Music & Lyrics

The other day on the radio (on Eric & Kathy, duh), I heard an interesting statement:

"Happy people listen to the music, sad people listen to the lyrics."

I don't know about you, but I find this to be SO true.  I think maybe sad people are looking for comfort in the lyrics, either in the form of advice or in a 'misery loves company'-esque way.  I know there were hard times in my life when I've found comfort in music lyrics.

What are your thoughts?  Do you agree with this?  Is it fair for me to make certain assumptions about people who constantly post song lyrics in their facebook statuses?  

Letting Go

So, thanks to Pandora, I have come across the song "Letting Go" by Casados.  I LOVE it.  it has a really sweet sound and nice meaningful lyrics.  The singers' voices have a nice melodic sound as well.

I have never heard this song outside Pandora and I have never heard mention of this band anywhere.  I decided to do some 'internet research' on the matter.

I discovered there were quite a few other people in my exact shoes - they mentioned they loved the song but only knew of it because of Pandora.  They wanted to know more.  What are the lyrics?  Who is this band?  Why is this song on XXX pandora station?   Why this song, and not their others?  (presuming they have created more than just one song).

Now, first off, let me say I found this to be a bit of an 'odd fit' for the station I found this on.  That being said, I've noticed a certain frequency of some songs/artists (I know there's a counter argument that this is simply based on what I've "liked".)  However, I assume Pandora to be a 'for profit' organization.  Are there certain artists that have 'agreements' with Pandora?  I assume for every song/artist I discover through Pandora, there must be a ton more that I'm not familiar with that I'm NOT hearing.

Is there a certain reason for "high frequency" artists?  For example, I know offhand I constantly come across "The Bravery" (whom I also do not hear of outside Pandora) and The Strokes (whom I do know of, but don't hear all that much in the mainstream).  I know a couple other Pandora users who have mentioned also constantly encountering these two bands.

Does anyone fully know how Pandora works?  Does anyone have an explanation for why some artists appear a lot and some artists rarely/never do (not that I can cite a specific example here) aside from "this is similar to what I've stated I like"?  Does anyone else love Casados?  Does anyone else know of the band from something besides Pandora?  Are they coming to Chicago for a concert any time soon?  Do they have any other great songs, or are they simply a one "hit" wonder?   What are some "high-frequency" artists you all experience?  

A Great Old Song

The other night, I was out 'downtown' and the bar seemed to be on a bit of a '90s kick.  Not complaining at all.  Some of the best music ever was made during that era.  Anyhow.  This great old classic came on.  I'm not going to argue its merits as a song, however, I just love it.  It's the perfect 'you knocked me down but I got back up, damnit!' song.   We've all experienced a time when we felt we needed such an anthem.  And also, it's the epitome of a one-hit-wonder.



Here's the song's wikipedia page.  

A Whitney Houston Tribute

Whitney will always hold a special place in my heart as a child of the '80s who grew up a dancer.  I learned choreography to many of her songs.  Senior year of high school I choreographed a dance to 'One Moment In Time'.  She's part of childhood memories for me.  I'll miss you, Whitney.  You're yet another example of how, on many occasions, bad things get the better of good people.

This is my favorite Whitney song.  It perfectly embodies the time that it is from.  :-)  And, as an angsty teeny-bopper girl, I could totally relate to this song.

Spotify, Etc.

So, I have a couple friends who use this thing called Spotify. I am not an expert on the matter at all, so I might be completely wrong at how it works, but to my understanding - one can listen to any song of choice for free - it just needs to be broadcast on a social network.

This, for me, would be a nightmare. Or at least, not worth it to use, under any circumstances. I don't like being judged on my music choices. Sometimes I am craving the most obscure song. In fact, when I find myself 'craving' a song, if you will, it's usually the pickles and ice cream of songs. I'd have no desire to broadcast that to 800 people I may or may not somewhat know. That, and, well, sometimes when I find a song I really like - it goes on repeat...A LOT.

That, and a friend brought up another point. It was a Friday night. She wanted to hear a song, but, you know, then she'd be broadcasting to all of the fbook community that she's sitting at her computer on a Friday night.

Not to mention, well, I have quite a few facebook friends who use these programs, and, well, I have found quite a few of their choices, well, interesting....

Anyhow. Your thoughts? Do you use these programs? All I know is, for the privacy, I will gladly shell out the dollar for the song on i-tunes or wherever....

In Case Anyone Is Looking For A Good Holiday CD....

This one is phenomenal.  And no, I'm not being facetious.  It really is.  

Trying To Redeem Myself After the Selena Gomez Post

I LOVE this song.  I don't particularly like this band - they're ok - but this song is great.  I also like their 'Someday' song.  My angrier side relates to that song.

Dirty Secret

So, the other day, I had my Kelly Clarkson pandora going (chuckle if you'd like, it only gets worse from here) and I randomly heard a song that I wasn't familiar with and thought 'Ooh, I like this song.  I wonder what it is.  I'm going to give it a thumbs up!'

Drumroll please.

It was Selena Gomez's 'I Love You Like a Love Song'.

Am I a teenage girl caught in 28 year-old's body?  Should I be embarrassed?  Do any other 20 somethings like this artist?  Should I make a Selena Gomez station!?  Does anyone out there have one already going?  Is it good?  Is it better or worse than this guilty pleasure?  Your thoughts?  Actually, let's be realistic, I probably don't want to actually hear them on this one....

Anyone Remember?

So the other day, during some very serious girl talk, I learned something interesting.  The band All 4 One, whose peak years were my late junior high days, released a greatest hits album.

Hit(s)?  Was there more than one?  I realize there are a lot of musicians this can be said about - but still.  I remember 'I swear'.  Who doesn't?  Sigh.  I'm about to bust out singing and dancing here.  But otherwise.     Can anyone remember another hit?  And then like another 8, to merit a cd's worth of songs?

Sigh.  I just found this amusing.  Can anyone else name off any other bands that, inappropriately, have 'greatest hits' albums?

Guiltiest Pleasure of All....

So I have always really loved the Christmas movie 'The Family Stone' (not the guilty pleasure).  I watch it every year around the holiday season.

Every time, I have always though 'I really like that song at the very end of the movie when the credits play'.

Drumroll please....

"Count on me" by Jefferson Starship.

I am not sure, exactly, who Jefferson Starship is, but I am pretty sure that anyone who likes them is supposed to stay mum about it behind a black curtain of shame.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Your thoughts?  Are there any blogs out there currently talking about Jefferson Starship?  Yeah, didn't think so....

Guilty Pleasure.

Despite my feelings toward him during American Idol.  Despite everything.  I have to admit....

I like the CD.

You Probably Think This Post is About you....

In the past 24 hours, I have randomly heard the song 'You're So Vain' at a public place TWICE. Since this song has been referenced on this blog, my blog naturally thinks this occurrence is about it.

Moment of silence for Carly Simon for becoming muzak....

The Sounds of the Late '90s....

So, as most of you readers know, a good friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) frequent the BYOBs of the North Wrigleyville area. We have noticed a frequent pattern at said BYOBs - the hits of the '90s play in the background. Savage Garden, Vertical Horizon, Gin Blossoms, Matchbox Twenty, Sophie B. Hawkins, etc.

This clearly comes from a CD/something, because there are no commercials. I'm wondering if there is some business around (like 'Muzak') that sells background music to local restaurants (Matt, is this what has become of the Matt Mixes? Is this your side business?). Second question - why would restaurants opt for this kind of music, specifically? I mean, I do suppose it has a nice, easy-listening, non-objectionable quality to it. However, there are also other genres of music that fit this bill.

Anyhow. This kind of music holds a special place in my heart, because it is attached to plenty of childhood (well, high school) memories. Back when life seemed so one-dimensional. Sigh. Adolescent memories. Life. I digress.

I hope these local byobs keep this genre of music going strong. Any other late '90s music enthusiasts out there?

Shoutout!!

Brian. Thanks for reading, and thanks for the new CD!

A little something to keep you interested in said blog....

Concert Tonight!

Well actually, the concert was yesterday night. Better Than Ezra. It was great. Kind of short and not all that crowded. And the band members have all aged a bit. But otherwise, it was great.

I went to for the subject line of 'Concert Tonight' because it is a toss-back to the good old days of River Trails Middle School. I am not sure how many RTMS alums read this blog (well, there's only really one or two I know of) - but I'm curious if anyone else will get this.

It's Britney, Bitch!

Ok, so I got to thinking about this the other day - now, say what you will about Britney Spears, but when it comes to musicians from my era who "can stand the test of time" - it appears as though Britney has doneso (for better or for worse). Kind of amazing, considering some she has outlasted.

Think about it - Britney has been around for over a decade. She was on her second album before that big Y2K snafu. She's been around longer than American Idol! I remember subscribing to Seventeen magazine and seeing her face in the ads as an up and coming artist.

I also remember, senior year of high school, going to Best Buy and being embarrassed to buy her CD (I think I lumped it in with U2 and Matchbox Twenty and pretended it was a gift for a younger cousin - I liked to pretend, back then, that I had finer tastes). However, now, I will proudly shout that I love Britney and I'm not afraid to show it! Think about - Baby One More Time, Womanizer, Gimme More, Lucky, I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet a Woman, Someday, and of course my personal all-time favorite - Oops, I Did it Again!!

Is anyone else a closet Britney fan? Say what you will, she has consistently been in the news for ten years straight (again, for better or for worse). Maybe 'Oops, I Did It Again' was really a line foreshadowing what's to come in her career.

Trivia Results....

There you have it.

Pop Quiz

What is the number one most played song in my i-tunes? I ask this because I find it to be an interesting result (per i-tunes). I wouldn't necessarily say this is my favorite song, but it is a good one. I will give a reward to someone with the correct answer.

Some hints:
--The artist is not Fleetwood Mac, Better Than Ezra, Taylor Swift, U2, or, on that note, any artist I have mentioned on said blog
--On that note, it is by a more obscure artist, although many have heard of the artist
--It is a nicely girly song that many of females will relate to and many of men will roll their eyes at
--I think I like the music video even better than the song

I look forward to any interesting guesses....

Anyone Remember?

So my near and dear friend Piper brought up an interesting point. CD clubs. Anyone remember them? You know - those places where you could buy 13 CDs for one penny, then each subsequent CD was $18 (whereas at the time on could easily get a CD for $12 at Best Buy). However, a lot of people had timed it where they'd buy one CD then quit. I think some people found some way to scam the system. Although I assume there was something in the fine print that didn't allow for this. I'm not sure. I do believe some of my friends were in CD clubs, but I'm not sure how they made things work.

Anyhow. Do CD clubs still exist? I imagine i-tunes and the downloading of music drove them out of business. Was anyone here in a CD club? Was it worthwhile, financially speaking? Was it a good deal? Was there a good way to scam the system? Please, do share.

New CD!

One of my all-time favorite bands ever released a new CD! Better Than Ezra's Paper Empire! I don't often talk openly about my favorite musicians (well, maybe my blog readers will argue otherwise) because I find it obnoxious when people constantly identify themselves as fans of a certain musician. I'm not sure why. However, BTE probably makes my lifetime top 5.

Anyhow. One of my favorite bands of all time is Better Than Ezra. I've seen them in concert either 2-3 times (I can't remember exactly - it was all Milwaukee summerfests)! Their new CD is great (especially the song Absolutely Still). Well, the songs I've been able to download thus far. I'll probably acquire the whole thing later.

Also, I can't help but notice that, once again, Better Than Ezra, is playing at MSF again (Sunday, June 28). Any takers?