Top 5 Songs Of Optimism

Not every song that is going to be written about on here has a negative vibe. Here is one of the best examples.

5. “We Shall Be Free”- Garth Brooks

Though it is really a song calling for political, religious, and racial freedom, it is still extremely positive in that we will accomplish those things. Most songs about politics and heavy-weight issues don’t actually say that anything will get done. This one does.

4. “I’m Yours”- Jason Mraz

Does this song really need an introduction? Everybody who hasn’t been hiding under a rock since early 2008 knows this song, and for good reason. Romanticism aside, it’s easy-going beat and positive lyrics allow the listener to just kick back and enjoy.

3. “I Got You”- Craig Morgan

This song basically follows the same path as “I’m Yours”- minus the extreme popularity- as Morgan talks about life’s small treasures, including the woman he loves. If only it were that simple. =).

2. “Blessed”- Brett Dennen

As far as pure optimism goes, this song will always be near the top. Nothing great has just happened to the singer. He didn’t just win some big prize. He just wants to celebrate life and all it has to offer.

1. “Chicken Fried”- Zac Brown Band

The Zac Brown Band should know a thing or two about optimism. After several years failing to land a record deal, they kept persevering and finally secured a semi-big deal with an independent country label. This, their first single for that label, talks about how one doesn’t need a mansion, or a fast car, or expensive clothes to be happy. He/She just needs his/her friends and some cold beer. Those, my friends, are simple pleasures, and ones we should all put at the top of our lists. (Espescially the beer =)).

Top 5 Break-Up Songs

I got a reminder today at how painful a break-up is, even if the break-up in question happened several months ago. Like everything else, I will attempt to combat it with music.

5. “Being Drunk’s A Lot Like Loving”- Kenny Chesney
Enough said.

4. “Speed”- Montgomery Gentry
Sometimes, instead of just wallowing in self-pity, you need to be proactive. In this song, being proactive means buying a sports car. Whatever floats your boat.

3. “Stay”- Sugarland
In my opinion, this may be the saddest song of all time. Coming from the perspective of a woman being used by a married man, it talks about how she cannot resist him even though she knows it is wrong. I know it is wrong to be upset, but I can’t stop.

2. “Best I Ever Had”- Gary Allan
This song basically paints the portrait of how I feel. It basically says: “You were the one”. Hopefully she wasn’t.

1. “What Hurts The Most”- Rascal Flatts
One of the biggest regrets that comes from anyone who has been dumped is never having the chance to say what they wanted, to have their relationship fully bloom. Even after 11 months and having never seen each other during the relationship, this could not ring more true to me.

My First Public Performance

If you were at Camp Taconic in 2005, you already know this story, so feel free to stop reading, remember what happened, laugh, and move on with your day. However, this is not a story I have told many, but will share with the few readers of this blog.
When I first arrived at Camp Taconic in 2003 at the age of 9, I immediatly gained a crush on a girl who shall remain nameless in an attempt to give her privacy. It took me until the time I was 11 to even say “Hi” to her, let alone say anything meaningful. Then, one night, everything changed (Sort of). By the end of the night, I had managed to ask her to dance at the social that we were having, and being 11, it was naturally a big deal when she said yes. Now, in the end, this really meant nothing- I never had the courage to speak to her again, and I stopped liking her a while later. However, the day after this all happened, I wrote down a few phrases that eventually turned into a song about the event. While it was not the first song that I ever wrote, it was the first one that I was truly proud of, as in addition to feeling like I had accomplished something with her, that I had written a halfway decent song as well. So when the final talent show of the summer came around, and I had yet to perform in the first two, I decided to perform the song. In the approximately three minutes that I was on stage, singing a capella, my life changed. Previously, I had been too nervous to even sing my songs to myself, let alone to a crowd of 300 that was already cranky from sitting through an hour and a half of performances that they would rather not watch. (Mine turned out to be no different). In the end, I had learned that music is best when shared with others. It was not a good performance, nor was it of any benefit towards my standing with this girl, but it alliviated many of my fears towards my music, and hopefully will pave the way for more public performances in the future. (Author’s Note- I have not given one since. This is what being tone deaf will do for you).

A Friend In Five Songs

One feature that I would like to continually put in my blog is to describe someone important (be it a friend or an enemy) using songs. Here is one on my friend Michelle, someone who has always helped me through whatever kind of crap I have gotten myself into.

5. “You Save Me”- Kenny Chesney
Sort of an off-beat love song, this is really a song of how a friend can help you through anything. No matter what sort of bind you are in, this person will always be a great friend. Like Michelle.

4. “I Run To You”- Lady Antebellum
This is a song that, when thought through, is very much like “You Save Me”. It is a song about friendship and love, and about you always have someone to run to in times of strife.

3. “Somebody Like You”- Keith Urban
Probably the most romantic number that I will post here, this is a song about looking at a girl and saying “I would love to be with someone like her”. Which, in many ways, is true. Michelle has always been a wonderful friend and someone I can talk to, and has never shied away from me in my time of need. That is what I truly look for in someone I am with.

2. “Fall Into Me”- Emerson Drive
This is where I turn the tables a little bit. This is a song about telling someone that you will always be there for them. It’s romantic, but can really apply to anyone that you truly care about, and that you hope will come to you just like you always go to them when you need help the most.

1. “Ain’t Gonna Lose You”- Brett Dennen
Just before the end of last school year, I made a terrible mistake. Rather, I had made many mistakes over the course of my knowing Michelle. I had often not told her important things about my past, or altogether lied to her. Realizing my terrible mistake, I confessed, and that led to a time that I would rather forget, one without her. However, she found it in her heart to forgive me and to be my friend again. This is a song saying that the singer will never lose that special person, no matter whether he is talking to a girlfriend or a family member. It is a song of commitment, about how you have learned not to let go. I know that this time I have learned my lesson.

My Influences

Every songwriter has influences, and I am no exception. So here are my Top 10.

10. Tim McGraw
While I don’t believe that the man has ever actually written a song, his music has never ceased to amaze me. He is always heartfelt, as sometimes you can hear the pain resonating in his voice. His ability to sing with the same convincing style no matter what the topic is something I admire incredibly.

9. Brett Dennen
On Dennen’s three albums, he has literally written every song. That’s right folks, every single song for three albums. That is what I call being prolific, and his songs never sound rushed. Be it the romantic “Desert Sunrise”, the politically charged “Ain’t No Reason”, or the folk-rocker “San Francisco” his voice and lyrics rarely cease to amaze me.

8. Elton John
Having been around for almost 40 years, the man must be doing something right. And he is. His song “Tiny Dancer” is among my favorite of all time, and this is a man who has spent many a night putting me to sleep by way of the iPod. A true musical genius.

7. Taylor Swift
“What the hell?” is probably the typical response to putting Swift on this list. After all, she is only 19 and has been in the music buisnss for all of about three years. Still, it’s hard to argue with her grace, simplicity, and results. Having written or co-written every song she has ever recorded, including being the sole writer of the massive hit “Love Story”, she continues to provide me with hope that teenagers CAN hit it big. If i could be half the songwriter she is, I would be proud.

6. Brad Paisley
Perhaps the funniest songwriter I know, Paisley has been entertaining me for years with lyrics that are humorous and refreshing. It’s always nice to have someone look at a situation in a laughable light, instead of the traditional seriousness of the music stars of today. He is also extremely prolific and a terrific guitar player to boot.

5. Josh Gracin
Another who doesn’t write much, but when he does, he makes it count. Gracin’s song “Unbelievable” has been charming me and making me realize the true meaning of love for almost a year now. His ranking is based almost solely on that song, but other songs of his- those that he has not written- are still sung with conviction and a blissful voice. Someone whose lyrics are for everyone.

4. The Beatles
John Lennon and Paul McCartney are probably the best songwriters not just of their generation, but of all time. The only reason that the are not numero uno is that their lyrics are often vengeful and shallow, and while genius, are often the exact opposite of how I want my lyrics to be. However, the sheer genius is hard to ignore.

3. Billy Joel
Having written almost as many Top 40 hits as songs I have written TOTAL, the man just had to be an influence. He has written about nearly every topic, and never ceases to amaze me with his vocal skills as well as his songwriting. I have been listening to his music for as long as I have been alive and loved every minute of it.

2. Kenny Chesney
As far as sheer emotional influences go, Chesney is the king. His 2005 collection of island-tinted country songs, entitled “Be As You Are” proves that even the usually mainstream can be deep as well. Listen to “There’s Something Sexy About The Rain”, and you will know what I mean.

1. Gary Allan
If someone near and dear to you commited suicide, the last thing you would probably want to do is work. But that’s what Allan did. Shortly after his wife Angela’s suicide in 2004, Allan let his writing show how he truly felt, in the form of heart-wrenching lyrics that often bring tears to my eyes. A man who truly knows how to express himself through music.

Just Today

I was in a very good mood today so I wrote a song about it. Here it goes:

I got up this morning
About nine o clock
Or about four hours earlier than usual
Opening my window
I saw the sky was beautiful
Just like you
I wish that this was how things were
Meant to be
All I can say is amazing is all I can see

Chorus
I want to go to the ocean
I want to fly to the moon
I want to stay forever
In this moment that will end too soon
I will remember
This day forever
And no matter tomorrow
Just today

Life makes me wonder
Looking at you
If this is what I was meant to feel
I can only wonder
If you’ll stay forever
Like I want you to
If tomorrow brings more
Misery
I’ll send it away because we’ve only got Today

(Chorus)

I believe that we can live
I believe that we can thrive
All we need is each other
To truly come alive

(Chorus x2)

(Fade)

A Recently Written Song

I have lacked inspiration lately, so this is the first song I have written in quite a while. I hope you enjoy.

Come Back To Me

• This song is a duet for a man and a woman. The first verse is song by a man, and the second by a woman. The chorus is sung together, and the bridge is sung with the two singers alternating singing line by line.

I guess you must be sleeping
It’s 3 AM and I’m still wide awake
When I let you go
I never dreamed it’d be so easy
For my heart to break
Here in the real world
There’s so fairy tales or fantasies
No easy way to say it
Come back to me

Here I lay in the darkness
With broken wings and then
All the feelings that I had before
Appear yet again
The distance that we keep won’t work for you to see
That I’m begging for you to
Come back to me

Chorus
I can’t hide
Anymore
From these fears
That I store
A fire’s raging in me tonight
This ain’t the way
It should be
Can you not see?
That I’m dying here without you
Come back to me

Bridge
I’ve been here, seems forever
No matter what, it can’t get better
I’ve tried so hard, but nothing seems to go
I’m beginning for forgiveness
And though it’s none of my business
What do you do with me gone?
(Guitar Solo)

(Chorus x2)

(Fade Out)

To Start Off…

I would like to start by writing about a couple of albums that I have heard this year. So far, it’s been a great year for all kinds of music, and many of the albums that I have been anticipating have met expectations. In this, my first entry, I will discuss the best and most dissapointing albums I have heard thus far this year.

Best:

American Saturday Night- Brad Paisley

I was shocked when I heard that this album would be released in late June as Paisley’s third album in just over two years, and his second in approximatly eight months. Though his most recent album, Play, was more experimental then anything else (it contained mostly instrumental guitar numbers- a testament to Paisley’s skill with the six-string), it was still quite soon to give the fans a follow-up project, and I assumed at first it would be rushed. My fears were all but eliminated after the first listen- which was six weeks after its release, due to my being away for a large majority of the summer. The album is a bit different then his previous albums, as for the first time, a ballad (the good-enough “Then”) was released as a debut single, and one of the top tracks (“Everybody’s Here”) was a heartsick ballad, never Paisley’s forte. In addition, there are bona fide political statements on this album, ones that he often shied away from on previous works. They’re good, too- the second single, “Welcome To The Future” is, in my opinion, the best song he’s every released. This does not mean that there isn’t some good old-fashioned Paisley humor on the album, though it is less prominent, in later tracks such as the side-splitting “Catch All The Fish”, and “The Pants”. In the end, Paisley enters into a more rock-and-roll feel with this album, with excellent results overall.

Grade: A

Get These: “Welcome To The Future” & “Anything Like Me”

Worst:

“21st Century Breakdown”- Green Day

Before I start, I would like to mention that I love Green Day. I consider the album precdeding this one, 2004′s American Idiot, as one of my favorite albums of all time, and certainly their best work. Thus, after buying this album, without a prior sampling, two days after its release, I was extremely dissapointed. Instead of the more mid-tempo, classic rock feel of American Idiot, which retained some punk-rock anthems while keeping those less in favor of punk entertained with more soft and mid-tempo numbers entertained. 21st Century Brekadown eliminates those almost completely, and by the end leaves the listener with a headache,  from wondering “What happened to these guys??”, and for listening to over an hour of sometimes pure screaming. The album is not without highlights, as the title track and the excellent “Know Your Enemy” and “Viva La Gloria” harkening back to the days of American Idiot. While there are bright spots, the album left a bitter taste in my mouth, and hopefully I can help you avoid purchasing the whole album in favor of just two or three tracks.

Grade: C

Get These: “21st Century Breakdown” & “Know Your Enemy”

Welcome

Hey there. You probably already know who I am, since it was probably I who told you to check out my blog. For those of you who don’t, my name is Eric and I am 15 years old. I’m not quite sure which direction this blog will take, but you can be assured it will have plenty to do with music (the kind I write, and the kinds other people write). So sit back, relax, and attempt to enjoy.