I Feel So Alive… Or Something
Writing lyrics is hard. I mean, you’re sitting there, the song is almost done and all you’ve got to throw in there is a bridge or the second half of a verse. You’re sitting there, staring at a paper or your computer screen and you’ve got nothing. Then you start throwing out things and all of the sudden something hits you…. and it’s lame. Start over.
I’ve seen all sorts of friends fighting with this. Back when I pretended to write songs I even did this. ’What fits in this space?’. And here’s when it creeps in. The cliche’ “I feel so alive” line. Think about it. How many times have you heard a song with that phrase in it? Do you really Jason Mraz? Do you ‘feel so alive’ at this moment of songwriting? What about you P.O.D.? You too? Don’t believe that this is an over used phrase? Here we go.
“Alive” – Blue
“Alive” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Rush Over Me” – Backstreet Boys
“Shiny” – Berlin
“Moment” – Aiden
“Change” – Candlebox
“Brave New Girl” – Britney Spears
“My Baby You” Marc Anthony
“Runaway” Avril Lavigne
“Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin
“Over My Head” – John Farnham
“7 Keys” – Aqualung
“Sleep” – Plumb
“Again” – John Legend
“The Great Escape” – Boys Like Girls
“It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing” – Shania Twain
“No Holding Back” – Rod Stewart
“So Alive” – Love And Rockets
“So Alive” – Ryan Adams
“Wicked Garden” – Stone Temple Pilots
“Franklin” – Paramore
Oh, and you know there are more don’t you? Now obviously I don’t know all the songs listed above but if you’re able to Google a phrase and put the word “lyric” next to it and this many songs pop up, you shouldn’t be writing it. And don’t get me wrong, some of these are great songs. I’m just wondering what else could have gone there. Plus, when was the last time you ‘felt so alive’? Although I guess it beats all the songs about feeling so dead right?
What other lyrics can you think of that are over used?
Caedmon’s Call
There aren’t many records that I would buy over and over again. Caedmon’s Call’s Self Titled record from 1997, however is one that I’d have no problem buying a new copy ever year for the rest of my life. I know that seems like a weird way to say that I really like this record, but that’s it. It’s a brilliant record and if somehow once a year my copy vanished, I’d buy it new every single time.
And here’s the thing. Every song on the record is solid, but there’s one tucked in there called “Standing Up For Nothing” that is easily one of my favorite songs they have ever done. The lyrics are ridiculous. I’m still a little unclear about the whole “Stupid Kid” song, and maybe someday I’ll have the opportunity to ask about that one, but I’m just going to say it.
If you don’t have this record, you are missing out on greatness.
Yep, that’s it.
Now, I just looked on iTunes and it doesn’t look like you can get it there, but I’m guessing if we make a big enough of a ruckus on here and on Twitter / Facebook we can remedy that pretty quickly.
Who’s got it? Who needs it?
MUSE
Kristin got me tickets for my birthday and last night it was awesome to get out on a date with her before I’m about to head out for a month. And dang. That show was insane. Now, this obviously isn’t the Nashville show we went to last night. This is however, the same intro to the night and it’s the best video I could find. Okay, first, how ridiculous is that stage? I was completely blown away the entire night.
I’ve been thinking of trying to describe the way they did things, but there’s really no way to explain all the different things they did with their production. There were camera guys hanging from the lights, pieces of the stage moving around, lasers, you name it, they were doing it. Seriously something you need to check out if possible.
Andrew Peterson – Labor Of Love
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Andrew Peterson blew us away again last night. We look forward to it every year and the Behold The Lamb Of God tour did not disappoint. Every year I leave reminded how powerful this song in particular is. This was our fifth year going and I’m already excited for next year.
Have you seen it?
Grammy Nods
So check this out. Some friends of mine are up for a couple Grammy’s and I wanted to offer up a little congrats to them. Now, I wasn’t really paying attention when they announced them but I have heard through a bunch of people and then I went and looked for myself.
First up, Billy is nominated for two himself, which is pretty awesome. Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song. Not bad huh?
Then the boys in Third Day are up for a few. Best Gospel Performance, Best Gospel Song, and Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album.
The Leeland boys are up for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.
And SkörInc’s own Matthew West is up for Best Gospel Song for “The Motions”.
Anyway, it’s pretty cool to see all these guys up for stuff, and it actually gives me a reason to watch the Grammy’s again.
So here’s a question. What’s your favorite ‘Awards show’ to watch? Grammy’s? Emmy’s? Oscars? Golden Globes?
Ready? Go.
Downhere – How Many Kings
There’s no reason in my mind that this band isn’t massive. Downhere is one of the most creative, underrated Christian bands out there in my opinion. Their music makes me feel like I should be in the back alley of some dark, foreign puppet movie…. in a good way. There’s something eclectic and fiction about it, but somehow still unbelievably appealing.
I remember getting their first record when it came out and shortly after, read a review that said they sounded like Third Day. Now, I don’t remember who wrote that review but I don’t think they had any idea what they were talking about. Not that Third Day or Downhere’s sounds are bad, but certainly not the same.
So anyway, check this out. Today, in the attempt of getting in the holiday spirit, I decided to check out Downhere’s Christmas record ‘How Many Kings’. Someone from their label sent me it a while back and I just got around to listening to it. Now, I’m not normally a fan of Christmas music, but this record again, takes you to some fictional place and makes you expect to see Pinocchio walk around the corner of some cobblestone street. Sorry if that doesn’t make sense. It does in my head.
So anyway, if you’re looking for something to get you into that Christmas Spirit this is a good call…. And when have I ever steered you wrong? I’m even allowed to give away one of the songs. I’m sure it’s some way for their label to get me to advertise for them, but you all know me better than that, and this isn’t even an artist that works with SkörInc, so you know I must like it.
Anyway, grab the free song, then go get the rest of the album and have an awesome holiday season in a fictional place that probably only exists in my head. I should stop talking…. go get the record… and the free song. This band is ridiculous.
iTunes DJ
So, we’ve done this before, but it’s a pretty fun way to share some new music, not to mention an awesome possibility for something funny to come up. Above is the first ten songs that came up when I clicked my iTunes DJ button out of a list of 4854 songs. Pretty interesting huh?
Now it’s your turn, but before you list your 10 songs tell us how many songs you have in your library too. Comments should look like this:
Library: 100 songs
1. Awesome song name
2. Awesome song name
Ect….
Seems pretty easy right? If you’re having a hard time getting a list, just put your player on ‘Shuffle’ and type out the first 10. No cheating to look cooler either. Ready? Go.
A Night With Steven Curtis Chapman (Again)
So, if you remember the other day I had that ’super secret project’ that turned out to be not as much of a ’secret’ so I blogged about it? Well, tonight is sort of a ’round two’ of that only this one isn’t secret at all. This is a full blown broadcasted evening with Steven Curtis Chapman. Turns out the other one went so well that they wanted to do it again, and called me back.
So tonight at 9PM Steven will be playing some songs, talking about his record that came out today and answering some questions all from the World Wide Internetland. Now, I’m going to warn you though. When he starts talking about the songs and meaning behind this record I promise you will choke up. So guys, if you want to be all manly and junk watching it, just make sure you have some sunglasses next to you so no one can see you like Rocky Balboa did in Rocky 4.
Seriously though, take an hour tonight and head over to Steven’s Facebook page and check out his amazing story of loss and recovery through the making of this record. It will blow your mind. I’m honored to be a part of it.
