Review: Which Witch

I am pretty much in love with this song off Florence's new album! And if you haven't yet, you really should just check out the whole album. It is pretty fantastic!


Personally, to me, this song is about the vulnerability of liking someone, specifically liking someone who will never return your affection. Sometimes you can put your own heart and emotions on trial for caring about a person, especially if the relationship doesn't progress to your own terms of success.



Song: Which Witch

Artist: Florence + The Machine

Album: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Year Released: 2015

You can listen to it here.

Lyrics:

And it's my whole heart
Weighed and measured inside
And it's an old scar
Trying to bleach it out
And it's my whole heart
Deemed and delivered a crime
I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out
I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out

Who's a heretic now?
Am I making sense?
How can you make it stick?
Waiting 'til the beat comes out
Who's a heretic, child?
Can you make it stick, now?
And I'm on trial
Waiting 'til the beat comes out

I'm miles away, he's on my mind
I'm getting tired of crawling all the way
And I've had enough, it's obvious
And I'm getting tired of crawling all the way
Crawling all the way
Crawling all the way

I'm not beat up by this yet
You can't tell me to regret
Been in the dark since the day we met
Fire, help me to forget
[x2]

And it's my whole heart
While tried and tested, it's mine
And it's my whole heart
Trying to reach it out
And it's my whole heart
Burned but not buried this time
I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out
I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out

I'm miles away, he's on my mind
I'm getting tired of crawling all the way
And I've had enough, it's obvious
And I'm getting tired of crawling all the way

 I'm not beat up by this yet
You can't tell me to regret
Been in the dark since the day we met
Fire, help me to forget
[x2]

Chained and shackled, oh
All unraveled, oh
It's a pity, oh
Never to return
But I never learn
It's a pity, oh
Chained and shackled, oh
All unraveled, oh
It's a pity, oh
Say I won't return
But I never learn
It's a pity, oh

Review: Song for Someone

So, I know there has been some controversy  surrounding U2's new album, but I'm a fan of U2, so I loved getting their new album for free. :D #sorrynotsorry


As you do, I have been listening to it on and off since it has been released. And recently when I was listening to one of the songs, Song for Someone, I was struck by the beauty and reality of the lyrics.


As Bono states in the below interview and performance, this song was written about the first time you fall in love. I think the song is written with enough layering and ambiguity that it is not just talking about a romantic love relationship between two human beings. It is definitely a song about love, though.


When I was listening to it recently, I was struck by how I longed to be the fulfillment of the lyrics, "You've got eyes that can see right through me. You're not afraid of anything they've seen." I want to be that for people, and specifically for someone. However, so often I find that I am the one who has, "the scars from where I've been," and only want someone to, "see right through me," and not be afraid of what they might find. This song holds such beautiful dichotomies - I love it! It is certainly a song for someone, or a song for everyone. It sings about such humanity, and yet about such hope. It is beautiful.

U2 actually performed Song for Someone on The Graham Norton Show, which is like a triple win, win, win: I like U2, love this song, and I like The Graham Norton Show! ;) However, in this version they do leave off the last verse segment - which is really great (see italicized lyrics below). Also, can we please take a moment and appreciate how awesome Bono sounds singing live (while sitting on a couch) after decades of performing - amazing!

Song: Song for Someone

Artist: U2

Album: Songs of Innocence

Year Released: 2014


Lyrics:

You got a face not spoiled by beauty

I have some scars from where I've been

You've got eyes that can see right through me

You're not afraid of anything they've seen

I was told that I would feel nothing the first time

I don't know how these cuts heal

But in you I found a rhyme

If there is a light
You can't always see
And there is a world
We can't always be
If there is a dark
Now we shouldn't doubt
And there is a light
Don't let it go out

And this is a song
A song for someone
This is a song
A song for someone

You let me into a conversation
A conversation only we could make
You break and enter my imagination
Whatever's in there
It's yours to take
I was told I'd feel nothing the first time
You were slow to heal
But this could be the night

If there is a light
You can't always see
And there is a world
We can't always be
If there is a dark
Within and without
And there is a light
Don't let it go out

And this is a song
A song for someone
This is a song
This is a song for someone

And I'm a long way
From your hill of Calvary
And I'm a long way
From where I was, where I need to be

 If there is a light
You can't always see
And there is a world
We can't always be
If there is a kiss
I stole from your mouth
And there is a light
Don't let it go out

Relevant Life Lyrics, pt. 1

"Dreaming along at a pace you'll understand
Go go go go go go
No no no no no"

- Daniel in the Den, Bastille

Isn't that the truth? "Here is this opportunity, invest your heart into it! OH, wait..." #storyofmylife ;)

Review: Bastille

So, I just was introduced to this wonderful band by a dear friend a couple of months ago. However, I am kind of slow-moving and skeptical when it comes to giving myself to new music. It wasn't until like two weeks ago that I purchased their extended album, All This Bad Blood, and have been listening to it non-stop. (Yes, I am also one of those people...sorry! I find new music and I listen to it obsessively from anywhere to a few months to a year - I think Mumford and Florence were both a year strong and probably the longest. And strangely enough, I usually don't stop listening to a certain artist because I am sick of it, it is usually due to the fact that move on because I have found something new to obsess over).

Anyway, well, like you do when you obsess over a new artist you look to see if they are touring somewhere near you sometime in the near future. I came to find out that they were actually just in my area of the world not that long ago...that was a sad, sad realization. Prior to Tuesday, June 17th, the closest date they released for a tour stop was sometime in October and on the East coast (I live on the West coast). And, yes, I may or may not have conspired with my sister to see if we could actually make the trip happen...yep, I did.

However, to my utter joy and delight on Tuesday I found out that they are coming to my neck of the woods (city) in November. They decided to do a Bad Blood Last Stand tour. YAY!!!

And better yet, I got access to pre-sale! And even better...wait for it...I got tickets!!! I AM GOING TO SEE BASTILLE...LIVE!!! *FREAK-OUT*

Okay, so, ever since I saw Mumford and Sons live a year ago I am trying to make it a priority to see the bands I really like live. Shortly after I saw Mumford live they ended up breaking up (but hopefully coming back). I felt incredibly grateful that I was able to see them live (I must do a Mumford post, they are so great and that concert meant a lot to me). So, I didn't want to miss an opportunity to see Bastille live.

Why is this grown woman freaking out about a band from Britain?! (Well, isn't being British cool enough?!) It has been a long time since I have listened to an album and have actually enjoyed the entire album, every song. And I wasn't expecting that from them actually. I was expecting maybe something similar, but slightly not as cool as Mumford (though their styles of music aren't similar). I love Mumford and Sons music, but there are some songs on both of their albums that I skip past and could do without, not so with Bastille's album (I have their extended album All This Bad Blood). I mean there are like two songs that, I don't hate, they just aren't as favorite as many others on the album.

They have just been surprising me again and again, and I like that. I like that one of the first times I listened to their album I was driving to work and Tuning Out came on, and I was like, "This sounds like a Christmas song?? Wait, this is a Christmas song! It is O Holy Night?! What?! Who puts a cover to one of the most powerful Christmas songs ever on their normal album?! Cool, I like that...a  lot!"

Also, I am a bit of a history NERD. So, the fact that he (Dan Smith, lead singer) wrote a song about Pompeii and Icarus won me over. However, the first Bastille song I fell in love with was Flaws and it is still one of my favorites...so much love for that song, perhaps I will do an individual post on it one of these days.

I also have been watching a few interviews with the band (you know that other thing you do when you obsess over an artist). Dan talks about how he writes songs and I appreciate his approach. He says he tries to steer clear of writing autobiographical songs (which I appreciate to an extent) and that he writes about things he has read, studied, heard, or about other people's experiences. He admits that there are pieces of his life in his music, and I think that is inevitable, but he tries to write his songs with ambiguity - which is so great! This leaves his music open to interpretation and thus I think reaches a wider audience.

Also, something else I didn't expect about Bastille was an underlining note of optimism, or hope, in their music, which sounds completely contradictory to say because the title and theme of their album is Bad Blood. It is about life and it is about humanity, which I love, but it isn't vengeful or hateful. And on a slightly unrelated note, it also isn't vulgar, ostentatious, or stereotypical popular culture music. It is vulnerable. And maybe I can't quite put my finger on why I feel that way about their music, but I do and I kind of like that it is still a mystery, that means I have more listening and searching to do.

Anyway, for now, I will leave you with some lyrics from their song Haunt. There is a line in that song that so sticks with me: "the terrifying rarity of truth." See below for more.

“The wisdom we learn as our minds,
They do burn,
They’ll entice naivety in youth,
As adults we’ll grow and maturity shows,
All the terrifying rarity of truth,
As you turn to your mind,
And your thoughts they rewind,
To old happenings and things that are done,
You can’t find what’s passed,
Make that happiness last,
Seeing from those eyes what you’ve become,
What you’ve become…”

- Haunt (Demo), Bastille, All This Bad Blood Lastly, I leave you with a few songs that I really love. Besides Flaws, I think the other two songs are only on their extended album. Durban Skies. Dan wrote this song about his parents meeting, falling in love and getting married. How precious is that! His parents are from South Africa, hence Durban. I love that in this song he says, "all I got to be thankful for."   And, of course, here are two great versions of Flaws. Enjoy! I know I do.       AND, one more because I really like this song...a lot! This is Laughter Lines.     

Review: I'll Keep You Safe

Hello again, and yes it is another Sleeping at Last post! You really shouldn't be surprised at this point. I promise I do listen to other music. I hope to review some other favorites (Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine, etc.) one of these days.

 

I really just love this song, so much! It is a song of hope. This song reminds me that no matter what season of life is upon us, we are not alone. There is somebody who is with us and for us. Though life may cut deeply, there can also be deep healing. Some of my favorite lyrics of this song are, "God knows, our mistakes will be made, but I promise you I’ll keep you safe. As you build up your collection of pearls that you pulled from the deep, a landscape more beautiful than anything that I’ve ever seen. The sound of the branches breaking under your feet, the smell of the falling and burning of leaves, the bitterness of winter or the sweetness of spring, you are an artist, but your heart is your masterpiece. And I'll keep it safe."

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

 

Song: I'll Keep You Safe

Artist: Sleeping At Last

Album: Atlas: Darkness - EP

Year Released: 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lyrics:

i’ll keep you safe.
try hard to concentrate.
hold out your hand,
can you feel the weight of it?
the whole world at your fingertips-
don’t be, don’t be afraid.
our mistakes, they were bound to be made.
but i promise you i’ll keep you safe.

you’ll be an architect,
so pull up your sleeves
and build a new silhouette
in the skylines up ahead.
don’t be, don’t be afraid.
our mistakes, they were bound to be made.
but i promise you i’ll keep you safe.
i’ll keep you safe.

your darkness will be rewritten
into a work of fiction, you’ll see.

as you pull on every ribbon
you’ll find every secret it keeps.

the sound of the branches
breaking under your feet,
the smell of the falling
and burning of leaves,
the bitterness of winter
or the sweetness of spring,
you are an artist
but your heart is your masterpiece.
and i’ll keep it safe.

dismiss the invisible
by giving it shape,
like a clockmaker fixes time
by keeping the gears in line.
don’t be, no don’t be afraid.
God knows, our mistakes will be made.
but i promise you i’ll keep you safe.

as you build up your collection
of pearls that you pulled from the deep,
a landscape more beautiful
than anything that i’ve ever seen.

the sound of the branches
breaking under your feet,
the smell of the falling
and burning of leaves,
the bitterness of winter
or the sweetness of spring,
you are an artist,
but your heart is your masterpiece.
and i’ll keep it safe.

Review: Jupiter

I should probably start this post off with apologizing because I am about to give you another Sleeping At Last post, but, in fact, I am not really sorry. ;) I think Sleeping At Last is brilliant! I absolutely love his lyrics and really just his philosophy behind why he does what he does.  Here is a little excerpt from his website that, in my opinion, sums up why he is so amazing: Ryan O’Neal, "pursues this challenge relentlessly through his commitment to musical integrity in his songwriting, and in this way nurtures a unique and personal relationship with his listeners. He has remained true to the things that brought him to music in the first place: his love of melody and the power of words. His music and lyrics emerge from a place that is honest and raw, asking every question that occurs and promising no fast, sure answers, but somehow always offering hope as the consistent, overarching theme." And I really can't say it any better myself. Please go to his website (linked above) and check out what he does, and why he does it.

 

So, this song in particular, Jupiter, is one of my favorites right now! I really love the lyrics, "Make my messes matter. Make this chaos count." And I'm pretty sure the reason I am loving these lyrics right now has a lot to do with how chaotic my life feels. There is a quote one of my friends shared with me recently that pretty sums up my life for the last five-six years, "Life has a way of testing a persons will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once" (Paulo Coelho). The "nothing happening" part felt true of my life prior to the last two years. The last two years, in particular  the last year, have been so full of changes. Some of these changes have been a long time coming and I am SO grateful for them, even though they can be super uncomfortable and vulnerable, and the other changes are definitely unexpected. I suppose most changes in life can be uncomfortable, but my hope and desire through it all are that "my messes matter," and that this chaos will count. This song has really given me a hope that even the scariest, darkest, most uncomfortable and the most vulnerable of times can really mean something, and that they can create a beauty inside of me that is worth far more than the temporal pain or discomfort. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do. Cheers!

Song: Jupiter

Artist: Sleeping At Last

Album: Atlas: Space 2 - EP

Year Released: 2013

Artist's song explanation:
"I wrote this song from the perspective of Galileo Galilei, who discovered Jupiter’s 4 Moons, which are consequently named the “Gailelean Moons.” The song is divided into 4 parts, representing each of the moon’s Mr. Galileo discovered. If you listen close, you’ll hear some radio static that NASA recorded of Jupiter’s unique storm systems. Because Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, it’s an awful lot of planet to explore – so as I wrote this song, I tried to have it constantly progressing into new territory."

Lyrics: 

I wrote it down in the winter of 1610.

Just a secret under lock and key until then.
While collecting the stars, I connected the dots.
I don’t know who I am, but now I know who I’m not.
I’m just a curious speck that got caught up in orbit, in orbit.
Like a magnet it beckoned my metals toward it, toward it.

Make my messes matter.
Make this chaos count.
Let every little fracture in me shatter out loud.

Make my messes matter.
Make this chaos count.
Let every little fracture in me shatter out loud.  

 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts on the Grammys

So, I do not usually watch the Grammys. I watched them this year because one of my really good friends wanted to watch them. I know next to nil about popular culture music - this may be partially due to my sheer ignorance about pop culture in general, but part of it also has to do with my intentional dislike for most popular music. And the Grammys this year really did not do much to instill hope for the future of pop music; the Grammys did not do much, but I must say that Lorde did. I am not a huge Lorde fan, but I LOVED her performance on The Grammys! It is refreshing to see an artist's performance be about their art, rather than then their body or their sexual image. Yep, there you go my main reason I do not like pop music. I feel like most pop artists are more concerned with making some ridiculously flashy or sexual statement instead of just being true to themselves and their art. Some may argue that their "uniqueness" or their eccentricities are being true to themselves, but I would submit that those eccentricities that they have become famous for were probably founded to draw attention to themselves to get noticed in the first place. PLUS, if you have to use external means of captivating your audience, I would submit that says something about your talent, or lack their of. I think it also says something about us and our culture, BUT I am digressing quickly. I will definitely do another more in depth post about this topic some other time. Anyway, I found it quite entertaining that Lorde's performance followed Beyoncé and Jay Z's performance, what a stark contrast and a perfect example of what I am talking about. The fact that the Grammys were inundated with songs like Get Lucky, Blurred Lines & Drunk in Love, I feel like Lorde's Royals performance was a huge punch in the face to the popular culture music scene, and really to all those in attendance. I know Lorde is still a relatively young artist, but after her Grammy performance I wanted to give her a high-five and a "hell yeah!" I am definitely looking forward to how she grows as an artist and I am hoping and praying that she can still channel that raw truth in reality through her music. Lorde, you have restored some hope for the future of popular culture music. Thanks for being true to yourself and not selling yourself to sell more albums and congratulations on your wins!

 

 

 

 

Let me know your thoughts on this year's Grammys by posting a comment. Cheers!

Review: The Projectionist

Check out this song by Sleeping At Last. Perhaps at some point I will do a more extensive review on this one-man-band, but for now please enjoy this song, I know I do! I love this song because it talks about the power, hope, and beauty that stories offer, whether that be fictional narratives or amazing true tales. Stories inspire us, and give us hope and courage to face what life may throw our way. And that is perhaps while I love Sleeping At Last so much, I feel like Ryan O'Neal tries to capture a story in each song.

Song: The Projectionist

Artist: Sleeping At Last

Album: Atlas: Light - EP

Year Released: 2013



Lyrics:

When I was young I fell in love with story,
With the eleventh hour, with the blaze of glory.

The theater lights dim and all goes quiet.
In the darkest of rooms, light shines the brightest.

When hands are tied and clocks are ticking,
An audience convinced: we’re leaning in,
Holding our breath again.

Just when we thought the game was over
The music lifts and our dying solider lives!
And we breathe a sigh of relief.

We’re leaving, we’re leaving our shadows behind us now.
We’re leaving, we’re leaving it all behind for now.

But even dust was made to settle
And if we’re made of dust, then what makes us any different?
I guess we give what we’ve been given:
A family tree so very good at giving up
When we’ve had enough.
Though truth is heavier than fiction,
Gravity lifts as the projectionist rolls tape.
And it makes us brave again
And it makes us brave again
And it makes us brave.

So we’re leaving, we’re leaving our shadows behind us now.
We’re leaving, we’re leaving it all behind for now.
And it makes us brave again
And it makes us brave.
We’re leaving, we’re leaving ‘em all behind for now.

Review: Hallelujah

 



Title: Hallelujah

 

Originally Released: 1984

 

Song Writer: Leonard Cohen

 

Leonard Cohen's song, Hallelujah, is definitely well know with more than 300 different versions in circulation. When he was writing the song, he actually wrote 80 different verses before finalizing the originally released version in 1984. I don't know about you, but I would LOVE to get my hands on all those 80 verses. Now, I know you are going to hate me, BUT 80's music isn't really my thing, so I chose to show this version of the song performed by Matthew Schuler, from The Voice. (Disclaimer: I rarely watch TV shows, especially shows like The Voice, but my parents like watching it. So, I have seen a couple episodes of this season. Two people, in particular, really stuck out to me and they already got the boot. And that's one of the reasons why I don't like watching shows like this, but I digress).  I chose this version for several reasons. Watching this performance reawakened me to the beauty of this song. I really like the verses he chose to sing in his iTunes' version - which you should check out.

Like I stated earlier, there are so many versions and so many verse mash-ups of this song that I just liked Matthew's iTunes version the best. There are some versions that make you feel more depressed than others. I am actually hoping that someday somebody will perform the song including all the below verses - I guess you could say it's my dream version of the song. I think depending on which version of the song you hear and which artist performs it, the song can be more hopeful or more tragic. I personally think the song is both. To me, the song is about the tragedy of lust, but also the beautiful reality and hope that is in love. That is why I love the lyrics, " I did my best...And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue, but Hallelujah." 

Another reason I liked Matthew's version is, despite knowing next to nothing about him, I feel like there are conviction and truth in his voice; he makes you connect with the song. He even stated in an interview, "I want people to be able to interact with me through my music, that they can see something true, that they can see something authentic, and that I can be honest with them on stage and really connect with them. People are the most important thing. That's my goal, to help and bless people through my music - that's why I am here." Well, well-done, Matthew - I think you did it. :)

And lastly, he just has an amazing voice!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I could sing, I would choose the following verses:

 

I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof

Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you

She tied you to a kitchen chair

She broke your throne, and she cut your hair

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before

I know this room, I've walked this floor

I used to live alone before I knew you.

I've seen your flag on the marble arch

Love is not a victory march

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time when you let me know

What's really going on below

But now you never show it to me, do you?

And remember when I moved in you

The holy dove was moving too

And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 I did my best, it wasn't much

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch

I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you

And even though it all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah