Music Monday (34): Brave

Let's talk about music on Mondays!

Feeling gloomy today, yesterday, or the past few weeks? Did someone say something about you that made you feel so small and worthless? Were there recent challenges or failures that lessened your confidence? Lost your fighting spirit? Or did someone turn you down--or worse, forgotten you?

I know it's hard and it cut so hard, but we don't want to give them the satisfaction, don't we? We are better than the heartaches, failures, and rejections. If the world or the people around you can't do anything to make you feel better, then think of yourself. Do you want to be always like that? Do you want the world to continue its life but you're left with the pieces of your heart? Be brave. Do this for yourself, not for others. Use these hardships and failures to become your edge, your stepping stone. You can't renovate something without removing the ugly ones to make it a new improved one. You can't cover a wound without cleaning it. You can't experience, feel, and savor the success if you don't know how to stand up from the way you've fall down.

Today I'm sharing some of the songs that lifted my spirits up (and found from Youtube) when I was feeling all those ugly things. We can escape the world whenever we can, but we need to face the reality. And in this reality, choose to be brave.

• Brave by Sara Bareilles

• Superheroes by The Script

• Undefeated by Daughty

• Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

• Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

• Ones and Zeroes by Stellar Kart

• Warrior by Demi Lovato

• I'll Fight by Daughtry

• Change by Taylor Swift

Remember when Destiny's Child and Christina Aguilera sang about being a survivor and a fighter?

• Survivor by Destiny's Child

• Fighter by Christina Aguilera

Also, let me share you the songs mentioned by some friends over Twitter.

• I Can Lift A Car by Walk the Moon from Dianne

• Skyscraper by Demi Lovato from Kyla

• Safe and Sound by Capital Cities from Jesselle

***

Now, now. I can hear you say "preach", but hey. It's better to make someone feel better than be one of those pushes someone down or the one who does nothing. Right?

Life is hard but it feels great to say I survived in the end.

I hope with this little token, I've made someone feel better even in the tiniest bit. 

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Music Monday (36): Ed Sheeran

It's Monday! Let's talk about music.

Today's Music Monday feature is..Ed Sheeran!

Recently I became a fan of Ed Sheeran's music. Yep, just recently. I don't know what happened to me on the past years. Maybe because I'm that busy? Yeah, maybe because of that, because I've never really heard his songs until recently. I think the only song I've heard from him before was Lego House. Which was amazing too.

Anyways, here are the songs that made me go gaga over him and my stories behind them.

• Give Me Love

First time I heard this was on Taylor Swift's 1989 Philippine album launch, a cover by Myk Perez, The Voice of the Philippines grand finalist. He sang it with a fan and I thought, that was a wonderful song. I made a mental note to search for it once home.

It took a couple of weeks before I remember the listed songs I needed to search (yep I do that) in the case I'd fall in love and add on my playlist. I searched for Give Me Love and I'm smitten. I love it, sang it for weeks now (even my sisters learned the song because of the repetitive times I sing it). This is the kind of song I'm going to cover if only I have a beautiful voice. And I'm dying to.

• All of the Stars

I'm a fan of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and when I heard Ed sang their theme song, I thought they did the right thing. I might not be a fan then, but I know Ed's sound and it fits perfectly to the story. And when I heard it, I really liked it.

• The A Team

During our review season, my classmates were playing their playlists on the speaker during break and The A Team is one of the songs. I added it on my to-search list and now I'm in love. I also tried to learn how to play in guitar--because I love the sound of guitar on his songs it made me want to learn them all--and so far it sounded acceptable. Singing is trickier.

This video is a "boat session". I really liked it, especially when he ducked his head under the bridge and he just continue singing despite it's dark and he's under the bridge still ducked. I'd applaud him on that. 

• You Need Me, I Don't Need You

I liked that he can do sort-of rapping too! 

• Photograph

The first time I heard this, I fell in love with it instantly. There's just something in him and his guitar. Ugh, I love it.

• One

Another "ugh" worthy song. I love this. I also love that his MV was shot on an empty stadium. I don't know, it was empty but says a lot.

• Thinking Out Loud

*fangirling over here*

*fans self*

Major "ughhh". I'm. In. Love. with this freaking amazing song! I also LOVE the MV. My fave of all. I didn't know he could pull of something like that. I love the idea of a couple dancing and with him as the male dancer makes it all--video and song--perfect. Seeing him dressed and dance like that is just so adorable and really romantic. He don't look like a first-timer, either. I love it!

If you would visit the MV on Youtube, you'll see a comment from Ed that says, "I learnt to dance". Which is adorable.

After all these songs, a couple of X tour diaries, and adorkable-ness, I'm officially fan of Ed. I want to meet him! And speaking of..he's going to visit Manila on March 12, 2015! I hope there'd still be tickets available (although I doubt that and it scares me to find out) once I've saved more money. I really hope so! 

***

What's up? Are you a fan of Ed Sheeran as well?

What's your favorite song/s from him?

Let's fangirl together on the comments below!

Music Monday (35): 1989

Music Monday is a meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music..on Mondays!

October 27, 2014 was the day Taylor Swift released her 5th studio album, 1989. 1989 is Taylor's first and official pop album and as a huge fan of hers, I couldn't take it. There's no way she's leaving country--even though we have felt it on her previous album, Red. I went through the five stages of grieving and like all stages of grieving, it always end in acceptance. And I did. So today on our Monday tradition, we'll talk about music--Taylor Swift's 1989!

Mu copy of 1989 deluxe (imported limited edition)!

My copy is a deluxe edition. It includes three bonus tracks and three songwriting voice memos. I listened to the memos several times already and I love it. I love knowing how Tay go through her songwriting, her thoughts, and everything about it. I wish all songs have voice memos. Both standard and deluxe edition includes one (of six) set of 13 Polaroid-like photos (separate from the actual booklet), arranged by Tay herself.

1989 deluxe edition outer cover and back of the CD.

Taylor named her album 1989, her birth year, and apart from her new look, she also have her music like 80's pop. And as Taylor Swift always do on her albums, 1989 songs also have hidden messages from the lyrics printed on the booklet. I didn't have time to decode it but I do know them. I read them accidentally somewhere in the internet. Here's what I thought: from her first track, Welcome to New York to her last track, Clean (bonus tracks doesn't contain hidden messages), it seemed like she told a short story. Like all songs are connected as one. It could have double meaning to some people, but I think it was clever. Polaroid was mentioned on the lyrics of her one track, Out of the Woods, and then everything was like connected. Everything about this album is so clever. I love it. Taylor Swift is so talented and artistic. You'd know she'd make a good one but you'll still end up surprised.

1989

• Welcome to New York

"It a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat forevermore."

Let's say, Welcome to NY didn't appeal to me that much. However, I love the part I included above.

• Blank Space

"Oh my god, look at that face / you look like my next mistake" 

"Coz darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream"

Blank Space was Tay's second single off 1989. This one was one of my favorites. 

Also, I love the music video. It scared me at first but I think Tay did justice on looking like a crazy woman craving for a new love/man. Tay's like, 'so this is how some people think about me. Let's write a song about it.' And bam! She turned it into another hit. As always. ;)

• Style

"You got that long hair slicked back, white t-shirt / and I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt / and when we go crashing down, we come back everytime / coz we never go out of style"

Another favorite of mine! I don't care who's this song for anymore. I only care about the flawless lyrics that comes along a flawless melody. Of all tracks, I think this one's more 80's sound.

(I'm sorry. I couldn't find a full and HQ video, plus VS Fashion Show is her first live performance of Style.)

• Out of the Woods

"The rest of the world is black and white but we were in screaming color"

I hated Out of the Woods when I first heard it. I couldn't stand it. So whenever I play the album, I skip it. Then one day I found myself singing some lyrics (I was surprised I even know it) and then I listened to it again and found myself repeating and liking it. I was completely surprised. But then again, it's Taylor Swift. 

• All You Had to Do Was Stay

"People like you always want back the love they gave away / People like me want to believe you when you say you've changed"

Ugh, another favorite of mine. This was also memorable because Tay said on an interview that she kept hearing this weird high-pitched voice saying the word "stay" on a dream. That was an Aha! moment for me because I do wonder and a bit weirded out on the high-pitched "stay" on the song. Anyways, you'll get what I mean when you listen to the song. Unfortunately, due to copyrights I can't share you an original studio version so I decided to share a cover by a fan instead.

• Shake It Off

"It's like I got this music in my mind saying it's gonna be alright"

I love this song! It's another song that I hated at first but grown to love and now can't help but dance with it. I tried to not listen to it on public but I can't so yeah, I always try my best to not dance that much.

• I Wish You Would

"We're a crooked love in a straight line down / makes you want to run and hide / then it makes you turn right back around"

"2 am" is back! I love this song and the awesome guitar intro.

So this is kinda weird. I found this "male version" on Youtube. But it's totally Taylor, they just changed the pitch. XD 

• Bad Blood

"Still got scars on my back from your knife"

Another hate-turned-love song. I think it's catchy and so..meaningful. It's like I wanna shout and point someone or at something while I sing along with this song. I love it. It's a great way to release your anger, for a change.

I'm sharing a drum cover this time. This is so cool. You can pretty much hear Bad Blood on the background too.

• Wildest Dreams

"Say you'll see me again even if it's just in your wildest dreams"

This song is so smooth, I like the whisper-y way Tay sang this song and the "aah-ah" part like she was sighing. Love it.

I think this group did a great job in their cover performance.

• How You Get the Girl

"Remind her how it used to be / Pictures in frames, of kisses on cheeks"

The first time I heard this song was on Tay's new Diet Coke commercial. I fell in love instantly even though it's just a snippet. I couldn't be happier when I finally heard the full song. I totally loved the guitar on the background. That's the closest thing to her old sound.

• This Love

"This love is good / This love is bad / This love is alive back from the dead"

I didn't disliked This Love or loved it. It was okay for me. But it's slowly growing on me.

• I Know Places

"They got the cages, they got the boxes / and guns / They are the hunters, we are the foxes / and we run"

I like the darkness of this song and the lyrics as well. It's another Taylor masterpiece.

Here's another "male version".

• Clean

"The drought was the very worst / When the flowers that we'd grown together died of thirst" 

"Rain came pouring downwhen I was drowning that's when I can finally breathe"

I think this song has the best lyrics of all. I like the cleverness and moving lyrics. I love the entire song.

Here's a real male version!

Deluxe edition bonus tracks

• Wonderland

"We found Wonderland / you and I got lost in it"

I didn't think pop could pull off a song about the dark world Wonderland (or the likes). But then again, it's Taylor.

Check out this band cover!

• You Are In Love

"You can hear it in the silence / You can feel it on the way home / You could see it with the lights out / You are in love"

This song is one of my least favorite. But I do like the chorus part.

This is a high-pitched version.

• New Romantics

"The best people in life are free"

Another least favorite but I could grow in it. The lyrics above is my fave part.

***

Swifties! It's your turn to mention your favorite songs!
What are your thoughts on the album?
Don't forget to share it on the comments below! :)

Stay tuned for my feature of 1989 Philippine album launch!

Long live,

Music Monday (34): Story of My Life

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music..on Mondays!

Happy birthday to me! Well...yesterday (28th). Since it's my birthday, today's Music Monday topic/playlist will be personal. The songs below tells the story of my life.

(Okay so, if you're not that interested on the story of my life, then just think that I'm sharing just another random playlist for you. :P)

• This is Me by Demi Lovato

The lyrics are definitely me. Most especially the verses.

• A Place in this World by Taylor Swift

"Maybe I'm just a girl on a mission, but I'm ready to fly."

Yep, that's why I love Tay-Tay. She knows me.

• The Outside by Taylor Swift

Always been the girl from the outside, looking in.

• Last Hope by Paramore

I recently heard this song, and since Hayley Williams sang the first word until the end, I was like, Wow. This is ME. My song. My life. Every single lyric.

• Strength of My Life by Planetshakers

This is a Christian song but it pretty much describe me now.

***

Share me your life story in songs!

Happy Monday!

Music Monday (33): Maybe Someday soundtrack

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music..on Mondays!

Have you read a music-themed novel with song lyrics written by the author? Have you read a music-themed novel with song lyrics written by the author, performed by an artist, and literally heard it? I did.

Last week I have finished reading Colleen Hoover's 'musical novel', Maybe Someday (review here), and today, I'm featuring some of the songs written and released just for the book. Check out the beautiful songs all performed by Griffin Peterson below!

(Source)

Note: In order to listen to the complete soundtrack and read the lyrics, purchase your copy of Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. Maybe Someday is available in Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Book Depository. You can also purchase your separate Maybe Someday soundtrack on Amazon.

(Source)

• Living A Lie

• Something

• A Little Bit More

• Maybe Someday

*Four more songs called I'm in Trouble, It's You, Hold On to You, and Let It Begin include the soundtrack.

What do you think? I think it was beautiful and full of emotion, just like the book.

Have you read Maybe Someday? What are your thoughts? Share them below!

Happy musical Monday! ;)

Music Monday (32): Chris Tomlin

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music..on Mondays!

I've been fallen in love and continuously listening to Christian songs nowadays and one of my favorite artists is Chris Tomlin and that's why I have to feature his songs!

I first heard him on G12 Conference Philippines last October 2013 and I'm so lucky (I realized that just now) that I saw, dance with [his songs], and heard him live! I remember loving that day (I still do) and how happy and blessed I am.

My thoughts when I first heard Chris Tomlin: He sounds like Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers! Well, not exactly alike, but his voice reminds me of Joe. I also thought that Chris' voice was soothing and amazing. I'm crushing on his voice. Hihi 

Pump up your week with Chris Tomlin's songs--not to mention how lovely the lyrics are!

• Our God

Love this. Been listening to this everyday.

• God's Great Dance Floor

This is one of the first songs I heard from him--and it's live! And yes, I danced too.

• Waterfall

Check out his latest single!

• How Great is Our God

• Sing Sing Sing

Another new favorite!

• How Can I Keep From Singing

***

Have you heard Chris Tomlin's songs? What do you think about him/his songs?

Who's your current/new favorite artist? Share them below!

Happy Monday! 

Music Monday (31): Random picks

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music on Mondays!

It's been weeks since I last posted a Music Monday meme. Since I'm very busy when Friday comes up until weekends so I don't have time to write for Monday post especially if I want something special or have a certain theme. Anyways, here are my random music picks..because, why not? :P

• Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

Because the lyrics is my Facebook's current cover photo and because it's the latest song added on my playlist.

• You Sound So Good to Me by Lucy Hale

Because it's the first thing I saw when browsing Youtube and because it's my current favorite from her.

• Blonde (acoustic) by Bridgit Mendler

Because I'm not a blonde.

• When I'm Gone/Cup Song by Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect)

Because I can't do the cup thingy.

• Roar by Lorde

Because she's Taylor Swift's new BFF. And I envy her.

• Counting Stars by OneRepublic

Because I cannot help but dance with this song.

• All of our Stars by Ed Sheeran

Because I haven't watched the movie and I'm swimming in my ocean of tears because I STILL HAVEN'T WATCHED THE MOVIE.

***

What songs are your random picks for today/rest of the week? :)

Music Monday (30): Summer!

Music Monday is a weekly meme where I talk about music..on Mondays!

It's summer! Do you have your summer playlist yet? Here are some songs with the word "summer" on the title. Talk about randomness! ;)

• Summer Rain by Jonas Brothers

This one seems fitting on our country right now since it's starting to rain and yet the summer heat is still there.

• Summer Love by We the Kings

• Summer Paradise by Simple Plan ft. Sean Paul

• Summer by Calvin Harris

• Summer Love by One Direction

• Summer by Olaf

Of course, Olaf. <3 font="">

***

What songs made your summer playlist? Share them below!

Happy summer! B-)

Music Monday (29): Lucy Hale Sings!

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music..on Mondays!

Lucy Hale sings!

That's what I thought when I heard her sing in the movie A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song. I wasn't a fan of hers so I don't know anything from her. I only knew her from Pretty Little Liars (but I don't watch; I'm just aware of the show). So when she started singing in A Cinderella Story, I was shocked. I thought she was just an actress. I didn't think she sings!  I even considered she might be lip-syncing. LOL But she also sang more songs in the movie and well, she had a really good voice. And I liked it. I liked her voice and I thought she really should sing more and have an album.

So when I heard (which was recently. I know, I've been living under the rock the past months because of college) that she released a single called You Sound Good To Me off her upcoming album, Road Between, I was really excited!

Official album art. Source.

While listening to her new singles, I thought, "thank God she went country". Not only because I love country music (okay, maybe because majority of it was that I love country), but also because it suited her voice so much. I thought she'd continue pop since that's the genre she recorded on the movie and it sounds okay for her. I think country suits her better. And after hearing her songs, I knew Lucy Hale is my newest music icon. I'd listen to every song she'll record.

Here are some songs she recorded on the movie:

• Extra Ordinary from the movie A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song

I love this song so much. It's my fave from the movie. The lyrics are so me.

• Run This Town

Also love this song. Love the beat and the good vibes I'm getting from it.

• Make You Believe

Love this scene from the movie.

As I was browsing Youtube for more songs from her, I found these two:

• Have You Ever

First sentimental song I've heard from her. According to the comments I read from Youtube (her die-hard fans, I suppose), she recorded this when she was 13 and that this is a cover. That explains the different sound of her voice.

• Nervous Girl (acoustic)

I think this one's from her album too, and wow.

And now, songs off her upcoming album, Road Between!

• You Sound So Good To Me

I love, love, love this song. I didn't even knew it was her at first. I loved it even before I knew she's behind this lovely song.

• Goodbye Gone

This one's country but on the chorus, with the repetition of "get your goodbye gone", I can hear it as pop. 

***

What did you think of Lucy's voice? Did you loved it? Did you think her voice suited country?

Share your thoughts!