1. Hurts So Good - John Mellencamp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Gi5SAYi6g
An old classic, this song is constantly being played on my computer and phone. I love the use of simple electric guitar work that really makes the song. The drum work is also simple, but adds to the uniqueness of the song. Mellencamp's voice is also unique, with a different tone to it that makes him easily recognizable.
2. Stay with Me - Sam Smith - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB-5XG-DbAA
The emotion behind this song is so easily recognizable, but at the same time so raw and impactful. I think one defining quality of Sam Smith is the way he uses his story to craft each song. Starting as a toilet cleaner at a bar, working full time, and struggling to pay his rent, Smith's rise to international stardom is an unique story of success that can be used as inspiration for many aspiring artists in the world.
The emotion behind this song is so easily recognizable, but at the same time so raw and impactful. I think one defining quality of Sam Smith is the way he uses his story to craft each song. Starting as a toilet cleaner at a bar, working full time, and struggling to pay his rent, Smith's rise to international stardom is an unique story of success that can be used as inspiration for many aspiring artists in the world.
3. Make Me Miss You - Sam Hunt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk5pwbb_-gI
This is another guy who has a very different voice. It's like a smooth, ballad country style. This song is a perfect showcase of his talent, his flawless singing capability. He's also got a very special gift at songwriting (for instance, he wrote Cop Car for Keith Urban). I'm really excited to see what his first full album is going to contain when it comes out in October.
4. One - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix9NXVIbm2A
I was very interested to hear that Ed Sheeran plays all of his concerts as a solo artist. He has no band to back him up, or any backup vocals, or any dancers, or anything! He does it all with his guitar, his vocals, and a loop station pedal. Everytime I hear something new about this artist, it never stops blowing me away!
This is another guy who has a very different voice. It's like a smooth, ballad country style. This song is a perfect showcase of his talent, his flawless singing capability. He's also got a very special gift at songwriting (for instance, he wrote Cop Car for Keith Urban). I'm really excited to see what his first full album is going to contain when it comes out in October.
4. One - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix9NXVIbm2A
I was very interested to hear that Ed Sheeran plays all of his concerts as a solo artist. He has no band to back him up, or any backup vocals, or any dancers, or anything! He does it all with his guitar, his vocals, and a loop station pedal. Everytime I hear something new about this artist, it never stops blowing me away!
5. Alive - Hillsong Young and Free - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEvEVALLjNQ
With Hillsong being such a large organization, it's nice to see a breath of fresh air coming from the group in the form of Young and Free. Typically, Hillsong is classified by their United worship work, but this new group shows a different side of the church, and possibly what they have been working towards in the new generation for a while now.
With Hillsong being such a large organization, it's nice to see a breath of fresh air coming from the group in the form of Young and Free. Typically, Hillsong is classified by their United worship work, but this new group shows a different side of the church, and possibly what they have been working towards in the new generation for a while now.
6. Say Hello - Sky Terminal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QvrYYt5eRg
I've really been internalizing the words of this song over this past month. There's another song that is playing currently on all the contemporary radios that says something like even God doesn't know where we're headed. Every single time I hear that, I cringe. This song combats that, with the words God ONLY knows where the story goes, and this hope I find, says it's alright. Little snippets of lyrics like that make me sit there and ponder the song over and over again, which I really enjoy doing!
I've really been internalizing the words of this song over this past month. There's another song that is playing currently on all the contemporary radios that says something like even God doesn't know where we're headed. Every single time I hear that, I cringe. This song combats that, with the words God ONLY knows where the story goes, and this hope I find, says it's alright. Little snippets of lyrics like that make me sit there and ponder the song over and over again, which I really enjoy doing!
7. Say Something - A Great Big World - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVgixOjGhVU
I'm extremely surprised at how quickly this song has fallen off the radio waves. It used to be played at least four times a day. Now, it's lucky to get even one play. That does help keep the song fresh, but at the same time, it also hurts keeping this song as the top runner for song of the year, as I rarely hear it anymore!
I'm extremely surprised at how quickly this song has fallen off the radio waves. It used to be played at least four times a day. Now, it's lucky to get even one play. That does help keep the song fresh, but at the same time, it also hurts keeping this song as the top runner for song of the year, as I rarely hear it anymore!
8. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpyfrixXBqU
I really like the guitar strumming pattern that is used in this song. The one strum then slap is one of my favourite things to use in a jam. The song, and almost all of Ed Sheeran's songs for that matter, is so intricately worked. Each individual part is fairly simple, but it's the combination of all those parts together that creates the masterpiece.
I really like the guitar strumming pattern that is used in this song. The one strum then slap is one of my favourite things to use in a jam. The song, and almost all of Ed Sheeran's songs for that matter, is so intricately worked. Each individual part is fairly simple, but it's the combination of all those parts together that creates the masterpiece.
9. Thank You - Keith Urban - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CfGPE9XaNw
This song returns to my top ten list! I love the mystical, eerie feeling the song creates, especially when you have just the song on and you shut everything else out. The style of electric guitar, with lots of fading in and out, and swells, is something I love, no matter the song.
This song returns to my top ten list! I love the mystical, eerie feeling the song creates, especially when you have just the song on and you shut everything else out. The style of electric guitar, with lots of fading in and out, and swells, is something I love, no matter the song.
10. Life of the Party - Shawn Mendes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fcTCMWx2-s
Again, it's the piano work in this song that is so amazing. It sounds so simple, but is so catchy. It also plays your heartstrings in the perfect way through the dynamics, or when the musician decides when to play loud or quiet, and which notes to emphasize. Overall, this song is extremely simple, but has the potential to be a very catchy hit.
Again, it's the piano work in this song that is so amazing. It sounds so simple, but is so catchy. It also plays your heartstrings in the perfect way through the dynamics, or when the musician decides when to play loud or quiet, and which notes to emphasize. Overall, this song is extremely simple, but has the potential to be a very catchy hit.
