Archive for July, 2009

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Mika – "Grace Kelly" (2007)

2009/07/31

I awoke with this lyric in my head…

Why don't you love me?
Why don't you love me?

But I could not recall who sang it. I thought maybe it was from a Queen song, so I spent almost an hour listening to various songs in my Queen collection. I thought maybe "Killer Queen", but no. Nothing. Search engine searches were also coming up empty.

If you've ever had just a small part of a song stuck in your head, then you may know it can be very difficult to find the song by the notes alone. You cannot just type in the notes into a search engine, you know!? Searching for "sounds like Queen" however brought up Mika's name and it was only moments from that search that I discovered this was the song stuck in my head and I had the lyrics wrong…

Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me?

So if you cannot find that song stuck in your head, just add "sounds like" to your search!

He is totally the musical child of Freddy Mercury though. I love Queen, so I don't think that is a bad thing at all.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Click here for more info on Mika – Life in Cartoon Motion – "Grace Kelly".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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Sara Bareilles – "Love Song" (2007)

2009/07/30

According to wikipedia her inspiration for this song was this…

"Sara Bareilles was inspired to write Love Song after failing to produce successful hits, and one critic said that she needed to write "a marketable love song". Bareilles has stated that that statement gave her the drive and anger necessary to write Love Song, proving that she could indeed write a hit, and that she had no double standards."

I love that.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Click here for more info on Sara Bareilles – Little Voices – "Love Song".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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The Chords – "Sh-Boom" (1954)

2009/07/29

Audio Stream:
http://www.imeem.com/artists/the_chords/music/el92KhTh/the-chords-sh-boom/

The Chords

This has got to be one of G's favorite songs. She lights up every time it comes on.

While trying to search for this song I discovered The Chords and "Sh-Boom" really kicked off Doo Wop's popularity in the 1950s. The song is definitely one of the earliest Rock and Roll hits.

I found this video on the "origins of Sh-Boom". I love how the origins are inspired by little sounds in the their lives.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Click here for more info on The Chords – "Sh-Boom".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

Leave a Comment | Posted in Song of the Day, The Illustrious G | Tagged , , , ,

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Vampire Weekend – "A-Punk" (2008)

2009/07/28

I am so tired this morning. Perhaps some Vampire Weekend will be like the water splashing in my face to awake me, or a cup of musical coffee. Nah, they're more like a cup of musical coffee splashing in my face and making me all sticky. Regardless I am to tired to care.

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Click here for more info on Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend – "A-Punk".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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House Of Pain – "Jump Around" (1992)

2009/07/27

Once upon a time you could not go to a party without this song blaring. Imagine, if you will, a whole house full of people jumping all at the same time as the house threatens to give up and break under the stress. Ah the good old days, before this song was designated for brief air play as filler to rouse a crowd e.g. at sporting events. Anything played at such events makes it seem tame or even lame, but before we play it at little Billy's 3rd birthday party, let's review some lyrics…

…
Cause I got lyrics and you ain't got none
So if you come to battle bring a shotgun
…
I gots the skill, come get your fill
Cause when I shoot ta give, I shoot to kill
…
Try'n to play me out like as if my name was Sega
But I ain't going out like no punk bitch
…

Now Billy, remember, it is not nice to call Grandma a "Punk Bitch"!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Click here for more info on House Of Pain – House Of Pain – "Jump Around".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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Album of the Week: Rufus Wainwright – "Poses" (2001)

2009/07/26

Track 3: Poses: Click here to listen!

rufuswainwright

I would have to say I was obsessed with this album when it first came out. (I believe G was equally obsessed too.) I have listened to this album start to finish possibly more than any other album in my collection. It is just so good. He's funny, honest, real… refreshing. He is the voice I hear telling me to discard all the crap society is pushing on me, all the expectations of others, and just live. I should just be who I am and live the life I wish to lead. He is an inspiration. I find the roughness of his voice beautiful and the perfect compliment to his piano.

G and I had the opportunity to see him in concert a few years ago and to meet him (in a 'meet and greet' line afterwards) and we found ourselves to be dumbfounded fans, totally speechless, though he has truly touched our hearts. I recall his live rendition of "The Consort" was particularly good.

…enough with the love letters to Rufus, and on to the songs…

I am currently reviewing the list of songs on the album, and I usually pick a favorite 5, but in this case of the 12 distinct songs (the 13th track is a reprise of "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk", so it does not count), I cannot bring myself to cut the list any shorter than 8. Even then I am tempted to just list all the songs. The album is THAT GOOD. More than any other album, I was obsessed first with one song, then another, then another, then another, and it went on for months and months. I can honestly say that between 2001 and 2003 I was obsessed with each one of these songs at one point. G and I had to have our own CDs so we didn't have to share.

Did I mention it is good yet? Great? Excellent? Remarkable? Am I beating a dead horse? Oh but don't take my word for it. Listen to the following songs and you decide!

Here are my 8 favorites from the album, with "Thriller" being my favorite.

Track 1: Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
http://www.imeem.com/artists/rufus_wainwright/music/0HRr-Lov/rufus-wainwright-cigarettes-and-chocolate-milk/

Track 2: Greek Song
http://www.imeem.com/rockmusic10/music/KQa6icMK/rufus-wainwright-greek-song/

Track 3: Poses
http://www.imeem.com/artists/rufus_wainwright/music/7_CQgXus/rufus-wainwright-poses/

Track 4: Shadows
http://www.imeem.com/rockmusic10/music/5DCCRu8f/rufus-wainwright-shadows/

Track 5: California
hhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCel8QqcoXU

Track 6: The Tower of Learning
http://www.imeem.com/people/ByX9wW/music/HfnZd2c9/rufus-wainwright-the-tower-of-learning/

Track 8: The Consort
http://www.imeem.com/rockmusic10/music/Q5qJYKFp/rufus-wainwright-the-consort/

Track 10: Evil Angel
http://www.imeem.com/rockmusic10/music/vbizT-Lp/rufus-wainwright-evil-angel/

PS: As I said previously when "Shadows" was my song of the day, I need to thank NPR for pointing out Rufus to me!

Click here for other album suggestions!

Click here for more info on Rufus Wainwright – "Poses".

The MP3 album may be purchased here…

Leave a Comment | Posted in Album of the Week, The Illustrious G | Tagged , , , , ,

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Annie Lennox – "Into the West" (2003)

2009/07/26

I was reminded of Annie Lennox recently by DJ Earworm's release of a mashup requested by Annie Lennox herself. It is impressive and combines an excellent selection of some of Annie's many great songs. It is definitely worth checking out! Sadly it is not available for download the way many of DJ Earworm's mashups are.

I like many of the songs represented, however, the one song sung by Annie Lennox that truly blew me away, both when I fist heard it and now, is "Into the West", which is the closing song on the "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" soundtrack. If you've actually sat down and watched the full 11 hours 38 minutes (extended version) of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, then you know that when you get to the closing it is a heavy moment in all regards. This song is perfect for it. When the song reaches this section, it is so powerful and so full of great triumph and sorrow…

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

I would be lucky to have such a great song play for me when I sail into the west.

Now I know Annie did not write it alone. It was written by Howard Shore and Fran Walsh along with Annie, but regardless I cannot imagine a better singer for this song. A great song can be wasted on mediocre performers. This one was not!

Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:

Click here for more info on Annie Lennox – Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Soundtrack – "Into the West".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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