Soulful Saturday - The Beauty of Car Concerts

I have not been quiet about my hate/hate relationship that I have with Top 40 music. I am sincerely NOT a fan. I don't even think I can help it. I know that the radio has to play shit that appeals to everyone… and what appeals to the majority is generally garbage. Honestly. Most of what is played is ignored in my car. In fact, Lefty has started to rub off on me-- I listen to NPR in the car. I have a MUCH shorter commute to work, so news radio totally fits, especially early in the morning.

With that said, there ARE some catchy tunes on the radio. There are even a few that inspire car concerts. You know what those are, right? A car concert (which happens frequently in the Hot, Black and Bitter mobile) is when you throw caution to the wind, pick up ANYthing that looks like a microphone, throw your head back and sing along to the song you are listening to. And it has to be loud. Loud like your favorite band playing a farewell concert at Fenway. Loud like your past teenage angst. Loud like you don't care about the fact that you are aging and you *might* need that ability to hear tomorrow. You sing along; you might add a little shimmy if you get really into it and most of all, PARAMOUNT, you don't care who sees, hears or laughs. You just get it in. Yes… car concerts. I love them so. Here are a few songs that have made me bust out my shimmy while singing into a hairbrush at the top of my lungs:

OneRepublic - Counting Stars

**Old, but I'm not THAT old. Young, but I'm not that bold,**

**Everything that kills me, makes me feel alive!**



Lorde - Royals

Sidenote: I have loved this song since it came out. And I LOVE the fact that this girl is so young (16) and gained popularity because of her sound cloud account! Her voice is AMAZING.

**We crave a different kind of buzz**



Justin Timberlake - Mirrors

I have a love affair with Justin's music. I have been ever since he went solo. I like some of the N*Sync riffs he sang and he can dance. During a time when "musicians" have no skills, he shines. He reminds me of the well rounded performers of the Motown era. He is cute, can sing and dance-- essentially he can put on a show. All by himself. I just refuse to go see him in concert… because he is NOT traveling with a musician.

And who doesn't love a love song?? Exactly.



Avicii - Wake Me Up

OMG- Love, love, love. Love the lyrics, love the sound, just freaking LOVE. If you pull up beside my car concert and I am dancing… 9 times out of 10, this song is on.

**Wake me up when it's all over. When I'm wiser and I'm older. All this time I was finding myself and I didn't know I was lost.**

**Life's a game for everyone, and love is the prize!**




Bruno Mars - Gorilla
**NSFW**
Eh, this lucky leprechaun better watch out… I *might* just buy his album. Super sexy song. Just Fabulous. FYI- Music starts at the 2:00 minute mark. This reminds me of some vintage Prince songs (hear second verse- holy shit!)… so ALL GOOD!! Get it, little man!! :)

Soulful Saturday - Justin Timberlake

ATTENTION: I do NOT care if you laugh or not... Justin Timberlake is SO hot. I'm talking about Justin AFTER he chopped off those frosted curls. Oh yea... he can get it... TOTALLY. He can sing, dance and hit some high notes. In short, I *might* love him. I *might* have every solo record... I *might* stalk him on Twitter-- a little. Whatevs. I'm serious. With his rhythm, those moves and songs about girls that have "a little more ass" I'm gonna need Justin to say he loves Black women and then pick me out of a crowd. (Then I wake up and finish this post. LOL)
A good ol' boy from Memphis, Justin broke onto the scene as a member of the Mickey Mouse Club with his ex (crazy Britney) and a few other notables. He is funny as all get out - hello, have you seen the SNL episodes? And he can SING... Yep... I *love* him. He is officially a husband!! :)

Senorita



Gone (actually N*Sync, but so what..)



Like I Love You



Cry Me A River



What Goes Around
...Life lesson some have yet to learn...




EXTRA: Carryout Timbaland ft. Justin

Just For Laughs

Who doesn't need a laugh on Monday morning? :)

This never gets old...




Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! The golden rule!

Soulful Saturday- Blue Eyed Soul Edition

In the early to mid 90s blue eyed soul boy bands were all the rage (read: Backstreet Boys, N*Sync headed up by the amazingly beautiful Justin Timberlake and 98 Degrees lead the equally luscious Nick Lachey). But that was not the first emergence of some lovely looking white men (and women) have broken through on the R&B charts (read: Simply Red, Michael Bolton, All 4 One, Color Me Badd) and obviously won't be the last. I have already shared my guilty pleasure with a few Jesse McCartney tracks- don't you judge me! :) There is some kid named Justin Bieber out there AND both Justin and Nick have both gone solo. Below are the guys that I listen to frequently on my iPod. My own little Blue Eyed Soul army! They pack a punch, and they make me smile.

First up: Andrew Belle
- Native son of the Chicagoland area (Wheaton)
- his music has been on Grey's Anatomy (how cool is that??)
- Saw him in concert at Double Door this year- nice vocals and seems like an all around nice guy



Andy Davis
- I *love* this guy, no seriously. I met him at Double Door and he was the sweetest. EVER. He should consider being my musical husband- I'm just saying.
- Avid Tweeter (that makes me smile)
- LOVE to hear him live
- I know that this song is not new, but it makes my day better so here is Laugh So you Don't Cry



And because you have to see him live... here is a cover of At Last



Marc Broussard
- he is all over this blog and I love him too
- Native son of the Bayou state
- Covered some Al Greene (and it was awesome) YouTube him immediately



Josh Hoge
- Um, wow so hot... and he can sing? I'll take it!!
- his cover of Ain't No Sunshine makes my heart palpitate- in a good way.
- he is tattooed *fans self* So here are two videos of Josh





I am sure there are more Blue Eyed Soulful Saturdays ahead! :)