Musician Spotlights: Twenty English-Speaking (or singing!) Recommendations
American pop music is not only heard on radios in the United States, but throughout the whole world. However, it can be difficult to know where to begin to find new artists, and even more difficult to decipher the lyrics if you want to sing along! So, this post has three song recommendations with explanations for some of the lyrics that can be confusing. Be sure to check out the additional musician and song suggestions at the end!
“Over My Head”// Echosmith
This song is more upbeat and probably will sound similar to the American pop you hear on the radio. This band also wrote the song “Cool Kids”, which was a very popular song a few years ago!
But I don't understand, it's always over my head
Yeah, over my head
Yeah, it's so
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Is it too late, too far gone to fix this
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head
Over my head
So tell me (tell me)
Tell me all the things that you are thinking (thinking)
Tell me what it is that I am missing (missing)
Don't want this to slip right through our hands
Don't want this to go
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Is it too late, too far gone to fix this
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Is it too late, too far gone to fix this
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
There's only static on TV in this hotel room
Reminds me of all the things you think I don't understand
It seems like you and me, we keep losing connection
Whenever you talk to me, it doesn't make any sense
Don't know what you meant, it's always over my head
Yeah, over my head
Yeah, it's so
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Is it too late, too far gone to fix this
Over my head, over my head, over my head
Over my head
Over my head
You take the simplest thing and always complicate it
Talking in circles, got me dizzy like a merry-go- round
It shouldn't be so hard to have a conversation
I'm sick of fighting with your ego, I wish you would admit
Over my head: this is an idiom which usually refers to when someone is trying to explain something, and you are not able to understand them. The misunderstanding can be caused by a language barrier, but is normally used to describe when the ideas being explained are too difficult or don’t make sense to you.
Merry-Go-Round: found on playgrounds; person sits on the bench or bottom of the merry-go-round and someone else spins them until they are dizzy.
“Already Mine”// Us the Duo
If you enjoy love songs, this song (and band) may be one of your new favorites! The band’s members are a married couple who write songs about how their love has impacted their lives.
Where did it go?
The love I once knew
Is lost in the dark
The light can't shine through
Where did we go?
I can't see it now
I'm fighting the night
To find you somehow
And I miss you
Even though you're so close
I miss you
Even though you're right next to me
I already have you
But I wanna know you again
It's so hard to kiss you
When it feels like I'm only a friend
I can't control you
Or what your heart will decide
But I'll never stop trying to fall back in love with what's already mine
Where did it go?
The passionate fire
We can't find the flame
And now we're both tired
What do we do?
When all we have left is dying for life
And on it's last breath
And I miss you
Even though you're so close
I miss you
Even though you're right next to me
I already have you
But I wanna know you again
It's so hard to kiss you
When it feels like I'm only a friend
I can't control you
Or what your heart will decide
But I'll never stop trying to fall back in love with what's already mine
If we fight through this battle and win
We'll be stronger than who we were then
I already have you
But I wanna know you again
It's so hard to kiss you
When it feels like I'm only a friend
I can't control you
Or what your heart will decide
But I'll never stop trying to fall back in love with what's already mine
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
Wanna: shortened/slang form of ‘want to’
“Never Get Enough”// Lianne La Havas
Lianne has very unique music that combines soul, rock, and R&B. The album that this song is from is inspired by her Greek and Jamaican heritage.
I heard a song today
On the tip of your tongue
And when I hear you play
That particular song
I go, and you stay
As I lay wide awake
Thinking 'what the hell have I done?'
Enchanted by the way you dance
At the kick of my drum
I'll go, and you stay
There must be another way
No I'll never get enough of you
But your love like stop it's amazing
Doesn't matter what you've been through, through
Cause I'll never get enough of you
But your love like stop it's amazing
Doesn't matter what you've been through, through
Gave you the runaround?
Baby, what the hell do I do
Bewildered by the sound
Only if it's coming from you
Ok, you paid
I've been unsatisfied
Lately when I think about us
I've swallowed so much pride
To win a little bit of your trust
You go, and I'll stay
There must be a better way
No I'll never get enough of you
But your love like stop it's amazing
Doesn't matter what you've been through, through
Cause I'll never get enough of you
But your love like stop it's amazing
Doesn't matter what you've been through, through
And the way you got me
On the way up
I can't see down
It's real now, it's real now
I can't see now [x2]
Cause I'll never get enough of you
But your love like stop it's amazing
Doesn't matter what you've been through, through
No I'll never get enough of you
But your love like stop it's amazing
Doesn't matter what you've been through, through
Tip of your tongue: this idiom is used to express the feeling when you are trying to remember a word (usually a place or someone’s name), but you cannot quite think of what it is.
Runaround: when someone is refusing to answer a question or take action. Not commonly used in everyday English.
Bewildered: confused
Swallowing pride: one person puts aside what they want to do so that another’s wants or needs can be put first.
Artists
Here are an additional twelve musicians (or bands) to check out! There are three main categories they fall into: Covers, Throwbacks, and Modern. The Cover artists perform songs originally sung by another musician, but they put their own style into their version. The Throwback singers were initially popular many years ago, but their music is still well-known among Americans today! The last category is Modern, since these musicians are still producing music. All of these artists have different styles, so the songs listed are to help you figure out which ones you enjoy the most.
Covers
Pentatonix: a cappella (voice-only) covers of pop songs
Postmodern Jukebox: jazz covers of modern songs
Scary Pockets: funk covers of modern songs
Boyce Avenue: acoustic covers of modern songs
Throwbacks
Stevie Wonder: “Superstition”, “As”, “Sir Duke”, “Isn’t She Lovely”
Bon Jovi: “Livin’ On A Prayer”, “You Give Love A Bad Name”
Journey: “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Any Way You Want It”, “Open Arms”
Michael Jackson: “Billie Jean”, “Bad”, “Beat It”, “Smooth Criminal”
Modern
Oh Wonder: “Drive”, “Ultralife”
Jaymes Young: “Habits of My Heart”, “Feel Something”
Michael Bublé: “Haven’t Met You Yet”, “Everything”, “Feeling Good”
Imagine Dragons: “Radioactive”, “Next to Me”, “I Bet My Life”
Other Songs to Check Out!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sydney Weidler is a sophomore (2nd year) student studying Nutrition and Dietetics at Messiah College, and is one of the virtual interns at America House this year! She loves travelling, reading, and baking, as well as playing the oboe and spending time with friends and family.