Music Crush #23

A second Music Crush in one week, what a treat!

I couldn't let this song wait another week so I thought I'd just make two Music Crushes this week because it's been a long time since I posted before this week anyway, so think of this as a 'thank-you for still reading!' Music Crush.

Charlie Simpson

~ ~ ~

Little Hands

As always, although this is a second Music Crush in one week so I'm cheating a little anyway, I struggled with picking which song I liked best from Simpson's new album (named after the song I finally chose, Little Hands) but I had to go with this one because it was the first I listened to from this album and loved it instantly, so hopefully it will infect you in the same way it did me. 

If you've read the other Music Crush I posted this week (HERE) then you'll maybe notice that I'm obsessed with slower songs at the moment, but most of this album is pretty slow so if that's not your kind of thing then this might not be either, but I'd give it a go because Charlie Simpson has just got one of those voices that seems to soothe. I could listen to him sing all day - I could (and do) easily listen to this song over and over again.

I've loved Charlie Simpson for a long time (even in the original Busted days) but I think he went to a whole new level when he brought out his first solo album, Young Pilgrim (once upon a time I did a Music Crush on a song from that album HERE too ;) ), so as soon as I heard he was releasing another album it was obvious that I was going to love it. There's just something about that deep voice that seems to lull me to a new little place.

It's just such a beautiful song and you definitely should listen to it; it's not just a song either, it really does tell a story too, maybe that's part of the reason I love it so much. Go have a listen and see what you think.

Unfortunately, I struggled to find a full version on YouTube that was decent quality too but you might be able to find one, or the whole album is on Spotify (for free if you just want a quick listen) and Apple Music, so go and have a little hunt and enjoy.

Katie x

Music Crush #22

It's been a hell of a long time since I wrote a Music Crush but man have I missed it! There was no indecision this week, I knew what my main love was straight away. There will be two Music Crushes this week though: one, because it's been so long and, two, because there was a small bit of indecision, but only a little bit.

X Ambassadors

~ ~ ~

Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix)

I cannot even put into words how much I freakin' love this song. 

We'll just get over the Me Before You part first - I went to see it, bawled like a baby, couldn't stop thinking about it, hunted down the soundtrack, fell in love with this song, couldn't stop thinking about it even more.

Also, can we just take a moment to stop and appreciate Emilia Clarke in that red dress. She looks stunning and somehow pulls it off effortlessly, I expected to fall in love with Sam Claflin (partially because I was already in love with him) but I didn't realise how much I'd appreciate how incredible Emilia Clarke was in this movie. Anyway, on to the song, this isn't supposed to be about the actors/actresses, I knowwww.

If you've seen Me Before You then I think you'll understand what I mean when I say everything about this song just seems to fit the movie and the story it tells perfectly.

I'm actually in love with the entire soundtrack, Not Today by Imagine Dragons is also incredible but I don't think anything can beat the way this song makes me feel. 

The beat is so dramatic and makes me feel the rising tension of the movie throughout my whole body and the words always just get me. They make me think of Will when you can see that his whole life is being turned upside down by Lou and her decision to try and make his life a happier one. It's just perfect and it never fails to move me and send me to a different world, no, a different universe every time I listen to it.

Go have a listen and, if you've seen the movie, have your insides torn out all over again:

Katie x

Music Crush #21

It's such a long time since I've written a music crush that it feels so weird to be picking out a favourite song once again - back to being indecisive!

It's December, so it goes without saying that I've chosen a Christmas song. 

Now everyone knows the classic Christmas songs and they're normally involving Mariah Carey, Wizzard, Michael Buble, etc. etc. etc. But, in an attempt not to be predictable, I haven't chosen one of those people and instead I've chosen a more modern, newer favourite.

Kelly Clarkson

~ ~ ~

Run Run Rudolph

Now I'm a hundred percent sure that this is a cover on her album Wrapped In Red because I've heard this song a million times in the movie Home Alone. I'm also a hundred percent sure that I have no idea who originally sang it and I'm too lazy to go and google it, but if it bothers you that much than you can always google it yourself (like I probably will at three 'o' clock in the morning when it's annoying me so much I can't sleep!).

Basically, there is two main reasons that I love this song.

One: It's a Christmas song.

Two: It's a Christmas song sang by Kelly Clarkson.

And they are the only reasons I have for loving it but I do!

Katie x

Music Crush #20

It's Music Crush time again! Wooooo!

I have quite the eclectic music taste; one minute it can be rock, the next charts/pop, to relaxed, to some kind of heavy rock stuff, to disney, to blues, to everything basically. 

Lately, I've been listening to the more relaxed music out there and, honestly, a lot of it's been classical/piano music, like Ludivico Einaudi and Roberto Cacciapaglia, but I didn't think they really suited this blog (although they are great musicians that you should listen to at least once in your life!). 

So, sticking to the relaxed music I've been listening too, I found an old sing that I've recently re-found, but a one that I  absolutely love!

Birdy

~ ~ ~ 

Wings

This song is beautiful.

I love the fact that I can still here the piano in it, hence why it's a part of my relaxed playlist at the moment. Birdy's voice is perfect with it too, there's just something about her voice that lulls me into a kind of calm serenity, in an eerie kind of way.

The fact that she's only nineteen too, amazes me - she writes amazing music, can sing, play the piano and is just all round pretty awesome, before she can even go to America and legally drink! Wow.

Here's the song, all for your listening!

Katie x

Music Crush #19

I've missed writing these sooooo much!

I debated for quite a while as whether to make this my music crush or not, but I've been in love with this musician so I figured I'm just going to go for it. Although, I'm pre-warning, if you fall in love with this rendition of this song as much as I have, it's not available to buy. Yet. Hopefully this guy will get signed soon and then I can listen to his beautiful voice all the time.

Calum Scott

~ ~ ~

Dancing On My Own

He has one of those voices that I can quite happily listen to on repeat for hours and days on end and not get the slightest bit bored of. It's thanks to one of Britain's biggest TV shows that I heard him too; he appeared on Britain's Got Talent, singing this song in his first audition, and I couldn't take my eyes away from him. His voice has that haunting edge that makes it hit you with every bit of emotion he pours into it - which is a lot. 

For his second appearance, on the live shows of the program, he sang a cover of We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off, and I can safely say I've never heard it sang as well as when he did. It was truly stunning. 

In  addition to that incredible voice of his, he seems like a genuinely lovely guy too. In any interviews I've seen with him, he's definitely managed to melt a lot of hearts and I'm sure he's going to break a lot too with that whole clean-cut look he's got going on!

He didn't win, for those of you wondering, however, he made it to the final and he was one hell of a contender. I'm living in hope that a record label is going to snap him up because they'd be stupid not to - I'd buy his music instantly, with no arguments!

Well, here's his version of Robyn's Dancing On My Own. And I've also put his version of We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off below as well, because if you don't fall in love with him as quickly as I have then we're going wrong somewhere!

Katie x

Music Crush #18

Heyyyy!

This weeks Music Crush was not difficult for me (for once) because I've been obsessing over this song for weeks now!

Ellie Goulding

~~~

Love Me Like You Do

What is there not to love about this song?

Nothing (just in case you weren't sure).

Everything about it is brilliant, from the beat to the sensual sound (if that doesn't sound cheesy), to the way it literally makes you want to have someone who can dance with you like she does in the video.

There is not a single part of this song that doesn't leave me wanting to listen to it one more time for the six-hundredth time.

There isn't much I can say about this song, you just need to listen to it and hear it for yourself to know why I am so crazy in love with it. 

Talking of being crazy in love, this song is from the Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack (smooth trasistion, huh?!), where Beyonce has a new version of Crazy in Love which is also pretty awesome, similarly as awesome is Earned It by The Weeknd, as well as music from Sia and loads of other amazingly talented people that I can't stop listening to. No matter what you think of the Fifty Shades movie, there is no denying that they have produced one fantastic soundtrack for it!

Katie x

Music Crush #17

I'm sure past Music Crushes have made my love for all things acoustic obvious and that's the main reason I love this week's song. The tune is constantly stuck in my head on repeat (in a good way) making me want to listen to it again, and again, and again.

This Wild Life

~~~

Pink Tie

I found this song when I was searching YouTube for some new acoustic music to listen to and an awesome playlist called "Sexy Ass Slow/Acoustic Songs" (yep, that was the actual name of the playlist), was where I found this song.

It's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head and, although it's quite chilled out, it's still got a good, non-depressing beat to it.

Definitely worth a listen! This is the version I found on YouTube and fell for, so here you go!

Katie x

Music Crush #16

It's Music Crush time!

I debated over what song to choose for a little while and then I decided I had to choose the one song that has been stuck in my head for the last week. So stuck I've been walking around work singing it to myself - I did get some weird looks, before you ask!

What is the song that's been on repeat on your head, you ask?

Hozier

~~~

Take Me To Church

I have no clue what it is about this song that has had it whirring around my head, maybe it's the strong beat or the powerful voice. I don't know. But I do know I've memorised all the words and the tune is constantly playing in my little brain. 

At first I wasn't sure if I actually liked it or if it was one of those annoying songs that plants itself in your head and you just can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try, but I've actually rather grown to like it and now love it.

It's unique. Or at least I think it is. I don't know any other songs that sound like it. Nor do I know any singer with a similar voice.

It's become my new music obsession whatever the case.

Have a listen and see what you think for yourself!

Katie x


Click here for previous Music Crushes

Music Crush #14

Another week, another Music Crush!

As always, my brain went through a million songs and couldn't decide which one it liked best but, eventually, I've gone for a bit of a chart-topper this week.

(I've also just realised this is the first Music Crush of December - it should have been a Christmas song!)

Taylor Swift

~~~

Blank Space

Now, I'm pretty sure it's a rite of passage that everyone should like at least one Taylor Swift song in their lifetime, whether you hate yourself for it or not, i.e. my best friend and her feelings about loving We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

I actually don't mind Taylor Swift's music the majority of the time - I loved Shake It Off and now I'm loving Blank Space so I can hardly say I dislike her music. I'm just not the biggest fan of her... And I hate the fact that she's against Spotify and music streaming so much; I'm a student, I can't afford to buy her album and if I can't listen to it on Spotify then I guess I won't be listening to it all. I bought Blank Space on iTunes but only because I was hearing it everywhere and it was bugging me not being able to listen to it but that doesn't mean I'm going to buy her whole album (I won't just in principle, because I'm stubborn like that!). I'm pretty sure that she doesn't need the money, so she should just be happy that she gets to live such an amazing life and people are enjoying her music, but hey ho - there's my little rant over, promise!

Back to the song; it's soooo good. I don't know what it is that I love so much about the tune but there's something there that's just damn catchy. Obviously I love the lyrics too (I hear you all saying "Shut up, Katie", you know). 

So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames

That's definitely one (or two actually) of my favourite lines from the song because it's so true about a lot of things in life, especially relationships but not just them. 

So here's the video, which is pretty weird but cool at the same time... if that's possible?

Katie x

Music Crush #13

Hello!

I have been looking forward to telling you about this song since I told you about the last one - that long!

For once, I have it all planned and I know exactly what song is getting this weeks Music Crush status...

He Is We

~~~

Prove You Wrong (Acoustic)

I love, love, LOVE this band! I'll get the bad news over with first though, unfortunately they're not a band anymore :'( However, they do have a lot of amazing music that they made before, so it's all good! 

I put the acoustic version of Prove You Wrong because I prefer acoustic versions of anything and everything but the studio version is just as good: I'm currently listening to it as I write this. They have the kind of music that I don't seem to get bored of, so it's constantly on a playlist somewhere but this one song seems to be on constant repeat at the moment, for some reason, and it's made me rekindle my love with it.

I don't know many people who have heard of He Is We, in fact I only know of one person and I met her this year - thank god I have someone who understands how brilliant they are now! I only found them because one of their songs, All About Us, was featured on The Mortal Instruments Soundtrack. The first time I heard them I couldn't believe no one had told me about them before. When I found out about them I wrote about them on the blog I wrote for at the time but I feel like I need to make sure everyone knows about how crazily good their music is, so here I am, telling you!

So take a listen to this song and then go on and find every other song of theirs (personally, Fall and Our July In the Rain (coincidentally this one just started playing; it's a sign if you ask me!) are another few favourites of mine... along with every other song they've done).

Katie x

Music Crush #12

Hello!

I'm back to struggling away with my indecisiveness, not knowing what songs to choose!

After a long debate, I've finally chosen though...

Dun, dun, duhhhn!

Imagine Dragons

~~~

Demons

I loved this song a few months ago and then I kind of forgot about it for a while and then my friend, who has a radio show on Bailrigg FM from 1 to 2pm on a Monday (if you want to check it out, then there's a cheeky, little plug!), played it on the show and I became obsessed again - so there's a long story as to how this became the Music Crush of this week!

The lyrics in this song are absolutely A-MAZ-ING but, rather unlike me, I'm not going to go on a ramble about how much I love certain lyrics because I love the whole song. Dan Reynolds, the lead vocalist in the band has an awesome voice too, he can reach notes that even I can't... Or not tunefully anyway...

I don't really know what else to say about this song, I think it's something you need to listen to yourself so you can fall head over heels with it!

Katie x

Completely unrelated side-note here (and the same one that was on my last blog post) but, if anyone could complete THIS survey for me that would be amazingly helpful - it's for a uni thing and I hope to get a placement at the end of it, so any and all feedback is welcome! It should only take you a couple of minutes. Thank youuuu! (Here's another link, in case the other one doesn't work :) https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CVG5YBB )

Another Music Crush (#11)!

Hello!

So I thought what better way to get back into the blogging flow than to do one of my favourite things - Music Crush!

I've been very sentimental with my music lately which has led to this song choice... Well, it's actually more of an artist choice because you have no idea how hard it was to pick just one song.

John Mayer

~~~

Free Fallin'

I have loved John Mayer's music for so long I can't even remember when I started listening to him, although I'm guessing it had a lot do with my brother considering he influenced (and still does) most of my music loves.

This is just the one song that I've been listening to mostly lately but it's not originally by John Mayer (I don't think), I'm pretty sure Tom Petty was the one to sing it first. I could recommend so many of this amazing guy's songs, like Neon, New Deep and Who Says and they're just a few! He also does an epic cover of Beyonce's XO, like seriously. Wow.

I love his voice in this song, it's live too so his voice sounds sincere and raw. His voice just fits unbelievably well to this song, but then again, he can pull anything off.

Enjoy!

Katie x

Music Crush #10

Hello!

I can't believe we're at Music Crush #10 already! I've seriously just gone back through all the previous ones, sure I'd made a mistake and missed a few numbers out along the way! Apparently not though, apparently we really are at the tenth Music Crush!

I recently heard that Charlie Simpson (a former member of Busted, if you're not sure who he is) has brought out a new album; his second solo album. 

I've heard a few songs on it but haven't had the chance to get out and buy it yet so I haven't listened to all the songs to decide which is my favourite. It really made me want to listen to his previous album though, so I did!

This weeks Music Crush was easy for me... for once!

Charlie Simpson

~~~

Cemetery

Being all predictable on my song choice there by choosing his first single from that album but I seriously adore it. I love this one and Farmer and His Gun is probably a very close second favourite.

I can't even tell you what it is that gets me so much about this song. It's one of my most played songs on my iTunes (you can read my Top 25 HERE, if you're interested, if not... just don't click it!), I think it was sitting at #25 last time I looked but that's probably changed the amount I've listened to it this week!

Maybe it's all of the imagery that the lyrics provide me with and the metaphors... so English student-y of me, I know, what can I say, I have English analysis on my brain 24/7.

I love the opening lines:

Welcome to my cemetery gates

I lost your love and I buried it here

The idea of there being a cemetery for all your past loves and broken hearts is something even my over-imaginative brain had never thought of.

I think everyone will like something different about this song and have their own interpretation, the best way to figure out what you think about it is to listen to it! Aaaand, because I'm so nice, I've embedded a video so you can listen to it right here!

Katie x

Music Crush #9

Hello!

Sorry about the lateness of this weeks Music Crush but I've had a lovely day out with the Big Little Ones and then a pamper night and somehow I only managed to get back an hour ago... I honestly don't know where the time went!

I've been really indecisive about what song to choose this week. I've been listening to 5 Seconds of Summer's debut album on loop for most of it but I feel like I'd be cheating making them my Music Crush because they got their chance to shine only a few weeks ago. Therefore, I was left with the task of trying to find another song I've been loving just as much. The next song that came to me was a one by The Script, but they were last weeks Music Crush!

 Then it came to me. This weeks Music Crush should be...

*DRUM ROLL*

MAGIC!

~~~

Rude

This is definitely not the kind of music I normally listen to but I'm in love with it!

I originally heard the beat to the song on an amazing rendition sang by a father who didn't want a certain man to marry his daughter - it's hilariously amazing - and I googled what the song it was originally based on was and found this one. 

I think it's just something about the laid-back tone to it that I love. It seems so chilled. The lead singer, Nasri, has a reggae sound to his voice, a bit Bob Marley-like to a certain extent, and it makes the song seem less about a serious topic and more about just being content.

So here is the original song by MAGIC! for you to listen to:

And if you fancy listening to a father's response to the song, which is one of the best things I've heard in a long time, then here you go!

Katie x

Music Crush #8

Hello!

Now I'd hate to miss a Music Crush and this week's is extra epic, so I've dragged myself out of my bed to get my laptop and write this one up!

It seems fitting this song should be the eighth music crush because eight is my favourite number... because everyone has a favourite number... right?

I've been waiting for this particular song forever. It has been nearly two years since the last album was released and I've spent those two years waiting. And waiting. And waiting. BUT the wait is finally over!

This week's Music Crush is...

The Script

~~~

Superheroes

The Script have always been one of my favourite bands, so I knew before the song was even released that I was going to obviously love it!

Although this song was going to be an obvious favourite of mine, I think it's definitely one of their best yet. I would even say it's good competition for Hall of Fame (the first single from their last album, #3) which I thought was one of their best, along with the likes of The Man Who Can't Be Moved and Nothing. There is no beating the beauty and catchy-beat of this song, though.

The one thing I think The Script are brilliant at is lyric-writing, and the lyrics are the part of a song that I love more than anything.

All the hurt, all the lies

All the tears that they cry

When the moment is just right

You see fire in their eyes

They say so much about the strength in a person. The people who are constantly being shot down and the ones people think are weak, they're the superheroes because they've fought the hardest to stay where they are and not let all the hurt drag them down.

Anyhoo, lyric analysis over, I'm in love. This song is all I want to listen to right now - I can't wait for it to be released on iTunes and then I can buy it and listen to it as much as I want, whenever I want, wherever I want!

So, in case you haven't already guessed, this is the best song you will listen to right now and you should definitely open up your ears to it, they'll thank you for it!

Katie x

Cup-Coordination-Genius!

Hello!

Last night, on my midnight internet browse, I found this amazing cover of Lorde's Royals!

I'm not the biggest fan of Lorde or her music - no particular reason, I just never really caught onto her music like most people - however, this girl, Sarah Stone, has done an absolutely, freaking amazing version of the song.

Want to know what makes it so unique? She does the backing music with a cup! It's basically her own rendition of Royals by using a cup and, I have to say, it's genius!

I have no idea how long it took her to perfect this but I'm guessing it wasn't an easy task that she did in a day - I still struggle with just the simple cup song (I have zero coordination... it sucks), never mind this!

Honestly, I don't even have words to describe how awesome this cover is. You're just going to have to watch it and see for yourself!

On a scale of 1 to freaking genius - how incredible is this?!

Katie x