Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

As I said when my friend sent this music video to me: somebody put some serious effort into this video. That’s the main feature of this post for me, rather than the song. (I’d heard of this Icelandic artist before, but never really looked into their music.)
Note: You can watch in HD!

Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart:

Tank - I Can’t Make You Love Me

Here’s a cover of the famous Bonnie Raitt song of the same name. I’ve always liked the melody, but R&B vocals are more my style so I really like this.
Note: HD quality available!

Tank - I Can’t Make You Love Me:

Ofra Haza - ירושלים של זהב

This is a cover of a famous Israeli song by this late and great Israeli artist. I love the song’s melody as well as this singer’s voice, so this is one of my favorites by her.

Ofra Haza A.K.A. ירושלים של זהב - עפרה חזה [Yelushalayim Shel Zahav - Jerusalem of Gold]:

Taro Iwashiro - Her Most Beautiful Smile

This piece is one of my absolute favorites to play on the piano. I’ve played it so much I’ve inadvertently come up with my own rendition of it just by tweaking little things over time. My mom’s kinda obsessed with it too and tries to make me play it for her all the time. It’s so pretty, I can’t even tell you the number of times people have overheard me playing it and went out of their way to ask me what the piece was. Many of them were surprised to find out it’s from the soundtrack of an anime, the Rurouni Kenshin movie called Ishin Shishi e no Requiem (which I’ve never seen, despite having watched much of the anime series, read much of the manga series, and watched one of the OVAs many times).
Note: You can listen in HD!

Taro Iwashiro A.K.A. 岩代 太郎 - Her Most Beautiful Smile:

Vaile - Red Rain

This song is like the theme song for one of my favorite fictional characters EVER so I have pretty positive associations with it. For some reason I can't seem to find much information on this song's artist, but as far as I can surmise she's German. I'm pretty sure the whole song is in English but I can't understand all of it.

Vaile - Red Rain:

Mykki Blanco - Wavvy

God, I don’t know… I heard about this unique hip hop artist through an article on a website and decided to look him up. Some of his tracks are too weird for me (!!), but this song, the first I listened to by him, is oddly addictive. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I cannot. stop. coming back to it to listen “one more time.”  Something about his voice in the chorus and the instrumental are strangely mesmerizing.  There is profanity.  (I saw a YouTube comment that described him as a "hood Lady Gaga," which is a pretty accurate characterization from what I've seen so far.)
Note: I normally try to avoid posting official MVs, especially when they're this unusual, but I can’t find this song uploaded in good quality otherwise. The upside is the music video is in HD. And the intro is great. “You rob a Walgreens?!” had me laughing.

Mykki Blanco - Wavvy:

Loreena McKennitt - The Mummer’s Dance

I’m not sure, because it was so long ago, but I think this may have been the first song I made an effort to memorize all the lyrics of (aside from The Circle of Life from The Lion King). And I did! Lovely song, and probably the most popular by this artist. Listening to this song brings me back to my childhood.
Note: You can listen in HD!

Loreena McKennitt - The Mummer’s Dance:

Mustafa Ceceli - Es

I somehow ended up listening to Turkish pop music on YouTube. This caught my attention because that is quite a range the artist’s got there.
Note: Video has HD listening!

Mustafa Ceceli - Es [Blow]:

Destiny’s Child - Fancy

Am I a hater?   Maybe.  But I’ve always liked this song!
Note: Some HD fo yo earholes!

Destiny’s Child - Fancy:

RED - Already Over

I think I originally found out about this artist through a friend’s recommendation, but later listened to this song because of a music recommendation thread on a website. I recently listened to the entire album it’s from, End of Silence, and found the whole thing to my liking.
Note: You can listen in HD!

RED - Already Over:

Waa Wei - If

Pretty quintessentially Taiwanese pop style—laidback everything, some nice, slow strings and guitar stuff… I find it interesting that, at the beginning of the song, the singer’s voice sounds breathy and thin—a style that typically does not appeal to me—but as the song goes on the style of her singing and voice itself changes markedly into something I quite like.

Waa Wei A.K.A. 魏如萱 - IF:

Declan Bennett - Angels V. Demons

Oooooh, nice. I found this when I was looking for songs by this British artist.

Declan Bennett - Angels V. Demons:

Icon for Hire - Get Well

Tooooooooootally thought I already posted this song. But I didn’t, so I am now!
Note: Wow, I found a video in hi-def AND without spelling errors! It’s a miracle!

Icon for Hire - Get Well:

Vlad Sokolovskiyi - Ливни

I don’t know why I like this song so much, but I just do. DEAL WITH IT, OK?

Vlad Sokolovskiyi A.K.A. Влад Соколовский - Ливни [Livni - Rain Showers]:

Lee Seon Hwee - 인연

This is the theme song of the pretty (and unexpectedly record-breakingly successful) Korean movie The King and Clown. There are quite a few versions of this song, but this is the original Korean version. I was planning to post this song anyway, but I just came home from a dinner at which much of the conversation revolved around the word in the title of the song.  It must have been fate!  Har har.
Note: Woooo, HD!  (The video plays the song twice, I guess in case once wasn't enough?)

Lee Seon Hwee A.K.A. 이선희 - 인연 [Inyeon - Fate]:

Daughtry - It’s Not Over

I just got back from karaoke, wherein I sang this song for the first time. So I shall post it now! I always was impressed by this American Idol competitor’s rock vocals whenever I heard his songs on the radio.
Note: HD!

Daughtry - It’s Not Over:

Kalae All Day - 20 Kit Kats for the Riff Raff

I found out about this emcee through a YouTube video intending to introduce people to female hip hop artists OTHER than Nicki Minaj.
Note: This is the official MV, in HD!

Kalae All Day - 20 Kit Kats for the Riff Raff:

Letto - Sandaran Hati

Wow, I can’t believe I found this song in decent quality. This is one of my favorite songs from the album Truth, Cry, and Lie by the previously-posted Indonesian artist Letto. His music is so soothing.

Letto - Sandaran Hati [Back of the Heart]:

Sia - Breathe Me

Although this is the third song I’m posting by this quirky Australian artist, I think this is the most famous of her songs. A large part of its fame seems to be due to it being used as the music in the emotional finale of the excellent TV series Six Feet Under, and I even saw the artist’s music advertised in a music store as such (there was a big poster for her that said: “As heard in the finale of Six Feet Under!”), but since then I’ve also heard it used in like 3 different soap operas. (On a related note, whenever I see a list of the best TV finales ever, Six Feet Under is always at the top of the list.)
Note: Enjoy in HD!  But why is it impossible to EVER find a lyrics video with correct lyrics?

Sia - Breathe Me:

Nek - Laura no Está

I found this Italian artist by YouTube surfing for music. I like this dude’s voice. (Coincidentally, I find certain quirks of his singing style resemble those of the singer of the recently-posted band 30 Seconds to Mars.) Plus, I can understand this song because the lyrics are en español, not Italian!
Note: And you can listen in HD!

Nek - Laura no Está [Laura’s not Here]:

Lillias White, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Cheryl Freeman, and Vanéese Y. Thomas - The Gospel Truth

This is the intro song of the Disney movie Hercules. I wasn’t crazy about the music from this movie in general, but I really liked this and the other renditions of the same basic song, and they're easily my favorite songs from the soundtrack.

Lillias White, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Cheryl Freeman, and Vanéese Y. Thomas - The Gospel Truth:


Here’s the part of the movie in which the song is used:

30 Seconds to Mars - The Kill (Bury Me)

I’m mostly posting this song for the music video, which is blatantly modeled after the classic horror movie The Shining. I had read the book The Shining before seeing this music video, but it’s really the film that the music video is based on, and now that I’ve seen the film too I can appreciate it all the more.
Note: Unfortunately, the MV’s not in great quality, so I’m including just the song first, in HD.

30 Seconds to Mars - The Kill (Bury Me):


Here’s the music video:

DYA - Stai

Ever wondered what Romanian pop sounds like? Here you go! This isn’t amazing, but I think the artist’s voice is really good.

DYA - Stai [Stop]:

The Album Leaf - Vermillion

A lot of stuff by this artist sounds EXACTLY like Sigur Rós. Even the vocalist’s voice. It's honestly confusing. This song doesn’t sound like Sigur Rós, though.

The Album Leaf - Vermillion:

Florence + the Machine - Seven Devils

This might be my favorite song off this artist’s album Ceremonials. It just sounds so darn cool.
Note: HD listening available!

Florence + the Machine - Seven Devils:

Nell - Down

Despite this Korean artist being an indie rock band, this song is more trip-hop than rock. I’ve always liked the English lyrics of this song. Luckily, the video I’m posting also has an English translation of the Korean lyrics too! UNluckily, the video uploader has disabled embedding, so you gotta click on this link to get to it:

Nell - Down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGCpovIki_8

Ana Tijoux - La Bala

What an album opener. This is one of my favorite tracks from this Chilean artist’s album of the same name as this track.

Ana Tijoux - La Bala [The Bullet]:

Maher Zain - Assalamu Alayka

I found this artist through YouTube surfing. I’ve never heard a song by this artist that WASN’T explicitly a praise song, except for one that had baby sounds in it (no, thank you). His voice is so nice and I especially like this song.
Note: HD listening available! Plus: typography!

Maher Zain - Assalamu Alayka [Salutations]:

Leonora - La' Min Stemme

Here’s a dancey song I found whilst YouTube surfing for Danish music.

Leonora - La' Min Stemme [Let My Voice]:

Damien Rice - Cannonball

This is the first song I heard by this Irish artist. I think I heard it in a fanvideo and thought it was nice. His singing isn't perfect, but I think the lyrics are somewhat poetic and the melody gets stuck in my head really easily.
Note: HD availability!

Damien Rice - Cannonball:

Alejandra Robles - La Bruja

This Mexican artist got a powerful voice like whoa. I think I found out about her through a recommendation music column on a website.

Alejandra Robles - La Bruja [The Witch]:

Miyavi - ♂パパママ♀～望まれヌBaby～

This artist likes to try making music of different genres, which annoys some people but I kinda like the versatility.  This is a darker song than the ones I posted by this artist before. Despite much of his music falling under the broad label of “rock,” a lot of it’s quirky and upbeat. This, however, is clearly angsty and more typical of the genre, I suppose. As far as I can tell, it’s about a child raging about an unhappy home life. There is profanity in English, which is weird because most of the song is in Japanese. Go figure.

Miyavi A.K.A. 雅 - ♂パパママ♀～望まれヌBaby～ [Papa Mama ~Nozomare Nu Baby~ - Papa Mama ~Hoped-for New Baby~]:

TLC - If They Knew

Here’s another track from one of my most-listened-to albums, Fanmail, by this artist. I had it since I was a youngun’, hence its status as among my most-listened-to.

TLC - If They Knew:

Markéta Irglová & Glen Hansard - The Hill

I heard this slightly creepy song in a short film. It’s originally from the musical film Once, which I haven’t seen, but I guess these two music artists both wrote the music and starred in it. Playing a couple. And then they became a couple in real life. And then they broke up. But this song remains!
Note: HD available!

Markéta Irglová & Glen Hansard - The Hill:

Avan Lava - Sisters

I saw the music video for this song recommended on a website, and when I watched it I was so impressed by it that it became my current addiction. I’m quite fond of the song too, and I’d never even heard of the artist before. I can’t get over how good the MV is, so I’m including it too.
Note: The artist’s channel was kind enough to upload the track in HD!

Avan Lava - Sisters:


And here’s the official music video as well:

Гайтана - Самый лучший

Here’s Ukrainian pop with a little R&B flavor to it—something I haven’t heard much of.

Гайтана A.K.A. Gaitana - Самый лучший [Sameuyi Luchshiyi - The Very Best]:

Jo Yeong Wook - Cries and Whispers

This track is from the soundtrack of one of my favorite films, the (in)famous Oldboy. The music sets the tone of the film so perfectly, because it’s quirky, refined, and ominous all at once.
Note: Once again, HD!

Jo Yeong Wook A.K.A. 조영욱 - Cries and Whispers:

Kiroro - Winter Song

I found out about this Japanese artist through an mp3 rotation site forever ago. This is one of the songs I came across back then, and it seems appropriate to post now for obvious reasons.
Note: You can listen in HD!

Kiroro - Winter Song:

Eminem feat. Nate Dogg - Till I Collapse

I wanted to ring in the New Year with one of the most motivational hip hop songs I know of, from one of the most formative albums in my collection, The Eminem Show. It was the first hip hop album my mother allowed me to buy for myself, and you better believe I took full advantage of it by playing this friggin’ album nonstop. Even though I haven’t listened to it in years, I still have every song memorized. It’s Em, so obviously there’s profanity.
Note: Listen in HD for full motivational effect!

Eminem feat. Nate Dogg - Till I Collapse:

GJan - Not Afraid

I’ve been wondering when I would find some Lithuanian music that caught my attention! Turns out the answer is today, when I clicked on the music video for this song on YouTube’s related videos margin. The song has some profanity, BTW.
Note: Once again, you can listen in HD!

GJan - Not Afraid:

Ferhat Göçer - Yanına Kalmaz

I’ve been YouTube surfing for Turkish music a lot lately, and I just came across this track and liked it. I don’t know any Turkish, though, so if there’s a problem with the translation of the title I’d be happy to hear corrections.  (Wow, I only noticed as I was typing the tags for this post that I've never posted Turkish music here before!)
Note: You can listen in HD!

Ferhat Göçer - Yanına Kalmaz [Do Not Stay Close]:

Nan Quan Ma Ma - 槍與玫瑰

I’ve had this track for quite a long time, and I think I got it through an mp3 rotation site. I also think this is the only song by this Taiwanese artist that I really like.

Nan Quan Ma Ma A.K.A. 南拳媽媽 - 槍與玫瑰 [Qiang Yu Mei Gui - Guns & Roses]:

Diane Birch - A Strange Kind of Love

‘Tis just a random pretty song I came across on YouTube.
Note: Which has HD!

Diane Birch - A Strange Kind of Love:

Kendrick Lamar - F**k Your Ethnicity

I heard this on somebody’s Tumblr. The title of the song struck me as funny because it can be interpreted two ways: One, that he’s racist against you, and two, that he doesn’t care what race you are (which is kinda the opposite meaning). The intended meaning is the latter, but it turns out to have very little to do with the rest of the song. I suppose he’s suggesting the rest of the song can apply to anybody. (Obviously this track has profanity.) I’ve been hearing this guy is the future of hip hop so I plan to look into his work more soon.
Note: You can listen to the track in HD!

Kendrick Lamar - F**k Your Ethnicity:

Marina and the Diamonds - State of Dreaming

I found another song by this artist that I like! I ran across it on Tumblr.
Note: HD again!

Marina and the Diamonds - State of Dreaming:

The Piano Guys - Carol of the Bells

I already knew who this artist was (and have posted a song by them before), but I only heard this particular piece because the popular Korean pianist Yiruma posted this video on his Facebook recently. This is my favorite Christmas carol, and the cello is one of my favorite instruments, so I was excited about this.
Note: HD listening!

The Piano Guys - Carol of the Bells:

Celtic Woman - Níl Sé'n Lá

I think my mom might have an album by this Irish artist, but I’m not sure. Anyway, this festive song somehow seems appropriate for Christmas Eve.
Note: The video has the song in HD!

Celtic Woman - Níl Sé'n Lá [Not Yet Day]:

Stanislas - A D’Autres

I love this track, even though I didn’t really notice it the first few times I listened to this artist’s album. It goes through a series of stages as it progresses, and I think all of them sound beautiful, even when it turns all dance clubby near the end. BTW, I’m really unsure about the translation of the title, so it’d be nice if someone who knows French could help out with that.

Stanislas - A D’Autres [To the Others]:

Delilah - Go

Another song that was brought to my attention courtesy of the British soap Hollyoaks.
Note: You can listen in HD!

Delilah - Go:

Jeffrey Cheng - 我們真的都沒有失去嗎？

I think "heartwrenching" would be a good word to describe this piece. This was the music used in the trailer for the excellent Taiwanese film Eternal Summer. This piece is so intensely tragic that I immediately fell in love with it and not only went, “I HAVE to see this movie!" but also, "I HAVE to get this soundtrack!"
Note: There seems to be some MAJOR confusion out there as to who the composer is. I’ve seen at least 5 different names credited for the score, but I’m just going with the one.

Jeffrey Cheng - 我們真的都沒有失去嗎？ [Wo Men Zhen De Dou Mei You Shi Qu Ma? - Did We Really Not Lose Anything?]:

Luxuslärm - Solang es Noch Geht

Last time I posted music by this German artist, it was a pretty ballad, so this time I’m going with a more uptempo rock song by them. This style is more representative of their usual sound.

Luxuslärm - Solang es Noch Geht [As Long as It Still Goes]:

Quest Pistols - Разные

I came across the music video for this song on YouTube. Not gonna lie, I had no idea what it was supposed to be about, but I found the song REALLY good-sounding. According to my reading about this Ukrainian artist on Wikipedia, the group’s formation may have been an April Fool’s joke that turned into real success.

Quest Pistols - Разные [Razneuye - Different]:

Sinusstøv - For Whom the Bells Toll

I came across this Danish artist through YouTube. Everything I’ve heard by them is a little on the odd side, but not unpleasant.
Note: HD quality available!

Sinusstøv - For Whom the Bells Toll:

Hyde - Prayer

Although this artist is Japanese, he makes an effort to use English lyrics much of the time. His English can be pretty difficult to understand sometimes, but bless him, he tries. Growing up, I knew of this artist because he’s kinda Japanese rock 101, but when I started paying attention to his lyrics (both as a solo artist and in his uber-famous band L’Arc~en~Ciel), I noticed the recurring themes of criticizing war and religion. This song seems to combine both themes by being about a soldier fighting a war on what he believes to be on the side of God, but ultimately doubts the morality of this act. Alternatively, this could also be interpreted as being about suicide. Certain words led me to the former theory, but since he’s not a native English speaker it’s kinda hard to tell.

Hyde - Prayer:

Adele - Set Fire to the Rain

I think it’s about time for some more of this famous artist. I don’t have a particular reason, but this is one of my favorite songs by her.
Note: HD!

Adele - Set Fire to the Rain:

Tokio Hotel & Kerli - Strange

This collaboration consists of two gothy Europe-based artists, Kerli being from Estonia and the popular band Tokio Hotel from Germany. But the song’s in English, and I think it was used in the soundtrack of the recent American movie Alice in Wonderland.
Note: Available in HD!

Tokio Hotel & Kerli - Strange:

Han Hong & Sun Nan - 美丽的神话

This is the theme song of the Jackie Chan film The Myth. I’ve never watched the movie, but I've really liked this song for quite some time, especially Han Hong’s beautiful voice. This is also a karaoke favorite of mine!  (For your reference, the English version of the title is "Endless Love," even though this is not what the Chinese title translates to.)

Han Hong A.K.A. 韩红 & Sun Nan A.K.A. 孙楠 - 美丽的神话 [Mei Li De Shen Hua - Beautiful Myth]:

Marques Toliver - White Sails

Dang, I have a hard enough time playing piano and singing at the same time. I imagine playing violin while singing would be even more difficult. BUT that’s exactly what this artist was doing in the video of him performing live I came across recently.

Marques Toliver - White Sails:

Maki Yano - Honesty

I heard this groovy song through an mp3 rotation site I’m not even sure how long ago. I was impressed by this singer’s voice, which doesn’t sound characteristic of a lot of Japanese pop music.

Maki Yano A.K.A. 矢野 真紀 - Honesty:

Mr. J. Medeiros - Constance

Oh dang, I haven’t posted this hip hop song already! This can be filed under the subgenre “conscious hip hop,” as it deals with the issue of child trafficking, prostitution, and pornography. It lives up to its subgenre label in that it deliberately seeks to raise awareness of how people in the west can be complicit in fueling these problems in what might seem to be far away places like the Philippines. Needless to say, the content of the song could be considered disturbing, but it has a powerful message and led to the launch of an anti-human trafficking campaign called the I Am Constance Campaign.
Note: Listen in HD!

Mr. J. Medeiros - Constance:


You can watch the music video here:

Niyaz - Sosin

Lately I’ve been listening to this Iranian artist’s latest album, Sumud, and think I’ve ruled this to be my favorite track from it. While it was clear most of the tracks on the album are in Farsi or Urdu, I couldn’t place what language this was and finally had to look it up—it’s Kurdish! Not only is it the first album in which this artist attempted a song in Kurdish, it’s also the first time I’m posting a song in Kurdish.

Niyaz - Sosin:

JJ Lin - 跟屁蟲

This song is interesting. It’s this Singaporean artist railing against the lack of creativity in the music industry, in which everyone just copies everyone else and other artists copy his style, which I don’t know of firsthand but honestly wouldn’t surprise me. And he did do the autotune thing (selectively) before it really took off. He specifically references that in the part where he quotes his own previous song that implemented it (which I’ve posted here before, so you can get the reference!). And yes, that really is him speaking English with an Indian accent in the beginning.

JJ Lin A.K.A. 林俊傑 - 跟屁蟲 [Gen Pi Chong - Copycat]:

Tori Amos - Precious Things

I *think* this song is about the process of growing up and losing innocence. Or maybe just being haunted by bad memories that serve no purpose but to bring you down.  It’s not exactly family-friendly and kind of intense, but it’s one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists from a musical perspective.  I'm always in awe of her piano work!

Tori Amos - Precious Things:

René Aubry - Amnesie

I can’t remember exactly how I discovered this French artist, so I probably found him through YouTube surfing.

René Aubry - Amnesie:

Sarah McLachlan - Possession (Piano Version)

The legendary Sarah McLachlan! This artist has been a part of my life since I was little, since my mom is a fan of hers. I bought the album this song is on a whim one day a few years ago, and for some reason I really liked this song in particular.
Note: HD available!

Sarah McLachlan - Possession (Piano Version):

Linkin Park - My December

It is officially December, and I am in the midst of experiencing the onset of a “real” winter, so it is time to unleash this song! I had a hard time choosing between this, the original version, and Josh Groban’s cover of it. I ultimately chose this one because, although Josh Groban’s version is more epic-sounding, orchestrated, and, being by an opera singer, has more polished vocals, I actually prefer the more low-key, raw sound of this one.

Linkin Park - My December:

Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo - Bones

I came across this lusciously-instrumented track on YouTube some time ago.
Note: I recommend HD listening!

Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo - Bones:

In Extremo - Liam

German music with a Celtic twist!

In Extremo - Liam:

Cherry Filter - Snowman

It snowed on me for the first time this winter a couple days ago. I am in Korea. Therefore, I am posting this Korean snow-themed song. This is the first song I heard by this band, and I think I acquired it through an mp3 rotation site. Youjeen's whistle register is unreal!

Cherry Filter - Snowman:

Sodagreen - 小情歌

Qing Feng has the CUTEST voice, gah!! This song makes me super happy and it’s so adorable it’s frustrating. Naturally, this is the song that got me into this band in the first place. I even sang this at karaoke!
Note: I’m including the music video because it has HD plus an English translation of the lyrics!

Sodagreen A.K.A. 蘇打綠 - 小情歌 [Xiao Qing Ge - Little Love Song]:

Alina Artz - Прекрасная Ложь

I’m liking how dramatic a lot of contemporary Russian pop music sounds. This song is an example of that. It takes itself very seriously, but that’s okay.

Alina Artz A.K.A. Алина Артц - Прекрасная Ложь [Pryekrasnaya Lozh’ - Beautiful Lies]:

Eyedea & Abilities - Now

This is the first song I heard with Eyedea (R.I.P.). It automatically put him on my list of favorite hip hop artists. I later found out he didn't NORMALLY rap that fast, but he did normally use that level of lyricism.
Note: You know I had to get this in HD. Plus it has lyrics (albeit a flawed transcription) so you can follow along with the rapidfire delivery.

Eyedea & Abilities - Now:

Fit for Rivals - Damage

Gggggggggggggggggg. That’s the sound I make when I hear the lead singer’s awesome growly androgynous voice. There’s a tad bit of profanity.
Note: You can listen in HD!

Fit for Rivals - Damage:

Darren Hayes - A Conversation with God

'Tis another track by the wonderful & talented Darren Hayes. I love how personal many of his songs are, and this one in particular is both beautiful and revealing; I think it's one of his best songs ever. It's about the point in his life at which he contemplated suicide by driving off the Golden Gate Bridge and was dangerously close to doing so. For serious. 0_0 (Even though he never specifically explains that in the song, the lyrics paint a picture so well that I could tell that’s what it was about even before I read interviews in which he says that’s what happened!) I’m glad he didn’t go through with it because then we probably wouldn’t have this great song!

Darren Hayes - A Conversation with God:

Khadja Nin - Sambolera

I found this on YouTube and thought it was nice and soothing. This is the first artist from Burundi I’ve posted! I was gonna say, “This sounds like it’s from the 90s,” but I later found out that’s probably because it IS. It seems to be about the sadness of war.
Note: Yet another hi def video!

Khadja Nin - Sambolera:

R. Kelly - I Wish

Say what you want about this artist as a person, but the man can sing. I think I heard this song when it played on a hip hop/R&B music video program I watched after school when I was young. Clearly, it’s about losing loved ones. There’s a little profanity.
Note:  And the HD trend continues!

R. Kelly - I Wish:

Sara Bareilles - Gravity

Admittedly, I haven’t really gone out of my way to listen to this American artist’s music, although from her first radio single I thought she was talented. Over time, I’ve seen more and more indications that this singer/songwriter/musician has attitude, and I like that, even though this song isn’t a good example of that. Rather, this song impressed me with its prettiness.
Note: I’m really on a roll lately with these hi def videos…

Sara Bareilles - Gravity:

Deftones - Change (In the House of Flies)

I just acquired the latest album by this artist, which people seem to be saying is a standout on their relatively long discography, so I wanted to celebrate this acquisition by posting another song by them. However, I haven’t listened to the new album yet, so instead I’m posting what I think was the first song I heard by them, and what got me interested in them in the first place. This song was used in a really good fanvideo someone made for the somewhat disturbing Singaporean film 15. This song fit the dark, sinister tone of the film so well I ended up watching the fanvideo many times and developed a liking for the song along with it.
Note: Woo, HD again!

Deftones - Change (In the House of Flies):

Britney Spears - Toxic

Welcome to the only Britney Spears song that doesn’t annoy me. Although she’s been popular among my generation since I was a wee one, I was never a fan of her songs or singing, and in fact used to write vicious parody songs of her singles. However, this song is catchy.
Note: HD!

Britney Spears - Toxic:

One OK Rock - 混雑コミュニケーション

Although I haven’t listened to this Japanese artist’s album I have in quite some time, some songs from it have been playing in my head lately. As I’ve mentioned before, the lead singer’s voice is somewhat atypical for popular Japanese music and I really like it.
Note: HD listening available again!

One OK Rock - 混雑コミュニケーション [Konzatsu Communication - Confused Communication]:

Crooked Still - Pharoah

I wanted to post this song a while ago but no decent quality upload of it existed on YouTube every time I tried. Until now!  Because this was uploaded a month ago.  Sometimes if I just wait around long enough someone else eventually uploads the song I want to post.  Anyway, I found out about this artist years ago through someone I knew in high school who invited me to join him in attending their concert, and sent me their music (including this song) to convince me. I ended up not going to the concert, but I still liked their music.

Crooked Still - Pharoah:

Boyce Avenue - Teenage Dream

This is a cover of Katy Perry’s popular song of the same name. I personally find this way better, vocally, lyrically, and instrumentally. I like how it's piano-based and acoustic, I like how they don't YELL the notes like Katy, and I like how they changed the lyrics to be about love rather than attraction.
Note: Found it in HD!

Boyce Avenue - Teenage Dream:

Jenni Vartiainen - Ihmisten Edessä

Since the last time I posted a song by this artist, I have heard much more music by her, including her entire album Ihmisten Edessä. I had it on repeat for a while, in fact. This, the title track from the album, was among my favorites by her, but I don’t know a word of Finnish so I looked up the lyrics translation and discovered it had a meaning beyond that of the typical love song! The lyrics are from the perspective of a woman who is knowingly risking judgement and harassment by going out with her GF in public.
Note: The video has HD as well as English translations of the lyrics!

Jenni Vartiainen - Ihmisten Edessä [In Front of People]:

Incubus - Aqueous Transmission

I haven’t listened to this song in soooo long. I think I found this song through an mp3 rotation site a long time ago. I believe it’s the only song by this American artist I have in my collection. I like the obvious Asian influence; the instrumental aspect of this song is sooooo nice.
Note: HD!

Incubus - Aqueous Transmission:

Rie Fu - Life is a Boat

This song was the ending theme of the popular anime series Bleach. I think I heard it first through a website for anime music, but after that I watched some of Bleach and frequently found myself sitting through the credits to hear the song. I don’t really like the singing style, but the song grew on me anyway, and now, years later, I still remember the lyrics.

Rie Fu - Life is a Boat:

Roop Kumar Rathod - Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai

I found this song, from the soundtrack of the Indian film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, on YouTube. ‘Tis pretty! And the video I found for it includes English translations of the lyrics.

Roop Kumar Rathod - Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai [I See God in You]:

Dream - When I Get There

Holy shiznit, this song is finally on YouTube! I’ve tried to post it multiple times in the past but was never able to find it in decent quality. Yeah, yeah, laugh it up... But for some reason I really like the melody of this song and it gets stuck in my head like a mutha. Did anyone even listen to this poppy girl group other than me? I doubt it…

Dream - When I Get There:

Saliva - Always

This song is pretty well known, but what can I say? I like it! I don’t have any albums by this artist, I just heard what I heard by them through the radio and AMVs. This song in particular sounded good on the radio, but even better after I watched an AMV with it. Also, I never thought about the lyrics before now, but now that I’m posting it I’m paying attention and noticed it’s not as simple as my initial assumed meaning. I was curious enough to look up people’s input on that, and it appears there are a lot of interpretations of it!
Note: HD listening available!

Saliva - Always:

Lady Essence - What I’m Feelin’

This song was on a hip hop mixtape and was my first introduction to this artist. It’s about the process of self-discovery and the struggle for self-esteem. I’ve only heard a few tracks by this artist but I’ve already concluded that she’s a legit lyricist. There appears to be another artist by the same name, though, which is confusing.
Note: Check out the track in HD!

Lady Essence - What I’m Feelin’:

Luduvico Einaudi - Questa Notte

I discovered this Italian artist very recently through teh YouTubez. I am, of course, envious of his composing and piano-playing skills.
Note: HD listening available!

Luduvico Einaudi - Questa Notte:

Kokia - Il Mare dei Suoni

‘Tis time for some Kokia again! As always, it’s difficult to pick a single song by her because she has so many that are dazzlingly beautiful. I previously posted songs by her singing in Japanese (her native language), English, Irish, and Latin (a tiny bit), so now I’m going for one she sings in Italian. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of her Italian—in fact, I read that the lyrics have some mistakes… but darn it, she tried, and the final product sounds beautiful nonetheless.
Note: You can listen in HD!

Kokia - Il Mare dei Suoni [The Sea of Sounds]:

Tim Minchin - If I Didn’t Have You

This is the most accurate love song I’ve ever heard! This Australian comedian, in addition to being funny and intelligent, is also an impressive pianist. I've been listening to his stuff a lot lately and decided that he should be included on my list of favorite comedians.
Note: You can watch the performance from The Late Late Show (hosted by another comedian I like, Craig Ferguson) in HD!

Tim Minchin - If I Didn’t Have You:

Yuna Ito - Endless Story

This song is from the soundtrack of the Japanese film Nana. Although I watched that movie, I think I acquired this song later through an mp3 rotation site. It’s a favorite of mine to karaoke to.

Yuna Ito - Endless Story:

Nas - I Can

All day I've been running on one hour of sleep, and I'm not even tired. MAN, I'm in a good mood. The last time I posted a song by this hip hop artist it was much less optimistic, but this song seems more suited to my mood today.
Note: You CAN listen to this song in HD!

Nas - I Can:

Faye Wong - 開到荼蘼

I’ve had this song in my collection for a long time, and I have just always really liked it. Her voice sounds soooo cool! I love that effortless vibrato she has.
Note: I can’t believe I found this in HD!

Faye Wong A.K.A. 王菲 - 開到荼蘼 [Kai Dao Tu Mi - The Last Blossom]:

Louis Logic - The Ugly Truth

This hip hop song could come off as reaaaaaally offensive to a lot of people… but that’s the point. The first time I heard this, I was pretty shocked at the beginning but as the song went on I became increasingly certain that the artist was up to some trickery… Unfortunately, some people don’t pick up on that and turn off the song before they get to the end which reveals the purpose behind the offensiveness, so all I can say is: listen until the end.  There is a lot of profanity, pejoratives, etc.
Note: In addition to listening until the end, I also recommend you listen in HD!

Louis Logic - The Ugly Truth:

The Corrs - On My Father’s Wings

This is one of my favorite songs from the animated film Quest for Camelot. I had NO idea until I just now looked it up that the song is by this Irish artist, whom I knew of before this song. That explains the Celtic flourish of the song that I like so much.
Note; You can listen in HD!

The Corrs - On My Father’s Wings:


And here’s the scene from the movie with the song:

Jang Woo Hyuk - 지지 않는 태양

I don’t know much about this artist except for that he used to be the in pop group H.O.T. I’m pretty sure I found this song through an mp3 rotation site and thought it was quite catchy.
Note: HD listening available!

Jang Woo Hyuk A.K.A. 장우혁 - 지지 않는 태양 [Jiji Anhneun Taeyang - Sun that Never Sets]:

Eisblume - Überleben

I hard a hard time picking one more song by this artist to post next, as so many from their first album sound nice. This German band makes the kind of somber, gothicy music that if I had discovered them back when I was in my first year of high school they very well could have become obsessive listening.
Note: You can enjoy the track in HD!

Eisblume - Überleben [Survival]:

Gary Jules - Mad World

This track got famous from the dark & odd movie Donnie Darko, but I heard it first because my friend burned it to a CD in a compilation mix for me. I didn’t know this at the time, but this is actually a cover of a song by the British band Tears for Fears.
Note: Listen in HD!

Gary Jules - Mad World: