Nostalgia Hits Me Hard Playlist

Hello Lovelies!

I don't know what it is about them, but I love nostalgic songs. Songs that talk about the beauty, the struggles, the innocence of times gone by. Songs that make me ache for times past. I love those songs. I have a whole playlist of them and I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you.

1. Acadia by Marianas Trench

First off, this song is by one of my favourite bands ever, so that's pretty great. It describes the teenage and young adult years and growing up in a small town with your friends. The chorus says "Every memory comes on, when I hear that old song that we used to sing with the words all wrong". It talks about that old town being gone and how you can't return, but you have the memories. Beautiful, beautiful song.

2. Anne Leaves Green Gables by Hagood Hardy

Ever notice how songs don't have to have words to be nostalgic. This song is one of those songs. It's a soundtrack piece from, well, Anne of Green Gables. It's sad sounding, but beautiful sounding as well. I can't help but be taken back to years ago when we'd spend our summers at my Grandparents' farm.

3. Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran

This song is one of his lesser known songs, but I really like it. It's the perfect song to fall asleep to. It's a bit deeper; I can't tell if it's about the end of relationship or about the end of a person's life. "Float down, like autumn leaves. Hush now, close your eyes before the sleep. And you're miles away, and yesterday, you were here with me." It's a really pretty, soft song. Kinda sad, but definitely brings back the memories.

4. Old School by Hedley

I love this song so much. It's got to be in the top three favourite nostalgic songs. First of all, Hedley's Canadian, so that makes it ten times better. ;) I love the feeling of this song and the way the lyrics are written. It's so beautiful. "Why don't you meet me, down behind our old school? We'll waste away the weekend with perfect regard for how cavalier we used to be, that beautiful insanity. The apathy surrounding me, don't close your eyes or we'll fade away." Gahhh, amazing.

5. The Last Goodbye by Billy Boyd

I don't know if this one gets to me so much just because I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan and Pippin is the one who sings it. It's almost folkish and the way it builds is so beautiful. I know I keep using that word, but they truly are beautiful songs. Pippin's, ahem, Billy's voice is so whimsical and the mix of the guitar with the violins and piano is gorgeous. It makes me teary every time I hear it. "And though where the road then takes me, I can not tell. We came all this way, but now comes the day to bid you farewell."

6. Vienna by Billy Joel

This one's an oldie but a goldie. It's about slowing down and letting yourself relax because your life is always going to be there for you. Your life waits for you, so there's no point in getting super stressed out about it. Which technically doesn't make it a nostalgic song I guess, but it makes me feel nostalgic, so it gets included in this list.

7. 18 Years by Daughtry

"18 Years" is quite similar to "Acadia" in my mind. It's about remembering the wild, fun teen years in your little town. You move on, you move away, but you never really forget the times you spent there. "We were young, we were wild, we were halfway free. We were kids on the run on a dead end street. Looking back in the rearview mirror, you know the view used to be much clearer. But we'll laugh and we'll cry 'til there's no more tears. Yeah tonight can we just hold on to those 18 years?"

What are your favourite nostalgic songs, if you listen to them?

You Make Me Wanna Roll My Windows Down and Cruise

Hello Lovelies!

Envy over at Picking up the Pieces recently did a blog post on her favourite songs to listen to while driving. And I thought that was such a brilliant idea that I've decided to do the same. So without further babblement, here's a list of my favourite driving songs!

Just kidding, I just remembered there's something else I was going to say. If you look at the side, underneath my profile picture, I've made myself a button! So if you click on that, you go to my button swap page and you can grab mine, I'll add yours and we'll do a swappy thing. Okay, for real this time, here we go.

Obviously, when on a road trip or any sort of long drive, you want to start off with some pretty awesome upbeat songs.

Somewhere in Neverland - All Time Low
Not only is this one of my favourite driving songs, but it's one of my all time favourites. When the lyrics "Wendy, run away with me" come on, I'm rolling down the windows and letting the wind blow my hair. Perfect road trip song. Perfect song for the beginning of an adventure.

Jet Lag - Simple Plan feat. Natasha Bedingfield 
My favourite thing about this song is the drum beat in the chorus. It feels like it's going twice as fast as the rest of the song. My brother thought the chorus said "my fart is so jet-lagged" and we had to spend a few minutes explaining to him that the word was actually "heart" and that a fart couldn't be jet-lagged.

Ever After - Marianas Trench
Do you ever listen to one of the those songs that just leaves you feeling super satisfied at the end. It starts off slow and builds and you wait in anticipation and then it resolves beautifully? This is one of those songs. It's so beautiful and I love listening to it build in the car as we drive.

Ready to Run - One Direction
Honestly, I feel like this song doesn't even need a explanation. "This time I'm ready to run, escape from the city and follow the sun". Perfect song for a road trip. And the beat is pretty awesome too.

Waiting for Superman - Daughtry
Gosh, I love this song. Again, it's one of those songs that just builds and builds. It's perfect for driving on the emptier roads with the windows down. Definitely recommended for singing loudly and off-key.

And then there's the less upbeat songs that are cool for when you've been in the car for a few hours and are just chilling...

Wild Life - Hedley
I really like the lyrics in this song and the rhyming sequence. And it's so chill and beautiful and really nice for relaxing. My sister Rebecca was actually the one who showed this song to me and it took me months to realize that I liked it.

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson 
Ahh, a classic. Moment of shame here, I only heard this song like a year and a half ago for the first time *runs and hides under a table*. And it wasn't even the recording! My friend played on it on his guitar and I went home and looked it up. But it's super catchy and chill and I love the minimalistic approach to the instruments. Definitely good for summer driving. Particularly near beaches.

The Last Goodbye - Billy Boyd
Despite the fact this song makes me cry almost every time I hear it, it's actually an incredible driving song. Especially night time driving. Soft, meaningful, beautiful and the perfect type of song to stare out the window all tumblr-y like.

Vienna - Billy Joel
Oldie, but a goldie. I think this one is particularly good for road trip driving. I don't know why, I just do. DON'T QUESTION THE LIST MAKER.

There are so many other songs that I love. I have a playlist of 64 of my favourite songs I listen to in the car. But these are the top songs at the moment.

Oh! And if you look at the side, underneath the profile picture, I've made myself a button! So if you click on that, you can grab mine and I'll add yours and we'll do a swappy thing.

Song of the Day - Celebrity Status by Marianas Trench

It only seems appropriate to a song after a post like this. So here, have an awesome song with a funny music video.

The Soundtrack of My Life Tag

Hello Lovelies, 

So I was doing some looking through blogs recently, just scrolling through the internet. And I came across a blog called "chimera" and she did this tag called "The Soundtrack of My Life" tag. I'm sure you know by now, I love anything to do with music and this looked really interesting so I figured I'd do it! And I'd love to see your guys' answers! Looking at other people's music always makes me really happy! 


1. Songs you listen to when you’re happy?

I have a few songs that are my happy songs that I listen to when I'm in a great mood. A few of those are "Waiting for Superman" by Daughtry, "Mrs. All American" by 5 Seconds of Summer, "Dance With Me Tonight" by Olly Murs, "Don't" by Ed Sheeran, and "Desperate Measures" by Marianas Trench. There are tons more, but those are my happy songs right now. When I'm in a good mood, I love listening to music with a good beat that's pop-y and happy. Something I can dance and jam to and sing loudly with the windows down.

2. Songs you listen to when you’re sad? 

I don't know if I listen to music when I'm sad or mad more. But I think when I'm generally like that, the songs I listen to are "Backseat Serenade" by All Time Low, "Familiar Taste of Poison" by Halestorm, "Don't" by Ed Sheeran (yes, I know that one's on my happy list as well), "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran, and "Don't Let Me Go" by Harry Styles (I know this isn't actually an official song, but I may or may not have downloaded it off of youtube). I guess, looking at this list, lots of songs about being alone. I wonder what that says about me...

3. What was the last song you listened to?

The last song I listened to was "English Love Affair" by 5 Seconds of Summer. I love that song. 

4. What’s the most musically involved you have ever been?

Well, I've been in my fair share of singing recitals and I've been in a few plays, but I think the most musical thing I've been involved with is something I'm currently involved with, which is recording my own EP! Which I'm insanely excited about. 

5. Name four or more flawless albums.

Ooh, this is tough! Hmm, I'd have to say Baptized by Daughtry is definitely one. That album is just beautifulness. X by Ed Sheeran. And Ed Sheeran is flawless too so I love that one. 5 Seconds of Summer by 5 Seconds of Summer (10 points for originalness boys). And their live album, LIVESOS is truly flawless.  Oh! And of course! An album I grew up on, Come On Over by Shania Twain, love that album. Hmm, what else... I quite like FOUR by One Direction, although I don't know if I'd call it "flawless".

6. What is your favourite movie soundtrack?

Hands down, Anne of Green Gables OST. Hands down, 100%, no debate. That soundtrack makes me feel... things. And I love this gif. :)

7. What was your last musical “phase” before you wisened up? 

Alright, I'm not gonna lie, this is still pretty
hot.

Oh dear, definitely One Direction. And I don't just mean, I liked their music. I mean, I would reblog pictures of Harry Styles' arms or Zayn's pout. I would get chills when they'd sing "Rock Me" because that was the raunchiest song they had. I still like their music, but oh my word, I was truly obsessed. *Hangs head in shame*

8. What’s your “guilty pleasure” that you hate to admit to liking?

Hmm, I actually don't know about this one. I don't really feel like I have a "guilty pleasure". I mean, it's always hard to admit to liking these guys:

Or these guys:

It's just hard admitting it to music snobs, who many of my friends, God bless them, are. 

9. Song that makes you lose your shit at a party?

Pfft, definitely Anaconda. ;) Shaking my little, white behind all over the place. No but seriously, I have no clue. I don't even know what type of music is played at...gulp... parties. I mean, my type of parties are Disney karaoke or Doctor Who fests. So, according to my sort of party, I'm gonna have to go with Make a Man Out of You. 'Cause when that song comes on, errbody better move outta my way because I know all the actions to it and I even know the Doctor Who version. Don't. Mess. With. Me.

10. Song you play on your headphones when out and about?

Usually "September" by Daughtry or some sort of All Time Low. 

I hope you enjoyed that! I know I certainly did.

I'm tagging:

 

Ali from Aliology 

Kat from (Almost) Completely Mad

Andrea from Sempiternal Reader

Until the next time we communicate via our screens!

The Best Musician of All Time

Hello Lovelies,

I'm so happy. It's a PE day and it's my birthday and I'm going to see Mockingjay Part 1 tomorrow and I was listening to Daughtry and then I thought I would go back and look over my old blog posts.

So, I was looking overthem and I had a momentary heart attack when I realized, I HAVE NEVER DONE A POST ON DAUGHTRY! Daughtry is my all time favourite band and has been for about five years. I own almost every song they've ever put out.

I have two types of likes when it comes to musical artists. I have those I properly fangirl over, as in "OHMYGOODNESSWHYMUSTYOUBESOATTRACTIVEANDYOURMUSICANDGAHH." Bands like 5 Seconds of Summer and kind of One Direction (although the latter is starting to transfer to the other kind of like).

Then I have the other type, where I am in love with their music. I may not know the age, birth place or birthday of every member. Heck, I can't even name the backup musicians in Daughtry. But their music is something I can relate to on every level. It's what I listen to when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm excited. Just, all the time. I couldn't care less about their looks, I just love the music they produce. It's amazingly written, I love the lyrics and the melodies and the vibes. Ed Sheeran fits this and so does Daughtry.

This is Daughtry.

I could rant and rave about how amazing they are until I'm blue in the face. But I'll spare you the lecture and show you the music instead. By the way, you need to know that I have managed to take four albums, over 50 songs and compile them into a small blog post. I think I deserve an award that says, "You are the Queen of narrowing things down to fit into your blog posts" or something like that. But heads up, this is going to be a long post.

I'm going to start with my favourites from his first album, titled "Daughtry".

1. Over You

I had this song on repeat for at least a year. I liked this guy but it had gone past the point of butterflies and into the point of "Flagnabbit! Why can't I get over you? I hate liking you!" Anywho, our friendship was kind of odd and fairly dysfunctional and I would sing this song over and over and when I finally did get over him, it was my victory song. I really like the song also as just a song, apart from my personal relation to it. It's very much a power song.

2. Crashed

I love this song. It's also my sister's favourite song by Daughtry. We'll turn this one up in the car and sing really loudly and roll the windows down. This one doesn't particularly have a personal connection, it's just a really good, rock song. Love the concept and the imagery. 

Honourable mentions: What About Now, Home, Used To, Feels Like Tonight

And now "Leave This Town". I think this one is probably my second favourite album by him. Or favourite. GAH, THIS IS SO HARD.

1. September

This is my favourite song. Ever. I have such a personal connection to this song. It's beautifully written. It starts off with a slower, almost regretful tone. As the song moves along, you realize that he's looking back on memories past, looking at where he is now and seeing that he is better off because of the memories. The guitars in this song add deepness to the song that no other instrument could capture. They become louder to emphasize different parts of the song and then quiet down to give the piece a thoughtful tone. The chimes at the beginning of the song give it an almost country fell. They make you feel like an old tumbleweed merely bounding along taking glances at things passed as you roll by. As the song draws to a close, the tempo slows, but in a peaceful way. It makes you feel like something has ended, that it’s final, that it’s finished. It's amazing and even after playing it over a thousand times (thanks iTunes for the count), I still get goosebumps listening to this song.

2. Tennessee Line

This song is almost more country sounding, a different feel for Daughtry. I really, really like this song and the nostalgic feel it has. It's very lyrical and melodic, definitely not beat driven like so many of his other songs are. And the fact that he's talking about Tennessee just makes it so much better. I really want to visit Tennessee one day. Anyone have any distant relatives that could put up with me for a week? ;)

3. No Surprise 

Yet another incredible power song. I love the way this song builds and grows. This one is also another one of my sister's favourites by Daughtry. The music video is also really cool. I like the way the band shots are set up.

Honourable mentions: Every Time You Turn Around, Open Up Your Eyes (sad), Learn My Lesson

Then Break the Spell...

1. Crawling Back to You

I really like the feel of this song, the way the melody starts so simply and the way it builds throughout the song. I also like the minor key of this song. It's not a super relatable song, but I like the way the lyrics are written. "Lessons learned/and bridges burned to the ground." Mwah! Amazing imperfect rhyme. Beautiful. And Daughtry's voice is just so intense.

2. Outta My Head

Alright, this one's very relatable. I would listen to this one with 'Over You'. First, I love the almost bare minimum feel. It's like they only used a set of drums, a guitar and him. Second, I love, love the message. I mean, it was like this guy had read every thought I'd ever had towards this guy and put them in a song. "Just when I think you're gone/You come back and turn it on/And just like a simple song/I can't get you outta my head". Definitely relatable. This album was filled with songs like this one and at the time it was completely relatable. Unfortunately for me, about two weeks after it was released,  I got kicked in the head and had a concussion for six months, which kinda put the binge listening on hold. 

There are so many great songs on this album! It's so hard to narrow them down!

3. Start of Something Good

This was a different sound for Daughtry, it contrasted with much of the album, but I'm really glad he included it. It has such an innocence and sweetness. I really like it, because it's sweet and sappy, but it talks about it just being the beginning, not the end, not a goal that's been achieved. I guess the only way I can think to describe it is innocent. It's about liking someone and being a bit nervous and not wanting to scare the other person away, but knowing that there's something between the two of you that's good and finally telling that person. 

Honourable mentions: Break the Spell (love this song, kinda like Outta My Head), Maybe We're Already Gone, Louder Than Ever

Alright, unless you are absolutely loving this and can't stop, go take a five minute break. Eat a cookie. Jog around your living room. Hug someone. We're three quarters of the way through!! 

Alright, final album and either my favourite or second favourite: Baptized! I literally love every song off this album. So you're going to get more than three songs. Sorry but not really that sorry. :*)

1. Waiting for Superman

I love, love, love this song so much. I love the beat and slightly more pop-y sound. I love the theme. I love the way he portrays the girl as imperfect. The lyrics are incredibly amazing. "She's talking to angels, counting the stars, making a wish on a passing car. She's dancing with strangers, falling apart, waiting for Superman to pick her up". The music video is so sweet as well. Every time I hear the line "And she smiles, oh the way she smiles" I smile. Every time. 

2. Wild Heart

The lyrics are what truly make this song. They're just so clever. I really love the message; I find it encouraging and sweet. It's basically about this girl who was so free and bright and smart and "wild" but her life hasn't been kind to her and her "wild heart" has been dimmed and he's saying, "I know you're still in there! I know you still have your wild heart. Take me back to it." Favourite lyrics from this song are "You would rock around the ball room/dance in the bar." I just think it's such a cool contrast and really clever. 

3. 18 Years

I really love this song. I know I keep saying that, but hey, that's what makes Daughtry my favourite artist. This song is so nostalgic, I love it. I love nostalgic songs. It's basically about these two people who were childhood friends and now they're older and looking back on their childhood/teen memories. The video above, is actually a music video I filmed, directed and edited and I'm actually pretty proud of it!

4. Cinderella 

This song hits me right in the feels. It's so adorable. It's this guy who is writing a song to his love but it's not poetical or perfect or even pretty. It's not deep or flowery. It's real. It's just... just listen to it. I can't explain it. It's a ukelele and this guy just singing to his girl. It's like he's trying to write something sweet and romantic but this is what he comes up with and it's way better.

Honourable mentions: Literally every other song. But at the top would be Baptized, I'll Fight, Broken Arrows and Traitor.

We did it!! Yay!! 

I loved writing this post and I hope you enjoyed reading it/listening to it! :)