highways & mirrors

 

Ok.music bits and pieces

I am going to mention two songs from two very different artists <Tim McGraw & Justin Timberlake> who actually have something in common beyond the new song I like that I want to mention … they are both the most talented untalented musicians I can think of.

Now.

Just to be clear … I am also the only person I know who starts searching for an ice pick to shove in my ear whenever I hear Adele sing <ok … ok … I only run for the ice pick when she sings anything outside her lower register … which is at least once in every one of her songs>.

Anyway.

Neither of these gays are particularly good singers. In fact … they are actually pretty horrible singers. And songwriters? Well. I am not sure Tim ever writes any of his own songs … and Justin may … but regardless … both are studio driven artists.

But <and this is a huge but> all the negativity aside.

Put these guys in a studio with a gangbuster producer and they can create some really talented listenable music.

That said.

They have again.

Tim with a song ‘highway don’t care’ and Justin with a song called ‘Mirrors’.

 

highway taylor-swift-tim-mcgraw-keith-urban__oPtFirst. Tim and “Highway Don’t Care.”

Now. There are a lot of reasons to not like Tim McGraw’s music.

He doesn’t write his own music. He is a horrible singer live <outside a studio>. He is married to one of the most beautiful <talented singer> women in the universe. And his father was one of my favorite pitchers growing up <Tug McGraw> and Tim didn’t become a baseball player.

But.

Put the guy in a studio with someone else’s song and … well … it sure does produce some good radio listening music.

Tim McGraw’s latest single, “Highway Don’t Care” features Taylor Swift and Keith Urban guitar playing.

 

Highway don’t care: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gHfNBuirx8

 

It has some nice lyrics and McGraw and Swift do a nice job trading vocals. Tie the vocals together with some pf that typical guitar playing by Keith Urban and you have a top 10 hit.

<I do find it funny he selected Taylor to sing with him because it has to be kinda weird for her in that she wrote a stalker song in her debut single, called Tim McGraw … albeit a great sounding stalker song … so he is actually working with one of his teen fans … oh well>

Look.

Despite all the semi-negative things I said about Tim … I don’t begrudge Tim. He is a hardworking focused singer. He works hard to do what he does. Proof that just being hardworking can get you somewhere. And, of course, Tug is his dad.

Since the release of his debut album in 1993, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums, won three GRAMMY’s, 14 ACM Awards, 12 CMA Awards and 10 AMA’s, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor in such films as the Oscar nominated The Blind Side, Country Strong, and Friday Night Lights—as well as hosting Saturday Night Live, a rare honor for a singer in any genre.  One source recently certified McGraw as the most-played Country artist of the past 20 years (1992-2012) with more than 10 million plays and Mediabase recognized him as the most-played Country artist in the history of their tracking service.

 

Next.

Justin Timberlake and a song called Mirrors.justin timberlake mirrors-video

Look. The majority of the time I just don’t get his music … and do not understand why so many people gush over what he does. Now. As a person? His Saturday Night Live appearances are must see, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders and this new song Mirrors captures a great message:

 

”One of the most valuable things in a relationship is being able to constantly change and be individual, but look to the other side to the person that you’re with and know that they’re changing as well individually, but somehow you two can mirror each other and be the other half of that world that you both create.”

 

Justin Timberlake ‘mirrors’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZE_IRwLNI

 

Ok.

And just to show I can be sappy every once in awhile … I like the backstory behind the song. Well. actually there are 2 backstories … and I like both.

 

1st story.

It has been suggested that Justin Timberlake dedicated the video to his grandparents who died in December 2012. If so … well played Justin. They would be happy.

 

2nd story.

In an audio clip posted on his website, Justin suggested that ‘Mirrors’ was inspired by his wife. His personal explanation of the song is pretty nice <and probably made his wife tear up a bit>.

So.

Justin Timberlake is a romantic guy <and Jessica Biel must be a lucky gal>.

 

Girl you’re my reflection, all I see is you

My reflection, in everything I do

You’re my reflection and all I see is you

My reflection, in everything I do

 

Justin explains “Mirrors” … ‘Mirrors’ is a love song to someone that you feel like is, you know, sort of your other half.”

Gosh. So maybe this guy is more than a great SNL guest.

 

Two pretty good songs.

Excellent radio listening.

 

Written by Bruce