Blog Archives - Ears Like a Hawke

Miranda Lambert - "Automatic"

2/28/2014

I'm kind of digging this whole country Friday thing, and hope you are too! People make fun of the twang, or even the pop country (it's always one or the other - no one's crazy like me and enjoys both), but there are some really excellent artists and songwriters out there. Miranda's always been one of my favorites, which I've made absolutely no secret about. I was stoked to see a new single was coming out!

I was a little worried as this started, since it was slower, but I have faith in Miranda. She'll give us something great, such as a driving song for the ages; that's how memory-driven songs work. This is a great one for today's day-and-age, as we're all nostalgic for how things used to be. You know you're having those conversations as often as I am. The good ol' days COULD be just that good.

Hey whatever happened to, waitin' your turn
Doing it all by hand, cause when everything is handed to you
It's all only worth as much as the time you put in
In all just seems so good the way we had it
Back before everything became, automatic

If you had something to say
You'd write it on a piece of paper
Then you put a stamp on it
And they'd get it three days later
Boys would call the girls
And girls would turn them now
Staying married was on the way to work your problems out

Elton John - "Candle In The Wind"

2/27/2014

Double throwback! 1974 original release, with a 1997 re-release for Princess Di ("Goodbye English Rose") (R.I.P.). Elton John is one of those legends that I honestly find myself forgetting about from time to time, so it's a pleasant reminder when he pops up.

Really, this is one of the saddest songs ever. A life cut short and never fully embracing anyone else or anything. Always being sad and alone. Fun fact though: Bernie Taupin was inspired by hearing someone use "candle in the wind" in a tribute to Janis Joplin.

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

Buck 22 & Billy Ray Cyrus - "Achy Breaky 2"

2/26/2014

This is one of those absurd moments where you realize you have to share something with the world. There's a sequel to Billy Ray's original 1992 hit, and... well, this is it. Apparently Miley inspired him to go left when the world goes right (thanks Rolling Stone). If you've seen Billy lately, he looks a little grungier, and apparently the experiment in new ways doesn't stop there. Billy's trying all kinds of new sounds and working with new collaborators.

Buck 22 is Dione Warwick's son. Am I reading this right? Momma taught him right though, and he respectfully asked if he could record the classic. In 24 hours, they had the, er... brilliance? That you can buy off iTunes now.

Oh, and Billy goes by BRC. Silly me.

It happened cause I happened to meet up with Billy Cyrus
It happened cause I rang the alarm, and broke the silence
It happened cause I'm sippin' on that good Kentucky whiskey
It happened cause I'd rather be lucky, than good

Don't tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
I just don't think he'd understand
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man

Heather Cole - "I Knew Better"

2/25/2014

DOWNLOAD IT HERE!

Okay, yes, I know Heather Cole. She's one of my favorite people in this world. She's sister to one of my best friends, Rachele Lynae, who is a country rock singer. All that said, I never expected this song, and am totally blown away. How is this not pumping at all of the clubs yet?? We need to get the word out there people, because this girl's got every pop singer out there beat by a mile. Check it out for free on NoiseTrade, download it, and LEAVE A TIP!!! Show Heather some love so we keep getting great music from her!

I could see it in your eyes
You were dangerous

I knew better.

"This Is Not Over Yet"/"The Old Red Hills of Home" from "Parade"

2/24/2014

"This Is Not Over Yet"

"The Old Red Hills of Home"

I judge for a high school drama competition league on several weekends over the winter months, and this past Saturday were the State Championships. One of the pairs in Musical Duet performed a song from this show, and I was surprised simply because I'd never heard of the musical before! Then, Jonathan brought it up as a suggestion for Musical Monday! So obviously, fate's telling me something. Maybe listen to more. But at least include it here.

Also, way to go Gami 4N6!! Second in the state!! Wooo!!

Tell my uncle not to worry!
Tell the Reaper not to hurry!
Make the hangman stop his drumming
'Cause I'm coming into town to win the day!
Somehow I haven't, with my scheming,
Screwed things up beyond redeeming,
And we're finally on our way!
And no, this isn't over!
Hell, it's just begun!
Hail the Resurrection of
The South's lest fav'rite son!

Rachele Lynae - "Touch The Stars"

2/21/2014

Another Friday and another Country Favorite. A Nashville Favorite. A person favorite. I've featured Rachele Lynae before on this blog, and I'll keep pushing her because she's one of my favorite artists ever. The girl's got a great voice and a sweet soul and should be heard as often as possible.

This song could easily be a song for the cold nights around the bonfire, or a summer anthem as you hit the trucks and head out to the party on the farm or at the beach. It also brings out this really interesting new sound from Rachele, definitely bordering on more pop than country, but keeping that great southern guitar and beat going in the background. Don't deny it, you want to dance around the room to this one right now!

You can steal a kiss
Take my heart and run with it
It's love I want to fall in to

Next - "Too Close"

2/20/2014

When I went to look up top songs of 1998, this was not at all what I was expecting. It even took me a minute to remember what the heck this thing sounded like. But I guess that helps reinforce the 'throwback' title. I wanted to go with the #1 of the year, but it sure was hard to not just go with number 2 - "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica. Now THERE'S a good throwback.

Also, lyrically, umm.. how were we allowed to listen to this at 10 years old? The lyrics I pulled are literally the tamest in the whole thing.

I like the way you move
You're makin' me want you
Oh the way you move
I like those things you do
But you're a little too close

Jeri Southern - "When I Fall In Love"

2/19/2014

I had the honor of sitting in on a session about Female Jazz Singers of the 1950's this morning. Technically, I was being paid to be there, since it was through my company. I was paid to sit and learn more about music and that's just... wow. Sometimes I do, indeed, like my life.

What I learned today about Jeri Southern? Well, that she existed, for one. I had never heard of her before today. She's from Nebraska, and a classically trained pianist. She's playing piano herself on the recording, which wasn't widely done at the time (having a singer play their instrument too for recordings), and was actually the first to record this incredible classic.

When I give my heart
It will be completely
Or I'll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that
You feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you

Morrissey - "I Like You"

2/16/2014

Pulling this one from a pretty sweet Valentine's Day playlist a co-worker made. I was pleasantly surprised with her choices, and had a blast listening through it a few times while at work this week!

No one I ever knew
or have spoken to resembles you
This is good or bad
all depending on my general mood
Why do you think I let you get away
with all the things you say to me?

Could it be I like you?
It's so shameful of me - I like you

Macklemore w/ Ryan Lewis, feat. Mary Lambert - "Same Love"

2/14/2014

As I said during the Grammys, I got this as a free download from my Starbucks app a few months back. Sometimes songs I download come on random on the subway or while I'm reading and I just let them go, and sometimes I catch something really amazing. This was the case here.

I was reading a book, and heard this odd little couple of notes intro, and let the rap start. By the chorus, my book was down, and I was listening in. By the time I was a stop away in a subway seat, not remembering ever having sit down at all, I was tearing up.

And at the Grammys? Well, the performance was amazing enough (disregarding Madonna) that I got that incredible love feeling taking over my heart all over again. See the second video here - the first is a lyrics video because you should hear these words.

Bottom line, remember love is love it love.

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!

The right wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don't know

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to