#15 No More To Fear - Luke Morton
I don't have a video of this one - it was written by a friend of a friend of a friend or something like that. It seemed like a favorite at the church I attended my last few years of college and reminds me of how beautiful it was to see the body of Christ in a tiny little college town in Eastern Washington. I was accepted, loved and pursued by those people and I am ever thankful.
You can attempt to listen to the song here: on yahoo music
#14 Holy Holy Holy - Sufjan Stevens
I first heard this song when it was played by my friend Liam on the piano in his basement in Pullman. I was hooked. Sufjan snuck it into a Christmas album but its so much more.
Then I got to sing and play it at Whitney's wedding while trying not to fall apart into a bawling wreck. So there. double significance :)
#13 Smoke - Ben Folds
Ben Folds had to make it onto the countdown. He's the only artist thus far in my life that I've seen twice in concert.
#12 Boy With A Coin - Iron and Wine
I can't stop listening to this. The beat is incredible. Flamenco dancing in the video doesn't hurt either.
#11 Doubting Thomas - Nickelcreek
Ok. I tried to find a different video for this. i really did. but all there was were covers and awful concert footage. So we're stuck....with comic sans lyric videos. heaven help us.
Anyway. I appreciate some honest wrestling with what faith truly means.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Top 50 (#20-16)
#20 Rambling Man - Laura Marling
One of those lyrics that catches me because it seems like something I would write. or want to write. It captures so many feelings - fear of the future, wanderlust, and trying to accept who you are even if you don't like it sometimes.
"But give me to a rambling man. Let it always be known that I was who I am."
#19 Your Hands - JJ Heller
This song came out around the time that some dear friends' lives seemed to be imploding - and I can't think of a better response.
#18 Amazing Because It Is - The Almost
The singer from UnderOath made his own band. Some songs are mediocre, some are pretty inspired. I love this version of Amazing Grace because it seems just a bit more tangible. Also, the lead singer is a very cute ginger. That has to count for something.
#17 Wedding Dress - Derek Webb
And Derek Webb makes it into the countdown. This song describes my heart too often and once again is a very dear reminder of God's grace.
#16 What You Want - John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio made it into the countdown twice - mostly because of the string riff at the beginning of this song. And the lyrics - it feels honest.
One of those lyrics that catches me because it seems like something I would write. or want to write. It captures so many feelings - fear of the future, wanderlust, and trying to accept who you are even if you don't like it sometimes.
"But give me to a rambling man. Let it always be known that I was who I am."
#19 Your Hands - JJ Heller
This song came out around the time that some dear friends' lives seemed to be imploding - and I can't think of a better response.
#18 Amazing Because It Is - The Almost
The singer from UnderOath made his own band. Some songs are mediocre, some are pretty inspired. I love this version of Amazing Grace because it seems just a bit more tangible. Also, the lead singer is a very cute ginger. That has to count for something.
#17 Wedding Dress - Derek Webb
And Derek Webb makes it into the countdown. This song describes my heart too often and once again is a very dear reminder of God's grace.
#16 What You Want - John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio made it into the countdown twice - mostly because of the string riff at the beginning of this song. And the lyrics - it feels honest.
What you want to say, Wait till you get home.
I'm sick of communicating over the telephone.
But tell me how you feel, For I am lonely too
Need you to know I'm just as cold and numb as you.
I'm sick of communicating over the telephone.
But tell me how you feel, For I am lonely too
Need you to know I'm just as cold and numb as you.
But I could fly away, Or I could be no one.
And you could be the Sunshine falling over the Mountains
And you could be the Sunshine falling over the Mountains
Or you could come to stay You could come right home
Don't see why I have to Live this life all alone.
Don't see why I have to Live this life all alone.
I know there is a way to make up for old Mistakes
And I know what's happening is for a reason
I know...
And I know what's happening is for a reason
I know...
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Top 50 (#25-21)
#25 I’ll Fly Away - E-pop (a Mars Hill worship band)
I got this song for free off the Mars Hill website. I didn't listen to it much at all.
Then I went on a roadtrip with my dear friends, one of whom was undergoing treatment for brain cancer. This song came on as we were driving through the desert towards Las Vegas and we all sang along.
That song has a much deeper meaning when the idea of "flying away" is much closer and more real than you ever though you'd find at 23. (please excuse the cheesy lyrics youtube video)
#24 The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage
This song starts playing and I laugh like a crazy maniac, turn it up, and rock out.
#23 In Shallow Seas We Sail - Emery Emery implements a really cool "call and response" in a lot of their music. Two singers, singing together and sometimes completely different things. And yet it all comes together into a really gorgeous, well-thought-out rock song. the bridge is my favorite part.
#22 I Need Thee Every Hour - Jars of Clay one of those pure simple hymns that seem like my anthem most days.
#21 Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Bon Iver makes his second appearance. I have no idea what he says in some of his songs. This one I can make out the chorus and I know its good.
I feel like white butler in this SNL skit
#24 The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage
This song starts playing and I laugh like a crazy maniac, turn it up, and rock out.
#23 In Shallow Seas We Sail - Emery Emery implements a really cool "call and response" in a lot of their music. Two singers, singing together and sometimes completely different things. And yet it all comes together into a really gorgeous, well-thought-out rock song. the bridge is my favorite part.
#22 I Need Thee Every Hour - Jars of Clay one of those pure simple hymns that seem like my anthem most days.
#21 Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Bon Iver makes his second appearance. I have no idea what he says in some of his songs. This one I can make out the chorus and I know its good.
I feel like white butler in this SNL skit
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Top 50 (#30-26)
#30 Closer - Kings of Leon
An album I wouldn't normally buy on my own that became one of my absolute favorites to put on repeat. I can't even explain why I like it. Maybe it just sounds like it should be the soundtrack to life.
#29 Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
I remember the OC episode that I was watching when I heard this song. And I remember frantically trying to type in lyrics to google just to figure out who sang it.
And then I listened to it so many times that I now have a love/hate relationship with it.
#28 For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens This song would be higher on the list if not for the fact that I only recently discovered it thanks to a dear friend at college. I think the repeated line of "I did everything for you" makes it for me. And yes...I do believe that the song is somewhat about Jesus. At least to me. But I hardly hear lyrics. [note: evidently there's a conflict over whether the song is religious or about a football tournament in Paradise, Michigan. What I care about....banjo.]
#27 Hurt - Johnny Cash I remember crying when I first hear this song. Johnny Cash sings it a lot different than the Nine Inch Nails version - and I think its because for him the meaning of the song is true about his life. The video makes it too.
#26 When David Heard - Eric Whitacre Ok. buckle up. This song is 12 minutes long. And its basically this verse: 2 Samuel 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
Eric Whitacre came to WSU my Junior year and Concert Choir performed this piece. The harmony in the piece is wicked and complicated. The kind of chords that you feel. Like actually feel. And you feel David's despair in that moment. It is absolutely beautiful.
You may want to minimize the page if you find people singing distracting. Oh, and there's a pause at the end - but don't check out yet. There's a beautiful chord at the end.
An album I wouldn't normally buy on my own that became one of my absolute favorites to put on repeat. I can't even explain why I like it. Maybe it just sounds like it should be the soundtrack to life.
#29 Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
I remember the OC episode that I was watching when I heard this song. And I remember frantically trying to type in lyrics to google just to figure out who sang it.
And then I listened to it so many times that I now have a love/hate relationship with it.
#28 For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens This song would be higher on the list if not for the fact that I only recently discovered it thanks to a dear friend at college. I think the repeated line of "I did everything for you" makes it for me. And yes...I do believe that the song is somewhat about Jesus. At least to me. But I hardly hear lyrics. [note: evidently there's a conflict over whether the song is religious or about a football tournament in Paradise, Michigan. What I care about....banjo.]
#27 Hurt - Johnny Cash I remember crying when I first hear this song. Johnny Cash sings it a lot different than the Nine Inch Nails version - and I think its because for him the meaning of the song is true about his life. The video makes it too.
#26 When David Heard - Eric Whitacre Ok. buckle up. This song is 12 minutes long. And its basically this verse: 2 Samuel 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
Eric Whitacre came to WSU my Junior year and Concert Choir performed this piece. The harmony in the piece is wicked and complicated. The kind of chords that you feel. Like actually feel. And you feel David's despair in that moment. It is absolutely beautiful.
You may want to minimize the page if you find people singing distracting. Oh, and there's a pause at the end - but don't check out yet. There's a beautiful chord at the end.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Top 50 (#35-31)
Tally ho!
#35 Little Sister - Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age will always have a soft spot in my heart after Whitney and I climbed down the White River Amphitheater to get to the mosh pit at 2005's EndFest. 'Nuff said.
#34 Weak and Powerless - A Perfect Circle
Another song that has made it pretty high up on my list because of nostalgia. It really is a good song - but for the most part its significance lies in the fact that it was on one of the first cds I asked a friend to burn for me in high school. Back when kids were burning cds. way back.
#33 Say It To Me Now - Glen Hansard
This song is pure emotion to me. If you see me belting out a song in my car looking thoroughly dramatic, it may be this one. It just hooks you in when you start watching "Once".
#32 Paperthin Hymn - Anberlin
A song representing my summer at Cannon Beach. Imagine with me....beach, sun, working a couple hours in the am/pm, and awesome people. That sums up this song for me. Gah. I want to go back.
#31 Hallelujah - Bethany Dillon
I tend to look down on Contemporary Christian songs. I'm sorry. Its probably the years of listening to the same songs on Spirit 105.3 over and OVER again. But once in a while I find out that I judged too harshly - and Bethany Dillon's Hallelujah is one of those songs. Another one of those belting out while driving songs.
please pardon the cheesy video. try not to be judgy like me.
#35 Little Sister - Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age will always have a soft spot in my heart after Whitney and I climbed down the White River Amphitheater to get to the mosh pit at 2005's EndFest. 'Nuff said.
#34 Weak and Powerless - A Perfect Circle
Another song that has made it pretty high up on my list because of nostalgia. It really is a good song - but for the most part its significance lies in the fact that it was on one of the first cds I asked a friend to burn for me in high school. Back when kids were burning cds. way back.
#33 Say It To Me Now - Glen Hansard
This song is pure emotion to me. If you see me belting out a song in my car looking thoroughly dramatic, it may be this one. It just hooks you in when you start watching "Once".
#32 Paperthin Hymn - Anberlin
A song representing my summer at Cannon Beach. Imagine with me....beach, sun, working a couple hours in the am/pm, and awesome people. That sums up this song for me. Gah. I want to go back.
#31 Hallelujah - Bethany Dillon
I tend to look down on Contemporary Christian songs. I'm sorry. Its probably the years of listening to the same songs on Spirit 105.3 over and OVER again. But once in a while I find out that I judged too harshly - and Bethany Dillon's Hallelujah is one of those songs. Another one of those belting out while driving songs.
please pardon the cheesy video. try not to be judgy like me.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Top 50 (#40-36)
And so it continues.
#40 For The Moments I Feel Faint - Relient K
I'm kind of cheating by adding this song because it isn't one that I absolutely loved or recognized when I had my first Relient K cd. But you know when you hear a song, and say "That's awesome! What cd is that on?" and find out that you had it all along? Yeah. Its like that.
I was probably distracted by the fact that this cd also contained a song about the Thundercats.
#39 Happy Apple Poison - Lovedrug
Yet another band that makes people question whether or not I need to be on antidepressants. (and if you don't get that from this song - listen to some of this bands other stuff. it can be...dark.)
I first heard this band while crossing the western part of the United States while driving with my friend Whitney from Wheaton college. Picture me driving across Montana driving 80 with this turned up...
#38 Into the Ocean - Blue October
My inner dialogue:
" I love this song! It makes me actually like the ocean!"
"what's it about?"
"wanting to die? mkay."
Its so cheery though. I can't defend it much other than that.
#37 On Ice - Chris Thile
I absolutely love Chris Thile. He is mandolin genius and he is so honest in his songs. You didn't know you could feel so much from a bluegrass song till he played one for you.
now go out and watch THIS.
#36 Ocean - The John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio came to WSU for some reason. Not sure why because we are out in the middle of a frikkin wheat field and they're super talented. Just one hippie guy who sings lyrics impossible to understand, and a super talented bass player and drummer. The real clincher for me that they were worth listening to was when John Butler played "Ocean". Its just him and his guitar and it is so beautiful live. No recordings I can find really capture the experience of standing outside in Pullman listening to him play - but we'll try with this one.
#40 For The Moments I Feel Faint - Relient K
I'm kind of cheating by adding this song because it isn't one that I absolutely loved or recognized when I had my first Relient K cd. But you know when you hear a song, and say "That's awesome! What cd is that on?" and find out that you had it all along? Yeah. Its like that.
I was probably distracted by the fact that this cd also contained a song about the Thundercats.
#39 Happy Apple Poison - Lovedrug
Yet another band that makes people question whether or not I need to be on antidepressants. (and if you don't get that from this song - listen to some of this bands other stuff. it can be...dark.)
I first heard this band while crossing the western part of the United States while driving with my friend Whitney from Wheaton college. Picture me driving across Montana driving 80 with this turned up...
#38 Into the Ocean - Blue October
My inner dialogue:
" I love this song! It makes me actually like the ocean!"
"what's it about?"
"wanting to die? mkay."
Its so cheery though. I can't defend it much other than that.
#37 On Ice - Chris Thile
I absolutely love Chris Thile. He is mandolin genius and he is so honest in his songs. You didn't know you could feel so much from a bluegrass song till he played one for you.
now go out and watch THIS.
#36 Ocean - The John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio came to WSU for some reason. Not sure why because we are out in the middle of a frikkin wheat field and they're super talented. Just one hippie guy who sings lyrics impossible to understand, and a super talented bass player and drummer. The real clincher for me that they were worth listening to was when John Butler played "Ocean". Its just him and his guitar and it is so beautiful live. No recordings I can find really capture the experience of standing outside in Pullman listening to him play - but we'll try with this one.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Top 50 (#45-41)
#45 "Icebox" - Omarion
This is one of those songs I'd omit because it makes me look...way less cool. But I love it. Brooke Aasen introduced it to me and we were just sure that we'd learn the dance. We never learned the dance. But we did learn how to break out into "Icebox" in coffee shops for weeks.
#44 "Let Go" - Frou Frou
in the days when I decided to build my dvd collection I started with Garden State. Such a wanna-be-hipster. Pretty sure that the only reason I truly connected to the movie was this song at the end. I may have killed it for myself by listening to it on repeat for a few weeks.
#43 "Thy Mercy My God" -Sandra McCracken
If you're not immediately won over by the simplicity of this song, sing the lyrics. a little banjo never hurt anybody either.
#42 "Perth" -Bon Iver
Grabs a hold of you. Especially live. Bon Iver proves why he's popular when you listen to his music live.
yes...its a really current song...but I like it too much to not include it.
Turn it up. Especially the bass.
#41 "Golden Star" -My Brightest Diamond
what? daughter of a National Accordion Champion who decides to sing opera in New York who ends up singing backup to Sufjan Stevens and playing the Queen in the Decemberist's "The Hazards of Love" makes an album? don't mind if I do.
This is one of those songs I'd omit because it makes me look...way less cool. But I love it. Brooke Aasen introduced it to me and we were just sure that we'd learn the dance. We never learned the dance. But we did learn how to break out into "Icebox" in coffee shops for weeks.
#44 "Let Go" - Frou Frou
in the days when I decided to build my dvd collection I started with Garden State. Such a wanna-be-hipster. Pretty sure that the only reason I truly connected to the movie was this song at the end. I may have killed it for myself by listening to it on repeat for a few weeks.
#43 "Thy Mercy My God" -Sandra McCracken
If you're not immediately won over by the simplicity of this song, sing the lyrics. a little banjo never hurt anybody either.
#42 "Perth" -Bon Iver
Grabs a hold of you. Especially live. Bon Iver proves why he's popular when you listen to his music live.
yes...its a really current song...but I like it too much to not include it.
Turn it up. Especially the bass.
#41 "Golden Star" -My Brightest Diamond
what? daughter of a National Accordion Champion who decides to sing opera in New York who ends up singing backup to Sufjan Stevens and playing the Queen in the Decemberist's "The Hazards of Love" makes an album? don't mind if I do.
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