Tag: All Time Low

Best of 2020…So Far

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swaggie maggie quarantine edition

this week has been a long year

It’s hard to remember that we’re actually at the beginning of 2020. The absolute craziness of this year has caused the first few months to feel like multiple years instead of weeks. We started the year with terrible wildfires, #worldwar3 trending on twitter, and now COVID-19. It’s not the best start to 2020. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of the world, but I want to remind everyone that good things are still happening.

Even while it feels like the world is falling apart, there are many things to be happy about. The sun is shining where I live, I’m home with my family, and I have a wonderful job with wonderful coworkers that will be waiting for me when the dust settles. There is also a lot of new music that has already been released in 2020! Here are a few of my favorite songs of 2020 so far.

the 1975: me & you together song

This wouldn’t be an article on Swaggie Maggie if I didn’t mention my love for The 1975. Their newest album Notes On A Conditional Form is set to release on April 24th, and this single has gotten me so excited for it to finally be here! “Me & You Together Song” is a song I’d want to listen to in my car at night during the summer. It’s breezy and youthful with punk undertones and a poppy melody. This is the kind of song that makes me think of summer love and sunsets. If this is what I have to look forward to on the rest of the new album, I’ll be one happy girl!

The Killers: Caution

I’ve been waiting for new music from The Killers since I saw them live back in 2018. Their stage presence and pure talent made me fall deeper in love with their music and become a super-fan. Their upcoming album “Imploding The Mirage” is sure to be a musical masterpiece, much like their other albums have been. The band throws “Caution” to the wind as this upbeat cry of restlessness and storytelling.

all time low: getaway green

In this time of uncertainty, it’s always nice to find something that is familiar yet new and exciting at the same time. Enter All Time Low’s new song “Getaway Green.” The band has blessed 2020 with something we all need: a classic pop-punk song. It’s upbeat, gritty, and tons of fun to sing along with. It reminds me of long summer days and working hard.

the weeknd: in your eyes

I’ve always been a casual fan of The Weeknd. His music has been a staple in the soundtrack of my life pretty much since he hopped onto the scene. It always seems like one of his songs ends up being important in my life, even though I’ve never actively sought out music by him to listen to. His latest album After Hours caught my eyes because of all of the hype I’d been seeing about it through work. The first song I decided to listen to was “In Your Eyes” and I was HOOKED. It’s sexy, groovy, and both so typically The Weeknd as well as so new.

haim: the steps

While the HAIM sisters have unfortunately had to postpone the release of their new album Women in Music Part III until summer, they’ve still given us an EP to tide us over! The Steps is a perfectly balanced EP with only 4 songs. It includes “Summer Girl” and “Now I’m In It,” two of my favorite songs to blast in my car. They’re typical HAIM, but truly so good. Plain and simple.

2020 vision but for music

There have been so many new songs and albums released in 2020 so far, and it makes me excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for us! No matter how crazy things get or how stressful life is, there’s always new and old music to turn to.

-Swaggie Maggie

Seeing Artists More Than Once

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Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is why we see artists and bands more than once. As a working college student, I’m always trying to save money. This can be difficult when there are so many concerts I want to make it to. The price of concerts tickets adds up, even when they are held at smaller venues that don’t cost as much per ticket as concerts held in stadiums would. However, as hard as I try to save money, if one of my favorite bands is coming to town I’ll go see them, no matter how many times I’ve seen them before.

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Recently, I bought tickets to see All Time Low with a few of my friends. The concert is being provided by the residential services of my college, so the tickets were relatively inexpensive, and I was able to get great seats! After purchasing the tickets, I started thinking about why we want to see bands or artists more than once. Take All Time Low for example. I have seen them once before, but that was back in 2015 before the release of their latest album. Often times we see bands more than once because we want to experience their new music live.

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There are some bands that I’ve seen more times than I can remember off the top of my head. I’ve seen both Mayday Parade and Sleeping With Sirens 6 times each, and in multiple settings. I’ve seen them at festivals, at headlining tours, and in intimate venues. A few times, I saw the bands when they hadn’t released any new music. The setlist sounded similar to the one at the previous show, but I still had the time of my life!

My personal philosophy when it comes to buying concert tickets is simple. I ask myself three questions before purchasing. 1. Can you afford it?  2. Will you have fun? And 3. Will you be sad if you don’t go? If I can answer yes to those, I know that buying the ticket will be worth it.

-Swaggie Maggie

 

5 of The Best Christmas Songs You’ve Probably Never Heard — BLOGGing December 2017

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Christmas music is quite possibly the most underrated genre out there. It’s only socially acceptable to listen to it for maybe two months out of the entire year, so you better make it count while you can! Many people gravitate towards the classics when they’re in the mood for some Christmas Spirit, but there are some unknown jams out there that will warm your frozen heart. Since many people tend to listen to the same songs every year, this list will help you shakeup your holiday playlist. Read on to hear 5 underrated and unknown Christmas songs!

Ho Ho Hopefully – The Maine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAIlv0PMTY8

Way back in 2008, The Maine released a Christmas miracle. The first track off of the “…And a Happy New Year” EP is the emo christmas song that everyone needs in their life. The story of the song follows a couple who is in danger of falling out of love because they never see each other. They’re hoping the holiday season is just what they need to bring them back together, exactly where they belong: under the Christmas tree.

Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlR0MkrRklg

Ariana Grande uses her adorable personality and unmatched vocal ability to transport listeners to a love-filled winter wonderland. This 2014 jam goes unnoticed on the radio, but it 100% needs more airtime. It’s upbeat and impossible not to dance to. Its accompanying music video is also looks homemade, like it’s something she and her friends did for fun, so it gets an A+ in my book!

Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass – All Time Low

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZMd55_MK_Y

Departing completely from the sugary-pop feeling that the last song evokes, Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass is the perfect holiday breakup song. Imagine: your honey has left you heartbroken before the holiday season. What are you going to do about it? Are you going to waste your time crying over a crappy ex? Heck no! You’re going to scream-sing this song in your car, and stick it to them.

Hoping For Snow – The Vamps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWhCMolsEMY

It’s obvious that The Vamps found inspiration from George Michael’s super-popular Last Christmas for the lyrics of their holiday song, and it’s an adorable take on the romantic vibes that surround the holidays. Boy bands and Christmas songs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Their romantic take on reminiscing fondly on past love is the perfect soundtrack for sipping cocoa and watching the snow fall.

All I Want For Christmas is You – My Chemical Romance (cover)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8rjrPIGZ5U

Not many artists have the ability to actually succeed in covering Mariah Carey. This task becomes 1000 times more difficult when the song happens to be All I Want For Christmas is You. My Chemical Romance (please get back together!!) covered the hit in 2009 and did not disappoint. The band performs it in typical MCR fashion by isolating Gerard Way’s haunting vocals in the first verse and speeding it up at the chorus, keeping the edginess present throughout the rest of the song.

 

Maggie Morgan is a junior majoring in Professional Writing with a concentration in Creative Writing. Hobbies include: spending all of her money on concert tickets, trying to convince Green Day to let her be their friend, geeking out about music history, dreaming of writing for Rolling Stone. You can follow her on instagram at @swaggie_.maggie.

My Top 10 All Time Low Songs

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All Time Low has been tearing up the music scene since 2003 when the band found their beginnings in high school. Not only are they killer songwriters, but they’re amazing performers. The band has just started this year’s world tour to promote their latest album, Last Young Renegade. With 7 studio albums to choose from, it’s difficult to decide which of the group’s songs belong within their “Top 10”, but here are my top 10 All Time Low songs that have impacted my life for the better.

Good Times – Last Young Renegade

This track off All Time Low’s new album, Last Young Renegade, is already a fan favorite. With vulnerable lyrics and a nostalgic tone, it’s easy to fall in love with this song. When I heard this song for the first time it brought tears to my eyes. It helped me remember every important memory of my life, and allowed me to realize that I have years left to have more experiences. It’s perfect for those times in your life when you’re on the cusp of something new, but you take a moment to look back on your past.

Old Scars / Future Hearts – Future Hearts

Old Scars / Future Hearts is an edgy song off of Future Hearts, and it’s reminiscent of the band’s early days. It has everything you could possibly want from a pop-punk song; jaded vocals, skillful instrumentals, and a killer beat! Not only is this song great to listen to on a daily basis, but I loved hearing it live! The energy that All Time Low brings to the stage during this song can’t be beat.

Backseat Serenade – Don’t Panic

This metaphorical masterpiece is what lyricist’s dreams are made of. All Time Low turned a song about a wild fling into a beautiful story. With an instantly recognizable verse and chorus, this song is definitely a fan favorite. This song was actually one of my “summer anthem’s” in high school, and I’ll never forget singing it at the top of my lungs with my best friend.

The Irony of Choking on a Lifesaver – Don’t Panic

Found on Don’t Panic, this song is the perfect rebel anthem. I remember listening to this song in high school every time I got in an argument with a friend, or when some mean girl tried to ruin my mood. I think everyone can agree that this song is great for blasting in your car after a long day.

Weightless – Nothing Personal

Weightless, off of Nothing Personal, is one of the first songs I ever loved by All Time Low, and it really helped introduced me to the pop-punk genre. This song is definitely essential to any Throwback playlist!

Break Your Little Heart – Nothing Personal

This song is so edgy, and I love it! Its lyrics are are full of angst, and the electricity of the guitar matches the mood perfectly. Break Your Little Heart is one of those songs that you always end up singing along to.

Damned if I do Ya (Damned If I Don’t) – Nothing Personal

Damned if I do Ya (Damned If I Don’t) is actually the first All Time Low song I’d ever heard, and it made me fall in love with the band instantly. The song is somehow catchy without becoming cheesy, and All Time Low’s attitude really shines throughout it.

Therapy – Nothing Personal

This ballad is definitely emotional and beautiful. The lyrics are poignant, and Alex’s beautiful vocals are showcased perfectly in this song. With instrumentals and passion that build over the course of the song, it’s obvious why this is one of All Time Low’s best songs.

Dear Maria, Count Me In – So Wrong, It’s Right

Easily one of the band’s most recognizable songs, Dear Maria, Count Me In, is a favorite of fans who have loved the band since the album So Wrong, It’s Right was released in 2007, as well as fans who are just beginning to love the band. Take one listen, and I promise you’ll be hooked too!

Jasey Rae – Put Up or Shut Up

Jasey Rae can be found on All Time Low’s first EP, Put Up or Shut Up, and it deserves a spot in their Top 10 Songs. It’s fun to listen to it now, more than 10 years later, and see how far the band has come since it’s release, what they’ve changed, and what has stayed the same over time.

Don’t forget to catch All Time Low on their world tour this Summer and Fall! Check out my top 10 All Time Low songs, and let me know what yours are!

-Swaggie Maggie