These are some of the songs that I was absolutely in love with when I was a kid. I still love these songs to this day. Here are the ones I really latched onto...
In most cases, the original version of a song can't be touched. Some times though, someone surprises the hell out of me and makes a song even better. These are some of my favorite covers, in no particular order.
Honestly, I could probably cover this topic 10 times over. It was actually hard for me to narrow this down, but I tried to pick albums that I had specific memories attached to. So much music has shaped me into who I am and I can't imagine what would have happened if I had not been exposed to it. Each album either taught me something about myself vocally or personally or has songs on it that have really touched me. Let's go on a journey...
#1 Highway 101 - 2 Highway 101 was the first group I was ever obsessed with. I loved Paulette Carlson's voice. "Whiskey If You Were A Woman" was one of the first songs I sang at karaoke. That song was on their first album, but this is the album that I truly loved. I had this on cassette and I listened to it so much, all of the writing wore off and I ended up needing to replace the tape. Favorites: "Feed This Fire" "Desperate Road" "All The Reasons Why"
#2 Alannah Myles I loved and still love this album! Obviously "Black Velvet" is what got me to listen to it, but it was never my favorite song on the album. I loved her raspy voice and the rock sound of the music. Much different than the other things I was listening to at that time. I wanted to be as bad ass as she sounded. Favorites: I don't even think I can narrow this down. There isn't one bad song on here.
#3 Wilson Phillips When I was little, this album was my jam! I remember singing "Hold On" while swinging on the playground. Those poor kids who I forced to listen to me. Haha. I loved the harmonies on this album and I just remember this album gave me a weird feeling. Peaceful. Made my stomach feel funny. I don't really know how to explain it, but I'm sure anyone who has been touched by music will know the feeling I'm talking about. Favorites: "Impulsive" "Over and Over" "The Dream Is Still Alive" *(This is the one that made my stomach feel funny.)
#4 Mariah Carey This is the woman who taught me how to sing. I learned control and expanded my range from singing along with her every single day. (My poor parents.) Her voice is just incredible and I loved all of her songs. I also loved that she wrote and produced all of her own material, which was rare at that time. This album shaped me musically. I love big, strong voices that are full of emotion and she started that for me. Favorites: "Someday" "Alone In Love" "You Need Me" "Prisoner"
#5 Wild Orchid I was so in love with these voices! Stacy Ferguson was my favorite and I always tried to sound like her. I loved her power and feeling. This is another group that helped me expand my range. They weren't easy to sing along with, but damn it, I didn't stop! (Again, sorry mom and dad.) Favorites: "Supernatural" "I Won't Play The Fool" "My Tambourine" "Love Will Wait"
#6 Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces I remember hearing "I Can Love You Better" for the first time. I immediately told my dad that I needed to go get that album, so he took me to the store. As soon as it was in my hands, I was thrilled. I loved everything about this. Natalie's voice is so unique and, again, powerful. This was like Highway 101, but amped way the hell up. Favorites: "I Can Love You Better" "You Were Mine" "Let 'Er Rip" "Once You've Loved Somebody" "Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)"
#7 Beth Hart - Screamin' For My Supper I remember seeing Beth Hart on Star Search. My family watched it together all the time and when this chick took the stage, we all froze. Such a unique voice and stage presence. We never forgot about her and waited for something from her to pop up. Many years later, this album surfaced. I was drawn to the roughness and rawness of her voice. She made me realize it's ok to scream a little, because that's real emotion in someone's voice. Favorites: "Just A Little Hole" "Delicious Surprise" "Get Your Shit Together"
#8 Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway This is the first CD that I ever had to replace because I listened to it so much. It's tough to wear a CD out, so that's saying something. This was on repeat for a very, very long time. Again, power, control and emotion in this woman's voice. I watched her on American Idol every single week and I cried every single time she sang. It was a joke with my family. I couldn't help it. This woman makes me feel. That voice is amazing. Favorites: "Since U Been Gone" "Gone" "You Found Me" "Hear Me"
#9 Evanescence - Fallen Amy Lee taught me how to use my voice differently. This was a harder style of music but was blended with her operatic vocals. She's still tough for me to sing along with sometimes. The lyrics were always good, but a little harder for me to relate to. I was more drawn to her voice and technique than I was to the lyrics. Favorites: "Everybody's Fool" "Taking Over Me" "My Last Breath"
#10 Christina Aguilera - Stripped Now, you knew there'd be a Christina album on here. This album will always be close to my heart. When this came out, it was perfect timing. I felt like this was written for me and said a lot of the things I needed to say. The quote in my high school yearbook came from a song on this album. I remember listening to this album and just crying because it felt like a release for me. We all know how I feel about Christina and this is really where that obsession started. I loved her debut album too, but this one was so much more personal for me. It showcased her voice and her writing skills. This is another one that was on repeat and I sang it over and over again. Favorites: "Walk Away" "Fighter" "Impossible" "Cruz" "Soar" "Get Mine, Get Yours" "The Voice Within" "Keep On Singin' My Song"
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. (Tied with Halloween.) While I own quite a few Christmas albums, there are always the same few that I keep going back to. I wanted to share those favorites with you. Please let me know what some of your favorites are. :) Honorable Mention: John Berry - O Holy Night
I have always loved John Berry. My whole family has. I grew up listening to this album and it's one that just makes it feel like Christmas as soon as it starts. I love, love, love this one. #5 Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped In Red
The only reason this is last on the list is because it's new. I have no doubt that I will fall more in love with this and it will become a regular listen every year. Her voice is amazing and I couldn't wait for her to put out a Christmas album. It does not disappoint. #4 *NSYNC - Home For Christmas
Cheesy? Maybe. Do I care? Nope! I absolutely love this album. I've always been a huge fan of theirs and this album is just a bunch of awesome things rolled together. While they may no longer be together, this is the best thing for me to remember them by. This plays in my house every year. #3 Celine Dion - These Are The Special Times
One of the greatest vocalists ever. Her voice + Christmas songs is just pure magic. These songs are almost like lullabies with her voice in the mix. Incredibly beautiful and one of the best. #2 Christina Aguilera - My Kind of Christmas
I'm sure it isn't a surprise that this is on here. I pretty much love anything this woman does. I wouldn't include it though if I didn't truly love and appreciate it. This is definitely one that I do listen to every year and I just can't get over her voice. It makes everything sound like gold. #1 Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas
I'm not even sure what I can say that will do this album justice. I've loved this ever since I was little and it hasn't lost it's power for me. Her rendition of "O Holy Night" can still bring me to tears. This album makes it feel like Christmas, makes me feel all warm and cozy, and makes me want to go out in the snow and play (which is a hard thing to make me feel nowadays.) This album will always be #1 for me. <3
Mariah Carey has always been one of my absolute favorite singers. Her voice is incomparable and she is just incredible. I wanted to share my favorite song off of each of her albums... and there are a lot. I'm not going to include any of her cover songs, as those will be in a later post.
This is probably the most beautiful section of my CD collection.
(I know it's crooked. Sue me.)
Alrighty, let's get this thing started!
From the album Mariah Carey (1990)
"Prisoner"
From the album Emotions (1991)
"If It's Over"
From the album Music Box (1993)
"Anytime You Need A Friend"
From the album Merry Christmas (1994)
"O Holy Night"
(No one does a better rendition of this song than her)
From the album Daydream (1995)
"When I Saw You"
From the album Butterfly (1997)
"Outside"
From the album Rainbow (1999)
"After Tonight"
From the album Glitter (2001)
"Never Too Far"
From the album Charmbracelet (2002)
"I Only Wanted"
From the album The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
"Your Girl"
From the album E=MC^2 (2008)
"I Stay In Love"
From the album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
"Standing O"
From the album Merry Christmas II You (2010)
"When Christmas Comes" (Feat. John Legend)
From the album Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
