Tag: music

QuaranTEENing: 3 Things That Have Helped Me

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What a weird time in our history right now! Stores are jam-packed, schools are closed, students are stressed, teachers are worried, and government officials are making critical decisions. It’s a chaotic time right now, and it’s easy for your mental health to worsen over the course of quarantine from the news. Today let’s bring some brightness to the subject and talk about the things that make you happy during quarantine. Today I’ll share 3 things that have helped me through being isolated with my friends and loved ones. Remember, “this too shall pass.”

1. Texting and FaceTime

Thank goodness for technology, am I right? Of course I love my phone, especially since I’m a teen, but right now I appreciate it more than ever. I can text my friends and call them to see what they’re up to. It’s good to hear their voices since I miss them so much. I miss laughing and joking around with them at school. It isn’t the same FaceTiming them, but we still manage to have a great time! 

2. Running

This time last year I got into running. I don’t run everyday, unless I’m feeling special, but I always get some sort of exercise in. I’m trying out this ab workout thing that lasts for 2 weeks just to see how I like it. So far, I am very sore and a little stiff (in a good way). Exercising is super valuable during this time. It clears your head, increases productivity, and keeps you in shape. 

3. Music 

Music has changed the game for me in quarantine. I’ve always been a music lover, but during this unexpected break, I’ve become even more of a fan. My friends have recommended some new albums, artists, and songs. I updated my playlist based on their suggestions and just exploring new singers. Who doesn’t appreciate a little change in their playlist? My favorite artists at the moment are The Weeknd, Harry Styles, Tame Impala, Post Malone, Khalid, and Bazzi. Here’s a sneak peak of my favorite song playlist at the moment…

My encouragement to everyone is to stay positive. It’s so hard to, I know, but we have to do it! If not, quarantine is going to be ten times worse. Try to make the best out of it. Spend time with your family, exercise, keep in touch with your friends, and look forward to the fun times to come. I’ll see you soon with another blog post! Remember to keep it cool and comment below with your blog URL. 

-Anna Claire

Student Blogging Challenge #5

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Hey y’all! For this weekly blog post for the Student Blogging Challenge, I made a playlist of my life. This playlist includes music that is important to me and songs that I listen or listened to when I was younger. From the 50s to early 2000s, all this music is part of me! After you read through my playlist, please click on this Google Form answer what your favorite genre of music is and what your favorite song is! My favorite genre is pop and my favorite song would have to be “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift.

1. “Que Sera Sera” by Doris Day (1956)

When I was younger and visited my Nana in South Carolina, she would tuck me in before bed and sing this to me. Even though I’m 13, almost 14, she sometimes still does sing “Que Sera Sera” to me!  Everytime I hear this song, all I think about is her. Some may know this song as the movie “Heathers” theme song. Que Sera Sera means “whatever will be, will be”, which I think is a great message and the key to life. 

2. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel (1973)

I played “Piano Man” by Billy Joel at one of my piano recitals a few years ago. Billy Joel is a great songwriter and pianist. I think that every pianist or musician knows who he is! This song has great lyrics and tells a story. He has other spectacular songs like “Uptown Girl”, “The Longest Time”, and “A Matter of Trust”. What I like about his songs are that everyone of them is different and unique in their own way, it just depends what mood you’re in. 

3. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton (1974)

This song makes me think of a lot of things. It makes me think of my best friend, Sammi. Sammi and I would listen to this song and sing it together. I know it may be weird, since this song isn’t particularly current, but we love this song. Sammi and I went to a Dolly Parton concert at the same time without even knowing it! I would say that Sammi and I are true Dolly fans. Now that Sammi is living in Bedford, VA, I miss her a lot! This song definitely reminds me of her and our sleepovers. Dolly Parton is also an inspiration. Dolly was very poor when she was growing up and didn’t have much. She went out on her own and pursued a music career which took a lot of perseverance and patience. Dolly is a prime example that hard work pays off!

4. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey (1981)

Whenever I would go to the Girl Scout Father Daughter dance with my dad this would be the last song to play. At the dance my dad and I, along with the other pairs of dads and daughters, would slow dance to this song. I would always look forward to this night in May because it was a “date night” with just me and my dad. It’s cool to me how my dad, who grew up in the 80s, and me, who grew up in the 2000s, both know this song well! I like how this song tells a story and spreads the message to never give up and to carry on.

5. “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band (2008)

My parents and family were born and raised in South Carolina, so we appreciate some good country music. This song is one of my mom’s favorites. It’s played when my family and I go to the beach around Independence Day. My mom and I know all the lyrics by heart! The “Chicken Fried” lyrics show that the little things in life mean the most. It also spreads the word to be grateful and thankful for all the things you have. “Chicken Fried” makes me think of my mom, the beach, and the things I’m most grateful for in life.

6. “Don’t Stop The Music” by Rihanna (2008)

Rihanna is just a queen in general, but this song is so good. I think the first time I heard this song was when I was in the third grade and it came on the radio in my dad’s car. It has a good beat and everytime I hear it I get a rush of confidence. I don’t know how to explain it without you hearing it, I guess! “Don’t Stop the Music” is on my running playlist, and it always keeps me going and motivated. 

7. “Firework” by Katy Perry (2010)

Katy Perry’s songs in general are SO good. Not to brag, but I think I was her biggest fan when I was five. My mom, brother, and I would jam to think song and have a dance party while screaming the lyrics. “Firework” also reminds me of playing “Just Dance” with my brother, Bishop, because it was one of the main songs we would dance to. 

8. “Cough Syrup” by Young The Giant (2010)

I really like the song Cough Syrup because it reminds me of when my brother, dad, and I would ride our scooters in Herndon. My dad used to live there and almost every time we were together we went scooter riding or rode our bikes around town. This was one of the songs that we would play a lot while riding scooters or bikes. A few days ago I heard it again on the radio and it took me back! I love how songs can do that!

9. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele (2011)

I think that Adele has a beautiful and powerful voice. This is probably my favorite song from all her albums, but I also like “Someone Like You” and “Send My Love”. You can tell that Adele puts lots of thought and time into her songs. Even though I have never gone through a breakup, you can hear the realness and pain in her voice. I think she does a great job with her emotions in her songs. I hope that sometime soon she’ll release a new album because it’s been way too long! 😉

10. “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson (2011)

The song “Stronger” is probably my favorite from Kelly Clarkson’s songs. I think she’s a really great singer and a great person. “Stronger” has great lyrics and a good meaning. One time I was going to see her in concert, but sadly she had something else come up. I love her being a judge on “The Voice”. I hope that one day I can see her in concert or even meet her!

11. “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift (2014)

This is my all-time-favorite Taylor Swift song. No offense to her, but I think that her older songs were way better than her newer songs. “Blank Space” was my favorite song for a long time, and it’s still one of my favorites. I’m pretty sure all my friends and I memorized this song and all her other “oldies” too!

12. “Bellyache” by Billie Eilish (2017)

What playlist wouldn’t be complete without Billie Eilish? I guess putting one of her songs on my playlist makes me ~emo~. Just kidding. I just like the beat of this song. “Bellyache” has lots of beat drops and incorporates tech/electronic music into her angelic and beautiful voice. I think that Billie is extremely talented, especially for being so young. All her songs are like poems but put into music form.

13. “Sunday Best” by Surfaces (2019)

I like the lyrics and the rhythm of this song a lot. It reminds me of the 8th grade Newseum trip because my BFF, Mariam, and I listened to it on the bus going there. The first time I heard it was in a YouTuber named Hannah Meloche’s video. “Sunday Best” lyrics naturally just make you want to dance and be happy. I love songs like that :).

Well, this concludes my long list of great songs that I love! Like I said in the intro, fill out this Google Form I made to answer a few music questions for YOU! Thanks for commenting and sharing with others. Hope everyone has a great week!

 

–Anna Claire