Singles File

A weekly playlist for the listener with a one-track mind.

Christian Kiefer, Matthew Gerken and Jefferson Pitcher featuring Marla Hansen: "James Monroe: The Last Cocked Hat" From the upcoming "Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 Presidencies" comes, let's face it, the best song ever about the nation's fifth president. Features a cameo from Sufjan Stevens compatriot Hansen, because all pointlessly comprehensive musical history projects must somehow involve Sufjan.

Boston Spaceships: "Go for the Exit" Robert Pollard, the ex-Guided by Voices frontman, wobbly fake British accent possessor and astonishingly prolific solo artist, returns with a new band. Because of/despite their resemblance to a less-drunk-sounding GBV, they're pretty good.

Zo! & Tigallo: "Take on Me" Little Brother's Phonte and D.C. area producer/multi-instrumentalist Zo! team for this endearingly serious cover of the A-ha hit everyone would rather have forgotten about. From their upcoming disc, "Zo! & Tigallo Love the '80s."

3 Pretty Ricky: "Cuddle Up" The professionally pervy R&B group pay homage to Arsenio Hall haircuts, dragon nails, R&B girl groups and other terrifying '80s artifacts. If the presence of a group of scantily clad women called Butta Creame and the constant shots of the band's oiled torsos are reliable indicators, "Cuddle Up" is probably a metaphor for, you know, something else.

R.E.M. featuring Eddie Vedder: "Begin the Begin" Is it us, or does Eddie Vedder seem to be in a really good mood lately? He certainly seemed cheery (at least for him) during his surprise appearance on this ever-relevant R.E.M. song, recorded at the group's Philly show last Wednesday.

-- Allison Stewart