August 2013 Playlist

1. "Piledriver Waltz" by Arctic Monkeys, 2011.
2. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding Cover)" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 2013.
3. "Don't Worry Baby" by The Beach Boys, 1964.
4. "Alien Days" by MGMT, 2013.
5. "Darkness" by Du Tonc, 2013.
6. "Wildest Moments" by Jessie Ware, 2012.
7. "The State We're In" by The Chemical Brothers ft. Beth Orton, 2002.
8. "City on Fire" by Snake! Snake! Snakes!, 2011.
9. "Get Me Golden" by Terraplane Sun, 2013.
10. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Kim Wilde, 1986.
11. "You and I" by Crystal Fighters, 2013.
12. "Dirty Diana" by Michael Jackson, 1988.
13. "Little Red Corvette" by Prince, 1983.
14. "Devil In a New Dress" by Kanye West, 2010.
15. "Love My Way" by The Psychedelic Furs, 1982.
16. "99 Shades of Crazy" by JJ Grey and Mofro, 2013.
17. "Stand By Your Man" by Tammy Wynette, 1968.
18. "All I Want" by Kodaline, 2012.
19. "Where I Found You" by Future Islands, 2012.
20. "Change" by The Lightning Seeds, 1994.
21. "Waves" by Portugal. The Man, 2013.
22. "Country Queen" by Night Moves, 2012.
23. "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure, 1987.
24. "Summertime" by Sam Cooke, 1957.
25. "Why" by Annie Lennox, 1992.
26. "Better Days" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, 2013.
27. "Night Moves" by Bob Seger, 1976.
28. "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" by Stars, 2005.

Flashback Friday

"Stars and Boulevards" by Augustana, 2005.



When I was in college, I really loved Augustana. I remember they randomly played WVU while I was there which I was very excited about. Unfortunately, they weren't very prepared and I recall the lead singer was really pissed off about it. But I still think they have talent. "Stars and Boulevards" is one of my favorite songs of the last decade.

Flashback Friday

"December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" by The Four Seasons, 1975.



Yes, I've been waiting all year to post this song! ;) This takes me back to '93 more than '63 (I'm only 25, duh) but I love, love, love it! It's one of my all time favs and a staple around my house.

Flashback Friday

"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, 1984.



I recently read the question, "What song do you secretly belt out when you're alone?" Of course, "I Want to Know What Love Is", immediately came to mind. It's cheesy. It's embarrassing. But it's enduring. I think it's beautiful. I really love this song and appreciate the longing that you hear in Mick Jones' voice. Despite having a rather obvious '80s feel, to me, it is timeless. And yes, I too, want to know what love is...

Flashback Friday

"Take Off Your Cool" by Andre 3000 ft. Norah Jones, 2003.



I absolutely adore this song. It always relaxes me as if it were a lullaby. It's so simplistic but endlessly beautiful. It's one of those songs I wish were longer but its length is part of the reason it works so well.

Flashback Friday

"Sunshine Girl" by Whitestarr (2006-ish?)


I constantly played this song when I was around 20. I had a bit of a crush on the lead singer of Whitestarr, Cisco Adler. I thought he was sexy in this offbeat sort of way. This is a good song (especially in the summertime) and I actually loved the video. What girl doesn't want a song written for her?

Flashback Friday

"If You Leave" by OMD, 1986.



When I hear thing song, it takes me back to those classic, '80s, John Hughes movies. Jake Ryan?! Yes, please! There's a small part of me that wishes I was a teenager in the 80s but I was born in February 1986 which is right around the time this song hit the airwaves. It was probably one of the first songs I ever heard (even if I don't remember it). "If You Leave" is one of my favorite songs from the decade. In fact, if I were to attempt to compile a list of my top 100 favorite songs of all time, I have a strong feeling it would definitely make the cut. I just love it!

Flashback Friday

"Move This" by Technotronic, 1992.

This is one of the songs on "the soundtrack of my life". It instantly takes me back to my childhood. Dance classes, cheerleading competitions, skating parties, summers in the backyard... so many memories that I love! I used to sing all the words in my coolest neon stirrup pants and have the best time. This was the era of scrunchies and roller blades. It makes me want to get up and MOVE!

Baby let me show you how to do this... 
...Shake that body for me!

October!

I had to dedicate the first post of my favorite month to one of my favorite "songs of the season"... "October" by Broken Bells! I put this song on my monthly playlist but mixpod was being difficult (per usual) and wouldn't allow me to add the studio version. Take a listen below then check out this awesome feature on Broken Bells' website!

Remember what they say
There's no shortcut to a dream
It's all blood and sweat
And life is what you manage in between

Flashback Friday

"Autumn Sweater" by Yo La Tengo, 1997 (but I didn't hear it until 2005)


I remember when I delivered my first radio news report in college, "Autumn Sweater" was the song that played into the segment. I wrote down the lyrics on my script and asked the DJ what the artist and title was. At this point in my life, I wasn't at all familiar with indie or alternative music. I consider this one of the songs that led me down the path towards the light. It was love at first listen!

It's starting to get pretty chilly in Pittsburgh. This weekend it's only going to be in the 40s... brrr! Autumn is most definitely my favorite season. I love my sweaters and I love this song! I thought it was apropos for this time of year :)

Ray LaMontagne

I finally saw Ray LaMontagne last night at Stage AE here in Pittsburgh! I've been a fan for years. Hands down, Ray has the most phenomenal voice I have ever heard! He sounds exactly the same, if not better, live. He opened with "Burn". Words can't begin to describe the beauty of this song. I'm still in awe of his talent.



Of course, "Jolene" is another favorite.



And "Empty" is also great.

Reunited and It Feels So Good

I love when you rediscover a song you once loved but it somehow got away.

"Defeatist" by Cameras.

Meet Me on the Equinox

And when the summer ends, yeah
I'll be there, hiding
And when the sun rises, yeah
I'll stay warm forever

"Senseless" Portugal. The Man

Flashback Friday

Justin Nozuka. "After Tonight". 2007.

I loved this song in college. I also think the video is quite beautiful.

You don't have to look up at the stars...

Flashback Friday

Taking it back to the late 90s this week...

This one puts me back at middle school dances. "Freak dancing". This was happening at Catholic schools (what were they thinking allowing this song to be played?!). Glitter eyeshadow. Tommy Hilfiger swag.

"Too Close" by Next. 1998.

Flashback Friday

"Just Another Day" by Jon Secada (1992)
Yes, I went there and I'm taking you with me.
I loved this song when I was in first grade.
I still do. shhhh.

If this song hasn't already been covered by someone like The xx or jj, it should be.
I think it has major potential.

Replay. Replay. Replay.

"We Can't Stop" by jj ft. Ne-Yo
I've developed feelings for this song.
The atmosphere that it creates... mmmhmmm!

Blue Valentine

Okay, so I'm a couple years late to the party, but who ever said it was cool to be the first one there? I finally got around to seeing Blue Valentine. I thought it was a good film. Here is a scene that I'll have in my head for the next week or two:



Perfect song. Beautiful part of the movie. Gentlemen, take note- mix tapes/CDs are still the best gifts in the world! :)

Just Give Me Some Candy

Since it's the last Saturday in June and so many lovers are tying the knot, I wanted to share one of my favorite music videos that contains a wedding. "Candy" by Paolo Nutini is a big favorite of mine. It has been a few years since I had the opportunity to see Paolo live but I remember him being so talented. He sings with such a tremendous amount of passion. "Candy" is so romantic and always makes me smile. So many people stress about their wedding day or spend astronomical amounts of money trying to impress their guests. This video is the pefect example of what it's all about, love. xx.


Paolo Nutini - Candy

Flashback Friday

Dakota by Stereophonics is a song that takes me back to my college years at WVU. I often played this on my iTunes when I was getting ready for a wild night out with my friends. What exactly is going on in the music video is up for debate but the song itself is fantastic. This is a great one to blast in the car and sing along to on a warm summer evening.

You made me feel like the one...