Friday, May 15, 2009

Kanye West - "Heartless"

Great artist. Great song.

Did anyone hear Kris Allen's version of this song on American Idol this week? I was BLOWN.A.WAY. I absolutely loved it. I have been a fan of Kris Allen's all season and hoped that he would make it all the way but knew his chances were slim. But what a move on his part. Pick a song completely unexpected and completely rock it. Great song. Great artist. Way to go Kris!

Watch a music video
Read about the song choice
Listen to The Fray's version

Kris's performance:

Cold Blooded @ Yahoo! Video

Friday, May 8, 2009

The Beatles - "The Birthday Song"

Happy Birthday Sweet Katie-Bear!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Israel Kamakawiwoole - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

After last week, I wanted to pick a song that just makes me feel good and makes me smile. That is exactly what this song does. I love EVERYTHING about this song - especially the fact that he flawlessly combines two great classics - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World"

Here are some other versions of these great songs:

Judy Garland: Wizard of Oz
Katharine McPhee
Jason Castro

Luis Armstrong



and of course, my favorite...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lenny Kravitz - "Again"

Sorry for the weeks without any updates or posts...

This week's pick is off of my life soundtrack. Music has always been a huge part of my life. All the songs on my life soundtrack are songs that have special meaning to me, whether it reminds me of a specifc time in my life or I simply relate to the music/lyrics. "Again" by Lenny Kravitz is a little of both.

This song became a favorite of mine during my senior year of high school. It actually was the song I had with a guy I was with. I know it may be strange of me to have a song on my life soundtrack that reminds me of a guy other than my husband, BUT, this song has come to mean more to me than just this guy.

A little background:
This guy I was with was younger than me. He was actually quite a bit younger - a freshman - and I was a senior. Yes, I know...I was THAT girl. The relationship was actually kept a secret (as long as possible), which is what made it special. We had relationship completely separate from all the high school drama, gossip, and expectations. We actually had a relationship that lasted as a friendship. But, I don't want to get into details about the relationship. All I want to say about it is that it was a special relationship. This song became "our song" because of the lyric "I wonder if I'll ever see you again." The whole secret relationship thing...

Anyway...
when this guy was a freshman in college (I was a senior in college and pregnant with my first baby) I found out that he had committed suicide. It was heartbreaking for everyone. Suicide is always tragic, but having someone close to you commit suicide brings it to a whole different level. The strange thing about the experience, is that few people even knew that I was close to him. Few people knew that we had a relationship and even fewer knew that we had remained friends. My family was even surprised by my reaction because they didn't know that I even knew him. I felt like my mourning process became a secret, just like the relationship. Inside I was devistated. He was a dear friend of mine. Now the same phrase that originally made this song "our song" has a new meaning:
"I wonder if I'll ever see you again."

This song not only reminds me of this guy, it reminds me of a time in my life when I made time for the people that mattered to me even if it didn't make sense. It reminds me to stay connected with the people that matter. It reminds me that moments are priceless and to hold on to every detail because it keeps us connected to each other.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Braveheart - "Freedom"

In honor of the Oscars, this week I have picked (a little late) a theme from one of my favorite movies, Braveheart, which won best picture in 1995.

The scene when this music is played is one of the most powerful movie scenes and I believe it was due mostly to the music - and of course the incredible acting by Mel Gibson. It is the scene at the end when William Wallace (Mel Gibson) is being tortured so that he would surrender and swear allegiance to England. His most memorable response, while he was literally being gutted, was "FREEDOM!!!"

I LOVE the bagpipes in this theme and the drums. Really, I love EVERYTHING about this piece. It evokes so many emotions and is just beautiful.

Enjoy! And I hope you all enjoyed the Oscars last night!

Watch the scene.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Desiree - "Kissing You"

Happy Valentine's Day!
"Kissing You" is featured in this ^ scene of one of my favorite movies of all time, (which conveniently happens to be a great Valentine's movie as well) Romeo + Juliet. If I had this movie (which I NEED to own) I would most likely be cuddling up on the couch tomorrow to watch this favorite flick.
Enjoy!
Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!


Friday, February 6, 2009

Fisher - "I Will Love You"

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I thought I would pick one of my favorite love songs this week. "I Will Love You" by Fisher has been a favorite of mine since I heard it. Honestly, I can't remember the first time I heard it or who introduced it to me, but I know that it instantly became a favorite.

I love the simplicity of the music and lyrics. I really feel the vulnerability, the honesty, desperation, and exposure of her love. Those feelings of realizing how deeply you love someone, and needing desperately to know that the love is returned, are so vivid in this music.

And I need to know, will you stay for all time. Forever and a day.

I remember these feelings. Feeling like I needed to know that we would always be together and that we would always be in love. And that if I knew that, I could do anything.

By the way - I LOVE songs that make me feel something specific. If I can feel whatever emotion the artist is trying to portray - and even better, if I can relate those feelings to a specific moment in my life - then the artist has an incredible gift in my book, and the song becomes an instant favorite. This song definitely qualifies.

Read more about the band (pretty interesting).
Watch the video.

Enjoy!