2009. What a year, huh? I can't really say anything bad about it, which is probably one of the best compliments a year could get - if it were cognizant of the fact that such a thing as compliments exist.
And so, here is my last post of the absolute cracker of a year that was 2009. It is also my nineteenth (19th) of the year, the same number that I posted last year. Interesting, huh, that I should post the same number in the entirety of a year that I succeeded in posting in half a year? Or, as I would say: dun dun DUH! (cue dramatic music, please...)
Congratulations are in order to Carrie Underwood on her recent engagement to Mike Fisher, an Ottawa Senator. Congratulations. Or, you could totally say, she picked the wrong hockey player. Either way, may they have a long and happy life in each other's arms.
Any other country news? Not that I can think of.
I have discovered my favourite ever radio station, WYNK 101.5 Baton Rouge. It is the most wonderful radio station in the world for country songs and country music-lovers, I can assure you. Through it, I became acquainted with Jessica Andrews' "Who I Am," which is just beautiful, and Steve Holy's "Good Morning Beautiful," which I think I'd heard before, but I'm not sure. I must have heard Dierks Bentley's 'sexy new single' about 12 times already. It's nice. But my new favourite song, and possibly the only, singlemost reason I can't wait for next month, January, is Lady Antebellum's single, "Need You Now," from the band's new album, which is being released in January 2010. It's addicting, haunting, and beautiful.
Also, since posting last, I have obtained Gloriana's album, Gloriana (no surprises with the title there). It's a stunning premiere effort from one of country music's most promising new bands. Although none of the other songs from the album can compare to the shining "Wild At Heart," or the catchy "How Far Do You Wanna Go?" and "The Way It Goes," there are other exceptional songs, namely "Lead Me On," "If You're Leaving," "Over Me Now?," and especially "Even If I Wanted To."
And now...drum roll, please...the biggest news OF. MY. LIFE. (possible slight exaggeration here, but please let it slide, thanks.) On 13 May 2010, I will be going to my first concert ever (unless you count numerous classical symphonic performances or Charles Aznavour, but most people don't). And not just any concert. TAYLOR SWIFT. With GLORIANA as her opening band. Tears were spilled, amid bursts of surprised laughter, when I saw the tickets in my hand. Enough said.
Introducing a new song of mine. A few precursory remarks are necessary, as it is a bit of a mean and passive-agressive song. The first of which is, and this is written rather emphatically, I do NOT have issues. I am a perfectly happy, contented, unselfish, and cheerful person. It just occasionally happens that people - and by people I mean the exceptionally hateful and entitled and self-absorbed - take advantage of the person I am and take, take, take, take, take all they can and I'm left with nothing but my heart. And this is what the song is about. I wrote it with Miranda Lambert's "Kerosene" in mind, so if you sing the phrases with her melody as the accompaniment, it comes out to "Kerosene" a la moi. And yes, the chorus is only two lines long, but that's not unheard of: "People are Crazy" by Billy Currington is a perfect example ('God is great, and beer is good / and people are crazy'). As for the slighly odd first line of the chorus, it is an abstract way of saying that the unknown 'she' entity thinks she is just all that and there is no one else in the world above her, so naturally everyone else is just something to step on and at which to curl up one's nose disgustedly; it is possible that I came up with the precise phrasing 'queen of the golden hall' due to the fact that the night I wrote it, I had been watching Lord of the Rings (absolutely incredible movies!). Which one I don't remember anymore.
Crack in the Wall
I ain't like her in any way
and I sure hope to stay that way
she can't see my heart of gold
thinks respect is bought and sold
she gets fat and takes up space
and walks in like she owns the place
CHORUS:
she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
she acts like she is such a saint
and makes it clear she thinks I ain't
she gets big and I get smaller
she's been pickin' at me like a flower
no wonder that I ain't been heard
biting back those hateful words
CHORUS:
she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
by day she thinks she's always right
but she lies alone at night
when she's mad she slams the door
but when I blink she says it's war
there's something wrong with me, she says
when I ask what, she just laughs
CHORUS:
she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
she sits on her throne and barks out orders
waits for everything to come towards her
she's up in my face like a dog with a bone
but it's always she who wants to be alone
I guess there's nothing for me to do
but tell her I'm never gonna be like you
CHORUS:
cause she's the queen of the golden hall
and me, I'm just a crack in the wall
she's the queen of the golden hall
hey I'm just a crack in the wall
Merry Christmas, etc, and HAPPY NEW YEAR. It ought to be a good one!
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Last time I praised Mr. 103, but today I have to praise Mr. 104! Yes indeed, Martin Brodeur broke the shutout record set by Terry Sawchuck all those years ago. It was a gorgeous 4-0 smoking of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
28 December 2009
09 December 2009
Dream Come True
Hola a todos!
So, you know how kids go through growth spurts? For example, my sister and I never really grew during the school year in elementary school, but then summer came and we shot up a foot every year (amazing what a little food, sun, and water will do, right?). That's how I am with my songwriting. I'll go weeks without time or inspiration for a song, and then one night I'll get a brilliant idea and before I know it, I can't write or type fast enough to capture all of the phrases and rhymes that are growing in my mind and then I don't go to sleep until three in the morning because I want to perfect what I've come up with. Well, that's what happened last night. Yesterday morning, I got a wonderful inspiration for an opening to a love song and I didn't have time all day to write it down, until I was lying in bed with my iTouch and listening to Alan Jackson ("Remember When," "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," and "Chattahoochee") and song after song came to mind. So there I was, writing in my notes function, and trying to figure out if "thoughts" and "of" rhymes (it DOESN'T), and I ended up with two and a half songs.
Before I open up the curtains of that particular window into my heart, I'll go onto a section I really like, that of my telling you some songs I have fallen in love with recently. For one, I looked into Reba McEntire's newest album, Keep On Loving You, and my favourite songs on the album are, of course, "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone," but also "Over You," "She's Turning 50 Today," "Eight Crazy Hours (In the Story of Love)," and "Pink Guitar." But my newest favourite thing EVER is a fantastic artist you've heard of if you've been reading this blog at all, the talented and amazing Miranda Lambert. I got her newest album, Revolution, a few weeks ago, and I honestly fell in love with it. Every song from "White Liar" to "Virginia Bluebell" has such personality and honesty that you can't help but love it. Although I love the entire album, "White Liar," "Only Prettier," "Dead Flowers," "Airstream Song," "Making Plans," "The House that Built Me," "Love Song," and "That's the Way that the World Goes Round" stand out. I also recently rediscovered her other albums, Kerosene and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and I particularly like "Kerosene," "What About Georgia?," "New Strings," and "Me and Charlie Talking" from the first and "Famous in a Small Town" and "Desperation" from the latter.
Now, onto the part that I can't hold in any longer. I seriously couldn't fall asleep because I was so excited about this song. My sister has been asking me for a happy song, so Kristina, this one's for you (but it's not about you...).
Dream Come True
Yesterday I called you as I got in bed
We talked until just before I turned out the light
like we do every night
And then I called you right when I woke up
'cause there was another thing I just had to tell you
like I always do
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today I heard a song that made me think of you
and the day we spent watching the first winter snow
with our hot cocoa
you built a fire in the fireplace
and it felt like heaven and everything was perfect
like it always is
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
BRIDGE:
just now I looked in your eyes and saw the future
and the promise of the life I can't wait to start with you
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today you bought a ring and got on one knee
while you waited for your answer I let you guess
and it was yes
soon I'll buy a white dress and you a tux
you'll smile, and I'll cry, and we'll both say 'I do'
a dream come true...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, changes, congratulations all accepted with pride and pleasure.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. I'm SO rooting for Bryan Voltaggio to be this season's Top Chef. The finale is tonight and I will go crazy if he wins. Or if he doesn't, come to think of it.
p.p.s. Travis Zajac has 9 goals and 16 assists, for 25 points. He's on par for a career season, and I'm so happy for him! Also, congratulations are in order for Mr. 103, none other than the exceptional Martin Brodeur.
p.p.p.s. The other songs I wrote last night were "I Think of You," which you'll see up here shortly, and "Superman," about my dad, but I haven't finished it (mostly because I began writing it in past tense and my dad is still, thankfully, very much alive, so I feel weird about that).
So, you know how kids go through growth spurts? For example, my sister and I never really grew during the school year in elementary school, but then summer came and we shot up a foot every year (amazing what a little food, sun, and water will do, right?). That's how I am with my songwriting. I'll go weeks without time or inspiration for a song, and then one night I'll get a brilliant idea and before I know it, I can't write or type fast enough to capture all of the phrases and rhymes that are growing in my mind and then I don't go to sleep until three in the morning because I want to perfect what I've come up with. Well, that's what happened last night. Yesterday morning, I got a wonderful inspiration for an opening to a love song and I didn't have time all day to write it down, until I was lying in bed with my iTouch and listening to Alan Jackson ("Remember When," "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," and "Chattahoochee") and song after song came to mind. So there I was, writing in my notes function, and trying to figure out if "thoughts" and "of" rhymes (it DOESN'T), and I ended up with two and a half songs.
Before I open up the curtains of that particular window into my heart, I'll go onto a section I really like, that of my telling you some songs I have fallen in love with recently. For one, I looked into Reba McEntire's newest album, Keep On Loving You, and my favourite songs on the album are, of course, "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone," but also "Over You," "She's Turning 50 Today," "Eight Crazy Hours (In the Story of Love)," and "Pink Guitar." But my newest favourite thing EVER is a fantastic artist you've heard of if you've been reading this blog at all, the talented and amazing Miranda Lambert. I got her newest album, Revolution, a few weeks ago, and I honestly fell in love with it. Every song from "White Liar" to "Virginia Bluebell" has such personality and honesty that you can't help but love it. Although I love the entire album, "White Liar," "Only Prettier," "Dead Flowers," "Airstream Song," "Making Plans," "The House that Built Me," "Love Song," and "That's the Way that the World Goes Round" stand out. I also recently rediscovered her other albums, Kerosene and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and I particularly like "Kerosene," "What About Georgia?," "New Strings," and "Me and Charlie Talking" from the first and "Famous in a Small Town" and "Desperation" from the latter.
Now, onto the part that I can't hold in any longer. I seriously couldn't fall asleep because I was so excited about this song. My sister has been asking me for a happy song, so Kristina, this one's for you (but it's not about you...).
Dream Come True
Yesterday I called you as I got in bed
We talked until just before I turned out the light
like we do every night
And then I called you right when I woke up
'cause there was another thing I just had to tell you
like I always do
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today I heard a song that made me think of you
and the day we spent watching the first winter snow
with our hot cocoa
you built a fire in the fireplace
and it felt like heaven and everything was perfect
like it always is
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
BRIDGE:
just now I looked in your eyes and saw the future
and the promise of the life I can't wait to start with you
CHORUS:
you're the first thing on my mind both day and night
and the only thought worth thinking about
have I told you lately, hon, that you're the one?
'cause being close to you is like a dream come true
today you bought a ring and got on one knee
while you waited for your answer I let you guess
and it was yes
soon I'll buy a white dress and you a tux
you'll smile, and I'll cry, and we'll both say 'I do'
a dream come true...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, changes, congratulations all accepted with pride and pleasure.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. I'm SO rooting for Bryan Voltaggio to be this season's Top Chef. The finale is tonight and I will go crazy if he wins. Or if he doesn't, come to think of it.
p.p.s. Travis Zajac has 9 goals and 16 assists, for 25 points. He's on par for a career season, and I'm so happy for him! Also, congratulations are in order for Mr. 103, none other than the exceptional Martin Brodeur.
p.p.p.s. The other songs I wrote last night were "I Think of You," which you'll see up here shortly, and "Superman," about my dad, but I haven't finished it (mostly because I began writing it in past tense and my dad is still, thankfully, very much alive, so I feel weird about that).
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