Kansas - "Dust In the Wind"

In high school, I considered this my theme song. This was the song that I turned to when I was having a hard day, when I needed to relax, when I wanted to escape, when I just wanted "me" time. This song has meant a lot of different things to me over the years.

When I first heard this song, it hit me as a "don't worry too much about now - it will pass" song. The first line "I close my eyes. Only for a moment and the moment's gone" and "Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky" helped me cope with a lot of things. It helped put things in perspective for me knowing that time will pass, and things will be ok. Whatever I was dealing with in the moment would eventually go away and be over. The whole idea of "all we are is dust in the wind" also helped me realize that even though things felt huge at the time, in the grand scheme of things it would be a lot smaller than it felt at the time.

Toward the end of high school, the song started telling me how precious time is and that we need to live each moment to the fullest (very characteristic senior mindset). "All your money won't another minute buy." The good moments in life also won't always last forever, so enjoy, appreciate, and take advantage of the good while you have it. I loved high school and lived it up until the day I left.

Listening to this song recently, it is obviously a song about how fragile life is. We really all are dust in the wind. Instantly our lives can be changed, for the good or the bad, and turn in directions we never would have suspected. I still see the same messages as I did before, just some added dimensions.

Anyway, I have always loved this song. Mostly because of the feeling and meaning of the words, but also the soothing guitar and the string interlude. This song will always be a favorite of mine. In fact, it has made it onto my life soundtrack :)

Read more about the band
Read more about the song
Read the lyrics

Jared Salvatore

Jared Salvatore is my good friend from home. He is incredibly talents - always has been - and I'm so glad to share his music with you! I have added a link to his myspace page to this blog. Check it out when you get a chance.

Jared & I have known each other for years. We really became good friends our freshman year in high school. We had a few classes together and spent a lot of time together during the school musical "Damn Yankees" that year. We remained friends throughout high school and he is one that I have stayed in contact with over the years. He is a great friend with a HUGE heart.

I remember the first time I heard him sing. It was at the Pollard Pops (our middle school talent show) and he sang "The Freshman" by the Verve Pipe with his band. They were the stars of the show and I remember thinking back then "this kid is going to be famous some day." I think it's awesome that he is really pursuing his music and I hope so badly that he gets his big break.

I hope you enjoy listening to his music! I know I do...but then again, I might be a little biased. :)

Jason Mraz - "Mr. Curiosity"

I love hearing a new song on the radio and instantly falling in love with it. That's what happened with this song. One morning while I was running errands this song came on the radio and I was captivated with the first note. I think the instrumental part is beautifully written, the melody and vocals are very soothing, and very characteristic to Jason Mraz the lyrics are clever and smooth. I really love his style and love his quirky, but cool music.

Dave & I saw Jason Mraz perform live about 4 years ago. He opened for Dave Matthews. He was amazing! At that point the only song I knew of his was "Remedy," which I liked ok, but didn't necessarily love. Let's just say I liked it a whole lot more after seeing it performed live. Like I have said, I'm a sucker for an awesome live performance.

Jason Mraz is an amazing live performer and INCREDIBLY talented. He is extremely musical, very versatile, and funny. I thought it was pretty awesome in his concert when he mentioned that Dave Matthews was one of his musical idols and that he got a lot of his inpiration from him. How amazing that there he was opening for one of his biggest influences. Wow!

Read more about the artist
Read the lyrics
Get the sheet music (awesome!)
Watch a live performance

Hope you enjoy!

David Cook - "Permanent"

I thought this pick was very appropriate this week as the new season of American Idol has begun. David Cook was the winner of American Idol last season and I am a huge fan. I loved him throughout the season, but was convinced he was not going to win because my favorite NEVER wins - at least not until last season. I am a faithful American Idol viewer and fan, but I usually never vote. Last years' finale was the first time ever. Goes to show how true of a fan I am I guess :)

I love the strength and richness of David Cook's voice as well as the raw edge it has. I am obviously a fan of rock, but it's even better when a rock song has really good vocals, which I think David Cook has. I also love his vision as an artist. He had the best arrangements on the show last season - his Billie Jean performance is a perfect example. I think I was literally watching with my mouth open. I love when the contestants arrange their own songs because it shows us what to expect from them as an artist, plus it really makes the greats stand out. Last season I was really impressed with many of the contestants' arrangements.

I was able to see David Cook perform last summer at the American Idol concert. Yes, I actually went... and I'm glad I did. So many great performers. He was AMAZING. And it was interesting watching them all perform live - they are way more talented than we get to see on TV. And even though the teeny-bopping Utah girls that surrounded me at the concert would definitely not agree with me, the right David definitely won. David Cook has an incredible presence on the stage performing. It made me love him even more - but I am a sucker for great live concerts...

I got David's first album for Christmas. I love the whole thing. Definitley an album worth having. It is exactly what I expected it to sound like. His sound is very reminiscent to 80's rock, but with an edgier twist. Especially his ballads. "Permanent" is one of my favorites on the album. So much emotion and struggle behind the words and you can really hear it in his voice. Also check out other songs from the album on WSMGS Radio.

Read more about the artist.
Watch a live performance of this song.

Watch a music video.

Watch his American Idol audition.

Watch my favorite American Idol performance.

My mom pointed out last season that David Cook looked a lot like my own David. I didn't see it until he cut off those huge red bangs he had at the beginning of the season. Then I totally saw it. There's something also about his persona that reminds me of my Dave. Maybe that's why I'm so attracted to David Cook. :)

Here are both David's at 25 (when Dave & I were dating)

What do you think?

See any resemblance?

Movin' 100.7

For all of you local Utahns, check out Movin' 100.7 FM. Their slogin is "music that makes you feel good!" and boy is that true. Great dance music from the 80's 90's and today. Pretty much without fail, whenever I turn to that station I hear a song that makes me smile. Tonight when I turned it on I heard "Pump Up the Jam." Awesome! I'm not sure that there is any other station where I could hear that song playing! It's a great station to find songs with a good beat, that are great to sing along to, and many that bring back great memories.

To reunite with this blast from the past, check out WSMGS Radio on my side menu, as well as other great songs that I love.

*to listen to WSMGS Radio, pause the pick of the week and then press play on the Radio playlist. This will avoid multiple songs playing at the same time.

Dire Straits - "Romeo & Juliet"

Great song from my past.

This song reminds me of my carefree, relaxing days in high school hanging out with my friends, driving around town, riding on the bus to a game, or just sitting in my room. The simple music and storyline lyrics were soothing and relaxing to me. I could listen to this song while doing homework, talking to friends, or singing along. This song was among the songs that I turned to to escape from the world. I could listen to this song and nothing seemed to matter.

I wouldn't say I'm a huge Dire Straits fan, but I do enjoy their music, or the few songs that I know at least. This song I particularly love as well as other versions I've heard by the Indigo Girls and the Killers.

Read more about the song.
Read more about the band.
Watch a video.