Welcome Spring! As we welcome this season of growth and renewal, it’s only fitting that we honor a few choice selections that celebrate the irresistible call of happiness, the unique joy of living in the moment and loving it, the gift of love everlasting, and embracing whatever comes your way.
The Freedom Song (single) — Jason Mraz, 2012
Without a doubt, Jason Mraz can be counted on for delivering feel-good melodies and lyrics, and he doesn’t fail with his cover of “The Freedom Song,” a popular standard in his live sets but never before recorded by Mraz himself. Arguably a bit “poppy” and upbeat, it could be a little too cheery for some who might not have yet fully embraced how good life is no matter where you are. “The Freedom Song” was the first of three tracks released exclusively on iTunes before Mraz’s latest full album, Love Is a Four Letter Word, was released in April 2012.
The Time of My Life (single) — David Cook, 2008
If you missed David Cook the first time around when he won the seventh season of popular reality show American Idol, get thee to iTunes or Amazon right away and download this anthem to making the best of every opportunity and celebrating whatever comes your way. “The Time of My Life” was Cook’s closing performance following his win on the reality show, as well as his first single to be released post-Idol. If you’re the kind of person who wants to “live every moment out loud,” then this could very well be your theme song.
A Thousand Years (single) — Christina Perri, 2011
Who among us doesn’t dream of the gift of everlasting love — to be told that you’ve been loved for a thousand years and will be loved for a thousand more? This irresistible love song appears on the soundtrack for the movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, but don’t let that color your perception. Christina Perri’s performance is appealing to anyone with a romantic side, and while falling in love with a vampire may be camp, the passion in these lyrics is anything but.
Bring It On Home (album) — Joan Osborne, 2012
The brash blonde with the smoky, irrepressible vocals handpicked this selection of vintage blues and soul numbers for her seventh album, which perfectly showcases her talent and style. Longtime fans and newbies alike will revel in her cover performances of such blues favorites as “I Want To Be Loved” and “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” Of particular note is Osborne’s upbeat, enthusiastic cover of “Shake Your Hips,” which is apparently the chance result of an impromptu in-studio jam session among Osborne, collaborator Jack Petruzzelli, and other studio musicians … and a wonderful example of embracing what comes your way, planned or not.
