Say what you want about Lady Gaga, but calling her a "no-talent, Madonna wannabe" is just plain wrong. Some people can't see the forest through the trees, or in this case the art through the wacky clothes.
Certainly many may object to her pop-dance smash hits such as Just Dance, Poker Face, Bad Romance -- well basically her entire Fame and Fame Monster album -- as just passing dance fads, but it's hard to hate on pure lyrics. Really good lyrics.
I think I first heard "Speechless" when Gaga performed it on the Oprah Winfrey show. I had seen her perform stripped down versions of her aforementioned pop tunes, but it was the first time I heard her sing a song that was originally intended for just vocals, piano and maybe some percussion.
I was impressed. Even more impressed when she said she wrote the song for her Dad, who was seemingly oblivious to a major medical scare a few years ago. It's easy to interpret the whole song as a typical relationship destined for failure. But when you know that it is a story of a daughter, heartbroken because she cares more about her Dad then he cares for himself, it's that much more heart wrenching.
The climax of the song comes in it's last verse, when Gaga, who shares that her gift is to love and to write song, will diminish if her Dad decides not to take care of himself.
Would you give it all up
If I promise to you boy
That I’ll never talk again
And I’ll never love again
I’ll never write a song
Won’t even sing along
I’ll never love again
So speechless
You left me speechless, so speechless
Good stuff. This is a great, full acoustic version. Below is a performance on the Ellen Show, with additional instruments. Watch both ... in either case, get ready for some chills and maybe a few tears.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
August 10, 2010
August 3, 2010
My Favorite Lyric Tuesday
Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb
I've never hid the fact that "Stay" by Lisa Loeb is one of my all time favorite songs. Not only is it lyrically amazing, but it has a great story behind it.
Going back to they early 90s, Loeb tells the story of hanging out with actor/director Ethan Hawke among a group of mutual friends. Around this time, Hawke was working on a film, Reality Bites, with Ben Stiller. Hawke played the "Stay" track for Stiller, who decided to put it on the movie soundtrack. Local radio started playing it, and eventually the song made it all the way to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. Loeb was an unsigned artist at the time, and still holds the distinction of having a No. 1 single without benefits of being signed to a major record label.
While I'm sure you are all enlightened, she actually tells the story better.
Really, this whole song is pretty awesome and every line just flows right into the next. It's hard to pick just one line, but since I really should here you go.
I like how the words "some of us hover when we weep for the other" sound together.
Here it is in context:
Some of us hover when we weep for the other who was
Dying since the day they were born
Well, this is not that
I think that I'm throwing, but I'm thrown
And I thought I'd live forever, but now I'm not so sure
You try to tell me that I'm clever
But that won't take me anyhow, or anywhere with you
I've had the opportunity to see Lisa live a few times. It's always been a treat. Nothing like a genuine singer/songwriter just belting out tunes and strumming on a guitar. No crazy drum machines or synthetic sounds. Just all natural talent.
There are a lot of great live, acoustic videos on YouTube of this song -- including the link I posted earlier. But I thought I'd embed the original music video, which itself is a mini-masterpiece. It was directed by Hawke and was shot in one continuous take. Pretty cool! My favorite lyric comes in at 1:37.
Going back to they early 90s, Loeb tells the story of hanging out with actor/director Ethan Hawke among a group of mutual friends. Around this time, Hawke was working on a film, Reality Bites, with Ben Stiller. Hawke played the "Stay" track for Stiller, who decided to put it on the movie soundtrack. Local radio started playing it, and eventually the song made it all the way to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. Loeb was an unsigned artist at the time, and still holds the distinction of having a No. 1 single without benefits of being signed to a major record label.
While I'm sure you are all enlightened, she actually tells the story better.
Really, this whole song is pretty awesome and every line just flows right into the next. It's hard to pick just one line, but since I really should here you go.
I like how the words "some of us hover when we weep for the other" sound together.
Here it is in context:
Some of us hover when we weep for the other who was
Dying since the day they were born
Well, this is not that
I think that I'm throwing, but I'm thrown
And I thought I'd live forever, but now I'm not so sure
You try to tell me that I'm clever
But that won't take me anyhow, or anywhere with you
I've had the opportunity to see Lisa live a few times. It's always been a treat. Nothing like a genuine singer/songwriter just belting out tunes and strumming on a guitar. No crazy drum machines or synthetic sounds. Just all natural talent.
There are a lot of great live, acoustic videos on YouTube of this song -- including the link I posted earlier. But I thought I'd embed the original music video, which itself is a mini-masterpiece. It was directed by Hawke and was shot in one continuous take. Pretty cool! My favorite lyric comes in at 1:37.
July 27, 2010
My Favorite Lyric Tuesday
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Not to long ago I had the pleasure of busting out this classic Cure song at a wedding. It's tough to fit the Cure's new wave, 90s punk sound into a wedding, but the bride at this gig was a huge Violent Femmes fan and it only seemed natural to play "Just Like Heaven" as "Blister in the Sun" had concluded.
It's one of those songs, especially for anyone in their mid 30s to early 40s, that must evoke memories of high school proms when you would twirl around the dance floor to the great drum beat and rhythmic guitar riffs.
The song has so many great lines, but it's the one that appears near the end that I have always loved "... a raging sea, that stole the only girl I loved and drowned her deep inside of me."
Here it is in full context.
Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me
And here is an acoustic performance.
It's one of those songs, especially for anyone in their mid 30s to early 40s, that must evoke memories of high school proms when you would twirl around the dance floor to the great drum beat and rhythmic guitar riffs.
The song has so many great lines, but it's the one that appears near the end that I have always loved "... a raging sea, that stole the only girl I loved and drowned her deep inside of me."
Here it is in full context.
Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me
And here is an acoustic performance.
July 19, 2010
My Favorite Lyric Tuesday
All You Wanted - Michelle Branch
I love alliteration. In fact, I like to say the word "alliteration."
Some of my favorite lyrics "consist in repeating the same consonant sound at the beginning of two or more words in close succession." **Thanks Wikipedia.**
And one of the best examples is from this great pop song, All You Wanted, by Michelle Branch.
The lyric:
I'm sinking slowly so hurry hold me
And then it continues with a few more powerful words:
Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
I love the "where you go when you're gone."
Michelle Branch is not an artist I commonly scan for much on YouTube. So I was very pleased to find some great versions of this song. And it reminded how much I really enjoyed her music.
Here's a nice acoustic version of "All You Wanted." My favorite lyric shows up right around 1:33.
Remember if you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to click on view original post. But then again, you should have this on RSS feed or subscribe my now! :-)
Some of my favorite lyrics "consist in repeating the same consonant sound at the beginning of two or more words in close succession." **Thanks Wikipedia.**
And one of the best examples is from this great pop song, All You Wanted, by Michelle Branch.
The lyric:
I'm sinking slowly so hurry hold me
And then it continues with a few more powerful words:
Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
I love the "where you go when you're gone."
Michelle Branch is not an artist I commonly scan for much on YouTube. So I was very pleased to find some great versions of this song. And it reminded how much I really enjoyed her music.
Here's a nice acoustic version of "All You Wanted." My favorite lyric shows up right around 1:33.
Remember if you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to click on view original post. But then again, you should have this on RSS feed or subscribe my now! :-)
July 13, 2010
My Favorite Lyric Tuesday
Your Song - Elton John
If someone wrote you a song, I bet you would consider it one of the greatest honors ever bestowed upon you. The beauty in this classic Elton John piece, written by his longtime musical partner Bernie Taupin, is -- like the song says -- it's simplicity.
A rather simple piano melody and simple words. It comes from a person that has nothing, but because of having that special someone, could not imagine needing anything more.
Forgive me while I tug at some heartstrings. But I know this feeling well. A big smile from my daughter as she stares right at me as we are nose-to-nose pretty much captures how "wonderful life is" with her in my world.
And that's my favorite lyric this week. Here it is in context.
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
For this weeks sample I must share with you what I believe is the greatest live musical performance ever. When Elton John was honored at the 2004 Kennedy Center Honors, Broadway star Heather Headley graced the stage with this magical performance.
Imagine what she was asked to do that night. Perform "his song" in front of "him" and Taupin, not to mention President Bush, the Kennedy family and a handful of Hollywood's biggest celebrities. And she delivers.
She was in another zone. It was like needing just one run to win a baseball game, but hitting a grand slam instead. When she closes out her final note, she let's out a relieving breath, like she sang the whole song on one breath.
It was over the top and to this day I still get choked up watching it. And perhaps the only thing better than someone writing you a song, is seeing a performance like this of that very song.
Enjoy.
A rather simple piano melody and simple words. It comes from a person that has nothing, but because of having that special someone, could not imagine needing anything more.
Forgive me while I tug at some heartstrings. But I know this feeling well. A big smile from my daughter as she stares right at me as we are nose-to-nose pretty much captures how "wonderful life is" with her in my world.
And that's my favorite lyric this week. Here it is in context.
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
For this weeks sample I must share with you what I believe is the greatest live musical performance ever. When Elton John was honored at the 2004 Kennedy Center Honors, Broadway star Heather Headley graced the stage with this magical performance.
Imagine what she was asked to do that night. Perform "his song" in front of "him" and Taupin, not to mention President Bush, the Kennedy family and a handful of Hollywood's biggest celebrities. And she delivers.
She was in another zone. It was like needing just one run to win a baseball game, but hitting a grand slam instead. When she closes out her final note, she let's out a relieving breath, like she sang the whole song on one breath.
It was over the top and to this day I still get choked up watching it. And perhaps the only thing better than someone writing you a song, is seeing a performance like this of that very song.
Enjoy.
June 22, 2010
My Favorite Lyric Tuesday
You and I Both - Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz is an amazing lyricist and I have a feeling he will make his way onto many, My Favorite Lyric Tuesday entries. I have so many favorite lines of his, but I thought I'd pick this line from You and I Both, a cut that Mraz had been singing in San Diego coffee houses many years before his 2002 debut album was released.
See I'm all about them words
Over numbers, unencumbered numbered words
Hundreds of pages, pages, pages forwards
More words then I had ever heard and I feel so alive
I selected this not only because it really is one of my favorite Mraz songs, but I recently was watching his "Tonight Not Again" DVD, and he talked about writing the song. I was always intrigued by the pattern and how he managed to romanticize the word "words." And the word "unencumbered" also always struck me.
Mraz explained that he wrote the song for an ex-girlfriend, someone who inspired his path to songwriting. She loved the word "unencumbered" and he tossed it in there as a salute to her; so she would know the song was for her.
And as sweet as the song is, it has its bittersweet ending.
And it's okay if you have go away Oh just remember the telephone works both ways And if I never ever hear them ring If nothing else I'll think the bells inside Have finally found you someone else and that's okay Cause I'll remember everything you sang
Great song ... enjoy the video; one of my favorite live version of the song. The "unencumbered" line is at 1:10.
See I'm all about them words
Over numbers, unencumbered numbered words
Hundreds of pages, pages, pages forwards
More words then I had ever heard and I feel so alive
I selected this not only because it really is one of my favorite Mraz songs, but I recently was watching his "Tonight Not Again" DVD, and he talked about writing the song. I was always intrigued by the pattern and how he managed to romanticize the word "words." And the word "unencumbered" also always struck me.
Mraz explained that he wrote the song for an ex-girlfriend, someone who inspired his path to songwriting. She loved the word "unencumbered" and he tossed it in there as a salute to her; so she would know the song was for her.
And as sweet as the song is, it has its bittersweet ending.
And it's okay if you have go away Oh just remember the telephone works both ways And if I never ever hear them ring If nothing else I'll think the bells inside Have finally found you someone else and that's okay Cause I'll remember everything you sang
Great song ... enjoy the video; one of my favorite live version of the song. The "unencumbered" line is at 1:10.
June 6, 2010
Melissa and Loren's Set List
Melissa and Loren were married on June 5, 2010 and celebrated at the Admiral Baker Clubhouse in San Diego, California. They admittedly were not big dancers, nor were their friends and family. So their set list was a pretty wide range of genres. Group dances and slow songs were the most popular this night.
This set list is shorter than normal. With cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m., dinner served at 7 p.m. and an end time of 10 p.m., the evening was one hour shorter than the typical wedding reception. But we still got it all in.
Here's a look at their set list.
This set list is shorter than normal. With cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m., dinner served at 7 p.m. and an end time of 10 p.m., the evening was one hour shorter than the typical wedding reception. But we still got it all in.
Here's a look at their set list.
| Song | Artist | |
| Intro | Rock With You | Michael Jackson |
| First Dance | Forever/Hold On | Ben Harper/Michael Buble |
| Parents Dance | My Wish | Rascal Flatts |
| First Dance Set | The Way You Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra |
| Let's Stay Together | Al Green | |
| Heat Wave | Joan Osborne | |
| Boogie Shoes | K.C. & the Sunshine Band | |
| Billie Jean | Michael Jackson | |
| Love Shack | B-52s | |
| Electric Boogie | Marcia Griffiths | |
| Tequila | The Champs | |
| YMCA | Village People | |
| Cake Cutting | How Sweet It Is | Marvin Gaye |
| Let's Fall In Love | Diana Krall | |
| Love Story | Taylor Swift | |
| Bouquet Toss | Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) | Beyonce |
| Second Dance Set | Break Your Heart | Taio Cruz |
| Sexual Healing | Marvin Gaye | |
| Life Is A Highway | Rascal Flatts | |
| Unchained Melody | The Righteous Brothers | |
| My Girl | The Temptations | |
| Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison | |
| Twist and Shout | The Beatles | |
| California Gurls | Katy Perry | |
| Do You Remember | Jay Sean | |
| Bad Romance | Lady Gaga | |
| This Will Be An Everlasting Love | Natalie Cole | |
| This Old Heart of Mine | The Isley Brothers | |
| Last Dance | Sunday Morning | Maroon 5 |
| Encore | Last Dance | Donna Summer |
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