Say...

One of my favorite singers/songwriters, John Mayer, has a song called Say.

The chorus is pretty simple with lyrics that say:
"Say what you need to say, say what you need to say.
Say what you need to say, say what you need to say."

If it's gone unnoticed, I'll let you in on a secret... I say what I think. If John Mayer says it's okay, then I agree with him. Lol

Thus, John Mayer's Say is the foundation of this blog; it's the reason I feel like I am allowed to voice my opinions about music. (And you'll never read a negative word about John's music because of that, along with my love of his velvety smooth voice. haha)

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Take all of your wasted honor  Every little past frustration  Take all of your so-called problems  Better put them in quotations   Say what you need to say (8x)  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say   Walking like a one man army  Fighting with the shadows in your head  Living out the same old moment  Knowing you’d be better off instead  If you could only   Say what you need to say (8x)  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say   Have no fear for giving in  Have no fear for giving over  You better know that in the end  It’s better to say too much  Than never to say what you need to say again   Even if your hands are shaking  And your faith is broken  Even as the eyes are closing  Do it with a heart wide open   Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say   Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to  Say what you need to   Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say   Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say   Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  (Fade)  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  Say what you need to say  

Stereo Hearts! - Clash of the Rockers

I don't know that I've ever heard a better comparison in my life than that of music and love.


Stereo Hearts is a song by Gym Class Heros ft. Adam Levine(of Maroon 5). 


I cannot tell you how much it just reached out at me with the words that had a double meaning of music and love... They compare people to records and boom-boxes... and hearts to stereos, of course. 


Maybe it's the way that they make the words seem so real and blunt or maybe it's the voices of those that perform it. Whatever it is, Travis McCoy and Adam Levine have made me fall in love with music all over again.


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My heart's a stereo, it beats for you, so listen close.
Hear my thoughts in every note.
Make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low.
This melody was meant for you, just sing along to my stereo...

Gym Class Hereoes, baby...

If I was just another dusty record on the shelve, would you blow me off and play me like everybody else?
If I ask you to scratch my back, could you manage that, like it read well, check it Travie, I can handle that.
Furthermore, I apologize for any skipping tracks... Its just the last girl that played me left a couple cracks.
I used to used to used to used to, now I'm over that, 'cause holding grudges over love is ancient artifacts.
If I could only find a note to make you understand, I'd sing it softly in your ear and grab you by the hand,
Just Keep it stuck inside your head, like your favorite tune. 
You know my heart is a stereo that only plays for you...

My heart's a stereo, it beats for you, so listen close.
Hear my thoughts in every note.
Make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low.
This melody was meant for you, so sing along to my stereo...
Oh oh oh oh To my stereo...
Oh oh oh oh So sing along to my stereo...

Let's go...

If I was an old school, fifty pound boombox, would you hold me on your shoulder, wherever you walk?
Would you turn my volume up in front of the cops, and crank it higher everytime they told you to stop?
And all I ask is that you don't get mad at me, when you have to purchase mad D batteries.
Appreciate every mixtape your friends make... you never know we come and go like on the interstate.
I think finally found a note to make you understand... If you can hear it, sing along and take me by the hands.
Keep myself inside your head, like your favorite tune.
You know my heart's a stereo that only plays for you...

My heart's a stereo, it beats for you, so listen close,
Hear my thoughts in every note.
Make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low.
This melody was meant for you, so sing along to my stereo...
Oh oh oh oh To my stereo...
Oh oh oh oh So sing along to my stereo...

I only pray you never leave me behind,
Because good music can be so hard to find.
I take your hand and hold it closer to mine...
Thought love was dead, but now you're changing my mind.

My heart's a stereo, it beats for you, so listen close,
Hear my thoughts in every note.
Make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low.
This melody was meant for you, so sing along to my stereo...
Oh oh oh oh To my stereo...
Oh oh oh oh So sing along to my stereo...
Yea...

Marry Me...

How amazing would it be to be asked to marry a guy through a song?

Every time I hear the song "Marry Me" by Train, I just can't help but smile.
It's so sweet how Pat, the lead singer, expresses how he sits in a cafe and has fallen in love with  the girl that he's never talked to... Read these lyrics from the chorus:

Marry me... today and everyday...
Marry me... if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe, say you will... mmhmm... say you will...

He goes on to say this line... one of my favorite lines from any song... you'll understand why when you read it...

You wear white and I wear out the words "I love you" and "You're beautiful".

Isn't that the most amazing play on words?! I love it. So much.

Because this is one of my favorite songs right now, I'm posting the lyrics for you to read/sing along to... Enjoy!

Forever could never be long enough me, to feel like I've had long enough with you.
Forget the world now we won't let them see, but there's one thing left to do.
Now that the weight has lifted, and love has surely shifted my way...
Marry me, today and everyday. Marry me, if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe, say you will. Mmhmm, say you will. Mmhmm...
Together could never be close enough for me, to feel like I am close enough to you.
You wear white and I wear out the words "I love you" and "You're beautiful".
Now that the wait is over and love has finally showed her my way.
Marry me, today and everyday. Marry me, if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe, say you will. Mmhmm, say you will. Mmhmm...
Promise me, you'll always be, happy by my side.
I promise to, sing to you, when all the music dies.
And marry me today and everyday. Marry me, if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe, say you will. Mmhmm, say you will. Mmhmm... Marry me... Mmhmm...

Not Over You...

If it's gone unnoticed to most of you, then I'll let you in on a little secret... most songs are about love, hate, and life afterwards. Yes, I know that there are a few songs here and there that aren't necessarily specifically about those things listed above. However, more likely than not, a song is gonna be about one of those 3 things.

Within those themes is an underlying theme... I like to call it the "Not Over You" syndrome.

One would think that hearing this "Not Over You" drone in almost every song would be tiring and, at some point, annoying. Still, it is in many songs that end up at the top of the charts...

Recently, Gavin DeGraw, one of my personal favorite artists, came out with his newest album, Sweeter. This album is filled with all of our favorite themes, with one special song, a favorite of celebrities like Dane Cook. This song, believe it or not, is called Not Over You.

It's hard to believe, but I just can't get over this song! It never gets old and Gavin's voice never wavers as he expresses his unending love for the girl of his dreams... Here are the words that I love so much:

Dreams, that's where I have to go, to see your beautiful, face anymore, I stare at a picture of you and listen to the radio...
Hope, hope there's a conversation, we both admit we had it good, but until then it's alienation, I know that much is understood...

and I realize...

If you asked me how I'm doing, I would say I'm doing just fine.
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind.
But I go out, and sit down, at a table set for two, and finally, I'm forced to face the truth,
No matter what you say, I'm not over you. Not over you.

Damn, damn girl you do it well, and I thought you were innocent,
You took this heart and put it through hell, still you're magnificent.
I, I'm a boomerang, doesn't matter how you throw me,
Turn around and I'm back in the game,
Even better than the old me,
But I'm not, even close, without you.

If you asked me how I'm doing, I would say I'm doing just fine.

I would lie and say that you're not on my mind.

But I go out and sit down at a table set for two and finally, I'm forced to face the truth

No matter what you say, I'm not over you. 

And if I, had the chance, to renew, you know there, isn't a thing, I wouldn't do.

I could get back, on the right track, but only if you'd be convinced, 

So until then...

If you asked me how I'm doing, I would say I'm doing just fine.

I would lie and say that you're not on my mind.

But I go out and sit down at a table set for two and finally, I'm forced to face the truth

No matter what you say, I'm not over you. Not over you. 

Not over you. Not over you. 

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This song and these lyrics basically encompass the entire "Not Over You" syndrome that lyricists struggle with so many times. And I absolutely love it!

The Best Lyricists of Our Time

There are so many amazing lyricists out there.
Having said that, there aren't as many that can change my whole outlook on my life.
Anyone who appreciates music understands that there's that one person that sings or writes the right thing that makes you feel immediately better; that one person that seems to get you when noone else can get through.
These are my people:

First off, people may not trust my opinion after I say this, but I honestly believe that Taylor Swift has an amazing ability to write lyrics. Taylor is one of those people that could write lyrics like they are stories. And that's exactly what her songs are: stories. Love Story, The Story of Us, Mary's Song, Fifteen, the list could go on and on... Her songs speak to me like she's telling the stories of my life back to me. She knows how to make it interesting and melodic and fun. I'm not gonna lie, the majority of her songs are on my Dance Mix... I can jump up and down and dance goofy to her music and it always, always, ALWAYS makes me feel better, no matter what kind of mood I'm in. It never fails that I can turn on her music and instantly laugh and sing along!

After Taylor, comes another artist that I can jam to whenever I'm feeling blue (hey, that rhymed!). Toby Mac (or Toby MacDonald) is a christian singer/rapper that writes all his own music and lyrics and he is also sweet as pie... at least, he was when I met him! I've seen him in concert 3 times and got his autograph and I'll never forget the piercing blue eyes he has! Before Taylor Swift became famous, Toby was my go-to musician to brighten my day! His ability to put God's message in a modern and fun way puts him at the top of my list. Songs such as Love Is In the House, Gone, Irene, and City On Our Knees give me the jump-start I need to begin the day and fulfill God's purposes  for me.

Another writer I love is Andrew McMahon. He's the lead singer for my favorite band, Jack's Mannequin as well as the band called Something Corporate. He is the writer of my 2 favorite songs by JM: Dark Blue and Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby). The first time I heard those songs, I felt what can only be described as longing. Andrew must have wanted to convey that in each of those... The lyrics of these songs are so important to me, so here, I will share them.
>>>>Dark Blue (chorus) : Dark blue, dark blue/ have you ever been alone in a crowded room/well I'm here with you/ I say the world could be burning up, burning down... dark blue, dark blue/ have you ever been alone in a crowded room/ well I'm here with you/ I say the world could be burning/ and there's nothing but dark blue
>>>>Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby) (chorus): Give me something to believe in/ a breath for the breathing/ so write it down/ I don't think that I'll close my eyes/ Cuz lately I'm not dreaming/  so what's the point in sleeping/ it's just that at night I've got nowhere to hide/ to the sleepless this is my reply/ I'll write you a lullaby

I hope, now, that you understand my love of Andrew's work. He touches something in me that is very hard for most writers to reach.

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I've always wanted to be a lyricist. It seems like, with my love of music and writing, being a lyricist would be perfect for me. I wish I could write like those people listed above; touch people's hearts like they've touched mine; get people to dance and sing along with my words. Unfortunately, I know I couldn't possibly do all those things, so I stick to the appreciation side of the music and write what I do know: critiques.
These are the top 3 lyricist of our time... at least, in my opinion. I hope you enjoy their music and I hope you are inspired by their words!

I hope you'll continue to read my thoughts on Music and Lyrics... or Something Like It!

Music and Lyrics...

Welcome to Music and Lyrics... or Something Like It!

I'm a huge fan of music. And lyrics. And other stuff.

I want to someday be a music critic at the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun Times... So I love writing about music. I'm very open-minded, so if I say something you don't like or if you have any recommendations of music that I should listen to, feel free to comment and let me know!

I'll be writing mainly about music and lyrics; how they can change people's emotions and what they say about the writers and composers themselves.

I hope you enjoy Music and Lyrics... or Something Like It!