1. Strong vocals. Vocals that show a good range of talent that has good tone, pitch, etc. Being a singer this is important to me. Narcissistic maybe, but I want you to be able to do what I can't. Blow me away with your beautiful powerful or soulful voice.
2. Strong music. Melodies and chords that make your body want to move in some way. I pick around at a few instruments and I know playing music can be difficult. Someone who can play music and showcase their talent is always up my alley of a must listen.
3. Strong lyrics. Song lyrics that you feel like you could have written if you were as talented as the artist. Song lyrics that rip your heart out, but also mend you right back together. The ones that make you feel like you can take on the world and the ones that say its been a bad day, but tomorrow is a new day. Write something I can feel, that's all you got to do.
If the song has one of these things, I will enjoy listening to it. If it has 2/3, I consider it good music. If by chance it gets a 3/3, I become obsessed. Sounds simple right? This can span across all genres. I have loved everything from country to bluegrass to gospel to rap to pop...you name it. I am usually one who finds bits and pieces from artists and enjoys them individually, rather than just diving into one particular artist or genre.
I found myself recently more in love with artists like Sara Barrellies and Emeli Sande, probably because I am a singer and vocally, these are songs I can not only enjoy lyrically, but I can vocally hit their ranges and sing along. (In case its not obvious, I lean towards female artists)
So I was recently enlightened to the world of John Mayer. When he was first mentioned to me, I was kinda annoyed, because I hadn't really followed his career at all and with what has been overplayed on the radio, I felt like he was just some overrated heartthrob male singer, something I was not interested in listening to. With an open mind, trusting the person who was a super fan, I followed a playlist they sent me of their favorite songs. I was expecting 10 songs and it rounded out at 46 songs that were recorded and about 5 that have never been studio recorded. I was in a little overwhelmed state, and going in with the opinion I probably wouldn't like it, I decided I would still give it at try.
Victoria
Comfortable
Covered
in Rain
3x5
Back
to You
Not
Myself
Great
Indoors
Come
Back to Bed
Split Screen
Sadness
Home
Life
Hummingbird
Tracing
In
Your Atmosphere
Good
Love Is On the Way
Everyday
I have the Blues
Who do
You Think I Was
Belief
The
Heart of Life
Stop
This Train
Slow
Dancing in a Burning Room
Dreaming
with a Broken Heart
In
Repair
Say
Go
Easy on Me
The
Age of Worry
Born
and Raised
If I
Ever Get Around to Living
Walt
Grace
A Face
to Call Home
Whiskey,
Whisky, Whiskey
Wildfire
Dear
Marie
Waiting
on the Day
I Will
Be Found
On the
Way Home
Everything
You'll Ever Be
Heartbreak
Warfare
All We
Ever Do is Say Goodbye
Assassin
Edge
of Desire
Man on
the Side
Why
Did you mess with forever
Everything
is not Broken
Another
Kind of Green (JM Trio)
Try
(JM Trio)
Portable
Heart
I immediately knew in the first 30 seconds of Victoria that it was different than I expected. THE FIRST 30 SECONDS. I really didn't expect the feeling I got listening to it. Then on to Comfortable. It made me smile, something music doesn't usually make me do. I can sway, dance, and roll the windows down and jam, but smile? I am not sure that had ever really happened.
So I continued to listen.....all.....day.....long.....
all evening long....
all the next day.....
falling deeper and deeper into this rabbit hole that has been here all this time and I never even knew about it.
Its like I felt as though, I understood so many things he was saying. Lets not forget his ridiculous talent. I never realized how musically talented he is, vocally talented he is, and lyrically talented he is. How many artists write everything they preform? Did you know he writes all his lyrics and music? Oh you did? Yeah I had no clue.
I made it a soft "goal/resolution" to be more open to ideas, music, movies, books this year than ever before. I am certainly glad I gave JM a chance. I can. not.... stop..... listening.
He gets a 3/3. His music isn't just good music, its some of the best I have ever listened to. Even when I a "say what you need to say" and "gravity" plays that I know all the words to because I heard it over and over, now they have a little different meaning to me.
I challenge you to check out this playlist. Give it a shot, even if you like his stuff just okay, or have never been a fan, just do it........I don't believe you'll regret it.
Until we meet again....
XOXO
