Music Monday- Sara Bareilles Someone Who Loves Me

I am so happy it's Monday STRICTLY because I LOVE this song I've chosen for today's installment of Music Monday.  I feel like I have the world's greatest secret, and I want to tell everyone. But for now, I'm just telling the people who read this blog.

I love Sara Bareilles.  And her new CD is my favorite one yet.  And THIS SONG. This song, "Someone Who Loves Me", is the most gorgeous love song.  It's definitely got some sadness to it, making it all the more lovely and perfect, in my opinion.  And that line, Someone Who Loves Me- It saves the day.  It saves all the days.  Even the worst of them.  When you've got someone who loves you, life is a lot easier.

I feel this song deep, deep in my bones.  I've learned how to play it on my guitar, and one of these days, I'm going to play it for Fermin.  I just got to wait until I can get through it without becoming a puddle on the floor.  Eventually, I can sing it and tell him, "...My home, my heart, Thank God you are someone who loves me."

Music Monday- YOU ARE YOU ARE by Lucy Schwartz

Because I recently discovered the Parenthood series (thank you, Valerie!) I was turned on to Lucy Schwartz, who had a song placement in one of the first few episodes.  I looked her up in Apple Music and realized I had bought one of her CDs years ago, but somehow she wasn't really on my radar.  Back in my CD buying days, I would go through phases of buying so much music all at once, there wasn't enough time to really listen to any of it.  Too bad for me, I didn't realize how great she was all those years ago.

But now, I know. Better late than never, I say.

I started listening to her music this past week and although I love all of it, this particular song stood out.  And by stood out, I mean I listened to it on repeat probably a dozen or more times in a row.  And loved it more with every listen.  I can't stop listening to it and humming it all my waking hours now.  And I think I dream about that melody at night...

It's my favorite type of song.  It sounds lovely, and sad, and although the lyrics aren't especially complicated, I don't really know exactly what it all means.  But I feel what it means. The CD version of the song has cello, and the cello can't help but make you feel something- and DEEPLY.

AND as a bonus, her name is Lucy.  What's not to love here?

So here it is- a live version of "You Are You Are", by Lucy Schwartz.  My new favorite.
(Please note, that there is no cello on this version- you'll have to find her "Keep Me" EP for that-)

Music Monday- and a little repurposed jewelry.

Someone gave me a stash of vintage jewelry many months ago- maybe even more than a year ago- and in that stash was this cute little roller skate.

I'm finally getting around to using this skate charm in a necklace I'm making for a friend's Christmas present.  The skate's a little beat up, but I think a roller skate from the late 60s should be a little beat up so I'm cool with it!

And as I made this necklace...

...I listened to "Brand New Key" on play repeat over and over and over.

I have no idea why, but I always thought this song was by Janis Joplin.  But alas, nope.  It's sung by Melanie, who prior to today, I had never heard of, even though, obviously- I was familiar with this song.

I think I'm gonna get my guitar out and cover this song.  And I'm probably gonna put on this necklace while I sing it!  Because what's old is new again, in music and in jewelry! :)

Enjoy, Music Monday's "Brand New Key" by Melanie.

Music Monday: Don't Try Suicide by QUEEN

We went and saw Bohemian Rhapsody over the weekend, so OF COURSE the pick for today's Music Monday had to be Queen.

I'm choosing this slightly lesser known song, Don't Try Suicide.  I LOVED this song as a kid. 

Back when I was in about 5th grade, so I guess was about 11 years old, my dance teacher brought in "Don't Try Suicide" and showed us the choreography we were about to learn.  The song sounded different than anything I had ever heard before and I thought it was so cool.  As soon as dance class was over, Mom took me to Sound Warehouse and we bought "The Game" album so I could dance my ass off.  I wish so much I could remember the routine, because if I could, I'd video me dancing to this song right now and post it here.  We are probably all better off without the memory though...

When I'm listening to it now, all these years later, I find it pretty funny that the dance teacher chose this songs, and as far as I know, no parents complained about the lyrics or content.  I have a feeling if this song was chosen for a dance class of 'tweeners today, it'd be a news story or something.  And the teacher would probably lose her job at the dance studio.

Thank God we weren't so politically correct back then.  I love Queen, and was introduced to them via "Don't Try Suicide". I had heard their songs on the radio, but it wasn't until this song that I started buying their albums for the deep cuts.  (Pun intended.)

Enjoy "Don't Try Suicide"... "you're just gonna hate it."

Music Monday- With One More Look at You/Watch Closely Now

Today, I'm taking it way back-

I was inspired to dig back to the other and older "A Star is Born" soundtrack, after Barbra Streisand and Kris Krisstopherson provided last night's dinner-cooking playlist.  That movie came out in 1977, so I was just a little kid.  But Mom took me to the movie, and made me a Barbra fan very early in life.  Mom LOVED Barbra, and so do I. Thanks, Mom. ;)

There is really no voice that compares to Barbra Streisand's.  It's hard to even pick which song from the soundtrack to use for Music Monday, because I love them all so much. I'm choosing this one- the song used in the movie's final scene- because it had me bawling my head off as I watched the movie last night.

I read that Barbra insisted on doing all the singing in this movie "live and in one take"- How she could convey the emotion of that scene where she borders on crying but can sing through it is baffling to me.  And I LOVE hearing the little shakes in her voice- This is Esther Hoffman Howard singing, and whoa! is she powerful.

In my opinion, the current version of "A Star is Born" with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper is admittedly done better screenplay and acting wise, but the music in this one with Barbra and Kris: Mind blowing... It still moves me deeply!

Sorry for the poor sound quality but the visual of Esther singing it is so great and so worth it.  After you watch, you can always go find the cleaner audio version.  Or better yet, watch the whole movie!  (Just be sure to have an entire box of Kleenex beside you for the final 15 minutes...)

Music Monday is Back

Fermin and I have been listening to an "oldies" radio station since we've moved to Colorado.  Mainly because we've been too lazy to program in other stations, but also because admittedly, we like it.

They play old music (obviously!- it's an oldies station) but also pretty current stuff like Katie Perry.  Whatever.

Anyway, over the weekend we heard this song on that station.  It caught my ear because I thought I heard the lyrics right, but wasn't sure because they didn't match the upbeat sound of the song. And they were just so ridiculous. So, I looked it up on Apple Music.  And yep, I was right about the lyrics.  We then went on to listen to that song over and over.  And over and over.  Throughout the whole weekend.  Anytime we needed a little pick me up! Anytime we got in the car to go somewhere! While we were cooking! When we were getting up and starting our day! If You Wanna Be Happy worked for every scenario.

So here it is.  "If You Wanna Be Happy" performed by Jimmy Soul.  Wow. Today, this song would be banned for it's sexism, but back in the day, I guess the sentiment was okay.

I'm going to write out the lyrics below the video, because they're worth reading.  Just hilarious. And as ridiculous as the song is, it makes me extremely happy.  And his falsetto voice towards the end of the song always makes me laugh. Enjoy!

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

A pretty woman makes her husband look small
And very often causes his downfall
As soon as he marries her then she starts
To do the things that will break his heart

But if you make an ugly woman your wife
You'll be happy for the rest of your life
An ugly woman cooks meals on time
And she'll always give you peace of mind

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

Sax solo

Don't let your friends say you have no taste
Go ahead and marry anyway
Though her face is ugly, her eyes don't match
Take it from me, she's a better catch

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

Spoken:
Say man!
Hey baby!
I saw your wife the other day!
Yeah?
Yeah, an' she's ug-leeee!                                            
Yeah, she's ugly, but she sure can cook, baby!              
Yeah, alright!                                                                 

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

Music Monday: Mat Kearney "Nothing Left to Lose"

This isn't a new song, and I'm not even sure what made me think to play it was I was driving (moving!) from University Hills (Denver) to Lookout Mountain in Golden, but something did.  During that 30 minutes or so, I was enamored by this song, so much so that I played it over and over and over for the entire drive.

And since that, I've been on a big Mat Kearney kick.  Before getting rid of my entire CD collection, I had a lot of Mat's CDs- probably just about all of them besides the most recent.  Now, thanks to Apple Music, I have them ALL.  So the past several days, it's Mat Kearney all the time.

This song is still my very favorite of his... enjoy your music Monday.

Music Monday is Back!: "What About Us?" P!nk

P!nk came on to the music scene a while ago.  In fact, she was voted "Best New Artist of the Year" by Billboard back in 2000.

And while I've always thought she has a great voice, I never bought any of her music and didn't listen to anything beyond what was played on the radio. I've seen some of her cool acrobatic performances on award shows, and although I was aware she was a good performer too, for some reason, she just wasn't on my radar of someone I needed to listen to.

Until I saw her on SNL this weekend promoting her latest CD "Beautiful Trauma". She sang two songs from it, "What About Us" and the title track, "Beautiful Trauma". She sang both with vocal perfection and I loved both songs. The first one called "What About Us", was definitely familiar, since it's already getting tons of radio play.  But seeing her sing it live and hearing that kind of vocal perfection made me decide I need to pay more attention to her.

I ended up downloading her CD, "Beautiful Trauma" and I like or love all of the songs, with the one exception being the obnoxious one she does with Eminem called "Revenge".  (I usually like him, now I love her, but that song is just very grating to me and I actually had delete it!)  I also went down the rabbit whole of YouTube videos watching and listening to P!nk.  I was pretty amazed. Especially with the acoustic performances.  Holy smokes, that girl has some pipes!!!  I love that her voice is beautifully strong and sounds both elegant and aggressive within one song, which I don't think many singers can pull off.

She appeared on Good Morning America this morning singing the same two songs she sang on SNL- which proved that whether it's early morning or late night- the girl has chops like nobody's business.
She's worth bringing back Music Monday for!

Here's her SNL performance of "What About Us".  Mind (and ear) blowing...
Happy Music Monday.

Music Monday- Life is Wonderful by Jason Mraz

Ahhh.  This song is from the Jason Mraz's 2005 CD, Mr. A-Z.

I have such a fond memory of my first time to hear the song that I'm writing about today.  I was in Asheville, N.C. for a songwriting workshop.  I had just flown in, got my rent car, and pulled into some place that sold music (I can't even remember where) because during my flight I read that Jason had a new CD out.  I needed something good to listen to for that beautiful drive from the airport to where I was staying.

The first song on that CD is "Life is Wonderful". And on that day, life was indeed especially wonderful.  The view of those Blue Ridge Mountains and that song made me so happy.  I can still totally remember that feeling, and it gives me chills. Music has a way of time stamping important moments in life, and for me, this was one.

I felt so proud of myself that day.  I was nervous about traveling alone and going to that song camp, but I was DOING IT.  And that's what mattered.

I want more of that.
More of being brave.
More of new experiences.
And please... more views like that in my daily life.

the Blue Ridge Mountains

Happy Music Monday.  Thank you, Jason Mraz- for being my soundtrack for that meaningful trip to North Carolina.  You added to the beauty.

Music Monday- Totally HOT!

Thank God for Apple Music.  These days, if I think of some random song from long ago, I don't have to hunt around and spend $15 to buy the whole album just for nostalgia's sake.  Pretty much everything in the world (even Prince's catalogue will be available for streaming later this month) is available for streaming.  I just pay around $10 a month and it's all there. 

Somehow, thoughts of Olivia Newton-John popped into my head the other day.  And in particular, her album, Totally Hot.  It was released in 1978, around the time she was Sandy in Grease.  I loved her, and I remember thinking, "Wow!  She's sorta like Sandy at the end of the movie on this album cover."  And I thought it was great.

Olivia... TOTALLY HOT

Totally Hot was one of the singles from that album of the same name.  But I am so glad to be streaming the entire album. The songs range from country, to soft pop, to well... totally hot.  And all very cheesy! I loved those songs then not even realizing all the cheese, and I love them now, but for entirely different reasons.

Here's Olivia, looking and singing.... Totally Hot.  You're welcome.
Happy Music Monday!

Music Monday- James Morrison "Right Here"

I've been a fan of James Morrison since I heard him sing backup on some Jason Mraz song that I actually can't even remember right now.  The minute I heard that voice of his- soulful and scratchy- I bought his CD that was out at the time. It was his first. And I loved it.  I covered a few of his songs and threw them onto my own set list at the time.

Then his next CD came out.  And again~ bought it and loved it.

And just the other day I thought of him, although I hadn't listened to his music in a while.  I was in my car- which doesn't even have a CD player- so I looked him up on Apple Music.  Somehow, he had a CD in 2015 that blew right past me.  So... obviously, immediate download.

Luckily, it's the "bonus" edition of the CD so there are 15 songs on this batch.  And it may be his best yet. There's a good range of tempo and styles within these 15 songs.  I like all of them, but songs 4,5 and 6 hit the sweet spot for me.  I don't remember the titles, but that's the track order.  This is the 4th song, and it's called "I'm Still Here".

The lyrics come so fast on this one, so I was pretty happy just now when I looked it up on YouTube for Music Monday... Although there isn't a official video of this song, there is a lyrical one so it's a sing a long!  And that will help me (and you) learn the words a whole lot faster.

Happy Music Monday.  Get ready to dig into a great song.  The whole CD is impressive.

Music Monday- Bruno Mars FINESSE

I'm ALL OVER the new Bruno Mars CD, 24K Magic, which just dropped on Friday. Like the name implies... It is magic.  24K Magic.

I listened to this song in my car today over, and over and over.  The second it ended, I'd replay it.  Can not get enough of this one.  It's the song I would most like to do a dance routine to.  Except I don't do dance routines.  But I'm considering hiring a choreography team and making a dance video with this one...It makes EVEN ME feel like dancing with a HUGE smile on my face.

He hasn't done an official video for it yet, but I hope it's coming soon.... For now, it's just audio. Enjoy. Happy Music Monday. ❤️

BRUNO MARS- FINESSE

Music Monday: Liz Longley

The greatest thing about Monday, is that around here on the blog, I like to post something about the music I'm currently binging on.  And this week, one of musicians I've been listening to a lot is Liz Longley... Particularly her latest CD, Weightless.  It came out months ago, but it wasn't until I heard her playing live at the Kessler Theater here in Dallas that I really fell in love with this batch of songs.

Liz Longley at The Kessler Oct. 18, 2016

Because the CD has a lot of production- a little more than I typically like for a singer/songwriter-, I preferred her live performance even more.  But the CD is great.  Liz has one of the prettiest voices I know of... She a great lyricist and she comes up with some great hooks and her voice is crystal clear and one of my very favorites. 

So today I'm posting the first official video from the Weighless CD, but I highly recommend youtube-ing her and finding some of her live performances as well.  And the more acoustic, the better--- It's that voice of hers you'll want to focus on.  It's breathtaking.

Here's the video of her song called "Swing".

Music Monday: Pure Imagination by Willy Wonka

I'm so sad. This was not what I first intended for today's installment of Music Monday.  But anything else I might have thought about has been superseded by this song, in honor of the brilliant Gene Wilder, who I just learned died today.

People love Gene Wilder for his many great roles, but for me it was Willy Wonka.  Such an interesting character he played, and he played it so well that I've always just sort of thought he really was Willy Wonka.  I've loved that movie, that character, and that man since childhood.

Then I loved him even more, and learned more about Gene after reading Gilda Radnor's memoir, It's Always Something many years ago.  Gilda died from the same horrible disease that my mom did years later~ ovarian cancer.  Gene and Gilda's was a true love story, although tragically short. He once said this about his life after meeting Gilda, "My life went from black-white to Technicolor."

I'm holding my breath, making a wish, and counting to three...knowing Gilda is welcoming Gene up into the heavens today.

Music Monday... Joanie Loves Chachi Theme Song

Not that I'm watching... although I will catch the highlights later tonight- but of course, the GOP Convention is this week and I heard Scott Baio is the big celeb that Trump has invited to make a speech.  I'm hoping Erin Moran can show up as well, so they can reunite to sing a reprise of the theme song for "Joanie Loves Chachi".  Sorry to do this to you, but it is Music Monday and I thought you might need a good laugh.  Here it is. 

Music Monday- Can't Stop The Feeling, Justin Timberlake!

It's almost summer.  And here in Dallas, it MORE than feels like it.  It's so hot and humid, I feel like I just might just melt... and I don't actually mean that in a good way.

But this song is getting a LOT of airplay, and it's hard not to feel pretty happy every time I hear it.  I think it's already been determined that this is the official "good times" song of the summer.

And this video is super cute.  I love that JT begins his day eating a little blueberry pie, and then the video cuts to normal folks dancing to his song in the laundry mat, the grocery store, the local diner, and all the other usual places!



Who needs a party to feel like that--- and I think that's the point.  And I LOVE that message.  We just need positive vibes of music - this song song specifically, with Justin Timberlake cheering us on- to make life a party no matter where we are in the world. 

Music Monday- Finest Girl (The Bin Laden Song)

If you're offended by language-- sorry.  But I just couldn't stop myself from choosing this song by Andy Samberg for today's pick for Music Monday.

I went and saw Popstar over the weekend.  Lots of funny songs in there, and this may have been the funniest of all.

Happy Music Monday, Everybody.  Please enjoy...

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Every now and then I get obsessed with some show on tv.  Not just mildly interested (which happens a lot), but fanatically so.

There was one summer I watched Gidget, and obsessed over the young Sally Field.  I think I was about about 20 years old... And I had also just discovered bell peppers.  I would eat bell peppers, and watch Gidget.  It's a great memory.  Good clean fun, living at Mom and Dad's house during a summer off from college.

Sally Field as Gidget

Another show I went mad for was That Girl.  I ordered all of the DVDs of the 5 seasons of the Marlo Thomas show that paved the way for the Mary Tyler Moore show. I loved Ann-Marie, and the clothes and fashions she wore so well in the late 60s. That was around the time I started collecting a lot of vintage jewelry and purses.  Influenced by Ann-Marie?  Most definitely!

Is Marlo Thomas eating at In and Out Burger?!

In the last few weeks, I've discovered The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.  I LOVE THIS SHOW.  I love the whole cast, I love the quirkiness.  It's so fast and funny, and I LOVE Kimmy and her sunny outfits and attitude.

Ellie Kemper as Kimmy

I realize these 3 shows, and their lead female characters are all similar in that upbeat, glass-half-full attitude. I love how these girls take on the world! This attitude deeply resonates with me.  I think life is pretty great, and it's even better if you're always looking for the good stuff.

For today's Music Monday I've chosen the long version of the theme song from The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This song was featured in the first brilliant episode, when Kimmy and her friends were rescued from the underground religious cult they were stuck in.  "They alive, dammit!"




*uh-oh.  I just realized today is actually not Monday.  But it feels like it since we had the long holiday weekend.  Please forgive me.  I hope you enjoy today's installment of Music Monday all the same.

Music Monday- "Go Now" by Adam Levine

Happy Music Monday!  Not only am I recommending this great song, but even more so, the movie it came from...

I  had seen a trailer for the movie "Sing Street" at the Angelika before it came out, and it looked great.  But I haven't heard anything about it, or talked to anyone who's seen it. Thank God I didn't forget about it, and I finally got around to seeing it this weekend.

Now that I've seen it, I want to tell everyone I can to go out and see this movie.  It's a coming-of-age story about love and music that takes place in the UK in the 1980s.  So if you grew up during that era, or even if you didn't, RUN to your nearest indie movie theatre and see this! It was spectacular. My favorite movie of the year for sure.

I'm not going to recap it, but if you want to read reviews for Sing Street, just look it up on Rotten Tomatoes or another site like that. But, I will post a video that I'm choosing for today's Music Monday installment.  "Go Now" by Adam Levine.  He co-wrote this song with the director of Sing Street, John Carney.  I love how Adam's voice is a little grittier than usual in this song.  The video gives a good montage of scenes from the movie, and I think it gives you an good overall feel for what the movie is like.  And as I bonus, it's a great song! Enjoy...

Music Monday- Max Gomez and Liz Longley

Happy Music Monday!

I got to see both Max Gomez AND Liz Longley here in Dallas at the Kessler Theatre last night.  First of all, the Kessler is my very favorite venue for live music these days.  It's just the right size, they book musicians I happen to love, and it's in an old, but swankily updated theatre in Oak Cliff.

I really love both of these artists, and I got so lucky to pay for just one ticket and see both of them.  They co-headlined this concert.  Max played first for about an hour and a half, and then Liz did the same.  Then at the end, they sang one song (one I didn't know- ) together, brilliantly.

The videos posted below were my favorite songs of the night by each artist, but I didn't take the video- That would've sort of blown the live music listening experience for me.  Fortunately, there are loads of other's that apparently don't feel the same so there are live videos a-plenty to hear these and others!

Here's Max Gomez' "Rule The World"....

And my current female singer crush- Her voice is clear as a bell and she can do pretty much anything she wants with it. And on top of all of THAT, she's a brilliant lyricist that can create a catchy hook. Here's Liz Longley, singing "Bad Habit"...