You're always mine to keep when you're gone

[Editor's note: You know it's been too long when you forget which font you've been posting in. I'm going to hope it's Lucida Grande, and if it isn't, maybe I will fix it later or maybe you won't care.]

Today's title comes from a wonderful Ryan Adams cover called "Dear John" which I saw him perform live here in beautiful Burlington. Despite many rumors to the contrary, Mr. Adams was both sober and professional that night. It was then I decided to really heart him. I had dabbled in hearting him before, but nothing ever really gelled. I would pluck him from the shelf every now and then, dust him off for a day or so, then gently place him back into the recesses of my mind. Well, Mr. Adams sealed his fate at that show last summer, and now he joins a select few of the People I Really Heart in Music.

To know me is to understand that I am a complete musical slut and approach music in the way that most people would use at a buffet. I take a little here, a little there, sample it all, pick it up, put it back down, forget about it, remember it, roll around in it, blast it out of my station wagon with the windows down, and I could really care less where it came from as long as it feels good going in. I don't care if you are critically acclaimed, no-named, off-brand, a mixed tape, a bootleg CD with a paper-sticker label, or a rock opera. If I like you, you're in. If I don't, I ignore you. I don't spend a minute talking about music that I think sucks because: a.) I can't play music and have never really tried ,so who am I to judge; and b.) who cares? It's a waste of time and it makes you look like a douche when you could be enjoying some music you like.

That being said, it's time to talk about some music I have liked so much that it's spilled over into the people themselves. For your (dis)approval, I submit to you, The People I Really Heart in Music. Brief explanations/justifications follow each entry. As a mother says to her children, regardless of its truth, they are in no particular order, as I love them all the same.

1. Sondre Lerche - Sondre. I ♥ him for his lovely growlish-honey voice mixed with his lyrics that are just a little oblique but very solemn. Wonderful musician, non-obtrusive, doesn't seem to have an attitude, and I'll admit, easy on the eyes. For this, he makes the cut. Recommended Song: You know so well.

2. Stevie Jackson - I fear to post this name in the remote chance that Himself would someday read this and roll his eyes for the rest of his life. Stevie is the tall, shy, bespeckled rhythm guitarist for Belle and Sebastian who dresses like he's part of a mid-60's brass section and has a thick glasgow accent. It's impossible for me not to heart him. I feel like it's part of my genetic makeup to heart him. He writes gorgeous songs and has a voice that makes him sound like he should be in The Birds. He, like me, is a modern-day throwback and for that, I will continue to heart him, much to Himself's chagrin. Recommended Song: Mornington Crescent.

3. Donald Fagen - He's responsible for Steely Dan. He's a crazy perfectionist and a slave to the smooth grooves. He works in conjunction with Michael McDonald. His lyrics are completely fragmented but somehow you could care less. I have the distinct feeling he's a person that you could know for 15 years and not know at all. His music sounds effortless but is a complicated bitch to execute. He's the other side of the Roger Waters coin, and for that I will heart him always. Recommended Song: anything from Aja, Can't Buy a Thrill or Pretzel Logic.

4. Paul Banks - Hollow, haunting voice. Has a huge presence without saying shit. Seems shy in real life. His songwriting is sparse and effective, which is exactly the way I like it. He was born to be pretentious and he does it well, so I will forgive him for that and continue hearting him. Another person that himself detests. Say what you want, but Interpol has a distinct sound and style, and in my opinion, doesn't sound that much like Joy Division once you get past the voice similarities that don't seem to exist if Paul sings unplugged. Fuck the haters-Paul Banks, I will always heart you. Recommended Song: Pace is the Trick.

5. Nas - Wow. Intelligent, Succinct, powerful lyricist with delivery that hurts. Sexy growling voice. Nas always amazes me with his ability to stay relevant while expounding on topics that most people can relate to and making that work. I'm always interested in what he has to say, and the man never disappoints. Combine that with a chest tattoo and you have the makings of I heart you long time. Recommended Song: My Way.

6. Ryan Adams - Oh Ryan. You have the voice of an angel and a devil. You're troubled and sort of dark and yet I feel like you are capable of being really happy. You don't give a fuck what anyone thinks. You are a talented, intelligent southern boy with country roots, yet you live in NYC. You are too talented for your own good and sometimes come off like a maniac. For all reasons listed above, I heart you. Recommended Song: Hollywood Blvd.

7. AIR (both of them) - Listening to AIR is like dreaming while being awake. They are aptly named, as their music is completely intangible and seems weightless. They seem to be the personification of creativity and never stick to the same format, yet you know an AIR song without knowing it. There's a strong possibility these two could be sorcerers of some kind. They are also very French and very petite, and for that I heart them. Recommended Song: Run, Universal Traveler, You Make it Easy, One Hell of a Party.

8. Stevie Wonder - You've read the name. That alone should make you understand why. What can you possibly say about someone who wrote Innervisions? Funky, soulful, conscious, loving, spiritual and uplifting, Stevie can capture any emotion and translate it for you. It's impossible to be unhappy when you hear that voice and that sound. When I listen to Stevie, I feel bad for deaf people who will never be able to experience him. He is that good, and one of the few people that you just shouldn't try to cover because you'll never be able to do it better than he can. Gifted doesn't begin to explain this man's talent. For being born into this world, Stevie, I heart you. Recommended Song: Every last one. Even I Just Called to say I Love You.

9. Wayne Coyne - Mr. Coyne of the Flaming Lips, you are an innovator, a showman, and incredibly sexy without trying. You are the embodiment of being yourself and it inspires me. You are very positive and you really seem to love your wife, which makes my heart happy. Your shows are an extravaganza even without the aid of drugs and I speak from experience. For those reasons, I heart you. Recommended Song: The Spark That Bled, W.A.N.D

10. Elliot Smith - Elliot, you should have stayed around longer. You had the uncanny ability to connect with people's deepest emotions, and no one could put it quite like you. Your sometimes brittle voice matched your vulnerable lyrics and heart perfectly. You could tell you were never quite comfortable with life and that just made everyone love you more. You were braver than you ever probably thought you were. For touching many people's lives with your poignant lyrics and beautiful sense of melody and tone, I still heart you, long after you are gone. Recommended Song: Anything from XO or Figure 8.

11. Al Green - DAMN. The late Reverend can always touch your soul, with his vulnerability, openness, and lyrics that stood for something. The man was all about love in any form and had a voice that could fill the rafters. No matter what your mood, when you listen to Al, you feel like he understands what you're going through. For the heavenly voice, thoughtful lyrics, and the gentle soul, Al, I will always heart you. Recommended Song: Any.

12. Jay Z - Jay, you are a married man now, so I'm going to try to put it away, but my god, you are the total package. Creative, smart, polished and a delivery that reminds me of a machine gun, you are the best of the best. You seem like you have a comeback for everything someone would say to you. You're a great businessman and you have confidence that's tangible. You are the definition of "I don't know what it is, but this man is sexy". You made a hit single off an Annie song for god's sake. Can you do any wrong? It's doubtful. And it's also doubtful that I will ever stop hearting you, Bey or no Bey. Recommended Song: Lucifer, Hard Knock Life, and about 15 others.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
You didn't quite make the list, but you didn't not make it either.

Steve Windwood circa Traffic
Earth Wind & Fire
Kool & the Gang
Chaka Khan
Fiona Apple
Chuck Klosterman (off topic but I don't care, he's earned his spot in my heart).
Jose Gonzalez

Well there you have it. There are the people in music I heart. I hope you have found this little trip to be fun or at least worth the gas money. Until next time.