Tuesday Top Ten: Favorite Duets

I was listening to some duets last week when I decided to make this the top ten for the week. I've always enjoyed listening to people collaborating together to create a good song. In the spirit of Duets I asked Lisa to work on a Top Ten of her own so we can post together. You can see her blog here:

A Pop Culture Affair

Coming up with this list was harder then I expected. There has been a lot of duets that I've loved or at least enjoyed over the years.

I started by eliminating three newer duets that I really love but either didn't seem as good as overs that I have loved for longer. If I redid the list in a few years they might sneak in then.

B.O.B and Taylor Swift – Both of Us

Kris Allen and Meiko – Loves Me Not

Tyler Hilton and Elizabeth Huett – Jenny

There were other Honorable Mentions that just didn't make my final ten:

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie - Endless Love

John Travolta and Olivia Newton John - You're The One That I Love

Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hilton - When The Stars Go Blue

and this Classic

 

A Few Other songs that I eliminated because although I love the songs they are a gathering of multiple rappers rather then duets.

Northern Touch

Shake Ya Tailfeather

Welcome to Atlanta Remix

Where the Party At So So Def Remix

Bad Boy For Life

And finally this gem from Space Jam

And now the Top Ten: 

The first three sections made the list because I just felt the two voices worked so well together and I really like the lyrics. "Good For You" has two versions but I prefer the Kate Voegele version because I find her voice to be amazing.

10.  Mandy Moore and Jon Foreman - Someday We'll Know

9. Mariana’s Trench and Kate Voegele – Good For You

8. Matt Nathanson and Sugarland – Run

7. Nelly and Tim McGraw – Over and Over Again

 Similar to B.O.B. and Taylor Swift above this next one just surprised me with how much I liked the duo singing. It's not a duo that would jump to the top of my head but the song ended up being a really good song.

6.  Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life

I am a big fan of the movie Dirty Dancing and I've heard this song so many times in my life that I am constantly singing it in my heard along with quoting lines from the movie like "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."

5. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson – Scream

In my opinion one of the best songs done by Michael Jackson since the Thriller album. Michael and Janet sound so well together and I loved the dance from the video.

4. Mariah Carey and Boys II Men – One Sweet Day

For so many school dances this song was played while we awkwardly slow danced. I actually realy liked Mariah's Daydream album and this song was one of the better songs on the album.

3. Temple of The Dog – Hunger Strike

I'm going to cheat on this song because it isn't really a duet since it was a band that was made in tribute to Andrew Wood and the band included members of Pearl Jam and Sound Garden. I'm counting it because it is one of my favorite rock songs and includes two of my favorite singers: Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell.

2.   Joe Budden and Busta Rhymes – Fire

 For anyone who partied at Al's house knows how much Al and I loved this song and would play it constantly at parties. No matter how drunk we were it would get us up and dancing like fools. 

E&A Was in the House!

1. Duets from Animated Films

I'm going to cheat again and include all duets in from animated films as the number 1 spot. When I was working on the list I had songs from Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and The Beast) , Aladdin (A Whole New World), American Tail (Somewhere Out There), Tangled (I See The Light) amongst other great duets from animated classics. I couldn't decide which to drop and didn't want to drop any of the ones in the top ten so I included all the songs as number one.

 I can do that since it is my list!

Music Monday: British Artists

Watching the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics made me realize how good some British Music is. So often we only get to hear American and Canadian music unless some one is able to break out and even when that happens it is often some annoying pop act like One Direction that you really just want to disappear. British Music has so much more to offer and below are some of my favorite songs.

I was going to do a write up for each selection but as I went I just kept thinking of other songs I liked and the list kept going and going until finally I cut my self off. I also just don't feel like doing a write up for them all so I decided to just post the videos and let you enjoy the songs.

I'm sure I've left off some great singers and bands but while thinking over the music these are the songs that really jumped out.

The Beatles - Penny Lane

The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black

The Who - My Generation

Kate Bush - This Woman's Work

The Police - Every Breath You Take

Take That - Back 4 Good

Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger

Bush - Glycerine

Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees

Blur - Song 2

The Verve - Bitter Sweet Sympathy

All Saints - Never Ever

Amy Winehouse - Rehab

Coldplay - The Scientist

Bloc Party - Signs

David Gray - Babylon

Dido - Here With You

Muse - Uprising

Duffy - Warwick Avenue

Adele - Hometown Glory

Music Monday: Songs that are stuck in my head now 2

A few months ago I posted a few songs that are stuck in my head and I was listening to on repeat. I am going to revisit that with a few more songs that I keep listening to recently.

It doesn't take much to get a song stuck in my head. I'm not a snobby type who refuses to listen to a certain type of music to look cool. I'm listen to anything I enjoy and I tend to listen to it over and over again. 

Jessie J - We Found Love

 Shine a light through an open door
Love a life I will divide
Turn away 'cause I need you more
Feel the heartbeat in my mind

It’s the way I’m feeling I just can’t deny
But I’ve gotta let it go

We found love in a hopeless place

 

David Guetta Feat. Sia - Titanuim

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Kris Allen - Out Alive

 We can run
We can hide
We can show off our guns and put on a fight
If it's love
Hold on tight, hold on tight
Maybe we'll make it out alive
Maybe we'll make it  

For some reason I couldn't find a studio version that would add to Blogger but this is one of the better live versions. 

Fun. - Some Nights 

This is it, boys, this is war - what are we waiting for?
Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype - save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style

Music To Read To: Hate List

I started reading this last night and couldn't stop reading until I reached the end. It wasn't suspenseful or scary but I couldn't stop reading until I wad finished. It's a wonderful story of living with the past and finding redemption. A story of moving on and accepting what cannot be changed. I related to the story in a way I didn't think I would with the plot points involving the parents especially the father. I'm not sure I can really say I loved the book considering the subject matter but you can appreciate anything that can make you think about making life better. There is one quote in the book that really stayed with me:

"The word won being the past tense of win, and we can all say at the end of the day that we've won once again, can't we? Some days making it to the end of the day is quite the victory."

In a world where things are often out of our control making it to my bed is my daily victory. I get to life another day.

I am constantly creating soundtracks for things in my life. It's a geeky thing to do but I can't help it. I'm always thinking of a song that would fit a specific situation. It always happens when I read as well. My mind will immediately think of a song based on the current plot point.

 Here are a few songs that were played while reading Hate List:

Alanis Morrissette - That I Would Be Good

 that I would be loved even when I numb myself
that I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
that I would be loved even when I was fuming
that I would be good even if I was clingy

Deb Talan - Comfort

If you can't remember a better time
you can have mine, little one.
In days to come when your heart feels undone
may you always find an open hand
and take comfort wherever you can.

Evanescense - My Immortal

I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger

So Sally can wait
She knows it's too late as she's walking on by
My soul slides away
"But don't look back in anger, don't look back in anger"
I heard you say, "at least not today" 

Emma Lee - I Could Die Tonight

Truth be told I’m still just scared as hell
that I’ll fool the world and never fool myself
Cause I know living right it isn’t in the lyin’
But I could live with tryin’
I could live with cryin’
I could live with dyin’ tonight

The Smashing Pumpkin - Disarm 

Disarm you with a smile
And leave you like they left me here
To wither in denial
The bitterness of one who's left alone

The Weepies - World Spins Madly On

Woke up and wished that I was dead
With an aching in my head
I lay motionless in bed
I thought of you and where you'd gone
and let the world spin madly on 

Music Monday: Songs that are stuck in my head now

Last week I posted some songs that have stuck with me over the years and this week I'm gonna post some songs that are stuck in my head now but chances are they will be replaced on a play list by the end of summer. They are fun songs to listen to and I show no guilt in listening to them. 

 These are songs that I can't help singing to when they come on TV or my play list. And while they may not be songs that last forever if they started playing in a few years I probably wouldn't skip them. They have potential to join Ace of Base on my list of songs I don't always listen to but wouldn't skip if they played. I'd probably even be happy to listen to them.

Kris Allen - The Vision of Love

I don't wanna run, I don't wanna hide
When someone needs somebody
I don't wanna say, I don't got the time
When someone needs somebody
With a little faith and a little soul
We can't go wrong

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

 You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

Hey, I just met you and this is crazy
But here’s my number, so call me maybe
It’s hard to look right at you baby
But here’s my number, so call me maybe
Hey I just met you and this is crazy
But here’s my number, so call me maybe
And all the other boys try to chase me
But here’s my number, so call me maybe 

Music Monday: Songs that stick with me

Every week artists release new songs. Some of them become instant hits while others take time to grew. You look at the charts and you see the same artists every week: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber. There music may be hits today but in a short time they will be replaced by the next big thing and in a decade they will be the guilty pleasures of this decade. Like the Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, and NSync they'll get replaced by what comes next. 

It takes a special song to stick with a person. A song that will stay on a play list forever while newer songs get removed and sent to the bench to only be played randomly. I thought I'd post some of the songs that stick with me through the years. Some are from before I was born and for whatever reason effected me enough to become a constant in my listening habits. Others relate to memories growing up. You can't really ever explain why the song sticks with you. It's just a love for the song that can't be explained.

Everyone has songs they will always listen to. These are some of mine.

Rolling Stones - Blinded By Rainbows

Yeah you're blinded by rainbows
And faces in windows
Blinded by rainbows
Do you dream at night
Do you sleep at night
I doubt it

David Bowie - Heroes

I, I will be King
And you, you will be Queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes just for one day
We can be us just for one day

The Beatles - Across The Universe

Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my opened ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying Love which shines around me like a
million suns, and calls me on and on
Across the universe

The Monkees - Daydream Believer

Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings
The six o'clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise wipe the sleep out of my eyes
The shavin' razor's cold, and it stings

Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean
To a daydream believer and a homecoming queen?

Michael Jackson - Billy Jean

Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son

 Live - Lightning Crashes

Lightning crashes, a new mother cries
This moment she's been waiting for
The angels open her eyes, pale blue colored iris
Presents the sun and puts the glory out to hide, hide

Pearl Jam - Better Man

She loved him, yeah...she don't want to leave this way
She needs him, yeah...that's why she'll be back again
Can't find a better man

Sound Garden - Black Hole Sun

Stuttering, cold and damp
Steal the warm wind tired friend
Times are gone for honest men
And sometimes far too long for snakes
In my shoes, a walking sleep
And my youth I pray to keep
Heaven send Hell away
No one sings like you anymore

Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me

Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
I'm bare boned and crazy for you
When you come crash
into me, baby

Bush -  Glycerine

I couldn't change though I wanted to
Should have been easier by three
Our old friend 'Fear' and you and me
Glycerine, Glycerine

Music Monday Early Edition: Tribute to Whitney Houston

I've always loved Whitney's voice. My older sister had her cassettes and I remember her music being played a lot from her bedroom. Music has always been a big part of my life. I don't really do anything without music and growing up some of the music I loved but hide the fact was her music. 

As I got older I stopped hiding it because I didn't really care what people thought. I had an eclectic taste in music and you couldn't deny she was an amazing singer.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Oh I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me

I remember making my own dance routines to this song. I absolutely loved the song and remember being annoyed that I had to rewind the cassette. Sadly cassettes didn't have a repeat option. 

Greatest Love Of All

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all 

My father left our family when I was young and I quickly had to become the man of the house. I worked at helping my mom make ends meet. This song always inspired me. I loved the message of believing and loving yourself. It's easy when you are young to blame yourself for a parent abandoning you. It's something I think my sisters had a hard time with but I never blamed myself. I knew it was simply a matter of my father being an asshole and choosing a life of alcohol and drugs over being a family man. I learned at a young age that I cannot control what other people do. I can only control myself and make my own choices. I made the decision to be my own person and be better then my father.

One Moment In Time

I want one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

I just simply love this song. When I played soccer this was one of the songs I played from my walkman to pump myself up. It was the first song I played while I put on my cleats and shin pads before I listened to the more uptempo stuff.

I Will Always Love You

I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love 

The go to song to end any Junior High dance. When you awkwardly ask a girl to dance and then awkwardly place your hands on her hips and move around in a circle. The entire song you are wondering if you should make the move to try moving her hands downwards but most of the time you chicken out. I have to 

 whenever I hear the song cause I'd properly still be to chicken to move my hands down. 

Heartbreak Hotel

All I really wanted was some of your time
Instead you told me lies when someone else was on your mind
What'd you do to me? Look what you did to me
I thought that you were someone who would do me right
Until you played with my emotions and you made me cry
What'd you do to me? Can't take what you did to me

Arguably one of the greatest R&B songs ever. Whitney's voice blends so well with Kelly Price and Faith Evans. It's a good song to sit back and chill to. 

My Love Is Your Love

As the years they pass us by
(Years they, years they, years they)
We stay young through each other's eyes
(Each other's eyes)
And no matter how old we get
It's okay as long as I got you babe

The last really good Whitney song. Her music never seemed as special after this album but the song is beautiful. Her voice is still beautiful on this track even if she doesn't let out any big notes. It's a wonderful and mellow song that is fun to sing along with.

Count On Me

 

Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak, I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on....

I Believe In You And Me 

I believe in miracles
And Our love's a miracle
And yes, baby you're my dream come true
I was lost, now I'm free (oOh Baby)
Cuz I believe
I believe in you and me
See I was lost, now I'm free
I believe in you and me

I added these last two because they are songs my mother loves. My mom never really expressed a deep love for any particular songs. But when she did hear a song she liked she made sure I put them on CDs for her. She also loved the two movies these song from, Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife.

Top Ten: Songs that I love no matter who sings it

 There are some songs that transcend. Songs that it means that no one can ruin because the lyrics have so much meaning. These songs can be spun around to sound good with any musical style. They are some of my all time favorite songs because they can be re imagined and sung in so many ways.

10. Yesterday

Favorite versions by: The Beatles, Boys II Men

 

9. Tracks of My Tears

Favorite versions by: Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, Mary Beth Mariaz, Gavin DeGraw

8. Suspicious Minds

Favorite versions by: Elvis, Dwight Yoakam, Fine Young Cannibals

7. Heartless

Favorite versions by: Kris Allen, Kanye West, The Fray, Dia Frampton

6. Man in the Mirror

Favorite versions by: Michael Jackson, Kris Allen, James Morrison, Glee Cast

5. Ain’t No Sunshine

Favorite versions by: Bill Withers, Michael Jackson, Eva Cassidy, Kris Allen, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes

 

4. Time After Time

Favorite versions by: Eva Cassidy, Tuck and Patti, Matchbox 20, Cyndi Lauper

 

3. The Way You Look Tonight

Favorite versions by: Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., James Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald

 

2. To Make You Feel My Love

Favorite versions by: Trisha Yearwood, Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, Jewel, Adele, Kris Allen, Kelly Clarkson

 

1. Have A Little Faith in Me

Favorite versions by: John Hiatt, Jewel, Bon Jovi, Joe Cocker, Mandy Moore, Chaka Chan