What kind of music listener are you? Are you up on the newest tracks from your favorite artists, or do you prefer to listen to nothing but oldies? Do you listen to rock, rap, country, or something else? Do your listening habits change from time to time or do you pretty much stick to your usual stuff? We all have our own habits for listening to the music we enjoy, and the variety of music that’s out there is so vast that no two people have the same exact musical tastes or preferences.
One of my favorite things about having an iPod is the ability to organize your music into folders, or playlists (check out Creating Customized Playlists on iTunes and Creating Smart Playlists on iTunes ). With this feature, it’s so easy to put songs together that will suit the way you listen to music. Some of the playlists that I keep in my iTunes library include titles such as “Party Songs”, “Sad Songs” and “All Time Faves”, etc. One of the most listened to playlists in my iTunes library is a folder that I like to call “Current”.
“Current” is the folder where I keep the music that I like to listen to the most. It is the one playlist in iTunes that I’m most often changing, and is the purpose for this series. Music is as fluid as anything, and I enjoy adding great new stuff to my music collection. I keep all of my new stuff in the “Current” folder, as well as some favorites from the past year or so. My passion for music motivates me to want to share some of the good music I listen to with other music lovers who share my tastes.
Without further adieu, I present some offerings from my “Current” playlist this fall. Many of them I’ve featured on my blog’s very popular “Song of the Day” posts, and I’ve linked some of the songs below to them. These are the songs I listen to on a daily basis during my commute to and from work or in the house while I’m doing some house cleaning. Most of the songs are dance oriented, as that is my thing, but there’s some pop, R&B, and rock listed here, as well. Hopefully you’ll find something new to get excited about.
Individual Songs
Good Feeling – Flo Rida, featuring Etta James
At the moment this one is my favorite song. Having some taste for hip-hop and liking a lot of the things that Flo Rida has done in the past, I can say with certainty that this is his best one to date. This one mixes Flo’s usual down-low raps with a slamming, strumming dance track and the chorus is a sampling from Ms. Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold On Me.” Very awesome and very danceable! Check it out right here.
One Hot Pleasure – Erika Jayne
This one is mindless, it’s sexy and perfect for the dance floor! I recently featured it as “Song of the Day” on John’s World and you can check it out right here.
In the Dark – Dev
This is a former #1 Dance hit for singer Devin Star Tailes, better known as simply Dev. The song capitalizes on the heavy sax sounds make popular on the recent hit “Mr. Saxobeat.” Check it “In the Dark” right here.
You Make Me Feel – Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship’s latest features guest vocals by pop singer Sabi and hit #7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. The song is one of those ‘feel good’ tunes that’s very catchy and a lot of fun! Check it out right here.
T.H.E. (The Hardest Thing Ever) – will.i.am, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger
This is a brand new one from Black Eyed Peas’ frontman will.i.am and it features a hypnotic track and an equally spellbinding chorus sung by J-Lo with a special guest appearance by Mick Jagger towards the end that fits very well. Look for this one to hit dance floors and radio stations everywhere pretty soon. Take a listen to “T.H.E.” here.
Take Care – Drake, featuring Rihanna
This was one of those songs that I loved the very first time I heard it. The song reunites the two singers who hit it big with a similar song off of Rihanna’s 2010 “Loud” album last year, “What’s My Name?” The song’s about being cautious with new love and it’s very laid back and silky smooth. Check it out right here.
Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO
After hitting the big time with this years’ summer smash, “Party Rock Anthem,” the duo’s follow-up took a little longer to become ingrained in everyone’s brain, but with a sample chorus like the following one and an equally crazy music track, this one’s packing the dance floors everywhere.
When I’m at the mall, security just can’t fight them off
When I’m at the beach, I’m in a Speedo trying to tan my cheeks
This is how I roll, come on ladies it’s time to go
We headed to the bar, baby don’t be nervous
No shoes, no shirt, and I still get service
Check out the very entertaining video for “Sexy and I Know It” right here.
All Night Long – Demi Lovato, featuring Missy Elliot and Timbaland
I never thought in a million years that I’d like a Demi Lovato song, but here we go. This one’s got a great music track and fun lyrics and Missy and Timba make it even better! Take a listen here.
Albums
Nothing But the Beat – David Guetta
For any dance music fan, this has got to be one of the top albums of the year. David Guetta has a knack for knowing what works on dance floors and his star power attracts some of the hottest singers in the industry to work with him. There are plenty of great songs on this one, from anthemic “Night of Your Life,” with Jennifer Hudson, the powerhouse “Turn Me On,” with Nicki Minaj, and of course the current smash “Without You,” featuring Usher. Check out an audio track of the beautiful “Titanium,” featuring Australian pop singer Sia here, and see a track by track review of “Nothing But the Beat” by yours truly right here.
Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson rocks! After almost ten full years and now five albums into her storied career, Kelly Clarkson is a bona fide pop star. Her latest is a 17-track treasure trove of country, rock, and pure pop joy, with standouts such as the title cut, “Don’t You Want to Stay,” with country music singer Jason Aldean, and the lead single, “Mr. Know It All,” this one’s a must for Kelly Clarkson fans everywhere! Check out “Mr. Know It All,” which works very well as a dance mix, too, right here.
Talk That Talk – Rihanna
Twenty-three year old Rihanna is chugging along with her latest, a follow-up to her smash 2010 album, “Loud.” Having recently broken a record set by Madonna as the fastest female ever to score 20 top ten hits with “We Found Love,” the lead single to “Talk That Talk,” this new one is sure to bring her even more. The record is full of potential chart toppers, including the island inspired “You Da One,” the tender “Fool In Love,” and the rhythmic “We All Want Love.” Take a look at the hot video for “We Found Love” here.
My Life II…The Journey Continues – Mary J. Blige
It’s hard to believe that Mary J. Blige has been around for almost twenty years now. Mary has always been known to pour her heart and soul into her records and her fans have stuck with her through her trials and tribulations, her heartbreak and her joy. Her newest is being culled as a sequel to her smash 1994 sophomore album, “My Life,” and many of her friend’s such as Diddy, Busta Rimes, and Beyonce all make appearances on the record, which is a mix of old school hip hop and tender-hearted ballads. Check out the lead single to “My Life II,” “Someone to Love Me (Naked),” with Diddy, right here.
Ceremonials and Lungs – Florence & The Machine
I have no idea why I hadn’t caught on to Florence & The Machine earlier. I first was introduced to them about a month ago while researching their newest album, “Ceremonials,” and I decided to try them out. I am so happy that I did because Florence is one heck of a singer and songwriter, and I’ve found myself listening to both albums (“Lungs” was their debut, “Ceremonials” is their second!) virtually all the time. You can check out one of my favorites, a song off of “Lungs” called “Dog Days Are Over,” right here and their latest, “Shake It Out” here.
Well, as you can see I’ve got lots of great stuff on my iPod these days. If you’re into dance music like I am, I highly suggest all of the singles listed, as well as the David Guetta and Rihanna records. If it’s pop or rock music you crave, then Kelly Clarkson or Florence & The Machine are for you. Then of course there’s Mary! Enjoy!
For past issues in this series please see:
What are you listening to? Summer 2011
What are you listening to? Spring 2011
What are you listening to? Winter 2011
What are you listening to? Fall 2010
What are you listening to? Summer 2010