Category Archives: Lists

PMA* Artists : Just Dance!

Onuinu – “A Step in the Right Direction”
I’m honestly fond
of what you can do

“Mirror Gazer”

** Talib Kweli feat. Melanie Fiona – “Ready Set Go!”
It’s beautiful
when you finally get awake

** “Cold Rain”
Let me try something
brand new
This opportunity so rare!

** “Gutter Rainbows”
Shine through the darkness
Voice of the voiceless
Hope for the hopeless

** “Holy Moly”
Heads up, eyes open
I got my mind focused

Capital Cities – “Safe and Sound”
I can lift you up
Even if the sky is falling down
I know that we’ll be safe and sound

** Wale – “Sunshine”
May the optimism of tomorrow
be your foundation for today

Grouplove – “Raspberry”
How you been?

Sia – “Chandelier”
I feel the love
I’m gonna fly
like a bird through the night
I’m gonna swing
from the chandelier

The Postal Service – “Such Great Heights”
I hope this song will guide you home

The Chemical Brothers – “Galvanize”
You might as well be here
Where the people care
Don’t hold back
The time has come to
galvanize!

* PMA = positive mental attitude
** NSFW due to language **

PMA* Artists: Chill Out

The Decemberists – “Sons and Daughters”
When we arrive
sons and daughters
Hear all the bombs
fade away

** Kendrick Lamar – “Uncle Bobby & Jason Keaton”
I can only imagine
Life’s about decisions made
It’s in your hand
you’ve got it

Kylie Marble – “Walk Right In”
I knew
there’s something different ’bout you


 

** Chance the Rapper – “Interlude (That’s Love)”
What’s better than followers is
actually falling in love

Kevin Marble – “Let it Take”
Hold on in faith.
Give it time, let it take

** J. Cole feat. Nas – “Let Nas Down”
Long live the idols
May they never be your rivals

** “Crooked Smile” feat. TLC
Like the sun,
you know I found my way back ’round
‘Cause what’s real
is something that the eyes can’t see

Elliott Smith – “Whatever” (Folk song in C)
If you’ll be straight with me
I’ll be
straighter with you

** Talib Kweli feat. Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar – “Push Thru”
I fight the good fight
even on the bad days
It’s darkest before the light
I’m gonna push thru

** “Human Mic”
The eyes are the windows to the soul
and my shades is up
Advocate for artists regardless
’cause I got faith in us

Lorde – “Buzzcut Season”
And I’ll breathe, and it goes

** Kid Cudi – “Mad Solar”
Hard times
they mold you.
Let the world see how you win
No matter how you seem to them

Rufus Wainwright – “Rules and Regulations”
All my little life I’ve wanted to roam
Even if it was just inside my own home

** Big K.R.I.T. – “Shine On” feat. Bun B
I need you to do it like you do and
just shine

** Rapsody – “Never Know” feat. Nispey Hussle, Ab-Soul, & Terrace Martin
Know it adds up
staying positive.

I speak what I know
I reap what I sow

Grouplove – “Hippy Hill”
Come sit at my table
I’d rather leave my spirit for everyone

“Schoolboy”
You’re the reason I’m alive

“What I Know”
Ain’t it nice to know
you’re not alone?

* PMA = positive mental attitude
** NSFW due to language

more childishness

My favorite Childish Gambino songs (other than “Outside“) are as follows, in no particular order:

“Got This Money” (acoustic)

“All the Shine”

“These Girls” ft. Garfunkel & Oates

“Fire Fly”

“Kids”

“That Power”

“Won’t Stop” ft. Danielle Haim

“Letter Home”

“Do Ya Like” ft. Adele

“Grind”

“Wonderful” ft. Josh Osho

“The Last”

NSFW due to language/adult themes

Kid, you’re on the right track

Portland’s own Elliott Smith will live forever through his beautiful music – here is a list of a few of my favorites from this talented singer/songwriter:

1) “Miss Misery”
The track used in the final scene from the movie Good Will Hunting:

Plus an earlier version:

2) “Angeles”

All your secret wishes
could right now be coming true

No one’s gonna fool around with us

3) “Say Yes”

Now I feel changed around
and instead of falling down

I’m standing up
the morning after

4) “Waltz #2”

Never gonna really know you now
but I’m gonna love you anyhow

5) “Happiness”

All I
want now
is happiness
for you and me

6) “Bottle Up and Explode”

Bottle up and go
I can make it outside

I’ll get through

7) “Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud”

If I crawl to keep it together
like you say you know I can do

Wouldn’t mama be proud?

“Kid, you’re on the right track…”

I Think in Lists and Poems

I think in lists and poems (and stories). Today it is a list:

5 Hip Hop Artists that Can Help You Cultivate PMA*

1) K’NAAN

“Wavin’ Flag” – “When I get older, I will be stronger!” Must do more yoga…

“Better” – “You can count on this – I’m only getting better!”  I don’t like to gamble but “I’m betting all my chips!”

“Take a Minute” – “I got nothing to complain about.” Really? Wow. I’m working on that one!

“Dreamer” – “It’s OK to feel good!” Now isn’t that the truth?

2) NAS

“I Can” – “If I work hard at it, I’ll be where I wanna be!”  Also includes this gem: “Read more, learn more, change the globe.”  That’s what I’m talking about!

3) CHIDDY BANG

“Mind Your Manners” (feat. Icona Pop) – “There is no one like me!” Or you…

“Nothing on We” – “This is for the people that’s chasing they dreams.” We can all be heroes to the kids!

4) MOS DEF

“Umi Says” – “Shine your light for the world to see!” Amen!

5) LUPE FIASCO

“Go Baby” – Don’t we all need someone to root  for us and say,

“You’re my sure-fire, superstar, sure-shot, firecracker extravaganza, fantastic, super-size with extra cheese

You best believe”?

“The Show Goes On” –  Love that he gives a shout out to “the teachers not scared” to tell the kids that the world is theirs!

“Never Forget You” – “Best foot forward with every step
And let’s push towards it, never regress!”  Regressing = bad news

* PMA = Positive Mental Attitude,  for those of you who haven’t seen Breaking Bad, Season 5, Episode 1