Country

#OnRepeat: Carrie Underwood’s ”I’ll Stand By You”

October 30, 2018 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Carrie Underwood’s version of ”I’ll Stand By You” #OnRepeat. Although Carrie is typically known for singing Christian and Country music, I believe her voice fits perfectly for this Rock ballad.

Carrie Underwood is a singer, actress, and songwriter from Oklahoma who got her start when she won the fourth season of the show American Idol, going on to later win several Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and CMA Awards. Some of her most well-known songs are “Before He Cheats,” “Inside Your Heaven,” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

“I’ll Stand By You” was written and recorded by the British-American Rock group, The Pretenders, for their 1994 album Last of the Independents. It is song that talks about love, acceptance, and support when a friend or loved one is going through dark time. Although several artists have covered the song since its initial release, Underwood’s version hits the hardest because of her performance technique and stylistic choices. Country singers are known for belting, but Carrie uses this vocal technique to her advantage in this song, playing up the emotional power-like quality of this Rock ballad. I may be partial since I grew up listening to this song all the time, but Carrie Underwood has quickly made this one of my favorite songs again because of her voice and performance style.

Take a listen below:

What do you think? Is there any older songs covered by modern day artists that you feel have brought new life back to that song? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Movies, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Stevie Nicks’ “Crystal”

April 14, 2018 1 Comment

This week, I’ve had Stevie Nicks’ “Crystal” #OnRepeat. I have always been intrigued by Stevie Nicks’voice, but became even more so when I first heard this song in the movie, Practical Magic, years ago. The movie has come back into my life recently (via Netflix), causing this song to be constantly playing in my mind over the past several weeks.

Stevie Nicks is a singer and songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona who is best known for being one of the lead singers for the band, Fleetwood Mac. Her stage persona, lyric writing, and unique vocal timbre have made her both a well-known soloist and band member, producing multiple chart-topping hits over the years. Some of her most well-known songs are “Dreams,” “Rhiannon,” “Landslide,” and “Edge ofSeventeen.”

“Crystal” was a song written by Stevie Nicks has strong themes of independence, love, growth, and change and is told from the point of view of someone coming to the realization that they love someone else and the recognition of that person loving them in return unconditionally. The person seems to realize that they are changing, but that the other’s love and loyalty is staying the same. Stevie Nicks’ voice hasalways held so much grit and raw emotion, adding a deeper sense of clarity to the message behind these lyrics. The harmony of multiple guitars and voices personifies the story being told in the song as well, and is almost bittersweet to listen to as you slowly realize (at least in my interpretation) that this love may not work out the way the two intend for it to. This is probably one of my favorite songs by this singer, just based off the lyrical message alone.

Take a listen below:

What do you think of Stevie Nicks’ voice and this song? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Andy Grammer’s “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)”

March 7, 2018 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Andy Grammer’s “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)” #OnRepeat. Yes, I am aware that this song has been out for a while, but I do believe that we come across certain songs at certain points at our lives for specific reasons, just like people.

Andy Grammer is a singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and record producer from Los Angeles, California who got his start performing at nightclubs and on the streets of Los Angeles, later getting signed to S-Curve Records in 2010. His music blends Rock, Pop, Country, Soul, and his rhythmic lyric-writing is reminiscent of early Hip-Hop artists. Some of his most well-known songs are “Honey, I’m Good,” “Fresh Eyes,” “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Fine By Me.”

“Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)” is written by Andy Grammer for his album, Magazines or Novels, and is a song about someone who has to work hard all their life with nothing to show for it, until finally their prayers are answered and things start to turn around; and the joy that comes from having things fall into place. Grammer’s voice has the characteristic gritty timbre of a Rock or Country singer but also the wide, powerful, and bright range of a musical theater performer, giving this song a “bigger-than-life” kind of vibe. You can feel his angst when he talks about his struggles and his overwhelming joy from all the good things that are happening to him at that moment. This song is one of those relatable, “feel-good” songs that make you want to dance and get stuck in your head (hence the #OnRepeat post). I hope Andy Grammer releases more music in the future.

Take a listen below:

What do you think? Do you have any singers or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Brett Eldredge’s “The Long Way”

February 21, 2018 No Comments

This week I’ve had Brett Eldredge’s “The Long Way” #OnRepeat. I recently heard this guy sing to his dog in an Instagram post, and after looking up his music and his voice, have been hooked ever since.

Brett Eldredge is a singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and record producer from Paris, Illinois. He got his start co-writing songs with Country singers like Gary Allen, and was releasing singles by the beginning of 2010, debuting his studio album Bring You Back in August of 2013. Some of his most well-known songs are “Mean to Me,” “Lose My Mind,” and “Drunk on Your Love.”

“The Long Way” is a song written by Brett Eldredge from his self-titled 2017 album with lyrics that are told from the point of view of a person who wants to learn everything about the town where their loved one grew up so they can find out more about that person. I have never really been a big fan of country, but Brett’s voice has a full-bodied, rich and deep timbre that you don’t hear very often with country singers. This song’s lyrics caught my attention because of the genuine interest the narrator has to learn everything about their significant other; both the good and the bad, because it makes them fall in love with the other all the more. Brett’s voice brings a depth to the song that you wouldn’t get with another singer because of the clear evidence of both country, pop, and crooner-style jazz in his performance style.

Take a listen below:

What do you guys think? Do you have a favorite country song? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Nirvana’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”

September 2, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Nirvana’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” #OnRepeat. I was actually reminded of this song while watching the Marvel superhero show, The Defenders, on Netflix this past week during one of the last episodes.

The band, Nirvana, is a Grunge-Alternative Rock band from Aberdeen, Washington that was formed by guitarist, Kurt Cobain, and bassist, Krist Novoselic, in the late 1980s. Although the band had a short run (disbanding after Cobain’s death in 1994), they sold over 20 million records and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Some of their most well-known songs are “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “In Bloom,” and “Love Buzz.”

“Where Did You Sleep Last Night (In The Pines)” is a traditional Folk song that was made popular by the Folk and Blues musician, Leadbelly, during the 1940s. The meaning behind the lyrics has been disputed for some time (and varies depending on the version and musician performing it), but the overall themes have to do with love, death, and loneliness. Kurt Cobain earned a lot of recognition for his acoustic interpretation of this song during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. Cobain’s raspy, higher-pitched rock-style voice captures the desperation, grit, and bleak loneliness that is painted in the lyrics of the song. Nirvana’s darker take on “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” introduced the song to a new generation of fans that still listen to and discuss the musical implications of this version more than a decade later.

Take a listen below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcXYz0gtJeM&list=RDmcXYz0gtJeM&t=14

Below is Leadbelly’s version of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” for reference:

What do you think of Nirvana’s version? Is it a proper continuation of this song’s legacy?

#OnRepeat, Country, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son”

August 25, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” #OnRepeat. Since I’m a huge fan of music from the 1960s and 1970s , this singer and song were bound to end up one of these posts eventually.

Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou, now Yusuf Islam) is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player from the Marylebone area of London, England. Several of his albums have topped the international billboard charts for weeks at a time and he was inducted into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. His music is a blend of Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, and later in his career, Islamic music influences. Some of his most well-known songs are “Moonshadow,” “Peace Train,” “The First Cut is the Deepest,” and “Wild World.”

“Father and Son” was written and recorded by Cat Stevens for his 1970 album, Tea for the Tillerman. The song tells about a conversation between a father and a son, the misunderstandings that arise between older and younger generations, and the need to come to terms with personal life decisions. Stevens uses the lower part of his register for the words spoken by the father and the higher part of his register to represent the son speaking. Stevens’ lyric writing is simple, but poignant, and though there is not much use of vibrato in his voice, Stevens’ portrayal of the message brings out a bittersweet depth and desperation in this song that causes you to pause and listen. And maybe even potentially cry when no one is looking.

Take a listen below:

Are there any bands or singers that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Music

#OnRepeat: Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”

April 21, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” #OnRepeat. Growing up, Fleetwood Mac was one of my mom’s favorite bands to listen to, so it was naturally a part of the wide range of musics listened to in our home. However, this song came back on my radar after viewing the trailer for the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie, which I am highly anticipating. For those who don’t know, I’m a huge Marvel-sci-fi-fantasy-comic-book person on top of being a musician, so the sound track for this movie just adds even more to its already entertaining appeal.

Fleetwood Mac is a rock band that formed originally in 1967. Although there were several changes with band members, the group has sold over 100 million records worldwide and have even been inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. Their music blends elements of Pop, Blues, Soft Rock, and Country. Some of their most well-known songs are “Landslide,””Don’t Stop,””Dreams,” and “Gypsy.” Even though she hasn’t been with the band since it was originally founded, Fleetwood Mac is the reason why Stevie Nicks has been one of my favorite singers (out of my long list) since before I can remember. Her writing style and her unique voice that has both a nasal and powerful tone, contributed to the band’s unique eclectic sound.

“The Chain” is a song written by all members in the band, who pieced together previous work from other songs. Although the lyrics appear to be somewhat random, it seems to be about a frustrated person who wants their love to be reciprocated, but the situation doesn’t seem to be improving. Fleetwood Mac’s vocal harmony and musical arrangement mirrors the angst and frustration felt in the lyrics perfectly. Also, the nasal-like quality of the singers in the group coupled with their powerful vocal projection when performing, gives the song a folk-singer/country undertone even though you can clearly hear heavy Pop, Rock, and Blues music influences.

Take a listen below:

Are there any singers or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Music

#OnRepeat: Glenn Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman”

April 14, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Glenn Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” #OnRepeat. I actually heard a cover of this song performed by fellow musicians a year ago and came across the original performance because I couldn’t get the song out of my head after I saw the character, Ron Swanson, sing it on an episode of Parks and Recreation.

Glenn Campbell is a singer, songwriter, actor, and television host from Arkansas who performs Rock and Country music. He won four Grammy Awards in 1967 in the Country music and Pop music categories, and is most well-known for his variety t.v. show, The Glenn Campbell Goodtime Hour, that aired during the early 1970s.

“Wichita Lineman” was written by Jimmy Webb in 1968 and tells the story of a lineman (telephone power line technician), his job, and what he thinks about when he works. It doesn’t seem like something so simple or ordinary could be so beautiful, but the song is.

Glenn Campbell’s performance of the lyrics and melody exemplify the theme of an ordinary man who desires and thinks of extraordinary things. The melody is simple and the lyrics are poignant and to the point, reading like an internal dialogue that you would hear in the head of an everyday person. The vulnerability of Campbell’s voice also fits within the framework of the simplicity of the song, making you want to stop and listen when you hear the first notes that he sings.

Take a listen below:

Below is the clip of Ron Swanson singing “Wichita Lineman” in Parks and Recreation for reference:

Are there any songs that you can’t stop listening to? Let us know in the comments below!