Happy songs?

So recently, I was in a really happy mood. Not that this is unusual by any means, it was just one of those times when you can't stop smiling. As I was explaining this all to my lovely roommates and a wonderful friend of ours, I searched through my iTunes for some songs to illustrate how I was feeling. So I scrolled down..and down...and further down. It was then that I realized something tragically funny. I DON'T HAVE ANY FREAKING HAPPY MUSIC. Okay, okay so I have some really great rap jams and songs that want to make you dance around your room..but I don't have any of those "Oh, today was so magical and I have to share my happiness with everyone or I just might burst with joy" songs. (Typing that made me cringe..but I'm trying to broaden my musical horizons guys..reallllly trying here).


So...this is what I have found in terms of happy, optimistic songs that don't make me want to gag:

1. "She (For Liz)"- Parachute. This is about having the courage to go out on a limb for someone who seems really great.
2. "Better Together"- Jack Johnson. Ok, so yes, this is typical. BUT I LOVE IT. "Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart"
3."When I Look to the Sky"-Train. Kind of slower. But the words are so pretty.
4. "Slide"-Goo Goo Dolls. This is about love, right? I think so
5. "Sparks Fly"- Taylor Swift. I like the old school, non-album edition better, but the one on "Speak Now" is good, too.
6. "Why Don't You"- Ingram Hill. This song is about asking someone who has been hurt before to trust that you won't do the same thing.
7. "Something to Lose"-Corey Smith. Innocently cute..which is weird since Corey's other songs include "F*** the PoPo"
8. "Follow Through"-Gavin Degraw. On repeat..love, love, love this. It's simple and direct, everything that I think a happy love song should be.
9. "Stolen"- Dashboard Confessional. I had to put a Dashboard one in here. I like the "Dusk and Summer" edition of this. It makes me want to put on a dress and spin around (which I often do...no apologies).
10. "Kiss Me Thru the Phone"- Soulja Boy. Didn't see that one coming, huh??? Ha! Seriously, this song makes me smile every time I hear it. But, real talk, do not call (678)999-8212...your phone will blow UP with texts from Soulja Boy's marketing team. Not that I did that..a friend told me........

Okay. That's what I have right now. If you feel inclined, let me know what songs make you feel all happy and smiley.

Happy holidays.


Love, love, love.

"Gasoline Rainbows"

I have not heard much about the Gulf oil spill lately. That makes me sad. Really, really sad. Our media has moved on to the next celebrity arrest, football player scandal, or the latest drama on "The Real Housewives of Blah, Blah Blah". There is still so much that needs to be done on the Gulf coast. There are families that lost their only means of survival when the water turned slick with gallons of gasoline. There are animals and wetlands that are forever damaged or destroyed.

I'm a big supporter of campaigns aimed to help the lives of others, whether they are in Africa or Alabama, Pakistan or Pennsylvania. I know, I know..this might make me a "crazy liberal", but I'd like to believe that someday, if I am in the midst of some natural or manmade disaster..there will be people wanting to help. Whether it's money, or food, or simply a place to get out of the cold that seems to cover our planet these days, the power that comes from one human helping another is just really awesome . I guess, more than anything, I believe in the human spirit. The perseverance and determination that it takes to stand up, look at surrounding despair, and believe in the power to fix it.

While the oil spill may be "over", its effects will continue to be felt. Maybe you can't go down to assist in cleanup or relief efforts, BUT, you can go on iTunes and buy the "Gasoline Rainbows" album. Put together by "One Tree Hill's" Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols, this compilation features Vampire Weekend, Amy Kuney, Phoenix, Passion Pit, and many other talented musicians. If you don't have the $15 now..wait til you get those iTunes gift cards for Christmas!! All proceeds go directly to Gulf relief. And the music kicks serious ass.


Love, Love, Love.

I'm really bad at blogging, but really good at procrastinating.

Hey, hey, hey.

Four months later. A third of a year. Almost an entire semester. Here we are. Wow. So much has changed in those four short months. I've seen my college raise over $70,000 for cancer research, spent time with some awesome freshmen who I get to watch fall in love in Vanderbilt, met some new friends that I now can't imagine life without, found new music (!!), and I've stopped making excuses for people who never could come up them on their own (had to slip in an emo one...have you met me?!)

Anyways, I'm getting ready to go home on Friday. It's been awhile and I'm really excited to spend time with my sweet family and friends. Any time that I go anywhere that requires a drive over 30 minutes, I make a mix cd. Yes, I have an iPod that can make playlists...but that's not the same. Nothing makes me happier than a blank CD. It's full of potential for something powerful and amazing. Before I make this new CD for t-giving, I'd like to share my first semester studying playlist. When I finally got tired of facebook stalking, or reading blogs, or online shopping..I'd put this playlist on and get to work. As we get ready for finals (SICK), maybe you'll listen to some of these too.

Happy Thanksgiving...we have a lot to be thankful for.

Love, love, love.

Me

My "Juniors Have to Study" Playlist

1. "A Falling Through"- Ray Lamontagne (Was on my 100 songs playlist..whatever, it's so beautiful)
2. "Please Do Not Let Me Go"- Ryan Adams (I've developed a huge musical crush on Mr. Adams..I also like that the title of this album is "Love is Hell"
3. "Come Pick Me Up"-Ryan Adams (See..total crush. This song drops the f bomb a few times..in case you need warning)
..also, this song has some killer harmonica in it)
4. "Colorblind"-Counting Crows (This song is in "Cruel Intentions"..and I love it!!!)
5. "I'd Rather be Lonely"-Tyler Hilton (Also on the 100 songs...I <3 tyler hilton)
6. "Bluebird"-Sara Bareilles (SHE ROCKS!!!!!!! Saw her at the Ryman last month. Whoa..this song is so pretty)
7. "I Won't"- Colbie Caillat (Good jam. I like her voice)
8. "Come Home"- OneRepublic and Sara Bareilles (One of my favorite duets EVER.)
9. "From Where You Are"-Lifehouse (This song makes me want to stand on a balcony at the beach on a cloudy day and just think..way descriptive..weird)
10. "Last Kiss"-Taylor Swift ("All that I know is I don't know how to be something you miss" or "You can plan for a change in weather or town, but I never planned on you changing your mind". I love T-Swift.)
11. "Notion"-Kings of Leon (I like to shout along to this song...try not to)
12. "Dear John"- Taylor Swift ("I'm shining like fireworks over your sad, empty town")
13. "She is Love"-Parachute (Just saw them live..so good!!!!!)
14. "Favor"- Rocca Delucca and the Burden (Heard this at Jackson's during brunch. A waiter came and gave me a piece of paper with the song on it as he watched me awkwardly try to Shazaam it on my phone. I'm convinced we're soulmates..no big deal.)
15. "The Lucky Ones"- Brendan James (He opened for Parachute and then I heard this song in the trailer for the new Jennifer Anniston/Adam Sandler movie...I LOVE when stuff like that happens...it's a cool song)


Okay. I'm going to do work now. 11pm on a Sunday is when I'm the most productive. Go figure.

The End 91-100

100 songs. 7.1 hours. Which, by the way, is how long it takes to drive roundtrip from Atlanta to Nashville. Coincidence? Doubt it.
These songs matter to me and making this list has been so wonderful. I've relived some really amazing memories..and some really painful ones.

A favorite singer of mine once said "The life lesson I learn over and over again is that you always know more now than you did then". Incredibly true. These songs and those moments associated with them seemed so definitive, so absolute. But I'm learning now, more than ever, that those memories are like pictures. They capture a moment. A point in time where we know nothing but what is happening right then. We can't see the future. But those pictures fade, get lost, or worst of all, never get taken at all. Those moments, the uncaptured ones..what happens to them? How can we look back on memories that don't get a picture? That's where music comes in for me.

This is the end of my list of songs. And it's not a fairy-tale, happily ever after ending. Everyone says endings lead to new beginnings. I pray that's true. That's why I came to Nashville. That's why I wrote this blog. And, that's why, I think, I'm in Georgia now. To end a chapter that was getting exhaustingly repetitive. All that questioning, all that doubt, all that confusion? I prayed and prayed that I was making the right choice to be home. Now, I think I get it. New beginnings, right? Here we go.

91. "Car Crash"- Wakey!Wakey! I LOVE this band!!!! It's about a car accident that is a metaphor for a really disastrous relationship. "At least you were thrown clear, 'cause I'm still stuck in here". It's got really haunting, cool music.

92. "War Sweater"- Wakey!Wakey! "You ask for the truth, but you know you can do so much better". Mhmm

93."One Headlight"- The Wallflowers. Oh, the 90's. "There's got to be something better than in the middle". Jakob Dylan (yes, Bob Dylan's son) has such a cool voice.

94. "All Good Things"- The Weepies. Oh, wow. "I don't want to lose what I love about you. But all good things come to an end"

95. "Lay Me Down"- The Wreckers. "Tell me what you could possibly know about breaking down that I don't" I love Michelle Branch.

96. "Hard to Love You" The Wreckers. "I've been wrong but I've been changing". Just a good song.

97. "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"- John Mayer. One of my favorites. Most played song on my computer.

98."I Couldn't Save You"- Kate Voegele. She just knows what's up. Clearly, the title shows just how deep this song is.

99. "Tomorrow"- Lillix. I sang this at the top of my lungs in high school. I just found it again.

100. "A Line in the Sand"- Houston Calls. "I said you'd leave, you said you wouldn't..I guess I knew you better". Angry, wonderful song.

So, that's it. I might use this blog just to update with some new music I find/fall in love with. We will see. I really encourage you to find your own 100 songs. I promise, it's worth it.

Love, love, love
S

Never too late, right? 81-90

So, my last post was in...February. Life fail. To be fair, I got a new laptop (a beautiful, perfect, everything I ever dreamed of MacBook Pro) and never got around to transferring my iTunes (with my 100 songs playlist) to the new computer. And then it was spring break, and then finals. But for old times sake, I hopped on the old HP..and here we are now.

It's summer. It's hot. It's been an interesting 2.5 monthes since I left my beautiful Nashville and came back to Georgia. It's not really that I don't like it, because I do....I still have some wonderful friends who make me so very happy that happen to live here and with whom I have had many great times. And don't forget my perfect and funny family who I love more than anything. It's more of a "me" issue.

*Warning=emo confession about to take place*. Sometimes, I'm not a huge fan of who I am here. When I left two years ago, I grew up. A lot. I became less petty, less obsessed with being perfect, and became more like the person I want to be. Back here, I regress into that 17 year old girl who just wanted to fit in and be loved. Because, if I had that dress, or that body, or that boy..life would be perfect? 20 year old me thinks that is a pretty awful way to live your life.

Nashville is where I really discovered my love of music,learning, and myself and I feel like something is missing when I'm away. But I'm here now and I believe with all my heart that it was a God thing. He has bigger plans for me than what my little heart wants. Don't you ever wish He would just sit down with you, hand you a script, and say "Here's how this one's going to play out". I know I do. I just finished a book that had a line it that made me stop, reread it, stop, and think for about 30 minutes. The characters were talking about prayers not being answered. Here it is. "But, God does answers prayers, but in His time, not yours". Amen.

But anyways, you probably don't read this for my silly, emotional rants on life. Hopefully, you read it because of the music. Here are the next ten songs. Thanks for letting me ramble. xoxo.

81-90

81. "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This"- Toby Keith. This song gives me chills. My friends and I all put our arms around each other and sang at the top of our lungs to this song at the concert..haha.

82. "Meet Virginia"-Train. BAHHHHH!!!! I LOVE THIS SONG. It's one of the fun blast it on the stereo songs. And I do, often.

83. "The Odds of Being Alone"- Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup. "The quiet seems so loud. Tell me this is the hardest part, tell me this is the hardest part". They have a good harmony.

84. "Missing You"- Tyler Hilton. Such a nice guy. Also, a great singer. His raspy voice is so wonderful.

85. "Meant Something to Me"-Tyler Hilton. So, you know, when you like someone and all the silly, trivial moments are things you'll never forget..but they have absolutely no clue? Tyler does.

86. "I'd Rather Be Lonely"- Tyler Hilton. YouTube this. Just do it. I think it's gonna be on his next record "The Storms We Share". He knows whats up.

87. "Use Somebody"-Tyler Hilton. Clearly, I adore TH. Deal with it. His cover of Kings of Leon's song is great. All piano.

88. "When the Stars Go Blue"- Tyler Hilton and Bethany Joy Galleotti. I like all 3 versions of this song (Tim McGraw and Ryan Adams both have one as well). But this is the first I heard.

89. "Bittersweet Symphony"- The Verve. Reminds me of the end of "Cruel Intentions" everytime. Good song. Cool music.

90. "The Freshman"- Verve Pipe. Re-visit this song. It's so heavy and full of great writing.

71-80

71. "I Shall Believe"-Sheryl Crow. Wow. Just wow. This just might be one the most beautiful songs I have ever heard...and I don't say that lightly.

72."For Blue Skies"-Strays Don't Sleep. This is sad. Prepare yourself now. "I forgive you, I forgive you". Oh yeah.

73. "Meant to Live"-Switchfoot. I loved this song back in the day. Still do. It's so incredibly true, too.

74. "I'm in Love with a Stripper"- T-Pain. Yeah, you read that right. This song makes me laugh because of its trashiness...I just love it. No apologies for it either.

75. "Superstar"-Taylor Swift. Remember when you were 10 and loved Justin Timberlake and just wished he knew how you felt because OBVIOUSLY he would kick Britney to the curb. Ok, maybe? This song reminds me of that.

76. "Tied Together With a Smile"-Taylor Swift. I know many people who aren't Taylor fans. Maybe she isn't a good enough singer for you (valid)? Or she wears her heart way too clearly on her sleeve? I admire the hell out of that. She is one of the best songwriters of my generation and this song is one of the many examples why.

77. "You Belong with Me"-Taylor Swift. Last Taylor song, but man, this song is so wrapped up in high-school honesty that I can't get enough of it.

78. "Don't Confess"-Tegan and Sara. Oooooh. Tegan and Sara. Emo, emo, emo. Love it. This song is so tragic. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of tragic. "You won't get better, til you're worse"

79. "How's It Going to Be"-Third Eye Blind. Re-visit this song. It's perfect for blaring in the car and singing along. I include a little steering wheel drumming, but that's entirely optional.

80. "Mary Jane's Last Dance"-Tom Petty and the Heatbreakers. This song is about weed, I think. Whatever. It's fun. Another classic jam from my dad. He is a pretty cool dude.

Only two more lists left!! Crazy

Oh, and I'm turning 20 tomorrow. That makes me want to cry a little bit. I loved being a teenager. I was so typical about it too...a little angsty, a little preppy, a little wild, a little silly. It's been fun. Here's to the next decade.

Love, love, love

61-70

61. "Gypsy Girl"- Ryan Horne. This guy is from my hometown and this song has such an awesome beat.

62. "City"- Sara Bareilles. The piano in this song is just wonderful. I love this record ("Little Voice" by the way)...it is just a collection of great songs

63."Building a Mystery"- Sarah McLachlan. Cool song. My favorite line? "You're a beautiful, a beautiful fu**ed up man". Profound.

64. "Breakeven"- The Script. Oh my Gosh. I listen to this song on repeat. "What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you?". I love that.

65. "I'm Yours"- The Script. They are from Ireland. They are talented. Clearly, I'm in love.

66. "Champagne High"- Sister Hazel. This song is about going to the wedding of an ex and learning to accept the fact that you lost and they are marrying someone else.

67. "All for You"- Sister Hazel. This band is great. This song is so 90's and high school and all those great memories.

68. "Chasing Cars"- Snow Patrol. This song will always make me think of Izzie Stephens (of "Grey's Anatomy") crying on the bathroom floor after her fiance died. I cried too.

69. "All Hail the Heartbreaker"- The Spill Canvas. This song is straight-up bitter. Love it.

70. "18"- Steve Moakler. This song is about growing up. Love it.

Those are the next ten. Love them

51-60

It's 1am in Nashville and I can't sleep. I have a quiz tomorrow, but I'm not interested in studying...so here are my next ten songs.

51. "More Like Her"-Miranda Lambert. This is what happens when you put yourself out there, think everything is going to work out, and then they end up going back to their ex-girlfriend anyways. Where do you go from there?

52. "You've Got the Music in You"- The New Radicals. I love this jam. It's a good "dance around your room singing into a hairbrush" song..not that I do that or anything...moving on.

53. "Far Away"- Nickelback. This song is one of those songs that I will always be able to relate to. It's powerful.

54. "Stop Crying Your Heart Out"-Oasis. This song is a "snap out of it!!!" song. Always appreciated.

55. "Wonderwall"-Oasis. I am so in love with this song and have been for years. "And maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me"...whew.

56. "She is Love (Acoustic)"- Parachute. Heard this song on TV and immediately had to have it. Heard it in Staples this summer. And teared up...what a dork. I think this song is what every girl wants to hear.

57. "A Falling Through"- Ray LaMontagne. Sleeeeepy playlist song. But oh my Gosh, it has the most haunted/pained sound and I can't listen to it enough.

58. "Ever The Same"- Rob Thomas. I liked Rob Thomas' solo career. Big Matchbox 20 fan, but love Rob. This song is great. Inspiring.

59. "You Can't Always Get What You Want"- The Rolling Stones. If you don't like the Stones, I don't like you. Harsh? Yes. Sorry.

60. "Hazy"- Rosi Golan feat. William Fitzsimmons. Go listen to this song. Right now. Warning, it will make you want to want to lay in your bed and listen to it on repeat. "'Cause without you, things go hazy". Simply put, but beautiful.

Love, love, love. Me

41-50

Halfway through!

41. "Stupid Boy"-Keith Urban. Gahh. I love this song. Keith Urban is an amazing guitar player and this song is just powerful.

42. "Love Don't Live Here Anymore"-Lady Antebellum. The debut single from one of my favorite bands. This song is angry, bitter, and so very true. Love it!

43. "Need You Now"-Lady Antebellum. This is one of the most honest songs I have ever listened to. I think a lot of people could relate to it.

44. "Stay (I Missed You)"-Lisa Loeb. Throwback to the early 90's. This is one of the first songs I knew every word to. Odds are I probably sang along to it in the back of our Volvo station wagon...oh, the good ol' days.

45. "All I Believe In"- The Magic Numbers. This song has various languages in it, only two of which I can recognize. But, it's a cool song about needing your heart to be all you believe in.

46. "Love Lives On"-Mallary Hope. This was an iTunes free download once. I expected it to be the typical "oh, we broke up and now I'm sad and miss you"song. Wait 'til you get to the end. Tears.

47. "Only Hope"-Mandy Moore. She has a great voice. This is from a great movie. Switchfoot has a great version too, if you're into them.

48. "Can't You See"-The Marshall Tucker Band. This is the perfect "driving through the mountains in the fall" song. I just love it. Great guitar sound.

49. "Nothing to Lose"-Mat Kearney. I love that he references Nashville. This song is fantastic. I had the melody stuck in my head for months and couldn't remember the words. Fail. Now I know the words and they are stuck in my head a lot too.

50. "Crashing Down"-Mat Kearney. "Take it back to the beginning, back to the start
When gravity's pulling, you're still holding my heart"...some of my favorite lyrics ever.

Love, love, love-me

31-40

My list is ten songs short of 100..let me know if you have something you think I'd like :)

Next ten...

31. "Stay Away" The Honorary Title. I can't say enough good things about this song. "I can't dance unless it's slow and sad and to a song that's far less obvious" The guy has a great voice.

32. "I Miss You"- Incubus. Oh my Lord, I love Incubus. "Would I be out of line if I said I missed you?". Love, love,love it.

33. "The Heart of the Matter- India Arie. I know Don Henley is the original singer, and I like his version too, but this was in the "Sex and the City" movie and it's so good. "I think its about forgiveness, even if you don't love me anymore". So good!

34. "Maybe It's Me"-Ingram Hill. This band is from Tennessee and they are super nice and super talented. This song is my favorite by them, but they have so many great songs!

35. "Flightless Bird, American Mouth"- Iron & Wine. Weird title. This song is on my "Sleepy" playlist and it is best listened to when it's raining. Soothing, almost in a haunted way. It's great.

36. "Bruised"- Jack's Mannequin. They are one of the best bands I've seen live. Andrew McMahon is amazing.

37. "Edge of Desire"- John Mayer. I love this man...if I could drop out of school and just be a groupie..I would for John Mayer. This is my favorite song off of "Battle Studies"... "I want you so bad, I'd go back on the things I believe". Deep.

38. "Free Fallin'"- John Mayer. I grew up on the Tom Petty version (my dad is a big fan), but I really like this version. The tempo is slower.

39. "Wish You Were Here"- Kate Voegele. This girl started my love of more obscure artists. She is more talented than 90% of the artists on the radio. "I'm still in love with who I wish you were". Couldn't have said it better.

40. "Lift Me Up"- Kate Voegele. If you are having a bad day, listen to this. Inspiration.

Hope you like them! Also, keep the people of Haiti in your prayers!

Love, love, love

21-30...late is better than never, right?

November and December were busy. Finals, holidays, sleep. But here are my next ten songs! Let me know what you think!

21. "Wild Horses"- The Flying Burrito Brothers. Weird band name, great song. It's all about restlessness and I love that.

22. "Never Say Never"-The Fray. This song gives me chills every time I hear it. The repetition of "Don't let me go" is really powerful, I think.

23. "Look After You"-The Fray. This one of my favorite Fray songs. It's about not letting something go unsaid, which happens a lot.

24. "Stay"-Gavin Degraw. Ahhh. I love this man. He touched my hand once. In the rain. It was magical. Anyways...this song is honest and dignified. Plus, I love the piano.

25. "Let Love In"- Goo Goo Dolls. If someone ever asks me to give them meaningful advice in three words..the title of this song would be it.

26. "Name"- Goo Goo Dolls. 90's throwback..and one of the most beautifully written songs, in my opinion of course.

27. "If Love Was Enough"- Graham Colton. This is emo. Sometimes, I guess, love isn't enough and that really sucks.

28. "Killing Me"-Graham Colton. If you never had listened to Graham, and you like Howie Day/ Tyler Hilton/ acoustic guitars, please give him a listen. This is a song about that loneliness that comes after things don't work out . "I wish I could pick up the phone and tell you how I'm feeling. I'd tell you how I've changed...I tell you everything". Wonderful.

29. "Honestly"- Bethany Joy Galeotti. I just love her. She plays Haley James Scott on "One Tree Hill" and is a fabulous singer. "I'm so glad you're far away..is that a terrible thing to say?". Sing it, girl.

30. "Nine 'til Midnight"- Honestly. This band is not together anymore and that makes me sad. I need to find out what happened..Anyways. This song is hopelessly romantic. It's about missing someone and remembering the way it used to be.

So, there they are! Good variety, I think.

Love, love, love.