Astoria - My Review

Hello Lovelies!

So one of my favourite bands released their new album about a month back and it's beautiful. It's so raw and real, I'm in awe of the songwriting. I'm going to do a review of my favourites ordered by their appearance on the album, although that's going to be very, very hard because literally every song is my favourite. However, I thought you should all have a bit of backstory before you listen, so you can appreciate the beauty and pain in this album.

Basically, "Astoria" is the past four years for Josh and the highs and lows that he went through. Having Call Me Maybe become huge, being nominated at the Grammys, going on arena tours and getting engaged. His mother being diagnosed with Dementia, his fiancee leaving him, spending lots of time in and out of the hospital, losing his motivation and drive. This album is pretty much his diary of the past two years. He got tons of people who had been there with him in the crappy parts to actually play and sing little bits on the album. If you want to find out more, the video below goes into the making of Astoria (there is a bit of swearing in it, be forewarned).

1. Astoria

For some stupid reason, I can't upload the video directly from YouTube, so you'll have to click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDuZ5bs4g1s . 

If you know Marianas Trench, you'll know that their opening songs and their closing songs are always the best. This one is no different. It's a medley of a whole bunch of different styles and really intense and it definitely sets the scene for the rest of the album to follow. 3:00-4:30 is the best part of the song in my humble opinion, because minor key and his falsetto. Language warning if you don't like that kind of thing.

2. Burning Up

Alright, so none of the videos will embed in my post. You'll have to click the links if you want to hear them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=423Dln7tZ10

I heard the chorus first on a little preview and was immediately grinning. It's totally got the 80s party vibe and his high notes here are beautiful. I love, love the cockiness in the line "Don't say you don't miss me that much, don't say I don't still make you blush". It's about a relationship that maybe it's going the greatest. Then the guy is saying, "Is this really that bad? Are you really going to call this off? You can see the chemistry we have, don't deny it." 

3. This Means War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkD9COPTcU

I can relate slightly to this one and it's another upbeat song. The way I see it, it's about two people who used to have chemistry, who would banter a lot. Then they moved away and kind of lost touch, then when they'd see each other again, they'd be all polite. They'd ask each other how they were doing and ask about their lives. But the chorus is talks about missing the bantering, the chemistry, the "war". It's fun. I like it.

4. Dearly Departed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fKYW_ALPVg

Don't even get me started on this one. Ugh, it's so beautiful and simple and I love it so much. It's just a ukulele and a violin. It's him singing about his relationship with his fiancee. It hits me right in the feels every time I listen to it. The bridge is the best part of the whole song because it has references to all of the songs he wrote for her. If you're not a Trencher, I've written the lyrics of the bridge below, and bolded the song references, just because you have to see this. It's amazing.

"Every masterpiece I'd write again
You'll always be my porcelain
I crossed my heart
But I stuttered too
So truth or dare
Was I good to you
Haven't had enough of you all to myself
Still right beside you
In sickness and health
For ever after
You will be my home
And there's no place like home"

5. While We're Young

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Aap4cj7jk

This one is beautiful. It's the one that you get your lighters out for when they play it live. It's slow, but not soft. There's a different sort of vibe, less put together. I don't know how to describe it. It's more... messy? The guitars aren't perfectly mixed and it sounds so good. The song's about being in a relationship and slowly growing apart. The slow fade. The chorus talks about how they're young and it should be the time of their lives, but they miss each other. 

6. Forget Me Not

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctp75pgQcF0

I tear up every time I hear this song. My parents can't listen to it without crying. Basically, don't listen to it unless you're ready to feel all the feels. Josh wrote this song about his mother and how she's slowly forgetting him. He says he isn't ready for it all, he still needs his mum, but he's going to be there for her. He'll help her back into the bed and be her forget-me-not. It's beautiful and so sad. 

7. End of Era

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FYqqtwTFFo

Kay, I love this song for so many reasons. First, so many references to other songs in other albums. Porcelain, Masterpiece Theatre, Ever After, Celebrity Status, they're all in there. And it makes me so happy listening to it because I feel like so many artists kinda throw out their old music when they make new stuff, almost ashamed of it. With these guys, they embrace it. They make it part of who they are today. Second, I absolutely love the medley, the way they managed to combine so many different styles of music into an amazing piece of art. Just when you think it can't get cooler, it does. Then I love the lyrics and the meaning. It's all about not forgetting your past but moving on and saying goodbye. He's saying goodbye to the past couple years of his life, his "Astoria". He's grown up, he's moved on, he needs to say goodbye to his past. The first song sang "Tell me I survive you, Astoria". Then this one sings "How did we survive you, Astoria?" A conclusion. An ending. I could literally copy and paste the entire song lyrics here, but I've narrowed it down to three lines that I absolutely love.

"I'm so afraid of trying something new

Cause every start begins with saying goodbye to you"

"(How did we survive)

We went through hell in Astoria
(How did we survive)
We lost ourselves in Astoria
(How did we survive)
I gave in to sickness
Can you find forgiveness
For a dear old friend
So Astoria can end"

"I hope you know that I don't blame you my dear friend

Always will love you still
But Astoria must end"

Anyways. This album is amazing and beautiful and this was possibly the hardest album review I've had to write because there are ten amazing songs I didn't even include in this list. You should all go listen to it, because it's priceless.

Sounds Good Feels Good - My Review

Hello Lovelies!

So, if you're like me and may or may not be part of the 5SOS fam, then you know that they may or may not have released a beautiful masterpiece a little while back. And if you're like me, you may or may not have sobbed and laughed and been ridiculously proud all at the same time. So! If after reading that description and you've decided that you ARE in fact like me, then stick around, because I'm about to dive head first into the Sounds Good Feels Good album. I'll list my favourites in the order they appear on the album.

1. Permanent Vacation

This one seriously reminds me of the song "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson. It's got the whole, "Screw what people say. I'm doing things my way and I'm taking a break" vibe going on. It's fun. It's peppy. It's upbeat. But it's definitely a step up from She Looks So Perfect.

2. Waste the Night  

In my humble opinion, I think the best part of this song is the chorus and the interlude. It's kind of sappy, I'm not going to lie, but I still like it. It's about needing someone's love and not wanting to make the same mistakes as last time by leaving them. Last time they wasted the night and they don't want to do that this time. The interlude is just pretty. I have no idea what they're saying, but it's pretty.

3. Castaway

This one probably has the rockiest vibe on the album, even if it's not the heaviest. The lyrics do nothing for me really, I just love the beat, especially in the pre-chorus. The pre-chorus lyrics are pretty good too actually, so I retract my statement. They're about how someone left them with nothing but empty picture frames. It's got a vibe of another band, but I can't quite place it. Anyone have any ideas?

4. Broken Home

I could go on for ages about the beauty and pain in this song. And I'm pretty sure like many other people, it took me a few times before I could listen to it without breaking down and sobbing. It's about a girl who's grew up in a home where her parents were always fighting and screaming and she was dying. She's looking back on her time there and it still hurts. The chorus, ugh, the chorus. I'm tearing up as I think about it now. It's her talking directly to her parents. It saddens me to think about just how many people can relate to this song. Even if you aren't a 5SOS fan, listen to this song. It's really beautiful and real.

"Hey mum, hey dad
When did this end?
Where did you lose your happiness?
I'm here alone inside of this broken home
Who's right, who's wrong
Who really cares?
The fault, the blame, the pain's still there
I'm here alone inside of this broken home, this broken home"

5. Invisible

Yet another beautifully written song. Man, these guys really surprised me with the depth in their lyrics this time around. I mean, I knew they were good writers, but we went from them writing songs like Don't Stop, to this. This song is about not knowing who you are and being torn between your dreams. The chorus is, "Who am I? Who am I when don't know myself?" I don't know, it's a very relatable song, especially when you're having to choose between stuff that you love. And the violins at the end are just gorgeous.

6. Airplanes

Michael. Just Michael. He's on fire in this song and I'm so proud of him and he sounds so good. My Dad listened to this and said it reminded him of a band he listened to growing up, so that gives you an idea of the vibe. It's really cool. It's totally different than anything they'd written before. It's a very lyrical song. In a weird way, it kind of reminds me of Mary Poppins? I don't know. Just listen to the song. 

What were your favourites?? 

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! :) 

The Ginger Genius

Hello Lovelies!

I'm done exams! It feels amazing; I feel like the summer is a blank canvas and I get to choose what paint goes on it. Of course, one of my first official acts of summer was to binge watch Chuck on Netflix. Then I just slept. And then I went shopping today and bought two dresses which I am very happy about.

But one of the main things that really kicked off the summer for me was the release of Ed Sheeran's new album 'X'. I really, really like Ed Sheeran. He's a fantasticimagicorical songwriter, I love his voice and he's amazing on the guitar. His looks aren't really part of my Sheeran love because he looks too much like my brother. And that's just... weird.

I really love his new album so I thought I would post a link to my favourite songs off of it and then give a little spiel about them. Kinda sorta reviewish I guess? I won't do all of them because, let's be real, that would be an INSANELY long post. I think I have six I'm gonna put down here? I think.

So here are my favourites in the order they appear on the track list.


Don't

'Don't' is a power song. I like it enough that it makes this list but not enough that it's in the top like... five I guess. I love the rhythm of this song and the honesty of his lyrics. The PG version of this song is about him meeting this girl who he ends up caring about more than he thought he would and the girl played him and then left him for someone else. The only complaint I have about this song is that he has completely censored some of the lyrics. I didn't really like that because not only does it not make sense (Don't ____ with my love), but I thought it made the lyrics less powerful.

Photograph

'Photograph' is a beautiful love song. This is one of my favourite things about Ed Sheeran. When he writes love songs, they aren't monotonous or fake feeling like so much of today's pop music. The concept of this song is that love can hurt sometimes, but it can also heal. We need to keep holding on to love, even when it hurts. In this song, he and this girl are preserving their love in a photograph, holding it new and fresh. Again, the lyrics are beautiful, the guitar is beautiful, just beautiful all around.

Thinking Out Loud

I'm a sucker for the songs that talk about love being more than a fling or a "summer love" or a temporary thing. This song is in my top three. It's about him being in love with this girl and looking at their future when her "memory fades" and his "hair is all but gone" and saying that he falls in love with her more and more everyday. Both of my parents have commented that this song sounds a little bit like "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay".

Afire Love

This is hands down my favourite song off this album. It's incredibly sad and incredibly beautiful. The premise of this song is Ed as a child looking at his Grandfather who has Alzheimer's and dies. His father is trying to comfort him, telling him that it's not his fault that his Grandfather doesn't know his face. Then Ed remembers that his Grandma would tell him about when his Grandfather remembered her and the love that he showed her. If you don't listen to any other song on this list, listen to this one! It's beautiful.

Take It Back

Take It Back is a basically an acoustic rap of Ed's life. I don't know if something can be acoustically rap... he's rapping about his life while playing guitar. I just find this song very fascinating, I love looking at people's lives. And I love the literary devices in these lyrics (sorry! I know that sounds academic), it's an amazing piece of work from an English lover's perspective. Although I totally don't get the chorus lyrics, they just don't seem to match the rest of the song.

I See Fire

Not only does this song have a Celtic feel (I'm almost positive word to use there), not only is it by Ed Sheeran, but it was written for the Hobbit, which is part of the greatest series ever written. I feel like I've just completely summed up this song. I don't know what else to say.

So there you have it! I hope you've enjoyed this post, and even if you didn't, I loved going back and listening to all my favourites to collect my thoughts on them.

Oh! I've recently come into possession of some old records so expect a DIY coming soon, probably as soon as I figure out what to do with them. I'm gonna hang some on my wall but I'm thinking I'm gonna try and make one into a clock or try to do one of those neat bowl things.

Ta ta for now!

Pictures of the Day

Here! Have a collection of funny pictures.

I've been flushed from the bathroom of your heart

Hello Peoples!

Here we are again, on this lovely Wednesday. Actually, not so lovely. I'm still sick and it's all gloomy outside. If it was raining, I could forgive the grey, cold weather outside.

But it's not. Therefore no forgiving for the grey clouds.

So! I'm going to talk about something I particularly like today for the alphabet soup challenge (name courtesy of Aliology).

Country Music!

I don't know about you, but I feel like country music gets a lot of flack. People are constantly like "Country music is just about beer and guitars and random hook-ups in the back of a pick up truck." Or some people don't like it because the only country music they've ever heard is Taylor Swift, who in my mind isn't particularly country. Sorry Taylor, wearing brown boots and carrying an acoustic guitar on the front of your albums does not make you country.

So I'm making a stand for country music today!! :) I'm going to show you some of my favourite country songs and then you can decide for yourself.


1. Temporary Home (Carrie Underwood)

One of my favourite things about country music is the picture the lyrics create. This song definitely succeeds in telling a beautiful stories. I love the melody, I love the lyrics, I love the overall message. This is just a really lovely song.

2. Stand (Rascal Flatts)

This song is one of my country power songs. It's all about standing back up after you've been pushed down. It's for when you're tired of taking all the sh*t that everyone throws at you, and you refuse to take it any longer. When you're going through the "storms of life" and you feel like you'll never be able to get back up again, this is a good song to listen to. There's great imagery, and although it does have a bit more of a "twangy", country feel to it, Rascal Flatts is a country genius.

3. That Don't Impress Me Much (Shania Twain)

Haha, there was a period of time when I listened to this song on repeat. Constantly. Every time I turned my ipod on. Not so much because I actually believed the lyrics but because I desperately wanted to believe the lyrics. There was this guy I liked and I was so desperate not to like him and, looking back it's actually kinda funny, because I'd sing this song at the top of lungs, trying to convince myself that he didn't "impress me much."Anyways, this song is about a guy who thinks he's so original and cool because he's got the looks or the stuff or the brains and the girl is saying, as the title states, "That Don't Impress Me Much".

4. Glass (Thompson Square)

I really like this song, it makes me happy. It's probably my favourite country love song. Again, the lyrics are beautifully emotive. I actually discovered this song while watching videos on youtube for Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Fans of 80s comedy spy shows represent! Woop, woop! I feel like this song isn't quite as country as the other songs but it's still really, really nice.

5. Take A Back Road (Rodney Atkins)

Kay, so this one is a kind of stereotypical country song but it's just so catchy! :) For someone who lives in the city who dreams of living in the country, it's a fairly relatable song. Surprisingly enough, my math teacher who is the boringest person on earth, who only talks in monochrome tones, who doesn't understand what he's teaching, showed our class this song. And it's been stuck in my head for the past three days so I had to include this song in this list.

6. Check Yes or No (George Strait) 

This is a golden oldy. Like 80s golden oldy. It's really cute. It's about this couple who started liking each other in third grade and it all started with a little note and how their relationship grew throughout the years.

7. My Wish (Rascal Flatts)

Another Rascal Flatts song, I know. But he's just so awesome! This song is another beautifully written piece. It's about wanting the best for another person, hoping that they have a great life and that they always remember someone loves them. One of the reasons I love this song is because it's not necessarily a love song. I mean, it's obviously a song about love, but I could picture myself singing it to my little brother, or my Mum singing it to my sister, or even someone singing it to their best friend. It's a beautiful song and it's been one of my favourites for many years.

8. It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (Alan Jackson)

This was of the songs that my family would crank in the car every time it came on the radio. It's another kind of stereotypical country, but it's a good one. It's one of those songs that's not necessarily deep or emotional but a fun, upbeat happy song.

9. Whatever You Do, Don't (Shania Twain)

This was the other song that I listened to on repeat for a period of time. It went hand and hand with "That Don't Impress Me Much". It's about seeing that one guy that you really like and knowing that every little thing he does gets to you. I really liked it because the girl in the song wasn't like, "Oh, why don't you like me? I'm in love with you and it feels so wonderful and we're going to live happily ever after." Instead, she was really frustrated at herself for liking him and the guy for acting the way he did. I was really able to relate to it for a while. xD Lots of belting it loudly and off key.

So that's it for my country playlist! Hope you enjoyed it. :)

Are you a fan of country music? Or is it worse than going to the dentist? Have any country songs in mind that I didn't mention? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

By the way, the title of the post is from an odd, country Johnny Cash song. :)

Picture of the Day

I really like this necklace! Does anyone know where I'd look for something like this?