It’s officially the first Monday of 2020! Hope your year is starting off right! I wonder how many ‘hindsight’ jokes will be bandied about this year, hmmmm?
Meanwhile, it’s Monday, and Monday means music! For the month of January, our Spotlight Dancer is our friend Michelle from Musings & Merriment! She has chosen the theme for this week, which is “New Beginnings”.
Let’s start with a brilliant rock’n’soul jam from 1972 with some reggae tones that’s been covered by everyone from Jimmy Cliff to Everclear and has appeared in numerous films, including Grosse Pointe Blank, The Break-up, Thelma & Louise, Antz, Hitch, Cool Runnings. I think it fits perfectly with this week’s theme!
Give a listen to Johnny Nash with “I Can See Clearly Now”:
Next up is a bright and bouncy bit of dance-pop courtesy from new to me Dutch artists. It’s a classic, big room vibe designed to get your fists pumping while you smile with your eyes closed, exactly the mood you need to take you into an ecstatic future.
Get ready to dance, here’s DubVision & Afrojack with “New Memories”:
Next up is a song this artist sings about trying to move on from an ex. She was quoted as saying:
“It’s about keeping your distance from someone who’s bad for you. I’m setting some rules down so [that I] won’t go back to that person. It’s the breakup song that I wish I had when I was breaking up with someone. This is me taking charge.”
The lyrics clarify the rules:
“One: Don’t pick up the phone, you know he’s only calling ’cause he’s drunk and alone.
Two: Don’t let him in, you’ll have to kick him out again.
Three: Don’t be his friend, you’re only going to wake up in his bed in the morning. And if you’re under him, you ain’t over him!”
Without further ado, here’s the mega talented Dua Lipa with “New Rules”:
Last, but certainly not least, this isn’t specifically a song about ‘new beginnings’, but it does kinda fit. Plus it’s brand new from one of my favorite artists, an upbeat love song that’s definitely a good one to kick off the New Year.
The Jason Koenig-directed visual tells the love stories of couples from across the globe. The heartwarming video ends with the artist’s own romance – he is seen together with wife Cherry in their kitchen as they dance together and then share a kiss. The message alongside their clip in the video states:
“Back in high school, Ed & Cherry were crushing hard. They made out at the castle on the hill. A few years ago they reconnected, there were fireworks. They married in January 2019.”
The other artist who duets with the main artist is shown in the visual heading out on a date after swiping right on a potential love interest. The director was quoted as saying:
“[Shooting the clip involved the crew] shooting 17 shoots, in 18 days, finding real couples dancing all over the world, with cameras in our backpacks. I know we didn’t get to every culture but we tried for as many as we could. The people we met were so inspiring. Love is real. Dancing is the best. Hoping to put a little joy into the world this holiday.”
I love the video, especially the little snippets of each of the couples featured.
Without further ado, here’s Ed Sheeran with “Put It All On Me”:
That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday and 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, 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!
Michelle from Musings & Merriment
This list will close in 6 days, 11 hrs, 23 min (1/11/2020 11:59 PM North America – Eastern Standard Time)
Nice playlist
Stacy,
How’s life treating you in the new year? We watched the wild card game yesterday between the Seahawks and Eagles. Just like I couldn’t believe the holidays happened, I can’t believe the Superbowl is next month. Time is so darn fleeting. Anywho, I enjoyed your song picks for this week’s theme. Have a boogietastic day, darlin’! xx
Looks like a lot of us got Johnny Nash, but you had a unique approach. Good list!
Great playlist. I used the Cool Runnings version. Have a wonderful week.
Whoa! I must say I have never heard any of these, but I like every one believe it or not my favorite on I have to admit is Dua Lipa – New Rules. Kinda cute. Nice video too! So how ya doin’ girlfriend? Fine, I hope. We had our Christmas this past weekend. The kids were all workin’ and Christmas day they always go see their spouses’ family. I decided a long time ago that I’d rather have them all day then share with someone else. Less arguments too! ~hehehe~
Great tunes, Happy New Year!
I enjoyed your tunes (yes, great minds thinking alike) but the Ed Sheeran video is one of the best music videos I’ve ever seen. It was so precious. My two favorite dancing couples were the elderly couple (my almost 70 year old cousin who tangos nearly every weekend has the right idea!) and…well, Ed and his wife.