Music has always been a huge part of my life. I use it for emotional support – crazy beats pump me up and dainty, mellow tunes calm my spirit.
Some people have a certain genre that speaks to them, but I enjoy a crazy diversity. Truly!
I have everything from L’il Wayne and Adele to Fiona Apple and Mazzy Star on my iPod. And there’s a sprinkling of Etta James, Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo, Bob Marley, and The Flaming Lips.
Basically, if a song moves me, I’ll listen to it, regardless of what genre it’s from.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Lana Del Rey.
If you haven’t heard of her, you need to give her album a spin. She has a sultry sound with a vulnerability that I find so attractive. Her phrasing of lyrics, old-school throwback voice, and intoxicating melodies really hooked me.
These are some of my favourite songs from her.
(Click on the links to watch the music video in a separate window. Oh, and if you’re sensitive to mild ‘mature content’ like sexuality, offensive language, and drug usage, maybe avoid clicking.)
- Born to Die – I know that this sounds really depressing, but I think the song is romantic and sexy even though it is sad. I’m a sucker for melancholic songs like this. They make me want to sip on some wine.
- Video Games – This was the first song that introduced me to Lana Del Rey. I identified with some of the emotions expressed in this song, so it holds strong sentimental value for me. It’s soft and beautiful!
- Off To the Races – At the 36-second mark, that’s when I really get into the song. Love the flavour. (Just audio for this one.)
- Blue Jeans – This song’s really simple, but it’s very catchy.
- Dark Paradise – Her voice just meshes so perfectly with the dark beat in the background. (Just audio for this one.)
- Yayo – This quiet, slow song showcases the sweet vulnerability in her voice without bells and whistles. I absolutely adore this one – it’s so sexy! (Just audio for this one.)
(What artists have you recently fallen in love with? What kind of music have you been spinning?
I am SO non-genre specific, just like you! 90’s grunge music (think Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc) always puts me in a good mood (probably because it reminds me of being an angsty teenager!). I love rap and hiphop (Jay Z & Kanye West’s “Watch The Throne” album is a current fav for me). I have a real fondess for 80’s music, especially anything by Heart or Cindy Lauper. I love listening to Johnny Cash (this is probably as far over to the “country” side that I will go however). I also love “indie” type sounding bands: “We Are Young” by Fun is such a cool song (I first heard it in a commercial…not sure for what, but I always wonder, is a band still considered “indie” once it hits the Billboard Hot 100? Probably not to “hipsters” 🙂 ) and Goyte “Somebody That I Used To Know” gets stuck in my head ALL DAY LONG! But its a great song, so I don’t mind. Oh and Florence & The Machine’s “Shake It Out” has been in heavy rotation for me lately. I guess I could keep rambling, but you get the idea-I have musical A.D.D!
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Hey Maribeth!
I’m glad that I’m not alone. Most of the people I know stick to one genre and think I’m “weird” for liking so many different songs. But…music should move you, and if it does, enjoy it, right? 🙂
Oh yeah, I love Florence & The Machine – she has such a cool sound!
snicker-snort…I JUST reloaded my Zune last nite.
After seeing what I was putting on it, my sister remarked ‘Has anyone ever told you how eclectic your music tastes are?’
Eclectic…I like that better than ‘weird’.
My newly reloaded Zune contains over 2,000 songs from tons of artists including Anna Nalick, Seal, Pink, Frank Sinatra, Jewel, Muse, The Cure, The Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd, Linkin Park, Aerosmith, Adam Ant, Al Green, Dean Martin, Alanis Morisette, Alicia Keys, Beastie Boys, Beyonce, Billy Idol, Mozart, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Bonnie Raitt, Beethoven….and a bunch more including my ‘secret shame’…my beloved Backstreet Boys.
Yes, I know it’s a boy band, but I fell in love with the upbeat energy in their music when my kids used to listen to them and have loved them ever since. My kids know, my friends know…and all they do is shake their heads. 😀
Does anyone else have an artist or band that they dearly love but would be embarrassed to admit it in public?
Hey karen!
Haha, eclectic is better than weird, but even when someone says I’m “weird”, I still take it as a compliment. Who wants to be normal anyway? 😉
I’m on board with all the artists and groups you listed…haha, except for the Backstreet Boys. I really never got into them, and even in high school when my best friend was obsessed with Nick and tried to get me hooked, it didn’t work. 😛 (For the record, I also didn’t like NSync…haha!)
Wow! In addition to being my favorite candle reviewer, you’re also a fan of my current favorite, Miss Lana Del Rey! I love everything about her, from the flowing red hair to the white wardrobe to the sexy songs. She wasn’t quite ready for her Saturday Night Live launch, I’ll admit, but she made up for it on The David Letterman Show. Can’t wait to see her career develop!
Have you tried many of the new Spring candles from B&BW? I’ve tried Sea Spray and like it, very fresh and calming. Tomorrow I’ll get the latest scents, Orchard Petal and Market Peach. On the whole, too many funky tropical fragrances that are loud and juvenile.
Today it’s unseasonably warm here in Central California with a high predicted at 81. Perfect for Sea Spray and my latest Wallflower, Exotic Coconut. The latter item is a warm, mellow coconut fragrance that’s really nice.
Thanks for the great web site, Mary. I’m not into nail design, but your candle reviews are fantastic and keep me checking back regularly. Enjoy the week-end!
Hey Kevin!
Thank you for the huge compliment! *Blush* There are so many incredible candle reviewers out there, so for you to single me out as your favourite makes me beam like a crazy person! 😀 x 25738759375837598375
I’m also looking forward to seeing where Lana Del Rey will go from here. She’s off to a great start – so artistic already.
A lot of singers tend to put out more generic, “commercial” stuff first and then come into their own, but I was so impressed that Lana Del Rey ran out the gates with original stuff right off the bat.
I really hope that she continues to foster her own style without caving into what’s hot at the moment.
No, I haven’t actually bought any new candles for some time now, but I did smell a bunch of the spring ones in the Bath & Body Works store. The grass one totally reminds me of summer. Not sure how I’d feel about smelling it for hours, but a quick whiff boosted my spirits.
Thank you, Kevin, for being such a loyal reader. 🙂 I’m slowly going through my candle collection, and I’m trying to review each scent. It makes me so happy to know that you enjoy the reviews!
Thanks, I did have a great weekend. Hope you did, too! 🙂
I am going to check out Lana Del Rey. They only thing I’ve heard about her is the whole SNL incident.
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Hey lacquerloon!
Aww…what a shame. Don’t let the SNL incident spoil things!
I’m glad that you’re still going to give her a chance. She is truly special. Please let me know what you think after you spin some songs!
I’ve been intrigued by Lana Del Ray ever since I saw her on SNL, which I thought was a fine performance by the way, she did better than I could do so I don’t understand all the fuss! At first I was a little unsure because I tend to like faster paced songs but then I heard one of her songs again and was hooked!
Haha in regards to the backstreet boys & nsync, I was never into them when they were popular but recently listened to a few of their songs again and they were just so catchy! And they remind me of growing up in the 90s so they’ve finally managed to make a fan out of me!
All this talk of music reminds me, though, I haven’t added any new songs to my playlists in a while, I really need to get on that! Great post!
Hey arfblat!
You know, even though I’m a fan of Lana Del Ray, I actually missed her SNL performance. I’m kind of glad, though, considering that a lot of people were complaining about it. Maybe people were just expecting a lot more from her and thought she was unprepared…Then again, every single goofs up now and then. I don’t hold it against artists, unless they’re constantly churning out poor performances.
Hehe, it’s funny that you’re getting into the Backstreet Boys and NSync now! 😛 But, hey, whatever music moves you is a good thing! That’s what music is for.
Glad that you appreciated this post. Hope you can find some great new tunes to add to your rotation! 🙂
I tried to like her but maybe it’s the videos that are putting me off..? I love an assortment of musical genres myself, from classical (Vivaldi is one of my faves, love how his pieces flow) to rock (I have Disturbed on rotation) but I just don’t get Lana Del Rey’s appeal (sorry!).
I’m on a strange “go girl” phase where I find myself listening to more female acts like Florence and the Machine, Janelle Monae, Rachel Platten, Ingrid Michaelson, Bess Rogers, Keahiwai and Adele.
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Hey Carmela!
Haha, you shouldn’t have to force yourself to like an artist. 🙂 Usually when I hear a song, I’ll know within the first minute if I’ll be playing it (hehe, and butchering it on my iPod).
I think the reason why Lana Del Rey appeals to me the most is because she has this vintage vibe and a sadness or desperation in her tone. It really makes me emotional when I listen to her pouring her heart out in her songs. Even the really subtle songs get to me. And while I can’t really relate to being a ‘bad girl’, I do empathize with the character that she ‘sings’ to life.