Stuck in the Moment

I used to be a huge fan of Justin Bieber, but these past few months have kind of turned me away from him. He's been acting odd and his music isn't quite like what it used to be.
One of my favorite songs off his album 'My World 2.0' was "Stuck in the Moment." It sounded very poppy and it seemed to fit Justin's image at the time. Since the release of that album he had a Christmas album, and acoustic album, and then his most recent 'Believe' which I guess you could say fits Justin's current image very well.
Well, I miss the old Justin Bieber. The one without marijuana and a gas mask. But crushes always fade away, and that one went away a little too soon for my liking.

MIA

I'm sorry I have been MIA the past couple of days. I had my prom on Friday and was busy preparing for that. But, I will definitely be posting again every day starting tomorrow! I have my posts already planned!

Just Dance

I forgot all about this song. How could someone forget about this song? I don't know I asked myself the same question. Lady Gaga's first single was released in April 2008, although I went without hearing the song for a year. It was definitely number-one on most charts, launching a successful career for the singer.

I Want Crazy

I am usually not a country fan at all, but my friend loves Hunter Hayes. She played his song "I Want Crazy" and I fell in love with him.
The Louisiana native was born on September 9, 1991 in Breaux Bridge. He can play several instruments such as the accordion, piano, mandolin, guitar, keyboard, bass guitar, and drums. His debut album 'Hunter Hayes' was released in October 2011 and has featured singles "Wanted" and "Somebody's Heartbreak".
I never thought I would ever like country music because it is not at all my style of music, but Hunter Hayes, you are a fine boy.

Pom Poms

I used to be a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers back in the day (although it was only four years ago).  They have made - or at least tried to - a comeback by releasing a fifth studio album in the near future.  To start off the promotion for the album, they released the first single from the record, Pom Poms.

I love the Jonas Brothers and have a lot of respect for them, but I have waited three LONG years for them to release something new and THIS is what they give me?  I do not want to bully them because they seem like the most well-rounded boys the world can find but I am not loving this song and to be quite honest, it makes me wonder what the rest of the album will sound like.  Hopefully a little bit better.

I don't know what they are talking about when they say "Put your pom poms down for me" and I won't lie, I'm a little scared to find out if it is anything like I think it is.  Is it some sexual innuendo that I am just not understanding?  Or are they talking about literal pom poms?

But just because I don't like it doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a shot.  That's the thing about my blog; I share my opinion but encourage you to do the opposite if my opinion is not a good one, like this one.

If the Jonas Brothers see this (the odds are slim), I do honestly love you boys so much.  I still have faith in you boys though, as I feel this album will be as good as 'A Little Bit Longer' and 'Lines, Vines, & Trying Times.'  Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Squeezing Out Sparks

Number 334 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time:  Graham Parker, 'Squeezing Out Sparks'.  This 1979 release was Parker's fifth studio album and includes hit "Local Girls".  There is a reason why this record is on the list of the top 500.  It was album of the year in 1979 and has a sound of new wave pop and rock, a mix of two popular genres of the time period.  This is said to be his best album, and although he has several hits from other albums, it's the way this album was done along with the ten new wave songs.  Some say it's the consistency of the songs that makes this album the best, others believe it's the fact that it was a post-punk record, and then there are the people who just feel the album was a huge success because it's, well, Graham Parker.  There's a reason why he was and is so popular.

Record Store Day

Happy Record Store Day! This day is for record stores and record lovers with live performances and sales. Record Store Day, founded by store owners in 2007, was celebrated today by record stores all across the U.S.. It's difficult to find a record store since 3,000 independent record stores closed in the past ten years. By dedicating one day a year to these remaining stores, we, as music lovers, are keeping the industry and small businesses alive.

Graham Parker

I am officially very jealous of my parents. They are seeing Graham Parker and the Rumour tonight and I wish I was there.
Graham Parker is a fantastic musician who has had several hits such as "Temporary Beauty" and "Local Girls". To me, he sounds a bit like Elvis Costello, actually to the point where I sometimes get their voices confused.
The English-born singer-songwriter has been in a band from about the age of 12 [wikipedia.com] and says that all he wants to do is "send a shiver up people's spines" (NME - February 1979).
Now at 62-years-old, he is still going strong, performing places for our entertainment.

100th post, 100 years

In honor of my 100th post, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the song 100 Years  by Five For Fighting.
I think this song is beautiful.  He talks about how at 15-years-old, you have all of the time in the world to do things.  You can "lose yourself within a morning star" and you will never wish for anything better.  At 22, his woman feels great and they're doing everything.  When he reaches 33, he is no longer a "he" he's a "they" because there's a baby on the way.  At 45, he is at a mid-life crisis.  50 goes by and now he's wise and then with another blink of an eye, he's 67 and he's still moving on.  When he reaches 99, he starts to die but he continues dreaming, thinking about 15.
This song makes you realize that you should embrace every age with all that you have, because before you know it, you are at 99-years-old.

Drive Darling

So, I got my driver's license today! Being super excited, I created a ton of CDs to listen to in my car. I'll talk about those probably some time tonight, but for right now I am going to speak of another BOY song. I'm sorry, you are definitely tired of hearing about this duo, but I could not pass up the opportunity to talk about this song considering the circumstances. The song is called "Drive Darling." It talks about how you can't see what is left behind in the rearview mirror and how the freedom is great once you drive away but the lullabies are said goodbye to since you have to just drive away. It's my cousin's favorite song by them, and it is a pretty decent song.

Be my valentine

I love listening to a good love song. Slow ones especially make me want to fall in love on the spot. One of my favorite love songs is "Valentine" by Nils Lofgren. It is my parent's wedding song, so it is just as important to me as it is to them. Behind Lofgren's voice, you can faintly hear Bruce Springsteen as well. The song is the perfect wedding song but I need would have thought to make it my wedding song.

Poll

I have added a poll on the left of the page.  Please take it!  I set it so you can select multiple answers.  By answering the question, it is telling me a little bit about what my readers like so I can start adding posts where needed.  My audience is important!  Thanks - Jordan xx

Bye-bye Miss American Pie

American Pie by Don McLean is all about "The Day the Music Died" which was the 1959 plane crash involving Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper.  "Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing 'This'll be the day that I die.  This'll be the day that I die'" is my favorite part of the song.  He also talks about how he can't remember if he cried when he read about his widowed bride and how February made him shiver with every paper he'd deliver.  One day, there was bad news on the doorstep - a tragic day in music history.
There's no doubt that this isn't a powerful song, especially since we know what it really means.

United State of Pop 2012

I love DJ Earworm's mashups, especially the annual "United State of Pop." 2012's mashup features:

Gotye and Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know
Fun. - Some Nights
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Fun. and Janelle Monáe - We Are Young
Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa - Payphone
Ellie Goulding - Lights
Rihanna - Diamonds
Bruno Mars - Locked Out Of Heaven
Ke$Ha - Die Young
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
Flo Rida - Good Feeling
Nicki Minaj - Starships
The Wanted - Glad You Came
Adele - Set Fire To The Rain
Lumineers - Ho Hey
One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
Flo Rida and Sia - Wild Ones
Phillip Phillips - Home
Bruno Mars - It Will Rain
Katy Perry - Wide Awake
Alex Clare - Too Close
PSY - Gangnam Style
Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Flo Rida - Whistle

Yes, that is a lot of songs, but this mashup is amazing.

Duets

I love hearing duets!  There is something about the way opposite genders sound together.  I created a list of some of my favorite duets.

• Before the Storm - Jonas Brothers & Miley Cyrus - I used to be in love with the Jonas Brothers and I still love Miley Cyrus.  As you may remember, Miley and Nick dated briefly a little while back, so it was nice hearing them collaborate.  
• Endless Love - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - This is of course a really popular song.  It is a great duet, although for some reason when Lionel Richie made a music video for the song, he was singing the duet with Shania Twain - not Diana Ross.  
• Missing You - John Waite & Alison Krauss - I love this song!  My mom likes John Waite's original recording from 1984 so much more but my dad and I disagree and think this version is much better.  
• The Lady Loves Me - Elvis Presley & Ann-Margret - This is one of my favorite movies and this is definitely my favorite song from it!  The two of them sound incredible together - I wouldn't have wanted someone different to play either of them.
• I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher - In my opinion, probably the most famous duet ever.  I can't listen to this song without thinking of Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.  
• Leather and Lace - Don Henley & Stevie Nicks - This is a great duet.  The lyrics go so well with their voices - I know that probably sounds really corny, but it's true!
• You're the One That I Want - John Travolta (as Danny) & Olivia Newton-John (as Sandy) - Grease was one of my favorite movies growing up.  I loved the songs that went along with the movie as well, this being one of them.  
• Islands in the Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - This song was originally performed by the Bee Gees, but blew up when Kenny Rogers covered it with Dolly Parton in the early 80s.  Most don't know that it was a Bee Gees song because of how popular the duet was.

Hound Dog

Music started becoming "controversial" in the 1950s.  Lyrics became more intense and new dance moves made their way out into the public.  One of the major artists that was believed to have been controversial was Elvis Presley.  Being nicknamed "The King" puts across the message that he was a "King" at what he did best - rock and roll.
Elvis had so many hits.  "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock" were only a couple of many.  He later went on to star in a movie Viva Las Vegas with Ann-Margret in 1964.  But with an extraordinary number of fans, there had to be people who disagreed with him, right?  His dance moves are seen as being iconic to me and most people, but there are people that feel very differently.  At the time of his peak, the movement of his hips were thought poorly of by a lot of people.  And of course we as music lovers find most of his songs upbeat and fun to listen to, while some came to the conclusion that he sang of things "inappropriate" and "uncalled for".
Now, I know you have the right to disagree with either of the points I brought up.  Personally, I find nothing wrong with Elvis' dancing or lyrical decisions, but you very well might have an issue with them.  Either way, please feel free to share with me how you feel about Elvis Presley, the King.

How Ya Doin'?

Little Mix has a new music video out for their song "How Ya Doin'?"  Their album DNA - which was released in the UK this past November - will come out May 28th of this year.

Can't Hold Us

This is my new favorite song by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It's called "Can't Hold Us" from the album The Heist and is featuring Ray Dalton. Although I am not a huge fan of rap, I do like Macklemore's music. Like his previous single "Thrift Shop", there is something about this song that I absolutely love.

By the Sea

I am back from a weekend in Long Beach Island, so I am ready to continue blogging! Since I am still in a "beachy" mood, I put together a beach playlist:

1. Vacation - The Go-Go's
2. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - Bryan Hyland
3. Surfin' USA - The Beach Boys
4. Rock Lobster - The B52's
5. Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters
6. Surfin' Safari - The Beach Boys
7. Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett
8. Island in the Sun - Weezer
9. Kokomo - The Beach Boys

On the Boardwalk

I will not be posting until Sunday. I am spending the weekend at the beach, so I will not be able to post! I will definitely post by Sunday though!

Waltz For Pony

This song "Waltz For Pony" by BOY is probably my new favorite song off of their album Mutual Friends.
I assume that this song was written for a man named Pony, as it makes sense with the title. She doesn't want to lose the memories she has of/with this "Pony". Time is described as "a hungry beast" because it swallows all of her memories but she will not let that happen because she loves Pony so much and he loves/loved her. She puts "two saddles on its back" (time) so she and Pony can travel on time's back so time is unable to harm them.

Gleek

A lot of people feel that Glee ruins a lot of songs. While it is occasionally true, the show has done some pretty good covers:

1. How Will I Know - Made famous by Whitney Houston, the girls of Glee, I feel, were successful in covering this song. With the instrumentals being only a foot stomping and fingers snapping, this remake sounds great.

2. Shake It Out - I have a lot of respect for Florence and the Machine, but I have to say that I like Glee's version a lot more. The Glee cover sounds a little softer in parts, which I like.

3. Singing in the Rain / Umbrella - I love this because I think the mash-up sounds great. The two songs go so well together, even though the two are completely different genres. Opposites attract I guess.

4. Rumour Has It / Someone Like You - I think Adele is a very difficult person to cover, but this mash-up is an instance where I am proved wrong.

5. I Dreamed A Dream - I am almost positive that Broadway people will disagree with me, but I think the cover of this song is fantastic. A duet with Idina Menzel and Lea Michele, the two flawless voices are great together - although it's hard to sound as good as Idina.

Share your music

I know that I am always looking for new music to listen to. Unfortunately, all of my friends and family either listen to the same music I do, or they listen to genres that really do not interest me. That is why I am asking you, my viewers, to tell me about some singers and/or bands you like. Nothing is quite like adding new music to my phone, so please help out! The music you suggest will probably at some point be a topic of a post in the near future!