Song #14 - Waiting on the World to Change - John Mayer

Sorry for the delay in posts, a lot going on in the personal life and all.
Today starts an in-depth look at an album everyone must hear: Continuum by John Mayer.
We'll be going through every song on the album and telling you why you should both listen to every song and also the whole album.

First up is the mainstream his Waiting on the World to Change. Upbeat and poppy, this song really gives a good message layered in with a catchy tune and some solid musical influences. Each verse holds a different aspect of today's world and our generation as well. Most people who are even vaguely familiar with today's music will probably have heard this song at some time or another, as well they should. Check out this live performance as well. More than worth the time.

Give me the songs you think everyone should hear!
Email me at austinspl350@gmail.com and let me know!

Song #13 - Mr. Guder - The Carpenters

The Carpenters, though often overlooked, were a stunning band and wonderful influence in the world of music in their time. One of their best songs, in my opinion, is Mr. Guder. This song describes a fictional character, Mr. Guder, who is obsessed with living within the framework that society has forced upon him. Accompanied by Karen Carpenter's stunning voice, Mr. Guder has a life of it's own, especially in the live version linked above. The studio is preferred, but no link was available to it unfortunately.

Submit your song everyone should hear!
Email austinspl350@gmail.com with your song, a description of why the song should be heard, and preferably a link.

Song #12 I'm Gonna Find Another You - John Mayer

John Mayer, as well as being one of my personal musical heroes, is an incredibly popular recording and performing artist in the pop world. Boasting songwriting skills, vocal chops, and masterful guitar playing, Mayer shows all of these off in his song I'm Gonna Find Another You. Probably the biggest burn wrapped up in the chillest music, this song showcases Mayer's considerable talents in the world of music, and this live version especially show. Nearly 4 times as long as the original recorded version, this live performance from LA has incredible quality while adding on to those songs we know and love.

Songs? Got 'em? Email 'em.
austinspl350@gmail.com
Lay a song, description, and a link on me and I'll lay it on everyone else.

Song #11 - Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye

Originally written by Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Ain't No Mountain High Enough was made popular in 1967 by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel. One of the most feel-good songs of all time, it's impossible to stay in a funk and listen to Marvin and Tammi sing this standard together. Also part of the soundtrack for Remember the Titans, everyone can sing along and have a good time. A certain pick-me-up on a bad day, everyone should hear this song.

Submit your song you think everyone must hear at austinspl350@gmail.com regardless of genre, popularity, or whether or not I like it. As long as you can provide a song, a paragraph or so description of why everyone must hear that song, and preferably a link to the song on the interwebs somewhere, you'll see your song here.

Song #10 - Lullaby - Ben Folds Five

Today's song, Lullaby by Ben Folds, shows off Ben Folds in all his goodness. With a clean vocal style and meaningful lyrics, everyone can find something to like about Ben Folds. Down to earth and humble (for the most part) Folds has performed in large and small venues, breaking into the mainstream and garnering a large following with several of his songs. This particular selection, Lullaby, also demonstrates his musical prowess as a songwriter and pianist. Backed by the Ben Folds Five, there's nothing not to like in this catchy song.

I know you have songs you think everyone should hear. Email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph or so description of why it must be heard, and preferably a link.

Song #9 - Radio Ga Ga - Queen

Without doubt and without peer, Queen stands at the pinnacle of stadium performance, and with many hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, and We Will Rock You, nobody can argue their popularity or influence even today. One song which showcases Queen's diversity along with Freddie Mercury's unbelievable vocal range is Radio Ga Ga. Ironically enough I have never once heard this song on the radio, but I firmly believe it deserves it. I posted the live video rather than the music video of the studio version because it really displays Mercury's I AM GOD, BOW BEFORE MY AWESOMENESS stage persona which allowed him to hold a stadium chock-full of people in the palm of his hand. Gotta love some Queen.

To submit a song, email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph or so description of why it should be heard, and preferably a link.

By the way, sorry for not posting yesterday... this is a daily-ish blog after all.

Song #8 - Fate of Norns - Amon Amarth

Most people, upon hearing the words "heavy metal" instantly conjure up images of screaming and senseless drum poundings with blurred and indistinct guitar riffing. In many cases, they would be right. However, certain songs and bands do stand out from the crowd, far and away the most musical of the bunch. Of these, Amon Amarth consistently produces music that not only delivers intense beats, but a message as well. "Fate of Norns", by Amon Amarth is a perfect example of this. The story of a man who has his first born and only son die, along with the rest of his family is told in the growls of the lead singer. Rendering the lyrics completely understandable, the tortured cries of a mourning father can be hear to reverberate throughout the song. This song truly captures the terrible agony that the man is experiencing as he lays his son to rest. This ballad, and it truly earns the name, is one of the best songs by a band that cannot be caracterized by a genre.

Thanks to Tyler for today's submission.
To submit a song you think everyone should hear, regardless of genre or popularity, email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph or so description of why it should be heard, and preferably a link to the song.

Song #7 - American Dream - Casting Crowns

Let's take a deviation to the world of Christian music with Casting Crowns. As one of the most well-known bands in CCM today, Casting Crowns has written and recorded some fantastic music, and one of their best songs is American Dream. The song tells a poignant story, and has an almost Harry Chapin-esque feel to the tale. While not significant in a musical sense, the entire song is well-constructed and a good look at this popular band and a fantastic song.

Thanks to Evan for submitting today's song!
If you'd like to submit a song that you think everyone should hear, email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph or so explanation of why we should hear it, and preferably a link to the song.

Song #6 - Hello, Goodbye - The Beatles

From my personal all-time favorite band, The Beatles, comes the upbeat classic Hello, Goodbye. I mean, really, who hasn't at least heard the chorus? Such a great tune, very catchy, and just one small slice of the wonder which was the Beatles. Interestingly enough, the entire Beatles collection has been released today, totally digitally remastered, which is the second reason their song is featured today. If nothing else, at least listen 'till they hid the very ending part, guaranteed to at least get stuck in your head if not make you smile.

To submit a song, email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph description why it should be heard, and preferably a link.
Sorry to those who have sent in songs without descriptions - Your song may not be featured as I will have to write the description, and if I don't personally have any reasons to post it, I won't. If you submit it with a description, I'll post it, but no description, no guarantee there.

Song #5 - What Sarah Said - Death Cab for Cutie

In a departure from classic music and practically unknown music, today's must hear is What Sarah Said by dubiously indie-mainstream band Death Cab for Cutie. Songs in the mainstream these days rarely tell stories, and if they do they're usually laced with sexual innuendo and tainted by excessive profanity. Death Cab for Cutie has told a story in this song that almost all of us can relate to. Whether you are touched by the hospital itself, Sarah's unknown condition, or the final question, who's going to watch you die, What Sarah Said has something for everyone.

To submit a song you think everyone must hear, any genre, doesn't have to be popular, you just have to think everyone has to hear it, email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph description of why everyone has to hear it, and preferably a link to the song.

Song #4 - Jailer - Asa

Today's song comes from the category of World music. So often overlooked in this mainstream world, World has come out with some amazing songs, not least of which would be Jailer by Nigerian Asa. Passion fused with mellow but poignant vocals meddles with a solid chord progression complemented by mild but present bass and light keyboards. On the whole, the entire song has a very relaxed feel to it, a shining example of music that doesn't conform to stereotypical mainstream molds. This doesn't even begin to mention the lyrics. Asa manages to combine her ample creativity with a quote from the Bible itself, "Let he who is without sin be the first to cast a stone." While the Mr. Jailer in the song is left up to debate, the general tone is a mourning, and yet not totally sad. A must hear.

Got a song suggestion?
Email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph or so description of why everyone must hear it, and preferably a link.

Song #3 - Stand By Me - Ben E. King

Covered more times than is healthy to think of, Stand By Me is an instantly-recognizable classic. Originally released in 1961, the song hit #4 on the charts, and for good reason. Meaningful lyrics coincide with the smooth vocals of Ben E. King to produce a memorable song, and given that it was the fourth most-performed song of the 20th century with 7 million performances, a lot of other people thought so too. John Lennon covered the song in 1975 and put his trademark vocals into the mix. Just recently there was a mash-up of this song with performers from all around the world, well worth checking out. This timeless song will forever be heard, whether on the radio or played on grandma's old piano, everyone must hear Stand By Me.

To submit a song you think everyone should hear, email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a paragraph or so reason why it should be heard, and preferably a link to the song.
What songs do you think everyone should hear?

Song #2 - Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

One of the most iconic songs by this iconic performer, Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" defines a culture. Speaking out in lyrical form to the many city kids across the country, Bruce's music helped to define a generation, encapsulating their moods and feelings. This song touchs to the roots of this, with a young mans love of his girl and his love to ride. Expounding upon the theme of restlessness, Bruce brings it all back together with an amazing saxophone solo, provided by the E Street Band. All in all, this song not only defined the city youth of the 70's, it did it with Springsteen's usual flair for the amazing.

Thank you to Tyler for his contribution today.
If you'd like to contribute, email austinspl350@gmail.com with your song, a paragraph or so description of why this song should be heard, and preferably a link.

Song #1 - American Pie - Don McLean

Clocking in at 8 minutes and 32 seconds, American Pie is a rather controversial song which has been parodied by the great Weird Al.
Apart from the musical simplicity of the song, American Pie gives a good, although veiled, look at the musical and partly social arena of life in the early to mid 60s.
Written about a fatal plane crash in 1959 which killed Buddy Holly, Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr., and Ritchie Valens, the lyrics are all metaphorical in some sense.
There are multiple websites and videos devoted to explaining the nuances of the song, so I'll let y'all find that on your own if you so wish.
In any event, with a catchy chorus, the clear, clean vocals of Don McLean, and status as the fifth Song of the Twentieth Century, American Pie is a must-listen.

Why Must You Hear These Songs?

This blog is a place to share.
We want to bring you a bunch of people's opinions on what songs you have to hear before you die.
This is not genre-oriented nor is it music or lyric oriented.
Any and everybody can contribute as long as you can suggest a song and tell us why everyone should hear it.
The goal is to update every day with a new song.
Eventually we'll cover every genre, and I know that I'll find new artists and even genres that I want to check out.
Come on in, enjoy the music, comment with your opinion, share your songs, and have fun!

TO SUGGEST A SONG THAT EVERYONE MUST HEAR:
Email austinspl350@gmail.com with the song, a minimum one paragraph maximum unlimited description, and a link to the song and you'll probably see it up on the page.