Year 5, Day 324

Hi. So today's song is American Idiot by Green Day.

This is an American punk rock band active since 1986 and currently made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool. It was Armstrong and Firnt first, pairing up at 14 and calling themselves Sweet Children. By 1988 they were seen and signed t a label, recording an extended play the following year, but before that came out they changed the name. I didn't know this, but it's apparently a nod to weed. All their as of then released music was compiled and released in 1991 on an album, and around that time Cool joined replacing a previous drummer. They spent a couple years touring, then leaving the punk scene behind switched labels for their next album released in 1994. They had some crazy shows, starting mud fights and band members getting punch by security which made them even more popular. The released another album in 1995, which was darker and not as popular as their other stuff, but still warmly received. After they took a break for a bit before releasing another album in 1997. They kept releasing music for the next couple years and while there were some exceptions, most were viewed as sub par and their popularity waned. In 2003 after completing an album, the masters were stolen, so rather than redo them, they scrapped that work and started again (bold move). So in 2004, the American Idiot album was born. The whole album is epic, and is about America under stupid leadership and manipulated by biased media... sounds familiar now right. It was released before an election and is considered protest art, hence why I thought it fitting for today. There's a lot more to their career recently that I could hit on, but I want to leave off there because of its relevance. Feel free to look them up though.

Today's criteria is a protest song. And everyone got to interpret it differently. My grandma picked That Don't Impress Me Much by Shania Twain, and my mom picked Praying by Kesha (which is a personal protest more than a blanket statement protest). Anna went with Run Through The Jungle by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Sammy chose Just A Girl by No Doubt. Will  went with Killing In The Name Of by Rage Against The Machine.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 323

What's Up. So today I give you Say Amen by Panic! At The Disco.

So the original group were childhood friends and started recording stuff while in high school in 2004. They actually started out as a Blink 182 cover band, and Brendon Urie was not the singer. They got their start when sending a demo to Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy who signed them. They spent a summer working on their album, living together before releasing their debut album in 2005. Soon enough I Write Sins skyrocketed, and the band did with it. In 2006 one guy was kicked out of the band because he didn't actually play any of his supposed parts on the record (instead Brendon did it). They did a bunch of touring that year, despite someone throwing a bottle at them and knocking Brendon unconscious during a performance. They took a little break before working on their next album and actually scrapped the whole thing once because they didn't like it and were trying to take their songwriting more seriously than before. They released that album in 2008, and also actually dropped the exclamation point from the name. By 2009 they were working on the next album, but two members also chose to leave due to creative differences. At this time the exclamation point was added back to the name and they picked up a couple touring members to continue on. The album was finally finished and released by 2011. In 2013 there was another album and another departure, this time for substance abuse issues, but while absent didn't officially leave until 2015. By then Brendon Urie is the only full member, and released the fifth studio album. Honestly as much as I love I Write Sins, most of the stuff I like is from here on with just him. So now he tours with Kenneth Harris, Dan Pawlovich, and Nicole Row; but he does all the studio music himself.

Today is for a song we’d love to hear live, and it brought on an eclectic mix. Will, of course, said Down From The Sky by Trivium. My mom went with I’d Do Anything For Love, But I Wont Do That by Meatloaf, and my grandma chose Kaw-Liga by Charlie Pride. Anna picked Bitch Better Have My Money by Rihanna, and once again we were waiting on Sammy to round it off, which she did with Sway by Michael Buble (who's she's seen live but can't get enough of).

Peace.

Year 5, Day 322

What's Up. Today's song is Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz.

This started as the brainchild of Damon Albarn and cartoonist Jamie Hewlett as a commentary on the lack of substance on MTV. This is considered a virtual band, and while there are other musicians behind the characters, the main thing is the characters so we have 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, Noodle, and Ace. When they started in 1998, it was a pretty new concept which intrigued everyone, and that interest has continued throughout their career. This song is easily their biggest, coming out in the early 2000's. By 2012 the groups future looked bleak because of tension between the only two permanent members. Hewett felt like his contribution was getting washed out and underappreciated, but the tension seemed to work out in the long run, since they've kept at it since, with a new album released as recently as this year. If you've never seen a video, check it out. I like the concept of them.

Now we need a song that features our favorite musical instrument. My first thought was vocal chords count, but that's too predictable for me so I went with a song with good bass guitar. Will picked Hot For Teacher by Van Halen for its drums, and Anna said Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon because of the African Choir. Then Sammy went with Be My Man by Jill Barber for the clarinet since she used to play that instrument, my mom chose Mercy by Brett Young which has a good piano part and my grandma decided on Fare Thee Well Love by the Rankin Family for its violin.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 321

Hiya. So today's song is Battlecry by Jordan Mackampa.

I don't have a lot of information on this guy. He was born in the Congo, but grew up in the UK where his career started in 2014. I know his stuff because this song was featured as the theme for Our Girl, and I immediately loved it. His career is still relatively new, while starting up (at least on YouTube) in 2014, it's this year that he released his first music video, and he's touring at a larger scale than in the past, which is where he is right now. So listen to the song and if you like it, keep an eye out for him. I anticipate great things.

This one is a song about war. Broad scope so should get some good responses. Will chose Indestructible by Disturbed, Sammy picked Hands Held High by Linkin Park, and Anna went with Fortunate Son by Creedance Clearwater Revival. Then my grandma picked Sink The Bismark by Johnny Horton, an my mom decided on Battle of New Orleans which is also by Johnny Horton.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 320

Hello everyone. So today's song is Where Do You Run by The Score.

I've already written their overview recently, and I told you to watch for more of their stuff that I'd show so that day is now! I've honestly listened to every song on their YouTube channel and love them, it's hard to narrow it down and not flood you guys with their stuff, so this might be the last one for this year. There will be more though because I really want you guys to like them too.

This is a song to drive to which is hard since I already used my driving song in a different year. The day I asked for this I had a really good drive as far as music goes, so I listed those and my grandma stole Life Is A Highway by Rascal Flatts. Will had the same, but then switched it to Fuel by Metallica. Anna went with Mississippi Queen by Mountain. My mom went predictable with Heaven In Our Headlights by Hedley, and then Sammy picked Werk Me by Hyper Crush.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 319

Hello everyone. Today I give you Broccoli by McFly.

I've already talked about this band a lot, but we can discuss how inactive they've been. They had been doing really well around their tenth anniversary, then they formed McBusted which was a super group of them and another group made the same time as they were, then they were supposedly working on their next album...but that was years ago. They've each been doing their own thing since which makes me wonder about if we'll ever see that album or not, but only time will tell.

Today we need a song about food. So with with food in the name, or directly about a dish. So Anna picked Milkshake by Kelis, and my mom picked Chicken Fried by Zac Brown band. My grandma said Copacabana, but she meant and sang Coconut by Harry Nilsson. Then Sammy went with Dr Jean's Banana Dance (she's sings the avocado part all the time), and Will decided on Eat It by Weird Al Yankovic.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 318

Hi guys. Today's song is Who I Am Hates Who I've Been by Relient K.

This is an American rock band who've been around since 1998, and is currently made up of Matt Hoopes and Matt Thiessen. The group formed with these two guys plus Brian Pittman. They got their demo recorded by a friend's father who used to be in dc Talk. Then another former member of that group heard it and signed them to his label. In 2000 they released their debut album, which was christian rock, and after dealt with a revolving door of members. They released a second album a year later, where they started to use fluid transitions between songs for easier listening. By their third album they were starting to get nominated for awards, winning Modern Rock Album of the Year in 2004. This song I think is from the album released that same year, being more serious than previous releases. After this one is also when Pittman left, but he did play a sort of goodbye show before bowing out. Since then they've continued to release music, have done webisodes of recording stuff, bus fires, and even more band member shuffles. Their most recent stuff came in 2017 with a new EP and some touring so check out their newer stuff too and tell me what you think.

Now we need a song that reminds you of school. Sammy went with a young school memory with Oops I Did It Again by Britney Spears. Will’s choice is my favorite with I Believe In A Thing Called Love by The Darkness. My mom chose Smoking In The Boys Room by Twisted Sister, and then my grandma said Oh Susannah by Neil Young. Last was Anna with Rudie Can't Fail by The Clash.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 317

Hey everyone. Today's song is The Best Thing (That Never Happened) by We Are The In Crowd.

These guys are a first time feature, and I'm pissed I didn't know about them earlier. They've been around since 2009, but went on hiatus in 2016, and the members include Taylor Jardine, Jordan Eckes, Mike Ferri, Rob Chianelli, and Cameron Hurley. So they've technically existed as a band since before 2009, but all of their old stuff was deleted off of MySpace when an old band member hacked their page. The act was newsworthy, and that article got them noticed by a label and signed (so suck it to whoever hacked them, you lost). They released their debut EP in 2010, and released their debut album a year later. They've done lots of touring with All Time Low and Mayday Parade, and they've done Warped tour a couple of times. In 2013 they started working on their next album to be released in 2014 and this that's where this song is from. They did some touring afterwards, then worked on and finished another album by 2015, although it has never been released. Then in early 2016 they band officially went on hiatus, to work on a different music project, this one with Mike Ferri, Cameron Hurley and Taylor Jardine called SAINTE. This is only me speculating, but I'm guessing the material from the unreleased album went to that project, since those three were the ones tweeting about it being finished. And I don't know what the other two are doing, or if this band will be back, but you can always check out SAINTE and see what its about.

This is for a song that makes you feel powerful. So first we've got Sammy and my mom with Confident by Demi Lovato. Then my grandma said 9 To 5 by Dolly Parton, Anna picked Hurt Yourself by Beyonce featuring Jack White, and Will said Hit The Floor by Linkin Park.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 316

Hey. So today's song is Everything Is Fine by All Time Low.

I was showing my sister a bunch of the stuff I found when consolidating my old artwork and school projects and it was equal parts amusing and terrifying. It was nice, like oh look here's a shitty drawing of a shoe! And look how bad you were at drawing trees, but then you get into the writing things. Some were funny, like my pro's and con's list for mustaches, but others were probably saved if I ever went to a counselor... There was one poem about fire and how much it can hurt people. I've never been all that fond of fire. I like campfires because of the atmosphere, but fires in general kind of scare me. There was a list of my fears that simply ended with carnivores which... well yes, being eaten alive is a founded fear when half this country is wilderness. The worst one was a short story titled "Why The Sky Cries." I expected something cookie cutter about like a sad rain cloud with no friends, but what I got was so much darker. It was about a girl who was forced into manual labour in her own home by her father, who apparently whipped the mom to death, and would beat the girl. She sang a song her mom used to sing and when the dad heard it he dragged her into town and burned her at the stake. When the girl died she went into the sky and legend says when that song is sang the sky (the girl) weeps. Full disclosure: my dad was emotionally manipulative, not abusive. He never touched me, my mom, or my sister; and apart from my childhood obsession with the Salem witch trials I have no idea where this came from. I wonder if this is normal. I know I've seen collections of things kids have said that is inherently creepy, but they don't know it at the time so maybe this is one? If you guys have something like this, share it with me because I'd really like to know. Maybe we can get our own collection going.

This one is a song that needs an air microphone. After explaining it a few times to my grandma, she chose Hound Dog by Elvis Presley. My mom picked Hey Baby by No Doubt, and Will wanted to put Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons. Anna went with I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, then Sammy was last and she said Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield. If you've ever seen Easy A, her choice will make sense.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 315

Hi guys. Today's song is Thnks Fr Th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy.

Fall Out Boy formed in 2001 and is made up of Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman, Pete Wentz, and Andy Hurley. Pete had been a member of a lot of bands but decided he was unhappy with the atmosphere at the time and created a side project with Joe as an escape from the scene. They met Patrick with a bunch of guys from other bands, and were impressed by his music and, despite opting to be a drummer, Patrick ended up on guitar. They argued about band names and had a short list that their friends voted on, but at a performance someone shouted that they one they chose sucked and they were now dubbed Fall Out Boy... so they went with it. When they started working on a record, their friend Andy sat in on drums while doing his other stuff, but it just naturally clicked. They sent out a lot of demos and got some offers they declined before settling with Fueled By Ramen, releasing their debut in 2003. The band's popularity exploded and it was a bit more than they could handle at that point, but they kept on, releasing their next album in 2015. They spent a lot of time that year and the next touring. Their third album came out in 2007, with a slightly more poppy sound, followed by a live CD. Working on the next album was both better and worse than other. Pete started taking drugs which made it difficult, but the other members were able to contribute more to the writing. They went on hiatus in 2010 because all the members needed to decompress after the whirlwind career, and they each forayed into solo projects. they really didn't talk to each other during the break, but Pete and Patrick met up in 2012 to write some stuff and laid down what would have to happen if they came back as a band. They made the next album in secret, and made it clear it was not a reunion, and announced it with a photo of them burning their previous discography. Their next album after that one had to be planned around personal lives, but was eventually released in 2015. Since then they have another album, and all the members seem to be doing a lot better than their early careers, so I'm happy for them.

Now we’ve got a song that has many meanings to us. This stumped basically everyone because what does that even mean. My mom chose My Father’s Eyes by Eric Clapton, and my grandma picked Candle In The Wind by Elton John. Going in a very different direction, Sammy went with Rich Bitch by Die Antwood. Anna picked Crazy by Gnarls Barkley, and Will ended it with Sugar by System Of A Down.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 314

Hi everyone. So today's song is High Ticket Attractions by The New Pornographers.

I've been holding on to this song for awhile to feature, but I just never knew when the right time was. I had a lot I could have used for this criteria, but I decided it was about time for this. So it's a Canadian band from Vancouver who've been around since 1997. The name is inspired by a Japanese film. It's less a band and more of a musical collective because it's an amalgamation of members who are also in other things. Despite this, they've released seven albums so far, with most of them ending up in the top 40 lists. This is one of their newer songs, released in 2017. So really quickly, the current members are Carl Newman (who has a solo career and is part of Superconductor and Zumpano), Dan Bejar (who's in Destroyer, Swan Lake, Hello, and Blue Roses), Neko Case (who's in Maow, The Corn Sisters, and Cub), John Collins (from The Evaporators and Destroyer), Blaine Thurier (who makes films), Todday Fancey (who does solo work and is in Limblifter), Kathryn Calder (who's solo and in Immaculate Machine), and Joe Seiders (who's in Beat Club). Most of those I've never heard of, but if you want a music deep dive I guess you can start there. Good luck.

This one is a song with a great music video and there are so many good options! Will went with something soon to be iconic with This Is America by Childish Gambino. Sammy went feel good with Glorious by Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey, and Anna said Walkie Talkie Man by Steriogram. Then my mom picked Who Do You Love by Marianas Trench, and my grandma said Is There Life Out There by Reba McEntire.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 313

Hey. So today's song is 21 Days by Scott Helman.

Scott is a Canadian singer from Toronto whose been active since 2014. When he was 14, he decided to be a professional musician. Within a year, he had signed with Warner Music Canada and started working with some other writers and putting his stuff up on YouTube. He released an EP, the first single winning an award, which led to him performing at the Much Music video awards. It continued to climb the charts while he toured for the rest of the year opening for Walk Off The Earth. By 2016 he received more nominations and accolades for his foray into music. He released his first album on 2017 which featured this song as a single. He continued doing touring, and in 2018 was again nominated for a bunch of Junos. Recently he's been touring with Vancy Joy, and if the pattern follows maybe we'll have more new music from him in the next year or two.

Now we have a song we like that no one’s probably ever heard of. Which is easy for me, no one ever knows the stuff I listen to. Anna picked Your Man My Man by Bette Davis. Sammy and Will chose the same one with Sway by Tove Styrke. Then my mom went with Roll by Endless Summer, and my grandma picked April Love by Pat Boone.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 312

What's Up. Today's song is Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson.

I'm sure that I've talked about Kelly Clarkson before so none of that today. The last couple days I've been over hanging out with my grandparents a lot, and it's been educational. They recently got the national geographic channel and I've watched so many shows sharing fun animal facts. I hate watching the hunting and death of baby animals, but circle of life and all that. So I think the most interesting thing I've learned in that time is that there is a type of butterfly where the caterpillar secretes a smell similar to that of a fire ant queen so the fire ants will feed and take care of it until it emerges from its cocoon and books it when they realize its not actually an ant. It was interesting, but also anxiety inducing. Crazy ass butterflies testing their limits. Anyway there's a fun fact for you guys.

Today is for a song we know all the lyrics to and always will. Will’s slowly working his way through this band's entire discography, picking Enter Sandman by Metallica. My grandma went with Wake Up Little Suzie by The Everly Brothers, and my mom chose Smoky Mountain Rain by Ronnie Mislap. Anna decided on Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!, and Sammy went last, settling on ...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 311

Hi guys. Today's song is Ready To Be Myself by David Dunn.

David is an American singer, born and raised in Texas. He started with music while he was in college, playing in coffeehouses before releasing an EP in 2009. His music career got put on hold for awhile while he went on a Humanitarian trip for over a year, but he came back with a renewed sense of purpose. In 2012 he auditioned for and ended up on the Voice. As far as I know he didn't win, but it was enough to get him the exposure he needed. So he signed with a label and by 2014 released his debut EP, and an album by the next year. He had a couple singles come out in 2016 before releasing another album in 2017. So as far as the music ask goes, I'm being weird. I had a really tough time because I don't really have anyone I consider special... it makes me sound kind of sad. So rather than a song special because of someone else, I decided to find a song that spoke to myself, so that's this one.

Doing a complete 180 from yesterday, this is a song made precious because of a special someone. I kept saying it doesn’t have to be romantic. My grandma chose The Last Roundup by George Melanchrino, and my mom went with Cadillac Ranch by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Will chose If You Only Knew by Shinedown, Sammy picked Nothing Like You by Dan + Shay, and Anna went with Same Girl by Usher and R. Kelly.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 310

Hello. So today's song is Blown Away by Carrie Underwood.

Carrie actually got into the music business thanks to American Idol, winning in 2005. Her debut single ended up breaking a lot of records for country music, topping charts where other songs in the genre never had, and the record breaking continued with the release of the full album. Her wiki page is basically just paragraph after paragraph of breaking records and if I listed it al we'd never be done so just know it's an impressive amount. Her second album was released in 2007, and did almost as well as the first, then she toured with Keith Urban. She won tons of awards, and also got to co-host the Country Music Awards show in 2008. That same year she was invited to be in the Grand Ole Opry, which for non-country people is basically a weekly barn dance by your favorite stars. Her third album came out in 2009 followed by a tour for it. In case you're wondering she continued breaking every record imaginable, winning awards left and right and hosted the CMA's two more times before being honored in 2011 by them as one of Country's Superstar Women. This song is the title track from her fourth album in 2012, and is a lot more serious than her previous work. She continued on making albums, touring, winning awards, and bringing country to the mainstream before taking a brief hiatus in 2017 to spend time with her family. She was back within the year, but also broke her leg so she focused on writing and didn't do any performances until this year with the release of her new album.

This one is a song that reminds us of someone we’d like to forget about. There are so many options. Will’s choice is expected with I’m Made Of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of by A Day To Remember. Sammy picked 100 In A 55 by Pop Evil, my mom chose All Summer Long by Kid Rock, and my grandma finally went with Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 309

What's Up. Today's song is Red Solo Cup by Toby Keith.

Toby Keith's career started as a side gig, where he played in a group called the Easy Money Band while he worked in the oil field. When that industry he declined, he moved on to football for a time then decided to do music. He busked around Nashville with no real luck, but a fan of his managed to slip his demo to a label rep, and he was signed. His debut single was released in 1993, and went to the top of the charts, padding interest for his album. A year later he signed with a different label and released his next album. For his third album he was once again with a new label for its release in 1996. That one was then swallowed by another label, leading him to be with his first one again for his next album in 1997. In 1999 (with another new label) he released another album which peaked his fame with How Do You Like Me Now which was apparently rejected by the old label. He continued to release album after album, and then in 2005 he founded his own label where he released the soundtrack for the movie her was in (Broken Bridges is really good actually, I liked it). This song comes from the album he released in 2011 and I hate the song so much. As of now he has eighteen albums (not including compilation and Christmas) and on top of all that he's delved into business, politic, charity, and acting. Getting into all that will take forever though and this is a music blog so we'll end off here.

Today’s a song that you wish your parents didn’t know the words to. Interesting to answer when you are also asking your parents to do it. Will said Sexy And I Know It by LMFAO, and Sammy picked You’re The One That I Want from Grease. My mom said Karma Chameleon by Culture Club, and my grandma chose Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 308

Hey. So today's song is From The Day by I Am They.

This is an American contemporary band who've been active since 2011. Currently they are made up of Matthew Hein, Jon McConnell, Abbie Parker, Justin Shinn, and Sara Palmer. It started out as a worship band called Solomon's Porch, and they performed bi-monthly at the church in 2008. In 2009, they were invited to open for another Christian artist so they started to write their own material and changed to the name I Am They to separate themselves from the worship gatherings. They were signed in 2013, started working on an album 2014, and released their debut in 2015. Afterwards they toured as part of a worship roadshow. They switched female singers in 2016 before releasing an EP, and had a new male singer by 2017 making his debut in a single released that year.

In the same vein as yesterday, this is a song that you would loved played at your wedding. My grandma had Kiss An Angel Good Morning by Charley Pride at hers, and my mom had You’re The Inspiration by Chicago. Sammy and Will aren’t married yet, but they picked ones they liked. Will choosing My Best Friend by Tim McGraw, and Sammy once again going with Taylor Swift, this time with the song King Of My Heart. Then Anna was last, choosing Everlasting Light by the Black Keys.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 307

Hey everybody. Today I give you Song of My Father by Urban Rescue.

This is a Christian electopop group. They're from LA, and they've technically been formed as a group since 2009, but only started truly releasing music in 2016. That's when they're debut album Wild Heart came Out. They do have three EP's and two albums they brought out before being signed in 2016, but it seems like you'd be hard pressed to find them. Since their album, they've been doing city sessions around LA, playing their music live. So I chose these guys because the song was written about God, father as in the higher father, but it's muted enough that it could probably be applied in non religious situations as well. I didn't know when I chose it that they were a Christian group, but it makes sense... so double whammy for the criteria today.

Now we need a religious song. You could go super religious, or not very and I think we've got a mix. First is my grandma’s with Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley, my mom’s pick of Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum, and Will’s chose a song by a Christian rock band with Running With Giants by Thousand Foot Krutch. Anna decided on a classic in Silent Night, this version is done by the Kings College Choir. Sammy also went with a Christian band in Who I Am Hates Who I've Been by Relient K.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 306

Hello. So today's song is Take Us Home by Alan Doyle.

I have to say this is blowing my mind because I picked out this song without knowing who sang it and now seeing the picture... it's Wolf. From Republic of Doyle, which is a show I absolutely loved while it was on air. His music career started in 2012, earning him a Juno nomination. He continued doing acting, and wrote a book, then released his second album in 2015. Another one came out last year, and he was named a member of the Order of Canada for his charity work and musical contributions to Newfoundland's traditions. It's a pretty big honor, and I think he deserves it.

This is for a song that makes us want to fall in love. Easy for some, not for everyone. Sammy picked Something Like That by Tim McGraw, and Will chose Amazed by Lonestar. Anna went with My Guy by The Supremes. My grandma said Puppy Love by Paul Anka, and ending it is my mom with Carrying Your Love With Me by George Strait.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 305

Hey everyone. Today's song is Feel Again by One Republic.

This is an American pop rock group who've been around in some iteration since 1996 and is currently made up of Ryan Tedder, Zach Filkins, Drew Brown, Brent Kutzle, and Eddie Fisher. So the first version was created by the first two guys I named, and was called This Beautiful Mess and played at coffee houses until graduating and splitting to go to college. The two guys reformed in 2002 and renamed themselves Republic. Within a year they were signed and with a little shuffle, we ended up with the current lineup. The label convinced them to update their name to differentiate from some other groups, thus One Republic was born, but before they could release their album the label dropped them. MySpace is what kept them from dissolving at the time, and how other labels found them. So in 2007, with Timbaland's new label, their debut album was released. It was sub par, and Timbaland ended up rearranging their song to give it a different sound and making it a hit. Their second album came out in 2009 and did better than the first, with some song even being featured in pop culture. After touring with Pink they went on hiatus, returning in 2013. By 2015 the group was working on their next album, promising a different sound and released it by late 2016. After that album, rather than doing another one, they have been releasing singles the last couple years in between their performances. Their fifth album is in the works, with a couple singles off of it out right now, and a tour ongoing. So keep an eye out for the album, and enjoy.

Today's is about a song with a lot of clapping. Seemingly easier criteria than most. My mom picked We Will Rock You by Queen, and Will went with Jack & Diane by John Mellancamp. My grandma and Sammy picked the same song, going with Handclap by Fitz and the Tantrums, but then my grandma switched to Clap Your Hands by Ronnie Milsap. And last, Anna said the Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 304

Hiya. Today's song is Sober Up by AJR featuring Rivers Cuomo.

AJR is an indie pop group active since 2005 and made up of three brothers: Adam Met, Jack Met, and Ryan Met. As you can probably guess after reading those name, AJR are their first initials. They started out busking in Central Park. In 2013 they sent a link to one of their songs out to a bunch of artists (the power of social media) and one worked out. Sia saw their video and told her manager about it, who told the label. So later that year, their debut EP was released, and they had earned themselves a lot of radioplay. In 2014 they released another EP, pushing back their album release by another year to give it some new songs. They released another EP in 2016, and their second album in 2017 which is where this song is from. They've been touring since. So Rivers Cuomo is featured on this, and I didn't know the name at first, but he's the frontman in Weezer who I've featured before. He's done a lot of things besides being in that band including collaborating with a lot of people, creating another band, and getting a Bachelor of Arts degree. There's a quote I found from him that I really like and kind of sums up my feelings about why this song is for the category that it is. He said that pop music "moves people and is important, and relevant to our culture in a way that serious classical music isn't right now." Succinct and very true of the times.

This criteria is a song the gave you goosebumps the first time you heard it. My grandma went with Only The Lonely by Roy Orbinson, my mom picked Sleep Without You by Brett Young, and Anna chose Hello by Adelle. Will went with Trivium again, this time with the song Shogun. Sammy was the last to give me a song, going with Dancing On My Own by Calum Scott.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 303

What's Up. Today's song is High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco.

Looks like I might be getting the opportunity to move again in a couple months. Not a moment too soon. As much as I love living with my sister, I'm slowly dying a stuffy death from their pets. Wherever I live there will be cats, but the difference in a house with one cat who is actually cleaned up after frequently versus a place with two where everything is designed to be cat friendly and covered in hair is huge. So even though I can feel my sister already vying for me to stay, it's probably time to start thinking about what to pack, and what to get rid of... and maybe time to sanitize my room again so I can breathe until that happens. Wish me luck.

Now we need a song that hypes us up. Most songs I don’t know including my grandma’s with Surf City by Jan & Dean, my mom’s pick of Lonely Drum by Aaron Goodwin, and Will’s predictable choice of Damage Inc by Metallica. Anna decided on Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj featuring Beyonce. Sammy’s choice I do know. She went with Land Of Opportunity by A Great Big World.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 302

Hey. Today's song is Man Up by Young Brother.

Young Brother is a music project from Dalton Diehl active since 2014. The first song was Kamikaze coming out the same year, followed by more singles in 2015. This song came my way because it was used in the soundtrack of a movie, which seems to be how most other people found it too. I can't find a lot of information because half of it is for the band and half is for just him, so this is all for now. I hope to see more from this artist though so if I do, I'll share it too.

Today is reserved for a song that moves us forward. Taking a page from grandma’s book, my mom chose Daddy’s Girl by Red Slovine. Then my grandma picked Looks Like We Made It by Barry Manilow. Will went with Sometimes You’re The Hammer, Sometimes You’re The Nail by A Day To Remember. Anna chose the song Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield, and Sammy predictably chose a Taylor Swift song. It’s Look What You Made Me Do which I absolutely despise.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 301

Hi guys. Today's song is Revolution by The Score.

I had a really interesting conversation with my sister the other day about changing her name. Because she's going to have to for getting married because she doesn't like our last name (because of our father), but she also wasn't too keen of her fiance's name either. And it came down to a discussion of identity. Sammy doesn't feel like her name isn't part of her identity, because both her middle and last name are derived from a man neither of us want anything to do with. Unlike her I've kind of owned my name over the years and taken the ownership away from him (also the fact that my father literally told me to change my name because I'm "not his daughter anymore" makes me want to keep it just to spite him). So after a lengthy discussion she found something that actually makes her feel good. She's going to change her last name to her fiance's but also adopt our grandparents surname, because they basically raised us and are more parental than our parents. She's also going to take the opportunity to switch out her middle name to Edith, which is a family name, being our great grandma's first name, and our grandma's middle name. Personally I never liked the name Edith, but Sammy does so power to her. As for me, I'm keeping the Fisher nonsense, because I'll be damned if I don't take the opportunity to rub any accomplishment I have in the face of someone as ridiculous as my namesake. He raised me to be that petty and defiant... at east until I have a significant other that might be on the level where I need to change it. Then we can revisit how spiteful I want to live my life. I'm curious what your take is on this? Have you changed your name for anything, or already know you wont? Let me know.

These are songs we never get tired of. My grandma stayed old school with Amazing Grace by Loretta Lynn, and Will chose Orion by Metallica (shocker). Sammy went with Push + Pull by July Talk, Anna said Cash Machine by DRAM, and then my mom chose Slow Hands by Niall Horan.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 300

Hello everybody. Today I give you Werewolves Of London by Warren Zevon.

Warren was an American rocker active from 1965 until 2003. He was sixteen when he quit school to move to LA and do music, first in a duo called Lyme and Cybelle, then as a jingle composer, and songwriter for bands on the label he was attached to. His first album was released in 1969, then he spent the next five years touring as a band member for the Everly Brothers before and after their break up. After spending a few months in Spain he released his next album in 1976 and it was heralded as a masterpiece. His next album was in 1978 which is where this song is from. The album was praised heavily, followed by more albums in 1980 an 1982. He got engaged year later, moved to the east coast, got dropped by his label, and became an alcoholic. His engagement ended and he checked into a rehab clinic the next year, then took a break from music. He came back in 1987 with an album, followed by another in 1989. That one did horribly, and he was dropped again, but was picked up immediately by another releasing an album as part of the group Hindu Love Gods. He continued making solo music throughout the 90's, and was part of the Stranger Than Fiction project, and was the band leader for awhile on the David Letterman Show. He had a phobia of doctors, but in 2002 when he started feeling dizzy he finally went to one and was diagnosed with cancer. He refused treatment, instead working on his next album which came out in 2003. He died a few months later.

It might not be the season, but this is the favorite Halloween song. So either one associated with the holiday or about something associated with it. My grandma went with a classic choosing Who You Gonna Call by Spooky. Sammy and Will picked This Is Halloween by the Moonlight Orchestra, then Anna and my mom went with Monster Mash by Bobby Boris Pickett.

Peace.

Year 5, Day 299

Hello everybody. Today's song is A World Divided by Pyramaze.

This is a Danish power metal band active from 2001 to 2011, then 2015 to now. The first couple years was spent building their membership, then their first performance and debut album were in 2004. After some touring they released their second album in 2006. The same year the singer left the group, and a new one joined in 2007...but only for a few months so they could finish their record before going back to his other band. After that album they found a new singer for a bit and were good for a couple years until some key members left in 2011 because of family responsibilities. They took a hiatus and looked (yet again) for a new singer before releasing a new album in 2015. Since then the band seems to have cemented its members, but only time will tell.

Today’s is a song for raging which everyone had a hard time with. My mom went with Never Again by Nickelback, and my grandma after a comment from me chose Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks. Will picked Sarcastrophe by Slipknot, Anna answered with War by Edwin Starr, and then Sammy chose Medieval Warfare by GRIMES.

Peace.