"Cowboys and Angels"

Just as I was thinking how I cannot get over what radio has become - songs with crappy melodies written about nothing.  Well just as I almost completed that thought, this song came on the radio.  I've heard snippets from this song every time I decide to actually turn on the radio.  Call them teasers because nothing compares to hearing this song in its entirety.  This song reminds me of the analogy in Chris Young's "Tomorrow" with 'fire and gasoline, I'm no good for you, you're no good for me.'

Thank God for country music.  Real country music. I don't know who this Dustin Lynch is but thats all I know is the he is gorgeous and has the vocal ability to become an overnight sensation.  You've seen him here first people, Dustin Lynch will be a star.  He will be huge.  Ahh just listen to this song, please.

FM Radio:
Singer: Dustin Lynch
Songwriters: Dustin Lynch (I already like him more), Tim Nichols, Josh Leo
Song: "Cowboys and Angels"

There's a want and there's a need
There's a history between
Girls like her and guys like me
Cowboys and angels
I've got boots and she's got wings
I'm hell on wheels and she's heavenly
I'd die for her and she lives for me 
Cowboys and angels

Chorus
We ride side by side
A cloud of dust, a ray of light
My touch is her temptation
Her kiss is my salvation
She's sweet, I'm wild, we're dangerous
Cowboys and angels

I'm not sure why her path crossed mine
Accident or grand design
Maybe God just kinda likes
Cowboys and angels

Chorus
We ride side by side
A cloud of dust, a ray of light
My touch is her temptation
Her kiss is my salvation
She's sweet, I'm wild, we're dangerous
Cowboys and angels

There's a want and there's a need
There's a history between
Girls like you and guys like me
Cowboys and angels



Then see how ridiculously good looking he is:

"Some Say I'm Running"

You know those crazy, random moments when you are supposed to be concentrating on your Statistics homework and suddenly you belt out the bridge of an underrated song?  Well, I'm guilty.  God gave me the hint to write about this incredible song that I haven't heard probably in years that somehow just left my mouth.   The notes in the bridge are crazy as well as the woman in this song...should've said no.  I literally cut my teeth on her first 3 CDs, this was one of my favorites.
You must take a listen to the version she sang at her fanclub party a few years ago.  Unreal.

FM Radio:
Singer: Martina McBride
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith, Brent Bourgeois
Song: "Some Say I'm Running"


Here I go restless heart
Another lovely misadventure in the dark
All my friends who knew me when
Tell me not to wander down that road again
What they don't know what they can't see
It's being on that road that makes me free
Some say I'm running
I know I'm falling back to you

The water's deep under the bridge
As I pass by our old house upon the ridge
All our sins have washed away
Now all that's left are all the things we didn't say
Oh restless heart you beat so fast
While my mind is telling me that it won't last
Some say I'm running
I know I'm falling back to you

Against the odds I'll roll the dice
I guess my heart has won despite all good advice
So grab your things and come on in
And get to know your children once again
When does a fool stop being a fool?
And since when is love obliged to any rules?
Some say I'm running
I know I'm falling back to you

Let's learn to give let's talk things out
Let's give them someone else to talk about
Some say I'm running
But I know I'm falling back to you


Watch:

"Windows On A Train"

There's something cathartic about sitting here listening to the first real thunderstorm this year, rain hitting the windows, lightning in the sky, and darkness in the house that makes me want to pour my heart into this blog.  I just want my sad songs, now.  Bring on the ballads.  When I think of amazing songs, I only think of one songwriter.  And if you have read any of my other posts thus far, you probably know who that is...Hillary Lindsey.  Well, this gem is hidden in Jessica Andrew's Now album from 2003.  World, put yourself in this song and think of the clouds releasing rain and missing the love of your life like windows on a train.

FM Radio:
Singer: Jessica Andrews
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges, Angelo
Song: "Windows On A Train"

It felt like just a moment
The way they never last
Where were you going’
That you had to leave so fast

We were supposed to wake up
One day when we were older
Holdin’ on forever
But we flew past each other

Like windows on a train
The flashing of a frame
I can’t hold on but I can’t let go
A snapshot in my mind
Of a love that’s stuck in time
I saw it slip away
Windows on a train

I’m not sure what happened
But here I am alone
Tryin’ to find a way
To find a reason that you’re gone

I don’t know if I’m shakin’
From the rhythm of these wheels
Or if its my heart breakin’
And this is how it feels, This is how it feels 

Like windows on a train
The flashing of a frame
I can’t hold on but I can’t let go
A snapshot in my mind
Of a love that’s stuck in time
I saw it slip away
Windows on a train

I’m on my way to kneel down with the truth
With my black dress on to say goodbye to you

Like windows on a train
The flashing of a frame
I can’t hold on but I can’t let go
A snapshot in my mind
Of a love that’s stuck in time
I saw it slip away
Windows on a train



Windows On A Train (Album Version)

"You Love Me"

I've been to nearly 100 concerts, and if you were to ask me on one hand to tell you my top 5 concerts, 2 of them would be Kelly Clarkson.  That's what an absolutely mind blowing entertainer she is.  She is that type of rare vocalist that is a million times better live with no Pro Tools effects than recorded.  She has that raw talent that is unmatched in this industry.  Yes, I am a die hard KC fan from her Idol days.  But let me tell you this is not a country music blog.  This is a music blog.  In my opinion 99.7% of music is country music.  But included in that .3% is Kelly Clarkson.  She gets it.  And by getting it, only my blood musical soul mate aka the other half of my musical heart, my brother, Michael, would understand me.  She is the epitome of everything a singer/songwriter/entertainer could possibly be.  And I have no idea what the 'SmoakStack Sessions' are but all do know is...I want one.  And for some reason it sounds like its in a shack in some hidden part of the woods there's a million dollar recording studio with millions of Pro Tools plug-ins and Midi equipment creating these incredible sounds.

Long story short, I somehow will admit I never heard this song until I heard it live.  Michael's 12 days of Christmas included Kelly Clarkson tickets.  Best brother ever?  I think so.  He knows it.  Anyways, hearing her sing the truth in this song made my songwriting heart explode.  Seriously, even creepy McCreepers who was sitting next to me was screaming every word.  Its. That. Good.  Every soul needs this on their iPod.

Be sure to watch the 2nd Video and you will understand why seeing her live last month has to be my favorite concert.

FM Radio:
Singer: Kelly Clarkson
Songwriters: Kelly Clarkson, Oliver Goldstein, Josh Abraham
Song: "You Love Me"

Thick skin, Soft touch,
Heart of gold but it's na-na-na-not enough,
Forgiving arms, The higher road,
Working hard but it's na-na-na-not enough,
You say, I'm not good enough, I'm not good enough
But what you really mean is, You're not good enough, you're not good enough
You can't deliver so you turn it around

[Chorus]
You didn't let me down, you didn't tear me apart
You just opened my eyes, while breaking my heart
You didn't do it for me
I'm not as dumb as you think,
You just made me cry
While claiming that you love me
You love me, you love me
You said you loved me but that I
I'm not good enough, i'm not good enough

Stronghold, but fun ride,
But rollercoasters aren't just na-na-na-not enough,
I keep it in, you wear me out,
This kind of love is na-na-na-not enough,
Said I'm just a sinking ship, I'm just a sinking ship,

But what that really means,
Is you can't handle this, you can't handle this,
You couldn't win so you turn it around...

You didn't let me down, you didn't tear me apart
You just opened my eyes, while breaking my heart
You didn't do it for me
I'm not as dumb as you think

You just made me cry
While claiming that you love me
You love me, you love me
You said you loved me but that I
I'm not good enough, i'm not good enough


[Bridge]
Your love feels different
It's like a blow to the head with your compliments.
Your love hurts deeper
It's like a brick in the sea and I'm drowning with it
[Chorus - Outro]
You didn't let me down, you didn't tear me apart
You just opened my eyes, while breaking my heart
You didn't do it for me
I'm not as dumb as you think,
You just made me cry
While claiming that you love me
You love me, you love me
You said you loved me but that I
I'm not good enough, i'm not good enough

So understand it means nothing when you say you love me
When you say you love me
When you say you love me
You love me, you love me

You didn't let me down, you didn't tear me apart
You just opened my eyes, while breaking my heart
You didn't do it for me
I'm not as dumb as you think,
You just made me cry
While claiming that you love me
You love me, you love me
You said you loved me but that I
I'm not good enough, i'm not good enough

"This Is Me"

Being honest with yourself sets you free.  Its like the deepest bit of fresh air seeping into your lungs breathing out again.  Its wonderful and so if this song.  I love Faith but not a soul could sing it with such conviction as Hillary.  Here's to an old forgotten demo that has disappeared somewhere in cyberspace.

Remember...Open Arms.  ;)

FM Radio:
Singer: Faith Hill
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges
Song: "This Is Me"

Yeah I have my addictions
I keep my share of secrets
And things you'll never see
Mmm I get selfish and defensive
And pay too much attention to my insecurity

Though I
I'm just like everybody else
I try to love Jesus and myself, yeah yeah


I don't know what you believe
What you think or what you see
But this is a part of me yeah
What I do and who I am
All about your impurities oh
I'm right here on my sleeve
This is me
This is me

Yes my heart breaks for the homeless
I worry about my parents
And all my bills are late
Yeah I I'm dealing with the changes
This complicated strangeness of seeing life this way

Hey yeah I
I'm just like everybody else
I try, Lord I try, to love Jesus and myself, yeah yeah
I don't know what you believe
What you think or what you see
But this is a part of me yeah
What I do and who I am
All of my impurities
I'm right here on my sleeve
This is me yeah
This is me

I laugh at silly movies
Tear up when I see babies
And I'm stubborn as a stone
Yeah I, I criticize my body
I wonder if I'm ready to ever be alone


Oh I, I'm just like everybody else
I cry yes I cry just like everybody else yeah yeah yeah
I don't know what you believe
What you think of what you see
But this is a part of me
What I do and who I am
All of my impurities
Are right here on my sleeve
This is me
Oh this is me
Oh this is me
I'm gonna celebrate it
I'm gonna celebrate it
Don't be afraid who you are
Celebrate who you are
What you do, what you feel, what you see, who you are
Celebrate, celebrate
This is just me
I'm not afraid, I'm not ashamed
This is me 

"I Need You"

I'm currently wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, my huge headphones hanging around my neck, sipping my coffee, heart happy and wanting this song.  This song has this sexy "I Can't Make You Love" but you really do love me feel to it.  Get the picture?  Ever feel like you want to fast forward parts of your life?  This song makes me feel like I've jumped to my happily ever after for all of 3:03.  This song is a wrecking ball of need, want, desire, aching, ahh, just music.  How did this song only peak to #8 on the Hot Country Songs chart?  Oh and it legitimately has its own Wikipedia page.  Classic?  I think so.  Check it out here.

FM Radio:
Singers: Tim McGraw/Faith Hill
Songwriters: David Lee, Tony Lane
Song: "I Need You"

(Tim)
I wanna drink that shot of whiskey
I wanna smoke that cigarette 
I wanna smell that sweet addiction on my breath 
I wanna ride 'cross West Virginia in the backseat of a Cadillac 
You know some cowboys like me go out like that 
So I need you 

(Chorus)
Like a needle needs a vein
Like my uncle Joe in Oklahoma needs the rain
I need you like a lighthouse on the coast
Like the father and the son need the holy ghost
I need you

(Faith)
I wanna get lost in some corner booth
Cantina Mexico 
I wanna dance to the static of an AM radio
I wanna wrap the moon around us and lay beside you skin on skin
Make love 'til the sun comes up… 'til the sun goes down again 
‘Cause I need you 

(Chorus)
Like a needle needs a vein 
Like uncle Joe in Oklahoma needs the rain
I need you
Like a lighthouse needs a coast 
Like the father and the son need the holy ghost
I need you
oooohhhhh I need you

(Tim)
I wanna drink that shot of whiskey 
I wanna smoke that cigarette 
You know some cowboys like me go out like that 
So I need you
ooooohh I need you

"Summer Girl"

Being in my summer mood, I just typed 'Summer' into my search and remembered this perfect flip flop, cut off jeans, tank top lovin' song...Ahh!!  I need a vintage mint green Mustang with the top down, now.

FM Radio:
Singer: Jessica Andrews
Songwriters: James Slater, Jessica Andrews, Marcel Chagnon
Song: "Summer Girl"


I drive an Army Jeep
My bumper sticker reads
'Drink 'til he's cute'
That's what I'm gonna do
Ain't got no serious thing
Don't wear a diamond ring
I got a new tattoo
I think you'll like the view
And in my mind
The sun shines
All the time

Chorus:
('Cause) I'm just a summer girl
I wear my flip flops
When I let my hair down
(That's when the party starts)
(The party never stops)
Who needs a boyfriend
I got my girl friends
When we get together
The summer never ends
Yeah yeah, oh oh oh
(I'm just a summer girl)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

Tanks tops and cutoff jeans
Bikinis and belly rings
We'll make that scene
When the DJ plays 'Dancin' Queen'
Fellas, lay your money down
We'll let'ya buy a round
Don't push your luck
Don't get more than your hopes up
In my world
Day or night
Rain or shine

(Repeat Chorus)

Rap:
Everybody needs a little bit of sunshine
Everybody needs time to unwind
Everybody's got to have a good time
(I'm just a summer girl)
Everybody get up on your feet
Everybody got to shake your body
Everybody got a right to be free
(I'm just a summer girl)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

(Repeat Chorus)

"Young Love"

65 degree weather turns me into a mid-tempo-summer-love junkie.  Like what has gotten into me?  I heard Hillary Lindsey's demo probably like 5 years ago on Aimee Mayo's Myspace and then it disappeared, nowhere on Earth to be found.  If anyone knows where I can find it or if they have it...I have open arms.

There's something about this song that once you've heard it, you know it like the back of your hand.  The saddest thing in the music business = the death of a song.  Unfortunately, the trio that recorded this amazing song has faded into thin air and like this demo are nowhere to be found.  And with them went this song.  Someone, like Lauren Alaina, could totally get a #1 if not at least a top 5 hit out of this song...paired with an April or May release would be airplay's dream.

FM Radio:
Singers: Carters Chord
Songwriters: Scooter Carusoe, Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo
Song: "Young Love"

Ya had the headlights off so no one could see
Ya sneakin' up the driveway; I was 'bout seventeen
Waitin' there for you at the window 'round midnight

Smilin', arms wide open, runnin' 'cross the lawn
That crazy dog barkin' like a fire alarm
I jumped in the car and said, "Boy, you'd better fly"

You said, "Don't you worry, had a story to tell
"'Cause if we got caught, we were gonna catch hell
"But I'd pay any price for that look in your eyes"

When we ran like wild horses through the night
Stickin' to the back roads and stayin outta sight
Makin' the most of what little time we had left
How sweet it is, how sweet it was
Young love
 ]
Not a cloud in the sky, only the heavens and us
That ole radio singin', the tires kickin' up dust
Oh, in all my years, I don't think I've known a better night

Faded jeans layin' in a field on the ground
You and me smilin' rollin' 'round and 'round
In all my life, don't think I've held on quite as tight

We ran outta time with the rise of the dawn
Autumn was a-callin' for us to move on
And now, I only see you on a memory or two

When we ran like wild horses through the night
Stickin' to the back roads and stayin outta sight
Makin' the most of what little time we had left
How sweet it is, how sweet it was

Makin' the most of what little time we had left
How sweet it is, how sweet it was
Young love

Young love, yeah

"Tomorrow"

No, this is not a blog about my husband or that incredible song he wrote that I already wrote about months ago: here.  When I was 11 years old, I thought I was going to grow up to become Idina Menzel.  Seriously.  I was going to be the star of Wicked, I didn't know how or why but after countless money and time spent in musical theater, acting classes, and voice lessons...can I even tell you how I am so glad I actually found what I'm supposed to be in my life.  Well, I still love Broadway but God surely did not give me vocal cords for this.  If you haven't already seen Idina Menzel's absolutely breathtaking PBS special or DVD, trust me, you will thank me.  YOU MUST SEE THIS!  Ahh!  We even bought the album!  Anyways, one of my earliest memories is watching Annie.  I watched this 100 times, if not more. Every time I watched it, I always had to sing along to this song.  Really listen to the melody of this song, sheer brilliance.  And the message, is that not really in every country song?

FM Radio:
Singer: Idina Menzel...& Annie
Songwriters: Charles Strouse, Martin Charmin
Song: "Tomorrow"

The sun'll come out 
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar 
That tomorrow 
There'll be sun! 

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow 
Clears away the cobwebs, 
And the sorrow 
'Til there's none! 

When I'm stuck a day 
That's gray, 
And lonely, 
I just stick out my chin 
And Grin, 
And Say, 
Oh! 

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow 
So ya gotta hang on 
'Til tomorrow 
Come what may 
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow! 
You're always
A day
A way! 

"Holding Out For A Hero"

Even if we don't admit it, somewhere inside we all have that secret...that want for a crazy, too good to be true, fairytale, candlelight romance.  At least I do...and I have this blog to admit it.  I really think when I listen to a song, I'm listening to feelings.  When I listen to this song, I think I;m hearing what every girl truly wants...Just a protector who could dance with them under pretty romantic lights.  Come on!

FM Radio:
Singer: Ella Mae Bowen aka Next Big Thing
Songwriters: Dean Pitchford, Jim Steinman
Song: "Holding Out For A Hero"


Where have all the good men gone
And where are the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn't there a white knight
Upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn
And dream of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight.
I need a hero
I'm Holding out for a hero till the morning light,
He's gotta be sure, He's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life, Larger than life.

Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasies
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder
And rising with the heat
Isn't there a Superman
To sweep me off my feet?

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be Fresh from the fight.
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light,
He's gotta be sure, He's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life.

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I could swear that there's someone somewhere
Watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the raging flood
Oh, his approach is like a fire in my blood

I'll meet a hero
And then we'll dance till the morning light
Dreaming, he will lead me
Held tight, tonight's the night

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light
He's gotta be sure, he's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life, larger than life

Oooooh
Larger than life
Larger than life
Oh maybe, maybe, maybe tonight Oh