in which i share my current music obsessions.

its time to share music again!

i love hearing new songs and getting hooked on new artists (when i say 'new' i mean i haven't heard them before. not necessarily a brand new artist. although, those are fun too.) 

it makes listening to music so much more of an experience and its very rare that i hear stuff i don't like (which is probably why i have over 6,000 songs on my iTunes right now...)

anyway, to carry on the spirit of september and october's music share, i've decided to do one at the end of each month from here on out. i'll be sharing who and/or what i obsessed over in that month.

feel free to share music with me as well, as i love finding new gems!

(click on the song/artist and you'll be re-directed to youtube where you can hear the song and watch the music video if there is one.)

carry on my wayward son

by: kansas

on the album: leftoverture

so, i first heard this song awhile ago at a friends house while playing guitar hero. every since then, i've quite liked the song. as of late, i can't stop listening to it. although i'm not a fan of excessive guitar solos and such, i do love this song.

avril lavigne

album: the best damn thing

(mostly hot and when you're gone but really, the whole album)

this is an album i never get sick of. i've been listening to it quite frequently lately and there isn't one song that i'll skip over. avril rocks i don't care who you are!

piazza, new york catcher

by: belle and sebastian

on the album: juno

so, the juno soundtrack in and of itself is one of my all time favorite soundtracks ever. but i love this song. its so quaint and chill. i absolutely love belle and sebastian. i haven't heard one song of theirs that i don't like.

birds

by: kate nash

on the album: made of bricks

since i just saw kate nash in concert not too long ago, i've been really hooked on her music. this song is my favorite by her and i think its such a beautiful love song! i think we all feel this way at one point or another.

eye of the tiger

by: survivor

on the album: eye of the tiger

i love old songs like these. i usually have a hard time taking them seriously because they are just so cheesy. classic, but cheesy. but i will still listen to them non-stop sometimes. who doesn't love a little survivor every now and then??

(so, jra (jensen ross ackles) did his own little diddy to this song. you should definitely check it out.

its amazing. promise.)

hey soul sister

by: train

on the album: save me san francisco

this song is so marvelous. its up beat and happy and i love it. it makes me think of wearing a cute sundress and running through an orange orchard, which would be magnificent.

(lets just not talk about how horrible this music video is, okay?)

flightless bird, american mouth

by: iron & wine

on the album: twilight

let me first just say that iron & wine is one of my favorite groups, bands, whatever you want to call them. okay! so this song. LOVE it! its in the same category as birds (by kate nash) for me. beautiful lyrics and so well put in a less-than-ordinary way.

m i k a

(click on each letter of his name to be directed to different songs of his. kinda fun, huh?)

album: the boy who knew too much

so, i love me some mika. i could listen to both his albums all the time and not get sick of them.

he's such an interesting artist. most of his songs are actually super tragic and depressing, but the music is pretty upbeat so he's uber ironic in that way.

clark gable
by: the postal service
 on the album: give up
this is such a quaint song. i love it. and i can just picture it all in my mind. i just feel happy when i feel it.

the way i am
by: ingrid michaelson
on the album: girls and boys
i. love. this. song. it is like the girl version of adam sandler's grow old with you, which i also love. its such a sweet song and i love how she just lays it all out there. wish there were more people like that out there in the world!

what are you listening to?
i want to know.

october song obsessions.

*so, i know that these are old and probably worn out songs, but because i don't listen to the radio, i have the privilege of liking songs for a lot longer than i normally would!

therefore, these songs are currently on repeat on my iTunes. (click the title of the song to view the mv (if there is one) and listen to the song.)

this month i went through a weird sad-love-song phase. not sure why. i wasn't really sad or love sick... but the songs just seemed to fit my life at the time.

i don't know. you figure it out.

enjoy!

such great heights

by: the postal service

on the album: give up

here without you

by: 3 doors down

on the album: away from the sun

all i want is you

by: barry louis polisar

on the album: juno

collide

by: howie day

on the album: collide-single

you and me

by: lifehouse

on the album: life house

possiblity

by: lykke li

on the album: new moon

the only exception

by: paramore

on the album: brand new eyes

i'll be

by: edwin mccain

on the album: misguided roses

songs that carried over from my september playlist:

more than a feeling by: *nsync

wouldn't it be nice by: beach boys

fall for you by: secondhand serenade

like we used to by: a rocket to the moon

my hero by: paramore

i want to hold your hand by: teresa victoria carpio

the luckiest by: ben folds

oh dear songs, i love you.

every few months i make playlists on my iTunes of songs that i LOVE at the time. its kind of fun to look back on past playlists and listen to what i liked then compared to what i like now. for instance, back in march my playlist consisted of songs like bleeding love (by leona lewis), fidelity (by regina spektor) and i'm yours (by jason mraz). all still very great songs, but now a little worn out on me.
tonight i just finished making a new playlist of my current faves and i thought i'd share it with you because after all, who doesn't love great music?! i would consider basically all of these a must hear (if you haven't already) but just so you know which ones i absolutely insist on, i've placed an astrix by the song title. if you do nothing else today, please at least go check these songs out! (for your convenience, i've attached links to the music videos on youtube. you're welcome.)

*like we used to

by: a rocket to the moon

on the album: on your side

one of my besties just introduced me to this song not too long ago and i LOVE it. after the first time i listened to it, i immediately played it again. then i had to look up the music video. 

its such a great song. and so sad!

more than a feeling

by: nsync

on the album: nsync (the european release)

yes, this song was originally sang by boston. betcha didn't know nsync covered it huh? well, it was never released in the u.s., but i was such a fan that i purchased the european release of the bands first album. believe me, it was worth it. (so i apologize in advance for the fan made video that is attached to this link. there was no m.v. released with this song so that's what you have to go through to hear the song. I DID NOT MAKE THE VIDEO. i repeat, i did not make the video.)

*my hero

by: paramore

on the album: none - it wasn't released on an album

this song was originally done by the foo fighters and i liked it way back then. when i heard the version that paramore came out with a little bit ago, i swooned all over again. this song rocks my socks and will forever be one of my favorites (it has been, the foo fighters version anyway, since i was a sophmore in h.s.!) (again, no music video was made and i did not make the video attached.)

fall for you

by: second hand serenade

on the album: a twist in my story

so, i know this was over played on the radio, but i don't listen to the radio. therefore, i don't get sick of songs like most people. this song has been on my favorites list basically since it came out and i just am not sick of it yet (probably never will be). its such a beautiful story and i love the way they sing it.

wouldn't it be nice

by: the beach boys

on the album: sounds of summer

besides the fact that this song can be heard on the film 50 first dates (which is one of my faves) and besides the fact that my girlfriend zooey deschanel sang it at the she&him concert i attended, i do love this song.

i love the meaning behind it mostly. and the music itself aint too shabby either. (the music video is kind of crazy cool too all vintagey and stuff.)

p.s. if you haven't seen 50 first dates, go do so now. please.

we are golden

by: mika

on the album: the boy who knew too much

i love this whole album. its so good. and mika is by far one of my favorite artists. i haven't heard a song o his yet that i don't like. 
most of his lyrics are so tragic, but his melodies are so upbeat. its a strangely entertaining combo that i can't stop listening to.

*i want to hold your hand

by: teresa victoria caprio

on the album: across the universe

first of all, have you seen across the universe? no? get on it. yes? good work my friend.
so, i LOVE the way she sings this. her raw desperation and teenage pain is so beautiful.
i may or may not listen to this on repeat sometimes (substituting some of the words as if i were singing it to a beautiful brown british boy who was about to sweep me off my feet...)

*the luckiest

by: ben folds

on the album: rockin' the suburbs
this has also been a favorite since high school. we'd (my class mates and i) would listen to this song over and over and over again. we requested it at all of our dances and basically lived and breathed this song.
its such a thought provoking story. and so beautifully sung.
if you ask me, this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. ever.
basically, ben fold is amazing and... that's about it.

kiss me

by: sixpence none the richer

on the album: sixpence none the richer
this song is so old! it reminds me of my late middle school/early high school years.
its just fun. and cute. and i want it for my life.

drops of jupiter

by: train

on the album: drops of jupiter

another old time favorite of mine. this song has always stuck with me and intrigued me. the story is such a crazy one and i love thinking about it.
train in and of themselves are great musicians. they have the most creative lyrics.

*hallelujah

by: jeff buckley

on the album: grace
i know its a long song, but its worth it to listen to every single second of it.
this song. ugh. its so beautiful. so tragic. so wonderful. so wonderful.

that concludes my list of current faves. they'll probably change within the week.
what are yours? i must know.

(if i owned soul sister by train and glitter in the air by pink they'd be on the favorites list too. but alas, i do not. and that's a very sad thing.)

happy monday!

gems.

i've been thinking about the little things in life that make me happy. for me, its never any one big thing. its always beautiful little gems that make me feel happy inside and keep me smiling throughout life. i find new ones every day and, to me, that's the beauty of life. finding joy in all things.
well, i thought, since we can all use a little joy in our life at one point or another, that i would share my latest "amores" with you and encourage you to reflect upon your own!

google's wizard of oz icon

when i saw this, it made me smile. the wizard of oz is one of my favorite movies, and judy garland one of my favorite actresses. i actually played dorothy once. it was a wonderful experience and the wizard of oz always will be and always has been a fun, happy memory for me.

{google chose this as their icon in celebration of the 71st anniversary of the wizard of oz.}

the fact that i can black mail kdp into doing things for me by simply threatening to give her the sytycd results before she's watched them!

scars

choreographed by: nappy tab

danced by: robert & dom

first of all, robert was my favorite dancer on so you think you can dance this season (season 7), second of all, this dance is so wade-robson-esque that i love it, and thirdly, nappytab are phenomenal choreographers. phenomenal. please watch. please love it.

i want this on a reel in my house never stopping. constant happy.

receiving sweet texts, phone calls, e-mails, facebook message and blog comments from my amazing friends, family, and readers.

glitter in the air

by: p!nk

i love this song. no specific reason, its just amazing.

the lyrics are beautiful and very thought provoking.

{also, this specific performance is... wow! she sings it with so much conviction and desperation. that and the added fact that she's sopping wet, hanging upside down from a piece of silk fabric, spinning around like a trapeze artist and still belting out the lyrics like it aint no thang!}

the feeling i get when boo and little m call me and tell me about their day.

my remarkable friends and family

what are the gems in your life this week?

*update: my mom's wrote a similar post a few days ago. since her blog is private, i thought i'd share her sweet list on my blog!

enjoy:

Ahhh, the simple things

by: mom

I haven't been feeling too great the last day or two. Probably because my boat is rockin and rollin on the river of life right now...which is okay with me but I think all the turbulence has left me a little sea sick.

I put off going to bed as late as I could last night due to the fact that I had been dizzy most of the day and trying to lay down while dizzy just doesn't work for me. So I went to bed around 1:00am.

As I lay down and closed my sleepy eyes the room started spinning and it was very hard to relax and so, as I often do while falling asleep, I thought of the simple things in life. You know, those awesome little things that aren't really life changing and that you could probably survive without, but that bring so much joy to your heart when you experience them? Yeah, those little simple things. Such as:

A bouqet of dandelions clutched tightly in the hand of a sweaty little boy who saw them and thought of you while out at play

Warm, gooey home made chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven

Wet, sticky kisses all over you face from the tender lips of a 5 year old at the end of a long day

The soft touch of a gentle breeze blowing through your bedroom window as you fall asleep at night

Snuggling with the one you love on cold winter nights

The sounds of screaming and laughing trailing up the stairs from the basement late at night when your teenagers are supposed to be asleep

Taking a drive on a lazy afternoon just to see the crops growing in the fields and the flowers in bloom

Having a slumber party with your adult sisters

Knowing who you are, where you came from, and where you are going

An e-mail from an old friend...just to say hello

Long talks into the night with your teenage son

Cafe Rio salads

A washer and dryer that both work at the same time

Having enough money to go to the laundromat if they don't

Home made blueberry smoothies

Warm blankets straight from the dryer

Pictures from a family vacation

Spinach artichoke dip on warm french bread

Jacuzzi tubs

The smell of rain

Listening to waves at the beach

Music

The laughter of children

thanks for sharing mom!

lyyyyyyrics #3

lyrics: love save the empty

by: erin mccarley

little girls don't know how to be sweet girls.

mama didn't teach me.

little boys don't know how to treat little girls.

daddy didn't show me.

face down, on top of your bed.

oh why did i give it up to you?

is this how i shoot myself up high,

just high enough to get through?

again, the false affection.

again, we break down inside.

love save the empty.

love save the empty, and save me.

sad boy, you stare up at the sky

when no one's looking back at you.

you wear your every last disguise;

you're flying, then you fall through.

again, the false attention.

again, you're breaking inside.

love save the empty.

love save the empty, save me.

love save the empty.

love save the empty.

stars feel like knives,

they tell us why we're fighting.

storm, wait outside.

oh, love, hold us together.

love, save the empty.

love, save the empty.

love, save the empty.

love, save the empty, and save me.

and save me.

{just a hint. you can click on the song to watch the video or on the artist to read more about them.}

lyricssssss #2.

some more great lyrics for you:

lyrics: gravity

by: sara bareilles

something always brings me back to you.

it never takes too long.

no matter what i say or do i'll still feel you here 'til the moment i'm gone.

you hold me without touch.

you keep me without chains.

i never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love and not feel your reign.

[CHORUS:]

set me free, leave me be. i don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.

here i am and i stand so tall, just the way i'm supposed to be.

but you're on to me and all over me.

you loved me 'cause i'm fragile.

when i thought that i was strong.

but you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone.

[CHORUS]

i live here on my knees as i try to make you see that you're everything i think i need here on the ground.

but you're neither friend nor foe though i can't seem to let you go.

the one thing that i still know is that you're keeping me down

i love that song,

llllllyrics! #1.

lyrics: dental care

by: owl city (adam young)

(okay so these aren't really inspiring, BUT its one of my favorite songs this week so i chose these lyrics.)

dental care

i brush my teeth

and look in the mirror

and laugh out loud

as i'm beaming from ear to ear

i'd rather pick flowers

instead of fights

and rather than flaunt my style

i'd flash you a smile

of clean pearly whites

i've been to the dentist

a thousand times, so i know the drill

i smooth my hair, sit back in the chair

but somehow i still get the chills

"have a seat"

he says pleasantly

as he shakes my hand

and practically laughs at me

"open up nice and wide"

he says, peering in

and with a smirk he says,

"don't have a fit, this'll just pinch a bit"

as he tries not to grin

when hygienists leave on long vacations

that's when dentists scream and lose their patience

talking only brings the toothaches on

because I say the stupidest things

so if my resolve goes south

i'll swallow my pride with an aspirin

and shut my mouth

golf and alcohol don't mix

and that's why I don't drink and drive

because, good grief, I'd knock out my teeth

and hafta kiss my smile goodbye

i've been to the dentist

a thousand times, so i know the drill

i smooth my hair, sit back in the chair

but somehow i still get the chills

i smooth my hair, sit back in the chair,

lets start a new tradition again!

latley i've been hearing t-o-n-s of songs that have such great {lyrics}.

so. as a new tradition i'm going to be sharing my favorite {lyrics} from time to time.

there are just so many that are so totally awesome, that they deserve to be shared!

so keep your eyes peeled for some awesome {lyrics}, by some even awesomer (yes. i just said awesomer) artists.

with friends like these, who needs enemies,