Saturday, November 30, 2013

ARTPOP Track Reviews: Fashion!


firstclassfashionista

Track #11 on ARTPOP is a bass-driven, mid-tempo, electronica experience...I dunno, I'm thinking David Bowie!  I called it 70's when I first heard it and gave it only three stars, but I'd up it a bit after a few listens...both in sound and rating/ Check it out for yourself...


Lady Gaga - Fashion! (Album Version) [HQ] by EurovisionMemoriesGreece

And be sure to check out my track reviews on the first ten songs on ARTPOP:


ARTPOP Track Reviews: G.U.Y.







My Birthday Song of the Day - I Was Here - Beyoncé



I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, meant something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget


Today is my birthday and I so wanted to put up Katy Perry's Birthday as my Song of the Day, but alas, it wasn't available.  Then I thought about Madonna's Birthday Song and Rihanna's Birthday Cake, but I just wasn't feeling it.  Then I looked through my All Time Favorite Songs playlist in my iTunes and I found this, the perfect song for me.

I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here


Beyoncé's I Was Here speaks for me so perfectly and so eloquently, and it turns out to be a much better choice for me than those other songs at this point and time.  Like with any other birthday, I am feeling a bit melancholy, a bit reflective, and proud, as well.  Though of course I have regrets in life, I am generally proud of how I've lived it, just like in the song:

I want to say I lived each day, until I died
And know that I meant something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see


I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone some happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here



So to all of my friends who've already left me well wishes for my day, and the ones who have yet to, I say thank you.  Hopefully I have made a difference in your life, because you've all made a difference in mine!


I Was Here BMF by BlakMusicFirst


Friday, November 29, 2013

ARTPOP Track reviews: Donatella

I am so fab
Check out,
I'm blonde,
I'm skinny,
I'm rich,
and I'm a little bit of a bitch



nydailynews

Track #10 on ARTPOP is my absolute favorite track on the record.  Right from the thumping, spoken intro above and all the way through, this one's dancey, fun and oh so Gaga.  Love it!  Five stars all the way! Check it out below:



Lady Gaga - Donatella (Album Version) [HQ] by EurovisionMemoriesGreece

Check out my other ARTPOP track reviews here:


ARTPOP Track Reviews: G.U.Y.






ARTPOP Track Reviews: Swine

I know, I know, I know, I know you want me
You're just a pig inside a human body
Squealer, squealer, squealer, you're so disgusting
You're just a pig inside...
Do you? I know, I know, I know you want me
You're just a pig inside a human body
Squealer, squealer, squealer, you're so disgusting
You're just a pig inside...



littlemonsters

Upon first listen, I said that this song was just an ordinary, electronic-infused track and gave it only three stars.  The song has grown on me since and maybe, just maybe I'd give it another star, or at least a half of one.  Check it out for yourself...


Lady Gaga - Swine (Album Version) [HQ] by EurovisionMemoriesGreece

Check out my other ARTPOP track reviews here:


ARTPOP Track Reviews: G.U.Y.





Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Dragonsta Din Tei - O-Zone


Before there was Gangnam Style, there was Dragonsta Din Tei, albeit on a much smaller scale. Performed by a Moldovan boy band known as O-Zone and sung in Romanian, this catchy tune climbed all the way to #14 on the US Dance Charts and it peaked at #72 on the Hot 100 in 2004.  Also known as the Numa Numa Song, this one's catchy and fun, even though I have no idea what the heck they're saying!  I featured the song in my Yahoo piece, Hit Songs in Foreign Languages.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Charles Schulz' Philosophy

I was going through some old emails this evening and I came across one by my friend Laura Kim from almost two years ago.  The subject of the post read: Charles Schulz Philosophy. I remember it being something worth saving, so I reopened it and reread it, trying to remember why I never deleted it.  Well, it was worth saving, so much so that I share it here...

...the email says to scroll through carefully, so yeah, you should do that!

Charles Schulz' Philosophy

  
michaelbarrier

The  following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the  creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.


You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them and read the e-mail straight through to the end. 



1. Name  the five wealthiest people in the  world.

2. Name  the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name  the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4  Name  ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name  the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name  the last decade's worth of World Series winners.



showcaserealtyblog

How did you do?  

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. 

These are no second-rate achievers. 

They are the best in their fields. 

But the applause dies.. 

Awards tarnish.. 

Achievements are forgotten. 

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.



Hmmmm????




Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4.. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


Easier, no?

The lesson: 

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the 
most credentials, the most money...or the most awards. 


They're simply are the ones who care the most!









'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in  Australia!'


A Thanksgiving Song of the Day - Kind and Generous - Natalie Merchant


I couldn't not post a song for Thanksgiving, so here we have a second song for this very special day.  Natalie Merchant's Kind and Generous is the perfect song for Thanksgiving.  I post this song every year on this date because it embodies the spirit of the holiday without quite being a holiday song.  So here's a reminder to be thankful for all you've got, because no matter what your problems may be, there's always someone else out there who has less than you! Happy Thanksgiving!



Kind and Generous

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving

For your kindness I'm in debt to you

For your selflessness, my admiration
And for everything you've done 

You know I'm bound... 
I'm bound to thank you for it 

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
So for everything you've done 

You know I'm bound... 
I'm bound to thank you for it 

I want to thank you
For so many gifts
You gave with love and tenderness
I want to thank you 

I want to thank you
For your generosity
The love and the honesty
That you gave me 

I want to thank you
Show my gratitude
My love and my respect for you
I want to thank you 

I want to... 

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

Yet Another Birthday Song of the Day - Rain - Madonna

Today is Thanksgiving Day and also the birthday of yet another good friend of mine, Sean.  Sean was one of the first people I met at my bowling league a little over a year ago and during that time he and I have become good friends, so much so that he's included me in on his own circle of close friends, all of whom are great people.

J.C., Bobby, Sean and I

Sean is a huge Madge fan, having seen her about five times, I think, on her MDNA Tour last year, and I believe that this is one of his favorite songs....

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving Thanks: Music

One of the greatest gifts any of us have in life is the gift of music.  Music  does so many things for us each and every day...it makes us happy, giddy and smile...it comforts us when we're sad....it conjures up memories, good and bad, just like a picture.


Like many people, I can say in all honesty that music is my life!  Any of you who've followed me through the years already know that.  So this Thanksgiving Eve, I give thanks for the music, all kinds of music, for without it life would be pretty dull.  Here are some of my all time favorite songs...

Glitter in the Air - P!nk

One of the most beautiful performances of one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded!  This one brings back memories of Sundays whenever I hear it...



Dog Days Are Over - Florence + the Machine

Oh, this one is such fun!  I love any song with a good crescendo, and this one's got several goosebump-inducing ones.  This reminds me of that Brazilian guy I met at Splash one night a couple of years ago.  We rocked out to this song in the car on the ride to The Ritz.  So much fun!  Love the video, too!




Let Me Think About It - Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand

My all time favorite dance track gets me and just about anyone else going every single time!



Calma e Sangre Freddo - Luca Dirisio

Most of you probably don't know this one...it's a song by Italian singer Luca Dirisio, who I used to be in love with.  I first came across it when I was in Italy about ten years ago when it was on heavy rotation on MTV Europe.  So beautiful!  And the song is good, too!



Romeo - Basement Jaxx

Since I'm on the topic of foreign songs, this one came up in my head.  Basement Jaxx used to be a popular production act, with several hit songs on the dance charts.  This one's so infectuous and dancey, and the Bollywood-themed video is da bomb!


Kind and Generous - Natalie Merchant

Ah, one of my favorite ballads of all time is perfect for Thanksgiving time or any other time of the year!


So yeah, I am very thankful for music this and every year.  It's the soundtrack to all of our lives, yet different for each of us.  I could have put so many other songs on here, but I think it's a nice, albeit tiny, cross-section of the Soundtrack of My Life.  Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

ARTPOP Track Reviews: ARTPOP


gaganthony

The title cut to the ARTPOP album has grown on me in leaps and bounds ever since I first downloaded the album two weeks ago.  In my first impressions post, I said that the song was Electronic...industrial....with steady, hypnotic beats...totally Gaga! Back then I gave it four stars, but now it gets a whopping five!  It's that good!  Check out a live performance of ARTPOP right here, and check out my other reviews of the tracks below:


ARTPOP Track Reviews: G.U.Y.