Song of the Week 2: Angel Eyes

"Angel Eyes" - sung by Love and Theft is a song that I am constantly singing.  The song was released last November, but it is just now making a breakthrough, and has become a top country song.  It actually hit #1 in August 2012.  

The group- Love and Theft, is made up of the duo, Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson.  They both sing lead vocals and guitar in all their songs.  There were originally a trio but another member signed with someone else.  But the duo is going strong, and first made their debut in 2009 with their single "Runaway," which reached the top 10 Billboard hot country songs.  

 The song itself has country roots, but along with new musical influences.  Critics say that this year is a come back year for the group after losing their former trio member.  They were impressed with their past songs, and not the least bit disappointed with "Angel Eyes. "Taken from roughstock.com "There's a little bit of Restless Heart's country-pop, a little bit of the Warren Brothers' grit and some of Blue County's coolness. No, it's not a long song, and no, it doesn't have anything new to say lyrically (it's the umpteenth song about a rebellious preacher's daughter whom the narrator likes). On the other hand, it never feels cliché or tedious. Gunderson and Liles both harmonize and trade off the lead vocal, making everything — particularly the hook "There's a little bit of devil in her angel eyes- sound fresh and interesting."

Here is a link for the lyrics:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/loveandtheft/angeleyes.html
Here is a link for the music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOvyymFaFs4              <---Enjoy!!!

Song of the Week- How Country Feels

Hey Everyone I hope you are really enjoying my blog!

You  might have been wondering why I titled my blog the way I did, and I will now tell you.  There is a song by country singer Randy Houser.  Randy is not a well known artist, but this new top single is all I have been singing this week.  Randy has not a had a top hit since 2008 with "They Call Me Cadillac."  But his time finally came and now it has a top radio hit.  He co-wrote How Country Feels with three other writers.  And he claims that the song "is very relate-able, too, because everybody who listens to country music is not in the country. One thing we have to remember as songwriters is that we have to consider that country music is the country's music. That doesn't mean that everybody's rural."   Critics say that there are parts in the song that seem a little too "country song stereotypical," but there then are also very exciting parts in the song, with guitar solos, and voice breaks with plenty of musical background.  I personally love the song and hope that the 35- year old country artist can keep the songs coming because this is a great song to listen to.  He does not have an official video for the song so please enjoy a video with the lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4DqyZ5EgvE  

Song of the Week- Back by Colt Ford ft. Jake Owen

For those of you who do not know, Colt Ford, his real name is Jason Farris Brown, but as a professional he is known by Colt Ford.  Colt Ford is an American country rapper.  You might also know him from his former profession as a professional golfer.  Some of Colt Ford's other songs include: Dirt Road Anthem, Ride Through the Country, and Drivin' Around.  The newly released song "Back" is featured on his latest CD- Declaration of Independence.  Colt Ford recorded the song with a country singer Jake Owen.  Together they make the song one of my favorites.  The song talks about going back in time to when things were simpler, easier, and more fun.  It's not the typical song that you would think of when you think of a country song, it has a different instrumental background.  Here are some of the lyrics:

Back
When life was simple as that
I didn't know I'd miss it so bad
When this whole world had way less worries, nobody in a
hurry and back
To mama's home cookin' and dad
Was baitin' my hook and I'm sitting on a tailgate,
Thinking 'bout those days just
Wish I was
Back

When I think about how it used to be, Lord it was so
simple then
Dirt-bike and a fishin' pole at a fishin' hole with all
my friends
Nothin' better than a BB gun in my backyard just
huntin' squirrels
Took a ring from my mama's drawer and gave it to this
little girl
Her mama called mine and then my daddy had to have a
talk
I remember like yesterday what he said when we took
that walk
"Son don't you ever tell no lie, even if the truth
burns"
Everyday my mind goes back to all those lessons learned
And I wanna go

Back
When life was simple as that
I didn't know I'd miss it so bad
When this whole world had way less worries, nobody in a
hurry and back
To mama's home cookin' and dad
Was baitin' my hook and I'm sitting on a tailgate,
Thinking 'bout those days just
Wish I was
Back

http://www.vevo.com/watch/colt-ford/back/USA561241711?source=instantsearch       <------ Watch the music video!

Song of the Week - We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together

Good Afternoon!
This week is a familiar song that I'm sure everyone has heard- even if you don't want to admit it!  This song has been a huge hit to all country and non country fans.  Yes I am talking about Taylor Swift's new single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."  As most know, Taylor gets all of her hit singles from writing about past relationships and her tough breakups.  This time the word is that it is about American actor Jake Gyllenhaal.  Their relationship ended up with Jake breaking up with Taylor and in return she didn't let him off the hook with that hard, dark, and a little depressing break-up.  They broke up around Christmas time 2011.  Taylor admitted that it was a hard breakup.  But she put it all behind her and she received a top hit in return.  The single has set records for being the #1 song on the top 100 Billboard singles for 3 consecutive weeks.  I would admit that I don't believe it is her best song, but it is catchy!  Please enjoy her new music video of the song.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA4iX5D9Z64 

Song of the Week- Shinin' On Me

Hey again!
This past week my favorite song was Shinin' On Me by Jerrod Niemann.  For me it is a song that you can picture everything that is going on in the song and it just takes you to a relaxing state.  And after listening to the song it always leaves me with a smile and positive attitude.  Jerrod is a 33 year old who has been writing country music since his debut in 2001.  He is not a very well known country artist, but he has two albums out. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do! Below you will find a link of a video with the lyrics. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpgOvyIf-Yk

Blown Away by Carrie Underwood

Hey ya'll!
If you didn't already know, this week, a huge country female artist can now add another platinum album to her list.  This week Carrie Underwood's album "Blown Away," topped the Billboard Country Albums chart for the sixth time this week, as sales rocketed over the one million mark.  This made her only the third person to ever have three consecutive "top of the charts songs."
This song is one of her darkest songs that she has written and recorded.  Critics say that it may be too dark of a song for her, but others say that showing a different side and a new character is something new, good, and exciting. Underwood says she enjoys playing a character in her most dramatic songs. Clearly the plot isn’t one she can personally relate to, but she sells the story with the conviction and emotion of a hard-nosed victim of abuse.  ‘Blown Away’ will rub some the wrong way, but the best songs always do. Underwood needs to be congratulated for this awesome song.  This song is dangerous, but irresistible!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJgoHgpsb9I