Artist: Jamiroquai
Track: Love Foolosophy
Album: A Funk Odyssey
Year: 2001
Hey everyone! Apparently I underestimated how busy I would be with family over the holidays and I've been unable to post in a while. This is the first time I've had some slow time for myself, so here we go again! Let's hope that I can keep up with this a little better now that the Christmas festivities are over. Now, on to the music!
Jamiroquai has been around for a while; since 1992, to be exact. Sadly, this is one of the only two songs I know from them. I really should fix that, shouldn't I? I absolutely love the funky energy of this track! The infectious groove throughout the song is hard to get out of your head and is so easy to dance to. Give it a go and just try to tell me you aren't dancing as you listen.
Click for lyrics, music video, & lyrics!
Artist: Ghostland Observatory
Track: Sad, Sad City
Album: Paparazzi Lightning
Year: 2006
This is one of those songs where the beat just draws you in from the very beginning. That steady, funky beat grooves through the whole song, joined by buzzy electronics and hyped vocals. It's a pretty short song, but it uses those 3 minutes well to get me energized. And that's all I got, folks. I just like the song.
Click for lyrics & links!
Artist: The Books ft. José González
Track: Cell Song
Album: Dark Was The Night
Year: 2009
I've loved this song ever since I first heard it in the move, The Blind Side. This is actually a cover of a song by Nick Drake and I didn't know that until I was looking up information on it just now.
It's such a mellow, calming song and José González's voice perfectly fits the feel of the song. I've always been a fan of his music and was more than a little excited when I saw that he was the featured vocals. (Actually, one of his songs is on my list of music to feature at some point in the future, so keep an eye out for it!) The intro of the song is wonderful! It sounds like wind and raindrops to me, which are the ultimate calming sounds for me, personally. Then José's soft vocals come in with the violin and it's just beautiful! Ah!
Click for lyrics and links!
Artist: MIKA
Track: We Are Golden
Album: The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Year: 2009
Wow...I haven't posted in a terribly long time! I apologize to the people who actually follow this blog. I've been busy back at home and finally had a slow moment for me to realize how much I've neglected Giraffegy. So, sorry guys!
To make up for it, I shall give you some wonderfully poppy MIKA! It's hard to be in a bad mood while listening to his music, especially this one. "We Are Golden" has catchy, inspirational lyrics and a fun, upbeat melody. The music video is equally fun to watch.
If the original track does not appeal to you, there are a lot of people who enjoy the many remixes more. Try one of those if it just doesn't tickle your fancy.
Click for lyrics, music video, & links!
Artist: Graffiti6
Track: Stare Into The Sun
Album: Stare Into The Sun
Year: 2009
This track has got a kind of psychedelic groove to it; like I should see a whole lot of swirly peace signs and bright colors and hippies. Maybe that's just me. I think I got this song from a television ad a few years back but I can't remember which one. It had been used in a few, if I remember correctly.
I loved the groove of the song and the muted sound to the lead's vocals. I found myself humming the chorus melody all the time. Also, the random chimes throughout the song are a fun touch.
Click for lyrics, music video, & links!
Artist: Flight Facilities ft. Giselle
Track: Crave You
Album: Crave You - Single
Year: 2010
To anyone who actually follows this blog, sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I've been busy wrapping up an internship and moving to a different city. I'm finally back in my old apartment and will hopefully get back on track with updating here. Thanks!
Anyways, this song is so very chill. I like the simple piano and vocals at the beginning, but I love when the beat comes in about 45 seconds in with snaps and claps. The vocals are soft and sweet, especially in the "na na na" part.
Also, I found this song through the music video on YouTube. One of the comments said it looked and sounded like Urban Outfitters - the movie...and now I have that image in my head every time I hear it.
Click for lyrics, music video & links!
Artist: Sia
Track: Breathe Me
Album: Colour The Small One
Year: 2004
This is and probably always will be my favorite song by Sia. It was also the first one I ever knew by her. I love Sia's voice. There's just something so raw and effortless and beautiful about it. I feel like this song perfectly captures all of that.
The instrumentals are simple with a beautiful piano line that is later joined by drums and violins and slowly builds up the emotion of the song. The piano alone can make me teary. To me, Sia's voice is the main focus of the song, which I absolutely love. Then the instrumentals have their own dramatic solo at the end. I just love everything about this song!
Also, this may be a weird thing to like, but I rather like the big sigh she takes at the very beginning of the song before she begins to sing.
Click for lyrics, music video & links!
Artist: The Temper Trap
Track: Fader
Album: Conditions
Year: 2008
I'm surprised it has taken me this long to feature a song by The Temper Trap, because I absolutely LOVE The Temper Trap. I haven't come across a song by them that I didn't like, which made picking out this song very difficult. "Sweet Disposition" launched this band into popularity. I was excited to see the song finally get popular, but soon I couldn't get away from it. So, I decided to check out the rest of their album, and surprise surprise! I pretty much loved all of it.
The song hooks me from the first few words of the first verse. The "whoo-hoo-hoo"s of the chorus are kind of infectious and may be considered by some to be generic and poppy, but whatever. I feel energetic from listening to it. I also love the lead's vocals, especially his falsetto. It's beautiful!
Click for lyrics, music video, & links!
Artist: Santigold
Track: Lights Out
Album: Santigold
Year: 2008
I distinctly remember walking around campus my first semester of college, listening to this song on repeat. I love the breathy vocals over a strong bass line with soft background harmonies. I also love the guitar riff in the chorus. It all just combines itself into an extremely catchy pop song and something about her voice makes it stand out a little to me.
Click for lyrics, music video & links!
Artist: Ryan Adams
Track: Desire
Album: Demolition
Year: 2002
I discovered this song through the TV show House (it was also in the show West Wing) and I feel like that's how most people know this song. This album was a collection of other studio tracks Ryan Adams recorded, but just didn't make the cut on his previous studio albums.
There's a nice, but dreary country feel to the track. My favorite parts are when he first sings "desire" and the acoustics pick up a bit. WARNING, the harmonicas loudly come out of nowhere which is my only complaint with this song. However, I love the rest of the song too much to pass up on it simply because of some over zealous harmonica playing.
Click for lyrics & links!
Artist: Kimbra, A-Trak & Mark Foster
Track: Warrior
Album: Vows (Australian Tour/New Zealand Deluxe Edition)
Year: 2011
I loved this track from the first time I heard it. The three rising artists were sponsored by Converse to collaborate and produce a fresh track for their "Three Artists, One Song" campaign. I must say they chose their artists well.
Kimbra lends her beautiful, floaty vocals to the verses and meets with Mark Foster's high, fresh vocals in the chorus. I can definitely feel the sound of Foster the People coming through in the bouncy synths and crisp beats, especially in the bridge. I don't really know anything about A-Trak other than the fact he's remixed for several popular artists.
It's another one of those tracks that fills me with this funky energy and makes me want to take on the day full-stride. Hope it does the same for you!
Click for lyrics, music video, & links (lots of links this time)!
