I'll Be Home For Christmas

Listening to Christmas songs is not complete unless there is a healthy dose of some Bing Crosby. 

Maria Mena

I feel like music can create a mood or help accentuate a mood that you are currently in.  And if that mood is solemn and slightly depressed and you just want to feel that way for a little while, I have the artist for you!  And I said slightly cause this artist is extremely good and I want you to listen to her.  I just wouldn't listen to her if you were standing on a ledge. 

Maria Mena is one of the many artists introduced to me by Kim and it has been about 4-5 years since the last time I really sat and listened to her.  The few times I have been by an ocean/body of water since hearing her song, "Calm Under the Waves", it pops into my head.  It is an incredibly sad song and I cry almost every single time I hear it, but it is by far my favorite of hers.  The song is about letting go of someone who died and I think we can all relate to it.  If you seriously need a good cry, (women, I know you all like one) step into this song for a bit.  One thing Maria has going for her is her amazing lyrics.  You don't hear lyrics like these often...or ever anymore.

My favorite lyric of the song is at the very end:

I'm tired now
I'll see you when I wake up
I've heard it's pretty where you are

I let go

I let go

Another great song is "Miss You Love":

I know the distance is a factor
but I stretch as often as I can
My goal is to reach your hands any day now

It is hard to pick just a couple songs, but if you like what you hear, I suggest you just YouTube her and listen to a bunch of her songs.  For example- Nevermind Me, A Few Small Bruises, etc.

Turning Page

With the last Twilight movie coming out in about two weeks, my sister Kim sent me a couple songs from the Breaking Dawn Part 1 soundtrack.  One of which I can't stop playing over and over and over again.  So pretty.

Almost Lover

Scott recently said he got a free download by an artist called A Fine Frenzy and I had quite the frenzy myself when he said those three words.  Har har.  I love A Fine Frenzy, but hadn't heard much of them for many years.  I immediately had to play one of my old favorite belt it out songs - Almost Lover- that I hadn't listened to in years and remembered every single lyric.  As we tend to do in this life.  I'm sure some of you have heard it but for those who haven't, here is a little bit of a treat for ya.

The Break-up

I know I know, enough with Glee.  But it is SO good and the music is awesome.  Two Thursdays ago, they had a great episode where 3 of the main couples broke up and Mr. Schuster and Emma had a fight.  Epic episode for Glee lovers not only in plot, but in music.  Here were a couple of my favorite songs.

I am not a fan of Taylor Swift, but I absolutely love Santana's voice singing this song of hers.  Taylor sings it too upbeat and I think that Glee brought the song to life in how it should sound.

Here is the actual scene:

Here is the full version if interested:

And then the final song- The Scientist by Coldplay sung at the end by all of the couples.  One of my favorite songs ever.  All the couples are now broken up except for Mr. Schu and Emma- they are still engaged, just in an argument.  Just wanted to clear that up. :)  Cause I'm a nerd.

Adele's Skyfall

Here is Adele's latest song that was just released in full last Thursday as the theme song for the new James Bond 007 movie.  It is a very Adele in that it is haunting and beautiful at the same time.  I don't think it will be one that will be on the radio as it is very theme songy like and not so much "I want to sing to this" type of song.  What do you guys think??

Music Monday

The start of Music Monday!  Where I share music...on a Monday!  If you like music as much as I do, I think you will enjoy this as well.   I will stay away from songs on the radio as we hear enough of those.

The first song I am going to share is one from Glee last season.  It got in my head a couple days ago when Sarah and I were having a conversation and I forgot just how pretty it is.  It is "For Good" from "Wicked" sung by Lea Michele and Chris Colfer.  We got the privilege of seeing "Wicked" at the Orpheum a few years ago and it is one of my favorite songs from that musical.  Say what you want about Lea, but she has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard.  And Chris has an amazingly high beautiful voice for a guy.  Great song!

And here is another song that is also equally as beautiful.  I don't know what it is about male/female duets that just really tug at my heart strings.  I think it is the blend of the masculine heavy voice with the light female voice that really just makes a song.  I was watching Shrek The Third and I heard this one and was instantly reminded of how much I love it.   It is "9 Crimes" by Damian Rice.

Distance

Besides getting to see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert, Jason Mraz is our absolute favorite live performer.  We have seen him 2-3 times and he is just amazing.  Such a pure and beautiful voice.  When I heard he was going to be on the Today Show this morning as part of their concert series, I was so excited.  He has a new song out with Christina Perri that she came on the show to sing with him that is so beautiful.  I watched and listened to it over and over (like I tend to do like a crazy person).  Nolan was entranced by it too so I can't take all the blame.  Here is the music video for their song, Distance.  Enjoy!

Dance Party Time

Nolan and I have several dance parties throughout the week.  If we are just having one of those moments in the day where we need a little pick me up, I put on some music and we dance our little butts off.   Literally.  Some of Nolan's moves are bouncing up and down on his bottom, waving his hands in the air, singing, and clapping to the beat.  And yes, he has learned to clap to the beat.  We are learning at the same time here, people! My moves are just too awesome to explain.  Mommy can also build some energy from it too.  I find that I am more awake and alert after a dance party which benefits everyone.  And, there is nothing more fun than seeing your little boy have a blast.  He laughs and smiles so much, it makes me so happy.  I'm not going to take it as him making fun of me though....

Recently, there are two songs that always make the playlist and they are:

"Some Nights" by Fun  (Music doesn't start until 1:02 min in.  It's a long music video, so just start it there.)  This song does have one word of profanity, so I wouldn't blast it at work or around kids who like to repeat words. :)

and...

"My Body" by Young the Giant
This is a perfect song to have on your Ipod while working out.  It is one of the most motivating songs to get you to move that I have heard in awhile.

So, take some time out for a little dance party on your own.  Relieve some stress. Do it by yourself (if you don't want anyone seeing your spectacular moves) or with your kids- it is so fun and freeing!  And, you burn some calories in the process.  If these songs don't get you moving, you might want to re-evaluate your life and go have some fun!

Somebody That I Used to Know

This is a fairly new song that Glee chose to cover and it's of course, another one that I can't get out of my head.   Hope you enjoy.  If you don't watch the show, these two guys that are singing are estranged brothers and this scene will probably look ridiculous.  If anything, they are at least easy on the eyes.  :)

The New Way to Order

If only I could pull it off.  So awesome.

Calming the Baby Beast

Someone shared this video on Facebook this morning that I had to pass on.  I could picture this being Nolan in a year as much as he likes to bounce to music!  Enjoy!

A Couple of Songs I Can't Get Outta My Head

Here are a couple good songs that I cannot stop listening to or get out of my head. Great songs to sing to and relax to. Enjoy!

First one is "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Glee.  This is the actual performance on the show.

 

The second one is Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up".  We have seen him twice in concert and he is the absolute best live performer you could come across.  I found a live version just to prove it to you. :)

Drunk History Christmas

This video gave me a loud chuckle and I'm sure it will give you one too!  Check out Funny or Die's video of Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, and Jim Carrey in Drunk History Christmas.

We Are Young

 

It's Music Monday!  It's a Monday and I am sharing some music.  Last week's episode of Glee (Yes, that show again.  I promise there is more depth to me than that.) talked about growing up too fast and to enjoy life while you are young.  It got me thinking about who exactly this applies to.  Does it apply to everyone up until they graduate high school?  College?  Or is it before you get married or have children?  When is it acceptable to be young and carefree?  Is it something that is within us or something that society tells us is okay? 

The video above is the original version of the song sung by Janelle Monae from her new album.  Click here if you would like to hear Glee's version.  I have listened to this song over 100 times since last Tuesday. I wish I was joking.

For me, I would say it applies up until I graduated college.  It was before my job consumed my 8:00-5:00.  It was when I had classes and could take naps in the middle of the day.  Not to mention the craziness of living with 60 girls along with the 40 others that lived outside the house.  I also got married a week after college graduation so that added on another level of responsibility to not only me, but to another human being.  Since having Nolan, that has stepped up even further.  He is the center of our lives and if that means we are in bed at 9:00 PM (knowing he will be up at 6:00 AM regardless) just to get a good solid night of sleep, so be it.  Some things are just worth "growing up" for.

Baby, It's Freaking Cold Outside

One of the good things about this time of year is the music and the spirit of the holidays.  I came across a very beautiful song - "Winter Song" by two of my favorite artists- Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles. Enjoy.

Why Glee is Just Awesome.

We are now in the third season of Glee and if anyone met me during the first season, it was basically all I could talk about.  It's just a great show if you love music in general.  Scott and I started dating while we were in show choir together, so show choirs, musicals, etc. hold a special place in my heart.  Glee does their own renditions of a lot of great songs and there are some that are so redone, you wouldn't even recognize them unless you heard the lyrics.  This is one that was on tonight and I can't stop listening to it- "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".