Music Appreciation

From the first moments of the swelling and hitting rhythm, I’m carried straight into the song. When the music drops and Paul Anka’s voice pierces through, I’m captivated. For me, there is no other song that can elicit such sweetness and heartfelt happiness as “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” by Paul Anka. This song is genius from start to finish, still carrying the weight of its time decades later. My blog post today is dedicated to this song and analyzing the flavors that make it so delicious.

It seems that songs were written from a purer place during this time. I believe that the joy I feel when listening to this song is a result of specially orchestrated musical elements, coming together to reach a peak of beauty. Below are some of those elements.

Timbre

There is no doubt that Paul Anka’s voice is unique and memorable. If I can tell his voice apart from many others, I can only imagine how well his timbre was know during his time. Paul’s voice is sweetly penetrating, seeming to pierce through the melody and flood the song with power. I find it incredible though, that this power is still surrounded in softness– or maybe tenderness is more accurate. “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” is centered around Paul Anka’s incredible voice, setting the tone for the entire song.

Beat

The next flavor that adds so much to this beautiful masterpiece is the beat. Often times the beat is disregarded when looking into the elements that create a lovely and romantic song; however, there is a specific importance of the beat in “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”. From the very beginning of the song, it comes in with a very steady, strolling tempo. It’s not too fast to be exciting, but it isn’t lazy either. I feel the steadiness of the beat leads to the songs sweetness and timelessness. It almost emulates the heart of the song, that you can count on the one you love to be steady in your life.

Lyrics

This musical element is much more obvious, as it is the heart of the song. Paul Anka’s lyrics are so full of love that they always make me swoon. This particular song was written in his hotel room, after he finished a performance where his audience was resting their heads on their partners’ shoulders. I feel that the lyrics embody the heart of innocent love and definitely set this song up as one of the greatest love songs of all time.

Dynamics

This particular flavor is added in spurts throughout the song, but is no less important than the beat that is carried all the way through. The impact of the dynamics is first felt at the beginning, where the melody cuts out so that Paul’s voice can be front and center. This part always make my heart drop; almost like the peak of a roller coaster, preparing to dive in. This similar use of dynamics is repeated throughout the song, continuing the beautiful pattern.

Melody

Finally, the last element of “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” that adds to it’s unique innocence and sweetness is the melody. Taking a myriad of flavors and connecting them together, the melody is truly one of a kind. It’s potent, steady, playful, and technically genius. Being in a major key, it sets the tone of happiness that makes up the song. I find my self humming the melody as I study, walk, drink my coffee, and even sometimes while I fall asleep.

Conclusion

Paul Anka set out to write a song that captured the beauty and purity of innocent romance, and that is exactly what he accomplished. “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” has already gone down is history and lives on. I will forever be filled with pleasure when I listen to this exquisite song.

Sources

“Put Your Head On My Shoulder | Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame”. Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame, 2019, https://www.cshf.ca/song/put-your-head-on-my-shoulder/.

Berk, Dr. “Showbiz Analysis: Paul Anka Talks Songwriting, Vegas And Working With Drake”. Parade, 2019, https://parade.com/657852/nancyberk/showbiz-analysis-paul-anka-talks-songwriting-vegas-and-working-with-drake/.

Premiering on August 31st, 2016, the musical ‘La La Land’ captivated audiences around the globe. With a smooth, old Hollywood vibe, the entire work was genius from the start. The musical follows two artists, struggling to make their dreams come true in the sunny city of Los Angeles, who eventually fall in love. Rather than centering around their love, however, the story takes a turn when they choose to follow their passions instead of each other. Both having successfully “made it”, the two main characters are left living lives apart from each other by the end of the musical. Truly a work of art, ‘La La Land’ is full of heartbreak, happiness, and incredible music! In this post, I will be analyzing my favorite song from the musical, “Someone in the Crowd”, and I will dig deeper into its meaning and social commentary.

History

The script for ‘La La Land’ was written in 2010 by its producer and director Damien Chazelle. At the same time, Damien’s roommate Justin Hurwitz began composing the music for it. It took six years before the movie was accepted– in this time Damien accrued some success with his other films. Starting in May of 2015, the pre production tasks began. This included teaching the main actors how to dance and play the piano.

The filming of ‘La La Land’ took place from August- October of 2015. After this long stretch, it was edited for nearly a year before it was premiered. Altogether the movie was a beast to create– costing around $30 million. However, it received many awards for the acting, filmography, and specifically, the songs– “Someone in the Crowd” being one of them.

“Someone in the Crowd”

Being the first song to include the main female character, Mia, “Someone in the Crowd” played a key role in introducing her personality and stature. Altogether, it focused on Mia and her three roommates, as they tried to get her to go to a fancy social event. The song highlights Mia’s distaste for these events and her desire to achieve success only because of her talent, not her connections. We are shown throughout it, the view that the ‘La La Land’ would take on the industry, almost like a precursor to the theme of the musical as a whole. Two key musical elements add to the role this song played.

Dynamics

In “Someone in the Crowd”, we see stunning changes in both pace and volume, all of which connect to the role the song plays in the entire musical. Beginning in a loud and curt, yet happy way, we see the set up of Mia taking the invitation to the social event lightly. The dynamics of the song build as we are lead to a pre-climax, where Mia decides to go to the party after all.

Seeming to stay at a louder, more fun level, the song drastically switches when its levels drop and here met with only Mia’s voice and light strumming. This section of softness and quiet, gives us a glimpse into Mia’s anxiety, frustration with the industry, and fear of never become her true self. Then, in a roaring end, we are hit with a loud, full orchestra ensemble, as well as a chorus of singers. This booming end characterizes the whirlwind of emotion that starving artists in Los Angeles get trapped in; it sets the mood for the meaning of the entire movie.

Melody

The melody in “Someone in the Crowd” also strategically adds to the role the song plays in the movie. The happy sound of the beginning shows the fun side of Los Angeles, as well as Mia’s supposed nice life in that city. As we hear this joyful tune carry on, it builds, adding on a heavier beat. As we see more and more of Mia’s reactions to her current life situation and the social event, the melody comes together in a myriad of elements.

However, it all comes back down to the slow, soft, and now sad sound of Mia’s self-reflection. This part of the melody shows us her actual pain– she isn’t pleased with her life at all and her dreams seem completely unreachable. Finally, as the melody picks back up, we are sent into the same frenzy that Mia is. Yet, this song is simply the setting of her story.

Social Commentary

“Someone in the Crowd”, when analyzed, has a much deeper meaning then expected. While in certain times throughout the song it sounds joyful, light, and shallow, the lyrics reveal the true meaning. The entire song is centered around the destruction of the movie/artist industry in Los Angeles. Its basis is focused on how actors, singers, and performers can no longer be successful just because of their talent– they have to know the right people and become social climbers. The writer of the song shared how Mia has a pure love for acting, and that the act of kissing up to others for success disgusts her; this is clearly showed throughout it. This deeper message parallels the industry in real life, leading me to believe that it was written to make a statement about how there needs to be a pure love for art placed back into ‘Hollywood’.

Personal Reaction

For me, “Someone in the Crowd” was not a song that I loved at first. It took a few listens for me to truly appreciate the meaning of the song, as well as the musical elements that contribute to its potency in ‘La La Land’. Now when I listen, I am drawn in by the intense building in the beginning, connected to the soulful melody. When the entire song slows almost to a still, I can feel Mia’s internal dilemma; I’m transported into her world and filled with the same emotion carried by her voice. Overall, I feel that “Someone in the Crowd” carries a strategic weight in the plot of ‘La La Land’– its beauty and raw emotion stand out amongst the songs that flood the musical.

Sources

Phillips, Michael. “Chicago Tribune – ‘La La Land’ Review: Stone, Gosling Light Up Damien Chazelle’s Romantic Reverie”. Chicagotribune.Com, 2019, https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-la-la-land-mov-rev-1212-20161209-column.html.

Wakim, Marielle. “The Story Behind The Music Of La La Land Los Angeles Magazine”. Los Angeles Magazine, 2019, https://www.lamag.com/imagining-l-a/story-behind-music-la-la-land/.

Tapley, Kristopher. “‘La La Land’ Composer Justin Hurwitz Details The Film’S Songwriting Process (EXCLUSIVE)”. Variety, 2019, https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/la-la-land-composer-justin-hurwitz-songs-1201849249/.

Gleiberman, Owen. “A Second Look At ‘La La Land’: Why It’S Not Just Good, But Great”. Variety, 2019, https://variety.com/2017/film/columns/la-la-land-emma-stone-ryan-gosling-1201950715/.

Cunningham, Malorie. “The Making Of ‘La La Land’: Why It’s Important To Modern Cinema”. ABC News, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/making-la-la-land-important-modern-cinema/story?id=45112391.

Cunningham, Malorie. “The Making Of ‘La La Land’: Why It’s Important To Modern Cinema”. ABC News, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/making-la-la-land-important-modern-cinema/story?id=45112391.

“La La Land (Soundtrack)”. En.Wikipedia.Org, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_La_Land_(soundtrack).

Of the many incredible Jazz performers that have lived, non measure up to the heart and soul of Louis Armstrong. Putting a new spin on each song he played, Louis influenced virtually every trumpet player that came after him. I myself find it hard to express the passion Louis translates through his performances. In this post, I will be analyzing two of my favorite songs that Louis Armstrong performs– I will also highlight two musical elements that speak the loudest in his performances.

Biography

Born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901, Louis Armstrong seemed to be destined to a hard life. After leaving school, with only a 5th grade education, to work and support his family, Louis eventually found himself in a delinquent home. There, he learned how to play the cornet and joined the home’s brass band. This was only the beginning of his musical journey.

Mentored by “King” Oliver, Louis became very popular in his city. Eventually, Oliver invited Louis to join his band in Chicago where they began recording in 1923. After getting married, Louis left the band in search of his own fame. In Chicago, he recorded the Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven– these recording are still the “most influential in jazz”. In these recordings, Louis creatively showed how Jazz can be a soloists realm as well. This great popularity sent him to New York, where he became unreachably talented on the trumpet. Louis then began touring with his group and would do so until his died in 1971.

Louis Armstrong’s incredible passion, expertise skill, innovative creativity, and overall genius made him a molder and shaper of Jazz. Below are my two favorite performances of his.

Musical Elements

Timbre

While not the composer of the two masterpieces above, Louis Armstrong definitely played a key role in transforming these pieces. One of the distinct ways he accomplished this transformation is through his unique timbre. Once you hear Louis’ voice, you could recognize it anywhere! Rough and raspy with a smiling sound, his voice pierces the melody and elevates both “Le Vie en Rose” and “Cheek to Cheek”. The timbre of Louis’s trumpet in the first song is also strategic– the blaring sound mixed with the softness of the song morphs into a sweet mixture.

Dynamics

While performing these songs, you can not deny the genius use of dynamics that Louis Armstrong wielded. The short stops in his voice followed by more drawn out notes, along with a sultry sound that is tempered with loud hits, are all examples of the dynamics that Louis knits into the songs above. I believe that these dynamics elevated each song to a new level of musical artistry. Once again, Louis’ trumpet demonstrates the power of these dynamics– the overall jazz sound is created through the revving and then melting of the notes.

Louis Armstrong’s Role

Both of the compositions above are incredibly written and produced– they are masterpieces of their own. However, Louis Armstrong takes these songs and spins them into a new dimension of passion and soul. His role as the performer of these pieces, is to scale the musical works back to their core and then create a new invention of a classic melody. In both pieces, Louis infused Jazz into his performance, both with his voice and with his instrument. I feel that his role is pivotal in communicating the true heart of each piece.

When I listen to both pieces, I am filled with a sweet feeling of absolute joy. No other performance hits my heart as deeply as Louis Armstrong’s does. His voice, with its raspy, jazzy sound and his smooth trumpet playing makes me sway every time. Louis Armstrong is truly a legend; he has changed the world of Jazz and transformed many musical compositions.

Sources

“Louis Armstrong | Biography, Facts, & Songs”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Armstrong.

“Biography – Louis Armstrong Home Museum”. Louis Armstrong Home Museum, 2019, https://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/biography/.

“Cheek To Cheek”. En.Wikipedia.Org, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheek_to_Cheek.

“La Vie En Rose”. En.Wikipedia.Org, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_en_rose.

With so many different regions and ethnic groups, its no surprise that Africa has a multitude of musical styles as well. Being a connector between communities and an expression of life, African music is woven into the fabrics of each nation. Traditional African music was used as a way of communicating and to signify certain events like childbirth or hunting. Today, there have been many different outside musical influences that have changed the sounds and elements of African music; however, there is still a rich and unique vibe in each style.

Because of the incredible amount of African music, I have chosen one specific style to analyze, isicathamiya. Below are provided two examples of this style of music, which I will use to point out certain musical elements that make it unique.

History

Isicathamiya music was developed in South Africa by the Zulu. The first version of this style is traced back to right after World War I, when Zulu migrant workers traveled to urban areas for work. In these communities, they created groups to sing in friendly competition; it was a great source of entertainment as well. This first form of isicathamiya was called mbube and was much louder and pronounced than the current style.

Characteristics of isicathamiya are that its only sung by male groups, ranging from 4 to more than 20 singers. It is sung a cappella and in a certain call-and-response method. There are all vocal ranges represented in these groups, however, the bass singers are always the majority. Another attribute is the small, stepping like dance moves that the men in the groups perform while singing.

Musical Elements

Form

Isicathamiya music has a very distinct form. As mentioned above, the style has a specific call-and-response method. The leader of the group will sing a phrase, and the group will sing back a phrase, almost like a response. This creates an ostinato, along with a polyphony, as the leader will often sing a different melody than the group. You can hear in the first video, certain moments when the group begins to sing alongside the leader with a different melody. Isicathamiya music, along with other African styles, has multiple segments in a song to add contrast; these segments are often repeated as well.

Harmony

One of the most potent elements within isicathamiya, is the beautiful harmonies that are achieved. When this style was being developed from it’s earlier form, mbube, the main difference was a shift from loud singing to a harmonious blend of the many voices. Now, this music is known for the many connections of harmony; the strong bass holds the group up, while every other range is highlighted with their harmonies. Since isicathamiya is sung a cappella, you can hear the incredibly woven together harmonies all the better. In both examples I have linked above, this musical element can not be missed.

Wrap Up

The isicathamiya style is one of my absolute favorites– the rich sound of the men, with a strong bass range to elevate the song, as well as perfectly connected harmonies, all adds to my love for this music. The leader seems to call out to the heart of the group, and the group dutifully responds with vigor. I think that this style is beautiful, powerful, and unique to its core. Whenever I listen to isicathamiya, I feel like I am experiencing the heart of Africa.

Sources

“Music Of Africa – New World Encyclopedia”. Newworldencyclopedia.Org, 2019, http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Music_of_Africa.

Swiss, Helen. “List Of Music Genres In Africa”. African Music Safari, 2019, http://www.african-music-safari.com/music-genres.html.

Gorlinski, Virginia. “Isicathamiya | Music”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/art/isicathamiya.

When a catchy song hits the world, most people can’t wait to see what the music video will bring. A way of mixing creative outpouring, these videos give further depth to the meaning and theme of a song. In this post, I will be analyzing a video from the 90s and a video from 2017 to show how they have evolved over time. I will also be highlighting two musical elements in the songs that have evolved as well. The two songs, and their videos, are Wannabe by the Spice Girls and Delicate by Taylor Swift.

Wannabe- Spice Girls, Richard Stannard- UK, 1996

Delicate- Taylor Swift- USA, 2017

History of Music Videos

There has been a wide variety of music videos released over the decades; from storytelling to dancing, they are each unique. Music videos were not popular until the late 1980s early 1990s. Therefore, it was appropriate for the first video I picked to be from the 90s, where the music video craze begun. What begun as a short video to promote a song, turned into an entire art form. As the 90s progressed, the music videos became more cohesive and planned.

As time has passed, the style and aesthetics of music videos have changed, as well as the quality of the directing, filming and editing. Today, it is unimaginable that a hit song would top the charts without a music video following soon after. Views on music videos will be used to determine a songs success as well.

Style

Both “Wannabe” and “Delicate” fit into the pop category, topping charts and sticking in fans minds for months. Stylistically, however, there are some key differences. The first has an in-your-face, fun, dance aesthetic, whereas the second is softer and more free-flowing. It’s clear that over the decades, the style of music videos has evolved from random shots of girls having fun and dancing, to a deeper storytelling vibe. While Taylor is still dancing throughout her video, you can clearly tell that she is sharing a deeper meaning by displaying herself as being invisible to those around her. The Spice Girls share a more shallow message, displayed by them crashing a party, dancing on tables, and kissing random guys. 

Musical Elements

Lyrics

The lyrics in “Wannabe” discuss a potential love interest that is instructed to become a friend before anything serious can happen. The light sound of this song is sensualized by a plethora of other lines that include “if you want to be my lover” and “slam your body down and wind it all around”. These lyrics display innuendos in a cheeky sort of way, more common in that decade. When listening, you can clearly tell that this song was pushing the standard in the 90s; today, lyrics are far more blatent and there seems to be no standard whatsoever.

The lyrics in “Delicate” speak of Taylor Swift’s battle with fame and her reputation. With the line “my reputations never been worse so / you must like me for me” we know that she is talking about someone she loves and knows will hear about her from other, possibly untrue, sources. The main lyrics of the chorus share how Taylor percieves this budding love as delicate, and she isn’t sure if it’s moving too fast. The lyrics in “Delicate” are far more realistic, describing an actual situation and clearly sharing what is happening and what is being felt in the moment. This holds true today, as we hear a lot more songs that are connected to real life circumstances and possess less metaphors; the lyrics tell it as it is.

Melody

The melodies of both of these songs clearly fits with the style of their music videos and displays how it’s evolved over time. “Wannabe” has a potent, blatant, and bouncy melody that starts with a bang. From the beginning, the Spice Girls have a pulsating sound in the background while they rap, which then changes to a lighter, more breathy sound in the chorus. This song seems to have mix-matched melodies within it; almost as if two different songs were put together. Even so, the beat carries throughout it, with many different instruments adding to the sound. The melodies of songs in the 90s tended to feature heavy electric guitar sounds, along with many synthetic sounds, even warping the sound of the piano.

The melody of “Delicate” is much more repetitious, with a similar sound throughout the verses and chorus. The main difference is the build at the end and the stronger vocals. You can hear effects that have been added to the the sound of the intruments, as well as Taylor’s voice in the beginning, all to give the melody a dreamy, almost futuristic sound. The beat will occationally drop out and in, all accenting moments of pause. Each of these components come together in a smooth and cohesive way, mirroring songs of its decade. We see that the style of the melodies has evolved overtime, giving way to smoother and more connected songs; this all sets the stage for the style of the music videos.

Personal Preference

When comparing the two styles of music video and song, its hard to choose a favorite. With such a drastic difference from the 90s compared to today, I feel that all you can do is appreciate both separately, rather than directly placing one over the other.

Side by side, I was surprised by the noticeable differences in theme, sound, film style, and quality. The change towards smoother, more cohesive melodies and honest lyrics was palpable. I could see how the artists today focus less on entertaining and more on self expression; back in 1996, the feel was more focused on what was out there, popular, and pushed the boundaries. I have much respect for the vintage, bouncy vibe of the 90s, along with a love for the strength of the music produced today.

Sources

Strong, Catherine, and Phoebe Macrossan. “Friday Essay: From Bowie To Bieber – The Under-Appreciated Art Of The Music Video”. The Conversation, 2019, http://theconversation.com/friday-essay-from-bowie-to-bieber-the-under-appreciated-art-of-the-music-video-59794.

Lamb, Bill. “What Is Pop Music?”. Thoughtco, 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-pop-music-3246980.

Just Kids– Mat Kearney- 2015, USA

Link to song provided below

The simple beat is easy to follow and draws you in– a song full of character, angst, and heartfelt expression. “Just Kids” by Mat Kearney has a plethora of meaning behind it. Every time I listen I can’t help but search each word for the purpose it holds. In this post, I will analyze 5 different elements that contribute to the beauty of this song.

Lyrics

This song is a lyrical masterpiece. The writer, Mat Kearney, cleverly uses words to express his past, present and future life– all while keeping to a sort of beat. I’m led down a pathway into his heart with each one. Ian Zandi from Indie Vision Music shares that Mat “often creates the lyrics and then relies on (them to) help with the beats and melodies for his songs”. This explains why the lyrics seem to perfectly melt into the backbone of the song, and lift each sound up.

Beat

The beat of “Just Kids” is lazy but persistent. Throughout the song it carries a lull, coinciding with the hit of the lyrics. Certain sections lack a heavy drum or hit on the beat, other than the lyrics. I especially appreciate this because it sneaks up on you; without realizing it you are walking to the almost invisible beat. It moves the song to capture your heart and paints a clear picture of another, far off life.

Rhythm

Not to be mistaken for the beat, the rhythm of this song is more pervasive. With a bit of an old school vibe, the song carries a ‘hit, snap’ rhythm for the verses, and then fades for the chorus. Once again, this element touches not to loudly, but effectively creates an entire atmosphere within the song. Each time I listen, I’m struck by the rhythm– its the type that dancers crave. I can’t help but sync up with it and move.

Timbre

Mat Kearney has a voice like no other. In the introduction section of “Just Kids”, we’re introduced to his falsetto voice. Springy and light, those simple notes set a quirky standard for the rest of the song. When the verse begins, we then get a taste of Mat’s gravely and throaty voice– clearly full of angst. The timbre of his voice gives this song a perfect outlet; it connects so well that you instantly believe its about his life. I could pick out Mat Kearney’s voice easily in a line-up.

Melody

Light and easy, the first chords come in. I picture a solemn man sitting at a beat up piano, singing the first falsetto runs. Then the verse comes, in a singing/rapping style, contrasting with the soft beginning. After this, the chorus leaves me in a dreamy state as is moves along with certain electronic modifications and twirls. A review by Ppcorn points out how
“the piano-based melody combines with whimsical after effects”. All of these elements and more stack upon each other, melding to create a work of art.

With so many unique and bold layers, it is no surprise that this song has connected to my heart. I listen to it while driving through hills, walking down a path, or lying flat on my bed. It can go anywhere, and lead to you a special place everywhere.

Sources:

Zandi, Ian. “Album Review : Mat Kearney – Just Kids | Indie Vision Music”. Indie Vision Music, 2019, https://www.indievisionmusic.com/reviews/mat-kearney-just-kids/.

“Mat Kearney: ‘Just Kids’ Track-By-Track Album Review”. Ppcorn, 2019, http://ppcorn.com/us/mat-kearney-just-kids-album-review/.

Taxi Cab- Twenty-One Pilots- 2009, USA

Link to song provided below

At the sound of the first chords, my heart begins to move along with the melody. There are few songs that fully capture my heartbeat– “Taxi Cab” by Twenty-One Pilots is one of them. It is hard to put into words the full experience of this song; however, I will attempt to analyze the 3 elements that lead to a connected heart beat and this great work of art.

Lyrics

One of the more obvious flavors in this song are the lyrics. Unique and introspective, they give a glimpse into Tyler Joseph, the lead singer’s, world. At first listen, the lyrics seem confusing– “Sometimes we will die and sometimes we will fly away”. However, they draw the listener in to look beneath the surface. Ryan Gurreri from DreamCode Music explains the lyrics as “jump(ing) back and forth between emotional bliss and concern”. Each word adds to the depth of this anthem about overcoming fear and riding the taxi cab of life in confidence.

Rhythm

The next flavor in this song may be the most potent. The rhythm deceptively starts off with a simple chord progression, yet the skilled way it is played sets the tone for the entire song. Even when the rapping segment comes, the rhythm remains, continuing to be led by the piano. It is genius how the drums support it without overriding it, letting the piano hold a unique place within the song. The pace of this rhythm is the pace my heart adopts whenever played.

Dynamics

The last flavor I will analyze is the cherry on the top of the sundae. Each element of this song is perfectly finished by its dynamics. From the sweet mid-level volume of the first chorus, to the booming clarity of the rapping portion, the levels of sound are continuely and cleverly switched. Tyler Joseph sets moments of whispers and then follows with a loud drop, adding to the delicious sensation that I’m left with each time I listen.

More than one reviewer agrees with me when I call this song a “tender track”. It will move you to moments of great internal expression and freedom.

Sources:

Benson, John. “Twenty One Pilots At The Q: Musical Beauty Is In The Eye Of The (Varyingly Aged) Beholder | Concert Review”. Www.News-Herald.Com, 2018, https://www.news-herald.com/entertainment/music/twenty-one-pilots-at-the-q-musical-beauty-is-in/article_4c935102-d788-11e8-8f8f-6b31524fdbac.html. Accessed 7 Feb 2019.

Gurreri, Ryan. ““Taxi Cab”: A Hidden Gem”. Dreamcodemusic, 2019, https://dreamcodemusic.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/taxi-cab-a-hidden-gem/.

Welcome to my blog.

Hello and Welcome,

My name is Katherine, and this is my blog dedicated to the appreciation of music. I am twenty years old and a sophmore at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, studying marketing. While the picture above was taken in the beautiful Alaskan winter, I’m currently living in New Zealand where summer is at its peak.

Music has had its pull in my life from a young age. My mother was a piano teacher and my father couldn’t sit still if there wasn’t music on. I was taught how to play the piano from the age of five, and at the age of fourteen I taught myself how to play the guitar. I’ve always loved to sing and harmonize, although I’m not the best.

When I began taking dance lessons at the age of eight, I developed an entirely new love for music and how it could move me. I am now a dance teacher– this has only further propelled my connection to music. While my father could only relax if music was on, I could never sit still. My body responds to the beat and longs to move with the melody.

Genre is not very important to me– I can get behind any style as long as it isn’t country (sorry). My favorite songs are groovy, probably old, possibly classical or rap, and almost always incredibly unique. In my opinion, everything is better with music; I’m listening to music right now as I write this post.

I look forward to sharing my perspective with you through music. Feel free to agree or diagree– leave a comment or just enjoy the tasty tunes.

A few tracks to get this appreciative journey started.