The Voice

Song of the Week: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

By Courtney Thomas
December 1, 2014

In December of 1958, Brenda Lee, who was 13 years old at the time, released “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Over 30 people have recorded covers of her song and the song had its peak in December of 1965 when it reached number three on the Billboard’s Christmas Singles chart. This song is my favorite Christmas song and always puts me in the best of moods. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was featured in the 1990 movie, Home Alone, when Kevin blares the music, pretending there is a Christmas party at his house. Christmas is 23 short days away!

Song of the Week: Blank Space

By Courtney Thomas
November 18, 2014

Released to radios on Nov. 10, Blank Space by Taylor Swift is currently number one on iTunes. The song makes fun of her dating life in the media lately, and the video follows in perfect sync. This is depicting her as a serial dater. In the video, her and her boyfriend are running around in a palace. In the video, Swift makes fun of herself by having the mascara run down her face and smashing her boyfriends car in. I personally think that it is one of her better music videos and better songs with its catchy electric pop sound. The video is the perfect depiction of the media’s view of her love life from her perspective. I love that she can take all the rumors and turn it into a music video with over 48 million views in one week.

Song of the Week: Centuries

By Courtney Thomas
November 13, 2014

[R]eleased Sept. 9, Centuries by Fall Out Boy has already made the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video takes place in Pompeii with the band as gladiators. The four of them are pinned against a huge bodybuilder, and nothing is going in their favor. But they put their heads together and “turn dust into gold” and beat the guy. They were “remembered” for centuries as legends. The song is catchy and would be a great pump up song before a big game. Centuries is on Fall Out Boy’s sixth album, set to be released in early 2015.

Song of The Week: “Sweater Weather”

By Courtney Thomas
November 12, 2014

The song “Sweater Weather” seems very appropriate considering the weather lately. The song was released Dec. 3, 2012, close to two years ago by indie rock band called The Neighbourhood. The song reached number one on the alternative songs chart last June and was number one for 11 non-consecutive weeks. The song reminds me of the winter because of sweaters, but at the same time, it makes me think of summer because they refer to high-waisted shorts. Sweater Weather makes me want to sit in front of the fireplace with my hot chocolate and slippers, in the middle of summer, and I love it. I think you will too.

1989 album review: Taylor Swift

By Courtney Thomas
October 29, 2014

or most people, the name Taylor Swift brings a sour taste to their mouth, but for the few 70 million of us who are die-hard fans, she is one of the few...

Song of the Week: “Unwritten”

By Courtney Thomas
October 27, 2014

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield had its 10 year anniversary Sept. 6 this year. I have been hearing it on the radio a lot lately and it is just a fun song. I can not help but belt it every time it comes on on the radio. “Unwritten” talks about how you are the only one who can change your life and you have got to get up and do it whether you succeed or fail. It is a song everyone can relate to in the sense that all you know is now and “the rest is still unwritten.”

Song of the Week: Chandelier

By Courtney Thomas
October 21, 2014

“Chandelier” by Sia has become a little old and overplayed. Personally, I love the song, but that is not why I chose it. The music video is one of the weirdest videos I have ever seen (I have not seen that many, but I have seen enough). The music video features one of the girls from Dance Moms, interpretive dancing the whole time. She almost looks possessed to the point where it is almost disturbing. Chandelier was released March 17, 2014 on Sia’s sixth album, 1000 Forms of Fear. The music video follows the theme of fear perfectly, along with the song.

Song of the Week: Cool Kids

By Courtney Thomas
October 14, 2014

“Cools Kids” by Echosmith is one of the most relevant songs on the radio. Society today is all about being cool and hanging out with the popular people,...

Song of the Week: Animals

By Courtney Thomas
October 6, 2014

“Animals” by Maroon 5 is the number one song on their new album “V” which was released Sept. 2. The song itself is very catchy and has taken the radios by storm. The music video for “Animals” has received quite a bit of criticism from sexual assault groups for being dehumanizing to women and making violence look like something fun. I watched the video, and while it does not stray away from the theme of stalking, it does not encourage it either. Most music videos today are shying away from being appropriate and artists are branching out with their music videos to keep up with today’s society. “Animals” is number four on iTunes and is 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Huntley volleyball falls to Jacobs

By Courtney Thomas
October 5, 2014

It has been almost a month since Huntley last went face to face with Jacobs High School.

Song of the Week: All About That Bass

By Courtney Thomas
September 29, 2014

"All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor has been playing on radios since June 8. It was number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and is currently number...