First, it’s not Friday. But last Friday, my Wi-fi was down all day due to a crazy wind storm we had and this Friday I have a different post that I want to specifically post on that date. But hey, I definitely jam out other days of the week, so really, it works. #rebelyell
Second, I’m fully aware that it is a bit dramatic to create and share a playlist titled “Post Break Up,” but hey, unfortunately most of us need a playlist like this at point or another. You are welcome.
I’ve been adding songs to this list over the past couple of weeks and it was MUCH harder to keep it under a reasonable number than I thought it would be, which was silly to think because all artists have at least a handful of break up songs to their name. And really, I could have just made the list with only country songs… or only Taylor Swift songs.
So is this list a bit cheesy? Yes, because there was no way I was leaving Dolly out of it. And it is definitely full of angst (my teenage self would be so proud). But it is pretty well-rounded — meaning it covers every stage of a break up and quite a few different situations. So please note, I obviously don’t personally relate to every single song, quite a few are just songs that I enjoy and love to jam out to regardless of what they are about. Enjoy!
p.s. There are a few songs that are explicit, just FYI, if that’s not your thing. #sorrymom
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. ********
1.Favorite New(ish) Album Untamed – CAM
Friends, I think Cam is the real deal.
I would say it is probably pretty hard to be women in country music, but I really do not think that this is an artist that is going fade away after an album or two. After a short jaunt in contemporary pop, her country debut single “Burning House” was one of the biggest songs on 2015 and its almost a crime that it took me until this past month to check out her whole album. “Hungover on Heartache” is currently my favorite jam off of the record, but I also really like the title track “Untamed,” as well as “Mayday” and “Cold in California.”
Plus by now, I think it goes without saying that I LOVE her hair.
2. Favorite New(ish) Collaboration I’ll Be The Moon by Dierks Bentley ft. Maren Morris
Let’s start off by saying that I have been raving about Maren Morris for months now, and I am just so happy that people are finally starting to know who I am talking about.
ANYWAY… let’s focus a little less on what the song is about and just appreciate how pretty that harmony is. Dierks has a lot of fun songs, but his voice was meant for sexy, soulful tunes. I still remember when he came to my county fair right after his debut album came out. He has always been a staple favorite since then and I would LOVE to see him in concert again someday.
3. Favorite New (to me) Artist or Band Brothers Osborne
This song has been stuck in my head and on my regular playlists for a few months now, so I guess it was about time these guys made it onto a blog post. They have a solid country sound, and are almost a bit folksy at times. Other than their single, I really like “21 Summer” (quickly becoming a new favorite), “American Crazy,”“Rum” and “Down Home.” They are playing on tour nearby in August with Miranda Lambert and Kip Moore, and I am REALLY hoping that I can make it work to go.
4. Jam I Have On Repeat
Keeping Your Head Up – Birdy
Birdy goes into the same category as artists like Sia and Vance Joy, who could sing the alphabet and I would still be obsessed with them. I want to feature every single song these artists have. If you think I’m exaggerating when I put songs into this category, DON’T. I literally mean that at one point I have clicked the repeat button on Spotify multiple times. I love that this particular song of hers is a bit more upbeat than some of my other favorites and I love the lyrics. It’s great in the car and is also on my running playlist.
6. Favorite Spotify List “Legendary”
The playlist description says: “The best of the best. Classics that define the word Legendary are all in this playlist.”
I mean with the Stones, Beatles, CCR, Fleetwood Mac and Queen — just to name a few — I would say this is a pretty solid jam session.
7. #SoulMusic I’m obsessing Over Start a Riot – BANNERS
I heard this on a TV show a while ago and immediately knew it would eventually find its way into this category. I love the artist’s scratchy voice and there is a softness to the song, that pulls on a lot of different emotions #closethipster. I’m a sucker for live acoustic versions, but this one is a bit rough, so I’d encourage you to listen to both.
9. Current Beat That Makes Me Want to Dance…in the Car…Jamming With the Windows Down Wild Things by Alessia Cara
It is funny, how you can hate one from an artist and be obsessed with another. That is how I feel about “Here” (which is REALLY annoying) and this new single. It throws me off a bit that this girl is so young, but this “anthem-like” song is quirky, catchy and has such a rich sound — which I think ties back to the lyrics themselves. It sounds great in the car and obviously has also found a spot on my workout playlist.
10. An Oldie, But a Goodie Today I Started Loving You Again by Merle Haggard
Friends, music lost a legend last week. I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, but my love for it is rooted in riding shotgun with my Dad and in early morning AM radio stations that would play the outlaws and classics. I was never cut out to be a musician of any kind, but I sometimes wonder if that music was one of the things that helped develop my love for good storytelling. Haggard was one of the best, and certainly influenced so many of the generation of artists to follow him. If I had to choose I would probably say that the song above is my favorite of his, but of course I love other hits like “Mama Tried,”“Workin’ Man Blues,” and “Fightin’ Side of Me,” just to name a few.
11. Work, Work It Out Castle by Halsey
If you have already discovered this song, it is probably because you joined everyone and their mom in using the Shazam app when you heard it on the “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” movie trailer. I am sure that I was not the only one. I have not completely made up my mind on Halsey as a new artist, but this song is SO GOOD. With a dramatic flair and so many layers to its sound, I am dying to see someone choreograph a dance routine to this. (Or can I be 16 again please?) It might be a bit different for what normally goes on workout playlists, but trust me, it works.
12. Making Me Want To Fall In Love Ophelia by The Lumineers
The Lumineers were an instant favorite when their debut album came out. Their entire production is so simple, but unique, and their new single has a light-hearted and sweet melody that I’ve had on repeat lately. Plus the video is just cute.
13. Guilty Listen of The Week Friends by Blake Shelton
I do not actually feel guilty about this one, it just seemed like the right place to put it since it is kind of silly. I LOVE Blake Shelton and this video and song have been cracking me up since my sister shared it last week. I think it is great when artists lend their voice to fun, kid-friendly projects like this.
14. Favorite New(ish) Cover/Remix Stay by Thirty Seconds to Mars (Original by Rihanna)
The BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge is my favorite go-to on YouTube for live performances and great covers. This particular cover is actually 2 or 3 years old, but I was showing someone this YouTube channel the other day and it made me think of it. Of all of the covers they feature, this one is probably my favorite. I am a fan of most of Rihanna’s music, but I never really cared for her original version of this song. But Jared Leto man, his version is so good, it is wrong. It really should have been his band’s song to begin with.
I’ve found that most people have pretty strong feelings about Meghan Trainor. You either get her or your can’t stand her. Don’t get me wrong her music can get a bit obnoxious after a while, but I generally like her. But this song…people, it’s some level above annoying.
LOL NO.
However, can we take a moment to appreciate her hair. If I wasn’t super snobby about the fact that I’ve never colored my hair, I would go to that color in a heartbeat.
16. Country Pick Dear Music by Bart Crow Band
A country love song to country music?
I didn’t know I needed this song, until I stumbled across it, and now it will probably end up being one of my all-time favorites. I didn’t know that Bart Crow put out a new album last year, so I am excited to check that out. “Wear My Ring” is one of my all-time favorite two-stepping songs, so they are always solid staple when it comes to red dirt music.
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. ********
1.Favorite New(ish) Album 1989 (Cover Album) – Ryan Adams
The internet about had a heart attack last week when T-Swift herself started promoting the release of Ryan Adams’ full cover album of 1989. I’ve listened to the guy a few times before and I like his sound, but with the craze this cover album started, I found myself just as anxious to hear it.
It’s weird and wonderful all at once, and I think regardless if you are a Taylor Swift fan or not, I’d say that is a testament to her writing. Most of the upbeat songs were slowed down and the slow ones sound more haunting. I was somewhat surprised that my favorites were the exact opposite from my favorites on the original album. His cover of “Style” above was probably my overall pick followed closely by “This Love.” I also really enjoyed “All You Had to Do Was Stay”“Bad Blood” and “Clean.”
2.Favorite New (new-to-me) Artist/Band Hideaway – Daya Listen HERE
If you had told me the first few time I heard this song that this girl is only 16, I wouldn’t have believed. Her voice definitely sounds more mature. This is her first single off of her upcoming debut album. I actually haven’t had a chance to really check out any of her other music, but I fear it might be that I just like this particular song. We’ll have to see.
3.Jam I Have on Repeat T-Shirt – Thomas Rhett
I kept telling myself that I was going to wait to feature Thomas Rhett again until his full new album came out today. But I CAN’T stopping putting this song on repeat. It’s becoming unhealthy. That said, don’t be surprised when I feature the album next weekend…
4.Favorite Collaboration, Cover, Remix or Mashup XO – John Mayer Listen HERE
I love Queen Bey, but I definitely like John Mayer’s version better.
5.Favorite Spotify List “All Out 90’s” by Spotify
My early childhood was pretty awesome.
6.#SoulMusic I’m Obsessing Over Burning House – Cam Listen HERE
This song has such a sad and haunting, but beautiful sound. It actually reminds me a bit of the Dixie Chicks.
7.”Oldie, But a Goodie” I Heard This Week Holiday in the Sun – Weezer Listen HERE
So this is where I admit that the straight-to-video Mary-Kate and Ashley movie “Holiday in the Sun” is one of my most watched movies… EVER. Yepp, I am from the Olsen twins generation and for some reason my friend Kari and I were obsessed with that movie. This song always reminds me of our friendship, and of course, how ridiculous that movie is.
8.Current Beat That Makes Me Want to Dance…in the Car…Jamming With the Windows Down Tear in My Heart – Twenty One Pilots
I’m warning you, this band is weird, and what’s even stranger is how oddly addictive their music is. When they opened for a Imagine Dragons concert I went to a few years ago, that’s all took for me to become a fan. Sure they’re weird but they’re talented and have an energy that is contagious. I’m loving this song off of their new album, but my favorite will always be “Holding Onto You.”
9.Taking Me Down Memory Lane Vogue – Madonna
This week is another trip down memory lane to my dance days. This was the competition performance song the first year I was a competitive team in 5th grade and after dozens of routines since then, this is the one that I still remember the most of.
10.Work, Work it Out Move Along – All-American Rejects
Ahh the band of my high school days, I miss you guys. This song still gets played at least once every run I go on.
11.Making Me Want to Fall in Love Fire and The Flood – Vance Joy
You know, if I’m just going to feature Vance Joy every single week anyway, maybe he should just get his own category?
Seriously though, this song… swoon.
12.Guilty Listen of the Week Same Old Love – Selena Gomez Listen HERE
Don’t know about the rest of the song, but I’m a sucker for a catchy and quirky chorus.
13.Song That I Originally Loved, But Is Now Overplayed Jason Derulo
This week I’m talking about an artist, not a song. I really liked Jason Derulo when he first came out when I was in college. The song above was probably one of the most played songs on my iPod for a few months straight. I even saw him in concert when he came to K-State. But lately I just find myself annoyed by his music. Sure a lot of it is catchy, and he’s obviously talented, but it just seems all the same and too much. And don’t get me started on his #bromance with Florida Georgia Line…. Just no. I need a break from his music.
14.Popular Song That Is Making My Ears Bleed Tulips – Christopher Listen HERE
I have so many mean comments, but lets just talk about what’s really bothering me…Christopher?? Man, have a single stage name is supposed to be cool like Beyoncé, Lorde, Bono, Madonna or heck even Kanye. But Christopher? I just don’t get it.
15.Country Pick of the Week Before You Drive Me Crazy – Wes Mack
Really loving this song from another new country kid on the block that look’s like the Weasley’s had yet another son that we didn’t know about. The music video is a bit overdramatic but its a solid debut song.
BONUS: My Voice Picks, Week 1
I missed The Voice last season because of my move to DC. By the time I was settled in I was just too behind to even attempt to catch up. I am glad to see that they have Gwen back instead Christina, she’s by far my favorite female coach they’ve had. I’m currently still trying to decide if I am going to stay committed. Let’s be honest, the main reason I watch is for the banter between Adam and Blake. And why do they show SO MANY of the no-turn performances? I felt like that was most of what Tuesday night’s show featured. With that said these are few that really stood out to me during the first week of blind auditions. Seems like a lot of country right now, which is my favorite genre, but I’m hoping and assuming that will eventually balance out. These were my top 5 favorite performances from Week 1. There were a few others who could see myself potentially liking more later on but this is my picks for this week.
The Good Stuff 