I Am A Child Of God

YES!  It finally worked!  I have been able to create a movie compiled of pictures of my awesome kiddos, set to the amazing music of one of my favorite a capella groups!

I Am A Child Of God ... by InsideOut

If you don't know my kids (or care to see their pictures), please at least listen to this beautiful song.  It is a hymn from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and the message is my favorite part of the song.  We are ALL children of our Father in Heaven and He wants for us to return "to live with him someday."  The original hymn is very nice by itself, but this a capella version is BY FAR my favorite version and quite possibly my favorite spiritual song ever!

I hope you like it.

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Six Pack: Whitney Houston

Not much I can say here that hasn't already been said.  A true legend has left us and we mourn her loss.
Herewith are my Six Pack of favorite songs performed by Whitney Houston:

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

I Will Always Love You

One Moment In Time

The Star Spangled Banner

Saving All My Love For You

I'm Your Baby Tonight

My lack of commentary on each song is my version
of a "moment of silence" for the departed.

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Hard To Handle

It's Flashback Friday time!

Hard To Handle ... by the Black Crowes

It is hard to believe this song is over two decades old!  From the guitar riffs to the a capella chorus, this song rocks!  I remember the first time I heard this song and how it took me a few times to figure out the speed lyrics:
     Boys come along a dime by the dozen
     That ain't nothing but ten cent lovin'
     Hey little thing let me light your candle
     'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now,
     Gets around

I still love singing along to that part of the song!  Today was "hard to handle" which was the inspiration for the song.  Good times are just around the bend though!  =)

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Love Song In The Making

You can read my regular blog HERE if you want to know why I'm super excited about sharing this post (and corresponding song) with you.  But for this blog, the following introduction will suffice:

One of my former team members at Progressive (Ryan Walter) is quite an accomplished and talented guitar player.  He is actually a part of a local group called the Martini Shot Band, which has performed hundreds of times in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and several times in Denver as well.  Long story short, he introduced me to some of the band's music and several of their songs are now among my all time favorites.  This is one of them.

Love Song In The Making ... by Martini Shot Band

The video linked above is my own creation !  I am not super proud of it and in no way think it is very well done.  But it's my creation and is filled with pictures from our (my wife and I) recent cruise.  My favorite part of the song though is in the middle section when my buddy Ryan gets to do a pretty cool guitar solo.  The chords that scale upwards to a crescendo of some fancy string picking are just fun to listen to ... and even more fun to see Ryan play in person!

I hope you like the song and the video ...

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Dizzy

Back in the day (which means the late 80's and early 90's for me), while I was living in Greeley, CO. there was a period of about two years when I listened heavily to "oldies" music (tunes from the 1950's and 1960's).  There were only a handful of stations from Denver that broadcast all the way up to Greeley (with decent enough reception to hear anyway).  One of those stations was KOOL105 and it was ... all oldies ... all the time.

That's just a backdrop for my love of "classic rock 'n roll" but other than that is completely unrelated to the reason for today's posted song.

Dizzy ... by Tommy Roe

This song represents today because ...
I have literally been feeling dizzy all day long!

Apparently, one of the possible after effects of a cruise is dizziness due to partially clogged ear canals, etc.  Whatever is causing the dizziness is irrelevant to me ... I just want it to end!  It did, however, provide me an easy excuse to introduce some "old" music to this blog.

I really dig this tune because love (or a crush) can make you feel dizzy sometimes so it's truthful.  The best songs are timeless and this one certainly qualifies.

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Everyday

Another possible theme for this Theme Song Blog is what I like to call a Two-fer Tuesday.  Here's how it will work:
 - I will pick two songs with the same title (hopefully I like both of them)
 - I will post both song links and share my thoughts on each
 - Then YOU can vote which one is better.
 - Keep in mind: Both songs may not be the same tune, but just share the same title.  Today's offering is an example of that sort of situation.

Everyday ... by Dave Matthews Band

One of my favorite parts of this song has to be the video, starring Judah Friedlander.  He is, of course, now a regular on the NBC tv show "30 Rock" but this was the first thing I'd ever seen him in.  The video perfectly honors the main refrain "All you need is love" from the song.  The tune itself is just okay in my opinion (except for the awesome chorus), but the video makes it a big winner in my book.

Everyday ... by Phil Collins

Oddly enough, the official video for this song is actually one of my least favorite things about it.  In this case, it is the music itself that I love the most.  The keyboard / piano introduction (which is way to quiet in this video) to the song is classicly beautiful, and (unlike most PC tunes) the drums play only a supporting role for the beat of the tune.  The words "I can't stop thinking about you.  It seems my life's worth nothing without you" contradict his hopeful refrain that "everyday I say I'll try to make my heart be still."  Poetry in music!

So now it's your turn to VOTE.  Simply comment below with which song you like better, and why (if you like).  I'd love to hear your thoughts on either song ... or you could suggest "same title" songs for me to consider doing in future posts.

Thanks for playing!

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On My Way Home

Time for a "Memory Monday" post ... which will also double as my last Caribbean Cruise-related post.  That's right, today we're on the way back to Colorado Springs, CO from the eastern coast of Florida.

On My Way Home ... by Enya

The "memory" here is from my missionary days in Los Angeles, CA (all the way on the other coast of the United States).  This song had come out just before I went on my mission (late 1995) and I knew it would be one of my theme songs for the last month or so of that two-year mission.  Indeed, I listened to it almost every night that last month, as I prepared to return "to the world" from my spiritual sabbatical.

I like the lyrics "On my way home, I'll remember ... all the best days."  I have reflected on those words many times in my life, especially when I have been away from "home" for a few days or more.  Travelling is fun and provides great memories and experiences, but coming home is great in its own way too.

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No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

Country music seems to have a better connection with being lazy hanging around on a beach somewhere than any pop music out there.  So here's Day Four of our cruise, as inspired by Kenny Chesney.

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
... by Kenny Chesney

Where else, besides a beach, can you go shoeless and shirtless and still get service?  Oh that's right, on a cruise ship !!!  I've always loved this song, especially the relaxed feeling like you and your friends just gathered around a campfire with a guitar and started singing about the day.  Oddly, the violins (or fiddles if you're really sticking to the "country" theme) seem completely appropriate on a beach or the deck of a cruise ship.  Ahhhhhhh ... this relaxing (in the Gulf of Mexico today) is NICE !!!  :)

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Six Pack: Jack Johnson

I love me some Jack Johnson.  He enjoyed some critical and popular success in the early 2000's but most of his stuff that I really love are not those "popular" songs.  His music is a perfect complement to our Caribbean Cruise (which is on Day 3 today).

Herewith is a "Six Pack" of my (current) favorite Jack Johnson songs:

#6.  Upside Down
Great messages in this one ... "I'll share this love I've found with everyone" and "Who's to say what can't be found?"  Plus the video is cool with Curious George and all.  =)

#5.  Taylor
This OFFICIAL video is hilarious, with a cameo by Ben Stiller.  But I like the song for the lyrics: "Sometimes he thinks he's on his way, but I can see ... that his brake lights are on."  And later on "If Taylor finds a better world.  Taylor's gonna run away."  The song itself is HERE if you don't want the Ben Stiller comedic version.

#4.  Flake
This song (along with Bubble Toes) was what propelled JJ into the national spotlight, and rightly so as this tune has a unique sound, especially with the split-personality mood change 3/4 of the way into the song.  I also love the lyrics "It seems to me that maybe, pretty much always means no."  My oldest son busted that out on me when I kept telling him "maybe" about getting a frog as a pet.  He still has no frog.  =)

#3.  You And Your Heart
After the release of the very mellow (too mellow if you ask me) Sleep Through The Static in 2008, I kinda forgot about JJ for a little while.  Then I heard this song on the radio and immediately went out and bought the CD.  The relentless, yet relaxed rhythm is the signature sound of Jack Johnson.  Welcome back!

#2.  Mudfootball
The picture at left represents the kind of "boys will be boys ... playing football" theme of this song.  I'm too old to enjoy it now, but there was a time when romping through the mud playing football was pretty much a perfect day in my life!


#1.  Better Together
By now you should realize that most of the music I love reminds me of my wonderful wife Karen or of times we have spent together.  I can honestly say that the best times I have had in this life were always better when Karen and I have been together!  =)  Love you Pretty Lady!

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Good To Go To Mexico

Good day and welcome to Day Two of our Cruise through the Caribbean!  Once again it takes a great song from a country artist to capture the essence of this day of the trip.

Good To Go To Mexico ... by Toby Keith

This afternoon we left Key West, Florida and we're

good to go to Mexico

... Cozumel, Mexico that is!

Some folks judge a singer by ALL of their music, and as such, artists who put their own feelings into songs (like TK does) often lose fans.  But those fans (mostly critics or what I like to call "music snobs") are missing out on some great music to live by!  This song is some of that "great music!"

I'm a sucker for any song that starts out as though it's being played on an old phonograph or record player!  I've yet to hear a song start out that way and not end up simply amazing.  This tune is catchy and perfectly captures my mood today, especially considering our upcoming Jeep Tour of Cozumel!  :)

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Where The Boat Leaves From

It would have been near sacrilegious

to NOT choose this song to represent

our first day on our Caribbean Cruise!  =)

Where The Boat Leaves From
... by The Zac Brown Band

That's right!  Karen and I are on our cruise and the boat leaves from Miami, Florida ... so we're loading on today and setting sail for Key West and then Cozumel, Mexico!

I love the Zac Brown Band and could have easily done a Six-Pack of favorite songs from just their first CD!  Check it out sometime, but honestly, if you listen to country music at all, you've already heard almost every song on that first CD!  Because they were all soooooo good!

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Only Wanna Be With You

Today Karen and I are flying out to Miami, Florida and tomorrow we'll be going on our first cruise ever!  This song was selected (over many that involve airplanes) because it represents my excitement in being able to spend the next 6 days (today included) with JUST MY WIFE !!!  =)

Only Wanna Be With You
... by Hootie and the Blowfish

It is never easy in a marriage (or any relationship) to find time to just be alone together.  Life moves on and "other things" naturally become a bigger priority (kids, work, extended family, church, etc.), if only for specific events that MUST be attended to.  To paraphrase a line from the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" ... Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.  This certainly applies to a marriage, especially that one-on-one relationship with your spouse.  So many couples break up after the kids move away or the breadwinner(s) retire.  That's often because the couple didn't invest enough time in their relationship during the marriage and now these two people have to "fall in love" all over again.  Little pockets of one-on-one time (or huge chunks like this vacation) can keep that from happening ... or at least that's what we're striving for!  =)

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This Too Shall Pass

I'm so excited!  Tomorrow we fly out for our first ever cruise!  I am jonesing to leave and cannot seem to concentrate on anything but thinking about how much fun we're going to have.  But I have to go to work and I have a bunch of "last minute" things to finish before I can truly start my vacation.  And THAT is the intro to this song ...

This Too Shall Pass ... by Ok Go

"You can't keep letting it get you down (When the morning comes) ... this too shall pass."  I'll just keep singing that refrain all day today ... when the morning comes I will be getting on a plane and then on a boat the next day and then just relaxing for the better part of a week!  Aaaaah!

PS -- I love the video for this song (there are two available on YouTube so click HERE for the other version).  You might recognize the group name because they also did a super cool video for their song "Here It Goes" which used some innovative choreography on treadmills that absolutely blew up on youtube!  The music is good all by itself, but the videos take things over the top!

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Fine By Me

One of the potential recurring themes I have considered for this blog is a New Music Monday kind of idea.  The problem with this is that, as a blog, within just a few weeks or months, those songs that were once "New Music" are now ... old.  That said, I think it best to give it the old college try anyway so ...

Fine By Me ... by Andy Grammer

One of the first things that I noticed about this song is that the bass line of the song sounds very familiar.  I can't put my finger on it but that is not a new bass line.  That's probably the first reason I liked the song ... but then I listened to the lyrics and began to appreciate the message of the song (or at least my interpretation of it).  This guy is going through the process of convincing himself that he actually really does love this girl he is with.  By the end of the song his "fine by me" statement is more about a future life together and not just an "eh, this relationship is just okay" sort of mentality.

I just think ... when my wife stands next to me that
I have "FINE" by me!

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Come What May ... and ... I See The Light

People often seem surprised when finding out that actors and actresses can "carry a tune" but I'm never surprised by that!  I believe most everyone can sing decently, and with a little coaching and work, most people can sing very well.  It IS, however, a surprise when actors and actresses sing a song that becomes a huge favorite for me.  There are, thus far, only two such songs that "make the grade" for me.

Come What May (from Moulin Rouge)

 ... by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman

I See The Light (from Tangled)

 ... by Zachary Levi and Mandy Moore

To be fair, Mandy Moore is a singer turned actress turned singer, so she is in a different category, but the other three are clearly actors and an actress, but they all sing very well.  Nicole Kidman's voice is not very strong, but it is just as beautiful as she has been in most of her movies.  And the boys?  Ewan and Zachary?  They can seriously carry their own!  I saw Zachary perform on the Oscars and he sounded great!  And Ewan has done some Broadway stuff so you know he's good.

Come What May has a "we can overcome anything" sort of feeling to it, which is needed in any really strong relationship.  There are times when you almost have to shout your love and commitment and the slow build to that climax in this song is one of the best I have ever heard, movie-related or not!

I See The Light is perfect for a Disney movie, but as a stand alone song about perspectives being changed and new light being shed on how you see another person, it is even more amazing!  A duet, with minimal background sound, makes each note more important.  The harmony between tenor and alto parts is so beautiful that I literally cried the first time I heard the song (with my oldest daughter, in the movie theater).

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Six Pack: Colbie Caillat

It's Saturday again so it must be time for another "Six Pack" of songs!  Today's featured THEME will be the artist Colbie Caillat.

I've been a fan of her music since I first heard it and own all three of her currently released CDs.  Karen won tickets for us to go and see her in concert 3 years ago at the Colorado State Fair.  She was still a relatively new artist then and it showed with her stage presence (which was very timid).  The concert was very good though and her most recent CD contains some of her strongest work yet.  The fact that my wife really enjoys her music makes me like them both even more (CC because my wife likes her and Karen because she has good taste!)  :)

Herewith are my Six Pack of favorite CC songs (and the album they are from):

#6.  Fallin' For You (Breakthrough)
As great as this song is, it's only #6 on my list because I love the other songs even more.  And it narrowly beat our her first single "Bubbly" which is also a great tune.

#5.  Realize (Coco)
Almost everyone has had the kind of friend that you thought should be more than a friend.  When you're "there" then you have a sense of not wanting to ruin what you already have (friendship) but also a curiosity about what you might be missing (true love).  This angst is perfectly captured in this song ... you just wish the other person would "make the first move."

#4.  I Do (All of You)
I do ... like this song!  My wife LOVES it, which is the main reason that it is on this list.  The upbeat, catchy guitar riffs hook you instantly while the title and chorus make it a guaranteed staple for wedding parties for years to come.  But the 7-year-old inside of me giggles every time she sings "do do."

#3.  Brighter Than The Sun (All of You)
Of her "released" music, this song was instantly my favorite!  With an even more catchy rhythm than "I Do," this song combines clapping and appropriately placed vocal stutters with short, crisp chords and pretty fancy guitar picking.  If she could have found a rhyme other than "gun" this might be on my favorite songs of all time list.

#2.  Fearless (Breakthrough)
The slow melody of this tune seems to contradict with the words being sung.  There is hurt in her voice, the result of someone she loves having left her.  It seems she is trying to convince herself, in this song, that she can move on ... "I'm fearless.  Better believe I'm fearless."  And the resounding harder beats of the song emphasize her commitment to overcome this desperation ... "Oh, oh, oh, oh whoa-oh-oh-oh"  That is real hurt but also has a cleansing effect.  Brilliantly done!

#1.  Tailor Made (Coco)
Although not her strongest lyrics or music, this tune still ranks as my CC favorite.  Unless you own the CD, you've probably never heard it.  The song is just a hopeful love song ... for another person.  That's what I like about it.  I have family members and friends who are single and just haven't found that right fit.  I think of them when I hear this song and hope they can find someone that is "Tailor Made" for them ... like I did with Karen!  :)

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Bizarre Love Triangle

It's Flashback Friday time again and that means it's time to revisit a song you've likely forgotten.

Bizarre Love Triangle ... by New Order

I guarantee that you remember this song.  I also guarantee that you either absolutely love it, or you cannot stand that kind of music.  I have never really met anyone that's just "okay" with that 80's techno-synthesizer sound.  My best buddy from high school, Craig, was just like me in that he LOVES this kind of music.  I have fond memories of driving around Rick's College (now BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, with the t-tops off of the Trans Am and this song blaring on the radio.  I had this song (and other like it) on several casette tapes, which we played all the time whenever we went cruising for chicks.

We were sooooo cool!  Ha ha!

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A Thousand Years

Sigh.

I was hoping to never have ANY tie-in on this blog to those vampire / werewolf movies ... but this song is just too beautiful and poetic to NOT do a post on it!

A Thousand Years ... by Christina Perri

Of course her success with the song Jar Of Hearts, put Christina Perri in a position to write a song for these movies.  Her voice is haunting and her delivery of the words she writes is perfectly suited to a vampire movie.  This is an eerie song that carries a message of love which works equally well for the undead as it does for anyone (like me) who believes in eternal marriage.

And my wife is a fan of those books and movies, so they can't be ALL that bad!  :)

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Shine

Yesterday was a CRAZY BUSY day.  Between work meetings, running the Pinewood Derby for my son's scout pack, and leading my church team to a victory on the basketball court I felt like I was "in the spotlight" way more than I ever prefer to be.  That was the story behind this song selection for today.

Shine ... by Collective Soul

I don't listen to much "hard rock" but not because I don't like it.  I just usually prefer a more mellow sound for the sorts of activities I'm involved in more regularly nowadays.  But this song has a nice edge to it and always seems to motivate me to put my best effort forth.  I cannot really even understand most of the words of the song, but when I feel like I'm on a stage I often think "Heaven let your light shine down."  I hope I can let my light shine in a way that provides some inspiration to those around me ... just maybe not with as much anger as this singer is portraying.

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Glory Of Love

This song is a two-fer because it's both "from a movie" and "linked to a memory" for me personally.

Glory Of Love ... by Peter Cetera

If you don't remember Karate Kid then you must not have lived in the 80's!  Ralph Macchio was "it" at the time and this song was from the second movie, where he falls in love with an asian girl ... and then fights to defend her honor and show his love for her, etc.


The "memory" for me on this one actually comes from years later at a church dance.  There was a girl I really liked (at the time) and she didn't even know I existed (or so I thought).  I had never asked her to dance but finally worked up the courage to do so when this song began to play.  She said yes and we danced ... and that's about the end of the story.  :)  I wasn't even 16 yet so we didn't "date" or anything, but that moment still sticks out in my memory whenever I hear this song.  Weird.

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What A Fool Believes

Most music from the 1970's (and some disco-related stuff from the early 80's) is on my "I can't stand that song" list.  But as the years went on, the Doobie Brothers' sound morphed more into that 80's sound which I like.  This is useful because I can tell people, like my older brother Jeremy, that I like similar groups as them, even if I only like a few of the groups' later songs.  :)

What A Fool Believes ... by The Doobie Brothers

I picked this song for today because I was a "fool" to "believe" that we would be able to get everything done today that we intended to do.  Mondays are my "other" weekend day off (I work Tuesday through Saturday) and we always have a list of things to do that are a mile long.

But ... this song also brings back memories of my youth, when my family lived in Orem, Utah.  For some reason, every time I hear this tune I am taken back to the living room of that house and I can see the Edwards' (our neighbors at the time) big tree in their front yard, with cars driving by on the road between our houses.  The sun is shining.  Our parakeet is chirping in the background.  And my mom is dancing in the kitchen while making lunch.  Good times!  :)

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Fix You

I will NEVER forget the first time I heard this version of this song.  My wife had bought tickets to see SNC (Straight No Chaser) live here in Colorado Springs, CO.  Of course the concert itself was amazing, but most of it was high-energy and relatively loud.  Then all of a sudden, the singers formed a 3/4 circle and the lights dimmed.  A purple hue set the backdrop for a "change of pace."  In near darkness the group sang this song, at a much softer, slower, more reverent pace than anything else they had done that night.  It gave me CHILLS !!!

Fix You ... by Straight No Chaser

The original version of this song was written and performed by Coldplay, but this a capella version makes the words and music more beautiful in my humble opinion.  "I will try.  (Tears stream)  I will try.  (Down on your face)  I promise you (I will try) I will learn from my mistakes.  And I will fix you.  Lights will guide you home."

BONUS SONG:

Like A Prayer ... by SNC

I was still reveling in the amazing music of that night when I came across this version of the Madonna classic on the group's official website.  It totally changed my view of that song, with a similar choice to slow it down and emphasize the tune with more of a spiritual sound.  Just amazing!

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Six Pack: TV Theme Show Songs

Some of the songs that we learn the words to and can't help singing along with come from a completely unrelated-to-music source: TV Shows!  And doggoneit if they don't just stick in our minds for decades!  :)

Herewith is a "Six Pack" of TV Theme Show songs (yes they are all from the 1980's and 90's but that was the "heyday" for this type of music):

I'll Be There For You
... by The Rembrandts (Friends)

Only people who have never seen an episode of the TV show have not heard this song.  It was overplayed in the mid-90's, but even then the lyrics and melody were just good music.

Fresh Prince (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)

 ... by Will Smith and Jeffrey Townes

I am certain that with just minimal effort and time, ANY collection of 3 or 4 people who grew up in the 80's and 90's could quote every word of this song (even the long version).  And they could probably describe each scene in the opening credits too!

Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now
(Perfect Strangers)

"Standing tall on the wings of my dreams."  "My life, my dream.  Nothing's gonna stop me now."  Coupled with the harmonica that was popular around this time and you've got a winner!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name
(Cheers) ... by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

Who doesn't want to be "Where everybody knows your name.  And they're always glad you came" ?  If home is where the heart is and where unconditional love abounds, then Cheers' bar was "home" for millions of viewers.

Everywhere You Look (Full House)

 ... by Jesse Frederick

"When you're lost out there and you're all alone.  A light is waiting to carry you home, everywhere you look."  Come on ... you know you were singing along!  :)

And my #1 favorite TV Theme Show Song
... of ALL TIME ...

As Long As We Got Each Other - A capella
(Growing Pains) ... by Steve Dorff and John Bettis

"Don't waste another minute on your crying.  We're nowhere near the end, the best is ready to begin.  As long as we got each other, we got the world spinning right in our hands."  "As long as we keep on giving we can take anything that comes our way."  "Sharing the laughter and love."  Now that's an inspirational theme song for a family show!

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Every Now And Then

This song is both a Friday Flashback and a great Country music tune.  Of course Garth Brooks has come and gone (although I hear he has signed on to perform in Las Vegas for many years to come), but there was a time when he OWNED everything in country music AND gained quite a bit of popularity among Top 40 music fans ... in case you might have forgotten those days!

Every Now And Then ... by Garth Brooks

I could have easily done several "six-packs" of GB songs, but this song has always been one of my favorites of his many popular tunes.  I don't have any "regrets" at all about my wife or my love for her, but this song doesn't just have to be about romantic love.  When I listen to this tune I like to think about many different memories I have from times gone by.
"And when the song was over I said play it again" summarizes my measurement of GREAT music.  If it can take you back to a specific place or event to the extent that you want to hear it several times in a row to linger on those memories ... well then, that's a truly great song!

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Dare You To Move

Guitars play a prominent role in music that I like.  I have often wanted to learn to play the guitar and even own a nice acoustic one, but I just don't have the commitment to learn the basics.

But I can still appreciate a good guitar-driven song!  :)

Dare You To Move ... by Switchfoot

This is one of those songs.  I love the slow intro but I am also a huge fan of the lyrics and message of this song.  "I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor.  I dare you to move like today never happened."  "Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell."  "Salvation is here."

For anyone who has ever felt an overwhelming burden, or felt like they don't know where to go from "here" ... this song reminds you to just get up and move forward.

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Hey Mama

Many times when I come home from work I get to hear about how my sweet wife has had to hear some variation of the title of this song ALL DAY LONG !!!  Today was one of those days and, as usual, my heart goes out to her when it's been like that.

Unfortunately, I still have a responsibility to run church basketball games on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (and I have Boy Scouts on Tuesdays from 7-9pm) so I couldn't do anything to lighten her load.

Hey Mama ... by Mat Kearney

This song is one of my kids favorites to dance along with, but it's not really about my wife (except that the title is "Hey Mama" and that's one of dozens of names she gets called on those long days of being a mom.)  I love the clapping that is just a part of the backbeat to the song.  In fact, all of the songs I have heard by this artist have a sort of "I wrote this while hanging out on the corner with my friends" kind of feel to them.

I love you Pretty Lady!

You're an amazing mom, ma, mother, mama, mommy,
mo-o-o-om ... and an even better beautiful, loving wife!

...

Not Over You

I like this song because it is a perfect "out of love" song.  The singer had a love and lost it.  Now he is acting the part of the confident bachelor, but in the song he tells the truth: it's still not really OVER in his head.

"Lost Love" songs are often like that.  Most of these types of songs have an upbeat sound to them, but this one brilliantly includes some melancholy notes that capture the essence of the thin line between faking being "fine" and losing in to loneliness.

Not Over You ... by Gavin Degraw

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Higher Love

Many people have forgotten about great artists like Steve Winwood, who had numerous hits in the 80's.  I am grateful that some of that music is now played more regularly on local, adult contemporary radio stations.

Higher Love ... by Steve Winwood

Another one of my all-time favorite songs, this one has some the best blend of guitar, techno-synthesizer, horns (trumpets, saxophones, etc.), and "a cappella with drums" sound amidst a decade-plus of that type of music.  The intro to the song always gives me a sense of something cool just around the corner ... and the rest of the song doesn't disappoint!

BONUS SONG:

My Love's Leavin' ... by Steve Winwood

Such an upbeat song despite the sad circumstances that his love has left him.  Oddly, he doesn't seem too broken up about it and is trying to move on.  Very opposite from "Higher Love" but still beautiful.

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Beautiful Inside

This song was part of the soundtrack for a "mockumentary" on boy bands.  While the movie was entertaining in its oddity, the music from the film was actually very well done.  That said, none of the tracks were as ready to stand alone as this one.

Beautiful Inside ... by Sons of Provo

Obviously the group "Sons of Provo" doesn't really exist, but they did perform this simple, yet powerful song.  In the movie, the lead singer of this song is an "add-on" member of the group, so he is singing about his feelings of not belonging in the group.  But the true message of the song applies to ANYONE who feels "left behind," or "ignored ... and every word is wrong."

I know it's cheesy but we are all beautiful inside.

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Six Pack: Katy Perry

It's time for another "Saturday Six Pack"  Today's focal point will be the reasonably talented but wildly popular Katy Perry.  I say "reasonably talented" because she is not an over-powering singer, but she is very good.  The "wildly popular" thing is pretty self-explanatory.

Herewith are my (to this point in her career) favorite (ranked in order) KP songs:

#6.  Waking Up In Vegas
When it first came out I thought the sound of coins coming out of a slot machine in the intro was the coolest thing I'd heard on the radio in a long time. Then it got overplayed (like many other KP songs) and so I didn't quite love it as much. But it's still fun to sing along with.

#5.  Firework
This song is an inspirational call to anyone trying to overcome shyness or feelings of inadequacy ... at least that's what it means to me.  It will also always remind me of the mostly unsuccessful Flash Mob we did at work in 2011.  Not an "epic fail" ... but in the "fail" category for sure.

#4.  California Girlz
I specifically chose the non-official video for some obvious reasons (if you've never seen that version, I do not recommend it with children around).  Still a fun beat and always makes me think about the times I have spent in California in my life.

#3.  Teenage Dream 
I saw KP perform this on SNL, which actually made me like the song a little less. As far as the message of the song, I very much disagree with the lyrics (drinking, "going all the way with no regrets," etc.) but the tune, especially the chorus, is just ... catchy!

#2.  ET
The words themselves could just be about the song "hypnotizing," "magic," "take me, ta-ta-take me."  Not that her overall look hadn't already drawn geeky fanboys, but this song just seems like a comic-con "geek" fantasy and most certainly cemented her adulation among that group of fans.

#1.  The One That Got Away
It could be that this is my favorite KP song because it hasn't been overplayed (yet), but I am a sucker for "lost love" songs and this one is just perfect!  "In another life, I would make you stay, so I don't have to say you were the one that got away."  The vocal hook of "wuh-uh-uh-uh-uh-one" had me the first time I heard it and it's still my favorite part of the song.  I also like the lyrics "it'd be us against the world" which makes me think about my relationship with my awesome wife of almost 14 years!

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Everybody Wants To Rule The World

I would be breaking one of my main goals of this blog if I did not, in quick order, highlight some of my absolute favorite songs of ALL TIME.  This song is right near the top of that list (and has been at the top at different times over the years) ...

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

 ... by Tears For Fears

What is there to not like about this song?!  Unless you hated 80's music (in which case you will HATE this blog), there is nothing bad you can say about this song!  The guitar riffs (and solos) throughout, and strong, rhythmic drum beats keep the song moving and your toes tapping.  The electronic keyboard is used sparingly in the song, but keeps that 80's staple right in the thick of things.  And last but certainly not least, the message is honest, slightly critical of society-at-large, but also intimately personal (if you want it to be).

Love it, love it, love it!  :)

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When We Stand Together

Nickelback has had some great songs over the years.  One of my recent favorites is this one:

When We Stand Together

The tune is fairly simple, but the heavy drum beats (that later sound very distinctly like a beating heart) are hypnotic to me.  Some folks get all caught up in what a song represents and what it is challenging you to do.  I like to do that, but sometimes I like to simply enjoy a good melody and meaningful message without having to figure out how to change the whole world.

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Just A Kiss

So many great Country artists are enjoying cross-over success nowadays, which is almost always a good thing.  This is partly due to the change in country music, which now includes more electric guitar, heavier drum beats, and much less twangy fiddling, etc.

Lady Antebellum has had many successful country and cross-over songs in the past few years, but one of my favorites (from the first time I heard it) is this one:

Just A Kiss ... by Lady Antebellum

I love this song for two reasons.  First, the music is just beautiful.  The two part melody that forms a catchy harmonic sound is light and instantly likable.  Second, the message is AWESOME !!!  In a world filled with one-night-stands and climbing divorce rates, the message of this song is "let's just take it slow" because the people involved both want something that lasts!

Kudos "Lady A" for making monogomy and "waiting" cool again!

BONUS SONG:
Can't Take My Eyes Off You ... by Lady Antebellum
(sooooooo beautiful!)

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Uprising

Sometimes you just need a song that motivates and inspires with a more dark sound.  That's why I like songs like this one ...

Uprising by Muse

There are always going to be people in power and people under those in power.  This song has a powerful message for those on the "under" side.

"They will not force us.  They will stop degrading us.

They will not control us.  We will be victorious!"

I love rooting for the underdog!  :)

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Pico De Gallo

Some music is just plain silly.

That doesn't mean it isn't good, just that it is truly silly.

Trout Fishing in America is a band (duo) that my mom actually came across and shared with me over a decade ago.  I have no clue how she discovered them, but some of their songs have become favorites of mine.  The story goes that they tried to make it in the music biz, but had little success ... that is until they started doing children's songs, etc.

One of my favorite songs they do is called ... Pico De Gallo ... and it is, in fact, an ode to that tasty concoction, which they explain how to make in the song!

The words are silly (especially being "down on the bayou, with Venus De Milo, watching Hawaii 5-0"), but they also make sense.  The vocals are simple two-part harmony, but I find it impossible not to sing along to the chorus!

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Lead Me

My sister introduced me to this song.  Each time I hear it again I always think of that moment when I first heard it.  She was giving me a ride home after we had just completed a 5K race for charity.  We were just chatting (oddly enough about music on this CD she had made that we were listening to) when this song came on.

Lead Me ... by Sanctus Real

I was captivated!

This song sums up so well the pressures of being a husband, father, provider, leader, etc.  I often feel "alone" in my responsibilities.  I feel overwhelmed and unworthy of the blessings in my life.  My children are at the top of that list of blessings (along with my wife, of course) and I worry (more than anyone would ever guess)whether I am being the father they so richly deserve.

Thanks again Jaimee for introducing me to it!

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Six Pack: Instrumental Songs

One of the themes I am considering for this blog is a Saturday Six-Pack series of posts.  Top 5 lists are too over-used and since I have a "six-pack" of kids, I like the concept of a "Six-Pack of Songs."

Here's my first example of what this might look like:

I always love having music playing.  It soothes or rejuvenates.  It inspires or mellows.  It makes you want to get up and dance or gives you the courage to sing along.  But ... there are times in my life when I just want music as more background noise.  Like when I am writing PEs (Performance Evaluations) at work.  If the music is too energetic or makes me want to sing along with it, then I'll be very unsuccessful in writing these assessments.

With that in mind, here is a Six-Pack of Songs from a variety of artists, that would fit perfectly playing through my headphones as I try to get my work done at my desk:

Latin Quarter ... by Marc Antoine
I found this artist back when a local radio station used to play Smooth Jazz all the time.  I have his "Best Of" CD, which includes several tracks just like this one.  It's upbeat, but not the kind that you need to get up and dance to.  Perfect for inspiring my fingers to type fast and my thoughts to flow freely.

Common Threads ... by Bobby McFerrin
Who says that "instrumental" songs can't be "played" using only the voice and body as instruments?!  This song is make-you-cry good!  There is just something about the way this genius of an artist uses his voice to create such a masterpiece of music!  I listen to this song at least 5 times in a row every time it comes up on my MP3 player ... no matter the circumstances!

Something Constructive ... by John Jarvis
This is not my favorite song by this artist (which would be "Lyrica" from his Balancing Act CD ... that whole CD is awesome!), but is a worthy example of his style of piano and guitar music that is great to hear in the background.

You Make Me Smile ... by Dave Koz
Those who truly follow jazz music already know the wonder that is Dave Koz, but most folks just know Kenny G, who obviously had more mainstream success.  For my money, give me some classic Koz!

Watermark ... by Enya
No true "great instrumental" list could be properly complete without including Enya.  To some people, her music all sounds alike, but to me, every song is unique.  This one always reminds me of driving to seminary on a rainy morning in the early 1990's and it always provokes deeper thoughts in whatever I am doing when I hear it.

Smoothie Song ... by Nickel Creek
Many of Nickel Creek's songs are not truly "instrumental" (such as my personal favorite "Sweet Afton") but virtually all of them are soothing.  This particular song has a repetitive hook that builds.  I actually think the way this video was done compliments the song even more, which does not always happen.

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In The Air Tonight

It's Friday and that can only mean one thing:

it's time for a FLASHBACK song!

I cannot tell you the first time I heard Phil Collins' music, but I know exactly when I found personal meaning in today's song ... In The Air Tonight.  I won't go into the specifics, but this song ALWAYS brings back some very specific memories of one particular event that occurred in high school.

The song itself is just amazing!  If you know Phil Collins' history as a drummer, you gain even greater appreciation for the build up to the explosive drum solo almost at the very end of the song.  The voices echoing in the background, coupled with the screeching guitar riffs and slow synthesizer note changes add to the chilling, somber feel of the tune.  There is anger, frustration, and hurt in the words, but also a sense of impending finality to whatever situation is about to happen.

Even if your "night" isn't going to be filled with anger, this seems to be a great start to the weekend kind of song.

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All Your Life

I enjoy country music but I have plenty of friends who have no appreciation for it whatsoever.  That's fine, but I think they are missing out on some seriously good songs with their disdain for that genre.

One of my favorite recent country songs is by The Band Perry.  No, not "If I Die Young," which was already overplayed on country radio before it became a huge crossover hit.  I actually don't like that song much at all.

But I love ... "All Your Life" ... which (at the moment) is their newest single.

Yes it is a love song.  Yes it is a little cliche in that the woman is only asking to be loved by some man that doesn't seem to even know she exists.  So what?!  The music is a simple arrangement and yet very beautiful.  And the resounding li-i-i-ife portions of the chorus are hypnotic and impossible not to sing along with.

My advice?  Don't hate on country music or you'll miss out on some of the best stuff out there!

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In My Dreams

This morning I woke up feeling terrible for two reasons:
First, I am sick!  Bleagh!  I hate colds!
Second, I had at least one terrible dream (in which my wife decided she was no longer in love with me).

And therein lies the motivation behind today's song ...
In My Dreams by REO Speedwagon

Although this song is over 25 years old, I only heard it for the first time about a year ago.  I immediately liked it, even though it is actually a sad song about unrequited love.  The tune is upbeat and the slow pounding of drums at the beginning and end remind me of a heartbeat.  The chorus is quite catchy too and I always find myself singing along with the band.

Here's hoping your dreams (and mine for that matter) have a positive ending!

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Jump!

Today's song is Jump by Van Halen.  This is in honor of the start of the 2012 East Stake Men's Basketball season, which began this evening at the Meadowland Stake Center.  I'm the APAD (Assistant Physical Activities Director) for the Stake, but the PAD moved on New Year's Day so I am running the whole shebang this season (at least until they call someone else).

Anyway, I absolutely love this song even though it has that cheesy 80's feel too it.  The heavy guitar riffs and use of synthesizer for the main hook of the song are probably my favorite parts, but I will admit the video is ... um ... an interesting piece of pop culture history.  :)

Enjoy!

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Movies

After a few weeks I'll start having specific themes for certain days of the week, but for now I'll just be sharing a song each day that is relevant for that day.

Today's song is:

Movies ... By Alien Ant Farm

Been watching LOTS of movies lately (it has to be around 20 in the last month) so the song title is appropriate, but I just love the song!  It has a very catchy guitar riff and I'm always a sucker for a silent pause in a loud song.  It just makes the noise that much more noticeable and fun.  This video is really fun in how it pays homage to some ground-breaking films (and even has a cameo by Pat Morita!)

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I'm Trying to be like Jesus

Welcome to my newest blog! What I say/write will be short (usually), but I will include links each day to a song that I enjoy listening to, which will also be a "Daily Theme Song" ... Hence the name of this blog!

Today's song is NOT my favorite tune from the a cappela group InsideOut, but it is one I really like that is already on YouTube! :)

I like the message of this children's hymn along with the melody and creative arrangement. I hope you enjoy it.

I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus ... By InsideOut

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