Stronger Stories

Lorie Ann Grover and I have often included songs by Kelly Clarkson on our rgz playlists. We're both really digging Kelly's new album, Stronger.

While listening to the album, I dropped by Kelly's website and discovered this awesome forum for Stronger Stories, which simply asks: "What has made you stronger?" and encourages people to share their stories of strength.

We here at rgz encourage you to do the same, be it here at this blog, there at Stronger Stories, in an important in-person discussion with your family or friends, or simply in your personal diary or journal. You are all strong, each and every one of you reading this blog, and we salute your strength.

March Playlist

This month's theme is Risk-Taking -- and here are this month's theme songs.

Let's Get Movin' Into Action by Tim Armstrong and Skye Sweetnam
Go For It by Girlfriend
Wide Open Spaces by The Dixie Chicks
A Praise Chorus by Jimmy Eat World
Declaration by David Cook
Fall In Love Tonight by The Whomping Willows
Dare You to Move by Switchfoot

If you can't see the music player above, click here.

Suggest Songs for Our March Playlist

Hey rgz!

We are building the playlist for March. Our theme is Risk-Taking. Give me your suggestions in the comments below, and I'll create our mix through Project Playlist.

Suggestions so far:
Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
Go For It by Girlfriend
A Praise Chorus by Jimmy Eat World
Declaration by David Cook

February Playlist

When we asked you to suggest songs about loyalty for our February playlist, the music recommendations came pouring in! This month's playlist includes:

Stand By Me by Ben E. King
Don't Leave My Mind by Azure Ray
I'll Be There by The Spinners
Just When You're Leaving by Joanna Pacitti
Lean On Me by Al Green
I'll Stand By You by The Pretenders
Mordred's Lullaby by Heather Dale
At Your Side by The Corrs
I Will by The Beatles
Touch Me by The Doors
Sway by Bic Runga
I'll Be by Edwin McCain
I'll Be There by The Jackson 5
For Good from the musical Wicked
Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne
Stay by Lisa Loeb

Hope: Markéta Irglová's Speech at the Oscars

Markéta Irglová spoke of hope when she and Glen Hansard the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly, which I put on this month's playlist. Here's what she said:

"Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just the proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don’t give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much who helped us on the way. Thank you." - Markéta Irglová

Isn't that lovely?

Now, consider this: Her initial acceptance speech had been cut off by a music cue! Glen gave his speech, but when Markéta walked up to the mic, the orchestra started to play, cutting her off. Thanks to host Jon Stewart, Markéta was able to come back on stage and have her moment. That is when she gave the speech as quoted above.

Click here to watch the award announcement and subsequent speeches.

Suggest Songs for Our February Playlist

Hey rgz!

We are building the playlist for February. Our theme is Loyalty. Give me your suggestions in the comments below, and I'll create the playlist.

Suggestions so far:
Stand By Me by Ben E. King
Don't Leave My Mind by Azure Ray
Just When You're Leaving by Joanna Pacitti
I Will by The Beatles

January Playlist

Hey readergirlz! Check out our playlist for this month's theme, Hope:

(If you can't see the playlist above, you need Flash.)

Note: Not all of the recommended songs were available at the Project Playlist website. Here's the full list of tracks:

Only Hope by Mandy Moore
Joy by David Poe
Moon River by Henry Mancini as performed by Audrey Hepburn
Your Song by Elton John
Hope For Me Yet by Marc Broussard
Save Yourself by Sense Field
Positivity by Ashley Tishdale
The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Falling Slowly by The Frames (or Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, whichever recording you prefer!)

Suggest Songs for Our January Playlist

Hey rgz!

We are building the playlist for January. Our theme is Hope. Give me your suggestions in the comments below, and I'll create the playlist!

December Playlist

Hey readergirlz! We asked you to suggest songs suitable for this month's theme, Compassion, and here's what you came up with:

(If you can't see the playlist above, you need Flash.)

Note: Not all of the recommended songs were available at the Project Playlist website. Here's the full list of tracks suggested by readergirlz:

Sally by Jonatha Brooke
Serena by Duncan Sheik
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
One by U2
Fix You by Coldplay
Explode by The Cardigans
Love a Diamond by Tonic
When You Come Back Down by Nickel Creek

Suggest Songs for Our December Playlist

Hey rgz!

We are building the playlist for December. Our theme is Compassion. Give me your suggestions in the comments below, and I'll compile the list for us to rock our November reads.

Suggestions so far:
Sally by Jonatha Brooke
Serena by Duncan Sheik

What songs would you like to hear on the Compassion playlist? Let me know!

November Playlist

Hey readergirlz! We asked you to suggest songs suitable for this month's theme, Resilience, and here's what you came up with:

(If you can't see the playlist above, you need Flash.)

Note: Not all of the recommended songs were available at the Project Playlist website. Here's the full list of tracks suggested by readergirlz:

Promise To Try by Madonna
Unprofessional by Katy Rose
Got Dynamite by Demi Lovato
Dark Carnival by Vanessa Carlton
Nobody by Amy Studt
Change by Taylor Swift
So What by Pink
Voldemort is Going Down from the soundtrack of A Very Potter Musical
Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
Superwoman by Alicia Keys
Stronger by Britney Spears
Fighter by Christina Aguilera

Suggest Songs for Our November Playlist

Hey rgz!

We are building the playlist for November. Our theme is Resilience. Give me your suggestions in the comments below, and I'll compile the list for us to rock our November reads.

Suggestions so far:
Unprofessional by Katy Rose
Got Dynamite by Demi Lovato
She Floats by Vanessa Carlton

rgz playlist, 2010

Okay, I compiled all the suggestions and added them to a few more I found. Some pretty sweet memories here. I even was able to include Snape!

What do you think of this playlist? Any other ideas? If they are supported at playlist.com it's easy to add to the songs. This will potentially run at our website, readergirlz. Rock on!

Help build the rgz playlist: Mika, Big Girl

Is this not the cutest video from Mika? Which reminds me, that I'm looking for the ultimate songs to represent rgz. Can you give me suggestions in the comments? This will be for our everlasting rgz playlist. Well, at least one that represents for awhile. :~) So what do you suggest? Sing it out! (It has to be supported at playlist.com, btw. Thanks!)

And let's hear it for the Big Girls! Woot!