Music – Not Your Mom's Playlist

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

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

October 19, 2017

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. 🙂

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!

90s Songs, Classid, Oldies, Rock Music, Singer/Songwriter

Song of the Day – “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

October 4, 2017

Well, it has been another somber week. It seems like they just keep coming. Sometimes I start to feel fatigued by the amount of heartbreak in the world. Mixed in the middle of many traumatic events, on Monday night we lost a rock legend and a musician that I just loved – Tom Petty. This one really makes me sad and it just feels like I need to post a song by him today.

Listening to Tom Petty’s music stirs up memories of days past, good times, challenging times … just a piece of the soundtrack of my life. I imagine that there are many people my age who feel the same way.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, During his induction speech, Tom Petty said,

“The music overcame me at a very early age and has consumed my life.”

Aren’t we all so lucky that it did! Tom Petty was an incredibly talented songwriter and musician who really made a mark on the music world and the history of music. I struggled to decide which song to post today as there are just so many that I truly love. I encourage you to go back and listen to his incredible legacy of music … you will understand why my choice was difficult today.

I decided on a song that still resonates with me as much today as when it was released. “Learning to Fly” is from the 1991 album, Into The Great Wide Open and is a classic. The music is amazing the the lyrics are beautifully poetic. I hope you find it as moving as I do. Rest in peace, Tom Petty.

“Learning To Fly”
Well I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

[Chorus:]
I’m learning to fly, but I ain’t got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well the good ol’ days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I’ve started out for God knows where
I guess I’ll know when I get there

I’m learning to fly, around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

Acoustic Songs, Canadian Artists, Love Songs, Singer/Songwriter

Song of the Day – “I Wouldn’t Dance” by David Myles

February 14, 2015

❤ ❤ HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! ❤ ❤

I am not a flowers and chocolate kind of girl on Valentine’s Day, but I love taking the opportunity to tell those I love how much I love them. I hope that you have been lucky enough to spend time today with the one that you love.

Establishing a tradition that I started last year, I am posting a song by David Myles for Valentine’s Day. I love him and his music and this song is just the perfect sentiment for the day. On top of that, David Myles is maintaining his Valentine tradition of giving away a free little love song. Click here to make sure you get your free copy of this sweet love song.

70s Songs, Mellow Songs, Rock Music, Sad Songs, Singer/Songwriter

“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac

October 9, 2014

It’s Throwback Thursday! Today’s #tbt song is one of my favorite songs of all time by one of my favorite musical groups of all time. This song was originally released in 1975 on the self-titled album, Fleetwood Mac.

Growing up, Fleetwood Mac was my favorite group and I knew every word to every song … actually I still do.

I decided to post a song from them today because they just started a reunion tour (On With the Show) and everyone is back this time, including Christine McVie. Earlier this week, the band played at Madison Square Garden and, although I was not able to attend, I am dying to see them perform live during their reunion tour. If I was picking one band that I have always wanted to see live, they would be at the top of my list. It sounds like I will be lucky because, just this morning, they announced that they are expanding their reunion tour and adding 28 more shows, including a return to NYC. If you are an American Express holder, it sounds like tickets will be available on October 13; otherwise, they go on sale October 20. I plan not to miss it!

After listening to them perform live today on the Today Show, I have to admit that I still love Fleetwood Mac and their music. It was a difficult decision to choose just one song by them because they have so many good ones, but I have always loved this incredible song. They lyrics have such deep meaning and emotion and I love the guitar rhythms – just an awesome song. I also have to say, Steve Nicks’ voice is still as amazing as ever.

Alternative, Rising Artist, UK Artists

“Worry” by Jack Garratt

October 7, 2014

I just got home from visiting my son in South Carolina for a few days for his 16th birthday. It was awesome to get to spend time with him! I have been trying to decide if I came home less worried or more worried about him. Haha!

It is such a strange feeling to go visit your teenage boy in his “apartment” and say “yep, that is how I would keep my space.” Yikes! Teenage boys are messy. He keeps reminding me that his apartment was one of only two that passed house inspections … so I should be pleased. Hmm …

Anyway, he is doing incredibly well at his new school and loves it. He is happy, settled, social, and motivated! As much as I miss him, this makes me very happy. I am very proud of him, even if I do worry about him and miss him every day.

The alligators down there also worry me! 🙂

I have been wanting to post this cool new song and I thought the title was just perfect today. Jack Garratt is a young artist from London, England who just released his first EP, Remnants, a few months ago. His music is very unique and is difficult to box into a genre. He has an incredible amount of soul and emotion in his music. It is an interesting song to add to my playlist, but I think Jack Garratt is extremely talented and creates incredibly interesting music. Listen to the unique beat, rhythm, and lyrics that he uses in his music. I hope that you enjoy this new song by a young, rising artist. I am sure we will hear much more from him in the future.

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