Best Break Up Songs

Okay, let's not lie: we all love a good break up song after gettting our heart broken. While I'm not usually one for whiny songs, some songs hit the note, and the spot, when recovering from a good ol' dumping. While I'm not the girl to run to a Taylor Swift record, these songs always helped me along:

1. "Smile" by Lily Allen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxDrVUrSvI&ob=av2e. Her voice sounds so sweet, but she gets vengeful. Her anger is so relatable.

2. "Someone Like You" by Adele. This is a good one for when you're still in love with your ex. She keeps her dignity, and hits the high notes.

3. "Erase Me" by Kid Cudi. He sings about how the girl wants him back, so I like this if I'm feeling confident.

4. "3685" by The Spill Canvas. It's about looking back on an old relationship and realizing you did wrong, but appreciating your new relationship because it's so much better. What could be more comforting than the lyrics "The truth is I found something new, and she easily towers over you."

Opinionator 1: Occupy Wall Street?

Images and videos of apparent police brutality in the Occupy Wall Street arouse the sympathies of American citizens, especially middle and lower classes. However, with more reflection the movements’ demands are vague and conflict with the fundamental elements of capitalism.

                Youtube videos of police using force against nonviolent protestors have conjured up to millions of hits on the site. Similar videos are widely used in news media, particularly Fox News. Although such videos create sympathy for the movement, they do not validate the beliefs of the Occupy Wall Street. In fact, they end up stirring anti-government sentiment, which undermines the principles of Liberalism.

                Similarly, the movement claims “we are the 99%” as a catch all for non-rich Americans. However, the demands to destroy Corporate America, don’t benefit all of the “99%”. Government paid workers, including firefighters (besides the now demonized police force) are paid holistically through all Americans paying their taxes, and especially the taxing of big business. Likewise, corporations provide millions of jobs. Thus, the “99%” encompasses small business owners rather than the vastness and uniqueness of all Americans.

                Occupy Wall Street makes many claims on the extremity of corruption in “the corporate state” detailing its robbery of the citizens, pollution of the environment, and overtaking of the government. One must not forget however, that corrupt values of one corruption can’t be used to generalize those of all corporations. If every corporation was not paying its taxes, there would be extreme repercussions, by necessity, in the government.

                Most significantly, one must not forget that the existences of hugely profitable businesses are created from the ground up, the epitome of capitalism. Such fundamentals of Capitalism are what allow for mobility in society. Even if an unskilled worker made more money per hour, what’s the point if he won’t move up in the workforce and make significantly more money?

                All in all, the Occupy Wall Street movement should be advocating modification in the Corporate State, not attempting its destruction.

Music Memories Two

My father, William, and I fit the saying "like father like daughter" to a T in almost every aspect of life. It's no surprise that our tastes in music is similar as well. In fact, I credit the soft, classic rock he plays in the car on long trips to my taste in music. Not to mention, I blame him for the catchy lyrics that he sings that always end up stuck in my head. Much like my personal relationship with music, my dad's taste has had sporadic periods of total change followed by steady devotion.
Like me, growing up my dad wasn't particularly interested in music. During the mellow 50's he was more interested in being a kid then listening to the more mild music of the time. Growing out of adolescence however, he became exposed to more rebellious that matched his own rebellion. As a teenager and college student, The Doors most frequently served as the anthem for crazy, teenager adventures. He went to a concert in San Francisco, but it carried little weight and he felt too overwhelmed by the experience. (To this day he still doesn't like San Francisco).
Gradually, the Doors began to be replaced by a little band called the Beatles. On his exterior, my dad was the epitome of a red neck. But the Beatles struck a chord with their thoughtful lyrics and good-feel beats. He broadened his horizons to more classical, softer rock. Bands like Johnny Rivers entered his musical horizon; and never left. To this day, my Dad still loves his classic rock. More importantly, the tune to "My Girl" by the temptations is as permanently engrained in my brain as my own name.

Happy Songs

While many beats are upbeat,a lot of the time music has sad undertones, often hidden in the lyrics. I've found that most of upbeat artists I listen to are more mainstream. Such popular bands with appeals to happiness are as follows:

1.Katy Perry. Most of her songs deal with having fun and be comfortable as you are. (Not all of her songs follow this general rule though). One example include Last Friday Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlyXNRrsk4A.)

2. Ke$ha. The only songs I've heard of hers are shallow, fun and about partying. If she has a dark side, she tries not to show it.

3. Jason Mraz. He once said that people liked his song "I'm Your's" because it was simple and sweet. This statement goes for most of his songs, which veer toward the light, romantic side of life and love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl88QEll-Xc

4. Colbie Cailliat. Her songs are usually about love and are holistically not heavy. The themes are usually the brighter side of love.

5. The Beatles. Although they're not the first band that comes to mind when thinking of this topic, a running motif of their songs is love, acceptance, and happiness. What could be happier than that?