Faye Wong - 冷戰

At last, at last!! I found this song in good quality! This is a cover of the song “Silent All These Years” by another of my favorite artists, Tori Amos. And it’s in Cantonese! It’s one of the first Cantonese songs I ever had, and I think it’s also one of the first songs I heard by this super-famous Chinese artist. I actually heard this cover before I heard the original version of the song.

Faye Wong A.K.A. 王菲 - 冷戰 [Laang Tseen - Cold War]:

Ludo - Love Me Dead

This song’s about a dysfunctional relationship if I ever heard of one. The lyrics are pretty interesting, and the music video is worth watching too. I only heard it the other day.
Note: You can watch in HD!

Ludo - Love Me Dead:

Missy Elliot feat. Ludacris - Gossip Folks

God, this song is so catchy, and I always really liked Luda’s flow on it. I’ve never owned an album by this famous hip hop artist, but her singles that I heard on the radio were always ear-catching. I think this song’s music video may have been the first I saw by this rapper, so I wasn’t acquainted with how weird her videos tended to be. The breakdancing little girls are my favorite part, and I’ve heard they make an appearance in a number of her music videos. Also in other music videos are the illustrated homages to deceased music figures Aaliyah and Left Eye from TLC. This is one of those songs where you try to sing along but because you can’t make out the lyrics you just say gibberish… but in this case those lyrics really are gibberish.

Missy Elliot feat. Ludacris - Gossip Folks:


The song has profanity, but the music video of which I spoke is censored:

Q-Unique - The Set Up

The album this song is from, Vengeance is Mine, is among the albums I had on heavy rotation back when I was getting into underground hip hop. I don’t remember all the tracks from the album well, but this must have been a standout because I do remember it. In it, the emcee paints a picture of the difficult environment in which he grew up. There’s profanity, drugs, violence, etc.

Q-Unique - The Set Up:

Tracy Chapman - Heaven’s Here on Earth

A few days ago, I posted a song that referenced this artist, and it reminded me I should probably post another song by her. This would have been good for Earth Day, which was recent, but oh well. I already was pretty sold on this song the first time I heard it, right from the beginning, but then when that Celtic sound kicks in it totally sealed the deal. The lyrics are about appreciating the beauty that the world has to offer and recognizing the potential for the world to be better.
Note: You can enjoy in HD!

Tracy Chapman - Heaven’s Here on Earth:

Txarango - Músic de Carrer

I found this Spanish artist by YouTube surfing for music. The group is from Catalonia, so their lyrics are in Catalán. I’m not crazy about the vocals, but I dig the instrumental. Right from the get-go, the horns capture my attention, and later in the song the piano commands my ear.
Note: Nice of the official YouTube channel of the artist to upload their song in HD!

Txarango - Músic de Carrer [Street Music]:

Amber Riley - Colorblind

Aghhhhhh!! When this song was performed on a recent episode of the TV series Glee, I immediately thought it was beautiful. Before the song was even over, I was trying to look up the original artist... and discovered it was an original of the show’s! That’s actually kind of a relief because this singer’s voice melts my soul and I wanted to use her version.
Note: HD versions abound!

Amber Riley - Colorblind:


Here’s the scene from the show where it debuted:

Kazaky - Touch Me

I found this Ukrainian artist through a YouTube playlist (as in, a playlist by YouTube itself), which included this, the first music video of theirs I saw. This artist is more of a dance group than a music group, as the members seem to be much better at dancing than singing. The good news is they’re REALLY good at dancing, and do so in high heels. This makes for some pretty entertaining (and visually stunning) music videos. Perhaps more importantly, I found this video pretty darn funny. It turns the anxiety travelers feel about going through airport security on its head by showing the TSA agents being made to feel uncomfortable by the travelers. And check out what the sign indicating the lines for the two types of inspection says!
Note: Since their music on its own isn’t that great, IMO, the main point here is actually their videos. So that’s what you get, in HD! Be warned, though: it’s not family-friendly, and even made a friend of mine uncomfortable when he watched it.

Kazaky - Touch Me:

Delta Rae - Fire

Ooh, an ANGRY song. You can taste the southern flavor in the vaguely country-sounding instrumental component. There exists many-a-song that attempts to channel the anger of feeling betrayed by a lover, but oft-neglected in music is the similar feeling of betrayal by a gossipy and/or unsupportive friend—a sentiment many can relate to.

Delta Rae - Fire:

Jay Brannan - The State of Music

This song is a not-so-subtle criticism of the music industry. In particular, it mocks the simplicity and banality of the lyrics, the lack of artistic vision or depth, and the focus on appearance and flash over the music itself. “Now, everybody, taste the machine.” Then, lest we think he’s purely cynical, he pays tribute to a list of his musical influences and inspirations (all female singer-songwriters), including “the Irish goddess whose voice rivalled the Pope”, who I’m pretty sure is meant to be Sinead O’Connor. The rest he mentions by first name only (Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, Ani Di Franco, Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell… not sure who Lisa is).

Jay Brannan - The State of Music:

Michele McLaughlin - The Eternal City

I came across this artist through a music site, and not long after that my dad recommended her music to me. I don’t have any of her sheet music, but I imagine it’s only a matter of time before I acquire some and learn to play some of her pieces.

 Michele McLaughlin - The Eternal City:

30 Seconds to Mars - Modern Myth

I like how this escalates into screams. I also like the inclusion of the strings instruments. Fun fact, in case you didn’t know: At the Oscar Awards about a month and a half ago, the lead singer of this band won Best Supporting Actor.
Note: You can listen to that screaming in super HD! The video also includes an extra song, Praying for a Riot.

30 Seconds to Mars - Modern Myth:

Shakira - Objection (Tango)

This song is fun to karaoke to, especially with someone else who knows the song well. I’m posting the English version because that’s the one I know better. I’ve been fond of this artist since shortly after this album came out, and now, years later, I’m glad to see how likeable she seems to be as a singing coach on the TV series The Voice.
Note: HD quality, yo!

Shakira - Objection (Tango):

B.o.B. feat. Priscilla - John Doe

I heard this on the RADIO. That’s right, the radio! So old-fashioned of me, but I actually found this, a song I like, that way. I personally think it’s kinda cool that, amongst the songs about partying and glorifying drunkenness, there’s a song lamenting alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse on mainstream radio. Note: In case you haven’t noticed, HD!

B.o.B. feat. Priscilla - John Doe:

Aaliyah feat. Timbaland - We Need a Resolution

The instrumental is sick; credit to Timbaland. But the vocals are of course by the late Aaliyah. Although she’s been gone since 2001, I still see her name come up regularly in discussions revolving around songstresses of R&B.
Note: This song may be old, but it’s available in HD.

Aaliyah feat. Timbaland - We Need a Resolution:

Jorge & Mateus - Logo Eu

I found this artist and song as a result of searching for Portuguese language music on YouTube. It’s upbeat but in this case there’s something charming about it—I blame the accordions. These guys specialize in the Brazilian equivalent of country music, sertanejo.
Note: You can check out that charm in HD!

Jorge & Mateus - Logo Eu [Soon I]:

London Grammar - Strong

Here’s another song I heard on the British show Hollyoaks. It was actually used on there multiple times…
Note: I highly recommend watching the official lyrics video in HD, because it features some gorgeous imagery.

London Grammar - Strong:

Khalil Fong - 南音

If this is what the South sounds like, more of this, please! Since my first discovery of this artist (which may have been this song), the smoothness of his voice has been one of my favorite things about his music. I also believe that he writes & composes his own music, which is always a plus.

Khalil Fong A.K.A. 方大同 - 南音 [Nan Yin - Southern Sound]:

Zaz - Je Veux

I found this song whilst YouTubing for French pop music a few years ago. It’s upbeat and sounds to me like the kind of song a manic pixie dream girl archetype would sing. I haven’t listened to her other songs, but I guess this was her big hit.

Zaz - Je Veux [I Want]:

JYJ - In Heaven

Once upon a time, there was a Korean boy band named Dong Bang Shin Ki A.K.A. DBSK A.K.A. TVXQ A.K.A. some other names. There were 5 members, and they were a mainstream pop force to be reckoned with. Then through some sort of record label contract kerfuffle, the group split up and only 2 members remained performing under the original group name, while 3 members went off and made their own group, whose name was based on the group members’ initials of their Romanized Korean names. This is their music. I’ve been listening to a song by the other group’s new incarnation a lot lately, but since I’ve already posted that song I’m posting one by their counterpart instead.
Note: I know this song is cheesy (that intro isn’t helping), but you can enjoy the HD and the English translation of the lyrics!

JYJ - In Heaven:

Siya - I’m Gucci

This song, which I came across through its music video, raises so many questions. WHY can’t I stop listening to it on repeat?! How did Siya get so much swagger? How does an underground hip hop video that’s about the same materialistic content as mainstream hip hop end up looking so much better than mainstream hip hop videos about the same thing? The song has profanity, drug references, etc….
Note: This is the shiny-looking music video, available in all its HD glory.

Siya - I’m Gucci:

K-os - Crucial

WOWWWWWWWW, I’ve been intending to post this song ever since I started this blog! I couldn’t before, because every time I checked for a good quality version online I couldn’t find one, and then I kinda forgot about it for a while. It just now occurred to me to check again, and behold, ‘tis here. This Canadian artist is an emcee and singer, but this song doesn’t include any rapping.

K-os - Crucial:

Maaya Sakamoto - Hemisphere

This is the opening theme of one of my favorite anime series, RahXephon. Although she didn’t do the series’s soundtrack, famed composer Yoko Kanno composed this one song for the series. This makes sense, as this song’s singer often collaborates with her, and she was a voice actor for one of the characters in the show.

Maaya Sakamoto A.K.A. 坂本 真綾 - Hemisphere:


Here’s the anime opening credit sequence with an abridged version of the song:

Umut Kaya - Yanıma Yataydı

I like how the instrumental component of this song has a Middle Eastern flavor to it even while using just guitars and drums. I found this song while looking for Turkish rock and pop music on YouTube.

Umut Kaya - Yanıma Yataydı [If Only She’d Laid Next to Me]:

Ayo - Lonely

I found this artist by YouTube surfing, I think. It’s reggae-ish neo-soul from Germany!

Ayo - Lonely:

Krizz Kaliko feat. Snow tha Product - Damage

I found this on YouTube, and listened because I recognized the featured artist, whom I’ve posted before. In this song, she flows like Em! It might sound like a weird comparison, but her delivery really does resemble his in some parts. As for the main artist, evidently he’s been around for a while but I don’t think I’ve listened to his music before. He’s often associated with Tech N9ne, with whom I am more familiar. He has a pretty interesting flow in this song too. In case it’s not obvious, this is hip hop (and there’s some profanity).
Note: This is the official music video, which has HD quality available.

Krizz Kaliko feat. Snow tha Product - Damage:

Marsha Ambrosius - Run

This artist used to be a member of Floetry. I found her solo music through a music video, but didn’t get a chance to look into her solo music beyond that one song. Then I saw this song being promoted on a music website yesterday and was all over it.

Marsha Ambrosius - Run:

Sodagreen - 被雨困住的城市

The amount of songs I’ve posted by this Taiwanese artist is not proportional to the amount I enjoy some of their music. Although they’re considered an indie band, it seems to me they’re quite well-known in Taiwan. I even bonded with my friend’s mother a few months ago over our shared love of the lead vocalist’s voice.
Note: I can’t believe this is available in HD, even though it’s not a single! Woo!

Sodagreen A.K.A. 蘇打綠 - 被雨困住的城市 [Bei Yu Kun Zhu De Cheng Shi - A City Stuck in Rain]:

Banks - This is What It Feels Like

I’m not well acquainted with a ton of music by this artist, but based on the few songs I’ve heard her music reminds me of that of The Weeknd. Those deep beats mixed with hypnotic, lowkey but controlled vocals… The production was done by Jamie Woon, an artist whose music I’ve posted previously with him as the vocalist.
Note: I recommend experiencing this in HD.

Banks - This is What It Feels Like:

Rufus Wainwright - April Fools

I am not particularly fond of this song, but this music video is amusing. I like the theme of Rufus trying to save tragic female characters of famous operas from their fates. See if you can spot the Gwen Stefani! And the artist’s sister, Martha Wainwright!

Rufus Wainwright - April Fools: