Mondays Music Moves Me: Movie Soundtracks

Mondays Music Moves Me is something I stumbled upon last month. How cool that Xmas Dolly hosts this twice a month! Today's theme is Movie Soundtracks. This is such a great theme with so many possibilities!

As you can see, I had trouble narrowing songs down for this theme.

First is "A View to A Kill" by Duran Duran from the James Bond movie soundtrack of the same name. Did you know that when that movie came out, I went to it fully expecting to see Duran Duran somewhere in it? Yup. Spoiler alert: they weren't in it. But this cool song was!



Speaking of the 80's,  I listened to the movie soundtrack Purple Rain quite a bit. All are great tunes, but my fave from the movie is "Let's Go Crazy." I couldn't find a youtube video though to embed!

Next is "American Girl" by Tom Petty from Silence of the Lambs. I cannot hear that song without picturing the girl in her car singing it before becoming a victim!



We rarely take a road trip without blasting this song from Vacation at least once!




And lastly, who can't listen to this Queen song without banging their head like Wayne and Garth in Wayne's World! :)





I'm noticing my picks are all from the way past! I guess I need to see more current movies!
Though I did love the rockin' Avengers Assemble soundtrack. It had some of my fave bands like Papa Roach and Buckcherry plus Bush and Evanescence!





Visit Xmas Dolly for move links of songs from the movies! What's your favorite song from the movies?

2013

is so last year.
But a good one! I started working full days in Early Childhood this year. First time working a full school day since I had kids. It's so wonderful to see a child grow and learn so much in one year. Two picture books were released (ROCKABET and HOLD THE MUSTARD!). Thank you so much for your support! We took fun family vacations to Wisconsin, Grand Canyon, Vegas, Utah and Arizona. And three of my three children are currently playing on basketball teams (my favorite sport to watch!). So it was a busy year!

So busy I only read 14 books (but enjoyed them!).

Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Make It Morning by Jody Bainter

Tenth of December by George Saunders

The Truth About Letting Go by LTM
Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie
Life of Pi
Safe Haven
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Dragonfly by Leigh T. Moore
Fingerprints by Suzanne Casamento
All of You Christina Lee
Indiestructable Edited by Jessica Bell
Undertow by Leigh T. Moore


I watched these movies (as you can tell, comedies are my favorite).

Ted

Escape from Planet Earth

Life of Pi

The Hobbit

Monsters University

Man of Steel

One Direction: This Is Us (twice!)

The Croods

Despicable Me 2

Dumb and Dumber

This Is The End

GrownUps

GrownUps 2

Catching Fire

R.I.P.D.

And went to these concerts (as you can tell, Papa Roach is my favorite).

Papa Roach/Stone Sour/Otherwise

Maroon 5/Neon Trees/Owl City

30 Seconds to Mars

Papa Roach/Otherwise

Daughtry/Three Doors Down

Lita Ford/Dokken/Winger/Sebastian Bach/Ratt (see Kip Winger below!)

 

Papa Roach/Shinedown

P!NK/New Politics

Daughtry

 

 

Bought these new albums (all awesome but 2 faves are Buckcherry & Mike Sanchez).

Love Lust Faith + Dreams by 30 Seconds to Mars

Stars and Hotel Bars by Mike Sanchez

Confessions by Buckcherry

Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold

Baptized by Daughtry

What were your favorite books, movies and music in 2013?

Happy Book Birthday, Rockabet!

Photo from Stacy's Sweet Shop.

 

Woo hoo! The day is here! My picture book ROCKABET: CLASSIC EDITION  is available! 

The first draft of ROCKABET was written about five years ago. I had a mixture of classic and current artists featured in the book. At a local SCBWI meeting and on a WriteOnCon messageboard, some suggested I stick with either current or classic musicians. This was fabulous advice, and that is what I did! My first edition of the book is classic, and I hope to publish a current edition of ROCKABET one day! My fabulous illustrator, Kelli Ann Little, helped make this book come to life. I adore her illustrations of the musicians.

ROCKABET: CLASSIC EDITION celebrates my favorite genre of music, good ole rock 'n' roll. It combines my passion for music and reading. The book promotes the arts and classic rock bands, reading, and learning the ABC's.

Some very kind people are helping me celebrate the release by sharing who they would choose to be in their ultimate band in a ROCKABET BAND MANAGER post! Go check 'em out! Thank you!

Monday: Theresa Milstein and Sharon Mayhew
Tuesday: Lydia Kang
Wednesday: Shelli Johannes and Candyland
Thursday: Bish Denham
Friday: Samantha Verant

Leigh T. Moore has a post for you this week, too. I will share my Band Manager picks on Thursday!

Here is my book! You can purchase the paperback HERE!
Hardcover will be available next month!

Thank you to all of you fabulous friends, family, and critique pals who have been my cheerleader and support system! YOU ROCK!

Genre Favorites Blogfest

Cassastar Ninja Alex Cavanaugh is hosting today's spectacular GENRE FAVORITES BLOGFEST! Fun, right? I didn't plan on blogging here this week, but I had to join the partay!

MOVIE
My go-to movie is a comedy. I love to laugh. Some of my all-time favorites include Old School, Vacation, and Elf. Some of the more recent movies that made me giggle are Bridesmaids and The Change Up. I want to see Ted. I heard that was a funny one.

BOOKS
I am all over the place with books. I love picture books, middle grade, young adult, and adult novels in all different genres. The only genre I generally do not read is non-fiction. I love a great story! Some of my all time favorite books are The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Guess Again by Mac Barnett, The Hunger Games, The Outsiders, and A Time to Kill.

MUSIC
If you know me at all, you know that my favorite genre of music is ROCK! My last four concerts over the summer included

Daughtry and opener, new fave musician, Mike Sanchez

New Medicine (this is the bassist, Brady)

Buckcherry (for the sixth time!)

and Motley Crue (also for the sixth time!).

Rock 'n' Roll, baby!





GUILTY PLEASURE
I subscribe to Us Weekly and look forward to every issue. It's just my little slice of pure mindless entertainment. I sit outside on the patio or couch and zone out for an hour. I also read it to get celebrity book recommendations for my other site, Book Recs of the Rock & Famous, too!

Also, my guilty pleasure TV show is True Blood (Eric Northman, need I say more?)

How about you? What are your favorite genres?

Tune For Tuesday

Saturday is Valentine’s Day. I thought I’d play a love song for my Tune for Tuesday today. It might not be considered a love song by everyone, but it is for my husband and me. My husband and I met the summer of 1992. A handful of songs from that summer still remind me of falling in love. And yes, I even made a mix tape for him during that time! We had a long distance relationship that fall as I went back to college, and he attended graduate school. “Even Better Than the Real Thing” by U2 is one of these songs from the summer of ‘92. (Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet and “Not Enough Time” by INXS are two other memorable songs of that time.)
U2 is a band that has stood the test of time. “New Year’s Day” and “I Will Follow” were the first two songs that I loved by them when I was in junior high. I enjoyed their newest song, "Get on Your Boots" that they played at the Grammy Awards. Bono is an amazing singer and an even more amazing humanitarian. U2 is a brillliant classic and current band.
"Even Better Than the Real Thing" is from U2's 1991 album Achtung Baby. Enjoy this song that takes me back. What songs remind you of your significant other?

U2 - New Music - More Music Videos

This or That Thursday

Today's This or That is about one of my favorite hobbies: MUSIC! How do you prefer to listen to your tunes? On the radio, CDs, or your MP3/iPod?
Here is me with mine. My four year old took this picture, and I believe I am listening to Papa Roach.


I love, love, love my iPod. All of your favorite songs in one place! I actually have an iPod nano which holds 500 songs, so that is where my favorites are stored. I also have a bigger one that holds I think 20,000 songs! How will I ever fill that up? All of my songs are stored on the computer on the Itunes application. You can import your own CDs on it and buy individual songs or albums from the Itunes store. I like that you can purchase song by song.
I listen to my iPod in the car (I have an adaptor that lets it play through the radio), when I take walks in the neighborhood, and when I grocery shop. I also play songs on Itunes through my computer in my home. I listen to the radio a few times a week as well so I can hear any new songs that are out. I used to listen to my CDs constantly before I received my iPod (which I received from my hubby three years ago because he knew I'd love it. Believe it or not, I was skeptical!).

How do you listen to your music? Don't forget to vote on the poll on the right!

I also want to give a shout out to Katie from Katie Darby Recommends. She held a rock haiku contest, and I won a Worn Free t-shirt. Thanks, Katie! Check out my winning haiku here!
I beat out fellow blogger Ben Esch who in turn was forced to write a haiku about the winners...Read them here. Ben's book Sophomore Undercover comes out this month!

Tune for Tuesday

On Friday’s post I mentioned the band Evanescence. Evanescence is a Grammy award winning alternative metal band headed by lead singer, Amy Lee. Today’s song is “Lithium” off their Open Door album that was released in 2006. Amy’s hauntingly beautiful voice resonates throughout this song. The winter imagery in the video is gorgeous, even as I sit freezing my buns off in the Midwest waiting for spring.
Check out "Lithium"




Also, please check out the My Poem Rocks website for a poem of mine about (surprise) music!

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday is a killer song, and it’s a song by the Killers. The Killers aren’t as dangerous as they sound. They are actually four quite unaggressive looking men that formed a band in Las Vegas.
This pop rock band achieved great success with their debut album, Hot Fuss in 2004 with hits like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” Sam’s Town, their second album, spawned hit songs “Read My Mind” and “When You Were Young.” . The Killers also released a B-sides album titled Sawdust in 2007. Day and Age is the latest Killers album. My favorite songs so far are “Human” and “Spaceman.”
My husband and I are going to a Killers concert tonight. I'm pretty excited to see them live. I love so many of their songs, so I picked the first one that brought my attention to the band, “Mr. Brightside.”
“I’m coming out of my cage, and I’ve been doing just fine. Gotta gotta be down, because I want it all…”
Check it!


If you like that song, be sure to check out one from their new album, “Human.”

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday is by the band, My Chemical Romance. This New Jersey band formed in 2001. I first heard (or noticed) My Chemical Romance in December of 2006 on the radio. The song was “Welcome to the Black Parade.” My then 7 year old son and I agreed that we liked the song. I purchased it on Itunes, and we played it over and over. As you know I am quite fond of music so therefore love to watch music videos. A few months later I DVR’d a block of My Chemical Romance videos that was on the Fuse music channel. One of the music videos was for the song “Famous Last Words.” That became my favorite MCR song, and it is my third most played song on my Ipod. My Chemical Romance is one of the few bands that I like that I haven’t seen live, so I hope to catch them next time they tour.
As I searched the internet for information about the band, I noticed that the band has a blog, too! And the lead singer, Gerard Way, is a Star Wars fan. Plus Gerard is the author of a graphic novel titled The Umbrella Academy. Cool.
Check out “Famous Last Words.”

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday is “The Kill” by the band 30 Seconds to Mars. This alternative rock band is fronted by Jared Leto. His brother, Shannon, plays the drums, and Tomo Miličević jams on lead guitar. You may recognize Jared Leto as an actor from the old series, “My So Called Life” or movies such as Alexander or American Psycho. Not many actors can crossover to music, but I believe that Jared is one of the few that accomplished this. Jared’s smooth vocals make him one of my favorite singers in the music world (and he’s not too bad to look at…). I saw 30 Seconds to Mars in concert in during their “Welcome to the Universe” tour in 2006. The band labeled it as an Environmentour as they tried to be green even using vegetable oil to fuel their tour bus.
“The Kill” is from 30STM's second album, “A Beautiful Lie.” Not only is it a cool song, but the video is pretty sweet, too. The video portrays elements from the movie, “The Shining.”
Presenting “The Kill”

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s tune is a great, classic song by Led Zeppelin. “Thank You” was released in 1969 on the Led Zeppelin II album. The English band, Led Zeppelin, influenced rock and roll with their heavy guitars and achieved great commercial success. Led Zeppelin ranked number one on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. I’m sure all of you have heard of Led Zeppelin….
So many awesome songs! My favorite albums are II and IV; my roommate, Becky, and I would listen to those albums while getting ready to go the bars in college!
It is the week of Thanksgiving. The song lyrics in “Thank You” have nothing to do with Thanksgiving, blogs, or writing, but the title words should be said daily to friends, family, even strangers.
I want to thank Vivian at Hipwritermama blog for a book I’ve won in her contest! She is sending me Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes. This YA book is centered around music…gee, do you think I’ll like it? :0)
Thank you for visiting my blog. Thank you for commenting. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to having some great family time! I hope you all can do the same! I feel truly blessed.
Happiness..I’m glad.

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s tune is absolutely smashing. I’ve spent way too much time perusing videos this morning to pick the tune. I knew I wanted a Smashing Pumpkins song, because I am going to see them live for the first time this weekend (Woo hoo!). I’ve actually seen lead singer, Billy Corgan, perform already this year. He played guitar on a song (The Chauffeur) with Duran Duran this spring when I was at a Duran Duran concert! It was awesome. I’m pretty pumped to see him perform with the Pumpkins finally.
Smashing Pumpkins, an alternative rock band from Chicago, have so many cool tunes to choose from. Should I choose their newest single, “G.L.O.W.” or an old favorite,“Zero?” “Today” or “Bullet with Butterfly Wings?” There is a plethora of Smashing Pumpkin songs that I like, so I’m just going to go ahead and pick one….
Today’s Tune for Tuesday is “Disarm” simply because I checked my Itunes folder and that is the Smashing Pumpkins song with the most plays on my Ipod...
I just read an article about the band celebrating 20 years of rock n roll! Read it here.
Check it!

Tune For Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday may be a little hardcore for your average blogger. Today’s song is “Unholy Confessions” by Avenged Sevenfold. The headbanging song is from Avenged Sevenfold’s 2003 Waking the Fallen album. This song is the most played song on my Ipod, and it’s also one of my ringtones. Most of you will probably turn it off after a minute (that's okay, I won't be offended!), but for some reason, I LOVE this song! My favorite part is the amazing guitar riff in the beginning (which is my ringtone). Avenged Sevenfold is one of my preferred bands due to the guitar talent of lead guitarist, Synyster Gates, and nail-gun drumming of The Rev.

I discovered Avenged Sevenfold in 2005 when their breakout song, “Bat Country” became popular on the radio and Mtv. Since then, I’ve been a huge fan of their music. Other mainstream hits include “Seize the Day,” “Almost Easy,” and “Afterlife.” My husband and I saw this rock band live at Ozzfest a few summers ago. I have tickets to see Avenged Sevenfold and Buckcherry tonight, so an Avenged Sevenfold Tune for Tuesday seemed appropriate for today.

Check it out and rock out!

Tune for Election Tuesday

Today is a historic day. I, like so many of you, have pondered the issues, the candidates. Today is the day that we execute our privilege to vote. I do feel that it is a privilege. I was nervous and excited to vote for the first time when I was 18. The last election I was nervous and excited to vote as my children’s school referendum was at stake. This election I am nervous and excited, because we will finally find out who has won this important election. No matter which presidential candidate you are voting for today, the winner will not dictate all of the important choices in your life when he starts his term. You are the leader of your life. You have educated yourself on what you feel is best for our country, now educate yourself on what is best for you.
Tomorrow everyone will be buzzing about our future president. Today’s Tune for Tuesday is titled, “Tomorrow.” It is a song by one of my favorite bands, Sixx: A.M.
Please think about my favorite lyrics to this song:

“Just look at yourself, do you like what you see?

Look at yourself, is this how it should be?”

Change was a buzzword during much of the campaign. If the answer is maybe or no to these questions, strive for a positive change in yourself. Volunteer. Learn a new skill. Be a better role model for your children. Respect others’ opinions. Set goals.

Have a greater tomorrow, week, month, year!



Rock the Vote.

Tune for Tuesday

Since it is the week of Halloween, today's video features various Halloween spoofs. The tune is "Psycho" by the band Puddle of Mudd. "Psycho" is off of their lastest album, "Famous." I played this tune all summer long. It is definitely catchy, and a little humorous, "Maybe I'm the one who is the schizophrenic psycho..." I also find it funny, because for some odd reason, my four year old loved this song. He'd sing along, "Maybe I'm the one who is the stitsophenic psyto!" I hope he won't need therapy in the future...

Click to hear PSYCHO

Tune for Tuesday

I'm not a sap. I am so not a romantic. But today's Tune for Tuesday is more of a love song. "Love Remains the Same" is the first single from Gavin Rossdale's first solo album, Wanderlust. Gavin Rossdale was the British lead singer of the 1990's group, Bush. Bush had many hits including "Machinehead," "Glycerine," and "Little Things." You may also know Rossdale as Gwen Stefani's husband; I enjoy Stefani's music as well, especially her No Doubt days.

Rossdale's solo album isn't as heavy as Bush's music, but does have some of the same 90's grunge, angsty feel to it. I chose "Love Remains the Same" this week, because I seriously cannot get this song out of my head! The chorus is quite memorable. I find myself replaying it on my Ipod over and over. Another great song from his album is "Trouble I'm In."

But first take a listen to

Love Remains the Same.

Tune for Tuesday

Today’s Tune for Tuesday is “Hypnotize” by System of a Down. System of a Down is an Armenian-American hard rock band. “Hypnotize” is from their Hypnotize platinum album released in 2005.
I first heard this song on the radio and purchased it right away on ITunes. My daughter was in preschool at the time and would always take a long time getting buckled in the car after I picked her up. Instead of getting frustrated (okay, sometimes I did get frustrated…), I would just put this song on and wait for her to be ready. (She’s still a lollygagger by the way!)
The chorus fits the situation perfectly.
“I’m just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl!”
We now refer to this song as her song. The rest of the song lyrics are somewhat political, as many of System of a Down’s songs are, but obviously it is "her song " due to the chorus.
The harmonizing in the song by lead singer, Serj Tankian, and guitarist, Daron Malakian, is absolutely beautiful. I purchased many more System songs after listening to this one. Serj Tankian has an amazing voice, and I’d probably buy his CD if it was him singing his grocery list! My husband and I also saw System of a Down live when they headlined Ozzfest a few years ago. They were an amazing band live as well.

Click here for Hypnotize!

A Tune for Tuesday

Today’s tune is from one of my favorite bands, the Foo Fighters. Foo Fighters was formed in 1995 by Dave Grohl, the drummer of Nirvana. On the first Foo album, Grohl played every instrument and sang every vocal on the tracks. That is one talented feller! More members were added when Foo Fighters went on tour. “This is a Call” and “Big Me” were some of the hits from that first album.
I always enjoyed hearing Foo Fighters songs on the radio, but I never bought a CD until 2002 after I heard the song, “All My Life” from their fourth album, One by One. I played this CD over and over and now own most of the Foo Fighters collection on my Itunes. “All My Life” won a Grammy for best hard rock performance. You’ll see more of Foo in future Tunes for Tuesday…many of their music videos are hilarious.
This one is rock n roll-plain, loud, and simple.
I love the beginning guitar riff of the song…
Click to hear.. All My Life

Done! Done! On to the next one! Done! I’m done, I’m on to the next…

Picture Book Writer

I discovered this fun TAG on Brenda’s blog, (thanks Brenda!).

Find a song that sums up what you think it means to be a writer and post the lyrics on your blog and why you've chosen it. It doesn't have to be your favorite song, it just has to express how you feel about writing and/or being a writer. It can be literal, metaphorical, about a particular form or aspect of writing - whatever you want. Then tag 5 others to do the same (reprint these instructions).

I'm tagging any blogger that would like to do this!

The first song that came to mind was “Paperback Writer” by the Beatles. Obvious, isn’t it?

I’ve been enjoying the songs of the Beatles since I was a little girl. I would put on my mom’s albums and sing along for hours. I’ve changed up the words a bit to fit my own aspiration, to be a picture book writer!

I give you, The Beatles!

Picture book writer, picture book writer.

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?

It took me years to write, will you take a look?

It's based on my family who I love so dear,

And I need a job,

So I want to be a picture book writer,

Picture book writer.

It's a silly story of a little girl,

And her baby brother doesn't understand.

Her mom is working at the local mall.

It's a steady job, But she wants to be a picture book writer,

Picture book writer.

Picture book writer, picture book writer.

It's thirty-two pages, give or take a few.

I'll be writing more in a week or two.

I could make it longer if you like the style.

I can change it 'round,

And I want to be a picture book writer,

Picture book writer.

If you really like it you can have the rights.

It could make a million for you overnight.

If you must return it you can send it here,

But I need a break,

And I want to be a picture book writer,

Picture book writer.

Picture book writer, picture book writer....

Tune for Tuesday

I was torn today as to which Sixx: AM song was to be today’s tune. It was between “Life is Beautiful” and “Accidents Can Happen.” Both are stellar songs. Life truly is beautiful. Some days you need to pick yourself back up.
After studying the lyrics in each song, I ended up choosing “Accidents Can Happen.” Sixx’s lyrics and James Michael’s soulful voice make this a great listen. I was able to see Sixx: AM live this summer when they played Cruefest (see picture). They sounded just as awesome live as they are on the CD. The entire CD is great, my favorite song from it is "Pray for Me,"but this one will appeal to more people.

"Accidents Can Happen" Fave lyric:
"Take some time and learn to breathe
And remember what it means
To feel alive
And to believe
Something more than what you see"

Sixx: AM is a band formed by Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue to create a soundtrack to his book, The Heroin Diaries. The book chronicles Sixx’s worst years addicted to heroin through actual journal entries from that time and commentary from friends that witnessed it. The book also celebrates his sobriety and breaking out of that horrific pattern of life.
Accidents Can Happen is clearly a song about slipping up while trying to stay sober, but its encouraging lyrics remind listeners to take things day by day and just keep going.
Don’t give up!
Enjoy the song and video..