Top 5 Songs I Can't Live Without (2017 Edition)

Music is powerful. It invokes emotion. It can be used to express love, joy, hate, fear, and a myriad number of feelings. We've been clacking sticks on rocks for a day or two and over time music has evolved into something I truly think most people couldn't live without. I know I couldn't.

We've been using music to convey feelings and thoughts for a long time I think we can all agree upon that. In thirty second clips on television commercials to sweeping orchestral scores in films such as Lord of the Rings or on the opposite side of that, almost no music was used in 2001: A Space Odyssey. But I digress. This post isn't talking about the collusion between movies and music. No, Dear Readers, I'm talking about music in general. From what you put on your phone to workout out to what you may play on Spotify to relax after a long day. I'm talking bout' bite sized entertainment. I'm talking about:

5 Songs You Couldn't Live Without (A Deserted Island Set List)

5. "Drift Away" - Dobie Gray

This song man. The feels. I don't know what it is about this song but it releases happiness in my brain. If you haven't heard this song it was released in 1973, it's classified as R&B/Soul Rock on Google and I think I would agree with that estimation.

"The song was written by Mentor Williams and was originally recorded by John Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion. Dobie's recording of the song was his biggest hit, which peaked at number 5 on the the US Billboard Hot 100." (Taken from Wikipedia) (link wiki/Drift_Away). Here is a video of Drift Away for your viewing pleasure:

4. "Heaven" - Ayumi Hamasaki

I like most of what Hamasaki puts out, but I really, really dig this song. Released on September 14, 2005, Heaven was the first track on the (Miss)Understood album. The song comes in a just over four minutes at 4:18 and it's just a delight to my ears. Here's the video if you are so inclined:

Also, so you know, the song Heaven has been downloaded over 1.5 million times, That isn't a small number, just saying. Moving on.

3. 2112/II . "The Temple of Syrinx" - Rush

So the entire length twenty minutes plus song is great, but "part two" of this song is my favorite part. Something in it makes me think of space travel and life on other planets. There is something just so cosmic about this song. If you haven't heard 2112 you really should give it a shot, unless of course, you are not a RUSH fan, then it may not be your cup of tea.

You guessed it! Here's a video!

Pretty crazy? Right! Alright folks, two more to go!

2. "Welcome Home" - Coheed and Cambria

What can I say about this song? I found it by happy accident on Rock Band (yes, the original) and feel in love with almost instantly. The lyrics are great, the Maiden quality of it all just make me adore it from day one.

Released in 2005 of the Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1, From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness album, (What the hell Coheed and Cambria? Is that the longest album title in history or what?) The album version of the song clocks in at 6:15. I don't want to spoil to much about the song so here's some video prove of how awesome it is.

This video is the shortened version coming in at 4:23. Just so you know, there's more! Here's we go. Here's the number one song I'd have to have and it's not a well known song (at least I think, but who knows I could be wrong, check it out.

1. "Used To Think" - pillowfight

The soulful lyrics and pulsing tunes just makes me want to dance, and hell, I can't dance. Well I can, but it's the stereotypical "white guy" dance. But this song makes me want to groove until my feet fall off. Beautiful, just fucking beautiful. Here's the song from Youtube, no video though just a still image but don't worry, you'll be dancing instead of watching, I promise.

I hope you enjoyed my 5 Songs I Couldn't Live Without. If you like it and want to see more of this kind of talk, please leave me a comment below and I'll see what I can do. Also, if you'd like to leave your top five songs you couldn't live without in the comments ("By Saturday, that would be great." - Five extra points for movie quote.) below that would be super sweet!

See you soon. Stay tuned.

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 2)

It's Tuesday and there's some Rocksmith 2014 DLC to be had. Here is what came out today:

Hits Singles IV ($9.99)

A Perfect Circle - "The Outsider"
Doobie Brothers - "Long Train Runnin'"
Loverboy - "Working for the Weekend"
Sublime - "Badfish"

Another set of singles this week from both Rock Band 4 and Rocksmith 2014. If there isn't anything between the two games that you like, then maybe, you may just be a robot. Just saying. Are you picking up any tracks today or is it another skip week? Sound off!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 1)

Hello. It's Monday and it's time for some DLC goodness. Here is what is coming out for Rock Band 4 tomorrow:

Singles 2/16/16

Five Finger Death Punch - "Got Your Six"
Motorhead - "Thunder & Lightning"
Royal Blood - "Figure it Out"

Glad to see another Motorhead song and I think (but I'm not sure) the first Five Finger Death Punch in the game. Never heard of Royal Blood. Will have to check them out. Are you grabbing these tracks tomorrow or waiting to see what is coming out for Rocksmith 2014? Sound off!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 2)

It's more love songs this week for downloadable content. Rocksmith 2014 has released these singles today:

Valentine's Day Song Pack ($9.99)

Hall & Oates - "You Make My Dreams"
Sister Hazel - "All for You"
Sixpence None the Richer - "Kiss Me" (Capo Required)
Toto - "Roseanna"

Well between this and Rock Band that's eleven songs from ten different artists. I love single weeks. Did you grab any tracks this week or are you waiting to see what comes out in another seven days? Sound off!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 1)

Here is what is coming out for Rock Band 4 tomorrow:

Bruno Mars - "Locked Out of Heaven"
Bruno Mars - "Treasure"
Generation X - "Dancing With Myself"
J. Geils Band - "Love Stinks"
Joan Jett - "I Hate Myself for Loving You"
Massaya Matsuura - "Speed Fighter"
Orleans - "Still the One"

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 2)

Hello! It's Tuesday and there's some Rocksmith 2014 goodness coming at you.

The Offspring Song Pack II ($11.99)

"All I Want"
"Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)"
"The Kids Aren't Alright"
"What You Bad"
"You're Gonna Go Far Kid"

There you have it folks! Are you grabbing some Offspring tracks today or is it a skip? Sound off and let you digital voice be heard!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 1)

Hey hey! It's another week here and another batch of DLC is hitting Rock Band 4 tomorrow! Here is what is coming out:

Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams - "Get Lucky"
Kelly Clarkson - "Heartbreak Song"
Outkast - "Hey Ya!"

Are you grabbing these tracks tomorrow? Are you waiting to see what comes out for Rocksmith 2014?

Sound off!

This Week in Rock (Games)

Woof! It's been a busy week. But it's Friday and there's some digital rock to be had.

This came out on Rocksmith 2014 on Tuesday 1/26/16:

.38 Special Song Pack ($7.99)

"Caught Up in You"
"Hold on Loosely"
"Rockin' Into the Night"

These songs were added to GHTV this week:

Def Leppard: On Through the Ages

"Dangerous"
"Let's Go"
"Rock of Ages"

Indie Rock Anthems

The Strokes - "You Only Live Once"
Miles Kane - "Don't Forget Who You Are"
SKATERS - "Miss Teen Massachusetts"


Hey there is a crazy amount of music if you own Rocksmith 2015 and Guitar Hero: Live. Rock Band 4 didn't release anything this week if you were wondering where that was.

Are you grabbing some tracks this week for some real guitar and bass goodness or are you playing up some plastic awesomeness? Is it a skip week? Sound off!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 2)

Hey hey! Some good ol' metal coming at you from Rocksmith 2014:

Megadeth Pack II Song Pack ($11.99)

"A Tout Le Monde"
"Holy Wars... The Punishment Due"
"Peace Sells"
"Tornado of Souls"
"Trust"

Woohoo! I love "A Tout Le Monde", so glad to see it's on Rocksmith! Are you grabbing any of these awesome tracks this week from Rocksmith 2014? Sound off!

This Week in Rock Games (Part 1)

So this was revealed last week so I'm a bit slow in posting this, but if you are rocking out to Rock Band 4 just a little too much and you missed the announcement:

90's Grunge Singles ($1.99 individually)


Soundgarden - "My Wave"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Wicked Garden"
Temple of the Dog - "Hunger Strike"

These three songs I would scoop up in a heartbeat if I had an Xbox One and Rock Band 4! Finally "Hunger Strike" and "Wicked Garden", I also hope that opens the way for more Temple of the Dog. I loved the self-titled album.

Are you grabbing these tracks on Tuesday? Is it a skip week for you instead seeing what else comes out for Rocksmith 2014 maybe? Let the world know and sound off here on the comment section below!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 2)

Alright, so yesterday I spoiled what band was appearing in Rocksmith 2014. Here are the tracks!

30 Seconds to Mars Song Pack ($11.99)

"Closer to the Edge"
"From Yesterday"
"The Kill"
"Kings and Queens"
"This is War"

There you go, anything Tuesday come and gone. Are you going to be playing some 30 Seconds to Mars today? Are you waiting to see what comes out for Rock Band 4 next week?

Sound off!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 1)

Greetings! Here is what is coming out for Rock Band 4 tomorrow (1/12/16):

Disturbed Pack 04 ($5.49 for the Pack, $1.99 individually)

"Immortalized"
"The Vengeful One"
"Warrior"

Well, if you like Disturbed you are in the money today. If not, I am just guessing it's a skip week. Coming up tomorrow for Rocksmith 2014 is *SPOILER ALERT* 30 Seconds to Mars (if you are into that band as well).

Are you grabbing some Disturbed songs on Rock Band 4 tomorrow?

Sound Off and Keep Calm!

This Week in Rock (Games) (Part 1)

So Rock Band 4 didn't have anything coming out this week, as far as I can tell, but Rocksmith 2014 has you covered! Here is what came out today:

Hit Singles III

Asia - "Heat of the Moment"
Semisonic - "Closing Time"
Wild Cherry - "Play That Funky Music"
Wolfmother - "Woman"

There you have it folks! Are you grabbing any of these tracks to rock out to today or is it a skip week for the Guitar and Bass players out there? Sound off!

Topic: Religion... as in Bad Religion

As in Bad Religion!  Great band.  I like them a lot.  Though I must admit I only have one cd of the band.  It's titled All Ages and it's punk at it most basic.  Not the best vocals but the lyric can't be beat and the band plays a good little ditty to pogo all over yourselves.  If you know what pogo is then good for you.  Then again you might be reading this in a crummy one bedroom apartment with no heat and your beer in a paper bag, of course that would mean you really are punk rock and probably in your late twenties.  Don't worry, you'll get it together soon enough.  Once you hit the dirty thirty every thing will click and lock down, well, at least gravity will begin its slow evil process.  Enjoy that brave readers... 

Though I throw out another poll about which Religion dear readers you would like me to blog about!

Life: Music

I've been playing guitar since I was thirteen.  My first guitar was a Lyon Washburn, that couldn't keep in tune to save my life.  Then a few years later my dad got me a 1991 Blood Wine Red Studio Les Paul Gibson.  Man, that thing was beautiful.  I wish I still had it.  Gibson is the only guitar (that I know of) that raises in value every year.  Bummer.

I've been playing guitar a little more now and I'm hoping to begin really playing again.  I think I might need lessons or a refresher course or something.  I also wish I could play solo stuff better too.  Maybe it's time to invest in a amp and a theory book.  Quick, I'm off to the interwebz!