Swifties, the time has arrived. Our beloved Taylor Swift just released her new single off her fourth album, "Red." So save the date. October 22 will be the day we flock to the stores to listen to that alleged "very sad album" of hers.
But in the mean time, let's make a toast to breakups, because in this song, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" makes flipping off your douche bag ex in the artful form of a pop song seem so cool....and so liberating.
Even if Swift tried purposely writing the worst song ever, she would still make it a hit. Why? She knows how to write a song that speaks to millions of heartbroken, boy-hating fans across the world.
Since the single was released on iTunes just shortly after Swift's live webchat on Youtube at 7 pm ET, the single has...
Made its way on the radio to hopefully replace "Call Me, Maybe" (I heard it at 2 am. Anyone have me beat?)
Made its way to the No. 1 spot on iTunes
Beat Lady GaGa's record for fastest selling on iTunes in music history. Swift did it in 50 minutes. GaGa did it in 1 hour
Proved to everyone that once you go pop, you never go back (sorry country)
We can bicker about how Swift's voice and how she sometimes under performs at live telecast performances. Love her voice, hate her voice, there is no arguing that she has songwriting ability. Who cares if 90 percent of her songs are about ex-boyfriends instead of singing about growing up, life, death, taking chances--whatever those unsuccessful 22 year old singers are writing about these days. Swift knows how to write a hit song--even if it's a story we've heard in her other 334653 singles.
Swift's biggest haters--her critics--are saying that her new hit is immature. Yes, it sounds like something a teenager would sing. Yes, it's NOT country whatsoever, so those fans hoping for a song sounding like her country-charmed first album might have to wait for the fifth album. Yes, it's about an ex boyfriend, but she's making the big bucks and probably made millions in those 50 record-breaking minutes.
Sadly, most of us can say we've never done it, and sorry to burst your bubble, but we probably never will either.
But if your relationship acts like it came out of high school--breaking up, getting back together, I love you, I hate you x 30, then maybe writing a song to match that is perfect. And maybe a song like this would smack us out of pity mode and make us jump on our beds with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia spilling down our faces as we flip off our ex boyfriend's ugly face in our head, kicking the hard snotty tissues in his face. That's the song we need, not some victimized song like "White Horse" and "You're Not Story." Be a fighter. Show them their immature ways are not going to make you listen to a sad, emotional Taylor Swift country song.
You would rather listen to an upbeat, quirky, Taylor Swift teeny bopper song instead.
If Facebook ads have brought me anything, it's promoting an upcoming pop/folk country married duo, Jenny & Tyler, on the right hand side of my Facebook news feed.
If you love harmonies, acoustic guitars, and mandolins, then Jenny & Tyler will be your new background music for a lazy day. Good study music, good reading music, good music to feed your sentimental self.
Jenny & Tyler's music speaks for all sorts of music fans, despite being under the radar. Folk, country and their newest songs have taken the Christian route. I'm not even a Christian music fan, but this couple has made their way on my iTunes.
Despite their small fan base, they have collaborated with fellow big name singer-songwriters like Simon & Garkfunkel, James Taylor, Jack Johnson and Allison Krauss. Their songs range from dreaming of peace, to a wedding ballad, to singing about their faith.
The couple currently have three full length albums, one EP, one Christmas EP and a live studio album. If you believe in separation of church and songs, don't worry, there are plenty of Jenny & Tyler songs that aren't about how much they love God, even though those songs can almost go unnoticed when you hear their soothing harmonious voices. Those songs can be found on their first two albums "Prelude" and "This Isn't a Dream."
Although I would say about 50 percent of their music would be deemed "Christian folk," any folk lover can appreciate two songs from their latest two albums. Their single "Song for You," might not be on the radio, but many YouTubers are covering the song.
The only thing I planned at a young age for my wedding was my first dance song, "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing,"--cliche, I know, but I think people secretly like cliches (like puns). It's what's familiar to us. But when I discovered this song in May, it instantly kicked Steven Tyler to the curb, and has replaced his classic song with this one. There is not a doubt that this will be my first dance song, so I can scratch one beloved wedding cliche off the list.
Another song I just got into (within a minutes ago) is called "Faint Not," their single from their second full length album with the same name.
But my favorite Jenny & Tyler song, unfortunately, cannot be found on YouTube, which makes me a little angry. Who doesn't love a song about peace? (maybe gun lovers, but that's a different subject). If these two songs intrigued you, then I suggest hopping on iTunes to hear a preview of their song "Dreaming of Peace" or If you love the sounds of the mandolin and love a song about peace and protest, there is no possible way you would hate this song.
All these songs can be found on their album "Faint Not."
Jenny & Tyler, the perfect couple to proves you don't need a reality TV show to "show" your love for one another.
I know everyone's lives has not been the same from the unexpected nine month hiatus. But brace yourselves, the fact I cannot complain/worship today's music on a widely unpopular blog has really gotten to me.
So grab your banjo, mandolin, electric guitar, and let's celebrate some awesome music. If you're not a fan, then go blast the overrated, overplayed "summer hit" "Call Me, Maybe." And if you are listening to the summer anthem, please do not call me.
In these nine months, I have discovered a whole new genre of music. I have fallen in love with the harmonica, learning how to play the mandolin this fall has made me appreciate country music just a little more, and the wonderful British band, Mumford & Sons, makes the twangy sounds of the banjo seem cool in almost every song. But, of course, I can't let go of my beloved acoustic guitar and piano.
Who would have though that there's a music genre that has all of the country/rock goodness?
This genre has been around for a while, but since I'm extremely slow on picking up on the latest fads (which probably explains why I'm writing this blog instead of making my own version of a "Call Me, Maybe" video), it is taking me just now to write a blog about Americana music, alternative country, country folk, roots rock, southern rock--whatever you want to call it. I like to blend all of the names and slightly different genres to form my own called "folky rock with a country twang."
Now, since I'm a brand new fan, I only have a small list of some of my favorite songs--still learning about this "new" concept of music. My iPod craves more of these songs, so if you have any recommendation, please let me know.
5. "Washed by the Water" by Needtobreathe
Needtobreathe comes from the great Deep South state of South Carolina, and you can hear it in their song "Washed by the Water." Electronic organ, gospel like rhythm, and a hint of the sounds of a joyous gospel choir, this makes the not-so-big church fan actually want to show up at a small white church on the corner in the heart of Charleston and sing. And for those church fans, the Christian charts love Needtobreathe too.
4. "I and Love and You" by The Avett Brothers
The "famous underground" band, The Avett Brothers, represent the sounds of North Carolina in their single "I and Love and You." What's so great about this band is that they combined elements of folk, bluegrass, and pop. The band has many more well known songs than this one, but again, I don't pick up on popular things quickly, so we have to settle for this one.
3. "99 Problems" by Hugo
Yes, same song as Jay-Z, except this is a million times better. Why? Well, for one, we can actually understand what Hugo is saying, unlike our dear friend Jay-Z. Two, it takes us out of the New York hood and into the quaint sounds of the countryside. And three, when Hugo sings it, the lyrics sound a lot less sexist. Not only is this Hugo's only hit, but the guy isn't even from the Deep South--or America. But he just proves that you can be half-Thai and half-British to make one tolerable version of a rap song.
2. "Barton Hollow" by The Civil Wars
My world has been so much better once I discovered The Civil Wars back in Spring 2011. Even better, they co-wrote with Taylor Swift for "The Hunger Games," which is like three awesome Christmas presents in one. From the eerie sounds of "Safe and Sound" to the melancholic sounds of "Poison and Wine" to the song that screams Deep South, deep Nashville, "Barton Hollow," The Civil Wars prove to all musicians all you need is great voices, great song writing, and you can have a hit song with just one simple instrument.
1. "Bartholomew" by The Silent Comedy
Surprisingly, this band is from San Diego, and a song I just discovered in the past 24 hours. But it's a song that screams "Deep South rockin'" that it serves as the trailer song to the most southern thing ever--more southern than the confederate flag. The song of the mini series "Hatfield's & McCoy's." Maybe The Silent Comedy aren't "true" Southerners, but they fool you in this foot-tappin' song.
