June: In Recap

This is the monthly round up! This type of post will probably evolve over time when I start growing into my blog more. I would think of this as a newsletter kind of. It's just a recap of the past month and taking a peek into the next month. Let's start this first ever In Recap. But first, a couple of formatting things. There will be a June list and a July list (the past month and the next month). In the past month, there will be a list of all the posts of the previous month, all of the lyrics that I have ended the blog posts with INCLUDING links to the songs, and bands/songs that I have either mentioned in a post or I feel like you should just check out. In the next month, there will be a get ready section, which will contain a little preview of posts coming up in July. Sometimes, there will be a notes section (titled notes or something else) in either the previous month, the next month or both if I feel like there are some other things that need to be said! Let's go!

June

Posts:

*Music To Me: 6/2/15

*Top Ten Rolling Stones Songs: 6/6/15

*My Favorite Walk The Moon Songs (And Why): 6/9/15

*Song Spotlight: Missing You by All Time Low: 6/11/15

*Current Favorites: Mid-June 2015: 6/15/15

*Songs For Lilly // Mixtape #1: 6/18/15

*Boy Bands // BONUS: 6/19/15

*My Dad and Music: 6/21/14

*Song Spotlight: Another Night on Mars by The Maine: 6/24/15

*The Maine and When I'm Sad: 6//27/15

Lyrics:

*Look at the stars, look how they shine for you. (Yellow, Coldplay)

*After all is said and done, gotta move while it's still fun / Let me walk before they make me run. (Before They Make Me Run, The Rolling Stones)

*Take me with you / 'Cause even on your own / You are not alone. (Portugal, Walk The Moon)

*Don't lost your fight, kid, it only takes a little push to pull on through. (Missing You, All Time Low)

*Smiling in the bright lights / Coming through in stereo / When everybody loves you / You can never be lonely. (Mr. Jones, The Counting Crows)

*Because I feel young enough and just because I can." (My Hair, The Maine)

*But don't burn out even if you scream and shout / It'll come back to you and I'll be here for you.(Through the Dark, One Direction)

*Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket / Save it for a rainy day / For love may come and tap you on the shoulder / Some starless night. (Catch A Falling Star, Perry Como)

*With friends like ours / Anywhere is home. (Another Night On Mars, The Maine)

*Some days, they taste like lemonade / Some days can feel like razorblades / I wish I could float away, some days. (Some Days, The Maine)

Bands/Songs To Check Out:

*The Rolling Stones

*Walk The Moon

*All Time Low

*The Maine

*Missing You (All Time Low)

*Another Night on Mars (The Maine)

July

Get Ready: Playlists! Playlists are coming in July. Playlists are different than mixtapes for a couple of reasons, mainly because mixtapes are made for a certain person or people and offer an explanation for why they made the cut. Playlists will not have an explanation nor are they made with a certain person in mind, but instead an occasion, event, or time. Also, there's some new music showcases coming up which I think are going to be really fun because then we can listen and talk about new music together! I'm also going to come concerts late July that will be fun to talk about! Stay tuned!

Requests?: I don't know how many people read this blog, but I know that at least some do. I don't know you're guys music tastes or what you guys want to see. Please leave some comments and let me know somethings you guys would like to see. Or, maybe even just leave some of your favorite songs for me to check out!

Thanks To You: Thanks for reading! It means a lot to me. This is a blog about the one thing that I truly believe I will never stop loving: music. Please keep reading my blog and listening to the world of music that is out there!

-Laur

"Kicking back in the old school yard / Singing songs on our guitars / This is our reality / Crazy, stupid, you and me / We know this is the way it's supposed to be." -Long Way Home, 5 Seconds of Summer

The Maine and When I'm Sad

As mentioned in a couple of my previous posts, I love The Maine. The first song of theirs I listened to was I Must Be Dreaming. I immediately fell in love. It was basically love at first sight, but like hearing instead of sight and it was just me who fell in love, so it was a one-way street. Anyway, I love them. I made a Spotify playlist right away and put every single song they had on Spotify at the time (since I made it there was a deluxe version of Forever Halloween and their new album American Candy added to Spotify). That playlist is still to this day my most popular playlist, having people that I don't even know follow it.

The playlist is played whenever I need a little bit of a chill down, but also need something familiar. It's played when I'm happy and want to sing along to my favorite songs. It's played when I'm studying and want some good music in the background. I play it with my friends all the time and whenever they ask for a music recommendation, I tell them to listen to The Maine. Most importantly, however, The Maine is played when I'm sad.

Their songs have gotten me through countless fights with my parents, fights with my brother, fights with my best friends. It's gotten me through my dog getting cancer (still helping me with that one), missing my sister, and terrible terrible days. It's helped me find who I am too. Not in every way, but when I'm sad I can listen to those lyrics, and realize that, yeah, today might suck, but tomorrow might be the best day of my life. (That's why I picked out the lyrics I did for the last bit.)

As I mentioned in my last post, The Maine is like my best friend. I coming crying to them at 3 in the morning and I come running to them when I want to celebrate. It may seem weird, but it's not completely a one-way relationship. I talk to The Maine, whether that be by playing them when I'm sad or jamming to them when I just want to dance, or celebrating something exciting with them. And, they talk back to me with their lyrics. It's like a conversation. Every time I listen to one of their songs, I'm having a conversation. It doesn't matter if I already heard the song and had a conversation, I'm having another one. It could be a branch off the old one, it could be something completely different, but it's a conversation.

I titled this blog post The Maine and When I'm Sad because I find the most comfort out of The Maine when I'm sad. I think that's when I can really get their lyrics. Not that I can't get them when I'm happy, in fact, for some songs I think you need to be happy to get them, but I think being sad opens up a whole new part of your brain with different feelings and emotions. It lets you interpret the song differently then when you were happy.

To end this probably pretty confusing post where I literally just wrote my thoughts, I decided that I would tell you to listen to find a band to listen to when you're sad. And when you're happy. I think we all need to find a best friend band that will be there through it all.

-Laur

"Some days, they taste like lemonade / Some days can feel like razorblades / I wish I could float away, some days." -Some Days, The Maine

Song Spotlight: Another Night On Mars by The Maine

The Maine is like my best friend. They are always there for me and they always make me smile. I have mention my love for their song Another Night On Mars before, and I said that I would do a song spotlight, so I'm fulfilling my promise.

Another Night On Mars

This one goes out to my closest friends

The ones who make me feel less alien

I do not think I would be here if not for them

See all the nights in shitty bars

Throwing up in taxi cars

Or on our backs under the stars

As we sang, as we sing

Chorus

What's another night on Mars?

With friends like ours

Anywhere is home (x2)

This one goes out to my closest friends

The ones who make me feel less alien

I do not think I would be here if not for them

See all the nights in shitty bars

Throwing up in taxi cars

Or on our backs under the stars

As we sang, as we sing

What's another night on Mars? (what's one more night)

With friends like ours

Anywhere is home (out here under the stars)

What's another night on Mars? (I hear you singing)

With friends like ours (this is home, this is home, this is home)

Anywhere is home

The Earthlings crawl from bar to bar

Ignoring shooting stars

And grinding all the gears

The atmosphere here on Mars

Oh, lord it's quite bizarre

And will remain this way for years and years and years

Yup

What's another night on Mars?

With friends like ours

Anywhere is home (we all share the same sky)

What's another night on Mars? (it's quite bizarre)

With friends like ours

Anywhere is home (we're all Martians, the whole world)

What's another night on Mars? (I need to hear this)

With friends like ours

Anywhere is home (1, 2, 3)

What's another night on Mars? (I don't know where I'm going)

With friends like ours (But this is the last time I'm getting there)

Anywhere is home

Chorus x2 with round of first verse

Why?

The lyrics to this song are simple, but also complex. The whole song is basically just repeating the same two clumps of verses, but it is so well excuted and the lyrics are so well written. They are basically saying that another night in a distance place that is foriegn and unknown is home with friends. They are basically saying that they would stay another night on Mars because it doesn't feel like Mars with their friends, it feels like home. That is true friendship. The beginning lines of the song are some of my favorites. First, there is clever wordplay with the whole alien theme that goes along with Mars and outer space, but it shows friendship at its best right there. I also love the part about laying on their backs under the stars singing. That's like the best thing in the world. It doesn't matter who you're with, but I truly believe that looking at the stars while listening to music and singing along can solve anyone's problems. Again, the lyrics are things that we probably either have and take for granted or want desperately, or don't even know we have. They are something we need to recognize.

The band is another reason I love this song. Like I said before, The Maine is like my best friend. I don't want to go into too much depth with why I love them because I have an upcoming blog post just about the Maine. The Maine is amazing. They are cool people and they are like the most amazing band ever. They just make me smile. They are also not super popular, so they are kind of like my own little secret. Of course, I want them to become the most successful band ever, and I constantly share their music with my friends because I love them so much. I just really really like everything about them and this song.

-Laur

"With friends like ours / Anywhere is home." -Another Night On Mars, The Maine

My Dad and Music

Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there, whether by blood, marriage, or just love. My dad doesn't really listen to music much. In the car, he prefers Sports Radio. He goes to concerts with my mom, but not necessarily because he loves the music. He loves the scene and the people and the experience. However, despite these things, he plays a big part in my love of music.

When I was little, my dad would sing to me whenever I was sad, or when I was going to bed. His singing calmed me down and let me breathe again when I was crying and let me drift off into dreamland when I was having trouble sleeping. He would sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star a song that he made up called "Oh, Daddy." The lyrics are something about he is so cool and that he has a lot of tools that my mom drool (serious). Anyway, it was a pretty slow song and it provided me peace of mind. He would also sing what he dubbed Banjo, which is actually called Oh, Susannah, and Doggy in the Window, which eventually led to us getting our dog that we have to this day. However, by far, my favorite song that he would sing was Catch A Falling Star, which we just called "Star."" The amount of times that he has asked me if I wanted to sing "Star" is uncountable.

If I had to tell you my dad's favorite song. I would say, "Muffin Man," which is the song Do You Know the Muffin Man? Anyway, my dad sings this song every day at least twice. He has made up so many verses to this song that we still have not found when the song ends. It just keeps going. There is a verse for every single person in our family, including my aunt, my nephew, my grandma, and my dog (he even barks for that one).

My dad hardly sings to music that other people make or that aren't children's songs. I strongly believes this is because he is a kid at heart. When describing my dad, I say that he is a five-year-old that can drive and hold a job. And that's pretty accurate. He's goofy and silly like a little kid. And you can tell that his personality has effected my siblings' and mine personalities as well. We all have that inner kid in us that I'm pretty sure will never go away. Sure, everyone has a inner kid, but I have come to the only conclusion I can is that my dad isn't afraid to hide it and he's taught us to never hide it as well.

Love you, Pops.

-Laur

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket / Save it for a rainy day / For love may came and tap you on the shoulder / Some starless night." -Catch A Falling Star, Perry Como

Boy Bands // BONUS

I have a problem with boy bands. Not boybands. But bands that are merely just made up of boys that people call a boybands. Now, don't get me wrong. Boybands are great. Love them. And, bands that are made up of boys are fucking awesome. Love them too.

Boybands (with no space) is like NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, and One Direction. Boybands play pop music. Boyband is a term that describes pop music and the artist that is creating that pop music. Bands that made up of boys can play any type of music. For example, NSYNC is a boyband because they played pop music. Imagine Dragons is a band of boys but they played indie rock music.One Direction plays pop music and they are an all boy band, so they are a boyband. 5 Seconds of Summer are a band of boys, but they play music that is heavier than just normal pop. Their type of music is called pop-punk, and although it has the word pop, the punk does not make it pure pop, so they are not a boyband.

The Beatles and Rolling Stones also fit into the same category as 5SOS. I am in no way comparing their music, but they can be described the same way in the terms of boybands. In their time, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones played pop music, but the pop music was also rock, so it was like pop-rock. So, it wasn't complete pop. In fact, The Rolling Stones music can also be describes as blues sometimes. This means that the are not boybands (no space), they are boy bands (with a space).

I also believe that boybands (no space) don't play their own instruments. One Direction, The Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC did/do no play their own instruments on stage. However, Imagine Dragons, All Time Low, The Maine, 5SOS, State Champs all do. This is another thing that sets boybands and boy bands (with a space) apart.

The media adds the boyband label to bands that have no intention of being a boyband, much less are a boyband. This is what makes me angry and supplied to you this bonus post. Let's just all learn the correct meaning of boyband and boy band. Let's resepct the space.

-Laur

"But don't burn out even if you scream and shout / It'll come back to you and I'll be here for you." -Through the Dark, One Direction

Songs For Lilly // Mixtape #1

It was my best friend Lilly's birthday on Tuesday, so this post is kinda of like a mixtape for Lilly. I think mixtapes and handmade CDs are super cool because they are so personal and fun. Lilly means a lot to me, so in honor of her birthday, I think this is the perfect post!

Songs For Lilly

1. My Hair: The Maine

This song is the first song that Lilly loved from one of my favorite bands, The Maine. She heard this song and like them a lot, so now she listens to them a lot! I take credit for her love of this band, and I'm really glad she loves them because then we can listen to them together! 

2. Missing You: All Time Low

This song is another one of my favorites (and you guys know that) and basically the first All Time Low song that Lilly loved almost as much as me. We saw this song in concert with our friends Lucy and Audrey and the memory if dancing along with them to this song is one of my favorite memories ever. And, Lilly, I'll help you stitch up your wounds.

3. The Wire: Haim

Lilly loves this song just as much as me, and whenever I listen to it, it reminds me of her.

4. Californication: Red Hot Chili Peppers

This song is like Lilly and I's 'kickback' song. I can guarantee you that if you ever meet Lilly and I are we are in charge of the music for whatever event, this would be on the playlist because we are strong believes that every playlist needs a chill out song, and this song, even though it's slower can still pump you up.

5. Spend You $$$: Walk The Moon

This is Lilly's favorite Walk the Moon song. She really likes the whole "hope its something of value part." Which is such a Lilly thing to love. Anyway, she likes this song and it reminds me of times spent together.

6. If You Wanna Stay: The Griswolds

Lilly got me hooked on this song and she introduced me to The Griswolds. They were the opening act for Walk the Moon, and Lilly listened to them for months before the concert. So, I give Lilly credit for making me love this song and The Griswolds. Plus, this song is amazing and it's basically Lilly and I's song. Lilly: please stay, because I don't want to miss you when I'm away.

7. Jackie and Wilson: Hozier

Lilly loves Hozier, and this is the first song of his that I listened too. Plus, I really like the part where he sings that he is going to raise his children on rhythm and blues. Music is a big part of both Lilly's life and mine, so I can tell you that we will both raise out children to live music. The only difference: Lilly will raise her children to love the music she loves, and I will raise my children to love all music (but mainly the music I love).

8. Portugal: Walk The Moon

This is my favorite Walk The Moon song (for many reasons that I have already told you all). So, if I was going to put Lilly's favorite Walk the Moon song, I needed to put mine. Plus, these lyrics remind me of Lilly because even by herself, she is something else. (Especially by herself she is something else.)

9. Where Did The Party Go: Fall Out Boy

This song is probably one of the only like pop-punk-ish songs I can make Lilly add to a party playlist that she is making. So, it needs to be on this playlist. I love this song. Plus, after a failed party at our friend Molly's house, this song played and we laughed until we cried.

10. When You Were Young: The Killers

I love the Killers. I'm working on making Lilly love them as much as I love them, and I'm slowly making progress. Anyway, when Lilly and I are celebrating her 90th birthday, we are going to be saying things about when we were young, so I thought it was fitting.

11. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones

We went to The Rolling Stones concert together, and this was probably one of the only songs that we could both sing along too. Plus, now I can never listen to this song and not see Lilly's imitation of Mick Jagger's dance moves. Thanks for that.

12. Girls: The 1975

The 1975 is going to be a concert that Lilly and I go to together and this is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Plus, "what's the fun in doing what you're told?" Cough cough, tommy's party, cough cough.

Lil, I hope you know that I love you more than anything. You mean everything to me. You're my soulmate, and I'm lucky to have found you. Have a great 16. Kisses and hugs and everything love.

-Laur

"Because I feel young enough and just because I can." -My Hair, The Maine

Current Favorites: Mid June 2015

Hey friends! This post is my current favorite songs/bands for the month or the mid-month. It's kind of like a monthly favorite video that Youtubers do all the time with makeup and stuff, but mine is all music, whether that be songs or bands, or really anything music related, so that could be current news about bands/singers or even concerts. I'm going to try to keep every month around ten items. Mid June, let's go!

Note: Not in any particular order!

Mid June Favorites

1. The Wire: Haim

I don't know where this song has been my whole life. This song is so great and it makes me so happy. It was the first song that I listened to by Haim, and, to be honest, it made me scared to listen to their other songs because if I couldn't get this one off repeat, then what would I do if I fell in love with more of their songs! They are slowly working their way into my everyday listening, not that I'm complaining!

2. Green Day

Okay, I will be the first to say that Green Day is a classic. Like, seriously, Green Day is like everything. They are so fucking great. I've been listening to them for as long as I can remember, but lately I've just been falling in love with songs that I've loved before and songs that I never had the chance to love. So, whether you love them already, loved them and lost them, or never gave them a chance, this is the time to bring them back!

3. Come On Get Higher: Matt Nathanson

This song came out in 2007, and I remember it playing all the time in stores at the mall when I was little. I mean, they still play it now! In fact, I added this to my June playlist in the beginning of June, and then just yesterday I heard it at Home Depot (don't ask why I was there or why I was at three different hardware stores before that). This song makes me smile and I can jam to it, which is why it made this list!

4. Mr. Jones: Counting Crows

This song is my fave forever. Seriously. my aunt used to play this song all the time and I loved it back then and I still love it more! (This song also came out in 2007. so there must have been something in the water!)

5. Playlist: sunshine and smiles

This is actually my own Spotify playlist that I made just for summer! It's got a mix of beach songs and summer nights songs and pop-punk songs. It's kind of a good mix of everything really. If you ever find yourself wanting to know a little bit of everything I love (music related), then this would be the playlist to listen to! It's on Spotify (which is what I use for most of my music). Here's the link!

6. Michael Clifford: On Fire?

I love 5 Seconds of Summer. A lot. You guys should know that I love them. And they are not a boy band. They are just the same as All Time Low and blink-182, just different songs and different beats. Anyway, at their show on June 13, some of their effects weren't working correctly or something and fire shot out at him and burn his face, neck, hair, and I think his shoulder. He's fine now, and he played the show they had the next nights and tweeted a couple of hours after the incident and said that all was well and that he was sorry they had to end the encore early. This isn't a good thing, so I really don't count it as my favorite, but I thought that this is something everyone should know.  

7. The Rolling Stones Concert

This concert was amazing, and if we are being honest, I'm still in shock. I talked a lot more about this concert in my post Top Ten Rolling Stones Songs, so go check that out.  

8. Another Night on Mars: The Maine
This song is fucking great. I don't know how much I want to say here because I love it so much that I think it will be featured on a Song Spotlight pretty soon. And, I could go on forever about this song and you guys would probably get bored. So, just listen to this song because it's awesome and great and stay tuned for this song to make an appearance on Song Spotlight!

9. Weightless Music Video: All Time Low
This music video is old, I know. But I think we've gotten over that point by now because I think almost everything I write about is pretty old. This video was posted July 7, 2009. (Those '00s are coming back in this post today!) Anyway, this video makes me laugh really hard and I always tell my friends and basically anybody who I'm talking to All Time Low about that if you just want to get a quick glimpse at who they are as people and as a band, then watch this video.

10. blink-182 Realization
This is a little random, but I was on Tumblr the other day (follow me @ toldbyan-idiot.tumblr.com) and I saw this post about how on July 2nd at 12 pm was the exact mark of half a year. And then someone commented and was like "I finally understand blink-182" and my mind exploded. Thought I should share. 

-Laur

"Smiling in the bright lights / Coming through in stereo / When everybody loves you / You can never be lonely" -Mr. Jones, The Counting Crows

Song Spotlight: Missing You by All Time Low

All Time Low is one of my all time favorite bands. They are one of the bands that really got me hooked on the type of music that I love so much. They released a new album (Future Hearts) in April, and one of my favorite songs off it is Missing You. So, I think it should be the first Song Spotlight.

What is Song Spotlight? Basically what you think it is. I pick a song that I love. That's the only requirement to it. Then, I go talk about why the song is one of my favorites, talk about the band, the lyrics, and any other reasons I love it. Let's go!

Missing You

I heard that you've been

Self-medicating in the quiet of your room,

Your sweet, suburban tomb.

And if you need a friend,

I'll help you stitch up your wounds.

I heard that you've been

Having some trouble finding your place in the world.

I know how much that hurts,

But if you need a friend

Then please just say the word.

You've come this far,

You're all cleaned up,

You've made a mess again,

There's no more trying,

Time to sort yourself out.

Chorus

Hold on tight,

This ride is a wild one,

Make no mistake,

The day will come when you can't cover up what you've done,

Now don't lose your fight, kid,

It only takes a little push to pull on through,

With so much left to do;

You'll be missing out, and we'll be missing you.

I heard that you've been

Having some trouble finding your place in the world.

I know how much that hurts,

And if you need a friend

Then please just say the word.

You've come this far

You're all cleaned up,

You've made a mess again,

There's no more trying,

Time to sort yourself out.

Chorus

Grit your teeth, pull your hair,

Paint the walls black and scream, "Fuck the world

'Cause it's my life, I'm gonna take it back,"

And never for a second blame yourself.

Hold on tight,

This ride is a wild one,

Make no mistake,

The day will come when you can't cover up what you've done,

(No, you can't cover up)

(One, two, three, four!)

Hold on tight,

This ride is a wild one (this ride is a wild one),

Make no mistake,

The day will come when you can't cover up what you've done,

Now don't lose your fight, kid (Don't lose your fight, kid),

It only takes a little push to pull on through (push to pull on through),

With so much left to do;

You'll be missing out, and we'll be missing you.

Why?

I love this song for many reasons. Let's first talk about why I typed the lyrics to the whole song first. The lyrics to this song are kind of my favorite thing ever. They just ring so true and raw and they kind of make me cry. It makes me want to run to all my friends and hug them and never let go. The lyrics are things that we need to remember every day in our lives. It's a reminder that everything is okay. Times are tough and things get hard, but in the end if we try to make it stop we are going to be missing out. It's best to keep our head up and move forward. It also shows the importance of having a friend. I'm lucky enough to have these friends that will stich up my wounds and will be there in one phone call. However, I know some people don't have this and that makes my heart ache. Oh my god, I just love this song. Life is a wild ride and it's hard and tough and this song captures all of that and more.

Another reason I love this song is the band. All Time Low has given me a lot. Their music has made me who I am, and, yeah, that's kind of a big statement. But it's true. Their music opened me to a this whole type of music that I listen to every day and love deeply. That music shaped my life and changed me for the better. All Time Low could basically release any song ever and I would fall in love. 

I had the privilege to see All Time Low in concert last month, and Missing You was probably my favorite part of the concert.

Myth, St. Paul 5/11/15 (photo: Audrey; edit: me)

-Laur

"Don't lose your fight, kid, it only takes a little push to pull on through. -Missing You, All Time Low.

My Favorite Walk The Moon Songs (And Why)

One of my favorite bands ever is Walk The Moon. I probably started listening to them the past January and I just fell in love. I went to their concert on March 27 and fell in love with them even more. They are so energetic and by watching them perform you can tell they love it and really want to be there (even if it's in the middle of nowhere and far away from where they are from). I feel like not many bands give off the same vibe. They just truly love what they are doing. After they played their opening two songs, the lead singer (Nicholas Petricca) said that phones were great but he thought that everyone would have more fun without them. I think this is so true and as a result of him saying that, almost nobody had their phones out and my concert is one of the only concerts that you cannot find any videos on YouTube on. (I would also post pictures of the concert in this post, but I don't have any because I didn't use my phone!) During the whole concert, they were all about optimism and love for their new fans and their old. I just found the whole thing a wonderful experience. Anyway, I think they are very deserving to be the first post of the series that talks about my favorite songs from a band and why. These are different to the the top tens (ten best ____ songs) because my favorite songs are not necessarily ones that are the best written, recorded, etc.

*Note: These are in no particular order, I'm just writing them as they come to my brain. In other words, that means that number 1 is necessarily my favorite out of them all. Again, this was so HARD. They have 29 songs and I have listed 13 of them. And it took me like an hour to narrow it down to that.

My Favorite Walk The Moon Songs (And Why):

1. Shut Up And Dance (Talking Is Hard; 2014): This song is their biggest song to this day and it's what really put them on the map. Whenever this song comes on I have to dance. I'm playing it as I am typing this and I keep messing up because I'm also dancing. This song makes me smile and it's just so upbeat and fun. 

2. Up 2 U (Talking Is Hard; 2014): This song is a party song. I can honestly tell you that I jam to this song at least once a week. The drop of this song during the concert was one of the best times of the night. Like Shut Up and Dance, I find it hard NOT to dance to this song.

3. Portugal (Talking Is Hard; 2014): I think this song may be my all time favorite one. The lyrics to this song are for sure my favorite. This song carries a lot of great memories with it, which I think is one of the reasons why I love it so much. (Like I said in my first post, music is about the memories and how it makes you feel.)

4. Work This Body (Talking Is Hard; 2014): This song is another one of their more famous songs. BUT IT IS SO GOOD. Again, it makes it impossible to not dance. I'll be jamming along to this song and then realize that half the song is in French and I just making noises. This one also has pretty good lyrics. (I just looked up the French and it's something like What would you do? Fuck, I do not know for any of you wondering.)

5. Quesadilla (Walk The Moon; 2012): This one isn't my favorite lyrics wise, but it makes me happy! Also, like why the hell is it called quesadilla. I would very much like to know. I feel like this song is a little more laid back than some of the others that I'm mentioning and I feel like it's a good representation to this side of them.

6. Tightrope (Walk The Moon; 2012): I have to be honest, this song wasn't originally going to be on the list, but then I caught myself jamming to it and decided that it needed to be. This song is just fun to sing along to. That's basically all I have to say.

7. Shiver Shiver (Walk The Moon; 2012): This song is like my drug. Every time it comes on. I start laughing (Shoutout to Lilly and Sugar Cereal) and dancing because I can't help myself. I realize I've said that about basically every song on this list, but it's true. And, I think that's part of the reason I love them so much.

8. Down In The Dumps (Talking Is Hard; 2014): The beginning of this song isn't my favorite, and, to be honest, the song itself isn't my most favorite. However, I put it in here for the message. (And because the song is good too; it's just not my favorite). Just remember: Don't let anyone bring you back down in the dumps!

9. Anna Sun (Walk The Moon; 2012): I have very few words to say about this song because it doesn't really need an explanation to why it is in this list.

10. Sidekick (Talking Is Hard; 2014): This song is so great. It's not super toned down, but it is compared to Shut Up and Dance and Work This Body. This song just makes me smile and dance, just like every other song on this list. I literally should just copy and paste every reason...

11. Avalanche (Talking Is Hard; 2014): This song is probably the most fun to sign along to (yes, even more fun then Tightrope). Just dance, because sometimes you only get one chance. ;)

12. anywayican (Tightrope EP; 2013): This song is a little slower, however, not by much. This song is fun to sing along to (Maybe not as much as avalanche, but it's up there.) Plus, the lyrics are pretty awesome too. Fun story: I didn't realize that the name of the song was any way I can just all put together in one word until I started writing this post. I don't know what I thought it was before, but I just didn't get that.

13. Jenny (Walk The Moon; 2012): So, you know how in the note I said that I was just writing these in the order they came into my mind? I lied, kinda. This song was one of the first I thought of, but I purposely saved it for last. This song is probably tied for first place in my favorites with Portugal. I find this song so easy to dance and sing along to, and I find the lyrics of this song so clever and funny that it makes me love it even more. I saved this one of last because I figured when you close this post it will be the last thing in your mind. And, if you are going to listen to one song off of this list, this should be the one.

-Laur

"Take me with you / 'Cause even on your own / You are not alone." -Portugal, Walk The Moon

Top Ten Rolling Stones Songs

In honor of the Rolling Stones concert, I'm going to give you my top ten Rolling Stones songs. A little bit about the concert first: it was amazing and iconic in every way you can imagine. It's amazing to be able to say that I've seen them in concert. Also, their logo is basically my favorite thing in the world! They manipulated their logo to make some cool specialized merch for the Minnesota show (my show), which included loons and Gopher colors. Before the encore they even had a really cool Viking one that I caught a picture of. So, here is that pictures and some others, followed by my list!

The Rolling Stones Logo: Viking Version

Probably my favorite logo of the night; the dice rolled into the logos and then rolled back to dice

During Moonlight Mile I'm pretty sure

Keith Richards is my fav forever

Before they came on stage

Me (left) and my friend Lilly before they came on stage

My snapchat story and a faceless Mick Jagger; thought I was clever because of the tongues and their logo

Note: This list was a lot harder to make then I thought it would be. I don't think I released how many songs they actually had until I had to narrow them all down into the 10 best. I would not recommend doing this if you are bad at decisions (like me). All I'm saying is that it took forever and there are so many of their great songs that didn't make this list.

Top Ten Rolling Stones Songs

10. Black Limousine: This is from the album Tattoo You which was released in 1981, which was 18 years before I was born. That's pretty crazy to think about, especially because the songs just keep getting older from here on out. Anyway, I just really like this song. It can always bring a smile to my face. 

9. Little T&A: This is again from Tattoo You. I love this song. First: the comparison is between a girl and music, which is like the greatest thing ever because I can tell you right now that when I get a boyfriend or get married that he will be compared to music. Second: I feel like this song is very chill for a lack of a better word.

8.  Shine A Light: This is from the album Exile on Main Street (released 1972) and I listen to the track that was remastered in 2010. This song makes me smile and it has some of my all time favorite lyrics from The Rolling Stones.

7. Before They Make Me Run: The album is Some Days, released in 1978. This song I can hardcore jam to. Also, it reminds me of my aunt so it always makes me happy (because I love my aunt, duh.)

6. Some Girls: This is the title track of the album Some Days (1978). The lyrics to this one aren't my favorite thing in the world, but they are terrible. In fact, they were good enough to make the number 6 slot. However, I do have to say they basically made it this far because I just really like the beat.

5. You Can't Always Get What You Want: This is from the album Let It Bleed that was released in 1969. I have to say, the beginning of this song with the choir isn't my favorite thing in the world, but the rest of the song is amazing. Plus, the lyrics ring so true, because you can't always get what you want but you will always get what you need.

4. Moonlight Mile: The album is Sticky Fingers released in 1971. This is the slowest song that I have in this list, but I think it deserves its number four spot. This song almost makes me cry every time I hear it. I feel like it rings true and it shows the truth and pain of their lives when they wrote it. It's raw, in other words. 

3. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: Album: Out of Our Heads, released 1965. Many people think this song is overplayed, but I think that is almost the beauty of it. You could play this song almost anyway and I can guarantee that at least one person will know the words, no matter what their age. I'm 16 and I can sing this loud and proud whenever I hear it play as background music in a store or a movie. Also, this song basically makes it impossible to NOT dance.

2. Sing This All Together: Album: Their Satanic Majesties Request, released 1967. This song hold a powerful message if you think about it. Why can't we just all sing together? Why does their have to be separation? I love this song for that and because it makes me want to dance.

1. Sympathy For the Devil: Album: Beggars Banquet, released 1968. This song is one of their biggest songs, but it is by far my favorite. I can remember this song playing in the background of some may Monopoly games in my childhood that we basically couldn't play unless this song was played. I grew up with this song and it makes me smile and laugh and sometimes cry, and that's why it got the number 1 space.

-Laur 

"After all is said and done, gotta move while it's still fun / Let me walk before they make me run." -Before They Make Me Run, The Rolling Stones

Music To Me

What is it about music? What about music makes me get excited when I hear a new song that I love? What makes me get butterflies when an old favorite starts playing? Is it the feelings that comes along with it? The memories? The lyrics? The passion? The singer? The band? What is it?

Music to me is like light. Music brings light to my darkness. It's so big and so unexplored (and sometimes taken for granted). Music is like an undying love for your best friend or your brother. To me, music is like my long-lost sister or brother. Music is everything to me. Music is what gets me through hard times and what makes me smile. Music fills the silence.

I can name one of the first songs I've heard and asked to be played on repeat (Yellow by Coldplay). I can name the song that I listened to on the bus every morning for eight years (Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi). I can name my first favorite boy band (Jonas Brothers). My first favorite Christmas Song (Jingle Bell Rock). My mom's favorite band (Dave Matthews Band). My aunt's first concert (Paul McCartney). Every single concert I've been to (Glee, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, One Direction (twice), Vans Warped Tour (where I saw the band that gets me through everything: The Maine), Walk the Moon, All Time Low, and tomorrow, the Rolling Stones). I can tell you the first song that I heard from Bowling For Soup (1985), All Time Low (Running From Lions), The Beatles (I Wanna Hold Your Hand), and Nirvana (Come As You Are).

Basically, what I'm saying is that music is like the best friend that is always there for you. Music means everything to me. Music is everything to me.

Music isn't about the people who sing it (although they can factor into it), it isn't about the beat (although that can factor in to it too), it's not even about the lyrics (although I do believe they play a strong part). Music is about they way it makes you feel. It's about whether it makes you want to cry because it reminds you of a sad time or if it makes you want to dance. It's about how it makes you feel.

Recorded with Laur is a little bit of everything music related. It's a my favorite songs, it's my favorite bands and singers, it's my favorite albums, it's albums that I'll talk about that I don't even like. So, I hope you enjoy. However, the last thing I have to say is that all music is wonderful. All music is great in its own way and everyone is entitled to love any kind of music they want. They should not be ridiculed or made fun of for liking the kind of music they do. To me, music is sacred.

-Laur

"Look at the stars / Look how they shine for you." -Yellow, Coldplay