M A Y S O N G S

Hello, hi and welcome! This month I spent two weeks in Austria for my job and I wasn't able to listen to my Spotify as the wifi was pretty bad but I fell in love with some songs I hadn't listened to in a while on my Apple Music. 

All I'm saying is: expect a mixture of fairly new and sort of old music in this one.

LEGGO.

Beyonce -

Hold Up

Although I wasn't too overwhelmed with Beyonce's album - don't hurt me pls - this is my favourite song from it without a doubt. I also sing this to my brother and sister on Skype because it actually fits(the chorus mainly) in as either a love song for a partner, family member or friend. 

Favourite Lyrics: "Know I kept it sexy, know I kept it fun, there's something that I'm missing maybe my head for one. What's worse? Looking jealous or crazy? Jealous or crazy? Or like, being walked all over lately, I'd rather be crazy."

Ella Henderson - 

Yours. 

This is my favourite song of hers ever. She's one of my favourite female artists too(she's up there with RiRi, Jessie J and Amy Whinehouse). 

I've listened to this song a lot this month, especially at night and I can't describe how much I love it. It's a simple song that means so much. It's one of those songs I love watching her perform live on youtube(anyone else do that..?)

Favourite Lyrics: "I feel like I'm ready for love, I want to be your everything and more." 

Meghan Trainor 

Better 

 I feel like I can't make any more comments about how much I love this song, it was in my April faves, I've reviewed her album and spoke about it and it'll probably be in my December faves knowing me. I.just.love.this.song.

Favourite Lyrics: "I, was warned, but fooled, by charm. And you, you deserve to be alone." 

I Won't Let You Down

This is such an easy song to listen to, I love it. I also bought Meghan's album on iTunes and I've found I've been clicking this song first when I put my music on. 

Favourite Lyrics: "I know that you deserve better. You can't dance to beat of a heart that's broken, and you can't do this alone."

Woman Up

Such a fierce song, I hope this is a single it would be such a good song for summer. 

Favourite Lyrics: "All my girls raise your hands if you don't need a man, 'cus you're more than good enough."

Birdy

Wild Horses

I thought this was a Rolling Stones cover at first - yes I know Rolling Stones songs, my mum surprisingly liked them despite her being a soul/RnB kind of lass she also loved the Rolling Stones, The Eagles and The Beatles.

Anywaaay, back to Birdy's song that isn't a Rolling Stones' cover. I stumbled upon the song by accident actually, I didn't know her album was out and I saw on the BBC Radio 1 YouTube that she had done a live lounge of this song, when I heard her sing it live I fell in love and searched it on Spotify only to be blessed with her whole album being there. 

Favourite Lyrics: "I will survive and be the one whose stronger, I will not beg you to stay. I will move on and you should know I mean it."

Shadow

Another favourite. This sounds like a typical Birdy style song which is not a criticism at all. I could listen to her voice all day, this song especially.

Favourite Lyrics: "Only ever make me scared, 'cus only you ever take me there."

Deep End

This is quite an emotional song, if you're sensitive it could get to you, I like to listen to this song when I'm feeling a little low, it's really quite a helpful song for that. This song could be interpreted in different ways too; not necessarily about a relationship with a lover. 

Favourite Lyrics: "I don't know if you mean everything to me, and I wonder can I give you what you need?"

Amy Winehouse - 

Stronger Than Me

Obviously this is quite an oldie but Amy Winehouse never goes out of style, let's face facts. I was at my friend Mairi-Jane's and her flat mate was playing music whilst we chilled out and this was one of the songs, I totally fell in love with it again and the second I got home I listened to it over and over. God I miss you, Amy Winehouse. 

Favourite Lyrics: "Feel like a lady and you my lady boy. You should be stronger than me." 

Troye Sivan - 

YOUTH

 I'm a little late on this YOUTH band wagon but I actually wasn't the biggest fan of this song, I LOVE his album but this song I would always skip. I hadn't listened to him in a while and I saw Camila Cabello singing along to it on her snapchat and I re-listened(yes that's a word) to it and I started to really, really like it. I guess it was just a matter of going away for a while then listening to it again. 

Favourite Lyrics: "Tripping on skies, sipping waterfalls."

Jason Derulo - 

Get Ugly

I'm late on this band wagon too but I really love the bit after he says "get ugly" diddlydiddlydiddly.. 

God that made me sound like a Middle aged mum of three.

Drake

Too Good ft Rihanna

Yes my favourite man released Views and it took him a while to get it on to Spotify so I had to listen to it on tumblr(took ages to search for stuff). Any song that Rihanna and Drake make is an instant favourite of mine; What's My Name? Take Care, Work, now this. It needs to be a single please, please, please. 

Favourite Lyrics: "I don't know how to talk to you, I just know I find myself getting lost with you." 

Controlla 

Drake got Beanie Man on a song for the first time in how long..? Amazing. This is my favourite song on the Views album by far, I also love Too Good, With You and One Dance but this song beats all those. It reminds me of old RnB - I think Beanie Man has added to that vibe too. 

Favourite Lyrics: "You can't listen to me talk then go tell my story. It don't work like that when you love somebody."

ZAYN - 

fOoL fOr YoU

Damn Natalie, back at it again with another Zayn song. YES OKAY, I love him and you won't change me. I love this song, from the second I heard it way back in March I loved it. And so that is why it is in my playlist, still. 

I think this song is quite personal to him, if you listen to the lyrics you really get the emotion and feeling from it that he's actually singing to someone. 

Favourite Lyrics; "This love is tainted, I need you and I hate it."

Ariana Grande ft Lil Wayne -

 Let Me Love You.

I absolutely love this song probably more so than last month, I've had it in my head so much this month, I just love it. The lyrics are a bunch of innuendos but who doesn't love an innuendo right? RIGHT?

I also like Lil Wayne's verses too which is quite odd for me, he's not too crude so I guess that's why I enjoy listening to his rap bit. 

Favourite Lyrics: "I say girl you need a hot board, she said you need to stop f$%king with those thots boy."

Ed Sheeran -

Little Bird

Told you it would be a mixture of new and old.. I've been listening to this song a lot at night time, it's always been a favourite of mine but I think it's my all time favourite song of Ed Sheeran now. 

Favourite Lyrics: "And it's not complete yet, mustn't get our feet wet, 'cus that leads to regret, diving in too soon."

Jhenè Aiko - 

Spotless Mind

Another not so new one but it's Jhenè Aiko so does she ever get old? I love her music so much, it's ridiculous. The fact that her album Souled Out wasn't recognised in the industry is a liberty. I listened to this song a lot in Austria, it seemed to fit in with the whole vibe of nothing but nature and mountains. If you like chilled music, this is deffo a song to listen to. 

Favourite Lyrics: "Change in inevitable, why hold on to what you have to let go of?" 

James Arthur - 

Suicide

Those who don't know this song really need to get Spotify and listen, now. It's such a powerful song. I had completely forgotten about it but then Andrea Russett tweeted a photo of all her favourite songs at the minute and it was on there and I was like 'oh my god I love that song' so I listened to it again and again. And again. So, thanks Andrea Russett. 

Favourite Lyrics: "It ain't the knife, it's the way that you use it, how you abuse it in fights. It ain't about the life you feel you were given, as long as you're living it right."

Alessia Cara -

 Stone

Alessia Cara is so underrated it's frustrating, I love this song so, so much. It's so simple and beautiful.

Favourite Lyrics: "Someone's on my mind, I think I think too much."

So there you go, my May favourite songs! I can't believe it's almost June. 2016 is flying by! 

Thanks for reading, until next time.. 

Natalie xx

J A N U A R Y S O N G S.

Hello, hi and welcome! Been a while hasn't it?! Sorry about that, I'm just very busy at the minute with life and existing etc so I haven't had much time for this, but I have had time to listen to music!

Seeing as it's a new year I thought instead of listing my top 10, 15 or 20 songs to just list my top however many songs of the month. See how that goes :-)

So let's get started shall we..?

Kahlani ft Coucheron- Alive

First of all, to know that Zayn Malik loves her and has done a collaboration with her for his upcoming debut album has made my life completely. 

She's a new one to watch and I have a feeling she's going to be huge(I hope, she deserves it). 

This song is so chill, I love it. She showcases how talented she really is, a good tune for the beach. 

Favourite Lyrics: "..It's like something has to die, to help you realise - and damn I feel alive."

Alessia Cara - Scars To Your Beautiful.

You all know Alessia Cara is my favourite female artist at the minute. Everyone should listen to this song. That's all I can really say about this. It's helped me through this month actually, it makes you think about yourself - which you should do more often.

Favourite Lyrics: "..'Cause covergirls don't cry, after their face is made. But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark. You should know you're beautiful just the way you are. And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change it's heart.No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful."

Chris Brown - Wrist.

I accidentally clicked on this and although I had said previously I wasn't a fan of it I changed my mind after listening a few times and it quickly became a favourite this month especially whilst getting ready.

(All lyrics include strong language so won't include them..)

Kid Ink - Summer In The Winter.

Of course I have to be a bit of a hoodrat sometimes, I can't help it - soz! This song just makes you want to get down. I'm not really into rap but Kid Ink is the only rapper I don't mind listening to(and you Drake obvs). Plus, there's not many songs that mention wifi - obviously I'm going to like it.

Favourite Lyrics: "..I knew she was from the dark side, 'Cause soon as she walked in the door she wanted wi-fi."

Kiiara - Gold.

Marcus Butler actually suggested this song in a video and I knew I'd like it just from the demo he played so I found it on Spotify and couldn't stop listening to it. It's so chill and something you can just vibe to with friends on a Friday night with a few cheeky glasses of wine.

Favourite Lyrics: "..Say you’re sorry honey, but you never really show."

Justin Bieber - Love Yourself.

Of course this is still in my top most listened to playlist, how couldn't it be? It's one of those songs you love the more you hear it. I actually listened to it for most of my plane journey home back to Berlin. 

Favourite Lyrics: "..You think I'm crying on my own well I ain't."

Major Lazer ft Nyla and Fuse ODG - Light It Up.

This song man. It just makes you move doesn't it? Major Lazer is one of my favourite artists, Lean On(and Here by Alessia Cara) were my top two songs of 2015. I could see this being a potential favourite of 2016.

99 Souls ft Destiny's Child and Brandy - The Girl Is Mine.

I got so excited by just the title without listening, I knew I was going to love it. I mean, Destiny's Child - Girl and Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine were the epitome of 00's RnB, they were the last generation to really do good RnB music. The beat that 99 Souls has added is just genius. Even though both original songs have that old RnB vibe to them I like that the spin on them has made them kind of relevant again.

David Guetta ft Sia and Fetty Wap - Bang My Head.

When I saw Fetty Wap was on the song I thought 'oh no, I probably won't like this' but because I like Sia's music I gave it a chance and I was pleasantly surprised by him. I can't wait to listen to this song in the summer, it's definitely a summer tune. 

Favourite Lyrics: "..Found what I was searching for, though I feel light headed

I should have failed, and nailed the floor, instead I rose above it all."

Professor Green ft Tori Kelly - Lullaby.

I've kind of become a little obsessed with Professor Green lately as I've been reading his autobiography that I got for Christmas - I highly recommend it by the way. 

I went through his Spotify one night and listened to all of his albums, I listened to them differently after reading some of his story too. Lullaby is a bitter sweet song, and he chose my queen Tori Kelly to feature on it. 

Favourite Lyrics: "..All the times I was sure you were mine, and before time demands our goodbye - can you sing me a last lullaby?"

Chris Brown - Little More(Royalty)

I wasn't that much of a fan of this song either to begin with but when LucyAndLydia had it on in their snapchat I wanted to listen to it again, then when I did I weirdly became obsessed with it and that's it, love it. Plus, it's about his daughter Royalty.

Favourite Lyrics: "..My baby, my royalty, girl you're the lyrics to my song."

Sia - Reaper.

I love Sia, and I love this song. It's one of those songs that's not her style but at the same time you'd expect this type of song from her. It's a breath of fresh air to listen to.

I think the song is all about living in the moment, death isn't always too far away and she reminds us of that.

Favourite Lyrics: "..So come back when I'm good to go, I got drinks to drink, and men to hold - I got good things to do with my life."

Kehlani ft Lexii Alijai - Jealous.

I think this could be about a relationship or friendship really. Gives me mid 90's vibes, Aaliyah sort of style and I luurve it. And Kehlani. I've been loving her whole album.

Favourite Lyrics: "..I just can't invest in s%#t just to end up broken-hearted."

Professor Green - I Need Church.

Professor Green again but this is mainly because I have listened to this song so many times in January it's crazy. It's such a funny and cheeky song you can't help but laugh and love him. I also love his answer machine at the end and when Robbie Williams calls him. Classic.

Favourite Lyrics: "..But what I should do is not always what I want to."

Adele - All I Ask.

One of my favourite songs by her, ever(along with Hiding My Heart, Turning Tables and I Found A Boy). I was worried about Adele's album because I thought that maybe because she was writing from a different place maybe the songs were different but no, absolutely love it. 

Favourite Lyrics: "..If this is my last night with you, hold me like I'm more than just a friend - we do what lovers do, it matters how this ends, 'cause what if I never love again?"

Bryson Tiller - Been That Way

Another person I've discovered this past month. I first heard his song 'Sorry Not Sorry' on Kylie Jenner's snapchat story and actually googled it to find out who it was - then I kind of forgot about it for a little while until Spotify suggested his album to me(thanks).

Love this song, I feel like this song is so relatable on so many levels. Job well done.

Favourite Lyrics: "..How did we become so distant like I'm the one to blame and you're innocent."

Jhenè Aiko - Brave.

It's been a while since she was on my monthly playlist post! I kind of forgot about her music as I've changed my Spotify and lost my playlist with her on it but when I listened to her album again I kind of obsessed over this song. 

I don't think it's a song for everyone, I think you have to let it grow on you but I absolutely love it. It sounds like it should be a bond theme song. 

Favourite Lyrics: "If you decide to stay, know there is no escape - there's no one here to save you. But you're so brave, so don't go crazy for loving me."

Bryson Tiller - Let Em' Know

Yes, Bryson again because his album is fire. I suggest if you want a mixture between Drake and Frank Ocean he is the perfect guy for you. 

Dappy - Guilty Conscience.

This might surprise you but I actually like some of Dappy's music, much more than his stuff in NDUBZ. I prefer him as a solo artist. I guess it stems from when he was on Big Brother and I formed a little soft spot for him, but I genuinely like this song I think it could do well in the US too it's grown up and not the stupid grime he used to do.

Favourite Lyrics: "...See my mama never raised me like that, and I bet my kids must miss me like mad."

So there you have it! My favourite January songs! Thanks for reading,

Until next time.. 

Natalie xx