Santa Claus is Coming to Town

I felt a really big urge to post this because I still love One Direction.  Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, and One Direction performed "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with classroom instruments... all while wearing ugly Christmas sweaters.

[Source:  YouTube]

Silent Night

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Sinead O'Connor's version of "Silent Night."

She has such a beautiful voice, especially in this song.

[Source:  YouTube]

Yours

I am completely obsessed with Ella Henderson's new song "Yours" from her new album, Chapter One, set to be released in January.

The song is vocally beautiful.  She has such a flawless voice that is complemented so well by this song.

Hearing her sing this reminds me of her X Factor audition back in 2012.  She auditioned with an original tune and blew the judges away.

[Source:  YouTube]

I can not wait for her album to come.  I loved her first single "Ghost" and hearing "Yours" really puts me on the edge of my seat.  There's talk about her possibly being the new Adele?  I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

18

The questions of the day are:  Why haven't I posted in weeks and why am I just posting about this topic now?  I unfortunately can't really answer either of them.

Remember when I said how I was really hoping I would like One Direction's new album more than Midnight Memories?  That hasn't quite happened...

Yes, the album is very good, and yes, their sound has evolved a lot in the past year, but there's something missing with this album that was present with their third record.  For one thing, this album doesn't have the edge they were saying it was going to.  I heard months ago that this was going to be a very edgy album, something along the lines of Midnight Memories.

Here's the track list:

1. Steal My Girl
2. Ready To Run
3. Where Do Broken Hearts Go
4. 18
5. Girl Almighty
6. Fool's Gold
7. Night Changes
8. No Control
9. Fireproof
10. Spaces
11. Stockholm Syndrome
12. Clouds
13. Change Your Ticket *
14. Illusion *
15. Once in a Lifetime *
16. Act My Age *

* Deluxe tracks

'FOUR' Deluxe Tracks

The boys have made it clear that this album connects the most with them since they contributed to most of the writings - yes, that means they're written from personal experiences.  "Fool's Gold" is supposedly about Harry Styles' ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift.  Call them even because she has some songs about him, too.

But apart from growing socially, musically the boys have shown growth from a boy band to a man band with the album.  "Fireproof" is a soft-rock tune that, according to Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone, can be compared to Fleetwood Mac's "Gypsy" with "Christine McVie-style keyboards."

"18" is my favorite track.  Co-written by Ed Sheeran, the song starts off with an acoustic, like most of the tunes Sheeran has written for the boys.  Then with the second chorus comes a wave of percussion and what could be a group of string instruments.

"Night Changes" was the second single released for the album.  The ballad's music video was directed by Ben Winston, who also directed the videos for "Story of My Life" and "Best Song Ever," their highest peaking song at number two on the Billboard charts.

[Source:  YouTube]

Listening to the whole album shines a light on the evident '70s and '80s rock-influenced tracks.  Out of 5 stars, I'll give the record 3 1/2.  They worked extremely hard on this album and it is clear in the lyrics and the compositions, but I still wish they had tracks like "Little Black Dress" and "Little White Lies" on this album.

Do They Know It's Christmas?

I wasn't going to talk about Band Aid 30's 2014 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" but it's number four on the iTunes charts so maybe I should.

Recorded earlier this week in Notting Hill, London, the purpose of the track is to help in battling the Ebola virus.  The song was originally written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 (hence why the current name is Band Aid 30 because it has been 30 years) to aid the famine in Ethiopia.

Several artists came together to record the song, including One Direction, Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith, Ed Sheeran, Olly Murs, Bono, Sam Smith, Rita Ora, Chris Martin, and Emeli Sande.

You can purchase the song on iTunes and all of the proceeds go to helping battle the virus.

Buy the song.  Stop the virus.

[Source:  YouTube]

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I was just on the Billboard website and watched the music video for Idina Menzel's and Michael Buble's "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and it is very adorable.

The video is two kids singing and dancing through a hotel lip-syncing to Menzel's and Buble's parts.  The two singers even make some appearances in the video.

The song is off Menzel's Christmas album, Holiday Wishes, which was released back in October.

Check out the video below.

[Source:  YouTube]

Illusion

One Direction's fourth album FOUR was released at 11 PM last night.  I don't know if I've ever said this, but I have to have the actual CD - I don't buy albums on iTunes.  I won't have the CD until Friday (don't worry, my mom already bought it), so to hold me over until then, I bought the deluxe tracks on iTunes last night.

They have had better deluxe tracks.

All of their deluxe albums thus far have had some of my favorite One Direction songs on them - "Nobody Compares," "Does He Know," etc...

My favorite album of theirs is Midnight Memories.  I loved the edge they had with that album, but they still had some stuff that sounded like a mature continuation of Take Me Home, like "Best Song Ever," and some stuff that sounded like current British folk rock, like "Through the Dark."  I'm hoping this album as a whole can live up to the edgy potential it should.

I have not listened to the songs yet because I'm waiting for Friday when I have the CD in my possession.  From what I have heard, though (ie "Steal My Girl," "Night Changes," and "Fireproof"), the album put together isn't bad.

"Illusion" on the deluxe version is my favorite deluxe track - I love it.  The opening measures sound like "Little White Lies" from their third album.  "Act My Age" is very fitting for the only Irishman in the group, Niall Horan, with the Irish kick to it.  The song doesn't have as quite an edgy sound as a Dropkick Murphys song, though.

"Change Your Ticket" sounds like a song by The Script.... or a very pop-y song by The 1975.  That one is my second favorite deluxe track.  And "Once in a Lifetime" reminds me something but I can't remember.  That one's my least favorite on the deluxe album, but I'll listen to it over and over anyway because I know every word to every single One Direction song and there's no way I'm stopping now.

I've been listening to the deluxe tracks since I started this post.  As I continue to listen, they're not terrible at all.  And from what I have heard from the album, I'm pretty excited to listen to the rest of it.  When there was just Up All Night out, I loved it.  Then when Take Me Home was released, that one became my favorite and then the same thing happened with Midnight Memories.  I just hope the same thing happens with FOUR.

Say You Love Me

After being nominated for a Mercury prize with Devotion, Jessie Ware's fans became so excited when news came out about a sophomore album. After two years, the wait was finally over with the release of Ware’s title track, “Tough Love,” in June. With its peak in the Top 40, the single gave clue to what would come with this collection of broken hearts and deep feelings.

The difference between her sophomore album and her debut is her improved maturity, vocal delivery, and poise, making this album one of the best out right now. Her songs, like her debut, convey feelings of sadness and broken hearts. Produced by Dave Okumu, BenZel, and James Ford, the album is the perfect mixture of Electronica and Pop.

[Source:  YouTube]

Co-writing every track, Jessie Ware found herself occasionally collaborating with some of the most well-known songwriters of today’s time. Fellow Brit Ed Sheeran assisted in writing ballad “Say You Love Me,” the second single from her album, released in September. The song presents her power-alto voice in the way it should be presented.

Regardless of how her songs were composed, what really matters is how Ware sounds. Her powerful and romantic voice makes each song worth listening to 10 times over. With the electronic sound not as profound as in her debut, her vocal delivery is more apparent, resulting in an album that should be put on repeat.

Shake It Off

There's a lot of talk recently about how Taylor Swift can potentially "save the music industry" with her new album, 1989, which is set to be released October 27, 2014.

The overall album sales volume, according to Nielsen Soundscan, is down 14.6%, and single sales are down 12.8%.  Ariana Grande, for example, was expected to have one of the biggest albums.  While the pop singer's album sold 169,000 copies in its first week, making it earn the No. 1 spot on the charts, the album quickly dropped sales.  This has nothing to do with Grande, it has to do with what poor shape the music industry is in right now.

But if the music industry is in such bad shape, what is it about Taylor Swift that could salvage the suffering business?

Ish Cuebas, vice president of music merchandising for Trans World Entertainment says, "She will be the big fish.  The overall release schedule this year has been weak compared to last year.  The big title last year for the fourth quarter was Eminem - Taylor will more than make up for Eminem."

The country-turned-pop singer has previously released four albums, three of which made it to the No. 1 spot on the charts.  Her 2008 album, Fearless, sold 6.8 million copies in the U.S., 2010's Speak Now sold 4.4 million copies in the U.S., and her 2012 album, Red, sold 4 million copies in the U.S.

If those sales continue with Taylor's new album, surely it will help the music industry, but will it be enough to "salvage" it?

Surely, the immediate success of her single "Shake It Off" makes her album look promising, but nowadays it's hard to base future album sales off of single sales.  Ariana Grande's singles "Problem" and "Break Free" from her album My Everything gave hope to her and her fans that her album would be a huge success.  Two months later, and her sales are at 300,000, with more than half being in the first week.

So it's hard to tell if Taylor Swift's album will be a taking off point for the industry again.  Her previous success could definitely point things in the right direction, but the industry will most likely make all of their money with the live performances of the biggest stars.

American Pie

There are several reasons why one would say the ‘50s era of rock and roll ended.  In 1959 Jerry Lee Lewis, as mentioned before, married his 13-year-old cousin, Little Richard retired to become a preacher in 1957, and Chuck Berry was arrested.  But one of the most significant days was February 3, 1959.  February 3, 1959 was the “Day the Music Died,” as put by Don McLean.

Rock and rollers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.  Buddy Holly, along with his new backing band, toured with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.  After a gig, the conditions on the tour bus were very poor, as the bus had no heat.  Holly decided to get a plane, where the Big Bopper took a place on the warm plane because of the flu, and Ritchie Valens won his seat on the plane by a coin toss against Tommy Allsup (a member of Holly’s backing band).  From inclement weather, the plane crashed and the three rock and rollers and the pilot were killed.

[Source:  YouTube]

In the song “American Pie” by Don McLean, he says, “But February made me shiver / With every paper I’d deliver / Bad news on the doorstep / I couldn’t take one more step,” and he continues with, “I can’t remember if I cried / When I read about his widowed bride / But something touched me deep inside / The day the music died.”  Anyone who was alive when this happened can agree that it was a tragic day, especially in rock and roll.  That was the day the music died.  The era of early rock and roll was officially over with the tragedy.  Three men who had brought nothing but happiness and identity to rock and roll and what rock and roll would later become.  They may not have been around long, but their presences contributed to what rock and roll is today.

And with this, the beginning era of rock and roll ended.  But rock and roll would continue with the teen idol in 1959 and then with the first wave of the British Invasion in 1964.

The Beatles photographed by Bob Bonis

The Rolling Stones photographed by Dezo Hoffmann

Peggy Sue

I have definitely talked about Buddy Holly before, but he was a pioneer of rock and roll, so I'll talk about him again.

Unfortunately, the “King of Rock and Roll” to me, did not last long enough in the music industry to obtain that title. Buddy Holly (despite dying so early into his life and career) did make a difference in the world of rock and roll. He wrote his own music and was the first to use advanced techniques in the studio. He, along with Berry, Lewis, and Domino, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

He learned how to play the guitar, piano, and the fiddle at a young age, and after high school, he formed the Western and Bop Band, a country group. Holly was soon signed by Decca and released singles with the band name, Buddy Holly and the Three Tunes. Then, in 1957, he got a new band that he called the Crickets. Their song “That’ll Be the Day” immediately got them a contract with Coral and Brunswick labels.

When he split from the band in 1958, he did some solo work, which is sometimes easy to distinguish from his work with the Crickets because his solo work sometimes involved an orchestra – the Crickets only used their instruments. His songs with the Crickets became Number Ones quickly because of their upbeat rock and roll sound.

[Source:  YouTube]

"Peggy Sue" was released in 1957 by Buddy Holly - The Crickets weren't acknowledged on the single.  Joe B. Mauldin and Jerry Allison, however, were known to be on the track.  Even though Buddy Holly had so many successful songs, people think this one is his best.  

Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

Here's to another rock and roll pioneer.  Jerry Lee Lewis was probably the first reckless rock and roller.  Inducted in 1986, he at that point had sold millions upon millions of singles and records.  Known for his scandalous lyrics, Lewis also developed a reputation after marrying his 13-year-old cousin in 1958.  That was the point where his career faltered a little bit.

But aside from his troubled past, Jerry Lee Lewis began loving music at a young age.  At eight he started to play the piano based on the music he heard around him.  Boogie-woogie, R&B and Delta blues were his influences in music.  In 1956, he traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to audition for Sun Records.  Rock and roll greats Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison were all a part of the record-breaking label.

[Source:  YouTube]

Lewis recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" with Sun Records in 1957.  The song was originally written by Dave "Curlee" Williams and James Faye "Roll" Hall.  The song was first recorded in 1955 by Big Maybelle for Okeh Records.  It was Lewis' idea to add the "boogie piano" with complements by J.M. Van Eaton playing the drums with a lot of energy.

Blue Monday

Also considered a pioneer of rock and roll music, Fats Domino, a native of New Orleans, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, as well. He played a huge role in the transition from R&B to rock and roll. In fact, Fats Domino sold more records than any rock artist from the ‘50s except Elvis Presley. He scored more hit records than Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly combined, and he made it on the Billboard charts over 100 times. He started playing in the New Orleans music scene in the mid-40s, and was signed by Dave Bartholomew in 1949 to Imperial Records.

[Source:  YouTube]

"Blue Monday" was not originally by Fats Domino.  The song was written by Bartholomew and was recorded in 1954 by Smiley Lewis, a New Orleans native like Domino.  Later versions of the song have credited both Bartholomew and Domino as co-writers, even though Fats had no part in the writing of the song.

Johnny B. Goode

Chuck Berry is considered to be one of the pioneers of rock and roll.  Berry, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, is described as being the “poet laureate” of rock and roll.  He was born out of R&B and country and gave it identity.  Basically, he refined rhythm and blues into the elements that made rock and roll one of individuality.

His perfectly matched lyrics and music helped shape rock and roll for decades, and his works have been covered by other great rock and roll artists such as Electric Light Orchestra, The Rolling Stones, and the Beatles.  His songs were aimed for teenagers, the intended targets of the rock and roll genre.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame states, “In all essential ways, he understood the power of rock and roll – how it worked, what it was about and who it was for.”

[Source:  YouTube]

"Johnny B. Goode" was released in early 1958 under the label of Chess, but was written by Chuck years earlier in 1955.  A recording of the song was on the Voyager Golden Record, a record that was placed on the Voyager spacecraft as a representation of rock and roll music.

Rock Around the Clock

Rock and Roll was a major turning point in the music industry. New artists like Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Gene Vincent helped pave the road to the biggest genre of music ever known to this point. The genre was created with influences of blues and country, along with technological advances such as the electric guitar, amplifier, microphone, and the 45 rpm record. This was also around the time the transistor radio was invented, and car radios became more popular, as well. This meant listening to music anywhere became a lot easier and more practical. It was also the first time teenagers could have music of their own, so rock and roll immediately became the coolest genre, thanks to the younger generation.

The year was 1955 when rock and roll really took off. “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets is said to be the starting point of rock and roll.

[Source:  YouTube]

With this post, the next few days will be all about the first pioneers of rock and roll, so all of the artists will be from 1955-1958.  Bill Haley & His Comets weren't really considered to be pioneers of rock music.  The hit song (which went on to be the theme song of the television show Happy Days) was more of a starting point for the new genre about to take over America.

Bang Bang

I think Jessie J has an absolutely incredible voice.  She, in my opinion, has one of the best voices in the industry right now.  But the only problem I have is I think she is so underrated.

A few months ago I talked about her live performance of her song "Who You Are" in a New York City subway station.  That's a difficult song to sing and she sounded flawless.

The most recent piece of evidence is the song "Bang Bang."  She sings the song with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.  While Ariana and Nicki sound good, I think Jessie sounds by far the best.

[Source:  YouTube]

Jessie J does not get the attention she should for that voice she has in her, yet Ariana Grande is the nation's pop princess.  I like Jessie J a lot more than I like Ariana.

Saturday Night

I saw the Eagles on September 13th at Madison Square Garden.  Words can't begin to describe how amazing it was.

They performed 27 songs, which is why they took a fifteen minute intermission halfway through the show.  The set list was as follows:

1. Saturday Night
2. Train Leaves Here This Morning (Dillard & Clark cover)
3. Peaceful Easy Feeling
4. Witchy Woman
5. Doolin'-Dalton
6. Tequila Sunrise
7. Doolin'-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
8. Already Gone
9. The Best of My Love
10. Lyin' Eyes
11. One of These Nights
12. Take It to the Limit
13. Pretty Maids All in a Row
14. I Can't Tell You Why
15. New Kid in Town
16. Love Will Keep Us Alive
17. Heartache Tonight
18. Those Shoes
19. In the City (Joe Walsh song)
20. Life's Been Good (Joe Walsh song)
21. The Long Run
22. Funk #49 (James Gang cover)
23. Life in the Fast Lane
24. Encore:  Hotel California
25. Encore 2:  Take It Easy
26. Encore 2:  Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh song)
27. Encore 2:  Desperado

For the most part, the whole show was done in chronological order, since the theme was, "History of the Eagles."  

"Desperado" was my favorite song of the night, but that may just be because it is my favorite song of all time.  I was really upset that they didn't play "Ol' 55," though.

They all sounded really fantastic especially for their ages.

It started out with just Henley and Frey sitting on stools.  It felt more like the Beacon Theatre than it did MSG - very intimate.

The group currently consists of Don Henley (drums, guitar, vocals), Glenn Frey (guitars, vocals, keyboard), Joe Walsh (guitars, vocals, keyboard), and Timothy B. Schmit (bass, vocals, acoustic guitar).

[My photo, please credit if used]

When researching the songs from the first few albums, you don't see much written by Don Henley (and only three by Glenn Frey) in their first album, Eagles.  But once their sophomore album Desperado came along, most of the songs were written with Henley and/or Frey.  There are also a few songs written by Jackson Browne.  The musician/singer-songwriter co-wrote songs "Doolin-Dalton," "James Dean," and "Take It Easy."

You never know who will just show up to a show at Madison Square Garden, so I was hoping Jackson Browne would have made an appearance.  My dreams didn't come true.

Live Like We're Dying

Everyone knows the song "Live Like We're Dying" by Kris Allen, the season eight winner of the singing competition American Idol.  Well I saw him live last week and got to meet him.  Pretty cool, I know.

The Arkansas-native performed songs off his recent album, Horizons, as well as his first single "Live Like We're Dying" and other songs of his, "Chandelier" by Sia, "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5, as well as a few other covers.

His new album is pretty good.  His sound is pretty similar to what it has always been, it just sounds a little more mature, but that's how most artists are.

My favorite song was probably "Better With You" from his 2012 album, Thank You Camellia.

Irreplaceable

I have been adjusting to school so I apologize I haven't been on much.

But I was thinking today about all of the great songs written by other big names.

1. "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home" written by Taylor Swift for Hannah Montana in Hannah Montana:  The Movie.  Readers are definitely navigating away from my page right now, so for those of you who were kind enough to stay I thank you for dealing with my childish tendencies.  This song is a catchy country tune that fit perfectly with the movie.
2. "Irreplaceable" was written by Ne-Yo for Beyoncé.  This is one of her biggest songs.  I actually remember hearing this song on the radio back in, like, 2006.  
3. "Just A Little Bit of Your Heart" written by Harry Styles for Ariana Grande.  Okay.  I love this song.  This song has gotten really mixed reviews from different music critics.  I read one in Rolling Stone that said how you can "basically hear Ariana roll her eyes as she sings it" and that it does not belong on this album.  I think Ariana sounds absolutely incredible singing this song.  Her voice sounds flawless with a ballad.
4. "F*** You" or "Forget You" was written by Bruno Mars for Cee Lo Green.  This song was HUGE.  Glee covered it, X Factor contestants covered it, Sleeping with Sirens covered it - the song was heard everywhere for months.  But, did you know that "F*** You" was the original title?  Most people are unaware of that.
5. "Party in the U.S.A." was written by Jessie J for Miley Cyrus.  I completely forgot that Jessie J wrote this song.  This song was huge because it was Miley's first (but small) step away from being Hannah Montana.  Everyone watched her performance of the song at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards with wide eyes as she pole danced on an ice cream cart.
6. "RESPECT" was written by Otis Redding... And was intended for himself!  Made famous by Aretha Franklin, the song was originally written by blues singer Otis Redding with intentions of recording the song himself.  Franklin's version, however, is where the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" bit originated from.

Anna Sun

"Anna Sun" by WALK THE MOON is probably one of my favorite songs at the moment, along with "Just A Little Bit of Your Heart" by Ariana Grande (I'll talk about her song another day).

Originating in Cincinatti, Ohio, this indie pop group supposedly got their name from "Walking on the Moon," a song by The Police.

The band consists of Nicholas Petricca (lead vocals, keys, synthesizer), Kevin Ray (bass, vocals), Sean Waugaman (drums, vocals), Eli Maiman (guitar, vocals).

While "Anna Sun" was originally released in their debut independent record, I Want!  I Want!, it was re-released on their self-titled record, Walk the Moon, through RCA.

Their sound reminds me of Hunter Hunted, one of the bands that opened for twenty one pilots back in April.  I just think WALK THE MOON is a little more advanced lyrically.

Be-Bop-A-Lula

Listen to this song and I guarantee you will immediately think of Elvis Presley.

Well, good job, you're wrong.

It's actually rock and roll and rockabilly group, Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps.  Gene Vincent (born Vincent Eugene Craddock) was in the U.S. Navy, hence the name "Blue Caps."

It has been said that the song was started in 1955 while Vincent was in the U.S. Navy hospital due to a motorcycle accident.  The song was released in 1956 and peaked at number seven on the Billboard pop chart.

The song went on to be covered by artists such as David Cassidy and Queen.

[Source:  YouTube]

Puttin' on the Ritz

One of my favorite scenes in movie history would have to be in the 1974 hit Young Frankenstein when Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and "The Creature" (Peter Boyle) perform "Puttin' on the Ritz."

The scene is comical and seems to lighten up your mood.

[Source:  YouTube]

Bohemian Rhapsody

I am really surprised I have neglected to post about this song.  This is, hands down, one of the best songs ever.

The whole five minutes and 55 seconds was written by Freddie Mercury for their 1975 album A Night at the Opera.  While the song held the number-one spot for weeks in the UK, the song would make more appearances in that same position in 1991 immediately following Mercury's death.

It's hard to figure out the best parts of the song.  The harmonies?  The story?  The composition?

"I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all."

"I'm just a poor boy."

"Nobody loves me."

"Nothing really matters."

Nothing really matters.  I mean, the song is pretty depressing when you listen to it.

"Mama, ooh / Didn't mean to make you cry / If I'm not back again this time tomorrow / Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters."

Nothing really matters.  Continue life as you normally would.  Don't let this get in the way of you living your life.  Nothing matters - I don't matter.

You can also interpret this song as being the story of Mercury's life according to himself.  He supposedly felt he wasn't special and that he didn't matter.  But I don't know if that's true.

[Source:  YouTube]

All About You

So, Hilary Duff is back in the music game.  It's been seven years, which means she is seven years older, now 26.  Her new music says otherwise, though.

I loved Hilary Duff.  I grew up in love with her Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire, so I also listened to her music, especially that from her 2003 album, Metamorphosis.  But, I feel your music should grow with you.  We see it all the time with artists.  Miley Cyrus, for example, has matured her sound so much.  Her life changed and so did what she produced in the studio.

Unfortunately with Hilary, her music still sounds like she's seventeen.  I think her comeback single "Chasing the Sun" was missing what we all expected.  When you go for comeback, you need to do something bigger and better than you ever did before - that's how your followers come back.

"Chasing the Sun" is basically that song you skip over on every album.

"All About You," however, was just released today (fourteen days after "Chasing the Sun") and is better.  I think this one should have been released as the "comeback."

My only issue, though, is that the lyrics are indeed good, but I don't want to hear them from a 26-year-old mother.  While this matter would not prevent me from purchasing the single, I just think it's kind of an inappropriate song for her to sing.

I think it's pretty good song, though.  Have a listen.

[Source:  YouTube]

Run Joey Run

I was just listening to the Glee version of this 1975 song by David Geddes.  It's such a deep and depressing song.

The song is about a girl, Julie, who becomes pregnant with her boyfriend's (Joey) baby.  She tells her father but and explains "Daddy please don't / It wasn't his fault / He means so much to me / Daddy please don't / We're gonna get married / Just you wait and see," which is sung at the beginning and middle of the song.

Joey starts singing, saying that the events that occurred that day still haunt him when he tries to sleep at night.  The night of the incident, Julie called and said, "'Joe, don't come over / My Dad and I just had a fight / And he stormed out the door! / I've never seen him act this way, / My God, he's goin' crazy / He said he's gonna make you pay / For what we done - he's got a gun! / So run, Joey run, Joey run!'"

He got in his car and drove to her house.  He saw Julie with bruises on her face and then her father sneaks up behind.  Julie yells, "Watch out!" and she steps in front of him, taking the bullet.

Julie, lying there, says, "Daddy please don't / It wasn't his fault / He means so much to me / Daddy please don't / We're gonna get married."  She never gets a chance to say the final five words.

[Source: YouTube]

Better Than Words

I have been a fan of One Direction for two and a half years and was never able to get a hold of tickets for any concert.  But that finally changed when tickets for their Where We Are Tour went on sale back in December.  After losing so many sets of tickets, my dad was finally able to get four tickets to see One Direction at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Now, I'm not used to nose bleed seats.  Every concert I have ever been to I have been close.  For example, I was fourth row to see Bryan Adams, 15 feet from Justin Bieber, and 20 feet from the Jonas Brothers.  I guess you could say my dad spoils me.

That was unfortunately not the case last night.  We were section 335, row 24 - there were 26 rows in section 335.

But that didn't stop me from going crazy.

5 Seconds of Summer opened for the boys and they were great.  They also went on at like 7:00 on the dot.

1. Eighteen
2. Heartbreak Girl
3. Don't Stop
4. Teenage Dream (Katy Perry cover)
5. Amnesia
6. Beside You
7. What I Like About You (Romantics cover)
8. Good Girls
9. She Looks So Perfect

I actually lost my voice before One Direction even went on stage from screaming so much during 5SOS' performance.

 Calum

Ashton

Ashton talking...to me

I also spent $75 on merchandise.  I bought a 5 Seconds of Summer shirt and a One Direction tour shirt.

 Front

Back

Okay, Harry looks absolutely fabulous in the big picture on the shirt... not that he ever looks bad, because he doesn't.  I'm just saying.

And now for the main event.

One Direction was, like their song, "Better Than Words."

Now, you're going to think I'm insane because there is no way you already thought that of me.  When One Direction came out at the beginning of the show, when I saw Harry, my legs started shaking, I started crying, and I was hyperventilating.  It got to the point where my friend kept asking if I was okay.

They performed nineteen songs:

1. Midnight Memories (Midnight Memories)
2. Little Black Dress (Midnight Memories)
3. Kiss You (Take Me Home)
4. Why Don't We Go There? (Midnight Memories)
5. Rock Me (Take Me Home)
6. Don't Forget Where You Belong (Midnight Memories)
7. Live While We're Young (Take Me Home)
8. C'mon, C'mon (Take Me Home)
9. Right Now (Midnight Memories)
10. Through the Dark (Midnight Memories)
11. Happily (Midnight Memories)
12. Little Things (Take Me Home)
13. Moments (Up All Night)
14. Strong (Midnight Memories)
15. Better Than Words (Midnight Memories)
16. Alive (Midnight Memories)
17. One Thing (Up All Night)
18. Diana (Midnight Memories)
19. What Makes You Beautiful (Up All Night)

And four encore:

1. You & I (Midnight Memories)
2. Story of My Life (Midnight Memories)
3. Little White Lies (Midnight Memories)
4. Best Song Ever (Midnight Memories)

Harry does this thing at the beginning of "Better Than Words" where he flicks his head back and spits water into the air.  I DIDN'T GET IT ON VIDEO so here's one from YouTube:

All five of them sounded perfect.  You would expect me to say that because I am a huge fan, but I really mean it.  Liam and Zayn had beautiful harmonies during "Moments," too.

Here are some of my pictures.  Videos may be posted on a later date, they just take forever to upload onto Blogger.

 Harry

 Louis

 Niall

 Liam

 Niall and Louis

 Harry

 Louis

 Harry, Niall, Louis

 Niall and Harry

 Harry

Zayn

Start Me Up

I just got home from a vacation to Key West and Miami, Florida.  Even though I live at the Jersey Shore, it was nice to get away to different beaches and see some new and beautiful scenery.

I got to Key West last Monday and drove up to Miami on Thursday.  On Tuesday (while in Key West), we walked around town and went into some of the stores.  I went into a pop culture store with a ton of rare photographs of (and just to name a few) Elvis, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.

While speaking to one of the managers, he said that the store owns the negatives to those never-before-seen pictures.  You were able to purchase any picture you wanted, but, for a very high price.  I'd be willing to pay the price for some of those photos.

Anyway, back to the purpose of my story.  So when you walk into this store, the first thing you see is a ginormous (and when I say ginormous I'm talking like 5'x5') picture of The Rolling Stones in New York City before their Ed Sullivan Show debut on October 25, 1964.  It was just the five lads standing in Times Square, which sounds like a normal picture, but it wasn't.  The other pictures in the store (The Rollings Stones especially) were amazing as well.  But this store started my fascination with The Stones.

So then in Miami we did the same thing one day - we walked around and visited some stores.  There was an Effusion Gallery and I went in looking for a nice piece of art for my room and came across this picture of Mick Jagger, one of the coolest guys ever:

Last night, the restaurant we went to (The Betsy Hotel) had incredible pictures hanging in the halls.  For purchase, they had available a number of pictures of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and books called The Lost  Rolling Stones Photographs and The Lost Beatles Photographs.  Both books consist of pictures taken by Bob Bonis, a tour manager for both bands.  Bob's son has given these photos for us to see, and they are some of the best photographs I have ever seen.  All credit goes to the current owner(s) of these photos.

After viewing all of the different pictures of this band, I have developed a huge appreciation for them.  I liked The Stones before, but now I'm a fan.

Tomorrow Never Dies

I am finally going to talk about the much anticipated album entitled 5 Seconds of Summer.

I bought 5 Seconds of Summer's debut album at Target so it came with four exclusive tracks and had a special cover.

The colors available for the Target version are blue, yellow, red, and white

The track listing is as follows:

1. She Looks So Perfect
2. Don't Stop
3. Good Girls
4. Kiss Me Kiss Me
5. 18
6. Everything I Didn't Say
7. Beside You
8. End Up Here
9. Long Way Home
10. Heartbreak Girl
11. Mrs All American
12. Amnesia
13. Tomorrow Never Dies *
14. Independence Day *
15. Close As Strangers *
16. Out of My Limit *
17. Social Casualty **
18. Never Be **
19. Voodoo Doll **
20. Greenlight ***

* Target Exclusive

** Deluxe Edition (available both in stores and online)

*** iTunes Deluxe Edition Bonus Track

It appears that the lads have been busy in the studio with twenty tracks!  If you purchase the album in the UK, "English Love Affair" replaces "Mrs All American," and if you purchase the album in Australia, "Lost Boy" replaces "Mrs All American."

If you purchase the deluxe album in Australia, the extra songs are "English Love Affair," "Social Casualty," "Never Be," and "Voodoo Doll."

If you live in Japan and purchase this album, the Japanese edition bonus tracks are "Heartache On the Big Screen," "The Only Reason," "What I Like About You," "Rejects," "Try Hard," "Social Casualty," "Never Be," and "Voodoo Doll."

I think, overall, the album is very strong.  I have found myself listening to and liking every track.  The only other artist I actually like every single track on the album is One Direction.

5SOS is classified on iTunes as pop, but with piercings, tattoos, edgy style and punk tendencies with a heavy guitar and strong beats on the drums, I kind of classify them as pop punk.  But just when I think one song is pop punk, I listen to a song like "Amnesia" and lean more towards pop.  Most people would say, "Pick a genre."  I don't think they need to.  This album shows that this group can sound pop, alternative, and a little rock, all while never losing the identity they have built for themselves these past few years as a band.

I'm really impressed with this record.  I love how the boys were involved in the writing of every song because each song is personal and you know it was written for the fans and not just for a spot on the charts.

Do You Want to Build a Boy Band?

I have my internet back!!  WOOHOO!!!

So, my friend Amelia from Twitter showed me a video a friend of hers showed her.  Let me just say that I fell in love... with a Disney prince (Prince Eric to be exact).

The boy band IM5 and singer Todrick Hall (you may know him from American Idol) created these "Disney Dudez" videos.  Each member of IM5 portrays a Disney prince, while Todrick Hall plays Mickey.

In the first video, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Mulan, and Jasmine break-up with their princes.  Mickey the Janitor walks in and tells them, "Hey, why not form a boy band?"  Each song they sing is to a hit like "ABC" by Jackson 5 and "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction.

[Source:  YouTube]

In video two, Prince Charming leaves the Disney Dudez.  I would take that as the actual boy left the actual band IM5.  Because he leaves, they hold auditions for a new member (this video's my favorite).

[Source:  YouTube]

In the third video, fame has gone to the heads of the princes and their girls are not happy.  The Disney Dudez need to get their acts together.

[Source:  YouTube]

Anyway, I think these videos are so clever and the boys sound amazing together.  

You can purchase the songs "Disney Dudez 2" and "Disney Dudez 3" on iTunes, as well as IM5's new song "Heartless."  Todrick is currently on a nationwide tour and you can purchase his songs on iTunes, too.  Check out Todrick on Twitter here and IM5 on Twitter here.

End Up Here

My blog, recently, has been nothing short of a 5 Seconds of Summer tribute.  My apologies.  And while I'll probably post about their new album tomorrow, I couldn't help but post about them today. I just received the new issue of Rolling Stone and am a little upset by the review of their debut record.

To start, the title of the short article was, "An Australian Boy Band in Punk Clothing."  They are not a boy band.  A "boy band" is a group of guys who just sing, look adorable, and occasionally write songs.  One Direction, while my love for them will never die, is a boy band.  5 Seconds of Summer is a band.  Band.  Every track, with the exception of "Amnesia" which was written FOR the band by Benji and Joel Madden, was written by at least one band member, most songs written by two members.  They also all play an instrument.  Luke Hemmings and Michael Clifford play guitar, Calum Hood plays bass, and Ashton Irwin plays the drums.  That, my friend, is what a band is.  Caryn Ganz (the writer of this review), are The Beatles a boy band, too?

In the review Ganz states, "...which starts with 'She Looks So Perfect' and proceeds through 11 more übertame pop-punk songs about love and heartbreak that wish they were as great (power ballad 'Beside You' comes closest)."  I, to be completely honest, think a lot of the songs are a lot better than "She Looks So Perfect," being as though it was already a title track on their previous US release with the same name.

As far as rating is concerned, she gave this record three stars.  No, that's not a terrible rating, but I think the boys deserve a little bit more.

I'm not personally attacking her.  She is a critic and is 100% entitled to her own opinion.  I just feel she did it without really knowing anything about the band.

Oh, and they are a completely different label than 1D.  Just so you know.