Beyonce's Twins

So I gather that Beyonce gave birth to her twin children earlier this week. I hear it's a big deal for literally millions of people who have never met her. In the midst of this current pop culture event, the ever-faithful People of the Internet have been coming up with several amusing posts about it which I've definitely had a few laughs over. Ah, the internet. I hope it never ceases to be the weird and funny place it is.

Speaking of weird and funny... let's move onto CMF shall we? 😉


The First: Sway by Danielle Bradbery

This was playing the other night as I was standing in the living room brushing my teeth, as one does (I like to meander while brushing), and I very quickly realized I was slowly swaying along. And I just thought that was really nifty. Now, I don't think there's a word for this but hear me out... I feel like this song is like an onamonapia but if instead of the word mimicking the sound, the word mimics the action. Catch my drift? Long story/English lesson short: I just appreciate that this song is titled Sway and legit makes you sway. Swag.


The Second: Heartache On The Dance Floor by Jon Pardi

I still remember when I first heard Jon Pardi's quirky southern twang and becoming really confused by how much I loved it. Well, friends, nothing has changed. I still love the weirdness of it and he keeps making music so that means you're going to continue to hear from him and that's just the way things are for now.


The Third and Final: California by Tim McGraw ft. Big & Rich

I thought about finishing off this week's picks with a really sweet release from Dallas Smith but that'll just have to wait for another week in the interest of keeping this subtle, office-friendly dance party going with Mr. McGraw, Mr. Rich and Big Kenny. As you may have guessed, I really like the Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Sunset Boulevard wordplay. And the beat. I obviously also love the beat (this is car dance party-approved too, in case you were wondering).


Welp. This time next week I'll have wrapped things up at work in order to move into a new position and I can't quite decide how I feel about it. Bittersweet is probably the closest real person word for it, though it's not a perfect fit. Can we make Sadnostalgicnervousexcited a word? Because I really just feel like that's a better descriptor for my current state of being. Regardless of what it's called, let's all just cross our fingers that I get around to actually packing up my office before then! Eek.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Are We Sure He's Not A Robot?

Hi! Hello! Howdy!

The long weekend is (almost) here!! I know you've been waiting all week for the long weekend a new hit of country in your life so I won't bother with some involved intro and just get right into the good stuff, cool?

The First: How I'll Always Be by Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw recently released his newest single so you just know we're going to talk about it.
I really don't understand how he always picks winners. Like, I can't remember the last time he put his name on something and I was like, "Nah imma pass this time, Timmy." Exhibit A: this song is from his album, Damn Country Music and the title track on it is also a gem. A gem that's just sitting on top of a pile of other, equally sparkly gems that Tim probably just refers to as his "discography."
It's not that I want him to start putting out bad stuff (obviously)... all I'm saying is that it would be nice to get a little reassurance that he's not some sort of music savvy robot who likes extra tight tshirts, you know? Is that too much to ask?


The Second: Home Sweet Home by The Lovelocks

I learned about The Lovelocks in the very obvious location that is my dental office.
I went to a new dentist this week and it's one of those fancypants ones that have the TVs on the ceiling, ya know? Anyways, I was handed a remote and headphones and after flipping through a few channels, I settled on CMT because, as you can probably guess, I just don't get enough country music in my life as it is; I really need to squeeze it in while I'm getting my mouth prodded at.
CMT was playing the music video for their new cover of Cyndi Lauper's, Time After Time. Normally I'd say, "Please don't mess with Lauper," but their harmonies actually make it killer. So naturally I went home and found this for your listening pleasure.


The Third and Final: Save A Little Sugar by Chris Janson

Despite the name and what we typically hear from Chris Janson, this is such a sweet, mellow song. Not that I have an issue with his more ridiculous and wonderful sing-a-longs, you know I love them. I just find the contrast of this one to be a breath of fresh air - with his own unique twist, of course.

What are your long weekend plans? Are you going to go to the beach? Are you going to watch some fireworks? Are you going to spend a whole day deep cleaning and organizing your already clean and organized apartment instead of frolicking in the sunshine because that's just what brings you peace and joy? Oh... no? Just me then. Enjoy yourself, whatever you get up to!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

The times they are a-changin'

Sorry if you thought there was going to be a Bob Dylan song in here. There isn't. I realize that title might have been a little bit misleading. Whoops.

The real topic of conversation here is that this weekend is Daylight Savings Time. I am sorry if this is the first you're hearing of it, but I'm just the messenger.

This is awful news. Yes, I do like leaving work without a veil of darkness clinging to everything. But I think I like sleep more. "But Karla, it's just an hour!" Yes, you are correct. But time changes do weird things to me. One time I went to Ontario for a week and when I returned back to Vancouver with that pathetic three hour time change, it took me two full weeks to recover. Two. Full. Weeks until I no longer felt like a walking zombie. Ridiculous? Absolutely. True? You better believe.

On top of that, did you know there is a marked increase in the incidents of car crashes and workplace injuries the week following spring DST?

All I'm saying is: stay safe, get some sleep, and if I'm acting weird next week, please be kind.


The First: Dirt Road In 'Em by Aaron Pritchett

Love it. Love it. Love it. Also so great that we're getting some new stuff from Mr. Pritchett - I think it's been almost two years! Favourite lyric? Pass the fried chicken. I don't even eat meat, but I still think this is hilarious. And I think he does too because he kind of laugh/sings it at the end there.


The Second: Whatcha Wanna Do About It by Madeline Merlo

Always a fan of this local lady and this song is no exception. She's got an ear for picking fun sing-along-y songs and the voice to sing them. The music video for this song is generally weird, but can we talk about that house with all the windows and the view?! Because I would not say no if someone offered it to me. In fact, I think if we were to blend this house with the cozy living room from Sundy Best's Until I Met You video (still one of my favourite songs, bee tee dubs), I think we would have my perfect living situation.


The Third and Final: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw

Just some great life advice from Timmy on this fine Friday morning. Bitterness keeps you from flying is such a good line. It also always reminds me of dear old Coco O'Brien.


Have a good weekend, y'all! I think you can guess what I'll be doing.
(Just like a hibernating bear, I'll be sleeping in preparation for springtime).

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Mo' Titles, Mo' Problems.

This week has actually ended up being a really lovely one full of some much-needed down time and fully launching myself back into the regular routine of fall, my favourite season! And apparently I used none of that downtime to come up with a half decent title for this week's CMF. For that I am sorry. I struggle with titles, clearly. But! I did have time to do things like cook, read and exercise again, which has been just swell. So cheers to fall and all the great things it brings! (Right, David?)

The First: Sober Me Up by Frankie Ballard

I've listened to this one so much this week that I think I heard my phone audibly sigh when I hit repeat just now. Mostly I just feel that a lot of the songs we typically hear from Frankie are more upbeat and summery, and this one is a refreshing change for him. It also has a really lovely melody for you to sing along with. Because we all know that I've already done that approximately 53 times in the last 24 hours.


The Second: On Top of the World by Tim McGraw

I've gone from basically no Tim McGraw to double Tim McGraw. I call it making up for lost times.
When I first heard it, I really didn't think I would ever feature this song simply because I thought it was rather plain. But then the subliminal force of radio infiltrated my brain and here we are: I love this song.
Story time: I was picking up my friend Kanaiya a few weeks ago and had this song going with the windows down. The moment he got in my car he exclaimed, "why are you listening to rock music?!" Now, I haven't yet decided if this speaks more to Kanaiya's music sensibilities or Timmy's, but it still cracks me up. You're welcome for yet another riveting story from my car.


The Third and Final: 500 Miles by Haley & Michaels

Controversial, I know, but I quite like this cover! And it's about time we hear this song again, outside of weddings or spontaneous jam sessions or midnight viewings of Benny & Joon (so good). On a related note, I think the addition of a female's voice - especially one as beautiful as Haley's - really works for this cover. If you're interested in another beautiful (read: full of emotions and feelings-y stuff) song by these two, I suggest Giving It All (To You).
And just because someone is guaranteed to bring it up, I do know that 500 Miles is not the actual title of the original song, but that's what H&M (the artists, not the clothing store) are going with, so I've followed suit in this case.


As always, thanks for listening!
Karla

I love fall and I love coffee, but I am not a fan of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Welp. The first week of classes - and the inevitable growing pains (read: traffic and no longer empty parkades) that go along with a campus that's coming back to life after a quiet summer - is finally coming to an end. And now it's the weekend so let's celebrate! And by celebrate I of course mean sleep in until you're so hungry that you are forced to crawl out of bed and scavenge your kitchen for sustenance.

The First: Smoke Break by Carrie Underwood

Oh, Carrie. Bringing it home with another working class anthem. I actually quite like the storyline of this video, surprisingly. It's just a feel-good three-and-a-half minutes. Unlike her last single that made me feel the opposite of good. Also, this really lovely cover of Alan Jackson's Remember When just started playing and I liked it so much, I'm spontaneously sharing it with you now. I don't usually like the unplanned, but when it comes to country music, I allow it (apparently).


The Second: One Of Those Nights by Tim McGraw

Full disclosure: I selected this song purely out of frustration. I have a long list of songs I want to share with all of you but sadly they haven't made their way to the youtube yet so we all have to wait. And so I figured if we're going to wait, we might as well enjoy some not-so-new but still great songs that maybe we haven't heard in some time while we do so.
Things that make me happy in this video: Tim McGraw in a toque and puffer jacket, the label maker (because we know how much I love my own label maker), and just this song in general which I still turn the volume up for whenever it makes its way onto the radio.


The Third and Final: Trouble Is by Charlie Worsham

Charlie knows what it's like. You sing it, Charlie.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend of rest and relaxation and that lovely in-between weather when it's still sunny and warm but the colours of autumn begin to make some casual appearances, not unlike all of Taylor Swift's friends at her concerts. (What I'm trying to say is that those appearances are not casual at all. They strut the stage with a wind machine pointed directly at them. In the former's case, that wind is nature.)

Thanks for listening,
Karla

You know what day it is...

It’s Country Music Friday, the best day of the week!!

Hello and welcome, I’m so glad you could join me. Let’s just jump right in, shall we?

The First: I’m Gonna Miss Her – Brad Paisley

This is a very serious video dealing with a very serious and real issue that every cowboy has to deal with at one time or another. Really great acting by both Brad and his wife (yes, that’s his real wife).

The Second: Camouflage – Brad Paisley

Another Brad Paisley tune. He is the master of the cheesy country music hit. In this little ditty, he discusses camouflage and honours it for its years of service to the USofA.

The Third: Meet in the Middle – Diamond Rio

An oldie but a goodie. I love how classic this song is.

The Fourth, and final: Southern Voice – Tim McGraw

In which Timmy lists all things that represent the Southern Voice.

Thanks for listening,

Karla