Happy May Day, ya'll! Join me in dancing around the Maypole today, because...three weeks until school is out. Wahoo!!! Is everyone on the countdown with me? How many dance recitals, baseball games, and graduation parties does everyone have on their calendars this month? Have you bought your Mothers' Day gifts yet? Just three more weeks 'til a little less responsibility and a little more "You're not the boss of me; You can't tell me what to do."
Thought I would share some information on my Playlist this month. I've gotten the nicest compliments on my music. Ha! Take that Cathy Rucker and Sharon Colomb!
That said, I will begin by saying again -- I LOVE MUSIC! All kinds. I sometimes spend hours in the middle of the night listening to new music on iTunes and looking for music on Playlist. It's always exciting to discover a new group or a new sound.
I realize some of the music I play might be an acquired taste and some of it you just won't like no matter how long you listen to it. No matter. It's fun just to hear what's out there, you know?
When I listen to music, I try to keep an open mind. I'm really big on lyrics. They matter to me. That's why Claire doesn't get to listen to our popular music station here in town. There's lots of great "music" out there, but if the lyrics are telling my kid to kill herself, drink herself silly, to have sex 20 different ways, and that she's not worth much, I can't let her listen to that (and that covers about 95% of that music).
As for the music, I'm big on beats. Jade loves guitars. We both love interesting harmonies. I'm especially fond right now of stripped down, acoustic songs (you probably guessed that by my lists). Perhaps the love comes from listening to Jade sing late at night with just his guitar to accompany him. Lovely.
On the list this month...
Life Is Wonderful, Jason Mraz. I first heard this song a couple of months ago when some missionaries showed a film from their country accompanied by this song. Man, it moved me. As "It takes no time to fall in love, but it takes years to learn how to love," played, they showed the beautiful faces of the needy children they minister to. Wow.
She Is Love, Parachute VA. You may have heard this on a Nivea lotion commercial. This is the perfect example of the kind of stripped down, acoustic music I'm talking about. The lyrics are very sweet.
Superman, Dave Matthews Band. I've always loved the Dave Matthews Band. I loved them from the first time I heard, What Would You Say. They play fun music and they have fun singing it. They are a blast to watch. They really know how to use a violin and a saxophone.
Singin' In The Rain, Jamie Cullum. I found Jamie Cullum on iTunes last year. I suppose he falls in the Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Buble' category. However, he has a great gift for adding a modern edge to "crooner music". He also sings some very good original music. Check him out.
Gravity, Shawn McDonald. Love this guy. I really detest most Christian music because of it's mediocre marshmallowness. Shawn does not participate in the marshmallow movement. His music has grit and style. It's just good. Wonderful, original lyrics.
Better Together, Jack Johnson. I don't know much about Jack Johnson (I need to Google him, I suppose). I do know I like this song. Nice song for couples.
Celos, Gotan Project. Thanks, Nony! Jade's sister told me to give this group a listen, so I did. They're like a modern, French mood kind of band. I know that doesn't make sense. Their music is really cool and groovy, though.
Ordinary Miracle, Sarah McLachlan. You probably heard this recently on a pharmacy chain commercial. It's also on the Charlotte's Web soundtrack. You know, Sarah McLachlan could sing Snoop Dogg lyrics and it would be beautiful. She sings like an angel.
Stars, David Crowder Band. The more I listen to David Crowder, the more I like him. Again, this is not stupid Christian music. It's good. It's excellent. He has an original sound and great lyrics. The words to this song combined with the music are just so poignant.
Paper Wings, Gillian Welch. This song was on the Hope Floats soundtrack several years ago. That whole soundtrack is great, but this is one of the standouts. I just like it.
Hard Sun, Eddie Vedder. We have any Pearl Jam fans out there? Here's one! I absolutely loved their sound in the 90s. Eddie Vedder is solo now. He recently performed the whole Into The Wild soundtrack. Provoking movie. Great music with a provoking message. I don't agree with some of his messages, but his music makes me think and that is good. This song is a little harder than the rest this month. The harmony got me, though. It goes all through me when I listen to it. Eddie Vedder is just so dang cool.
If you are reading this, you did not fall asleep during the above lengthy post. Bless you. I encourage you to spread your musical wings this month and listen to something out of the ordinary for you. Try Gotan Project or jazz or Jimmy Needham or Broadway! Then maybe you won't be one of those grouchy, old people who only wants to listen to "their kind of music".
Have a great weekend, ya'll. Don't forget to go to Sunday School on Sunday. I love me some Sunday School. Yep.
