30 Days of Music: Day 13

A Song That Reminds Me Of My Loved One

Nick and I didn't dance at our wedding reception.  Everything was very low-key, and I've never been that big on "tradition".  We've never had a special song either.

A few years ago, I made a video for our anniversary.  I chose the song "Where You Are" by Rascal Flatts.  It worked well for us because when I made this video, we had already been married, divorced, and remarried again.

I love this video, and hope you enjoy our journey.

30 Days of Music: Day 12

A Song You Liked When You Were Younger

I have been a fan of New Kids On The Block since I first heard "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" 25 years ago.  Man, that fact makes me feel REALLY OLD!  I was barely a teenager, and they were 5 very cute guys that could sing and dance.  It was a match made in heaven.

So, for today's topic, get ready to go back into the late 1980s, and early 1990s with me as we go down memory lane with New Kids On The Block.  I may have liked these songs when I was younger, but I still love them today.  Admit it ladies, you're looking forward to this!!!!




One of my absolute favorite songs by NKOTB is "Step by Step".  Besides having a really catchy tune, I enjoy the choreography in this video.




Back in 1992, or 1993, NKOTB did a HUGE Pay-per-View concert.  For reasons I can't remember, we didn't have access to Pay-per-View, so I called my grandma and asked her if she would tape the concert for me.  Surprisingly, she said she would.  When I watched the concert a few weeks later (after receiving the tape in the mail), I was so afraid of how my grandma reacted when she saw this next song.  COMPLETELY playing to the girls in the crowd, Jordan sings "Baby, I Believe In You" with his shirt almost off.  Jordan has always been my favorite, so I LOVED this part of the concert!  When I asked my grandma what she thought, she told me she really enjoyed it...I was stunned!




By 1994 most of NKOTB's fan base was growing up and moving on to other music.  Grunge was huge by now, and they just didn't fit in anymore.  By now, even Jon had left the group.  "If You Go Away" was one of the last songs they released, and still one of my favorites.




Fast forward about 15 years.  We've all grown up.  Members of NKOTB have married, had children, and divorced.  Jon is gay.  NKOTB makes quite a big come back in 2008 when they appeared on The Today Show.  Face it:  the young girl inside all of us never really grows up.  NKOTB found their fan base again.  We had been waiting for this moment for YEARS! 

I wasn't a big fan of their album The Block, that came out in 2008.  It felt like they were just trying too hard.  Their videos were a little creepy, and I just wasn't impressed.  They went on tour, and did pretty well though.

At the end of 2013, they released another album, Ten.

I have to admit, I really like this album.  It has a more grown up feel, and it doesn't feel like they are trying to recapture their youth, but move forward with their music.

NKOTB went back to The Today Show and began promoting the album.  The first track off the album is titled "We Own Tonight".




MUCH BETTER than the last album.  I was getting excited.  Their first single was "Remix (I Like The)".  I love this song!  The video is fun, and this song gets stuck in your head and won't stop.  Even Brandon loves singing this song!!  There isn't one song on this album that I don't like...which is rare.  Usually there's at least one or two songs on an album that I don't like.



So, there it is; my walk down memory lane.  These are a few of the songs I liked when I was younger, and songs that I still love today!

30 Days of Music: Day 11

Disney Songs

I'm a big fan of Disney songs, the big numbers that celebrities usually sing for the movie.  A lot of the Disney songs stand alone on their own, outside of the movie.  Those are the songs that I am going to be focusing on today.  I've picked YouTube videos that don't show clips of the movie, but rather just the words.  Then you, the listener can simply focus on the strength of the song, and the artist who is singing.

First up, my favorite song from the movie Mulan.  Donny Osmond is one of my favorite singers.  He provided the voice behind the song "I'll Make A Man Out of You".  I love the power in his voice.  Heck, I just love his voice, period!!

Next up, "Go The Distance" from the movie Hercules.  Michael Bolton is a powerhouse.  His voice is strong, and timeless.

Phil Collins wrote the songs for the movie Tarzan.  "You'll Be In My Heart" is my favorite from this movie.

Disney began a "comeback" of sorts with the release of Beauty and The Beast.  The theme song from this movie, by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson is wonderful.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!  It is one, if not, my favorite Disney movie.  I still cry every time Mufasa dies, and I get a kick out of the fact that Mufasa has the same voice as Darth Vader.....courtesy of James Earl Jones.  The music that Elton John wrote for this movie is fabulous.  There are many songs that I like from this movie, but I've chosen the song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" to share with you.

30 Days of Music: Day 10

What is a Fanilow?

I don't watch Glee, but when I came across this clip, I knew this would be a post I added to this challenge.  It describes how I feel about Barry Manilow PERFECTLY!!



I have loved Manilow for years.  My mom used to listen to him when I was younger, and I caught the Fanilow bug when I got a little older.  He is under appreciated, and has done so much for music, it's crazy.  Known for his power ballads, and smooth voice, he's been touring and writing since the 1970s.  He is one of the artists that just keeps getting better and better with age!

One of his first, and biggest hits, was "Mandy".




Another one of his early, big hits, is "Could it Be Magic?"  The piano melody on this piece is incredible.




I don't really know why I've always liked this next song, "Ships".  I think it's because in a weird way it reminds me of the lack of relationship I have with my father.  Whatever the reason, I love this song.




Another power house ballad, "Weekend in New England" is another early song presented by Manilow.      




Back in 2001, Barry Manilow made an album titled "At The Mayflower".  The premise behind the album was that each song was about a different apartment inside a complex.  "Some Bar by The Harbor" is my favorite song off that album.  It is Manilow at his best, providing an incredible melody with power house music.  My favorite parts are right after he sings, "With you on the shore"....the piano melody after that is breathtaking.  My other favorite part is when he sings, "Sweet child, gone a mile"...the drum break between those two phrases is fabulous!

Sailin' can save me
Or I drown evermore
But I'm on the waves
With you on the shore

Never mind one fine day
In some bar by the harbor
I'll find you

There you'll be as you were
Corner stool by the jukebox
Waitin'' for me

I can remember

Sweet child, gone a mile
Swayin' your head
To the crazy ragtime

Sayin', "Hey you got a quarter?
Hey, you look familiar
Hey, you got a quarter?
Let's dance to the ragtime"

Slow down, don't time fly
Chased your smile
To some cold dingy attic

Now memories of a room we shared
Heaven and home to me
Longer and longer ago

I can remember

Time's up
Callin' ships all of the sounds
Of a restless harbor

You said, "Hey you look familiar
Come on you remember
Hey, you got a quarter?
Let's dance to the ragtime"

Sailin' has saved me
From drownin' evermore
But I'm on the waves
And you on the shore

Never mind one fine day
In some bar by the harbor
I'll find you

Boozy, scared, breakin' down
Tellin' the bouncer be cool
'Cause you're waitin' for me

Like I been dreamin'

That's you, swingin' 'round
Pushin' your way
Like a star to the jukebox

Sayin,' "Hey ya' got a quarter?
Hey, don't you remember?
Let's dance to the ragtime"

Hey, ya' got a quarter?
Hey, don't you remember?
Why must I remember?

Never mind one fine day
In some bar by the harbor
I'll find you, I'll find you, I'll find you

And will dance to the ragtime
Yes, will dance to the ragtime
Will be dancin' to the ragtime
Yes, will dance to the ragtime

Whether live or recorded, Manilow is so much fun to listen to.  But when you have a man who can match his past self (from 20 years earlier) with his present self, note for note, you know you've got gold.  This is my favorite performance from Barry Manilow.  He did a show in Vegas that PBS recorded.  This was in the very beginning.  



Now you know what a Fanilow is.  I bet that you were singing along if you know these songs, unless you're my husband, who can't stand Barry Manilow because I've played his music so much!

30 Days of Music: Day 9

A Song That Reminds You of Something Sad

I've never been "lucky in love".  Throughout high school, and the majority of college, I was labeled "friend" by whatever boy I had a crush on.  It was not fun, and never easy to watch the other girl get the guy I wished liked me back.  It was equally difficult to listen to the boy share his girl woes with me when I wished he would just see ME.  The topic is songs that remind me of something sad; well here it is.....my nonexistent "love life" through college and the sadness it caused!  The songs in this post are some that helped me deal with the sadness, and move on.

I love the movie My Best Friend's Wedding.  I laugh, and cry every time I watch it.  I can relate to it in SO MANY WAYS!  This first song comes from that soundtrack.  "You Don't Know Me", by Jann Arden.



"I Can't Make You Love Me", by Bonnie Raitt is next.  It's a beautiful song to begin with, but also a wonderful coping song!




"It Will Be Me" by Faith Hill was another song that got me through my sorrow.




Now onto songs that helped me get my head out of my sorrows and move on.



"The Power of Good-bye", by Madonna is a song that is very emotional.

Your heart is not open so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
Freedom comes when you learn to let go
Creation comes when you learn to say no

You were my lesson I had to learn
I was your fortress you had to burn
Pain is a warning that something's wrong
I pray to God that it won't be long
Do ya wanna go higher?

[Chorus:]

There's nothing left to try
There's no place left to hide
There's no greater power
Than the power of good-bye

Your heart is not open so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
You were my lesson I had to learn
I was your fortress

[Chorus2:]

There's nothing left to lose
There's no more heart to bruise
There's no greater power
Than the power of good-bye

Learn to say good-bye
I yearn to say good-bye

And finally, the song that always helped me leave it all behind and move on.  "I'll Be Okay", by Amanda Marshall, also from the soundtrack for My Best Friend's Wedding.




I hope you enjoyed my sad journey today!