A Rhyme: "Turning Tables" - Adele

A song that makes you feel vulnerable is one of the best. "Turning Tables" by Adele is one of those songs. On her second studio effort, 21, Adele took inspiration from her past relationship which is how she wrote songs like this one. Because this song is so well written, her voice does all the explaining necessary, evoking emotion that can only be felt if you have experienced the lyrics. The way Adele sings the lyrics and the way the song is written make it an effective listen.

A Rhyme: "Since I've Been Loving You" - Led Zeppelin

Valentine's Day is here and what better way to celebrate than with a love song!

From the album, III, released in October of 1970, "Since I've Been Loving You" is a blues-rock song about a man in love. Thought it may seem so on the surface, this song isn't just any typical love song. Basically a guy is so in love with his woman, but since they have fallen for each other she's driven him crazy. Listening to the track you can definitely feel the sanity leaving Robert Plant's body. He's worried that his lover hasn't been treating him well--at least that's what everybody is trying to tell him.

This is a popular song of the band's and has been covered by British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae albeit in a modified slower, more relaxed version. The classic can be found below.



Image credit: Atlantic Records

A Rhyme: "There Is No Arizona" - Jamie O'Neal

Released in 2000 with the singer's debut album Shiver, Jamie O' Neal's "There Is No Arizona" remains one of her most popular tracks to date. I first heard this song probably a year after it was released when my grandpa started listening to country radio in the car. After that, I would watch GAC and see the video. Ever since then, I have loved the song. I came across it again recently and bought it from iTunes and upon listening to it again, I've truly understood what it is about.

The gist of the story is that a guy promises to take his girlfriend to Arizona where they'll live out the rest of their lives together and all their dreams will come true. As it turns out, he goes there without her leaving her waiting for him until one day, it dawns on her that he isn't coming back. The reason why this song is so poignant is because of the way the writers decided to relay the fact that a guy had promised his girl these dreams and now they were never going to be realized. They simply say that the hopes will never be true because Arizona doesn't exist. O'Neal does a great job of conveying the emotion evicted in the song. I feel it every time.

Image Credit: Mercury Nashville

Music Video: F**kin' Perfect - P!nk

The latest single from P!nk's first greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits...So Far!!!, is one of those songs that is meant to let listeners know that they are just right the way they are. It's a cliche topic that has been written about numerous times but with P!nk, an artist known for sticking up for the underdogs (see her last smash "Raise Your Glass" ), you get the feeling that she is being genuine. In fact P!nk says in a message on her website how important the meaning of this video and song is:

"Making this video was a very emotional experience for me, as was writing this song. I have a life inside of me, and I want her or him to know that I will accept him or her with open and loving and welcoming arms."

The video displays a chilling image of a cutting; even I, who isn't usually move by such a thing since I see it shown in the media and on television so often, was put a little off center by the image. The message of the video is clear by the end of the clip: you are perfect to those who love you.

Check out the video below. What's your reaction to the chilling scenes?



Credit: pinkspage.com

A Rhyme: "Voodoo" - Alexz Johnson

Many know Alexz Johnson from the hit TV shows Instant Star and So Weird but Johnson's true passion is singing and that she does well on her debut disc. The title track, "Voodoo", is essentially about Johnson wondering what mystical or emotional power has her falling for her guy. If you're listening to the song thinking it'll sound like a tune from Jude Harrison (Johnson's Instant Star character) then you may be disappointed. Many site the song and the LP as a huge departure from the singer's TV show songs and I have to agree.

I came upon "Voodoo" when I was on the Internet one day and thought, "I wonder what ever happened to that album Alexz Johnson was supposed to be recording." I went to her official site, clicked on "Voodoo" and immediately loved the song. After streaming the album on alexzjohnson.com I downloaded the album from iTunes and have been playing the LP practically non-stop. Check out the title track below.



Picture Credit: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Red" - Daniel Merriweather

Released on Colombia records, "Red" is actually Daniel Merriweather's second single from his sophomore album, Love & War. The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 5, Merriweather's second top 10 single. The singer says "Red is a song "about the blindness of war and the absence of compassion displayed by western administrations."

Currently featured as a Vh1 "You Oughta Know" artist, his song has been playing quite often on Jump Start in the morning. It was there that I first heard the song and liked it ever since. I'd describe Daniel Merriweather as a male version of British songstress Adele. If you like her song, "Chasing Pavements" you'll probably like this song too. Check it out below!

Source: Wikipedia

A Riff: Disney Soundtrack Songs

What child born in the late 20th century hasn't heard these classic Disney soundtrack songs? These are the songs many children have grown up with, ones that any one person can start singing and another could finish. From "A Whole New World" to "Hakkuna Matata", Disney songs take you back into the past and make you feel like a kid again.

Take a trip down memory lane with the playlist below: