Ears Like a Hawke - Song of the Day

The Belonging Co - "The Truth"

1/2/2022

It may come as no surprise that we're spending the first few days of 2022 recapping some of the best songs that came out in 2021. In that vein, I have to commend The Belonging Co for their incredible work on See The Light, and especially on this song, "The Truth." Not only is it such a great message, but it also, musically, is just a journey beyond what you tend to hear in praise music. It builds up, slows, down, and everything in between. There are moments I'll sing one part or another to myself, and it amazes me that each is from the same song. And to be in the room to sing the "ooh" together is an experience you'll never forget.

What can cause the broken things to heal?
Only a power that is real
What can cause the prideful heart to kneel?
Only a gracе that none can steal

For so long I was searching for truth
Whеn all along I was searching for You
Then You opened my eyes
...

There is only one name, who conquered the grave
Only one way, my soul can be saved
Only one truth, only one life
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ

P!nk - "All I Know So Far"

1/1/2022

Currently reigning as my top song of 2021, this song is an incredible gift from a mother to a daughter, older to younger sibling - really anyone admitting that they don't have it figured out, but want to, just for you. It doesn't dwell in the idea that life sucks and they you die - it addresses the reality of the feeling and admitting that knowing what you don't know is half the battle.

You throw your head back, and you spit in the wind
Let the walls crack, 'cause it lets the light in
Let 'em drag you through hell
They can't tell you to change who you are
That's all I know so far

2021 Songs of the Year - SPECIAL EDITION POST

12/31/2021

Well well well, here we are again. Down to the wire. 2021 ending, 2022 beginning, and very few people have nice things to say. I vote we jump in and enjoy the art we were given this year, and quietly let 2022 begin. Just be nice and gentle with it. K? Let's go.

Honorable Mentions

Imagine Dragons - "Cutthroat"

The Kid LAROI feat. Justin Bieber - "Stay"

Olivia Rodrigo - "good 4 u"

Catalina - "Control"

Sean McNamara - "The One I Wanna See Tonight"

AJR - "Way Less Sad"

The Belonging Co - "The Truth"

Taylor Swift - "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)"

Jimmy Eat World - "555"

Halsey - "honey"

Lifehouse - "Cut & Run"

Mitchell Tenpenny - "Bucket List"

Erin McLendon feat.Sweet Home Symphony - "Shaking In My Boots"

Girl 907 - "All Your Friends"

Avril Lavigne - "Bite Me"

10. Ed Sheeran - "Overpass Graffiti"

There are times when I can feel your ghost
Just when I'm almost letting you go
The cards were stacked against us both

I will always love you for what it's worth
We'll never fade like graffiti on the overpass
And I know time may change the way you think of us
But I'll remember the way we were, you were the first full stop
Love that will never leave
Baby, you will never be lost on me

9. Billie Eilish - "Happier Than Ever"

Never told anyone anything bad
'Cause that shit's embarrassing, you were my everything
And all that you did was make me fucking sad
So don't waste the time I don't have
Don't try to make me feel bad
I could talk about every time that you showed up on time
But I'd have an empty line, 'cause you never did
Never paid any mind to my mother or friends, so I
Shut 'em all out for you 'cause I was a kid

You ruined everything good
Always said you were misunderstood
Made all my moments your own

8. Lady A - "Like A Lady"

Leave the heels at home, 'cause they never do me right
Going dancing on my own
Man, these hips don't lie

'Cause I feel like a lady
Sippin' on tequila with my Levi's on
A lady
Singin' to the music playin' all night long
Yeah, I'm feeling right, I'm living my life, I do what I like
'Cause I feel like a lady, a lady
Feel like a lady, a lady, yeah

Might change my hair, and change my mind
Might change your whole damn life
I might break your heart and not think twice, that's right

I'm a lady

7. Elle King and Miranda Lambert - "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)"

Ooh, gonna feel this in the morning
Ooh-ooh, 'cause I'm going hard tonight

So bartender, take my keys
What do you want from me?
Baby, I'm drunk, and I don't wanna go home
Not staying in to fight
I'm staying out all night
Baby, I'm drunk, and I don't wanna go home

We don't gotta wait until the weekend
There's always time for jumping off the deep end
So don't you wait up tonight
Don't worry, I'll be fine
Baby, I'm drunk, and I don't wanna go home, yeah

6. Adele - "Easy On Me"

Go easy on me, baby
I was still a child
Didn't get the chance to
Feel the world around me
Had no time to choose
What I chose to do
So go easy on me

I had good intentions
And the highest hopes
But I know right now
That probably doesn't even show

5. Hanson - "Only Love"

I have weaknesses she sings, as her heart beats to the rhythm of the saints
She's running from the darkness and has dreams of gettin' out of this place
So with a bang and flash of light
She grabs a handful of bills from the drawer of the cash man
And she headed south without a care, without a clue didn't give a damn

Oh, and only love is gonna save us now

4. Lady A - "What A Song Can Do"

Makes you make a call at 4 a.m.
Makеs you say you want him all over again
It's like you knew it all along
Ain't it crazy that a song

Can makе you dance and make you cry
Make you wanna give it one more try
Start a band and kiss that girl
And break some rules
It'll make you give your heart and get it back
Change your mind just like that
When it's like every single line was written just for you
Ain't it crazy what a song can do?

3. David Cook - "Make A Move"

When we were young and dumb and free
And the world was spinning at our feet
And anything was possible
Watch it run, break up the steam
In the back seat, salt and body heat
We had everything in hand
Punch drunk and all part of the plan
The sound the fury and her face
Invincible we had it made
Now watch it fade

Down and out
Trying to get out of this one light town
Chasing pavement to make your parents proud
What’s it gonna be for you?

So just make a move

.

2. Keith Urban - "Wild Hearts"

This goes out to the drifters
And all of the dreamers ready to fly
All those born to be rock stars
Lifting their guitars and painting the sky
Can you hear me, all of you lost ones?
Who aren't really lost ones
Keep shining your light
This goes out to the wild cards
And all of the wild hearts just like min

1. P!nk - "All I Know So Far"

Haven't always been this way
I wasn't born a renegade
I felt alone, still feel afraid
I stumble through it anyway

I wish someone would have told me that this life is ours to choose
No one's handing you the keys or a book with all the rules
The little that I know I'll tell to you
When they dress you up in lies and you're left naked with the truth

You throw your head back, and you spit in the wind
Let the walls crack, 'cause it lets the light in
Let 'em drag you through hell
They can't tell you to change who you are
That's all I know so far

And there you have it my loves.

Let's do this a little more often in 2022, k? Because music's worth it.

Till tomorrow - here's the playlist. Enjoy, happy new year, and goodnight. :)

<3 Janelle

Jon Randall - "Keep on Moving"

2/19/2021

While the gentle nature of this one is sweet to play in the background, a line in this shook me earlier as I was preparing for today – “no body gives a damn where I been or where I’m goin’” tied into “I’m just gonna keep on moving.” I think a big issue we all fall into is worrying about what other people think, and I don’t mean like, a need to impress people, I mean that we’re worried to say or do what we think we should just because we’re overthinking the reactions and thoughts of others to us. In reality, who else is really wasting that much energy on worrying about all of the things we each say and do? Life’s too fleeting – get out of your head and keep going. There’s more life to live and enjoy.

-----

Nobody gives a game where I been
Or where I'm goin'
...
I'm just gonna keep on moving

The Doobie Brothers - "Listen To The Music"

1/23/2021

I have this guitar pick from The Doobie Brothers that my mom gave me once, and I know at the time I had no concept of who the band was, just that it was a pick and therefore very cool.

So when I put on these albums, I rarely go into them realizing what I like about them or the songs that are about to get stuck in my head all day long. Yet they do, and this does. Such a fantastic Saturday album to enjoy in the sun.

What the people need is a way to make 'em smile
It ain't so hard to do if you know how
Gotta get a message, get it on through...
Oh now mama don't you ask me why

Whoa oh whoa...
Listen to the music

Christy P Klotz - "Let's Go!"

1/22/2021

You wanna feel like you can get up and do something for real today? Christy's got you. This has reminiscent 90's and 80's pop vibes, with just a slight echo and steady beat that are a dream set to music. But even after the slow verses you sing along to, you get a chorus that's a shout and pump of energy for a moment.

She described this one as a song to let you realize you don't have the world on your shoulders, and there's time and ability to do anything (I may be paraphrasing in a way that's helpful to myself here).

Let's go
I'm ready for ya'

Destiny's Child - "Independent Women, Pt. 1"

1/21/2021

I'm just saying, it's 20 years later and I'm still wondering where Pt. 2 is!

This was a no-brainer as an anthem for Charlie's Angels in 2001: three strong females providing the kickin' track to support three strong females, in a time when girls all needed some heroes? Easy win, and we're thankful to this day for it.

The shoes on my feet, I've bought it
The clothes I'm wearing, I've bought it
The rock I'm rockin', I've bought it
'Cause I depend on me if I want it

Robyn Harris - "Sippin' Tea"

1/20/2021

Robyn Harris' music never fails to make me feel like such a badass chick, like she is singing my anthems that need to blast through every speaker in my apartment loud enough so the neighbors catch on to the awesome tunes.

This one is just such a good kiss-off song where you get to live the dream. The mix is flawless, her voice is infectious, and the message is perfection and fun to a whole new level. When you're enjoying the tea this much, there's no need to spill it because no one it lands on will be half as awesome as you.

And now I'm
Sippin' tea
Staring at Big Ben
Kissing boys with accents
You look tragic
Compared to this
Five star hotel

Gardiner Sisters - "Disney Love Song Medley"

1/19/2021

Ah Random Tuesdays.

What is a better thing to have for a random pick than a medley of several songs?

And Disney. For the win. :)

Come stop you crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand, hold it thight, now
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here, don't you cry

American Idiot - "Last Of The American Girls"

1/18/2021

To this day I am still amazed at the sheer luck Amanda and I had to see this show. It was a whim, a simple choice of what was affordable and a desire to see something on Broadway that day.

We wound up seeing this show in its last month, 12th row, and completely blown away.

And this song? Hell yes as a personal theme. A solid rocker with a story about a girl. Oh and the video below? That's not just Green Day - it's also the incredible women that starred on BROADWAY. Yup.

She sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define
Nothing comes to mind

She's a rebel
She's a saint
She's salt of the earth
And she's dangerous