"Que Sera Sera" Pink Martini

 
















For the occasion of Halloween, I present the creepiest song I know. I typically enhance this particular listening experience by opening my eyes really wide, grinning maniacally, and slowly bobbing my head to and fro.

"Que Sera Sera" Pink Martini

"Radioactive" Kings of Leon

It's difficult to follow up three incredible albums, but I deem the KoL's latest release a success. Interesting trivia tidbit courtesy of wikipedia: the band consists of three brothers and their cousin (if only their last name was Partridge instead of Followill)

"Radioactive" Kings of Leon

"Darling, It's True" Locksley

 
















This song was a delight to wake up to this morning, starting out with a cheerful groove and then exploding with peppy choruses.

"Darling, It's True" Locksley

"The Rocketeer" James Horner

 















I'm not sure when I first watched this Oscar worthy film (at least in my elementary school eyes) from 1991, but I'm almost positive it started my love of movie scores. Now that I think about it, it also may be why I've always had a thing for Jennifer Connelly... hmm. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you may recognize the main theme from its use in a plethora of movie trailers.

"The Rocketeer" James Horner

"Dance The Night Away" Van Halen

This is such a feel good tune. Though admittedly, at least tonight, I'm more likely to learn Spanish the night away.

"Dance The Night Away" Van Halen

"Young Love" Gavin DeGraw

It's nearly a sin that this song has been on my "Top 25 Most Played" smart playlist in iTunes for the past couple years and is only now appearing on the blog. With the amount of times I plan to listen to this track today its position on the playlist should rise significantly.

"Young Love" Gavin DeGraw

"Keep Holding On" Avril Lavigne

People are typically disgusted at how much I enjoy this song. What can I say? I love a good power ballad. Something tells me that if you let loose a little and belt along to the chorus while pumping a hand in the air as you see fit, you'll find the whole experience rather refreshing also. My apologies if I'm way wrong.

"Keep Holding On" Avril Lavigne

"Let Your Light Shine On Me" The Venice Four (feat. Rose Stone & The AKL Choir)

 The Coen Brothers' movies regularly have quality soundtracks, and their less popular flick The Ladykillers is no exception. Here's a little gospel for your Sunday. If you can't make it through the whole high-spirited song, at least be sure to listen to the grand ending around 5:40.

"Let Your Light Shine On Me" The Venice Four (feat. Rose Stone & The AKL Choir)

"When The Music's Not Forgotten" Deadman

Today, a month and a half ago, the music WAS forgotten. Thank god for timestamp manipulation.

"When The Music's Not Forgotten" Deadman

"Cindy" Tammany Hall NYC

 















Unsurprisingly, this band is often confused with a late 1700s to mid-1900s political organization. Or, maybe this is just how the organization manifested itself after its political work was done...

"Cindy" Tammany Hall NYC

"Doorways" Radical Face

 
















This song completely ignores establishing a traditional "verse, chorus, bridge, etc." format and just goes for it. I love how it starts out with a simple chopsticks-esque piano pulse and continues to build, adding instrumentation. Keep the decibels reasonable, as I never condone hearing loss, but I suggest playing it loud enough that 2:00 has some real power behind it.
 
"Doorways" Radical Face

"Here Is Gone" The Goo Goo Dolls

 
















These guys put on a GREAT concert last night. Thanks to my momma for taking me! :)  They played for over an hour including all of the classics with lots of enthusiasm. I was reminded how much I love this track off of their 7th album.

"Here Is Gone" The Goo Goo Dolls

"Lie in Our Graves" Dave Matthews Band

 















A classic DMB groove that has come back into my life. (IS, you have a little over two weeks to remaster the main riff on your plastic-stringed guitar before my arrival)

"Lie in Our Graves" Dave Matthews Band

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston

 
















It's a marvel that this hasn't already been the song of the day. Whitney gives this song an undeniable energy and the track's desire is always relatable. I mean honestly, who doesn't wanna dance with somebody who loves them?

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston

"Time Bomb" The Format

Flashback to freshman year. This album rocks... if only the band didn't dissolve. :/

"Time Bomb" The Format

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Santa Esmeralda

Don't be fooled by the absurdity of this album cover; don't misunderstand. This mariachi cover of Nina Simone's hit is stellar. So stellar, I don't mind its 10 minute duration at all.

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Santa Esmeralda

"You're The One That I Want" Angus & Julia Stone

 
















This is an admittedly strange, but I'd venture to say lovely, cover of the Grease classic sung by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Definitely a song I could fall asleep to.

"You're The One That I Want" Angus & Julia Stone

"Imagine" Jack Johnson

 
















I've always loved this John Lennon classic, for more than just its auditory aesthetic. As expected, Jack Johnson's signature voice carries the weight of the song wonderfully.

"Imagine" Jack Johnson

"Mr. Brightside" Paul Anka

I thought I'd kick things up a little after three slower covers (and two more to come) with a lively jazz rendition of The Killers' hit. Paul Anka does the classiest jazz covers of non-jazz songs I've ever heard. Richard Cheese, a raunchier less-talented jazz cover man, doesn't hold a candle.

"Mr. Brightside" Paul Anka

"Everybody's Changing" Lily Allen

 
















For some reason I think this simplistic Keane cover with guitar, keyboard, and vocals is just too much fun.

"Everybody's Changing" Lily Allen

"Everytime" Glen Hansard

 















Another fantastic acoustic cover... never has Britney Spears been more heartfelt.

"Everytime" Glen Hansard

"Heartbeats" Jose Gonzalez

It's time for another COVER WEEK! I thought about making it annual, but honestly couldn't wait that long. Today's cover is a delectable acoustic redo that way outshines The Knife's original track.

"Heartbeats" Jose Gonzalez

"Everybody's Gone to War" Nerina Pallot

 
















I first heard this song when I was in Italy with CR four years ago. Sadly, this aptly written anti-war track never made it to the U.S. The money's in the chorus: "Don't tell me it's a worthy cause, no cause could be so worthy."

"Everybody's Gone to War" Nerina Pallot

"Stranger on the Shore" Pete Fountain

 
















This is truly one of my favorite songs of all time, as in, I could put this song on repeat until I die and be completely satisfied. A gorgeous melody, a little swing: what more could I ask for?

"Stranger on the Shore" Pete Fountain

"New Shoes" Paolo Nutini

New shoes aren't properly broken in until they've stepped in dog poop. Check.

"New Shoes" Paolo Nutini

"Jolene" Ray LaMontagne

 
















No one fulfills the need for smooth, soulful, raspy crooning like Ray.

"Jolene" Ray LaMontagne

"Things That Could Be Said" The Crash Motive

 















Grade A alt/punk. Someone get that dog some knee pads.

"Things That Could Be Said" The Crash Motive

"Been Here Once Before" Eagle-Eye Cherry

 
















Starting the week off right, with a little Eagle-Eye Cherry (of "Save Tonight" fame)

"Been Here Once Before" Eagle-Eye Cherry

"Seven Years" Norah Jones

 
















When you adore seven or eight of Norah's songs, it can be easy to overlook all of her other gorgeous tracks. Credit to KH for reminding me so. Sinfully, this song is not on Grooveshark so YouTube will have to suffice.

"Seven Years" Norah Jones

"Starry Eyed Surprise" Paul Oakenfold

It's been at least five years and I still can't listen to this song without thinking of that roller skating Diet Coke commercial. I guess there are worse things.


"Starry Eyed Surprise" Paul Oakenfold

"Make Her Mine" Mayer Hawthorne

 
















Another long overdue featured artist... I guess I was saving him for a rainy day. Although you wouldn't expect it from first glance, Mayer is a Retrotown superstar. Checking out the rest of his album is advised.

"Make Her Mine" Mayer Hawthorne