What better way to begin a new year than Les Mis?
To get 2013 off to a good start, today I went to the movies and saw Les Miserables again! And apparently, everyone in town had the same idea, because the theater was almost as packed as when Sara and I saw it on Christmas! Ugh! Still, I enjoyed it... and I haven't stopped singing the songs yet! I never really loved “Stars” before, but the movie sold me on it, and on its new original song “Suddenly.” The movie puts in so many little details that the stage can't; I noticed on the second viewing that when Valjean lets Javert go, Javert has the same head wound that Valjean did when the Bishop let him go. Aunt Connie couldn't come with me, so I saw it with Eva instead. She's not a hard-core fan of the music like me and her mom, but she seemed to enjoy it. And she totally cried when Valjean died.
Aside from that, today was kinda stressful. I got my asthma medicine refilled (it hasn't bothered me much yet this winter, but only because I've been taking my preventative medication religiously), renewed Muse Watson's lisence plates (which expired at the end of 2012), and my phone is giving me very frustrating problems.
Below the cut is my annual list of the most-played songs on my iPod. Songs released in 2011 or later qualify as recent, but I didn't listen to much new music this year because I was too busy listening to Les Miserables. No one should be surprised by this. Last year's list is here.
1) Valjean's Confession, Alfie Boe & Nick Jonas: 160. It doesn't usually count as its own song because it's so short, but I count it because I love it. It's probably my favorite piece in all of Les Miserables. It's just before Marius and Cosette's wedding, when Valjean tells Marius who he really is. I love the change that happens in it, how it begins happy and ends sad. I adore the use of violins in this piece, especially on the line "How he could tell Cosette and break her heart?" It's like the violins are another voice, singing a duet with Valjean.
2) When Tomorrow Comes, Lea Salonga, Alfie Boe, & Ensemble: 150. It's also known as The Epilogue or The Finale. I don't have the whole thing, because it's a long song and I'm not crazy about the first half with Valjean counting down to his death or Cosette and Marius finding him. My copy of the song picks up right when Fantine (the incomparable Lea Salonga) is beckoning Valjean to "come with me, where chains will never bind you." It just gives me chills when the chorus starts singing. This is the song I want played at my funeral.
3) Who Am I? Alfie Boe: 144. Although I really liked Hugh Jackman, Alfie Boe will always be my personal favorite Valjean. He just IS Valjean to me, and I think this song captures that best. When he sings "My soul belongs to God, I know / I made that bargain long ago," how could anyone not love it? I don't even have the words for it.
4) We Belong Together, Randy Newman: 136.
5) Miracle, Matisyahu: 132. I played this song for my congregation when I served as a lay leader. It's a great song about Hanukkah that I listened to all year long. I have the acoustic version, which I much prefer to the regular one.
6) Wavin' Flag, Kanaan: 130. I discovered this song at the Jewish summer camp I attended, where it was a favorite of the campers. I have a different version than the lyrics they sang, though.
7) Empire State of Mind, Alicia Keys: 123. I didn't discover this song until around the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, when it got a big play increase, although it was in 2010.
8) L'chi Lach, Susan Colin: 122. She sings Debbie Friedman's melody, the same one we sing at my temple. This is one of my favorite songs to hear on Shabbat.
9) One Day, by The Maccabeats: 121.
10) Say Hey (I Love You), by Michael Franti & Spearhead: 120.
1) Hey Ho, The Lumineers: 129.
2) Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen: 128.
3) Dip Your Apple, The Fountainheads: 128.
4) Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson, 126.
5) Trip the Light, Alicia Lemke: 125.
6) Damn Unpretty / I Feel Pretty, Lea Michele & Dianna Agron: 123.
7) What Makes Rosh Hashanah Beautiful, Aish: 122.
8) Exceptional, China Anne McClain: 117.
9) Someone Like You, Adele: 112.
10) Nothing, The Script: 109.
Aside from that, today was kinda stressful. I got my asthma medicine refilled (it hasn't bothered me much yet this winter, but only because I've been taking my preventative medication religiously), renewed Muse Watson's lisence plates (which expired at the end of 2012), and my phone is giving me very frustrating problems.
Below the cut is my annual list of the most-played songs on my iPod. Songs released in 2011 or later qualify as recent, but I didn't listen to much new music this year because I was too busy listening to Les Miserables. No one should be surprised by this. Last year's list is here.
1) Valjean's Confession, Alfie Boe & Nick Jonas: 160. It doesn't usually count as its own song because it's so short, but I count it because I love it. It's probably my favorite piece in all of Les Miserables. It's just before Marius and Cosette's wedding, when Valjean tells Marius who he really is. I love the change that happens in it, how it begins happy and ends sad. I adore the use of violins in this piece, especially on the line "How he could tell Cosette and break her heart?" It's like the violins are another voice, singing a duet with Valjean.
2) When Tomorrow Comes, Lea Salonga, Alfie Boe, & Ensemble: 150. It's also known as The Epilogue or The Finale. I don't have the whole thing, because it's a long song and I'm not crazy about the first half with Valjean counting down to his death or Cosette and Marius finding him. My copy of the song picks up right when Fantine (the incomparable Lea Salonga) is beckoning Valjean to "come with me, where chains will never bind you." It just gives me chills when the chorus starts singing. This is the song I want played at my funeral.
3) Who Am I? Alfie Boe: 144. Although I really liked Hugh Jackman, Alfie Boe will always be my personal favorite Valjean. He just IS Valjean to me, and I think this song captures that best. When he sings "My soul belongs to God, I know / I made that bargain long ago," how could anyone not love it? I don't even have the words for it.
4) We Belong Together, Randy Newman: 136.
5) Miracle, Matisyahu: 132. I played this song for my congregation when I served as a lay leader. It's a great song about Hanukkah that I listened to all year long. I have the acoustic version, which I much prefer to the regular one.
6) Wavin' Flag, Kanaan: 130. I discovered this song at the Jewish summer camp I attended, where it was a favorite of the campers. I have a different version than the lyrics they sang, though.
7) Empire State of Mind, Alicia Keys: 123. I didn't discover this song until around the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, when it got a big play increase, although it was in 2010.
8) L'chi Lach, Susan Colin: 122. She sings Debbie Friedman's melody, the same one we sing at my temple. This is one of my favorite songs to hear on Shabbat.
9) One Day, by The Maccabeats: 121.
10) Say Hey (I Love You), by Michael Franti & Spearhead: 120.
1) Hey Ho, The Lumineers: 129.
2) Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen: 128.
3) Dip Your Apple, The Fountainheads: 128.
4) Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson, 126.
5) Trip the Light, Alicia Lemke: 125.
6) Damn Unpretty / I Feel Pretty, Lea Michele & Dianna Agron: 123.
7) What Makes Rosh Hashanah Beautiful, Aish: 122.
8) Exceptional, China Anne McClain: 117.
9) Someone Like You, Adele: 112.
10) Nothing, The Script: 109.