Go download December by Norah Jones for free on iTunes. It's a really nice song.
Lyrics
December come to me
I hope I can see
You not just in dreams
I will let you be
Why can't you believe
How much you really mean
December won't you come
Back with snow even sun
Don't say that it's done
I will carry you home
Take you from the loneliest
Place you have known
I will carry you home
Take me from the loneliest
Place I have known
I love this guy. I don't know why I haven't been listening to him since day 1, but I'm happy to be joining his career as a fan on day... 689? I don't know.
He has released two EPs and his debut album comes out on February 16, 2010.
Lyrics Yea I’ve come to know the wish list of my father
I’ve come to know the shipwrecks where he wished
I’ve come to wish aloud among the over dressed crowd
Come to witness now the sinking of the ship
Throwing pennies from the sea top next to it
And I’ve come to roam the forest past the village
With a dozen lazy horses in my cart
I’ve come here to get high,
To do more than just get by.
I’ve come to test the timber of my heart
Oh, I’ve come to test the timber of my heart
And I’ve come to be untroubled in my seeking
And I’ve come to see that nothing is for naught
I’ve come to reach out blind
to reach forward and behind
For the more I seek the more I’m sought
Yea, the more I seek the more I’m sought.
And I’ve come to meet the sheriff and his posse
To offer him the broadside of my jaw
I’ve come here to get broke
Then maybe bum a smoke
We’ll go drinking two towns over after all
Oh, we’ll go drinking two towns over after all.
And I’ve come to meet the legendary takers
I’ve only come to ask them for a lot
Oh they say I come with less
than I should rightfully posses
I say the more I buy the more I’m bought
And the more I’m bought the less I cost
And I’ve come to take their servants and their surplus
And I’ve come to take their raincoats and their speed
I’ve come to get my fill
To ransack and spill
I’ve come to take the harvest for the seed
I’ve come to take the harvest for the seed
And I’ve come to know the manger that you sleep in
I’ve come to be the stranger that you keep
I’ve come from down the road
And my footsteps never slowed
Before we met, I knew we’d meet
Before we met, I knew we’d meet
And I’ve come here to ignore your cries and heartaches
I’ve come to closely listen to you sing
I’ve come here to insist
That I leave here with a kiss
I‘ve come to say exactly what I mean
and I mean so many things.
And you’ve come to know me stubborn as a butcher
and you’ve come to know me thankless as a guest
will you recognize my face when gods awful grace
strips me of my jacket and my vest
and reveals all the treasure in my chest
I love this song. Daniel Johnston has poignant simplicity down to an art. Ben Gibbard's voice can turn anything into a delicacy. Voila!
Enjoy it.
(If you don't know about Daniel Johnston, watch the 2006 Documentary, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. He's tragically bipolar but his music has attracted attention from music professionals since the 70s. It's kind of important to put his music into context.)
Having dreams about you
I want to scream about you
I’m having dreams about you
I want to scream about you
Everything you’ve done
You were the girl who seemed to own the world
Everything was about you
I took a chance to call you my own
I didn’t know a thing about you
I though you could love
What a fool I was
It was going on
I was just singing my songs
There was something mad about you
I took it wrong
You liked my song
Why couldn’t I have you
A crazy dream you done me wrong
You left me long
I couldn’t stand a chance with out you
You said that love was dead and in my head
I just couldn’t believe it
And on the phone you said
You never knew me at all (2x)
I thought there was love
What a fool I was
And everything was in hyper-jinx
Just like an old time movie
You don’t understand
Can’t comprehend
I guess it doesn’t really matter
And every dream a nightmare
And nothing really matters
I was at CVS last week and heard this song on the speakers. It made me so nostalgic. It's really a great song. I love Bruce Hornsby, too. This is like 90s gold. (I am sorry I have not posted a song in a while... Finals week blew.)
Instead of a song today, I am sharing a fun little compilation. The folks at Vanguard Records know what we really want: free new music! The album isn't all holiday music but there's a pretty good track called "The Holidays Are Here (we're still at war)" by Brett Dennen. Kind of reminds you of John Lennon's Happy Christmas (war is over). Speaking of which, Yoko Ono has a little christmas campaign she wants everyone to be a part of. Print out a poster/postcard of this photo and spread the news that War is Over (if you want it.)
My friend has been excitedly sharing this song for the past 2 days and it is most definitely worth the fuss. Greg Laswell's voice is so smooth and beautiful, you could listen to him for hours - and I have. The song is a Kate Bush cover, so you could probably check out her version too... but I'm partial to this one.
Lyrics Pray God You can cope I stand outside this woman's work This woman's world Ooh It's hard on the man Now his part is over Now starts the craft of the father
I know you have a little life in you yet I know you have a lot of strength left I know you have a little life in you yet I know you have a lot of strength left
I should be crying but I just can't let it show I should be hoping but I can't stop thinking Of all the things I should've said that I never said All the things we should've done that we never did All the things I should've given but I didn't
Oh My darling make it go Make it go away
Give me these moments back Give them back to me Give me that little kiss Give me your hand
I know you have a little life in you yet I know you have a lot of strength left I know you have a little life in you yet I know you have a lot of strength left
I should be crying but I just can't let it show I should be hoping but I can't stop thinking Ooh Of all the things we should've said that were never said All the things we should've done that we never did All the things that you needed from me All the things that you wanted for me All the things that I should've given but I didn't
”Fences mastermind Chris Mansfield looks like he could be a roadie for New Jersey hardcore band Thursday, but don't be fooled. It's his acoustic guitar and quiet stories of emotional torment that shine…” -Spin Magazine
I found out about Fences (Christopher Mansfield's project name) from Tegan and Sara. Sara Quin produced his LP, set to release in 2010. He has an E.P. out now called The Ultimate Puke. (cute.) You can listen to the EP on his Myspace and buy it at indiemerchstore.
Watch the music video they filmed for Give Seattle, a charity benefitting Arts Corps. A bunch of Seattle based musicians recorded tracks that Give Seattle is releasing for a donation of $7. Check out the website for more information.
This song is from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's 2005 release, Howl. It's a simple enough concept. Sometimes you're stuck in love and can't get out. End of story.
There is something so moving about Debussy's work. Clair de Lune is such a famous piece but I still melt every time I hear it. Jean-Yves Thibaudet is also a phenomenal pianist, and a wonderful man, too. You may recognize his name from the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack- he performed the music. (one of my favorite soundtracks of all time.) He teams up with composer Dario Marianelli regularly. Anyways, press play, sit back and envelop yourself in tranquility.
The Road to Gavle, Tina Dico's newest release (it came out on November 30th) is actually a soundtrack for a Danish film called "Oldboys." I haven't really given it a good listen through, but this song stood out to me when clicking through the 30 second clips on iTunes. Very simple song structure, but there's something beautiful in its simplicity. It's just an honest song about honest feelings. Who can't relate?
I heard this song today. I love this song. It's so cool. Lykke Li can make anything sound so sexy. The lyrics don't hurt either. I want to put it in a movie so badly. Some dark underground party scene with distant colorful lights or something. I don't know why that's what I think of. You might picture something completely different. Anyways, it's a sweet song.
Lyrics I'm naked
I'm numb
I'm stupid
I'm staying
And if Cupid's got a gun, then he's shootin'
Lights black; heads bang
You're my drug
We live it
You're drunk, you need it
Real love, I'll give it
So we're bound to linger on
We drink the fatal drop
Then love until we bleed
Then fall apart in parts
You wasted your times
On my heart
You've burned
And if bridges gotta fall, then you'll fall, too
Doors slam
Lights black
You're gone
Come back
Stay gone
Stay clean
I need you to need me
So we're bound to linger on
We drink the fatal drop
Then love until we bleed
Then fall apart in parts
Now we're bound to linger on
We drink the fatal drop
Then love until we bleed
Then fall apart in parts
Iron and Wine released an album earlier this year called "Around the Well." The album contains all those random songs an artist doesn't know what to do with... B-sides, live recordings, and little gems that don't quite fit into a normal release. I always love those albums. Swans and the Swimming is a beautiful song hearkening back to young love and summer romance. Love it.
and short story: A friend of mine thought the plural of Swan was Swine, making the Swine flu the Swan flu. Whenever I see anything related to Swans, I giggle just a bit. Make sure you get your Swan flu vaccine!
This is a beautiful song and everyone needs to know it. Bob Dylan's lyrics are always subtly poetic and deeply touching. The song has been covered by many artists so check out my favorites. Enjoy.
If today was not an endless highway,
If tonight was not a crooked trail,
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time,
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
I can't see my reflection in the waters,
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain,
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps,
Or can't remember the sound of my own name.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
There's beauty in the silver, singin' river,
There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky,
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in my true love's eyes.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
John Mayer's music is really starting to mature... I found myself frequently wondering if he had teamed up with Sting to write a lot of his songs. This song, Assassin, is perhaps my favorite song on the new album, Battle Studies. Most songs on the album adhere to the theme of love as war... everyone taking on different militaristic personas to fight for their own motives or for the one they love.
I work in the dead of night
When the roads are quiet
No one is around
To track my moves
Racing the yellow lights
To find the gate is open
She's waiting in the room
I just slip on through
You get in
You get done
And then you get gone
You never leave a trace or show your face
You get gone
Should have turned around
And left before the sun came up again
But the sun came up again
Enter the morning light
To find the day is burning the curtains and the wine
In a little white room
No, I'm not alone
Her head is heavy on me
She's sleeping like a child
What could I do?
You get in
You get done
And then you get gone
You never leave a trace or show your face
You get gone
Should have turned around
And left before the sun came up again
But the sun came up again
I was a killer, was the best they'd ever seen
I'd steal your heart before you ever heard a thing
I'm an assassin and I had a job to do
Little did I know that girl was an assassin too
Suddenly I'm in over my head and I could hardly breathe
Suddently I'm floating over her bed and I feel everything
Suddently I know exactly what I did, but I cannot move a thing
Suddently I know exactly what I'd done and what it's gonna mean to me, mean to me
I'm gone
I was a killer, was the best they'd ever seen
I'd steal your heart before you ever heard a thing
I'm an assassin and I had a job to do
Little did I know that girl was an assassin too
She's an assassin
She's an assassin
She's an assassin
She's an assassin and she had a job to do
Pogo takes sound clips from movies and edits them together into sweet electronic musical parties. Check out his YouTube page and prepare to be blown away!
I came across Pogo's music when searching for music for an Alice in Wonderland video I made. This song includes sound clips from Disney's animated Alice in Wonderland... I think it's just really cool and original. (And in case you didn't know, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is set to release in March 2010. The new trailer is going to be released really soon but the first ones are sweet lime too. It's going to be amazing.)
Adam Lambert's CD came out today! ...and his AMA performance was certainly potentially career-shaking. I trust Adam has a better voice than the one he demonstrated at the American Music Awards. Listen to this song and re-gain your appreciation for Mr. Lambert's musicianship. I'm sure our appreciation for his sexuality has never dwindled.
Lyrics Have you lost your way? Livin’ in the shadow of the message that you made And so it goes Everything inside your circle starts to overflow Take a step before you leap Into the colours that you seek You give back what you give away So don’t look back on yesterday
Wanna scream out No more hiding Don’t be afraid of what’s inside Gonna tell ya you’ll be alright In the Aftermath Anytime anybody pulls you down Anytime anybody says you’re not allowed Just remember you are not alone In the Aftermath
You feel the weight Of lies and contradictions that you live with every day It’s not too late Think of what could be if you rewrite the role you play Take a step before you leap Into the colours that you seek You give back what you give away So don’t look back on yesterday
Wanna scream out No more hiding Don’t be afraid of what’s inside Gonna tell ya you’ll be alright In the Aftermath Anytime anybody pulls you down Anytime anybody says you’re not allowed Just remember you are not alone In the Aftermath In the Aftermath
Before you break you have to change your own mind Take a trip and fall into the pit Tell a stranger that their view is full So all you feel is love love All you feel is love love
Wanna scream out No more hiding Don’t be afraid of what’s inside Wanna tell you you’ll be alright In the Aftermath
Wanna scream out No more hiding Don’t be afraid of what’s inside Gonna tell ya you’ll be alright In the Aftermath
Anytime anybody pulls you down Anytime anybody says you’re not allowed Just remember you are not alone In the Aftermath In the Aftermath Gonna tell ya you’ll be alright In the Aftermath In the Aftermath Just remember you are not alone In the Aftermath
Iain Archer's Canal Song has been in my music library for a while... since like 2006... but I had never really explored his music. If you like Bright Eyes, you'll like Iain Archer. It goes from the heart to the heart.
Supposedly Little Dragon got their name because the lead singer, Yukimi, would lose her temper a little too easily in the studio.
The swedish band is still pretty unknown in America but hopefully not for long.
Here is a little excerpt from the band's bio:
"From the city of Gothenburg grew the birth of tiny creature. Its breath full of fire passion death and dreams. It lived in a fantasy called the electric forest. This forest was thick with russtling secrets and infintite amounts of pinetrees. On occasional full moons the pine trees would light up in neon auras of lime and turquoise and the ground would shake with a steady rumble. The tiny creature grew into a little dragon. It wrestled with the large wind sometimes. The heat of its breath would weave in with the cool air and make patterns in the sky. Although the creature was a powerful little beast it was light as a feather and would often sleep on the leaf flowing in the breeze. And there it would dream in a dream. These dreams were without visuals and haunted by sounds. electric sounds and beats would pump its little heart and make her sleep walk around the forest like a ghost dancing in the night. And the aching of this lonely creatures heart would be reflected in bittersweet melodies both haunting and happy."
Twice is how I found out about the band. Check it.
