Self Pity Party - Week 5

Welcome to another week of sad songs and melancholy music, just squeezed it in on time. This week I've chosen 6 tracks. It just felt right when I was going through my tracklist of potential songs. It's a bit of a breakup related night tonight with songs detailing after a breakup when you still feel for them, the realisation of loss and of taking someone for granted once they've left, the absence of conversation and friendship after a breakup, the thoughts of "what if?" when you are alone, finally accepting that you have to let them go and move on and then ending with hopefulness for the future. 

That was Weeping Willows with "The Burden". The Weeping Willows are a Swedish indie band who, as of 2006, were the 99th most successful band in Sweden. Most of their songs are about heartbreak and unhappiness in love. My kinda band.

Passenger with "Let Her Go (acoustic)". I find it amusing that this song for British artist Passenger became a hit in the Netherlands, getting to No. 2, before it became one in the UK (and a heap of other places). I chose this acoustic version over the radio release for two reasons, firstly most people who know the song will have only heard the normal one and I want people to hear new things and secondly done acoustically I find it's just utterly devastating.

"We Don't Talk Anymore feat. Selena Gomez" by Charlie Puth. Until researching for this blog I didn't realise it was Selena Gomez on this track with him. Apparently her vocals were recorded in a closet and in only 15 minutes. For a song with a sad subject matter it's really catchy.

Keith Urban and "Now I Wanna Cry". I think this is the first appearance of a country song on this blog. With the amount of songs of loss and heartbreak in that genre that's pretty surprising. Also surprising to me is that it isn't your usual american country since it's written and performed by a New Zealander.

"Start Again" by Conrad Sewell. Originally the song was co-written by Sewell as a potential track for Kylie Minogue but it was rejected. Thankfully as I don't think this song would have been anywhere near as good as it is if it had been done by her. Sewell said in an interview that he performed the song just in one take, the emotion just took hold and carried him away. It really shows.

And this week finishes with "Tomorrow Is Going To Be Better" by Joshua Radin. This is the first time an artist has a second track on this blog, not surprising it's Joshua Radin since I love him and his music. I added this one in mainly because I couldn't bring myself to end on such a downer but also because a very important part of heartbreak and loss is understanding that tomorrow is going to better.

Life goes on and pain fades. We just have to make sure we manage to get ourselves there.

Self Pity Party - Week 4

Wait, what's that? It's actually on time for the first time ever? Long may it continue. Got a great set of tracks this week. No theme this time, but i'm considering the next one carefully. Have an idea for a weekly theme? Go ahead and leave a comment, it's easy.

That was Gavin DeGraw with "Not Over You". Co-written and performed with OneRepublic's singer/songwriter Ryan Tedder, the song manages to achieve that upbeat song about a depressing subject that I love so much. The song itself you can find yourself humming while the lyrics are something that many can, sadly, relate to.

James Bay with "Let It Go". I find this is one of those tracks I totally get into the sound of everything together and just mishear most of the lyrics, if I even hear them at all. However I still get the song and its meaning, which I think is a mark of a great track. It'll be recognisable to many due to its use in many recent TV shows including Supergirl and The Vampire Diaries.

"The Thrill is Gone" by Chet Baker. Originally a show tune by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson Chet creates a very haunting interpretation of the piece. I don't have much to say about it but it is such a fantastic track, evokes such emotion and feeling within you. Just wow.

Molly Sanden and "Why am I crying". Swede Molly Sanden represented her country for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Later this song was used in 2012 in a swedish song contest called Melodifestivalen. The festival is used to find that years entry into the Eurovision Song contest. It came 3rd.

And ending with Fuck it by Eamon. I've always loved this song. I wasn't alone in that sentiment with it getting to number one in over 10 countries. Eamon went on to write more tracks all focusing on breakups and bad feelings. Gotta feel bad for this guy, he seems be the other side of a Taylor Swift song.

And nobody wants to be the other side of a Taylor Swift song.

Self Pity Party - Week 3 Covers Special

Aaaaah I was so close to getting it up yesterday, honest.

This week I've got a, "Under the Covers" special lined up. Under the covers was Annie's name for the little cover songs section on the show. This week it's a bit of a James Vincent McMorrow sandwich and at 6 tracks long no less. 

That was James Vincent McMorrow with his cover of "Wicked Game" originally by performed by Chris Isaak. This song gained prominence as the trailer music for season 6 of Game of Thrones. McMorrow says that he accepted the request to use the song and then promptly forgot about it until he saw the trailer with everyone else.

Sarah Connor covering Gregor Meyle's "Keiner Ist Wie Du". The song is expresses the want to get over the pain and suffering after the loss of someone. Well written and well performed by Sarah Connor who is a multi award winning artist with 8 studio albums.

"Don’t dream it’s over" performed by Sarah Blasko. Originally by the band Crowded House, it became the band's biggest international hit and this version was recorded for an album celebrating the music of Tim and Neil Finn

That was "Can't Help Falling in Love With You" covered by Haley Reinhart, previously of American Idol fame. This song was used in a commercial for Wrigley’s Extra gum, within a week of its release it had gained over seven million YouTube views and 19,000 digital download purchases. I can totally see why.

Hurray for the Riff Raff with I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams. The band recorded it for their 4th album which was originally a kickstarter reward to fund the album before that. 

"Higher Love" by James Vincent McMorrow. The original song was by Steve Winwood and features the vocals of Shaka Khan and got to number 1 in the charts for just one week. 

And that brings this week's party to a close. Not a massive tear jerker this week, but hopefully still some good tracks for everyone to enjoy. 

Self Pity Party - Week 2

Ok, ok so it's a little late again. It'll be time for a celebration when I actually get it up on time consistently. Got a good selection this week, some serious tear jerkers. So let's get on with it, less talk more.....uuhhh Rokk?

That was Nicki Minaj feat Skylar Grey with "Bed of Lies". I think this might be the only song of Nicki Minaj's that I actually like, and i really like it. It's a nice easy start to the playlist today. Fun fact about this song, it was debuted in Glasgow for the MTV EMAs.

That was Joshua Radin with "Star Mile". I've loved this song since I first heard it, I loved it so much I have the lyrics stuck to the wall of my bedroom at my mum's house. I think I was first introduced to him with the song Winter used on *that* episode of scrubs with Brendan Fraser. Yeah if you know scrubs you know exactly which one i mean. "Where do you think we are?". Now that is a sad scene done well.

Wow that song just ruins me, that was Labrinth with "Jealous". I first heard this played by Annie Mac and she said its one of the few songs to make her cry I the car and i totally see why. Written about his father, when recording the video he was asked to sit and try to summon up the feelings and thoughts he had while writing it, which he said was a very hard thing to have to do. Probably why he looks so very emotional during the video. Well done that director, I think.

I Don't Wanna See You With Her by Maria Mena. I only came across this song a couple days ago. We've all had that awkward situation where we come across an ex with their new partner and they are happy. And we are not. You just wish the ground with open up, it doesn't. Or that they wouldn't see you, they do. This song just sums all that feeling up for me.

Blue October with Hate Me. I came across this band on the American Pie soundtrack and had to order their album due to the strength of the song Calling You. This was a long time ago when you only did online shopping if you really, desperately wanted something and were willing to risk it not arriving any time soon. I needed that album and it didn't disappoint. This song is an answer to Calling You, the lyrics dealing with his drug addiction and depression that damaged the relationship with the girl he was so in love with in Calling You.

So that's that for this week. I hope you liked the choices and they helped people get a bit of a release. I'll see you all next week, hopefully i'll actually get the post up in time...