Goodbye for Now

I'm sure you may have figured, seeing as I havent posted on this blog in over a year, that I have moved on a bit from this one. Basically, I have another blog that I am much more invested in and just started doing music posts on there as well as other stuff I wanted to, and so yeah, I don't want to totally disregard this one, because it was my first proper blog ever and was kind of my baby  when I was a bit younger, and there is still a lot of great music and posts on that to check out here, but otherwise go have a look at my proper blog, if you're keen: fairydustonmyfingertips.blogspot.com 

So as weird as this is, bye for now, who knows maybe I'll post again but otherwise come visit on Fairydust :) 

Lots of love 

Caity xx

BEST BROADWAY MUSICALS

So firstly, this is entirely my opinion, so if I left out your favourite musical, please just comment below... so in short, I have thought about all of my favourite musicals and productions and have complied them into a big post with my favourite song from each... enjoy the tunes.

CHICAGO
I have no yet seen this musical live, but it is certainly on my list. It is a really clever and well-written production that breaks free from what it typical. It has so many great songs, but I must say that my favourite is probably CELL BLOCK TANGO- really so well put together and a lovely song. 

Some of the other songs that I like from this musical are ROXIE and ALL THAT JAZZ.

MY FAIR LADY
Really a classic, one that I have seen live and thoroughly enjoyed. The story line is not for everyone, but I liked it. It is worth listening to LURVELY- which is probably my favourite. 

Also worth a listen is WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK.

MARY POPPINS

I was in New York for a very short time and so only had time to see one play, and this is what I saw. It was absolutely brilliant! It is one of those stories that you are brought up with and is really just another British children's production, but done well, it was much more. My favourite song from this musical is CHIM CHIM CHER-EE.

Others that i used to love as a kid are A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR and SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPILIDOCIOUS (I doubt I spelt that right)....

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

This really is one of my favourite musicals, our school did a performance of it that i was in, and i love the sound track. Here are some of my favourite songs (in order) : DO RE MI FA, FAVOURITE THINGS, EDELWEISS

I also love SO LONG, FAREWELL and HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA

WICKED
I have not yet watched this play but I hear it is really great. I do, however, know the sound track and my absolute favourite is DEFYING GRAVITY (also check out Glee's cover of this, it is really decent)....

RENT
I absolutely love this song. It is one of those that i was almost brought up with, listening to it in the car, singing along. It is so well done and fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the production. There are some seriously strong voices required to hit some of the last high notes, but they pull it off flawlessly and it is really a great listen!

Okay, so this seems to be getting a bit long, but do not fear, ahah, I have quite a few more, so will post them soon soon....
Love

MUSICAL MOVIE SONGS

So, I decided on a new theme for the week :D One of my favourite actually. This type of music is quite close to my heart- though it is not usually what I listen to everyday, I do know and enjoy a fair share of it. I have grown up in a relatively musical family- on my dad's side, he introduced me to most of the music that I knew as a child and loved and taught me all the instruments that I eagerly attempted. My mom is not particularly musical, but the one type of music that I learnt to love from her, is musicals. I love them whether its in the theatre or remade into a movie, they're always fun, lively and oh so easy to sing along. So by this theme I mean songs from any musical, new or old, movie or production. Some that I can think of now are Grease, Hairspray, Rent, Hair, Pitch Perfect, Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing, and many more, get excited :D

WHAT AM I LISTENING TO

So I know I did a playlist post a couple of months back, but I have recently compiled such a great playlist of new songs that I found and downloaded. I listen to it day in and day out, so hopefully you will enjoy it too....



1) THE A TEAM- ED SHEERAN 
Need I say more? If you don't already know and love this song, check out the post that I did on it here. 

2) ALL YOUR LIFE- THE BAND PERRY
Such a lovely country song and I absolutely love the lead singers voice!
















3) BLACKBIRD- WALK OFF THE EARTH
A classic Beatles song done really well! Walk Off The Earth is one of my new favourite bands and they do incredible  and unique versions of songs- they are really talented. 

4) BRIGHT LIGHTS BIGGER CITY/ MAGIC- PITCH PERFECT
Firstly, if you haven't seen this movie, go watch it nooww! It is hilarious! This is one of the acapella mash ups that they do and especially the Magic bit, is so so good!

5) CARRY ON- FUN
Also a band that I have grown very fond of- this is one of my favourites of theirs- a simple tune and a beautiful voice go a long way.

6) GANG OF RHYTHM- WALK OFF THE EARTH
Like I said, such a great band of singers. But this is particularly nice because it is their own, not a cover. 

















7) GLAD YOU CAME- THE WANTED
Most of you will already know this. As you've probably realised, this playlist is not like all new or old, etc it is just a great mix of genres and enjoyable songs to listen to- like this one.
















8) HAPPY ENDING- MIKA
Theres just something about this song that I love. 

9) HEART ATTACK- DEMI LOVATO
I don't usually listen to her, but here she displays some really great singing, and of course a catchy tune. 

10) STORM WARNING- HUNTER HAYES
Another little country song, probably more country/pop though but a nice little song that I aways enjoy listening to.

11) TROUBLEMAKER- OLLY MURS FT FLO RIDA
I love Olly Murs and this is one of his really great songs, definitely worth a listen!

12) STAY- RIHANNA FT MIKKY EKKO
This is so unlike Rihanna but it is really so beautiful, one of the prettiest songs I have heard in a while- and such a pleasant shock to come from her.

13) HOLY GROUND- TAYLOR SWIFT
Very typical of her, but a great little listen!

14) HEY HO- THE LUMINEERS
I have recently grown to really like The Lumineers and this is my favourite song of theirs- definitely worth a listen...
















So thats it, enjoy! Please fell free to comment or leave me a link to see what your playlists for the moment are.

BRUISES- TRAIN

One of my all-time favourite bands is TRAIN. They sing some really great songs, sometimes the lyrics are a bit bizaare, but thats kind of what I like about them. And also, the main singer's voice is so amazing! They just know how to write a good pop song.

This song, BRUISES, is actually a lot more country-ish that they usually are but I love it. The lyrics tell a story and Train duets with Ashley Monroe who I have never heard of before this, but sings so beautifully! I love the song, country-pop is probably its genre but it is super catchy and really a lovely listen!

Also take a listen to HEY SOUL SISTER, DROPS OF JUPITER, DRIVE BY AND 50 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE all by them!

- Caity xx

The A Team

THE A TEAM BY ED SHEERAN

This is possibly my new favourite song for the time being. It is such a stunning, romantic little song sung by a really incredible singer. Ed Sheeran writes so beautifully as well and his lyrics always seem to actually connect with the listener, this one is no different. The song is mostly played with a consistent simple guitar strum, a basic drum beat and some piano, pedalsteel tones in certain parts. It is a really gentle song which is communicated with you by these instruments and the way that he sings it. It is such a fantastic listen, so check it out! Ed Sheeran is very similar to One Direction and has actually written a few of their songs for them, including Little Things. I love him and I think he has really got everything he needs to become a great songwriter, as he already is, he writes lyrics that actually mean something and make you think, opposed to all this superficial stuff that we so often hear in pop at the moment and he knows how to find a catchy little tune.

Take a listen!

- Caity xx

DIRECTIONER

Ohhkaaay, so lets get started with a massive One Direction post. Like I wrote in my previous introductory post for 1D, I love them because their music is really happy and pretty relatable. It may not be very deep but they seem to have the right formula for a pretty good song! So I would literally write every song here, so here are some of my favourites:

LITTLE THINGS
I am almost sick of this song because I have played it so many times but it truly is beautiful. The lyrics of really pretty and the simple guitar picking throughout the song make it a gentle little love song. There are some really nice harmonies and overall just a sweet song.

I WANT

This was probably one of their first songs and featured on their Debut Album. Being a new and young band, they are not writing all their stuff but with time, they are doing so more and more. This song, however was written by a singer/songwriter called Tom Fletcher (check out more about his here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fletcher). The lyrics are fairly superficial but theres just something about the music that I love. It is mostly just drums and a really nice consistent piano hammer. Theres something so nice about a few simple chords stringed together. 

IRRESISTIBLE: (TOP SONG #1)

This must be my absolute favourite 1D song, it is really beautiful and has such pretty guitar tabs- very similar to Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVO8sUrs-Pw)- the tabs and guitar sequence. Yeah, there's nothing more to say, just a beautiful song and you're missing out if you don't listen NOW 

TRULY MADLY DEEPLY

Another gentle little love song by them. I am sure you've caught on the drift of their songs, but even though they are similar, they are all easy listening and pretty. I love the harmonies in the end of this song. 

LAST FIRST KISS

This is one of my best songs from their most recent album Take Me Home. I really like it- typical pop song, but done well. I like the message of the song and in general, its just a lovely song to listen to and sing along at the top of your lungs. Who doesn't want someone they love singing something like this to them?

I WOULD: (TOP SONG #2) 

This is another personal favourite. It is quite interesting because when I first listened to this song, i was like, eh, nice because I think that the verse does bring it down a little. But as I listened to it more and more, it has become a favourite- especially after the first chorus, some more instruments are added and it is just so incredible. The chorus for me is just so great, every time I hear it I just want to hop up and dance around, and in the end, that's exactly what a good song should do! So click play neeeow!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

KISS YOU (TOP SONG #3) 

This is probably now their most favourite and best single on their new album and it deserves its titles. There is just something about it, It is so upbeat, happy and I seriously have to sing along and dance- I can barely listen to this on my Ipod in public anymore because I just want to jump about, haha, don't judge. It is a great listen and makes me so happy so definitely take a listen! 

So I shouldn't do anymore before this becomes too much, but here are my other favourites. 

- ONE THING (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xs_xPb46M) 

- WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL (this made them famous and it really is a great song!- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJO3ROT-A4E) 

- CHANGE MY MIND ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtzmHJDviwQ)

- THEY DON'T KNWO ABOUT US (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9u4Jmtz_ww)

- ROCK ME (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-K-IFpCGx8)

- SAME MISTAKES (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02D9VP2YLHI) 

Enjooooyyy! 

one direction

Ok so I rate it is about time I do a ONE DIRECTION post! I am a huuuge fan (:D) and believe it or not, it is not because they are 5 hot guys who can sing, I promise :) I genuinely find their music melodic and it always sort of has the right structure to engage me. I also, despite the fact that yes, their songs do occasionally sound similar, find that their music often really inspires me. It makes me so happy and all I want to do it get up and dance and sing along at the top of my voice, and in the end, that is what good music should make you want to do. I must apologise upfront, that it will be a long post because usually I just do a few of my favourites, but very few aren't my favourite, haha, so yeah.. but whether you're a fan or not, have an open mind... Chat soon

- Caity xx

PLAYLIST

HAPPY NEW YEAR
So I'm cheating a bit today because with school seriously picking up work (final year and all that), I have had so little time to actually get back into blogging, or even just into listening to some new music. Buut, I was getting ready to go out the other night and was listening to my 'getting ready' playlist, you know like while you do your make-up and hair, or whatever, and I was thinking how much I loved these songs, I listen to them all the time and they just make me so happy and ready for a good night...

So in an attempt to actually blog something this year (yes, this will be my first post for 2013), I thought I'd share my playlist to you, so you can share my joy in listening to it on repeat for hours... If you don't have any of these songs, I would seriously consider downloading them NOW.... I do have a weird taste in music, so I've been told, quite selective, and not all the songs are new or popular, but they are worth a listen!

*All Alright- FUN
*As Long As You Love Me- Justin Bieber
*Cooler Than Me- Jayme Dee cover (original= Mike Posner)
*Dance With Me Tonight- Olly Murs (personal favourite #1)
*Drive By- Train
*Everybody Talks- Neon Trees
*Kiss You- One Direction (personal favourite #2)
*On Top Of The World- Imagine Dragons
* I Would- One Direction
*Payphone- Maroon 5
*Ready Or Not- Brigit Mendler
* One Thing- One Direction
*Settle Down- Kimbra
*United States of Pop 2012- DJ Earworm
*Waiting On The World To Change- John Mayer
*We Are Young- FUN
* You and I- Lady Gaga (love love... saw her live and it was my best song)
* 22- Taylor Swift
* Rock Me- One Direction
* 50 Ways To Say Goodbye- Train
*One More Night- Maroon 5 (personal favourite #3)
*Red- Taylor Swift

You may have gathered that I am a One D fan, well not like crazy, know everything about them fan, just live their music! So expect a post on them soon, buut till then...

Love and hugs
- Caity xx

AMERICAN HONEY- LADY ANTEBELLUM

This is one of my favourite songs by Lady Antebellum, still, I guess you could say, a relatively new group in the country world but, a force to be reckoned with. So take a listen, other songs of theirs that I like are Need You Now and Our Kind Of Love. They have already one numerous awards for best country album including a Grammy and I look forward to seeing what more they add the the country world.

Hope you are all well!

- Caity xx

One of my all time favourite country songs is WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (what a name for a country band), I think (correct me please if I am wrong) ... I think its really a great listen. It is by far the best version of a traditional song like this one thta I have heard....

I come from quite a big musical family and its one of those songs that we all sing along to when we have people round, you know, they just bring their guitars, banjoos, what not, you name it and we all just add our muscial contribution. I love the off beat of the shaker and something about his song is just so truly country and I love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bRJLkNqNXI

- Caity xx

I think its also relavent in this genre to mention Tate Stevens. He is a contenstant on the current cycle of X Factor USA and is doing incredibly (placing consistently in the top 2) with his really great country music... See if you like him, although at the moment he is resrticted to the X Factor themes, etc.

This is his audition...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q8IAwaGNqg

- Caity xx

TAYLOR SWIFT

One of my all time favourites, I would love to see her live, although I must admit that I am much keener on her good old songs from back in the day rather than 'Never ever getting back together" and some of her newer album but I will get to that...

Ok so I am just going to post on some of my best songs of hers....

THE BEST DAY- Fearless (album)
For me this is how I like to think of her music, simple, county-pop and completely sincere. Dedicated to her mom, Andrea Swift, she wrote this really stunning little song... I really enjoy it every time because I think she has successfully pulled off a tribute to someone whilst maintaining her style, staying true to her roots and also making it relevant to her audience. It is an enjoyable song to sing, I can say from experience, because even though it is older, I still love playing it on guitar.

She has made it interesting with minimal instruments, but some beautiful guitar thrills in between verses and through solid structure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq4W68_h6rw

BREATHE -Fearless (album)

This is another one that I love. She has co-written and sings it with Colbie Caillat who always does really beautiful harmonies and does nothing less in this song. I think one of the things that really caught my attention is because I usually really dislike songs where the chorus simply repeats a word, I find that few artists pull them off well, however I like this one and again, its really traditional Taylor Swift. The bridge is also one of my favourite parts of the song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLw3NYydHNU

FIFTEEN

For me, this is possibly one of my best because it is just such a genuine story, you can tell that she sings with a voice of sincerity and it managed to touch my heart, especially because I was fifteen when i first heard it. It also demonstrates how Taylor Swift always manages to tell a story in her songs, she has written with some meaning. I really do recommend that you listen to this if you haven't already!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb-K2tXWK4w

MEAN

A little newer and she performed it at the Grammys this year and really did a great job. What I love about it is that she literally played her banjo on stage and it was just something refreshing to see after all of the other pop artists these days.

Glee also do a really decent lower version that I love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfvXQZ7Zlyw

I also really like Ours,White Horse and You Belong With Me.

Ok so I promise to start finishing off cause this is really long, sorry, so of Taylor's newest album RED, I must be honest, I haven't listened to it yet, although my friends having been saying they're liking it...? Let me know what you think if you've heard it. 

I have a sort of like/hate feeling about WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER. There is no doubt Swift is a talented musician, I think she proves this with her 6 Grammys and 6 extra nominations as well as numerous other prizes and awards. But I would like to open up the debate of what everyone thinks of her new music. My problem is that it is catchy, I can dance to it at parties and it  is still sincere if everything else may have changed.... but when I listen back to song like Mean and You Belong With Me and all of her older and way more country-ish songs, I can't help wondering if the music industry has damaged a really good country singer. I wouldn't say in songs like this one, I can pick up on any of her old roots. Maybe its just change, and change can be good, so I am still a bit on the fence. Also if you want to see her do something a bit different, check out BOTH OF US by BoB ft. Taylor Swift, I think she sings really beautifully in the beginning. 

Hope you managed to bear with me if you are not a Taylor fan! 

- Caity xx

TRAVIS TRITT:

I love love Travis Tritt, he sings such feel good songs with a traditional country style <3

There are my two favourites:
1) ITS A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE:
I mean come on, the title itself says it all, so positive and happy and just living life....
Listen to it, now :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4tSE2w53ts

2) I'M GONNA BE SOMEBODY:
for those of you who are dreaming for something bigger, hang onto your dream....I think thats definitely what this song showed me...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97aSeambf_g]

Enjoy and be happy
- Caity xx

Ok so the first song that I am going to do is called Forever and Ever Amen by Randy Travis.
It was released in 1987 as a very cute little love song. I don't know any more of Travis's work but I love it. I am one of those soppy romantic people so when I hear a song like this my heart beams but, even if that's not you take a listen. It's very sort of traditional country with stunning pedal steel, acoustic guitar and thats sort of typical country beat (you'll know what I mean, its like boom chica boom chica ).

Listen to the lyrics when you hear it and in between the chorus and the second verse there is a really nice little guitar solo/rift type thing that is really nice.
The video has a little bit of weird talking first, but it stops after about 15s or so....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgJXbIP83A8

- Caity xx

COUNTRY

Ok so the theme for this week is country (which includes stuff like bluegrass, etc as well as country pop stuff like Taylor Swift, etc).

I am really excited to do this because it is one of my favourite genres (don't rash if you're a hater please) and it's one that I sing a lot of myself. I think old traditional country songs are some of the most simple, yet true messages and so I love listening to them but then again, being a Taylor Swift fan, who can resist something like 'Fifteen' or some Lady Antebellum?

Anyway, enjoy :)
- Caity

YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

I so am rather childishly excited because my close friend Pip and I recently made our first Youtube Channel , woop woop :D

Haha, I don't know why I'm so keen, but anyway, as soon as our final exams for this year are over, we'll hopefully be posting some videos of us singing, so yeah, check it out if you want :) Although be I'm serious, please don't be mean, rather don't say anything at all.
The channel has nothing on it at the moment except our views, so don't look now, try in about a month :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/caityandpip?feature=guide

Lots of love
- Caity xx

To finish off easy listening, I thought I'd do ABC by the Jackson 5.

Its one of my favourite songs and my school ensemble are doing it at the moment because we are performing it soon at a benefit. Its a really fun, lively song and young Michael Jackson's voice is beautiful. Its one of those you can listen to over and over, although at times, I tend to find it a little repetitive. But anyway, see what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOXG8wtxx_w

My rating: 83%

- Caity xx

SUNDAY MORNING- Maroon 5

This is one of my ultimate easy listening songs. Its the perfect, laid-back song that we all know and love. Maroon 5 have definitely proved their versatility in genres ranging from Moves like Jagger and Misery to covers of Mandy and then to this, but of all their stuff, this is one of the good ones! Take a listen! This song is the perfect example of how a strong, continuous melody and a catchy chorus can form a great song...I love the quite jazzy introduction of the piano in the beginning and although I find the drums possibly a little over-whelming at times, they are really well done for most of the time. There is also an electric guitar very subtly playing in the background which further elevates the song. 

My rating: 87%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Cti12XBw4

EASY- LIONEL RITCHIE

 Please forgive me if this is the wrong original artist because so many have covered it that google nor YouTube have given me a legit answer yet. Honestly, I am not going to say more, click play and you'll know why this is one of my favourite easy listening songs. Enjoy!

My Rating: 82%

Quite honestly, I actually prefer Maroon 5's cover of this, its almost exactly the same, but I just like their voices a bit more, so see what you think, feel free to comment and let me know which

 you prefer or of any other great covers of this :) 

- Caity xx

GOOD TIME- Carly Rae Jepson and Owl City

I love this song. As the title suggests, it is really about just having a good time, which makes it the perfect easy listening song. I love listening to it and singing along, its one of those that get stuck in your head for days. Honestly, I think its a pretty hard song not to like, because it just does everything right. It has the catchy chorus, likeable voices, well-known artists, an awesome music video and a laid-back, easy listening message. 

Quite surprisingly Carly and Cody's voices go really well together, both are quite gentle and pop-py so they work well for this song. My rating; 85%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7HmzwI67ec

- Caity xx