Björk ~ 5 Years

Mutitalented Icelandic artist Björk comes across as a somewhat eccentric character sometimes, but her music shines. "5 Years" was released on Björk's third studio album Homogenic. This was the first of the many Björk albums I have owned. Every song on Homogenic has a place in my head. I love this album. It is amazing. Björk's voice full of emotion in "5 Years" makes it worth commenting on.

5 Years by Björk lyrics

You think you're denying me of something.
Well, i've got plenty.
You're the one who's missing out, but you won't notice.
'Til after five years, if you'll live that long,
you'll wake up all love-less.

I dare you to take me on.
I dare you to show me your palms.
I'm so bored with cowards that say what they want
then they can't handle.
You can't handle love.
You can't handle love.
You just can't handle..

I dare you to take me on.
I dare you to show me your palms.
What's so scary? Not a threat in sight.
You just can't handle, you can't handle love.
You can't handle love, baby.
You can't handle love its obvious.
You can't handle..

I dare you to take me on.
I dare you to show me your palms.
I'm so bored of cowards that say they want
then they can't handle.
You can't handle love, baby.
You can't handle love its obvious.
You can't handle..
I dare you..

Breaking Benjamin ~ Breath

Breaking Benjamin's first number billboard one single "Breath" is featured on their third studio album Phobia. It is still the band's number one ranking single. The Breath Fan Video Contest was created to let fans compete to create the music video for "Breathe. I'm a bit sad I couldn't find an acoustic version of this song. I'd love to see Breaking Benjamin release an acoustic album.

Breath by Breaking Benjamin lyrics

I see nothing in your eyes and the more I see the less I like.
Is it over yet in my head?

I know nothing of your kind and I won't reveal your evil mind.
Is it over yet? I can't win.

So sacrifice yourself and let me have what's left.
I know that I can find a fire in your eyes.
I'm goin all the way.
Get away, please.

You take the breath right out of me.
You left a hole where my heart should be.
You've gotta fight just to make it through.
'Cause I will be the death of you.

This will be all over soon.
Pour the salt into the open wound.
Is it over yet? Let me in.

So sacrifice yourself and let me have what's left.
I know that I can find a fire in your eyes.
I'm goin all the way.
Get away, please.

You take the breath right out of me.
You left a hole where my heart should be.
You've gotta fight just to make it through.
'Cause I will be the death of you.

I'm waiting. I'm praying.
Realize. Start hating.

You take the breath right out of me.
You left a hole where my heart should be.
You've gotta fight just to make it through.
'Cause I will be the death of you.

Ani Difranco ~ As Is

Ani DiFranco has over twenty albums under her belt. Her unique folk type style and poetic lyrics have made Ani a stand out artist. She founded Righteous Babe Records in her conquest for freedom from the mundane mainstream labels. Little Plastic Castle was her highest charted album featuring the well writen hit "As Is".

As is by Ani Difranco lyrics

You can't hide behind social graces,
so don't try to be all touchy feely.
'Cause you lie in my face of all places,
but i've got no problem with that really.

What bugs me is that you believe what you're saying.
What bothers me is that you don't know how you feel
What scares meis that while you're telling me stories,
you actually believe that they are real.

And I've got no illusions about you
Guess what?
I never did.
And when I said - when I said I'll take it -
I meant, I meant as is.

Just give up and admit you're an asshole.
You would be in some good company.
And I think you'd find that your friends would forgive you,
or maybe I am just speaking for me.

'Cause when i look around I think this - this is good enough
and i try to laugh at whatever life brings.
'Cause when i look down I just miss all the good stuff.
and when i look up I just trip over things.

And I've got no illusions about you
Guess what?
I never did.
When I say - when I say I'll take it -
I mean, I mean as is...as is.

Seether ~ The Gift

Seether's acoustic record One Cold Night is one of my favorite albums. The South African rockers mellowed down some of their best hits. I had trouble choosing which song to highlight. I love the whole live album. The original rock versions are worth listening to. "The Gift" was first released on Seether's fourth album Karma and Effect. This is a live video that was filmed during the recording of One Cold Night.

The Gift by Seether lyrics

Hold me now I need to feel relief like I never wanted anything.
I suppose I'll let this go and find a reason I'll hold on to.
I'm so ashamed of defeat and I'm out of reason to believe in me.
I'm out of trying to get by.

I'm so afraid of the gift you give me.
I don't belong here and I'm not well.
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living.
I'm right on the wrong side of it all.

I can't face myself when I wake up and look inside a mirror.
I'm so ashamed of that thing.
I suppose I'll let it go 'till I have something more to say for me.
I'm so afraid of defeat and I'm out of reason to believe in me.
I'm out of trying to defy.

I'm so afraid of the gift you give me.
I don't belong here and I'm not well.
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living.
I'm right on the wrong side of it all.

Hold me now I need to feel complete like I matter to the one I need.

I'm so afraid of the gift you give me.
I don't belong here and I'm not well.
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living.
I'm right on the wrong side of it all.

Now I'm ashamed of this.
Now I'm so ashamed of me.

Here's the official clip of "The Gift" from Seether's album One Cold Night.

Here's the official clip of "The Gift" from Seether's album Karma and Effect. Besides the instruments used they're about the same.

Utada Hikaru ~ Simple and Clean

Hikaru Utada is one of Japan's top musicians. Three of her studio albums rank in the top ten best selling of all time in Japan. She is more known in the U.S. for her contribution of two theme songs for Kingdom Hearts, a video game by Square Enix. If you like dance remixes there's alot of them of this song. There's also a live version of this song. She struggles a little while performing it so I linked to a better quality video.

Simple and Clean by Utada Hikaru lyrics

When you walk away you don't hear me say please,
oh baby, don't go.
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight.
It's hard to let it go.

You're giving me too many things. Lately you're all I need.
You smiled at me and said:

Don't get me wrong I love you, But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we are older you'll understand what I meant when I said "No,
I don't think life is quite that simple."

When you walk away you don't hear me say please,
oh baby, don't go.
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight.
It's hard to let it go.

The daily things that keep us all busy all confusing me.
Thats when u came to me and said:

Wish i could prove I love you, but does that mean i have to walk on water?
When we are older you'll understand it's enough when i say so,
and maybe some things are that simple.

When you walk away you don't hear me say please,
oh baby, don't go.
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight.
It's hard to let it go.

Hold me. Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on.
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all.
Nothing's like before.

When you walk away you don't hear me say please,
oh baby, don't go.
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight.
It's hard to let it go.

Hold me. Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on.
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all.
Nothing's like before.

Hold me. Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on.
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all.
Nothing's like before.

Here's the link to Utada Hikaru's live performance of "Simple and Clean".

t.A.T.u ~ Show Me Love

T.A.T.u. is a Russian pop duo. Let me first say I own 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane and I love the album, but I tried to listen to t.A.T.u.'s next release and found I didn't like any of it. Maybe I'll try to listen again. It has been a couple years now. "Show Me Love" is one of my favorites from the album 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane because has a chorus that makes me want to sing along. It starts out slow but picks up.

Show Me Love by t.A.T.u lyrics

This was an accident - not the kind where sirens sound.
Never even noticed we're suddenly crumbling.

Tell me how you've never felt delicate or innocent.
Do you still have doubts that us having faith makes any sense?

Tell me nothing ever counts - lashing out or breaking down.
Still somebody loses 'cause there's no way to turn around.

Staring at your photograph. Everything now in the past.
Never felt so lonely I wish that you could show me love.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til you open the door.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til I'm up off the floor.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til it's inside my pores.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til I'm screaming for more.

Random acts of mindlessness, commonplace occurrences,
chances and surprises - another state of consciousness.

Tell me nothing ever counts - lashing out or breaking down.
Still somebody loses 'cause there's no way to turn around.

Tell me how you've never felt delicate or innocent.
Do you still have doubts that us having faith makes any sense?

You play games. I play tricks. Girls and girls, but you're the one
like a game of pick-up sticks played by fucking lunatics.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til you open the door.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til I'm up off the floor.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til it's inside my pores.

Show me love. Show me love. Show me love.
Show me love. Show me love 'til I'm screaming for more.

Show me love. Show me love give me all that I want.
Show me love. Show me love 'til I'm screaming for more.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ~ Walls

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have had many hits that I consider favorites. "Walls(Circus)" was written for the soundtrack to She's the One. The movie was semi-funny, but not enough for me to remember it. I had to watch a trailer to bring it to mind. At least Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers wrote a great song because of it.

Walls by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lyrics

Some days are diamonds. Some days are rocks.
Some doors are open. Some roads are blocked.

Sundowns are golden then fade away,
and if I never do nothing I'll get you back some day.

'Cause you got a heart so big it could crush this town
and I can't hold out forever even walls fall down.

And all around your island there's a barricade.
It keeps out the danger. It holds in the pain.

Sometimes you're happy. Sometimes you cry.
Half of me is ocean. Half of me is sky.

But you got a heart so big it could crush this town
and I can't hold out forever even walls fall down.

And some things are over some things go on.
snd part of me you carry - part of me is gone.

But you got a heart so big it could crush this town
and I can't hold out forever even walls fall down.

Baby, you got a heart so big it could crush this town
and I can't hold out forever even walls fall down.
They fall down.

Anouk ~ Lost

I first heard the song "Lost" during a dance routine on SYTYCD. It was only after listening to Erlend Bratland's version that I learned it was a cover of an artist named Anouk - a dutch pop-rock singer. Soon after I found myself listening to every song I could find by Anouk. I don't care much for her "rock" music but her slower well written songs are my cup of tea. "Lost" is featured on Anouk's album Hotel New York.

Lost by Anouk lyrics

If roses are meant to be red and violets to be blue,
why isn't my heart meant for you?

My hands longing to touch you, but I can barely breathe -
Starry eyes that make me melt right in front of me.

Lost in this world, I even get lost in this song,
and when the lights go down that is where I'll be found.

This music's irresistible. Your voice makes my skin crawl.
Innocent and pure, I guess you heard it all before.

Mister Inaccessible - will this ever change?
One thing that remains the same is you're still a picture in a frame.

Lost in this world, I even get lost in this song,
and when the lights go down that is where I'll be found.

I get lost in this world. I get lost in your eyes
and when the lights go down that's where I'll be found.
Yeah yeah..

I get lost in this world. I get lost in your eyes
and when the lights go down am I the only one?

Here's a link to Erland Bratland singing a cover of Anouk's "Lost".

Tori Amos ~ Winter

I remember listening to my first Tori Amos album "Little Earthquakes" during a long family vacation car ride, but I don't remember where I was headed. Since that time Tori Amos has been and remains one of my favorite artists. "Winter" is one of my many afvorite which contains sad yet strong lyrics followed up my alot of emtion.

Winter by Tori Amos lyrics

Snow can wait, I forgot my mittens.
Wipe my nose, get my new boots on.
I get a little warm in my heart when I think of winter.
I put my hand in my fathers glove.

I run off where the drifts get deeper.
Sleeping beauty trips me with a frown.
I hear a voice you must learn to stand up for yourself
'Cause I cant always be around.

He says when you gonna make up your mind?
When you gonna love you as much as I do?
When you gonna make up your mind?
'Cause things are gonna change so fast.
All the white horses are still in bed.
I tell you that I'll always want you near.
You say that things change my dear.

Boys get discovered as winter melts -
flowers competing for the sun.
Years go by and I'm here still waiting,
withering where some snowman was.

Mirror, mirror where's the crystal palace?
But I only can see myself,
Skating around the truth who I am,
But I know dad, the ice is getting thin.

He says when you gonna make up your mind?
When you gonna love you as much as I do?
When you gonna make up your mind?
'Cause things are gonna change so fast.
All the white horses are still in bed.
I tell you that I'll always want you near.
You say that things change my dear.

Hair is grey and the fires are burning,
so many dreams on the shelf.
You say I wanted you to be proud of me.
I always wanted that myself.

When you gonna make up your mind?
When you gonna love you as much as I do?
When you gonna make up your mind?
'Cause things are gonna change so fast.
All the white horses have gone ahead.
I tell you that I'll always want you near.
You say that things change my dear.

Never change..
All the white horses..

Here's the official clip of "Winter" from Tori Amos's album Little Earthquakes.

A Fine Frenzy ~ Almost Lover

Alison Sudol is a self taught pianist and writer. As A Fine Frenzy, Alison released her debut album One Cell in the Sea which features her first single "Almost Lover". This song was one of my favorites from the start - one of those songs that gets stuck in your head for days.

Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy lyrics

Your fingertips across my skin,
the palm trees swaying in the wind,
Images.
You sang me spanish lullabies,
the sweetest sadness in your eyes clever trick.

Well, I'd never want to see you unhappy.
I thought you'd want the same for me.

Goodbye my almost lover. Goodbye my hopeless dream.
I'm trying not to think about you.
Can't you just let me be?
So long my luckless romance my back is turned on you.
Should have known you'd bring me heartache.
Almost lovers always do.

We walked along a crowded street,
you took my hand and danced with me,
Images.
And when you left you kissed my lips,
you said you'd never, never forget these images.

Well, I'd never want to see you unhappy.
I thought you'd want the same for me.

Goodbye my almost lover. Goodbye my hopeless dream.
I'm trying not to think about you.
Can't you just let me be?
So long my luckless romance my back is turned on you.
Should have known you'd bring me heartache.
Almost lovers always do.

I cannot go to the ocean,
cannot drive the streets at night,
cannot wake up in the morning without you on my mind.
So you're gone and I'm haunted.
I'll bet you are just fine.
Did I make it that easy to walk right in and out of my life?

Goodbye my almost lover. Goodbye my hopeless dream.
I'm trying not to think about you.
Can't you just let me be?
So long my luckless romance my back is turned on you.
Should have known you'd bring me heartache.
Almost lovers always do.

Here's the official clip of "Almost Lover" from A Fine Frenzy's album One Cell in the Sea.

The Eagles ~ Best of My Love

I first heard the Eagles on a jukebox at an oldies diner. I eventually bought the album The Very Best of Eagles. The Eagle's song "Best of My Love" featured on their third album On the Border was the first out of five number one singles. Formed in the early 70s The Eagles are still making award winning music today.

Best of My Love by The Eagles lyrics

Every night I'm lyin' in bed, holdin' you close in my dreams.
Thinkin' about all the things that we said and comin' apart at the seams.
We try to talk it over, but the words come out to rough.
I know you were tryin' to give me the best of your love.

Beautiful faces and loud empty places, look at the way that we live.
Wastin' our time on cheap talk and wine left us so little to give.
That same old crowd was like a cold dark cloud that we could never rise above,
But here in my heart I give you the best of my love.

Oh sweet darlin' you get the best of my love.
Oh Sweet darlin' you get the best of my love.
I'm goin' back in time and it's a sweet dream.
It was a quiet night and I would be all right if I could go on sleepin'

But every mornin' I wake up and worry - What's gonna happen today?
You see it your way and I see it mine, but we both see it slippin' away.
You know we always had each other baby. I guess that wasn't enough.
Oh, but here in my heart I give you the best of my love.

Oh sweet darlin' you get the best of my love.
Oh Sweet darlin' you get the best of my love.
Every night and day you get the best of my love.
Oh, sweet darlin' you get the best of my love
Oh, sweet darlin' you get the best of my love.

30 Seconds to Mars ~ The Kill

"The Kill" is featured on 30 Seconds to Mars' sophmore album A Beautiful Lie . After hearing this song on the radio multiple times I finally remembered to look up the lyrics. I used to think the chorus was "Marry me. Bury me." The official video for this song was based on the movie The Shining and has been nominated for multiple awards. I chose to include a video of the acoustic version of "The Kill". The album version is edgier and with more screaming, but either way a great song.

The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars lyrics

What if I wanted to break, laugh it all off in your face?
What would you do?
What if I fell to the floor, couldn't take all this anymore?
What would you do, do, do?

Come break me down. Bury me. Bury me.
I am finished with you.

What if I wanted to fight, beg for the rest of my life?
What would you do?
You say you wanted more, what are you waiting for?
I'm not running from you.

Come break me down. Bury me. Bury me.
I am finished with you.
Look in my eyes. You're killing me, killing me.
All I wanted was you.

I tried to be someone else, but nothing seemed to change.
I know now, this is who I really am inside.
Finally found myself - fighting for a chance.
I know now, this is who I really am.

Come break me down. Bury me. Bury me.
I am finished with you, you, you.
Look in my eyes. You're killing me, killing me.
All I wanted was you.

Come break me down.
Break me down.
Break me down.

What if I wanted to break?
What if I..
Bury me. Bury me.

Here's the official clip of "The Kill" from 30 Seconds to Mars' album Beautiful Lie.

Sara Bareilles ~ Between the Lines

It'd be hard to choose a favorite song from Sara Bareilles' second studio album Little Voice. The entire album is great and is often on my replay. If I had to choose "Between the Lines" would win by a nose. In the video: the song starts at roughly 1:10. The song was the last to be written for the album and is about loving someone who doesn't love you back.

Between the Lines by Sara Bareilles lyrics

Time to tell me the truth -
to burden your mouth for what you say.
No pieces of paper in the way.
'Cause i cant continue pretending to choose these opposite sides on which we fall.
The loving you laters if at all.
No right minds could wrong be this many times.

My memory is cruel.
I'm queen of attention to details, defending intentions if he fails.
Until now, he told me her name.
It sounded familiar in a way.
I could have sworn I'd heard him say it ten thousand times.
Oh, if only I had been listening.

Leave unsaid unspoken.
Eyes wide shut unopened.
You and me always between the lines.
Between the lines.

I thought I - thought I was ready to bleed.
That we'd move from the shadows on the wall and stand in the center of it all.
Too late two choices to stay or to leave.
Mine was so easy to uncover, he'd already left with the other.
So I learned to listen through silence.

Leave unsaid unspoken.
Eyes wide shut unopened.
You and me always be..
You and me always be..

I tell myself all the words he surely meant to say.
I talk until the conversation doesn't stay on.
Wait for me I'm almost ready - when he meant let go.

Leave unsaid unspoken.
Eyes wide shut unopened.
You and me always be..
You and me always between the lines.

Here's the official clip of "Between the Lines" from Sara Bareilless' album Little Voice which also includes the hit "Love Song".

Duffy ~ Mercy

I had never heard of Duffy until I watched her perform on SNL. I admit I didn't like this song at first but with Duffy's unique sound and that catchy beat its grown on me. It's hard to believe such an old soulful voice comes out of someone only in her twenties! "Mercy" is a hit single from Duffy's debut album Rockferry.

Mercy by Duffy lyrics

Yeah Yeah Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah

I love you but I gotta stay true.
My morals got me on my knees
I'm begging please stop playing games.

I don't know what this is but you've got me good
like you knew you would.
I don't know what you do but you do it well
I'm under your spell.

You got me begging you for mercy.
Why wont you release me?
You got me begging you for mercy.
Why wont you release me?
I said release me.

Now you think that I will be something on the side
but you've got to understand that I need a man
who can take my hand. Yes I do.

I don't know what this is but you've got me good
like you knew you would.
I don't know what you do but you do it well
I'm under your spell.

You've got me begging you for mercy.
Why wont you release me?
You've got me begging you for mercy.
Why wont you release me?
I said you'd better release me.

I'm begging you for mercy.
Just why won't you release me?
I'm begging you for mercy.
You got me begging.
You got me begging.
You got me begging.

Mercy, why won't you release me?
I'm begging you for mercy.
Why won't you release me?

You got me begging you for mercy.
I'm begging you for mercy.
I'm begging you for mercy.
I'm begging you for mercy.
I'm begging you for mercy.
Why wont you release me?

Mercy, beggin' you for mercy.
You've got me beggin'
Down on my knees
I said, you've got me beggin'
Beggin' you for mercy
You've got me beggin'

Frank Cappello ~ For You

Frank Cappello wrote "For you (Not Today)" to replace a Coldplay song that was too expensive for his low budget film He was a Quiet Man. The song is about a man down on his luck who meets a woman that in one day makes everything feel right. "For You" was one of the last tracks played during the movie at the part that we all love: when the guy finally gets the girl. I guess you could say I'm a sucker for acoustic tunes.

For You by Frank Cappello lyrics

Inside, outside, make up your mind.
Put on your face and close the door.
Step out of your mind.
Not another day. This one is here to stay.
Not another sigh. You can kiss those blues of yours goodbye
and I said
Some days may fade, I won't let this one fade.
And sometimes rain falls, I won't let it fall.
And some things are bound to change. They won't change that way.
And sometimes, there will be pain. There won't be any pain.
Not today. Not this day, this one's all for you.
Not this day, not today this one's all for you.
This is your day, it's your day, this one's all for you, it's all for you.
This is your day, it's your day, this one's all for you.
It's all for you. For you. It's all for you. For you.

And I said, some days may fade. I won't let this one fade. Not today.

Katy Perry ~ Thinking of You

I first heard this song live on New Years. The raw emotion of Katy Perry singing it live was moving enough for me to go look up the lyrics and favorite them for later. While I listened to the album version and watched the official video for "Thinking of You" I read over the lyrics. Katy Perry's words tug a little on my heartstrings like all great songs. I do prefer the live version (the album version has a little more rock band feel to it) but either way this song has found away into my collection.

Thinking of You by Katy Perry Lyrics

Comparisons are easily done once you've had a taste of perfection.
Like an apple hanging from a tree I picked the ripest one, I still got the seed.
You said move on where do I go? I guess second best is all I will know.

'Cause when I'm with him am thinking of you, thinking of you.
What you would do if you were the one who was spending the night?
Oh, I wish that I was looking into your eyes.

You're like an Indian summer in the middle of winter.
Like a hard candy with a surprise center.
How do I get better once I've had the best?
You said there's tons of fish in the water, so the waters I will test.
He kissed my lips - I taste your mouth.
He pulled me in - I was disgusted with myself.

'Cause when I'm with him am thinking of you, thinking of you.
What you would do if you were the one who was spending the night?
Oh, I wish that I was looking into your..
the best, and yes I do regret.
How I could let myself let you go?
Now, now the lesson's learned.
I touched it, I was burned.
Oh, I think you should know.

'Cause when I'm with him I am thinking of you, thinking of you.
What you would do if you were the one who was spending the night?
Oh, I wish that I was looking into your, your eyes looking into your eyes, looking into your eyes.
Oh, won't you walk through and bust in the door and take me away?
Oh, no more mistakes.
'Cause in your eyes I'd like to stay.. stay.

Here's the official clip of "Thinking of you" from Katy Perry's album One of the Boys which also includes the hit "I kissed a Girl".