7. Dodo

This song is a rarity to hear live. Almost exclusively played in the winter (almost), Dave has only played "Dodo" a handful of times, a majority after the release of his solo album, Some Devil. In fact, Dave hadn't played "Dodo" live for two years until the December 6, 2010 performance at McCaw Hall in Seattle. This song is almost always played mid set, with the two exceptions where the song was played as a set opener. This song is the lead track on Some Devil and has been a favorite of mine for many, many years.

Title: Dodo
Album: Some Devil
Show Stats: Fully played 25 times
Why I Love It: I have always viewed this song as an important piece of music with a real message. The lyrics speak of man's ignorance in the face of reality and science and how stubborn we are as a humanity. At the same time, the song could be about perception and how sometimes how we perceive things is does not always reflect reality. Beside the lyrics that I fell in love with immediately, the studio track has so many musical elements I love and are seldom heard in songs with Dave on vocals. I have a weak spot in my heart for tambourine which is used in excess, much to my delight. The vocals take on a sort of lazy, delicateness that seems perfectly fitting for the content of the song.
Memories: By far, the most exciting time I heard this song was after it's two year hiatus from touring when it was played at McCaw Hall in Seattle this past December. After the show, the four of us who had gone to the show were dumbfounded and shocked that we got to hear Dave and Tim (not Time, thanks Zach) play "Dodo" live! It was a song that I only dreamed of hearing, but had always written off as an improbability. I was excited to get to check this song off my list of stuff I've heard live.
Favorite Lyric: So I wonder this as life billows smoke inside my head/ This little game where nothing is sure, oh/ Why would you play by the rules?

8. Christmas Song

Lately, Dave has been preempting this song as having no religious connotation, just that it's a story. This song has been around since the beginning and was a solo feature early on after the release of Remember Two Things. This song usually makes appearances at shows just before the holiday season. Some years after the turn of the millennium have been without a single performance of the song, though it's seen a bit of a resurgence of play in the latter half of 2010. Liver performances usually have the accompaniment of Carter on the drums. The track recorded in the Everyday sessions for the Platinum Christmas album features Carter on vocals as well. The first known performance of this song was debuted as "Blood Of Our Children." Dave likes to play this song as either a set closer or more commonly as a part of the encore.

Title: Christmas Song
Album: Remember Two Things
Show Stats: Fully played 171 times, 1 partial, 1 tease
Why I Love It: Even though I'm not a Christian, there's plenty to love about this song. The song itself is about Jesus Christ. They lyrics probably don't resonate with me as much as others, but it's the intoxicating way Dave sings the lyrics that make me love it so much. The lick on the guitar is quite simple and gives the quiet song a syncopated, bouncy feel without a rushed feel. I also really love how Dave has been introducing this song as of late as not a religious song, but as just a story. Growing up (and sometimes still), I was turned off by anything with religious connotation. This song challenges how I can listen to material clearly about religion and still enjoy and respect it for what it is. And even if I don't personally resonate with the lyrics, there is still a beauty to the lyrics I can't deny.
Memories: Even though this song has been around forever, I never paid attention to it until my roommate started obsessing over it. She likes to play songs she loves over and over and over again (usually until I can't stand it anymore), but this song started to stick in my head. Then when we traveled to Charlottesville in 2010, Dave played the song and I got to hear it live. It gave me goosebumps hearing everyone in the crowd singing along with such passion and gusto. I heard the song again at a Dave and Tim show in Seattle December 2010.
Favorite Lyric: So the story goes, so I'm told/ The people he knew were less than golden hearted/ Gamblers and robbers/ Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers/ Like you and me

2. Down By The River (Neil Young)

Neil Young, well liked and admired by Dave, is the composer and original performer for "Down By The River." Dave's appreciation and love for Young's lyrics are expressed by the way he delicately and passionately sings this song. I've never heard this song sung live, as it's a bit of a rarity, especially now days. He's only played this song about 16 times, mostly in 2006 and 2007, including the 2006 performance at the Bridge School Benefit with Neil Young himself. Dave has played this song once more recently on December 11th, 2009 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Title: Down By The River
Original Artist: Neil Young
Why I Love It: As a casual fan of Neil Young, it was a treat to get to hear Dave sing "Down By The River." I love the slow pace the song strolls along at. Admittedly, I prefer this song done solo or with Dave and Tim as opposed to the full band. In certain versions, Dave sings the song so emotionally, it practically brings me to tears. I can hear this song a thousand times and I get equally emotionally involved each time.
Memories: Perhaps my preference for this song performed solo comes from the fact the first time I heard it was on Dave and Tim's Live At Radio City album. The way he performs in this version is one of the most stirring covers I've ever heard him sing. I love the natural rasp to his voice and he uses to his advantage to express the emotion of the song and powerful lyrics. Tim never disappoints either with his solo on Live At Radio City; he truly is a genius.
Favorite Lyric: She could drag me over the rainbow/ Take me away/ Down by the river/ I shot my baby/ Down by the river/  Dead