Imma be honest. I've mostly just been listening to Slow Handsby Niall Horan all week. Yes, that's right. A song by one of the One Direction-ers. I'm judging me too. But I'm judging me while I have solo dance parties in my living room and in my car and at my desk at work. And those dance parties seem to be overriding the self-judgment so it's all good.
The First: Good Directions by Billy Currington
This came on the radio the other night and I hadn't heard it in years. I forgot how delightful the story in this song is - made only more charming by Billy's heavy twang. For the record: don't ask me what turnip greens are. I don't know and I didn't take the time to google it. Please share with the class if you do.
The Second: Singles You Up by Jordan Davis
This song is a little silly (is "singles you up" even a term?? I don't know.) but it's catchy and we all know I'm a sucker for catchy songs. I'm also a sucker for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Just, like, in case you're new here and wanted to get me a treat.
The Third and Final: In The Blood by John Mayer
CONTROVERSY. Is this country music? Or is this just John Mayer being his kinda folksy John Mayer-y self?? Please discuss.
JRfm deemed this country and if we're all being real here I've been waiting years for an excuse to sneak some jaymay into CMF so I'll take this as a sign to do so. (Even though this really isn't country music if you ask me... shhh...)
I'm going on an outdoor adventure tomorrow that I'm hoping includes ice cream and fireworks at some point. There's only so many sunny summer weekends left and we gotta make the most of them before the winter descends again. And to me, making the most of them means getting ice cream and watching fireworks.
Anyways. See you in August.
Dear wonderful humans who take the time to read this each week: I have some potentially sad news.
I've enjoyed several years of listening to/hunting down fun country music and gathering it all together in a neat little package for each of you to enjoy as you kick off your weekends. But like all good things, CMF is coming to an end.*
I hope you enjoy this week's selections as it will likely be the last of 'em. :'[
The First: Sleep Without You by Brett Young
Ummm, but seriously... is he just a genetically modified Brett Eldridge/Chris Young hybrid? With maybe a little bit of rogue Hunter Hayes mixed in during the chorus? Because between that voice and his name, I really think he just might be. And if so, I would just like to say, "Well done, Science. Well. Done."
The Second: It Don't Hurt Like It Used To by Billy Currington
Am I currently going through a break-up? Defs not. Am I super into this song anyways? Defs yes. I blame that catchy chorus and all the times he intermittently yells "hey!" throughout the lyrics. It makes it extra fun to sing along to. And you know me and my love for sing-alongs.
The Third and Final: American Country Love Song by Jake Owen
Right off the bat I'll tell you that I don't love the talking/rapping(?) start to these verses, but I still keep hitting repeat on this one. More than anything I think it's because this song makes me think of summer nights and, after the outrageous weather we've been spoiled with this past week, I can't explain to you just. how. EXCITED!!! I am for this summer. Woop woop! Hope this song has you daydreaming of warm summer nights too.
*APRIL FOOLS! CMF is probably never ending. At least not for a long while. Definitely not today.
Apologies to those of you who were maybe actually excited about this news? Awkward.
Have a great weekend - please get out and enjoy what's left of this sunshine!
It's August 19th.
I'm just going to go ahead and call it now. I hope you're all okay with that because, if not, it's kind of too late since you're already reading this. Besides, there's a bonus in doing this now, instead of sometime in September: you can actually enjoy the songs while the season is still upon us.
So here are my top ten Songs of Summer 2015.
I will preface with saying that yes, I know not all these songs were brand new this summer. That's not really the point. The point is they're just the ones I've just been listening to a little bit too much lately. So, in no particular order, here you go:
1. Until I Met You by Sundy Best
We all know how these boys changed my life. Is that an exaggeration? Probably not. They gave me a newfound faith in music videos potentially not being awful forever and also gave us this really adorable song.
2. Break Up With Him by Old Dominion
Don't even pretend to be surprised. I've gushed over these guys threeseparatetimes. We all know my love for them and their humour and their talent and their faces.
I think I just like how straightforward she is. I also still think he is adorable at the end with the laundry.
5. Take Your Time by Sam Hunt
My friend's almost three-year-old, Lily, doesn't like this song because "he spends too much time talking." Unfortunately, I disagree with lil' Lily. I'm a fan of the slow jam rap (at least that's what I call it..)
6. Loving You Easy by Zac Brown Band
It would take me forever to link all my past love for ZBB. Y'all get it. They're wonderful. They're talented. And every one of their future singles will probably end up being a CMF feature. Some things in life are just predictable like that.
7. Stay A Little Longer by the Brothers Osborne
So what I actually wanted to link here, and have been waiting (im)patiently for for months, is the extended version of this song. JRFM plays it once in a while and it's just such a treat. If you can find it on iTunes or are lucky enough to catch it on the radio, please enjoy.
I think I just love the way he sings "as far as I can tell that finger ain't got no ring on it" and then goes on to talk about karaoke for kind of no reason at all.
10. Crash and Burn by Thomas Rhett
I'm into the video almost as much as I'm into the song. I like the part when he's walking next to his car rolling in neutral. I like the look on his face when he's recreating a little 1989 Say Anything and she's throwing his stuff out the window. I even like his jacket. The only thing that I don't really like is this girl's overacting. It's really the only upsetting part of an otherwise lovely music video.
It's Friday, so let's get right back on the horse, shall we? (< get it? Horse? 'Cuz we're... we're talking about country music? And horses are a cowboy's best friend... get it?) Moving on!
The First: Goodbye In Her Eyes - Zac Brown Band
Try not to cry. This song is so good! As I believe I've proclaimed before, Zac Brown can do no wrong. He and the band have only continued to prove this fact. If the lyrics are too sad for you, just listen to the instrumentals - they're all fantastic musicians! I watched them perform this song live on the CMAs a few months back and it was even more phenomenal. I mean, he would trade a thousand Babylons to be in her arms..! Also: I weirdly enjoy the creepy vulture on their cover art.
The Second: Party for Two - Shania Twain ft. Billy Currington
An oldie but a goodie. The question: Who wouldn't want a party for two with either Shania Twain or Billy Currington? The answer: No one. Whether you're a country music lover or not. They're both fairly attractive human beings. Now, I know Shania's upper half kind of looks like she was ripped straight out of the seventies in this video. And maybe she is a bit overly enthusiastic with her hair whipping at certain portions of the video (see 1:23-1:30 for an exceptional example - and this is before Willow Smith was even BORN... okay, maybe not. But she was probably still in preschool, so... yeah). Before you say anything, yes, I am also aware that Billy's acting skills leave a little to be desired. And I really don't understand why he is practicing his model walk for the entire first scene of this video. But listen: this was early on in his career... and he's a singer, not an actor/model! So calm down. (But even a choreographically challenged person may need to question his "footwork" around 3:13-3:18...)
The Third and Final: Dust on the Bottle - David Lee Murphy
Because all things DO get sweeter with time, yo! Exhibit A: this song - which is even older than Party for Two and, therefore, even more of a goodie. Hence the (AMAZING) video quality and that 'do of his. Additionally, let's not overlook those acid wash levis he's rocking on that railroad track - like Justin Beiber could ever pull those off (he's too short). All joking aside though folks, this is a classic, amazing song. Clamazing, if you will.
I will admit, I haven't been to too many weddings in my life. But all the ones I have attended have featured this song during the "dancing" portion of the festivities and without fail, everyone piles onto the dance floor. Coincidence? I think not. It's just that good.
