“Bliss” – Alice Peacock

Here’s the latest of indie musicians to hit it big with song placement into a commercial. This time it’s Alice Peacock, born and raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and now practicing her music out of Chicago.

A good friend of mine introduced me to Alice back in 2001, or so and I’ve followed her career ever since. Most recently I saw her perform live in Minneapolis.

Listen for her song, “Bliss,” on Hershey’s Bliss chocolate commercials, which began airing March 31. In this version, she duets with John Mayer.

-end-

Read Full Post »

“Masochist” – Ingrid Michaelson

Lyrics:

She says you’re a masochist for falling for me,
So roll up your sleeves.
And I think that I like her, ‘cuz she tells me things I don’t want to hear,
Medicinal tongue in my ear.

When will it stop? When will it stop?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel soft, soft?

You say that my skin feels like no one else’s,
That it’s different somehow.
But I don’t understand, isn’t a hand just a hand?
No you don’t understand.

When will it start? My broken part?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel soft, soft?

Oooo

When will I feel all soft on the inside? When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel soft, soft?

She says you’re a masochist for falling for me.

-end-

Read Full Post »

“I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz

It’s been a long time Mr. A to Z. Fans have been waiting.

Lyrics:

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you’re so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
And now I’m trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I’ll be giving it my bestest
Nothing’s going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it’s again my turn to win some or learn some

But I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It can not wait, I’m yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you’re free
Look into your heart and you’ll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing
We’re just one big family
And it’s our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It can not wait I’m sure
There’s no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I’m yours

Scooch on over closer dear, and I will nibble your ear

I’ve been spendin way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bendin over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be sayin is there ain’t no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It’s what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

But I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It can not wait, I’m yours

Open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plan and damn your free
Look into your heart and you’ll find that the sky is yours
So please don’t please don’t please don’t
There’s no need to complicate
Because our time is short
This oh this oh this is our fate
I’m yours

-end-

Read Full Post »

“Orange Sky,” – Alexi Murdoch

Lyrics:

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother standing by
With my brother standing by
I said Brother, you know you know
It’s a long road we’ve been walking on
Brother you know it is you know it is
Such a long road we’ve been walking on

And I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my sister standing by
With my sister standing by
I said Sister, here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

But sister you know I’m so weary
And you know sister
My hearts been broken
Sometimes, sometimes
My mind is too strong to carry on
Too strong to carry on

When I am alone
When I’ve thrown off the weight of this crazy stone
When I’ve lost all care for the things I own
That’s when I miss you, that’s when I miss you, that’s when I miss you
You who are my home
You who are my home
And here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by

-end-

Read Full Post »

“Only Love,” BoDeans

I just picked up the latest release from the Wisconsin-based BoDeans (and while the band may have formed in Milwaukee, those of us in Minnesota basically claim this group as ours). This band has been around for two decades and the latest music they offer on the CD, “Still” proves the group still has what it takes to write, sing, play and rock.

You can hear tracks from Still at this MySpace page. Be sure to check out “Hearing,” which is currently getting tons of play here in Minneapolis.

Until the group tours and fans start uploading video to YouTube, here’s a great track called, “Only Love.” A classic from a very talented group.

Lyrics:

See you walkin’ down the street now every day
Pushin’ by the people as you make your way
You’re walkin’ proud now baby
You got your head held high
Want you to know that this whole world
Sees your heart cry
Oh yeah I see how hard you try
To make yourself believe
It’s Only Love
It’s Only Love
It’s Only Love
It’s Only Love

Maybe love shouldn’t have to be so hard to take
Shouldn’t have to feel that burn
Until your poor heart breaks
So why you tell yourself
You know there’s no one else
When it just ain’t worth the waitin’ anymore
Oh baby don’t you wonder if there’s such a thing
It’s Only Love
It’s Only Love
It’s Only Love
It’s Only Love…

Oh you been lookin’ for a believer
A baby to hold too
Yeah, someone who’s been waiting
Oh baby just for you…and love
It’s only love…

If I could I’d take you baby in my arms
Take away all love’s blame
And all love’s scars
Maybe we could run away
Until we get so far away
And then I couldn’t see us coming back again
Well it’s only what you make of it
It’s only what you need
It’s Only Love (repeat)

-end-

Read Full Post »

“Coffee Shop,” by Landon Pigg

Okay, here’s another song made popular by a DeBeers diamond television commercial.

Seems artists have figured out how to mass market themselves on the tails of major companies. Landon Pigg’s “Coffee Shop,” is a catchy little tune. Enjoy!

http://musicbox.sonybmg.com/videos/landon-pigg/falling-in-love-at-a-coffee-shop

Lyrics:

I think that possibly, maybe I’m fallin’ for you
Yes, there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you
I’ve seen the paths that your eyes wander down
I wanna come to
I think that possibly, maybe I’m fallin’ for you

No one understands me quite like you do
Through all of the shadowy corners of me

I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I think that possibly, maybe I’m fallin’ for you
Yes, there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you
I’ve seen the waters that make your eyes shine
Now I’m shinin’ too
Because, oh because, I’ve fallen quite hard over you

If I didn’t know you, I’d rather not know
If I couldn’t have you, I’d rather be alone

I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew
I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew
All of the while
All of the while
It was you

-end-

Read Full Post »

“Last Request” Paolo Nutini

A co-worker shared a live version of this song with me recently and, while Mr. Nutini, is still a very young artist, he’s got some skillz and sings this version with the same emotion and strength that a David Gray, John Mayer or Jason Mraz would give.

Lyrics:

Slow down, lie down
Remember it’s just you and me
Don’t sell out, bow out
Remember how this used to be

I just want you closer
Is that alright?
Baby, let’s get closer tonight

Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don’t shrug your shoulders
Lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we’re going nowhere
But one last time let’s go there
Lay down beside me

Oh, and I’ve found, that I’m bound
To wander down that one way road.
And I realize all about your lies
And I’m no wiser than the fool I was before.

I just want you closer,
Is that alright?
Baby let’s get closer tonight

Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don’t shrug your shoulders
Lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we’re going nowhere
But one last time let’s go there
Oh lay down beside me

Oh, baby, baby, baby,
Tell me how can…how can this be wrong?

Grant my last request and just let me hold you
Don’t shrug your shoulders
Lay down beside me
Sure I can accept that we’re going nowhere
But one last time let’s go there
Lay down beside me (x2)

Grant my last request and just let me hold you

Yeah, lay down beside me.

One last time let’s go there,
Lay down beside me

-end-

Read Full Post »

One for The Road

“Everything,” by Alanis Morissette became a favorite road trip song of mine when it was first released. Lots of folks hammer Alanis for “Ironic.” I think it’s ironic that I like cycling and, in fact, their are cyclists in this video (and if someone can name the cycling crew that makes its cameo appearance on the front end of the vid, there’s a prize in it for you). I’d completely forgotten what a kick ass video this is (and she’s much hotter with the short hair!).

Lyrics:

I can be an asshole of the grandest kind
I can withhold like it’s going out of style
I have the bravest heart that you’ve ever seen, and you’ve never met anyone
Who’s as positive as I am sometimes

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

I blame everyone else, not my own partaking
My passive aggressiveness can be devastating
I’m the most gorgeous woman that you’ve ever known
And you’ve never met anyone
Who’s as everything as I am  sometimes.

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

What I resist, persists and speaks louder than I know
What I resist, you love no matter how low or high I go

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I’m ashamed
There’s not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

(You see everything, you see every part)
And you’re still here
(You see all my light and you love my dark)
And you’re still here
(You dig everything of which I’m ashamed)
(There’s not anything to which you can’t relate)
And you’re still here…

-end-

Read Full Post »

“Skinny Love,” – Bon Iver

Here’s a Song for Saturday from Wisconsin native, Justin Vernon who formed Bon Iver. The song, Skinny Love, is from his new album “For Emma, Forever Ago,” available on Feb. 19.  The group starts its tour next week, so watch for them at small venues near you.  The guy’s lyrical ability is pretty amazing.

Lyrics

Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

I tell my love to wreck it all
To cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Right in this moment this order’s tall

And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be kind
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be fine
In the morning I’ll be with you
But it will be a different kind
And I’ll be holding all the tickets
And you’ll be owning all the fines

Come on skinny love what happened here
Suckle on the hope in lite brazziere
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Sullen load is full; so slow on the split

And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be better
And I told you to be kind
In the morning I’ll be with you
But it will be a different kind
When you’ll be holding all the tickets
And you’ll be owning all the fines

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?

 -end-

Read Full Post »

Alice Peacock and Tim Finn

If, like me, you cut your teeth on groups like the Split Enz and Crowded House in the ’80s, then you’ll appreciate Tim Finn’s latest solo effort, “Imaginary Kingdom,” available everywhere you buy CDs. Tonight, at a small 300-seat concert hall, Finn played for more than an hour. He sang many of the favorites from his early days with Neil, like “Leaky Boat,” and “Persuasion,” plus several offerings from his upcoming CD.

Alice Peacock opened for Tim, performing her hits like “Bliss,” “I’ll Start With Me,” and “Love.” She played the guitar and piano with affection, clearly enjoying the small venue (even if she had a bit of a cold). Her new CD will be out later this year, but to tide fans over, she’s released a single called, “Might As Well Have Fun While You’re At It.” All proceeds from the sale of the single go to her nonprofit, Rock for Reading, a program she’s started to raise awareness and resources for literacy and reading programs through the power of music.

A great show from the third row center stage.

-end-

Read Full Post »