Music


What makes us like certain songs?  What draws us in to making a song as a part of our top ten list?  Is it the message of the song?  The way the lyrics are put together?  The drum beat?  Or maybe the melody it carries in the chorus?  Whatever it is, I’m sure there’s a good reason why a song stood out and all of a sudden became one of your favorite songs.

I have to admit though, when you really pay attention to lyrics in songs, most of the time they don’t even make any sense.  Sometimes they are ridiculous, most of the time they are cheesy, and maybe on an occasion, here and there, the words have a really deep meaning to it, that you think, “Man, this song really speaks to me and I can totally relate to it.  This is my SONG!”  Either way, music should be always left to one’s own interpretation.  For all we know, the songwriter had a totally different message from what you thought it was really about.  Imagine what it would be like if people really “whooped that trick”?  Actually, I take that back. Of course there are exceptions and there are people who would “whoop that trick”, although I’d hope it’s only a very small percentage.

With that in mind, do you think that music influences us to act a certain way?  I remember as a child, my parents forbade me to listen to “secular” music.  Anything that wasn’t a hymn or a praise song sung in church or sung by a Christian singer was called secular by my mom and dad.  They believed that hip-hip and rap music were evil, ungodly, and a bad influence.  I don’t mean to undermine my parents’ choices in raising me, but it reminded me of the time when society saw rock and roll as the devil’s music, back in the 1960′s.  I believe that music touches us and influences our lives to an extent, but to think that depriving anyone from any kind of music will make you have a better life has got to be some kind of brainwashed idea.

Have you ever been to a wedding wondering why the happy couple isn’t dancing to Harry Connick Jr. or Air Supply? :P   I’ve heard Evanesence’s, “My Immortal” played at weddings.  Wasn’t that song about a break-up?  And how about The Police’s “Every Breath You Take”?  Did you know that’s about a stalker?  (I just learned about that recently :) ) How about those song dedications you hear on the radio?  Would you dedicate Rhianna’s “Take a Bow” to your boyfriend, whom you love very much?  I’ve heard it done!  That’s another break-up song, right?  Well, for all we know, she dedicated that song to her boyfriend because that was the first song they made out to at their high school dance.  I’m not here to judge, but this goes to prove that lyrics don’t really matter, but they do?  Ha.  You can dedicate a “break up” song to your boyfriend or even dance to a “stalker” song with your new wife.    If we (others) can do that, why couldn’t we (I) listen to anything else without thinking that the devil will instill evil plans into our heads and turn us into heartless, puppy-killing humans?

If there should be music out there that would be considered the devil’s, it should be that of Justin Bieber’s. ;)


Typhoon is so awesome, I just HAD to share.  They performed at Satellite (formerly known as Spaceland), and I was fortunate enough to finally watch them live.  It was a great show, and I was so impressed with their talent and articulate musicality that I could not wipe the smile off my face.  From the first day I was introduced to their album, I instantly knew that Typhoon would be my next favorite band.  Their style is so unique, every member of the band makes a huge contribution to their distinct sound and deep lyrics.  Each song is so grand, it starts off simple and then crescendos into a huge orchestra-like piece leaving you stunned and blown away.  “Belly of the Cave” was such a phenomenal performance that by the end of the song, my involuntary response was, “WOW!” ; like a little kid having candy for the very first time. :)

 

“I don’t want any enemies, why are they still digging their claws in me.”

It’s starting to get more hectic around here, and I’m running behind on this project.  Oh no.  Let’s play ‘catch-up’ again.

Day 15 — Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

1.  Jack Johnson: Only the Ocean –  I haven’t really given his newest album a chance, but after quickly going through it, I didn’t find a song that really caught me.  This song is pretty mellow.  I think most songs on his “To the Sea” album is pretty mellow to begin with.

2.  U2:  Sunday Bloody Sunday –  Great song.  I love U2.

3.  Jack’s Mannequin: Rescued — Someone suggested this artist to me, and I can’t say I’m a fan.  Oh well.

4.  Jack Johnson: Wasting Time –  “On & On” is one of my favorite JJ’s albums.  I love the bass line in this song.  Hoppy and groovy.  This is more my type of JJ. :)

5.  John Legend:  Good Morning –  Great song to use for a morning alarm.  Ahhh John Legend.  Sexy voice.

6.  Muse: Starlight –  LOVE this song.  It’s what got me into Muse.

7.  Usher: Can You Help Me –  I miss Usher’s music from back in the day.

8.  Corrine Bailey Rae: Til It Happens to You — I sometimes forget that she is a great artist.  Glad she made it back into my shuffle. I love her sweet voice.

9.  The Roots: Dynamite! –  You can never go wrong with the Roots.  They are awesome.

10. George Gershwin: They Can’t Take Away From Me — Classic!!!!

 

 

Day 16- Another picture of myself

Songs I listen to when I am Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

 

Happy – Chuck Mangione, Feel So Good

Sad – Jason Mraz, Beautiful Mess

Bored – Dashboard Confessional, Hands Down

Hyped – Muse, Knights of Cydonia

Mad – Ludo, Love Me Dead

A habit that I wish I didn’t have

If I find a new favorite food, I will eat it until I’m absolutely sick of it.

If I have a favorite song, I will play it until my ears can’t stand  hearing it.

If I have a favorite activity to do, I will do it until I have no more interest in it.

I will wear out my favorite things until I get really sick of them.  It’s interesting to see how long the novelty lasts for my favorite things.  Some last longer than others…but the common theme is that eventually, I will wear them out until they are no longer favorites.

“I’ve started a new beginning… suspiciously like the old one, only this time, I’m ready.  I need a reason to kick you like a bad habit.”

A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.

1-  I am currently addicted to donuts and soy caramel macchiato’s.  I’m a Starbucks gold member.

2-  I enjoy buying new things, even if they are small and cheap, like socks or pens.

3-  I enjoy listening to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.  I barely started listening to their music THIS year.  Yes, I know, I’m VERY behind.

4-  Running is something I love and hate at the same time.

5-  My iPhone is attached to my hip.  Sometimes it sleeps right next to me.

6-  I love to read, but I have a bad habit of reading books half way and never finishing them.

7-  Lyrics. I ALWAYS butcher them.  I used to think that the “Grease” song, “You’re the one that I want” was really saying “Yonamanamanat!”

8-  My dad taught me how to play tennis ever since I could start walking, talking, and holding things.

9- I am barely starting to explore new things in Los Angeles.  I’ve lived in Southern California my entire life!  I just learned of the La Brea tar pits!

10- I never thought I’d want to live outside of LA (or southern California), and now I’m actually considering it.

11- I avoid watching the news like it’s a scary horror flick.  There’s something about it that scares me and depresses me at the same time.

12-  Purple is my favorite color, yet I don’t own one piece of clothing that is purple.

13-  Call me old fashioned, but I like having dinner at the dinner table.  No TV, just dinner and good conversations,…and maybe a bottle of wine. ;P

14-  Within one year, I moved to 4 different cities.  I think this was 2007-2008

15-  Have a receipt that has a survey on it?  Give it to me!  I love filling those out.  I’m dying to win the sweepstakes for Target, Best Buy, Rite Aid, and other stores that offer survey prizes!!!!  I WILL win one of these days.  If not that, then definitely the lotto. :)

Finding new [GOOD] music is like finding gold. Thank you, Doug, for sharing this song with me.

…because sometimes, all you want is to know that the one you love will be there for you when you’re at your absolute lowest.

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