April is coming to a close – for those of you anxiously awaiting warmer weather, I suspect it’s right around the corner! How about we celebrate with some music, hmmm?
This week’s theme is a freebie, so if you’re feelin’ it, you can jump right in anytime, too. Let’s start off with the first single from this artist’s third album that was originally penned by the singer-songwriter for the first dance with his wife at their April 2013 wedding.
He never expected this song to end up being the lead single, since it was a song for his wife for their wedding about their first dance. This makes my romantic heart happy. What’s cool is the music video also includes shots from his wedding. He met his wife in the early 2000’s in South Carolina – they married in Branson, Missouri on April 21, 2013.
Give a listen to Lee Brice with “I Don’t Dance”:
Next up is a New Zealand singer/songwriter who’s still just a teen. In this particular song, she’s touching on disconnection with modern pop music and the difference between on-screen portrayals and reality. She has said that there are two lines in the song that are particularly important to her.
One of them being “We live in cities you’ll never see onscreen”, as she felt important for her to be speaking for the minority where, coming from a small city, somewhere that feels unimportant, you just wanna get out of there.
The other line she felt important is: “I’m kind of over getting told to throw my hands up in the air”, because there’s been so much of that in pop music, and she wanted to be a bit more realistic. In that vein, she also wanted to make sure to cast ‘real people with real faces’ for her music video.
The video was born of a dream she’d had a few months prior about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was queen.
She dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. And of this world, she dreamt about tests that didn’t need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger.
Here’s Lorde with “Team”:
Next up is a sibling duo who grew up just down the street from Carrie Underwood – the three even shared a stage many times together throughout their childhood years. They traveled with their parents’ Southern Gospel group, so they were singing and writing songs practically as soon as they could walk and talk. Their parents even formed a family-style variety show where the pair first started performing in the country music genre.
One of them even auditioned for American Idol in 2007 after witnessing their friend Carrie Underwood’s massive success on that particular talent competition – making it to the Top 48. The other didn’t try out because he didn’t feel comfortable without an instrument in his arms.
They spent the subsequent years performing around their home state and releasing a couple of independent albums that were well-received among their ever-growing fan base. The sibling pair achieved national fame in 2013, when they finished in third place on the fourth season of The Voice. This song is their first official single, released in December 2013 – at which time it shot to #1 on iTunes’ Country Top Songs within 24 hours.
Give a listen to The Swon Brothers with their live performance at the Opry during their Opry debut, “Later On”:
Last, but definitely not least, is one of my all-time favorite artists with a song from his most recent album. The artist first performed it during Nashville’s annual Country Radio Seminar convention in early 2014, and his first performance of the song on national TV was during the ACM Awards on April 6, 2014.
The song was inspired by growing up 500 yards from the Ohio River. For years he’s referred to himself as a ‘river rat’ – his best memories with his grandfather are on that body of water, and of his dad and learning to ski. He considers this song kind of like a back-to-basics song, which is really an inner tube and a boat – and voila! You’ve got a theme park.
With the lyrics: “We got an inner tube / We got a trailer hitch / We’re near the river and far from rich / But we have got each other and gas in the tank / We’re laughing all the way to the river bank” – this will be a great summertime anthem.
Here’s the inimitable Brad Paisley with “River Bank”:
With how hilarious that lyric video was, giant Brad Paisley head and all, I can’t wait to see what he has in store for the actual music video. 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, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and Naila Moon at 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!
Joyce of Catch My Words
I have not heard a single one of these until today. I loved all of them but especially the first and last.
I think that might be Brad’s official vid. Too funny!
Naila Moon would like you to read ..Monday’s Music with a big ole X!
I quite enjoyed these and just love Lorde 🙂
Have a fantabulosa week 😉
stevebethere would like you to read ..Music Monday (On A Sunday) – Retro 58
All great songs! I love the history you always share about the song and artist.
Camille would like you to read ..Mommy & Me Monday
I love Brad Paisley’s music–he always hits it just right. I sure am dreaming of summer right now.
VandyJ would like you to read ..Dreaming Monday
I’m picky about country music but really like the brothers..
& just like to look at Brad Paisley 🙂
Rebecca Jo would like you to read ..The weekend that was full of ‘babes’
I don’t often get to listen to country music these days. I don’t get radio at home, and in the car, the kids have Japanese rock playing all the time. I like listening to the Japanese rock unless I have a headache.
Danielle Royalegacy would like you to read ..Custom T-Shirt Giveaway for Bloggers ONLY – from Crooked Brook – ends 5/15 US
I always enjoy the little history with the artistes. That Lorde girl is definitely quite an exception right now in the pop world.
Thanks for the tunes Stacy. Happy Monday.
JamericanSpice would like you to read ..Write Your Story On My Heart Despicable Me – #Music
Lorde insanely talented. Her voice is incredible and her debut album is simply spectacular. I love how you through a Brad Paisley in the mix too. lol 😉
Run DMT would like you to read ..Music Monday: Gold and Runners Redefining Boston Strong
Well, there ya go! The Swon Bros. wow I saw them on the Voice last. I can here there yelling now WE MADE IT! Grand Ole’ Opry that’s fantastic. I like to see young people live out there dreams. All your tunes are naturally new to me. I think I just stay in my comfort zone 70’s to 90’s most of the time. hehehehe But I love comin’ over and getting countryfied by you! EEEEE HAW ROCKIN’ THE HOUSE GIRLFRIEND!
XmasDolly would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves Me!
Lorde has such a unique style. I really like her music.
Joyce would like you to read ..#MM & #AtoZ X for Xanadu
Can’t go wrong with Brad 🙂
but I liked that brother duo — nice sound. looks like they will go far.
Rorybore would like you to read ..4M Thoughts On A Train Part 4: Brown Is the Loneliest Colour
Lorde’s song is the only one I am familiar with, and always like hearing her. All of your country tunes are new-to-me, but a pleasure to hear for the first time. Have a tunetastic, Stacy. As always, it’s gr8 to boogie with you country rock style!
Cathy Kennedy would like you to read ..#Music from the Xanadu soundtrack on #a2zchallenge
I really like the history lesson mixed in there… and anytime I get a chance to listen to Brad and ” River Bank ” the world is a better place. Nice choice.