Zombie & Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

1. Zombie - The Cranberries. Confession. This song isn't in my collection. Somewhere I know I have the CD, stored away like some ancient artifact. But it comes to mind for the topic and it fits so it gets included. Surely you remember this song from the 90's?  I loved it then and I still love it now. So much going on. The words, the political message behind it, Dolores O'Riordan's voice.  It's one of those songs that, although I haven't heard it in forever, I still remember the words and will sing along whenever it comes on. I have to stop trying to remember when it came out though, it ages me and makes me feel very old. So I'll stick with "back then" and be happy with it. 

2. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah - James Baskett. Ok. Everyone knows of this song. I mean it's Disney. It's a classic. It's global. I'm sure you're singing it in your head right now too. Sorry though, it'll likely be stuck there for a while.  Who doesn't love this song. Sadly my kids have never seen Song of the South and it's difficult to come by, what with how times have changed and all. But it's still a classic and if you go to a Disney theme park you're sure to hear it. It's also just a fun, positive, happy-go-lucky song. Puts you in a good mood and makes you smile. Well, the first couple of times at least. After that, maybe not so much. 

Well, that's it. Just like that April is over and the challenge has come to an end. Fun. But this is a "Z" post and I will look back later and post about it then. 

All is well, Z down and finished, in Drosche Land. 

Your Song & You and I

Your Song - Elton John. Classic. I love this song. It's a simple romantic song and has been covered many times. But again, the original is the best. I mean, it's Elton John. Having said that though, I do like the rendition from Moulin Rouge. But I like Baz Luhrmann and his movies. But I digress. This song. It's great. Makes me want to put on some oversized ostentatious glasses and relax. 

You and I - Lady Gaga. Yes. Her again. You know I love her, so she had to make this list several times. This is one of my all-time faves from her (I'm sure I've said that before) because it's tied to a special memory. A few years ago when Amy bought me tickets to go see her she played this song. But it was for her then upcoming, unreleased album and hadn't been fully tweaked and finished. She just sang it straight out at the piano.  No frills. No fuss. Just awesomeness. So, when the album came out and the finished song was present Amy and I reminisced and enjoyed it. So it makes me smile whenever I hear it. That and it's just awesome. So it was a natural for "Y". 

All is well, Y down, in Drosche Land. 

X?

Once again here we are. That time of year in the countdown when the letter "X" comes up. X. Poor letter. Misunderstood. Rarely used.  Especially as the initial letter in a word. Not totally useless. I mean we wouldn't have foxes or boxes without it. Nor would we be able to fax someone or refer to our saxophones by their shortened diminutives. But to begin a work with "X"?  Well, that's just downright rare. And even when it's present it uses the sound from the letter "Z". Poor X.

Clearly I have no song in my collection beginning with this underutilized letter. A quick trip to Google returned a few examples. Xanadu by Olivia Newton John.  XO by Beyoncé. A few others. Yet I am unfamiliar with them. Sure I have heard of the two I just mentioned but they made no impact. So I cannot comment on them or provide you with guidance in finding a song beginning with "X". So I'll simply dedicate this post to the poor letter itself. For now unused in this month's posts. But, there's always next year!

All is well, X down, in Drosche Land. 

The Way I Am & Wrecking Ball

1.  The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson.  OMG.  I love this song.  It is so sweet and fun.  It makes me think of Amy every time I hear it.  I think it is the perfect little song for a couple to have.  Nothing sweeping or overly romantic about it.  Not a ballad.  No huge musical score.  Just something simple and easy to show love for someone, no matter what.  A personal fave of mine.  Plus, she works the word Rogaine into the song, kudos to her!

2.  Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus.  Yes.  I know.  It's Miley Cyrus.  On a wrecking ball.  Licking a sledgehammer.  There are so many things wrong with that.  But that's the video.  Taking the song away from the video I think it becomes something totally different.  A sad lament for love lost.  A double entrendre for the term wrecking ball.  I like it, aside from the video of course.  That's just crazy.  But listen to it and try, your best, not to picture the video.  The song in itself is pretty good.  At least I think so.

All is well, W down, in Drosche Land.  

Violin & Video Games

1.  Violin - Amos Lee.  Another singer/songwriter.  Amos Lee has an awesome folksy/rock/soulful sound that is addictive.  I have no clue where I heard this, so it is like to be via iTunes, but I was instantly taken.  There is just something about his voice and the music that just calms and soothes.  Puts me in such a great mood.  His music has also been used extensively in commercials (Sweet Pea) and TV shows.  I guess because it also makes for great background music; relaxing and soft.  If you have not heard of him, or this song, I highly recommend it.  You will not be sorry.

2.  Video Games - Lana Del Rey.  Her voice.  Haunting and seeming like a throwback to 1940's/1950's.  Her first album, Born to Die, is awesome and every song on it is epic and I can listen to it straight through over and over.  Sometimes you just need a slow song with a slightly melancholy feel.  One to just veg out to.  You know what I mean right?  Lana Del Rey is just that.  Enjoy.

All is well, U down, in Drosche Land.     

Underneath & Uprising

1.  Underneath - Alanis Morissette.  I have loved Alanis since she first came around, way back in the 90's.  I was in high school back then and her first album, Jagged Little Pill, was one of my favorite CDs back in the day.  I have always bought all of her albums when they've come out and listened to them on repeat, memorizing them.  While she has somewhat faded from mainstream radio and airplay, she remains one of my all-time favorite artists.  This song is from one of her later albums and is all about changing yourself and being happy with yourself before you can change the world and others.  A good message, everyone should have a strong sense of self-worth and confidence.  Plus it's got a great hook and I just love Alanis.  Oh, and remember, she was an original character on You Can't Do That on Television (see last year's "Y" post here) so that is awesome too!

2.  Uprising - Muse.  Love this!  The beat is wicked.  Throw in the fact that it was used to promote the reboot of the series V (not as great as the original but still pretty cool) and it's a winner.  One that is great to crank up loud so you can feel the bass vibrate through you.  Surely I'm not the only one who does this with a good song?  Anywho, this song kicks and I'm listening to it now as I post.  It's also great to play when you need to be pumped up and ready to take on a big task or event, I mean the whole thing is about being victorious.  Win!

All is well, U down, in Drosche Land.  

These Dreams & Thrift Shop

1. These Dreams - Heart. It's Heart!  Honestly, this isn't my favorite Heart song. That would be Barracuda but "B" was full so here they are with my 2nd favorite. Who doesn't love a good 80's power ballad by a girl group?  Well, look no further. Here is a great one from Heart. This song marked a comeback from the group after dwindling popularity after the late 70's. It's been covered and used in numerous TV shows and movies so I'm sure you've heard it, a snippet, or a version thereof. Somewhere along the way. But the original is the best, as it usually always is. 

2. Thrift Shop - Macklemore. Ok. So you have to know this song. I mean, how could you have escaped it?  Did you know what "pippin' tags" meant before this?  I doubt many people did. It's catchy. It's mainstream hip-hop. And yes, I have no shame in stating that I can recite/sing/dare I say rap every word. The boys love this one too and it's always one to please when it comes on. Causing us all to stop and jam for a couple of minutes.  Maybe even on the way to Goodwill to score some great second-hand deals?

All is well, T down, in Drosche Land.