Music – Not Your Mom's Playlist

Electronic, Exercise/Running Songs, Hip Hop/Rap, Pop Music, Upbeat Songs

Song of the Day – “Feels Great” by Cheat Codes, featuring Fetty Wap

February 7, 2018

Workout Wednesday!

As I mentioned on Monday, I have decided to dedicate a few days each week to a particular theme. Wednesdays will now be “Workout Wednesday.” On Wednesdays I will post a song that you will find on my workout playlist, and that I hope that it helps you get motivated for your workouts.

This song has been a constant on my workout play list since November, but before you listen to it, I want to give you an explicit language alert. I have to admit that when my daughter first shared this song with me months ago, she wondered if I might not like it because of that, but I find this song incredibly motivating. Who doesn’t remember how it feels to be young? The answer (although we hear the F word multiple times) just seems fitting. 🙂

Song of the Day – “22” by Taylor Swift

February 4, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful and amazing daughter!

I remember this day – 22 years ago – like it was yesterday. Cassidy made me a mom and the moment she was put in my arms … I fell instantly in love! Hard to believe that was 22 years ago today! Happy Birthday to my sunshine girl. Double 2s today!! I love you to the moon and back! ❤

Hey, I don’t know about you … 🙂

90s Songs, Alternative Rock, European Artists, Rock Music

Song of the Day – “Dreams” by The Cranberries

January 15, 2018

Happy New Year!

I am excited to get back to Not Your Mom’s Playlist for 2018 and have some goals for the site, and some fun changes to make to the page. I hope you will enjoy it.

Today I heard the very sad news that Dolores O’Riordan, the lead singer of The Cranberries, died suddenly in London at the age of 46. Not much news has been released yet, but it is a tremendous loss. Check out this article on NPR.

I remember very well when The Cranberries entered the music scene. This song was released, on the album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We, in early 1993 during the very early years of my married, working life … and I was instantly hooked. It was one of the first new bands I remember during that time of my life. I loved Dolores’ voice and the musical sounds created by the band, which were so different than the music we had been listening to in the 80s. The music was refreshing, interesting, and beautiful.

“Linger” by The Cranberries is a classic and a song that I absolutely love (and you should definitely listen to it too), but I think that today’s song really highlights Dolores’ amazing, unique voice and the incredible sound that was The Cranberries. I hope that you love this song as much as I do and that it sparks a memory for you. A tremendous loss of an amazing artist who left us much too young.

Alternative, Alternative Rock, Upbeat Songs

Song of the Day – “Future Looks Good” by OneRepublic

October 27, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister!

Today I want to celebrate my little sister on her birthday. On birthdays, I like to look forward to the year ahead while celebrating the year that just passed. That is why I chose this song today for her birthday and as my wish for her to have joy in the upcoming year. It has been a crazy and challenging year, but I know that the future looks good. 🙂

Having sisters is a gift and I was blessed with 3 of them! I am the third of four girls, and my little sister was a distant fourth … almost 5 years younger than me. For her birthday today, I have to share (probably to her horror!) one of my favorite music memories of her.

Back in the day, my little sister loved Madonna and Michael Jackson. She loved the song “Beat It” SO much that she recorded it on a cassette tape over and over again. I did not know this until we got into the car for a family road trip. As we sat in the back of the van, on this fabulous bed that my dad had built, she blasted on the boom box “Beat It” over and over and over again. I can tell you that I wanted to BEAT her. I am not sure that I ever really liked that song again after that trip. To be honest, I am not sure she did either. 😉

As for today’s song, OneRepublic is probably one of my very favorite bands. I don’t think there is anyone quite as cool or talented as Ryan Tedder, and there is not a song that I don’t like. This song is from their 2016 album, Oh My My. I have been lucky enough to see OneRepublic in concert several times and they never disappoint. They are truly even better live than recorded.

Cheers to you, Danni! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Fall Fest at Beacon Theatre, NYC – Oct 2016 and Today Citi Concert Series, NYC – May 2017

90s Songs, Americana, Anthems, Classic, Country, Oldies

Song of the Day – “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks

October 19, 2017

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It’s Throwback Thursday! Today’s #tbt song “Friends in Low Places” is from the 1990 album No Fences by Garth Brooks.

I love this song! Who doesn’t love this song? It is a hard song not to love. 🙂

I recently watched an incredible video of a Justin Timberlake concert where he sang this song and had Garth Brooks join him on stage. It was just a reminder of how much I used to love this song and Garth Brooks in general. So, I thought I should share the feeling by sharing this song today.

This song was HUGE in 1990 and became one of the biggest songs of the decade! I hope today’s throwback sparks some good memories. I still remember the year this song came out and it seemed like everywhere we went it was playing, and groups of people were singing along. And who doesn’t remember when the 3rd verse became a thing?!

I attended a Garth Brooks concert with my parents and my sisters in Las Vegas way back in the 1990s and it was awesome! That man knows how to perform! He is goofy, twangy, seems incredibly down to earth, and is dang comfortable in his own boots.

A couple of notes. Garth Brooks does not have his music on iTunes. He decided to put his entire library on Amazon Music, so check it out there . One other thing, Garth is currently touring and has just a few dates left as he finishes up his North American tour. Interestingly, he is performing in Newark in December. Maybe I need to get my parents and sisters together again. 🙂

Happy Songs, Hip Hop/Rap, Singer/Songwriter

Song of the Day – “Good Old Days” by Mackelmore, featuring Kesha

October 16, 2017

If you have not heard this song yet, you must listen to it. I absolutely love this song!

The song, “Good Old Days,” is from Macklemore’s album Gemini which was just released on September 22, 2017.

The piano music in the song is beautiful and I find the rhythm soothing, yet incredibly catchy. I also find the rapping, mixed with the beautiful chorus and the piano, just a cool combo; but, even more than that, the lyrics to this song are incredible. Macklemore and Kesha wrote a fantastic song together.

I think this is one of those songs that all of us can relate to in some way. I challenge you to listen to this song and not have some sort of emotional response.

Turning 50 this year, I know that I certainly can relate. Getting older – watching my children grow up and watching my parents age – I think it strikes me more than ever that life is constantly moving forward. ALL the moments are the “good old days” and I have loved, and am loving, them all.

My favorite lyrics from the end of the song:

Never thought we’d get old, maybe we’re still young.

May we always look back and think it was better than it was.
Maybe these are the moments,
Maybe I’ve been missing what it’s about.
Been scared of the future, thinking about the past
While missing out on now.
We’ve come so far.

I guess I’m proud.
And I ain’t worried ’bout the wrinkles around my smile.
I’ve got some scars, I’ve been around.
I’ve felt some pain, I’ve seen some things, but I’m here now.
Those good old days.

You don’t know, what you’ve got
‘Til it goes, ’til it’s gone.
You don’t know, what you’ve got
‘Til it goes, ’til it’s gone.

I wish somebody would have told me then,
That some day these will be the good old days.
All the love you won’t forget
And all these reckless nights you won’t regret.
Someday soon your whole life’s gonna change,
You’ll miss the magic of these good old days.

— Ben Haggerty (aka Macklemore) and Kesha Sebert

Photo from Macklemore concert in NYC in November 2013.

Alternative Rock, Anthems, Motivational Music

Song of the Day – “Rise Up” by Imagine Dragons

October 15, 2017

I love Imagine Dragons! Their music is amazing and their songs are genuine. They are one of my favorite bands.

The first time I saw them live was in February of 2013 on the Night Visions tour after the release of their first full-album of the same name. At the time, they were much smaller than they are today and my son and I went to see them at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas. The concert still ranks up there as one of my favorites. They had this gigantic drum on the stage and it was just an incredible live performance.

2013 – Night Visions Tour in Dallas, TX

2017 – Evolve Tour in Salt Lake City, UT

2013 – Night Visions Tour 2017 – Evolve Tour

On Friday night, my son and I went to see them again on the Evolve tour in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was another amazing live performance, but the crowd was significantly larger! They have morphed into a hugely successful band and I am thrilled for them and still love their authentic music. (Even crazier to me is how grown up … and handsome! … my son has become!)

The massive crowd at USANA Amphitheatre on Friday night giving some love to Imagine Dragons during the song “Demons.” Dan Reynolds gave his personal account of the song being written based on his struggle with depression.

Las Vegas-based Imagine Dragons consists of frontman Dan Reynolds, along with guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman. The group got their start in Provo, Utah when Dan Reynolds was attending Brigham Young University (BYU). I think Dan Reynolds is the bomb!

Today’s song, “Rise Up,” is from their new album – Evolve. This is just an all around great song. The lyrics just sing to me and the music is anthemic! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

90s Songs, Blues, Mellow Songs, Soul

Song of the Day – “It’s Alright” by Big Head Todd and The Monsters

October 12, 2017

It’s Throwback Thursday! Today’s #tbt song is from the 1993 album Sister Sweetly by Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

I love this song! It is so incredibly soulful.

I was first introduced to this song at a yoga class taught by Alex Austin at At One Yoga while I was living in Arizona. What an amazing song for yoga and Alex was an amazing yoga instructor. (I still miss his classes)

The reason I decided on this song today is that I was just able to see Big Head Todd and the Monsters perform a few weeks ago at the Greenwich Wine+Food Festival and I was totally excited to hear this song live. (In fact, I think I cracked Todd up because I was right at the edge of the stage singing my heart out! lol)

Big Head Todd and the Monsters – happy they played my song! 🙂

The song was as great as I remembered and I have now, once again, been listening to it all the time. Don’t you find that you sometimes need a song reminder? My iTunes library has over 2500 songs and then you add my Spotify library to that list … I could listen to music every single day and never hit the same song twice. I was thrilled to get this reminder.

I hope you enjoy this easygoing, soulful song by a band that has been performing for over 30 years together. In case you wondered, Big Head Todd and the Monsters can still rock! 🙂

Alternative Rock, Love Songs, Soft Rock

Song of the Day – “What Side of Love” by Parachute

October 11, 2017

Today’s song is from a band that I discovered back in 2009 while living in London. I cannot remember how exactly I was introduced to them there, but I was instantly a fan.

I saw Parachute perform in NYC in March 2015 when they were touring with Mat Kearney (my favorite!) and they put on a great, full band performance, but as much as I liked that …

I just recently saw them in an intimate, acoustic show at City Winery in NYC last month and it was absolutely amazing! What an incredible venue to hear their music. They obviously sang all the favorites and nearly everyone in attendance sang right along with them.

Today’s song of the day was probably my very favorite of the performance that night. The song is from their most recent album, Wide Awake, which was released in 2016. Will told the story of what he wrote the song about, but he also said that he felt like it was especially fitting for this time in the world. The lyrics really resonated with me … It is just a great song!

Parachute was originally formed in 2006 in Charlottesville, Virginia and they started touring in 2008 after college graduation. The band consists of childhood friends: Will Anderson (vocals, guitar, frontman), Johnny Stubblefield (drums), and Kit French (keyboard, saxophone).

Their debut album, Losing Sleep was released in 2009 and the I still love the song “The Mess I Made” from that album. Their 2011 album, The Way It Was has some of their most popular songs on it with the song “Kiss Me Slowly” leading my list of favorites off that album.

I hope you enjoy this song. Let me know what you think.

Happy Songs, Indie Rock, Upbeat Songs

Song of the Day – “My Way” by Mike Mains (featuring Yacht Money)

October 7, 2017

Here is a happy song for your weekend!

I have always been a fan of Mike Mains & The Branches, but it appears that he is no longer with The Branches. 😉 Three years ago I posted one of my favorite songs by them – “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” I have always found their music to be uplifting and fun. They are currently on tour and are coming to NYC this week. If I can get home in time … I will be there!

Not much to say today other than Be Happy and I hope things are going your way today. Happy weekend and enjoy the song!

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