Vivace

Music Term- Describes a piece that is quick and lively

I love music. Seriously, everything about it... I love how you can find a song to perfectly match your every mood, how a song can cheer you up on the crummiest day. I love CD's, concerts and concert T's... I love dancing, I love singing (maybe not all that well, but I don't care).. I love driving alone with my favorite music on, window's open... in my opinion, music is such a spiritual experience.. I think there's a definitive reason why as humans, music is a part of all the major events of our lives.

So I thought, in honor of my new blog playlist, I would make a post about my ten all time favorite musicians/songs/albums. Realizing this is a bit difficult when one has the music collection that I do.. bear with me if I have to stretch to 11 or 12 :) I do, after all, make the rules...


Also, these are in no particular order...

1) Joshua Tree by U2



SUCH a beautiful, empowering album. It's one of the few albums I can sit down and listen to from beginning to end without once touching the "Next" button. Favorite U2 song? With or Without You. As a continuation, I love most all of U2's work, with the exception of their popular song "Beautiful Day." That song annoys me, for what reason I have no idea...

2) Keith Urban - Better Life



This is our (Justin and I) song, decided by me. He might disagree and say either Tim McGraw "Last Dollar" or Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars"... though I do in fact love both of those songs as well, I feel like Keith's song perfectly captures the ups, downs, and everything else of our (and assumedly, many other's too) relationship... It's also upbeat and positive which I love..

3) The Bobs and Jimi



This is an example of me breaking the rules, but I have a good reason... Bob Dylan and Jimi (Hendrix, in case there was doubt) share many of the same songs and I truly couldn't decide between them. I also enjoy a Bob Marley tune or two when I'm feeling the modern-day hippie vibe.. Favorite Dylan song? Rainy Woman #12 & 35. Favorite Hendrix? Hey Joe. Favorite Marley? One Love/Three Little Birds.

4) Justin Timberlakes FutureSex/LoveSounds album



Seriously... I've listened to this album probably 200 times. It's so easy to put in when I'm doing any number of others things from studying to driving to stretching and such, post workout. It also takes me back to my boy bands days without the full on N*Sync "Bye, Bye, Bye" dance.

5) Taylor Swift .. Anything



Yes, I'm your typical girl.. I love Taylor Swift, how fun and cute she is and how her songs always strike a chord in soemthing in my own experience. I also genuinely think that in real life, she'd be a really awesome friend, I have a lot of respect for her and how she manages to stay so down-to-earth despite her celebrity status.



** Already half way done and so many more to include.. now this gets difficult**

6) Frank Sinatra (and Rat Pack company)



Call it my yearning to live through this time period and date a guy who wears a suit and sweet hat every day, but I love Ol' Blue Eyes... Particularly at Christmas time, the only Christmas tunes I truly enjoy breaking out are the Rat Pack's version of anything AND The Chipmunks.. c'mon who doesn't love it? Favorite Sinatra song? Young at Heart or Come Dance With Me

7) Journey, REO Speedwagon


Thanks Dad. After years of me complaining about his music choice, I find myself going back to these two classics, particularly when I'm feeling homesick. Not to mention you can see REO at pretty much any state fair nowadays ;) Favorite Journey Song? Faithfully. Favorite REO Speedwagon song? Time For Me To Fly.

8) "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups and MSOE's very own band Solace (who may or may not still be together...)


I grouped these together becasue they haev a similar sound. Kind of an edgy rock that's still very laid back. It reminds me of that kid in high school who had a bit of edge to him, but was effortlessly cool... think Dylan McKay from 90210 (the original)... These bands/songs remind me to look up new, upcoming bands from time to time.. shakes things up so to speak.

9) The Classic Love Songs


'Nuff said. Those songs that everyone dances to at weddings and you can always count on to be perfect for whatever romantic moment your trying to create. Think "Stand By Me" Ben E. King, "Unchained Melody," The Righteous Brothers, and "My Girl" The Temptations and countless others.... plus that song that goes.. "Here she comes just a-walking down the street, singing Doo-a-didee-didee-dum-didee-dee" was the song my Mom used to sing to me.. OH! Elvis!!! Maybe he should be his own seperate category.. well, you guys get it...

10) Amazing Grace, that one version...


I know this song is, lyrically, quite uplifting (!), but I find something so solemn about it at the same time. I think the best performers of this song are those who are able to communicate that feeling of overcoming adversity through their voice alone. There's a version where the lyrics are sang to the melody of "House of the Rising Sun." I saw it performed at church function once, but since haven't found a digital copy to enjoy (any help from you all?).. it's haunting and beautiful. I could listen to it ten times in a row easily.

**I knew I couldn't keep it to ten**

11) 3Oh!3 (That's a band)


This is my oh-so-guilty pleasure. Their lyircs are not PG, nor are they PG13 in some instances, but they have this irresistible beat that I find awesome. I'm going to their concert this weekend (SO excited). They are one of those crazy indie bands on the brink of total stardom and I look forward to the point when I can say.. "I like them BEFORE they were popular... " Favorite song? Dance With Me or Don't Trust Me.

12. John Mayer and Jack Johnson


Such great summer, chill music. Pretty much anyone likes it, maybe not loves it. It reminds me of sitting around the fire in high school with friends at night.. Favorite Mayer song? Daughters or Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. Favorite Jack Johnson? Do You Remember


Ok, I'm cutting myself off... I could go on for days I'm sure. But maybe this gives you a little insight into the musical mind that is me :)