Rainbows and sunshine but absolutely no unicorns please.

I know, I know. I've been AWOL. But let's just blame the busy-ness of travelling, Easter, and wedding planning - cool? Just be thankful that this whole Starbucks Unicorn Frap thing hasn't caused another week's hiatus for recovery purposes because it's weird people.

The First: Love Story by Taylor Swift

Throwing it way back in honour of two dear friends who are saying "I do" to one another this weekend. This is the bride's favourite karaoke song, so obviously I had to include it. Hoping this next chapter in their love story is a beautiful and memorable one! #chengfray2017 #prayforsunshine


The Second: Lonely Drum by Aaron Goodvin

This song has been playing on repeat in my brain for weeks! I curse myself for not writing a CMF earlier to have shared it with all of you because it is excellent. It makes me want to dance. But since usually I'm listening to it in the car and I don't know how to dance like a normal human when I'm in the car, it just ends up being these weird but super aggressive shoulder shrugs and head bobbling. See? Now I've distracted you from being upset about the lack of CMFs with that imagery instead. Sneaky...


The Third and Final: Real Thing by Zac Brown Band

Ugh. Zac Brown... I've said it before and I'll say it again: leave some talent for the rest of us. This is the perfect easy listening sunny Saturday morning song. So listen to it now but then also put it on tomorrow for when you laze around and sip on your coffee. It'll do you good.

Looking forward to a weekend celebrating great friends and having a generally awesome time. Hope y'all have an exciting weekend planned too!

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Music and Lyrics

I started off wanting to do a week of sweep-you-off-your-feet lovey dovey lyrics and I had no idea what to call it. I've now somehow landed on this homage to a Hugh Grant movie that I am only 43% sure I've seen. In summary, these are three songs that have lines in them that make me swoon just a teeny tiny bit whenever they come on.

The First: Could It Be by Charlie Worsham

"Who knows we might go down in flames, then again I might just change your name"

Now, even though I am definitively confident that I do not ever want to change any part of the name my incredible mother spent nine months picking out for me (Karla-Christina Theresa Pratt? No. Karla-Christina Theresa Reynolds? Also no. Those all sound terrible*. Karla-Christina Theresa Carreras? Yaaassss.), I still do really like the idea behind this line. He's basically saying, then again I MIGHT JUST MARRY YOU SO LET'S SEE WHERE THIS GOES. Which is just a really sweet thought to have at the beginning of something. On the other hand, you might be thinking, "HECK NO that's not a sweet thought at all, you're crazy!" and to that I would say, "Clearly this is not the person for you since you're having such an extremely negative reaction. Why are you two even dating?"

(*Yes, I was just imagining myself married to either Chris Pratt or Ryan Reynolds, thankyouverymuch. And to be clear, I wasn't saying no to them. I was just saying no to their last names.)

The Second: Don't You Wanna Fall by Frankie Ballard

"Don't you wanna fall?"

Just super straight to the point here. A few months ago I spent a weekend listening to nothing but this album from Frankie Ballard. I don't know how it happened, or why, but the fact is that it did. And this was the song that I kept on falling back to. 

(Did you catch that?)

I hope you like it too.

The Third and Final: Ours by Taylor Swift

Don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine... 

The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours.

CONTROVERSY. I've selected a tswift song. I will argue that this song still has enough of a hint of country, even if there is no country twang. Anyways, these lyrics. I unabashedly love them. And this song. And Taylor Swift. 

It's fine. Don't worry about it. Everyone has a guilty pleasure, right? Mine is chocolate. And also mini fruit marshmallows. And popcorn. 

Oh, and also Taylor Swift.

If I was allowed to feature songs more than once, then you better believe Sundy Best's Until I Met You would be on here. But unfortunately, I make the rules around here. And I say I can't feature a song more than once outside of Top Tens. 

I'm the worst.

Thanks for listening!

Karla

My Top Ten Loud-Car-Singing Songs

I spend a decent amount of time in my car and would argue that that's really where my best vocal performances occur. In fact, the best ones usually happen at around 8:30am when I'm driving to work and trying to get myself super pumped for the day. I also feel that this practice doubles as a public service to other drivers who get to see me rockin' out without restraint and thereby have a slightly brighter day because of it. You're welcome, fellow commuters.

Here are my favourite songs to sing loudly along with while I'm driving:

1. Here Comes the Thunder by Tim Hicks

I really can't express to you just. how. excited. I get whenever this song starts playing on the radio. My hand immediately shoots to the volume dial and the music takes over. This one arguably turns into something more akin to screaming than singing. Tim's Hell Raisin' Good Time is a good substitute, if you need one (the vid's weird though).

2. Kerosene by Miranda Lambert

Because who doesn't love a good revenge-filled cowgirl kiss-off?


3. Friday Night by Eric Paslay

Bonus points for singing this on a Friday, post-work.


4. Young and Beautiful by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood's powerful voice really just invites you to duet with her in the car.


5. Natural Disaster by Zac Brown Band

You can hear more about my thoughts on this gem here.


6. Want To by Sugarland

This song reminds me of my lovely high school friend Melissa and our adventures driving around our small hometown.


7. Drink In My Hand by Eric Church

Even though I love my job, I can't help but sing this anthem real loud when it comes on.


8. Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

Because let's get real, once a commercial break comes on the radio I'm switching to the CD player and TSwift is in there 70% of the time. Haters gonna hate.


9. Catch All the Fish by Brad Paisley

I explain my tactic with this song in great detail here.


10. Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under by Shania Twain

Shout out to by good friend Lawrence, because this is the only country song he knows (but at least he loves it) so we sing it together sometimes.


Thanks for listening,
Karla

My loves this past week

Today’s Country Music Friday selections are just the songs that have been spinning around in my head for the last week or two, either because of the artist, the lyrics, or the video. I hope you enjoy!

The First: Not Fooling Anyone by Buddy Brown 

So this guy is awesome. I discovered him two weeks ago and have been spending a lot of time listening to all of his originals and covers on youtube. I highly suggest that you do the same. Also: his name is Buddy Brown! So, similar to folks like Tim Hicks, how could he not be a country musician? I enjoy this song because I think that the bridge is clever and the song slowly unravels the story of what happened the night before. Kind of like an episode of CSI or another cop drama when you see the outcome (murder) and slowly figure out how it all played out. That got dark much faster than I intended... just listen to the song.

The Second: Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran

In the time that has not been spent listening to Buddy Brown since this video was released on Wednesday night, I have been watching this on repeat instead. I already really liked this song, but I LOVE this video. I think it’s so sweet and wonderful and adorable and perfect. I love that they’re doing yoga while the other kids are playing soccer. I love that she is sewing a patch onto his jacket. I love that he is reading to her. I love how meticulous she is when decorating her gorgeous cookie. I love that he is reading the newspaper and drinking coffee on the bus. I love it all and I love the creativity and beauty in their friendship. 

The Third and Final: Easy by Sheryl Crow

I think this may be the first week when the ladies have outnumbered the men! Unless we count Ed Sheeran, then it would make it even. But still, I think that’s impressive. I like that this song is about making your own happiness, despite your situation. Yes, it may be pouring rain, but that doesn't have to ruin their day.

Thanks for listening!
Karla