Music Monday -- 101 Get Up and Dance 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!

Gorillaz "Dare" -- The boys really enjoy this song while driving in the car.  Great beat!

Arctic Monkeys "I Bet You Look Good" -- Love the Arctic Monkeys and this song gets me moving every time.  Two different live versions for you to enjoy!

The Killers "Somebody Told Me" -- I was working at Best Buy when this was released and it was constantly on rotation in the store.  Every time it came on, all the cashiers started dancing.  Plus, they were awesome in concert.  The live video sounds like what I heard when I saw them this past December.

Music Monday -- "Across the Universe"

Something a bit different for Music Monday today.  Instead of a single song or a group of songs for 101 Faves, I decide to feature the music of Across the Universe.  If you've never seen it, Across the Universe is a movie musical based on the music of The Beatles.  I love these covers so much.  In fact, I think the cover of "I've Just Seen a Face" is better than the original.  Here are some of my favorites from the movie.

I've Just Seen a Face:

With a Little Help from My Friends:

Hey Jude:

Happiness is a Warm Gun:

Revolution:

Blackbird:

Across the Universe:

The Movie Trailer for you viewing pleasure:

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Live 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! Sometimes the best editions of songs are the live ones.  I would love to see any of these signers/bands in concert.

Dashboard Confessional "Saints and Sailors" -- The live version is much better than the studio.  I love his MTV Unplugged album.

Howie Day "Ghost" -- Day adds great little parts to this song on the live version.  It sounds more natural to me.

Flogging Molly "Float" -- I was supposed to see them last summer, but we moved before the concert.  I would still love to see them.

John Mayer "Neon" -- He may be an idiot, but I love this song live.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Sad Song 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! Sometimes we need a sad song to commiserate with us.

Augustana "Boston" -- I just love the lyrics to this song.  I find myself singing at the top of my lungs every time it comes up on shuffle.

Jon McLaughlin "Indiana" -- Such a song of defeat or comfort, depending on how you hear it...

Anna Nalick "Wreck of the Day" -- Another great sing-along sad song.

Haley James Scott "Halo" -- Yeah, yeah it's from One Tree Hill.  But that doesn't mean it isn't an awesome song.

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