You know how some songs have this inexplicable ability to make you have all these feelings?

This is that song.

I’m feeling nostalgic this evening so here’s a playlist featuring some of the sappiest 80s easy listening tunes for you to either mock, or sing along to.

Laugh all you want… I am a child of the 80s after all. :p

Little Jeannie, by Elton John
It Might Be You, by Stephen Bishop
Stuck On You, by Lionel Richie
Holding Back The Years, by Simply Red
Foolish Heart, by Steve Perry
Through The Barricades, by Spandau Ballet
Fragile, by Sting
Sailing, by Christopher Cross
She’s Like The Wind, by Patrick Swayze
In Too Deep, by Genesis
Drive, by The Cars
Don’t Give Up, by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

(My other Friday Night playlists can be found here, here and here.)

The text simply read:

You wanna go James Morrison’s gig tonight? Please call me back.

I stared at it for a good five seconds, wondering how on earth could I have possibly not known there was a James Morrison gig happening. Without hesitation, I called my cousin back immediately to say YES! YES! YES! How do you say ‘No’ to a James Morrison gig, right?

Apparently, she had scored a pair of tickets from her lecturer who was working this private acoustic session for only 200 people, filmed exclusively for MTV. Shrieks filled my head.

It was without a doubt one of the most spontaneous things I’ve ever done. I only had 30 minutes to get ready, get the cab to swing by her place, before heading off to the Resorts World Sentosa Waterfront Studios.

The crowd was quite noticeably older. And by older, I mean my age. I was glad, actually, to see there were no screaming fangirls in sight. I’d hate for this intimate sesh to be interrupted by countless declarations of “I love you, James”. I just wanted to enjoy the man’s music.

It was a solid near one-hour set with songs from all his albums. Naturally, most of the songs he performed were from his new album, but I was really happy to hear Broken Strings live. It was every bit as good as I’d always imagined it to be. To many, the mark of a true artist is when he sounds exactly like he does (or better than) on his album and folks? James Morrison sounds A-MAH-ZING live. He was also quite a bit of a charmer (a Brit accent always helps) with his little anecdotes, and did a hilarious impression of Michael Jackson while introducing his song Slave to the Music. I wish there was an encore number or two, but I guess that doesn’t happen with these taped gigs? I would’ve loved to hear his cover of Man in the Mirror, because it’s really that good.

The session airs on April 28, on MTV Asia, so be sure to check it out. :)

Thanks again, Bitty, for thinking of me! *kiss*

. . . . .

Song of the Day, since I’m naturally in a James Morrison mood.

Last evening, after That’s The Way Love Goes suddenly popped into my head, I put this song on repeat:

I used to be obsessed with this song. I mean, have you heard it? It’s infectiously positive and happy with a crazy-catchy tune. I’d listen to it more than ten times a day. I’d sing it in the shower. I’d sing it in my head on my way to school. I had even recorded the music video on my VHS (I know!) and would rewind it over and over just so I can attempt to dance like Janet. It goes without saying that she was one of my favourite singers growing up, and I never got the choreography.

So, because we all love to indulge in music from our youth, allow me to share with you my other favourite Janet songs, in chronological order.

When I Think Of You
Escapade
Again
If
Whoops Now
Runaway
I Get Lonely
Go Deep
Everytime
All For You

Seriously. Why don’t they make music like that anymore?

I wrote a whole post about The Civil Wars back in September because I was that enamoured by the duo’s vocals. I urge you to go have a listen if you don’t already know who these two are. Their blend is FLAWLESS.

I’m so excited they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve after their very brief but memorable performance at the recent Grammys, and this collaboration with a certain Swift. Here, this good-looking pair does a killer cover – and I dare say this might be the best cover – of Billie Jean. It’s so hauntingly beautiful I could cry. NO KIDDING.

After that, listen to this very sombre version of You Are My Sunshine, which totally makes sense now.

Needless to say, I need to see them “live” one day.

You can download their FREE album here.

You see this band right here? At the recent 54th Grammy Awards, the very amazing Dave Grohl gave one of the best and most honest acceptance speeches I’ve ever heard, one that is especially relevant in this era of music.

“To me, this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of making music is what’s most important. Singing into a microphone, and learning to play an instrument, and learning to do your craft… that’s the most important thing for people to do. It’s not about being perfect, it’s not about sounding absolutely correct, it’s not about what goes on in a computer. It’s about what goes on in here (heart) and what goes on in here (head).”

There was more to his speech but the producers cut him off because he had run long. And for that, they totally deserve a DEATH STARE.

In his speech, I learned that the record was made in Grohl’s garage with – and I quote – some microphones and a tape machine. Of course, they had a great producer, Butch Vig, who we all know is a legend. Still, this is testament to the fact that good music doesn’t need to be manufactured. They’re just born out of the creative minds of musical geniuses.

Now, THIS is what real music is about.

. . . . .

Song of the Day

We Are Young (Acoustic), by Fun. featuring Janelle Monae

It’s always sad to hear of the passing of someone who hasn’t quite reached that age, let alone a person you grew up listening to. Today, we mourn the loss of a spectacular singer whom I shall remember fondly as a true pop icon, and one of the greatest voices this generation has ever known.

Thank you, Whitney, for your music and for inspiring so many of us.

. . . . .

My Whitney Playlist:
- Greatest Love Of All
- Saving All My Love For You
- How Will I Know
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody
- Didn’t We Almost Have It All
- I Have Nothing
- Run To You
- I Will Always Love You
- Exhale
- I Believe In You And Me
- My Love Is Your Love
- It’s Not Right But It’s Okay
- Heartbreak Hotel
- I Learned From The Best
- I Look To You

… if I love the original,

or the cover more.

Both feel so different, but are so, so beautiful.

(In case you haven’t already noticed, music really does speak volumes to me.)

One thing for sure, Pentatonix is probably going to be one of the most successful A Cappella groups ever.

I admit, I get a real kick out of creating playlists. In fact, I’ve been doing this since mix tapes were still actual (cassette) tapes. Of course, back then, they were incredibly difficult to create. There’d always be a blank tape in the player, all ready for me to hit the “record” button as soon as the radio plays the song. Then the dubbing process comes next and that would take forever because I’d have to rewrite the cassette several times over until all the songs flow seamlessly. You can imagine how glad I was when digital music and CD-Rs came along.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about building this musical journey from scratch, imagining it to be the perfect soundtrack for a movie that I’ve dreamed up in my head. Often, I don’t quite pay attention to the lyrics of the song and just try to fit them all together based on the music. To me, it’s all about evoking emotions and creating the right mood.

Hope you’ll enjoy this. :)

Inside These Lines, by Trent Dabbs
Windows Are Rolled Down, by Amos Lee
How Come You Never Go There, by Feist
Feeding Line, by Boy & Bear
Be Yourself, by Graham Nash
Maybe, by Ingrid Michaelson
Bloom, by The Paper Kites
Love Love Love, by Avalanche City
Travelling, by Paper Lions
You Already Know, by Bombay Bicycle Club

(My other Friday Night playlists can be found here and here.)

Spotted over at Design*Sponge (arguably one of the best Design sites on the web – or at least one of my favourites), these lyric records by Quiet Boy Studio is the perfect blend of two of my biggest passions – music and typography. Seriously, how ridiculously gorgeous are these?!

Hand painted on an LP, they’re US$75.00 each and you can get a custom one for the same price. I’d really, really love to get one (or two, or three!) but can’t for the life of me decide on what lyrics I want! :(

Any ideas?

. . . . .

Song of the Day

First of July, by Foy Vance