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Day 21: Favorite Song from your Childhood I grew up in a home...

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:59:00 -0800

Day 21: Favorite Song from your Childhood

I grew up in a home where “secular” music was not encouraged … unless it was Elvis. So, my most impressionable music memories from my childhood involved riding in the car with my older cousin Julie. She was (and still is) my favorite cousin. Even though she was 7 years older than me, she still made time for me in her busy teenage schedule.

It was 1982. I was 9 years old. The first time I heard this song, we were driving in her awesome Honda Civic on our way to Skate World for an epic afternoon of backward skating practice. It was love at first listen. I made her play that song over and over again on the way there and then again on the way back. Every time I was riding anywhere with her I would request Eye of the Tiger. She must have been so sick of it yet she never complained. She just happily played it for me whenever I asked.

Flash forward 28 years. It’s a repeat of the same scenario except that York can listen to whatever he wants, and the song is Usher’s DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love. And I am not nearly as gracious as my wonderful cousin Julie.

Day 20: Favorite Love Song You say you want diamonds on a ring...

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:46:00 -0800

Day 20: Favorite Love Song

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold

You say you want your story to remain untold.
All the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you.

You say you’ll give me a highway with no-one on it
Treasure, just to look upon it
All the riches in the night.

You say you’ll give me eyes in the moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest.
All the promises we make, from the cradle to the grave
When all I need is you.

You say you want your love to work out right
To last with me through the night.

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold.
All the promises we break, from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you.

Day 19: Favorite song from a movie/tv soundtrack John Hughes...

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:38:33 -0800

Day 19: Favorite song from a movie/tv soundtrack

John Hughes (RIP) was a genius, as we all know. He had a knack for choosing songs to evoke optimum emotion in his clinch scenes. In Your Eyes playing on the boombox under the window scene in Say Anything (sorry Sarah), She Loves Me playing when Keith and Watts kiss the first time in Some Kind of Wonderful … you get the picture.

The best example of this is in She’s Having a Baby. I know it’s definitely not the best Hughes film, but it has THE BEST song in it. I’m talking, of course, about the amazing Kate Bush and Woman’s Work. I’ve attached the clip from the movie here. The song doesn’t start until around 3:13 but it’s worth watching for the build-up and then once the song starts and the flashbacks begin … words cannot describe. See for yourself.

Day 14: Favorite album by your favorite artist In my opinion,...

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:29:56 -0800

Day 14: Favorite album by your favorite artist

In my opinion, this is U2’s best album. I know everyone tends to give that accolade to Joshua Tree, but to me, Achtung Baby takes the proverbial cake. It’s probably because it came out at such a pivotal time in my life. … 1991. I graduated high school that same year and this album was a soundtrack to that last year in high school and the summer that followed.

I also love that it was such a personal album as opposed to their previous more political albums. Two of Bono’s daughters were born during the time they wrote this album as well as Edge’s separation from his wife. That combination made for highly reflective and emotionally charged lyrics. I can honestly say I love each song on this record and have never tired of it over the years.

Day 13: Favorite Songwriter(s) This one was hard to narrow down,...

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:37:00 -0800

Day 13: Favorite Songwriter(s)

This one was hard to narrow down, but my favorite team has to be Elton John and Bernie Taupin. SO GOOD! Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Rocket Man, Levon, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Daniel, Tiny Dancer. Need I say more?

What I find really interesting is that Taupin writes the lyrics and Elton sets them to music. They’ve never sat down side by side and written a song together. Not a normal way of doing things but it obviously works, and I for one am very grateful for that!

Day 12: A song I used to love but now I don’t I am hereby...

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:30:33 -0800

Day 12: A song I used to love but now I don’t

I am hereby renaming today to:

Day 12: A song I love that got played out

We’ve all been there. An amazing song is released. It’s love at first listen. You wish the DJ would play it every time you turn on the radio. And then, unfortunately, he does and you cannot get away from it. It’s playing every time you get in your car. It’s playing in the dressing room. It’s playing in the elevator. It’s playing on the headphones of the person sitting next to you on the bus and YOU CAN HEAR IT.

I have several songs that fit into that category, but the one that stands out the most to me is … “Creep” by Radiohead. It’s a great song. It was how we in America were introduced to that magnificent band. And it is the song that every radio station across America plays every time they want to play Radiohead. It’s like it’s the only one they have or something. Drives me insane! I just can’t listen to it anymore.

I wonder if Radiohead feels the same way?

Day 11: A song I hate Michael Bublé’s cheesy “I Just...

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:10:00 -0800

Day 11: A song I hate

Michael Bublé’s cheesy “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet.” Seriously, this song makes me sick to my stomach and extremely pissed off all at the same time. And I don’t really have a solid reason why it makes react that way. I don’t have anything against Michael Bublé or a song about finding your soulmate. But somehow that combination turned into a song that I hate with the fire of a 1,000 suns.

Day 10: Favorite “Classic” Album I’ve decided...

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:25:00 -0800

Day 10: Favorite “Classic” Album

I’ve decided to totally ignore the whole (20 years) thing because the word “classic” to me is just a nice way of saying “old.” Revolver by The Beatles is my favorite. I love every single song on the record and almost always have to listen to it in order all the way through.

Day 09 - An artist you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up...

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:51:34 -0800

Day 09 - An artist you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

I, as most of you know, am an eternal optimist. I’m married to a pessimist. And when in comes to music we kinda follow the same type of path, style-wise. I am drawn to upbeat happy music (pop) while Nans is drawn to … well, not pop. And like any healthy music-loving couple we are constantly sharing our music with one another. Sometimes we are successful. (Note his JT post today). Sometimes we are not. (Baby please don’t ever play Spiritualized when I am anywhere remotely in earshot.)

I have a vivid memory of when Nanno first brought up a little band called Sigur Ros. And following Sarah’s lead, please follow our conversation below:

Nanno: “Babe. You’ve got to hear this awesome new band I found. They’re from Iceland and none of their songs are in English. They’re so good.”

Me: “Huh … (long pause with a deer in headlights look on my face). Yeah sounds interesting.”

I was sure I would hate them. I was sure they would be EVEN WORSE than Spiritualized. And to be honest, the first time I did hear them it wasn’t love at first listen. But, to be fair, that first time I was in bed and half asleep while Nanno watched one of their videos.

The more he played their music (and it was a lot), the more I liked it. I began to appreciate that I had no idea what Jonsi was signing about. I realized it didn’t really matter because he got the emotion across better than any words could.

Sigur Ros is amazing and I was sure I wouldn’t like them. Phew! Thank God for Nanno and his love of “Not Pop” music!

Day 08: Most overrated album Preface: I’m not totally...

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:39:49 -0800

Day 08: Most overrated album

Preface: I’m not totally versed in the musical jargon necessary to make this post sound like I know what I’m talking about. On top of that, when I look at lists of the top 100 (or even 20) albums of all time, I can honestly say I don’t own or have never listened to most of them. It’s sad but true.

So, I just have to write about who I know. And I know Oasis. I’m a fan. I think they’re great. Definitely Maybe was an amazing album. It came out at a time when we needed something that sounded different within the musical landscape we had grown accustomed. Was it a totally new sound? Of course not. But it made me fall in love with Brit Pop again. It was raw and grinding and somewhat annoying … but in a good way.

Then came What’s the Story Morning Glory. All of the sudden Oasis was everywhere. Wonderwall was on an every five minute rotation. The album got all kinds of attention. It won awards, it sold a gazillion copies … and it just wasn’t that good.

Outside of a few gems, the album as a whole just wasn’t as good as it’s predecessor.

Day 07: Most underrated album At first I was panicked because I...

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:22:37 -0800

Day 07: Most underrated album

At first I was panicked because I didn’t even know where to begin on this one. But then I realized the answer was so simple.

You can call me biased but I really feel this album didn’t receive the attention it deserved. It’s SO good! I still don’t understand how this just didn’t take off and take Charmparticles to the next level (whatever that means). Such good songwriting and beautiful melodies. I love how all of the songs feed off of each other and make the album such a pleasure to listen to.

True story. A co-worker of mine mentioned the other day that she had pulled out her Alive in the Hot Spell out and had been listening to it non-stop. She said, “It’s just so good! I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.”

I couldn’t agree more!

Day 06: A song that makes you sad I had no struggle deciding...

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 08:06:13 -0700

Day 06: A song that makes you sad

I had no struggle deciding this one. This song absolutely ruins me. There is no more intense grief than losing someone you love. And, of course, Peter Gabriel wrote a song about it. I love Peter and when you consider the emotion he puts into his music normally, with the fact that he’s singing about grief … heart wrenching.

Doesn’t this write up make you want to listen to it? It is an amazing song but listen at your own risk.

Day 05: A Song That Makes Me Happy

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:33:07 -0700

Coming up with this was a struggle. Not because I couldn’t think of a song that makes me happy, but because there are WAY too many songs that make me happy. But I had to choose one, so I went with … Amazing Grace.

My grandma used to sing it to me before bed when I would stay with her. She sang a lot of the old hymns, but Amazing Grace was always my favorite. It was comforting and beautiful.

So when I had York I started singing it to him every night before bed and then when Elsa came along I did the same. I love watching how the kids instantly close their eyes and settle into bed as soon as I start singing it. It’s a tradition I hope my kids pass along to their kids.

Amazing Grace makes me feel safe, secure and comforted. It makes me think of family and tradition. And all of that makes me very happy.

Day 04 - Favorite song from your favorite artist This category...

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:02:53 -0700

Day 04 - Favorite song from your favorite artist

This category is sort of open to interpretation as far as “favorite artist” but I decided to go with one of my all time favs. I love U2 and if I had to choose just one of their songs … I couldn’t. I would choose two: One and Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses. But since we are supposed to only choose 1 and because ONE gets all of the attention most of the time, I decided to go with the latter.

I love this song! Won’t you love it too?

Day 03: An Album I Have Purchased At Least Three Times ABBA...

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:00:22 -0700

Day 03: An Album I Have Purchased At Least Three Times

ABBA Gold. Bought it. Lost it. Bought it again on CD and then eventually I bought the digital version. This record is my perfect side dish. It goes good with everything. What should I listen to while cleaning the house? ABBA Gold! What should I play at my garage sale? ABBA Gold. I’m about to have a root canal. Man! I wish I could be listening to ABBA Gold!! A record for any occasion.

Day 02: Current Favorite Song It Only Ends Once by...

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:45:00 -0700

Day 02: Current Favorite Song

It Only Ends Once by Charmparticles.

This song, in all reality, may be perfect. It’s beautiful … it’s moving … it leaves you wanting more.

Take a listen and you’ll be as hooked as I am.

My current favorite artist

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:22:43 -0700

I don’t know if other people do this, but I get into what I like to call a musical groove. I get stuck on a certain artists and become like a hamster on his wheel. At this very moment the musical that is my life has a soundtrack written and performed by Katy Perry. Is she the most talented pop artist out there? No. Are her lyrics deep and meaningful? Rarely. Does she have an amazing voice? Not really. What she does pull off well is writing songs that are fun and catchy. And in this emotional climate that we, at the Merrill house, have been living in for the last few months, those two traits in songwriting have been my saving grace.

When things are tense and you have the tendency to cry without a lot of prompting, shallow pop music is what I rely on. It’s my coping mechanism. Listening to Nina Persson right now would send me into a tailspin. Sigur Ros would leave me needing Abilify. You get the picture.

So here’s to you Katy Perry! Thank you for being my musical tofu! I’d take you with me on my hamster wheel any day.