Но всъщност е за нещо много повече. За всички неща, които едва сега правя, изпитвам, усещам за първи път. Всички онези малки нещица, които взети заедно те правят щастлив. Толкова добре се чувствам, че ме е страх. Както се казва "Толкова хубаво не е на хубаво..."

Вярвам, че като цяло в живота си човек получава равни порции щастие и мъка. След години страдание идва хубавото. И обратно. В момента се чувствам толкова адски, невероятно, искрящо щастлива...Че не ми се мисли колко солено ще си платя някой ден...:) Но с ръка на сърцето бих казала, че ще си заслужава!

Но да се върна на първоначалната си идея и мисъл... Вчера за първи път се возих на мотор. Никога не са ми били страст, нито съм имала голямо желание да се возя.

Беше....хммм, да кажем интересно изживяване :). Определено адреналинът се покачва. През повечето време, обаче, си мислех колко безсмислено е да рискуваме живота (или поне здравето си), заради усещането, че живеем на ръба (Living on the Edge, както пишеше на гърба на якетата, които носихме). Поне за мен това не е начинът да се почувствам жива.

Доста честичко просто се молех да стигнем живи :). Имаше разбира се и кратки моменти, в които се наслаждавах на гледката, но малко след това силната скорост ме караше още по-силно се впримчва в шофъора. Но не съжалявам ни най-малко.

Coming up next -> каране на кънки на лед (нещо, за което си мечтая от доста време)!

Впрочем преди малко повече от час получих приятна изненада на вратата си за рожденния ми ден - всички Еразмус студенти с торта, конфети, бутилка Бейлис и бижу като подарък...;)))) А аз с виснала от изненада уста ги посрещнах с мокра коса, по нощничка и готова за лягане...:) Най-забавното е, че има компромати...:))

Мдаа, животът понякога може да бъде толкова сладък... ;)

Joan Osborne - One Of Us

If God had a name what would it be?
And would you call it to his face?
If you were faced with Him in all His glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?

1-And yeah, yeah, God is great
Yeah, yeah, God is good
yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah

What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin' to make his way home?

If God had a face what would it look like?
And would you want to see if, seeing meant
That you would have to believe in things like heaven
And in Jesus and the saints, and all the prophets?
(repeat 1, 1)

Back up to heaven all alone
No, nobody calling on the phone
No, just tryin' to make his way home
Nobody calling on the phone
'Cept for the Pope maybe in Rome

So I was over at shake's spot and saw that he posted his top 10 favorite MCs, so I thought i'd post mine.

1. Nas-The Greatest Ever. Period

2. Rakim-The Blueprint for every rapper out now and from the past including Nas.

3. Pac-Not one rapper was able to reach the mainstream with such social and political songs as Pac.  He was more than music and reached people around the globe.

4. Jay-z-Reasonable Doubt and Blueprint.  Relevant just as much in the past as he is now.

5. Ice Cube-The forgotten soldier.

6. Andre 3000-Every single verse is dope as hell.  Every Outkast album is a classic.

7. Black Thought-Raw, dope lyrics.  Lyrically one of the best and controls his flow better than most.

8. Notorious BIG-Only 2 albums but 2 classics.  Could relate to women and men.  Not many rappers could cross over like he did.

9. Scarface-Slept on by most and it might be because he's from the south which isn't fair because judging all rappers of one region from one rapper.  The Fix and The Diary are classics.

10. Mos Def-Black on Both Sides is my favorite album of all time.  Mos Def is lyrically one of the best.

Well, yesterday concluded the inauguaral MY TOP 10 on popolio.  Hope you enjoyed it.  It's the first of many more to come.  The next one will kick-off in October.  Look for it. 

If you didn't get a chance to post your  own MY TOP 10:  90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs in the Comments Section, feel free to do so today on this entry.  If you have any general feedback or questions on MY TOP 10 feel free to Comment here as well.  We welcome your interaction.

Peace, Love, and all that Jazz

freddie beat
popolio editor

I remember Lauryn was lauded as the "talented" member of the Fugees and was always being asked when she was going to work on a solo album by the media back in the day.  And then it came and, boy, did it come.  The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was released in 1998 (I wasn't even consciously thinking of its ten  year anniversary when putting this list together or did I know Rolling Stone had recently commemorated it) and garnered her ten Grammy nominations and five wins.  This was the most nominations for a solo female artist at the time.  Number 1, "Doo Wop (That Thing)," kicked it all off.

This was one of those videos that I liked watching over and over and never got tired of.  Great sing-a-long lyrics with a positive message and make-you-think content that were added bonuses. The concept itself was original with the side-by-side screens comparing the old school with the new.  Lauryn looked impeccable.  And she showcased both her rapping and singing skills.

I remember reading, and I'm paraphrasing here, Foxy Brown commenting that everyone had a gimmick and that she and Lil' Kim had their thing and Lauryn had the positive thing going, but that it was all still conscious image-making.  I don't fully agree as there's something that rang true about Ms. Hill's work and, I think, it's for that reason, that it touched so many people.

She had such potential and has already achieved so much of it.  It was refreshing, in a genre were women's perspectives are limited, that this was an alternative point-of-view.  It's not that the Foxy Browns and the Lil' Kims shouldn't be there, it's that there should be more of a spectrum.  Seemed to be more of selection in the earlier days with Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Salt-n-Pepa, etc.  I'll stop proselytizing now, but I think of Lauryn Hill as the great hip hop hope.  I know that's a lot of pressure and maybe she's already buckled under it, but I hope we get more glimpses of her greatness or at least some very close attempts in the not too distant future.

[dailymotion id=x4cr91]

Formerly Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot and currently only Missy Elliot to the masses, her first video, Number 2, "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)," released in 1997, set a high standard for the rest of her video work.  Missy had been behind-the-scenes writing for other artists for years, when she finally introduced herself as a solo artist, with Supa Dupa Fly, she kicked the door down.  A few rap cameos along the way didn't hurt. 

Sampling Ann Peebles' 1973 hit, "I Can't Stand the Rain," this video featured Missy's simple yet clever, nonsensical, and fun rhymes.  There's unintelligent lyricism and then there's this.  I think Missy's style is sometimes mistaken for the former.  With a stripped down, melodic, and well thought out flow, she definitely has influenced other artists since.   With rhymes more bulky and complex at the time, she brought an alternative style that harkened back to old school roots with a ‘90s update.

I'll name-check Hype Williams once more, because the collaboration between him and Missy is really what made this video special.  His fish eye lens effect, at this point, was fresh and not overwrought.  Name-checking other hip hop/R&B artists and actually having them in the video was a fun treat for music fans.  And the black trash bag outfit was bananas.  

Though her latest release, Block Party, has had many delays and single changes, refreshingly, not a skinny thing, at the time, Missy was, and remains, a true multi-threat performer with stage presence and charisma that's carried her through with trash bag, flawless makeup and ‘dos, tomboyish yet feminine style, and talents for rapping, singing, dancing, and producing.

[dailymotion id=xfnc6]

This video, Number 3, P!nk with "There You Go," released in 2000, is personal.  I remember exactly where I was when I first saw this video.  I was an undergrad at UT pursuing a film degree to direct music videos, which I never did, and here I am commenting on them.  SIGH.  Anyway, I was living in Jester East (East Side!  M619 to be exact) talking to my brother in El Paso on the phone.  MTV was on in both places. 

On comes P!nk and I'm like, "Do you see this girl?"  "Who is this girl?"  She was a white girl singing black with punk pink hair.  I hadn't seen anything like it.  I hadn't had such a reaction to a video since I was a little kid (about 9 or 10) at my neighbor's house sitting in an armchair right in front of their big-@$$ TV surrounded by the neighbor teens babysitting me and their friends.  Madonna's "Dress You Up" video was on and I witnessed them have a spiritual experience over her.  I was hooked and I've been a Madonna fan ever since.

Back to P!nk, though, another obvious Madonna fan.   Her brand of R&B sounded very TLC, but like the formula had been kicked up a notch and new flavor added.  In the mix of Britney, Christina, Mandy, and Jessica, P!nk stood out as not just another blonde doing the pop thing.  Her pop had an urban edge that even Christina's soul couldn't match.  Not necessarily the leader of the pack, P!nk, with new single, "So What," and upcoming album, Funhouse, was definitely, and still is, a rebel with her own cause.

[dailymotion id=xmcn6]

Kelis is a different kind of chick and she brought it with Number 4, "Caught Out There," released in 1999.  Doing the cheating song with the shout out chorus before Beyoncé with "Ring the Alarm" in 2006, I wasn't sure what she was.  Was she R&B?  Was she rock?  Electro?

As the Neptunes' first muse, they experimented and created with Kelis without the pressures of world-wide success and renown.  The quality of their work with Kelis is the reason why others flocked to work with them and especially Pharrell.

I haven't been name-checking directors, but Hype Williams deserves to be name-checked for this one.  He is known for creating video trends and then reinventing himself through new trends.  Then he becomes known for those trends, but this video was outside the box of what even he had done.  It stands out amongst his work.

With rainbow hair and an, arguably, feminist and anthemic first single, Kelis was on her way to being a video vanguard.  This video and especially her second, "Get Along With You," which I prefer, are testament to this.  Though the ambition of these first two videos didn't seem to translate to her future work, I wouldn't count her out.

[dailymotion id=xi2vd]

"...I keep on fallin'/in and out/of love/with you..."  When Number 5, Alicia Key's "Fallin'," hit the radio in 2001, I was entranced.  When I saw the video I was even more captivated by the intrinsic drama and cinematic scope of the mini hip hopera.  "Fallin'" cut through the airwaves like a katana blade through a smooth cinnamon roll.  The orange-jump-suited-field-chorus is at the same time awe-inspiring and haunting as their image stays with you beyond your first viewing.

Ms. Keys is of the hip hop generation.  And this video is what happens when someone of some privilege  (piano lessons and performing arts school) puts their lens on it.  You get a romanticized (and actually enthralling) version of the prison love story.  Striking, with braids and an urban chic style, Alicia melded a street sensibility with an organic old school yet modern sound that pleased the masses.

"Fallin'" is a song that speaks for itself.  Though I do not follow Alicia and buy all her albums (I have 1), she had me at "I" with this song.   With music seeming like so much processed and packaged left-overs, "Fallin'" was hot buttered soul on a biscuit.

[dailymotion id=x28owe]

A modern twist on the Cinderella story and, perhaps, The Color Purple, Erykah Badu, who will be at the Austin City Limits Music Festival next week on, Day 2, Saturday, September 27, 2008, AT&T Stage, brought something different than her contemporaries with Number 6, "On & On," released in 1997.  With comparisons to Billie Holiday fresh out the box, Ms. Badu made an impression with her head wrap and eclectic mix of afrocentric signifying.  More than a gimmick, she had depth and breadth that hadn't been heard of in R&B for a minute.  And the biggest impression was left by the music and the videos.

Branding her own philosophy in Baduizm or at least her own self-concept, she was branded the queen of neo-soul.  She's flown that pigeon-hole long since.  Yet intelligence, mystery, and an old school vibe remain constant.

This video is elegantly simple.  Who doesn't love the tablecloth dress and wrap? And the groove did go "On & On."  While others were wondering where all the cowboys had gone I was picking from my apple tree.

[dailymotion id=x1hpsd]

Not her first introduction, Number 7 "Crazy in Love," was Beyoncé's first introduction as a proper solo artist with a proper solo album.  Destiny's Child and a contribution to the Austin Powers in Gold Member soundtrack were her previous platforms.  "Work it Out" cast doubt on her ability to shine as a solo star since it didn't perform as expected, though. In my opinion, it's a stronger effort sonically and visually. Regardless, she more than recovered with this video.

She loses brownie points for recycling some of J. Lo's high fashion looks and counting on Jay-Z's shine to carry her through.  She gets some back for her own hot looks like the tank, jean shorts, and red heels and the fierce dance routine on the stoop.  The booty shake I didn't care much for, but it did light the country on fire.  She even had Oprah trying to do it.

There's no denying that this was the hot summer jam of 2003.  It played 24/7 on radio and television.  You can always tell a diva's got a hot song when she works with a new producer and a bunch of other divas quickly get in line to work with him, too.  If Amerie introduced Rich Harrison, Beyoncé made him hot.

[dailymotion id=x21773]

The beginning of the J. Lo pop revolution started with number 8, "If You Had My Love," released in 1999.   She was On the 6 and we were all on the subway ride with her.  Though she didn't get her urban make-over until Ja Rule lent his magic with the "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" in 2001, this video got the steam going through the first singles until the excitement of "Love Don't Cost a Thing" and the J. Lo album, which put things into overdrive.

A portent of things to come for Jennifer and other pop-lets, it shows the world's fascination with her through a mix of fans watching her every move on live room cams on her official website.  It was a clever use of modern media and examination of its implication on a pop star's image, performance, and existence.

Maybe not the first video to incorporate the dance break, though it sure feels like it in the modern era.  Its influence is still felt today as Madonna and both Timbs are still doing it on "4 Minutes" in 2008.  Though her musical significance is in question today, at the time, we hadn't had a grown dance diva with such flair since Janet, Madonna, and Paula before her.

[dailymotion id=x27mkk]

In at 9 is Brandy with "I Wanna Be Down" released in 1994.  After Debbie and Tiffany and before Britney and Christina, there was Brandy and Monica.  In all cases, you were either for one or the other.   Brandy was Beyoncé before Beyoncé was Beyoncé.  Ms. Norwood was locking music, TV, film, and cosmetic deals before Mrs. Jay-Z became the "it" multi-media princess.  Bey has taken it to the next level by this point, though.

Yet, this was a time when girl performers looked like girl performers and weren't vamped up to be the next sex pop-tart. Her songs didn't seem too kiddish or overly mature; they were just right.  Simply, memorably, and appropriately stylish in the video, "I Wanna Be Down" was an infinitely infectious first joint.  Don't even get me started on the remix.

With braids as her trademark, before Alicia copped them, and a cute "X" dance, Brandy was on her way.  Who would have thought years later she would have a brother (who's in the video) with a sex tape and her own serious troubles to overcome.  With a new label, a couple of recently leaked new songs, an official new song release, "Right Here (Departed)," and album, Human, on the way, Ms. Norwood is poised for a comeback.   If the buzz is on-point, "I Wanna Be Down" this time around, too.

[dailymotion id=xvucm]

Even though I'd be throwing up CA if pop princesses were gang leaders, I can admit that between "...Baby One More Time" and "Genie in a Bottle," the former is a far better video introduction.  I think Baby Jane has better videos later on in her career.  Britney's was the skirt looked up around the world.

Though she didn't invent the school-girl-Lolita act, Britney definitely refined it.  The "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" concept defined her image and ignited her appeal way before she released the song in 2002.  This seems to have remained her mantra to this day and "...Baby One More Time" was just the first syllable.

[dailymotion id=x1ipag]

Obviously, this is subjective.  It is MY list.  But just to let you in on my thought process here are some things I considered -- the personal impact of the artist, song, and video on me; the artist's potential at the time; video's rotation at the time; longevity of career and lasting influence and relevance of the artist; current fan and industry hopefulness for the artist to return to former glory or to achieve fullest potential; and the artist's current status.

And what I mean by "music video jump-off," so everyone knows, is the first time we were introduced to a solo artist via video.  In other words, their first video single.  What I mean by "divas," is strictly our female pop stars, though I know men can be "divas," too.  "Pop/R&B" is inclusive of hip hop since pop music has been so influenced by both R&B and hip hop in recent times and, in some cases, vice-versa.

The way this will work is that I will post one video daily until I get throughy MY TOP 10.  Feel free to post your own video picks on the Comments Section either daily or at the end.

Hope you enjoy.

freddie beat                                                                                                                                                popolio editor

To Whom It May Concern:

Well, I sit here attempting to write this letter for the second time.  I’ve been putting it off.  It’s the weekend of Hurricane Ike in Texas and I’m in Austin.   popolio kicks off on Monday, September 15, 2008, and, though the hurricane puts things into perspective and my heart goes out to those involved, I’m still excited about popolio.  I think things like hurricanes, unexpected occurrences, and Acts of God (or whatever you personally attribute them to) are reasons to pursue your goals, live your lives, and ignite your passions even harder, deeper, and brighter.

I have laundry going in the washers downstairs from my apartment and the last track of Erykah Badu’s New Amerykah just finished.  I hit “Honey” again because it’s my favorite track.  This is my first Letter from the Editor and I don’t really know what to say.  I don’t know what I want to communicate or how I want to come across.

I know I love music.  I love music and the entertainment/art fields, in general.  Some people separate entertainment and art and I realize a lot of times there are fine differences, but I think a lot of things become intertwined.  For the most part, we call them music artists, not entertainers (though I don’t have a problem with entertainers, either), no matter at what level or of what genre.  Most would admit entertainment is part of the job.  Others would say it’s not a job, it’s a passion.  At the end of the day, it’s music, and it moves us.

Who doesn’t love music?  Movies you can watch anywhere, but you need translation.   People don’t mind listening to music in other languages without translation.  All kinds of people love to dance to salsa, there are hip hop heads in Japan who rock the gear and know all the rap lyrics, and pop stars travel the world and have their songs recited back to them on their tours.  Do all salseros speak Spanish or all Japanese hip hoppers English?  No.  Music is the true universal language that makes the world go round.  What I love about music is that it can make you shake your ass at the same time that it can truly inspire change in the world.

…pause…I need to go put my laundry in the dryers…back…Now I’m putting in Janet’s Discipline.

So, what is popolio?  popolio is a music blog that will feature pop music and artists in Austin, Dallas, Texas, and more.  I hesitate to use the word “pop” because I think it gets a bad rap.  I’m using pop in the most general sense of the word.  I’m thinking more along the lines of pop culture, though it is strictly a music entertainment site.  

I want to cover local and regional up-and-coming and established artists.  Give them an opportunity for a little shine.  Doesn’t mean I won’t be covering more mainstream acts as well.  Most of what I listen to is more Top 40 R&B and pop.   Growing up, I developed an affinity for black and urban music and culture -- especially the R&B/hip hop and new Jack and Jill swing of the 1990s.  Doesn’t mean I’m not open to stuff I haven’t listened to before.  That’s the magic of pop -- it can draw on so many genres and styles and any song could become a pop hit if it connects with the masses.  It’s just a classification and I like what I like -- just like all of you.

I’m excited to be working on popolio with J.W. Richard, who’s based in Dallas.  He brings many years of podcasting experience and know-how, through his own Mandrake Arts & Media.   Check out his websites at:  http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com and http://mandrakefm.com.  They’re a little different than what we’ll be offering on popolio, but variety is the spice of life.   I’m new to both the worlds of blogging and podcasting.  I’m thinking of popolio more as an online music magazine than an actual blog.  It will be exciting to see where this journey takes us and what popolio becomes.

Let me tell you about myself.  I am of Panamanian descent, born in Panama and raised in El Paso, Texas.  I grew up Northeast El Paso to be exact.  I started my Bachelors at UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso for those of you who don’t know) and transferred to UT-Austin (you all should know) and earned a BS in Radio-TV-Film with aspirations of directing music videos, which I haven’t done yet.  I went back to EP for two-and-a-half years and returned to Austin to earn an MA in Advertising from UT again. 

Though I haven’t gotten to use either of my degrees in my real-day-job-life, I pursue interests like these in my fantasy-after hours/own time-life.   I’m left-handed, my favorite group of all-time is TLC, I love super hero comics, and in a former life I founded and ran a poetry organization that hosted open mics and slams in my hometown.

September is the kick-off of popolio and our new features.  Look for a pop quiz and popolio podcast interview with Austin artists, Cheryl Hill and Phil Dutra, respectively.  Check out MY TOP 10, a daily countdown by yours truly.  We’ll bring you a snapshot of new releases on Tuesdays.   There will be music and show reviews.   J. Dub and I hope to bring you our regular music conversations on Richard & Rodriguez podcasts.

This is just the beginning.  There will be a lot more.  I hope you check it out, come again, and stick around.  Welcome to popolio. 

2:54 PM

Sincerely,   
                                                                                                                                                                     Freddie Rodriguez aka freddie beat
popolio editor

- Well, that's probably because you've never seen one ;)

- Yes, but still...you're beautiful !

......

Moby - Disco lies

You said you want me that was just a lie (just a lie) just a lie (just a lie)
You said you love me that was just a lie, just a lie
All I needed was someone who could keep me warm at night
You tried it baby, it didn’t work and now I know that this is gonna be
The end
Oh how could you lie(3X)
Could you lie(2X)

You said you need me that was just a lie (just a lie) just a lie
You said the truth once that was just a lie (just a lie) just a lie
All I needed was someone who could keep me warm at night
You tried it baby, it didn’t work and now I know that this is gonna be
The end
[ Disco Lies lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
Oh how could you lie(3X)
Could you lie(3X)
Oh how could you lie (3X)
Oh could you lie(2X)

All I needed was someone who could keep me warm at night
You tried it baby, it didn’t work and now I know that this is gonna be
The end
Oh how could you lie
Oh could you lie(3X)
Oh how could lie

Red Carpet - Alright

It's gonna be alright tonight, oh my
It's gonna be alright, oh yeah, come baby
The sun is gonna keep on shining
On brighter days, on the horizon
My love for you will always keep on rising

Everything is gonna be alright tonight, oh yeah,
My love for you is gonna keep on rising (for you)

[chorus]
The sun is gonna keep on shining
Brighter days on the horizon
My love for you will keep on rising
Everything's gonna be alright

The sun is gonna keep on shining
My love for you will keep on rising
Everything's gonna be alright [3x]

chorus [2x]

It's gonna be alright, tonight
It's gonna be alright, alright
It's gonna be alright, tonight

Тук се вижда морската градина на Бургас в доста различна светлина..На всяко дърво бе окачена карта с някой от изпълнителите, които присъстваха на фестивала.

Наистина си изкарах много хубаво.. Разбира се до голяма степен благодарение на компанията.. Но ако не беше хубавата музика, и с най-яката компания щях да се прозявам и щях да си замина рано рано...

Хубавото беше, че за всеки имаше по нещо...

Иска ти се метъл...имаш го... при това в огромни количества :P

Искаш латино ритми - Калин Велъов те очаква на Latino Stage-а. Там имаше и безплатни уроци по танци за по-големите ентусиасти..

Искаш барче, коктейли...няма проблем - барчета до всяка сцена. Дори можеш да се изявиш като DJ, да те снимат и да ти изкарат диск с облика ти, докато "миксираш" .. Как да не се възползваш...

Искаш хаус... Tuborg Dance Arena е мястото - на плажа.. танцуваш си буквално на пясъка, морето зад теб, тълпа забавляващи се хора пред теб.. и хубава музика...много хубава музика.

Насладих се максимално на Doncho, King Rock и разбира се Groove Armada.

А преди това, за предястие - Kosheen. Вокалистката ме изуми с лудостта си :), освободеността си както на сцената, така и извън нея по-късно.. Изненада ме и цялостното звучене на Kosheen (как само по едно време ми напомниха за Prodigy не е истина)... Много ми харесаха!

А как избухнах когато пуснаха фаворитът ми отпреди години "Hungry", няма да говоря :). Или как танцувах като... държано досега в плен животно, още по-малко.

Особено когато се преместихме на Tuborg Dance Arena, където пускаха Doncho и Groove Armada. Само пясъкът донякъде ме възпираше да се раздам на мах :).

Ох, беше страхотно! Изживяването беше просто невероятно..:)

Повече от доволна съм.

The Spirit of Burgas бе едно ново, различно изживяване и с удоволствие бих го посетила отново догодина! ;)

...са песничките, които съм избрала този път... Те определено не са в мой стил :). Но това не им пречи да са уникални, завладяващи и тотални хитове.. Старички са, известни за повечето, предполагам, но, честно, Journey за първи път ги чувам... поне в съзнателния си живот :))

Но все пак специален поздрав с Journey - Send her my love

И разбира се с култовата (спокойно, нея съм я чувала хиляди пъти ;)) Is this Love на Whitesnake...

Note: I haven't included any songs by Led Zeppelin. Only because if I did, all 10 songs I'm listing here would be Led Zep songs!

10. Born to Run, by Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run - 1975)

I've always been a huge fan of 'The Boss' and his music. But its this song from his 1975 album of the same name which to me embodies the spirit of Rock & Roll. The story of young love, rebellion & the open road seems to appeal to almost everyone I guess. But to me, I really love this song coz it just flat out ROCKS!

9. Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You), by Aqualung (Strange & Beautiful - 2005)

This song means a lot to me on so many levels. I'm sure if someone has been in a position where they like someone, but they hardly even notice you...this is your song. The lyrics, the haunting melody...are just absolutley amazing. And its still relavant to me, even now..

8. You've Got Another Thing Comin', By Judas Priest (Screaming for Vengeance - 1982)

Judas Priest is one awesome band. I have several songs of theirs that I really like, but this one is by far and away my favorite. The song is about how a person will never let things get them down and just keeps fighting back. Very, very cool!

7. My Way, By Frank Sinatra (Greatest Hits - 1960)

Ladies, Gentlemen...the King of Cool. Nobody in his music seems to make life seem as cool as Frank Sinatra (although Dean Martin fans would probably disagree). This song is probably Sinatra's most well known, and its easy to see why. To me, its the concept of 'I did it MY WAY' that makes this one of my favorites.

6. Hurt, by Johnny Cash (American IV: The Man Comes Around - 2002)

Yes, this isn't a song that Johnny Cash wrote (The Nine Inch Nails did) but the last album that was released while he was alive made sure Johnny Cash's legacy would be remembered forever. The raw emotion of the song is evident even if you don't watch the music video. But it helps. Very powerful...

5. One, by U2 (Achtung Baby - 1991)

Another song in the style of 'Hurt'. The song can be interpreted in different ways by different people, but to me its about love that seems to have no bounds. But unfortunately, someone has set limits to it. From start to finish its a brilliant piece of work, and probably marked the entry of U2 in to Rock legends.

4. Boulevard of Broken Dreams, by Green Day (American Idiot - 2004)

Once this song gets in to your head, it seems to stay there. A little bit similar in melody to 'Wonderwall' by Oasis, but takes that melody to a whole new level. As with all my favorites, the lyrics are a major reason for me liking the song. Probably one of the best songs of the 21st century.

3. Don't Stop Believin', by Journey (Escape - 1981)

A song that you can just sing along to without any worry. Especially if your feeling a bit tipsy! A song which keeps you holding on, even when things aren't going so well. The soaring vocals of Steve Perry makes this an almost operatic experience.

2. More Than a Feeling, by Boston (Boston - 1976)

A timeless classic. Boston has so many great hits on this album, but none of them are as brilliant as this soaring rock anthem. The guitar solos are just out of this world, and when this song ends...you wish it didn't.

1. Iris, by The Goo Goo Dolls (Dizzy Up the Girl - 1998)

I'll never get tired of this song. The lyrics, the melody, the vocals are just perfect. Especially the lyrics which talk about how people are misunderstood...and underestimated. I could never describe well how awesome this song is...you just have to listen to it.

Lyrics:

Maybe we could make it all right
We could make it better sometime

Maybe we could make it happen baby
We could keep trying
but things will never change

So I don't look back
Still I'm dying with every step I take
But I don't look back
Just a little, little bit better
Good enough to waste some time
Tell me would it make you happy baby

We could keep trying
but things will never change
So I don't look back
Still I'm dying with every step I take
But I don't look back

We could keep trying
but things will never change
So I don't look back
Still I'm dying with every step I take
But I don't look back

And it hurts with every heartbeat
And it hurts with every heartbeat
And it hurts with every heartbeat
It hurts with every heartbeat.

Поредната перла в колекцията ми!

No words, no talk... just listen!

[

Lyrics: