I Love The USA - Weezer

Just to show you how far behind I'm am on music, here's a song from a Weezer album (the White Album) that came out LAST YEAR. This is my favorite band, guys. And I'm just now getting around to listening to it. So anyway, this video right here...

IS THE TITS!

I'm not especially patriotic, but Weezer and Patton Oswalt are two of my favorite things. I'll let you decode the meaning behind the music video yourself.

Special mention for "Jacked Up" and "Fake Smiles and Nervous Laughter," also from the same album.

"If you stay the night will I fall in love?"

"When you say what you hate, makes me feel kind of great, it's beautiful to me."

And okay, just listen to the whole album and every other Weezer song in existence because it'll make your life so much better. That's all.

Where Would I Be? - Gwen Stefani

If you don't know who Gwen Stefani is, I'd like to know what rock you've been living under. Must be a pretty nice rock or something to never leave it. Anyway, I've been under my own rock apparently since this song came out in 2016 and I just heard it yesterday. It's basically been on repeat since.

It has a very Lily Allen feel to it, and Gwen's voice, which is always rad. Apparently the Lily Allen vibe is because it was produced by Greg Kurstin, who wrote/produced two of Lily Allen's albums. That bouncy reggae beat with the warped vocal blends, just begs you to jump up and dance. I didn't set out to find a dance song when I was randomly song hopping on YouTube yesterday, but I'm glad I did. 

I'm also glad Gwen is doing some solo stuff lately that I can appreciate. Also on my current love list for her (although they are constantly on the radio) are Misery, Used To Love You, and Make Me Like You. 

Oh Land

I have recently become crazy into this Danish show, Rita. The theme song, Speak Out Now by Oh Land, is wonderful. I can barely understand it, but it's awesome. Oh Land was a surprisingly neat find and I might have to check out some more Danish music. I'm also pretty fond of Renaissance Girls right now.

Maps - Maroon 5

Another great song by Maroon 5. I swear I'm not sure why I used to hate them so much in high school. Possibly because Adam Levine wasn't super hot just yet. Anyway, the video for this song is a little bit more intense than theirs normally are, and it has an Irreversible theme to it. All it needed was a rape scene and a pregnancy test to psychologically scar millions of fans.

May induce psychological scarring.

As I understand the lyrics, this is about two people in a relationship, but one is sort of never there for the other. But the other keeps going back to them. Because...fate? Lack of self-respect? Dat ass? Who can say. If Kelly Clarkson were singing this, it would definitely end with an inspirational "I'm better off without you". And of course Carrie Underwood would kick the shit out of his car. But Adam Levine is just like, "Ain't nothin' I can do!" Why are the pretty ones so dumb? So yeah, the song is actually much more uplifting while accompanied by the video.

And then there's that part that reminds me of Leslie Knope..."But on that road I took a fall, oh baby why did you run away?" Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa......I've been watching too much Parks & Rec.

Girls and Boys

I have had two songs stuck on me this week with similar (ish) themes. Where love is concerned, we all the same, because love is not a choice.

1. Girls/Girls/Boys - Panic! At The Disco

Apparently an homage to D'Angelo's "How Does It Feel." While I've never heard of D'Angelo before today, all I can say is thanks for ripping him off, Brendon Urie. I really, really like my skinny white boys/girls. Ha. Anyway, this song seems to be about a guy liking a girl who hasn't made up her mind whether she wants him or a girl. Who doesn't love a bi girl? Indecisive. I love it! Love is not a choice...!

Definitely going in my "maybe" list of songs I might sing.

2. Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michelson

Also an homage, this time to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible". I like Ingrid's version about 20 million times more, mostly because I actually like her song, and also because her dancers are hotter. The comments section for this video is also hilarious because just about everyone is like "Boys are in make-up, I don't understand. It makes me feel gross." I happen to like boys in make-up, so I don't really understand what their deal is, but whatever. The point of the song is that we are all the same when it comes to love.

Chandelier - Sia

No one seems to understand how obsessed I am with this song. It has been stuck in my head for about 3 days now, with no sign of unsticking. I have loved Sia since I first heard I Go To Sleep on an episode of Dollhouse, and while Chandelier is very different in both tone and style, it does have a similar effect on my mind. That is to say, I can't get it out. And I love the lyrics, with a dash of narcissism, because they are very much like something I would write. But better.

Party girls don't get hurt

Can't feel anything, when will I learn

I push it down, push it down

I'm the one for a good time call

Phone's blowing up, they're ringing my doorbell

I feel the love, I feel the love

1,2,3 1,2,3 Drink

1,2,3 1,2,3 Drink

1,2,3 1,2,3 Drink

Throw 'em back til I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier 

From the chandelier

I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist 

Like it doesn't exist

I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night

Feel my tears as they dry

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier

From the chandelier

And I'm holding on for dear life

Won't look down, won't open my eyes

Keep my glass full until morning light

Cuz I'm just holding on for tonight

Help me, I'm holding on for dear life

Won't look down, won't open my eyes

Keep my glass full until morning light

Cuz I'm just holding on for tonight

Sun is up, I'm a mess

Gotta get out now, gotta run from this

Here comes the shame, here comes the shame

And then there's this:

Still Into You - Paramore

Just last night I was pondering who the hell this song was by, and today I'm surfing random things on YouTube and lo and behold...it was given to me in the sidebar. Hail YouTube. Anyway, I like this song mostly because it has a bit of a Michael Jackson feel...just makes you wanna dance! And also because it's Paramore (whom I love). I'm also really sort of just wanting Haley Williams' hair and tights. This is the only song that's really jumped out at me from the radio since Get Lucky. Which kinda tells you everything about the radio that you already know.

Let Your Body Decide - The Ark

I heard Let Your Body Decide by The Ark on the movie, Super. Pretty great movie (shut up, crime!). Pretty great song. This happens to be one of the rare songs that I appreciate for the music more than the lyrics. Of course, I also love the singer's amazing range. Too bad the band is no longer together, though 20 years is an impressive time for one to be together.

Gimme Sympathy - Metric

Love me some Metric. There's just something about the energy in this song that I can't get enough of, but obviously it's the lyrics that really draw my interest. I mean, Here Comes The Sun has long been one of my favorite Beatles songs.

*We're so close to something better left unknown, I can feel it in my bones. Gimme sympathy, after all of this is gone. Who would you rather be, The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?*

Definitely The Beatles.

(acoustic bonus!)

Juliet - Royal Wood

Re-watching Being Human and this song caught my ear. Whoever picks the soundtrack for that show is really doing a terrific job. Much like Weeds, Being Human has been introducing me to some truly gorgeous songs. Royal Wood is the performer's actual name, which is just fawesome. His voice has that breezy but heartbreaking Rufus Wainwright quality to it that gives me shivers. Of course, his music is also piano heavy, which is always a plus. I'm also a little obsessed with Do You Recall, which I believe was also featured in Being Human.

"I don't always ft. someone in my songs, but when I do...it's myself." -Royal Wood

(not an actual quote, but how funny would that be?)

...Like Clockwork - Queens of the Stone Age

...Like Clockwork is the new album from Queens of the Stone Age that I thought would never come out. Let me just say it is basically sploogetastic. Eargasmic. Dopamine rush on ELEVEN. And yeah. Much love, I am super stoked. The vid is pretty eyesplosive also. Sorry, it's hard to type with so much awesome happening in and around my face right now.

go to itunes.com/qotsa !

The Bad In Each Other - Feist

Because sometimes two people can bring out the worst in each other. Doesn't make them bad people...maybe just bad for each other. Anyway, I love the groove, but Feist can be kinda hard to understand sometimes, so here are the lyrics as well:

The Bad In Each Other - Feist

speak plain he said
but didn't see he acted that way
and held me like a cup
fill me up and pour me out
therein lies the doubt
we had the same feelings at opposite times


when a good man
and a good woman
can't find the good in each other
then a good man
and a good woman
will bring out the worst in the other
the bad in each other

but what and how 
to find us now
to find us now
when we've become two
fluorescently blue
down the neon river
the sadness canoes
either without or with her


when a good man
and a good woman
can't find the good in each other
and a good man
and a good woman
bring out the worst in the other

when a good man
and that good woman
can't find the good in each other
then a good man
and a good woman
will bring out the worst in the other
the bad in each other 

Brody Dalle

Brody Dalle is the lead singer for the Distillers and Spinnerette(which I've yet to check out). I've been really into punk and angry girl-rock again lately. So the Distillers have been high on my list. I just lurrrve her scratchy voice with it's harsh sexy rage. She's also just really awesome. Married to Tim Armstrong for a while, connected with the Eagles of Death Metal and Queens of the Stone Age(married their founder, Josh Homme), and she was in the My Friend's Over You music video by New Found Glory:

And of course, she's gorgeous. She has that androgynous quality to her that I just love.

While still remaining entirely female.

She just kicks righteous amounts of ass with her attitude and vocal stylings.

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

I super adore this song. It is very repetitive, but I don't feel like that drags the song down any. Also the Ohoh ohoh ohoh's totally tug my heart strings. The vid is a bit creepy though.

Tryin' To Help - Orson

While watching It's A Boy/Girl Thing on Netflix (b/c I love body swap movies) I was introduced to this song.  Tryin' To Help and Orson in general is just what I've been feeling like listening to lately. A song from a bygone era wherein a band is actually a band, playing instruments and not just digital frakking. Also, they are fun and energetic. Sadly, they are no longer together and only came out with 2 albums.

Here's a bonus vid...because I feel like it.

Locked Out Of Heaven - Bruno Mars

So, I don't really like Bruno Mars...but I'm a little crazy for this song right now. Because it feels like The Police.

Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk - Rufus Wainwright

"Everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger, a little bit thicker, a little bit harmful for me"

True story.

Silvercoin - Angus and Julia Stone

I'm not entirely sure I even have half a feel for what Silvercoin is about. I read the lyrics and everything, but they just don't scream anything particular to me except "I'll miss you when you're gone" which is b/c it's repeated 80 times. Mostly the song just sounds like loss. So obviously it reminds me of Chad and suicide and etc...but that's a personal interpretation, I don't really have an objective one at hand.

Whatever it means, it's pretty. I really enjoy Angus Stone's emotional and yet breezy voice combined with Julia's crackly soprano. The rhythm set by the guitar also evokes the image of a journey or something, for me. But, like, a really casual journey. Like we are casually going to travel to this place that will break your heart. Thanks Angus and Julia, thanks for that.

The Black Keys

Give it up for my Ohio brethren! I hate Ohio, but The Black Keys are proof that something good can come out of that shitfest state and almost eradicate the karmic improbability that is Katie Holmes. It took me forever to actually listen to them after an article in the Rolling Stone, but am I ever glad I did. These boys are gorgeous. That deep, almost indifferent, voice with the sultry riffs and compulsory beats just drive me crazy. In a gooooood way. Yay bluesyness.

The Black Keys makes me feel like drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes is cool again. Makes me wish I had more skinny jeans and some big black glasses. Makes me feel like pursuing my art again. Or just drinking some cool brews on a hot summer day. Too bad the summer's gone just in time for me to find some truly great summer tunes.

So go ahead, get in the mood and get you some.

Turn Into - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

I have been in love with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs since my dubious days as a punk rock prom queen. I love the eccentric sound, the lady singer, and their often disturbing music videos. What I really love about this song, and the whole acoustic set, really, is that we get to see that Karen O is not just a great screamer (innuendo!) but also has a clear, beautiful, and emotive singing voice without all the bells and whistles most vocalists rely upon currently. I really just can't gush enough (another innuendo!) about how much I like her tone quality, it's satisfying like...a piece of chocolate in my coffee. Yum.