Music Monday — The Postal Service “Such Great Heights”

Give Up is such a great album.  Different than the usual Death Cab for Cutie stuff, yet similar enough that I instantly liked it.  But my absolute favorite song has to be “Such Great Heights.”  The music is fun.  The lyrics are great.  An uplifting message… Enjoy this great Monday!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I am thinking it’s a sign that the freckles
In our eyes are mirror images and when
We kiss they’re perfectly aligned
And I have to speculate that God himself
Did make us into corresponding shapes like
Puzzle pieces from the clay
And true, it may seem like a stretch, but
Its thoughts like this that catch my troubled
Head when you’re away when I am missing you to death
When you are out there on the road for
Several weeks of shows and when you scan
The radio, I hope this song will guide you home

They will see us waving from such great
Heights, ‘come down now,’ they’ll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
‘come down now,’ but we’ll stay…

I tried my best to leave this all on your
Machine but the persistent beat it sounded
Thin upon listening
And that frankly will not fly. You will hear
The shrillest highs and lowest lows with
The windows down when this is guiding you home

P.S. The Iron and Wine stripped down version is incredibly awesome also!

 

Music Monday — Sean Watkins “Carousel”

Sean is 1/3 of Nickel Creek, one of my favorite bands.  I even featured them on Music Monday a few months back.  It would be logical to think that if I love Nickel Creek, I would love his solo stuff.  And I absolutely do!  It’s a bit different, but you can definitely get the bluegrass influence in the background.  He is also a part of Fiction Family with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot.  I picked this song, because it is forever getting stuck in my head.  Enjoy getting it stuck in your head today!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

One more time around, I can’t stop this carousel
I’ve tried so long to no avail
I’ve tried each horse on here, still no new scenery
I’m dizzy, my stomach’s sick, and I’m tired
This I know, horses gold, won’t take me homeEach horse here is painted so pretty
Lifeless beauties that orbit neatly
I see you go flying by, I’ve worn my heels down
On this game of tug-o-war I’m loosing

Stepping down, kiss the ground that will take me home

Unfortunately, no video that I could find… So here’s one from Fiction Family, just to entice you to listen more!

 

Music Monday — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

It’s been two weeks since I did a Music Monday.  And there was a gap before that one.  I’m slacking.  I admit.  When I first started writing this post, I thought of reasons why I hadn’t written: I just moved, it’s been nonstop since I got here, I have been job searching.  But then I realized,  those are all excuses, not reasons why.  So, I’m recommitting myself to my blogging.  And exciting news: I have a job interview tomorrow!  Finally!

I feel like this an appropriate song for my mindset of the last year.  I have been in a funk.  It’s been hard to have hope.  It’s been tough going.  Yet, I keep trying to tell myself that someday things would get better.  And so one of my favorite songs of all time.  Beautiful, haunting, inspiring…

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?

Versions and ratings:

The Classic: Judy Garland — Of course I have to include the classic.  She’s just so amazing.  I love this scene in the movie. Definitely #1

A more modern version: Israel Kamakawiwo Ole’ — An island feel.  Gorgeous. #3

Eva Cassidy: #8

Katharine McPhee: #7

Glee version: A fun version. I had to add something from Glee! #4

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes: Of course we needed a punk version to add to the mix. #5

Josh Groban: I do love Josh Groban. #6

Jewel: I adore this version. #2

 

Music Monday – The Beatles

In honor of Down the Line 5 last Saturday, this week’s Music Monday is going to feature The Beatles.  Down the Line is a local annual concert featuring local bands doing covers of classic bands.  My mother and I have attended all five years.  Great concert.  Great local bands.  This year featured music from The Cure, John Mellancamp, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and The Beatles.  Not my favorite Down the Line, but a good show anyway.

Back to the music…  I love The Beatles.  I’ve always loved The Beatles.  I grew up listening to The Beatles.  My dad loved The Beatles.  I could sing their songs at a very early age.  And through the years, my favorite album has changed.  I went from a Hard Day’s Night person to a Sgt. Pepper person and back again.  Now, I’m not sure what my favorite album is.  I like it all.  And with the release of the movie Across the Universe, I really can’t pick.  I love all the music they used in the movie and the music spanned a lot of albums and eras.  Instead of picking one, I’ll highlight a few of my favorite songs…

1. “Hey Jude” — (1970). I love the story behind this song. McCartney wrote this to Lennon’s son Julian during his parents divorce. So beautiful. Down the Line ended with a Embassy (the theater) sing-a-long. And it definitely sounds better than the original “Hey Jules.”

2. “Blackbird” — (1968). Supposedly McCartney wrote this in response to racial tensions in the United States. Whatever the reason, it’s a beautiful song.

3. “When I’m Sixty-Four” — from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). One of my favorites from childhood. I love the lyrics. I want someone to sing this to me. So cute!

4. “I’ve Just Seen a Face” — from Help! (1965). I love this song! So cute! and watching them perform the song is like heaven. Although I must say that I think I like the Across the Universe version better. The staged scene in the bowling alley is just too fun!

5. “A Day in the Life” — from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). Such a great story. So sad, but great. I also absolutely adore the transition in the middle. Very nice!

So I guess I’ve grown to prefer the 1967-1968 songs. Don’t mistake me, I love all their songs. Just some of them are special favorites. I hope you enjoy!

 

“Glee”ful Adoration!

So I am a Gleek.  I fully admit it.  I love the soap opera-like crazy plot lines.  I love the over the top musical numbers.  I love all the Brittany and Santana one-liners. The one thing that I haven’t loved is the lack of really good classic rock songs.  I’ve been wishing for some Queen and Bowie for forever.  And last week’s episode (I know I’m a bit late, but I forgot about watching it and just watched it on Hulu.com) “Silly Love Songs” fulfilled my dream.  Puck sang “Fat Bottom Girls” by Queen as his love song to Lauren.  Oh my Goodness!  I love that song and loved loved loved his rendition!  I just had to run over (okay okay click over) to iTunes and buy it.  That’s big, I don’t do that, but I had to do it.  And strangely it did put me into the Valentine’s Day spirit, albeit a little late.  But that’s okay, it’s the thought that counts.

*As a definite second favorite song from the episode, Artie’s “PYT” was awesomely silly and sexy at the same time.  I love him! And Blaine’s Gap Attack was pretty awesome too.  And I’m pretty sure I liked Rachel’s “Fireworks” more than Katy Perry’s.  Okay, okay, the entire episode was kinda awesome!

 

Loving Mumford & Sons

So who saw Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, and Bob Dylan on the Grammys last night? Best performance of the night (and I loved Eminem, Dr. Dre, Rihanna, and that other chick). While their actual performance was amazing, Mumford also played KROQ’s pre-Grammy party. I found this great live version of “Little Lion Man” on YouTube.com. Enjoy!

 

Quote Wednesday – Lanier

“Music is love in search of a word.” — Sidney Lanier

Music is what gets me through the day.  It is what consoles my spirit.  It is what expresses my joy.  It is what inspires me.  It is what laughs with me (or even at me).  It is what help me connect with others.

I love music.  I don’t know how I would live my life without music (and books, but that’s a given).  I was asked a question during a stupid ice breaker in college: if you had to, which sense would you not mind losing eyesight or hearing?  I would lose my eyesight in a second (already losing it, so whatever).  I would die losing my hearing.  I need music.  I need to hear the beautiful melodies, the discordant tones, the lyrics, the rhythm.

Is a life fully lived without music?  I would say no… it’s a life wanting, missing an integral part.  Now I must go listen to some music.  The only problem: what to choose?  There’s too many choices.  I think I’ll just put it on random…

 

Music Monday – Regina Spektor “Blue Lips”

I love Regina Spektor.  She’s so weird… in a good way.  Her music is very unsuaul, definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.  But that’s okay, I like it.  I stumbled onto her album Begin to Hope right as “Fidelity” hit some of the radio stations.  It was a moderate hit, and then faded into the background.  I stayed with her.  I listened to that album nonstop for a awhile.  And then she released Far. And it was much quirkier than Begin to Hope.  And I liked the quirkiness.

By far, my favorite song on the album is “Blue Lips.”  Right away I liked the music.  And then I started to listen to the lyrics.  It took me a awhile to really get them.  Her lyrics are often intricate, sometimes confusing, but always interesting.  I relate to her questioning of religions… is all the mindless submission really the point?  Aren’t we supposed to question?  Shouldn’t we attempt to understand?

I had to include the full lyrics, because one part just doesn’t make any sense.  It’s a story; a story of revelation.

He stumbled into faith and thought, God this is all there is
The pictures in his mind arose and began to breathe
And all the Gods and all the worlds
Began colliding on a backdrop of blue

Blue lips, blue veins

He took a step but then felt tired, he said I’ll rest a little while
But when he tried to walk again he wasn’t a child
And all the people hurried fast, real fast
And no one ever smiled

Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far, far away
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far, far away

He stumbled into faith and thought, God this is all there is
The pictures in his mind arose and began to breathe
And no one saw and no one heard, they just followed lead
The pictures in his mind awoke and began to breed

They started out, beneath the knowledge tree
And they chopped it down to make white picket fences
And marching along the railroad tracks
They smile real wide for the camera lenses
They made it past the enemy lines
Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines

 

Music Monday — NeedtoBreathe “Stones Under Rushing Water”

Found NeedtoBreathe about a year ago; loved it! I really liked the entire album “The Oustiders” but this song has to be my favorite. The music is awesome. The lyrics are awesome. The guest singer is awesome — Sara Watkins, 1/3 of Nickel Creek and a solo artist. This quiet song really hits me. I just want to listen to it over and over and over again. It’s sad, but not a song I can only listen to when I’m down. I sing it all the time, in the car, at home, at the coffeehouse (under my breath of course), in the shower, everywhere. I put the acoustic, in studio version up, but for the full effect your really need to listen to the album version with Sara Watkins. Trust me, you’ll love it.

Why don’t we dance anymore
I’m not okay with that
Why don’t we laugh anymore
I’m not okay with that

The years go by like stones under rushing water
We only know, we only know when it’s gone

 

Music Monday — Spoken “1992″

I found Spoken about two years ago.  Initially, I picked it up from the library because I liked the cover art.  I am a sucker for good cover art.  It will entice me to check out just about any genre.  So I picked up “Last Chance to Breathe” and started listening.

My first thought: “whoa, that’s a little heavy” with the screaming.  But I had just started to listening to people like A Day to Remember and Haste the Day, so it’s was an adjustment for me.  Then I started to listen closer.  The lyrics started to really jump out at me.

I think “1992″ is my favorite song on the album.  Often with Christian music artists, there isn’t much creativity with teh lyrics.  It’s a lot of “Praise Jesus” and the like.  A couple of years ago, I attended an ACSI (Christian schools conference) session where the moderator was commenting on worldview in media (music, movies, and television shows).  He commented about the need for creative Christian lyricists to appeal to new markets of listeners.  I completely agreeed with him and then really started listening to Christian artists.  There wasn’t much creativity or artistry.  And it was sad.  But then I started finding artists like Spoken.  Artists that actually put some time and effort into their lyrics to actually say something other than “Praise Jesus.”  I think that’s why I like this song so much.  The Christian message is there, but not so obvious that you see it coming from a mile away.  It sneaks in there, but makes a much more powerful song.

Lyrics:

I’ve waited my whole life for this
To stand here face to face with you
All my failures, fears, and doubts have all been taken away
Remember when I waited up through the night just to hear you
To hear you call my name
The second of your voice took all of my heartache away
Taken away
I think of all the time I missed
Never knowing about you
But then your grace could take away my regrets, my insecurities
Remember when I waited up through the night just to hear you
To hear you say my name
The sound of your voice took all of my heartache away
Taken away
I gave you my heart, I gave everything to you
And in return you gave me everything that I could never deserve
You gave me freedom
I think of all the times I missed
Never knowing about you, about you
I gave everything to you, I gave everything to you
I gave you my heart, I gave everything to you…

Extra fun: the cd has a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” that I just adore.