Song of the Day

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5DMmOLkLQI My Commentary: This is my favorite Adele song. She is so talented-even today, when I listen to this song it still surprises me that she sings a song like this. Adele has a reputation for her thrilling ballads such as "Someone Like You," and "Hello," but Adele has a talent for more upbeat, jazzy songs like this one. It's catchy, its smooth, its like glass of ice tea on a hot summers day. This range and flexibility makes Adele a classic of our generation, and her musical ability is truly second to none. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJgZ-GiPlvM My Commentary: I believe this is the first instrumental to be featured as the Song of the Day, and what a song it is. Full of tension and power, it is everything a Russian sailor's dance should be. It does have its' softer moments however. It is a fine blend between tension and beauty. I really like the low strings and their role in the entire song, they add a lot of weight to the composition and really drive this song. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViRb_fyFZtY My Commentary: This song is featured on two of Hillsong United's albums, Empires and Of Dirt and Grace, I chose the live version because it sounds more intimate. This songs is Hillsong at its finest. A bold claim to make for a group which is a staple in Christian Music with hits including Oceans and the Stand. This song sounds more real. This song sounds more intimate. "Faith makes a fool of what makes sense." Hillsong acknowledges the craziness that Christianity can be. But in the end they let God "have His way." Musically, this song is incredible. Taya Smith has an incredible voice and her harmonizing with the rest of the band at the end of the song is incredible. This song is incredible  

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pAz9UpnRKw My Commentary: Fun fact, this song is not actually by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse, it is actually by a band called the Zutons-take a minute to listen to that version if you have time, it is really good. But this is Amy's song. Mark Ronson is incredibly accomplished, so that is just a testament to Amy's abilities. Amy Winehouse was a maestro and this song only backs it up. She is so talented. Her raspy voice fits a jazz club perfectly. The up tempo nature of Valerie only backs up Amy's claim as being one of the best female vocalists of our generation. It is a shame she passed away so soon. Thankfully she left behind some of the greatest works of the 2000s.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfR9iY5y94s My Commentary: When I looked up the lyrics to this song before writing this, I thought to myself, "what in the sam heck is this about?" To be honest, I have no idea, but it is one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard. The beat, the chorus, everything about this song screams two things: it was meant to be catchy, and it is probably a one hit wonder. I have never heard any other songs by Men at Work, so I would suppose that both assumptions are true. Men at Work is an Australian band so this is potentially a song harkening back home in ways the major market can easily understand. This is a good song that is very pleasant to listen to. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-7c4VNGOgU My Commentary: If you have been following this blog for the past couple weeks and are a fan of the Marvel movies, you may have noticed I have selected songs from Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mixtape vol. 2. In terms of relating to the movie, this song strikes right at the core: a relationship between father and son. I really like how Stevens stripped this song down, it adds more weight and honesty to the song.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sAm5UCJ9vA My Commentary: There is no cheap trick about this song, it's a doozy. I first heard it in the movie, "Daddy Day Care," and I still think about it in that way whenever I hear it. It is rhythmically straight forward, there is no swing to the beat or anything. But I think the song's status is only heightened because of that. It is a playful song that always brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5dsglj25o My Commentary: I had only heard this song once before selecting it as the song of the day, and it is nothing like I expected. It is a lot more smooth than I was expecting. I thought it would sound more like Ratt or Docken, but I prefer this style. It is not going to be overly complex, but the song is soothing, and I think that is the point. It is a pleasant surprise.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuWkVqum6a8 My Commentary: I really like this song. It has a margaritaville-like feel. I really like the mellow vibes Jay & the Americans give off with this song. It is one that is really easy to sway to, but it seems more like the kind of song to dance to. It sounds like a song that would be on the soundtrack of either a high school reunion video, or in a love story movie. The song definitely has a character of its own, and I think that is one of the reasons I like it. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVx8L7a3MuE My Commentary: I don't really know what to think of this song. It's good. It's really good. But I don't know. It is almost too old school. I like the lead singer's relaxed tone- it really adds to the entirety of the song. It is a very relaxing song, but I think that is the point. I am also not completely sure if he is referencing Brandy as a drink or Brandy as a person. I suppose that is up to the listener to decide, an act I really respect from musicians. Songs can have many meanings, it is up to the listener to decide what they are.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kNGnIKUdMI My Commentary: Whenever I listen to this song, I think, "yeah, this sounds like George Harrison." I really enjoy the guitar part in this song and I think it really shows off Harrison's skill as a guitarist. This song, to me, shows how underrated George was as a member of the Beatles. He is a legend in his own right, as this song shows.

Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsokkO0o3bw My Commentary: This song exudes cool, and that is not just because southern nights are generally the coolest part of the day. I have mentioned that I really enjoy a song that can evoke images in my mind or transport me to places that I can only dream of. This song takes me to a nice summer evening on a deck somewhere in Minnesota. I cannot get enough of the catchy guitar riffs and the summertime voice of Gen Campell. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZB4jcPmFGo My Commentary: Sam Cooke is a maestro. He sings with such soul and passion. I first became familiar with his song, "A Change is Gonna Come," and I was hooked on that song but not to his more general repertoire. He has one of the best voices I have ever heard, and he really uses it in this song. The tone of the song and the accompaniment really adds to his vocal power. This song is a beauty. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDG2m5hN1vo My Commentary: You know, I have no idea what this song is about, but I really like it. I like the ruggedness of the lyrics and the style. It is truly a work of art. I also really like the guitar part at the close. It is truly magical. This is a song that I picture playing in the background of a western movie where the protagonist is riding around on a horse in the middle of the Great Plains, a lone ranger. I really appreciate when a song can spark imagination. Maybe that is why I like this one so much.