Sunday, January 30, 2011

Songs that allow me to feel...(Jack Johnson, Aretha Franklin, & Elton John)

There is something that I don't understand about myself. Maybe it's way that everyone is, but it frustrates me to no end. When I care about someone and feel all emotional, I can't accept and enjoy those feelings until I know how the other person feels. It's a silly way to live life, being so terrified of being the vulnerable one with the feelings. When did it become so embarrassing to care about another person? The interesting thing is that when I listen to music, it's the only time I let go and allow myself to feel what I'm feeling. And embarrassing or not, this is how I've been feeling.

Jack Johnson - Angel

Ahhh, Jack Johnson, even mainstream success and millions of adoring fans cannot crush my pure love for your music. This man knows how to love and how to write a super awesome song that makes you grove and just feel so damn good. This song makes everything about me want to smile.


You're so busy changing the world. Just one smile and you could change all of mine. We share the same soul...



Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

I know that this is a Carole King masterpiece, but Aretha just takes it to a total diva level of awesomeness. My real singing most definitely does not sound like this at all, but in my head, this is what I sound like... all that heart and emotion just ripping right through the song.


When my soul was in the lost and found, you came along and claimed it...



Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

Yeah, yeah, so this song is so sweet, but when you really listen to the lyrics, it is so super sexy. I could listen to this song on repeat for the next 3 hours.

And I guess that's why they call it the blues. Time on my hands, could be time spent with you. Laughing like children, Living like lovers, Rolling like thunder under the covers...

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Songs for thinking...(Amos Lee, Sam Phillips, & Chris Isaak)

I'm a little post happy this week. I think it's more my need to write because music has been sounding so fantastic music to me lately. I've been thinking a lot about things and thinking, writing, and good music always seem to help me make the best decisions. I guess that's why I'm always joking that music is my religion. When I need some help and direction, nothing works better than listening to some good songs. There is always bound to be someone else who has been in the same situation and the sense of perspective always makes the answer clear to me.

Amos Lee - Seen It All Before

Ok, I admit it. I only know this song because of the million and one times that I've watched the episode of Gilmore Girls where Luke and Lorelai dance at Liz's wedding. It makes me swoon and softens my barrier defenses against love. This song lulls you into this happy, content trance.

I can hear my heart pounding, oh but I can't decide. Stuck between the depths of my fear and the peaks of my pride...



Sam Phillips - Reflecting Light

Ok, I admit it. I only know this song because of the million and one times that I've watched the episode of Gilmore Girls where Luke and Lorelai dance at Liz's wedding. It is most definitely one of my definition of love moments that makes me swoon and soften my barrier defenses against love. Anyway, I've always found this to be such a beautiful song that just lulls you into this happy, content trance.


I rode the pain down. Got off and looked up. Looked into your eyes. The last open window, All around, My dark heart lit up the skies...



Chris Isaak - Let Me Down Easy


Ahhh, Chris Isaak. Is there any way to not love him? He's one of my favorite people to see live and he's one of the best puppies around. Such a sweet, emotional, rottenly-silly dude. I think this song is so sweet. I want to tell him not to worry. There's no way that she could say no to you.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Songs to listen to on my island... (Van Morrison, Regina Spektor, & Amos Lee)

I hate to admit it, but sometimes I'm a total emotional wimp. I like to sulk off to the island of Annie and just bask in all my feelings and shut everyone out. I lived there for a few years of my life. Lately, things have been different and I have been different. I'm remembering how good it feels to actually open up and be vulnerable to someone else. You know that feeling where you actually just relax and get to be yourself and then are surprised to find that person does the same, and you actually like each other. Wacky concept, I know. The hard part is that when you care, that person has a power over you and even when unintentionally (especially unintentionally), they can hurt you like no one else in the world. That solitary little island is looking pretty cozy right about now.

Van Morrison - You Don't Know Me

Hands down, Van Morrison songs have got to be the sexiest songs ever written. The man's voice is like emotional ecstasy. And ohohohhh, how I love this song. It is so sad and pleading. That state of desperation where you just adore someone and can't say the words to them and then it's too late.


And anyone can tell, you think you know me well, but you don't know me...



Regina Spektor - Fidelity

Apparently, I am living in a time when women (or at least the kick ass girl songwriters) are all about protecting their emotions and scoffing at romance... until it knocks them over and makes them pay attention.


I never loved nobody fully. Always one foot on the ground. And by protecting my heart truly, I got lost in the sounds... I hear in my mind all this music and it breaks my heart...


(The video is so awesome, but you can't embed, so watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wigqKfLWjvM&ob=av2el)

Amos Lee - El Camino

The best part of my day was the release of Mission Bell. I was absolutely floored to see that I haven't ever posted any Amos Lee songs on the blog. I would say that he's awesome, but it would be an understatement. When I hear him singing, the soul and emotion in his voice catch in my heart and I always have to close my eyes and catch my breath.


I believe in all I've loved and all I have seen...

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Songs for my overly emotional heart... (Maroon 5, Sara Bareilles, Cary Brothers, & Ray Lamontagne & The Pariah Dogs)

I fear that my heart has gone a bit bipolar on me lately. It's what happens when someone new and special comes along. Today is uncontrollable smiling after remembering something about him. Tomorrow, I'll feel all off kilter from feeling good (yet vulnerable) and then the defenses are raised. As much as I complain and say that I hope that I can figure out how to deal with all of this one of these days, I don't really mean it. Sometimes, it just feels good to be facing an unknown with hopeful happiness and have no idea what it means or where it is going. *Sigh* Anyway, here’s this week’s picks. The good news is that when I’m so overemotional, every flippin’ song sounds so damn amazing.

Maroon 5 - Give a Little More

What I truly love about this song is that it's all crazy emotional, yet you can still dance to it.

I'm waiting for something, always waiting. Feeling nothing, wondering if it will ever change. Then I give a little more, oh babe...



Sara Bareilles - Gonna Get Over You

Considering the contents of this song, it is much more catchy and upbeat than I would have guessed, but then again, I think that's why I kinda dig it. It gets stuck in my head and I sing that chorus for hours afterwards.


I've got a thick tongue, brimming with the words that go unsung. Simmer then burn for a someone, a wrong one.



Cary Brothers - Blue Eyes

This song always hits me in my gut. It's one of those songs that I crank up in the car and sing along to it like I'm Aretha flippin' Franklin diva awesome.


But you don't know, you don't know the greatness you are...



Ray Lamontagne & The Pariah Dogs - Are We Really Through

I know that I'm supposed to be writing and everything, but nothing I can come up with can really explain just how much this song always hits me like a train. So sad and so beautiful.


Is that sun ever gonna break? Break on through the clouds, shine down in all it's glory onto me?

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Songs that got me through the first week back... (Depeche Mode, U2, Fiona Apple, & The 6ths)

It's January. It's the end of vacation and time to head back to work, which means that I've been listening to a lot of music and trying really hard to not think about how long it will be until I have more vacation time.

Depeche Mode - Somebody

It has most definitely been a Depeche Mode week. From about the age of 8 on, this song has been my perfect description of what I believe love really is. Thank you Martin Gore. I was at this concert! Half of that screaming is most definitely from me.

But when I'm asleep, I want somebody who will put their arms around me and kiss me tenderly...

Oh and just so you don't think I'm getting too sappy, the other half of my belief in love is based on the song Master and Servant. Just kidding, ya freakazoids.




U2 - So Cruel

I know that in my 30 years of being a music snob, I have made a lot of comments about U2. I actually really like U2, but I find their most diehard fans to be a bit obnoxious and pretentious. Sometimes I find Bono's personas to be a bit tiresome. However, when it comes down to the music, I'm not sure that I can top the honesty and desperation in this song. It is funny to me how like/love/lust/etc always seems to illicit in me (people in general really), the complete opposite feeling that it should. There's this sense of panic and vulnerability that is semi-terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. This song really captures that for me.

You don't know if it's fear or desire, danger the drug that takes you higher. Head in heaven, fingers in the mire...



Fiona Apple - I Know

I was never much of a fan of Fiona Apple's airplay songs, but someone gave me some albums to listen to awhile back and I think she's pretty fantastic now. Anyway, this song just hit me the other day and I thought it was kind of beautiful.


And you can use my skin to bury secrets in...



The 6ths - You You You You You

This video has the weirdest photo ever on it, but this is the only version that I could find of this amazing song. It's pretty and sweet and I like it.


You make me feel like I'm seventeen again. You make everything beautiful seem true. I can't wait to go to sleep and dream again 'Cause every dream I dream's A dream of dreamy little you...