I'm going to let you in on a little secret- I'm not good at dancing. But don't you think for even a second I don't attempt to bust a move when I hear a song that is calling my name to do so. Even though I'm acutely aware of how "uncool" my "moves" are, dancing it out makes me happy.
The best part about knowing I'm not "good" at dancing is if perchance someone says to me, "You're not a good dancer," my response is, "I know, right?!" Whilst I continue to do my thang.
Because, what it all truly comes down to is making YOURSELF happy. Just like Kate Bornstein's rule, "Do whatever it takes to make life more worth living, just don't be mean."
So what? I'm a bad dancer, big deal, it makes me happy.
In honor of the joy a little dancing can bring, I want to share with you a montage of dancing brought to you by my favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy.
Enjoy the cast from Grey's as they dance it out! Join in if you feel so inclined!
Have a wonderful week, and I'll catch up with you all on Monday!
Folks, I have a performance to share of the lovely and talented Sara Quin covering the also very lovely and talented Alicia Keys.
Words literally cannot express how elated I am!
By now you must all know about my admiration for Tegan & Sara, and it's no different for Alicia Keys. Her album "The Element of Freedom" feels like a dear friend to me. That album, the melodies, those lyrics, all comforted me in a time when I needed comforting the most.
So, to have Sara Quin cover "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart," is causing my little heart to nearly explode with joy.
Here she is, the one and only Sara Quin singing Alicia's song "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart," with Doveman.
Don't you just love when artists you adore cover other artists that you also adore?
I know I certainly do!
This week there were two, okay, more like one and a half that got my heart all a-flutter.
First, as you know, I just can't get enough of Dallas Green (who's more commonly known as City & Colour.) And, even though I've yet to mention Adele here on this blog, I'll have you know I'm quite the Adele fan. (Her first album 19 was on rotation on my i-pod for 2 years straight. Hurl Scout's Honor.)
Well, Dallas covered Adele's song, "Hometown Glory" recently, and I was just beside myself listening to it.
Here's the video of him covering Adele's tune.
(What I wouldn't GIVE for the two of them to do a duet of this. Seriously.)
Ok, so, I must admit this next cover is a bit of a tease, because, I don't know if our ears will ever get to hear the cover in it's entirety. (I know, I know, how cruel am I?) But, we can only hope!
There's a video floating around on the interwebs in which Sara Quin, from my personal favorite band Tegan & Sara, is singing Alicia Keys', "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart."
I. Kid. You. Not. Folks.
Perhaps this doesn't thrill your bones as much as it does mine, but, if it does, I encourage you to click here to watch the video. (It won't allow me to embed it.)
For those of you who are only interested in Sara Quin's part, she doesn't pop into the video until 6 minutes and 30 seconds-ish.
So, that's all I have folks.
Are there any bands you love that covered other bands you love?
If so, feel free to leave a comment here, I'd enjoy your selections! :]
(I know I said I'd have this done by 5pm, but I didn't specify what time zone, so, as the saying goes, it's gotta be 5 o'clock somewhere!)
Today's featured artist is a lady whose music I have grown to love over the past few years. She first caught my attention (and possibly some of yours) when her song "Hide and Seek" played in the "Dear Sister" episode of the O.C. (Remember that show? Sigh.)
Since then, many of her songs have provided the sound track to my life.
Here are some of my personal faves!
"Just For Now" off of her album "Speak For Yourself"
"Goodnight and Go" Also off of "Speak For Yourself"
Lastly, "Wait It Out" off of her latest album, "Ellipse"
She is a true talent, and even though SNL poked fun at The O.C. for the "Dear Sister" episode, I'm so happy The O.C. used Imogen's song "Hide and Seek" because my ears may not have found their way to her otherwise. So, to The O.C. I thank you.
For more information on Imogen Heap check out her website: www.imogenheap.com
Have a lovely week and I'll catch up with you on Friday!
Today's feel good tune is by a Canadian artist whose music was always playing in my house as a kid. In fact, my first concert, that wasn't a Beatles Tribute Band show, was to see this artist, his name is Bryan Adams. (If you couldn't guess from the photo above!)
Along with The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac, Bryan Adams' music was constantly on rotation in the house, the car, you get the picture.
He released an album called "On A Day Like Today" in 1998, and today's feel good tune is the title track to that album.
Enjoy!
I've found this song perfect for when I'm out on a drive and trying to clear my head, perhaps it might do the same for you!
Hope you enjoyed today's tune, and have a lovely weekend!
Be safe, take care, and much love from me to you!
XoXo
P.S. If you ever have a suggestion for a feel good tune don't hesitate to leave a comment here, or you can also get at me on Twitter: @mrolla!
I apologize for my tardiness with today's post. I went away on a mini vacation this weekend and refused to believe it had ended even after I made it back home. I know, no excuse, just thought I should be honest with you all. Honesty is the best policy! (Or so "they" say!)
Anywho, on to more important things, like, music and who this week's featured artist is.
This week I decided to highlight a musician whose first album titled "Poetry & Aeroplanes" caught my little heart by surprise. The year was 2003, and my Mom had just come back from seeing a Hanson show without me (because Yours Truly wasn't 18 yet, and it was an 18+ show, boo.)
She played the first track off of "Poetry & Aeroplanes," titled "Sleeping With The Lights On," and I was hooked from the first lyrics, "Oh I've been haunted by this old ghost before..." Done. Sold.
It's been 8 years and I still play that whole album on repeat.
The author of said album is a man named Teitur. He's from the Faroe Islands, and his name means "happy."
His music is infectiously sweet at times, but also can tug at those heart strings. It's sound is soft and mellow, but the words tell a powerful story.
Okay, I know, I know, you want something to listen to now. Enough with my gushing, I know, I'm sick of it too!
Here are a few songs by Teitur!
"I Was Just Thinking"
"Stay Under The Stars"
"Let The Dog Drive Home"
Teitur's put out a four more albums since "Poetry & Aeroplanes", with the most recent one in 2010 titled, "Let The Dog Drive Home."
If you're interested for more information I strongly encourage you to check out his website.
Have a wonderful week folks and I'll see you on Friday for a feel good tune!
Today's feel good tune is "My Favorite Things," from The Sound of Music. This song always cheered me up as a kid. I just simply remembered my favorite things, and then I didn't feel so bad.
Some of those favorite things include (but are not limited to) Peter Pan, waterfalls, elephants, lionesses, reading a good book, dresses that bell out while I twirl, napping in the sun, and listening to music.
Here's a clip of the reprise of "My Favorite Things,"
(While you're listening to this, think of your favorite things!)
and here's a rad cover of it by the indie band youtube sensation Pomplamoose!
Enjoy!
If you feel so inclined to leave a comment below of what your favorite things are, I'd love to read them!
Hope you have a lovely weekend and I'll catch up with you on Monday!
I'd like you to meet Dani Shay. She's 22 years old. She lives in Florida. And, wow, can she SING!
Seriously.
Dani calls herself a singer/song writer with a contemporary folk kind of feel. I was hooked the first song I listened to called, "Holding On," from her independently released, "Free! The EP!" in 2009. (Which, by the by is available on i-Tunes. Just saying.)
Take a listen, and check out her official music video for "Holding On."
The next song I listened to on her Youtube Channel was "Superheroes," which she dedicates to anyone who has been bullied for being different, so I thought I'd add that as well!
Here's "Superheroes!"
So good, right?!
Okay, now that you've "met" her and heard her sing some of her songs, I'm going to address the thought(s) you are probably experiencing, like, "Have I seen her somewhere before?" Or perhaps, "She looks oddly familiar, has she been on TV?" Or maybe even something like, "I thought she was Justin Bieber for a second."
Was I close?
It's true, Dani Shay does resemble the teen sensation, but I urge you to look past that, because, well, she's very talented in her own right.
She's acutely aware of the similarity in appearances between herself and Justin Bieber, as she gets stopped frequently by people asking for photographs and autographs.
Dani covered Bieber's huge hit, "Baby," and changed the lyrics to tell her story about the likeness they both share and the reaction she had to seeing a picture of Justin Bieber for the first time. It's humorous, and yet, there's a hint of sadness because as an artist she wants you to see her and not The Biebs. (To clarify, she's not hating on J. Biebs, in fact she hopes to one day meet him on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Who knows Ellen and can make that happen? Lets get on that!)
Here's Dani's parody of "Baby," titled, "What The Hell (Are You Talking About)"
If you are interested in more information on Dani Shay you can check out her:
She also has an album out called, "See Me Now" and will send it ANYWHERE in the world. It's 15 bucks with a discount if you buy another for a pal. Click here for the link to check that out in more detail. (I've already ordered mine and can't wait to get it in the mail! Eeek!)
Okay friends, that's it for today!
I'll catch you on Friday for a feel good tune (and possibly before, so keep an eye out!)
Today's song is by Paul McCartney. It's a sweet and simple little tune that has a big message: fake it till you make it, because one day you will make it.
The song is called, "Too Much Rain." It's off of his 2005 album, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard."
Here it is, enjoy!
That's it for today friends, hope you have a lovely weekend!
A while back I found something that made my heart skip and flutter with joy. I felt like I had discovered a hidden treasure by complete accident!
Okay, so what did I find? Matt Sharp (from Weezer and The Rentals) and Maya Rudolph (known most famously for her time on Saturday Night Live) singing a cover of Tegan & Sara's tune, "Not Tonight."
Since there's no fun in keeping the treasure all to myself, I thought I'd share it with all of you!
The cute couple you see in the photo above are Deb Talan and Steve Tannen, they are more commonly known as the band The Weepies.
Deb and Steve met in Cambridge, Massachusetts at a show and it was love at first note. The two quickly developed a deep musical connection and began writing together. A few years later they began touring. Currently, they reside in California, are married and have 2 sons.
You more than likely have heard The Weepies before but may not know it as many, many TV shows have had their music playing gently in the background. Some of the shows include: Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs, One Tree Hill, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl and Greek. They also have had songs featured in the movies Morning Glory and Sex and The City.
Since 2006 The Weepies have been kind of low key, but this past summer was a bit of a change-up as they appeared on the Lilith Tour and released a rad new record titled, "Be My Thrill."
Here are a few of my personal favorite selections from this band. I hope you enjoy!
"World Spins Madly On" (Off of the album, "Say I Am You")
"Can't Go Back Now" (off of the album "Hideaway")
Last but not least, "Be My Thrill" (The title track to their latest album that was released this summer)
For more information check out their website theweepies.com
When I'm having a down and out kind of day this scene from Easy A pops into my head and always gets me laughing. So I thought, "sharing is caring," and who better to share with than YOU!
I know, you're sad the musical card ran out, so, here's the full song of "Pocket Full of Sunshine," by Natasha Bedingfield, ENJOY!
Have a super weekend and I'll chat with you on Monday!
Happy Friday friends!
