We’re winding down a three-day weekend of outdoor fun, which means we’ve been in mostly disconnect mode as we enjoy the great outdoors here in the Pacific Northwest. Since I’m pre-scheduling this post to go live when I’m disconnected, hopefully Mother Nature was kind to us and didn’t rain on our parade. I’ll let you know.

Being that it is Monday, music makes the world go round – and takes away the mundane part of Monday, don’tcha think? This week’s theme “Inspirational music that helps you when you are down” – pretty much any music has that effect on me, especially when it’s great music from favorite artists.

Or in the case of the first choice, a brand new crazy video by a favorite artist. This video was hotly anticipated, the fourth single off her chart-topping latest album, and this video opened the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. So you know it’s one that’s over the top.

Though the song is about a falling out with a former friend in the music industry (rumored to be Katy Perry), the futuristic dystopian music video features several cameos by the artist’s real-life best friends, role models, and friends-who-are-models.

Selena Gomez as Arsyn, Lena Dunham as Lucky Fiori, Rapper Kendrick Lamar as Welvin Da Great, Empire’s Serayah McNeill as Dilemma, supermodel Gigi Hadid as Slay-Z, British pop star Ellie Goulding as Destructa X, Victoria Secret Angel Martha Hunt as Homeslice, British supermodel/actress Cara Delevigne as Mother Chucker, former Disney star Zendaya Coleman as Cut Throat, pop rock star Hayley Williams as The Crimson Curse, Pitch Perfect 2 actress Hailee Steinfeld as The Trinity, supermodel Lily Aldridge as Frostbyte, Victoria Secret model Karlie Kloss as Knockout, A-Lister Jessica Alba as Domino, Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay as Justice, Grey’s Anatomy’s Ellen Pompeo as Luna, and mega supermodel Cindy Crawford as Headmistress.

Whew! That’s an impressive gang of friends right there! 

TaylorSwift

Give a listen to Taylor Swift with “Bad Blood”:

And, because she’s so cool and so seamlessly crossed over to pop (which made me love her even more), when I need a little pick-me-up, this is a great go-to song.

It’s a song about this singer dismissing her haters – it was inspired by how she had learned to deal with all the false rumors that circulated since her previous album. The artist didn’t want the song to be just about her critics, though, she wanted it to be all encompassing to include anyone who’s ever been criticized or made fun of like she was when she was in high school. 

“I wanted to write a song that would make people not feel victimized when they sang it, I didn’t want it to come from a place of ‘Why are you doing this to me? I feel so victimized and sad’ I wanted to be like ‘Okay, you’re irritated that I’m being myself. You’re going to talk about me, because I’m being myself, you’re going to make things up about me, because I’m being myself. I’m just going to be myself more. I’m having more fun than you so it doesn’t matter.'”

You GO. I’m glad Princess Nagger really likes her, too – marching to the beat of your own drum is a good thing.

TaylorSwift

So let the haters hate and the fakers be fake while you listen to Taylor Swift with “Shake It Off”:

Next up is a song that is always a great one to shake yourself out of the doldrums. It’s fun to sing to, and the artist is definitely a favorite. She’s smart, beautiful, and funny as hell.

In the video, the artist pulls up to a motel in the middle of nowhere and goes to check in, accompanied (of course) by an adorable little dog, though a sign behind the desk plainly reads, “No Pets Allowed.”

She charms everyone from the desk manager to the maid, and pretty soon the entire motel staff is moving along to the music, with the man behind the desk joining in on a mean air guitar. Lambert also flirts with the shirtless pool boy, but by the end of the video there’s no doubt who owns her heart — as she’s walking toward her platinum trailer to head on down the road, she’s wearing a belt that says “Mrs. Shelton” on the back.

MirandaLambert

“Little Red Wagon” is one of the edgiest songs country radio has seen in years. Someone told Miranda about the song, so she tracked down the writer of the song in, as she describes it “a little bit in a stalker way” because she was obsessed with the writer’s music. They met and became friends, and the writer (Audra Mae) was happy to let Miranda record the song – in fact, Audra Mae sings background on the record.

Enjoy the fun video as you listen to Miranda Lambert with “Little Red Wagon”:

And finally, because it is Memorial Day, I wanted to make sure I include a song that honors those who fought the valiant fight for our freedom. This next video is sincere and beautiful, celebrating two fighters: a fallen soldier and a man battling cancer.

This is the third single from this artist’s recent album, and is as personal as it is powerful. The portrayal of the young man with cancer actually represents the artist’s real-life friend who lost his battle with the disease.

The visual for the ballad begins in an abandoned church, where the artist and his band are stationed, playing the song. The video cuts to a slew of bikers doing the ‘From Athens to Arlington’ motorcycle ride, which the artist completed in 2014. An American flag flies in the wind, and dog tags, home photos and the funeral procession for the honored soldier — Jonathan E. Lootens – are shown.

The artist is seen looking solemn in between clips, which is when another story begins. This time, we’re taken to a doctor’s office, where a young man is being told he has cancer. His response is pure bravery, as he says: “Bring it on.”

BrantleyGilbert

Without further ado, here’s Brantley Gilbert with “One Hell Of An Amen”:

Wherever you are today, no matter what you’re doing, take a moment to remember those who gave what Lincoln at Gettysburg called “the last full measure of devotion.”  

A big thank you to all our Military Men and Women who fight to keep our country free. Today is a day to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.  May they Rest In Peace.

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Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

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I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohorts, Callie from JAmericanSpice, and Naila Moon from Just the Stuff Ya Know.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!



8 Comments

  1. Dancing with you a little late, but I’m here nonetheless. Taylor Swift is such a fun artist. I can’t believe what a sensational rock star she is now. Lovely tribute our fallen heroes! I can’t believe summer is almost here, can you? Thanks for rocking my morning!
    Cathy Kenendy would like you to read ..Meet my new neighbor! #AtoZRoadTrip #musicMy Profile

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