Inspire Great Music for Fall 2019

My music preferences tend to change depending on my mood. Sometimes, I listen to country music. Other times, I listen to instrumental scores. I listen to music that begs me to sing along--maybe even to get up and dance along to some songs. Yes, if people saw me, they'd think I'm crazy. But, I'm just having fun and enjoying good music.

There's a song for everyone and for every occasion. Some songs make you sad because they remind you of a past experience you'd rather forget. Some songs make you happy. Some songs express your emotions in a way words can't. That's the power of good music--to "speak" for you when you don't have the words.

This fall season, I have been listening to five songs that speak to me in ways other songs haven't. These songs are new and they're breaking boundaries in the music industry. They're trending--all for the right reasons. I will smack the "repeat" button on these songs until I will eventually grow tired of them. Then I'll move on to the songs I will love for Winter 2020.

Here's what I'm currently listening to, so get ready to listen and be inspired.

1. "Get Happy" - Renee Zellweger & Sam Smith

Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland in "Judy" (photo/Billboard).

Judy Garland has been the "talk of the town" in recent weeks due to the cinematic release of Judy, a biopic of The Wizard of Oz star's life. Academy Award-winning actress Renee Zellweger brilliantly tackled the role of the iconic film star, and critics are in agreement that the biopic (taking place in the final years of the star's life) is definitely "a hit."

On September 24, Zellweger and singer Sam Smith released their new duet of the Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler classic, "Get Happy," a song most famously performed by Garland herself in her 1950 film, Summer Stock. Complete with a big brass band and Zellweger's rendition of the late icon's singing voice, "Get Happy" gleams with pure joy, thanks in no small part to Smith's contribution. It's impossible not to be happy while listening to this song.

I included Zellweger and Smith's version of the 1950's classic, but I also have to feature Garland's version. While Zellweger and Smith presented a beautiful rendition, it doesn't beat Garland's original singing. After all, she is one actress you simply can't replicate.

2. "Hell Right" - Blake Shelton (Feat. Trace Adkins)

Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins in the music video for "Hell Right" (photo/One Country).

If you want to listen to a good country song while sitting around a bonfire this fall, look no further than Blake Shelton's newest single, "Hell Right." Shelton collaborated with his good friend, Trace Adkins, once again. Adkins offered his low, deep baritone vocals to the tune, much like he did for Shelton's 2009 hit song, "Hillbilly Bone."

Shelton commented, "I decided it would be great to have Trace Adkins on this [song] just because he's got that low, deep, big voice and he's so great at the ad-lib stuff. He just brings a certain quality to any recording that nobody else can touch. The guy's got so much personality in his voice and the way he sings, and I still think that he';s one of the most underrated country artists out there, so I called him and asked if he would be on the record with me and he said something that was close to 'hell right,' but it was a different cuss word."

"Hell Right" is a fun, infectious single. It's perfect for either the summer or fall season, but definitely during the fall season when friends and family members are gathering for late-night bonfires after hunting. If you grew up in the country, you'll be saying "hell right" to this song all season long.

3. "When I Wasn't Watching" - Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore in the music video for "When I Wasn't Watching" (photo/People).

No, that's not a typo. Mandy Moore is back with more music. It's been a decade since Moore released her last album, Amanda Leigh, and the actress-singer has experienced many life changes along the way. Moore claims her ex-husband, Ryan Adams, derailed her career. For the longest time, she perhaps realized her reality (in her eyes): that she was a "washed-up" former child star and that she would soon disappear from the spotlight.

But she made a comeback. In 2016, Moore surprised audiences by starring in the hit NBC family drama, This Is Us. Since then, it's hard to imagine the entertainment business without her. We witnessed the return of her acting career, but many fans always wondered the past three years if she would release more music.

In 2019, Moore surprised her fans with the release of her new single, "When I Wasn't Watching." The single not only reintroduces her appealing voice and previews a forthcoming album, but it also directly addresses her music hiatus in a poignant, relatable fashion. Moore commented, "I think everyone's had the experience of feeling lost and not quite understanding how you've found yourself at a certain point in your life."

However, if you're used to Moore's "smiley" dance numbers and "pop" ballads that made her famous in the early 2000s, you'll have to readjust your expectations. "When I Wasn't Watching" is a careful, lovely, folkie rock pop. The song shows attention to small details, including creative drumbeats and a memorable chorus. Moore's voice is melancholy, yet hopeful.

"When I Wasn't Watching" is a mature song because Moore has matured. She's a grown adult now, and her music is reflecting her challenging life experiences. For the fans who were devoted to her in the 2000s, get excited. Mandy Moore is back and we couldn't be more thrilled.

4. "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" - Riley Green

Riley Green (photo/Saving Country Music)

This is a song that will hit home for you. Riley Green's nostalgic country ballad, "I Wish Grandpas Never Died," reminds you of all the good things you miss in life: first kisses, old dogs, manners, and, of course, quality time with your grandpa. Green credited his grandfather as a co-writer of the single--because the song is that personal to him. He couldn't have written it without his memories of his grandpa.

"My Grandaddy Buford was the country guy," Green said. "He was really into like Merle Haggard, Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, and...that was what I learned to sing and play. I never sang when I played guitar until my grandaddy started pushing me, and me and him would sit around and he'd fiddle on the harmonica a little bit. That was where I got my traditional roots."

The song lists many wishes: For kids to still say sir and ma'am, for the price of gas to be low, for honky-tonks not to have a closing time, for everybody overseas to make it home, for country music to still be played on country radio, for the good dogs never to grow old and grey, and, most importantly, for grandpas never to die.

Green's newest single is a sentimental love song to the past--to the idea of wishing for an impossible dream. As someone who was very close to my grandfather, I loved this song the first time I heard it. I'm sure you will love it, as well.

5. "Memorized" - Blake Stadnik 

Blake Stadnik in This Is Us (photo/The Wrap).

When the NBC hit family drama, This Is Us, premiered its fourth season on September 24, the episode revealed several new cast members and story lines. Fans were intrigued by the new characters--especially the adult version of Kate Pearson and Toby Damon's son, Jack Damon. The episode features flashbacks to various moments in Jack's life, including the reveal that he is blind.

But that didn't stop him from becoming a musician. With previous on-screen performances by Rebecca Pearson [Mandy Moore] and Kate Pearson [Chrissy Metz], it's no surprise that musical talent runs in the family. Jack inherited his mother and grandmother's musical skills, and he managed to make it to the "big leagues" by performing in a concert.

Jack's performance of the song "Memorized" served as the episode's end montage. Performed by blind musician and actor Blake Stadnik, the song is the perfect homage to This Is Us. All of the characters find their way back to each other--find themselves connected to each other in ways they can't explain.

The performance was a big moment in the episode, and perhaps the entire series. "Memorized" entered the Top 20 in the U.S. iTunes sales chart the day after the episode's premiere. It's deserving of this because it's a beautiful love song that has multiple meanings. It could be about the love between a couple, or it could be about a family finding their way back to each other.

Because, as we know very well, the Pearson family has been tested over and over again on whether they can find their way back to one another.

Special Feature: The Backstreet Boys 

You're probably thinking, "Is it the 1990s?" We can dream, can't we? Backstreet's back, alright! In September, I attended a Backstreet Boys concert in St. Louis and let me tell you...It was the best concert I have ever attended. Anyone who thinks the Backstreet Boys are "washed up" and they're "too old," well...You're wrong. You're very, very wrong.

Photos from the Backstreet Boys concert in St. Louis.

The concert was three hours of nonstop fun. The '90s boy band had a Las Vegas residency show and that's what the concert felt like: a magical show of entertainment. From the choreography to the lights to the backdrops, everything was perfect. The Backstreet Boys kept us on our feet the whole night and I fell in love with their music.

In fact, I have been listening to their '90s hits pretty much nonstop since the concert. They're fun songs to listen to while I'm working. You can't help but bop your head along to the beats. The songs are addictive--in a good way. So, I present a compilation of their famous songs. It's Throwback Thursday!

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People love to bond over good songs, whether they're old or new. They love to dance and sing together. Play the music that inspires you, serves as a reminder of the past, makes you want to dance, and the songs that remind you to always make time to have fun. These songs [and many others] have made me feel good this fall season, so enjoy them. Listen to them at your fall bonfires. There's nothing better than sitting around a campfire and listening to good music.

-KJL-