Music Video of the Day: Lose My Breath - Destiny's Child

Back in my middle school days I loved Beyonce and her little cohorts, particularly the husky, sexy sound of Michelle Williams, but the other day I realized that I hadn't paid attention to them in years. I've grown into appreciating a different type of music by this point in my life but that doesn't mean there still isn't room for some old fashioned fun courtesy of a truly talented R&B group. This song, "Lose My Breath", particularly stood out to me because of the lyrics. Unfortunately.

There's always a song for every mood, whether good or bad, and suddenly this song just spoke to me at the right time. The beat is great and very dancy but honestly, some of the lyrics really speak to frustration. It's very rare to hear women singing about not getting enough action. I think a group like Destiny's Child gets a bad reputation for becoming so commercialized but this is really them doing what they do best. There really aren't that many groups that could get away this subject matter while still catering to a very young audience - and specifically females. There are many more rap and R&B men discussing sexual themes than ladies. And although the lyrics definitely get the point across, Destiny's Child still manages to be a little discreet in this song. It's just the right amount of metaphors.

Enjoy



Lose My Breath lyrics - Destiny's Child

Can you keep up?

Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me Hard, make me lose my (Hah Hah)
Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me Hard, make me lose my (Hah Hah)

[Beyonce]
OOOh
I put it right there, made it easy for you to get to
Now you wanna act like ya don't know what to do
After I done everything that you asked me
Grabbed you, grind you, liked you, tried you
Moved so fast baby now I can't find you

OOOh
I'm startin' to believe that I'm way too much for you
All that talk but it seems like it can't come through
All them lies like you could satisfy me,
Now I see where believing you got me
Gave you the wheel, but you can't drive me

[Chorus]

[Kelly]
OOOh
Two things I don't like when I tryin' to get my groove
Is a partna that meets me only half way and just can't prove
Take me out so deep when you know you can't swim
Need a lifeguard and I need protection
So put it on me deep in the right direction

OOOh
You understand the facts that I'm tryin' to give to you
You movin' so slow like you just don't have a clue
Didn't mama teach you to give affection?
You're the difference of a man and an adolescent
It ain you boo, so get tha steppin'
[Chorus x2]

[Michelle]
If you can't make me say OOO
Like the beat of this drum
Why you ask for some and you really want none
If you can't make me say OOO
Like the beat of this groove

[All]
You don't have no business in this here's your papers
Baby you are dismissed, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed

Somebody to Love: Paul McDonald and The Grand Magnolias

I had so many things I was planning to write about through my travels today but when I finally made my way home and to this computer the only thing left on my mind to write about was Alabama native Mr. Paul McDonald, the best American Idol contestant since Michael Johns. He is one of those rare musicians American Idol lets slip through that has actual artistry, not just in the way he tweaks a well known tune to make Randy happy but the kind that is so natural it flows through his veins. His rendition of "Maggie May" was actually a bit of a Rod Stewart sound-alike during the Top 24 performances but it was his performance style that instantly captured my attention. McDonald, unlike the others this season, has a very fluent interaction with the audience that seems to be authentic. He is simply himself and that's enough. With his kitschy flowered jackets (that are pretty phenomenal) and beat-up cowboy boots, he stumbles around the overdone stage with the grace of a drunken southerner on a Saturday night on Beale Street. I was impressed to find that he's only 26 and has been touring the country opening for acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Augustana. He's an interesting concoction of folk, R&B, and certainly a large dash of southern/vintage rock mixed with a singer/songwriter sensibility. He's great on guitar and his voice is just the right amount of raspy and sweet.

As lead singer of The Grand Magnolias, McDonald is also the current holder of a top 10 spot on the iTunes rock charts, currently leading bands like Guns 'N Roses and Bon Jovi. It's pretty ridiculous. McDonald and company are an instant sensation. I'm not even sure if another Idol contestant in the history of the show has managed to sell as many copies of a pre-Idol album as McDonald has. As a few have mentioned, I didn't even know it was possible for someone with a record deal to be on the show let alone make such a mark with their band while still vying for the Idol crown. If ever an exception should be made though, it's for Paul McDonald. Take a listen, he's pretty extraordinary.

I also find it rather interesting that The Grand Magnolias' website is surprisingly stylish and modern. Unlike a lot of local or supporting bands, this band has clearly taken pride in their aesthetic and managed to cultivate a really nice, cohesive appearance. They make it known right away that they're serious about their professionalism even if Paul referred to himself as a "starving artist" before making his way on to the show. This band knows who they are and have found  a perfectly shaped niche inside of their genre. The more I listen to them, the more they grow on me. There are very few bands these days that would impress me enough to buy an entire album after just one listen, particularly after finding their lead singer on American Idol, but I strongly believe this band has a future long after the show is over and their frontman loses to some guy we won't even recall come this time next year.

Perfect if you like: The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Drive-By Truckers.