If you follow me on instagram or twitter, it should come as no surprise that I'm a huge fan of the movie Frozen. I am also a huge fan of Idina Menzel. So, naturally, I love the song "Let It Go". There are so many great versions of this song going around and today I want to share a few of my favorites with y'all. There really is one for everyone. There is one in a bunch of different languages, one by a comedian and one done in a bunch of classic Disney voices.
For The Traveler:
This video is in 25 different languages. I think it is so neat! They show a video clip of each person from each language singing the song, I highly recommend this one! If you only listen to one of these, make it this one.
For the Comedian
This is hilarious! Christina Bianco sings the song in a bunch of different voices from Idina to Celine to Julie Andrews. It's seriously funny and impressive at the same time. She even does a bit in her own voice.
For the Classic Disney Lover
Seriously, how does this man even do this! This is amazing - one man does the voice of a bunch of classic Disney Characters all singing the song.
Original
Of course, for you sad people who haven't seen Frozen (do yourself a favor and watch it) this is the original version by Idina Menzel.
Oh mainstream music, you really suck. I can't even put it nicely. And I can't even consider half of it music.
Unfortunately, I think part of the problem is the high premium our society puts on "beauty". Lets be serious, how many singers would you consider unattractive by American standards. I bet you five dollars you can't think of 5. I know I can't.
It just makes me sad that as a society, we'll listen to Miley Cyrus who, to anyone with functioning ears, obviously can't sing (and who is a horrible role model). If we're being honest with ourselves part of the reason for her success is her looks.
Selena Gomez is another. While she's not super crazy like Miley, her voice is so obviously messed with. The song below is a great example.
So, why are we digitally altering voices of people who can't sing rather than finding people who actually have good voices? In my opinion, looks definitely play a large role. I mean, look at how people initially reacted to Susan Boyle before she sang.
Anyway, off that soapbox and on to another.
I wont lie, I am a bit of a music snob. My Dad's side of the family is very musically talented. None of us are particularly good singers but are very good with instruments.
I can pick up an instrument, teach myself, and be fairly good at it with a few days practice (in fact, I did it just last week with my coworkers Ukulele). My Dad is a talented guitar player and my Pop was a talented guitar and piano player. I can play piano, guitar, clarinet, and violin. I also know a little bit about music theory. I understand what sounds go well together and which do not, and why. Mainstream music sounds like crap.
I also like songs that are about something. It seems like every new song I hear is about having sex, doing drugs, or getting drunk. That's really sad.
Needless to say, I have a low opinion of mainstream music. So, what do I listen to? I listen to older country (the new stuff is too mainstream ... apparently being "country" is in right now. I can't wait for that to pass!). I also listen to classic rock as well as classical and instrumental music. Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" is always the first song I teach myself to play on new instruments. I also like Bach, Debussy, Haydn, and Mairead Nesbitt. I am also a big fan of Celtic Woman and Celtic Thunder. I love how they both sing traditional Irish as well as music from other cultures. Of course, we can't forget musical soundtracks! Some of my favorites are Rent, the Sound of Music, Wicked, Rent, Les Mis, and Oklahoma!
Like I said, I'm a bit of a snob and I like music that actually sounds good. I don't care how the artist looks or anything like that. If they sound good, I'll listen to them.
I love Christmas music! My favorites are the ones that are done the way they are supposed to be done. I don't like when singers do crazy things to classic songs. These are some of my favorites
O Come All Ye Faithful by Celtic Woman
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and Julianne Hough
O Holy Night by Martina McBride
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Vince Gill
Silent Night by Celtic Woman (in English and Irish)
Silver Bells by Martina McBride
Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant
Let There Be Peace on Earth by Vince Gill
I pretty much love every song on Martina McBride's Christmas album and Vince Gill's 1993 Christmas album :)
Before I start with my regularly scheduled post, I would like to ask everyone to keep my little brother, Jason in your thoughts/prayers. Yesterday, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He is also Autistic which makes this even more challenging. This is also a reminder to me that your gut is usually right. I had been having this really uneasy feeling for about a week or so and now I know why. My family is having a bit of a hard time with this one since we have already lost two friends to diabetes and I have several more, including my best friend, who are currently living with diabetes. Good thoughts and prayers for him are much appreciated.
The other day when I was at work I was listening to my Zune (I work in the Kitchen so I am allowed) and the song Inside Your Heaven by Carrie Underwood came on. That song in one that I immediately associate with my trip to Colorado and I got to thinking about how certain songs take me back to the places that I have been.
Today, I am going to share those songs and places. I think it is so cool that even almost 10 years later (OMG) that song still takes me back to CO and I almost feel like I am there.
I listened to these three songs obsessively while I was in Colorado. Now every time I hear pretty much any Jesse McCartney song, I think of the beautiful mountains of Colorado. This was also around the time that Carrie Underwood won American Idol, so I was obsessively listening to her song.
We listened to this song every single morning when we got on the bus in Europe. I can not hear that song without going back to Europe. I also can't hear this song without texting my friend Britney who was on the trip with me. No matter when we hear it, we always text each other. Actually last week she left a comment on my Facebook about having heard that song at work. I then proceeded to look through my Europe pictures and long to be back there.
3. Hotel California by The Eagles - California
My friend James and I listened to this on the way to California, how original right? Every time I hear this song I think of the bus ride from San Jose to Boulder Creek and how much fun we were having. That trip was such a great experience and every time I hear this song, I think about that week.
4. (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Madrid/Europe
Although Madrid was not one of my favorite places, I always think of it when I hear this song. This was the last song Josef played for us in Europe. He called it our goodbye song but instead of making me sad, it makes me remember all of the great times we had. While it does remind me of how hard it was to say goodbye to everyone, it also reminds me of how lucky I was to be there. This song will always have a special place in my heart because of that.
No Air - Surprise, AZ
This damn song. Kristin and I went out there right around the time that this song came out and Alex lived right next to the town where Jordan Sparks grew up. So, this song was on NON STOP! It got to the point where we would literally be yelling at the radio for it to shut up. It's funny now, but back then we were so close to smashing to stereo in.
There are probably so many more, but these are the ones that stand out most in my mind. I can't hear them without thinking about these places.
Today, Helene is hosting a link-up called "Songs that Define Me". I am going to take a slightly different approach to this because I really could be here all day. So, I am going to post song that bring back memories of certain times or events in my life. There are so many songs that bring back such good memories for me and I am so excited to share them and their meanings.
Beautiful Day by U2
This was our "morning song" when I was in Europe. Our DM played it every single morning for the entire month that we were there. Every time I hear it, I text my friend Brittney right away and she does the same. That some brings back some fantastic memories and will always be one of my favorites.
God of Wonders
I used to attend church at New Covenant Presbyterian Church. Recently I have been really struggling with the idea of religion but when I was younger I was active in my churches middle school and high school youth groups. During middle school we went to this week long camp with other local Presbyterian Churches. Camp was located at Harvey Cedars Bible Camp on LBI in NJ, so right on the beach. They called it Victory Jam, and if I could go back to any time in my life, it would be to victory jam! Those were some of the most fun weeks of my life. This song was always my favorite to sing at victory jam. Every time I hear it, I go back there.
These were two silly songs that we taught our campers at Camp Campbell in California. They pop into my head occasionally and it always makes me laugh!
Footloose by Kenny Loggins
This is song is mine, my Mom and my Sisters jam. If this song comes on, I don't care where we are, we start dancing. We even did it at work once (yes, we all work together). It started a few years ago with a random dance party in the living room when we all lived in the same house.
Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney
I was obsessed with Jesse McCartney the Summer I went to Colorado. I played a few of his songs on repeat along with Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven". I always go back to the beautiful mountains of Colorado when I hear these songs.
Wannabe by The Spice Girls
Alex and I were a little more than obsessed with the Spice Girls when we were in Elementary school. This was our favorite song and we would always make up dances and perform them for our parents who probably wanted to run and hide every time the words Spice Girls came out of our mouths. Haters ;)
And a few others that make me happy when I hear them:
Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
This has just always been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. My Dad is a big rock fan so I heard this song all the time growing up.
Little Red Rodeo by Colin Raye
This is the first song I remember loving. I was about 5ish when I first heard it and I always told my Mom to turn it up.
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