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.

Sirens

Cher Lloyd's first single off her upcoming album Sorry I'm Late is definitely worth the long wait.  It's such an addicting song.

The song was released on iTunes not too long ago and is a little different from what we're used to getting from her.  Her songs usually contain rap but this one doesn't at all.  It's actually a beautiful song and she sounds amazing as well...as usual.

[Source:  YouTube]

Small Bump

I am going to be doing a one week series on my favorite songwriters of all time.

Day One:  Ed Sheeran

I think Ed Sheeran is the most talented songwriter of today's music.  First off, he's written some of the biggest songs of today's era including One Direction's "Little Things" which was in the top 10 in 2012 when it was released.

Secondly, he hints in his lyrics, rather than tells.  In "Wake Me Up" on his album + has the line, "See I could do without a tan / On my left hand / Where my fourth finger meets my knuckle."  He's talking about a wedding ring.  A WEDDING RING!!!

In the same song, he has the part that says, "So I'll take you to the beach / And walk along the sand / And I'll make you a heart pendant / With a pebble held in my hand / And I'll carve it like a necklace / So the heart falls where your chest is / And now a piece of me is a piece of the beach / And it falls just where it needs to be / And rests peacefully / So you just need to breathe / To feel my heart against yours now, against yours now."  It's really such a simple action that he is speaking about.  Going to the beach and making a necklace out of a pebble.  But the way he words it, and the way he sings it, makes it sound that much more...perfect.  There really is no other word to describe it.

He has another song that brings tears every time I hear it, and it's called "Small Bump."  It starts with lyrics such as "You're just a small bump unborn, in four months you're brought to life / You might be left with my hair, but you'll have your mother's eyes" which is pretty comical because I think he's putting down his red hair, but I am unsure about that.

The chorus says, "'Cause you are my one and only / You can wrap your fingers round my thumb and hold me tight / You are my one and only / You can wrap your fingers round my thumb and hold me tight / And you'll be alright," which is a beautiful way of saying how much he will love them.

"'Cause you were just a small bump unborn for four months then torn from life / Maybe you were needed up there but we're still unaware as why."

And just like that, the baby's gone.  Two lines is all it took for the listener to become completely lost in a state of sadness.  Who knew two lines could be so powerful?  That's Mr. Ed Sheeran for you.

Who You Are

Jessie J has a magnificent voice.  In every song of hers, she presents her voice in a remarkable and unforgettable way.

Well, I love her song "Who You Are" which is all about never losing who you truly are and that no one is perfect.  The song is so beautiful and occasionally makes me tear up.  To me, this song is one of the greatest examples of why she is an incredible singer and songwriter.

I was watching one video that my friend showed me where she is singing this song in a subway station in Times Square, New York City.  I want you to remember that she is singing this LIVE.  It's fantastic.

[Source:  YouTube]

Oath

Well, it is official.  English singer Cher Lloyd married longtime beau Craig Monk on the 18th.

You all know I am a huge fan of the pop star so I am so happy for her and her new husband.  She may only be 20-years-old, but he star has already accomplished so much with her career with number-one singles, top twenty album in five countries, and a sophomore album on the way, Cher has done more than the average 20-something.

Want U Back

With Ur Love

Oath

I Wish

Story of My Life

So I had a different post in mind for today, but after watching the new One Direction video, I felt it necessary to speak of that.

The song is called "Story of My Life" and is off their third and upcoming album Midnight Memories.  The song is amazing, but the music video makes it incredible.

The boys each recreate a favorite picture of theirs, but it is so touching to the point where I actually cried.  Did I overreact?  Probably, but watch the video for yourself and see what happens.

It was directed by Ben Winston, the guy who does all of One Direction's music videos, so he must be a pretty fantastic dude.  Just sayin'.  Well, here it is:

[Source:  YouTube]

Take Me Home

Directioners are said to be psychotic fans who sit on tumblr all day and all night writing fan-fiction and reblogging pictures of the five Brits. It's all accurate. I am, and I will probably lose some viewers for this, a hardcore Directioner. I spend my time constantly tweeting to Harry, Louis, Zayn, Liam, and Niall while waiting for them to acknowledge my existence. Starting weeks ago, I made sure my mom knew exactly which album to get me and I chose the standard album because I love the cover. The band's sophomore album has the same sound as their first release, Up All Night, although the lyrics sound a little more mature. In other words, some parts of some of the songs are naughty and to be honest, I'm not really complaining. The album contains singles "Live While We're Young" and "Little Things" and their next single "Kiss You". The standard CD contains 13 tracks, the deluxe 17, and the Target exclusive 18. You probably think I am saying this album is great because I love One Direction, but I wouldn't tell you it's amazing if I didn't think so. Loving them doesn't mean the album has to be good, but this release really is.

Annie Mac Presents 2012

I have an intense love for London.  I will admit that I am obsessed with British singers/bands, movies, and TV shows.  One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Little Mix, and Nick Grimshaw all hold places in my life.  BBC Radio 1 DJ, Annie Mac, is the most recent person added to my list.  Annie Mac is an Irish DJ who hosts a radio show on BBC Radio 1 in the UK every Friday and Sunday evening.  Every year since 2008, Annie Mac has released an album including all of her favorite tracks from that year.  The release contains two CDs which include club hits and radio hits with artists like Steve Aoki, Knife Party, Florence and the Machine, Drake, and Frank Ocean.  Although I haven't had a chance to purchase the album quite yet, (I absolutely plan to) I have listened to some of the songs on YouTube and I think these CDs were very well put together.  If you would like to purchase this album - it is available worldwide - you can go to anniemacpresents.com.