I Will Always Be a Country Girl

So I might not fulfill societies definition of a country girl because I don’t live on a farm or own horses or go hunting. However, I believe that I am country to an extent. My favorite kind of music is country music, I drink sweet tea all day long, I want to live in the country when I’m older and retired, I own cowboy boots, and if I had it my way I would own a horse and ride her around all weekend long through the country woods and fields. Unfortunately, I can only do so much and that’s why I listen to country music. Sometimes all I want to do is escape to the country side but in reality I know that isn’t an option for me. So to get away, I turn up the country stations or plug in my headphones and for as long as I want, I live that fantasy of mine. This week’s top country choice is Dierks Bentley’s Every Mile A Memory. I have no negative comments about this song or the artist. It’s a great song sung by an amazing artist and I will never get tired of this song and it’s amazing originality. I might be picky with what I chose to listen to, but when it comes to country, I could care less. Country music is the one of the only types of music that I believe describes exactly how I’m feeling. There’s song for when I’m happy, songs for when I’m sad, and songs for all the other kinds of emotions. I love falling into the world of country music that never seems to disappoint me. Maybe someday I’ll be able to live my fantasy of a life in the country and fulfilling the true definition of a country girl, but until then, I’m going to spend all the time I can listening to inspiring songs and artists, such as Dierks Bentley and Every Mile A Memory.

- Caroline 

Dierks Bentley 

Every Mile A Memory

Never Seems to Disappoint Me

This week we listened to a band that I hadn’t listened to in a while but I’m so glad that I had the chance to reconnect with them. Since it was a short week we didn’t listen to much but I still found an interest in those few bands. U2 hasn’t disappointed me yet. Their song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For is an original that exceeds my music expectations. The lyrics are well written and the music has a steady and exceptional beat. In general, I haven’t familiarized myself too much with U2 but listening to this song has gotten me interested in exploring their unique sound more closely. I really did enjoy listening to their music and I hope we get the chance to listen to them again soon. Even if U2 hasn’t found what they’re looking for, I sure did with this great song and incomparable band.

- Caroline 

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

What a Classic!

Many of the songs that we listen to during class are ones that I've never heard of before. However, when we started listening to some hair metal songs, I instantly knew what was coming next. Pour Some Sugar On Me, by British hard rock band Def Leppard, is a classic and came off of their 1987 album Hysteria. The lyrics along with the music makes the whole entire song a wondrous hit that will never get old. While rock music isn't my favorite genre, I still enjoy listening to some of the groups from that time period. Pour Some Sugar On Me is one of my favorites from the 1980's and I love everything about the song. From the beat at the beginning to the guitar solos throughout the song all the way to when the song is over is about four minutes of craziness and enjoyment. Yes I like some hair metal songs and yes I like some of the bands, but in my opinion nothing can compare to this rock hit wonder.

- Caroline

Def Leppard's classic hit Pour Some Sugar On Me

Give Me More, Macklemore!

Macklemore, a performer at this years SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, has definitely become a new hit in the music industry. According to Top40Charts.net, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (a producer, rapper and DJ associated with Macklemore), are at number 2 for 2013 with their song Thrift Shop. After trying to go see them at Waterloo Records during Spring Break and being disappointed after finding out it was too crowded to stay, I realized that I did enjoy this artist regardless of the fact that we couldn't see him at SXSW. Even though I like the song Thrift Shop, I do believe it's starting to become overplayed and for that reason I'm writing about a different song. Can't Hold Us feat. Ray Dalton is a fun song that attracted me with it's powerful and upbeat rhythm. The beat at the beginning of the song especially when the piano kicks in is one of my favorite moments throughout the song, besides the chorus of course. In my opinion, he's definitely made a name for himself through his music and thanks to him audiences such as myself can enjoy new and refreshing songs such as ones like Can't Hold Us.

Favorite set of lyrics in the song:

We came here to live life like nobody was watching

I got my city right behind me

If I fall, they got me

 Learn from that failure gain humility and then we keep marching ourselves

- Caroline

Artist Macklemore

Can't Hold Us- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on Chase Jarvis LIVE

Disco, Disco, and more Disco..

This week in class we listened to "Disco". According to Wikipedia, Disco is a genre of music which became popular in the mid to late 70s. The initial audiences started with African American club-goers and went all the way to psychedelic communities in New York City and Philadelphia. Not only was Disco embraced by men, but also by women and later on the music expanded to several other groups of the time. In my opinion, you either like Disco or you don't. There really isn't an in-between. According to my views on Disco, the music is upbeat and that's what I enjoy about it. However, on the contrary, it defiantly isn't my favorite. Maybe if I lived during that time period then I would have a different opinion about it. However, for now I stand by my decision that the only reason Disco survives is because it's entertaining and the artists behind it are famously remembered for creating up beat and classy songs. Honestly, there are some artists that I can stand listening to when it comes to Disco. For example, Jackson 5 or Earth, Wind, and Fire. One group that I want to write about is The Brothers Johnson. Their song Stomp, composed of unique beats and wicked guitar and piano solos, is one of the stronger songs that we listened to this week in class. As soon as I heard the solos I knew I wanted to write about them.The song is strong representation of great quality Disco. Even though I am not a huge fan of Disco, I do like some and The Brothers Johnson's Stomp is one that I defiantly do enjoy listening to. So tell me, are you a fan?

- Caroline

Stomp

Stomp- Music Video

You might get tired of Country, but for me that's IMPOSSIBLE

When I was younger I never saw myself as a lover of Country music. However, that quickly changed when I was introduced to it, at an early age I might add. I found myself being drawn towards the newer Country artists, such as Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, and so many more. Discovering new Country artists and songs became my growing passion and I enjoyed searching around until I found something that interested me. This week I would like to introduce another one of my favorites that I discovered, the talented and incredible Mr. Lee Brice. A lot of people might agree that some Country music sounds very similar but that fortunately isn't the case for Lee Brice. His voice, at least to me, stands out and screams a whole new level of uniqueness and originality. As I was listening to the radio earlier this week I heard a song of his called I Drive Your Truck. While it's a very meaningful, emotional, sentimental and deep song mixed with a nice rhythm, I especially enjoy listening to his voice. Yes that might sound creepy but if you listen closely, then you can here the emotions expressed and sometimes you start to feel those same emotions. For example, the song has a slow tempo so when I listen to it, I start to reflect on everything that's going on in my life whether it's positive or negative. Songs aren't just songs to me. They're more than that. In my opinion, songs are pretty much everyday therapy sessions that help me to relieve some stress that I normally feel on a daily basis. Like other Country songs, I Drive Your Truck represents strength and hope and I really enjoy listening to Lee Brice. He keeps getting better and better. If home is where the heart is, then Country music is defiantly my home and always will be.

- Caroline

Lyrics: 

"I Drive Your Truck"

Eighty-Nine Cents in the ash tray
Half empty bottle of Gatorade rolling in the floorboard
That dirty Braves cap on the dash
Dog tags hangin’ from the rear view
Old Skoal can, and cowboy boots and a Go Army Shirt folded in the back
This thing burns gas like crazy, but that’s alright
People got their ways of coping
Oh, and I’ve got mine

I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust
Yeah, sometimes I drive your truck

I leave that radio playing
That same ole country station where ya left it
Yeah, man I crank it up
And you’d probably punch my arm right now
If you saw this tear rollin’ down on my face
Hey, man I’m tryin’ to be tough
And momma asked me this morning
If I’d been by your grave
But that flag and stone ain’t where I feel you anyway

I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust
Yeah, sometimes I drive your truck

I’ve cussed, I’ve prayed, I’ve said goodbye
Shook my fist and asked God why
These days when I’m missing you this much

I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust
Yeah, sometimes, brother sometimes

I drive your truck
I drive your truck
I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind
I drive your truck

Lee Brice Ladies and Gentlemen!

I Drive Your Truck Music Video

I Drive Your Truck- Acoustic Version

Have you heard of Lecrae?

Lecrae Moore, mainly referred to by his stage name Lecrae, is on of those individuals who always seems to impress me. Not only is he an American Christian rapper, but he is also a ministry leader, entrepreneur, record producer, and actor. He has experience with many different occupations and that's what makes him so exciting. I first heard about his music many many years ago; however it was just this week when my twin sister, Catherine, showed me his more recent songs. As soon as I heard one of his songs Fakin', I fell in love all over again. I decided to do more searching and I discovered that I also like his songs Tell the World, Power Trip, Buttons, Confessions, Free From it All, Walk With Me and The Drop. All of these songs highlight Lecrae's many different artistic styles. Some have neat beats and many, if not all, have ridiculously cool intros. I really like this artist now and I definitely am glad he's on Spotify! Growing up as a Christian, I enjoy listening to Christian music and when I found out about Lecrae I was ecstatic! I could enjoy one of my favorite types of music, upbeat styles and hip-hop, with meaningful lyrics. Overall, I am very impressed with his work and I can't wait to keep listening! 

Cool facts about the artist:

• Born on October 9, 1979 in Houston, Texas
• Nicknames include Crae, Creezie, Creazy, Crayola, "Crazy 'Crae"
• All his occupations include: rapper, singer, record producer, actor, president and co-owner of Reach Records, co-founder of Reach Records, and president and co-founder of ReachLife Ministries (he's only 33 and he's already done that much!)

Not only is the music cool, but the artist himself is pretty inspiring. After seeing all the different occupations he holds and the groups he's a part of as well as started, I've realized that people can make a difference in the world, one song at a time.

- Caroline

Fakin'

Lucky Ones

Tell the World

Power Trip

Buttons

Confessions

Free From it All

Walk With Me

The Drop