my top ten musical artists ever. (it ended up being 20...well technically like 35)

this is probably the hardest blog i will ever write,
seeing as i listen to a million different genres of music,
and therefore i listen to even more artists.
this list might expand to 15 or 20.
however, im gonna try my best to keep it at 10.

note: these artists are in no particular order.

1. Vicente Fernandez- this man is a musical god, face it. if youre mexican, you know the words to "volver, volver." i grew up hearing this man everywhere, the market, the neighbors, parties, etc. then again, i did grow up in the ghetto of la, but still. Chente is a genius. His music is timeless. His voice is so strong and thick. Even today, he's aged and still puts on the most amazing concerts. Alejandro isnt far behind him. Slightly different voice, but amazing just the same.
favorites: volver volver, aunque me duele el alma, entre el amor y yo, me voy a quitar de en medio<33, sublime mujer, amor de los dos, paloma negra, perdon, por tu maldito amor. [so i know that was a long list of favorites but this man has a million songs. it could be longer.]

2. Kelly Clarkson- ima get her out of the way now. i will say this first, i love her not because of her songs, but because of her voice. im not always very keen of her songs[although they eventually grow on me], but she has the most amazing voice i have ever heard, esp live[& i have seen everyone from christina aguilera to aerosmith to the beegees live]. she loves what she does and it shows. she can sing the fuck out of every song. ive heard so many of her covers, theyre amazing. her voice has personality, heart, and soul. i can proudly say i voted for her on american idol. =] i love my wifey.
favorites: beautiful disaster, irvine, addicted, hear me, since u been gone, because of you, behind these hazel eyes, maybe, chivas, anytime, some kind of miracle. [sorry for the long list of favorites again. i have a feeling this is gonna be a trend. ha.]

3. Alison Krauss- another musical genius. this woman has beat out aretha franklin for the most grammys won by a woman. her current total of grammys is at 21. she is tied at 7th place for most overall grammys by any artist. and seeing that she's only 37, she has plenty of time to be #1. unless you listen to country[and maybe not even at that], you probably dont know the name. however, you should. she's put out most of her albums with her band, Union Station. Union Station is a band of some of the most talented musicans of our time. do me a favor, wikipedia them. i cant even begin to explain in words how incredibly talented they are. jerry douglas, the band's dobro player [dont know what a dobro is? you should. look it up.] has won 12 grammys. Dan Tyminski, the band's guitar/mandolin player, has won 10 grammys and is the voice behind george clooney's "man of constant sorrow" song. and thats only half the band...the point is, these people know what theyre doing. alison has even recorded with led zepplin's robert plant. a-freaking-mazing album. love love love. plus, alison has the voice of a freaking angel. like brad paisley said in an acceptance speech "If I get to heaven and the angels sing and they’re anything less than Alison Krauss, I’m going to ask to come back.” true story.
favorites: forget about it, ghost in this house, whiskey lullaby, the lucky one, new favorite<33, cluck old hen, when you say nothing at all, oh atlanta, there is a reason, let me touch you for awhile, if i didnt know any better, stars.

4. Frank Sinatra- Ol Blue Eyes still puts me in the best mood ever. He's also really good to study to, although i cant figure out why. Frank is a legend in American music. everyone should know his name and his music. Im not sure theres anything he's recorded that i have yet to like. sinatra's music takes you back to a time where everything seems to have been so much simpler, not to mention more romantic. i dont have a lot to say about him other than what a huge legend he is, but im sure you must already know that. so ill just start with my favorites.
favorites: the way you look tonight<33 [one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES], fly me to the moon, come rain or come shine, the very thought of you, youd be so nice to come home to, ive got a crush on you, lets fall in love, in the blue of the evening, night and day, strangers in the night, thats all, all the way<33, it had to be you, ive got you under my skin. [i think that was the longest thus far. but hes classic!]

5. La Sonora Dinamita[and Los Angeles Azules]- yes, i am that mexican that im putting a cumbia artist on here. again, if youre mexican and youve ever been to a quince, wedding, or just a kickback, youve heard them. their songs are just as good as they were then as they are now. plus, who doenst love dancing to some good cumbias? along with la sonora, i also want to say that Los Angeles Azules are equally as fantastic. and deng, i have a fatty love for cumbia music.
Favorites for La Sonora: capullo y sorullo, mi cuca, que nadie sepa mi sufrir<33, mil horas, escandalo, a mover la colita, ya para que.
Favorites for Los Angeles Azules: como te voy a olvidar, amor de mis amores, los caminos de la vida, hipocrecia, el liston de tu pelo<33.

6. Norah Jones- I am completely in love with this girl. her voice, her writing, the way she plays piano...she puts it together so carefully crafted. i still lover her first album, come away with me, best, but her succeeding albums are still great. she has so much ahead of her. classic artist.
favorites: come away with me<33, turn me on, the nearness of you, seven years, humble me, what am i to you, until the end, thinking about you, my dear country, rosie's lullaby, not too late, Tennessee Waltz [cover], Wurlitzer Prize ( I Don't Want to Get Over you) [cover].

7. Alanis Morissette- so many albums, so many grammys. i considered whether or not i should put her on this list, but shes been such an inspiration to so many artists. alanis is creative in what she writes and records. you can recognize her voice in an instant. plus, i love her man-hating ways. Jagged Little Pill became a phenomenon and she became a household name. she's blunt and open and i appreciate that. very 90s. although the albums she's still putting out have continued to evolve and i love listening to them.
favorites: uninvited, hands clean, you oughta know, hand in my pocket, you learn, head over feet, mary jane, ironic, thank u, are you still mad, so pure, that i would be good<33, Your Congratulations.

8. Paramore- they havent been around for awhile. however, i completely adore them. my ID may tell you that im nineteen, but deep down im still a 12 year old girl with a lot of teenage angst. and paramore speaks to that girl, so dont judge me cuz im pretty sure you have that same kind of artist that does that for you. i love hayley willams. shes hot. but she seems like the type of girl who doesnt know it. "my heart" is probably my favorite paramore song ever, because, if you listen closely, its actually about God. "this heart, it beats, beats for only You. my heart is Yous." paramore is a christain band. get over it. plus, theyre amazing live.
favorites: my heart<33, style="font-style: italic;">franklin<33.

9. Rascal Flatts- another country artist. i should make a list of my favorite artists for each genre. hmm...haha. i loved these men since they first started, way before everyone and their mom knew who they were, and way WAY before even those who dont listen to country know the words to "what hurts the mostt." it kinna pisses me off that everyone is all "oh rascal flatts! i love them!" when theyve really only heard a few very mainstream songs, but thats a different discussion. rascal flatts has evolved nicely over the years. and they make the kind of country that just puts a smile on my face. deng, all country puts a smile on my face but still.
favorites: heres to you, stand, these days, he aint the leaving kind, mayberry, dry country girl, prayin for daylight, this everyday love, some say, see me through, one good love, waiting all my life, long slow beautiful dance, im movin on

10. Maná- mmm...Maná...what is there to even say about them. theyve been around so long. everyone in Latin America knows their name. the voice, the sound, everything. Maná can make you wanna dance or wish you were in the arms of some incredibly dreamy man. they infuse different styles of music wonderfully.
favorites: somos mar y arena, manda una senal, bendita tu luz, el rey tiburon, rayando el sol, te llevare al cielo, oye mi amor, cuando los angeles lloran, se me olvido otra vez, te llore un rio, vivir sin aire, mariposa traicionera, hechicera, como dueles en los labios, clavado en un bar, amame hasta que me muera.

okay...
so thats ten, right? but yeah...like i figured, im not done. lets aim for 15?

11. Johnny Cash- now remember, this list is in no particular order, because if it was, Mr Cash would be much higher than 11. most people know, that, at heart, i am a country girl. i love everything mexican, but gosh...country. and johnny cash is the epitome of country music. he has influenced so many artists, country artists and non-country artists. from his voice to his guitar, everything. his lyrics are deep, they mean something. his voice is honest and sincere. theres just something about the way he was able to compose a song so organically. LEGEND. another to make my list. but a legend just the same.
favorites: walk the line, i still miss someone, ring of fire, folsom prison blues, a boy names sue, daddy sang bass, flesh and blood, ghost riders in the sky, dont take your guns to town, first time i ever saw your face[cover], hurt[cover], coaine blues<33, it aint me babe, jackson.

12. Shakira- when i put shakira on the list, im referring to old shakira, black hair with dreads unglamourous shakira. not that who she is today isnt great, she still is. however, she will never be as good as she was circa donde estan los ladrones and pies descalzos. her voice is one of the most unique i have ever heard in my life. its uncomparable, which works in her favor. on top of her voice, she can shake her hips and pop her chest like no other. she owned this shit way back in the day, way before beyonce tried to steal it. i rememer listening to her as a kid, singing a long, and dancing just like her. so fun. i cant wait for the material she puts out. i hope she decides to go back to her roots cuz thats when she was amazing.
favorites: ciega sordomuda, si te vas, moscas en la casa, no creo, octavo dia, tu, donde estan los ladrones, ojos asi<33, style="font-style: italic;">estoy aqui<33, antologia, vuelve, te espero sentada, donde estas corazon.

13. Shania Twain- im including shania on this list because of the songs shes written with then husband, mutt lange. aside from her voice being different than what you usually hear in country, her music is too. its upbeat and fun to listen to. i still remember the first time i heard "whose bed have your boots been under" and i fell completley in love with her. i mustve been like eight. ha. shes evolved nicely. i love going back and listening to her albums. plus, the songwriting abilites she and her ex have are marvelous. together they gave the world two of the most popular wedding songs. and while i wont be playing those at my wedding, a lot of folks will.
favorites: whose bed have your boots been under<33, style="font-style: italic;">black eyes blue tears, that dont impress me much.

14. Thrice- theyre a new favorite of mine. theyre lyrics have substance. and theyve managed to evolve nicely over the years, much better compared to their stuff that i listened to in jr hs and freshman year. i cannot begin to explain how much i love their alchemy index. its pure genius. they have a lot of slow and acoustic stuff thats actually sang, but they still scream, which is what i love best, which just reminded me of chiodos. mmm...back to the point, i cant wait to see what they release next.
favorites: the flame deluge, digital sea, the whaler<33, style="font-style: italic;">the lion and the wolf<33, style="font-style: italic;">for miles<33, stand and feel your worth.

15. Gavin DeGraw/Vanessa Carlton/Fiona Apple/A Fine Frenzy/Sara Bareilles- i grouped these 5 artists together because the all have one thing in common: theyre all solo artists with a strong piano influence. everyone and their mom knows i love piano. i used to play it and its the one instrument that makes me feel instantly relaxed. when songs with piano play, i can see the notes in my head. i love all these artists for using piano so cleverly and so much. They all use it in different but slightly similar ways. And, they all write their own songs. mmm...piano...piano players are instantly sexy in my book. on a individual note, fiona apple is musically one of the most talented musicians. she has a huge cult following and for good reason. she makes the strangest, best music ever. period.
favorites, gavin: follow through, just friends<33, belief, crush, change is gonna come, cheated on me, we belong together.
favorites, vanessa: a thousand miles, pretty baby, paradise<33, style="font-style: italic;">wanted, annie<33, san francisco, the wreckage, heroes&theives, spring street.
favorites, fiona: sullen girl, shadowboxer<33, style="font-style: italic;">never is a promise, love ridden, get gone, addict<33, waltz, extraordinary machine
favorites, a fine frenzy: hope for the hopeless, near to you, last of days, ashes and wine, almost lover.
favorites, sara: vegas, bottle it up, city<33, many the miles, gravity, between the lines<33.

so, i hit 15. and i can still keep going...
this IS ending at twenty. because i need sleep.
the explanations will get shorter tho.

16. ABBA- they started a craze and phenomenon. they even inspired the music for a musical. their music transcends through time. my grandpa loved abba. my mom and dad love abba. i love abba.
favorites: super trouper, lay all your love on me<33, money money money, mama mia, dancing queen, take a chance on me, gimme gimme gimme.

17. Aerosmith- need i say more? seriously? no.
favorites: crazy, cryin, dream on, love in an elevator, same old song and dance, hole in my soul.

18. Britney Spears&Christina Aguilera- now dont get all crazy on me. i know the difference btwn the two. trust me. im just grouping them together to save spaces and cuz they were both teen pop sensations together.
Ill start with britney. brit has had her ups and downs. however, her music has stayed virtually constant and amazing. her last two albums, blackout and circus are amazing. its lovely to have the britney i feel in love with at 10 back.
christina...gosh. the voice. she has the once thing britney was really missing. christina def has one of the best voices out there today. she can sing anything. i remember her version of "its a mans world." she hit notes that are impossible to hit unless youre name is christina, kelly, celine, or mariah. her Stripped days were my favorite. that album was amazing. but christina can really do no wrong with her voice.
favorites, brit: baby one more time, born to make you happy, toy solider<33, style="font-style: italic;">mannequin, trouble<33, style="font-style: italic;">dont go knockin on my door, what u see.
favorites, xtina: slow down baby, still dirrty, mercy on me, oh mother<33, style="font-style: italic;">cant hold us down<33, style="font-style: italic;">fighter<33, infatuation, beautiful, dirrty, the voice within, im ok.

19. Harry Connick Jr- im pretty sure a lot of folks dont know this man by name. he's been around awhile and paid his dues. he was the original Michael Buble. he is a fantastic pianst who has been around for almost thirty years. starting off as just a pianst, he moved on with each album singing more and more. his covers are often amazing. he provided the entire soundtrack for When Harry Met Sally. he's written his own original music and its equally as fantastic. my favorite album he's released is one of covers, Only You. he has such a classic voice that he would have fit wonderfully with frank sinatra and dean martin. plus the music he writes is meant to be played with other big-band, standards music, because he writes for that period. its new old music. and its completely lovely. oh, and he's big on piano. =]
favorites: Jill, she belongs to me, come by me, love is here to stay, the way you look tonight, smile though your heart is breaking, you dont know me<333333, style="font-style: italic;">a wink and a smile<33, style="font-style: italic;">stardust<33,

idk who to pick for 20...
so...



20. Ana Gabriel/Andrea Bocelli/Brandi Carlile/Brooks&Dunn/Dixie Chicks/Chiodos/E-40/Martina McBride/Tim McGraw/Olga Tanon/Reba/Sugarland/Taylor Swift/Toby Keith/Taking Back Sunday/Ying-Yang Twins-ok thats a lot of people. i know. but thats what happens when you listen to so many artists. it ended up being like 35. ha.
okay. im sleepy. peace!

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