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A&E

Top 10 love songs, movies continued

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To see the first five choices, check out page in the Bagpiper or look at this issue’s PDF’s.

By Marah Harbison

10. “What You Thought You Need”- Jack Johnson: This song by the mellow majesty, Jack Johnson, is a delicate ditty about how all people need in life are the bare essentials and the love they have for one another. With lyrics like, “Well I will make the table into a bed. The candle is burning down, it’s time to rest. I can’t take back things already gone, but I could give you promises for keeps,” and Johnson’s peaceful pipes, this song will have lovers swooning.

 

9.” I Wanna Be Loved By You”- Marilynn Monroe: This song was made popular in the 1959 classic Some Like it Hot, which is one of my all time favorite movies, but we will save that for another list. “I Wanna be Loved by You,” embodies that giddy feeling that occurs when one falls in love. The bubbly big band in the background and the quirky quality of Monroe’s voice help to make this song a classic. With lyrics like, “I wanna be loved by you, just you, nobody else but you. I wanna be loved by you alone, boo boo bee doo,” sweethearts will be sure to know they are the only ones for each other.

 

8. “Somebody Loved”- The Weepies- The married couple Deb Talan and Steve Tannen make up the two-member folk group that sings the next ballad on my list. Talan’s eery voice and Tannen’s soothing acoustic guitar playing will sway listeners to snuggle up to one another. Not to mention, their lyrics about how they change each other for the better will surely stroke everyone’s soft spot. “Now my feet turn the corner back home. Sun turns the evening to rose. Stars turning high up above. You turn me into somebody loved.”

 

7. “The Luckiest”- Ben Folds: Before everyone knew Folds as a judge on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” the rest of the world knew him as a superb song writer and a prime pianist. While Folds’ most famous tunes are more upbeat and show off his crazy piano chops, he can write a splendid love song as well. In this one, he sings about how he is the luckiest man in the world because the fates allowed him to meet his special someone. “In a white sea of eyes I see one pair that I recognize and I know that I am the luckiest. I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.”

 

6. “If Not For You”- Bob Dylan: Dylan is known for being one of the best song writers of our time, and for having the most poetic lyrics the music industry has known. Out of all of the famous Bob Dylan love songs, however, I picked this one for the simplicity of its lyrics. There is no feeling greater than being told a loved-one’s life would be nothing without you, and that is what Dylan says in this song in the clearest of terms. “If not for you my sky would fall. Rain would gather too. Without your love I’d be nowhere at all. I’d be lost if not for you. ”

By Bekah Landers

10. Notting Hill: This unconventional love story stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Roberts plays Anna Scott, an internationally famous American actress. While filming a movie in London she goes to a bookstore where she meets William Thacker, a star struck fan who Anna is very polite to. Their relationship wouldn’t progress any further than that, but they run into each other again, literally. William smacks into Anna in the middle of the street and spills his drink all over her. From then on, watch as the awkward couple’s love develops and both of their lives change forever. William and Anna’s love will fill you with joy this Valentine’s Day watch this with anyone, your mom oryour best friend, either way, this movie is one to make you smile.

9. You’ve Got Mail: This romantic story is a modern day twist of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Kathleen and Joe are business rivals.Kathleen owns a small bookstore and Joe is opening a giant chain store right down the road form Kathleen’s store. The two meet and hate each other instantly. Meanwhile, Kathleen begins an online romance with someone under the screen name NYC152 using AOL. Kathleen, ShopGirl, starts to really enjoy NYC152’scompany and starts to fall for the mysterious messenger. Little does she know,NYC152 is falling for her and NYC152 is actually Joe, the one man she despises.The two plan to meet but when Joe sees that Sally is actually his ShopGirl, he doesn’t show up as NYC152 to the date, he walks by Kathleen as plain Joe and they exchange a few harsh words and Joe leaves hurt. He still emails her because now, Joe really does have feelings for Kathleen. This movie will leave you questioning if Joe and Kathleen will ever get together. Watch to find out in this adorable romantic tale.

8. When Harry Met Sally: When Harry Met Sally tells how Harry believes that, “Men and Women can not be friends, even when the girls are unattractive.” Harry tells his theory to Sally while they drive, hardly knowing each other through mutual friends, to New York together after both needing a ride from Chicago. Sally thinks he is an idiot for thinking so and is even more enraged when Harry tells her that he thinks she is attractive. When they get to New York they go separate ways because they disagree so much. Five years later, they coincidentally meet on a plane and decide to be friends. But by the time the plane lands and they talk some more, they separate and decide that they will never become friends. Five years later, they run into each other at a book store in New York. They get coffee together and continue to talk and this time they really become friends, hanging out and talking on the phone just like any regular friendship. As they get closer, feelings grow stronger and then they start to be attracted to each other. They end up setting themselves up with their best friends and that doesn’t work out because the two friends end up getting married. At the dinner for the friends wedding, Harry and Sally have a fight and don’t speak for almost a year. At a New Years Eve party, Sally feels lonely without Harry and decides to leave, right as he shows up and tells her that he loves her. The two kiss and then, live happily ever after. This movie shows that, maybe men and women can’t be friends. Watch this movie and see for yourself!

7. Grease: The summer lovin’ movie will have you a blast. Follow Sandy and Danny as their love twists and turns to try and find what love they had over the summer. Sandy is a good girl who movies to Rydell High and gets sucked in with the wrong crowd. There she sees Danny, the boy she spent her summer head over heels for. Danny is the biggest greaser at Rydell and he is bad news for the sweet and innocent Sandy. But while Danny swears to never date the “goody good,” Sandy is swept up into a group called “The Pink Ladies” full of the bad girls that Danny likes.  Sandy can’t decide whether to follow her heart and be the one person who she would never be, or embrace the small rebel deep in her to win Danny back. This movie is perfect for someone in need of a change this Valentine’s Day.

6. Ever After: Although this movie is not as popular as the others, it is still no doubt incredibly romantic. Drew Barrymore and Angelica Huston star in the classic Cinderella story. Danielle,played by Barrymore, is independent, kind, and very wise. As a young child her Father, a great man, dies unexpectedly. She is then, of course, left to suffer with her Evil stepmother, Huston, and two “ugly stepsisters.” She is now left working as a slave with the people who helped her father raise her. While she is in the garden working, the Prince of France steals one of her horses and she hurls an apple at him, not knowing that he is the Prince. He apologizes and as soon as she realizes that he is the Prince, she drops to her feet and bows but he treats her with kindness and tells her to keep their encounter a secret.They meet again when Danielle takes on her mother’s name and acts as if she is of high society when she must beg for the return of one of the close servant friends she has after her stepmom sells the man. The Prince sees her again not knowing it is the same girl who threw an apple at him and is intrigued by her not fawning over him. She returns home with the servant and forgets about him…Until they meet again and he still thinks it is the “wealthy” version of Danielle. They spend time together and fall in love and on the night of a masquerade ball she plans to tell the Prince who she really is but before she can, her stepmom ruins it for her. He is taken aback and resents Danielle for lying to him as she runs off she leaves her shoe at the gate. What will happen of Danielle’s life after the tragic night? Does she end up as the new Princess?Well, you will have to watch this Valentine’s day to find out.

A&E, Danielle Rehor

Outstanding Newbies: 2012 Grammy Predictions

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By Danielle Rehor

With the Grammys quickly approaching, we thought it only fair to cover one of the most anticipated categories out there: Best New Artist. Throughout the years this category has held quite a few surprises, including last year’s, with little-known Esperanza Spalding beating out the famed Justin Bieber. This year the category holds many different genres and styles, including rapper J. Cole, country trio The Band Perry, Nicki Minaj, indie artist Bon Iver, and dubstep producer Skrillex.

Will Win: Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj will win due purely to her popularity in combination with her unbeatable rapping and catchy tunes like “Super Bass.” Her skills may not match some of the other artists selected in this category, but she is captivating, in her own sense of the word, like no other. Her popularity is undeniable; she is the first artist to have seven singles on the Billboard’s Hot 100 at the same time.

Should Win: Bon Iver

The indie band has two albums, and their first album, “For Emma, Forever Ago,” was mostly recorded in a cabin in Wisconsin. Obviously, they are the coolest. Their two albums have won them a loyal following and they have been nominated for three other awards, Best Alternative Music Album, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. They may seen the clear and obvious first choice, but because they are not mainstream, they could get overlooked for Best New Artist.

Dark Horse: The Band Perry 

The Band Perry is not much of an dark horse with their triple platinum single “If I Die Young” and quickly rising fourth single “All Your Life,” but they seem to rank just below Nicki Minaj. The sibling band has released only one album, self-titled The Band Perry. They are the only artist nominated for Best New Artist, that only has only one album, no EP’s or mixtapes. With a twangy country-pop sound, the trio could easily win this award as well.

A&E, Alyssa Book

Outrageous gesture spoils Madonna’s performance

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By Alyssa Book and Chase Gosman

This Sunday Madonna took the stage at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Super Bowl half-time performance.

The singer was presented by an army of Roman soldiers on an extravagant throne clearly trying to appear as pop royalty. Although she came across as an ancient queen, the stage was futuristic and brightly lit. By bringing modern artists, such as Nicki Minaj, Cee Lo Green, LMFAO, and M.I.A., along the way, she appealed to the younger audience.

Madonna performed her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” along with classics like “Vogue” and “Music.”  Even though these songs were showcased, they were not necessarily sung live. They were rumored to be lip synced.

Sophomore Ross Lundy said the show could have been better.

“It wasn’t very good. They could have gotten an older band like they have in past years,” said Lundy.

The theatrics were amazing, but the show was upstaged by an obscene gesture by co-performer M.I.A.

M.I.A. was onstage for the performance of “Gimme Me All Your Luvin’,“ and unexpectedly flipped off the camera, making its way to millions over their television sets.

“Things like that should not have been on live TV,” said Lundy.

The obscenity was offense to viewers, as complaints filed in to the NBC network.

After the mishap, there were still some good moments in the show. Madonna ended with “Like A Prayer,” where Cee Lo Green accompanied her on a rising platform, showing the TV viewers the flashing lights from the stands as the back lights were turned off.

All in all, it will not go down as the worst halftime show, but it will not be the best either. Madonna, for age 53, proved she still has the spark that made her famous years ago. How long that spark will relate with audiences is the question.

A&E

Chart-toppers versus Indie rockers: 2012 Grammy Predictions

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By Jared Murray 

This year’s Record of the Year category is shaping up to be a battle royal between chart topping artists and indie folk bands. The coveted Record of the Year award goes to the producers of the song, whereas the Song of the Year award goes to the songwriters. Nominees for this award include Adele, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Mumford and Sons and Bon Iver.

Record of the Year marks one of three awards Adele’s gospel-tinged thumper “Rolling in the Deep” has accrued at this year’s ceremonies. The song opens with just Adele and a guitar, but soon transforms into a piano-driven, hand clap heavy musical behemoth. This, however, is all background to Adele’s powerful, scorn-ridden vocals, which add a sense of calamity to this excellent track.

Also nominated is Bruno Mars’ number one single “Grenade.” Lyrically, the song tells the tale of unrequited love between Mars and a lady friend, whom he is willing to risk his life for. Sonically, the song features strained, heartbroken vocals from Mars and pulsating synths that add to the emotional strain.

Bon Iver’s “Holocene,” the second single from his Grammy nominated album Bon Iver, Bon Iver, is one of the more indie songs to be nominated in this category. The song opens with guitar on a simple melody and is soon joined by Bon Iver’s idyllic falsetto.  Two minutes in and the song has grown into a wall of sonic bliss, with Iver’s vocals being supported by a march-like drum pattern and more guitars.

While not as popular as their breakout single “Little Lion Man,” “The Cave” by Mumford and Sons managed to nab a nomination for Record of the Year. The song showcases a horn solo that floats over the cascading background of bluegrass-style guitars and lead singer Marcus Mumford’s melancholy vocals.

Last and certainly least to be nominated is Katy Perry’s third hit single “Firework.”  The song starts off with Perry singing lyrics about feeling bad about oneself, but by the chorus the song has morphed into a pulsating, very danceable self-empowerment anthem tailer-made for teenage girls who enjoy singing into their hairbrushes while jumping on their Justin Bieber bedspreads.

My Predictions:

Who will win: Adele

Who should win: Adele

Dark Horse: Bon Iver

A&E

‘Order of the Black’ exhibits bands’ skills, range

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By Grey Peterson

Fronted by Zakk Wylde and driven by force, Order Of The Black, Black Label Society’s latest album serves as a memorable addition to the band’s legacy.

Starting off with “Crazy Horse” this album immediately proves worthy to the listener. Inspired by the Native American chief Crazy Horse, track one kicks the album off into a whirlwind of speed and technique. At track three, ” Parade of the Dead” dabbles into a sense of groove metal, offering the listener an easier listening experience yet maintaining the heavy intricate sound. On track five, “Black Sunday,” Wylde showcases his abilities as the Jimi Hendrix-like soloing and blues progressions pulls us into the explosive chorus, a true listening experience.

Hitting home for me is track six, “Southern Dissolution,” a slower, much heavier track. An unforgettable riff pushes the song into a fast-paced syncopated bridge displaying much influence from bands such as Black Sabbath, and complete with a chorus all can sing along to. The album shows profound musical contrast with track seven,  ” Time Waits For No One.” Wylde brings the album to a tranquil state as he keys through this ballad reminding us all that, “Time waits for no one, child, woman, or man.”

Order Of The Black can be found anywhere music is sold for $9.99, Can be found on itunes. Artist: Black Label Society, Genre: Metal