Top 10 Modern Covers

Enough of this depressing shit! I have for you a new Top 10 list and this time it's a Top 10 covers of top 40 songs! So these are current (well, maybe within the past 10 years) songs covered by other artists of varying level of fame. I picked these songs because the performer did something unique or put their signature on the song.

1) Royals by Walk off the Earth- You need to see the video for this song, it's really cool. (I don't want to spoil it for you). I could easily bulk up this list with several other covers by Walk off the Earth from Gotye to Eminem.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgD5p1XiVT0

2) Radioactive by Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix. Not gonna lie, I like this version much better! They harmonize well during the chorus of "radioactive, radioactive"
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2GCa-_nyU

3) We Found Love by 2Cellos. How two cellos can recreate the computer generated sounds that are the main sound of this song is beyond me, but wow! Do they do it! They do a lot of other songs by popular artists such as Michael Jackson, Guns N Roses, Nirvana and so many more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Am_VZFps9o

4) Crazy in Love by The Puppini Sisters- Swing music and Beyonce. Whodathunk? These girls are the Andrews Sisters reincarnated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkAP3W5WGPY

5) Bad Romance by Halestorm- Now this is what a bad romance is supposed to sound like. Edgy, sexy, and dark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vmhnxVF1GU
 
6) Viva La Vida by Taylor Swift. During her Speak Now tour, she would cover an artist that was born in that city. I considered putting "Lose Yourself" by Eminem because it's the antithesis of Taylor, but she doesn't do the whole song. It's now up as an honorable mention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjHX1wdWvVk 
Honorable Mention: Lose Yourself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSHcdT6dzsY

7) Locked out of Heaven by Bastille. Slower, sung at a lower pitch, and in places it sounds like the soundtrack that's played right before some kind of epic battle scene. Bonus points because it has a violin. I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but it sure is different from the original and that's why it's on here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLuKEyFmMcM

8) Thoughtless by Evanescence. If you don't like whiny, emo Evanescence, check out this head-banging, air guitar rocking Korn cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtC744jVWmE

9) What Hurts the Most by Cascada. If the Rascal Flatts version is a song that laments the loss of love, Cascada's version is a song that has come to grips with the pain and is moving on. It's a dance song, so it's upbeat and "modernized 80's" synthesizers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0YuEPJeGSI

10) If I Ain't Got You by Maroon 5. At the beginning of the song, it doesn't sound like Adam Levine and Maroon 5, but towards the end it sounds exactly like him. It's still a great version.
 http://youtu.be/OXvRjxkXvBI

I hope you like this list, and find a few new artists or at least songs to add to your playlist.

Halestorm

Like I mentioned in my previous post, my friend RKM introduced me to Halestorm. What I like about this band is their ability to rock with a chick as their lead singer. It's rough, unapologetic, sexy, and awesome to listen to when you're pissed off at guys like Frank Sinatra whom you fell in love with in a hopeless place. (See post from approximately 1 year ago). If rough sex has a sound, it's this band. "Here's to Us" isn't as representative of them because it is a ballad and most of their stuff is more uptempo. But there's meaning and thought behind their words. They don't sing catchy, repetitive refrains that simply hint at sex or being upset with their partner. They say "That bitch can eat her heart out/ Love bites and so do I" or "I miss the rough sex/ I don't miss you at all". At a certain point in your life, if you're not there yet, you will understand the sentiment behind "I Miss the Misery" and I've begun to understand it recently. Same thing with "Conversation Over". Lzzy (yes, I spelled that right) has a fantastic range and powerful vocals. I love how she goes from a fairly low key to belting high in a matter of a measure in "Love Bites".  If Evanescence is too emotional or sounds too much like she's crying (as my mom says), but like songs more like "Going Under" and the anger that was present in her first album and want a band with a female lead who can play guitar and goes more in that vein, Halestorm just might be your band. 

They have two albums out. The first one is self-titled, the other is "The Strange Case of..." Pretty much every song on both albums is awesome. Check them out and let me know what you think.

New Incarnation

As has been my custom, every time there is a major change in my life, I change the blog title. This time I have chosen "Brave New Girl". It was inspired by the Britney Spears song "Brave Girl" off of the "In The Zone" album. If you listen to the words, it sounds like it's just a girl going out looking for a hook up because she has been suppressing herself for a long time and she's finally breaking free. As opposed to taking the song literally, I'm taking a larger interpretation of the song; I'm starting my life in the real world and I'm making my own way. It's going to be rough, I only know a handful of people, and I'm not exactly making beaucoup money, but I can proudly say that I'm paying for my own apartment, my furniture will be mine, I'm paying my own bills and my own expenses and I'm doing my best to not rely on my family financially or to solve my problems. I'm young, I still have dreams and ambitions and I'm pursuing them. I'm looking forward to the challenges; I've been living on my own for a month now and the time has really flown. I've settled into a quiet, simple existence that focuses on myself and my needs. I'm taking care of me which is something I haven't taken the time to do in a long time. For a number of years now, I've been jumping from relationship to relationship but always losing myself in the process. I have this really bad habit of ceasing to do the things I enjoy because I'm with someone. I stop going out with friends, I give up my hobbies, and I center my whole life around whoever I'm with. That's not a good thing and I realize that. That's why I need to take this time for myself and not get involved with anyone even though the temptation is there because I am in a new place where I don't know a lot of people.
People might ask if it's scary to pick up and move a thousand miles away from home for a job, to not know anyone, and to live alone. I don't think it's scary. I think it's exciting, it's refreshing, and it's all what you make of it. I could make it miserable for myself, but I'm not going to do that. I look forward to meeting new people and I love the challenge of getting to know a new city.
Here's a brief song list to go along with this new chapter.

1) Find My Way- Legally Blonde OST
2) Firework- Katy Perry
3) Brave Girl- Britney Spears
4)  My Way- Frank Sinatra
5) Living on a Prayer- Bon Jovi
6) It's My Life- Bon Jovi
7) Fearless- Taylor Swift
8) Across the Universe- The Beatles
9) Don't Rain On My Parade- Funny Girl OST
10) Rose's Turn- Gypsy OST
11) Starting Over- John Lennon
12) Feeling Good- Nina Simon/ Michael Buble/ Muse
13) As We Stuble Along- The Drowsy Chaperone OST
14) Don't Stop Believing- Journey
15) What You Want- Evanescence

Songs for you

As opposed to a romantic song list, I've decided to post up a list of songs for a very particular person. Instead of using their names, I'm going to use a code name which also so happen to be their signature songs.


Dear Lose Control-

Hot 'N' Cold by Katy Perry. I hate this song and all its obnoxious glory much like I hate your confounding sentiments. One day you say you're falling for me, then I don't hear from you. You say you want me and then leave me hanging. I don't know if it's because you're stoned when you tell me these things, or if it's because you're stoned that you don't follow through.

You're Not Sorry by Taylor Swift. I've finally figured out what I have to do. Don't bother calling me anymore because I won't pick up the phone. I'm tired of being taken for a ride. What we had once was really fun and I really enjoyed it, but it's over between us. There was never anything to begin with so why grasp as straws?

Lose Control by Evanescence. The song I originally dedicated to you. What happened when I lost control and you benefited. We didn't play so quiet, and I eventually felt guilty and, guess what my lamb? I told. We lost control more than once but I can't cut you down to a thing I can use.

*Edit- I forgot that I had dedicated another song to you.
Goodbye My Lover- James Blunt. I remember sitting in my dorm one night listening to this song at least 10 times in a row trying to fight against the flames that were burning in my heart. Yes, I wanted something more than just sex from you; yes, I would have wanted to give 'us' a try even if only for a few months.
I'm not going to waste anymore time on you, or great songs for that matter. I've deleted your number and I'm working on erasing you from the front of my mind.

Hey Baby they're playing our song

I've recently started dating someone new. That's not to say that I'm completely over my ex. He knows that, and he's ok with it. He's so good to me and, I'm not going to lie, I really like having someone I can see everyday. I thought I couldn't be in a relationship with someone so close because they'd drive me crazy. I'm glad to know and admit I was wrong! This song list is in no way reflective of his musical tastes. As the relationship grows and progresses, I'm sure I'll be adding songs.

*Way Back Into Love- Music and Lyrics
I needed to find a way back into love. I have been hurt, hurt someone, and thought that I wouldn't find anyone any time soon. He's willing to help me make that transition.
*Mine- Taylor Swift
There's a line in there about "I remember we were sitting there by the water". We were sitting by the water when he first put his arm around me. We've come a long way since then.
*Crazier- Taylor Swift
I know I have two Taylor Swift songs. He drives me crazy but in the good way! I get the feelings this song talks about, the tone is the melody in my heart when he's around.
*Underneath Your Clothes- Shakira
I'm running out of reasons to cry. You are exactly what I need at this time; you are so good to me and I care about you as you are, who you are.
*Fireflies- Owl City
The night we first kissed, there were fireflies all around us. It was so incredibly romantic; I'm such a hopeless romantic. No matter how much I'm hurt in Love, I still believe in it.
*If I Fell- The Beatles
My favorite band. I guess this is actually a song for the both of us. We were initially so afraid of hurting each other, uncertain of the repercussions, the future.
*Halo- Beyonce
Baby I can see your halo, you know you're my saving grace. Remember those walls I built? They're tumbling down and they didn't even put up a fight. You're everything I need and more.
*Good Enough- Evanescence
I'm in the process of forgiving myself for my past sins and I guess I'm good enough that someone can love me, flaws, mistakes, and all.