On The Second Day of Christmas: Jimmy Eats Duets while Taylor Spins Rockin’ Romance
Dear Santa,
1. First thing’s first: I’m a sucker for duets. Two voices are better than one, right? The more the merrier. I’ve always loved listening for those sweet harmonies (probably thanks to my high school choir days) and when there are two voices singing melody and harmony with perfect precision and emotion… I swoon. Just think of when Alex Gaskarth joined We Are The In Crowd on “Kiss Me Again”, or Natasha Bedingfield’s awesome back and forth vocals with Simple Plan on “Jet Lag”–both great duets that I regularly rock out to. But for Christmas this year, I want to see another Yellowcard duet, and I want to see it with one of my all time favorite female singers, Sara Bareilles. The band have done it before–with Tay Jardine on “Here I Am Alive” and with Natalie Maines on “How I Go.” I’m thinking something along these lines, but better. Throw in some touching piano and, of course, Sean Mackin’s intricate violin solos, and this could be an unforgettable song. Whether it’s rock based or some kind of swelling love ballad, it doesn’t matter to me; I know both artists can hit either kind of song out of the park. But if it does end up being a love song with a sweeping orchestra and delicate vocals… well, I’ll prepare the water works. All I gotta say is: Hopeless, make it happen.
2. Jimmy Eat World are one of those timeless bands I will hold dear to my heart probably until the end of time. With album after album of songs that stay true to the human experience, I can’t imagine these guys ever going out of style. So why don’t we have an acoustic album yet? The band have dabbled in some slower stuff, like the recent “Please Say No,” the classic “Drugs Or Me,” and of course, “Hear You Me.” But think: how would “Sweetness” sound with a couple acoustic guitars? What would “Always Be” be like as a piano version instead? It’d be awesome. I’d be happy with just an EP even. All I know is I need this under the tree (or an announcement will suffice!)
3. Does anyone remember that cover album Rockin’ Romance? There were two volumes of pretty cool covers of the cheesiest love songs out there, and then it disappeared. I kind of miss it. I mean, I’m still obsessed with You, Me, and Everyone We Know’s cover of “Build Me Up, Buttercup.” There are days that I have it stuck in my head for hours on end. This comp could totally be rebooted in 2016–there are new bands and tons of new love songs. Lights could cover one of Ellie Goulding’s newest tracks, like “The Greatest,” and Mayday Parade could tackle Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” The possibilities are endless. It could be great, and maybe just in time for Valentine’s Day. (Hint)
4. The last thing I wish for this Christmas is a simple one: Spotify, hook me up with Taylor Swift’s 1989 and Adele’s latest, 25. I’ve got rad playlists that are sad and lonely without them. 🙁
Love,
Hannah Pierangelo
