Music Mined

Music Gems Discovered and Re-Discovered

[musicmined]

Let us never forget Johnny Depp's finest musical performance in this masterpiece, "Why is the Rum Gone?"

[musicmined]

This song was written 37 years ago, in 1985. 

[musicmined]

Good riddance, 2020.  Mined for: vocals, harmonies, beat

[musicmined]

If you haven’t heard, the creator of last year’s biggest hit, Old Town Road, recently dropped a new single called Holiday accompanied by a highly produced music video. While getting mixed reviews thus far and failing to catch fire, we give that about a week before people catch on to what’s happening here. We are witnessing the ascent of Lil Nas X from “one-hit-wonder” to mega star status. This song and video make very clear that Lil Nas X is on the cutting edge of a new kind of music. He combines the catchiness of Justin Bieber with the marketing prowess of will.i.am. His ear for music that sounds good, his confidence, and his distinctiveness set him apart from any new star that we’ve seen since, well, Justin Bieber. We’ve seen him cross genres from country to pop to rap, showing just a glimpse of the range of creativity that this young artist possesses. Lil Nas X is no longer just a guy who made your kids favorite song. Santa Claus might be bumping this one while making deliveries on XMas Eve.  Mined for: creativity, catchiness, uniqueness, instrumental, lyrics, vocals 

[musicmined]

This Song Should be Bigger

Zedd is really good at making music that sounds good.

Mined for: instrumental, feel-good, flow

[musicmined]

Was there any question that “Juice” by Lizzo was going to be Music Mined’s 2019 Song of the Year? The song burst on the scene when Coldplay listed “Juice” on their periodic playlist shares, and it hit a peak in music history canon when it got the Barack Obama digital fist bump. This one is not just a snack, it’s the whole damn meal, and is here to stay forever. Mark it. 

[musicmined]

Adjusting to a new album from an artist you love is not always easy. It's natural to feel unsatisfied that the "new stuff" just isn't as good as the old. In the case of Coldplay, the legendary band has set a bar so high, that it is nearly impossible to continue time and time again to deliver sounds that make you feel as good as their first major hit, Yellow, did. Their new album, Everyday Life, is somewhat of a departure from their normal route, tackling some pertinent social issues along the way, but the work still manages to deliver that unique Coldplay touch. In particular, Cry, Cry, Cry and  بنی آدم  are quintessential Coldplay, in that their melodies that just make you feel so good.    

[musicmined]

R.I.P. Mac Miller. Gone too soon. 

[musicmined]

Someone had to do it, so we compiled a list of the Top 15 Jack Johnson songs. The task was as difficult as anticipated, and we expect the results may cause some conversation among J.J. fans. Coming in at #1? Taylor. And that is not even factoring a cameo by Ben Stiller in the official music video.

Top 15 Jack Johnson Songs:

1.) Taylor (above) 2.) Monsoon 3.) Better Together 4.) Tomorrow Morning 5.) Rodeo Clowns 6.) Go On 7.) Never Know 8.) Bubble Toes 9.) Flake 10.) It's All Understood 11.) Belle 12.) Middle Man 13.) If I had Eyes 14.) Banana Pancakes 15.) No Good with Faces

Honorable Mentions:

Inaudible Melodies Gone Breakdown Sleep Through the Static Losing Keys Crying Shame

[musicmined]

Ladies and gentlemen, we introduce to you the official jam of Summer 2018. Mined for: beat, vocals, originality  

[musicmined]

The new Shaggy/Sting song, “Don’t Make Me Wait” reminded us about another Shaggy classic, “It Wasn’t Me.” It’s fair to say that Shaggy (and Sting) have aged quite well. Their new song is as good as you would expect of this power combo. Mined for: lyrics, vocals, rhythm, guitar, piano

[musicmined]

The Roots and Bilal collaborate on this amazing piece called “It Ain’t Fair” for the “Detroit” soundtrack, performed live on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” A song like this is exactly what America needed during these uncertain times.  Mined for: lyrics, vocals, performance, instrumentalists, piano, oboe, strings, drums, trumpet 

[musicmined]

We decided it was a good time to name our Top 10 Jay-Z songs of all-time (pre-4:44). Then we decided to expand it to 15. Then 16. Spoiler alert: “My First Song,” the featured video above, is no. 1. Honorable Mention: “Lucifer” prod. by Kanye West #15: “Brooklyn (Go Hard)” ft. Santigold, Kanye West #14: “What More Can I Say?” ft. Kanye West #13: “Public Service Announcement” #12: “Run This Town” ft. Rhianna, Kanye West #11: “Takeover”  #10: “Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)” ft. Amil, Beanie Sigel #9: “I Just Wanna Love U” ft. Pharell #8: “Encore” ft. Kanye West #7:  “Justify My Thug” #6: “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”  #5: “Empire State of Mind” ft. Alicia Keys #4: “Izzo H.O.V.A.” #3: “Big Pimpin’“ ft. UGK #2: “Song Cry”  #1 “My First Song”

Mined for: Classicness

[musicmined]

Jay’s Z’s first music video in 6 years. Mined for: instrumental, flow, samples, video

[musicmined]

Will we ever hear a more stirring performance of “America the Beautiful” than this one performed by Ray Charles before Game 2 of the 2001 World Series? This is the voice of America.  Mined for: vocals, piano

[musicmined]

“All I Can Think About is You” is a nice return for Coldplay, back to their earlier style. The song starts out a bit slow, but does well in building to the crescendo of the track, which is well worth the wait, and overwhelmingly quenches the ears thirst. Bravo, Coldplay. Mined for: lyrics, vocals, percussion, bass, strings, piano, production

[musicmined]

I got I got I got I got OPTIONS.  Mined for: Marley flavor