Songs that really touch my heart and make me happy are some of the greatest songs out there.  There are a lot of Christian music artists, and songs come in all types of genres.  If you are looking for songs that will raise you up and give you a boost overall, start with some of these.

• Third Day – If you like rock music, then Third Day is probably for you.  The lead singer’s rough voice pairs with the music perfectly.  The lyrics are enough to make you think about the amazingness of God and His love, but you will enjoy it all around.
• Addison Road – For those who like to listen to pop music, Addison Road is a great choice.  This band has the pop sounds that you typically enjoy and puts the sound to great meaningful lyrics.
• TobyMac – So maybe you think praise and worship songs are nothing like the hip hop that you love.  Well if you say that, you are wrong.  TobyMac puts a hip hop twist on his praise and worship songs so you can sing along to an awesome beat.

I love that Christian music does not have to fit in a little box anymore.  There are so many artists and bands that bring Christian praise and worship songs that make it more than just music.  It is music that inspires and gives hope.  What more could you ask for from the music that you listen to?

So turn on the praise and worship music and make a joyful noise!  You will find that your mood will improve and you will feel full of happiness and gratefulness.

When you ask just how popular LMFAO’s “Sexy and I know it” is, the music video for this song has been on youtube for just over a month and already has 134, 793,282 views! This is one of those songs that you can listen to over and over, clearly people have! It currently holds the number one spot on the iTunes top 10′s list and is widely popular among the public.

LMFAO- “Sexy and I know it”

If you weren’t lucky enough to get to see them perform live or watch it live this is a must see video! They were one of the highlights of the show which is an accomplishment considering that the Country Music Awards are always full of surprises! “California King Bed” is originally sung by Rihanna, which she performs beautifully but adding in a second voice, especially one as distinctive as Jennifers adds a whole new take to the already great song.

When you think about music things like records and tape players are not what comes to mind at all, it seems that CD’s are on their way down that rode themselves due to the new infatuation with digital music. Files are bought, sold, downloaded, and shared at record breaking speeds. You no longer have to take the time to find a store, go to a place and buy an album. Now all you have to do it type in a web address or click on an application and you can be singing along to your new favorite songs in no time. This means that the way music travels is much faster, this can be an advantage for the music industry as a whole because when things are accessed easily they are more likely to have more people do them. This is also means that people will most likely buy songs that are new just because they know that they are new. On the other handthis also means that people who would have to look for an old CD for a certain songs or artist can now find all of the old songs as well as the new ones with digital music.

Take a look at some of the effects and progression of digital music over time.

She was found alone in her bed by a bodyguard who tried to wake her and found she wasn’t breathing. When the medical examiner arrived he pronounced her dead on the scene and said that she has passed away about 6 hours prior to their arrival. It has been ruled out that there was any foul play in her death, whatever happened was self inflicted or natural.

Her family and boyfriend, Reg Traviss said that they were both heartbroken and stunned at her unexpected death. They deny that she was having any problems with drugs or alcohol abuse in the days prior to her death. Her boyfriend Reg speaks out about her death saying “I can’t describe what I am going through and I want to thank so much all of the people who have paid their respects and who are mourning the loss of Amy, such a beautiful, brilliant person and my dear love. I have lost my darling who I loved very much.”

Amy had been working on her third album that had yet to be named. Her career first began in 2003 when she released her first album, Frank, which was never released in the United States. Her second album, Back to Black, immediately hit the number one spot when it was released and remained there for several days. Amy had created a great career for herself although she did have some personal problems. She was in the process of finishing her third album, an inside source said that a number of the songs were about her ex-husband who is now behind bars.

Amy had planned to be cremated and her family carried out her wishes. They had a funeral service for her with family and close friends present. Everyone was very emotional over the loss. Those who couldn’t be at her funeral left gifts and paid their respects outside of her home in Camden. Everyone will miss the singer and hopes to gain access to her unfinished album at some point.

Hip-Hop and R&B

• Sure Thing by Miguel
• Motivation by Kelly Rowland
• I’m On One by DJ Khaled

Rock

• You Are A Tourist by Death Cab For Cutie
• Rope by Foo Fighters
• Country Song by Seether

Pop

• Rolling In The Deep by Adele
• Give Me Everything by Pitbull
• The Edge Of Glory by Lady Gaga

If you aren’t a fan of working out and want to relax and take it easy listening to country music and easy listening here is your perfect playlist

Country

• Honey Bee by Blake Shelton
• Mean by Taylor Swift
• You Lie by The Band Perry
• Tomorrow by Chris Young
• If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away by Justin Moore

If you’re in the mood for a little bit of everything check out the billboard hot 100. The hot 100 is designed to rank the top songs according to how much they are being played, popularity and the feedback they are receiving from the songs. Sometimes when new songs come out it takes a while for them to work their way up the hot 100 while others are instantly a hit.

• Give Me Everything by Pitbull
• Rolling in the Deep by Adele
• Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
• Last Friday Night by Katy Perry
• Super Bass by Nicki Minja
• The Edge Of Glory by Lady Gaga
• E.T. by Katy Perry
• Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5
• The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
• How To Love by Lil Wayne

How often do yourself getting tired of listening to the same songs over and over again? The next time you get in a song rut you should try listening to something you wouldn’t normally listen to, or check out what some of the newest artist are creating. You just might find your new favorites by trying something new.

When I listen to a song I pay attention to the lyrics. They were put there for a reason and if you listen you can  figure out what the artist was going through at the time they wrote the song. It’s not just about the catchy rhythm, there is a deeper side to many songs.

The lyrics to a song can seem so simple on the surface but when you look deeper you uncover a story. Some songs are just about having fun and breaking away from something. Other songs can tell about a love story, heart break, friendship and so much more. The lyrics to a song are like the lyrics to life. They come from real people with real problems. If you take the time to look into them you can see that you might relate to someone or a song more so than you ever thought you would.

When going through hard times we often find ourselves going for songs that are taking about hard times to make us feel like we aren’t all alone. Listening to someone else tell there story makes us feel better. Even without memorizing every word to a song you know what it is about when you pay attention. The same thing goes for when you are happy and just want to have fun. You listen to happy, up beat and crazy songs telling tales of late nights out and partying with friends. Hearing the story of someone else having an adventure makes you feel a part of it without even realizing it.

Music is like poetry put to a beat, it’s an art that should be cherished. It’s the fastest way to spread information. The best way to help emotions. It even helps your brain store information more efficiently. The next time you discover a new favorite song, look up the lyrics and read the story that they are telling you, you might be surprised at what you will find.

Korn – Cameo’s “Word Up!”

In 1986 the group known as Cameo recorded a hip hop and funk song titled Word Up!, and thanks to radio time and a music video for the new-ish MTV, this became Cameo’s biggest hit.  The band Korn used the song “Word Up!” typically as a song to check sound before shows, but made the decision to put it on their 2004 Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 album.  Korn is a metal band, considered “nu metal” or “alternative metal.”   Their most recent album, Korn III:  Remember Who You Are came out last year in 2010.

Goodnight Nurse – Kelis’ “Milkshake”

In 2003 Kelis released the song titled “Milkshake” which features suggestive lyrics and references women’s “goods.”  The song was actually a huge hit, and even went up for some rewards.  Three years later on their Always and Never album Goodnight Nurse, a rock band from New Zealand, included their cover of “Milkshake.”  Their most recent album was released in 2008 and their most current single is from 2009.

Rufio – Madonna’s “Like A Prayer”

Madonna’s fourth album and title track “Like A Prayer” came out in the year 1989.  The song itself received great praise and also great controversy, and it has been covered by numerous artists.  The rock band Rufio is no longer together as of htis year, but their cover of “Like A Prayer” is, in my opinion, one of the greatest rock cover songs of all time.  And I must say, I think I prefer it over Madonna’s original version.

Anthrax feat. Public Enemy – “Bring the Noise”

The song “Bring the Noise” was performed by hip hop group Public Enemy.  The song has a list of shout-outs to various other hip hop artists and to the band Anthrax.  Anthrax was formed in 1981, and one of the band members at the time of “Bring the Noise,” Scott Ian would wear Public Enemy apparel while playing his own gigs.  Later, both groups collaborated to create a rock hip hop track of “Bring the Noise” in 1991.  This was the beginning of merging the two genres.

Death Cab for Cutie – This band does not powerfully and emotionally sing the lyrics to their poignant and thought provoking songs, but in that, they create quite the emotional experience for the listener.  Death Cab for Cutie started in the United States in 1997, and their newest album Codes and Keys was released this year.  Their newest effort proves that they only get better with age.  My favorite Death Cab for Cutie song has got to be “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”

“…If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied; Illuminate the No’s on their vacancy signs; If there’s no one beside you when your soul embarks; Then I’ll follow you into the dark…”

Jack's Mannequin - The group Jack's Mannequin is often considered piano rock, but the lyrics make me put it in the emo category.  The words in each of their songs draw up so many emotions for the listener.  It's beautiful.  The band formed in 2004, and so far they have released two studio albums.  They are currently working on album number three to be released this year late in the summer.  I love "Dark Blue" by Jack's Mannequin, and the acoustic version is an even more special treat.

"...slow down, this night's a perfect shade of dark blue (dark blue); Have you ever been alone in a crowded room when I'm here with you; I said the world could be burning down; dark blue..."

Secondhand Serenade – When you hear a song by Secondhand Serenade, you immediately feel exactly what the singer John Veseley is trying to convey through his tone and lyrics.  Every one of the songs seems to have an even deeper meaning that you cannot quite pinpoint, and it is incredibly beautiful.  I cannot say that I have a favorite Secondhand Serenade song because all of the lyrics are so touching to me, but I’ll include the lyrics to “The Last Song.”

“The broken glass; Your moistened skin; Was everything, was everything; And your broken voice, was quivering; You’re everything, you’re everything; Scream at me, make it the best I ever heard; Laugh out loud, I know it sounds absurd…Heart beats, slowing pains are growing; Does she love you, that’s worth knowing…”

NeverShoutNever – Considered by most, NeverShoutNever, or Christofer Ingle, is pop music. To me, it’s happy emo.  His songs typically have an upbeat tempo and include a ukulele, but I can’t think that a pop singer is as talented as this guy is.  NeverShoutNever’s career started in 2007 after a gig on MTV’s TRL.  After that, his fan base just continued to grow, and now you can catch him at events like the Van’s Warped Tour.   Here are some of the lyrics to his song “Cheatercheaterbestfriendeater:”

“And oh, I know that you are feeling sad; I don’t feel bad, cause even after three text messages, four missed calls; You still slept with my best friend; So I sing rain, rain go away; Come again another day; When I say okay to give you a little hell to pay…”

Come to think of it that might open the way for a new era of world peace. When you reach cultures through your music then mixing that music together will bring everyone together. The next time you hear someone listening to drum and bass or dub step be sure you thank them for their help in bringing world peace and fighting the good fight against attrition. If they look at you funny then just tell them to look up the metal forums and see for themselves. Their simple minds may not be able to comprehend the amazing goodness that is world peace but surely they will understand the importance of making more of the music they love. For that reason alone they will rejoice at the chance to unite the world through music and see everyone rave-moshing to their favorite dub step beats. Perhaps they may even aspire to become the next drum and bass masters. Who knows in times like this what people will choose to do with all powerful dub step and drum and bass goodness. They may even create the ultimate genre of music that no mortal can turn down. Then they will become the pied piper of the music masses.