Kelly Clarkson - Dark Side

There's a place that I know

It's not pretty there and few have ever gone

If I show it to you now,

Will it make you run away?

Or will you stay,

Even if it hurts?

Even if I try to push you out,

Will you return?

And remind me who I really am

Please remind me who I really am

Everybody's got a dark side

Do you love me?

Can you love mine?

Nobody's a picture perfect

But we're worth it

You know that we're worth it

Will you love me?

Even with my dark side?

Norah Jones - Happy Pills

How does it feel, oh how does it feel to be you right now, dear?

Sara Bareilles

I have a couple songs for today's Music Monday featuring the lovely and very talented Sara Bareilles. *cue applause*

Yesterday, I let myself explore YouTube for new songs since I noticed I haven't really been listening to new stuff lately. I think the newest thing I've listened to is Taylor Swift's "Eyes Open" from The Hunger Games soundtrack, but that was like 2-3 weeks ago. Oh, and also, new music featured on last week's episode of SMASH, but that deserves another blog post for its own soundtrack that's going to released soon (yay!).

Anyway, I stumbled upon this wonderful song by Jon McLaughlin that featured Sara so I didn't hesitate watching the video.

This was the first time I've heard Jon McLaughlin after having fallen in love quite some time ago with his song for the movie Enchanted called "So Close." And after hearing "Summer Is Over," my only conclusion was that he and Sara Bareilles should make more music together! If and when they do so, I feel like the world is gonna be a much better place. Hehe.

Yes, that's how much I love Sara Bareilles. Everytime I listen to her songs (the non-depressing ones, of course, meaning not "Gravity," but sometimes listening to it still makes me smile just because of how good she sings), I get instant good vibes. Her music is definitely one of my go-to picker-uppers. :)

This other song called "Let The Rain" is my new favorite one from her. It's not actually new (if we're being technical) since it came from Sara's 2010 album release "Kaleidoscope Hearts."

I wish I were pretty
I wish I were brave
If I owned this city
Then I'd make it behave
And if I were fearless
Then I'd speak my truth
And the world would hear this
That's what I wish, I'd do, yeah  

I wanna darken in the skies
Open the flood gates up
I wanna change my mind
I wanna be enough
I want the water in my eyes
I wanna cry until the end of time
I wanna let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down tonight

Just listen to her utter those words. Doesn't it just inspire you? When talking about writing the song, she says: "This song is about my most profound fears and was ultimately the tool that helped me move past them. Sometimes we have to brave the rain to get to the sun."

No, you didn't have to cut me off

I found out about this song from one of my friends who shared it with me maybe several days before it sort of got its commercial success. I'm actually really curious about how or why this song suddenly became so well-known since it's an old track, the music video was uploaded on YouTube on July 5, 2011. I don't usually listen to this kind of music but I do appreciate it, it's actually a really good song. And there's just something about the first line of the chorus that hits close to home...

But you didn't have to cut me off

Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing

I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger

And that feels so rough

No, you didn't have to stoop so low

Have your friends collect your records

And then change your number

Guess that I don't need that though

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

The Head and the Heart - Rivers and Roads

Rivers and roads

Rivers and roads

Rivers till I reach you...

Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars - Safe & Sound

I think this is, by far, Taylor's best song yet. The lyrics (I'm not sure if she wrote this or not), her voice, the melody, just everything about this song basically. I love it. I think I'll love this song forever. I also love The Civil Wars. And isn't it just the most perfect lullaby?

Lyrics:

I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window darling
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound...

Alyssa Bernal - Hey Love

I'm sure I've featured Alyssa Bernal on some of my previous Music Monday posts but this is the first time that the song is her own. Her debut album "Love Hangover" came out late last year under Star Trak/Interscope Records. I've been following her on YouTube since early 2010, I think, but she's been posting her videos since 2006 so it's really nice to see that her dreams are finally coming true.

"Hey Love" is one of her early original songs that made the cut on her debut album, which I'm totally happy about because I am in love with this song. It has such a nice message. And you know that I'm a lyrics person.

Verse 1
Hey love, don't look so down, I'm sure In time you'll find
What you've been longing for
Hey love, what's with the long faces, I know, You're probably feeling jaded
Like love has faded away

Pre-Chorus
Don't think for a secondThat you have anything to do with this

Chorus
So keep your eyes off the hands of the clock
Don't be so quick to fall in love, no, no
Cause girl you're one of a kind no worries (don't you worry)
Cause your dreams will soon be reality

Verse 2
Hey you, I know it's been quite rough but your luck Will eventually change, and you will love again
Oh darling, don't let it get you down
Cause somewhere around
Your true love will come around, oh yeah


If you want to watch the original video she posted singing this song for the first time (back when it didn't even have a title yet), click here (jump to 1:01).

When Christmas Comes

It's after Christmas but I'm still stuck on my Christmas playlist. Here's a new addition to my holiday music favorites: From the queen of Christmas pop songs, MC feat. the amazing John Legend, "When Christmas Comes."

And me and you gonna have ourselves a holiday
And we don't need nobody else to celebrate
And we're gon' kiss our worries and our cares away
I can't wait...

Coldplay x Rihanna

I'm a pretty big fan of Coldplay and a much, much bigger fan of Rihanna so when I found out that they will have a collaboration on the band's new album, I was more than excited.

To date, Rihanna is the one and only artist to be featured on a Coldplay album. Frontman Chris Martin even said, "Rihanna was the only name on the list. It's the only duet we've done and the only one we wanted to do."

Coldplay feat. Rihanna - Princess of China



Aside from "Princess of China," I've been listening a lot to Rihanna's new song "We Found Love." It was released several weeks ago but the music video only premiered a little over a week ago. I already love the song as it is but the treatment for the video gave it a whole other meaning.

Meant To Be

You are the one for meAfter all the waiting, I can finally breatheEarth and skies say what they mayI will love you all throughout my daysHappiness happens when our hearts combineWhen it's you I'm with I come aliveIt's just so clearSee, darling we, are meant to be
Just listen to this song, it's just so sweet and mushy and nice and everything. I've listened to this for two or three consecutive days already. I'm so kilig even though there's no reason to be, haha. I mean, just look at those lyrics. Those lines are legit wedding vows material, don't you think?

Adele - I Found A Boy

I thought I told you, he'd be home soon
Couldn't help myself, you're too good to be true
I fall short each time
Everytime he ain't here
You and your charm get closer, closer in here
Like a fool for fire I fall, with my pride and all
Like a bomb before explosion
Ticking by your call
You're the wiser one, disguised from greed
And I'm just a child who belongs on her knees

But I found a boy who I love more
Than I ever did you before
So stand beside the river I cried
And let yourself down
Look how you want me now that I don't need you

So, you thought that I crumble to my knees
At the first I love you
Crawling back to me
To whisper 'will you leave your man?'
Cause you swear that this time you can stand by me
I won't stand by you

But I found a boy who I love more
Than I ever did you before
So stand beside the river I cried
And let yourself down
Look how you want me now that I don't need you

Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All

You ain't got the right to tell me
When and where to go, no right to tell me
Acting like you own me lately
Yeah, baby, you don't know a thing about me
You don't know a thing about me...

In a Jessie J mood

Aside from Beyonce and Rihanna, I've also been listening to a lot of Jessie J lately. She actually has a new US single which debuted online like a week ago. The song is called "Domino" and I immediately loved it from the first listen.

Try listening to it, too, and see for yourself:
Jessie J - Domino


She is one artist that I will not dare miss to see performing live, along with my other favorites, of course. Jessie J is actually one of my "British trio," I like to call them, which also includes the lovely Adele (I mean, who doesn't love her?) and the gorgeous and talented Pixie Lott.

Coldplay - Fix You

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you


I've been listening to some old school Coldplay lately and this one is definitely on my list of all-time favorite songs. I recently found out the inspiration behind this masterpiece and it totally made me fall in love with it more.

"She came home from the hospital after her father passed covered in tears. I started crying and kept asking her 'What can I do for you? Tell me how I can help' ...And she looked up at me and said, 'Just hold me...' cause you're the only thing that can fix me right now.'"

--Chris Martin on the inspiration for "Fix You" (via Tumblr)

Cameron Mitchell

This guy right here is one talented young man. He was on this little show called "The Glee Project" until the 7th episode when he decided to quit. I'm not getting into details anymore. I just wanted to share with you this performance where Cameron sang "Blackbird" by The Beatles, which I absolutely loved.

Despite no longer having the chance to be on Glee, (never say never, though, because who knows, Ryan Murphy might consider giving him a guest role) I still think Cameron would be able to make a name for himself out there in the music world simply because there is no denying that he's very talented and that he just absolutely loves singing and performing and I admire him for that. I also love that he stays true to his nerdy self  and sticks to his values no matter what.

So, to Cameron, I'm wishing you the best of luck with your career and I'll be patiently waiting for your album!

Here's an audio of him singing "Your Song" also from the show:

Beyonce - Dangerously In Love

Fell in love with this song again from Beyonce's debut solo album of the same title. And I really, really love how she made it a medley with "Sweet Love." :)

Beyonce's Year of 4

I love watching documentaries. I love learning about people, most especially their thoughts and how they live their lives. But documentaries are extra special for me when they're about music or one of my favorite artists. I found out that Beyonce's new MTV special called "Year of 4" about her fourth studio album, which is appropriately entitled 4, was posted on her YouTube page so I immediately dropped what I was doing and watched it, even though it was set to air on MTV Asia on July 6.
When artists such as Beyonce talk about their passion for what they do, it's really inspiring. At the same time, personally, it makes me quite sad how I don't have the luxury to just go and pursue what I really want to do. But nevertheless, it gives me a glint of hope that I can still do it (once I already have enough savings) in the future. A couple weeks ago I also had the chance to watch an MTV special called "Inside the Outside" featuring Lady GaGa (which I intended to blog about but forgot eventually) and what I got from it was the same thing: inspiration. Also, as I've said I am so enthralled by people that I want to learn about them and their lives (not in a stalkerish way, mind you).
Anyway, "Year of 4" is kind of an introduction to this new era in Beyonce's musical career. It shows what she's done on her Eat, Pray, Love-inspired vacation during her one-year hiatus. We can also get an understanding of how grueling it is to shoot a music video. Most importantly, in between all of this, we see a more personal side of Queen B.

In my opinion, the new album, 4, is great. It's true to what B says, that this doesn't sound like any of her previous records. She's said that after taking over her business, she also decided to take artistic control over her music which we can clearly see on 4. But like any other one of her past albums, there are those one or two stand-out songs that I can't help but sing very loudly to.
  Best Thing I Never Had by Beyoncé
This one is the follow-up single to "Run The World (Girls)" and is looking to be like the new girl anthem of sorts with lyrics like I'm so over you/So baby good lookin' out/I wanted you bad/I'm so through with that/Cause honestly you turned out to be the best thing I never had.
  Beyonce - Love On Top by zokerx
Now I dare you to listen to this song and not dance to the beat! This is me and my friend's (who is a huge Beyonce fan) favorite track from the album! Honey, honey!
If you've listened to Beyonce's new album, what's your favorite song from it? :)

I've got the moves like Jagger!

This song + the beat is totally addictive. Plus, it's Adam Levine!

I don’t need to try to control you
Look into my eyes
And I’ll own you with them
Moves like Jagger
I’ve got the moves like Jagger
I’ve got the moves like Jagger

Lady GaGa - The Edge of Glory

This song has been out for a while but I've only took notice just now. The thing with me and pop music is that when it gets too much attention, I stay away from it as much as possible until the time the hype dies down. And there's nothing or no one in the music industry right now who gets more attention than Lady GaGa herself. I heard many people were disappointed with the song's music video so I finally decided to watch it and guess what? I actually liked the simplicity of it. The song is already a big production by itself, which I love, so I kind of get wanting to have a subtle video to even it out. I also liked that she and saxophonist Clarence Clemons were the only ones who appeared in the video.

I recently heard that Clemons (The E Street Band) died on Saturday upon suffering a stroke about a week ago. Aside from working on this song with GaGa, he also performed on another song from Born This Way, called "Hair." This kind of gives the song a deeper sense of backstory apart from the fact that the song's lyrical inspiration came from the death of GaGa's grandfather, its description being "your last moment on earth, the moment of truth."

Leona Lewis - Better In Time/Man Down (by Rihanna) Mashup