Rex Manning Day!

here's a music monday bonus from my favorite movie of all time, empire records, in celebration of rex manning day!



cheers to the 90s! cheers to empire records! and cheers to rex manning!

Music Monday

i'm still here.  aren't you proud?

let's get right to it:

5 - lissie - everywhere i go

4 - ed sheeran & passenger - thrift shop & no diggity (cover mashup)




3 - vv brown - shark in the water
this one has a very spring break sound.  i like that about it.



2 - solange - losing you
she's more than just beyonce's little sister and a fashion icon.




1 - imagine dragons - radioactive
i know.  it's not new.  imagine dragons are really beginning to pick up steam with "it's time" though, and i just want to point out how much better this song is than that one.  i'm not really so sure what's happening in the video though.




i've made it to week 2 of being back.  sorry to post this late, but i'll work on doing better.

cheers!

I'm back, snitches...with a late night music monday post.

you missed me too much.  a lot has happened in the 8 months since i last wrote, mainly i had a baby, but more on that later.  for now, on to the jams.

some of these aren't that new because i've been gone for awhile, so there are just some that i want to share.  anyway, here it goes.

5 - me & mr. cassidy - wherever you go
this duo has a very she & him quality that i find endearing.



4 - justin timberlake & jimmy fallon - history of rap 4
so, not technically a cover song, but more of a mash up of covers, but i love it so much.  if you haven't watched their other history of rap performances, you should.  they are amazing.




3 - youngblood hawke - we come running
i just like it. also, sharks.



2 - kate earl - one woman army
simple video.  simple song.  good stuff.


1 - justin timberlake featuring jay-z - suit & tie
i couldn't help it.  i know it's a mega pop hit and everyone has already seen it and heard it a hundred times, but it's jt & jay-z, so i had to do post it.




i hope you've missed me.  i'll try my best to post regulary.

cheers!

Music Monday

still no baby.  today is the due date.  hopefully soon though.

alas, there is good news.  that means there's time for me to crank out a music blog (i was lazy last week).

this blog is special because it will be a compilation of many of the good recommendations of my facebook friends.  enjoy!

5 - the wedding band - she said yes
the wedding band is an offshoot of mumford & sons that is them plus some friends.  a lovely friend, book club member and minister, stacey recommended this jam.




4 - jack white - sixteen saltines
gavin recommended this one, and he's always got his ear to the ground with music.  actually, he just selected the artist/album.  i chose the single.  i'm fancy too.




3 - hurray for the riff raff - look out mama
melinda took time out of her busy bar-studying schedule to recommend this one.  she's a smarty, so you should be a smarty too, and listen to it.


t

2 - the head and the heart - lost in my mind
i used to babysit elizabeth.  now, she's recommending music.  that makes me feel good.  and old.




1 - emile sande - next to me
the olympics and vh1 recommended this one to me.  i hope you'll enjoy it too.




i hope you enjoy this week's music--it might be the last you get for awhile!  thanks to all my friends for the recommendations!

cheers!

Music Monday!!

i have gotten so many wonderful suggestions for music in the past week that i can only fit a couple into this post.  the good news is that means i have much to fill the coming weeks' posts with though, so yay!

(that is assuming that there are posts in the coming weeks -- with the due date quickly approaching, that's questionable.)

let's not waste time though.  here are this week's jams.

5 - ed sheeran - the class a team
this is a sad song.  some of my facebook friends are confused about that, but really it is about a crack whore (essentially), so not something you should compare to your life most likely.  still, it's just a beautiful song, and i love ed sheeran, so here you go.




4 - birdy - 1901 (phoenix cover)
if you haven't noticed, i've been trying to use the four spot on the list for a cover each week.  i do this for two  reasons - 1) i like covers (see earlier posts on just covers for details) 2) i think covers are good ways to get acquainted with new artists because it shows both their talents and some of their influences.

so, i was watching conan the other night, and birdy came on.  she was singing her single, "skinny love," but i decided to look her up, and i found her cover of 1901, and loved it.  enjoy!




3 - allen stone - unaware
i watched the espys.  and the preshow.  it's always such an awkward awards show.  rob riggle got a lot of negative feedback, but i thought he was okay, not great, but there were points when i was lolling.  during the preshow though, i got introduced to the magic of allen stone.  what a voice.




2 - grace potter and the nocturnals - never go back
this is not the first grace potter post.  it probably won't be the last.  also, i'm not sure i know what's happening in this music video.  please inform me.




1 - the lumineers - ho hey
my first exposure to this one was on the vh1 countdown this past weekend, and i was into it.  then, someone recommended it, so i knew it had to go in to this week's blog.


i hope you enjoyed this week's list.  there's a lot of great stuff coming soon.  if you have more recommendations, please feel free to post in the comments, and, as always, cheers!

you know what day it is...

music monday!

sorry i didn't give you a full list last week, but i couldn't skip you again this week.

(i hope you enjoyed that matt & kim song anyway)

let's get started

5 - owl city & carly rae jepsen - good time
this is just as sticky sweet as you think it's gonna be, but just as catchy as each of their big singles.





4 - grouplove - party hard (cover of andrew wk)
my love affair with grouplove shamelessly continues.



Grouplove covers Andrew W.K.

3 - maroon 5 - one more night
it's still not at songs about jane quality, but i like this one.  also, adam levine is too small to be a boxer.




2 - rachel crow - mean girls
cliche?  probably.  lame?  a bit.  middle school? definitely takes you back there.




1 - walk the moon - anna sun
i meant to post this a couple of weeks ago, but i forgot.  oops.  enjoy it now.




what are you listening to right now?  cheers!

it's music monday!

i don't have five songs for you today :( but i didn't want you to think i'd forgotten.

here's matt & kim's new song, let's go.

it has fun basketball tricks in it.

enjoy!  cheers!

...and i'm back!

i know you miss me when i'm gone, but there was much work to be done, so the blog had to take a break.

so happy to be back on a music monday though, so let's get right to it~

5 - extreme - more than words
what a great throwback jam--don't act like you don't sing along every single time you hear it!


4 - creep - radiohead cover by carrie manolakos
i love when people send me good music, and this cover was sent over by a facebook friend today - perfect timing!


3 - atlas genius - trojans
this is the version live from siriusxm, but i like both versions.


2 - grouplove - itchin on a photograph i think i've posted every video grouplove has released. if you don't get it yet, i'm into this band.



1 - of monsters and men - little talks
it is very possible that i've posted this already bc i've been into this song for a couple of months, but i think i might've missed posting it in my absence, so here it is anyway.




Well, you should be hearing from me more throughout the week and the summer!  Get excited!

Cheers!

Monday is for Music!

coachella was this past weekend, but i'm sure you know that because EVERYONE was tweeting about it.

i'm not bringing you live performances from coachella though or any tupac holograms.  that's kind of done now. 

here's this week's music (sorry if i sound uninspired---not so much that is new and great).  feel free to leave suggestions for next week!

5 - the kooks - how'd you like that

The Kooks - How'd You Like That - How'd You Like That - Free Music Videos

4 - carly rae jepsen - call me maybe

warning:  this one is so poppy, but it could be fun girls night music or riding in the car alone music.




3 - norah jones - happy pills

you don't like norah jones?  get out of my life.  also, there's murder, so that's fun.




2 - haley reinhart - free

you like smoky, sultry voices like norah jones?  try this american idol finalist.





1 - the wombats - jump into the fog

this is a fun song that's good for singing along on the radio.  i probably like it more than the rest posted this week.



vh1 has a good music video section with "fresh new music."  don't worry.  they play pretty much none of these on tv, but it was good for some inspirado when music monday came around and i was uninspired--successfully reminded me of songs and artists that i like, so there.

enjoy this week's installment and let me know what you want to see featured next!

cheers!

Music on a Tuesday!

It's been a busy few days....Hunger Games midnight opener - awesome, Andrews-Morrison Wedding - directed, quick trip to washington/augusta - check.  So, yeah, i'm taking advantage of my spring break.

However, there is no spring break from music, so here's to some jams that i'm into today:

5 - Lil Wayne and Robin Thicke - Pretty Lil Heart
So, I'm an old lady and don't jam on this sort of thing too much, but i LOVE this song.  I know it's already wildly popular, but I had to post it in case you don't know it yet.  Get to know it.  It is sexy.





4 - Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars - Safe & Sound





3 - Arcade Fire - Abraham's Daughter

I can't include this video, but here's a link to the song with a montage of movie scenes:

http://youtu.be/X4XB4fSj_UI

This is the song from the credits, and it really captures the mood of the movie.  Also, it is one of my new jams.

I'm not going to put up anything else from the soundtrack, but just know that it's a good one.

2 - Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet

So, there's more soundtrack magic even without The Hunger Games.  While in Washington, I got to rewatch my favorite movie, Empire Records, and I was thinking about how awesome its soundtrack is.  Here's one of the hits!





1 - Justin Bieber - Boyfriend

So, I'm not really into this one, but it's kind of a big deal.  I think listening to it is kinda sexually predatory.  He's a child.





Swag, indeed....go see hunger games, let me know what's good on the music horizon, and cheers!

Music Monday - Covers Edition

I'm back with more covers.  I'm actually sticking with live covers this week, so some of the videos aren't as interesting, but I think you'll dig this.

5 - Fun. - "We Owned the Night"
It's interesting.  I like to hear more stripped down performances like this by fun.



4 - Walk Off the Earth - "Somebody That I Used to Know"
I really like this cover.  One of my favorites lately.




3 - Linkin Park - Rolling in the Deep
I've always enjoyed Chester's vocals.  Isn't that his name?




2 - Kelly Clarkson - "Gravity"
Beautiful song by Sara Bareilles.  Maybe even more beautiful by KC.





1 - Foster the People - "Say It Ain't So"





Bonus:  Weezer - "Pumped up Kicks"

love the mutual respect.  also, rivers is wearing underwear outside his pants, and that reminds me of quailman.





What a fun time being cover girl this week, cheers!

Music Monday!

I've been feeling a bit uninspired lately, so you've had a couple of weeks off from my opinions.  I'm back though, and I've got some music that you should definitely be listening to!

5 - Paul McDonald and Nikki Reed  - "Now That I Found You"
I think this is a sweet song, and Paul McDonald was one of my favorite American Idol contestants, so I just had to share.




4 - The Shins - "Simple Song"
I like this song, and they were on SNL this week, so you should enjoy it.




3 -  Awolnation - "Not Your Fault"
This is the second awolnation song I've posted, and if they keep coming out with music I like, there could be many more.



2 - fun. - "we are young"
You've heard this song everywhere now, but I really like it.




1 - N*Sync - "Drive Myself Crazy"
Everybody loves a good throwback.  Also, JT's hair was amazing in this video.





Now, go watch that N*Sync video again because I know you want to...Cheers!

Music Monday - MY FAVORITE!!

I'm sure you've all been sitting around hoping that I would blog about who my favorite singer/band is so that you can fall in love.  I know you wait for my music updates because you want to be just like me.

Wait, no, that's not right?  Oh well, after today it will be.

Hopefully you're already in on the magic that is Corinne Bailey Rae, but if not, here's an intro course.

**Warning** Youtube is being weird, so you might have to watch the videos on youtube.  sorry.**

5 - Put Your Records On
So, this is the song that everyone knows, and that so many people butcher on American Idol.  It's great, and don't judge her by others performances...


 4 - Like  a Star
Her second most popular song, and the only other song that most people know.




3 - I'd Do it All Again
This is the first song I'm posting off of her newest album, written after her husband/band member died.  You can tell the mood is different than a lot of the stuff she did before, but even better in many ways.




2 - The Blackest Lily
Here's a live version of one of her more upbeat songs off of the recent album.  It's not an upbeat album, but I wanted to get this one in here, so you'd know it wasn't the saddest album of all time.




1 - Closer
a sexy song.  i should warn you.




So, yeah, you should be all about this now.

Cheers to good music!

Music Monday - Country Christmas!

I'm not the biggest fan of country music.  I like most of the pop-crossover stuff, but the really country, I'm not feeling.  That being said, country singers do Christmas music right.  Part of what I like about their takes are that they don't change things too much.

Here're some great ones!

5 - SheDaisy - Hark the Herald Angels Sing/Carol of the Bells
most of these don't have music videos, so just enjoy the album cover while you listen!





4 - Rascal Flatts - Mary, Did You Know?




3 - Little Big Town - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas





2 - Carrie Underwood - The First Noel
enjoy the carrie underwood slide show that you get to watch with this one!




1 - Taylor Swift - Last Christmas
not a vocally great one, but who doesn't love this song?

Cheers to the holidays!  What are your favorite Christmas songs?

happy cyber music monday!

i told you i'd be back.  you shouldn't have doubted me; i'd never lie to you.

anyway, it's music monday and cyber monday, so that's a lot.

let's begin with the music.  'tis the season to be jolly, and everybody knows jolly equals christmas music.  here're some of my favorites old and new.

5 - Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You
Don't act like you don't sing like crazy to this.  It's so good.  I do NOT, however, dig the crap remake she did with Justin Bieber, but more on that later...



4 - Faith Hill - Where Are You Christmas?
So good for a new Christmas song.



3 - Bing Crosby - White Christmas
One of my favorites from one of my favorite Christmas movies.



2 -Carrie Underwood - Do You Hear What I Hear?
I love this song.  I just found this rendition, but this is one of my favorite holiday jams.



1 -Justin Bieber & Usher - The Christmas Song
Again, this is a song I love, and this is the newest version.  Also, he managed not to mess up this song like some of his other Christmas jams.  Also, there's a lot of other nonsense after the Bieber/Usher performance.  Feel free to watch or not, but I'm just into the first part.




 So, now cyber monday?  Unfortunately, I don't have access to crazy lists with every deal listed for you, but hear are somethings I do know:

For all the Gap Brands (Gap, Piperlime, Athleta, Old Navy and Banana Republic):  Enter HUGECYBER at check out for 30% off all but Piperlime, and 20% off there.

Melie Bianco - fabulous bags 40% off with the code CYBER40

J Crew Factory Online will be open tomorrow

Loft Online - 40% off everything with the code SHOP40

Lands End Canvas - 30% off plus free shipping with the code DRUMSTICK  Pin: 1121

There are plenty more deals, and this is just what I knew about before Monday, so enjoy your shopping, and cheers!

Music Monday!

I'm back.  Get over it.  I take breaks sometimes.

I'm only hitting you with three songs this week because I haven't heard so much that's new that I have to share.

3 - "Can't Help Falling In Love" - covered by Ingrid Michaelson
As soon as I saw the previews for Like Crazy, I began searching for this version of the song.  So good.




2 - "Big Girl Now" by NKOTB and Lady Gaga
This is not the real video.  However, there is not one.




1 - "Paradise" by Coldplay
So cliche...I know.  I'm not into a whole lot of Coldplay, but I really dig this song.




Anyway, you might've also heard my brag about a phenomenal playlist I created earlier this week (because I know you all follow me @pjianek on twitter.)  I call it halfhourhappiness, and here it is:

1.  9 crimes - Damien Rice
2.  Arms - Christina Perry
3.  As You Turn Away - Lady Antebellum
4.  Ave Maria - Beyonce Knowles
5.  Can't Help Falling in Love - Ingrid Michaelson
6.  Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
7.  Poison & Wine - The Civil Wars

This particular playlist is great for baths, zoning out, relaxation time, or getting ready for bed. 

Now, go make this playlist and relax.  Cheers!

Music Monday - Break up songs.

Break ups suck.  Music can be therapeutic.  Here are some options for your free therapy post break up.  I try to address the various stages of feelings after a break up.

5 - Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart
This, of course, addresses the sadness.



4 -Ben Folds - Song for the Dumped
This is the anger being addressed.  Also, this has bad language, so don't click it if that offends you.



3 -The Ataris - In This Diary
This is for when you're weirdly nostalgic.



2 - Missy Higgins - Where I Stood
because moving on is hard, even when you know you should.
I can't embed this one, but here's a link:  http://youtu.be/c9QNRvXH1HI



1 - Beyonce - Irreplaceable
over it, and done.


There are so many great break up songs, but I'm out of practice with these bc I've been together for so long.  What are your go to break up therapy songs?  Oh, and Happy Halloween!  Cheers!

Music Monday (on Wednesday)

My schedule is obviously messed up.  I'll try to make sure I get pinterest thursday up on time tomorrow.

Anyways, here are some of the jams I'm enjoying lately.

5 - Up Up UP by The Givers
This song always gets stuck in my head.


4 - Thieves by She & Him My recent obsession with The New Girl has brought this jam back into my life.
I'm not mad about it.


3 - On by Jubee & The Morning After Duh, I support macon music. And they'll be on Jimmy Kimmel on the 25th. Watch out.

2 - Ave Maria by Beyonce This is not a real video, but I just love this song so much.


1 - Don't Speak by No Doubt I decided to throw it back because this is amazing. This song/video got me hooked on No Doubt and makes me disappointed in what Gwen Stefani has become. Let's just act like we're still in these times. Also, I've been listening to the No Doubt greatest hits album lately. Tragic Kingdom is better.


Got any music recommendations for me? Please leave them in the comments. Cheers!

Guess who's back? (back again)

Sorry I was away for a week there. Monday was a holiday, then I was sick, so blogging fell away for a moment. Never fear though! I have returned! (And on music monday no less)

This week's music monday post is dedicated to covers because, well, who doesn't love a good cover, and also because there was a time (many moons ago) when covers were kind of my thing. and i had a show on mercer radio. and i was the cover girl. jealous?

Anyway, let's get to the good stuff!

5 - Hanson covering Weezer's Troublemaker
Rivers Cuomo himself tweeted a shoutout to the lovely Hanson boys about this one the other day.


4 - Hugo covering Jay-Z's 99 problems
I just love this song, so any version is good in my book.


3 - Adele covering The Cure's Lovesong
So, I've probably had enough adele on here for awhile, but here's a nice one to go out on. Plus, it's live because she's that good.


2 - Mr. Little Jeans covering Arcade Fire's The Suburbs
I've only heard this one a couple of times on Sirius XMU, but I like its groove.


1 - The Wallflowers cover David Bowie's Heroes
Stop acting like you don't dig this.



Bonus (because I took a week off)

Just another Music Monday....

Yeah, you know you're singing that title to the tune of Manic Monday. Now, it is in your head for the rest of the day. You're welcome.

Thanks to an intense competition (one round of which was music trivia), I've recently been made aware of Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time. Check it out right here.
I'm going to eliminate any songs that don't have music videos, so it is a bit easier for me to narrow it down.

5 - Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River
Don't act like you don't love Justin Timberlake. He's beautiful, able to sing and dance and is quite hilarious.


4 - MGMT - Time to Pretend
It is good. That is all.


3 - Weezer - Buddy Holly
I disagree with this being the only Weezer song on this list, but this video is just so good that I forget about my unhappiness.


2 - The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
Is it possible that there are people who don't like this song?


1 - Outkast - Hey Ya
I would doubt the validity of this list if this song weren't included. So good.


Cheers to the best of the best!