I've been listening to a lot of great new music lately. You can see some of those CD's on my left sidebar and I will probably blog on a few of those soon. But I thought it might be fun this Music Monday to list a few "guilty pleasures" on my iPod/iTunes.
This sounded like a cool idea to me since a few of my friends think I like weird indie music. I figured those who like the weird indie music should be equally offended. Trust me, this isn't easy for me. But I hope to set the music-humility bar high. :)
So, here are a few CD's you may not expect me to own and like. I'll also add a nice list of singles you may not believe I purposefully downloaded and still like.
CD's...
> Garth Brooks (his first five CD's)
At 18 years old I left home and went to Southern IL University, which I believe was the #4 party school in the nation my freshman year according to Playboy. At SIU I learned to tolerate and even like things I never thought I could like. One of those things was country music.
It really started by foolishly (for many reasons) attending keggers with my golf team teammates and enduring Garth's "I've God Friends in Low Places" over and over and over again. I still can't hear that song without smelling a mixture of spilled Coors Light (ick) and, well, stuff spilled Coors Light soaks into when not sopped.
My next real connection to Garth was dancing with Molly to "Shameless" at Fred's Dance Barn (which I just learned is now closed). Yep, put me with the Queen of Hotness and a sappy country remake and I'm hooked. I really AM shameless! Go Garth!
MP3's: "The Dance," "Rodeo," "Victim of the Game," "Unanswered Prayers," "Cold Shoulder,"
> Kelly Clarkson: Breakaway
It's not much of a secret to say I have watched and still watch some American Idol. My wife and kids love it. But once someone "wins" it's hard for me to keep liking them. It's very hard for them to break out of the AI stigma, at least for me.
But Clarkson did with Breakaway. This album is really well done. It's my wife's soundtrack while working out, and therefore my soundtrack for watching my wife workout.
MP3's: "Walk Away," "Behind These Hazel Eyes"
> James Blunt: Back to Bedlam
This dude has a weird voice, but fantastic pop melodies. This is the second most played CD in our house. I don't know what else to say. I like it!
MP3's: "So Long Jimmy," "High," "No Bravery"
> Gavin Degraw: Chariot
A certain best friend of mine introduced me to Gavin's music and I thought it was great. It's the most played CD in my house by a mile. This upbeat pop-rock album by a young NYC artist is really, really good and hasn't grown old on me after a couple of years.
MP3's: "Follow Through," "Belief," "I Don't Want To Be"
Singles...
"What's Left of Me" by Nick Lachey
Man, I'm sorry. But it's better to admit my problem than get caught in the act of listening! On top of that, it's redemptive-ish.
"Pieces of Me" By Ashley Simpson
I dunno, it's just catchy. Sue me.
"Seasons of Love" from the movie Rent
C'mon, sing along with us! The movie sucked cheese, but me likey the song.
"Cowboy Take Me Away" by The Dixie Chicks
I wanna touch the earth/I wanna break it in my hands/I wanna grow something wild and unruly/I wanna sleep on the hard ground/in the comfort of your arms/on a pillow of bluebonnets/in a blanket made of stars/oh it sounds good to me
Yeah, it sounds good to me too. *single tear*
"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield
Ugh, I'm cheesy. Yeah, just another stupid yet catchy song. I keep listening, though.
Ok, I'm sick of being humble. Back to real music next week.
Suddenly I don't feel so bad about listening to Abba.
Posted by: Van Edwards | 02/26/2007 at 04:23 PM
I blame my Garth Brooks enjoyment on dating a country music girl in high school and marrying one after college. Plus, I used "Unanswered Prayers" a few months back as a sermon illustration.
All the other stuff is just sad, man.
Posted by: Joshua Montague | 02/26/2007 at 04:42 PM
Nick Lachey? Ashlee Simpson? Kelly Clarkson? Is this what joining the SBC drives its pastors to? Scary.
Posted by: christian | 02/26/2007 at 06:22 PM
The only one missing is "Tearin Up My Heart" by N'sync. Oh, and Beth just mentioned "Bringin Sexy Back" by Just timberwhatever. Perfect to go along with a 4 pump skim mocha extra cream not too hot.
Posted by: Dan Barnett | 02/26/2007 at 08:45 PM
I'm sorry, Steve. You opened yourself up to us and we shut you down;-( I enjoy Garth. Kelly's songs are ok, if she could lose the blonde hair and nose ring. Nick has been through a rough life. ashlee just doesn't know. Natasha could use some dental work. Gavin and James rock.
Posted by: Dan Barnett | 02/26/2007 at 08:48 PM
The Dixie Chicks? So unpatriotic ;)
So, did you ever do the "Boot Scootin' Boogie"? Or how about Achy Breaky Heart?
Garth Brooks, the only "secular" concert I ever went to was a Garth Brooks concert. I would rather sit at home and listen to the CD.
You have got some taste. But does Ashlee Simpson actually sing her songs?
Posted by: Aaron K. | 02/26/2007 at 09:02 PM
Only when the track plays the right one Aaron :-)
Posted by: Dan Barnett | 02/26/2007 at 09:07 PM
Dan, you got every aspect of the world's greatest espresso drink wrong, except for the mocha part. At least mine doesn't include hazelberryish syrup of some sort.
Aaron, I used to own the first Brooks & Dunn CD, but never, ever BRC. Even asking the question is rude. Yuck, I feel musically violated. ;)
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 02/26/2007 at 10:05 PM
You see carmel is manly just in the name. Vanilla was the fourth spice brought to Jesus at His birth, but it was taken out by King James. Therefore a carmel-vanilla latte is manlier than a 6pump sissy... I mean skim mocha with extra girliness. Love ya buddy
Posted by: Dan Barnett | 02/27/2007 at 07:08 AM
"carmel is manly"
WTF?
First of all, you just spelled the city of carmel as being manly. Which, if you've ever been there you would know that the only thing manly about it is that Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor.
Secondly, if you were to spell (and say for that matter) it right it would be caramel. Care-a-mel. There is absolutely nothing manly about that, nor those who order carmel-vanilla lates (and let's be honest, no man would feel manly after that came out of his mouth). A mocha is dark, and brings out the strength of the expresso. I don't even like mocha's and I recognize their manlier.
Side Note: there was absolutely nothing manly about that comment
Posted by: matt | 02/27/2007 at 11:09 AM
I knew we were related for a reason. I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes these types of songs, too.
In fact-- feel free to *groan* at my "Guilty Pleasure" song suggestion... but I'd also throw in Paris Hilton's "Nothing in this World." (Now it's in my head: Bah-bah----bah-bah-ba-da-dah...)
Posted by: Julie (a.k.a. Sis) | 02/27/2007 at 11:26 AM
Julie, I don't think I've ever heard that song. Good for me. I don't listen to music radio or see music videos, so that's probably it. I bet I wouldn't like it. :)
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 02/27/2007 at 11:29 AM
Steve- While I am asking rude questions ;), on your way down to the convention are you stopping in Fort Worth at Billy Bob's to relive the glory days of dancing to country music?
Posted by: Aaron K. | 02/27/2007 at 02:25 PM
Aaron, no. But I might be stopping by Billy Miner's Saloon for a burger.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 02/27/2007 at 02:31 PM
I grew up in Benbrook, a suburb of Ft. Worth, and never ate there. But after they "revitalized" downtown we would go to the UNO's for dinner and then go right next door and watch a movie. Billy Miner's always smelled great as we would walk by.
Hoping to one day visit the original UNO's in Chicago.
Posted by: Aaron K. | 02/27/2007 at 06:14 PM
Maybe we could meet you at Billy Miner's my family and I will be in the Fort Worth area before and after the convention visiting my parents.
Posted by: Aaron K. | 02/27/2007 at 06:22 PM
Some pronounce it care-a-mel, and others car-mul. It's kind of a tomato/tomato thing. However I will point out that "late" is properly spelled latte. And you used the word their in the improper context. The context you used would require the spelling to be they're. But, that's ok. Steve has since corrected me personally. He had me make the trek from Harvard to his town so he could explain the proper order of his drink. It is a 3-pump extra hot mocha no whip. However I think he was drinking Pepsi at the time which draws me more to him as a friend, because let's face it, coke is gross. If you saw me while I was typing my previous comment, the angry and sincere look on my bald-head face would show you manliness :-) However just leaving that smiley face made me feel weak.
Posted by: Dan Barnett | 02/27/2007 at 09:30 PM
Kelly and James are great. As far as country music goes, I love it but I'm more of a Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley kind of gal. Swiss Moca with a drop of 2% milk all the way. Don't argue with a girl!
One more thing, how come nobody leaves comments on my blog? Sad.
Posted by: Janelle Lachcik | 02/27/2007 at 10:29 PM