A Little Slice of Life

Josh Groban - Brave [Official Music Video] (by joshgroban)

For all the haters/bullies out there, here’s to you: Mean by Taylor Swift

You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again got me feeling like I’m nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard, calling me out when I’m wounded
You, pickin’ on the weaker man

Well, you can take me down with just one single blow
But you don’t know what you don’t know

Someday I’ll be living in a big old city
And all you’re ever gonna be is mean
Someday I’ll be big enough so you can’t hit me
And all you’re ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides and your walk-by lies and your humiliation
You have pointed out my flaws again as if I don’t already see them
I’ll walk with my head down trying to block you out ‘cause I’ll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again

I’ll bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now ‘cause you can’t lead me down that road
And you don’t know what you don’t know

Someday I’ll be living in a big old city
And all you’re ever gonna be is mean
Someday I’ll be big enough so you can’t hit me
And all you’re ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

I can see you years from now in a bar, talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but nobody’s listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can’t sing
All you are is mean and a liar and pathetic and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean

Someday I’ll be living in a big old city
And all you’re ever gonna be is mean

Written and Performed Originally by Taylor Swift
Covered by Alex G and Adam Stanton
Video Courtesy of Alex G and Adam Stanton

When Mario Rules the World

Video Courtesy of Kurt Schneider and Andrew Johnson

Sometimes you just need a kitten to brighten up your day =D

Video Courtesy of Luke Conard and Ingrid

Mid-week pick-me-up song: I Wont Give Up - Jason Mraz

When I look into your eyes
It’s like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There’s so much they hold

And just like them old stars
I see that you’ve come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

Well, I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up

And when you’re needing your space
To do some navigating
I’ll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

‘Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We’ve got a lot to learn
God knows we’re worth it
No, I won’t give up

I don’t wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I’m here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you’re still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn’t break, we didn’t burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I’ve got and what I’m not
And who I am

I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up
Still looking up

Well, I won’t give up on us (no I’m not giving up)
God knows I’m tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We’ve got a lot to learn (we’re alive, we are loved)
God knows we’re worth it (and we’re worth it)

I won’t give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I’m giving you all my love
I’m still looking up

Wang Lee Hom (王力宏) - Still In Love With You (依然愛你)

Directed by: Wong Fu Productions
In Association with Phenomena Productions
Assistant Producer: Christine Chen
Visual Effects: Derrick Lee

The One That Got Away

Summer after high school when we first met
We make out in your Mustang to Radiohead
And on my 18th Birthday we got matching tattoos

Grab a bunch of blankets and climb to the roof
Talk about our future like we had a clue
Never planned that one day I’d be losing you

In another life, I would be your girl
We’d keep all our promises be us against the world
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don’t have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away

I was June and you were my Johnny Cash
Never one without the other we made a pact
Sometimes when I miss you, I put those records on

Someone said you had your tattoo removed
I saw you downtown singing the Blues
It’s time to face the music, I’m no longer your muse

In another life, you would be your girl
We’d keep all our promises, be us against the world
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don’t have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away
The o-o-o-o-o-one [x3]
The one that got away

All this money can’t buy me a time machine (Nooooo)
It can’t replace you with a million rings (Nooooo)
I should’ve told you what you meant to me (Whoa)
‘Cause now I pay the price

In another life, I would be your girl
We’d keep all our promises, be us against the world
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don’t have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away
The o-o-o-o-o-one [x3]
The one that got away

Originally Sung by Katy Perry (@katyperry)
Covered by Tiffany Alvord (@TiffanyAlvord) and Chester See  (@chestersee)
Recorded and Produced by Andy Lange (@andylangemusic)
Videographer Nick Riedell (@NickRiedell)

A job well-done by both Tiffany and Chester. Loved their rendition of Katy Perry’s The One That Got Away. Also, a thumbs up for Andy Lange for producing such a beautiful cover and Nick Riedell for the brilliant videography.

A little boy stole my heart today…isn’t he amazing??? I was totally blown away.

Sungha Jung cover of Masa Sumide’s Romance

Bring Him Home

God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there

He is young
He’s afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

He’s like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.

Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy

You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home

Original music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Arrangement by Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson
Piano recorded by Chuck Myers & Jake Bowen at Big Idea Studio
Cello recorded by Al van der Beek at ToyVan Studios
Mixed and mastered by Al van der Beek

Skyscraper

Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence, as it’s ending, like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like there’s nothing left of me?

You can take everything I have, you can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass, like I’m of paper
Go on and try to tear me down, I’ll be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, Like a skyscraper

As the smoke clear, I awaken and untangle you from me
Would it make feel better to watch me while I bleed
All my windows, still are broken
But I’m standing on my feet

You can take everything I have, you can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass, like I’m of paper
Go on and try to tear me down, I’ll be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, Like a skyscraper

Go run, run, run, I’m gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear, yeah
Go run, run, run, yeah its a long way down
But I’m closer to clouds up here

You can take everything I have, you can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass, like I’m of paper
Go on and try to tear me down, I’ll be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper 

Originally sung by Demi Lovato
Covered by Megan and Liz
Written by Toby Gad, Kerli Kõiv and Lindy Robbins
Produced by Toby Gad 

Holding On and Letting Go

Is anybody out there? Is anybody listening?
Does anybody really know if it’s the end of the beginning?
The quiet rush in one breath is all we’re waiting for
Sometimes the one we’re taking changes every one before

It’s everything you wanted, it’s everything you don’t
It’s one door swinging open and one door swinging closed
Some prayers find an answer, some prayers never know
We’re holding on and letting go

Sometimes we’re holding angels and we never even know
Don’t know if we’ll make it, but we know,
We just can’t let it show

It’s everything you wanted, it’s everything you don’t
It’s one door swinging open and one door swinging closed
Some prayers find an answer, some prayers never know
We’re holding on and letting go
Yeah, letting go

Sung by Ross Copperman

Trivia: This song is used as the ending song of CSI:NY Season 7 Finale (Episode 22)

Bittersweet

It is kind of bittersweet
Like the smile one would have when they know they’ve given it their all
But the smile can’t change that the game has been lost
That smile is the only thing you’ve got but it’s enough to move on

And i could spend forever in your eyes
I could spend forever here tonight
And even if you never care for me
I will cherish every memory
I spend with you

It is kind of bittersweet
Like the five lines previous and the feeling felt right now
Like if you heard that a loved one had been lost
But their last words were,”I know this is my time.”
I am strong

And I could spend forever in your eyes
I could spend forever here tonight
And even if you never care for me
I will cherish every memory
That I spend with you
That I spend with you

And I could spend forever in your eyes
I could spend forever here tonight
And even if you never care for me
I will cherish every memory

And though I know it’s kind of bittersweet
Sometimes we have to accept defeat
Then ensues the peace like falling snow
Take a deep breath in and let it go
I am free
I am free

And I could spend forever in your eyes

Written and performed by Spencer Schmidt
Backing vocals by Annie Schmidt
Piano accompaniment by Jon Schmidt
Cello accompaniment by Steven Sharp Nelson
Guitars accompaniment by Tom Hopkins and Spencer Schmidt
Bass accompaniment by Jesse Anderegg
Recorded by Jesse Anderegg at Packderegg Music Studios
Produced by Jesse Anderegg and Spencer Schmidt
Mixed at Big idea Studios by Jake Bowen and Chuck E. Myers

Trivia: Spencer is the son of Jon Schmidt who is a relatively well known new-age composer and pianist. On another note, Annie, who sang the backing vocals, is Spencer’s sister. It’s all in the family, I suppose.

Blessed the Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I’d like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You’ve been there you understand
It’s all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Now I’m just rolling home
Into my lover’s arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

Written by Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna and Marcus Hummon
Sung by Rascal Flatts

All About Your Heart

I don’t mind your odd behavior
It’s the very thing I savor
If you were an ice cream flavor
You would be my favorite one

My imagination sees you
Like a painting by Van Gogh
Starry nights and bright sunflowers
Follow you where you may go

Oh, I’ve loved you from the start
In every single way
And more each passing day

You are brighter than the stars
Believe me when I say
It’s not about your scars
It’s all about your heart

You’re a butterfly held captive
Small and safe in your cocoon
Go on you can take your time
Time is said to heal all wounds

Oh, I’ve loved you from the start
In every single way
And more each passing day

You are brighter than the stars
Believe me when I say
It’s not about your scars
It’s all about your heart

Like a lock without a key
Like a mystery without a clue
There is no me if I cannot have you

Oh, I’ve loved you from the start
In every single way
And more each passing day

You are brighter than the stars
Believe me when I say
It’s not about your scars
It’s all about your heart

Sung by Mindy Gledhill
Written by Mindy Gledhill and Kendra Lowe

The King’s Singer - Overture The Barber of Seville

This video shows how voice is the most amazing musical instrument of all.