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These Are a Few of My Favorite...Songs

Well, I'm rather upset that a CD I ordered last week hasn't come to me in time so that I can enjoy it while I'm on my cruise. HOWEVER, because I haven't written in a long time and my last post was ridiculously serious, I've decided to share a few of my favorite artists with you today. Everyone who knows me really well knows that my favorite songs are by a bunch of British women, so if that's not you're thing, it's ok, just exit out. No, really, I won't be offended. Much. Here goes:

1. I've sort of just discovered Brigitte Aphrodite. She's toured with Kate Nash (more on her later) and has a single out called "I Dream Myself Awake". This song, called "Dance With A Stranger", is a perfect example of how amazingly funny her lyrics are:
2. Ellie Goulding recently appeared on Saturday Night Live. I heard her music for the first time early this year and was amazed by her unique voice and fresh sound. Her album is called Lights and this is her single by the same name. Don't ask me how she moves her hips like that. I don't know. I've tried.
3. Kate Nash is a great example of not just a singer-songwriter, but an ARTIST. No matter what she's doing, her passion is music, whether it be hers or someone else's. Strange coming from a girl who wanted to be an actress. She recently created the Kate Nash Rock 'N Roll for Girls After School Music Club to empower and inspire women in music. For me, the thing that grabbed me about her was that her songs were fun, unusual, and catchy, with clever, bold lyrics. Two of my favorites by her from her two albums (2007's Made of Bricks and 2010's My Best Friend Is You) are "Mouthwash" and "Don't You Want To Share The Guilt".
4. I tell people I like Amy Winehouse and get some really bizarre looks. The thing is, despite her problems, her voice is really soulful and unique and her songs are the same way. I really hope she comes out with new material soon. My favorite Amy song is "Tears Dry On Their Own".
5. Ahhh, Paloma Faith, the album I've been waiting for. Sure, it's been out for a couple of years, but I only discovered her in the spring. Another soulful British singer, Faith has said she's done everything that can be done in show business, like being a magician's assistant and a ghost on a ghost train, as well as being in movies like The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. She seems to me like an artist who really appreciates her fans, posting a huge amount of entertaining video diaries on her Youtube channel. The song I'm going to pick of hers is "Play On", which is not a single but has a huge sound that describes why I love her so much.
5. Lily Allen has been around since I was maybe 11 or 12. I remember being that age and hearing "Smile" and immediately looking her up on iTunes and loving every track on her first album. At 11 or 12, I felt so rebellious for listening to even 30 second samples of her songs.  To me, she was the first of many British female singer-songwriters I would grow to absolutely love and adore. She's another one of those artists with catchy songs with different genre elements and clever lyrics. When thinking about which of her songs is the cleverest, I would pick "Knock 'Em Out". However, the close second for me to "Knock 'em Out" is "Back To The Start". Here's both.
6. If I'm going to talk about British female singer songwriters, I have to talk about Florence + the Machine. Her huge, distinctive voice and sound drew me in from the start. She also holds a place in my heart because her album Lungs was the first vinyl record I bought. While the ubiquitous "Dog Days Are Over" still holds up, I have to go with "Hurricane Drunk" as my favorite.
7. Marina & The Diamonds is just one girl, as I've had to explain on more than one occasion to my friends. She has a distinctive voice and biting lyrics, like the ones in her song "Hollywood" that question the sanity of the American Dream. While "Hollywood" is great, my favorite is "I Am Not A Robot".
8. Last, but not least, is Clare Maguire. I heard her on BBC Radio 1 for the 1st time in February and, coincidentally, that's the last time I heard her on Radio 1. Her album, Light After Dark, is phenomenal and now available on iTunes in America. I remember saving up my money to get this album, waiting for Amazon to have it in stock, and then getting it in the mail and screaming for a good hour I was so excited! It's very versatile, showing off her unique voice and writing style. Her second single, "The Last Dance", is incredible.
 
Hope you enjoy all my picks!
Abby, Absolute Wannabe

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