Friday Jam Session Vol. 15

I love music. My taste is very diverse — continually being shaped by an unique combination of people, places and experiences. I never try to pawn myself off as someone who “knows music,” because I have too much respect for those who do. I did dance and took piano lessons growing up, but trust me, you do NOT want to hear me sing. But music is a topic that I never tire of and I love swapping recommendations. Please join in and share your own picks! View past posts HERE.
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1.Favorite New(ish) Album
Wild Ones – Kip Moore

When I read that this was only his sophomore full album, I had to remind myself that Kip Moore hasn’t actually been around that long. He has a lot of my favorite songs from college and is one of the artists that I have been listening to since the very start of his career. He’s a songwriter, which I respect even more, with a gritty blue-collar country rock sound. Right now “Lipstick” above is my favorite off of the new album, but the title track, “Wild Ones,” is close second. I am also really like “Comeback Kid”, “I’m to Blame”, “Backseat” and “Girl of the Summer.”

2.Favorite New(ish) Collaboration
Where It All Begins – Hunter Hayes ft, Lady Antebellum
Listen HERE

You know, I didn’t start out a bit Hunter Hayes fan, but he’s really grown on me with his new album. And the vocals from Lady Antebellum in this song blend well with his voice. New band member for Lady A?

3.Favorite New (new-to-me) Artist/Band
James Bay

I’m loving this guy’s voice, which you will probably recognize most from “Hold Back the River.” I kept trying to put different songs of his in other categories before I decided it made more sense for this one. “Let It Go” featured above is practically the definition of #SoulMusic to me, but then again so is “Move Together” and “Need the Sun to Break,” which I’ve also had on repeat lately. Then just this week I discovered his 2015 Spotify Session where he covered Alicia Key’s “If I Ain’t Got You.” Ummm… #swoon

4. Jam I Have on Repeat
Elastic Heart – Sia (Piano Version)
Listen HERE

This sound first became popular from being featuring on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, where Sia was accompanied on vocals by The Weeknd and Diplo. I was pretty obsessed with that version for a long time, preferring it over Sia’s solo version (the one with the really weird video ft. Shia Leouf.) But I stumbled across this piano version this week and fell in love with the song all over again. It might be a strange on to have on repeat, but I can’t get enough.

5. Favorite Cover, Remix or Mashup
Smelly Cat – Lisa Kudrow with Taylor Swift

I know I referenced Friends last week, but seriously though, this might be one of the best things EVER. Taylor Swift has been inviting celebrity guests to all of the stops on her 1989 tour, so I mean, why not? Personally I think it was brilliant and hilarious. If you have NEVER watched Friends, then just skip this one because you won’t get it. (If this is true then we also need to chat about your priorities in life.)

6. Favorite Spotify List
“Piano Ballads” by Spotify

Friends is was a bit of a long and trying week, and I kept returning to this playlist for just a bit of a break from all of the chaos. The playlist’s description says it all: “Pop unplugged. Only the best piano ballads – vocals and keys front and center.”

7. #SoulMusic I’m Obsessing Over
Smile – Mikky Ekko

I first heard this song in the trailer for the movie “Paper Towns,” and it’s continued to stick with me. It’s a simple, light hearted song, providing lots of room for nostalgia and memories, much like the book and movie did for me. I thought it fit really well so I was surprised not to see it on the final soundtrack.

8.”Oldie, But a Goodie” I Heard This Week
Her Life’s A Song – Alan Jackson
Listen HERE

This throwback came up on my Timehop this week and made me smile. There are a lot of different definitions of what country is, but for me it starts with guys like Alan Jackson.

9. Current Beat That Makes Me Want to Dance…in the Car…Jamming With the Windows Down
Freedom – Pharrell Williams

I haven’t completely decided if I actually like this song, I just really like singing it in my car and screaming the “freedom” part.

10.Taking Me Down Memory Lane
Get This Party Started – Pink
Listen HERE

So I may or may not have done a jazz dance duet to this song with my best friend Kayla, when we where 5th graders (?) one summer at the county fair. I swear I would share a picture, but I don’t have one. I do remember we wore matching tie-dye pink tank tops and our black Nike basketball shorts. I also distinctly remember that is how I got my left split down because we had to be opposite and Kay called dibs. LOL, if only I could still do that at all!

11. Work, Work it Out
The Walker – Fitz and The Tantrums

This is great to workout to but this is also my FAVORITE song to walk to work to in the morning, it always puts me in a good mood. I promise though, I really do walk like normal person.

12.Making Me Want to Fall in Love
Say You Do – Dierks Bentley

Basically everything Dierks sings makes me want to fall in love.

13. Guilty Listen of the Week
Dirrty – Christina Aguilera
Listen HERE
So my co-worker definitely caught me jamming to this on a Throwback Thursday playlist. Oops. #sorryimnotsorry
However I will say about the music video… I had forgotten how well, “dirty” it was LOL. My question is, did she let her parents watch that?! #coveryoureyes

14.Song That I Originally Loved, But Is Now Overplayed
Honey, I’m Good – Andy Grammer

I love this song, I just need a break. Anyone agree?

15.Popular Song That Is Making My Ears Bleed
I Really Like You – Carly Rae Jepsen

Just make it stop, ok?
However, listen just ONCE while watching the video because two words: TOM HANKS.

16.Country Pick of the Week
That Don’t Sound Like You – Lee Brice

Lee Brice was my first college concert and the first of countless concerts that I have been to with my best friend Megan. We weren’t 21 yet so when we got to Longhorns (the country dance hall in Manhattan, KS at the time) we camped out front and center. It was AMAZING and still one of my favorite college memories. His first single “Love Like Crazy” had just peaked on the country music charts, eventually to become the longest-charting song in the chart’s history. He was another new guy that I had followed since the beginning so I knew a lot of his songs, but he also sang a lot of songs that he had written for other people (ahem, remember Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory”?) Four years later he was back in Manhattan on a bigger stage, with a much bigger audience and a LOT more hit songs. Last night, Megan saw Lee Brice again in Wichita and every Snapchat she sent made me super nostalgic. I wish I could have been there again!

BONUS: My Top 7 Favorite Lee Brice Songs (sorry I couldn’t pick 5)

Hard to Love
Beautiful Every Time
Drinking Class
She Ain’t Right
Sumter County Friday Nights
I Don’t Dance
Happy Endings (acoustic version)

So, what are you listening to this week?

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Linking up with these blogs today!
Here, Here, Here, Here and HERE.