Sunday, January 30, 2011

Two is Better than One?

In my opinion, duets fall into two categories: incredibly awesome or next-level cheesy. Depending on the day, I prefer one over the other. And yes, technically, the majority of rap songs are duets...but I'm talking one artist coming up to another and saying "I have a really awesome song that I would love your help on" (This is how I picture the music world...so clearly not how it is). So here are some of my favorites.

Incredibly Amazing:

1. Come Home-OneRepublic feat. Sara Barielles. Why was this never released? Or maybe it was and I missed it. Whatever. It's perfect.
2. Over and Over-Nelly feat. Tim McGraw. What a great team. I love when music blurs the lines between genres and this totally does. I wish Nelly would come to Rites of Spring...
3. Lucky-Jason Mraz and Colbie Cailliat. This song is adorable. It always makes me smile
4. Odds of Being Alone-Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs. One of my most-played songs. It has one of my favorite lines ever in a song (I'm not telling you what it is for fear of further exposing my emo-ness that is already so evident, haha)
5.Carry You Home-Nashville Skyline. This might sound like a band, but it's not. It's Matthew Ryan and Courtney Jaye. This song was written for the season finale of OTH last year. It was written in Nashville by a group of people with the show. It's beautiful.
6. Jackson- Johnny Cash and June Carter. One of my favorite songs ever. I love, love, love Johnny Cash.
7.The Boy is Mine- Brandy and Monica. Do I even need to explain the magic that is this song??


Next-Level Cheesy

1.Picture- Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. Why did this happen? Kid Rock? Really? Lyrically and vocally, it's great. I just can't get the image of Kid Rock in a fur trench coat and cowboy hat out of my head long enough to take it seriously.
2. Two is Better than One- Boys Like Girls and Taylor Swift. I will be the first to share my love of Taylor Swift..but this song is straight-up silly.
3. Endless Love-Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross. Any time I hear this, I think of Happy Gilmore.
4. Ebony and Ivory- Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. What?
5. Beautiful Liar- Beyonce and Shakira. Wack. Wack. Wack.
6. Magic Stick- 50 Cent and Lil Kim. Ehhhhh. So awkward.


Okay, that's all I have for now. I had a good time searching my iTunes for these. Yeah, I have them all. I wish I had a reason why...but I sure don't.

Love, love, love.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

New blog name, same blog stuff

I've decided it was time for a new blog name and background. My reasons (if you need reasons..if not, hang on til Sunday and I'll post some music) are as follows

1. That old background was straight-up blah. This one is pretty, but chill. I like the peacock feathers. And the cool font.

2. The blog has moved on from my 100 songs and is now just about any song or groups of songs. My list is still on here and I still believe that everyone should make their own because it has been one of the most reflective things I've ever done.

3. I like this new name. Wanna know why? Sometimes, there are those moments where there just aren't words. Sometimes those moments are really happy, like first-kiss-happy. Sometimes, those moments aren't so happy, like first-heartbreak-tragic. So, for me, when I'm going through stuff like that, I might not be willing to talk about it. Mostly, because when I'm really happy or really nervous/upset, I ramble. It gets rough. So, instead of mulling over every time when I said this instead of saying that and playing the moment back in my head, I turn on some music. I put on my iPod, crank up Pandora, or turn on my record player and just listen. So, for me, choosing music over silence is the most obvious thing out there. It's how I celebrate all the good and make sense of the bad.

So, there it is. Thank you for reading this. And if you ever need a first-kiss-with-someone-new mix or a really tragic breakup mix, I got your back.

Love, love,love.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Songs about the South

While my parents are from the north, I was born and raised in the fine state of Georgia. Despite our Conservative tendencies and occasional moments of nationwide attention for the weirdest stuff ("Pants on the Ground"...remember that?? Or, the ridiculous stickers in the front our our science books about evolution???), I love my state. Nothing will ever compare to humid summer nights, finding the best sweet tea, or that famous southern hospitality. I never even looked at schools out of the south nor do I plan on ever really leaving it (unless my husband ends up becoming President. I could kick it in the White House for a few years, I suppose).

So, here are some songs about life in the South. I love listening to them when driving down the road in summer. Or winter, because they give me hope that it won't always be 20 degrees when I'm walking to class.

1. Sweet Southern Comfort- Buddy Jewel. The simplicity of this song is lovely. I also like the shoutouts each state gets.
2. Southern Girl-Amos Lee. I like singing this song while getting ready. Amos Lee has such a great voice. It's sort of sad, but I don't care.
3. Song of the South-Alabama. Have to throw it in here. Fun to sing along to. Plus, sweet potato pie is real good, y'all.
4. Dixieland Delight- Alabama. I love when this comes on at a bar. Everyone freaks out. It is so great to watch. Plus, I'm not sure there is anything better than a Tennessee Saturday night.
5. Sweet Home Alabama- Lynyrd Skynyrd. It does not matter if you are not from Alabama. Everyone recognizes that guitar intro. My sister has given me the habit of turning this on every time I cross the state border into Alabama. And remember, depending on where you are, watch out if you toss in a "Roll Tide Roll" or a "War Damn Eagle" in the chorus...
6. Where I Come From-Alan Jackson. This song always makes me laugh. And want some chicken and cornbread.
7. When the Sun Goes Down in Georgia-Corey Smith. Whoa. This was the only song I listened to for about a week about four years ago. It's not really about the south...but it talks about Georgia and pine trees. Good enough for me.
8. Carolina-Corey Smith. I love this song. I miss South Carolina whenever I listen to it. "It all makes one hell of a reminder, keeps me crying Carolina".
9. Mayberry-Rascal Flatts. Not a real town, but whatever. Someday, I want to raise my kids in a place like this.
10. Kountry Gentleman- Family Force 5. I love singing this and dancing around and being silly. The album is called "Business Up Front, Party in the Back"..I appreciate a good mullet shoutout. "My mama raised me in the dirty South, a kountry gentleman, so you best watch your mouth". Hahaha.
11. Georgia- Ludacris and friends. I LOVE THIS. I know all the words. Back off. "I got five Georgia homes, where I rest my Georgia bones, come anywhere on my land and I'll aim at ya Georgia dome" AWWW SHOOOOT. Clever.
12. Welcome to Atlanta-Jermaine Dupre, Luda, and some other dude- This song speaks da truth. Also, it's what we listen to when we cross back into GA from Alabama.


Enjoy. Y'all come back now.

:)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Creeper.

Have you ever been driving down the road, listening to the radio, and then all of a sudden a song just takes a turn for the creepy worse?? Like it's a great jam, but that one line is borderline uncomfortable. Naturally, I like to find these songs and play them a ridiculous amount of times. Here are some of my faves:


1. Please Don't Go- Mike Posner. "If you leave, I'm gonna find you". Please don't. That's stalking. Great song, otherwise.
2. Every Breath You Take-Sting and the Police. This is the ultimate creeper jam. "Every step you take, I'll be watching you". Unacceptable.
3. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend- Miranda Lambert. Okay, I get the whole "jealous ex-girlfriend" thing. But stalking out five bars and bringing your gun along..it's a little much.
4. The Mixed Tape- Jack's Mannequin. "I read your letter, the one you left when you broke into my house". Um..wait, since when is B&E romantically acceptable? The answer is never.
5. All Hail the Heartbreaker-The Spill Canvas. "What if I ripped your heart apart at the seams, maybe then you'd know how I feel". Whoa. Whoa. Chill....a little too aggressive.
6. Loving You From a Distance- Corey Smith. This whole song is just creepy. Like "guy standing in the corner staring down the pretty girl" creepy.


Okay, that's all I have for now. Creep on, playas.