Carol King - "You've Got A Friend"

This week's pick is off of my life soundtrack.
I think this was the first song ever added.

My mother sang this song to me and my siblings while we were growing up. Whenever I hear it I am filled with deep memories of her and of my childhood.

Now that I am a mama, I sing this to my children, hoping to share a piece of my childhood, my mother, and the safety I felt when I heard this song.

It always has been, and always will be, one of my all-time favorites.

Kevin Rudolf - "Let It Rock"

Wow.
Has it really been almost 2 months since my last pick of the week?
So sorry.
One of these days I'll get my act back together on this blog.
For all three of you that actually visit :)

This week's pick is "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolf. No idea who he is, but I love this song. I was going through some unmarked CDs a week or so ago and found one of my kid brother's mixes. This song was track 3. I loved it instantly. It sounds like a high school weekend night. And it makes me miss my brother a little.

Hope you enjoy!
Don't be afraid to get up and dance a little. Or a lot.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - "Come, Come Ye Saints"

In celebration of Pioneer Day tomorrow, I have chosen "Come, Come Ye Saints" as this week's pick. This hymn has become the anthem of the Mormon Pioneers. I can't help but feel the spirit, strength, courage, and faith of those pioneers as I listen to or sing this hymn. I am always deeply touched by these lyrics and this music.

This hymn was also sung at the prayer assembly at BYU on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, hours after our country was attacked and the Twin Towers fell. It was a surreal and powerful experience to be in the Marriott Center, filled with thousands of BYU students, who met together to pray and sing for strength and comfort during that scary time. The lyrics of this hymn were a source of much comfort to me, as I'm sure they were to others, on that horrific day when the future was so unsure. I remember singing this hymn, with tears in my eyes, thinking that perhaps that day would be the closest I would ever be to understanding a fraction of what the Pioneers may have felt during their experience. Though their future was unsure at times, and they faced much persecution and hatred, it was their faith in Jesus Christ that gave them comfort and hope to sing the words, "All is well!" I am amazed and overwhelmed with gratitude for the faith, strength, and legacy the Mormon Pioneers have left us with.

Happy Pioneer Day!

Read the lyrics + brief history of the song.
Read about the Pioneers.
Learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I am also intrigued with this project by Australian composer Glenn Gordon. I have been listening to some excerpts and all the buzz about it on 89.1 KBYU FM.
Can't wait to get a recording.

The Allman Brothers - "Ramblin Man"

I've been trying to think of songs that remind me of summer. The list was so long it was hard to choose, but I had to go with "Ramblin Man" by the Allman Brothers. Pretty much any classic rock song reminds me of summer. Anything by The Allman Brothers, for sure. The Allman Brothers concert at Great Woods (or I guess it's now called the Tweeter Center) is a staple summer event back in MA. I went to a couple of their concerts myself. This song just reminds me of hot summer nights, hanging out with my friends, doing whatever.

If you're not familiar with the Allman Brothers, some other favorite songs of mine are Jessica, Sweet Melissa, Win Lose or Draw, and The Whipping Post. Check them out.

Travis Mccoy ft. Bruno Mars - "Billionaire"

Careful with this one. Make sure you are listening to the CLEAN version.

I heard these guys on Jay Leno the other night and loved it. This song just makes me smile.
Once again, I know nothing about this guy or this song, I just love it. Perhaps I should do some research...

Augustana - "Boston"

Did you know I'm from Boston?
Probably - since all of you that actually read this blog know me pretty well.

Well, you can imagine why I like this song.
There's a pride us Bostonian's have. Anything that has to do with Boston we instantly love and feel like it was made just for us. And then we feel ownership of it. Even though I don't know anything about this band or this song (all I know is that it's about leaving CA and moving to Boston, which is nothing that I can relate to at all) I still just love it. Probably because of the title and the Cheers reference in the chorus. It's those little things that remind me of home and therefore I love it.

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Girl Mix 2010

We left yesterday on a roadtrip halfway across the country to visit one of my top three favorite brothers in Dallas, TX. Of course we burned some mix CD's for the 20+ hour drive. Among them is our annual mix CD that I send out to my siblings. This year, we went for a girl song mix, since that's what we get the most excited about these days. And when I say "we" I mostly mean me and my little girlies. :)

This week's pick of the week is any of the songs on the following playlist that I'm sure will get the most airtime in our car for the next few days.

Girl Mix 2010

Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
This Love - Maroon 5
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Let the Rain Fall Down - Hilary Duff
I Don't Wanna Be - Gavin DeGraw
Since You've Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
One In a Million - Miley Cyrus
You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie
Baby - Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris
Naturally - Selena Gomez & the Scene
Try - Hayden Panettiere
This Is Me - Demi Levato & Joe Jonas
Pocket Full of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
How Do You Sleep? - Jesse McCartney ft. Ludacris
One Step At a Time - Jordin Sparks
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
Fly to Your Heart - Selena Gomez
Halo - Beyonce


As for me, my favorite is Baby.
Hope you enjoy!

Miley Cyrus - "When I Look At You"

WOW.
It has been quite a long time.
And boy do I have a treat for you for this week's pick. Miley Cyrus. Yup. Hannah Montana. It has come to this.

Seriously though, this is a great song. I first heard "When I Look At You" when Miley performed on American Idol a few weeks ago and I was quite impressed. I have to admit, Miley Cyrus is an acquired taste. At least she has been for me. Perhaps not for everyone. It's hard to see pass the teeny-bopper, Disney child-star in her, but the girl really does have some talent.

The more I listen to her "more serious" songs, the more I hear Stevie Nicks in her. I don't know, perhaps that's a stretch. Not sure that I'm ready to put Miley Cyrus in the same category as Stevie Nicks, or anywhere close for that matter, but I can hear somewhat of a resemblance.

Perhaps I'm crazy.

Listen for yourself and see what you think.

Hope you enjoy!

Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"

"Da-da-da-dada-da-dada-da" has been the number one requested song in this house for the past few weeks. It is our daughters' favorite "boy song."

This song makes me happy. This song reminds me of my brother. This song is perfect for a sunny day, in the car, with all the windows and sunroof down. Coldplay is becoming more and more a favorite of mine. Their music just feels good. And they are oh so talented.

There's nothing like tympani rolls, a string quartet, a big 'ole bass drum, and a church bell to make this girl happy. You know what they say...the bass drum is the new cow bell.

Watch a performance. (horrible video quality, but my favorite performance.)
Watch the video.
Remember this?

Kenny Chesney ft. Dave Matthews - "I'm Alive"

I love this song.
I guess that's a given since it's this week's pick.
It also is on my life soundtrack.

1.) I love, love, LOVE Dave Matthews. Everything about him. Every song he's written, recorded, performed, sung, etc. If I had my way, he would sing this whole song. (Have I mentioned I'm not a big fan of country?)

2.) I love the lyrics. A reminder of the things that truly are important. The first verse is my favorite. I think I need to print it off and post it somewhere next to my bed.

3.) Aren't we all so lucky to be alive? I think so.

Read the lyrics.
Watch a video.
Watch a performance.
And here's some more Dave Matthews - just because.
And some more.

(Have I told you I love Dave Matthews?)

Samual Barber "Adagio for Strings"

For my first classical pick of the week, I have chosen "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber. I love this piece deeply. Listen to it and I think you'll know why. It is painfully and hauntingly beautiful and overflowing with emotion. Everything I love about classical music.

I fell in love with this piece in high school. I played it in an All-State Orchestra (I think - I can't remember which orchestra) and then again in our high school orchestra. Pieces that I've played usually become my favorites. They become a part of me (or rather, I become of part of them) as I study, practice, and perform them. This is true of this piece as well. I can feel myself playing along as I listen. It brings to the surface the reason I am passionate about violin and orchestral work.

I fell in love with Samuel Barber as a composer in college. He is a remarkable man and an exceptional composer. He is a contemporary American composer who has written some true masterworks, Adagio for Strings being one of them, and arguably his greatest.

Read about the composer.
Read about the piece.