"born to amuse, to inspire, to delight."

R.I.P Michael Jackson

:(

I was shocked today when I read that Michael Jackson had died. When I checked my email before getting ready to go out, I'd seen on msn.com that he'd been rushed to hospital (that's all the headline said at that point) and I didn't even click on it because I figured it was just exhaustion or something, getting ready for his tour. But then as I was leaving I read on twitter, then facebook, all of the updates from people. It's so out of the blue.. he was so young, and leaves behind his children and other family.

I've always been a bit behind the ball when it came to pop music. My parents never really listened to anything other than classical music. Even nowadays I don't listen to radio so often when I discover something people will tell me it is in the top 10 and overplayed on radio stations. So I really fell in love with Michael Jackson's music with this song:

"Childhood" from the HIStory album. My brother and I went to see Free Willy 2 and I made him sit through the credits because I loved the song. I didn't even know who it was by! I then begged for the cds for Christmas that year (1995). I ended up getting the cassette tapes (we barely had any cds at that point) and I listened to those soooo much. I still remember several conversations I had about MJ with several select new friends who were also huge fans, when I started high school the following year. Sure, I had heard Michael's music before then. We often did our primary school aerobics to "Black Or White":



But i hadn't grown up listening to his music, and he never made such an impact on me before as he made with that 2 disc album. For everyone though, his music was and is so well known and popular. It's been used in movies, those that first sprang to mind were Center Stage ("The Way You Make Me Feel"):

and 13 Going On 30 ("Thriller"):



Within the last few years I fell back in love with the dancier side of Michael's music. I, like the boys I took care of, loved the new release of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" ft. Akon:

But it is honestly his (probably less popular style) ballads that are my very favorites. I loved "Little Susie" for a long time. Also, "Earth Song":

And, OF COURSE, "Heal The World":

Rest In Peace MJ. You and your amazing gifts will be missed.

xoxo
Mandy

T Swizzle, T Pizzle

I just started watching the CMT Awards from last night. I had to share this video - it's hilarious!

I should probably give the background information for those who didn't see it. The opening sequence to the award show has Taylor Swift talking about how so many of her dreams have come true, and therefore how everything that she dreams about MUST come true. It cuts to several dream sequences in true award show skit fashion. She places herself in the new Star Trek movie, and in this rap video:

Taylor Swift ft. T Pain - "Thug Story"



xoxo
Mandy

New Regina Spektor!!

Regina Spektor's new album comes out next Tuesday. I highly recommend it! I discovered her shortly after her last album was released and have been waiting so long for the new one. Wonderful lyrics, unique and beautiful vocals.. her music is amazing. There are three music videos currently out from the new album, "Far":

"Laughing With"



"Eet"



and "Dance Anthem of the 80s"



Hope you enjoy.. and get the album!

xoxo
Mandy

"Countrify then hip-hop it!"

The Hannah Montana movie is finally out!! I saw it for the first time (yes, you read that right.. I will be seeing it again) on Monday and it was awesome. Really really cute.
So, in honor of Miss Miley and the gang, here is some of the music from the movie.

Hannah Montana - "Let's Get Crazy":


Billy Ray Cyrus - "Back To Tennessee":


Taylor Swift - "Crazier":


And, of course, Miley Cyrus - "Hoedown Throwdown":


Now, everyone go out and see the movie. ;p

xoxo
Mandy

It's that time of week again..

I needed to break myself out of my Joshua Radin repeat in my car, so I switched out my cds. This band was a great surprise, I guess you could call them alt-pop from the 90s? So fun! this song is the newest ringtone I made... The Murmurs with "La Di Da":



I discovered The Murmurs because they were posted in the same entry as Uh Huh Her, common member being actress Leisha Hailey. I think I prefer the older group, even though Uh Huh Her is currently popular. But they've still got a good sound, they've been compared to Metric, who have a new album which will be officially released mid-April! Here's Uh Huh Her with "Not A Love Song":



And, just for fun and something a little more mainstream.. I heard that Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is going to be part of a Melrose Place spin-off starting in the fall. Here's my favorite Ashlee Simpson video, "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)":



xoxo
Mandy

Musical er-Monday

This is my favorite song right now. It is so incredibly beautiful!! I'm obsessed with his voice... I can't stop listening to his albums the past few days. "They Bring Me To You" by Joshua Radin (sorry, no actual video):




Last week, I watched the film Australia. I really enjoyed it! I don't know why it did so badly at the box office. Here is a song played over the ending credits called "By The Boab Tree" by Ophelia of the Spirits :




And, here's some entertainment to end the post, "Womanizer" sung by Fall Out Boy & Ellen DeGeneres on today's 'bathroom concert series' segment:

Musical Monday

The Grammy's were last night and I watched bits and pieces of the show, but not a lot. I did manage to catch this performance by Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. I didn't love it, and to be honest the first time I heard it I didn't really even like it. But it's growing on me. I really like it now, except for Miley's first line. It's way too harsh. I love this song and I love both of them as artists though, so I'm excited to see Miley and Taylor perform together.

Taylor Swift & Miley Cyrus - "Fifteen (Live)"
Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday
but I realized some bigger dreams of mine
Abigail gave everything she had to a boy who changed his mind

*edit* Someone keeps claiming copyright and making youtube delete the videos of the performance. Here's an interview with Miley & Taylor before the Grammy's, to keep you entertained until the performance is available again.



Just one more video today, and it is Taylor Swift again. Her new music video is out. You may have heard the song on Grey's Anatomy, if you watch it. All of Taylor's music videos are great but usually they're all about her looking pretty and wearing awesome dresses! This one is different, more stripped back and natural.. and sad.

Taylor Swift - "White Horse"
I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet, lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood. This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now it's too late for you and your white horse
To come around



xoxo
Mandy

Musical Monday

First up, Lily Allen. She is a British singer who is amazingly honest and usually very funny in her lyrics. I loved most of the songs from her first album, Alright, Still. In honor of her new album coming out next week, here is her new single, which I think is awesome:

Lily Allen - "The Fear" (explicit lyrics)
Life's about film stars and less about mothers
It's all about fast cars and cussing each other
But it doesn't matter 'cause I'm packing plastic
And that's what makes my life so f*cking fantastic




This next song is by James Morrison, and I first heard it on One Tree Hill. I thought he sounded like Gavin DeGraw! I hadn't really listened to James' music much, but I should because I love this song. The lyrics are beautiful:

James Morrison - "Once When I Was Little"
Yeah I could dream more then , yeah I believed more then
That the world could only get better
Yeah I was free more then, I could pretend more then
That this life could only show me good times
Once, when I was little




Finally, a cute little song by a new artist I've recently discovered - Alessi's Ark. This is her single, and I believe that her debut album will be out within the next few months.

Alessi's Ark - "The Horse"
I was told kite flying's for lovers
I was told that we can't share the covers
If you'd like me to, I'll try to be brave like you.
I know you'd like me to, I'll try to be pretty too.




Enjoy! Let me know if you like them.

xoxo
Mandy

Musical Monday

I've seen this Monday theme on a few blogs, and I'm never one to pass up an opportunity to post about music!

This is one of my favorite songs right now by an artist I've only recently discovered. This video is homemade and kind of random, but stick with it at least until she starts singing!

Hello Saferide - "I Wonder Who Is Like This One"
People are like songs, it’s true
Some seem dull at first but then they grow on you
Me, I’m like ”Can’t get you out of my head”
Annoying at times, but I make you wanna dance
But you are the only one I’ve met who’s ”God only knows”
I liked you the first time I met you
And it grows and grows and grows



Another song I love by this artist is "Parenting Never Ends".
Mother, please make
my decisions
like you once did,
this time I won’t pester you about it,
I’ll surrender
There was no video on YouTube so if you're interested, check out the lyrics and amazon preview.

And lastly by Hello Saferide, a professional music video for "Anna"
You know, we could have had a daughter
And we could have named her Anna
And she would have been a sweetheart
But with punk rock manners



Now, 2 artists that I discovered quite a while ago and am loving at the moment. Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton is beautiful. Emily is the lead singer of Metric, but I much prefer her own album, Knives Don't Have Your Back.

"Doctor Blind" was my first favorite song from the album
If the the dizzying highs don't subside overnight,
Dr. Blind, just prescribe the red ones



And finally... the song that inspired my blog title, with an adorable video that somebody made for it.

The Weepies - "Gotta Have You"
Red eyes and fire and signs
I’m taken by a nursery rhyme
I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home



What are your favorite songs/artists at the moment?

xoxo
Mandy

December's Mix Playlist

I haven't been listening to a lot of music lately. Mostly just while I'm driving, so I've regressed back to cds (one of these days I'll get an easy-to-use ipod car system). It's almost time for a new mix cd, I think. I've been listening to the new Jack's Mannequin album - "The Glass Passenger", their old album - "Everything In Transit", and Erin McCarley's debut album - "Love, Save The Empty". Before that, however, I was rocking "Mandy's December Mix":

1 P!nk - "Glitter In The Air"
2 Butterfly Boucher - "Cinnamon & Chocolate"
3 Anne Murray - "Stars Are The Windows Of Heaven"
4 Lily Allen - "Womanizer"
5 The Black Ghosts - "Full Moon"
6 Fall Out Boy - "America's Suitehearts"
7 Everly - "Home Is Me - You Are Mine"
8 The Deer Tracks - "Christmas Fire"
9 Evan & Jaron - "Crazy For This Girl
10 Katy Perry - "Lost"
11 Paramore - "Decode"
12 Britney Spears - "Lace And Leather"
13 Everly - "Little Children"
14 Alice In Wonderland Cast - "Why Do People..."
15 Lily Frost - "Skating On The River"
16 Linkin Park - "Leave Out All The Rest"
17 Britney Spears - "Circus"
18 Shawn Colvin - "Never Saw Blue Like That"
19 Iron & Wine - "Flightless Bird, American Mouth"
20 Everly - "Stars"
21 Kanye West - "Coldest Winter"
22 Anne Murray - "Inch Worm"

Any suggestions for the new mix??

xoxo
Mandy