
1.) A shipping container full of Toilet Paper, Charmin extra soft
Pablo, thanks for the reminder.
Take Bill & Ted's off my list and add Reservoir Dogs.
Songs:
False Echos - (Long Version) Jimmy Buffet
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - (Roger Williams version)
Dixie Chicken (Live version) - Little Feat
Days Go By - Dirty Vegas
Never Been Any Reason - Head East
Suite Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Persian Teardrop - Massive Attack
Year of the Cat - Al Stewart
Hotel California - Eagles
The Last Resort - Eagles
Rhapsody in Blue - G. Gershwin
Movies:
Serenity
Kelly's Heroes
M*A*S*H
Aliens
Full Metal Jacket
Monty Python and The Holy Grail
The Fifth Element
Book:
Collected Works of Mark Twain
Luxury Item
My Canon XTi, 8g CF, Solar battery Charger
I already spend a month alone every year on a deserted island...
Loggerhead Key-down in the Dry Tortugas.
No phones, no celltowers, no visitors, no TV....
Everyone should try it... it really increases your self-awareness.
Especially when you realize that if you screw up and get hurt, there is NO ONE around to help you...
Especially if you get hurt and you're not carrying your radio...
TBG
For the book I'll go with Fargo Rock City.
I don't know about the movies and songs, there are just too many.
I think I'd want the season's one two three and four of "It's Always Sunny In Philidelphia."
I have to agree with Mr. Pablo on the book More Than Complete Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. That book is always funny, and by the time you finish it the begining is new again.
As to my Luxury item I'd have to choose an alcohol still. Nothing passes the time like moonshine!
baierman man, ya got some great selections far as music goes
Thanks NJD2. They're some of my all time favs.
1. Caravan - Van Morrison and The Band ( version from the last waltz )
2. Dancing Nancies - Dave Mathews band
3. Smoke stack lightning - Howlin wolf
4. Rock n roll band - Boston
5. Ocean Ave. - Yellowcard
6. Gin and juice - The Gourds
7. Watchtower - Dave Mathews band
8. Fat bottom girls - Queen
9. Life by the drop - Stevie Ray Vaughn
10. Tiny dancer - Elton John
11. North to Alaska - Johnny Horton
1. Yellowbeard
2. Bigger longer and un-cut
3. Snatch
4. Jungle book ( Disney )
5. Cadence
6. Blazing saddles
7. The full Monty
I'm not taking a book so can i take some golf balls? If i can sub in the balls then i'm taking my sand wedge for my luxury item.
This island has cd/dvd player right?
Songs:
1. In the city - The Jam
2. Rock Lobster - B52s
3. Poor Old Soul - Orange Juice
4. Message to you Rudy - The Specials
5. Bankrobber - The Clash
6. Cars - Gary Numan
7. Like a rolling stone - Bob Dylan
8. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
9. Atomic - Blondie
10. Bye Bye Badman - Stone Roses
11. This charming man - The Smiths
Movies:
1. 2001 Space Odyssey
2. A fish called Wanda
3. Groundhog Day
4. Jungle book
5. Italian Job
6. Lawrence of Arabia
7. Dr Strangelove
Book: The Right Stuff - Tom wolfe
Luxury item: espresso machine?
Fire and Brimstone - Link Wray
Street Fightin Man - Stones
Come to Daddy - Aphex Twins
Mathar - The Dave Pike Set
Amelia - Joni Mitchell
One Way Glass - Manfred Mann Chapter Three
Trust in Me - Susheela Raman
River Song - Denis Wilson
Sing Swan Song - Can
Always Crashing in the same Car - David Bowie
Light Flight - Pentangle
Book - The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy (Omnibus)
The Conversation
The Duelist
To Live and Die in LA
Badlands
Life of Brian
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Grand Prix
My Cock Ring
As I struggle to make sacrifices on my 'desired' list, it occurs to me that today's technology has finally achieved the ability to make this whole 'desert island' game concept just about moot. I mean, I really struggle to find anything on this list, other than some material 'wish' item, that can't be satisfied with a solar-powered (or wind-up) laptop with satellite Internet access.
Anyway, in the spirit of participation, here is my list.
Songs:
1. Karma Police - Radiohead
2. Bring Me To Life - Evanescence
3. Kickstart My Heart - Motley Crue
4. Lightning Crashes - Live
5. Follow You, Follow Me - Genesis
6. What’s Going On? - Marvin Gaye
7. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
8. Mr. Fantasy - Traffic
9. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
10. Sister Golden Hair - America
11. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It - REM
Movies:
1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
2. Gods And Generals
3. Once Upon A Time In The West
4. Cool Hand Luke
5. On The Waterfront
6. Rear Window
7. Casablanca
Book: On The Road - Jack Kerouac
Luxury item: A Photo Album containing my wife and children.
I've been away for a bit, sorry, didn't see the selections till right now.
Amazing. Really interesting choices.
Tim gets extra points for having Once Upon A Time In The West and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Nice.
Hmmm...JW this is not easy....
Movies:
1. Grease
2. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
3. Dogma
4. Princess Bride
5. When Harry Met Sally
6. Speed (just because Keanu was hot in that one)
7. Dr Zhivago or It's a Wonderful Life (for the snow and cold aspect)
Book:
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (1440 pages and I'm going to want to laugh, not feel like I'm punishing myself by making myself read some book I never got around to)
Luxury item:
Loaded Sansa MP3 player (it's got a radio on it, too)---that's my loophole to the pick 11 songs thing (go ahead, yell at me---but as a future lawyer I knew that there was one)
I want to be in the best mood possible when they rescue me...so keep me entertained, amused, and happy and they won't be dumping me into the shark infested waters by 'accident' when the plane picks me up...
My movies are fluff--but I want to be distracted...
1 Lake of Fire- Nirvana
2 Magnificent Seven- The Clash
3 Blister in the Sun- Violent Femmes
4 Jailhouse- Sublime
5 I Feel Fine- Beatles
6 The Saddest Song- Streetlight Manifesto
7 Waiting Room- Fugazi
8 My United States of Whatever- Liam Lynch
9 Missed The Boat- Modest Mouse
10 For Want Of- Rites of Spring
11 Me and Mia- Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
1. Fight Club
2. Carlito's Way
3. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
4. American History X
5. Reservoir Dogs
6. Shaun of the Dead
7. The Warriors
1. Ender's Game
I'd take a boat for my luxury item so i could get off the island.
I love the selection of the Complete Calvin and Hobbes. Genius Sarcastic One. Genius.
Hobo, great selections matey. Great. The Warriors cracked me up.
My turn :)
Songs:
1. Home - Sheryl Crow
2. The Sweetest Feeling - Jackie Wilson
3. I Want You - Elvis Costello
4. Eldorado - ELO
5. Spirits Having Flown - Bee Gees
6. Don't Speak (acoustic version) - No Doubt
7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (first demo) - Harrison
8. Cripple and the Starfish - Antony & The Johnsons
9. Only You by The Platters
10. Only You by Portishead
11. Only You by Yaz(oo)
Movies:
1. Fight Club
2. Meet Me in St Louis
3. This is Spinal Tap (5 hour cut - yes, it exists)
4. Iron Giant
5. What About Bob?
6. American Movie
7. Kill Bill (both parts)
Book: The Magus by John Fowles
Luxury Item; I guess this is REALLY cheating, but I'd forgo all of the above in exchange for my comic collection - all 60 boxes :) But eternity alone with 15000 comics doesn't really sound so bad.
It's only been one day since I posted my list and I already have several song changes I would make. Oh well ...
The movies don't change, though. Thanks for the props, JW. My movie list seems like a total guy list, yet I still managed to get some classy ladies (Claudia Cardinale) to look at in my boredom. (Having the Joy Harmon car-wash scene is a big plus as well!)
I do love George's acoustic demo of Guitar Weeps. Nice call Boss.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ne-CaUfiEQ
Feel free to amend Tim. The selections are not permanent until you get to the island.
As odd as that sentence sounds, it makes sense.
I like the info here. Stuff to checkout for sure. Nice thread.
I agree E. I've picked up some cool shit to listen to. Thanks all.
I can't believe i didn't get credit for the Gourds version of gin and juice. But with all the cool stuff i've picked up from ya'll, i will survive. At least i wasn't called a waste of air.
You missed the best bit. Back in 1942 the BBC had a gap in their programming and wanted a quick filler for six weeks. That simple idea is still going after all this time.
I didn't know that. Very cool.