Invincible in Real Life because Love Is Your Name so I Love This Life!

Here we are, the mid-point of June and on the cusp of summer break for the kids. Some of you have already started summer break, today is the last Monday of the school year for my kids – they, of course, wish they were already  done.

I’m looking forward to the absence of crazy get-’em-up-and-out-the-door chaos that transpires each and every morning.

Of course that’s replaced by day-long chaos instead, which means in between the enjoyment, I’ll be dreaming of the first day of school. Most likely about a week in to the summer break. Or quite possibly the first day. Ahem.

Since it is Monday, it’s time to inundate your psyche with some great tunes – and this week is a freebie week, so join in if you love music. Who doesn’t love music?! Let’s get to it, shall we?

Let’s start off with a song from one of my favorite artists, who sings about a little girl who can’t find her way until she becomes a woman and discovers a sense of self-worth.

The artist was pregnant and super-hormonal when she recorded the song – she said towards the end of the song, it was like she went to church she was having a good time singing that song. The message is so empowering and so raw.

Give a listen to the inimitable Kelly Clarkson with “Invincible”:

For this next song, if ever a song lived up to its title, it’s this one – and the song lyrics draw directly from this artist’s own experiences.

Many songs glorify small-town life. This one shoots it straight – and fun. The artist said that everybody can put themselves in this song in one way or another – he’d been dealing with a lot of ‘real life’ circumstances with his father being sick, he himself getting married and becoming a father – they’re all things he wanted to sing about, and be confident in knowing his fans would be able to relate.

The artist has said that song’s lyrics draw directly from his own experiences.

Give a listen to Jake Owen with “Real Life”:

Next up is an artist who made his mark fronting one of my favorite rock bands, who brought his formidable pipes to Nashville. If there’s a pocket between his rock legacy and modern-day country, this dude has found it.

This is the first single from his debut solo album, his attraction to country actually started back in 2006 but he finally moved to Music City in January 2015 and started hanging out and collaborating with some of Nashville’s finest singers and songwriters. This song was recorded in the first day in the studio of his new label, and he considers it his ‘beginner’s luck’.

Without further ado, here’s the great Steven Tyler with “Love Is Your Name”:

Last, but definitely not least, is an uptempo country rocker that leans more towards the middle than this duo’s previous party cuts, but it’s all stamped with their own unique brand mark. The song itself isn’t a complicated song – one could argue it’s been written before. But it’s a story worth reinventing time and time again.

The feel-good song is reflective of where the duo is in life. They’re excited about their new record label, music and brand of wine. You know they had me at ‘wine’.

Bumps, thumps and smiles are the hallmark of this duo, and this song doesn’t disappoint in it’s country-rocker mode that is sure to sound good all summer long, especially with lyrics like:

“I love my small town world, I love a country girl / I love a Friday night, man I love this life / Sound of an old dirt road, rolling through my mind / Man I love, man I love / Man I love this life.”

Fun Fact: At least At least two country stars were interested in cutting “I Love This Life,” but this duo decided to keep the song for themselves.

Give a listen to LoCash (formerly LoCash Cowboys) with “I Love This Life”

That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday!

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

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!