"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

"Shambala" Three Dog Night

 
















I realize the referenced Shambala is a mythical Tibetan Buddhist kingdom, but this song really makes me want to go.

"Shambala" Three Dog Night

"Audience" Cold War Kids

I love this song's chill groove. It's the kind of track I imagine myself listening to during a commute to or from work. For now, imagining is all I can do.

"Audience" Cold War Kids

"Sweet Honey" Slightly Stoopid

 
















A surprisingly enjoyable track from what at first glance looks like an incredibly stoopid album. There's a chance you'll remember this one...

"Sweet Honey" Slightly Stoopid

"The Cave" Mumford & Sons

 I'm at least four months overdue on featuring this band. The entire album is great, but this song is driving me today.

"The Cave" Mumford & Sons

"Stay" Lisa Loeb

 
















I don't know anyone who dislikes this song. It's just so sweet!

"Stay" Lisa Loeb

"Angels on the Moon" Thriving Ivory

I first heard this band on VH1's "You Oughta Know" over a year ago. At least when it comes to this song, I think "Everyone Oughta Know."

"Angels on the Moon" Thriving Ivory

"Creep" Scala & Kalacny Brothers

 
















S & KB is a deceptive name, considering the Belgian choir is entirely women. I don't know how I feel about the movie The Social Network, but I do love that this song was featured in the trailer.

"Creep" Scala & Kalacny Brothers

"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" Talking Heads

 
















I watched Wall Street ('87) last night and found this final credits song incredibly amusing. Pure '80s.

"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" Talking Heads

"Signs of Life" Andrew Belle

Yesterday I became aware of a FREE Andrew Belle concert: this Friday, 12pm at the PSU HUB. I am incapable of refusing such an opportunity. I can't even wait.

Side note: props to Mr. Belle on becoming the first artist to be featured twice on the blog. you've earned it.

"Signs of Life" Andrew Belle

"Good Morning" Donald O'Conner, Gene Kelly, and Debbie Reynolds

Credit goes out to NK via JV for getting this song securely stuck in my head for the past couple days. Those who only want to hear when people are actually singing rather than tap dancing should listen from :56 to 2:22. Sorry for the inconvenience.

"Good Morning" Donald O'Conner, Gene Kelly, and Debbie Reynolds

"Heirloom" Sufjan Stevens

 
















The newest EP by Mr. SOOF-yahn STEE-vehnz. Or if you are like my former coworker Josh, you may pronounce it SUFF-jan.

"Heirloom" Sufjan Stevens

"Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)" Eminem

 
















I've never been into Eminem, but this song has stuck with me for months after its release. Rihanna is definitely the secret ingredient.

"Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)" Eminem

"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" Spoon

 
















You had BETTER blow out that Cherry Bomb, cause they've been illegal since '66.

"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" Spoon

"I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" Jim Croce

 
















This single was released several months after Jim Croce's death in a plane crash at the age of 30. I can only imagine the songs he would have written if he had 40 or 50 more years to do so. According to Croce's wife, this song was written after they had a disagreement one night and Croce reacted by going downstairs to play his guitar. In the morning, he was waiting for his wife with this love song of all love songs.

"I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" Jim Croce

"Gravity" Sara Bareilles

Sara came out with a great new album this month, but I keep finding myself coming back to the flawless tracks on her first album Little Voice. I love the combination of piano, strings, and solo voice (especially Sara's). The build at 2:30 and the apex at 2:54 get me every time.

"Gravity" Sara Bareilles

"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" The Ink Spots

 
















 Something about listening to The Ink Spots makes you feel oh so classy. I've always loved the concept of a whole group circled around a single microphone. I think it gives the music an extra close-knit feel that makes it really special.

"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" The Ink Spots

"For The First Time" The Script

 
















The first single from their new album. The album has already been released in the UK, but no US release date has been announced. For big Script fans, I highly recommend taking advantage of international shipping.

"For The First Time" The Script

"Goody Two Shoes" Adam Ant

For being written 29 years ago, this track's exceptionally rockin'.

"Goody Two Shoes" Adam Ant

"And So It Goes" Billy Joel

 
















There are so many amazing Billy Joel songs, but this one is particularly moving. I've always been a fan of dissonance to chord resolution and this song implements it to perfection.

"And So It Goes" Billy Joel

"Never Walk Away" Journey

 
















"Journey is NOT dead, Journey is LIFE!" After lead singer Steve Perry left the band in '98, Journey spent nine years being less than awesome. The band was revived in '07 when new lead singer, and spitting sound of Steve Perry, Arnel Pineda was discovered via YouTube, fronting a Filipino Journey cover band. Fans were skeptical, but this '08 album silenced concerns. Personally, I couldn't be more pleased.

"Never Walk Away" Journey

"Dinner Last Night" O.A.R.

 
















This track was mentioned to me today and fit the profile of a song I like a lot but may have missed the public eye. To slightly further exposure...

"Dinner Last Night" O.A.R.

"Trashing the Camp" *NSYNC & Phil Collins

 
















It's hard to believe this movie came out 11 years ago. I will always remember singing this song with CBR, complete with harmonies, for unsuspecting party guests. Too good. Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, ooo wayyy!

"Trashing the Camp" *NSYNC & Phil Collins

"Please Speak Well of Me" The Weepies

..easily my favorite song off the new album: poignant lyrics and the beautiful soft sound I've come to expect from The Weepies.

"Please Speak Well of Me" The Weepies

"One Big Holiday" My Morning Jacket

 
















I love this song's opening and closing guitar riff, though the middle's solid too.

"One Big Holiday" My Morning Jacket

"If It's Love" Train

 
















...except cologne, 'cause it's poison.

"If It's Love" Train

"Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson

 
















There's no need to justify the greatness of this song. A wise message from a troubled but earnest soul.

"Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson

"Oregon Girl" Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

 















...I don't, but someone does.

"Oregon Girl" Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

"I'll Take You There" The Staple Singers

There is no good reason why this song is in my head today. Fortunately, it provides a wonderful Friday groove.

"I'll Take You There" The Staple Singers

"What's Going On? (Live)" Kris Allen

Kris Allen concert tonight at the State Theatre, a venue I love. I figure I owed Kris concert attendance after he made me some money by winning American Idol. Since the competition is based on live performances, I'm compelled to believe it will be well worth it. If the show consists of anything like this track, I can't wait.

"What's Going On? (Live)" Kris Allen

"Waiting For This" Hanson

The Hanson boys men deserve some serious credit. It's been thirteen years since their explosion onto the pop music scene. Not only do they remain talented songwriters and performers, they made it into adulthood without breaking down / losing their minds (as is so common with child and teen phenomenons). Props fellas. This track is from their 2010 album.

"Waiting For This" Hanson

"Bonfires" Rosie and Me

I just discovered this wonderful duo. The whole EP is great, but this track is perfection. A tip for the best day ever: once listening on Grooveshark, click the repeat button next to volume and leave your browser open.

"Bonfires" Rosie and Me

"Morris Brown" OutKast

 
















This song gives me fond flashbacks of rooming with Mr. Nick Banks freshman year. Although I did not confirm this information, Nick explained to me that the marching band riffs throughout the song were performed by Morris Brown College. Hence, the title.

"Morris Brown" OutKast

"Where Is My Mind?" The Pixies

How did I forget to post a song AT ALL on Sunday?? I guess I was bound to slip eventually, but now I'm committed to stay ever vigilant and prevent a recurrence. Good news, though! TWO new songs! I thought this tune was appropriate to demonstrate the mental situation I must have been in to neglect the song of the day.

"Where Is My Mind?" The Pixies

"Better Than Her" Matisse

 
















I saw Matisse do a three song set in State College last night. Her main single's not complicated, but definitely a fun club jam. There are murmurs that she could be the next Lady Gaga... time will tell.

"Better Than Her" Matisse

"Squeeze Box" The Who

 















My life will be complete when a version of CSI is created that opens with this winner. Until then, this song will forever remind me of the awesome tv show "Freaks and Geeks". If you feel so inclined, watch a related clip.

"Squeeze Box" The Who

"Scandal at the Parkade" Final Fantasy

 















Today's song is shrouded in mystery. I know next to nothing about the group, other than that singer/songwriter/violinist Owen Pallett is involved. This song is a really unique, and pleasant tune once it gets going. Since it wasn't even on Grooveshark, I posted a link to a different source. Just push play.

"Scandal at the Parkade" Final Fantasy

"All I Need" Mat Kearney

 















I've had the melody of this song in my head for awhile, but couldn't remember what it was from. Mystery solved, commence playing on repeat.

"All I Need" Mat Kearney

"Bones" The Killers

 
















This song's been making a comeback on my iPod. The chorus and dynamics are really what sells the tune for me.

"Bones" The Killers

"Dreaming of You" Selena

 

















I caught a little of the Jennifer Lopez movie this weekend and this song has been in my head ever since. A devastating ending to a life of promise.

"Dreaming of You" Selena

"Life Less Ordinary" Carbon Leaf

 
















 I'm a big fan of the whole album, but this song has to be my favorite. It's hard to believe it has been over two years since I saw Carbon Leaf in Harrisonburg. Good times.

"Life Less Ordinary" Carbon Leaf

"What Part of Forever" Cee Lo Green

 
















Cee Lo's been doing some good stuff since Gnarls Barkley. I only wish this wasn't a Twilight: Eclipse Soundtrack exclusive track.

"What Part of Forever" Cee Lo Green

"I Like The Chemistry" Moss

 
















What a coincidence! I also like the chemistry! General, organic, or analytical...

"I Like The Chemistry" Moss