Music Monday -- 101 Faves Rock n Roll Edition (Part 2)

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! More rock songs to enjoy today...

Fuel "Million Miles" -- Saw them in concert circa 2004.  Very fun and I just love this song.

AFI "Miss Murder" -- I was student teaching when this song came out.  My students were impressed that I knew who AFI was.  We had a music day.  The song has stuck with me.

Alkaline Trio "Calling All Skeletons" -- Saw them in concert with Blink 182 and A New Found Glory.  And one of their friends was an acquaintance in college.  Great song!

Linkin Park "Crawling" -- My hands-down favorite Linkin Park song.  Now one of my boys loves them.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Great Women Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! There's nothing better than a great female singer songwriter.  So here you go...

Brandi Carlile "The Story" -- Her voice is just amazing.  I love the roughness.  She can sing to me anytime.

Kate Voegele "One Way or Another" -- I saw her in concert opening for Josh Kelley (before being on One Tree Hill).  I love her upbeat music, but this isn't one of those.  But it's my favorite song of hers.

Christina Perri "Jar of Hearts" -- So amazing...

KT Tunstall "Ashes" -- She's another interesting voice.  I love the different, almost bluesy quality to it.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Quirky Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with theme.  Enjoy! For those quirky singers/bands, I show my love.

Dresden Dolls "Sing" -- How much do I love this band?  Bunches and bunches.  I thought about putting "Coin Operated Boy" or "Good Day" on here, but I love "Sing" and its uplifting message.  So here you go...

Regina Spektor "Apres Moi" -- Love her bridge in Russian.  It just sounds so amazing.  I still need to get her newest album.

Amanda Palmer "Astronaut" -- One half of The Dresden Dolls, all by herself.  I am part of the world that loves her.

Ben Folds "Narcolepsy" -- Has collaborated with Amanda Palmer and Regina Spektor, weird coincidence.  Plus, I saw him in concert with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and he rocked the Embassy.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Rock n Roll Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! Rock out with these four great songs.

A Day to Remember "All I Want" -- A band that my former students got me into.  The video for this song is just way too fun with all the cameos.

All American Rejects "Move Along" -- Always my favorite song by them.

Yellowcard "Lights and Sounds" -- Listening to Yellowcard always makes me happy.

Muse "Starlight" -- Amazing band.  I thought of picking Knights of Cydonia, but I featured that song early on in my blog days.  So I went with another favorite.

Music Monday -- "Landslide"

Another cover themed edition of Music Monday.  I have a little place in my heart for Fleetwood Mac.  I think it has to do with hearing them as a child.  Their songs are instantly recognizable to me.  I hear them and can't help but sing along.  And Stevie Nicks' voice is just too amazing.  While going through our iTunes account in prep for my 101 Fave Songs posts, I found multiple covers this song.  So here we go...

Fleetwood Mac: The Original (live version from 2006)

Tori Amos: How beautiful is her voice?

Smashing Pumpkins: A man singing, interesting swap.

Dixie Chicks: I think this country version is the closest to the original.

Glee: I do love me some Glee.  Not always the best covers, but always different.

Bush: Just found this one on YouTube. I had to add it.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Country Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! I'm not a huge country fan, but there are a few singers/bands that I really enjoy.

Dixie Chicks "Easy Silence" -- I've always like the Dixie Chicks, but this song is just beautiful.

JoDee Messina "Bring on the Rain" -- Love the duet.

Lady Antebellum "I Run to You" -- Still a favorite band today.  I found them through loving Josh Kelley (Charles Kelley's brother).

Music Monday -- 101 Faves 90s Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! Songs from the 1990s.  Songs from the time I discovered music on my own.

Oasis "Don't Look Back (in Anger)" -- While Wonderwall is pretty amazing, it was this song that I always played (and still play) on repeat.

The Toadies "Possum Kingdom" -- So dark!  Just like my crazy pseudo-Gothic phase...

Tori Amos "1000 Oceans" -- Amos just has such a beautiful voice.  I can't help by love this song.

Billy Joel "Lullaby" -- I remember getting Joel's River of Dreams album on cassette from my dad.  I loved listening to the entirety, but this song was always my favorite.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Fun Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! This week is all about the fun songs.  Enjoy these wacky yet irresistible songs.

Barenaked Ladies "Alcohol" -- Amazing love song to alcohol (or is it?).  We played this one almost every day going to school my junior and senior year of high school.

Five Iron Frenzy "Oh Canada" -- Another high school car favorite.  My friend Beth always loved this one. Plus the live version is so much better!

Kind of crappy live video version

Cake "Short Skirt Long Jacket"-- This is my jam!  It's even my ringtone on J's phone.  Plus every episode of Chuck, I would start singing the song even though it's instrumental.  It's just awesome!

Cowboy Mouth "Love of My Life" -- Another great sing along (or is it scream along?)

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Names Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy! This week's edition is all about songs with names for titles.

Goo Goo Dolls "Iris" --  One of those favorite songs from the high school era.

Sarah McLachlan "Adia" -- Another favorite from high school.

Orgy "Eva" -- Saw them in concert back in the late 1990s (or 2000).

Damien Rice "Amie" -- Beautiful song.  Beautiful voice.  Beautiful lyrics.

Music Monday -- "Rainbow Connection"

As I was going through all the songs on our server (thousands), I realized that I have quite a few versions of this song. Why is that?  Oh yeah, It's just an awesome song.  I dare you not to sing along...

Original Kermit the Frog:

The Dixie Chicks:

Sarah McLachlan: My favorite non-Kermit version

Less Than Jake: A ska version for you...

Jason Mraz: I don't have this one, but I do love him...

Music Monday -- Favorite Christmas Carols Part 3

It's December.  Time to pull out the holiday music.  I thought I would share my all-time favorite Christmas carols.  I've even pinpointed my favorite versions of my favorite carols.  Part 1 of 3.  Part 2 of 3.

Lady Antebellum "Let it Snow, Let it Snow"

Harry Connick Jr. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

Michael Buble "Ill Be Home for Christmas"

Point of Grace "Jingle Bell Rock"

Sarah McLachlan "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Lady Antebellum "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Music Monday -- Favorite Christmas Carols Part 2

It's December.  Time to pull out the holiday music.  I thought I would share my all-time favorite Christmas carols.  I've even pinpointed my favorite versions of my favorite carols.  Part 1 of 3.

She and Him "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Point of Grace "Carol of the Bells / What Child is This?

Jason Mraz "Winter Wonderland"

Michael W. Smith "Christmas Waltz"

Josh Groban "Ave Maria"

Something to Brighten Your Day...

Music Monday -- Favorite Christmas Carols Part 1

It's December.  Time to pull out the holiday music.  I thought I would share my all-time favorite Christmas carols.  I've even pinpointed my favorite versions of my favorite carols.  Part 1 of 3.

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby -- The classic song sung by the classic singer.  While I prefer Holiday Inn over White Christmas, I prefer this song.

"Blue Christmas" by Elvis -- Another classic song by a classic singer.  There are many other versions of Blue Christmas, but I always go back to Elvis.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings"  by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan -- A fun uptempo mash-up for you.  This is so upbeat I can't help but feel better after listening.

"The Chanukah Song" by Adam Sandler -- A funny song to enjoy.

"Little Drummer Boy" by Jars of Clay -- Another classic song done in a more modern version.

Music Monday -- Counting Crows "A Long December"

One of my old favorite songs.  I can't not sing along when this song pops up on my shuffle.  It's a beautiful song.  Plus you get a beautiful video and a live version to enjoy.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

A long December and there's reason to believe Maybe this year will be better than the last I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leavin' Now the days go by so fast And it's one more day up in the canyons And it's one more night in Hollywood If you think that I could be forgiven...I wish you would The smell of hospitals in winter And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls All at once you look across a crowded roomTo see the way that light attaches to a girl And it's one more day up in the canyons And it's one more night in Hollywood If you think you might come to California...I think you should Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m. And talked a little while about the year I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower, Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe Maybe this year will be better than the last I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself To hold on to these moments as they pass And it's one more day up in the canyon And it's one more night in Hollywood It's been so long since I've seen the ocean...I guess I should

Music Monday -- Third Day "When the Rain Comes"

Here's an uplifting song for you today.  I hope that every day you feel down there's some one there to stay with you until the rain passes.  I added an audio track from the album and a live version.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

When the rain comes it seems that everyone has gone away When the night falls you wonder if you shouldn't find someplaceTo run and hideEscape the painBut hiding's such a lonely thing to do I can't stop the rain From falling down on you again I can't stop the rain But I will hold you 'til it goes away When the rain comes you blame it on the things that you have done When the storm fades you know that rain must fall on everyone Rest awhile it'll be alright No one loves you like I do When the rain comes I will hold you

Music Monday -- Relient K "The One I'm Waiting For"

Any time I'm feeling a bit down, I just pop on Relient K and suddenly I feel tons better.  Their lyrics are complicated and deep, but the music is infectious.  Check them out today.  I give you the audio from the album and a live version from Hard Rock.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

The way that girl can break a heart It’s like a work of art And this is the worst part She knows it

And she’s so confident That she’s what everybody wants But nobody wants Her to know that

So fall back on all of your premonitions And just learn to listen To those that have more wisdom than you And just stop Putting so much stock In all of this stuff Live your life for those you love

And I’m still waiting for You to be the one I’m waiting for

The way that girl can turn a head Well she is such a threat But don’t ever forget She knows it

And she’s got it all All figured out And she won’t let you doubt She knows it

I’m still waiting for You to be the one I’m waiting for

Something tells me that this is going to make sense Something tells me it’s going to take patience Something tells me that this will all work out in the end

Music Monday -- Regina Spektor "Fidelity"

I can't believe that I've never highlighted this song on the blog.  I absolutely adore her voice and her whole sound.  It's so quirky but easily to connect to.  She writes very personal songs of life. Plus, check out the gorgeous visuals in the video.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I never loved nobody fully Always one foot on the ground And by protecting my heart truly I got lost in the sounds I hear in my mind All these voices I hear in my mind all these words I hear in my mind all this music

And it breaks my heart And it breaks my heart And it breaks my heart It breaks my heart

And suppose I never ever met you Suppose we never fell in love Suppose I never ever let you kiss me so sweet and so soft Suppose I never ever saw you Suppose we never ever called Suppose I kept on singing love songs just to break my own fall Just to break my fall Just to break my fall Break my fall Break my fall

All my friends say that of course its gonna get better Gonna get better Better better better better Better better better

I never love nobody fully Always one foot on the ground And by protecting by heart truly I got lost In the sounds I hear in my mind All these voices I hear in my mind all these words I hear in my mind All this music And it breaks my heart It breaks my heart

I hear in my mind all of these voices I hear in my mind all of these words I hear in my mind all of this music

Breaks my Heart Breaks my heart

Music Monday -- Duncan Sheik "It's Better to Be Dead"

Not a real happy song, but I love the moody atmosphere of this entire album.  (Whisper House)  The album is a bit of a concept album with interlocking stories throughout.  Give it a listen if you get a chance.

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I present to you a story Set upon a northern shore The denizens of lighthouse During times of war

The foolish things they did The foolish things they said I'm sure you will agree They would be better off dead

Lily keeps the lighthouse She's afraid of the unknown She's no ray of sunshine So mostly she's alone

And no one cares about her longing Or the dreams on which she's fed And though I'm sad to say it She would be better off dead

Next we have a sheriff Charles is his name He's something of a sideshow Every sheriff is the same

Will he stand for justice Or something else instead? Either way it hardly matters 'Cause he's better off dead

When everything is done And everything is said Life is naught but pain It's better to be dead

Release your heavy heart Rest your weary head When all the world's at war It's better, it's better

Witness Yasujiro He hails from old Japan He searches for redemption In this strange and foreign land

And now he works for Lily To earn his daily bread But the most that one can say Is that he's better off dead

Please, welcome young Christopher He's come here on a train His father flew to heaven In a fiery aeroplane

He's come to live with Lily He's got visions in his head He may be our main attraction But he's better off dead

When everything is done And everything is said Life is naught but pain It's better to be dead

Release your heavy heart Rest your weary head When all the world's at war It's better to be dead

Everything is done All things have been said It's good to be a ghost It's better, it's better to be dead

It's good to be a ghost It's better to be dead

Audio track from the album

A live version with pretty crappy audio, but visuals

Music Monday -- Current Faves

Instead the usual music monday post, I just grabbed a few songs that I am dying over right now.  Some are new, some are old, all are much loved by me.  Enjoy!

The Lumineers "Ho Hey" -- Love their album

Mumford & Sons "Ghosts that We Knew" -- Been obsessing over the new album, but especially this song

Flogging Molly "Float" -- Love love love this song, especially live

Of Monsters and Men "King and Lionheart" -- My other current album obsession

Fuel "Million Miles" -- Oldie that I rediscovered in my cd box. Saw them live ~2004, great show.

Jason Mraz "No Doubling Back" -- Especially love the live album.

Jamie Cullum "Blame it on My Youth" -- Awesome song!