Top 5 Beyonce Records - Happy Birthday Bey!

It's her 31st Birthday and she is my god. Seriously, I worship her. Without a doubt, any tricky situation I get myself into I ask myself "what would Beyonce do?" and then channel her. I couldn't possibly just choose one of her songs for today so I chose 5 performances instead!

Here's my top 5 Beyonce Performances of all time:


5. I Was Here at The Roseland Ballroom, NYC 2011 - One of my favourite songs, and this video has a really awesome montage of all the amazing things she's done in her life. Love it.

4. Halo (Acoustic) at the NUH Hospital for Leukaemia patients in Singapore. Effortless.

3. Bootylicious on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, 2001 - I couldn't not include some Destiny's Child in here! The first time I saw Beyonce live was just before this (I actually saw the band when there was 4 of them and there was all the LaTavia/LaToya weirdness...) and I fell in love immediately. I love this performance in particular because I think it looks like we could have plucked it right out of the 70s! I also love this song as there can never be enough celebrating of the big behinds of the world.

2. Love On Top at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards - Not only absolutely note perfect but it was the performance that annouced little baby Blue to the world! So cute. (I almost tear up everytime I watch Jay-Z looking all proud :D) And man does she KILL those key changes.

1. 1+1 at Glastonbury 2011 - I know it's another Glastonbury video but it's just too good. This is probably my favourite Beyonce song, mainly because it's so personal whilst also being universal. This video just shows how she gives 110% of herself every single time. If you haven't already watched the full Glastonbury set I HIGHLY suggest you get on it here. It's unbelievable.

Picture found here and videos found here

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4011267/?claim=9z9dmxc9gk7">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Record of the Day: John Mayer - Shadow Days

So, I don't want to be one of those dicks/hipster people who go on and on about how they have liked an artist or a movie or an actor since the beginning of time before everyone else, which then gives them some kind of claim over that artist/movie/actor but HONESTLY that is what happened with me and John Mayer! Seriously. I bought his very first EP Inside Wants Out about 10 years ago now (by the way - best EP I've ever heard by far) and have been completely in love with his music ever since. I mean, that dude KNOWS how to write a song. I know he's kind of an asshole in real life but I just don't care, he voice makes me block it all out. I've seen him twice now and was absolutely not disappointed. I particularly like that he brings a big Persian carpet with him to all his gigs to stand on. I enjoy a good artist quirk.

It's been a while since I've done a top 5 soooo....my top 5 John Mayer records go something like this (with some super cool live versions):

5. Your Body Is a Wonderland (from Room for Squares, 2001) Here's a nice acoustic version:

4. Comfortable (from Inside Wants Out, 1999 / re-released 2002) Here's a live version that goes into his delicious cover of Tom Petty's Free Fallin' (FYI one of my favourite songs of all time - I like to think it's being sung to me because of the line "She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis"...)

3. Dreaming with a Broken Heart (from Continuum, 2006)

2. 3x5 (from Room for Squares, 2001)

1. Say (from The Bucket List OST, 2011) Here's the music video; this movie is absolutely heartbreaking by the way - but GREAT of course.

His fifth studio album was released last week and having it pre-ordered for months, it arrived at my work place last Tuesday and I sat and listened to the entire album in detail. As we're all weird music freaks at my office this is a thing many people I know do - really get to know an album - which I did. And now I want to marry the album and have little Grace-album babies with it because oh my god IT'S SO BLOODY GOOD. You'd think after 5 albums there would be a couple of duds on there but really really no! It's genius. Even more exciting is that the release of the album marks John's return to business after a two year break whilst he had a granuloma near his vocal chords removed - not gonna lie, this stressed me out A LOT but luckily his vocals are as stunning as ever. To sum up, I really like the album...I'll stop rambling now.

I've chosen my favourite so far (I'm sure my mind will change as I listen more, it always does) for today's record of the day, which also happens to be the first single from the album.

Record of the Day: John Mayer - Shadow Days (From Born and Raised, 2012 - Columbia/Sony Music - Damn them...)

My ULTIMATE John Mayer Spotify playlist: John Mayer 

Top 5 Songs To Daydream To...

I CANNOT CONCENTRATE TODAY. I have these days about once a week (normally on Fridays), where I am fully aware of the billion things I have to do at work but for some reason I just can't bring myself to do any of them them. I blame this on having a lot of ADHD in my family as well as the invention of Facebook, blogs and YouTube. I know I'll regret it on Monday when it all catches up with me but for now it just feels like creating Spotify playlists or watching interviews with Tom Brady on YouTube (YUM) is  a much better way to spend my time . It baffles me how anyone managed to procrastinate before we had computers... Anyway, instead of doing something useful for the past hour I made a list: Top 5 Records to daydream to and here they are.

(P.S. I'm trying a new thing - I've added the spotify playlist of all my Top 5 songs at the bottom of the post, so have a click and a listen!)

5. The Champs - Tequila
I listen to this and I am immediately at the house party in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I'm not sure why because this isn't even the song playing in that scene! BUT nevertheless that's where I am. I always say I was born in the wrong time because I should have been at parties like those, wearing amazing outfits and smoking cigarettes on long cigarette holders with white gloves on. If it was 1965 now that's where I'd be and it would be FABULOUS.

4. Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
Just to explain - I'm a bit of skitzo when it comes to my daydreams. Moving out of 1965 glamour, during this song I'm in 1980, Lycra-clad, cock-rocking it out with that ridiculous guitar solo. It makes my brain ache listening to it.

3. Kim Wilde - Kids in America
I chose this because it's a song from the soundtrack to Clueless (yeah another social faux pas maybe but whatevs). I bloody love that film, and this song makes me want to wear knee high socks and mini skirts and drive around in a convertible jeep..."Like, Ew! Whatever!" The version on the soundtrack is by The Muffs but I like the original better ;)

2. Miranda Lambert - Gunpowder & Lead
Deep down under the surface of Grace (let's be honest, it's not that deep...) is a serious country music lover... I know I'm living in completely the wrong country for this to be socially acceptable but I don't care! And on that note is my number 3. I love Miranda (and her husband Blake - yummy) and I get all feisty and, honestly, a bit violent after listening to this. Oh to live in a land where shooting your ex-boyfriend because he was a dick is the norm...

1. Jim Jamison - I'm Always Here

YAH this is the theme tune to Baywatch! It's becoming a sort of club anthem in my ever so classy hometown of Newbury and in the club, we do exactly what I do in my head when I listen to this. WE RUN!

Top 5 Records to Daydream to - Http Link to Spotify Playlist

Top 5 Records to Daydream to - Spotify Playlist Link

Top 5 Dream Movie Men

So the other morning I dragged an extremely heave suitcase up and down four different flights of stairs in two different London underground stations. Naturally there was no lifts in either of them so I carried it by myself whilst juggling my laptop and handbag. I'm known to be ever-so slightly on the weak side (ahem...), needless to say this was quite struggle. Out of all the people, namely men, who passed me not a SINGLE person stopped to offer me a hand. I don't particularly consider myself an ugly leper so I'm assuming that's not the reason.. Is chivalry just coming dead now? Or am I being contradictory in wanting to be seen as an "independent woman" (said with a head wiggle and finger snap) but at the same time expecting a strong man to come to my rescue in heavy bag carrying situations such as this? I just do not know. What I have decided, however, is that movies and TV shows have ruined/heightened to a completely unrealistic level my expectations of the male species. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are some delightful chaps around somewhere but I think I speak for many ladies when I ask, where the hell are you?! And soooo, here's my Top 5 list of my Dream Movie Men for you to dream about until you can find someone with at least a few of their qualities :)

5.  Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca
"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.."
The ultimate understated love tragedy in my opinion! There may not have been a dramatic death alla R&J, but instead Casablanca is a perfect example of being in the right place at the wrong time. Needless to say it doesn't end well, but it doesn't matter because Rick sacrifices his own happiness with Ilsa because he knows she would regret leaving her husband. I shed a tear every time I hear Rick say "We'll always have Paris" and I can't even listen to 'As Time Goes By'. Rick Blaine is a true gentleman and selfless soul.

4. Cary Grant as Nickie Ferrante in An Affair to Remember
"There must be something between us, even if it's only an ocean."
There's a reason why this film is always voted as one of the most romantic of all time. I always feel like I need a long nap after watching this film because it is emotionally exhausting (in a good way of course!). The fun, the tradegy, the heartbreak, the hope! It's all just too much, but I love that it doesn't  play out as you expect. Cary is gorgeous, of course, in his charming, old Hollywood manner, and his commitment and love for Terry, even when he believes she has rejected him is what qualifies him as my number four!

3. John Cusack as Lloyd Dodler in Say Anything
"One question: do you need...someone, or do you need me?...Forget it, I don't really care."
I think I may be a little biased on this one due to my slightly unusual obsession with John Cusack characters BUT this movie is just so adorable. It's ordinary love between pretty ordinary people but it's young, innocent, and so so sweet! I'm sure we've all been there, just not with anyone as amazing as Lloyd Dodler! Please, oh, please will someone stand outside my house with a boombox playing Peter Gabriel?!

2. Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice
"I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
I know it's predictable but who doesn't want the shy and somewhat moody (oh and a bit rich) gentleman who is never interested in anyone to fall in love with them?! Good ol' Jane got it spot on, proving that in 200 years the ways of men and women have changed very little. Darcy is rude and pretentious and yet you completely understand Elizabeth's love for him towards the end. It's romantic in a truly British way, without cheesiness and chiches, and oh.my.god the second proposal on the moors! Who could resist...
(P.S. It was a tough decision but I chose Matthew over Colin Firth purely because I fancy him more ;)

1. Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun in The Notebook
"It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day."
Predictable maybe, but there is a reason why pretty much every woman on the planet fell in love with Noah! I don't know, maybe it's unrealistic, but to me this is REAL love. Not many men would write a letter every day for a year...nor would they build a house with a porch exactly how you'd wanted...nor would they dance in the road with you but Noah will!! So for all the men that think this film is sappy, girly nonsense, if I were you I'd sit down and take some serious notes. Noah, "if you're a bird, I'm a bird!"

Top 5 Records That Brighten My Day

Top 5 Records That Brighten My Day :)

5. U2 – Beautiful Day (From ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ 2000)

4. Glenn Miller – In The Mood

3. Supergrass – Alright (From ‘I Should Coco’ 1995)

Picture this on a sunny day in Hyde Park with pear cider and sausage rolls…this would make me a happy bunny!

2. Natalie Cole – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love…) (1975)

This song restores all my possibly naïve (but hopefully not!) romanticisms about love and lifelong happiness! If I were to have a ridiculously cheesy wedding, this would absolutely be the first dance song. Buuuut I won’t be…

1. Dean Martin & Helen O’Connell – How Do You Like (Your Eggs in The Morning?)

Probably the happiest record in the world! Every time I listen to it I picture myself in the Tropicana advert, eating breakfast in New York City with the sun streaming through the buildings…I actually did exactly this when I was in New York a few summers ago and it was BLISS. Ultimately it would be my dream to do this every morning (preferably with some beautiful New York investment banker sitting opposite me – his profession is negotiable). Dean’s voice is like chocolate lusciousness and this always puts me in the best mood!

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Records

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Records

5. Ted Nugent - Stranglehold
And here is why I am known for my old man music taste... But someone please explain how they can drive a car and not have the urge to listen to this?!?!

4. Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

This song is my curl up in a ball in a dark room on a stressful day song. Everyone needs one of these songs to clear your head. Love love love it and also the album this came from(Conditions, 2009 - Infectious Records) is VERY good. Go listen.

 

3. The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun

I love this song purely because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! I believe there's very little in the world that this song couldn't cheer me up from. 

2. Frank Sinatra - Night & Day

I have absolutely no doubt that I should have been born in 1925 so that I was a teenager when this song was released by Frank! And if I were only allowed to listen to one person's voice for the rest of my life it would be Frank's. This record, for me, is all about New York City, incidentally my favourite place in the entire world. I have a very vivid memory of listening to this record when I was flying over Manhattan once and it gave me goosebumps watching the concrete jungle mixed with Frank's heavenly voice. Classic.

1. Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen

And so, my number one favourite record of all time position goes to Stevie. A bold statement I know and I'll really listen to anything Fleetwood and Stevie to be honest. This song is so simple and repetitive and yet I wish it would go on longer than 5 and a half minutes every time I hear it! This woman has more cool in her eyelashes than I have in my entire body, which is evident when I do not hesitate to dance around like a loon on loon pills no matter where I am when this song comes on, as I'm indeed also just like a white winged dove.

Go have a listen..

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Movies

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Movies

Ahh there's soooo many others I wanted to include - Dazed and Confused, Say Anything, Bridesmaids, High Society, Inception, A Beautiful Mind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind, everything directed by John Hughes - but I could only choose 5 so...

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
"The question isn't 'what are we going to do', the question is 'what aren't we going to do?"

It was difficult to choose which John Hughes movie I liked the most because they're all so gosh darn good. But I realised that this was the movie I always always turn to at the end of a crappy day. There is something so pure and satisfying about watching three people on screen having a really lovely day! Matthew Broderick is charmingly cheesy and his asides to the camera are classic. Maaaaaan I love this movie, nothing puts me in a better move than a bit of Ferris and is it just me or is young Matthew Broderick kinda hot?

4. Walk the Line (2005)
"We're all going to hell for the songs we sing!"

Ohhhh Joaquin. So, what I bought away from this movie is that I have a serious inclination towards men who look like they're damaged in an extremely hot/dark and twisted way. There's something about a dangerous man (e.g Tom Hardy - I love a criminal, Alexander Skarsgaard - sexiest vampire ever in the history of the world) that seems so enticing, probably something to do with some suppressed cave girl instinct... Plus young Johnny Cash was seriously fine (I put this in my box with my extreme obsession and addiction with young Elvis...) and Joaquin really pulls off the brooding, sexy alcoholic, might slap you in the face thing. The music is just BRILLIANT and both Joaquin and Reese pull off the Johnny and June songs flawlessly. 

3. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
"Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate."

A surprising number of people have told me they thought this movie was depressing but I absolutely could not disagree more. It's weird and wonderful, and I've probably seen it about 100 times. I could talk about this movie all day and night so I did for a little while more - see my blog about this movie here!

 

2. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
"Lina. She can't act, she can't sing, she can't dance. A triple threat."
Do not, under any circumstance, assume that this is one of those movies just on BBC2 at Christmas that you put on in the TV room for your ninety year old Grandma to keep her entertained. This movie is SPECTACULAR in a big way. Not only is it extremely well written, beautifully acted and the music has evidently stood the test of time, the dancing (Gene's tap scenes in particular) is just perfection. Once again my obsession with Gene Kelly (in my box with Elvis and Johnny) means that I have seen all his films, and I find it literally impossible to take my eyes of him whilst he dances. There's some sad moments, some sweet moments and some hilarious moments. This is really one of those wonderful movies to be watched on a rainy Sunday (my favourite of all the types of days) and to discuss as though you were an old person, making comments such as "they really don't make them like they used to"...

1. High Fidelity (2000)
"What came first, the music or the misery?"

And first prize goes to my all time favourite movie - High Fidelity. It may be worrying but watching this movie is like taking a walk inside of my brain. I dream of having walls full of vinyls and of meeting a man who still thinks it's sweet to make a mixed tape (and really puts the thought into it - there's an art to it don't you know). John Cusack (one of my favourite actors of all time) is me on a really really bad day in this movie - he talks to much, thinks too much and has too many opinions on useless things (he really should have started a blog..). I love that they know so much about things that will never come in useful (welcome to my world)! I love their top 5 lists (sound familiar?) and their unprecedented music taste. And I LOVE Jack Black's performance of Let's Get it On. However, easily the best moment of the movie is Bruce Springsteen cameo - how awesome was that!?!

If you haven't seen it, be ashamed and then don't waste anymore time being a loser and go watch it NOW. And then go buy the soundtrack and educate yourself on some GREAT music.