Hello Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend – as usual, it flew by way too fast. But it is Monday, and Monday means music! This week is a freebie week, so grab a favorite tune and come dance with us, won’t you?
Let’s start off with a breakout British singer-songwriter who released a new single, an emotionally resonant piano ballad. The artist was quoted as saying:
“[This song] started out as a song about something completely different than what it is now. It was originally written from a fragile place of anxiety and not knowing the cause of it, so the song started to become ‘Without A Reason’. But as we carried on writing, we realised how every relationship has difficult times but you stick with it because the love you fundamentally feel for the other person overrides everything else. I wrote this song to say thank you to those special people who make our lives better, simply because they’re in it.”
Give a listen to Calum Scott with “You Are The Reason”:
Next up is a song by an American pop rock band that was released on January 16, 2018 to contemporary hit radio as the second single from the band’s sixth studio album. It served as the third countdown single released from the album. Not much information has been written about it yet, but it’s certainly a catchy tune!
Here’s the talented Maroon 5 with “Wait”:
Next up my favorite country-turned-pop artist hooks up with a rapper, along with her pal (and another of my favorite artists) on this easy listening hip-hop track. The pop princess croons about how the world sees her and how her boyfriend should look past her reputation as a boy crazy female who conducts her relationships in public.
Big reputation, big reputation / Ooh, you and me, we got big reputations / Ah, and you heard about me / Ooh, I got some big enemies (yeah) / Big reputation, big reputation
Her two artist friends each contribute verses about their trials of being constantly in the spotlight. The album title and the theme of her media perception comes into play as she says the word “reputation” 13 times. She frequently sneaks in references to the number 13 in her songs, for instance on Red’s thirteenth track “The Lucky One” the word “lucky” is similarly repeated thirteen times. Swift’s affection for the number is believed to originate with her birthday being December 13th.
Some fun facts about the video:
- During the Tokyo portion of the clip, Taylor can be seen sipping on a juice box. The Japanese words on the drink carton translate into English as “End Game.”
- When Taylor is partying in Tokyo, the Japanese writing on three of the four billboards that can be seen feature “End Game” lyrics written in Japanese. The fourth one translates to “Meredith Olivia,” her cats’ names.
- When Taylor sings the line “Here’s the truth from my red lips” in the visual, she’s not wearing her usual bright red lipstick. The director explained: “When Taylor sings ‘truth from my Red lips’ her lips are nude because I think it means her lips that sang the Red album.”
Here’s the inimitable Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran, and Future with “End Game”:
Last, but not least, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer that is best known for her collaborations with other artists. She recorded this song with a country-pop duo for the closing track of her third extended play album, released to American contemporary hit radio on October 24, 2017.
The piano-driven ballad has a feel-good message of whatever will be, will be. The artist wrote the song with the country-pop artists and writers, inspired by some encouraging words of wisdom from one of the country-pop duo’s pregnant wife, Hayley:
“It was my second session of the day and their second session of the day, and they were kind of over it and so was I. [The other artist] and I sat down, and he was like, ‘You know what my just wife told me? She said, ‘If it’s meant to be, it’ll be that we write a hit or not.’ And, I said, ‘Well that’s the song – let’s go!’ Then the song just poured out.”
The artist explained how the track’s fatalistic lyrical content helped her through her own troubles:
“I’ve recently been going through heartbreak, and I listen to the song, and it makes me feel better and like there’s some type of destiny and if something doesn’t work out then, there’s something better waiting for you. I think that’s something we need more than ever with all the events going on in the world. People want to feel safe and like everything’s going to be OK.”
Without further ado, here’s Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line with “Meant to Be”:
That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday, see you on the dance floor!
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 cohort, Callie from JAmericanSpice, and our awesome friend Cathy, from Curious as a Cathy.
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!
Stacy,
I enjoyed the introduction to Calum Scott. “You Are the Reason” is a beautiful ballad. I think this gonna be stuck in my ear today. 🙂 Your last mewsic contribution Florida Georgia Line ft. Bebe Reha made me wonder if her low cut blouse helped her get so many lifts. lol On a serious note, it kinda is worrisome to think of a young girl not only hitchhiking…alone….with breast cleavage! That’s really scary. I will check out Bebe on YouTube. I want to her more by her. Thanks for sharing and the dance, my friend. Have a good week! 😉
I want to like FGL but it is a stuggle for me. I love Maroon 5!!! Here is to a fabulous week Stacy- always fun to see your picks every Monday!
Great song, I love the Taylor Swift song. Thanks for playing all of your songs and have a great Monday.
I didn’t realize Maroon 5 had a new song. I guess that’s what happens when one listens to news stations on the car drives to and from work. Great song picks. End Game is a fun song, too!
A few good ones here. Especially liked the Bebe Rexha song. She’s cute…
So glad to see Calum Scott with “You Are The Reason”: Saw him on American Idol & got the golden buzzer! I really liked then and I like him even more now. Love, love , love Maroon 5, and Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran, and Future with “End Game”, I mean how many people wants the Country Taylor Swift back? I know I do. She’s starting to get a bit too too trampy for me. She’s goin’ down hill for sure with this one. For sure! The last one was an introduction never heard of these peeps before, but it’s not bad. Hey girl, I like Christmas too, but I took my Santa hat off! bwhahahahahahahahahaha BIG HUGS!!!
Good music, interesting facts!
That Ed Sheeran is really grabbing my attention lately!
My latest fave is Perfect.
Thanks for the dance Stacy.
Aloha.