My Top 5 Favorite Beatles Songs and Why

(en.wikipedia.org)

        Hello! So today I am sad to say that this will be my last blog post :(. I originally made this blog as a part of my Journalism/Creative Writing class and I have big thing for the 20th century, that's how this blog was made. So in honor of my last post I decided I would write about my favorite thing about the 20th century. The Beatles.
       Let's start of with my first favorite! Links will also be included:

5. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Youtube Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

       I love this song so much because it is one of those songs that is not one of the deeper songs by the Beatles, but it's a fun tune to have in your head. It's catchy and brings up your mood. One thing that I admire about the Beatles is that even at my lowest points they were able to give me some sort of message that it will be alright in the end. Even when it doesn't seem possible, it will in its way.             This song is just a catchy song about Desmond and Molly meeting and marrying and having a family of their own,  but it gives a message that "Life goes on". I like to sometimes listen to this song when I feel like life is just going in the right way. 

4. Blackbird

Youtube Blackbird

       This is a particular favorite of mine because of the acoustic (I'm a sucker for acoustic). Also Paul McCartney's voice is just one of those classic voices that can make an ad for noodles a hit song. But this song also stuck with me since I saw him in concert when I was 10 with my dad. Honestly, I'm not that type to remember what exact songs were performed. I more just remember certain moments I feel, or what the crowd was like, or just words the performer says to the crowd. But I remember what Paul said before performing this song. He said it was dedicated to an young African girl and I just thought that was so beautiful. 

       This song is also one of those songs that pick you up when you're down. Except this one is a little more for when you need hope or strength. My favorite line is, "Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life... you were only waiting for this moment to arise."

3. Eleanor Rigby

Youtube Eleanor Rigby

         I think we all know that this is an all time Beatles classic. This song is my third favorite because of the message. It's funny because I know so many people who only partially understood what this song was talking about until it was explained to them, but I always knew since I was just a little girl. I'm not saying that they're stupid or anything, I just find it odd how I understood it at such a younger age. Of course what The Beatles were talking about here is that there are so many lonely people and soon those people fade into the past and are forgotten. No one will ever know about them. And Eleanor Rigby is an example of what this song is trying to show.
         But when I was just a little girl, I remember going to the grocery store with my mom and staring at one lady. (I tended to stare at people when I was little a lot). She was probably a mom too but I noticed she didn't have anyone with her.  No friend, no child, no partner. She had a gloomy face and seemed tired. I remember that I connected this song with her, of course this was a  very childish way of seeing lonely people. But I realized that people eventually are somehow alone in life and that it doesn't always look like it but we only have ourselves in this world.

2. Golden Slumbers

Youtube Golden Slumbers

       This song is just great. It's a part of a sequence of songs on Abbey Road so it blends in with other sequences, but it doesn't blend in with any other songs I know. This song is so hopeful and it talks about home. It talks about how we get lost but there is a way to get back homeward. It's written to make you think of a lullaby kind of, I guess lullabies connect to home with a lot of people. It's so beautiful and beautifully sung by Paul McCartney. It's one of those hopeful songs that I have never forgotten about.
P.S. I love this song so much I wrote the lyrics on my shoes

1. A Day In a Life

Youtube A Day In A Life

        Ok, now I know I said I loved all the other songs above but THIS IS A CLASSIC, THE MEANING BEHIND THIS SONG IS WHAT MAKES THE BEATLES BRILLIANT AND GREAT.
       The song starts off with John Lennon singing about what he read in the news. Of course, he's talking about the newspaper and how he read an article about a car crash. The song slowly fades into a blurry sound of an orchestra and chaos. Until the song comes to the sound of ringing, like an alarm clock. Paul comes in and starts singing about rushing in the morning to catch the bus. The song here is fast and resembles to the feeling of stress. Eventually John Lennon comes back in singing about the news he read about but he soon fades out and the orchestra comes in. Let me remind you that the orchestra is making no masterpiece, it's making chaotic noises all at once.  This sound soon builds up until one single piano note. And for the rest of the song you just listen to the note echo until the echo stops.
         Now probably what I just explained to you makes no sense and you are probably confused. But there is a meaning. Think of the title, "A Day In a Life". How many times have you read or heard about terrible things in the news like John sings about? Probably too many times to count, right? But you still go on in your day and you never fully feel closure of that news.
         Now how many times have you've been running late or stressed just like Paul sings? Probably too many times to count again, right? What the Beatles are trying to get at is that this is life.
        Life is just a series of insane events. Events that we sometimes can find closure to, but not for most things. We get so lost in our head and can't acknowledge anything until we hit bottom. Our head just feels like a whirlwind and you just want time to stop. This is what the chaotic orchestra is resembling; the human mind. We hear, smell, taste, feel and see life but we somehow never fully recognize it is there. We are just another human on this earth who is lost with ideas and thoughts and we don't have any way of letting those troubling thoughts disintegrate.
      Just listen to the song, that's all I have to say. Connect it and open your eyes.

I hope you enjoyed this post! And I hope you have enjoyed my blog and have gone back in time with me to the 20th century!
-Olivia:)

Xanadu Musical Review

(fromthelandofoz.com)

     Hello! Recently, I saw Xanadu the Musical at a local theater and I loved it! Unfortunately, I have not seen the 80s movie with Olivia Newton-John , but it's definitely on my list of old movies to watch. I didn't know what to expect when I first sat down in the theater, but slowly I was no longer in 2015, I was back in the 1980's.
    Just for a little background information; if you don't know what Xanadu is, Xanadu was first heard of from Marco Polo. He wrote that he found a place of magical and mystical animals and life called Xanadu, however; no one has discovered this place. Many believe this place was made up but Xanadu has become a figurative way of a perfect world for many, where there are no problems or struggles.
    Now that we got that out of the way, here is what I thought of the play! The play has a funny and kind of cheesy plot but it's so much fun to watch. Basically it's a twist of Greek mythology and Roller Disco. It starts off with a muse named Kira who saves a young man from his death and inspires him to own his own Roller Disco. But to make it a little more interesting there has to be some romance, which only causes more problems since it's against the rules for a muse to fall in love with a mortal. The play captures the 80s from the legwarmers to the neon strobe lights and skates.
   You can dance and sing along to this play because everyone else is basically! This musical is not like other musicals you see because usually you don't get to have the opportunity to dance and sing without being judged. Believe me, the type of audience that sees this play is a fun one! I enjoyed the strong vocals and the humorous jokes that fit that time but also bring it back a little to this century so the young folk can understand it. I would rate this musical an 8/10! I loved it so much that I wanted to roller skate out of the theater!

Why Grease Is My Favorite Musical

(www.imdb.com)

    Hello! Today, I thought I would share with you why this energetic, funny musical is my favorite, apart from the gorgeous Olivia Newton-John and her beautiful voice.
    I should first start off saying that I grew up watching this classic musical with all of my cousins cuddled on a couch. So of course, we all danced and sang along to it. But apart from that, this musical captures the time period perfectly. With the long hoop skirts, the greased back hair to the milkshake bars, Grease captures the late 50's. Not only this, but the songs are catchy and enjoyable to sing along to. 
    You sometimes find that musicals have catchy, yet annoying songs that get stuck in your head. But, I've never gotten tired of these sweet and optimistic songs. The dancing and choreography of this musical was perfect also! Sometimes choreographers forget what types of characters are in a certain film/play and give choreography that no normal person could do. The choreography fits perfectly for just a bunch of highchool kids in the 50's The plot of this musical is also every little girl's ideal highschool experience (At least for me). I grew up wanting to have my Danny and my group of friends like the Pink Ladies. 
    I can see how this musical is controversial today, but I think we need to remember that the musical is only reflecting what the world was really like back then. People forget about that and judge things when they first see it. I mean I'm a feminist, but I try to understand where a certain film/play is standing and then I can make my judgements. 
    Nonetheless, the dancing, singing and jokes in this musical always seems to make the audience want to be in the late 50's just to ride the ferris wheel at the fair and share a shake with Danny. This musical has grown up with me and I don't think any other musical could change my opinion of Grease, but I'm always open to it. I know, that this musical is totally unrealistic but it's always fun to dream for a little bit and be a part of the musical. If you have never heard of Grease or have never seen it, get off your seat and watch it!

A Migrant Mother

(en.wikipedia.org)

     Hello! So I am actually very interested in photography, especially photography during the 1930s-1950s and I thought I would share my favorite photograph from the 1930s. I was given a great book all about the different subjects and elements in photography which is where I came across this photograph.
    We at least all know that the Great Depression took place in the 1930s, which is when this was taken by Dorothea Lang in 1936. This image is an image of a "Migrant Mother" caring for her children in a tent. This mother actually does migrate from place to place,(hence the name) in order to find some way of supporting her children with food.
    The reason why I love this picture so much is because it really captures the entire attitude and mood for the Great Depression. We see the mother's long, piercing look of despair and exhaust. We also see the turned heads of the children leaning on their mother to hold onto her. This photo really spoke to me because it appears that the mother still has the maternal attitude but there is nothing much she can give to them. That is what most of the Great Depression was. People still cared and were a part of each other; but they could not give them much because they did not have much for themselves anyway.
   I'm not sure why, but out of the whole entire book this one is my favorite because it was more than a photograph. It was a story that the Migrant Mother was sharing with us. I hope this image speaks to you in some way as well.

Favorite Track Off of Marina and the Diamonds New Album: FROOT

(http://i.imgur.com/Z5PERKx.jpg)

          Hello! So I know this is far from the 20th century but Marina's new album came out recently and I cannot contain my excitement! Whether or not, you like Marina I highly recommend her music because she is an inspirational, young, feminist woman with a gorgeous voice. I'm not going to do an album review because I think you should listen for yourself:). BUT I will share with you my favorite track off the album!
          I have officially decided that my favorite track is Blue, of course this is currently and I probably will have a favorite in the next day or two but this is my favorite as of right now. I like this song because of its funky rhythm and beat. It reminds me of the 80s (not a huge fan of 80s music) but it's a good 80s vibe, if that makes sense. It's your typical, I broke up with you but I somehow miss you song. I'm never really into those songs but for some reason this one is my jam. Her voice in this song is angelic as well which makes it so perfect. So I'll stop talking and will let Marina do the talking: BLUE
Hope you enjoy!

10 Reasons to Love the Wizard of Oz

(maaretta.wordpress.com)

Hello! So one of my favorite old movies has to be the Wizard of Oz, so here is a list I have made on why I love/you should love/watch if you haven't.:)
1. First movie in color of course!
2. Judy Garland's heavenly voice(Dorothy)
3. The hilarious, cowardly lion
4. The funny, yet you have to sing-along to, songs
5. The Ruby slippers is a hardcore reason
6. The symbolism of each character, not just her family members but each character symbolizes a class or a certain type of people.
7. The plot twist ending of course!
8. The famous line, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto"
9. Toto the dog, I mean I grew up wanting Toto as my dog
10. The happiness and chipperness throughout the movies that may be corny but always brings a smile to someone's face

The Supremes

(atrl.net)
     Hello! So today I thought I'd talk about the three, timeless, Motown women that I love! And no, not the supreme taco order at Taco Bell. I'm talking about the amazing music group, The Supremes. These three women have incredible harmonization and sound like angels. (At least to me)
    It was not until my freshman year of high school when I became really into them. Of course I do think the songs by them are too much about the same thing (love, guys, love, guys). But I started to really like them for their incredible voices. It was "You Can't Hurry Love" that got me hooked. I of course heard them all my life but never paid much attention until this song was played in a movie. Diana Ross's voice got stuck in my head so that's when I started buying their music on iTunes and eventually bought a "Top 50 Classics" by the Supremes.
   If you are interested in getting to know their music and listen to Diana Ross's angelic voice, check out this link: You Can't Hurry Love
   They're in shiny dresses, wearing lip gloss and rocking it. So dance a little!

Downton Abbey

(www.pbs.org)

     Ok so this is show is technically made in the 21st century but the time place of Downton Abbey takes place in the 20th century. So that counts right?
      Recently, Downton Abbey just showed their last episode of season five; so I thought I would do a review of the season! However, more of a review of each character and what I thought of their part during this season.
     Let's just say it was a dramatic one. I particularly enjoyed Edith's story line this season. My heart always goes out to Edith but I like how her character is developing. She's maturing and growing up, especially now that she has a daughter. (Sorry, SPOILER!) But I like how she was having her own personal battles, it brought more of a story to her.
     I strongly disliked Mary this season. Don't get me wrong, she's that one who you just have to laugh at because she's so rude and heartless. However, I'm tired of her endless romances that never work out. She's always husband hunting or just lounging at Downton. Do something! To say the least, I think this season didn't have Mary branch out one bit.
    Now it's time for our Irish man, Thomas. I enjoyed how the season slowly reminded us that he was a chauffeur with many ideas. I think we forgot who Thomas really was. By introducing Miss Bunting, we caught that spark Thomas had been hiding for so long. Although I never paid much attention to him in the past season, I am sad he will be leaving for America. Thomas was always the peacekeeper in the family once Sybil died, and who knows what will happen now that he's leaving.
    Onto our lovely cousin Rose! Honestly, I thought Rose was okay this season. It wasn't until the ending of the season did she become interesting. She was doing practically nothing for the first half of the season until she helped Russian escapees and met Atticus. Nonetheless, I am happy that she is happy with her new husband, Atticus.
     Lord Grantham and Lady Grantham's characters did not change much other than the bicker between Lady Grantham and the art collector. Although, I appreciated Lady Grantham's respectful, yet stubborn refusal to the art collector. All in all, their characters did not change much.
     Anna and Bates characters were on a roller coaster this season. Especially with Anna's history with Mr. Greene. The thing I admire so much about this couple is that they work so hard to get where they are to be happy and truly will be at each other's side every step of the way. I will admit, Anna's arrest (SPOILER) did have me tear up. Actually it tore my heart to pieces. But at least the last episode had a nice scene of Bates and Anna reuniting on Christmas.
    And lastly, but certainly not least, MRS. HUGHES AND CARSON ARE GETTING MARRIED!!! (SPOILER!) I have been waiting so long for this to happen! And it finally did, they are truly the perfect couple.
   I thought this season was very dramatic. It had its ups and downs yet Downton always manages to stay together. I am so excited to see what season 6 brings! Of course that's in 2016!

Best 20th Century Oscar Looks!

Since so many are talking about the best looks on the red carpet at the Oscars, I decided to make a twist and show the best looks (personally) from the 20th century!

(http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/)

Ok, you all saw this coming. But Audrey was killing it at the Oscars in 1953 for Roman Holiday.

(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/)

Farrah Fawcett's timeless Greek style dress still makes it in the list. Even from 1975!

(lisawallerrogers.com)

Elizabeth's striking blue fitted dress at the Oscars in 1970 has her looking flawless

(pixshark.com)

Grace Kelly's light green dress in 1955 has to make it into the list. I mean look at that train!

(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/)

This dress cuts it close to the 21st century but hey? Sharon Stone is trying something different at the Oscars in 1998. That satin skirt shows off her figure amazingly!

Hope you liked seeing some of my favorite Oscar dresses from the 20th century!

Rosa Parks

(en.wikipedia.org)

    In honor of Black History month, I decided to dedicate this post to my favorite woman in history, Rosa Parks.
     Now, I hope we all know who Rosa Parks was and how she sparked the Civil Rights Movement and changed history. She was a strong and courageous woman who inspired so many by just saying "No". By refusing to move to the back of the bus because of her skin color, she started a movement. I especially love Rosa Parks because there are so few women in history mentioned. Seems like men apparently did everything in my history textbook, so I tend to enjoy a bit of girl power.
     I think we tend to forget about Black History month and how important it is to give recognition to those who made great changes in history. I think we owe it to Rosa to recognize what she did and how she inspired so many men and women. So when you have a chance, look up some people in history. Whether they are African, Caucasian, Latino or any ethnicity. I always think that being cultured and knowledgeable is the most attractive trait to a person.

Breaking 20th Century News!

(www.booktopia.com.au)

    Just three days ago I found out very exciting news from the 20th century past! Harper Lee has a book that is being published! Harper wrote this book before she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, but it is a sequel since the story is about Atticus as an older man  along with a grownup Scout. The name of the book is Go Set a Watchman?
    I cannot tell you how excited I am that a sequel to one of my favorite books is being published in July! If you didn't already know of my love for To Kill a Mockingbird, you can read my thoughts on one of my earlier blog-posts.
    It seems like there can still be breaking news from the past! If you haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird,  I definitely recommend it so you are able to read the sequel once it comes out! Happy reading! (I know I'll be)

Selma Movie Review

(www.impawards.com)

 

       Hello! So just recently I saw one of the newest movies released; Selma, and I thought I would give a movie review of what I thought of it since of course the Civil Rights Movements was in the in the 20th century;).

      First of all, I think the movie was well casted. David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King and Carmen Ejogo as Coretta King made the movie very believable. Being a young adult in the generation after those who lived to see the Civil Rights Movement in action, I was taken back at how chaotic these times were. I of course had some knowledge of what happened, however; having a visual of what happened is even more powerful.

     The movie started off with a very traumatic scene that set the mood for the movie. The first scene was of the four girls killed in the Birmingham Church Bombing. I of course was already crying at this point. Martin Luther King Jr. at this time was trying to make sure that all African American men and women could have the right to vote. Of course there was a law that said they had this right, but down in the South, laws became twisted because of their segregated views. There was a scene starring Oprah Winfrey showing an example of this unfairness, which I have to say, Oprah did a great job in.

     There is more to the story in the movie, however; I don't want to give it all away. One of the scenes that has engraved itself in my brain was the scenes of the peaceful protests. Let's just say, they weren't all that peaceful. The African Americans would walk across a bridge in order to show protest but would not do a thing. Just simply walk in large groups to make a point to those standing on the other side of the bridge, a group of racist men and police officers. It was the officers that created the violence. I cannot explain what those scenes showed, but they will always be in my head until the day I die. The scary thing is, in real life, the events were probably even more horrendous than what was shown.

    The movie had moments of happiness, laughter, sorrow and of pain. I don't want to scare you off and make you not want to see this movie because I really do think it is important for us all to see it. With what is happening in the news, especially Ferguson, it makes me wonder if a lot has changed. Of course there are many important changes made since the Civil Rights Movement, but after seeing that film it made me think. I saw it with my dad and we both had very different reactions. My dad thought the movie was outstanding and well done and I thought so too, but I guess younger people have different reactions to these types of films because we haven't been exposed to that much compared to those older than us. I was much more quiet and sad after the film than my dad.

   I've always wished I lived during the 60s because I believe it was an important decade in America's history and so much was happening at once. And I still wish I was alive to see it before my eyes, not as entertainment of course, but as an observer to the changes. But I have to tell you, this movie gave me a pretty good understanding of what it was like.

  I hope you see this movie sometime because I think the movie captured the mood of this time period very well. So take a break from frilly movies and watch a movie that makes you think a little:).

That's all for today, I hope you enjoyed my thoughts!

Ten Things to Love About Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball is one of my favorite women of the 20th century and I felt like sharing some of the things she did and what makes her so awesome!
1. She is hilarious.
2. Lucille made it into the Women's Hall of Fame.
3. She rocked that red lipstick!
4. She was one of the few female comedians of her time.
5. For being a woman of her time, she was one of the few woman who had a largely broadcasted TV show.
6. Was the first pregnant woman to appear on television as a pregnant character.
7. She suggested the inequality of women during her time.
8. Lucille was also one of the few examples of inter-racial marriages.
9. She had great style sense
10. Most importantly, she was one of the few role models of an independent woman during her time.

Taylor Swift

(blog.rdio.com)

        Hello everyone! So today I thought I would write something a little different. I know for sure that Taylor Swift's music does not apply to the 20th century but I wanted to talk about her and her music a little for today's post.
       As we all know, her new album, 1989, just came out and won 2014's greatest album. I have been a fan of Taylor Swift since I was 11. I think one of the reasons I have been a fan of Taylor for so long is that her music is always changing. Her first album, Taylor Swift, had her deep country music with a little bit of innocence considering she was only a teenager when that album came out. Her second album was the one that got her the most famous, Fearless. Many think she was still country on this album however even here her music was slowly migrating to a country pop style. Her third album, Speak Now, was an album that she really proved herself. The music on this album was more mature and more creative and the amazing thing is that she wrote this entire album herself. We should at least give her some credit for doing that considering other people in the music industry at her age then. Her fourth album is the one that took big jump in her music, Red. Now many give her a lot of crap about this album saying that she was sounding too different or too much like other artists. The thing is, it was inevitable for her music starting to change to more pop and farther away from her country style. She was growing up. She wasn't that same sixteen year old we once saw.
        I'm going to share a personal story actually with this album. I was in eighth grade when this album first came out. I was nervous about high school, applications, I was having rough friendships and a really low self esteem of myself. I was very frustrated with schoolwork, extra-curricular activities my friendships and how I viewed myself. So when I first heard about the Red album, I was not too sure if I liked it. However, this album kept me going and pushed me through that rough year. People said her music was too "pop" on that album. But honestly, there were only three songs that had that true pop beat to it. She was only playing around and trying new styles in each of her songs. She would try an alternative sound in one song, then a raw acoustic sound in another to a happy ukulele song. I personally needed her music on that album after a long day of school. And once I saw her Red Tour in concert I knew this was my favorite Taylor Swift album. I understand if you disagree but only I can know what I felt at that time and what I needed. And that was the Red album.
       Ok now that my short story is over I think we should go to her most current album, 1989. This album is a major hit for her. More and more people like Taylor Swift's new sound now. I do really like this album however I do grow tired of it easily. I like that she's trying to change and if you read her note in her album book she says that she would never written a complete pop sounding album years ago until now. Taylor expressed how she is just changing and life is opening her to see new things. I thought her idea behind this album was thoughtful and different because she knows that it's new music and it's new for her, personally, too. However, I don't feel the same connection as I did like her previous albums. I admire this album and cannot wait to see her perform it on tour but it's not my favorite album.
        It doesn't really matter what I think in the end because it's her music and her life. But I feel like people should not hate on her and realize that she's come very far in her music. Yes she may date a dozen boys in two months and will write about them in her music non stop but that's what her music is for her. That's the way she copes. And even though many do not want to here it, they should at least give her some respect for how successful she's been. I don't want you to feel like you should feel forced to like her but YouTube a song and give it a chance.
       Well that's all from me today. And I'm sorry this post didn't match up to my blog theme but I felt an urge to write about one of my favorite artists.