Over the weekend we had our last gasp of summer, with sunny weather and warm temperatures. Now we’ll be heading into the colder weather phase, but it doesn’t phase me (see what I did there?) because I’ve been known as the ‘Sweater Queen’ of all the cute sweaters I like to wear during the cooler fall/winter months. So bring it!

We did have some wild rain on Friday, which resulted in a cool not-quite-but-almost double rainbow Friday evening:

Notice how the trees are changing color swiftly – I’ll have to be sure to take random shots as they arrive at their peak color. I really do love this time of year!

Meanwhile, it’s Monday, and Monday means music! This week is a freebie, so grab your favorite tune(s) and let’s dance, shall we? Let’s just get this party started!

Let’s start with a new song from this favorite group, a sparse, reflective track in which the lead singer looks back on the good times with a loved one while enjoying some drinks with friends. The effects of the alcohol and camaraderie with his pals cause his emotions to bubble up as he remembers their times together. He was quoted as saying:

“This song is for anyone who has ever experienced loss. In other words, this song is for all of us.”

“No matter what happens in the world around you, think about those people you love and share some good memories. We wrote this song to bring people together. It’s an important message for right now.”

Give a listen to Maroon 5 with “Memories”:

Next up is this former Idol contestant’s newest single, which shows a reflective, softer side of the 24-year-old Georgia native, and it is where she truly shines.

Once I fall in love then I’ll be happy / But then you fall in love and there is still a hole

This song successfully walks the line between a catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, showing that this artist has grown into her artistry. Her impeccable vocals capture the emotion of the song, which is instantly addictive.

Despite the deep reflecting theme of this song, it ends on a positive, hopeful note:

I’m thinking once I learn to soak up every moment / I’ll realize my life’s already good

Here’s the talented Lauren Alaina with “Getting Good”:

If you aren’t watching “A Million Little Reasons”, you’re really missing out. Towards the end of the second season premiere recently, this song came on – I’d of course heard it before, but it’d been a really really long time, so of course I had to go look it up. And of course I had to share. Plus, the artist grew up not too far from where I grew up, so that’s just an added bonus in my mind.

This song of devotion is this artist’s biggest hit, released in 2007. It found new life when it was used in a very emotional scene from the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. The artist is a big fan of the show, which frequently features her music.

Fun fact: Producers will sometimes lure vocalists out of their comfort zones to coax a better performance, and that’s what this producer did on this track when he asked the artist to sing it without her guitar. She had been singing the song for years, always playing along on acoustic guitar, but the producer told her the instrument was distracting her. Enraged, the artist didn’t agree, but put the guitar down and recorded the take that made the cut.

Get ready for some major goosebumps, here’s Brandi Carlile with “The Story”:

Next up is a new no-nonsense country rocker as rowdy as anything this artist’s brought to his live show previously. The new song is the opposite of many of the more sensitive songs he’s previewed from his new project, and aimed at the longtime fans who’ve enjoyed getting a bit reckless with him on weekends.

Fired up, we gonna tear the night up / Got shine in the masons, good times in the making / Baby crank it / Fired up, get you a little buzz / Country queens do your thing / Y’all can get this small town lit, fired up.

Get ready to dance, here’s Brantley Gilbert with “Fire’t Up”:

Last, but certainly not least, this artist understands his daughters will date one day, so he wrote their potential suitors a warning song. This is an unreleased acoustic ballad that the he says he wrote while on tour this summer.

It’s not clear if the song will ever make a record, but fan response may demand he put it somewhere. He played the song in Alabama and Mississippi recently, setting it up by acknowledging the impulsive nature of the performance. It’s easy to see why. The song is a sweet and personal lyric written with as much understanding as shotgun cleaning mentality.

I know they won’t be young forever / But I’m gonna hold on as long as I can / When you take their hand, remember you’re holding my whole world / Just a friendly reminder to the guys that date my girls

Without further ado, here’s Thomas Rhett with “To The Guys Who Date My Girls”:

That’s a wrap for this week – see you on the dance floor!

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

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, Callie of JAmerican Spice, and Alana of Ramblin’ with AM!

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. Stacy,

    I’ve been sidelined a bit since last Wednesday and am trying to get my groove on in Blogopshere. Anywho, Maroon 5…always enjoy their stuff. I hate that Adam isn’t on The Voice this season but bringing Gwen back is great fun. She and Blake go at it in a fun way which is stinking adorable. Did you know Laura Alania is on DWTS? Yep, it’s true. She’s not the best dancer but not the worse either. I really like her ever since she was a contestant on AI. She’s just a sweetheart. Brandi Carli’s ‘The Story’ I shared awhile back on my blog. It’s lovely song. There’s a TV series called “A Million Little Reasons”? That doesn’t ring a bell. Now, you have me curious. Thanks for sharing the dance floor with me, my friend. Have a boogietastic week! 😉

  2. As always, great song selections! I also really enjoy reading about the goings-on in your picturesque hometown! It really is gorgeous, and the photos you post are amazing. Yesterday and today were the first times in a LONG time that we got temperatures not in the 90s here. I really don’t hate that summer lasted this long, although I am a bit of a sweater girl myself.

  3. Without a doubt, the Thomas Rhett song is my fav, first, because of the lyrics, and second, the backstory of his daughter who was on stage with him. Respect the women you date, young men!

Comments are closed.