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.

Amnesia

I decided to do a countdown entitled "Favorites A to Z."  These are my favorite songs.

Amnesia - 5 Seconds of Summer

Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt

Chocolate - The 1975

Desperado - Eagles

Everything About You - One Direction

Faithfully - Journey

Guns For Hands - twenty one pilots

Happily - One Direction

In The Stars - Icona Pop

Jungleland - Bruce Springsteen

Kiss Me Kiss Me - 5 Seconds of Summer

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

My Darlin' - Miley Cyrus

Nintendo - Todd Carey

Ol' 55 - Eagles

Paradise By The Dashboard Lights - Meatloaf

The Queen - Lady Gaga

Robot - Miley Cyrus

Stole My Heart - One Direction

Towers - Little Mix

Undercover Martyn - Two Door Cinema Club

Valentine - Nils Lofgren

We Belong to the Night - Ellen Foley

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Bob Dylan

Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie

Wrecking Ball (Afrojack Remix)

I was on SoundCloud and stumbled upon Afrojack's remix of Miley Cyrus 2013 hit single "Wrecking Ball."  What I love most about the mix is the first minute and 30 seconds.

[Source:  YouTube]

If I ever went on a headlining arena tour, I would definitely want that first part to be the opening before I hit the stage with my first song.

Oh, the things I dream of.

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

This song by Bob Dylan was released on his 15th (yes, 15th) studio album Blood on the Tracks in 1975.

Surprisingly, I had never heard this song until last week when I went to the Miley concert, but I love it.  She first cover the song on the Bob Dylan tribute album Chimes of Freedom which was released in January 2012.

The album is four discs with a total of 73 tracks.  Singers, musicians, and bands on the album include, but are not limited to:  Johnny Cash, The Avett Brothers, Patti Smith, Pete Townshend, Ziggy Marley, Sting, The Gaslight Anthem, Lenny Kravitz, Miley Cyrus, Elvis Costello, Natasha Bedingfield, Jackson Browne, Jack's Mannequin, Adele, Carly Simon, Bad Religion, My Chemical Romance, RedOne, Nils Lofgren, Darren Criss, Sinéad O'Connor, Kesha, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews Band, and of course Bob Dylan.

The album was for charity with the proceeds going to the organization Amnesty International.  The record debuted in the United States at number 11 with 22,000 copies, while the 2-CD Starbucks version debuted at 38 with more than 10,200 copies sold.

[Source:  Google]

#GETITRIGHT

Yesterday was the Miley concert, which is why I didn't make it on here last night.  One word to describe it:  AMAZING!!!!

I saw the show at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ.  Was it inappropriate?  A tad, yes.  The "F" word was said/sung several times, but the words are also in her songs so I went to the concert expecting that, but I also don't really care - I love her regardless of whether she says words like that or not.

She seemed a lot better than she did at her Boston show the previous night.  For those who are unaware, her dog Floyd died and she was devastated, as most people are when their pet dies.  But she put on a smile and still had an incredible show and thanked us all for being there for her.

Here was the set-list:

1. SMS (Bangerz)
2. 4x4
3. Love Money Party
4. My Darlin'
5. Maybe You're Right
6. FU
7. Do My Thang
8. #GETITRIGHT
9. Can't Be Tamed
10. Adore You
11. Drive
12. Rooting For My Baby
13. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go (Bob Dylan cover)
14. Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Rey cover)
15. Jolene (Dolly Parton cover)
16. 23
17. On My Own
18. Someone Else

Encore:

1. We Can't Stop
2. Wrecking Ball

Encore 2:

1. Party in the U.S.A.

Here are some pictures from the concert:

Icona Pop

 We Can't Stop

Wrecking Ball

Party in the U.S.A.

Party in the U.S.A.

Party in the U.S.A.

Party in the U.S.A.

I wanted to upload the videos I took of "Summertime Sadness," "23," and "Wrecking Ball," but the videos were taking an extremely long time to upload so I'll post them on a later date, maybe one a day.

Images

It's easy to believe that people create images of themselves based on their physical appearance.  Do singers create an image by the songs they perform?  They do in fact build images by how they appear in videos and on stage, but the songs themselves - are they a factor?

I'll start with Miley Cyrus.  She has created the image of being rebellious and daring by defying previously molded behavior that was sculpted by no, not her, but us.  She was a "Disney" star, and while I love Disney and absolutely everything they offer, Miley knew that the only way she could break away from what made her famous (Hannah Montana) was to be everything they didn't want her to be.  "We Can't Stop" is a badass song.  The lyrics are scandalous and the video is even worse, but it's still a good and popular song.  But take away the physical aspects of everything and just listen to it.  It's still scandalous, right?  And the way the song sounds molds an image of what Miley should look like based solely on how the song was written. 

Now I'll talk about One Direction.  They always sing about girls and falling in love and falling out of love.  "What Makes You Beautiful" is the perfect example of being in love with a girl.  He throughout the song tells her that she lights up his life and how flipping her hair makes him overwhelmed.  Does the song make them look like romantics and great to go out with?  It sure sounds like it, right?  The mushy lyrics develop an image for the boys that they are sweet teenagers, and that is the image they created for themselves.

Love Money Party

I finally picked up a copy of Miley's Bangerz and it's...interesting.

Don't get me wrong, Miley is extremely talented and she really showed it in her cover of Lana Del Rey's "Summertime Sadness," but I was not expecting this, even with previously hearing "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball."

"Wrecking Ball" sounds very much like Cyrus's prior songs from Breakout and Can't Be Tamed.  "We Can't Stop" I just thought was a get-it-out-of-my-system song.  "Can't Be Tamed" was seen as a scandalous song with the lyrics and music video, so it really isn't like we haven't seen this from her before.  People need to get over themselves and let her be who she wants.

"Adore You" is a really good pop tune on the record.  It's the first track and I think it was a good choice for number one.  And besides the tunes, there are several guests on the album!  Britney Spears, Nelly, Future, Big Sean, and French Montana are all included.

It's not that I don't like the album, it is just different from what I am used to listening to from her.  I am sure that once I listen to it a few times the songs will grow on me and I will be prepared for her concert in April!!  Still love and support you, Miley!

Summertime Sadness

The lyrics to "We Can't Stop" and the title Bangerz for her album have made Miley Cyrus one of the most well-known names in the music biz.  Despite her recent decisions (which have been viewed as "trashy" by some) I love her.  She has an incredible amount of talent and is perfect in so many ways.

I also love BBC Radio 1, the radio station in the UK. Well, Miss Cyrus was there the other day and did a cover in the Live Lounge of Lana Del Rey's "Summertime Sadness."  I have nothing to say except it was incredible.  Lana has such a distinct voice that I have felt no one can really mimic, but Miley does it beautifully.  Here it is:

[Source:  YouTube]

I am also blown away by how well she sings this live.  I sing Del Rey songs around the house and I always have a hard time.  I saw her in concert in 2009 for her Wonder World Tour and she was flawless then and continues to be flawless now.

She gets a lot of crap from so many people, but my cousins and I will always be true Smilers...forever!  Love you, Miley xx <3

Wrecking Ball

I have been a fan of Miley Cyrus since her Hannah Montana days.  It is upsetting to see everything she has recently done, but that will not stop me from buying her new album Bangerz or from even talking about her on my blog.

She has had several music videos in the previous years.  In honor of Miley Cyrus and her, as some would say, "better days," here are her music videos.

We Can't Stop - 2013

Wrecking Ball - 2013

Who Owns My Heart - 2010

Can't Be Tamed - 2010

Party In The U.S.A. - 2009

When I Look At You - 2009

The Climb - 2009

7 Things - 2008

Fly on the Wall - 2008

Start All Over - 2007

Barracuda

I have our organ called the heart on my mind so I thought it would be appropriate to create a playlist all about hearts!

1. Heartbeat - Buddy Holly
2. Give One Heart - Linda Ronstadt
3. You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins
4. Heart of Glass - Blondie
5. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
6. Young at Heart - Frank Sinatra
7. Listen to Your Heart - Roxette
8. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
9. Heart Attack - One Direction
10. Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
11. Straight From the Heart - Bryan Adams
12. Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee
13. Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
14. Listen to Her Heart - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
15. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
16. When the Heartache is Over - Tina Turner
17. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Bealtes
18. Heartbreak Beat - The Psychedelic Furs
19. Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri
20. Heart Out - The 1975
21. Who Owns My Heart - Miley Cyrus
22. Heartland - U2
23. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart - Bee Gees
24. Change of Heart - Cyndi Lauper
25. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley

Now that you have read over my playlist, do you have any idea why the title for this post is "Barracuda?"  Tweet me your answer @jordanblogger

Concerts

I love going to a concert.  I really only enjoy myself, though, if I actually like the singer/band.  You're probably thinking, why would she go to a concert she didn't want to go to? and you're right.  Why would I go to a concert I had absolutely no interest in going to?  There is actually quite a simple answer, though.  A concert, to me, is a concert.  I would never go to a concert for a band I have never heard of, but if I like a couple of songs and the tickets are cheap, why not go?

I'm only 17-years-old, but I have been to my fair share of concerts.  Not necessarily as many as some of my peers have, but I'm proud of my number:

1.  Bon Jovi - My very first concert and it was at Giants' Stadium.

2.  The Police - It was on Halloween at MSG and the three band members were all dressed up for the holiday.

3.  Bruce Springsteen - Izod Center

4.  Bryan Adams - We were four rows from the stage at the PNC Bank Arts center.  George Thorogood was the opening act.

5.  Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band - 2008 at the PNC Bank Arts Center.  Edgar Winter, Billy Squier, and Colin Hay were among the All-Starrs.

6.  Jonas Brothers - I have seen them twice.  Once in 2008 at MSG and the second time at the Izod Center and I was five rows from the stage. 

7.  Miley Cyrus - Saw her in 2009 at the Prudential Center.  The opening act was Metro Station. 

8.  Justin Bieber - 2010 at the Prudential Center and Sean Kingston and Jaden Smith were there as well. 

9.  Cher Lloyd - My school won a concert from her and I got to the venue so early with my friend, we got to be front row!

10.  Amy Grant - I saw her at the Beacon Theatre with my youth group at church during our 30-Hour Famine.

We Can't Stop

I have been a fan of Miley's ever since Hannah Montana started.  When she released this song, I at first was a little disappointed, but as I kept on listening to it, it began to grow on me and now I really like it.
I have been hearing a lot of complaints about how she's "not being a good role model for her younger fans" and it is getting on my nerves.  These are the reasons why I would never want to be on Disney - you can never grow up.  She is 19-years-old so she should be able to sing about whatever she wants.  That's just my own opinion, though.
The music video for "We Can't Stop" was released today so I thought I'd give it to you.

Happiness

So I've been sitting here trying to think of something decent to blog about but I can't think of anything worth while so I just put together a small list of songs that make me happy :)

Vacation - The Go-Go's

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

Ready or Not - Bridgit Mendler

I Want Crazy - Hunter Hayes

Boys In the Summer - Jessie James

Oath (feat. Becky G.) - Cher Lloyd

Wings - Little Mix

Breakout - Miley Cyrus

Everyday - Buddy Holly & the Crickets

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.

Covers

Singers commonly make covers of songs they love.  Here are a couple of examples:

1. One Direction - One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks) - One Direction covers Blondie's "One Way Or Another" and The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks" for a charity single.
2. Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright covers Leonard Cohen.
3. Dixie Chicks - Landslide - The Dixie Chicks cover Fleetwood Mac.
4. Seth Avett - Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels) - Seth Avett covers Jim Croce.
5. Miley Cyrus - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Miley Cyrus covers Cyndi Lauper.
6. Glee - Shake It Out - Glee covers Florence and the Machine.
7. Linda Ronstadt - Desperado - Linda Ronstadt covers The Eagles.

Who Owns My Heart

A song off of Miley Cyrus' album "Can't Be Tamed".