Hello, all.
Tomorrow marks a week since I sat down by the fireplace and unwrapped my newfound treasure and turned on my dad's CD player (mine broke on the trip to Arizona) and pressed the play button. I opened the booklet, read the liner notes first, and then followed along with the lyrics. The sweet acoustic chords of "Fearless" filled the earphones, and it wasn't until the last dramatic drumbeats of "Change" faded out 53:26 later that I dared breathe. For those of you who want a play-by-play with the CD, here goes:
"Fearless" - Beautiful! It's the "best first date I haven't had yet song," and the lyrics make me want that type of date, too. As well as the songwriting prowess that emanates from every Taylor Swift song. Capture it, remember it.
"Fifteen" - This is what I've always wanted a friend to say to me, and she sounds like a best friend. In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team / I didn't know it at fifteen / When all you wanted was to be wanted. It sounds like the kind of normal life that is lacking in my school. Or at least in my life.
"Love Story" - It's a fairy tale! How much more can I say about it? I love the banjo in the background, and I love how Taylz performed this at the CMAs last Wednesday (She changed dresses halfway through! And the guy from the music video was there, too.) My favourite part is the anticipation (acoustic guitar, percussion, banjo) leading up to the final glorious burst, Marry me Juliet you never have to be alone / I love you and that's all I really know / I talked to your dad go pick out a white dress.
"Hey Stephen" - Hey, Stephen, I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose / all those other girls, well they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you? This song puts me in a good mood whenever I listen to it. It's so cheerful. And the fingersnaps at the end make it even more so. Apparently it was written for a member of Taylz's opening band, Love and Theft.
"White Horse" - Songs don't get much better than this. The harmonies in the chorus are enough to satisfy your passion for good music, and then the bridge and the variations in the chorus (I'm gonna find someone someday who might actually TREAT me well / this is a big world, that was a small town there in my rearview mirror disappearing now) are sheer brilliance.
"You Belong With Me" - The pre-chorus is wonderful (She wears short skirts I wear t-shirts / she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers or She wears high heels I wear sneakers / she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers), and then the change to the chorus is terrific as well. This song is probably the catchiest on the album.
"Breathe" - A duet with Colbie Caillet. I love the first line of the chorus (And we know it's never simple, never easy) and the first line of the second verse (Music starts playing like the end of a sad movie.
"Tell Me Why" - Listening to this song, I can imagine Caitlin's violin sawing in half (that's Taylz's fiddle player). And I need you like a heartbeat.
"You're Not Sorry" - I think this is the weakest song on the album, but every time I hear it, I find something new to love. For instance, I love the bridge (You had me crawling for you honey and it never would've gone away / you used to shine so bright but I watched all of it fade). And the piano in the background. Ah!
"The Way I Loved You" - She wrote this with John Rich (of Big & Rich), and lately it's my favourite song on the album (this changes day to day, however). The difference in melody between the verses and the chorus is pure poetry, and I love the music to the verses and the bridge. I love the triangle (or is it a xylophone?) when she sings 'cause I'm not feeling anything at all.
"Forever and Always" - Second-catchiest song on the album. Was I out of line / did I say something way too honest? The chorus is terrific, but on first listen it's slightly hard to follow, as she switches from "you" to "he" and back.
"The Best Day" - The introduction to this song reminds me of the intro to a Kenny Chesney song, from his The Road and the Radio album. And it's the one song on the album that made me cry the first time I heard it. And the second, and the third. It's exactly how I feel about my mom, that she's my best friend. The relationship is gorgeous. I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run / and I had my best days with you.
"Change" - I love the electric guitar part in the background. This song can be applied to so many circumstances, and it shines. Tonight we'll stand and get off our knees fight for what we've worked for all these years / and the battle was long it's the fight of our lives / but we'll stand up champions tonight / it was the night things changed, can you feel it now these walls that they put up to hold us back FELL down.
So that's my run-down. There are so many things to say about each song, and about the entire album, but I'll limit my glowing comments so that you won't be bored to tears.
I feel weird posting on of my lame songs after such a spectacular array of Taylor's, so I will end the post here and write another one soon.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. OMG! Best game ever on Saturday! Way to go Scottie Clemmensen, and congratulations to Trav on a 3-point game! Win on Thursday?
I have nothing to put here now!
17 November 2008
08 November 2008
Truth
Hi there,
Another single from Fearless has been released on iTunes, "You Belong With Me." Taylor is awesome.
Here's the song (I'm sorry this post is so short, my heart's not into writing much today, sorry), but I should mention that the title and the second verse are not mine. The words were given me, and all I did was make them rhyme.
There's nothing more to say.
Truth
so that's it then, it's all been said
all my tears dried up and counted
your explanation has been heard
so now we don't say another word
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now, that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
you know the horror of the words
those that should never be heard
there's no easy way for them to be said
and so they fall, fall like lead
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
(softly)
it's my victory, cause you looked at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
(crescendo)
but now I'm walking in the rain
hoping you'll hear me, calling your name
and I wanna go back to all those times
it was just you and me and your eyes and mine
but have it your way
there's nothing for me to say
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I'd say this
you think it went the way you planned it
but it was my victory, having you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
oh, I've got plenty to say but nothing you wanna hear...
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. OBAMA!!!!!
Fearless releases on Tuesday! :)
Another single from Fearless has been released on iTunes, "You Belong With Me." Taylor is awesome.
Here's the song (I'm sorry this post is so short, my heart's not into writing much today, sorry), but I should mention that the title and the second verse are not mine. The words were given me, and all I did was make them rhyme.
There's nothing more to say.
Truth
so that's it then, it's all been said
all my tears dried up and counted
your explanation has been heard
so now we don't say another word
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now, that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
you know the horror of the words
those that should never be heard
there's no easy way for them to be said
and so they fall, fall like lead
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I would say
you think it all went your way
but it was my victory, seeing you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
(softly)
it's my victory, cause you looked at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
(crescendo)
but now I'm walking in the rain
hoping you'll hear me, calling your name
and I wanna go back to all those times
it was just you and me and your eyes and mine
but have it your way
there's nothing for me to say
CHORUS:
but if you'd let me, I'd say this
you think it went the way you planned it
but it was my victory, having you look at me
you drew me in and I couldn't breathe
so it's fitting now that I'm walking in the rain
cause the last time I did, I was calling your name
oh, I've got plenty to say but nothing you wanna hear...
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. OBAMA!!!!!
Fearless releases on Tuesday! :)
03 November 2008
Tonight
Hello, all.
Taylor Swift's new single came out on iTunes, "You're Not Sorry," which she composed on the piano. I think that's a new thing for her - most of her songs (I'm assuming) were composed on the guitar. I should also mention that I am not paid to endorse Taylor's music, or to campaign for the selling of her albums (maybe I have election lingo on my mind, do you think?). I just plug her now and then (okay, every post) because she and her music have had SUCH an impact on my life, and her songs have influenced and permeated mine.
So last night, I was practicing the guitar (I always do this sitting on my bed, I don't know why), and I was practicing this chord progression that my super amazing teacher taught me. And I was inspired. So I began to fool around with the three chords (that are played up and down the neck, at the first fret, sixth, and eighth - the E major chord progression). I came up with an introduction, including a strumming pattern, and decided to put it together with the idea that had come into my mind that day (the chorus just came to me, including the melody, it was beautiful, really, the way it just welled up inside me and burst forth). And the end result was this song, "Tonight." I also came up with the chord backing for the entire song, except for the bridge part.
This song is about a girl who is going to tell the boy whom she likes precisely that. It goes through her thoughts the whole day before she will tell him, through the freaking-out moments, and the obsessive thoughts "does he like me back?" "what if he says nothing?" etc. Everything that would run through her mind while counting down the minutes before he comes and she tells him. Writing this song made me wonder how relationships start. Someone has to be the first to take charge, and say it first. Someone has to go out on a limb and risk being hurt and not reciprocated, hoping that it can turn into something sweet. So why not the girl?
If the chorus seems slightly strange, in its structure/repetition, trust me when I say that it sounds really good with the guitar, and it sounds like a real country song. Not that it is. But it could be, one day.
Tonight
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
it's the last thing he's expecting
so when he walks in the place
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy, it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
I'm rehearsing what I'll say
learning my lines by heart
can't believe today's the day
cross my fingers if I were smart
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
BRIDGE:
Tonight I'm gonna tell him, that's a fact
wonder if he feels the same way back
(softly)
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
(crescendo)
Just wanna get it off my chest
so we have no more lies
he'll be holding the rest
so I sure hope he smiles
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
I actually have a few questions, my sweet dedicated readers. I need your input. So:
1. Should I repeat the chorus after the third verse (that's the one that ends with "I sure hope he smiles")?
2. The third "I'm in love with you" is in parenthesis. That means that I am not sure if it should be included. What is your opinion? Is it too repetitive having it thrice, or does it merely serve to underscore the emotion? Because the melody works either way.
I like the song, so I hope you do, too.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK (FS)
p.s. I love Travis Zajac. Just thought I'd put that out there. He's doing an amazing job trying to score tonight, and I'm crossing my fingers that he can capitalize soon. Maybe on this 5-on-3.
p.p.s. I wish Felipe Massa had won the championship, but I can say for the record that he won't win next year (regrettably) - it will be Kimi Raikkonen. Mark my words. I just wish it hadn't been Lewis Hamilton this year. I will blame poor Timo Glock forever.
7 days to Fearless!
Taylor Swift's new single came out on iTunes, "You're Not Sorry," which she composed on the piano. I think that's a new thing for her - most of her songs (I'm assuming) were composed on the guitar. I should also mention that I am not paid to endorse Taylor's music, or to campaign for the selling of her albums (maybe I have election lingo on my mind, do you think?). I just plug her now and then (okay, every post) because she and her music have had SUCH an impact on my life, and her songs have influenced and permeated mine.
So last night, I was practicing the guitar (I always do this sitting on my bed, I don't know why), and I was practicing this chord progression that my super amazing teacher taught me. And I was inspired. So I began to fool around with the three chords (that are played up and down the neck, at the first fret, sixth, and eighth - the E major chord progression). I came up with an introduction, including a strumming pattern, and decided to put it together with the idea that had come into my mind that day (the chorus just came to me, including the melody, it was beautiful, really, the way it just welled up inside me and burst forth). And the end result was this song, "Tonight." I also came up with the chord backing for the entire song, except for the bridge part.
This song is about a girl who is going to tell the boy whom she likes precisely that. It goes through her thoughts the whole day before she will tell him, through the freaking-out moments, and the obsessive thoughts "does he like me back?" "what if he says nothing?" etc. Everything that would run through her mind while counting down the minutes before he comes and she tells him. Writing this song made me wonder how relationships start. Someone has to be the first to take charge, and say it first. Someone has to go out on a limb and risk being hurt and not reciprocated, hoping that it can turn into something sweet. So why not the girl?
If the chorus seems slightly strange, in its structure/repetition, trust me when I say that it sounds really good with the guitar, and it sounds like a real country song. Not that it is. But it could be, one day.
Tonight
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
it's the last thing he's expecting
so when he walks in the place
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy, it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
I'm rehearsing what I'll say
learning my lines by heart
can't believe today's the day
cross my fingers if I were smart
CHORUS:
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
(I'm in love with you)
it may be news to you, I don't know
but lookin' at you sure gives me hope
and I wanna look at you 'till I die
starting now, starting tonight
BRIDGE:
Tonight I'm gonna tell him, that's a fact
wonder if he feels the same way back
(softly)
he's gonna walk right in
and I'll say sit down I've got something to tell you
then I'll look at him
and say boy it's all gonna be the truth
(crescendo)
Just wanna get it off my chest
so we have no more lies
he'll be holding the rest
so I sure hope he smiles
Tonight I'm gonna tell him
can't wait to see his face
I actually have a few questions, my sweet dedicated readers. I need your input. So:
1. Should I repeat the chorus after the third verse (that's the one that ends with "I sure hope he smiles")?
2. The third "I'm in love with you" is in parenthesis. That means that I am not sure if it should be included. What is your opinion? Is it too repetitive having it thrice, or does it merely serve to underscore the emotion? Because the melody works either way.
I like the song, so I hope you do, too.
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK (FS)
p.s. I love Travis Zajac. Just thought I'd put that out there. He's doing an amazing job trying to score tonight, and I'm crossing my fingers that he can capitalize soon. Maybe on this 5-on-3.
p.p.s. I wish Felipe Massa had won the championship, but I can say for the record that he won't win next year (regrettably) - it will be Kimi Raikkonen. Mark my words. I just wish it hadn't been Lewis Hamilton this year. I will blame poor Timo Glock forever.
7 days to Fearless!
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