Monday Morning Music Get-ups #3

1. “Uptown Funk” - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

An obligatory party hit, much like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. I’ve been a massive fan of Mark Ronson since his album, ‘Version’ dropped. This man can do no wrong and as far as I am concerned, he is only one Jewish man I would ever want to be with … Unfortunately he is married (too bad for him).

2.  “Make me Proud” – Drake ft. Nicki Minaj

 

I used to fancy Drake, but Madonna ruined whatever romantic/sexual daydream I had of him after she stuck her medusa-like tongue down his throat. However this song always gets me positively fired up in the mornings. It’s a great beat with Drake repetitively congratulating powerful, strong, boss ass bitches out there (and Nicki Minaj positively reinforcing that), expressing how proud he is of them. A true feminist you are, Drake! #PussyPower

3. “Real Love”/ “Stronger” or anything by – Clean Bandit

I have a strong penchant for big bands, big voices, big sounds, big everything and goddamn, Clean Bandit know exactly what they are doing, every time! There is always so much feeling behind each and every one of their songs, as their music truly exerts the positive energy they’re (successfully) trying to convey. Click here to watch their latest single, "Stronger"

4. “Goldie” – A$AP Rocky

Sick tune, sick beat, sick rhythm, mixed with a catchy hook and A$AP Rocky’s rap vocals. Makes me want to get out my gold chains out, put my grillz and flat cap and get dancin’.

5. “Lose Control” – Missy Elliot ft. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop

An oldie but a goodie (link to Ciara). If you can get through this catchy song without busting out the lyrics or dancing, then you must be a heartless alien.

>>> What music or songs gets you up in the mornings?

x Leah Tortilla

#BeyoncéWouldBeProud

#SharingMusic

Morning Music Get Ups #2: Travel Edition

About a month ago, I wrote about music I listen to get my day started on a positive, upbeat note. This time I thought I’d share some of my favourite beats when travelling that get me into the nomadic swing of things.

#1

‘Lost’ – Frank Ocean

I was a late boarder on the Frank Ocean train but when I first listened to ‘Lost’, I instantly felt like it resonated with me. All I wanted to do was earn lots of money, travel and get lost in destinations like Miami, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Spain, Los Angeles and India. However I started feeling less reflective of the song once I found out it was about a boyfriend using his girlfriend as a drug mule. At least she’s out there cooking dough, right? :\

#2

‘Float On’ – Ben Lee

Originally written and performed by Modest Mouse, ‘float on’ was written in a time when the songwriters were fed up with the negative state of the world and were sick of hearing bad news from everywhere. They wanted to feel positivity and share enlightenment, thus this song was born. Admittedly I listen to this song a lot when I feel upset about something and find the lyrics a great reminder that given how crap things may be, time will pass and “we’ll all float on okay”.

#3

‘Green Garden’ – Laura Mvula

An English friend introduced me to this tune while travelling through Mexico. It is soft with Mvula’s deep, raspy voice; yet so upbeat and joyous with all the clapping in the background. I found whenever I was listening to this song in transit, I’d always unmindfully start singing the lyrics really loudly and envision myself dancing in open green, luscious field. The song is optimistic escapism.

#4

Pack Up – Eliza Doolittle

I overplayed this tune when it originally came out by English songbird, Eliza Doolittle. It is still a goody with an uplifting beat though.

#5

Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

I left for Mexico in 2013 when this was a massive hit in Australia. Even when I arrived in Mexico, this song was massive, played anywhere everyone went and was always in demand. It’s a pretty sick beat though, so it’s totally excused.

Equally as good is Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s ‘White Walls’.

If you have any favourite travel beats, send them through!

I’m always looking for new beats

#BeyoncéWouldBeProud x

Monday Morning Music Get-Ups!

I find most mornings I wake up to an alarm clock an absolute struggle. Possibly because I have woken up against my own. Unfortunately on these mornings I do not have the pleasure or the luxury of a sleep in. Nor do I leave myself enough time in the mornings to hit the snooze button for that extra few minute sleep in (#godsend). I must be up, at’em and ready to start my day!

However even after a healthy breakfast and consuming the strongest possible coffee I could ever make; I still feel like resident zombie in zombie land (population: 1) and forever plagued in this state of tiredness.

I have since discovered the only remedy to this state of dreariness is playing some kickass, positive, upbeat morning music get ups to set the ‘rude (aka the ‘attitude’) for the day. Obviously you don’t want to be in a shit one, so I thought I would share with you my top five for April (in no particular order):

1. Duke Dumont, ‘I got u’
This song is like an instant glitter boner of happiness. It makes me think of all things positive: sunshine, warmth, holiday and happiness. You will definitely catch me dancing in the street listening to this beat.

2. Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne, ‘Rather Be’
I cannot find fault in this song. It is pure blissfulness! I find myself happily daydreaming of dancing at a roller disco and singing this song to complete strangers on the street.

3. Pharrell Williams ft. Miley Cyrus, ‘Come get it Bae’
Before you diss poor Miley, this funk tune is absolutely, intoxicatingly amazing! Pharrell is killin’ it with his new album 'GIRL'! You’ll be too busy dancing to the playful beat to notice Miley’s vocals. 

4. Bruno Mars, ‘Treasure’

I’m not quite sure what Bruno Mars means by “baby squirrel is a sexy motherf*cker” but every time I hear this tune, I picture myself in a fantastic, elaborate Glee song and dance style performance around their school grounds. Magic!     

5. Bruno Mars, ‘Locked out of Heaven’
If there’s one thing I love about this song it is the amazing use of retro beats, Mark Ronson the producer of this song (and my future Jewish husband) is well known for.

*PS: This song is totally dedicated to me. Mark Ronson just doesn’t know that yet

6. Beyoncé, ‘Flawless’
Somehow I find this song stuck in my head every morning. It could have something to do with the line ‘I woke up like this’ repeated over and over again. This tune is so infectious and Beyoncé asserts so much incredible feminist power in this song, it’s hard to not embrace it. So don’t fight it, ladies. Embrace the power! 

Please let me know of your favourite morning music get ups in the comment space below!

x