Last.fm tracks every song, artist, and album I listen to on my music apps since I joined the website in January 2010. And, to the non-surprise of everyone who knows me personally, my most listened-to song is my favorite of all time: Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender”.
How many times have I listened to the song from the day I joined Last.fm to yesterday, September 9? 23,999 times. I’m not kidding.
Continue reading Song of the Moment XCVI: Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender”Lately, aside from being consistent in my daily rituals (e.g., updating my journal system, skincare, listening to music), I have been exploring uncharted territory. Every week, I would visit a different café or watch a show I should have watched years ago. (Sorry for being late to the party, fans of the iconic action drama 24. Now I get it.)
But since September started, I need to sacrifice exploring new things—for the next few weeks, at least.
This is my 18th Notes to Self. (Also, I think this is my first time-pressured one?)
Continue reading Notes to Self XVIIII admit that Daft Punk’s “Around the World” (a previous Song of the Moment) is still on my rotation this week. I mean, come on, it’s one of my favorite electronic dance songs. But this week, I also decided to listen more to the pioneers of industrial rock, Nine Inch Nails. I started my binge-listening with the essential playlist curated by Spotify.
After listening to half of the playlist, the song that stuck with me is “Every Day Is Exactly the Same” (a single from the Nine Inch Nails studio album With Teeth). I remembered listening to it multiple times in 2019 (one of the darkest times in my life), but it’s only recently that I truly understand the song’s lyrics on the dark side of monotonous routine and blind conformity. (Well, that’s my interpretation anyway.)
Every day is exactly the same
The chorus of Nine Inch Nails’ “Every Day Is Exactly the Same”
Every day is exactly the same
There is no love here and there is no pain
Every day is exactly the same
I’m a guy who loves listening to various music genres, so listening to “Every Day Is Exactly the Same” is a darkly refreshing break from the upbeat Daft Punk classic “Around the World”. That’s why it’s my Song of the Moment.
Now I’m going to try a different affogato tonight. See you in the next post.
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Header image: Clock image by Phantom Reader of Pixabay. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.
Updated on September 4, 2025.
The Diary of The Deranged Writer 