DAY #1 - THE 12 DAYS OF BLOGMAS

20th December. A weird time to start doing Blogmas, but hear me out. I've neglected my blog enough this year that Blogmas was something that needed to happen (plus it's probably my favourite thing to do on my blog each year), I'm officially back from university for Christmas, and I wanted the end of Blogmas to coincide with the end of the year. Hence why Blogmas is starting today of all days.

So I'll be here everyday until the 31st December, and I thought we'd start off the 12 days of Blogmas with a classic December playlist. 

1. 'Mistletoe'- Justin Bieber

I'm not a fan of Bieber, but this is my flatmate's favourite Christmas song and hes played it so many times over the last couple of weeks that I couldn't not honour it on this list.

2. 'Ribbons and Bows'- Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves, one of my favourite country artists, has released her own Christmas album, and I absolutely love this original by her. 

3. 'Fairytale of New York'- The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
Along with 'Step Into Christmas', possibly my favourite Christmas song. Somehow Christmasy, without being very festive and also being completely savage.

4. 'Step Into Christmas'- Elton John
My other joint-favourite Christmas song, impossible not to want to dance to this. I saw Elton John live in the summer and I was kind of disappointed that he didn't play this.

5. 'Feliz Navidad'- Michael Buble

Not usually my favourite Christmas song, but I can't resist Michael Buble's version.

6. 'All I Want for Christmas is You'- Michael Buble
As much as I love both versions of this song, I can't help but love Michale Buble's slower and more jazzy version. 

7. 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'- Busted

This one just makes me laugh every time I remember it exists.

Merry Christmas!

Rosie

MAY PLAYLIST 2016

It's time once again for a monthly playlist post of old, rediscovered favourites, random music and new obsessions. You're welcome.

'Daddy Lessons'- Beyonce
The new obsession that it's only fair we mention first. This song is from Beyonce's new album and holy crap it is incredible. My dad and I are absolutely obsessed, we're having to pace ourselves with how much we listen to it. I cannot describe how good this song is.

'Daddy Lessons'- Dixie Chicks (cover)
My family and I saw the Dixie Chicks at the start of May (which was in itself incredible as they're my favourite band ever and this is the first time they've toured the UK properly in 10 years). They covered Beyonce's 'Daddy Lessons' (that's how we first heard it) and it was mind-blowingly incredible. It sounds like they could've written it themselves and I would go as far as to say that it may have been even better than the original.

'So Hard'- Dixie Chicks
Are you even surprised that the Dixie Chicks are featuring heavily in this post?

'Tonight the Heartache's on Me'- Dixie Chicks
THIS ONE IS SO GOOD.

'Make You Feel Better'- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Possibly one of the best but most underrated RHCP song of all time.

'This Ain't a Love Song'- Scouting for Girls
Scouting for Girls haven't been featured on a playlist post for a while but I still love them (especially in the summer) and I always will.

'Ole Black 'n' Blue Eyes'- The Fratellis
I don't think I've ever mentioned by love for The Fratellis on here, but my family massively overplayed it a few years ago and it's hard for us to listen to it too often now. I've been relistening to it and it is just as great as ever. (Don't overplay your favourite album, kids.)

Rosie

APRIL PLAYLIST 2016

Is it not obvious by now that I mostly only like my parent's music and I like rediscovering old favourites from my childhood? It will also become obvious that we've been listening to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel recently and I really love Simon and Garfunkel.

'Mrs Robinson'- Simon and Garnfunkel 
I've said it once, I'll say it twice, I'll say it a thousand times. I really love Simon and Garfunkel.

'Bridge Over Troubled Water'- Simon and Garfunkel 
It's a classic. An emotional, power-karaoke-singing classic.

'Everywhere You Look'- (The Full House Theme Song)
I started watching Full House last week and I am absolutely obsessed, I'm getting through it at a ridiculous speed. This is probably one of the best TV theme songs of all time.

Barbara Ann- The Beach Boys
This is my favourite Beach Boys song of all time.

'Sharon'- Good San Juan
I mentioned this briefly in the last playlist post, but this is a song I discovered from the Welcome to Night Vale podcast and it is hella catchy.

'Who'll Stop the Rain'- Creedence Clearwater Revival
Would it really be a playlist by me if Creedence Clearwater Revival didn't appear on it?

'50 Ways to Leave Your Lover'- Paul Simon
As in the 'Simon' from Simon and Garfunkel. Need I say more?

'At Least it Was Here'- The 88
Its been a while since this appeared on one of my playlist posts. This is the incredible theme song from Community, which I really want to rewatch again.

'Darlin''- The Beach Boys
I've recently started listening to them again and this one is gr8.

MARCH PLAYLIST 2016

I've been rediscovering some old favourites recently, both songs and bands, and also being introduced to some new stuff that I thought I'd share today.

As Lovers Go (Ron Fair Remix)- Dashboard Confessional
I've always said that Shrek 2 has one of the best movie soundtracks ever, I've loved it since childhood and I recently rediscovered it. As you've guessed, this is one of the songs from Shrek 2 and it is absolutely incredible. It's beyond incredible. Don't underestimate the fact that it comes from Shrek, it's a stunning song.

(Other songs from Shrek I'd recommend are 'Accidentally in Love' by Counting Crows, 'You're So True' by Joseph Arthur and the first Shrek film soundtrack, which is also pretty fab).

Lodi- Creedence Clearwater Revival
I'm pretty sure I've spoken about CCR in every recent playlist post but I just really love them. I'm so in love with this song, it's beautiful and perfect and it's one of my most favourite songs ever.

Therapy- All Time Low
My brother and I went to see All Time Low at the O2 in February and they were incredible; we've loved them for about five years and this was the second time we've seen them. Therapy has always been one of ATL's best songs but it is nothing compared to when it's played live. It was beyond stunning and it's incomparable. Therapy is one of the greatest live songs in the world from any band.

Old Scars/ Future Hearts- All Time Low
After seeing them live, I've rediscovered my love for All Time Low. This is the title song from their latest album and I was never that keen on it before, but damn was I wrong. It's fantastic.

Bail Me Out- All Time Low (ft. Joel Madden)
This sounds just like a classic, fun, up-beat, party-like All Time Low song and that's just why I love it.

Dancing With a Wolf- All Time Low
I've just been listening to a lot of All Time Low recently.

Stupid- Brendan Maclean
This song is one that I've discovered from listening to the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, who have a 'weather' section in each episode where they play a song from an independent, relatively unheard of band. Most of the time I'm not all that big a fan of the 'weather' songs but I challenge anyone not to listen to and love this one. It's definitely my favourite of all Night Vale weather.

(Other Welcome to Night Vale weather songs that I'd like to take a moment to recommend are 'True Trans Soul Rebel' by Against Me!, 'Sharon' by Good San Juan and 'Thinking of Milk' by Tristan Haze. And also just Welcome to Night Vale in general).

Happy listening!

Rosie

DECEMBER PLAYLIST

This month's playlist post isn't as festive and chock-block full of Christmas music as it should be for December, but we recently found all of our old tapes again and it's been so exciting and nostalgic to listen back to them all. Therefore, this playlist is going to be my parent's old music (which is my favourite music) mixed with some festive cheer.

Please excuse the reflection from the sky light and the air bubbles in my phone screen protector

'Gimme Shelter'- The Rolling Stones
I've loved the Rolling Stones for a very long time but it's taken me far too long to appreciate the genius that is this song. This is one of my favourite Rolling Stones songs and I don't believe I didn't notice it before.

'Fairytale of New York'- The Pogues
I won't say too much about this one, as I mentioned it in my post on 1st December, but ohmy what a fantastic song. It's just beyond incredible; the song, the lyrics, the tune, everything.

'Step Into Christmas'- Elton John 
I won't say much about this one either as, again, I spoke about it on 1st December. This is probably my favourite Christmas song, it's so upbeat and catchy and you can't not dance to it. It's also very underrated and under appreciated and everyone needs to know about it.

'Take it Easy'- Eagles
This is a song from way back in my childhood that I'd completely forgotten about. My family loves the Eagles so much, I can't describe to you how I felt when I heard them again for the first time a couple of years ago but my mind was completely blown. This is a song that we rediscovered and it was incredible how well I remembered it and how much I remembered loving it then and now.

'Ain't That Lonely Yet'- Dwight Yoakam
It wouldn't be a playlist from me without a country song on it. We listen to a fair bit of Dwight Yoakam but this is definitely my all-time favourite of his songs, we rediscovered it recently and I've had it on repeat for a few weeks now.

'All I Want For Christmas Is You'- Michael Buble
Oh the modern king of Christmas himself. It's really not Christmas without Mr Buble and I love his slower and more jazzy take on this classic Christmas song. It's nice hearing it done differently and Michael Buble does have the voice of a festive God.

'Santa Baby'- Michael Buble 
More of the Buble but he really is modern Christmas personified into silky-voiced wonder. I love this Christmas song generally and I don't listen to it enough around this time of the year.

'Pass It On'- The Coral
Another childhood song that we recently rediscovered and ohmy I'd forgotten just how incredible this one was. This song is beautiful and fantastic and amazing and I am obsessed with it right now.

'Lodi'- Creedence Clearwater Revival 
You'll have seen from previous playlist posts that I love Creedence Clearwater Revival and this song is another rediscovered one from my childhood that I'm obsessed with. Love, love, love it, it's beyond fantastic.

'I Believe in Father Christmas'- Greg Lake
One last song and it's a festive one. This is just a beautiful song that's horrifically underrated and unheard of and it shouldn't be because it's great.

OCTOBER PLAYLIST

You'll see a trend in this playlist that it's mostly entirely Clean Bandit. I've been discovering some new artists, rediscovering old favourites and finally joining the Clean Bandit obsession that my best friend has been on since last year.

(Check out those screen protector air bubbles)

'Uma Thurman'- Fall Out Boy
I challenge anyone not to dance when they hear this. I've loved Fall Out Boy for years now and this is definitely my favourite from the new(ish) album. It's so catchy and I like to sing along as loud as I can.

'Breezeblocks'- alt-J
I was first introduced to this song last Christmas and I still love it. I'm not all that bothered by the rest of alt-J's stuff but this one is absolutely incredible, it blows my mind.

'Rihanna'- Clean Bandit
This is another song that I was introduced to last Christmas, the first Clean Bandit song that I really enjoyed. I still love this song, I love the use of (what sounds like) xylophone, and my dad really loves this song as well.

'Mozart's House'- Clean Bandit
I never used to enjoy electronic music, I used to basically avoid it and look down on it a bit but damn this is catchy. I think it's so clever the way Clean Bandit mix electronic and classical music together, their violin and cello playing is absolutely beautiful and I am really enjoying their stuff.

'King'- Years & Years
Some more electronic stuff that I would never have listened to until recently. I don't have all that much to say about this one, I like it and I like the lyrics a lot, it's my favourite Years & Years song, give it a listen.

'Help Me, Rhonda'- The Beach Boys
A classic favourite. I rediscovered this recently and remembered why I loved it so much, I've had it on repeat for a while now and I just love, love, love the Beach Boys.

'Shine'- Years & Years 
This is probably the most popular Years & Years song at the moment, and the one I first listened to. It's super catchy and I have to resist dancing to it when we play it at work.

'Stronger'- Clean Bandit
More Clean Bandit, more stunning instrumentals, more love.

'Hold Me Down'- Halsey 
Everyone's obsessed with Halsey at the moment and I'm slightly behind (I've only just started listening to her). I wouldn't say I'm obsessed, I wouldn't say I'm that big a fan (I don't like all of her stuff), but this one is really, really good. I approve.

'Telephone Banking'- Clean Bandit
The final Clean Bandit song, I really love this one, it's so catchy and you can't help but enjoy it.

'Strange Love'- Halsey
More Halsey but I wanted to give this one some recognition as well (and also to mention that the album cover for 'Badlands' is so stunning). The chorus for this is catchy and great.

SEPTEMBER PLAYLIST

It's no secret that I have a very odd taste in music. I've compiled a quick list here of all the (albeit slightly strange) songs that I've been enjoying towards the end of the Summer holidays/the start of September.

'At Least it Was Here'- The 88
This song is more commonly known as the theme song to the show 'Community' (which is incredible and you need to watch it). I really like this song, I think it's one of the best opening theme songs to a show and it needs more recognition. (I like to sing loudly along to the show when it plays).

'Dime Store Cowgirl'- Kacey Musgraves
I love country music and I love Kacey Musgraves. Her new album came out earlier in the Summer and this is one of my favourite songs from it. I'm seeing her in November and I'm very excited.

'Good Ol' Boys Club'- Kacey Musgraves
This is another song from Kacey Musgraves' new album, 'Pageant Material', and this is vying for my favourite song from the album. It reminds me slightly of 'The Raven Boys' and their upperclass parties.

'Little Numbers'- BOY
My best friend introduced me to this song and it is very, very catchy. I've been loving this song for a good few months now and I haven't got bored of it yet.

'A Man for All Seasons'- Robbie Williams 
Yes, this is a song from the 'Johnny English' soundtrack. Yes, it is a cheesy and embarassing song to like. Yes, I really do love it. It's so catchy and how can anyone not love Robbie Williams.

'Bad Moon Rising'- Creedence Clearwater Revival 
This is a song that I have loved for years and years but only got back into recently. Again, it's a very catchy song and it brings back a lot of memories and nostalgia.

'Honky Tonk Women'- The Rolling Stones
I love the Rolling Stones a lot and this is definitely my favourite song of theirs. I've been listening to it on repeat all summer and I love their original, more blues-ey stuff from their early days as a band.

'Check Yes Juliet'- We The Kings 
This is the ultimate 2008, year 7 throwback. I recently heard this song again for the first time in about seven years and I forgot how good it was. I have no shame in saying that I've really been enjoying this song and reliving my embarassing 11 year-old days.

'A Satisfied Mind'- Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash is undeniably one of the greatest musicians of all time. I actually discovered this song on the 'Kill Bill' soundtrack and it's really, really good.

'Blind Willie McTell'- Bob Dylan
I've been really into Bob Dylan again after watching 'I'm Not There', a film based on his life, and this is my current favourite song of his.

PLAYLIST AND WATCH-LIST | FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2015

I haven't been changing up my makeup or wardrobe recently, so instead of doing a favourites this month, I'm going to do a combined 'playist and watch-list' post, everything I've been listening to and watching in the months of February and March.


Watch-List

Wolf Hall- I mentioned this in my 'January Favourites' post, but it finished in February and it was just so, so good. My whole family loved it so much that we've already bought the DVD.

The Great British Sewing Bee
The Sewing Bee was a TV discovery of mine in 2014 and, again, my whole family really enjoyed it. It inspires me to start sewing again, and I have big plans for sewing clothes when the weather gets warmer. The Sewing Bee is just such a happy, feel-good show, I love judging everyone's sewing on whether I'd wear it or not, and I'm now quite knowledge about sewing terminology. Unpopular opinion, but I personally think the Sewing Bee is even better than the Bake Off.

Raised by Wolves
Raised by Wolves is still currently on (we're three episodes in out of six) and I'm really loving it. It's written by Caitlin Moran and her sister so I had high expectations going into it, and it hasn't disappointed. It's funny, it's real, I love all the characters, and I would highly recommend.


Playlist 

'Something's Gotta Give'- All Time Low
This is All Time Low's first single from the album coming out at the start of next week (I do believe April 6th). I have loved All Time Low for a long, long time and this song reminds me of why I started loving them in the first place. I want to scream along to this song as loud as I possibly can. The new album ('Future Hearts') is sounding great so far, I can't wait.

'Blame It on Me'- George Ezra
George Ezra's voice is great, and this song is great. That is all I have to say.

'Like I Can'- Sam Smith
This song. I am in love. I literally cannot get enough of it, I have it on repeat. No words to describe my love for this or for Sam Smith right now.

Sam Smith in General
I'm a little bit late to the party on this one, but I am really, really loving Sam Smith at the moment. As well as 'Like I Can', I'm also really into 'Stay With Me' (obvs), 'I'm Not the Only One' and 'Lay Me Down'. Much love to Sam Smith.

Harry Potter Audio CDs
Stephen Fry was sent to this earth for the sole purpose of reading the Harry Potter audio CDs. I love the books, I love the CDs, I'm excited to listen to the rest of them.

A NEW YEARS PLAYLIST

It's only fitting to have a new playlist post to discuss the music that has brought me into 2015.

30 Minute Break- The Luka State
The Luka State are a band I hadn't heard of until recently but they definitely need more recognition. This song is fantastic and the video is absolutely amazing. I'm in love.

You've Got Time- Regina Spektor
It's the theme song for 'Orange is the New Black' and it's so amazing. I like to cry to this song.

Follow Your Arrow- Kacey Musgraves
An unknown fact about me is how much I really, truly love country music. Kacey Musgraves is a new discovery for my family and we love love love her. 'Follow your Arrow' is such an incredible song, I've had it on repeat for over two weeks now and I challenge anyone to not want to sing along.

Next Year- Two Door Cinema Club
These next few songs are from a mixed CD that my best friend made me for Christmas (never underestimate these as gifts even in modern times- it's one of the most important things I own), the majority of these bands are ones I'd never properly listened to before. Basics this song is amazing and it's the perfect song to dance to and I love it.

Breezeblocks- Alt J
It's impossible to understand the lyrics to this song but I love it nonetheless. There's not all that much I can say about it apart from it's great. And I am awful at talking about music.

Daniel in the Den- Bastille 
I'm not totally 'there' with modern music, I prefer older stuff or stuff that's not big on the mainstream chart so I'm only making assumptions here. As I've heard nothing about this, I am assuming that it's one of Bastille's lesser-known songs, but holy cow if it is it needs more recognition. EVERYONE needs to know about it because it's incredible and wow.

Left the Broken- Bethan Leadley 
I'm not going to lie, my love for this song surprised me. Bethan Leadley is a Youtuber (more commonly known as 'Musical Bethan') that I watched a lot aged fourteen (I'm seventeen now) but I hadn't thought about for quite a while. There's no denying that she's not incredibly talented and I am well and truly in love with this song.

BLOGMAS DAY 3- DECEMBER PLAYLIST

Wednesday 3rd December 2014

22 sleeps till Christmas

There's not all that much new music that I've been listening to recently, so I thought I'd do a combination of that and my favourite Christmas music. Now is a good time to discuss the new version of Band Aid, to be honest I personally really didn't like this one. On the whole I think it's a great idea and a great thing, but in my eyes no version will ever beat the original, which has some really beautiful voices on it.

All I Want for Christmas is a Bass Trombone- A Brassy Christmas
My family are big brass nuts and we stand by the theory that all songs are made better with brass. I've literally had this song stuck in my head since last December and there's been many an awkward situation of singing it out loud to myself by accident.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing- Busted
Yes, you heard me correctly, this is a real thing. And it's surprisingly really good. It just makes me so happy that this exists. Thank you Busted and the universe.

The Fairytale of New York- The Pogues
This is a classic in that it has very little to do with Christmas, and masses to do with two people insulting each other. And boy are there some beautiful insults in there. I challenge anyone to listen to this song without screaming along to "And the boys of the NYPD choir were singing 'Galway Bay'" with as much passion as they possible can.

Step Into Christmas- Elton John
A realisation of last Christmas was that this is one of my favourites. Elton John is always great, and this is such an upbeat, fantastic song, typical to the rest of his music.

Wonderful Christmastime- Paul McCartney
You've either got to love Paul McCartney's song or John Lennon's, I love Paul McCartney's. Both the Christmas songs by ex-Beatles are the first two songs on my Christmas album and for me they basically represent everything about Christmas. I'm getting very sentimental over here.

I Believe in Father Christas- Greg Lake
I think this is my new favourite Christmas song of 2014. It's an underrated one but is really quite beautiful.

5 Seconds of Summer
Guilty pleasure here, but I've really got back into 5SOS lately. Particular shoutout to 'She Looks so Perfect', 'Try Hard', 'Don't Stop' and 'Good Girls'.

SEPTEMBER PLAYLIST

My most favourite recently discovered songs.

Zorbing- Stornoway 
I mentioned Stornoway in my 'August Favourites' post so obviously I had to mention them here as well; Zorbing is a beautiful song from their 'Beachcomber's Windowsill' album and it was a hard choice between Zorbing and The Coldharbour Road for my favourite. It is music that makes me smile.

I Saw You Blink- Stornoway
I had to include another Stonoway song in my playlist this month (which is slowly growing longer and longer as I write this) but this song is too good not to mention specially.

Auto Neutron- Fat White Family
Fat White Family are another new discovery of mine (not going to lie, their name was a big attraction for me) and I can see why they are growing increasingly popular. Again, this type of music/sound is not my normal go-to music but I have become obsessed with Auto Neutron (this song in particular reminds me a little bit of Black Sabbath's Iron Man).

Gun- Chvrches
Believe it or not, Chvrches is not something I would normally listen to, but Gun is an incredibly beautiful song (whilst also sounding a bit threatening if you listen closely to the lyrics) and I could listen to on repeat. Chvrches' sound is very relaxing and melodic and this song is the height of all that.

Seen It All- Jake Bugg
I'd never properly listened to Jake Bugg before Reading but he was surprisingly good and this song was my favourite of the set he played. I must add though that I think he might actually be better live than on album, this song was amazing live.

I Want Out- Young Guns
Another believe it or not moment here, I actually do listen to Young Guns on a regular basis!!!! (Fun Fact: I really, really hate exclamation marks). I Want Out is their new single that I fell in love with straight away, it's been a very long time since we've had new Young Guns music and this does not disappoint. I cannot get over how good this song is and it is another Young Guns classic that I want to scream at the top of my voice (good thing for YG at Reading!).

I Wanna Be Yours- Arctic Monkeys
I saw Arctic Monkeys at Reading Festival this year and they were absolutely incredible and I'm still slightly in shock that I saw them live. They played 'No.1 Party Anthem' which is my all-time favourite but 'I Wanna Be Yours' was a pretty spectacular song and it was unbelievable live. Also just to put here because I'm super annoyed and I need an outlet for it, none of my Arctic Monkeys photos printed from my Reading disposable cameras and I'm actually so upset about it. Boo.

JULY PLAYLIST

This is another new idea that I saw on someone's blog that I liked the look of. I am unoriginal, I know. I'd like to add as an afterthought that writing this has inspired me and made me realise how much I love writing about music- expect more of these.

The Chain- Fleetwood Mac
I am a massive fan of 1960s-1980s music and right now my Father and I are really into 'The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac' album, most of which is fantastic. The Chain is a fantastic song with the most amazing bass line ever (seriously, it gives you chills) and it was virtually impossible to pick a favourite from the album.

Hate My Life- Theory of a Deadman
This is an old song (2008 to be exact), like all Theory of a Deadman songs the lyrics are witty and often very funny. This song has the skill of being very whiny while also being very catchy and having some beautiful melodies in it.

Don't Stop- 5 Seconds of Summer
I'd previously stayed away from 5 Seconds of Summer as they were on tour with One Direction so were automatically labled as a 'boy band'. In reality, while they have a mostly young-girl fan-base, they are more on the Busted/McFly level of playing their own instruments, and also being really catchy. I love it.

Through the Dark- KT Tunstall
As a child we listened to a fair amount of KT Tunstall (check out 'Suddenly I See') and as I've started listening to her again I've remembered how much I loved her and how much she inspired me (I wrote a cheesy song aged below 10 that I can still remember to this day thanks to her). Through the Dark is so beautiful I've fallen right back in love with KT.

Bones- Young Guns
Part of the reason I love this song so much is that it brings me back to last summer where I discovered Young Guns for the first time, Bones reminds me of summer in a happy and warm way (you know what I mean) and I am super excited to see YG at Reading Festival this year (eeeeeee!). Bones is an amazing song that makes me want to stand in the street or on something high and scream it at the top on my lungs; Bones does what every song should, it makes me feel.

Letterbomb- Green Day
American Idiot is full of the most incredible songs that the songs at the end of the album often get overlook in favour of the most famous ones. Coming before Wake Me Up When September Ends, I feel that Letterbomb is probably very often skipped over but it definitely shouldn't. This song is stunning and deserves to be right there at the top with the likes of Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Holiday. Coming from someone who subconsciously overlooked this song for years, I can tell you that you're missing out.