SOTW: The Space Between ♥

SOTW - July 5 to 11, 2015

It has been one hell a taxing week, however I was fortunate enough to have time and listen to (and watch amazing live performances of) great music by brilliant bands and artists.

Here are my top 5 songs of the week! ;)

 

#5 - Trouble by Ray LaMontagne

First heard this song on American Idol when Taylor Hicks sang it. It has since been included in my playlist. Having watched the live performance on YouTube made it one of my most played songs/videos this week. A really nice song from an awesome soulful artist.

#4 - Emotion Sickness by Silverchair

It was a toss between Emotion Sickness or Without You. I mean, I looooove Without You more than this song, but this performance is simply EPIC. It actually made the song MORE epic than it already is. I couldn't help but get into this song and watch other performances, but this just had the best audio and the best video. Must share, must watch. 

#3 - Don't Look Back In Anger - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

A stripped down version of this song has always been my favorite. The Argentina version, the Wembley version, and just the acoustic or semi-acoustic versions have always, ALWAYS been my favorite. Well, that of course wouldn't stop me from listening to the original version. This is probably my most-played Oasis track on Spotify and even on my mp3 player. It is my favorite Oasis song. This recent performance, however, brought Don't Look Back In Anger's beauty as a song even more. This guitar and piano version is everything. 

#2 - Deep Inside of You - Third Eye Blind

Stephan Jenkins isn't my favorite band vocalist, but man did he sing this song so beautifully! One of my favorite 3EB songs and one of my favorite performances from them. 3EB's Fillmore concert remains to be their best. That is, for me. The performance said it all. Oh, again with the piano! ♥ I probably re-played this more than I should hahaha.

#1 - The Space Between - Dave Matthews Band 

My most favorite DMB song, everyone.



My ultimate favorite song of the week has to be The Space Between by the Dave Matthews Band. It could have been Snow Outside but came across this video and for me, my favorite version yet. Perfect version. TOO MUCH EMOTIONS. TOO MANY FEELS. This is certainly the most played song (this version and the album version) of the week. I just love Space Between. This song introduced me to this amazing band. Didn't pay much attention to DMB until this song came out in 2001. I am hoping they decide to have a World Tour and have a concert here in The Philippines and play this song live. That would be a dream come true. I'd do everything in my power to watch DMB live in concert. Please, DMB. Please.

SOTW: Starlight ♥

My first "Song(s) of the Week" (SOTW) entry. This is only the beginning. Looking forward to next week and the weeks ahead. It should be a weekly thing. I am that person who just gets stuck with certain song or songs for a week or even months mainly because of the nostalgia and/or how I feel at the moment and it's something I'd like to share with the world. lol. I mean, why not include it in my own personal archive, right?

SOTW - June 14 to 20, 2015

5 songs for this week! ♫

#5 - Walking After You by The Foo Fighters

This song has MSR written all over it. Mulder and Scully. Scully and Mulder. The X-Files revival is just giving me all these feels and I have got to warn you that you'll probably read more of my MSR feels as you read your way to #1, and even in the coming blog entries, if I get to find time to blog about 'em. It has to be perfect. So, here's Walking After You from the album, The Color and the Shape and The X-Files Movie Soundtrack.

Oh, and Dave Gohl? He had a cameo on The X-Files and he's such a fanboy too. I have yet to gif that Gillian Anderson-Dave Grohl moment. Soon. Soon. Soon. 

#4 - To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra ft. Patrick Watson

I'll start by saying that an awesomely made X-Files fan video led me to this song and this version with Patrick Watson is my favorite. His voice captured the drama, the emotions and the feeling of this song. Plus, it suits the Mulder-Scully story illustrated in the fan-made video. It just speaks to me.

Here's the beautiful live performance of this song.

The piano is everything. It's what made me love this version even more.

#3 - Sympathy by The Goo Goo Dolls

One of the best written songs of my generation. I really find this song inspiring. I think it is. This song is what I need in the coming months because it's going to be more stressful than ever. This is why I couldn't help but listen to it from time to time. It's about life and the choices we make. It's timeless. Always relevant, never irrelevant.

The beauty of simplicity right there--a guy, his band, and their musical instruments. ♥

#2 - Hey Jealousy  by Gin Blossoms

This is so 90s! I looove 90s music and this one brings back a lot of great 90s memories. Hey Jealousy and it brings back great memories? Weird, eh? Haha. It's all about the song and band, I guess. This is just so 90s and it's beautiful.

That was a really good live performance. I live for live performances. Live performances make the song more special. It could be the reason why it brought back a lot of the 90s feels. The most nostalgic song of this Top 5.

#1 - Starlight by Muse

STARLIGHT ♥ is my Mulder and Scully song at the moment. It's all because of a fan-made video. I did not expect to like this song so much, but right now I do. And, Matt Bellamy is such a great singer and musician. Of all their songs I've heard, this one has to be my favorite. It has this connection to my favorite show, The X-Files and the mother of all the OTPs out there, Mulder and Scully.

Here's Starlight from the album Black Holes & Revelations.

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to hold
You in my arms

Every time I watch this, I be like...

Awesome. (Dreamy)

 There you have it. Hope you get to listen and/or watch these songs! ♥

OneRepublic LIVE in Manila #OneRepublicMNL

They're coming!!!

Mark your calendars, people. OneRepublic Live in Manila, November 6, 2013 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum! 

I might not be an avid OneRepublic fan but I am a casual fan. And, casual fans are equally important nonetheless. Their 'Waking Up' album is my favorite album from them, so far. This is probably one of the reasons why most of my favorite OneRepublic songs come from 'Waking Up'. That being said, I'd like to share my Top 5 OneRepublic songs. Ryan Tedder is full of talent and has great songwriting skills.

Top 5!

5. Apologize 

This song is simply a classic OneRepublic song. The song that started it all for them (for me).

4. Waking Up

Definitely a crowd pleaser. I can imagine them perform this song live and everyone just into it. It has the 'revolution' feel--a musical revolution.

3. All This Time

This is why I appreciate OneRepublic so much. The love for piano. Simplicity at its finest. 

2. Fear

It's hauntingly beautiful. It just is.

1. Good Life

A fan video led me to this song and I instantly fell in love with it. Amazing song that brings happy memories. I guess it reminds me of the days when life was simple, happy and peaceful. Plus, it gives me The X-Files feels. Love that show so much. Most importantly, it gives you that joy of living a good life.

Good Life just gives me a lot of feels. This video. That song. OneRepublic. They Win.

So, why am I looking forward to watch them live? Well, that's easy! I am aware of the fact that OneRepublic is amazing live and it would be a great experience to witness this during their concert here in the Philippines. It would not only be a great opportunity to see them perform live but it would mean a lot to me to watch them perform my favorite songs LIVE. See, the imagination has the chance to become a reality. That's how great it would be. That's the best reason I could think of why I am looking forward to watch OneRepublic LIVE. See you there?!

:)

Top 5: Mariah Carey Live Duets

Mariah Carey is one of the best artists you would want to do a duet with. The respect she gives when she sings with another artist is impeccable. A class act. This is one of the reasons why I love Mariah. It could also be the reason why some people would think some other divas are better than her. Well, let's just say she refuses to outshine fellow artists. Uhm, esp. when she does not need to. The 'need' is just not there. Mariah knows what duets are, the way a duet is defined. So much respect.

Counting down my top 5 favorite Mariah Carey live duets...

5. When You Believe (w/ Whitney Houston) - Oprah 1998

It was between the Oprah performance or the Oscar performance. Obvioulsy, I chose the former. This was the first--the very first live performance of the song and that was simply historical. Whitney and Mariah. Mariah and Whitney. In one stage, everyone. One stage. That says it all. I love the chemistry. A more relaxed performance compared to the Oscar performance, I think.

4. Hopelessly Devoted To You (w/ Olivia Newton-John) - Butterfly Tour 1998

Olivia Newton-John! This is fun and cute! They should have shown the full version of this duet. Haha. Classic! RARE performance. Definitely one of my favorites from the Butterfly Tour.

3. Chain of Fools (w/ Aretha Franklin) - Divas Live 1998

The Queen and The Queen ha. Unrehearsed or rehearsed, whatever! This is amazing!!! Mariah sings Aretha with Aretha. How cool is that?! This is a great moment in 'Divas Live' history! I don't think I've seen such great moment in recent 'Divas Live' shows, sorry.

2. With You I'm Born Again (w/ John Legend) - VH1 Save the Music 2005

The legend meets the goddess legend. The blending is just awesome. John Legend's voice + Mariah's voice = perfect combination. I love it! I just do. Come show me your kindness...Please sing When Christmas Comes live, you two!

1. Got To Be Real (w/ Patti LaBelle) - Patti LaBelle One Night Only 1998


I can't stop watching this! Haha. The godmother and the 'godchild' lol. You can't help but smile. I looooove it! Mariah and Patti--the friendship/mother-daughter/sister-sister relationship is REAL. It shows. Mariah's having fun. Patti's having fun. The joy they have when they perform together is undeniable. More of this, please! I seriously can't stop watching. Watch and you can't stop. Hahaha!

There are other live duets worth watching and those which I truly enjoyed, specifically the ones with Luther and Diana. I had to abide by the Top 5 rule. HA!

*I excluded the performances w/ Trey Lorenz because if I did not, the top 5 would be full of I'll Be There performances. Haha.

**Courtesy to the respective YT uploaders! Thank you for uploading these awesome videos!

Top 5: Mariah Carey Videos.

Finally came up with a list of my favorite Mariah Carey videos. Quite a number to choose from. True, just like other artists out there, there are hits and misses. (giggles) Rest assured, these videos are "hits".  That is, awesome videos of her amazing songs. Believe me, there are a lot.

Begin.

5. Hero

Classic Mariah. Releasing a great live performance of a song as an official video is a thumbs up! It captures everything--the artist's greatness, the feeling of the song, the emotion, the crowd, the reception. Everything. This video has that. This performance of Hero is simply amazing. Stellar live performance. Captivating. That guy's reaction? Priceless.

4. Always Be My Baby 

It goes with the song. Such a fun, light and simple video. This is how you use a "swing". I don't know but I just love this video. Fun fun fun yet somber in a way. You'll get it. It's a lamb thing!

3. We Belong Together

Wentworth Miller. Worth it. Seriously though, I think this video is her best among the 00's videos. Mr. Ratner did pretty well with this one. Loved the concept, the emotion, and the directing. Yet another "it goes with the song" video. It cannot be denied--the song is brilliant and the video is worth watching. Favorite part: the feeling that I'm feeling now I don't hear your voice...(Well done, Mimi!)

2. Breakdown 

One of Mariah Carey's best songs ever and definitely one of her best videos. Something to do with the Vegas effect? Costumes? Bone Thugs? Yeah, maybe. I mean, it worked. The song is amazing. The video is cool to watch. Glamorous yet subtle. I am not sure how you'd reconcile it but it is what it is.

1. Honey

Honey is my most favorite Mariah Carey video of all time! Mariah's vision is unparalleled. This video has it all--the concept, the story line, the acting, the action, the 'leading' man, the Bond effect, the statement--everything. Total video. When it's brilliant, sometimes, it's all that you can say. This video is as such. Kudos to Paul Hunter! 

Well, this concludes the Top 5.

Thoughts, anyone?

Top 5: American Idol Auditions.

You probably know by now that I have a number of blogs and you've seen similar posts from these blogs. Now, I aim to make each blog unique despite its parallels. This is a blogger exclusive, the Top 5s. 10 is too much and I might not reach the number. So, let's stick with 5. Top 5 of anything--favorite movies, artists, series and just other random stuffs. I'll take suggestions when I ran out of ideas. (laughs)

Since I am in the American Idol zone right now, let's have my top 5 favorite American Idol auditions. American Idol was not shown on this side of the world 'til Season 3. With this reason, I'll be considering auditions from Season 3 up to the present only. Most of the auditions that made it to my top 5 came from my favorites--the so-called instant favorites. 

Let us begin.

5. Chris Medina (Season 10)

Chris Medina was not my favorite last season but he delivered a great audition. Yes, it has all the drama but I don't think it would make his audition less great if you take out the drama. This says it all, memorable.

4. David Archuleta (Season 7)