Stuck In My Skull 560 -- "The Longest Road" With Remix!

Song: "The Longest Road" || Artist: Morgan Paige feat. Lissie || Remix: Deadmau5 || Original: http://youtu.be/M4pugDVEBxY || Remix: http://youtu.be/shBKTA3QIok ||

 Original Track

Deadmau5 Remix

Comments: Hello and happy Friday, everyone! If you ask anyone who knows me, they can tell you that my memory isn't always the greatest thing. My short term memory just plain sucks sometimes. So when I hear a good song, I write it down. I've got a running document saved in my phone of all the neat songs I've heard, and when I'm struggling to find a song to write about or have a song stuck in my head that I've already written about, I break out the song list. That's exactly what happened today, and this particular song has been sitting on my list for way too long. 

I originally ran into this song listening to Deadmau5's set from Ultra 2014, where everyone's favourite Mau5 mixes the accapella version of this track with "My Pet Coelacanth" (starting at about 18:00). I recognized the name of the producer of the song, Morgan Paige. He's appeared on this blog before, back in Entry 512 where I was talking about his song "Body Work" with Tegan and Sara. Lissie, however, was unfamiliar to me, so I looked her up. It turns out that she's a fairly talented singer-songwriter from Illinois, with a thing for that country/folk/rock triad that's all the rage these days. Her vocals really make the track move. For that matter, they'd make any track move. I love all three versions of this song that I've heard -- the original, the remix, and the accapella version thrown against "My Pet Coelacanth." The original version sounds about 60/40 house/folk, and the Deadmau5 remix neatly steps up the beat and makes the song into a bit better of a dance groove while keeping all of the original energy intact. Give this track a listen, and you won't be disappointed. Have a fantastic weekend, and don't forget to like us on Facebook!

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AMANDA--"ONLY TEARDROPS" by EMMELIE DE FOREST

Hey everyone! Today I've got some delightful Danish pop for y'all. The winner of last month's Eurovision contest held in Sweden was up-and-coming singer and songwriter Emmelie de Forest. She represented her home country of Denmark and won with her only single to date "Only Teardrops," beating out Germany's Cascada and the U.K.'s Bonnie Tyler, among other top acts. That is one hell of an accomplishment for a twenty year old artist. Once you've seen the live performance you should understand why. She has a fantastic look and stage presence and, more importantly, she can sing. Every year I forget Eurovision is a thing, chide myself for missing it, and vow not to next time, then repeat. It's ridiculously fun to watch and a great reminder that Europe is one giant bag of talent and crazy, mostly crazy. Seriously, check out some of the other finalists. But back to the song. From the second I heard the flute at the opening I knew I was in for something amazing. Then she opened her mouth and the drums kicked in and I fell in love. Her voice is so crisp and refreshing and really compliments the instrumentation, which in my opinion makes the song. The production is just right so as to show off her voice but not overpower it while demonstrating how awesome truly folk instruments can be. I would love to see more American pop artists incorporating elements of folk into their music. Moreover, "Only Teardrops" is insanely catchy and an excellent debut by Emmelie de Forest. I look forward to seeing the official music video for the single later this month and hearing more from her soon. Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 417 -- "I Will Wait" [Pop Week II]

Pop Week II || Song: "I Will Wait" || Artist: Mumford & Sons || http://youtu.be/rGKfrgqWcv0 ||

Comments: Hello, everyone! I wasn't originally going to use this song for this week. In fact, I originally thought this song was overrated. When it was performed live on an awards show I was watching (I thin it was the Grammys...), I found myself dissapointed that the show had used this particular artist for the big performance. And yet, here we are. I have to say, this song really, really grew on me. It holds the dubious honor of being the only song with a prominent banjo that I actually enjoy. And on the subject of that banjo... wow. That banjo is ridiculous. If you just listen to the banjo part, you might be surprised that the banjo player's fingers haven't fallen off. This song is impressively arranged, with instrumentation that fits together beautifully and shakes up the norms for pop music. Looking at the music video, I count and acoustic guitar, a banjo, a keyboard, a stringed instrument I'm going to tentatively peg as a cello, and a kick drum. Just a kick drum. Not a drummer with a drum set, just a kick drum. There's a full drum set in the background behind the artists, but it sits unused. Also, I'm no cellist, but I'm fairly sure those are usually played with a bow, not by picking at the strings. (I went poking around the Wikipedia article about them: There might be a mandolin, and I saw no reference of a cello.) Their vocalists blend wonderfully in both the mastered versions we hear on the radio and the live version they recorded for the music video. While I'm the first to defend the artistic use of auto-tune  even I can respect vocal skill in its absence. But I'm getting off topic. Mumford and Sons has managed to make bluegrass and folk into pop and manage to get a song with a prominent banjo stuck in my head. As it's no secret that I generally dislike the sound of banjos, I must doff my hat and say "Well done, Mumford and Sons." Enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 414 -- "Little Talks"

Song: "Little Talks" || Artist: Of Monsters and Men || http://youtu.be/ghb6eDopW8I ||

Comments: Do-doo doo doo doo doooo doooo dooooo! That has been what's stuck in my head lately, and why I decided it's high time I post about this track. Before this song was released, I had never heard of the group Of Monsters and Men. Their sound is fairly unique, and pretty good. I won't spend too much time describing this track since it's all over the radio and you've probably heard it, but I would like to point out how well the vocalists play off each other. Harmonies like that just don't happen very often, and I'm always thrilled to find one. Now if only I could get that tune out of my head...

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Stuck In My Skull 366 -- "I Want You, But I Don't Need You"

Song: "I Want You, But I Don't Need You" || Artist: Momus || http://youtu.be/w9NGz31TaPE ||

[youtube http://youtu.be/w9NGz31TaPE]

Comments: I found this song by way of a cover done by Amanda Palmer, that my friend Amanda C. showed me. Thanks, Amanda! This song is excellent. Witty, cheerful, and still deep enough to hit me where it counts, I love this song. Its wordplay is bright and well-done, and the lyrics are so depressing, but the song is so good! Enjoy!

 

Remember, as of Monday, we will be back at stuckinmyskull.blogspot.com. Update your bookmarks!

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Stuck In My Skull 361 -- "My Blood"

Song: "My Blood" || Artist: Ellie Goulding || http://youtu.be/HFatODUR1CE ||

[youtube http://youtu.be/HFatODUR1CE]

Comments: Hello, all! I've been listening to this song quite a bit lately -- since I got the Halcyon album as a gift, I keep listening to it on repeat, and I've decided that this song is worth sharing. Actually, the entire album is worth sharing, but this is the one I ended up picking. It's a little less electronic and a little more folk than I think much of Ellie Goulding's work is, and definitely more so than the songs she releases as singles. It's a nice tune, a deep message, and fairly catchy. Enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 330-- "With a Few Good Friends"

Song: "With a Few Good Friends" || Artist: Carly Simon || http://youtu.be/HrtK1zZ9oiA ||

[youtube http://youtu.be/HrtK1zZ9oiA]

Comments: Nevermind how, but I ended up watching Piglet's Big Movie last night with a friend of mine. The movie is ridiculously cute, and your classic Winnie the Pooh feel good movie. This song is the theme of the movie, and pretty excellent. I'm not terribly familiar with Carly Simon, but she has a really distinct vocal style that I want to listen to more of. Give it a listen!

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ETC #17 "Faster"

Song: "Faster"
Artist: Matt Nathanson
Link: http://youtu.be/ZyjQFdeFox8

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyjQFdeFox8]

Comments: Hello, people!  I'll be really honest I don't have a lot to say about this song. I heard it while I was working and it got me singing while I was cleaning of all things.  I am sending it out to my boyfriend because this song is a catchy and up-beat and with the craziness that is our lives at the moment I want to send him a reminder how much I love him.  I haven't heard much of Matt Nathanson, but for those of you who know "Come on Get Higher", this is him.  After hearing a couple of his songs I've noticed he does has a nice tone to his voice though and I will be doing my best to listen to him more.  Oh, and here's a nice duet called "Run" by him and Sugarland (http://youtu.be/bF31ZhYnhcA) for you Country music fans (though the song itself doesn't sound Country). Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 310-- "Rolling in the Deep"

Song: "Rolling in the Deep" || Artist: Adele || http://youtu.be/rYEDA3JcQqw ||

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw]

Comments: I was rather surprised to realize that I had not used this song on the blog. "Rolling in the Deep" was the song that launched Adele into prominence, and I think it's excellent. There was a time in which this song was so overplayed on the radio that I couldn't stand it, and I'm pleased to say that that time has passed. This song is a classic. Adele's distinctive, powerful vocals drive this folk-flavored track to stardom, and keep it stuck in my head quite nicely. Enjoy the song, and enjoy the weekend!

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Entry 273-- "I Am Glad, 'Cause I'm Finally Returning Back Home"

Song: "I Am Glad, 'Cause I'm Finally Returning Back Home" (or "Trololo") || Artist: Eduard Khil || http://youtu.be/1orMXD_Ijbs || 

Comments: This song, as performed by the late Mr. Khil, has reached meme status, and went viral some time ago. To be quite honest, I had thought I'd already used it on the blog, or I would have posted this sooner. "I Am Glad, 'Cause I'm Finally Returning Back Home" transcends the ridiculous and boomerangs back to the realm of the serious, because it is just that funny. In a way, it's actually inspiring. Mr. Khil is so totally into this song that he doesn't care how he looks, and for that, I praise him. Enjoy!

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Entry 226: Heart Week 2, Part 1-- "Girl in the Sea"

Heart Week 2, Part 1
Song: "Girl in the Sea"
Artist: No More Kings

http://youtu.be/Tymfsynpy_c
Comments: Well, there is no better time to do this, so ladies and gentlemen, I am announcing that this week is dedicated to my wonderful, beautiful, amazing girlfriend. Readers, I give you 'Heart Week 2.'
I originally heard this song this spring in New Orleans, and I've been carrying it around since. It's a good song, and I think it fits the occasion wonderfully. "I'm lost in a dream, my heart wants to sing, all for the girl in the sea." She knows who she is. <3

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