Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift

Dear You,

I may have a new obsession. This song has been coursing through my speakers and headphones nonstop since I bought it Monday night. I know it's a problem, but it's not one I'm willing to fix. 

As I wrote about yesterday, I've always romanticized far away places and big cities and Welcome To New York, Taylor Swift's new song, only solidifies the amazement I've seen in New York. 

It has a slower beat than one might expect from such a hit-worthy pop song but manages to capture that exciting spirit that only New York seems to hold. The song promises new beginnings and unadulterated acceptance, a city that welcomes anyone with open arms. I think everyone who hears this song at least momentarily contemplates moving there.

She has definitely managed to separate each new song with a completely different sound while keeping them all within that 80's inspired modern pop sound the album is named after. I'm overly excited to hear the rest of the album Monday and see how flawlessly she did on the rest of the songs. 

What were your thoughts on the song? Leave me a comment below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

Here is my new cover of Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift, check it out? If you want to... okay cool thanks

Comment below if you do and I will love you forever :)

Out of the Woods Thoughts

Dear You,

Taylor Swift, in preparation for her album coming out on the 27th, released a new song yesterday! It's called Out of the Woods and is at the top of the iTunes chart currently.

When I first heard the chorus, I thought the repetitive nature would deter me from the song but since first hearing it I have fallen in love. I think repeating that compliments the feeling of the song insanely well.

When you're around someone new and still wondering if you're in a good place, I think those thoughts of stability become a little obsessive and OOTW conveys this perfectly. The song has the perfect song for the message behind it, just that very choppy and obsessive feeling of fragility and new experiences. I love that she was able to do this so beautifully.

Anyways, those were my thoughts on it. I was thinking of doing a cover of it today so feel free to watch that and I hope you like the song!

Leave me a comment below with your thoughts :)

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

If you wanted to be really awesome you could check out my Newest Youtube Video :)

Covers I'm In Love With

Dear You,

BBC 1 and Capitol radio, among others, have started a trend of recording singers covering songs in live lounges and they're amazing!

Demi Lovato's cover of Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran

I knew Demi could change into that rock-style voice but I didn't know how impressive it could be until I watched this wonderful cover. She is truly amazing.

Taylor Swift's cover of Riptide by Vance Joy

Taylor didn't add any ridiculously impressive runs like some others choose to but she still managed to add a unique sound to one of my favorite songs. 

Jessie J's cover of I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift

I don't know why I never heard of this last year but it is jaw-droopingly good, I am forever in envy of Jessie J's beautiful voice and ability. She definitely made the song her own and added a unique, softer tone. 

I could go on all day about all of these interesting amazing covers. The world of singers and songwriters is truly outstanding and I might just spend the rest of the day watching older covers, currently on The 1975's cover of What Makes You Beautiful :)

What are your thoughts on these covers? Leave me a comment below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

If you wanted to be really awesome you could check out my New Youtube Video :)

September Favorites

Dear You,

I can't believe it's the end of the month already! I know I say that every month and I will continue to say it until time seems to slow down again. 

Red Album by Taylor Swift

Yes, I know this wonderful album came out 2 years ago however her new album is about to come out so I have been reminiscing over the end of a great era. My favorite songs would have to be All Too Well and the acoustic version of State of Grace.

Hozier's Album Preview

So it hasn't come out yet but even the 5 songs that have been released are so amazing and perfect I've listened to them far too many times. I actually discovered him through Taylor Swift and Lily Aldridge's tweets about him. The album comes out October 7th and I could not be more excited

Give Me Love (cover) by Demi Lovato

She covered this already amazing song last year on a radio show and I haven't stopped listening to it since I found it earlier this month. She transcribed it into a nice, higher key and added some runs in the end that broke my throat, yes, broke it.

Arrow TV Series

As per my usual, I watched an entire series this month but it was so good I couldn't stop! I love the way they modernized this DC comic series into a very interesting show. I would highly recommend it, it has a great mix of romance, heroism, danger, and "Lost on an island" flashbacks. I'm awaiting the day the next series appears on Netflix.

Rasinettes

I have a problem ok?! I've been working quite a bit and I just really like chocolate and fruit so I've got a slight addiction to this wonderful candy and everyone thinks I'm insane but they are amazing.

Panera Bread's Squash Ravioli

This came out with the rest of their fall foods and I'm pretty sure one of the cashiers has started to recognize me because I cannot stop going back for more. This with a half caesar salad is just the perfect dinner for me in every way :)

I actually found a Healthy Choice version of this as well, I may have (quietly) screamed in the middle of Ralph's... I'm so cool

Anyways, how was your month? Leave me a comment below

Have a Wonderful Day!
Mia B

If you wanted to be really awesome you could check out my New Youtube Video :)

Alternative Song Discoveries

Dear You,

Shake It Off should definitely be #1 :)

I was going through the iTunes top 200 singles recently to find new music and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of good alternative music (surprise being the amount of alternative, not that it was good, lots of alt music is good). I now have a very full iTunes wish list again thanks to all of these good songs.

Carousel by Melanie Martinez

I love the strong beat in this song with the light, beautifully raspy voice and metaphorical lyrics it's a really nice song to work to, I've discovered. 

Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon

This one is far more happy and upbeat and walks the line between alternative and pop but sounds great. It's the perfect dance party song. 

Riptide by Vance Joy

I love how diverse Alternative songs can be. This one is very happy in the feel good sense. Almost an Ingrid Michaelson/Avalanche City sound to it, not saying they were copying or are so similar that it's not good to hear them all, there's just this wonderful sound that always makes me smile among these artists. 

Stolen Dance by Milky Chance

I think I've heard this one on the radio before but it's really great. If I had to describe it I would say it a soft pop sound with island influences and the slightest hip-hop sound. 

Cool Kids by Echosmith

This one has a strong beat but not overwhelmingly like Carousel, a rather simple song but a good one at that. Definitely one of the songs that's going to make me want to dance in the bathroom while getting ready ;)

Anyways, those are some of my recent discoveries, at least the alternative ones. What music have you been listening to recently? Leave me a comment below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

If you wanted to be really awesome you could check out my New Youtube Video :)

Artist Focus: Sky Ferreira

Dear You,

This week I learned about a new amazing artist. I had saved a song of hers I heard on the Vampire Diaries called "Obsession" which I loved. 

And has a funny music video...

So upon looking her music up on iTunes I found a gold mine. She has this beautifully intoxicating dance pop sound. You can definitely find a variety and uniqueness in her songs that she's been releasing since about 18 years old. 

When I listen to her songs I feel like I already know them, probably as background music in tv shows. I've definitely heard them somewhere. So looking through her songs for new ones to download was like visiting an old friend, I just remembered how much I loved them all. 

My other favorites (currently on my iTunes wish list) were...

Love in Stereo

Red Lips

Sad Dream

Lost In My Bedroom

You're Not the One

Some are fast, some are slow, there's nothing specific that I loved about them all. Just that I felt like I could connect to each one, like it describes a part of me perfectly, and isn't that what we all look for in our favorite songs?

Any thoughts on this wonderful artist? Leave me a comment below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

If you wanted to be really awesome you could check out my New Youtube Video
Or like it or comment, I'd love you forever :)

A Favorite Song

Dear You,

So I take singing lessons and recently I've been working on All Too Well by my personal favorite, Taylor Swift. It is probably one of the best songs she's ever written for so many beautiful reasons.

The song is set out into a long story where you get lyrically brilliant snapshots of a relationship that's ended because when something so important ends, we don't just forget them and everything we went through with them. We remember every second all too well. It's painful and it sticks there forever.

One of the most interesting thing about the song is the fact that almost no lines are repeated.  Even the chorus, while maintaining it's chords, changes lyrics every time around. 

I marvel at how well Taylor uses the "Don't tell, show" method in this song. Because (at least during the first half) she doesn't have to explain a single emotion. From her storytelling and vocal choices you can infer the emotions in the best sort of ways. 

One of her vocal choices in the bridge during the line:

"You call me up again just to break me like a promise, 

So casually cruel in the name of being honest"

Which is in itself, a lyrical masterpiece, is also sung with a rather high and powerful voice that most people didn't know Taylor could achieve (not because of her personal character, because most singers have trouble up there). She performed it at the 2014 Grammy's in the most fantastic way. You can hear the immense emotion behind these perfect lines.

This song isn't meant to be an entirely sad song. It's written about a good relationship that sadly ended but it's focusing on the happy moments. She's haunted by these beautifully joyful ghosts from a time that's sadly over. As she said in the introduction of this song at a concert 'the good ghosts can haunt you too'.

Anyways, there's one of my favorite songs, what are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below!

Have an Amazing Day!
Mia B

Thoughts on Songwriting

Dear You,

I wasn't feeling particularly inspired yesterday but I had nothing else to do so I thought it best to work for awhile. I watched some concerts on Youtube, specifically of a song I'm having trouble on, while practicing some chords that I'm horrible at. And heard Ed Sheeran say something along the lines of...

'When you're stuck you have to clean out the clog, just write for awhile and some dirty mud will come out but eventually you'll get clean water, you'll get something good"

Which I thought was brilliant and wrote for quite awhile and then added chords to a bunch of songs (which I've been avoiding) and I'm very proud of how they sound. And I'm proud of how much work I got done but it's not all sunshine and daises. 

I realize that songwriting isn't exactly taken seriously in the world. Some people think I'm just being stupid and others think I'm probably some stereotypical copycat writing horrible teeny-bopper songs. Which maybe I am, I don't know my songs sound to another ear. However it's not as easy as you'd think.

When I work, I'm taking every emotion surrounding a situation and attempting to put in words that sound intelligible, interesting, inspiring, and that rhyme. I have to find chords that are unique yet fit the situation. And taking a thought, a feeling, an event and trying to pair some random guitar chords to it may be one of the hardest things I've ever tried to do. I seriously wanted to throw something.

Songwriting is frustrating and sometimes while doing it, I just want to scream. But I still do it because in the end, creating a song is better than any feeling I could ever describe. It's some mix of proudness and vague interest and curiousness at how I even managed to create something that sounds so nice and sums up something that affected me in something so wonderful as music. 

There's a quote (of course) that sums it up perfectly from one of my favorite authors...

"That's what you gotta find - the things that tear you up when you suck at them, and feel pretty good when you're good at them" -John Green

For me, the only thing that describes is songwriting. Which is why, I'm not going to college this year, why I'm sitting at home writing on a blog, and why I cannot stop smiling right now thinking about the songs I just wrote. I am in love with writing songs. 

What is your thing that "tear you up... and [feels] pretty good"? Leave me a comment below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

Quote

Dear You,

So, like the Swiftie I am, I was watching the outtakes from Taylor's new music video for Shake It Off and she said something that really stood out to me.

"You can get everything you want in life without ever feeling like you fit in" 

-Taylor Swift

If you think about it, some of the greatest people are also some of the weirdest. The people who fit in are also the ones who settle for boring lives, because that's what we're supposed to do to lead a normal life. But the people who really go for it, their biggest dreams, the most difficult things, will never fit in. Because they're the people who are unafraid of not doing what everyone else is doing which makes them, entirely the people who don't fit in.

I would much rather be the person who followed their dreams, the person who has seen the world, the brave person who was willing to do everything they could just to achieve their dream life. It was difficult and it sucks to watch everyone else lead a normal life while the world judges my seemingly insane decisions but one day, I know it will be worth it. 

And I know that I will never fit in, but to me, the people who refuse to fit in because of their  unapologetic passion and bravery are the best kind of people. If fitting in means giving up everything that I love, than I am so happy that I will never fit in. 

Hope you enjoyed! Leave thoughts in the comments below so we can talk!

Have an Amazing Weekend!

Mia B

Also, if you wanted to be the coolest person in the world, you could take a look at my new Youtube video :)

Nighttime Playlist

Dear You,

I have this problem where I cannot stand silence, it sincerely bothers me. So at night when everything else is quiet, I feel the need to play music or the eery silence will keep me up. This has been my sleep playlist for the past month or so. 

Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer

If you haven't fallen in love with these guys, then where have you been? Their album debuted at number 1 and for good reason. Almost every song on the album could be a hit itself. Even this one, with it's rather sad note, has hit radio stations lately. 

Life of the Party by Shawn Mendes

Everyone was excited when this Youtube-started artist released his number one single. I literally listened to it over a hundred times when it came out, I'm in love with every second of it so it makes sense that I fall asleep to it, it's well written in a melodic way.

Not About Angels by Birdy

I absolutely adore Birdy's voice, her range is impressive and this song is beautifully metaphorical yet musically astounding.

Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran

Every song Ed Sheeran writes is perfect but this love song is happy in that Sunday morning, your love just brought you coffee way. 

I See Fire by Ed Sheeran

This one isn't quite so happy but it was written for the Hobbit, which has a lot of dangerous moments and Ed captured the spirit of the movie beautifully. It's not happy but it's slow and quiet, the perfect thing to fall asleep too. 

90% of the time I'm asleep before the 3rd song on this playlist finishes, even when my mind is trying to do that busier-than-life doesn't-want-to-go-to-sleep thing, the music is so calming I can't help it.

Hope you enjoyed! Leave me a comment with your thoughts below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

Also, if you wanted to be the coolest person in the world, you could take a look at my new Youtube video :)

Why I Write Music

Dear You, 

This is my 50th published post on this blog! And I wanted to do something different from my normal posts, something more personal. Since I started this blog because of my passion for music, I decided to write about something dear to me in the world of music: writing

I started writing music shortly after I turned 13, I can't believe it's been 5 years already. I had some problems in life and I needed a way to escape. I am the type of person who refuses to burden others so I tend to internalize my problems. It's a horrible problem of mine but I've never been able to overcome it. 

Around that time I had just become obsessed with Taylor Swift and her music. I wanted to be her so badly, to blend such powerful emotions with my one true love in life: music. I'd been enrolled in as many music programs I was allowed since 5th grade, when music classes were introduced. No matter what program whatever school I went to had, I knew I just needed some kind of music in my life. 

Writing was definitely a learning process. I started with a random notebook (that I still have) on my dad's back deck. I loved the sounds of the birds out there and thought it would be inspirational but that didn't help because my first song was easily my worst, I never even finished it. But as I got older and wiser, my vocabulary and grammar improved, I experienced more, and the songs gradually got better. VERY. GRADUALLY.

Writing for me is much easier when I have a source of pain, it's what drives me in my writing. The strongest emotions are always the best ones. I think it took awhile simply to learn how to bring up that pain and be able to write from it. It's definitely hard to write with passion but is there any other way?

About a month after I started writing lyrics, I had really wanted a guitar. But I didn't want to ask for one because my mom was already paying rent on a saxophone for band class. One of the most amazing coincidences in my life happened, my grandpa had an extra guitar and without me saying one word about it, asked if I wanted it. I couldn't believe it. 

I didn't want to ask for lessons so I practiced on that guitar, all the time. I started with the scales, like my multiple music classes had taught me and built my way into chords. I played the same Taylor Swift song at least 100 times before I mastered singing while playing and the rest is history.

I read a quote recently that you have to find the thing in life that builds you up when you're good at it and tears you up when you're not. For me, that's writing music. I hate when I write a bad song and feel on top of the world when I really like one. I don't even know how I would have gotten through the past five years without writing songs, it feels like such a monumental part of my life. Once I started writing, it's like I knew that's what had been missing the whole time. 

I don't let many people read them and I've never recorded a single one but just because they're not famous doesn't make them unimportant. They're important to me. 

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

Also, if you wanted to be the coolest person in the world, you could take a look at my new Youtube video :)

New Discovery

Dear You,

I've been a huge fan of Lorde since Royals topped the chart. Even though she hasn't released many singles, I love her album, it's very well written and creatively varying. I've had the 10 track version for awhile now and never really thought about the deluxe version even though it's really good. 

The deluxe version of her album has 6 extra songs, one is an old one that I have had forever and love dearly but the other five have gone unnoticed and I've loved getting to fall in love with one of my favorite artists music again. 

The extended songs are called:

No Better

Bravado

Million Dollar Bills

The Love Club

Biting Down

Swingin Party

These songs have the same alternative sound and highly metaphorical lyrics that she's known for however she managed to write them in new, exciting ways that make these 6 songs uniquely beautiful from the original 10 songs. 

Sometimes the deluxe version of CDs are just the songs that weren't good enough to make it onto the album however the extra songs on Lorde's album are just as good as the original 10 songs that I know and love. I'm actually sad that I haven't had these songs in my life until now but I'm really excited to start listening to them now. 

That's my exciting new discovery of the week, have you found any good, new music? Leave me a comment below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

Also, if you wanted to be the coolest person in the world, you could take a look at my new Youtube video :)

New Discoveries

Dear You,

Recently I've been listening to iTunes Radio quite a bit, it's a lot like Pandora but it lets you do more skips if you're willing to listen to more ads. I felt like I was in a music rut, listening to the same artists over and over and wanted to find new music and my iTunes Wishlist has gotten pretty long, I found some really good new music.

Life of the Party by Shawn Mendes

Shawn started out on Youtube a year ago (at least that's his oldest video on there) and it's so amazing to see how far he's come. This song was #1 on iTunes for several days because it's a very well written, feel good, inspiring song about not caring about what everyone else thinks or says in a sweet way. 

Burn With You by Lea Michele

Lea Michele has been a huge inspiration since I started watching Glee in my freshman year and she continues to be so today with her very own album. This song is definitely my favorite.

Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

I'd already fallen in love with her newest CD, Lights Out, but this song came on the radio and I fell in love with her older CD, Everybody. The title track is definitely my favorite, it's a great feel-good song.

Not Your Birthday by All Star Weekend

I've noticed myself enjoying a lot of boy-band pop-rock songs in this 5SOS radio, not all of them though. This one is one of my favorites, definitely a party-sounding song that I may or may not have random alone dance parties to.

God Only Knows by MKTO

I've loved MKTO since they came out with their first single last winter, they finally came out with the album and it's just as good as I hoped. It took me awhile to decide on my favorite but I think this one is. Their songs are well written and very danceable.

Stuck In Love: A Writer's Playlist

Stuck in Love is without a doubt my favorite movie, it's a love story (or 3) with interesting, relatable interconnected twists and the soundtrack lives up to the movies greatness. It's mostly the songs in the movie that the characters were listening to and I'm completely obsessed with it like I am the movie.

Anyways, those are some of the songs on my wish list. What have you been listening to lately? Tell me in the comments below!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B

If you wanted to be the coolest person in the world, you could take a look at my new Youtube video :)

Five Favorite Musicals

Dear You,

Ever since I was a little girl I have been in love with music and I've always loved musicals, expertly combining 2 forms of storytelling into masterpieces. So I thought I'd talk about some of my favorite musicals of all time today because they have always meant a lot to me and I hold these 5 very close to my heart. 

1. Wicked

I haven't actually seen this musical but no judging! I've read the book at least ten times and know the soundtrack by heart. I've just never had the money to buy theatre tickets but it is definitely on my bucket list. 

2. Annie

I watched this movie at least 50 times when I was a kid and still rock out to You're Never Fully Dressed when my smile is missing. Annie was my idol because she was cunning, brave, and strong. She had been through a lot without getting messed up by it and that's all we really want in the end, right? To make it through this crazy world and still be alright in the end.

3. The Sound of Music

Again, I watched this a lot more as a kid than I do now however I still have Do Re Mi and So Long, Farewell on my phone and no one can say anything about it because I don't care. I love that song and I'm not afraid to love something because other people may discredit it. 

4. Funny Girl

This musical made me fall in love with Barbara Streisand the way I'm sure a million others have. Her voice is magical and she is hilarious. I have Don't Rain On My Parade and My Man still on my phone... I'm really consistent with this 2 songs from every musical thing. 

5. Rent

I just recently watched this one on Netflix despite the fact that I've had the soundtrack for 3 years. My favorite songs from this one were Take Me or Leave Me and Seasons of Love (but I also keep Light My Candle on my phone, HA 3 songs, I'm proud of myself). It is more of a teenagers movie, definitely would have missed the whole story if I watched it as a kid. However I loved the whole 5 different people's stories interconnecting and things (like Love, Actually, though not 1/10th as happy)

These are some of my favorites out of the musicals I have seen thus far and I still haven't watched some amazing ones like Les Mis or Christmas Carol which I should probably watch soon. I always avoid movies that I don't think I'll like, then end up falling in love with them when I finally force myself to watch them, I don't know why I do this to myself

What are your favorite musicals? Leave them in the comments below, I'd love to read your comments, and talk, and maybe watch what you suggest!

Have an Amazing Day!

Mia B



If you wanted to be the coolest person in the world, you could take a look at my new Youtube video :)