Joyful Noise #TopTenThursday

Welcome to a Top Ten Thursday Round-Up!! I know I have not participated in these in a while, and that makes me more sad, than it makes you. There have been some awesome topics, and lists I really wanted to make. Unfortunately, life has a way of getting in my way. So, I have not been able to pull it off.

You may remember, that for Top Ten Thursday, a group of us get together and create top ten lists, based on a chosen topic. It is organized by the fabulous Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom!

This week, we are discussing our Top Ten Happy Songs! If you remember my Top Ten Favorite 80's Songs list, you probably remember that I struggle picking Top Tens of music. Music is too BIG to be limited to lists, and yet we do it often. I am firmly convinced that every music list ever made, probably has a ten mile long list, of invisible honorable mention songs, the list's creator considered and wished they could include.

It is just the way music is. Now, things that make us happy, well that is an easier list. We probably have more than ten things, which make us happy, but choosing just ten to mention is definitely not too difficult. You may remember that it was easy for me, to come up with a list of the Top Ten Things That Make Me Happy.

So, rather than stressing over this top ten list, and focus on it being a music list, I decided to look at it more of a happy list. So, it was still a difficult list to create, but I made it somewhat easier on myself. I chose to not look at it, in terms of my all-time top happy songs, but in terms of my top ten CURRENT happy songs. The songs that in the past few weeks, have been making me happy.

So, in mostly random order, here are my Top Ten (Current) Happy Songs...

1. "Waiting in Vain" by Bob Marley. I don't think there are many top ten lists involving music, that this song won't make an appearance on. It is my absolute favorite song. It has TONS of competition, but there is just something special about this song, that always gives it a slight edge. I think one of those things, is how happy it makes me. It livens up my soul. It gets into my bones. It infiltrates my mind and body. It makes me dance and sing. It lifts my spirits. There is just something about the rhythm and his voice, and the lyrics, and his voice. So, yes, this song definitely makes me so darn happy, each and every time I hear it.

2. "Havana" by Camila Cabello. Have you heard this song? Well, Gigi is partially to blame for this song making my top ten list. She LOVES this song, and we listen to it a lot, and it just makes me happy. We have danced and sang to this song so often. Seriously, so much dancing has been done to this song in our house and car. Seeing Gigi so happy, absolutely makes me contagious. It is also on here, because the darn song is good. It is catchy, and then rhythm is awesome, and it is just a soul infiltrating song. I highly recommend having a dance party to this one!

3. "Scars to Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara. This is another dance party song. I love it. I love the meaning. I love the beat. I love the lyrics and meaning. I love just being free and dancing with Gigi to this. I love what the lyrics are telling her. I hope she takes it to heart, and grows up to embrace her own  beautiful, even if it isn't up to par with society's standards of beautiful. Of all the videos I will post, this is probably the one I most hope you all watch. Take it deep to heart, and dance.

4. "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake and the Trolls cast. I dare you to listen to this song, and not be happy. Seriously, listen to it. Put it on. Dance. Sing. Come back here, and try to tell me you are not happy. Seriously. I'll wait. *waits, while singing and dancing with Gigi* See! I told you so! 

Bonus: 

"True Colors" from the Trolls movie

5. "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran. This song has actually made me cry a few times, nonetheless, it is on my list of happy songs. You have an issue with that?! Say something. I dare you. Not all tears are sad. Not all are happy. Some are just tears because of emotions. This song definitely evokes so many emotions in me. It also just makes me happy. Ed Sheeran makes me happy. Well, when he just got engaged, it didn't make me completely happy. I am kinda sad he did not wait for me. Sigh. Oh well, I wish him a long life of complete happiness and love. I will just maintain my crush from a distance.... while singing and dancing to this song, feeling happy to my core. I need to note... He did two alternative versions... One with Beyoncé and one with Andrea Bocelli. I highly recommend listening to all three. For lack of a better word, they are perfect. 

Bonus:

With Beyoncé

Bonus: 

With Andrea Bocelli

6. "End Game" by Taylor Swift, feat Ed Sheeran and Future. Well, Gigi makes me happy, just by existing, so I guess it should not be super shocking most of my happy songs are because of her. Either she loves them, and from seeing her joy from them, I catch the joy, and they become my happy songs too. Sometimes it is because they are just awesome songs on our dance party list. Dance parties definitely make me happy. I do not care what your opinion of Taylor is, you cannot deny she is talented. Ed Sheeran is one of my favorite musicians ever, so that goes without saying, that he is talented. This is a unique trio and an interesting song. Whenever it comes on the radio, we turn it up and dance and sing. We play it on Spotify quite a bit. We actually just play all things Taylor and Ed, as often as we can. 

Bonus: 

"Everything Has Changed" Taylor and Ed

7. "Whiskey" by Tje Austin. Listen.... This song should probably be number one. Truly. I just decided to go for lucky number seven. This was one of my most listened to songs of 2017. I listened to his latest album over and over and over and over. I know the entire thing by heart. It is my favorite album of 2017, and in my top ten albums ever. He is one of my favorite singers ever. Everything this man does makes me happy. Everything. If ever I get married, I am going to sell a kidney, just to pay for him to play at my wedding. He is going to pull double duty. He is going to be in the wedding party, and the singer. That is a long story. Maybe I will tell you one day. Let's just say, I am a woman of my word. So, for whatever reason, I love everything that comes out of his mouth. I am tempted to get him to sing a Chinese food menu, or the phone book, and see if I  love that too. I suspect that I will. He is just that damn good. I highly recommend you listen to his entire I Belong To You album. I also suggest visiting his YouTube page, and watching every video. 

I want to do a hundred bonus videos for Tje, but I will have self control.... Bonus: 

Thinking Out Loud (cover)

Bonus:

"Right For You"

8. "Hallelujah" by basically anyone. We listen to this song a million times, and sing and dance, and we just feel it in our souls. We tend to love Rufus' version, as well as the version from the movie Sing. Just watching Gigi sing to it, makes me happy. I love that she loves songs, that I love, and have loved for years. I am sure she likes when I love songs she loves. However, there is one video of Choir! Choir! Choir! with Rufus Wainwright doing it, that is hands down our favorite. Period. End of story. Take it to the bank. 

Bonus: 

From the movie Sing

9. "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur. This man and his voice... They serenade my soul. I could listen to it on repeat and not get tired of it. In fact, I have on multiple occasions. Love dancing to his songs with Gigi. They tend to be my songs to catch my breath, and just get my sway on. Perfection.

10. "Let It Go" by James Bay. No, there is nothing frozen about this song. I love this man and his voice. This song is magic for me. I love it. We listen to it a lot, and Gigi can sing parts of it. We make a great (off key) duet, her and I. This was also one of my most listened to songs of 2017. Right at the top with Tje. 

Bonus:

"Hold Back the River" another of my top songs of 2017.

Bonus:

"Need the Sun to Break" another top 2017 song.

11. I have to do another one. Hear me out. I absolutely needed to list the above songs, but this list would be incomplete without me sharing something, and then sharing a video or two. Willie Nelson. This man is the True North on my music compass. I travel all over the musical map, in every direction, but without fail, I always return to my True North. Willie is my favorite go to artist. I have many I love. So many. Willie is the one I seek out at my happiest times, or my saddest times. In the in between times. Just because. I was blessed by my friend Kim (amazing lady), to attend a Willie Nelson concert this past August. It will be a forever memory. Something I never forget. Something that is forever a part of me, my life, and my story. I got to share the same space with Willie, and listen to him LIVE. In person. From right by the stage. It will forever be one of the greatest moments and experiences of  my life. Period. It is one of my happiest moments. The moment he walked on to stage, and my breath got stuck in my throat, my heart skipped a beat or two, and then started to just pound. The tears just streamed down my face. I was so happy and my body could not even handle all of it. It was just perfect. I was sitting right next to my True North. I am certain at some point, he heard me. He heard my voice. He heard my cheers. I am just a grain of sand in his life's memories. A tiny part of one of his wholes, but that is okay. I made it. I was there. So, pick any of his songs, no matter the subject, and it is hands down one of my happy songs. His voice makes me happy. His music makes me happy. His legacy makes me happy. He makes me happy. I am so grateful for him. I am so grateful God gifted him to us, to be a part of our musical history. So, yes, I had to have an eleven. When I look back on my childhood, once of the biggest memories, is my daddy singing to me. He would always sing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain", and it was everything to me. No matter how bad my day had been, and I had some terrible days, during that song it did not matter anymore. Nothing did. It was just me, my dad's voice, that song, and infinite potential for better days to come. So, I will put the official listing of eleven as... "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" by Willie Nelson. I wish I could tell you that Willie did this song in August. Sadly he didn't. Honestly, it is probably best he did not do it. I think the sheer happiness would have caused my heart to explode. Miracles happen, maybe one day, I will get to hear Willie sing it live. I won't hold my breath, but man the thought of it is amazing. Also, I should tell you... Nothing can prepare you for seeing him live. Truly. I have watched every video, every performance, and listened to every album. Hearing his play his guitar is person... Mind blowing. 

Bonus:

"Always on my Mind"

Bonus:

"Seven Spanish Angels" with Ray Charles

Bonus:

"Old Timer"

Gosh. For a list of happy songs, I sure cried a lot while making this list. In my defense, I just want Willie to live forever, and I know he won't. None of us will. However, music. It will live forever. Plus, Ed and Tje. They can sing me to happy tears.

So, there you have it... My happy songs. I hope you listen to them all, enjoy, and get happy!!!

Don't forget to check out the other Top Ten Thursday lists of our Top Ten Happy Songs!!

Greatest Love #SecretSubjectSwap

Welcome to May's Secret Subject Swap. This week twelve awesome bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today, we are all simultaneously divulging our topics, and submitting our posts. 

My “Secret Subject” is:

Tell us about a song that, every time you hear it, takes you back in time.

It was submitted by: http://Bakinginatornado.com

Well, this subject was not as easy as it may seem. I have a hard time with music questions. Music is such a massive part of my life, and so important to me, that it is hard for me to narrow things down. With this subject, I did have one song pop into my head, but I did not want to go there. Mostly because the back story is not something I really want to discuss at this moment. It really is not bad, but it is personal.

So, I was seeking input from Chad and Andrea from AndieRunsOffCrazy, and they were no help at all. None whatsoever. So, I was about to search songs of the 90's, and my answer came to me. Yay!

My answer: "Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston. It is actually the first song I ever remember hearing. My mom was a huge fan, and listened to it constantly. I loved it. I remember walking down the hallway of our apartment building, and hearing it, and knowing I was home. I was probably only two or three years old, but  it is a very strong memory. I think it was this very song that actually made me fall in love with music. I loved Whitney's voice. I still love her voice. It remains a favorite song for me to this day.

Every time I hear it, I transport back to childhood. I feel that same happiness I did then, and I remember how it felt like home to me. Yes, a song felt like home. It gave me comfort and reminded me of my mom. I listened to the song a lot over the years, since after the age of four, I lived with my dad, and rarely saw my mom. It was my link to her. It helped me remember her and feel close to her. 

So, what about you?! What song takes you back?! What does it take you back to?!

I hope you are all having a fantastic week!! I am!! Andrea is here visiting from Michigan. We have had a fun week. I plan on posting some pics on my Facebook page. Today, we are having a beach day!! I am definitely excited!! Also, Andrea is an AMAZING cook. Nom nom nom. I hope you all have a beautiful Friday and a fabulous weekend!!

Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:

Baking In A Tornado

Spatulas on Parade

The Blogging 911

The Lieber Family Blog

Sparkly Poetic Weirdo

Bookworm in the Kitchen

Simply Shannon

Southern Belle Charm

Confessions of a part-time working hockey mom

Not That Sarah Michelle

Climaxed

My 80s Favorites #TopTenThursday

Welcome to this week's #TopTenThursday. This is a fun writing challenge, that is hosted by Tamara of Confessions of a part-time working mom. Her, myself, and other bloggers, come together and post Top Ten lists, which we create based on a chosen topic. I hope you enjoy reading my list, as much as I loved creating it.

Last week, we made a list of our Top Ten Happy Places. This week, we are revealing our Top Ten 80's Songs. I don't know how you guys feel, but I definitely love music from the 80's. I am a total 80's baby! Music is a huge part of my life, and many of my favorite songs are from the 80's and earlier. 

Without further ado, in random order, I present my top ten 80's tunes. Be sure to check out the other Blogger's favorite tunes, using the links at the bottom. 

1. (This is technically a cheat. It was released in 1977, but it was HUGE in the 1980's, and I was told it was acceptable) 'One Love' by Bob Marley. This song is probably my theme song. I so believe in it. I believe in peace and unity. I believe in loving everyone. I believe in not judging. I am against racism, sexism, etc I feel like we should all live together in peace and harmony and acceptance. Love over hate,  every day.

2. (I am slipping this 1977 song in under the same technicality) 'Waiting in Vain' by Bob Marley. This is MY song. My absolute favorite song. This is my ultimate favorite song, and it has been since I was a kid. I have just always loved it. I can feel it in my soul. It is amazing. Amazing.

3. (1983) 'Islands in the Stream' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Absolutely LOVE this song. I always have. I always will. Dolly is my girl. LOL Well, I would like to think, if we ever met, we would be instant best friends. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE her. 

4. (1989) 'Janie's Got a Gun' by Aerosmith. I am a massive Aerosmith fan(atic). I love 80's hair bands, and Aerosmith was my absolute favorite of them. This song is my favorite of their's. I love so many of their songs, but this will forever be my favorite. It just speaks to me on a deep level. Some songs you can just feel. Add to that the vocals and the instruments.... WOW! I just LOVE this song. In fact, I am putting it on RIGHT NOW. Just talking about it, makes me need to hear it. 

(cue break to totally rock out to #4)

5. (1986) 'Walk This Way' by Aerosmith and Run DMC. Now, I do love Aerosmith's version that was released in 1975, but the Run DMC collaboration, will always be my favorite version. It was so mind blowing to me. As a kid, and once I got older, to hear rock and rap combined. It really opened my eyes to how universal music is, and how artists can cross boundaries and genres. Seriously. Now, Steven Tyler even has a country album. This song was just groundbreaking, and it is truly a wonderful song.

6. (1980) 'Sailing' by Christopher Cross. This was probably my first every favorite song. I absolutely LOVED it. I could not get enough of it, and to this day, I still love it. Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. 

(cue break for me to sing #6 at the top of my lungs)

I would now like to take a moment to say, I think making someone create a top ten list of favorite 80's songs, is kinda cruel. How on Earth can I just pick ten?!? I only have four spots left, and I have like a million songs left to list. *sigh*

7. (1985) 'Take On Me' by a-ha. I do not care who you are... You know this song and most likely know the video as well. How could I not put this song on my list?! I have spent HOURS dancing to this song. HOURS. Like hundreds of hours. Great memories with my cousins. 

8. (1984) 'What's Love Got to do With It' by Tina Turner. This song was magic for me. I loved it. I loved it so much, I would stand in my living room for hours, singing it on my dad's microphone. (My dad is a musician.) I love it so much I choreographed a dance to it. Her voice. The music. So much perfection.

(cue break for me to dance my dance to #8)

9. (1986) 'Diggin' Up Bones' by Randy Travis. Have mercy on my soul... Randy Travis has one of the most amazing voices EVER. I love basically every single one of his songs, but this one will probably always hold a very special place for me.

10. (1987) 'She's Like the Wind' by Patrick Swayze feat. Wendy Fraser. Y'all.... Listen... Patrick Swayze was my first crush. Dirty Dancing was my first ever favorite movie, and to this day, it remains my favorite movie. This song, Patrick, that movie... So much a part of my childhood. I could not put this song on the list. It was an instrumental part of my childhood. I never stopped loving Patrick. I guess you never really forget your first crush. Plus, let's face it, he was always a handsome man. 

11. 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Bonnie Tyler. I am giving eleven on my list, since my first two, were technically songs of the 1970's, and should technically count as just one entry. Even though this is not my actual favorite song, I think that it is one of the greatest songs ever recorded, hands down. It is absolutely amazing. Bonnie put her whole being into this song. She gave it her everything, and it showed. It is one of those songs that I could listen to on repeat for hours, and not get tired of it. I could not make a list of 1980's songs, and not list this one. 

I am sorry, but I have to make a list of honorable mentions... I really could not just do ten eleven.

Honorable Mentions: 

(1980) 'The Rose' by Bette Midler (the movie came out in 1979, but the song was not officially released until 1980.) 

(1986) 'Master of Puppets' by Metallica

(1988) 'Fast Car' by Tracy Chapman

(1985) 'You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)' by Dead or Alive

(1987) 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' by Starship

(1987) 'When I See You Again' by Fleetwood Mac

(1983) 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police

(1983) 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' by Eurythmics

(1984) 'When Doves Cry' by Prince

(1981) 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey

(1989) 'Like a Prayer' by Madonna

(1983) 'Time After Time' by Cyndi Lauper

(1986) 'West End Girls' by Pet Shop Boys

(1982) 'Slow Hand' by Conway Twitty (cover of the The Pointer Sisters' 1981 hit)

I could go on and on and on. I won't. I just want to list one more. (1985) 'Greatest Love of All' by Whitney Houston. This song will forever and always be very special to me. Growing up, my mom was obsessed with Whitney and she played this song on repeat. My actual first ever memory of music, is this song, and that is special. I was obsessed with it. I loved her voice. I loved everything about it. I remember wanting to be a singer one day. Her voice was that amazing to me. I became obsessed with this song, and eventually obsessed with music in general. This was my gateway song. 

What is your favorite song from the 1980's?!

Chad was not impressed by my list, so he has given me the following list, which includes songs he feels I am ridiculous for not including them in mine.

1. (1987) 'Welcome to the Jungle' by Guns N' Roses

2. (1980) 'Ace of Spades' by Motorhead

3. (1980) 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy

4. (1989) '18 and Life' by Skid Row

5. (1980) 'Back in Black' by AC/DC

6. (1984) 'Fade to Black' by Metallica

7. (1982) 'Beat It' by Michael Jackson (this one ALMOST made my list)

8. (1989) 'Love Song' by Tesla

9. (1982) 'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden

10. (1988) 'Cult of Personality' by Living Colour

Let's just agree... The 1980's gave us some AMAZING songs! 

Okay, okay. I have kept you all far too long. Now, go and see what songs from the 80's these other bloggers LOVE! 

Confessions of a Part-time Working Mom

Measurements of Merriment

The Last Rain Girl

The Wrights' Days of Fun

Music of my Heart #SecretSubjectSwap February 2016

Welcome to a Secret Subject Swap. This week 14 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. 

My “Secret Subject” is: Everyone has a favorite song.  Except...
It was submitted by:My Brain on Kids

Music is such an amazing part of my life. Genuinely a favorite thing for me. When I was younger, I often said that I could NEVER live without music. Now, it more like I could NEVER live with my child. I'd hate to live without music, but I could survive.  

So, as for having a favorite song, I'd say I'm definitely an exception. Around the time I was twenty years old, I developed a Top Ten list. It has changed over the years, but for the most part, it's my go to list. I decided some time ago, when asked my favorite song, to give my number one on the list, as the answer. It has never changed. Others have, but number one hasn't. 

This list was originally created, when my close friend as me... If you had to give up all music, except for ten songs, and could only listen to those songs for eternity, which ten songs do I choose. It took me over a week to compile a list, but I managed. Spots nine and ten have changed over the years. As new songs are released, but for the most part, the list has remained fairly constant. 

So, here's my list... 

1. Waiting in Vain by Bob Marley. 

2. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain by Willie Nelson. 

3. Take Time to Know Her by Percy Sledge. 

4. What's Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner. 

5. Have You Ever Seen The Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival. 

6.  The One I Gave My Heart To by Aaliyah. 

7. Silver Threads and Golden Needles by Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Loretta Lynn. 

8. Hello Darlin' by Conway Twitty. 

9. Angels by The xx. 

10. Someone Like You by Adele. 

Over the years, other artists (Pop Evil, Common, Alicia Keys, AzYet, Shinedown, Mackelmore, Usher, Bruno Mars, etc etc) have made the list, but the bottom seems to be a revolving door. 

Some songs I feel need to be mentioned, since they've been on the list multiple times are... 

1. Jolene by Dolly Parton. 

2. Easy (Like Sunday Morning) by Faith No More. 

3. Hard to Say I'm Sorry by AzYet. 

4. Ready for Love by India.Arie.

5. I Can't Stop Loving You by Kem.

What about you?! Do you have a favorite song? Is it too hard to pick just one? Do you have a list? 

Here are links to all my friends and their Secret Subject posts...

http://www.BakingInATornado.com                          Baking In A Tornado

http://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com/              The Bergham Chronicles

http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/                  Spatulas on Parade

http://www.thediaryofanalzheimerscaregiver.com/     The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver

http://dinoheromommy.com/                    Dinosaur Superhero Mommy 

http://www.southernbellecharm.com                       Southern Belle Charm

http://notthatsarahmichelle.blogspot.com                   Not That Sarah Michelle

http://www.angrivatedmom.wordpress.com/             The Angrivated Mom

http://batteredhope.blogspot.com                         Never Ever Give Up Hope

http://mybrainonkids.net                                  My Brain on Kids

http://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/             Confessions of a part time working mom

http://thelieberfamily.com                             The Lieber Family Blog

http://www.someoneelsesgenius.com                   Someone Else’s Genius

http://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com                       Climaxed