Happy Friday

Just because it makes me super happy:

The Power of Madonna

Last week's episode of Glee, the season return on the 13th, was disappointing. Sure, I squeed like a crazy fangirl when Jonathan Groff showed up. And I may have startled the neighbors when Idina Menzel appeared. But musically speaking, which is how I always speak of Glee, it was bland.

This week - KAPOW! I would not call myself a huge fan of Madonna, but I have not stopped singing these songs! They have been in my head All. Week. Long. I even downloaded the ep on iTunes so that I could listen to them at my desk. And the dancing, and the "Like a Virgin" mix (HAWT) - all of it. Lurved it!

"Something in the way you love me won't let me be!"

I can even forgive them for having Lea Michelle twirl around that piano non-stop for 3 minutes. From the perspective of standing in that room, say holding a camera, she must look ridiculous.

I'm a Loser, and I LOVE it

I have always thought it was strange that I adored music and theatre, but when I tried to combine them, I often fell short. Well, I should say singing and acting together is an odd weakness of mine (for a theatre major who has been singing since birth). The combination of story and song is one of my favorite mediums. I am one of those people that desperately wishes she could live in a world where people randomly burst into song, and everyone around you knew the choreography and the harmony.


And this is why I adore watching Glee.


When you combine a show like this with a person like me, you will often get... unnecessary reactions. Like tears. Now, stop your judgemental smirk; I am just easily moved by the emotions of others. And great singers know how to speak directly to their audience, member by member. So I have now listened to "Keep Holding On" for the third time in a row, and I have been misty eyed every time. Which, by the way, I hate because it is an Avril Lavigne song, and therefore should not affect me on an emotional level. But with this amazing crew of singers, and with the oh-so-visible emotions of the central girl, Quinn (that I cannot help but picture when I hear this), I feel deeply shifted with every play.



I know, I'm a sappy sad-sack. But it gives me such an unshaking feeling of glee (I can't help it), that I don't even care. I won't wipe this smile off for a while.

How I know I am a dork

So, last night downloaded the "Don't Stop Believing" track from Glee (which, BTW, was the number three song download on iTunes).

This was a mistake.

You see, I am now listening to it for the third time this morning. My calves are a'bouncing under my desk, and Im working harder on not humming than on focusing on my job.

Sometimes it takes cheesy art to remind me of why I am an artist, why God calls me to music. I don't know how to say this, other than shameful admission: this song almost makes me cry. There is a passion and an adrenaline screaming through my arms that makes it hard to type. This sounds like the most fun, and it makes me wish for a group of my own. (Just restarted the song... again)

I know there will be little groups popping up everywhere because of this show (huzzah for that), and I secretly and desperately hope I am in one of them. So if anyone hears of one popping up in Houston that has potential, let me know. Hell, if I could think of a few other starters, I would form one myself!

Music Memes for Melissa

Here are the two memes, if you would like to repeat them:

Create the Soundtrack of your life:

1. Open your iTunes library and set it to Shuffle.

2. Press play

3. Write the title of the song playing next to the first question (that song is your "Opening Credits")

4. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool. Feel embarrassed like us all.

The second meme is: First 25 songs random on your iTunes, which is the only instruction.

Opening Credits

"LDN" by Lily Allen

Waking Up

"Magic's in the Makeup" by No Doubt... did Gwen Stefani just call me ugly?

First Day at School

"Had to Do Something" by Adele Givens (Queens of Comedy"

Falling In Love

"Clocks" by Coldplay

Losing Virginity

"The Weasleys" by The Remus Lupins - HAHAHAHAHAHA, wow, reading HP will never be the same...

Fight Song

"Sway" as performed by Michael Buble... fail, iTunes...

Breaking Up

"Suga Momma" by Beyonce... I guess I was dating some cheap jerk?

Prom

"Eat Like An American" by Jim Gaffigan..... epic fail...

Mental Breakdown

"Kitty Kat" by beyonce - HAHA, apparently when I break down mentally, I will think I am a cat. I hope I think Im Minerva! Hmm, maybe Im already breaking down...

Driving

"Privilege" by Incubus. Finally, iTunes, you get one so right!

Flashback

"Just A Housewife" from the musical 'Working'... maybe a flash forward?

Getting Back Together

"Slob" by Weezer. Huh. Maybe that was why i dumped him in the first place? My life soundtrack is bee-zare.

Wedding

"All The Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands" by Sufjan Stevens... apparently I am having a green wedding in this movie...

Birth of Child

"One Two Step" by Ciara...sigh... iTunes has faith that my future child will be a good dancer...

Final Battle

"Won't be Long" from the musical 'In The heights' - you suck, iTunes

Death Scene

"Deny" by Default - sure, I can see it. great song, too.

Funeral Song

"Sixteen" by No Doubt... how inappropriate for a funeral, even though I hardcore love this song. You know what, if there exists an awesome video fo me singing this, then it can be played at my funeral. Let it be said.

End Credits

"Trucker" from the musical 'Working'... wow... just wow...

What Do 25 Random Songs Say About You?

1. "Left Behind" from the musical 'Spring Awakening'
2. "Take Off the Blues" by The Foreign Exchange (I've never heard it, it was free on iTunes)
3. "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance by Black Kids...
4. "Fathers and Sons" from the musical 'Working'
5. "Hope This Christmas" by Ginny and the Heartbreakers
6. "Go Ahead With All That" by Chante Moore (Queens of Comedy soundtrack)
7. "Different People" by No Doubt
8. "Teardrop" by Massive Attack - aka The House theme song - HOTT
9. "Agent Orange" by Tori Amos
10. "12:05 am" by the Ministry of Magic (their harmonies are beautiful)
11. "I Believe" from the musical 'Spring Awakening'
12. "A Ministry Approved Christmas" by Peeved
13. "A Summer in Ohio" from the musical 'The Last Five Years'
14. "I Can Do Better Than That" from the musical 'The Last Five Years'
15. "Change Your Mind" by The Killers
16. "Out Of My league" by Stephen Speaks - cutest, sweetest song ever
17. "The Candy Shop" by 50 Cent
18. "Holla Back Girl" by Gwen Stefani
19. "Swearing" by Dane Cook
20. "Bootyliscious" by Destiny's Child... I'm ashamed to own this garbage...
21. "If U Leave" by Mary J Blige
22. "Safe and Sound" by Rebelution (again, free on iTunes)
23. "Out From Under" by Incubus
24. "The name of the Game" by ABBA... I couldnt escape it...
25. "Still Hurting" from the musical 'The Last Five Years'

Working Class Hero

Great Music, Great Cause

Over fifty artists have Come Together to make an incredible album of John Lennon covers. It's called Instant Karma and you can pre-order it now online. The proceeds go to the Save Darfur mission efforts, a very noble cause. Here is the song and artist list:

Instant Karma[1] ...U2
#9 Dream[1] ...R.E.M.
Mother[1] ...Christina Aguilera
Give Peace A Chance[1] ...Aerosmith with Sierra Leone Refuge All-Stars
Cold Turkey[1] ...Lenny Kravitz
Whatever Gets You Through the Night[1] ...Los Lonely Boys
I'm Losing You[1] ...Corinne Bailey Rae
Gimme Some Truth[1] ...Jakob Dylan Feat. Dhani Harrison
Oh, My Love[1] ...Jackson Browne
Imagine[1] ...Avril Lavigne
Nobody Told Me[1] ...Big & Rich
Jealous Guy[1] ...Youssou N'Dour
Working Class Hero[2] ...Green Day
Power to the People[2] ...Black Eyed Peas
Imagine[2] ...Jack Johnson
Beautiful Boy[2] ...Ben Harper
Isolation[2] ...Snow Patrol
Watching the Wheels[2] ...Matisyahu
Grow Old With Me[2] ...Postal Service
Gimme Me Some Truth[2] ...Jaguares
(Just Like) Starting Over[2] ...The Flaming Lips
God[2] ...Jack's Mannequin feat. Mick Fleetwood
Real Love[2] ...Regina Spektor

The music is likely to be incredible, and cause is more than worthwhile, either of which alone should be enough to make you buy it. When you combine the two it's just gravy...

http://store.wbr.com/store/product.asp?upc=093624997153&sys=wbr