Playlist Thursday // Playlists are important

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I'm a big believer in a solid playlist. Here's mine from the past two weeks.

1 // Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie

2 // Jealous by Nick Jonas

3 // I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys cover) by ScottBradleeLovesYa ft. Shoshana Bean 

4 // Jealous (Nick Jonas cover) by Kurt Hugo Schneider 

5 // Elastic Heart by Sia 

6 // Reflections by Misterwives 

7 // World Spins Madly On by The Weepies 

(IF YOU ARE GOING TO CLICK ON ANY OF THE LINKS...IT BETTER BE THIS ONE. I cry a million tears every time. Every. Single. Time.)

8 // Afire Love by Ed Sheeran 

9 // Uptown Funk By Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars

HOW DID I JUST HEAR THIS SONG TWO WEEKS AGO??? Can we just call it a Michael Jackson throwback, because Michael Jackson is moon-walking in this grave over this song. So bomb.

10 // Who Knows Who Cares by Local Natives 

11 // She Treats Me Well by Ben Howard

12 // Hero by Family of the Year

13 // Mess is Mine by Vance Joy 

14 // Lonesome Dreams by Lord Huron 

15 // I Will Be Back One Day by Lord Huron

+ h a p p y // l i s t e n i n g 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d

Playlist Thursday // Same old songs, different day

Ugh. This album cover is the dreamiest. I want to go be a bohemian gypsy woman now. Is that too much to ask? Yeah probably. 

No but really. Don't act all surprised. You know the songs are all the same.

1 // Dreams by Fleetwood Mac 

Favorite song of all time. Yes it is. Straight up. I think I've said this fifty times, but I just can't get over it. It's lyrically beautiful. Stevie's voice is like the total essence of smoky folky. She's like a witch and I love it. I know, so creepy and weird but Stevie Nicks is my spirit animal, right along with Pocahontas.

2 // Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac 

I mean, she even straight up says she's a gypsy! Sing it, Stevie.

3 // Landslide by Fleetwood Mac 

"Well, I've been afraid of changing 'cause I've built my life around you. But time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I'm getting older too." 

4 // Oh Daddy by Fleetwood Mac

5 // I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt 

"I can't make you love me, if you don't. You can't make your heart feel something it won't." 

This song is incredibly gut-wrenching. I remember when I was young and dramatic...oh wait. Anyway, yeah when I was in love with this guy in high school and I thought he loved me too, but wah waaaah of course he didn't. I abused this song. Like I played it until it couldn't be played anymore. (Was that too soon to use the "abuse" word?)

6 // Conrad by Ben Howard

7 // I Forget Where We Were by Ben Howard

Oh, hey,
I wasn't listening
I was watching Syria blinded by the sunshine strip
You, you were in the kitchen
Oh, your mariner’s mouth the wounded with the wounder's whip

And that's how summer passed oh,
The great divide and range of green green grass
Oh, maybe it was peace at last, who knew

Hello love, my invincible friend
Hello love, the thistle and the burr
Hello love, for you I have so many words
But I, I forget where we were

Oh, hey,
I wasn't listening,
I was stung by all of us, the blind leading out the bored
And as per usual,
You were skipping and laughing eyes at the bedroom door

This song, you guys. I can't even. I just can't. I have listened to it like 20 times a day. 

8 // End of the Affair by Ben Howard

9 // Afire Love by Ed Sheeran

"And my father and all of my family rise from their seats to sing hallelujah."

The end of this song is the best.

10 // Beth/Rest by Bon Iver

"I ain't living in the dark no more, it's not a promise I'm just gonna call it." 

What are you listening to?

+ h a p p y // l i s t e n i n g 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d

Playlist Thursday // Higher Love

p h o t o 

Have you heard of Vance Joy? Tyler showed me his popular hit "Riptide" a long time ago. Now he has an album out. It's called Dream Your Life Away and it's perfectly beautiful. I highly recommend it and the other songs featured in this playlist. Enjoy!

1 // Winds of Change by Vance Joy

My favorite from the album.  

I miss you more than you could know. I watch the grass on the back lawn grow, and I will not allow winds of change to blow. And I hope you decide to come back home. Cause this heavy heart, oh, how it's yearned. Cause I've been alone far too long. When are you coming home, my love? My love!"

2 // Mess is Mine by Vance Joy 

Kid you not, the beginning of this song is so beautiful. It makes me want to cry. I mean, everything makes me want to cry. 

"Talking like we used to do. It was always me and you. Shaping up and shipping out. Check me in and check me out. When you think of love, do you think of pain? You can tell me what you see. I will choose what I believe. This body is yours. This body is yours and mine. Well hold on, my darling. This mess was yours, now your mess is mine." 

3 // December, 1963 by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

This song is beyond the catchiest songs of all time. I mean, I gotta soul train to this shiz.

4 // Higher Love by Steve Winwood 

Just be-freakin-cause. 

5 // Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

This is quite possibly my favorite song of all time. I think it has been in almost every single one of my playlist thursday posts. I love it. 

"Thunder only happens when it's raining, players only play you when their playing. Say women they will come and they will go. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know." 

Here's a beautiful cover, too!

6 // Lego House by Ed Sheeran 

Ed Sheeran, uuuuugggggh. Ron Weasley....I mean Rupert Grint uuuuuggggh.

"I'm out of touch, I'm out of love. I'll pick you up when you're getting down. And out of all these things I've done, I think I'll love you better now."

7 // Forever Young by Alphaville 

Anyone else think of Napoleon Dynamite? Anyone else get slighty misty-eyed? Don't lie. 

Can we also talk about the synthesizer trumpet solo? So rad. 

"Some are like water some are like the heat, some are the melody some are the beat... Sooner or later they all will be gone why don't they stay young?"

+ h a p p y // l i s t e n i n g

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d

Playlist Thursday // Norah

p h o t o 

I rediscovered Norah Jones. Her voice and lyrics bring me back to running errands with my mom, and the early mornings she would drive me to school. It's the loveliest of nostalgia.

1 // Don't Know Why by Norah Jones

2 // Come Away With Me by Norah Jones 

3 // The Long Day Is Over by Norah Jones 

4 // Long Time Gone by Norah Jones and Billie Joe 

5 // Lonestar by Norah Jones

6 // Long Time Gone by Norah Jones and Billie Joe 

7 // Down In The Willow Garden by Norah Jones and Billie Joe 

8 // Sunrise by Norah Jones

9 // Lego House by Ed Sheeran 

10 // Fawkes the Phoenix from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 

+ h a p p y // l i s t e n i n g

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d 

Monday Musing // On Days Like This...

On days like this...the last thing you want to do is blog, and it's not because it's been a bad day. The reason you haven't blogged in weeks isn't because you have been having bad days. No, the days have been good. They have been beautiful. Happy. Lovely. There have been tears of sadness here and there...but mostly happiness. Happiness as the nights cool perfectly and that corner of the blanket is the perfect weight and touch that can warm you as the heat breaks and the dew settles. Happiness as your belly is full of corn on the cob, the drippiest watermelon, and the perfect tacos full of beans and cheese. Happiness is the sweat on your neck after working out and feeling like yourself again. Happiness in the beautiful new temple in your home town. Happiness in the visit of a long lost brother from New York. Happiness in the comforting hugs of a mom, dad, husband. Happiness in the visit from family in North Carolina and California. Happiness in a clean home. In an intense TV show. In the pins that your mom sends in you.

On days like this...you don't need to be in front of your computer documenting every part of your life. You need to be out there living it. So thank you, if you're reading this... thank you for letting me get out there and live. Now if you must know...this is what I've been listening to recently.

Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac

You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon

The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel 

Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran 

Afire Love by Ed Sheeran 

Stay Alive by Jose Gonzalez 

Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez 

Until later...

+ s t a y // g o l d

Playlist Thursday // Afire

p h o t o 

1 // Afire Love by Ed Sheeran 

2 // Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran 

3 // Photograph by Ed Sheeran 

4 // Ordinary People by John Legend 

5 // Stay With Me by Sam Smith 

6 // Chandelier by Sia 

WATCH THIS. 

7 // Blue Moon by Beck 

8 // Song for Zula by Phosphorescent 

9 // Don't by Ed Sheeran 

10 // Nina by Ed Sheeran 

11 // I See Fire by Ed Sheeran 

+ h a p p y // l i s t e n i n g 

& 

+ s t a y // g o l d 

p.s.  I felt like I should redeclare my love for Bon Iver. He still has my heart. 

Playlist Thursday // Late Night Listens

Late night everything.

My sister has been in town and that is why I haven't written.

Oh well.

Here's a playlist.

1 // Stay Alive by Jose Gonzalez

Seriously need Walty Mitty right now.

2 // All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion

This is on like 5 times a day at my house. It just is.

3 // When I Fall in Love by Sam Cooke

4 // Human Nature by Michael Jackson

5 // Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran

Probably the most beautiful thing my ears have ever heard.

6 // Venus by Sleeping at Last

7 // True Colors by Jules Larson

8 // Jolene by Ray Lamontagne

How many times has this been on a playlist? Sorry not sorry.

9 // Let It Be Me by Ray Lamontagne

You might also be aware that this is late. (I am posting this at 10:00 PM on Sunday...yes, I know...)

Oh well, again. I hope you enjoyed.

Playlist Thursday: Some favorites

This week I have been listening to a few new things but mostly the oldie but goodie ones that I've discovered throughout my three college years.

Do you have those songs? The ones that remind you of moments. A few of these songs remind me of summer. First love. New friends. And my old apartment at SingleTree. Feel free to share some songs that do nostalgia for you.

Happy listening.

1. Hiding Out by Sucre

This reminds me SO much for my friend Karly Catto. She is currently serving a mission in Washington, and I miss her quite terribly. This came up on my shuffle and I freaked a little. I was reminded of its absolute beauty. Sucre has the voice of dreams. Just listening to this song reminds me of Karly's profound wisdom and kindness. God bless you, Sister Catto!

2. If Only I by Jon Mclaughlin

I heard this on the Vampires Diaries like so long ago and I was hooked. 

3. Sun by Sleeping at Last

The beauty.  I can't even.

4. Mercury by Sleeping at Last

5. Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn 

This is on my ultimate playlist, because it is ULTIMATE. It really is. The music video. The beats. The dance. Robyn. All of it. Like this song epitomized my sophomore year of college.

6. God Made Man by Young the Giant

7. Cough Syrup by Young the Giant 

8. My Blood by Ellie Goulding

9. I See Fire by Ed Sheeran

I know, it's The Hobbit song...but guys. OH my gosh. Ed Sheeran. His voice melts me. I have to get "+". Why haven't I done that yet?

10. Heart Attack by Demi Lovato

#GirlPower

11. A Life That's Good by Lennon and Maisy

If I am having a bad day, I will listen to this song and everything feels alright. 

12. Shot at the Night by The Killers

This is my newest favorite. It's always in my head.

LATE LOVE SONGS!

AH!! Forgive me! Yesterday I made a billion and one stuff pasta shells for a big Valentine's Day dinner. It was a success. The rolls were hockey pucks and some ended up on the bathroom floor but that's another story that I'm sure I'll share eventually in my life.

I hope you all felt the LOVE yesterday. I felt it and I feel it now. Isn't love awesome!? I love love!

Now for some favorite love songs at the moment. (No links because I'm running late)

1. Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran

2. Ho Hey by The Lumineers

3. The Luckiest by Ben Folds

4. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine

5. Can't Help Falling in Love by Ingrid Michaelson

Playlist Thursday: Feelings

Uh... so basically this whole week I listened to Gotye Live on Letterman, Bon Iver's concert at Radio City Music Hall, and Mumford & Sons new album Babel. Not even kidding, but I have a playlist of individual songs I've listened to as well. Enjoy and expect a whole playlist about Mumford's new album soon!

1. Swim Good by Frank Ocean

"I'm about to drive in the ocean. I'ma try to swim from something bigger than me. Kick off my shoes and swim good, and swim good. Take off this suit and swim good, and swim good, good."

Frank Ocean? Yes. Me gusta. Don't hate.

2. Climax by Usher

"We made a mess of what used to be love. So why do I care, I care at all?"

Uh, so stop blushing at the title of this song please! It's Usher what do you expect?  Thank you! When Valley Boy goes through a R&B music phase, you do too. It happens.

3. 1000 Words by Nobuo Uematsu

A little change of pace...I have always been a HUGE fan of the Final Fantasy games and the soundtracks. Listen and love.

4.  Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran

Do you ever wonder if the stars shine out for you?

Aw, yes another Ed Sheeran song. His voice is gold. Pure gold.

5.  Nothing Left to Say/ Rocks by Imagine Dragons

"My age has never made me wise, but I keep pushing on and on and on and on."

"Timber timber, we’re falling down. Let the forest hear us out."

Feelings. Lots and lots of feelings.

6. Begin Again by Taylor Swift 

"But I've been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end."

Even more feelings. So many feelings. Favorite song by Taylor Swift right now. All-time favorite. I said this on my tumblr, it knocked "Ours" off of the top. It reminds me so much of her beginnings. I love songs like that remind you of good ol times, even if they are bittersweet love songs.

One more thing...

So this one time I asked a bunch of my close friends what their favorite songs were. I made a big list, and then....I left it at home when I moved away to college. So...if you would like to you should totally comment with your favorite songs. I love sharing music that my friends recommend to me. I am also thinking about making a "Dani's All-Time Favorite Songs" Playlist. What do you think? Can I do it? It might be slightly difficult. I have a lot of favorites. We'll see, we'll see.

What have you been listening to recently? What music inspires you? Comment below and have a lovely day.