December 3, 2016

Tracking Down Tunes: Oldies But Goodies

Lindsey of Bring My Books & I are teaming up on this collaboration, inspired by our mutual desire to broaden our musical horizons. Basically, we both listen to music the same way: we find a favorite artist or album or track and listen to it nonstop. In an effort to diversify the music we listen to, we decided it would be fun to go out of our way to listen to new songs - and that it would be even better if we could recommend stuff to each other. So, every month, we'll be sharing our monthly playlists (for the previous month) with all of you!


I cannot believe we're sharing our very last playlist for the year today. It has been such incredible fun to discover and share new music, and to revisit old favorites too, with all of you. And it has been so cool to team up with Lindsey, who is one of my favorite people in the blogging community! We're not sure if this feature will be back in 2017, but I do hope Lindsey and I can plan a way to collaborate again with new content for you all. Anyway...

I only really started getting interested in older tunes after I moved back to the USA. I was, admittedly, all about the pop when I was living in the Philippines, not that there's anything wrong with that (and I still love it). But nowadays, I don't mind going back in time and revisiting music from older generations. I'm excited to share my favorites with you, majority of which I really only got hooked on in the past couple of years. All the songs on this playlist were released pre-1987, and I've included the year of release for each.



When I Fall in Love / Jeri Southern (1952, featured in the film One Minute to Zero) - This particular song gives me a lot of feelings, and all very sentimental ones. I just really love how sweet the song sounds, and how hopeful and wistful the singer manages to comes across as well (partially due to her own emotion, and partially, I'm sure due to the lyrics. It's a lovely tune, and I always enjoy listening to it.

Smile / Nat King Cole (1954) - I honestly feel like if there was ever a song that embodied me as a human being, a portion of it would have to be taken from this one. It just feels like the lyrics perfectly embody how I choose to react to a lot of things that happen in my life, since I often choose to try to be positive even in the face of great trouble or sorrow. Anyway, I love it.

Can't Help Falling in Love / Elvis Presley (1961) - Again, I didn't hear the original version of this song until after I'd heard the cover that was on the soundtrack of Lilo and Stitch. But I really love the original! I think Presley's voice is really well suited to sing this romantic ballad, and I also just really enjoy the simple imagery presented by the song in its entirety.

The Way You Look Tonight / Frank Sinatra (1964; originally performed by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film Swing Time) - The first time I actually ever heard this song, I immediately fell in love with it. Shortly after that, Macky serenaded me with it, so you can imagine the attachment I formed to it afterwards. But seriously, this song is so lovely, sweet and all sorts of wonderful. It's classic, it's romantic and the perfect tune to dance to with someone that you really love. (P.S. Personally, the Sinatra cover is my favorite.)

Piece of My Heart / Big Brother & The Holding Company feat. Janis Joplin (1968; originally performed by Erma Franklin in 1967) - I'm obsessed with this song. I've always found it extremely catchy, and I love singing along whenever I'm listening to (with a whole lot of feeling too). I can't even remember how I first discovered this one, but I do remember the most recent time I heard it - when James Bay covered it live at his concert, which was incredible.

Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles (1969) - This is, without a doubt, my favorite song from this iconic band. I just love the simple, hopeful lyrics, especially when paired with such a catchy melody. I personally always feel cheerful after giving this one a listen, so it gets played a lot when I'm having a bad day or just feeling really grumpy. After all, who wouldn't want to put a song that gets them out of a funk on repeat when necessary?

Somebody to Love / Queen (1976) - Confession: The first time I really paid attention to this song was when a cover of it appeared in the film "Ella Enchanted". I obviously discovered the original tune afterwards, and that one has totally gone into my regular rotation. I really like the glam rock style of the original, and I also find this one to be a fun song choice at karaoke.

How Deep is Your Love / Bee Gees (1977) - Confession: I didn't love this song all that much as a young'un. But now that I'm older, I just love it. It's certainly one that had to grow on me, and while I'm still not particularly attached to the lyrics, I love the way they come together with the melody to produce a ballad that's really soothing to my ears.

Total Eclipse of the Heart / Bonnie Tyler (1983) - I. love. this. song. I cannot even express to you in one measly paragraph how much I enjoy this song. It's partly because I love the dramatic lyrics, partly because I enjoy the intense sound and effects, and partly because I totally enjoy rocking out to this song at karaoke.

I Want to Know What Love Is / Foreigner (1984) - I think I really have a thing for dramatic songs, with intense music accompanying really emotional lyrics. I thoroughly enjoy having this song in rotation, just because it's so fun to sing along to it whenever it's on. Plus, I find this is also a popular karaoke choice when I'm with a particular group of my friends.

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