Journey

Song #18 Journey - Don’t Stop Believin’

Why I Picked It: I just came from a wedding where this was playing.  Best dance floor karaoke…ever.

Why I Like It: It’s Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’…who doesn’t like this song?

But I guess that isn’t the point of these A Song A Day posts.  I suppose what I love most about this song – aside from its singability and the pop rock head boppin’ qualities – is that it’s a story.  It’s got great detail -

A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on –

and such a straight forward, encouraging chorus -

Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to the feelin’
Streetlight people.

On a related note that relates to why I picked it, I had a lot of conversations about fulfilling your dreams today and being able to live life as yourself.  I also attended the wedding of a really good friend who always seems to be a carefree spirit  no matter what’s happening.  Of course weddings always resonate with the idea of the pursuit of love and symbolizing that it’s been found.

So this song reminds me of this day that has passed – of conquering so much (or at least the continuing effort to do so), of fulfilling what it is you set out to do.

So for anyone reading this, I hope you ‘don’t stop believing’ in whatever it is that you want to find.

-cct

Kardinal Offishall

Song #17 Kardinal Offishall’s Dangerous

Why I Picked It: This was actually the song pick yesterday, but Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive anniversary won out.  I was going to pick it yesterday because it’s
1) fun to dance to
2) has some great lyrics
3) …and hey, every girl wants to feel a little bit dangerous.

Why I Like It: I’m a big fan of same verb and different perspectives in a sentence (hey – I majored in English) which can be found in this song:

I can’t help but to notice you, noticing me.

It’s also one of those songs where the lyrics made me take pause because I wasn’t sure what the reference to “Jessica P.” was – which actually relates to the later reference to Sex and the City – as in Sarah Jessica Parker.

But what I love about the Sex and the City reference is how the song flows to:

Sex and the City-ity- Itty bitty waist-line, moves to the bass line.

…and as referenced in third item:

The girl is so dangerous
The girl is so dangerous
The girl is a bad girl…

YouTube

-cct

30th Anniversary Cover

Song #16 Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive

Why I Picked It:  I just had the privilege of seeing Gloria Gaynor perform the song live tonight at the Grammy Museum and she’s very inspiring, just like this song.  It’s the 30th anniversary of this anthem that you can just keep keepin’ on.

Why I Like It:  The idea of survival creates images of struggle and suffering.  This song encapsulates the moment – the burst of energy – that pulls you out from whatever dark, depth you’ve found yourself in.  It does it at first quietly in the opening reflection:

At first I was afraid, I was petrified – kept thinking I could never live without you by my side.

And just builds from that idea of “at first”, until that moment where you get your 180-moving and succeeding:

Go on now go.  Walk the door.  Just turn around now ’cause you’re not welcome here anymore.

And of course:

I’ve got all my life to live.
I’ve got all my love to give.
I will survive.  I will survive.

YouTube:

-cct

Yung Berg

A Song A Day #14 Yung Berg ft. Amerie - Get Your Number

Why I Picked It: I’ve been meaning to do a genre switch and given yesterday’s cover of Crazy In Love, I figured I’d feature my favorite Yung Berg song (though I do have love the instrumental hook in Sexy Can I).  Get Your Number is featured in Yung Berg’s debut album Look What You Made Me.

Why I Like It: The song opens with the sharing of a phone number and Amerie spelling her name.  To me, spelling in a song can get boring, dated, and silly (Fergilious, anyone?) but it’s done really well in this Yung Berg song with the opening and closing.

7-7-3-6-3-3-3-8
Hold on shorty
What’s your name again?
A-M-E-R-I-E

In the end of the song, Amerie spells her name again and before she says the last “E” playfully says “Don’t act like you forgot”.

The song is also well balanced conversation between Yung Berg and Amerie, as opposed to Amerie just singing the chorus or a featured line.

Ultimately the song is a fun club jam (hello – it’s about getting someone’s number!) saturated in all that club culture of hook-ups and initial attraction – and most importantly, very danceable.

Youtube below:

-cct

Sounds Eclectic: The Covers Project

Song #13 The Magic Numbers – Crazy in Love

Why I Picked It: You read it right.  Not Beyonce featuring Jay-Z.  The Magic Numbers.  This is from KCRW’s Sounds Eclectic The Covers Project.  I share this version whenever I can.

Why I Liked It: This is one of my favorite cover songs because it’s in such stark contrast to the beat-laden, hip-hop original.  The Magic Numbers playfully sing the iconic “oh oh oh” that open and fill in so much of the music you miss in the original with the use of different acoustic instruments.  I really believe this version gives a greater appreciation to the original.

But you can determine that yourself, listen at the Youtube Below:

-cct