I am headed to London late next week for a long girls weekend with one of my college besties, Brandi, so I thought it would be fun to throw together a playlist that focused on British artists. Which, in hindsight, was a bit easier said than done. Other than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, I didn’t have too many expectations of what would be included, but as I started to dive into my saved music as well as exploring other playlists on Spotify, I discovered that I should have been more specific, and just focused on one era and genre. There were so many artists and bands that I forgot or never realized originated from the UK!
So, my list is a bit eclectic, ranging from the “British Invasion” to current music. To keep the playlist from being too long, I did decide to limit it to artists and bands that were only from England, not from Ireland (sorry U2) or Scotland. However, please don’t go fact checking on me… I’m sure I messed up at least one or two đ
Enjoy!
Alright, let me know what obvious favorites I missed!
I love music. My taste is very diverse â continually being shaped by an unique combination of people, places and experiences. I never try to pawn myself off as someone who âknows music,â 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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Everyone, I want you to Meet Megan (and her pup Luna)! Megan is my best friend from college. We met at the Women’s Smurthwaite Scholarship House our freshman year at Kansas State and went on to live together for 4.5 years. Our friendship began over sharing and talking about music, and after dozens of road trips, concerts and late night jams to get through studying, music continues to be at the center of that friendship. Megan is now a food scientist, working for a spice and ingredient company in Wichita, Kan. I’ve been traveling for work in Guatemala this week and since I mention her in almost every Friday Jam Session post anyway, I decided she was the perfect choice to fill in for me!
1.Favorite New(ish) Album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful â Florence + the Machine
Iâve always been a Florence + The Machine fan, but this new album takes it to a whole new level. Right now I’m struggle to pick a favorite. Seriously though, Listen to ALL OF THE SONGS.
2.Favorite New(ish) Collaboration Heavy Crown â Iggy Azalea ft. Ellie Goulding (Explicit) Listen HERE
This is my new favorite song to rap along with in the carâŚor in my apartmentâŚor when walking my dog in public. Itâs cool, my neighbors already think Iâm crazy anyway.
3.Favorite New (new-to-me) Artist/Band The Score
I canât actually figure out how I discovered this band. I think it was one of those late night YouTube searches for one thing which led me to another then another until suddenly I was in a completely different genre of music and falling in love with a new band. My favorites by them are the song above, âOh My Love,â as well as âThis Beating Heartâ and âDonât Wanna Wake Up.â
4. Jam I Have on Repeat Jackie and Wilson â Hozier Listen HERE
After the radio played âTake Me to Churchâ about every half hour for a solid few weeks, I was definitely an anti-Hozier type of person. However, on a whim, I got the CD from the library to listen to in the car. Oh my gosh, Iâm so glad I did!! The rest of the album is so much better than the one obnoxious song the radio community chose to play.
5. Favorite Cover, Remix or Mashup Radioactive/Pumped Up Kicks â Megan Davies
I always get worried when I first see two songs that I really, really love being put together in a mashup because it always has the potential of ruining one of the songs for me. But THIS.This is pure genius. This girl and I think her sister do a lot of different mashups and covers. So while youâre at it, definitely listen to more of their stuff.
6. Favorite Spotify List Acoustic Afternoons This has become my go-to playlist for afternoons at work. Itâs the perfect mix of acoustic versions of songs, covers and new artists.
7. #SoulMusic Iâm Obsessing Over Georgia â Vance Joy Listen HERE I know Amanda recently featured Vance Joy’s album, but later this month Iâm going to a Taylor Swift Concert in Kansas City and Vance Joy is currently on tour with her, and I’ve been going through spurts where I listen to Vance Joy and Taylor Swift songs over and over and over. Every time this song comes on I stop what Iâm doing and close my eyes and wish that I could inject this song into my bloodstream. Like Amanda says, it is the definition of #soulmusic.
8.Song That is Currently Cracking Me Up Girls in Bikinis â Lee Brice Listen HERE
I realize that this isnât one Amanda’s normal categories, but I really felt the need to share. I went to a Lee Brice concert last week and he sadly did not play this song, but it would have been hilarious if he had. I heard it the first time in my car and proceeded to play it 3 more times in a row because I was laughing so hard.
9. Current Beat That Makes Me Want to DanceâŚin the CarâŚJamming With the Windows Down Roots â Imagine Dragons
I love everything about this song. I love the piano, the singing, but I especially love the drums and the beat. This song makes me want to jump around and dance and just go crazy! (Let’s just pretend that I am NOT turning 25 soon)
10.Taking Me Down Memory Lane Our Song â Taylor Swift Listen HERE
This song is from back when T-Swift was singing country and her first album had just come out. She had curly long hair and a twangy singing voice. And now sheâs all grown up and I still really love her songs.
11. Work, Work it Out Lean On â Major Lazer feat. MĂ & DJ Snake Listen HERE
I havenât actually worked out to this song yetâŚbut I feel like it would be a very good workout song. Plus I really wanted it to be on this list and couldnât figure out the best place for it. So thisâll do.
12.Making Me Want to Fall in Love Riser â Dierks Bentley
Amanda said it best last week…everything about Dierks Bentley makes me want to fall in love. #amen
13. Guilty Listen of the Week Anything Goes â Florida Georgia Line Â
I denounced Florida Georgia Line. Really, I did! Once they started getting just too bro country for me, I said goodbye. Their first song or two on the radio I liked. But soon they were overplayed and annoying, and ever since then everything they have come out with drives me absolutely crazyâŚexcept this song. I CANNOT tell you why I like this song. Every fiber of my being says I shouldnât (especially with a video like this). But the song starts up on the radio and I find myself turning up my volume and singing along #sorrynotsorry
14.Song That I Originally Loved, But Is Now Overplayed Cheerleader â OMI (Felix Jaehn Remix) Listen HERE
The first time I heard this song I thought it was catchy and fun. The 800th time I heard it, I yelled and turned the radio off. Iâm very done with this song.
15.Popular Song That Is Making My Ears Bleed Watch me Whip (Nae Nae) â Silento Listen HERE
I canât even. That’s the only unintelligent thing I can muster up to say, #ijustcanteven.
16.Country Pick of the Week Blue Bandana â Jerrod Niemann
Since Iâve got several different concerts coming up, this song has terrible timing. Itâs all about being a gypsy and following bands across the country and going to all the wonderful music festivals. It makes me want to quit my job and live out of a van, which isnât feasible and would not end well. But it makes me seriously consider it.
Bonus 5: Over the next couple of months I will be going to several different concerts which I am freakishly excited for. So my Bonus 5 are songs from the different artists Iâm going to see.
Thank you so much Megan for sharing your jams this week and helping me out while I was traveling! There are a few new ones to add to my playlists, and a few that I was planning on featuring soon myself! I only wish we could have been jamming to these in the car together!
So  I had lots of great ideas for this week’s Friday Jam Session theme. I listened to a lot of different music, and seeing as I just started this bit last week, the possibilities are endless. But ultimately my ears were driven by one thing: Miranda Lambert FINALLY put out a video for her “Mama’s Broken Heart” single. Long story short….I LOVE this song. Maybe a little too much.
I know that my iTunes is probably extremely weighted in male vocalists but I will be the first to admit when I am really impressed by a fellow female. I think when it comes down to it, we tend to hold female artists up to more scrutiny. Unlike with men, it not just about talents and attractiveness (let’s be honest here.) We also throw up behavior, personal relationships and lives, style decisions and success up on the canvas to be judged. We expect them to be able to compete alongside the boys but keep a certain image and meet certain expectations at the same time.
So, before I get everyone thinking that I’m becoming some sort of outspoken feminist, (trust me, I’m not,) here is this week’s Friday Jam Session, empowered by beautiful, strong voices, sassy personalities and women I think we can respect for owning their talent.
ALSO…today just happens to be International Women’s Day! A coincidence? Maybe, if I believed in those.
Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda LambertÂ
Not much left to say here, other than although the video wasn’t at all what I expected it to be, it definitely cracks me up.
All This and Heaven Too by Florence + the Machine
Everything about Florence Welch is original. Now I wouldn’t call myself a loyal fan of her and her band, but her voice is amazing and she most certainly rocks her own style, which I both respect. This one is my favorite of hers and a little bit more on the tame side. I also really like “Shake it Out,” “Never Let Me Go,” and “Heavy in Your Arms.”
Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin After dancing to this song during our state routine on high school dance team my junior year, it will always have a spot on my “Oldies Faves” playlist. No, Janis probably isn’t a great role model, but she’s classic and you know you want to sing along.
Brick by Boring Brick by Paramore
Ironically my love for Paramore can be credited to a guy. I knew of them before, but it was my friend Kevin, his slight obsession and his coveted “chick mix” that got me hooked. Like Florence, lead singer Haley Williams is another red-head with a big personality, which of course only makes me like her more. This is my all-time favorite.
American Beautiful by The Henningsens So I’m cheating a little on this last one. The Henningsen’s are a father-son-daughter-family act (which I love,) lead by Clara, whom I’m pretty sure is the type of girl who could be an instant best friend. This is their debut video, which I have been anxiously waiting for alongside Miranda’s, and can’t get out of my head. Check out their other stuff online, I’m excited to see where they go.
The Good Stuff 