Sunday, April 29, 2012

Child of the '90s



In an effort to brighten up my days (and after listening to totally awesome songs on our Sirius stations in the new car), I decided to make a list of songs that make me happy the SECOND I hear the first notes; with the purpose of making an "in case of an emergency" playlist. So I've been putting together this list for about 3 weeks now, and the obvious has been revealed to me yet again: even though I have fairly diverse music tastes (from the blues to the Beatles to Tchaikovsky and Beethoven), musically speaking I am essentially a child of the '90s. You see, I was very lucky to have lived my "moody teenage girl" years in an era when grunge and bands like Oasis, Third Eye Blind and The Wallflowers ruled the radio waves. It was a perfect fit! So without further ado and in no specific preference order, here's my running list of what I consider "timeless" songs:

- Killing me Softly with His Song, by the Fugees (1995)
- Counting Blue Cars, by Dishwalla (1996)
- I Know, by Dionne Farris (1995)
- Shy Guy, by Diana King (1995)
- Strong Enough, by Sheryl Crow (1994)
- Are you that Somebody?, by Aaliyah (1998)
- Your Woman, by White Town (1997)
- Never Let You Go, Third Eye Blind (1999)
- You Make my Dreams, by Hall & Oates (1981)
- You Get What You Give, New Radicals (1998)
- Doo Wop (That Thing), Lauryn Hill (1998)
- Unwell, Matchbox Twenty (2003)
- I Don't Want to Wait, Paula Cole (1997)
- Virtual Insanity, Jamiroquai (1996)
- One of Us, Joan Osborne (1995)
- All I Wanna Do, Sheryl Crow (1994)
- A Long Walk, Jill Scott (2001)
- Daydreamer, Adele (2008)
- Hometown Glory, Adele (2008)
- Waterfalls, TLC (1995)
- No Rain, Blind Melon (1992)
- Don't Speak, No Doubt (1995)
- Lovefool, The Cardigans (1995)
- Kiss Me, Sixpence None the Richer (1997)
- I'm a Slave 4 U, Britney Spears (2001)
- One Headlight, The Wallflowers (1997)
- Jumper, Third Eye Blind (1998)
- About a Girl, Nirvana (1989)
- Wonderwall, Oasis (1995)
- Two Princes, Spin Doctors (1993)
- December, Collective Soul (1995)
- Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind (1997)
- Crazy, Aerosmith (1994)
- Ray of Light, Madonna (1998)
- Don't Tell Me, Madonna (2000)
- Kiss from a Rose, Seal (1994)
- Beautiful Stranger, Madonna (1999)
- What's Up, 4 Non Blondes (1992)
- Missing, Everything but the Girl (1994)
- Every Morning, Sugar Ray (1998)
- Iris, Goo Goo Dolls (1998)
- Lullaby, Shawn Mullins (1998)
- Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman, Bryan Adams (1995)
- There She Goes, Sixpence None the Richer (1999)
- Around the World, Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)
- Save Tonight, Eagle-Eye Cherry (1997)
- No Scrubs, TLC (1999)
- Fly Away, Lenny Kravitz (1998)
- Te Propongo, Gilberto Santa Rosa (1994)
- Everyday is a Winding Road, Sheryl Crow (1996)
- At Last, Etta James (1961)
- Luck Be a Lady, Frank Sinatra (1965)
- Como es tan Bella, Guaco (not sure... early '90s?)
- She's so High, Tal Bachman (1999)
- Scream, Michael and Janet Jackson (1995)
- 1979, Smashing Pumpkins (1996)
- Free, Ginny Owens (1999)
- Torn, Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
- Roll to Me, Del Amitri (1995)
- Free Fallin', Tom Petty (1989)
- Shine, Collective Soul (1993)
- Freak on a Leash, Korn (1998)
- Selling the News, Switchfoot (2011)
- Dark Horses, Switchfoot (2011)
- You Gotta Be, Des'ree (1994)
- Something's Always Wrong, Toad the Wet Sprocket (1994)
- South Side, Moby feat. Gwen Stefani (2000)
- Closing Time, Semisonic (1998)
- Found Out About You, Gin Blossoms (1992)
- Drive, Incubus (2000)
- Name, Goo Goo Dolls (1995)
- Stay (I Missed You), Lisa Loeb (1994)

So, to recap:
- Total # of songs: 72
- # songs from the '90s: 57

Yep, I think I've made my point. I know I'll keep thinking of other songs, but I'd say this is pretty solid. The songs from the '60s and the slow ones may not make it to the playlist because they don't fit as well with everything else, but... can't wait to have this playlist together..!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Breath of God... While I'm Waiting

There are a few Christian songs that will make me tear up the second I hear the beginning notes. During the entire song, my weak self becomes one with every word. Tonight was the first time I heard these two: one as we went to church, and the second AT church. I typically prefer songs with more upbeat music, but listening to the lyrics, it took all of me to keep my composure:

While I'm Waiting (John Waller)
(audio here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y )

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord



Breath of God (Cindy Rethmeier, Terry Butler)
(audio here: http://smudge77.multiply.com/journal/item/211 )
Breathe on me, breath of God
My spirit yearns for you
Hide me in Your fathering arms
Fill up my longing soul


Flood over me like a river my God
Immerse me in Your living stream
Awaken the song that You placed in my heart
Spirit, breathe on me
Spirit, breathe on me


Breathe on me, breath of God
Burn bright, eternal fire
Father, draw me near to Your heart
You are my one desire

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Spring Garden.

Thankfully this year we have received lots of rain, and with this, we have been blessed with lots of beautiful flowers in our garden. 3 weeks ago I planted four new plants (Silky Gold Butterfly Weed), and they're all thriving, thank goodness. It would've been a huge blow to my ego to not be able to grow anything from "scratch" (either inside or outside of me, ha ha).

So, here are our most beautiful flowers:
Oleander flowers 

 Bottlebrush

 Silky gold flowers (which as you'll see on the last photo, attract Monarch butterflies and caterpillars)

Knockout roses 

 Caterpillar.! We saw it poop yesterday. There's about 20 of them eating the leaves off the new plants. But it's all good.