Tuesday Tunes: Best TV Theme Songs

It’s like peanut butter and jelly. It’s like red beans and rice. It’s like cookies and milk. It’s like Twitter and hashtags.

Theme songs and TV shows just go together. The right jingle can send a show swiftly on its way — right into syndication heaven, no doubt. The best ones are uber catchy, the kind that stick in your head long after you switch off the television and the kind that you even find yourself humming as you go about your daily activities. At its heart, a theme song should do two things: Set the tone for the show and do a good job of summarizing the show’s plot. All with musical prowess, of course!! And WORDS. I can’t stress this one enough because an instrumental theme song is just plain sad. Who has time for that??

For this special edition of Tuesday Tunes, I give you five of my favorite TV theme songs of all time…

The Brady Bunch: Did you really think this one wouldn’t be on the list?? From those first note (you know, “here’s the story…”), we immediately become familiar with, well, the story. It’s like a Cliffs Notes version of the entire series. I grew up on this show in syndication and I loved humming it. Every. Single. Episode.

Frasier: At first, the lyrics just sound like a hodge-podge of nonsense words strung together, but I think it has a deeper meaning than that. Frasier’s a psychiatrist who is often confused and blue himself. He’s also a radio psychiatrist, so the line, “Hey, baby, I hear the blues a-calling…” just fits perfectly. I read a fun article about the story behind the song recently and it made such sense!

Gilligan’s Island: The story of seven strangers…NO! I’m not talking about that show! The show about Gilligan and company managed to take a single premise — an afternoon aboard a “tiny ship” — and streeeeetch it out over three seasons. Not to mention that the castaways always seemed to have new clothes, even though they only went on a “three-hour tour.” That’s some skill, if you ask me! I’d watch this show while eating breakfast in elementary school and it dazzled me. And that professor…?? Wow…

The Golden Girls: These gals were hip long before that foursome on Sex and the City strutted down the streets of Manhattan. Miami was never the same after Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia breezed into town. And, I’m sure, none of our friendships were ever the same after hearing said theme song!

The Big Bang Theory: I couldn’t help but throw a more recent show in the mix. The theme song sort of sounds like a prolific genius on speed, with all these thoughts and facts just flowing out in rapid succession. I wonder if that’s how Sheldon Cooper feels all the time.

So…which TV theme song is your favorite, friends? Do you find that some stick in your head and…they…won’t…leave? Any theme songs you absolutely hate?? xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

Tuesday Tunes: The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand”

Editor’s Note: Song lyrics denoted in bold italics.

Had I come of age in the early ’60s, I’m sure I would have been swept up in Beatlemania. I’m sure it was pretty similar to Bieber Fever and all the pictorial evidence seems to support my theory — lots of fans legit screaming their heads off and getting themselves worked up into downright hysterics. It was quite the time, I’m sure!

Although I didn’t grow up during that time, my parents saw to it that I had a healthy diet of Beatles tunes throughout my childhood. They filled car rides with everything from A Hard Day’s Night to Magical Mystery Tour and everything in between. We all seemed to have our favorite Fab Four member too — I loved Paul while my father’s favorite was always Ringo — and our favorite song, of course. Mine have changed over the years. I went through a huge “Something” phase and another phase where “Please, Please Me” stood out above the rest as my main jam, but through it all, one song kept looping in my brain. It’s the song I’d always come back to over and over. It was my constant. And now that I’m older, I’m starting to see why…

The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
From Meet The Beatles

I don’t remember the first time I heard the Beatles, but something obviously clicked during that first listen because they’ve been a part of my musical library forever. Remember how my sister and I saved up to buy almost all of their albums? In high school, I must have listened to Rubber Soul on repeat for days. I remember sitting in our living room, putting the CD in my disc-man and falling into the mesmerizing lull of “Nowhere Man.” As I got older, though, I realized that “I Want To Hold Your Hand” is really where it’s at.

Oh yeah, I’ll tell you something
I think you’ll understand
When I’ll say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand


Oh please, say to me
You’ll let me be your man
And please, say to me
You’ll let me hold your hand
I’ll let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

There is such a sense of innocence to this song, isn’t there? It practically screams of the power of young love. You know, those jitters and butterflies — and, yes, sweaty palms too! — of something as simple as just being around the other person. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it or find the right words to describe it, but you know that you’ve found something pretty special.

Plus, it’s such a simple request. You want to hold their hand. You aren’t asking for anything more than that. If you ask me, that’s a beautiful thing to ask of another person.

And when I touch you I feel happy
Inside
It’s such a feeling that my love
I can’t hide
I can’t hide
I can’t hide

I’ve often wondered what it must be like to have that kind of affect on someone. To have such power over someone and have them completely enraptured by you; it’s no small feat, that’s for sure. And something tells me that this sort of pull is strongest at the emotional level — beyond all that superficial surface-y stuff.

Because when you get down to it, that’s really the only connection worth having in the long-run, don’t you think? Sure, you could try to build some kind of life out of pure physical attraction, but I doubt that would ever be truly satisfying. I just envision getting really bored really quickly. You can’t build an entire life on something as fleeting as looks. I thank John, Paul, George and Ringo for teaching me this lesson so early in life. They probably saved me from A LOT of heartache and disappointment! xoxo

Tuesday Tunes: 5 Albums That Get Me Through The Work Day

aaThe way I see it, there are two types of people in this world: Those who like music when they work and those who don’t.

I fall into that first category, obviously! Music is akin to breathing for me; it’s just a way of life, something that has become such a part of me that I don’t even think twice about it anymore. I always say that if I didn’t have music, I’d die — that sounds like ridiculous hyperbole, but it’s really not! Music has helped me get through some of life’s biggest hurdles and it’s just an all-around mood booster.

So when it comes to music and writing, the benefits are amplified! I do some of my best work when the tunes are blasting and the soda pop is flowing — but that last bit about the soda pop is a topic that deserves it’s own blog post. I thought we’d switch things up a little for Tuesday Tunes this week. Here are 5 albums that get me through the work day — every single time! Granted, I have about a million “favorite” artists, like Simon & Garfunkel and Miranda Lambert, but these are the select few I’ve been playing on repeat lately. Warning: Lots of Lady Bosses up ahead…

1. Lea Michele — Louder
She’s not just Rachel Berry from Glee, and she proves that on her major-label debut, where she celebrates being true to yourself and not being afraid to show the world who you are! Plus, her vocal acrobatics are on fleek — soaring in some places, haunting in other and emotionally driven overall.
My favorite track: “Burn With You”

2. Pure 80’s Love
I’ve had this album for well over a decade, and I first thought it would just be one of those fun jaunts that have me f-skipping every few songs. Boy, was I wrong. It’s rare to like every single song on a compilation album, but I can easily make it through the entire thing and get lost in writing in the process! Music from the ’80s seems like it was made to be a writer’s best friend.
My favorite track: Sheriff’s “When I’m With You”

aa23. Carly Rae Jepsen — Kiss
Picture a candy-coated confection of goodness, complete with rainbows and unicorns, and you’ve got Jepsen’s first album. It’s a breezy dream that will have you floating on a cloud — and feeling oh-so-productive. Beware, though, because I’ve found myself bobbing my head and staging a one-woman singalong. Hey, at least it helped to get lots of writing done!
My favorite track: “Hurt So Good”

aa34. Paris Hilton — Paris

Say what you want about Paris the Heiress, but this album is seriously — and sadly — underrated. It’s not trying to be some epic magnum opus that speaks to all the social issues of our time, and that’s exactly what makes it so perfect. It’s dance-y and fun and just makes you forget about your troubles for 45 minutes. Not to mention, one song samples Grease and they’re all ridiculously catchy!
My favorite track: “Screwed”

5. Adam Lambert — American Idol Studio Performances
I’ve been a fan of Lambert from the beginning. I’m not a full-on Glambert, but I love his voice and his talent is utterly undeniable. He’s a rare gem and I blast his Idol studio performances whenever I need to feel all the feelings — obviously, a must if you’re a writer who thrives on emoting! *Raises hand*
My favorite track: It’s a tie between “Tracks of My Tears” and “Cryin'”

Do you agree with these picks, friends?? What albums are on your must-play list? Do you need lots of music when you work or not so much?? xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

Tuesday Tunes: Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet”

Editor’s Note: Song lyrics denoted in bold italics.

So I decided to take things in a relatively modern direction with today’s tune! Are you surprised? Well, you know me — I do like to shake things up every now and again! As I always say, a classic is never a bad choice, but there’s something to be said for embracing the hip and happening!

Anyway, we were cleaning over the weekend and this song came on Pandora. I hadn’t heard it in awhile and forgot just how much I liked it a few years ago. It had the sort of sing-song-y melody that would quickly give way to a little toe tapping and finger snapping fun. It reminded me of the innocent days of the ’50s when teens would meet at record hops and dance late into the night. I mean, I’m pretty sure that was a thing back then — that’s the decade I’ve always thought I belonged in, at least.

And then, the song popped in my head again yesterday when I was writing to the future Mr. Melissa Blake and something just sort of…clicked? Yes, clicked is definitely the right word. Something just suddenly made sense…

Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet”
From Crazy Love

That Mr. Buble — he’s a charming one, isn’t he? Filling my head with all sorts of notions and visions of rainbows and candy and unicorns flying on puffy white clouds. He makes me start to feel like anything is possible and that maybe — just maybe — nothing is ever truly out of reach for any of us.

I’m not surprised
Not everything lasts
I’ve broken my heart so many times
I stopped keepin’ track
Talk myself in
I talk myself out
I get all worked up
Then I let myself down

I’ll be the first to admit that I can get jaded sometimes. And really, in today’s world, that’s not such a hard thing to do. Heck, sometimes it gets to be so overwhelming that all you want to do is get under the covers for an extended long winter’s nap. Yes, I do have a pretty big tendency of getting myself all sorts of worked up when it comes to matters of the heart — maybe that’s just the curse of being human? — and I can over-analyze with the best of them. On second thought, I can over-analyze BETTER than the best of them! After all, it seems to just come naturally to me. Dare I say that I’ve got it down to an art and half the time, I don’t even know I’m doing it.

Of course, though, I tend to tire myself out to the point where I can’t even see straight. My head gets a-whirling and a-twirling and everything seems to be moving 100 miles a minute. It’s seriously that bad!


And I know someday that it’ll all turn out
You’ll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I’ll give so much more than I get
I just haven’t met you yet

And then, like the clouds parting after a fierce storm, these words resonate in my soul. They make me feel better. They make me believe in love, in a world where there could be something as unrealistic as The One. Swiftly enough, my jaded edges are made smooth. I believe in love, sure, but these words make me feel like it’s actually possible, you know? Maybe this whole world isn’t just some twisted cosmic joke played on the love lorn.

I might have to wait
I’ll never give up
I guess it’s half timing
And the other half’s luck
Wherever you are
Whenever it’s right
You come out of nowhere and into my

Some people might not agree, but I like the idea that The One could pop up when you least expect it. He could be the guy I walk past in the grocery store. He could be the person sitting next to me on the bus. He could even be the waiter at the random restaurant you go to on a whim. The whole point is that even though you don’t see him now, that doesn’t mean he’s not out there. It just means you haven’t met him yet.

That’s really a beautiful thing when you think about it, isn’t it? Maybe in the end, that’s how love should be. A beautiful, surprising journey. Thanks, Mr. Buble!! xoxo

Tuesday Tunes: Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”

Editor’s Note: Song lyrics denoted in bold italics.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I entered young adulthood at the dawn of the new Millennium. Things were changing big time and I was growing up. Everything seemed new, like you were doing it for the first time, and the novelty hadn’t worn off yet or even smudged. There was a palpable freshness in the air; you couldn’t help but feel like anything was possible. Simply put, it was quite an exciting time to be alive. Full of hope and promise of great things to come.

Yes, I know that last paragraph read like a high school graduation speech, but I suppose that’s only appropriate. I mean, I did graduate high school in 2000 (sounds like a lifetime ago now, doesn’t it?) and you really can’t get more new-beginning than that. And back then, when I’d think of new beginnings, there was always one anthem that came to mind. I say anthem because I can just picture it blaring over the speakers in an arena during a rock concert. That, or blaring over the CD player as I sing along and do my fiercest poses in front of the mirror. I vote for the latter.

Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”
From Crush

Maybe that’s why I thought of this song as I was working on the back-to-school post yesterday. Of course, there were SO MANY killer Bon Jovi tunes to choose from, but this one spoke to a new generation — my generation — so it sort of felt like a theme song for the masses, you know?

This ain’t a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain’t gonna be just a face in the crowd
You’re gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud

Youth is nothing if not a time for feeling lost and confused. You’re having all these new experiences and just trying to find meaning and purpose in life. It’s hard, isn’t it? And you think that things are NEVER going to get any easier; you might even think you’ll never find your way. So you end up wandering around searching for those answers and sometimes, even before you arrive at any kind of conclusion, you realize something else. You’re a young adult. This life you’re living?

IT’S YOURS!!!

I know, it can be quite the shocking revelation when it hits you that first time. Sort of like a bolt of lightning or a giant light bulb going off over your head. That’s how it was for me, at least. And of course, you’re determined to make your voice heard. Loud and clear. To anyone and everyone in your life. Not in an evil or malicious way — just in a way that lets people know who you are. Because you’re starting to see that your voice is a powerful thing and you’re going to own it.

It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I’m alive
It’s my life

People say that there’s a sense of invincibility that comes with being young, but I also think there’s a certain sense of urgency that goes along with it. It’s the first time you’re really realizing that your life is finite, that you’re not going to live forever and that it’s what you do with your life that matters the most. You may not know everything, but you know that you want your life to mean something. You want to live it to the fullest, to live it on your terms. But perhaps most of all, you don’t want anything to stand in your way. Ever.

This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow’s getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain’t even lucky
Got to make your own breaks

Stand your ground? What does that even mean? I do wonder about that sometimes, and the older I get, the more I think it’s all about tuning out that excess noise. It’s not letting people get inside your head — especially the ones that don’t matter. It’s about not believing what people say about you, even though you’re struggling to just shrug off those cruel and hurtful words. It’s about not giving into those inner demons that are all sorts of hell-bent on destroying you — but you’re determined not to let them, though. Most importantly, it’s about BEING WHO YOU ARE and not being afraid to show your true colors to the entire world.

This life is hard. Really hard. There’s just no way around it. But that certainly doesn’t mean that this life can’t be beautiful and that you shouldn’t shine your light for all to see. After all, remember what I always say?? #BeBraveBeYou