All This Time... I didn't know this song existed!

Sometimes I think I don't give OneRepublic enough credit.

They have an amazing, almost ethereal sound. The way they make the songs come out of silence, well, it's brilliant. 

And, I may have said it before, but some of my favorite songs are the ones that start with just a voice and a piano and then build on that pretty simplistic, yet beautiful, concept. 

That's exactly what OneRepublic has done with their song "All This Time." 

It's funny because I've had their 'Waking Up' album on my computer pretty much since it was released. However, like usual, I rediscovered it on a television show (The Vampire Diaries).

[Sidebar: The Vampire Diaries has some absolutely epic music. If for no other reason than that, you should watch it.]

I don't remember what was happening on the show when I looked up the song, but whatever it was let the music tell the story. And that's when you know you've found a great song. 

Now to the lyrics.

Te first verse, he's explaining his decision he made to choose, to come back. 

The chorus then says it all: 

"All this time, we were waiting for each other. All this time, I was waiting for you. We've to all these words, can't waste them on another, so I'm straight in a straight line, running back to you."

Surprise, it's about love. But don't let that fact deter your interest. The vast majority of songs are about love, so just stick with it. I promise, the song is worth a listen. 

"I don't know the city, but it isn't home."

It's a beautiful line about longing and want. It continues here: 

"You say I'm lucky, to love something that loves me, but I'm torn as I could be, wherever I roam."

I like to think that here, he is singing from experience. People say he's lucky to be a singer and make music, but he's always gone and he's torn between his love of music and his lover. 

They change it up in the last chorus and it works so well: 

"We've got all this love, can't waste it on another..." 

So here are all the lyrics, but those won't do it justice. Listen to the song. You won't regret it: 

Six on the second hand

Two New Years resolutions

And there's just no question

What this man should do

Take all the time lost

All the days that I cost

Take what I took and

Give it back to you 

All this time 

We were waiting for each other

All this time

I was waiting for you

We've got all these words

Can't waste them on another

So I'm straight in a straight line

Running back to you

I don't know what day it is 

I had to check the paper

I don't know the city

But it isn't home 

You say I'm lucky

To love something that loves me 

But I'm torn as I could be 

Wherever I roam

Hear me say

All this time 

We were waiting for each other

All this time

I was waiting for you

We've got all these words

Can't waste them on another

So I'm straight in a straight line

Running back to you

Yea, oh running back to you

Oh running back to you

Oh, and we drive so far

And I drive so far 

To get back where you are

All this time 

We were waiting for each other

All this time

I was waiting for you

We've got all this love

Can't waste it on another

So I'm straight in a straight line

Running back to you

I'm straight in a straight line

Running back to you, yea

I'm straight in a straight line 

Running back to you

An "Instant Star"

Like some stars, Alexz Johnson got her "big" break via Disney. That is where I discovered her as a kid. She starred in a show called "So Weird".

Years later, she became the star of one of my favorite shows, Instant Star, on TheN (Basically Nickolodeon at night, for teens; most shows were/are Canadian).

On the show, Johnson was able to showcase her musical talents. Each episode featured an original song performed by her (or in some cases, others on the show). She played Jude Harrison, the first winner of the musical competition "Instant Star". The winners of the show receive a recording contract for usually three albums. The first episode begins with Harrison winning the competition.

From there, the show takes you on Jude's journey through stardom, while still being a regular high school student. She goes through lots of drama with friends and boyfriends and friends who become boyfriends and, like Taylor Swift, writes songs about her failed (and sometimes successful) relationships.

While the show only lasted four seasons, Johnson's music from the show still thrives.

However, outside of the show, Johnson had and still has a very successful musical career.

One song that she wrote that breaks my heart, but I love so much, is called Skipping Stone.

If you get the chance, watch the music video for it because I never really understood the song until I saw it. The lyrics are heartbreaking, but the video gives it a whole new meaning.

With that, here are the lyrics:

I took in the most that I could
I never imagined that I would be feeling so misunderstood
I’m just following lines
You race in my mind like a car
You’ve beaten my heart so damn farther
And now I’ve been pacing the wall
Cause you’re under my hood

Never thought I could love you no never
Never thought that I would
Ever try to be anything better
My heart’s beating better alone
And if it is broke why let you know?
This heart’s not your skipping stone
If I’m sinking water than why even bother
Just leave it alone
This heart’s not your skipping stone

So maybe I should settle down
Find a new man let him throw my whole world around
All his blueberry lies
I know there isn’t a rule
Was left in the dust never was taught in school
I’m a lovesick fool

Never knew that you could just hold me hostage
I’m losing my cool
Through the pain somehow don’t want you to stop it
My heart’s beating better alone
And if it is broke why let you know?
This heart’s not your skipping stone
If I’m sinking water than why even bother
Leave it alone
This hearts not your skipping stone

All the time
I never let you in
Was a lie
I wasn’t letting you win
And all the days
You let me cry
Was a lie

My heart’s beating better alone
And if it is broke why let you know?
This heart’s not your skipping stone

If I’m sinking water why even bother
Just leave it alone
And if it is broke why let you know?
This heart’s not your skipping stone

If I’m sinking water why even bother?
Just leave me alone
This heart’s not your skipping stone

My new (musical) love... and let's face it: possible future husband... (okay, a girl can dream)

The new Mr. James Dean, from Canada, is Sebastian Pigott.

"You know the ones who work at it, You know, and you do it, not once a week, not twice a week, but every day, you know? And it just starts to live in you." ~Sebastian Pigott

Pigott is an actor. But because of his accidental success on Canadian Idol, he became well known as a musician.

His first recurring role was in "Being Erica", the show that introduced me to him. And thank goodness it did, otherwise I'd be missing out. He is also known for his role in the the movie Saw 3D. (He plays alongside another guy from "Being Erica" in the very beginning of the movie in the trap that was on display. Later, a third character from "Being Erica" is in it for a bit and that woman is later in Saw VII.)

On acting: "Sad, happy, believable, not believable. Which is sometimes what they want! Maybe if I had just stuck to that, I'd work a lot more, making faces."

He claims he found his musical talent on "accident".

"It was an accident. I had always sang as a kid. My brother was the really serious musician, as he still is."

In fact, his entry into Canadian Idol was a whim.

"I just went down to hang out with [Oliver]. Like there was no great strategy at play for me. I was just this struggling actor, working a few gigs here, doing a play here, whatever... It just goes to show you that luck... I think anybody who doesn't acknowledge how much luck plays a factor is, is lying to themselves... So I just went down to hang out with my brother, completely unprepared, and then I was lucky the show, they took me on, and that was really the big break for me. It opened doors for me."

He went on to say:

"I think I was uniquely equipped to take advantage of that show."

He ended up beating out his brother, making it further along than Oliver, but there is no animosity between the two. That is evident in their ability to coexist in the amazing duo they're created. Their voices blend so well that sometimes I have problems discerning the two. If you want to check out what I'm refering to, look up "Turn Your Back On Me", "Falling In Love", "Berlin Wall", and their cover of "Dream".

He holds his brother, Oliver, in the highest esteem when it comes to musical talent and claims Oliver taught him everything he knows.

"Now I do feel like I've earned my stripes as a singer, but I was absolutely out of my depth. Singing on the show, singing after the show, starting working with my brother. I mean, I was absolutely out of my depth and I was so aware of how much better he was, just having put in his 10,000 hours."

He explained, though, that he understands that everyone has to work at it.

"Music's something I've always done and always loved and I would like to think I have a talent for it, but it was completely undeveloped at the time. When you have an undeveloped talent, I don't know about you guys, for me, it's practically useless when I'm under pressure."

However, he also jokes about it.

"Hopefully, something good comes out of it. Otherwise it's a tremendous waste of a life," and quipped, "They pay me for my sense of humor... haha."

On the show "Being Erica", Sebastian played a musician.

"They picked [our song], and fortunately it was a, like you say, pretty magical opportunity to get to sing our own tunes and it was fantastic."

"Being Erica" brought great acclaim to the song "Alien Like You" because it was featured in the show with Sebastian's character, Kai Booker, performing it on multiple occasions and episodes.

"There was a song and we pitched a song that we wrote and that I really, I really loved and wanted to have on it and they picked one of the song-writing department's songs that Kai sang as one of his, so it's not strictly true that they're all mine."

In later episodes from the initial one he is referring to in which he performed a song called "Time Will Tell", he also performed covers. First, he performed Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" and later performed Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are".

But Sebastian is a singer songwriter and as such, he loves performing his own music. Which is why he was thrilled that the original song he and Oliver wrote was the song he got to perform as his debut as a musician on the show.

"Alien Like You, the big one, yea that was a song I wrote with my brother and probably the best song I've ever written."

With that, I leave you with the lyrics to this song he believes is his best (and I'll tell you that I agree wholeheartedly with his opinion):

I know that you don’t
Know that I know what you know
We’ve got secrets between us that
Nobody else would believe if we told them
So let the stars align
And let the water make wine ’cause
Broken souls will become whole tonight, oh tonight
We know it’s right so

Lift your eyes and let me in
‘Cause baby I’m an alien like you
Would you ever wake at night and realize
The reason why you knew me then
Is maybe I’m an alien too
Would you ever let me be an alien with you

I know that believing
Is hard with the feeling
That home must be millions and millions of light years away
So let the heavens flare
And let’s not be scared, ’cause
We know love’s a world above this one
It’s like the sun so

Lift your eyes and let me in
‘Cause baby I’m an alien like you
Would you ever wake at night and realize
The reason why you knew me then
Is maybe I’m an alien too
Would you ever let me be an alien with you

The days of solitude are gone
Because we’ve both spent way too long
Hearing voices on the radio
And we can’t let anybody know
No we can’t let anybody know

Lift your eyes and let me in
‘Cause baby I’m an alien like you
Would you ever wake at night and realize
The reason why you knew me then
Is maybe I’m an alien too
Would you ever let me be an alien...
Lift your eyes and let me in
‘Cause baby I’m an alien like you
Would you ever wake at night and realize
The reason why you knew me then
Is maybe I'm an alien too
Would you ever let me be an alien...

Sing like a birdy... I mean like Birdy

Birdy, the singer/songwriter from the United Kingdom, has flair, if nothing else.

Her voice has a charm to it, which is a hugely unique characteristic.

Birdy's version of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" is what brought her acclaim. (The nickname came from her parents and family, though she was born Jasmine van den Bogaerde in 1996.)

She has a "chirpy" quality about her, not just in her presence, but in her voice, as well.

Birdy doesn't add frills or decoration. They aren't necessary.

(Having said that, I must also add that I have nothing against ornamentation in music. On the contrary, my love of Baroque music stems from the use of ornamentation. And quite frankly, half of today's pop stars would be much less impressive if they didn't do the runs and falls they are known for [Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, etc].)

However, Birdy needs none of that. Her voice, where she is so young and unencumbered by life's issues, projects just that: innocence.

Still, she embodies the music. Sometimes, it seems like she knows how it all feels, all the pain and heartache. She's not even an adult, but she sure sounds like one.

Her voice is so smooth. Maybe that's because she doesn't belt. She doesn't need to. Her style of music doesn't have a need for that.

Also, something noteworthy is that Birdy plays piano almost as well as she sings.

Though this isn't her original song, it's what she's most known for, so here are the lyrics to Iver's "Skinny Love":

Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Right in this moment this order's tall

And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be kind
And In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different "kind"
I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines

Come on skinny love what happened here
Suckle on the hope in lite brassiere
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Sullen load is full; so slow on the split

And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be kind
And Now all your love is wasted
And Then who the hell was I?
And I'm breaking at the britches
And at the end of all your lines

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?

The Powerhouse I Missed

By now, it's probably obvious to most of my readers that I love the tv show Smash. Here's another reason I loved season 2.

Jennifer Hudson is a powerhouse. As a music lover and avid appreciater, I am truly ashamed that I didn't really know about her until she appeared on Smash.

However, with her performance of the song "I Can't Let Go," I absolutely fell in love with her voice.

Somehow, you can hear the passion and hurt and heartache in every note and I, for one, was blown away.

The song is about longing and love and how true love never fades, even if it's not returned.

"They say nothing lasts forever, well I wish that that were true, 'cause this aching in my heart won't go away."

For me, the song isn't about a broken heart, which, at first glance, most might think. To me, it's about faking happiness because you know without this true love, you'll never truly be happy.

I can relate.

I think she's stuck.

Some lover hurt her and she's trying to move on, so she's singing the hopes of her heart, saying I love this new guy, but I can't let go of the one who broke me.

"I close the book before the story starts."

She's saying she ends all her new relationships before they start because she knows it'll never be what it was with HIM.

"You asked me to start over, but that's easier said than done. And the memories are strong when they arise."

The more she tries to forget him, the more she thinks about their time, and the more the memories bring back the flood of emotion.

"Help me to let go."

Still, she wants to be happy, so she asks for help, and love, and hope in the last line.

Here's the full song lyrics, and I'll let you decide what it's about:

They say nothing lasts forever
Well, I wish that that were true
Cause this aching in my heart won't go away

They say everything must change
They say that time will see it through
Well, I've listened and I've waited for that day

But I wake up with this anger
And the pain won't let me be
And the smile I share
Is only there for show

If I hang on to this heartache
Then my soul will not be free
So I keep trying
But I just cannot let go

I can't let go
I need it to remind me
I can't let go
Oh, I just repeat the past

And though your arms are saying yes
I feel my heart keeps saying no
I want to love you
But I can't let go

I have lived through bad beginnings
And I've seen unhappy ends
So I close the book
Before the story starts

I'm just a witness to my lifetime
And I'm a stranger to my friends
I'm a trafficker
Of broken, damaged hearts

Now you ask me to start over
But it's easier said than done
'Cause the memories are strong when they arise
And when heartache comes a'calling
I won't even try to run
'Cause it's all that makes me know that I'm alive

I can't let go
I need it to remind me
I can't let go
Oh, I just repeat the past

And though your arms are saying yes
I feel my heart keeps saying no
I want to love you (I want to love you)
I want to love you (I want to love you)
Oh, I want to love you
But I can't let go (I can't let go)
No, I can't let go (I can't let go)
Would you help me?
Help me to let go.

Remember Him For His Music: A Tribute to the Late Cory Monteith

As many of you may not know, I am a fan of the show called Glee.

And as most of you probably know by now, one of the stars, Cory Monteith, recently died.

However, I don't want to focus on his death, but rather his life. His music. His impact on so many people.

His impact on me.

In the show, he was recognized by accident. That fact is funny, because I recognized the show by accident.

I stumbled upon it, switching through the channels, and fell in love.

It was the season finale of the first season of Glee, and they were performing my favorite Journey song, Faithfully. Like I said, I fell in love.

Lea Michele, the main female star of the show, and Monteith's former fiance, sang the first few verses just with Monteith, and the harmonies they created drew me in like nothing else. It was and always will be my favorite performance from Glee.

The other day, I was mowing the grass and listening to my iPod like usual. Then I heard a song, one that I heard many times before. This time though, tears started falling from my eyes.

On the latest season of Glee, Michele's character, Rachel, sings a song from one of my favorite musicals, one I have recently written a critique on, Les Miserables.

As most of my readers know, I grew up singing and listening to Les Miserables. The song Bring Him Home is a beautiful one. However, I have never before cried when hearing it sung, that is, until my iPod played Michele's rendition of it.

Hearing her sing it after what had just come to fruition brought a flood of tears. I felt like she was pleading with God. For him.

I cannot possibly imagine what she's going through, but I am so sorry for her and for his family. And for the Glee family and fans who, like me, don't know what to make of this tragedy.

Whatever happened to him is not who he was to us. Monteith was a great musician, an idol, a friend, a brother, a son, a lover, and many, many more things.

I will remember him as that and I hope you will, too.

SMASH is a Smash

Okay, so some of you may already know about how great I think the tv show Smash is.

It stars Katharine McPhee and, yes, I think she is an amazing singer. And, yes, she came in second on American Idol. But, she can also act and that just makes the show worth it.

My newest favorite song has her singing a duet with her co-star, Jeremy Jordan.

He is also amazing.

He is a great singer, but he is only improved when McPhee comes in with these amazing harmonies.

Trust me, it's worth listening to.

The song is called "Heart Shaped Wreckage."

And the lyrics? Well, they are nothing short of brilliant.

The chorus alone could be the whole song and I'd be fine with it:

"Look at this heart shaped wreckage, what have we done? We have got scars from battles nobody won. We could start over, better, both of us know if we just let the broken pieces, let the broken pieces go."

However, when you put it all together, the amazing vocals and the genius lyrics, it's the recipe for a song that could become a classic... if enough people give it a chance.

Obviously, the show's followers heard it and I saw lots of great reviews of it online, but really, you need to listen to it.

Don't watch the YouTube video of them acting it out during the show because if you're not a fan of the show, then you'll just get confused and it'll frustrate you. Just fine the version uploaded by "TheMusicofSmash" and, trust me, you will not regret it.

Here's the lyrics:

I'm not scared to tell the truth
I've been to hell and back and I went with you
Remind me what we were before,
When we said you are mine and I am yours

I don't know much, but I know myself
And I don't wanna love anybody else.
So let's break the spell and lift the curse.
Remember when we fell for each other, head first.

Look at this heart shaped wreckage,
What have we done?
We have got scars from battles nobody won.
We can start over, better, both of us know,
If we just let the broken pieces,
Let the broken pieces go.

I can't find you in the dark.
Will we get back to who we are?
And I I can't fix this on my own.
Our love is still the best thing I've ever known.


Look at this heart shaped wreckage,
What have we done?
We have got scars from battles nobody won.
We could start over, better, both of us know,
If we just let the broken pieces,
Let the broken pieces go.

Let the broken pieces go...
Just hold on to each other tonight... oh...


Look at this heart shaped wreckage,
What have we done?
We have got scars from battles nobody won.
We could start over, better, both of us know,
If we just let the broken pieces,
Let the broken pieces,
Let the broken pieces,
Let the broken pieces...

Easy

As I just recently attended a concert featuring Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry, I figured I'd discuss my favorite Rascal Flatts song. It just so happened that it features Natasha Bedingfield, also one of my favorite vocalists.

Easy is an amazing song that combines Rascal Flatts' country twang with Natasha Bedingfield's soulful swag.

The song tells a story, which makes it all the more enticing to the listener. It's a dialogue between Gary LeVox, RF's lead singer, and Bedingfield. They are talking to themselves, but they're telling the story of how hard it is to make being single look easy.

I think the words spoke to me because sometimes it's hard to see your ex and know that they could still be with you and remember the good things and times you had together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDSCjmxO4T4

Here are the lyrics! I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do:

We broke up
yeah, it's tough
most guys would've been crushed
Wastin' their time
Wonderin' where they went wrong
No way, not me
Hey, I'm doing just fine
I'm not afraid of movin' on

It's easy going out on a Friday night
Easy every time I see her out
I can smile, live it up
The way a single guy does
But what she, what she don't know
Is how hard it is to make it look so
Easy

The truth is
That I miss lyin' in those arms of his
But I don't ever let it show
I laugh and I act like
I'm having the time of my life
as far as he knows

It's easy goin' out on a Friday night
Easy, everytime I see him out
I can smile, live it up
The way a single girl does
But, what he, what he don't know
is how hard it is to make it look so
Easy
Oh, it's easy

Oh, it's easy goin' out on a Friday night
Oh, it's easy every time I see him out
I can smile, live it up
Forget about the way it was
But what she
Oh, what he don't know
What she don't know
Is how hard it is to make it look so
Easy
Look so easy

Music Shows!

I am so interested in music that I watch the shows on tv that are immersed in it.

--Instant Star: (fictional, based on a singing contest that the main character wins in the first episode, features a new-original-song for every episode that the main character "records" during the episode)

--American Idol: (reality show - I used to watch until I realized how shallow it was)

--The Voice: (reality show, I respect it more because not only is the first round blind, but also the judges are well-known and highly respected in their areas of music)

--One Tree Hill: (fictional show that features many artists as guest stars and performers, the main actress is a record producer and the supporting actress is a popstar... in the show)

--Glee: (fictional show that focuses on a high school glee club, features multiple songs every episode)

--Smash: (fictional show that focuses on the creation and production of a musical about Marilyn Monroe, features about one original song and one cover every episode)

I just think it's interesting that immerse my life in music. Almost everything I watch and everything I do revolves around music.

Th Coldest Piece of Music I Know

I think anything by Cold Play.... just kidding!

You'll probably laugh, but I think the coldest piece of music I know is "Cold As You" by Taylor Swift.

The emotion behind the words in this songs makes me shiver.

The chorus is this:

Oh what a shame, what a rainy ending given to a perfect day. Every smile you fake is so condescending, counting all the scars you made. And now that I'm sitting here thinking it through, I've never been anywhere cold as you. 

It really does give me shivers.

When I think of cold, I think of the cold you feel deep in your bones after a hard rain that has seeped through your clothes.

I think of the condescending guy that thinks himself better than the best and turns you down before you even have the chance to ask.

This song is the description of my kind of "cold" feeling.

Here are the lyrics:

You have a way of coming easily to me
And when you take, you take the very best of me
So I start a fight cause I need to feel something
And you do what you want cause I'm not what you wanted

Oh what a shame, what a rainy ending given to a perfect day
Just walk away, no use defending words that you will never say
And now that I'm sitting here thinking it through
I've never been anywhere cold as you

You put up walls and paint them all a shade of gray
And I stood there loving you and wished them all away
And you come away with a great little story
Of a mess of a dreamer with the nerve to adore you

You never did give a damn thing honey but I cried, cried for you
And I know you wouldn't have told nobody if I died, died for you
(Died for you)

Oh what a shame, what a rainy ending given to a perfect day
Every smile you fake is so condescending
Counting all the scars you made
And now that I'm sitting here thinking it through
I've never been anywhere cold as you

Cups... as background music? Really?

If you haven't heard the song Cups (You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone), LISTEN TO IT! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY, LISTEN TO IT!

It was performed in the new movie Pitch Perfect by Anna Kendrick. She literally "plays" the cup and that's the accompaniment to the vocals.

Here it is:

I got my ticket for the long way 'round, two bottle of whiskey for the way. And i sure would like some sweet company and I'm leaving tomorrow, what-do-you-say?

When I'm gone, when I'm gone, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone. You're gonna miss me by my hair, you're gonna miss me everywhere. Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone. 

I got my ticket for the long way 'round, the one with the prettiest of views. It's got mountains, it's got rivers, it's got sights to give you shivers, but it sure would be prettier with you.

When I'm gone, when I'm gone, oh you're gonna miss me when I'm gone. You're gonna miss me by my walk, you're gonna miss me by my talk, oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

That's all the lyrics.

I think I love this song because of it's simplicity and message of "I'm going, do you wanna come with me because I want you there and you'll miss me if you don't come."

It's cute and Kendrick is a pretty good singer for being an actress first. If you haven't heard it yet, please give it a listen. I think it's less than two minutes long, so even if you don't enjoy it, you didn't waste too much time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp3szAI1Pag

I Thought You'd Always Be Mine...

I remember when i started to listen to Justin Bieber. No, I don't have Bieber Fever and never have I ever had it.

But the winter of freshman year of college, I went through a sad, ugly breakup. The only song that seemed to go along with how i felt. The lyrics just made me feel like I wasn't the only one who'd ever been crushed like that.

For you, I would've done whatever, and I just can't believe we ain't together...

and

I'm going down, down, down, down and I just can't believe my first love won't be around.

and

I'm in pieces, baby fix me. And just shake me til you wake me from this bad dream.

I do this with alot of my songs - connect emotionally, through a memory or experience, or whatever. I think that's why I like the music I do... it speaks to me on another level, in another language.

Here are the lyrics to Baby by Justin Bieber:

You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever, and I'll be there
You are my love, you are my heart
And we will never, ever, ever be apart

Are we an item? Girl, quit playin'
"We're just friends," what are you sayin'?
Said "there's another," and looked right in my eyes
My first love broke my heart for the first time

And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

For you, I would have done whatever
And I just can't believe we're here together
And I wanna play it cool, but I'm losin' you
I'll buy you anything, I'll buy you any ring

And I'm in pieces, baby fix me
And just shake me 'til you wake me from this bad dream
I'm goin' down, down, down, down
And I just can't believe my first love won't be around

And I'm like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

When I was 13, I had my first love
There was nobody that compared to my baby
And nobody came between us who could ever come above
She had me going crazy, oh I was starstruck
She woke me up daily, don't need no Starbucks

She made my heart pound
I skip a beat when I see her in the street
And at school on the playground
But I really wanna see her on a weekend
She know she got me dazin' 'cause she was so amazin'
And now my heart is breakin' but I just keep on sayin'

Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

I'm all gone
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Now I'm all gone
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Now I'm all gone
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Now I'm all gone, gone, gone, gone
I'm gone

Music, Music, All the Time

***Caution - Not my normal post***

I've gotten into the habit of, when I wake up in the morning, turning on my laptop and listening to music - when I'm in the shower, when I'm getting ready, when I'm cooking breakfast. Then, when I leave my apartment, I put in my earbuds and listen as I walk to school.

On my laptop, I listen to Maroon 5, or Angels and Airwaves - something that will wake me up. Then, on my iPod, I listen to Christina Aguilera or Owl City - something that makes me wanna dance, or just makes me happy.

When I go to sleep at night, I listen to something sad or calming, maybe Harry Connick, Jr., Strays Don't Sleep, Alexz Johnson, and I fall asleep to their voices crooning in my ears.

Music really is my life, but it's because I purposefully surround myself with it during the vast majority of time in my day.

Wayfaring Stranger... by the Next Big Thing

As you've probably already figured out, I love acapella singing, groups or individuals.

As I was lost in YouTube, I stumbled across a video of Ed Sheeran (known for his song "A-Team") singing "Wayfaring Stranger" (made famous by Eva Cassidy).

I won't lie, I was mesmerized. His voice is incredible, but the mechanics of it all and the fact that it was a One-Take Video (which is self-explanatory) just made me think he's the next big thing.

I initially thought he'd be a one-hit wonder because "A-Team", though well-known, is really his only big song.

Now I am fully aware that he has the potential and the ability to be a great artist and internationally known.

Below, I have included the link to YouTube of the video I'm referencing.
Watch it, I know you'll enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buAzVkcH4YI

Les Miserables - the movie critique

I don't know how many of you like musicals.

However, you probably know how much I do by now.

Les Miserables just came out in theaters and there've been alot of things said about it.

Here's what I have to say:

The musical is amazing. I've seen it on Broadway a few times and I've always been impressed. In the movie, as they've been advertising, the actors sang as they acted, which changes things.

I think that the way an actor acts when singing changes everything. Thus, when these actors were performing live in front of the camera, they were able to do things with their voices and their roles that just can't be done in a studio. These men and women were able to bring a different aspect of the musical to the big screen and I applaud them for that.

Now, I have to say that the vast majority of people who have talked to me about the movie after seeing it have said that they didn't care much for Russell Crowe's singing.

You know what? He's an actor. And so was the vast majority of the cast that worked on the film. GET OVER IT!

His acting as the character Javert was incredible and he did do a fine job, at least in my opinion, in portraying the man behind the uniform.

I also thought that Hugh Jackman (Jean ValJean) and Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) did wonderful jobs with their characters. Both of them sang very well for that not being their primary career path and I appreciated very much the liberties they took with the songs, making them their own.

Anne Hathaway was stunning as Fantine and I think that her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" is probably my favorite one of all time (not counting my mother's version, of course).

The Thenardiers (innkeepers) were great, too, though I think they did seem a bit held back... after all, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are known for their theatrics. Their protrayal was great and I liked the extra comic relief  Cohen added in never getting Cosette's name right.

The role of Eponine has always been my favorite. I sing her songs all the time and in the words of my brother, "It's okay that you didn't do so hot with Cosette's part... Eponine is your b****!"
When I initially heard that the movie was going to actually be filmed, I also heard that Taylor Swift would be playing the role. As you probably know by now, she is a great inspiration to me. However, when she was replaced by Samantha Barks, I was first mad, then I just took a breath, got my laptop out and looked her up. And then I realized the only person for the part better than Barks would be Lea Salonga (who is possibly the best musical singer I've ever heard). Needless to say, I felt that Barks did a great job with "On My Own" and "A Little Fall of Rain" was impeccable.

However, I have to say that Eddie Redmayne (Marius) stole the show with his performance of "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables". Of all the times that I've seen the musical and listened and sung along to the songs, I've never felt so much sadness and hurt than when I heard and watched him sing that song. It was like I'd never heard it before. And although Michael Ball is my favorite Marius, Redmayne gave him a run for his money.

Overall, I think that the movie did an amazing job and it was definitely worth the money for the ticket... in fact, I'm going again in about 12 hours.