Music Monday -- 1999

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1999

Book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Music Selections: Overall this year was really electic when it came to music.  I went to see Korn and Rob Zombie in concert, but I also listened to stuff like Sarah McLachlan.  I was all over the place musically!

1. Dixie Chicks "Ready to Run" -- Most country I don't like, but for some reason I really got into the Dixie Chicks.  I still listen to them every once in a while.
2. Lenny Kravitz "American Woman" -- I can't help but see Heather Graham as Felicity Shagwell writhing around on a car for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.  Hee hee!
3. Sarah McLachlan "I Will Remember You" -- Such a great song.  I can't help but remember listening to this all the time.
4. Santana and Rob Thomas "Smooth" -- Big hit of the summer.  The perfect summer song to sing along to.
5. The Offspring "The Kids aren't Alright" -- Love The Offspring.  Smash was one permanent rotation in my car throughout most of the year.  And then Americana was released and I had a whole new batch of songs.  Including this amazing anthem.  There's one particular reference in here that reminds me of one of my ex-boyfriends.

Music Monday -- 1982

Happy Birthday to Me Edition!

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1982 (It's my birth year!)

Book: TBD

Music Selections:

1. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts "I Love Rock n Roll" -- Has always been a favorite of mine and one of my go-to karaoke songs.
2. The Human League "Don't You Want Me" -- So incredibly 80s...  Everytime I hear this song, I go back to scenes of me dancing around the living room with pom poms or a fairy wand or something similar.
3. John Cougar Melloncamp "Jack and Diane" -- I don't care what he says his name is now to me it will always be John Cougar.  And this one was one I remember hearing all the time as a child.
4. The Clash "Should I Stay" -- Such a classic song.  And bonus points: the boys love The Clash.
5. Modern English "I Melt with You" -- About a couple making love while nuclear bombs fall.  Creepy, but I somehow always loved this song.

Music Monday -- 2007

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2007

Book: Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster

Music Selections:

1. The White Stripes "Icky Thump"
2. Amy Winehouse "Rehab"
3. Maroon 5 "Makes Me Wonder"
4. Paramore "Misery Business"

Music Monday -- New Music

As part of my Day Zero Project, I am finding some new music.  Specifally I want to find a great new-to-me band for each letter of the alphabet.  Today, I have few songs to share. 

Music Selections: This week's new-to-me selections all come from listening to Alt Nation on satellite radio.  J has it in his car, so we always get to listen to great music.  Unfortunately I have to make due with the local channels.  It's funny that all of these songs are ones I've been listening to for months on Alt Nation and they are finally getting some air play on the Omaha channels.  At any rate they are completely stuck in my head...

Gotye "Somebody That I Used to Know"

Neon Trees "Everybody Talks"

Young the Giant "Cough Syrup"

AWOLNATION "Not Your Fault"

Ellie Goulding "Lights"

Complete A to Z list (so far):

• A - Awolnation "Not Your Fault"
• B -
• C -
• D -
• E - Ellie Goulding "Lights"
• F -
• G - Gotye "Somebody That I Used to Know"
• H -
• I -
• J -
• K -
• L -
• M -
• N - Neon Trees "Everybody Talks"
• O -
• P -
• Q -
• R -
• S -
• T -
• U -
• V -
• W -
• X -
• Y -  Young the Giant "Cough Syrup"
• Z -

Music Monday -- 2008

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2008

Book: Hatter M Volume 1

Music Selections:

1. Coldplay "Viva La Vida" -- The boys and I sang this song all summer.  It's still on my iPod shuffle.
2. Estelle and Kanye West "American Boy" -- There's something about this song that makes me want to get up and dance.  Every time!
3. Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire" -- The song has such atmosphere. And this music video is just hot. I dare you to watch.
4. John Mayer "Gravity" -- He might be an ass in his personal life, but John Mayer's music gets me every time.  I especially love this one.

Music Monday -- 1991

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1991

Book: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

Music Selections:

1. Amy Grant "Baby Baby" -- I'll admit it, my very first concert was Amy Grant and I was ecstatic.  I remember that I got tickets for my birthday (probably 1993ish).  I was super excited when she sang this song.  It takes me back...
2. C+C Music Factory "Gonna Make You Sweat" -- I was 9 in 1991.  This song was cool to a typical 9-year-old.
3. Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch "Good Vibrations" -- I remember hearing this one the radio and singing along.  I get much more fun out of this song now.  Mark Walberg as a half dressed rapper.  Love it!

Music Monday -- 1997

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Music Selections:

1. Spice Girls "Wannabe" -- Number 1 on the Billboard's Hot 100 during my birthday week.  It's a guilty pleasure.  As much as my friends and I made fun of this song, we know all the words.  I've even been known to do this song for karaoke, complete with interpretive dance in the middle.  It's a guilty pleasure.
2. Jars of Clay's Much Afraid -- One of my favorite bands of all time.  I saw them when they opened for Michael W. Smith right after "Flood" was released.  This was their second album and I think I loved it even more than their debut.
3. Radiohead's OK Computer -- Overall an amazing album.  Such mood music.  This is an album that fills me with images and emotions as I listen.  It's not just karaoke music.
4. The Wallflowers "One Headlight" -- I loved this album and especially this song.  Since then, I have sporadically followed The Wallflowers and then solo Jakob Dylan.  But I get really excited whenever this comes on the radio or my iPod shuffle.
5. Fiona Apple "Criminal" -- How much do you love this music video?  It is iconic of the late 90s.  I can't get this out of my head if I hear it.

Music Monday -- 2009

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2009

Book: The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks

Music Selections:

1. Lady Antebellum "I Run to You" -- Another LA song.  I just really like them.
2. Green Day "21st Century Breakdown" -- A blast from my past.  I remember listening to Dookie right after it came out and thinking "this is awesome."  While my fanatical nature ebbs and flows, I always end up revisiting Green Day and checking out their new stuff.
3. Kings of Leon "Use Somebody" -- Great band.  Interesting music.  I love turning this on in the background and quietly sing along.
4. Owl City "Fireflies" -- The boys and I were obsessed with this song over the summer of 2009.  Every time it would come on the radio, I had to crank it up and belt it out.  The boys even sang along.
5. Kelly Clarkson "My Life Would Suck Without You" -- There's something about Ms. Clarkson's synthesized studio music...  I sing along every time.  I guess it's my guilty pleasure.

Music Monday -- 2010

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2010

Book: Fables: Witches

Music Selections:

1. Lady Antebellum "Need You Now"
2. Muse "The Resistance"
3. The Black Keys "Tighten Up"
4. Switchfoot "Hello Hurricane"
5. Eminem and Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie"

I adore Lady Antebellum.  I can't say that I like many country artists, but Lady Antebellum has become a favorite.  Muse is one of my favorite bands.  Ditto for The Black Keys.  I am a spot in my heart for Switchfoot.  The odd one is Eminem and Rihanna.  There's just something about that song that gets me every time.  I find myself singing along...  Enjoy these music choices!

Music Monday -- 2011 Highlights

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2011

Books: Jack of Fables: The End

Music Selections:

1. Mumford and Sons "The Cave"
2. Adele "Rolling in the Deep"
3. Adele "Set Fire to the Rain"
4. Bruno Mars"Grenade"
5. Foster the People "Pumped Up Kicks"

These are the songs that I got stuck in my head this past year.  I love each an every one of them.  Yes, even the Bruno Mars song.  Enjoy getting them stuck in your head! Plus, an extra little treat for you.

Music Monday -- Jem "Falling for You"

Jem's one of those singers that I picked up somewhere along the way. I don't listen to the albums straight through anymore, but I do love singing along when a song pops up on my iPod. Enjoy a song from her album Finally Woken.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Said there'd be no going back Promised myself I'd never be that sad Maybe that's why you've come along To show me, it's not always bad

Coz I can feel it, baby I feel like I'm falling for you But I'm scared to, let go I'm scared coz my heart has been hurt so

It's true I've become a skepticHow many couples really love Just wish I had a crystal ball To show me, if it's worth it all

Coz I can feel it, baby I feel like I'm falling for you But I'm scared to, let go I'm scared coz my heart has been hurt so Yeah I can feel it, baby I feel like I'm falling for you But I'm scared to, let go I'm scared coz my heart has been hurt so

And I've got to be sure Coz it's been so long And I cannot take the pain again If it all goes wrong

Coz I can feel it, baby I feel like I'm falling for you But I'm scared to, let go I'm scared coz my heart has been hurt so Yeah I can feel it, baby I feel like I'm falling for you But I'm scared to, let go I'm scared coz my heart has been hurt so

I want you so much I need you so much I want you so much I need you so much (believe me my love Believe me my love)

No official music video for this one, so I had to settle for just the music...

A oldie, but a goodie live version of the song.

Music Monday -- Kate Voegele "It's Only Life"

I was pondering this week's song and couldn't grab any one particular song...  And then "It's Only Life" came up on my iPod giant shuffle.  It's a great song and I love Kate Voegele.   I've previously posted one of Kate Voegele's songs ("Chicago").   I've also met her at a teeny tiny concert in Bloomington, IN opening for Josh Kelley.  I rushed over and bought her EP right after the concert.  I have since bought the rest of her cds.  I love her, her voice, and her music.  Overall, this is just a great feel good song to lift some spirits.  Enjoy!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Tears are forming in your eyes A storm is warning in the sky

The end of the world it seems You bend down and you fall on your knees Well get back on your feet yeah

Don't look away Don't run away Hey baby it's only life Don't lose your faith Don't run away Hey baby its only life Yea it's only life

You were always playing hard Never could let down your guard

But you can't win If you never give in To that voice within Saying pick up your chin Baby let go of it

[Chorus]

Take your hesitance And your self-defense Leave them behind, it's only life Don't be so afraid Of facing everyday Just take your time, it's only life I'll be your stepping-stoneNo, don't be so aloneJust hold on tight, it's only life

[Chorus]

Music Monday - The Black Keys "Howlin' for You"

It's a rainy cold day here in Omaha.  So I've been listening to some bluesy music, especially The Black Keys.  Enjoy!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I must admit I can't explain All these thoughts racing Through my brain

It's true Baby I'm howlin' for you

There's something wrong With this plot The actors here Have not got

A clue Baby I'm howlin' for you

Mockingbird Can't you seeThe little girl'sGot a hold on me

Like glue Baby I'm howlin' for you

Throw the ball To the stick Swing and miss In the catcher's mitt

Strike two Baby I'm howlin' for you

Music Monday -- Ben Folds "Best Imitation of Myself"

Ben Folds is such a weird character.  I absolutely love him and his music.  And this is my absolute favorite song from him.  A few years ago I saw him and my hometown philharmonic at our beautiful theater.  I don't think the crowd knew what to think.  Half the crowd was there for the Philharmonic, a fourth was there for Ben Folds, and a fourth was there for both.  I was there for both.  But it definitely made for an interesting concert.  My favorite part: the crowd sing a long for "Army."  Awesome!!!!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I feel like a quote out of context Withholding the rest So I can be for you what you want to see I got the gesture and sound Got the timing down It's uncanny, yeah, you think it was me Do you think I should take a class To lose my southern accent Did I make me up, or make the face till it stuck I do the best imitation of myself The "problem with you" speech You gave me was fine I liked the theories about my little stage And I swore I was listening But I started drifting Around the part about me acting my age Now if it's all the sameI've people to entertainI juggle one handedDo some magic tricks andThe best imitation of myself Maybe I'm thinking myself in a hole Wondering, who I am when I ought to know Straighten up now time to go Fool somebody else, fool somebody else Last night I was east with them And west within Trying to be for you what you wanna see But I can't help it with you The good and bad comes through Don't want you hanging out with No one but me Now if it's all the same It comes from the same place And if my mind's somewhere else You won't be able to tell I do the best imitation of myself Yes it's uncanny to see You'd really think it was me The best imitation of myself The best imitation of myself

Music Monday -- Snow Patrol "Set Fire to the Third Bar"

I just adore Snow Patrol.  Though the new album just doesn't hit the same spot as the old ones.  This is by far my favorite song by them.  I love the slow build.  I love the women's voice.  It's just beautiful.  According to Wikipedia,

The song is about a long distance relationshipand its lyrics talk of a couple involved in one  and their longing to be together again. After their long journey to meet each they would settle down in front of an electric bar fireand enjoy being together and warm

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I find the map and draw a straight line Over rivers, farms, and state lines The distance from 'A' to where you'd be It's only finger-lengths that I see I touch the place where I'd find your face My finger in creases of distant dark places

I hang my coat up in the first bar There is no peace that I've found so far The laughter penetrates my silence As drunken men find flaws in science

Their words mostly noisesGhosts with just voicesYour words in my memoryAre like music to me

I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground I, I pray that something picks me up And sets me down in your warm arms

After I have travelled so far We'd set the fire to the third bar We'd share each other like an island Until exhausted, close our eyelids And dreaming, pick up from The last place we left off Your soft skin is weeping A joy you can't keep in

I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground And I, I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms

I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground and I, I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms 

Music Monday -- Eve 6 "Open Road Song"

An oldie from my high school days.  I loved, loved, loved Eve 6 songs.  And every time I hear one on the radio (satellite radio is awesome!) or my big iTunes shuffle, I have to sing along.  It's a necessity.  This song reminds me of summer every time I hear it.  I want to jump in my "pile" and head off with no direction or purpose.  I want to feel the wind in my hair.  I want to sing along at the top of my lungs.  Summer's ending.  I have to get in a few more open window drives before the cold becomes too much. And I really think that my pile starts to shake at 80!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Tonight, I feel ambitious and so does my foot As it sicks on the pedal, I press it to the floor I don't need a girl, don't need a friend 'cause My friend 'Lonesome's' unconditional, we're flying forever bored

For a moment I love everything that I see and think and feel I love my broken side view mirror 'Cause it's so perfect, I'm so perfect, you're so perfect, you're not here I hear the change in gears

My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road This is an open road song

The night is beckoning Although I have nowhere to go but home, feels good to be alone With every turn comes a new frame of mind If I could frame my mind, where would it hang?

My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road This is an open road song

I crack a window and feel the cool air cleanse my every poreAs I pour my poor heart out to a radio songThat's patient and willing to listenMy volume drowns it out

Ya, but that's okay 'cause I sound better than him anyway, any day Ya, my voice is sweet as salt I search for comfort and I find it where I found it many times before Times before it could be forgotten, yeah

My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road This is an open road song

An acoustic bonus for you:

Music Monday -- Counting Crows "Omaha"

I feel like I'm finally starting to get the hang of this new city.  In honor of that, this week's Music Monday post features one of my favorite bands from high school and their song featuring my new city.  Enjoy!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Start tearing the old man down Run past the heather and down to the old road Start turning the grain into the ground Roll a new leaf over In the middle of the night, there's an old man treading around in the gathered rain Well mister, if you're going to walk on water Could you drop a line my way?

Omaha Somewhere in middle America Get right to the heart of matters It's the heart that matters more I think you better turn your ticket in And get your money back at the door

Start threading a needleBrush past the shuttle that slides through the cold roomStart turning the wool across the wire Roll a new life over In the middle of the night, there's an old man threading his toes through a bucket of rain Hey mister, you don't want to walk on water you're only going to walk all over me

Omaha Somewhere in middle America Get right to the heart of the matters It's the heart that matters more I think you better turn your ticket in And get your money back at the door

Start running the banner down Drop past the color come up through the summer rain Start turning the girl into the ground Roll a new love over In the middle of the day, there's a young man rolling around in the earth and rain Hey Mister, if you're going to walk on water You know you're only going to walk all over me.

Omaha Somewhere in middle America Get right to the heart of matters It's the heart that matters more I think you better turn your ticket in And get your money back at the door

For your viewing pleasure, the song set to pics from Omaha.  (Not mine.  They went a little heavy on field pics, but whatever.)

Music Monday -- The Faint "The Geeks were Right"

So, J set up the amazing stereo so we could listen to Pandora, Spotify, iTunes library, or records all from the same thing.  And he can control it from his iPhone (alas, I still have my crappy Sprint phone until iPhone 5 comes out).  Every night for dinner, we pick a different style and usually put on Pandora.  The Faint's Pandora channel is kinda awesome.  So many good, interesting, not really know to me bands pop up.  I love it!  In honor of the good channel, this Monday's choice is The Faint "The Geeks were Right."

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

got a chain saw motor that's filled with rain but when it sings like bach the eyes all bulge then when the pink sun drops the eyelids fold

while i'm in deep REM sleep or twilight zones i take a freight elevator and press fast forward i get to grind these teeth and peek thru time if i could bring things back they'd feedback wild when i saw the future - the geeks were right

egghead boys with thin white legs they got modified features and software brains but that's what the girls like the geeks were right

when i saw the future - the geeks were right

predator skills chemical wars plastic islands at sea watch what the humans ruin with machine

eyeballs float in wet green grass i'm in a chainsaw choir in dreams that bend to let me cut thru time and stretch out bach i make the dry eyes roll and wet eyes cross

while i'm in deep REM sleep or twilight zones i take a freight elevator and press fast forward so i can grind these teeth and peek thru time if i could bring things back they'd feedback wild and when i saw the future - the geeks were right

P.S. J and I have a bet going that any Pandora channel will eventually make its way to the Beatles.  So far, we've been right.  Every channel we've made gets to the Beatles.  Sometimes it takes 20 minutes, sometimes an hour, but it happens!

Music Monday -- Lady Antebellum "Hello World"

I'm not a huge fan of country, but I absolutely adore Lady Antebellum.  Maybe it's because Charles Kelley is brothers with one of my favorite singers, Josh Kelley.  Or maybe it's just because they have good songs.  Anyway, I love them.  And this song is one of my favorites by them.  Enjoy!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Traffic crawls, cell phone calls Talk radio screams at me Through my tinted window I see A little girl, rust red minivan She's got chocolate on her face Got little hands, and she waves at me Yeah, she smiles at me

Hello world How've you been? Good to see you, my old friend Sometimes I feel cold as steel Broken like I'm never gonna heal I see a light, a little hope In a little girl Hello world

Every day I drive by A little white church It's got these little white crosses Like angels in the yard Maybe I should stop on in Say a prayer Maybe talk to God Like he is there Oh I know he is there Yeah, I know he's there

Hello world How've you been? Good to see you, my old friend Sometimes I feel as cold as steelAnd broken like I'm never going to healI see a lightA little grace, a little faith unfurledHello world

Sometimes I forget what living's for And I hear my life through my front door And I'll be there Oh I'm home again I see my wife, my little boy, little girl Hello world Hello world

All the empty disappears I remember why I'm here Just surrender and believe I fall down on my knees Oh hello world Hello world Hello world

Music Monday -- Linkin Park "Waiting for the End"

I've been a fan of Linkin Park since Hybrid Theory.  They're not particularly deep.  They're not particularly emotional.  But they do have good music to listen to in the background.  It's also great driving music.  I love singing along with the windows down! This week's selections comes from the iTunes Festival.  I had to purchase their set right away.  And definitely this is my favorite song from the set.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

[Mike:] This is not the end, this is not the beginning Just a voice like a riot rocking every revision But you listen to the tone and the violent rhythm Though the words sound steady something empty's within them We say yeah with fists flying up in the air Like we're holding onto something that's invisible there Cause we're living at the mercy of the pain and the fear Until we dead it, forget it, let it all disappear

[Chester:] Waiting for the end to come Wishing I had strength to stand This is not what I had planned It's out of my control Flying at the speed of light Thoughts were spinning in my head So many things were left unsaid It's hard to let you go

I know what it takes to move on I know how it feels to lie All I want to do Is trade this life for something new Holding on to what I haven't got

Sitting in an empty roomTrying to forget the pastThis was never meant to lastI wish it wasn't so

I know what it takes to move on I know how it feels to lie All I want to do Is trade this life for something new Holding on to what I haven't got

[Mike:] What was left when that fire was gone I thought it felt right but that right was wrong All caught up in the eye of the storm And trying to figure out what it's like moving on And I don't even know what kind of things I said My mouth kept moving and my mind went dead So I'm picking up the pieces, now where to begin The hardest part of ending is starting again

[Chester(till end):] All I want to do Is trade this life for something new Holding on to what I haven't got I'm holding on to what I haven't got I'm holding on to what I haven't got

[Mike:] This is not the end, this is not the beginning Just a voice like a riot rocking every revision But you listen to the tone and the violent rhythm Though the words sound steady something empty's within them We say yeah with fists flying up in the air Like we're holding onto something that's invisible there Cause we're living at the mercy of the pain and the fear Until we dead it, forget it let it all disappear

And a special little treat for you: Their cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep"