Music
Grey Street
I’ve never really understood my fascination with the Dave Matthews Band song, Grey Street. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I realized that the girl described in the song was, in my head, me. I related, I identified and I understood her.
Personally, through all the awkwardness that life affords us as we are growing up, I felt that I could entirely relate to that girl; lost, confused, without a plan and hopelessly clinging to the pursuit of an ideal of how my life should be. Each time something went wrong, it would be relegated to a “just my luck” and “born loser” attitude. But as I grew up, began to work on myself and work through the things that I carried with me, or unpacked my baggage, as I’d like to say, I started to look at the girl in that song as someone I’d never want to be. She seemed like someone who unable and unwilling to grab hold of her life, to take action, and someone who sat idly by living in a world that could never be. The longing and sadness that seemed to characterize the song’s subject was just not me anymore.
Either way, the song is still one of my favourite songs, even though the things that drew me to it are no longer the reason why I enjoy it. It’s meaning is something different, but will always serve to make me remember how I used to be, and how I am now.
Anyways, enjoy the song if you haven’t heard it before. It’s a really great tune. I was fortunate enough to see Dave Matthews Band a couple years ago. His voice is wonderful and the instrumentals were wonderful (obviously!).
Anita
John Legend – Save Room
So I know, it’s a bit old (try 2006 old), but this song is amazing! His voice is like butter, and each time I listen to it lately, which has basically been everyday for the last few weeks, I realize how much I enjoy listening to this song. I love John Legend’s stuff, but if you notice, there is no piano used in this song, and he totally owns it. I appreciate that in an artist – his main medium is the piano, and he does it well, but can do really well without it as well, it seems.
I could just lounge around and listen to it all day. I may or may not be doing that right now! Anyways, enjoy.
Anita
Kimbra
Happy Wednesday!
I don’t know if you know this, but the female vocals from Gotye’s song Somebody That I Used To Know is done by a lovely lady named Kimbra. I recently obtained her solo album, and wow, after actually listening through it, I have fallen head-over-heels in love with the songs, Withdraw and Settle Down.
I’m really digging this whole big band sound lately. The simple music in the back, the bone-chilling vocals in the style of Florence or the addicting Adele. I can see myself getting sick of this sound eventually, since so many female artists are going this way – it’s a great way to showcase the vocals but it could all sound very similar.
Anyhoo, I’ve added both below. Take a listen to Withdraw… the crescendo at the end, it’s phenomenal and her voice, is beautiful! I know she is just going to get better. Enjoy!
Valentine’s Day
A day late, here I am. Well, I’m always late, but either way, Happy Valentines day!
A day filled with pseudo-romance, commercialization of said romance and bad candy can always get my heart-a-thumpin’ (not). Usually, I am pretty devoid of love and feeling on this day; I actually have a lot of anger towards the concept of having one day to love someone, shouldn’t it be all the time? I choose to show my love ALL year long.
This year seemed a bit different for me though, I actually was listening to some love songs, reading articles on different accounts of love through the ages and I spent a good amount of time yesterday looking at beautiful artwork. Dare I say that my black heart is melting? Either way, take a moment to listen to this beautiful song that my sister shared with me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htFRYVeKOMc
I just really find it lovely. And really, I don’t proclaim things like this out loud usually, so I must really like it. haha! Also, wished I had received at least ONE of these from an admirer:
Well, there is ALWAYS next year, right?
Anita
Empowerment
It’s that time of year again… winter, life and a host of other things can just get you down sometimes. This is something we all know and sometimes, unfortunately cannot avoid no matter how much we try. S-A-D, or Seasonal Affective Disorder is in full swing. I try to make things better by creating a positive space in my room, burning dried sage, promoting a positive outlook from the start of my day and not letting the lack of sun get me down by taking vitamin D pills. All of these things are pretty good for combating the blues, and as always, something that has helped me cope is music. It can uplift, change and promote future moods for me. I am pretty sure I am right in the assumption that many people feel the same as me.
On the other side, I do also use music to push and drive me further when I’m feeling low and unmotivated. In the case of my current situation – trying to find a job and move to Toronto, when I’m feeling low and uninspired, I throw on a few songs from my “Empowerment” playlist on iTunes. Check out a couple of the ones I am listening to right now:
- Bloc Party – The Prayer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8oRFcA0mFM&ob=av2eI remember when I was running for a position on my university’s Student Union, I would listen to this an average of 10-15 times a day to get me pumped up. I still use it as my go-to song for winning.
- Mumford and Sons – The Cave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KkUeRPjc-YThis song was a big one on my playlist last year, around this time. It’s more of a state of mind sort of thing for me. Plus, what a great sound.
- Foster The People – Houdini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DHXXZP2L7wI already featured this song in another post, but this has become a staple in my canon. Promoting an emphasis on your ability and working hard to rise up – how can you lose with lyrics like that? #winning
- Drake ft. Nicki Minaj – Make Me Proud
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP6ps5CxgVkI know.
- Kid Cudi – Up, Up and Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRaM1ZuIF4kThe best! I can be uplifted in a matter of seconds when I hear this song. I love Kid Cudi… but you all already know that (I hope).
ANYWAYS! Hope you’re all having a fabulous Tuesday!
Anita
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