"We Owned The Night"

Yet again, more shameless promotion for Lady Antebellum's Own The Night.  However, this is basically the title track off this CD.  I always thought something was a little off about it...until I heard it live.  When I first heard it, I felt like it needed a better line for the first line of the chorus or something...just something had to be stronger.  Well, I feel like an idiot because I absolutely love it.  And I think it is the perfect way to start off their CD and they need to open every single show with this great song.  The mandolin just makes it.  Listen & leave a comment!  


FM Radio:
Singers: Lady Antebellum
Songwriters: Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Dallas Davidson
Song:"Own The Night"


Tell me have you ever wanted
Someone so much it hurts
Your lips keep trying to speak
But you just can't find the words
Well I had this dream once
I held you in my hands

She was the purest beauty
But not the common kind
She had a way about her
That made you feel alive
And for a moment
We made the world stand still

Yeah we own the night

You had me dim the lights
You danced just like a child
The wine spilled on your dress
And all you did was smile
Yea it was perfect
I hold it in my mind

Yeah we own the night

When the summer rolls around
And the sun starts sinking down
I still remember you
Oh I remember you
And I wonder where you are
Are you looking at those same stars again
Do you remember when

We woke under a blanket
All tangled up in skin
Not knowing in that moment
We'd never speak again
But it was perfect
I never will forget

When we owned the night
Yeah we owned the night

"Cold As Stone"

Today, I heard my professor explain how much needs to happen to water molecules before they actually boil.  And like any good songwriter, I sat in that old lecture hall and pretended like he was talking about emotions.  We all hold on so long and so hard, that our hands begin to slip.  As we begin to let go, that release stirs something within us.  That motion of holding on to something that is fading away forces us to 'boil' and ache for what used to be.  Once that water cools off, it become room temperature = We adjust to the pain and do whatever we can to try to find a normal.  After we realize that we don't want to be like everyone else, we want what we had back, we become numb.  So cold that some become bitter and jaded or put so many walls up that they appear to be frozen.  Like ice, able to melt, yet, 'Cold As Stone.'  

Maybe if you haven't been reading my blog with all the posts and promotion, or live under a 'stone,' you haven't heard that Lady Antebellum released their new CD, OWN THE NIGHT, Tuesday.  Well, this song is quite possibly my favorite song that I have ever heard.  There is something about it, as with every Hillary Lindsey song, that makes me stop dead in my tracks and rip my heart out.  The production is absolutely flawless.  The placement of the mandolin and the steel just cut you to your core.  They must release this as a single.  Oh I hear ASCAP's, BMI's, SESAC's, CMA's, ACM's and Grammy's on this one.  If this doesn't make you feel 'Cold As Stone' then you probably should altogether stop trying to listen to music...because THIS is IT!  The second verse of this song just gives me the chills...who writes like this?!?!  Between the lyrics, melody and performance, I feel like I battled a war after this song.  Oh and I forgot to mention the best 40 seconds of a song I've ever heard, that orchestra!  Ahh, I've been waiting all my life for a song like this.

P.S. - Buy Own The Night and good set of headphones.  Light some candles, turn off the lights, close your eyes, open your heart....and listen.

FM Radio:

Singer: Lady Antebellum

Songwriters: Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Hillary Lindsey

Song: "Cold As Stone"

She left town early on a Friday

Heading down to family in New Orleans

Said she needed to feel the sun on her face

Talk it out with herself try to get things straight

Lord all I know is I don’t want to breath

I wish I was cold as stone

Then I wouldn’t feel a thing

Wish I didn’t have this heart

Then I wouldn’t know the sting of the rain

I could stand strong and still

Watching you walk away

I wouldn’t hurt like this

I feel so all alone

I wish I was cold as stone

Almost turned around in Mississsippi

Pulled over on the shoulder along the way

Thought by now I’d be fine

But all these tears are blurring every line

And I think back to when you were mine

I wish I was cold as stone

Then I wouldn’t feel a thing

Wish I didn’t have this heart

Then I wouldn’t know the sting of the rain

I could stand on my own

Letting your memory fade

I wouldn’t hurt like this

I feel so all alone

I wish I was cold as stone

Its gonna take forever to get over you

I don’t think think this pain is gonna go away

Scars left when its said and done remain

I wish I was cold as stone

I wish I was cold as stone

I wish I was cold as stone

Then I wouldn’t feel a thing

Wish I didn’t have this heart

Then I wouldn’t know the sting of the rain

I could stand strong and still

Watching you walk away

I wouldn’t hurt like this

I feel so all alone

I wish I was cold as stone

I wish I was cold as stone 

"Ready To Love Again"

Should I just title this "I Can't Make You Love Me" Part 2?  This is Lady A's response.  Coincidentally, they play the two as a medley in their live shows.

FM Radio:
Singers: Lady Antebellum
Songwriters: Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Mike Busbee
Song: "Ready To Love Again"


Seems I was walking in the wrong direction
I barely recognize my own reflection, no
Scared of love but scared of life alone

Seems I've been playing on the safe side, baby
Building walls around my heart to save me, oh
But it's time for me to let it go

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now
No longer am I afraid of the fall down
It must be time to move on now
Without the fear of how it might end
I guess I'm ready to love again

Just when we think that love will never find you
You've run away, but still it's right behind you, oh
It's just something that you can't control

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now
No longer am I afraid of the fall down
It must be time to move on now
Without the fear of how it might end
I guess I'm ready to love again

So come and find me
I'll be waiting up for you
I'll be holding out for you tonight

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now
No longer am I afraid of the fall down
It must be time to move on now
Without the fear of how it might end
I guess I'm ready, I'm ready to love again

Ooh, I'm ready to love again


Watch, Listen & Melt:

"I Can't Make You Love Me"

I just had a musical epiphany...I just rediscovered this song.  Everyone and their brother has done a cover of this song...can you imagine the royalties on this hit??  At least for me, this is a song I always knew but never understood.  Well, I understand it now & it is on my all-time favorite songs list!  This song is so timeless that it even has a Wikipedia page! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can't_Make_You_Love_Me   Check it out!  In doing my research for this post, I found out that one of the unbelievable writers behind Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" ALSO wrote "I Can't Make You Love Me."  I guess if you have it, you have it...and Allen Shamblin undoubtedly has it!  This song was inspired by an article about some poor broken hearted man who shot at his girlfriend's car.  Inspiration comes anywhere, anytime.  


Here's to broken hearts, lonely ballads and good music.


FM Radio:

Singers: Bonnie Raitt, George Michael, Lady Antebellum...Everyone!

Songwriters: Mike Reid, Allen Shamblin

Song: "I Can't Make You Love Me"

Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me, tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don't patronize
Don't patronize me.

Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
Cause I can't make you love me if you don't.

I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
The love you don't feel when you're holdin me
Mornin will come and I'll do what's right
Just give me till then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight.

Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
Cause I can't make you love me if you don't.

Bonnie Raitt:


Lady A's Version:

"Never Alone"

May the angels protect you...Best opening line of a song?  I love this song.  This is the pinnacle of what everyone should want for the people they care about.  Found this song years ago and I wish it became a HUGE radio hit and everyone heard it but unfortunately not many have heard this amazing version!

FM Radio:
Singers: Lady Antebellum
Songwriters: 
Song: "Never Alone"

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
The glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone


Well I have to be honest
As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise that the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Chorus

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Chorus

My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone



Watch:

"Teenage Dream"

Shocker, I'm writing about a pop song.  Not a slightly pop song, but like a really, ridiculously pop song that you cannot help but sing along to.  Well as much as I hate to admit it, in a way I've always been smitten by this song...yes I said smitten.  I have to admit when I'm wrong but my 'let's resist fake-instruments-on-the-radio thing so didn't withstand to such a catchy melody like this.  I think they could re-release this song every summer, and it would still go to #1, it's that infectious.  So infectious, that Lady A played their version the other night, and it just might be better than the original.  Check it out.

As many of you out there that may be haters of this crazy good song, at the end of the day, don't we all want to find our 'Teenage Dream."  I know I do.

(On a side note): Why does it take about 10 people to write a pop song?

FM Radio:
Singer: Katy Perry
Songwriters: Benjamin Levin, Bonnie McKee, Max Martin, Lukasz Gottwald, Katy Perry
Song: "Teenage Dream"


You think I'm pretty
Without any makeup on
You think I'm funny
When I tell the punchline wrong
I know you get me
So I let my walls come down, down

Before you met me
I was alright but things
Were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my Valentine, Valentine

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

[Chorus]
You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

We drove to Cali
And got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and
Built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you
My missing puzzle piece
I'm complete

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance, until we die
You and I, will be young forever

[Chorus]
You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

I'mma get your heart racing
In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

[Chorus]
Yoooouuu
You make me feel
Like I'm livin' a
Teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back
No

My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance and
Don't ever look back,
Don't ever look back

I'mma get your heart racing
In my skin tights jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
(Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight) 

"Be Careful What You Wish For"/"All We'd Ever Need"

I know, whoever you are out there reading this blog, I am sure you are sick and tired of me talking about the good ole 'Myspace' days...but this one is interesting, I swear!!  I want to say in about 2006, I came across Hillary Scott's Myspace.  Although I discovered a ton of people on there, she always stood out.  Well, on her page she had a solo version of "I Was Here," which was incredible.  I remember hearing that song and somehow, regardless of how many miles and cyberspace...I felt connected.  The power of music people.  Anyways, through following her, I remember her posting about writing for something called 'Lady Antebellum."  Yes, I googled what 'Antebellum' meant, I had never heard of it before.  Well, around 2007, through following her, I found out she created another Myspace under Lady Antebellum that had these incredible songs, unlike I had ever heard before, posted on their site.  Well, I didn't think anything of it, just that she was in a band and was a solo act.  Well, as I was getting ready to go to take a trip to Nashville, I noticed that they were playing a show at a place called 3rd & Lindsley.  Since I was following them on Myspace and this was going to be my 1st time in Nashville, I made it a priority that we go to this show!  Anyways, long story short, we never went...blame it on our 14 hour drive.  Well, little did I know that show would be the first show 3 individual songwriters played as a band called "Lady Antebellum."  I knew them when "Home Is Where The Heart Is" was "Mason Dixon Line" and was a work tape.  Crazy?!  Well, to this day, this video I saw of them playing from that show has always been one of my all time favorite songs...and of course, it's unrecorded.
Well here it: "Be Careful What You Wish For"


However, that was not the first song that I heard from them.  It was this amazing song, that I heard as work-tape, that is, in my eyes, one of the best songs they have ever recorded & NOT released as a single.  Coincidentally, this is the first song they had ever written together.  Magic?  I think so.  This song literally opened my eyes to writing a vulnerable ballad.  This melody, these lyrics...it doesn't get more raw and amazing than this!


FM Radio:
Singers: Lady Antebellum
Writers: Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley
Song: "All We'd Ever Need"
Boy it's been all this time,
and I can't get you off my mind,
and nobody knows it but me.
I stare at your photograph,
still sleep in the shirt you left,
and nobody knows it but me.
Everyday I wipe my tears away,
so many nights I've prayed for you to say.

I should have been chasing you,
I should have been trying to prove,
that you were all that mattered to me,
I should have said all the things,
that I kept inside of me and maybe,
I could have made you believe,
that what we had was all we'd ever need.

My friends think I'm moving on,
but the truth is I'm not that strong and nobody knows it but me.
I've kept all the words you said,
in a box underneath my bed,
and nobody knows it but me.

But if you're happy I'll get through somehow,
but the truth is that I've been screaming out.

(Repeat Chorus)

It was all we'd ever need.

Oh, I thought it was all we'd ever need.

I should have been chasing you,
You should have been trying to prove,
that you were all that mattered to me,
Oh, you should have said all the things,
that I kept inside of me and maybe,
You could have made me believe,
that what we had girl,
Oh, that what we had
What we had
It was all we'd ever need


My favorite performance: