"Snow Day" by Toby Lightman

I don't usually put up holiday music, but hey, there is no better time to start than Christmas eve! One of my favorite things about the Christmas season growing up were snow days. It didn't snow the whole winter season, but it would snow just enough so that you never got sick of it. I used to love seeing fresh snow in the mornings. It was like waking up to a whole new world covered in white. It even snowed a few times during the middle of class in high school, and being as how any snow where I grew up warranted a snow day, the whole school got to run out onto the football field for the most epic snowball fight ever. Snow days were amazing because they were unexpectedly whimsical and this song reminds me of those winter days.

"When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley (Guest Post)

Hello followers! I'm Maggie. Tyff asked me to guest blog like a month ago. It's actually really hard to pick just one song that means something to you. The song I finally chose is "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley ft. Dolly Parton.

Brad Paisley makes me happy. (of course he does!) This song helps me when I'm having a rough day. It reminds me that there is more then just this life. If some one passes away that was very dear to me, I know that I'll be able to see them again. I am reminded that there will be peace and happiness. Everything will be alright. I know, I sound like a tree hugger, right? Oh well. It really does comfort me I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

:)

"They'll Never Know" by Ross Copperman

This one is a bit personal...

I was reminded of this song during a OTH marathon with this gal and this gal in a beautiful scene that I had forgotten about. I cannot express how much this song helped me through one of the hardest times of my life. A time when most of my world and some of the people I was once closest to, turned their backs on me and got swept up in the worst manipulation I have ever seen in my life. But hearing this song just reminded how I have moved passed those people that hurt me, people who tried to take what I had because of their envy and selfishness, people who tore me down and who used lies and malice to rip apart the life I once had and the person I once was. In a way I have to thank them now, because their cruelty has made me into the person I am today, someone who has found joy in life and in living the right way. A life of faith and truth and hope. I can't say that in ways it didn't make me harder or more guarded, because it did. But I've learned to keep going, to take back my spirit and happiness. Like the song portrays, we all deserve that innocence, to live a life free from how cruel people can be, even when people try to tear you down. You just have to keep strong and try your best not to let the things that hurt you ruin you or take away from that light that makes you most special. And those who seek to harm you, the same kind of people who hurt me, they'll never know. They'll never know who you really are, never know truth because they don't want to hear it or won't face it. They'll never know the true beauties of life they are missing out on when they turned away and chose a lesser way of life.

"Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile."

-Unknown

"Dancing Shoes" by Gavin Degraw

Today I read that one of my favorite artists, Gavin DeGraw, was attacked and hit by a cab in NYC. In honor of his recovery, I'd like to share a few thoughts and memories. This song here instantly became a favorite of mine the moment I heard it. There is something to be said for a simple piano track and an amazing voice. I had the pleasure of seeing Gavin in concert a few years ago with my sister, and let me tell you, the guy rocks a piano. The guy is such a great songwriter on top of that. Check out the live performance of this song HERE to get an idea of what I mean. Legit. At one point when we saw him, he actually bent down and sang right to my face! Then at the end of his show, he came over and held my hand for a bit. I like to joke around that we were a couple for a moment :) I also like the medley he did HERE a few years ago. I think he is def a underrated artist. What are your thoughts?

                                 On our way to the show 3/31/2009

                                     At the show front and center!

"The Lonely" by Christina Perri

Do you ever find a song that you swear could have been written just for you? As if the lyrics were your very own words? It's kind of amazing when that happens, and this song by Christina Perri is one of those songs for me. There are some things that have happened in my life, even recently that have made me feel every word. And now I can't believe it, like literally cannot believe that this is how things turned out, not after what was. After all this time, that loss has crept up on me in a way that I wasn't expecting. And it's strange to feel that loss inside my heart. I never wanted any of this...this wasn't how things were supposed to be.

"Kindly Unspoken" by Kate Voegele

Should you always say what's on your mind, say how you feel? I'm not sure there's a definitive answer for that. The best thing I can think to do is to ask myself if I'll regret it if I don't.

p.s. this was the first song I ever heard from her. i've loved her ever since.

"Cold Desert" by Kings of Leon

This song has touched me more than most songs I've ever heard. The story behind it caught my attention when I saw this interview here. Most of this song is made up on the spot and what you hear is that original recording of them improvising. Never before in music have I heard something so beautiful and honest come out completely made up on the spot like that. It's truly something special.
Tag: sglued604884

"Notion" by Kings of Leon

If you haven't guessed by now I've been a fan of kol's music for a while. But it wasn't til I saw the "Notion" video (seen here) that I started becoming a fan of the guys themselves (or really mostly Caleb but hey, I'm not picking favs!) Something about the way he was standing against that wall and the way he sings "so don't knock it"...whew! Stopped my breath for a minute! And so a silly crush was born. Thankfully there's a lot of substance to them to back that and keep them legit! I also like the story behind this song (which you can see here). I like that they show they are human and have insecurities and imperfections just like the rest of us.
Tag: sglued474573

"Pyro" by Kings of Leon

Okay here's the dish.

I stumbled upon a killer contest.

(no i didn't stumble upon it on stumble upon)

It's a Kings of Leon contest.

(i love me some kol)

The contest comes with some amazing prizes

(like jaw dropping)

Prizes like instruments, passes to any concert, and the grand prize...

(drumroll...)

A trip to Ireland to see the Kings perform in a castle!

Basically there are a lot of things I can do to enter, one of which is tagging concert reviews and setlists to this blog and this blog. For the next few days I'll be tryin to rack up dem points and in honor of it all, posting some of my fav songs from them. Wish me luck guys!

"Pyro" comforted me recently when I was having a bad day. I'm not sure why, it's not the most encouraging 'you can overcome all your obstacles' type of song, but it did just the same. Great song to start with. Tag: sglued547385

"Name" by Goo Goo Dolls

That last verse...purely beautiful. You can actually hear the longing in his voice. If you haven't heard this one before, I suggest listening to it in a quiet place alone with the volume turned up to soak it all in.

"The Office Theme"

One of the best theme songs ever! This one's for you Michael.

"When Will My Life Begin?" by Disney's Tangled

Not since I was a little kid could I identify with a Disney character so much. I love Rapunzel. I love this song. It feels like a voice for my life right now and for that reason, it will probably always hold a special place in my heart, long after the feeling portrayed in it ceases to be my situation. Disney, you have done it again.

"Everybody's Changing" by Keane

"Trying to make a move just to stay in the game...everybody's changing and I don't feel the same."

I don't mind change every once in a while in small doses, but too much change all at once can be overwhelming and hard. Currently I feel like I'm just standing there watching everyone running past me, and I try to move too but I can't. I'm trying to run, trying to get to the places I want to be, trying to keep up, but I'm barely moving at all.

"Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?" by The Offspring

"Don’t waste your whole life trying to get back what was taken away."

That's good advice. Though I believe you can work through just about anything if you are willing, I also believe in letting go of the things that have hurt you if they're not willing to work with you. So stop trying to please others who are not worth your time, who don't deserve the energy you put into them when they so clearly and blatantly hurt you and betray you. I know I'm done letting the past influence my present. Somethings cut so deep that they never do go away. I don't want this to happen to me. I want to be myself again without worrying about how I'm perceived or if someone likes me or not. I want to not subconsciously try to emulate something I'm not just because someone I care about cares for those things instead of me. I want to not be scared of being myself because of others not liking what they see anymore. I want to believe that if someone really gets to know me, they will see how amazing we can be. The kind of pain in this song happened to me. But I control what I do about it.

"Outside Looking In" by Jordan Pruitt

I don't care if this is from some Disney kid, this song knows what's up. I feel hurt when some people don't seem to want me around. I feel hurt when I'm left out or unwanted. I sometimes feel like I'm judged wrongly or prematurely and it truly hurts. And when this happens, I pull back and all I feel is alone.

"Stay Away" by The Honorary Title

I really hate it when you can't be in someone's life, not because you don't want to be, but because you're forced to. I really hate it when they are the ones calling all the shots, defining what you aren't even though it's not what you want. I really hate it when someone takes back what they say or how they feel for no real reason at all.

Where is My Mind by Pixies

We all feel a little off sometimes, confused or lost. I think it's because our hearts conflict with our minds too often.