Hello there! Sorry for the delayed post. If you are following my Instagram and Twitter, I post there even if I miss a day here. This week I picked some more obscure Christmas tunes and 4 different movie songs. Tuesday is from The Muppet Christmas Carol (one of my favorite Christmas movies), Wednesday is from Annabelle's Wish (an adorable and yet very melancholy movie), Friday is from Tarzan (gotta love that Disney classic), and Saturday is from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (the first Christmas movie I see every year). As for the song "A Mad Russian's Christmas", if any of you ever got to see the Hollywood Studios (MGM) lights, you've probably heard this tune played to an amazing light show. If you never got the chance to see that, I suggest looking it up. If not, just close your eyes while you listen and imagine a cold wintery night with snow falling and Christmas lights flashing to the melody. Hope you enjoy listening to these songs! Have a great week.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to all! This is the first time I'm posting with the new format for the blog. Below you will find 6 days of the week listed with a song, image, and link for each. Since it's the holiday season, 5 out of 6 of the songs will be holiday themed. If you click on the title of the song, it will take you to Amazon where you can purchase the track and support both the artist and this blog. You may also take the opportunity to start your Christmas shopping! I know many of my gifts will be bought through Amazon this year. Don't get me wrong though, shopping in person still has something special an online store will never have, but the selection of options on Amazon make it great for specific and custom gifts at an affordable price. Pretty convenient for the holiday season if you ask me...
Anyways, for those who follow the blog's Instagram or Twitter, I will be posting these song choices one by one throughout the week. Hope you all enjoy my song choices for this first week of December. ☺
Hello readers! I apologize for my long absence. It has been a bit difficult for me to post these last few weeks, and so I have been thinking about the format of my blog and how I can make it simpler for me to post. The solution I have come up with (at least for now) is to simply choose a song of the day and create images containing a quote from or related to that song, rather than write about it. I really enjoy photography, nature, and music, so this will be a great opportunity for me to focus on those three things and combine them in a unique way. You may see some examples of this in my recent blog posts or on the blog's Instagram and Twitter pages @asongaday_ktba. But instead of posting daily to the blog, I will post once a week with 6 song choices. However, on the blog's Instagram and Twitter, I will post daily (except for Sundays). I know this is a little confusing right now, but it will make more sense as I actually begin to post. I hope all of you enjoy this new method of posting, as well as the new song choices I have coming up. Have a wonderful day and never forget that: a song a day keeps the blues away! NOTE: With the holiday season now here, you can expect many holiday song choices! And don't worry, I will still choose non-season related music as well.
I remember when this song first came out I was completely mind-blown. It was all the best hits from the year 2009 mashed into one epic dance song. I didn't think you could mix so many songs and make it still blend smoothly and flow perfectly. Yet this artist, DJ Earworm, managed to pull it off. At the time it was first released, it went viral where I lived. I heard everyone playing it at every event and in every situation. I wasn't sure how many other people had found the song as well until today. When I looked up the video, I saw that the view count was at 50 million. That's amazing! I'm glad this DJ got the attention he deserved.
In case you are one of those people who are not part of the 50 million views, now is your chance to see this awesome mashup masterpiece. Since it's been almost ten years since the songs in the mix were released, it's going to be a trip down memory lane as you listen to these past radio hits. I should mention that the song isn't the only thing that is epic. The music video is also well-edited and very entertaining to watch (Disclaimer: I'd say the video has some mild PG-13 content; just a heads-up). However, if you just want to listen to the mix, that's totally fine. You'll have the opportunity to play guess the song and guess the artist as you listen. Enjoy jamming out to "Blame It on the Pop" today!
Sorry, this song isn't for sale on Amazon, so no link today. You're welcome to check on iTunes though!
Ever since her debut in 2002, I have really enjoyed listening to Kelly Clarkson's music. I can't say I am her biggest fan because I haven't heard many other songs outside her Breakaway album. But from what I have heard, I can definitely say that the girl has talent and deserves much credit for it. She has a strong voice and can sing flawlessly live on a stage (which not many artists can do). Though I love all the songs from Breakaway, I decided to pick the song "Already Gone" from the album All I Ever Wanted. Something about this particular song is so addicting. Every time I'm listening to my iPod on shuffle, and this song starts, I cannot bring myself to skip it. It is just an amazing song. The lyrics are really great, her voice is perfect (as always), and the melody is very pleasant. I can't say much else about it beyond that. It is one of those things you have to listen to in order to really appreciate it. If you haven't heard this song before, play it a few times today and you might just understand why I love it so much.
I'm not a huge fan of the movie Bolt, but I definitely did enjoy watching it. My absolute favorite scene was when Bolt and Mittens are traveling across the country and Bolt is experiencing what it's like to be a normal dog. In this sequence, the song "Barking at the Moon" plays in the background. As they move from place to place, the scenes show famous American landmarks and use a roadmap as a transition to show where they were and where they are headed. For the viewer, it is almost as if they have taken a road trip with the two characters. It's a classic example of the phrase "focus on the journey, not the destination". Seeing the characters enjoy their time hopping from city to city made me wish they could keep journeying forever. The song is also so enjoyable, I wanted it to play longer in the movie.
"Barking at the Moon" isn't just a song for Bolt; it matches in any situation where friends or family are spending time together and enjoying the journey of life. I personally love it for my family road trips or for the season of fall. When autumn comes around, the cool weather inspires me and my family to head outdoors and visit the park, go for a hike, or have a picnic. And if we can all get off time from work or school, we'll take a road trip. That is why I chose the song "Barking at the Moon" to be this week's autumn song. As always, you'll find it on my autumn playlist on Spotify. Have a wonderful day and happy autumn once again!
Be prepared to be blown away by today's song choice. If you've noticed, today's genre is video game, but don't let that deceive you. This instrumental piece may be from a Play Station game, but it is quite the masterpiece. The first few notes start the song with a gentle, magical tone. Yet in a matter of seconds, the orchestra sound grows and it becomes a complex epic melody. Whether you relate this song to the game or not, it is still an inspiring piece that brings emotions of joy and hope, with a tinge of melancholy.
As I've mentioned before (in my first post), I feel very strongly about the significance of instrumental and classical music. People underestimate the power of instruments. An orchestra can easily evoke any emotion in the emotional spectrum simply with a change of key, tone, rhythm, note, or instrument. This track from the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack is one of the many examples of how instrumental music can be so moving. In fact, almost the entire soundtrack has that same quality. I highly recommend you give it a chance.
The composition of this song was a result of two talented people: Kaoru Wada (who arranged it) and Hikaru Utada. Hikaru Utada created the original song from which this track got its theme from. The original song is called "Hikari" and contains lyrics in Japanese. Another version that was created is a remix with English lyrics called "Simple and Clean". I recommend listening to those two versions as well. They may not be as beautiful from an artistic perspective, but they are still very catchy and fun from a musical perspective.
I know this is a music blog, but I'd like to also add my thoughts about the video game Kingdom Hearts. I have several family members and friends who are big fans of the franchise. I myself am also a fan. And while I am not the best at playing video games, I really enjoy playing this one and following the storyline of the series. It has a lot more depth to it than you would think and contains many beautiful, philosophical thoughts and quotes. My favorite quote is the one I chose to include in the image for today. If you're a Disney fan, this is also a great game because you get to interact with all your favorite characters and visit the places of all your favorite movies. If you own a game console (or are willing to purchase one), I think you should consider giving Kindom Hearts a try. It's a wonderful experience for the whole family. And so you know, I am not saying this just to try and convince you to buy it. I genuinely do love this game and wish to keep supporting it because I really want Disney to keep the series going.
I hope you enjoy hearing this surprisingly beautiful video game instrumental piece. May the melody motivate you today in work, school, or anywhere you listen to it. Have a wonderful day!
When I was in high school, I met a girl who came from an Irish background. I had never met anyone with family from Ireland before, so I loved hearing all the stories she told me about her family's culture and the traditions they had. She explained to me that the language originating from Ireland is called Gaelic (pronounced 'gay-lik'). Then she taught me my first Gaelic word: dúlamán. It means seaweed. It seems very random, I know, but she chose that word because while she was telling me about Gaelic, she also introduced me to the music of Ireland: Celtic music (pronounced either 'keltic' or 'seltic', but most Irish people say 'keltic' including my Irish friend). She showed me a song titled "Dúlamán", and it's the song I chose to share with you today. Since it was my first introduction to Celtic music and Gaelic, I thought it made sense for it to be your first as well (that is if you haven't already listened to Celtic music before).
"Dúlamán" as a song is a very fun, yet beautiful composition with obvious Celtic rhythm and instruments. The artist that sings this song is Celtic Woman. They are a very famous group of women known for their Celtic music sung in Gaelic, English, and several other languages. They are extremely talented and can sometimes be seen on TV performing on stage with an orchestra. I posted a lyric video with a translation for you to hear the song and know what it means, but I highly recommend looking up their concerts and watching them perform live. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Today, I hope you enjoy listening to "Dúlamán" and hearing the wonderful talent of Celtic Woman.
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I recently applied to the Amazon Affiliate program so I can now provide links for purchasing the song of the day! It's a great way to support the blog and most importantly, support the artist that created the amazing music you enjoy so much. So please consider purchasing today's song or any song you're interested in by clicking the link at the end of each post. Thank you in advance for your support and have a wonderful day!
I think everyone who has heard the song "Africa" can agree that it is a classic. The lyrics, the vocals, and the rhythm are timeless. The composition of the song is just perfect in every way. The opening drums are so recognizable and follow the theme of the title with an African sound. I find the words to be very special, as they tell the story of a man torn between the lover that is his heart, and the continent that is his soul. The man chooses his lover, and in return has to give up a big part of who he is. The entire song is basically a lament for the place he holds so dear to him. One of my favorite lines in the song is when the man in the story describes how he stops an elder on his way in hopes of hearing some words of wisdom to help him with his situation. To his surprise, the old man replies, "hurry boy, she's waiting there for you". Instead of ancient advice, he heard what he least wanted to hear: it's time to go, your new life awaits.
Though the song has melancholy lyrics, the African rhythm keeps you happy to sing along and enjoy the pleasant melody. If this is the first time you've heard this song, congratulations. Now you'll recognize it next time it plays in a movie, on the radio, or in a store. And most importantly, you'll have the pleasure of knowing a classic tune from the 1980's.
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This is unrelated to the song of the day, but I just wanted to talk about my Instagram account for a second. I recently read the terms of the platform and came to the realization that I was not following the rules like I was supposed to. I found out that on Instagram, you are not allowed to post pictures unless they 100% original and copyright-free (Blogger has the same rule, hence why I've never used images before). Therefore, I deleted all my content to avoid any problems. But I don't want to stop posting, because I know a lot of my readers use social media to keep up with my posts. So to solve this problem, I've decided to use photographs I have taken over the years from the many places I've traveled to and pair them with each song of the day. And since I am creating them for my Instagram, I will also be posting them on my blog each day. So please enjoy this image I photographed and edited myself to match today's song choice. Thank you for those who have followed my blog thus far and I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. I wish you all the best and hope you have a wonderful day.
I should start off by saying: I know absolutely nothing about this artist. In fact, this is probably the first post I'm doing for an artist I don't have several songs of. I actually found this song when I was listening to an online radio. The catchy rhythm of the guitar caught my attention, and when George Ezra began to sing I just had to listen to the rest of the song. Ezra's voice is very unique and very soothing. One thing I do find funny about his singing, however, is that I cannot understand what he's saying at all. I do not think I am the only one though, because when I've shown this song to friends and family, they couldn't figure out the lyrics either. But just because it is difficult to distinguish each word he is saying, doesn't mean it takes away from the song. In fact, it makes it more interesting if you take it as a challenge to learn the lyrics. If you're like me though, you rather just google the lyrics and be singing along as soon as possible. It is a great song to sing to with the chorus having high and low notes so close together.
In general, for the lyric challenge and catchy rhythm and note changes, it is a fun song to add to your music collection if you haven't already. I should probably check out George Ezra's music in the future, but something tells me his other songs might not be like "Budapest". I'm using Coldplay as a reference here, because I know if I liked "Viva La Vida", I wouldn't have much luck finding other Coldplay music like it (I love all Coldplay music, but know that they can't be judged by "Viva La Vida" because that is just one song out of many and not all their songs sound like that). Regardless, I will still check out Ezra's music in case I end up liking it in the end. For now, I'll keep listening to Budapest and I hope that you will give it a chance as well. If you're a George Ezra fan and can recommend some good songs of his, feel free to leave a comment below. It would be very much appreciated!
Celine Dion is loved by people all over the world for her spectacular voice and outstanding talent. The Canadian singer has multiple songs that have made it to the top of the charts for a week or longer. Some of her most famous ones include "The Power of Love", "It's All Coming Back to Me Now", "Because You Loved Me", and "My Heart Will Go On". Composed by movie composer James Horner, "My Heart Will Go On" is probably most well-known by movie fanatics because it was featured in James Cameron's Titanic.
My song choice for today, "To Love You More" is from the same album as the songs I mentioned above. That album, All the Way... A Decade of Song, is a mix of her greatest hits along with several new tracks. It is a wonderful compilation of Dion's best, both old and new, and I would recommend it to anyone discovering her music for the first time. While I do love all the tracks on the album, I had to pick this one to share for two reasons. One, it is not as famous as the others, and like I've said before I like to give my readers new music by familiar artists to add to their song libraries. Second, the instrumentation is absolutely beautiful. I love the strings in this song and especially love the opening violin melody. Add Celine Dion's incredible vocals to those instruments and you have an enchanting masterpiece of a song. I hope you enjoy listening to one of my favorite Celine Dion songs today.
The change of genres from Taylor Swift's first album to her most recent album is drastic. There are some fans who really love her old stuff and hate the new stuff. Other fans love her new style and hate the old one. And there are those, like me, that have loved her music all the way and think she excels at every style she tries. In my opinion, she really is a talented artist that is capable of turning any song into a lovable, catchy tune regardless of genre.
Today I chose a song from her newest album Reputation. The song "Getaway Car" stood out the most to me when I was first giving Reputation a try. I found that it had the perfect balance of her previous album's style with her newer pop style. I also really enjoyed the lyrics of the song. I can't say I know what she was trying to symbolize with her words (I'm not good at interpretations as I've established in previous posts), but I can tell you it centers around a Bonnie-and-Clyde-type story. I thought it was interesting how she used classic crime phrases such as "every man for himself", "put the money in the bag", and of course the repeating chorus phrase "getaway car". I really enjoy themed songs so it was a pleasure listening to how creative she could get with her word choice. I hope you especially enjoy this song today if it is your first time listening. Have an wonderful day!
A friend once told me that if I liked John Mayer, I would probably also like Jack Johnson. I took their word for it and rented a couple CDs of Jack Johnson from the library. "Do You Remember" was the first song that really caught my attention. It is fairly different from the rest of the songs of In Between Dreams because there is no instrument playing the beat of the song. The guitar is the only thing keeping the tempo. This adds a pure sound to the song, having only voice and guitar. "Do You Remember" also has a country style to it unlike the other songs in the album. I absolutely love those first few notes when the melody begins—they sound so country.
I really appreciate the lyrics of "Do You Remember" because it tells the innocent and sweet story of when a couple fell in love. The whole song is reflecting on the years they spent together and the sometimes problematic, yet humorous experiences they went through. The line that repeats throughout the song is "over ten years have gone by". I think it adds an element of melancholy to the lyrics. Those words indicate that the special bond between them went beyond those simple memories and kept them together for ten years. I heard the song was about Jack Johnson and his wife, but I'm not sure if that's a fact or someone just assumed that based on the lyrics. Whether fictional or based on a true story, it still is a very pleasant, relaxing, and happy song.
I chose "Do You Remember" to be my autumn song choice for this week because of its country vibes and acoustic quality. It also mentions the month of September which is when fall first begins. I can picture listening to this song on a porch facing the falling leaves of autumn, or by a campfire under the cool autumn night skies. I will be adding this to my fall playlist as I did with the others. Enjoy and happy fall once again!
REMINDER: In honor of the autumn season, I am choosing one song a week that I associate with fall and adding them to the existing Spotify playlist Songs of Autumn (as well as the usual A Song a Day playlist). Below is the link to the fall playlist.
I first watched How to Train Your Dragon in theatres in 2010. I didn't know too much about the movie beforehand, but I was invited to see it so I was willing to give it a try. My first impression of the film was that it was entertaining, funny, and interesting; however, I didn't walk out of the theatres extremely eager to see it again. It was a nice movie, but it wasn't the best movie I had ever seen.
A few months later, I found the soundtrack in my local library and decided to rent it and see what it was like. I played it while doing some work around the house and was completely surprised by what I heard. The music was... beautiful. As each track played, I fell more and more in love with the album. The compositions had so much depth and meaning to them. It was not too soon after I heard the album that I got it for myself and was listening to it all the time. By doing so, I slowly got my family to like the soundtrack as well and they became hooked on John Powell's incredible movie score.
I have heard many movie score soundtracks in the past and have always enjoyed doing so. Yet I only ever end up keeping the main themes and a few extra tracks because everything else is simply background music that doesn't have much substance to it (because it's meant to be subtle in the movie I assume). When I got into the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack, what surprised me the most was that I liked every single track. No part of the music felt unnecessary or boring. Even in the quietest, simplest tracks, the main theme was somehow implemented in a creative way and it still sounded interesting! John Powell managed to do something not too many other movie composers can do, and he deserves much credit for that.
Once I had memorized every track in the soundtrack by both title and sound, it was time for me to watch the movie again. I watched it the second time with a more open mind, paying close attention to the songs I knew so well. As a music lover, I am aware that music is extremely powerful and can change the way you see something. Despite knowing that, I was still baffled at how different I perceived the movie now that I had learned how wonderful the movie score was. The tempo of each track matched the emotion of the scenes perfectly with anything from suspense to serenity. The instrument choice accurately reflected the Scottish culture of the movie setting. And of course, the main movie theme created that epic feel that movies of grand scale always have. Powell's writing for this movie truly made it a masterpiece. That's not to say that the movie itself (without the music) isn't good. Instead, I'm saying that the score compliments it in a way that takes the movie from a great movie to one of the best animated films of all time! I would love to say thank you to the talented animators of DreamWorks for choosing to work with the wonderful composer John Powell. They understood the power of music and used it to its full potential.
That being said, I am sure you can guess that How to Train Your Dragon has become my favorite animated movie since then. I can't count how many times I've watched it or heard the soundtrack. The movie and music are both equally amazing and they have inspired me to follow the series all the way, from the television episodes to the film sequel. And now I am very excited to see the third installment of the series. I have high hopes that with John Powell and DreamWorks teaming up for the third time, this is going to be a great conclusion to the series! I look forward to seeing it in theatres in February of 2019.
"Test Drive" is the track I chose to share with you because it contains the main theme of the movie. It has the epic quality of a hero's theme and is quite memorable. The opening notes played by brass and followed by strings immediately gives a powerful feeling to the melody. As I listen to it, I can imagine the feeling of being in the sky, moving at high speeds over the beautiful Nordic landscape that is Berk. I hope your experience listening to this song (and hopefully the whole soundtrack) is just as magical and that it convinces you to become a fan of the series if you aren't already.
This is the first time I'm posting about a One Republic song, and I guarantee it won't be the last. I love so many of their songs for their upbeat rhythms and emphasis on string instruments and piano. It hurts me to say their newest album, Oh My My, was very disappointing. They seemed to have dropped that unique style and instead turned to more irritating and repetitive pop songs. I'm not sure how well the album sold, but if it did not do very well, I hope it shows the band that the fans still love their original style and are happy to keep hearing it. I know I'll be ready to buy the next album if they go back to their old sound.
While there are many other great songs I could have chosen from One Republic, I specifically picked "All This Time" because it is something I quote very often. There are many moments in my life where I finally figure something out after many years, or I realize I've been doing something wrong for a long time. In situations like that, I find myself saying aloud in frustration "wow, after all this time...". So when I discovered the One Republic song whose chorus begins with "All This Time", I started to realize how often I used that expression. Now whenever I go to use it again, I just end up singing "Alllll thiiissss tiiiiime..." to myself, or just take out my iPod and play the actual song. Those first few chords on the piano set such a solemn tone for the melody, it sometimes makes me laugh at how much more dramatic it makes the moment seem. In a way, I guess it's better to laugh at the dramatic sound; it lessens the severity of my frustration in those circumstances. So thanks One Republic!
I'm the type of person who quotes movies, shows, and music all the time, so it's not unusual for me to quote One Republic like this. But since I pick that song to quote more often than others, I thought that made it post-worthy. And of course, besides being quotable, it's also a really nice song with beautiful instrumentation. So I hope enjoy listening to this song today!
The more time has passed for my blog, the more you will begin to notice how much I love different cultures. While I mainly post American music, I have so many different languages in my iTunes library that you will be seeing plenty of foreign songs posted throughout the year. I just post more American songs because, in comparison, the number of American songs I have far surpasses that of other-culture music. What I appreciate about American music is that it has so many different genres, it creates subcultures within American music. For example, indie music and rap music are completely different in style, rhythm, instrumentation, and even lyrics. They may originate from the same country, but each seems to have invented its own culture. It truly is amazing. I believe the variety makes it much easier for people to find an American music genre that fits them. There's plenty to chose from!
Despite having so many genres within America, I still feel it is necessary to venture out into other countries' music and hear what they have to offer. Besides the overall style which often reflects traditional sounds of that country, hearing a song in another language is an amazing experience. When you don't speak or understand the language, it is almost as if you are hearing instrumental music. You appreciate the melody, the rhythm, the instruments, but the meaning behind the song is up to your imagination (until you look up the translation of course). While you are hearing it, you should also pay attention to the pronunciations and the words themselves. Sometimes you may find words from your own language that are the same. Another benefit of listening to foreign music is if you ever plan on learning that language, listening to the music can help you; as you sing along, you are practicing with a native speaker and improving your skill. There are plenty of languages out there and plenty of songs that include them. Try picking a country one day and see if you end up liking a language or style you have never heard before!
Today's song is a French song called "Le Festin". It is a very upbeat, happy song sung by French singer Camille. It has a modern feel but is also mixed with classic French instrumentation. I always found French to be a very nice, yet difficult language. But because I like to give all languages a chance, I challenged myself to learn the lyrics of this song a while back; I succeeded, for the most part, and to this day it's the most French that I can speak. Part of my ancestry can be traced back to France, so it is nice to know when I am singing "Le Festin", I am speaking the language of part of my heritage. I challenge you to find a song that relates to your heritage and learn to sing in that language (if it is different than your own). And if your ancestors have always spoken your language, then maybe just find an old folk song that means a lot to your culture and learn that. It is a wonderful experience to connect to your past through the magic of music!
To start off, I'd like to apologize for not posting yesterday. I decided I'm going to take Sundays off for my blogging in order to take a break and to prepare for the next week's blog posts. But I will still be posting 6/7 days a week and may still tweet something on Sundays if you feel you need some content on Sundays. And now to discuss today's song choice...
Nate Ruess is not a very well-known name; however, if you mention fun., people will know who you're talking about. Fun. is most famous for their songs "Some Nights" and "We Are Young" which played often on the radio. Nate Ruess is the lead singer of the band fun. and he began making his own music under his own name more recently. One of those songs under the name Nate Ruess is "Nothing Without Love", which is the song I chose today. It's not that I don't like fun. songs, because I think they can be great. I just really like this particular Nate Ruess song so I chose it to represent Nate Ruess as a solo singer and as well as the band fun..
Since I first began hearing Nate Ruess singing on the radio a while back, I have absolutely fallen in love with his voice. I find it to be so unique that I can't help but just listen to him sing forever. I don't have many artists that I can say that about, so that is why I found it necessary to post about him and his music. Anytime fun. comes on the radio or plays at a store, I immediately drop everything and announce to anyone I'm with that fun. is singing. I can't not pay attention to a fun. song if I hear it.
That being said, it is heartbreaking to say that I do not like all fun. songs. Unfortunately, I do not always agree with the content in their lyrics and I find it necessary to research the songs before getting them. I think compositions and talent should not necessarily be ignored just because of some bad tracks, so that is why I take the time to filter out which songs I'm okay with and just listen to all of those. I really wish Ruess created more family-friendly content so he would not limit his audience so much. I am hoping eventually he can come out with an album that is entirely clean, but until then I'll be there reading the words.
If you are like me and are picky about the songs you or your kids listen to and the lyrics that go into the mind on a daily basis, I've got you covered. All the songs I choose for this blog from all artist are carefully selected to be family-friendly. If you think you might want to give other fun./Nate Ruess songs a try without having to worry about content, I will provide a list of all the songs that are either clean or have clean versions of them so you can be worry-free. (Disclaimer: some of the songs I listed may have lyrics that imply adult subjects, but they're mostly limited to subtle references of drugs and alcohol).
Fun.
All Alone
Some Nights [Clean Version Only]
Be Calm
Just Give Me a Reason
Light a Roman Candle With Me
Out on the Town [Clean Version Only]
Walking the Dog
We Are Young
Carry On
Why Am I the One
Stars
Nate Ruess
Grand Romantic (Intro)
Nothing Without Love
Take It Back
Moment
It Only Gets Much Worse
Grand Romantic
I hope you enjoy listening to Nate Ruess' distinct voice as much as I do. One more comment I have to add about fun.'s music: for every fun. song on my iTunes, I wrote the genre as fun. instead of a real genre because I find them to be so unique they need their own genre. When creating this blog, I finally found out that the real genre for fun. songs is Indie Pop or Indie Rock. It makes sense now that I think their sound is so different because I don't think I have many other Indie Pop songs.
If you know any good Indie Pop or Indie Rock songs, let me know in the comments below and another day I might make it the song of the day (and of course I'll give you a shoutout in return)!
Note: Last week, all posts were fall-themed. In order to have a variety of music, I will no longer make every post about autumn. Instead, I will pick one song a week to be fall-related and add them to the existing Spotify playlist Songs of Autumn (as well as the usual A Song a Day playlist). Below is the link to the fall playlist.
Relient K is one of my favorite artists. They have that perfect Alternative Rock sound that's great to sing and jam to. Most of their albums are pretty similar in style, but the album The Bird and the Bee Sides has a more acoustic style to it with a bigger focus on acoustic guitar and piano instrumentation. If you enjoy the song I chose today, you may like the rest of the album as well. Some other great tracks are "There Was Another Time in My Life", "Up and Up", and "You'll Always Be My Best Friend".
For today, I chose "At Least We Made it This far". It was one of the first songs I heard by Relient K and was probably the song that convinced me to listen to all their albums. This song is really perfect for one of those times in your life where you've worked really hard to accomplish something, but you haven't reached your goal just yet. It's a great reminder that you're almost there, and it will be worth it in the end. The song's upbeat sound and happy melody are very motivating. Another instance where the song lyrics work well is for a road trip. The words mention that despite being tired of the road, at least you've made it this far and the skies have never looked so clear. On some of the road trips I've been on, I've enjoyed listening to this song while looking up through the sunroof of the car and admiring the blue skies. It truly brightens my mood helps keep me excited not just for the destination, but the journey itself. Though I believe the original meaning behind the song has to do with a relationship, I think it can be applied to those situations that I mentioned and be just as great a song!
I relate this song to fall not only because of its acoustic sound, but also because of its road trip vibes. Each season brings a time for vacation, and while fall doesn't have any official breaks in the school calendar, many people like to take a trip anyways. The weather is cooler, the skies are bluer, and the trees are brighter—why wouldn't you want to take a drive!
REMINDER: In honor of the start of October, this week will be all fall-themed songs. More specifically, I will be choosing songs that I most associate with the season of autumn. These songs will be added to their own Spotify playlist called Songs of Autumn, as well as the pre-existing A Song a Day playlist. Below is the link to the new playlist.
I believe Train is most famous for their song "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" and "Drive By". Both of those songs are from the album California 37. The song I chose today is also from that album and is, in my opinion, just as good. Instead of the usual upbeat alternative rock style Train is known for, the song "Feels Good At First" takes a more acoustic route. The gentle strumming of the guitar accompanies the melancholy lyrics perfectly. Besides the song's acoustic sound that I associate with fall, the lyrics also relate to autumn because they describe each season of the year in the two choruses:
Oh, every spring there's a honey bee that stings So things can change Oh, every fire get too close and it reminds you Things can change in love But it sure feels good at first
Ooh, every autumn colors come, that you've forgotten So things can change Ooh every frost some live on and some are lost So things can change in love But it sure feels good at first
While the lyrics are a bit sad, as it deals with heartbreak, the melody is very pleasant and it instead cheers me up while I listen. Sometimes I think a chill, mellow song can really make your day by taking your mind off the busyness of life and encouraging you to sit back and take a break. I hope this song does that for you today. Happy fall!
I am a big John Mayer fan. I have loved his music since his old blues albums. When I first heard he was coming out with a country album, I did not know what to say. I'm not against country or anything, but this was the last thing I expected from a blues artist. I was mostly hesitant because I wasn't sure he could pull it off. Yet sure enough, when I heard that first song "Queen of California" on his new album Born and Raised, I was immediately a fan of this new style. It was not necessarily country, but more like a modern, folk music style with hints of country and lots of guitar strumming and harmonicas. It was a masterpiece! The next album, Paradise Valley, was just as good, if not better.
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In 2015, I visited Sedona, Arizona for the first time. I was amazed by what I saw. The desert environment was unlike anything I had ever seen. A vast scene of arid rocks and large mountains of red sandstone painted the horizon. I will never forget those incredible views. When I traveled to Pheonix, the scenery was not as impressive, but the landscape was still so unique. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to horseback ride in that environment and visit a western-themed town. That Arizona trip was really special to me, and the two albums I listened to the entire time were Paradise Valley and Born and Raised. Adding John Mayer's wonderful folk music to the mix made the experience all the more magical. Now whenever I listen to the two albums, I can't help but be mentally transported to that arid red landscape under those crisp blue western skies. Below I've placed two of my favorite pictures I took while on that trip.
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As I've explained before, I associate country and folk music with the fall, so these two albums are just some of the many that put me in the autumn mood. "Wildfire" is especially my favorite for its happy, upbeat tempo that leads the whole song. I can't help but tap my foot or clap along to that catchy rhythm and tempo. If you listen closely, the song actually has claps and taps recorded in the background, so maybe that explains why it's so hard to resist the beat. The electric guitar playing the main melody is very classic country. It stands out a lot and helps keep the melody in your head the rest of the day. Whenever the first day of fall comes around each year, I really love to kick off the season with this song. I hope it also brings you joy as you prepare for the season of autumn! Happy fall to you all :)
When autumn comes around, I have a particular CD I always pull out that gets me in the fall mood. That CD is a mix of country songs sung by various artists that my parents put together when I was young. Growing up hearing this album every fall, I learned to associate country music with fall time. But in recent years, I started to question if there was another explanation as to why country music sounded so perfect from September to November. I finally concluded that the season of autumn is a time of harvest, a time for working a farm, for preparing for a Thanksgiving feast. Often farms and rural areas go hand in hand with country music because many country singers grew up in that sort of environment. Therefore, it seems fitting to hear music that relates to a farming environment during a season of harvest. If my logic is correct, it would also explain why I like to wear plaid during the fall and other country-inspired articles of clothing.
I also like to go beyond country and hear folk and acoustic music during fall as well. So perhaps another explanation for my music choice could be that country, folk, and acoustic songs tend to be about nature and the great outdoors. During the fall time, the weather makes it easier to spend time outside and enjoy the wonders of nature, so why wouldn't you want to complement your surroundings with fitting music? Maybe it's just me, and it's only a nice little tradition I like to carry on with my family. If that's the case, I'm okay with that. I will continue listening to country music at the start of the fall season. When the temperature starts to drop and the sky becomes a crisp blue, or when the trees turn all shades of reds, browns, and yellows and the air smells of pumpkin pie and apple cider, I will be there playing my mix of acoustic, country, and folk music. If you also share this tradition or would like to begin this year, you will definitely appreciate my playlist for this fall. If not, then I hope you enjoy these songs regardless of the season and still enjoy this time of harvest in your own way.
The song I chose today is called "Rocky Mountain High" and it is written and performed by famous country singer John Denver. This is the first track on that CD I mentioned earlier, and it is also the song most dedicated to talking about nature on that CD. Therefore, I thought it would be appropriate to pick to this week's fall music. I don't know too much about John Denver, but I can tell by the lyrics of this song that nature held a special place in his heart. From what I gathered, the song tells the story of a man who found his way in life by connecting with nature. Denver really emphasizes the power of the mountains as well as the serenity you feel when you are surrounded by them.
The particular video I posted for you to hear the song shows multiple images of landscapes and scenery to match the lyrics. I thought it would be most enjoyable to see beautiful views while listening to beautiful lyrics. In the description of the Youtube video, I noticed that the channel put a quote from John Muir. If you have never heard of Muir, you should definitely look him up. He has wonderful quotes about nature; the National Parks often use his quotes in their visitor's centers because of this. My personal favorite quote of his is "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks". I hope everyone can experience the truth behind that statement at least once in their lives. As I'm sure John Denver would agree, nature is a very beautiful and powerful thing. It is worth giving a chance, and in the end you may receive more than what you seek. May you enjoy the John Denver song today and have the opportunity to spend some time outdoors. Happy fall to you!
REMINDER: In honor of the start of October, this week will be all fall-themed songs. More specifically, I will be choosing songs that I most associate with the season of autumn. These songs will be added to their own Spotify playlist called Songs of Autumn, as well as the pre-existing A Song a Day playlist. Below is the link to the new playlist.
Owl City is the king of lyrical imagery. Every one of his songs paints a vivid picture in the minds of the listener. Hearing his music is a wonderful experience, as each song is a work of art. Some are confused by Adam Young's use of seemingly random nouns and adjectives, but others appreciate the opportunity to creatively interpret the meaning behind each word. Regardless of your thoughts towards Young's music, you can't deny his style is unique!
To start off my fall playlist, I chose the song "The Real World" by Owl City due to its very appropriate theme. The lyrics colorfully describe scenes of autumn and the great outdoors. Each verse is wonderfully written, creating a mental picture of a picturesque world. I considered quoting parts of the song in my post today, but when I looked up the lyrics, I realized the entire song is worth quoting. When it is read without the music, it actually sounds poetic. Therefore, please enjoy reading and/or listening to the masterpiece that is Owl City's "The Real World".
I saw the autumn leaves peel up off the street, Take wing on the balmy breeze and sweep you off your feet. And you blushed as they scooped you up on sugar maple wings, To gaze down on the city below, ablaze with wondrous things. Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere. Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there. I wouldn't wanna live there.
Weighed down by heavy lids and lunar lullabies, I knew you were wide awake because you smile with your eyes. Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere. Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there. From the green belt balcony, the wildfires look so pretty. Ponderosa canopy, I'd never leave if it were up to me. To the ruby redwood tree, and to the velvet climbing ivy: Painted all mahogany, I'd never leave if it were up to me.
With a starry brush, paint the dusk Venetian blue, Because in the evening hush, you'll never believe the view. And when the leaves return and their whisperings fill the night, They'll freeze and burn where fire and ice collide. Where fire and ice collide.
Can you feel a silk embrace in the satin air? If we dissolve without a trace, will the real world even care? Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere. Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there. I wouldn't want to live there.
I saw the autumn leaves peel up off the street, Take wing on the balmy breeze and sweep you off your feet
In each verse, I bolded the lyrics that stood out to me the most. I especially love when he uses alliteration, such as ruby redwood and lunar lullabies. The rest of the words I bolded were either nature related or just beautifully vivid. Hope you enjoyed and happy fall!
REMINDER: In honor of the start of October, this week will be all fall-themed songs. More specifically, I will be choosing songs that I most associate with the season of autumn. These songs will be added to their own Spotify playlist called Songs of Autumn, as well as the pre-existing A Song a Day playlist. Below is the link to the new playlist.
Happy first day of October!! While not all of us are experiencing fall right now, there's no reason we can't start celebrating the season with a little music from the festival named after this month. That festival is Oktoberfest, and while not everyone enjoys the music of Oktoberfest, a good polka is always appreciated. Today's song, "Liechtensteiner Polka", was composed by German composer Will Glahé.
I've never been to an Oktoberfest festival myself, but I was introduced to the music through my cable provider's music channel, Sounds of the Season. Every year at the beginning of October, this channel would play everything Oktoberfest from classic Polka to traditional songs sung in German. As the music would play, there would be fun facts about the event. I learned all the music and information about Oktoberfest through there. I'm not sure if I ever will attend a festival of that kind, but I definitely enjoy the upbeat spirit that the music has. And while I don't know how to dance to polka, I still love that style of music, as it always leaves me in a good mood.
When I was in high school, we had an exchange student one year from Germany. It was really interesting to hear stories of what her country was like (I would love to visit some time). One day in conversation, I spoke with her about Oktoberfest. I confessed to her that I liked listening to the music myself, and I'll never forget the look on her face as I said that. She thought it was so strange that I actually liked the music and explained to me that it's not liked by the general German population. I'm not sure if she was right about that, but I'll definitely think twice before saying that again to someone from Germany. Perhaps she was thinking more of the lyrical songs? That would be more understandable. But for polka, I can't imagine anyone really hating polka. It's just so happy! Anyways, whatever your preference, I hope you at least enjoy the polka song I have provided for you today. And once again, happy October to you!
ANNOUNCEMENT: In honor of the start of October, this week will be all fall-themed songs. More specifically, I will be choosing songs that I most associate with the season of autumn. These songs will be added to their own Spotify playlist called Songs of Autumn, as well as the pre-existing A Song a Day playlist. Below is the link to the new playlist.
