Mary J. Blige - Just Fine

Mary J. with a great single! I don't know why it's not all over the place right now (besides that MP3 commercial). I'm lovin it and so should you!

It's got an old school/new school feel to it. Makes me wanna, WOOOOOOOOOH!




You know I love music
And every time I hear something hot
It makes me wanna move
It makes me wanna have fun
But it’s something about this joint right here
This joint right here
Its makes me wanna…..Woooh

Let it go……
Can’t let this thing called love get away from you
Feel free right now, go do what you want to do
Can’t let nobody take it away, from you, from me, from we
No time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I’m winning
It’s been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right

So I like what I see when I’m looking at me
When I’m walking past the mirror
Don't stress through the night, at a time in my life
Ain’t worried about if you feel it
Got my head on straight, I got my vibe right
I aint gonna let you kill it
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..

Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just fine

Feels so good, when you’re doing all the things that you want to do
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
Keep your head up high
In yourself, believe in you, believe in me
Having a really good time, I’m not complaining
And I’m a still wear a smile if it's raining
I got to enjoy myself regardless
I appreciate life, I’m so glad that it's fine

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

What do I like about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs? rock/punk simplicity. Drums, guitar, singer. And it rocks. Makes me want to be on stage, bopping around like Karen or playing the snot out of a drumset like Brian. And Nick is there in his own guitar world.

There are a lot of rock chicks out there right now with Debbie Harry/Mick Jagger stage presence... Karen O, Maja (from the Sounds). And then Chantal (from Morningwood) and Beth Ditto from the Gossip are just out there rockin' it too. I'll have to do separate posts about them because this is Yeah Yeah Yeah time!

A Live performance in San Fransisco at the Fillmore of "Rockers To Swallow", which I think kicks major bleep!! LOVE this song 'cause it just rocks. This shows off Karen O a little better. LOVE that scream. O Karen, a little strange, but we love ye because of it, girl. And Brian on drums is just too much fun to watch (when he's getting into it in that drummer way. I totally understand that).

Example of the rock chick in action; watch as she prowls the stage:




And I love this video of Cheated Hearts. Fan friendly! Enjoy! (can you spot the real Yeah Yeah Yeahs?)

Awww, "Universal" magic took the embedded versions away. So just follow the yellow brick link instead...

Brick road

Cheated by
The opposite of love
Held on high
From up up up above
Kept my high
From the second one
Kept my eye
On the first one

Now take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day
Take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day

Take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day
Take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day

Well I'm
Taka-taka-taka-taka-takin' it off
And she's
Taka-taka-taka-taka-takin' it off
And he's
Taka-taka-taka-taka-takin' it off
And we're
Taka-taka-taka-taka-takin' it off

Sometimes
I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound
I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound
I think that I'm bigger
than the sound
I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound

She'll take on high
She'll take on high-igh

Well sometimes
I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound
I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound
I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound
Well I think that I'm bigger
Than the sound

Cheated by
The opposite of love
Held on high
From up up up above
Kept my high
From the second one
Kept my eye
On the first one

Now take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day
Take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day

Now take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day
Take these rings
And stow them safe away
I'll wear them on
Another rainy day

Spoon - The Underdog

My favorite Spoon song of the year. Just enjoy ( I need to lay off the large setups)!


Though it's kind of funny b/c Britt Daniel (lead singer) is known for his perfectly layered songs and for all of the time he spends in the studio mixing, playing, and hashing out the final tune. So, I think the video is kind of a play on all of those layers.

Now, enjoy!



picture yourself in the living room
your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain't too far

But I hear the call of a lifetime ring
felt the need to get up for it
oh you cut out the middleman
get free from the middleman

You got no time for the messenger,
got no regard for the thing that you don't understand,
you got no fear of the underdog,
that's why you will not survive!

I want to forget how conviction fits
but can I get out from under it?
Can I gut it out of me?
It can't all be wedding cake
It can't all be boiled away
I try but I can't let go of it
Can't let go of it,

Cause you don't talk to the water boy
and there's so much you could learn but you don't want to know,
You will not back up an inch ever,
that's why you will not survive,

The thing that I tell you now
It may not go over well
And it may not be photo-op
in the way that I spell it out

But you won't hear from the messenger,
don't wanna know bout something that you don't understand,
You got no fear of the underdog,
that's why you will not survive! (Hey!)

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance (With You)

I heard this a few months ago and of course it's catchy. The vocals are a little muffled, but I don't mind. Sounds like it was recorded in that independent spirit sort of way.

From their website:

About: Shot in March/April 2007 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Video by Jimmy Nicks, edited by Funkytaco. On location near Museumplein to Leidseplein. Video in club is of the Bulldog Palace. I do not assume any copyright for the really weird music video shown on the flat screen TV in the Bulldog.Credits: The friendly people of Amsterdam, the locals who bike damn near everywhere without regard for cars or street lights. The girls dancing were friends we made from South Africa and one Canadian. Not sure who was in the mini cooper, or the car doing burnouts for local TV.


(UPDATE 11.5.08)

So guess what? The "Original" video has been taken down and replaced with a new version. Wah-wah. In my opinion, the original video is better, AS IS the original SOUND of the first version of the song. I know I mentioned it sounded muffled and home produced, but it grew on me. Now, the studio version sounds too polished to me and I long to hear the first take. All I can offer is a link. The fun is still there and of course the song still rocks.

Click here for a good time.

The Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It

Just a fun little ditty. Sounds like the Cure or an 80s tune, but then gets more of a modern pick-up near the end (at least I think so...with the whole "give love" part). Either way, it would have been perfect at the end of any 80s movie. I think it could work in a modern day movie as well. Something completely happy and fun though.

More than just meatballs...




Don't come up to me and say you like it
It's better if you say you hate it, that's the truth exactly
When we go out dancing I don't want to be bothered
I just want to be bothered with real love

So I heard it's no good to run
but it feels so much better now that it's done
and tonight I have to leave it

So I've heard you know how to write it
does it mean you're good at putting things on paper?
Rumours say that you're very sorry
Oh no you're not sorry, no you're not

So I heard it's no good to run
but it feels so much better now that it's done
and tonight I have to leave it

Why don't you give love?
Why don't you give love?

Tonight I have to leave it

Bjork - Hyper-ballad

Yet another song that's lyrically and musically beautiful. I love the contrast of this happy sounding tune, but the person meanwhile, is doing all she can just to maintain her balance. A popular Bjork song, I know, but it's one of my favs.





We live on a mountain
Right at the top
This beautiful view
From the top of the mountain

Every morning I walk towards the edge
And throw little things off
Like car-parts, bottles and cutlery
Or whatever I find lying around

It's become a habit
A way
To start the day

I go through all this
Before you wake up
So I can feel happier
To be safe up here with you

It's real early morning
No-one is awake
I'm back at my cliff
Still throwing things off
I listen to the sounds they make
On their way down
I follow them with my eyes 'till they crash
Imagine what my body would sound like
Slamming against those rocks

When it lands
Will my eyes
Be closed or open?

I go through all this
Before you wake up
So I can feel happier
To be safe up here with you

Cat Power - Lived In Bars

The first time I heard this song, I liked it, but didn't really pay attention. Then I listened a little more intently to the lyrics and whoa...knowing a small bit about the background of this "comeback" record, it's very sad and positive at the same time. Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) was in a bad, bad place before this record was made. Pretty much on the verge killing herself through alcohol until a friend saved her life (very similar to the lyrics). But, the girl is good to go now and never better, and this song to me speaks about being at the bottom and then coming back to life.

I love how it's a somber song in the beginning. Starts out slow, kind of like a memory. Kind of presenting itself as though, "yeah, I remember the hard times, those were the dregs...drowning myself away." They busted down the door and rescued her (the last, little destructive bit incurred) and that's the very last bad memory (couldn't get any worse). And then, right at the end, the tempo picks up and it becomes more of a "I'm in a better place now" song. Stating "yeah, I lived in bars and danced on tables, those crazy, turbulent times! But, now I'm better and I'm moving on and getting out of here.

The Memphis Rhythm Band was the backing band on the album "The Greatest" and can be seen in this clip. They toured with her in support of the album. Check out the "official video" after this live clip. (embedded below the lyrics)



we've lived in bars
and danced on the tables
hotels trains and ships that sail
we swim with sharks
and fly with aeroplanes in the air

send in the trumpets
the marching wheelchairs
open the blankets and give them some air
swords and arches bones and cement
the light and the dark of the innocent of men

we know your house so very well
and we will wake you once we've walked up
all your stairs

there's nothing like living in a bottle
and nothing like ending it all for the world
we're so glad you will come back
every living lion will lay in your lap

the kid has a homecoming the champion the horse
who's gonna play drums guitar or organ with chorus
as far as we've walked from both of ends of the sand
never have we caught a glimpse of this man

we know your house so very well
and we will bust down your door if you're not there

we've lived in bars
and danced on tables
hotels trains and ships that sail
we swim with sharks
and fly with aeroplanes out of here
out of here

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun

Oh, what would I do without Jools...

Forgetful

Sometimes I forget I have a blog. Well, not a lot of blogging going on here; really just a venue for music I want to hear. So, lets get back to it!

Here are a few videos that I've had waiting in the wings for whatever reason (b/c I forgot about da blog, yo!). Let's check'em out, shall we?

Feist 1 2 3 4

fun song, fun video.




lyrics

One Two Three Four
Tell me that you love me more
Sleepless, long nights
That was what my youth was for

Oh teenage hopes are lying at your door
Left you with nothing
But they want some more

Oh, oh, oh
You're changing your heart
Oh, oh, oh
You know who you are
Sweetheart, bitter heart
Now I can't tell you apart
Cosy and cold
Put the horse before the cart

Those teenage hopes
Who have tears in their eyes
Too scared to own up
To one little lie

Oh, oh, oh
You're changing your heart
Oh, oh, oh
You know who you are

One, two, three, four, five, six, nine, and ten
Money can't buy you back the love that you had then
One, two, three, four, five, six, nine, and ten
Money can't buy you back the love that you had then

Oh, oh, oh
You're changing your heart
Oh, oh, oh
You know who you are
Oh, oh, oh
You're changing your heart
Oh, oh, ohYou know who you are

Jose Gonzalaz - Heartbeats (Originally done by The Knife)

My favorite off of the Veneer album.



lyrics

One night to be confused
One night to speed up truth
We had a promise made
Four hands and then away

Both under influence
We had divine sense
To know what to say
Mind is a razorblade

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

One night of magic rush
The start a simple touch
One night to push and scream
And then relief

Ten days of perfect hues
The colors red and blue
We had a promise made
We were in love

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no
To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough

And you
You knew the hand of the devil
And you
Kept us awake with wolves teeth
Sharing different heartbeats
In one night

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough
For me, no

To call for hands of above
To lean on
Wouldn't be good enough

Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Sweet, sad, song. Sweet, sad, video.




lyrics

Love of mine
some day you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark

No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

In Catholic school
as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles brusied
by a lady in black
And I held my toungue
as she told me"Son fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
Cause we'll hold each other soon
The blackest of rooms

If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark

Beirut - Elephant Gun

Love this song. It hasn't gotten old yet.
Also, nice video that makes me want to dance.




lyrics

If I was young, I'd flee this town
I'd bury my dreams underground

As did I, we drink to die, we drink tonight
Far from home, elephant gun

Let's take them down one by one
We'll lay it down, it's not been found, it's not around

Let the seasons begin - it rolls right on
Let the seasons begin - take the big king down
Let the seasons begin - it rolls right on
Let the seasons begin - take the big king down

And it rips through the silence of our camp at night
And it rips through the night

And it rips through the silence of our camp at night
And it rips through the silence, all that is left is all that i hide

Cat Power - The Greatest

Cat Power singing The Greatest. It's a song she wrote about Boxing Great M. Ali.






lyrics

Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or waterfall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
Stars of night turned deep to dust

Melt me down
Into big black armour
Leave no trace of grace
Just in your honor
Lower me down
To culprit south
Make 'em wash
The space in town
For the lead and the dregs
Of my bed i've been sleepin'
Lower me down
Pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the later parade

Once I wanted to be the greatest
Two fists of solid rock
With brains that could explain
Any feeling
Lower me down
Pin me in
Secure the grounds
For the lead and the dregs of my bed
I was sleepin'
For the later parade

Once I wanted to be the greatest
No wind or waterfall could stall me
And then came the rush of the flood
Stars of night turned deep to dust

Getting to know you...

Get to know me through music. What I like. What I love. What I may have just discovered. Something old. Something new. Something crazy. Something out of tune. It's all here. And if I like it, I'll post it. Stay tuned.