I meant to blog this last night but I was too lazy to bring out Teo, plus it was late and I needed to sleep.

So I was browsing through Twitter last night and this tweet got my attention:

Of course that cheered me up. I didn’t realize it’s only a month till Dave’s new album comes out. To say I’m very excited is an understatement — we all know how much I love Dave, and how awesome his single from this album is, right? Right?

Then about half an hour or so later, I saw this tweet:

Guess who scrambled to get her computer out and pre-ordered the album? :P You don’t need high-end video cards to get that, I think. :P

So before I slept last night this morning, I had a brand new legit album in Macy, and I couldn’t be any more giddier. See?

Ah. Sometimes what you want is what you get. ;) I can’t wait to get my hands on the actual CD.

What are you waiting for? Go get Dave Barnes‘ new album, now!

That certainly woke me up. Guess who immediately went to iTunes store and bought the track?

A.D.D. Moment: I love that my dad has a US iTunes account that I use and is linked to his Paypal (where most my blog earnings are going). :D It gives me access to these music and I can support the artists I love.

In a few minutes, I was listening to his new song and swooning. If we weren’t about to sleep, I would have been squealing like an idiot too. :p I think I played the song five times last night until I fell asleep! Ah Dave, I love you so. ♥

Gaaah. I can’t wait for the new album. This will definitely give me more reasons to look forward to April!

Now excuse me, I’ll go back to listening to the song for the nth time. :P

God Gave Me You

Dave Barnes
Album: What We Want, What We Get (out April 6, 2010)

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
& I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could baby, never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.

EDIT! I still can’t get enough of the song, and because of that, here’s a video. ♥

I’d go anywhere for you,
Anywhere you want me to,
I’d do anything for you,
Anything you ask me to…

Ah yes, Backstreet Boys. How I miss thee.

So, on another boyband whim, we started playing and singing random boyband songs from her iPod. There was Westlife, 98 degrees and 5ive. Haha, talk about memory lane. I remember I went on a boyband mode a couple of weeks back and I could not stop listening to BB Mak’s album and LFO’s Girl on TV, and I spent like half the night looking at Youtube videos of those two bands as well as Code Red. Wohoo, teenybopper mode! (And just to add to the loserness, I have 98 Degrees’ Because of You on repeat right now. How about that.)

Anyway, so onto Youtube, I started looking for videos of the songs we sang to, and I found this:

This is probably the only 5ive song I really, really liked, and the only one in my iPod. This songs brings a lot of high school memories, even if it’s not really something I could relate to.

But the point of this entry is really not the song but what the music video meant. If you watch the entire video, it starts with two girls gossiping by the stairs about Rich (sp?) and this girl and another boy and how Rich must be “gutted”. Rich is the guy who first sings in the song, the one who’s watching so emo-like out the window while everyone else was enjoying. Then there was a shot of this other guy (is it Scott or Sean?), who seems to be flirting with this girl and then looking around the place until he spots Rich outside on the stairs. The shot goes to the other band members who seem to be having fun at the party, and then back to the two guys with Scott/Sean making funny faces at Rich and then finally going in to join the others.

I never really paid much attention to the video then because I was more focused on the song (plus any video that is not a Backstreet Boys video is really nothing to me hahahaha), but today I actually found the time to appreciate the video. I figured the real story of the video goes like this: Rich and his girlfriend broke up, and then the girl shows up at the party with another guy, which devastates Rich so he goes off on his own and does not enjoy the party. Now Scott/Sean, notices he’s gone so he talks to one of the girls (but why do they look like they’re flirting? I kind of thought he was the rival there…and that girl is so thin, she must be on diet pills) and then goes off to look for him. He sees all his other friends busy with other stuff until he finally sees him outside and tries to cheer him up, and so Rich decides to move on (I think) and joins his friends and they have fun.

Or wait, maybe the girl Scott/Sean talked to was Rich’s ex?

Haha I know, I just wasted some time on that. But it’s nice to be reminded of the good old 90′s. And to think of something not so serious, you know? How would you interpret the video?

And for your viewing pressure, I’ve got some more boyband/teenybopper/90′s music videos under the cut. See what you’re familiar with. :P

Ah Dave. If there’s any single artist I really and truly love for all the songs sung and written, it’s Dave Barnes. I’ve posted and raved about him and some of his songs and his video here, and he’s one of the artists that I have sworn to support and see live in my life time.

So when he announced in his MySpace and his email group that he’s going to release an EP…well, I knew I just couldn’t and won’t miss it. For anything. Even if it meant having to go through the confusing iTunes store sign up. Yes, I love Dave that much. No moving companies can stop me. (huh)

I’m not much of a music reviewer, really because I focus more on the lyrics, but I’m going to try reviewing Dave’s newest EP here…why? Because I love this guy. :P Haha. Seriously. You should go listen to his album. I’m not kidding. :P Anyway, here we go!

You, the Night and Candlelight is Dave’s Valentine’s offer to all his fans. It’s a five-song EP that contains two remakes of his old songs, one revival and two new songs. It’s all about love, obviously, and the wonderful (really? :P) feeling of being with someone you love during that special Valentine’s night.

Okay, maybe I’m making it up. But I have a feeling this EP is something that you can play on a date during Valentine’s day and enjoy every single song. It’s all clean music, which is a big big plus, and makes it even more romantic. :) From the first song, Loving You, Loving Me (about looking forward to the one you love coming home) to his amazing revival of My Girl to the beautiful remake of his own song Until You (I can never have enough of this song — and this one is in piano version…ahhh beautiful), to Home, where he sings about finding home wherever the people he loves are and finally to another remake of his wedding song, I Have and Always Will with singer Amy Grant.

It’s such a beautiful EP that I kind of wished it was longer, but then I wouldn’t have time to appreciate everything after. That, and the pretty album cover — I’m just really, really sold.

So don’t miss out. :P His EP is available in iTunes, and you can also drop by his website to watch videos and listen to voicemail which will only be available until February 14. And did I mention that Dave is such a comedian? :P

You, the night and candlelight is all I’ll ever need,
Loving you, loving me. ♥

Anyway, while I try to think of how to write my 17th piece of the year (I am seriously thinking of better rules for this without resulting to cheap blinds as prompts), let me answer this iTunes Shuffle thing I got from other blogs somewhere online. Feel free to grab. :D

Instructions: Put your iTunes Library on Shuffle and answer each of the questions with the titles of the song that comes up.

Personal comments in italics. ;)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Take Me Away by Lifehouse
Hm. Interesting. A guy who “takes me away”? Why not. The bridge of the song is something noteworthy: Don’t give up on me yet / don’t forget who I am / I know I’m not there yet / But don’t let me stay here alone.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong United
Absolutely IT! Yes yes yes this is it! :D Lead me to the cross / where Your love poured out / Bring me to my knees / Lord I lay me down / Rid me of myself / I belong to You. ♥

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Ladies Choice by Mandy Moore

Hm, I haven’t really listened to this song in its entirety. Maybe I should note this song now.

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
The Ocean by Mae
Hopefully this doesn’t mean I’m as large as an ocean. Heh. You come over unannounced / silence broken by your voice in the dark / I need you here tonight / Just like the ocean needs the waves. Well, I hope I am really like that to my friends. :)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Mr. Curiosity by Jason Mraz
So many things, I’m pretty sure. Curiosity. :P Lolz on the chorus: I’m looking for love this time / sounding hopeful but it’s making me cry. Heh.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Everything and More by Storyside:B
WOW. I think that highly of that person? =)) This Tina, whatta idealistic. :))

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Music of the Night sung by David Cook
Well. I don’t know what to say. :))

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Back to the Future Story by Jason Mraz
Er. I wanna be a time traveler. :P Right.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Don’t Be Long by BDA
Father don’t be long tonight / I just need you here by side. Aww. My parents know just how to calm me down and assure me that everything will be okay. Perfect love. ♥

WHAT SONG WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
All I Know by Matt Wertz
Well I like the song. Heh. I’m not sure if it’s a wedding type of song though. But who knows. :D All I know is that You gave everything so let that be enough.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Here We Go Again by Paramore
Erm. Why not? I’ll write you just to let you know / that I’m all right / Can’t say I’m sad to see you go / ‘coz I’m not. Ahm. Hmmm.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
The Way to Begin by Krystal Meyers
I like beginning things? Heh, the chorus is more fitting: I surrender / to You I’m giving up / … / I open my breaking heart / coz I’ve reached the end / and You are the way to begin. Ah yes. :)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
God and I by Stephen Speaks
Only God and I knows. ;)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Yesterdays by Switchfoot
Oooookay. This is more fitting three questions earlier, you know.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
All You Need by Paul Coleman Trio
Okay I don’t get it. Maybe when there’s nothing else I can do but just look for someone who will listen to me?

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Counting to 100 by Matt Wertz
OMG funny. I won’t count anymore, fine! :)) But wait, this song is about singlehood and waiting — OMG NO. :))

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Ship Wreck by Jars of Clay
Hm. I checked the song lyrics and I actually agree. Being shipwrecked away from God for the past year.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Solution by Hillsong United
Okay I don’t get this again. Maybe laugh in a joyful way, not in a ha-ha-so-funny-laughing-at-someone way.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Empty by Building 429
Feeling empty. I agree.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Deeper by Hillsong United
Well deep waters scare me. Is it possible I’m also scared of deeper relationships? :-ss

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Waking Up by Bethany Dillon
Waking up to Him and not to anything else.

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Center of My Life by Hillsong London
This song actually makes sense when I think about it in that way. Heh.

• What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
• Why?
• And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

Back when I was still writing music reviews for FiSH (a short writing stint; I moved to writing reflections afterwards), a friend always has to edit my article so it would contain actual reviews of the music. See, as much as I love music, I’m really more of a lyrics person. I can’t really describe music, you know, the way music critics do. Like, know what this song sounds like and how their composition is and the riffs and the arrangement — see I can’t even find the words to do it now. :P I’m really more focused on the lyrics, the content of the song.

There are several artists I know right now that has awesome lyrics to their songs: Brooke Fraser, Dave Barnes, Mae, Anberlin,  Paramore and Jason Mraz. :D Let me give some examples:

Brooke Fraser, Saving the World:

But while we’re waiting we could try saving the world
Or are we storing that up for a raining day?
I’m anticipating the time when it’ll be my turn
It could be fun to try
I think that I’ll save the world as a fun afternoon activity

Seventy thousand things to ponder today
Most significant are bottom of the list
Forty five million recipes and ways
To exaggerate and compound the stress

Dave Barnes, Butterflies:

And I can’t tell you what it is but
It’s the best thing that I’ve found
The butterflies in my stomach
And my feet off the ground
So for now I’m just saying, let’s just call this love
Let’s just call this love

Mae, Soundtrack for Our Movie:

Well I’m a wreck.
I really can’t explain it but I,
I hear the music when I look at you.
Orchestrating the song to accommodate the moment.
Well, I’m so in love with you.

Anberlin, Symphony of a Blase:

God if you can hear me out alright
Please take these feelings for her inside
My chest hurts when I breathe tonight
It’s wasting me away

Paramore, Let This Go:

Maybe if my heart stops beating
It won’t hurt this much
And never will I have to answer
Again to anyone

Jason Mraz, No Stopping Us:

Would it take a bakers dozen to get my point to you?
Would it take a half a pound to roll a joint for you
Would it take some hailing mary’s so full of grace to get my sound to you
Will you help me break it down and get on thru

See? This is why I am often on a Last Song Syndrome. :D

Killer lyrics like these make me love the song, and the music just becomes a bonus. And yes that goes for the songs and artists I mentioned above. :D

So without further ado, I share with you Someday Sarah by Dave Barnes from the Chasing Mississippi album. :D Happy Friday!

SOMEDAY SARAH
Dave Barnes

Her face can move a mountain
Her water colored eyes, they shine
Every breathe she takes, she takes a little bit of mine
She’s every woman’s envy
Her smile it rises like the sun
When you think you’ve come to the end of her, you’ve just begun

Someday, Sarah
Someday, you will be my baby
Someday, Sarah
Someday, you will be my baby

Her lips ring loud with glory
Her words they rattle and the hum
There’s no part of woman that she has not become
Her laughter peals like thunder
Her anger like the ocean tide
Her love is thick and sweet and it’s Sahara-wide

Someday, Sarah
Someday, you will be my baby.
Someday, Sarah
Someday, you will be my baby.
(2x)

Following the release of his second independently recorded and launched album Chasing Mississippi, Dave Barnes began writing material for his next album while touring. During this tour, Barnes co-headlined a tour across the central states of the United States with best friend Matt Wertz. While on tour, Barnes was approached by Razor and Tie, a commercial recording label.

Having studied recording Industry Management in university, Barnes had developed the opinion that he should not engage in contracts with recording labels, however decided that in order to expand his musical audience, he would need to do so and signed an agreement with Razor and Tie, with whom he recorded the newly written album Me and You and the World.

As this album is his first commercial release, two songs have been included from his previous independent efforts, “On a Night Like This” and “Until You”, which both originated from his first album Brother, Bring the Sun. Originally upon the announcement of the track listing, the song “Someday” was speculated as being a re-recording and minor renaming of “Someday, Sarah” from his second album Chasing Mississippi, however it was actually a separate song altogether. The final track from the album is named “Annie”, which is Barnes’ wife’s given name.

The first single from the album is the re-recorded version of the song “Until You”. The song’s arrangement is nearly identical to the original, however is marginally slower, includes various additional guitar fills in the background, and additional backing vocals are evident towards the end of the song.

IT’S HERE!!!

Well, okay, it’s not yet physically here, but Dave Barnes, one of my favorite artists, just released his newest album, Me and You and the World! :) I’ve been waiting for this since last month, and I even posted about actually going out to buy a CD instead of going the pirate other way. I ordered the CD last weekend and it will be delivered to my friend’s aunt’s house in California. Then she will go there late this month, and she will bring it home by May. I know it’s a long wait for me to get the CD (and free DVD!), but I know it’s going to be worth it. :D

If you still don’t know Dave Barnes (my gosh!), go to his website. Or his MySpace. Go, NOW!

Or, you can watch his Me and You and the World album preview right here. :D I’ll post a review of the album once I get my hands on it. :D This is definitely something I look forward to more than luxury vacations. :D

Anyway, one of the songs I have been listening to a lot lately is a song from one kind of obscure Christian bands around, Exit East. I got to listen to them through Yahoo’s LaunchCast, I think. I’ve had this song for the longest time but it took me a while to really appreciate this, much like how Las Vegas invisalign dentists give you “invisible braces” to fix your teeth. In the same way, this song crept up to me until I gave it a listen, and now it’s on repeat. This is a really nice and relaxing song, and the message is quite beautiful too. :) Enjoy.

ME FROM HERE
Exit East

I thought, I caught,
A glimpse of You in the field,
In the, smiles of,
My two boys,
Mercy makes me feel like

Running on the water, reachin out much farther,
Than where I’ve been,
Growing in Your grace,
Looking for Your face,
In everything I am,

And I, I want to know, I need to know Your
Love, I want to know, I need to know Your
Love, I want to know , I need to know Your
Love, Take me from here.

I’m still, learning,
The things I ought to know,
Somehow, reach out,
To the ones,
That You’ve brought me to, (It’s like)

Running on the water, reachin out much farther,
Than where I’ve been,
Growing in Your grace,
Looking for Your face,
In everything I am.

Underneath the phrases,
Far from all the places,
Of where I’ve been,
I want to be where I see,
Nothing but Your glory,
In all I am…