playlist

Your Essential Grammy Awards Playlist

February 5, 2013 at 1:31 pm , by Maggie Niemiec

We looked at 81 different Grammy categories—and multiple songs within every category—to pick our 15 favorite songs you need to hear before music’s biggest night. Take a listen, and even if you don’t know your Fun. from your Frank Ocean, you’ll be an expert by Sunday!

1. “We Are Young” – Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe

record of the year, song of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album

2. “Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean

record of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best urban contemporary album

3. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift

record of the year

4. “I Will Wait” – Mumford and Sons

album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best Americana album

5. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson

record of the year, song of the year, best pop solo performance, best pop vocal album

6. “Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys

record of the year, album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best rock album

7. “Somebody That I Used To Know” – Gotye Featuring Kimbra

record of the year, best pop duo/group performance, best alternative music album

8. “Payphone” – Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa

best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album

9. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band

best country duo/group performance, best country song

10. “Madness” – Muse

best rock song, best rock album

11. “Wide Awake” – Katy Perry

best pop solo performance

12. “Love On Top” – Beyoncé

best traditional R&B performance

13. “Wanted” – Hunter Hayes

best new artist, best country solo performance, best country album

14. “The Motto” – Drake

best rap song, best rap album

15. “We Take Care Of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen

best rock performance, best rock song, best rock album

---

LHJ Book Club: Allison Pearson’s Favorite Crush Songs

October 5, 2011 at 3:40 pm , by Lauren Piro

The October LHJ book club pick, I Think I Love You, is truly all about love—the BFF kind of love, the unexpected romance kind of love, and, of course, the starry-eyed teenage kind of love. After all, its about 70s heartthrob David Cassidy, and his songs (and his smile, and his eyes, and his dance moves …) made girls all over the world weak in the knees. The folks at Random House asked author Allison Pearson for her favorite lovey-dovey crush songs, and they really take us back. Click the links to listen to them (and then pick up the book!)—we dare you not to swoon.

I Think I Love You – David Cassidy - “The classic Partridge Family anthem to unrequited love still comes up paint-fresh after an incredible 41 years. Great tambourine work from the younger Partridge kids and, of course, vocals from the boy in the posters on my bedroom wall, David Cassidy himself.”

Daydreamer – David Cassidy: “Oh God, I can still feel his breathy voice on the back of my neck. He was so gorgeous!”

Oh Lori – Alessi Brothers: “The quintessential summer love song, sizzling with youthful infatuation and testosterone. And they manage to work in the word ‘bicycle.’ Respect.”

Dear Mr. Gable, You Made Me Love You – Judy Garland: “Check out the young Judy in her nightgown singing to a photo of Clark Gable. One of the songs that made me want to write my new novel – to try and explain why it is we never forget our first crush.”

I’m Not In Love – 10cc: “Like a metaphysical poet, the singer tries to clamber out of the pit of obsessive infatuation, but only slips in deeper. John Donne, eat your heart out. This is beautiful.”

Seasons in The Sun – Terry Jacks: “This infuriatingly catchy ballad of doomed teen love gets into your brain like gum. I prefer Franki Valli’s heart-stoppingly lovely My Eyes Adored You.”

(They Long to Be) Close To You – The Carpenters: “This is the ten ton truck of crush songs. I wasted several sentences in my novel trying to capture the genius of Karen Carpenter’s voice—molten chocolate etc.—but you only have to hear her opening ‘Why’ to submit utterly. ‘On the day that you were born, the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true/So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair and golden stardust in your eyes of blue.’ ”

Puppy Love – Donny Osmond: “I was a Cassidy fan back in the early Seventies, when you were either a Donny or a David girl, but I have to admit this ballad of teen yearning holds up well and Donny looks better every year. He’s right when he sings that we patronize first love and underestimate its primal power. Here he is at the Ohio State Fair in 1972, with a backing track of screams. Way to go, girls!”

(via Random House Reading Group Center)

---

LHJ Playlist: Ladies Rock!

October 5, 2009 at 3:06 pm , by Amanda Wolfe

There are a surprising number of great songs out there that are dedicated to us ladies, so we made a playlist of our favorites. It’s an ecclectic but fun mix, with tunes like the Beatles’ Lady Madonna, Beyoncé‘s Single Ladies, and Frank Sinatra’s Luck Be a Lady. (Plus 14 more songs!) Who knew? Check out our Lady mix on iTunes.

You can buy and download your faves (or the whole mix, if you’re really feelin’ it) or just listen to get a taste. Do you have any other favorite “lady” songs?

---