Posts Tagged With: Red

The Moment I Knew

So recently I have been “talking” to this boy (who will remain nameless for his own protection). Which, in and of itself is a problem (for obvious reasons..I mean, I am 25-years-old). Mostly because when I say recently, I mean off and on for like a year. It’s not that I am 100% against “talking,” but when you can’t nail something down in a YEARS time, I think it’s time to move on. Be friends, don’t be friends, but definitely stop “talking.” Because prolonged “talking” is the hardest part of a relationship. “Talking” is when we are more concerned with who has the upper hand than actually attempting to fall in love. “Talking” causes more insecurities than are already present in everything but the most committed of relationships. “Talking” is the worst.

So please, take my advice.worth

You are worth more. I’m not just talking to girls here. Guys, you are worth more. Each of us, God-made human beings are worth more than “talking.” You are worth spending time with. You are worth phone calls. You are worth the most inconsequential of text messages, or Snapchats. You are worth reassuring. You are worth commitment. You are worth being made a priority. You are worth showing off, and meeting their friends and their family. You are worth bike rides, and road trips. You are worth day trips to the zoo, and museums. You are worth homemade dinners, and nights watching Netflix. You are worth so much more than you realize, and if the person you’re “talking” to doesn’t realize that, that is not your fault. It may not be anyone’s fault, but that doesn’t make it okay.

It will be hard, but you have to re-evaluate.

I tried every way in the world to convince someone that I was worth it, but you should never have to convince someone of your worth. And the moment I realized he wasn’t getting it, I made this play list. (Sorry for the Debbie-Dower post, but I had to make a public declaration, or I will fall into the same old cycle.)

1. The Moment I Knew — Taylor Swift  Red

“What do you say when tears are streaming down your face in front of everyone you know? And what do you do when the one who means the most to you is the one who didn’t show?”

2. All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye — John Mayer  Battle Studies

“I love you more than songs can say, but I can’t keep running after yesterday.”

3. One Too Many — Bryan Greenberg  We Don’t Have Forever

“Ok, I’m here. I’m ready to talk. Sacred to hear my own voice. Try to listen to my broken heart. Drown out the noise.”

4. Forever and Almost Always — Kate Voegele  A Fine Mess

“You’ll be mine forever and almost always. It ain’t right to just love me when you can. I won’t wait patiently or wake up everyday just hoping that you’ll still care.”

5. The Hardest Part — Coldplay  X & Y

“And the hardest part was letting go, not taking part. You really broke my heart.”

6. World of Chances — Demi Lovato  Here We Go Again

“Maybe you’ll call me someday. Hear the operator say the number’s no good, and that she had a world of chances for you.”

7. Sooner Than Later — Drake  So Far Gone

“I forgot to call to you on your birthday. You swear you’re the last thing on my mind. There is nothing I can do to fix it,  all you ever asked me for was time.”

8. My Myself and I — Hanson  Shout It Out

“I’m not gonna try to forget. Maybe happiness is worth the chance of a bitter end?”

9. Hurricane — Parachute  Overnight

“Oh I knew, that even if I kept you in the dark it would never do, because it only takes a spark.”

10. White Horse — Taylor Swift  Fearless

“I was a dreamer before you went and let me down.”

11. It’s Beginning To Get To Me — Snow Patrol  Eyes Open

“And it’s beginning to get to me, that I know more of the stars and sea, than I do of what’s in your head.”

12. Beg You To Fall — Kate Voegele Gravity Happens

“And I don’t wanna stand here and beg you to fall. ‘Cause one day you’ll see, I was worth it all.”

13. Kept — Matt Nathanson  Modern Love

“And I should have kept my hands; I should have kept my arms inside. I believe it now. I should have kept my head. I should have kept my heart, my heart.”

14. I Almost Do — Taylor Swift  Red

“And I just wanna tell you it takes everything in me not to call you. And I wish I could run to you and I hope you know that every time I don’t I almost do.”

15. Make You Feel My Love — Adele  19

“When the rain is blowing in your face, and the whole world is on your case, 

I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love.”

Listen to the playlist here.

Categories: Everyday Happenings, Playlists | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#BeachHouse2014

WE LEAVE FOR THE OUTER BANKS TODAY! Spending a week in a house off the coast of North Carolina is pretty much my favorite thing in the world.

And naturally, I’ve created a playlist. The full playlist is roughly 12 hours long, but here are the highlights.

1. The Mixed Tape  Jack’s Mannequin One Tree Hill: Friends with Benefit

“As I rearrange the songs again. This mix could burn a hole in anyone, but it was you I was thinking of.”

2. Last Days of Summer in San Francisco  Matt Nathanson Last of the Great Pretenders

“There was so much I didn’t believe in, and then, there was you. You made me brave, you made me stupid.                                         Gave me this skin, that I could move in.”

3. Sing Ed Sheeran X

“I don’t wanna know if you’re getting ahead of the program. I want you to be mine.”

4. Birthday  Selena Gomez Star Dance

“Tell ’em that it’s my birthday when I party like that. Every night’s my birthday, they don’t know, so it’s okay.                                        Tell ’em that it’s my birthday when I party like that.”

5. Meant to Be  Parachute Overnight

“Baby all I know, and that I’ve come to find, you can the touch the sun, but you’re never gonna kiss the sky.”

6. Rather Be  Clean Bandit (Single)

“It’s easy being with you, sacred simplicity. As long as we’re together, there’s no place I’d rather be.”

7. Best Day of My Life — American Authors Best Day of My Life

“I’m never gonna look back. Whoa. I’m never gonna give it up. Nooo. Please don’t wake me now.”

8. Cut Right Through Me  Hanson Anthem

“I’ve said a word and I’ve said too much. You take a piece of everything you touch.”

9. American Secrets  Parachute The Way It Was “We would drive out through every lonely street, yeah. Smell the truth in her hair, felt the world at my feet, yeah.” 10. Classic  MKTO MKTO

“Out of my league. Old school chic. Like a movie star from the silver screen. You’re one of a kind living in a world gone plastic,  baby, you’re so classic.”

11. Hundred Million Dollar Soul  Kate Voegele Gravity Happens

“It’s no wonder that you’re such a natural, you got everything I want from your head to your toes. And underneath that smile that has me sold is your hundred million dollar soul.”

12. Parallel  Heffron Drive (Single)

“Counting stars, laying in the grass, side by side, your head on my shoulder. We talk a lot about nothing much, with every breath we are getting closer.”

13. 22  Taylor Swift Red

“It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters, and make fun of our exes, ah-oh, ah-oh.”

14. TKO  Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience Pt. 2

“This ain’t the girl I used to know, no, not anymore. TKO.”

15. Moment With You — Will Anderson (I may have downloaded this off SoundCloud, sorry Mikey)

“Baby, close your eye, don’t miss this feelin’. When I pull you close this heart hits the ceilin’.”

16. Wanna Be Startin’ Something  Darren Criss (Originally by Michael Jackson) (Single)

“It’s too high to get over. Too low to get under. You’re stuck in the middle, and the pain is thunder.”

17. She Look So Perfect  5 Seconds of Summer She Looks So Perfect EP

“You look so perfect standing there in my American Apparel underwear. And I know now, that I’m so down.”

18. Just Want You To Know  Backstreet Boys Never Gone

“Looking at your picture from when we first met, you gave me a smile that I could never forget. And nothing I could do could protect me from you that night.”

19. The Way  Ariana Grande Yours Truly

“I got it bad boy, I must admit it. You got my heart, don’t know how you did it.”

20. Somewhere in my Car — Keith Urban Fuse

“But in my mind we’re somewhere in my car and it’s raining hard on the streetlights glow.”

Categories: Music, Playlists | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warmer Weather

THE DAYS ARE GETTING WARMER!

One time, in Malibu, I wanted it to be warmer. And it just would not cooperate. So I just faked it.

One time, in Malibu, I wanted it to be warmer. And it just would not cooperate. So I just faked it.

Winter is finally going (see what I did there?).

And with winter going, that means summer is coming. And with summer coming, that means that my days are getting happier. And with my days getting happier, that means I need some music that I can play in my car with my windows down. And that, my friends, calls for a new playlist.

1. Happy — Pharrell Williams G I R L

“It might seem crazy what I’m about to say. Sunshine, she’s here, you can take a break.”

2. Best of Times — Hanson Sound of Light     ***My bfffff, Tara and I sing back up on this song!***

“Making it up as we go along. Three chords and the truth, we can make a song.”

3. Something Right — Chelsea Lankes (Feat. Will Anderson) Ringing Bell

“We play pretend, keeping all our feelings in. Somehow I knew, it’s always been you.”

4. Sway — The Perishers Let There Be Morning

“I’ve always been a dreamer, I’ve had my head among the clouds. Now that I’m coming down, would you be my solid ground?”

5. It’s Always the Quiet Ones — Paris Carney (Single)

“I thought you knew this game was hard. You can’t get points ’til you get scars.”

6. Drive You Home — Parachute Overnight

“Staring at the ceiling but I just can’t sleep, wonderin’ what you’re going when it comes to me.”

7. Same Girl — Jack Johnson Sleep Through the Static

“How can you be so calm when the truth is that sometimes we live in the eye of the storm?”

8. Not a Bad Thing — Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience Part 2

“Said all I want from you is to see tomorrow, and every tomorrow, maybe you’ll let me borrow your heart.”

9. Barely Breathing — Glee (Single) (say what you will, but Darren Criss can sing to me allll day.)

“I know what you’re doing, I see it all too clear. I only taste the saline, when I kiss away your tears.”

10. Enough for Always — Kate Voegele Gravity Happens

“You’re stubborn and I’m worse, you know. But your smile is like that country road in Virginia.”

11. Even the Stars Fall 4 U — Keith Urban Fuse

“Yeah, those fireflies in the field, they gotta know the way I feel.”

12. Little Bit — Drake (Feat. Lykke Li) So Far Gone

“Both hearts beat like a metronome. Both in sync like a Justin song.”

13. Treacherous — Taylor Swift Red

“And all we are is skin and bone, trained to get along. Forever going with the flow, but you’re friction.”

14. Heart Starts — Matt Nathanson Last of the Great Pretenders

“All I know is the world is filled with broken things. All I know, with these walls I built, I can’t get to what you need.”

15. Hercules — Sara Bareilles The Blessed Unrest

“I’m on the hunt for who I’ve not yet become. But I’d settle for a little equilibrium.”

16. Tell Her About It — Billy Joel The Essential Billy Joel

“Though you may not have done anything, will that be a consolation when she’s gone?”

17. Wildflowers — Joe Brooks (Single)

“You belong among the wildflowers. You belong somewhere close to me.”

18. Parallel — Heffron Drive (Single)

“What if the one who was meant for you was all along right in front of you?”

19. Can I Have This Dance — Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens High School Musical 3: Senior Year

“It’s like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you. It’s one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do.

20. Gold — Owl City The Midsummer Station

“Shout out to the dreams you’ll chase. Shout out to the hearts you’ll break.”

You can listen to the entire playlist here (because the play below randomly leaves out 5 songs).

 

Categories: Music, Playlists | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2014 Grammy Predictions

Each year I struggle with whether I am more excited for the Grammys or for the Superbowl. This year there is not contest. I care very, very little about the Superbowl this year. [As a Chiefs fan, that is my prerogative. Current AFC West rivals Denver vs. former AFC West rivals Seattle (any ACF West team current or former is considered a rival, obviously). It’s lose-lose for me. For the record I’ll be cheering for Seattle, because there is nothing in this world that could bring me to cheer on Denver.] But I care very, very much about the Grammys (as much as someone who has no actual investment in the show or music industry can care).

I feel like this year, they might have done a fairly decent job with the nominations (minus the fact that JT wasn’t present on the list for Album of the Year). I think they manage to not choose the most obscure stuff possible, which is the norm for the Recording Academy. If you watch the show, and you keep up with music in any sense, you will most likely recognized 3/4 of the people, which is a fantastic concept!

I always like to make my picks prior to the actual give aways…because who doesn’t like to do that? Below you fill find the list of people I think will go home with the award, and people I want to/should take home the gramophone (of course you will notice I only choose winner for the awards I have interest in…because I don’t want to get involved in 0ver 80 awards). 

******I will be live-tweeting this event. You can follow me here: @mistydawnclay******

RECORD OF THE YEAR (goes to the performer)

  • Get Lucky -Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
  • Radioactive-Imagine Dragons
  • Royals-Lorde
  • Locked Out Of Heaven-Bruno Mars
  • Blurred LinesRobin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell

There is no way that “Blurred Lines” shouldn’t go home with this award. IT WAS THE MOST PLAYED SONG IN THE HISTORY OF EVER. And I’m hoping the academy recognizes this.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • The Blessed Unrest -Sara Bareilles
  • Random Access Memories -Daft Punk
  • Good Kid, M.A.A.D City -Kendrick Lamar
  • The Heist -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Red -Taylor Swift

I think that The Heist is a safe Grammy bet. I mean, it was independently released and has a “message.” It’s Grammy bait. But I think Taylor Swift should be the victor here. I mean, seriously. Did any of the rest of the nominees sell over ONE MILLION albums in a week? And did any of the other nominees have an album with more diversity? The answer is no.

SONG OF THE YEAR (goes to the writer)

  • Just Give Me A Reason -Jeff Bhasker, Pink & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Pink Featuring Nate Ruess)
  • Locked Out Of Heaven -Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
  • Roar -Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry & Henry Walter, songwriters (Katy Perry)
  • Royals -Joel Little & Ella Yelich O’Connor, songwriters (Lorde)
  • Same Love -Ben Haggerty, Mary Lambert & Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)

“Royals” should have this in the bag. It’s easily the most unique song and the cleverest. Which I’m pretty sure is what this award is about. I’m just fearful that the Academy will once again side with the message of “Same Love”.

BEST NEW ARTIST

  • James Blake
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Ed Sheeran

I want Ed Sheeran to win. Because he is the bomb, and clearly the best artist out of this bunch, but I just don’t think it’s fair. He’s not really a new artist. Last year “A Team” was nominated for Song of the Year, and I feel like the fact that he’s been nominated before should disqualify him. With him out the running, I think Kacey Musgraves should win, but I think Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will sweep.

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

  • Brave -Sara Bareilles
  • Royals -Lorde
  • When I Was Your Man -Bruno Mars
  • Roar -Katy Perry
  • Mirrors -Justin Timberlake

Quick fact: I want JT to win everything he’s ever nominated for.

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

  • Get Lucky -Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
  • Just Give Me A Reason -Pink Featuring Nate Ruess
  • Stay -Rihanna Featuring Mikky Ekko
  • Blurred Lines -Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell
  • Suit & Tie -Justin Timberlake & Jay Z

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

  • Paradise -Lana Del Rey
  • Pure Heroine -Lorde
  • Unorthodox Jukebox -Bruno Mars
  • Blurred Lines -Robin Thicke
  • The 20/20 Experience The Complete Experience Justin Timberlake

This is the best they can do after snubbing him in for Album of the Year. Give JT’s comeback album some real love.

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM

  • Random Access MemoriesDaft Punk
  • Settle -Disclosure
  • 18 Months -Calvin Harris
  • Atmosphere -Kaskade
  • A Color Map Of The Sun -Pretty Lights

To be totally honest, I only recognize Daft Punk and Calvin Harris. And out of those two I like Daft Punk more.

BEST ROCK ALBUM

  • 13 Black Sabbath
  • The Next Day -David Bowie
  • Mechanical Bull -Kings Of Leon
  • Celebration Day -Led Zeppelin
  • …Like Clockwork -Queens Of The Stone Age
  • Psychedelic Pill -Neil Young With Crazy Horse

So many old guys in one category. But I think no one is more true, real rock than Black Sabbath. The Kings of Leon don’t even deserve to be nominated with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

  • The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You -Neko Case
  • Trouble Will Find Me -The National
  • Hesitation Marks -Nine Inch Nails
  • Lonerism -Tame Impala
  • Modern Vampires Of The City -Vampire Weekend

I’m seeing a nostalgia win in this category. But I like Vampire Weekend more.

BEST R&B SONG

  • Best Of Me -Anthony Hamilton & Jairus Mozee, songwriters (Anthony Hamilton)
  • Love And War -Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper, Jr., LaShawn Daniels & Makeba Riddick, songwriters (Tamar Braxton)
  • Only One -PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring Stevie Wonder)
  • Pusher Love Girl -James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake)
  • Without Me -Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels & Kyle Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia Featuring Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot)

The truth is I have no idea who the Academy will choose, since I know none of these songs, but I do know who Stevie Wonder is, and I think his name will/should pull some votes. But once again, I ALWAYS want JT to win.

BEST R&B ALBUM

  • R&B Divas -Faith Evans
  • Girl On Fire -Alicia Keys
  • Love In The Future -John Legend
  • Better -Chrisette Michele
  • Three Kings -TGT

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

  • Started From The Bottom -Drake
  • Berzerk -Eminem
  • Tom Ford -Jay Z
  • Swimming Pools (Drank) -Kendrick Lamar
  • Thrift Shop -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz

Just so we are all clear, I know little to nothing about rap music. I know that I like Drake, because he seems to have feelings and in general is less offensive to me, not to mention he is incredibly attractive and also sings. But that is where my knowledge ends. I know who all of these people are, but I can’t tell you a single thing about what makes a rap song good. I do know that Jay-Z and Eminem seem to be crazy respected though…so there’s that. I’m calling it a toss up between them.

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

  • Power Trip -J. Cole Featuring Miguel
  • Part II (On The Run) -Jay Z Featuring Beyoncé
  • Holy Grail -Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake
  • Now Or Never -Kendrick Lamar Featuring Mary J. Blige
  • Remember You -Wiz Khalifa Featuring The Weeknd

Oh look, it’s Jay-Z vs. Jay-Z. Side note: Maybe it’s just me, but aren’t alllllll rap songs collaborations???

BEST RAP SONG

  • F***in’ Problems -Tauheed Epps, Aubrey Graham, Kendrick Lamar, Rakim Mayers & Noah Shebib, songwriters (ASAP Rocky Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
  • Holy Grail -Shawn Carter, Terius Nash, J. Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl & Krist Novoselic, songwriters) (Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake)
  • New Slaves -Christopher Breaux, Ben Bronfman, Mike Dean, Louis Johnson, Malik Jones, Elon Rutberg, Sakiya Sandifer, Che Smith, Kanye West & Cydell Young, songwriters (Anna Adamis & Gabor Presser, songwriters)
    (Kanye West)
  • Started From The Bottom -W. Coleman, Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Bruno Sanfilippo, songwriter) (Drake)
  • Thrift Shop -Ben Haggerty & Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz)

BEST RAP ALBUM

  • Nothing Was The Same -Drake
  • Magna Carta…Holy Grail -Jay Z
  • Good Kid, M.A.A.D City -Kendrick Lamar
  • The Heist -Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Yeezus -Kanye West

Personally I find Kanye West to be incredibly offensive. But I also recognize that everyone sees him as kind of a crazy genius. 

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

  • I Drive Your Truck -Lee Brice
  • I Want Crazy -Hunter Hayes
  • Mama’s Broken Heart -Miranda Lambert
  • Wagon Wheel -Darius Rucker
  • Mine Would Be You -Blake Shelton

“I Drive Your Truck” is the sentimental favorite. And I feel like “Wagon Wheel” shouldn’t be allowed because it’s not an original song. This year feel like all of the country nominees are pretty dead even this year. That’s the beauty of country music, it’s all good. These are the hardest categories for me to choose, because not only do I like them all, but I also see them all as equally likely to win.

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

  • From This Valley -The Civil Wars
  • Don’t Rush -Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill
  • Your Side Of The Bed -Little Big Town
  • Highway Don’t Care -Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
  • You Can’t Make Old Friends –Kenny Rogers With Dolly Parton

“Your Side of the Bed” is hands down the best song in this category. Buuuuut, Vince Gill has 20 Grammys, so they obviously like him.

BEST COUNTRY SONG

  • Begin AgainTaylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
  • I Drive Your Truck -Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington & Jimmy Yeary, songwriters (Lee Brice)
  • Mama’s Broken Heart -Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
  • Merry Go ‘Round -Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)
  • Mine Would Be You -Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington & Deric Ruttan, songwriters (Blake Shelton)

The Academy likes Taylor, and for good reason. She embodies everything that they promote. Regardless of whether you like her or not, you can’t really deny her song writing ability (which is what this award recognizes). Also, she is the only one single writer nominated, so that should count for something. She is possibly the best writer of my generation. Also, I am partial to this song because it’s rumored to be about the love of my life, one Will Anderson.

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

  • Night Train –Jason Aldean
  • Two Lanes Of Freedom –Tim McGraw
  • Same Trailer Different Park –Kacey Musgraves
  • Based On A True Story –Blake Shelton
  • Red –Taylor Swift

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore Taylor Swift, but “Red” is not a country album. Yes, it has a few country songs on it, but in general, it’s a pretty pop album. The fact that my bffff Tara likes it is all the verification I need. Other than “Red” I think this is a solid batch of country albums, it could go to anyone, but I think the Academy is going to send Kacey Musgraves home with the award.

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People throw rocks at things that shine

When you’re a big time celebrity people will hate on you for just about anything.  No matter what you do, you can never make people happy.

She’s too fat/she’s too skinny.

Her voice isn’t good enough/her voice is so good that it must be auto-tuned (which first off, is wrong, auto-tune isn’t what you use to make your voice better).

They never change their style of music, it all sounds the same/they’ve changed too much, they’re not the artist I liked.

She’s too pretty, must be photoshopped/gross, she’s so ugly.

Why does she always act so surprised win she wins/wow, she’s so ungrateful.

There’s just no way to win.

I’ve been hearing a lot of hate recently about Taylor Swift. Now, if you know me, you know that I basically put that girl on a pedestal. It’s not that I think she’s perfect or anything, it’s just that I adore her (I’m also fairly certain we are the same person). And I have a really hard time just standing idly by while people mock her. I probably have harder time dealing with haters than she does, but I mean, I’m not the one who’s cashing their million-dollar paychecks every week.

Now that you know I adore Taylor, you can probably guess that I am excited about her new album, RED, dropping in just a couple weeks. Like for real, I am so excited. And even though I hate it when artists release “lead-up” songs, I can’t deny that I eagerly search the internet every Monday at 9 pm (after the song releases on itunes East Coast time) to hear her new songs. I love them all. I loved “Begin Again,” and I loved “Red” and I even love this new, strange sounding song “I Knew You Were Trouble.” (yeah, the song title has a period in it). Truth be told, I will probably love every single song she releases from now until she decides she no longer wants to write songs.

But, I’ve been hearing some negative feedback. And I just get so frustrated with people. Why can’t you just LEAVE TAYLOR ALONE (yeah, that was me mocking that B-Spears video from years back). I know that Taylor doesn’t need anybody to come to her defense, but I’m going to anyway.

People are mad that she’s not country anymore. Okay, I can kind of understand this if you are a strictly country fan. If you must have your banjos and fiddles to be happy. I can understand being upset that not all of her new songs incorporate these instruments, but that is no reason to be mad at her. So she likes pop music now, big deal. When she started out she was 16-years-old, and now she’s almost 23, a lot of things can change in that time. That’s not a bad thing. She’s always been a little bit country-pop anyway (a lot contemporary country artists are these days). And honestly, I don’t think she will ever leave her country roots altogether. It’s not time to panic quite yet, country radio. We have yet to hear the whole album, and I’d be willing to bet my favorite turtle earrings that there are one or two country tracks on there. 

Another complaint I keep seeing is “she’s just changed too much.” Um, wait a second. All I ever read before was how people were tired of her because she never changed. How she was always the same, predictable and not exciting to listen to anymore. What do you want from the girl? You’re not happy when she changes, but you’re not happy when she does either? Now, that’s not really fair, is it? People have abandon artists that don’t change. The music industry abandons them and so their “fans.” In order to stay relevant she couldn’t just stay stagnant.

“Taylor Swift is not relatable anymore. All she ever sings about are her celebrity boyfriends,” –actual quote I overheard at Ralph’s yesterday. All Taylor Swift has ever sang about are her boyfriends, and now they just happen to be celebrities. She just sings about her life, it’s your probably for not being able to just listen to it without having to try to place a face to song. I relate just as well to “Enchanted” (a song written for Adam Young of Owl City) as I did to “Teardrops on my Guitar” (a songs written about a random boy named Drew) back in the day. I don’t think that’s her problem, I think it’s the fans and media’s problem with always being obsessed with who she is dating/has dated.

Okay, that’s it. I’m done with my little defensive rant. I just get so mad that people always seem to be trying to knock her down. I mean, why shouldn’t we be more endorsing of her? She’s a way better role model than Rihanna. Her songs are way better (you don’t ever hear Taylor Swift singing that “chains and whips excite” her). She’s actually wears clothing during her shows and performances (as opposed to coming out in some form of lingerie). And she’s just an all around kind person (when was that last time you heard about Rihanna giving $50,000 to a school for the deaf after a prank got out of hand? Taylor did.)  I just think there are already so many bad influences out in the world that maybe we should celebrate one of the better influences of this generation. Just an idea.

To have soooo many haters out there, she still seems to be doing alright in the world. I mean, her songs and albums still break records. And people still go to her shows. And read/watch her interviews. I guess it’s true that people throw rocks at things that shine.

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I’ll pick you up when you’re getting down. And out of all these things I’ve done, I think I love you better now.

Why does everyone want to see Ed Sheeran? Okay, that’s a dumb question. Obviously everyone wants to see him because he’s the bomb. Really, I’m just angry that every single one of his shows always sells out before I get tickets.

If you don’t already know who this guy is, look him up. He’s 21-years-old and already he’s probably the greatest songwriter to come out of England since the McCartney/Lennon days. No joke. If all you know of him is his performance of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” from the Olympic Closing Ceremonies, you are so behind. He is literally the entire musical package. He’s a typical singer/songwriter…who also raps. Seriously.  And if that wasn’t enough of a shocker, he’s also ginger. I didn’t even know gingers had the ability to rap.

Over the past few years he’s self-released a lot of EPs and a a couple full albums, but in 2011 he was finally picked up by Atlantic Records (a sub-division of Warner Music Group). And that led to the release of his “debut” album, +.  It’s the best album I’ve ever heard. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s probably one of the most diverse albums I’ve ever heard (and it’s definitely in the top 10 best albums ever). I cannot stop listening to it (and neither can Elton John, so that gives it some heavy credibility right there). He sings like an angel. It’s amazing lyrically and has so many different sounds to it. It’s kind of hard to believe that it all came from the brain of one 21-year-old guy. You have acoustic driven tracks, and hip-hop, and pop.

Ed Sheeran is pretty much poised to take over the world. This month he will be featured on the album Red. You know, the upcoming new album from that little, blond country girl. Taylor Swift? Maybe you’ve heard of her. That album is a guaranteed smash. And as if that wasn’t enough, he’s also got a couple songs coming out in November on the album Take Me Home. It’s by another band you might have heard of…One Direction [like them or not, you can’t deny that their popularity (or their catchy songs for that matter), and the fact that their new album is bound to break some records]. He’s got songs on the two most anticipated albums of the year. Not bad for a rookie, huh?

Get familiar with him. You’ll be glad you did. Also, if you’re in any way, shape, or form a Harry Potter fan, go watch his video for “Lego House”. Or if you’re into funny things, go watch it. Or if you like things that are cute, go watch it. Basically I’m telling you that you should watch this video, because really, who doesn’t love Harry Potter and/or funny/cute things?

Is that you Ron Weasley? No, it’s Ed Sheeran.

Listen to the album + here. (Quick fact: my favorite song is “Grade 8″!)

Categories: Entertainment, Music | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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