Can you believe it’s the last day of April? That means summer is right around the corner, people! Looking forward to continuous warm sunny days, how about you?
Meanwhile, it’s Monday, and Monday means music! This week is a freebie week – grab your favorite tune(s) and dance along with us, won’t you?
Starting off, some people dream of changing the world, but sometimes the biggest dream we can have is making a difference in someone else’s life. There’s no telling how many lives we’ve touched, since often it’s the smallest interactions that leave the greatest impact, but if someone has touched your life, it’s worth telling them. When all is said and done it’s the people in our lives that matter the most, and there’s nothing more gratifying than knowing someone notices us and that they care.
This song is a love song, but also a confession of loneliness and an admission that sometimes what we need most is knowing we’re as important to someone else as they are to us, as the artist sings in the chorus:
“And if the sun’s upset and the sky goes cold / Then if the clouds get heavy and start to fall / I really need somebody to call my own / I wanna be somebody to someone / Someone to you”
Why haven’t I been listening to this artist? I was introduced to him by way of American Idol – he was a mentor to some of the contestants last week, and I fell in love with this song, so I know you will too!
Without further ado, here’s Banners with “Someone To You”:
Next up is a song by an Australian indie pop band, Sheppard that was released last November as the fourth single from their second studio album, that’s due to be released on June 8, 2018. They were quoted as saying:
“We’ve tried to capture the joy and excitement we all feel when we get to travel home at last – whether home is a place, a person or a state of mind. It’s our most euphoric song to date.”
With a clear vision of who they are and what they stand for, the group continue their ascent as a global pop powerhouse. Since its release, this song has also been heard on American Idol, The Voice, American Ninja Warrior, and is set to appear on NBC’s Champions in May.
Refusing to be defined by their success, the group have steered their own ship, focusing on authenticity and delivering great pop songs to keep the world singing.
Give a listen to Sheppard with “Coming Home”:
Next up is an upbeat song that tells a story of moving forward in uncertain circumstances:
Cross my heart and hope to die / Taking this one step at a time / Got your back if you got mine / One foot in front of the other
The lead vocalist was quoted as saying:
“[This song] really sums up the theme of the whole record: Staring out into the unknown, being faced with uncertainty and what could be certain failure, but deciding to move forward and take that first step anyway. The song is partly inspired by the journey that I’ve been through just in my love life, but it’s mirrored with the relationship with my band members and just that we’ve decided to keep moving forward in the face of the unknown.”
The song’s music video was methodically planned to coincide exactly with the Great American Eclipse of 2017. It was directed by Robert Hales (Nine Inch Nails, Death Cab For Cutie, Imagine Dragons, Stone Temple Pilots) and filmed in Joshua Tree National Park with special camera lenses similar to the ones people wore to watch the eclipse.
Get ready to dance to Walk The Moon with “One Foot”:
Next up is an artist who has always been one to bring the good vibes, but even he’ll admit that the current events of recent years have had him feeling down. He was quoted as saying:
“The world had changed a lot since 2012. More people are marching for their freedoms and equality; to be seen and heard. Activism is back in style. I wrote a lot of frustrated, angry, even sad songs between then and now, but nothing I wanted to come forward with; nothing I wanted to sing.”
Instead of moving forward with the not-so-happy tunes he had penned, the 40-year-old singer reflected on a trip to Myanmar in 2012, where he had a moving visit with a Buddhist monk. Mraz received a blessing from the monk that resulted in this song, which he was inspired to bring to light amid the world’s tough times.
“[This song] stood out as a song with a hopeful message to help me heal and move forward; a song with a message of generosity — the antithesis of despondency. It’s a blessing disguised as a rap song, and it’s meant to be paid forward and shared.”
I guarantee this song will not only get you dancing, but it will definitely put a smile on your face! Here’s Jason Mraz with “Have It All”:
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, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, and while our beloved Callie of JAmerican Spice is taking a break, our friend Michelle from Michelle’s Musings and Merriment is helping out with hostess duties! And introducing our newest addition to our Conductor repertoire – we have the honor and privilege of welcoming Alana from 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!
Beautiful songs. All are new to me. Thanks for sharing and I hope that you have wonderful week.
I love your Monday posts! they are so uplifting. Plus, you introduce me to a lot of artists that I would not have listened to on my own. Banners was quite moving for me. My eyes may have sprung a leak. Beautiful song.
Great songs to come home to after a hard day at work!
Stacy,
Whew, I’m here! I’m here! Is it Friday? No! It’s already been one of those weeks. *smack forehead* Anywho, I happy for the intro to Banners and Sheppard, both are happy new discoveries. Walk the Moon has some good mewsic. I need to listen to more of their songs. I only get a chance to do this when someone shares them. Jason Mraz is always a pleasure to hear. He doesn’t seem to get as much play as he once did or maybe I’m just not listening closely enough. It was great boogieing with you, my friend. You always have some great songs to get my body movin’. Have a tunetastic week and yes, you’re so right, summer is on its way! Whoo-hoo!
~Curious as a Cathy
A2Z iPad Art Sketch ‘Z’ for Zinnias
I think we have different tastes in music, but that’s why there’s so much of it, ain’t it? The set worked, and I actually kind of liked Banners. Something about Sheppard’s video made me dizzy.
All of these songs were new to me – nice to have something upbeat playing today on what was a beautiful spring day where I live. Walk the Moon was definitely my favorite – some of the dancing had a wonderful Native American vibe to it, I thought.
These are great choices! I listened to the first one and said, “I love this!” and added it to my “New songs I like” list. Then the same thing happened to the next one and the next one until I added them all to my list. Now I have new tunes to groove to. Thanks!