My generation (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2016/09/for-fellow-members-of-my-generation.html) of music lovers grew up purchasing cassette tapes, usually just the hot new single. I did this for ninety-nine cents at The Wiz and it was every bit as magical each time. An actual store with all types of music from any year you wished. These were the priceless days before Amazon, iTunes, and whatever the hell you kids are using now.
I was ok
when we made the move to Compact Discs (CDs), I am even listening to one right
now on my computer, but even then buying an entire album was a roll of the
dice. Not only could you not preview it ahead of time, you had to wait for the
song to come on the radio or worse MTV before you knew what you liked. The odds
of buying an album and liking every single song was a rarity. No matter how we
(really you more than me) listen to music now, it is just as hard to love every
song by an artist no matter how talented they are.
For me
there are only three exceptions to this rule. The first is Ms. Alicia Keys (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/09/for-womans-worth-alicia-keys-at-92y.html).
A talented songwriter who puts on one hell of a show, I try to get to her
concerts whenever she is in town. Her voice and lyrics move me beyond belief.
To me she is a real “superwoman”.
The
second is Taylor Swift and her album “1989” specifically. Despite the fact that
I am Team Kardashian-West I have to keep myself honest, since Anderson Cooper
isn’t here, unfortunately. This latest album by T.S. was really easy to listen
to with a lot of upbeat songs. I don’t care about the lyrics as much as the
beat. I cannot handle too many quiet, slow songs on my iPod. Get over it I am
living in the past!
But my
third exception is my newest much loved artist. Her album have managed to do
the impossible, play an album all the way through over and over again. Even
more unique she has done this for her two consecutive albums. This artist of
course is Meghan Train and the albums are “Title” and “Thank You”.
My
addiction to Meghan and her music led me to purchase tickets to her current
tour, The Untouchable Tour. The location was Radio City Music Hall. My date for
the evening was my mother; as this was her Mother’s Day present this year. We
were excited just like everyone in the area seemed to be, even in Ted’s Montana
Grill (see previous blog).
When I
arrived at the theater there was a crowd but the doors were already open and
people were eagerly entering. As soon as I got in I bought the shirt that has
my favorite lyrics of all time on it “I'd wanna be me, too”. So much better
than your standard concert tee with the tour city locations listed on the back.
I know where I saw the show I just need something unique to announce to the
world what I am thinking in case it is not obvious. With that settled I turned
my attention to finding my seats.
This is
the video for “Me Too”. I dare you to watch and remain calm.
Can I
just say how beautiful Radio City is? Every time I walk in I am always blow
away all over again. You wouldn’t even know how many crowds of people are in
and out every day. It is immaculate and pristine. It looks like it just opened
with elegant décor you don’t find much nowadays. It is like stepping back in
time while listening to music of the modern age. What a concept.
I could
not have been more comfortable. The seats were cushioned and roomie. There were
no drink holders but there was plenty of legroom. I didn’t have to get up every
time some one walked in or out of the aisle. The view was also pretty great
considering we were sitting in the mezzanine. Overall the perfect seat gives
way to a perfect evening.
The last
time I was here was way back in 2011 when I saw Janet Jackson perform (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-those-who-enjoy-being-part-of.html).
That was sort of disastrous. I had a good time with my friends but Janet wasn’t
what I hoped she would be. In her defense I grew up listening to her so I might
have expected more than the ole girl could or would give. Her opening act was
beyond awful. That’s what I remember most of all. Well that and that the
balcony felt like it was going to collapse from the steady shaking from the
audience’s dance moves. I am happy to report no such thing happened this time
around.
Before
Meghan Trainor there were two opening acts and I hadn’t heard of either of
them. Common Kings went on first and I walked in when they were about half way
through their act. I didn’t mind their sound but it was too loud and I couldn’t
understand the words.
Out next
came Hailee Steinfeld. The crowd of nine-year-old girls spread out in the
audience went bananas. This adorable teenager/young woman singer came out with
a serious group of backup dancers. The first few songs all sounded like one
long song to me. But then again I am probably the only six year old who saw The
Rockettes Christmas Show and slept through the whole thing I was so bored. The
same thing happened when I gave it a chance over ten years later. I have always
been a tough nut to crack.
As Hailee
made her way through her hits we arrived at a song with a popular tune, at
least for the nine-year-old girl closest to me. She jumped up and shouted
“that’s a Justin Bieber song maybe he is coming out”. While I felt for her
excited little heart I thought to myself please God don’t let him be here, they
will all loose it. He of course was not to their dismay but Hailee continued on
singing his song, “Love Yourself”. That wise little girl had taught me a lot in
a very short about of time.
Her final
song turned out to be one I knew and loved. I once watched “How to Be Single”
on an airplane and surprisingly thought it was cute. What got my attention was
the song at the end, apparently sung by Hailee herself, “Love Myself”.
Take a
look and listen here:
I read
online that this is a “dirty” song about showing oneself some very private
self-love. I did not take to that meaning. I loved the self-love that is so
complete you don’t need to look to anyone else for your happiness. That you
love yourself faults and all. It is the first step to being able to love
someone else.
This song
actual was the perfect song to end with to segway into the introduction of our
headliner.
Besides
her spunky up-tempo songs it is the meaning behind them that are truly my
favorite parts of Meghan Trainor’s music. She sings about positive body image,
demanding respect from relationships, and the values her parents taught her.
Her ability to share her emotions and messages with songs that often rhyme and
make me laugh with the words she chooses to use, make her the great songwriter
she is. It is why I find her songs addicting and why I can listen to them
endlessly on repeat. Meghan being a songwriter and not just a singer is a
quality I highly regard. That is altogether another talent just like my dear
Alicia Keys. The ability to perform both roles is remarkable when you consider
how few pop stars do so nowadays.
Her set
was basic but the show was anything but. There were only a handful of costume
changes with the aid of her mother Kelli Trainor, as Meghan informed us. She
isn’t much of a dancer but her energy comes across nonetheless. The side
screens in the music hall weren’t used just the giant one behind the band on
the stage.
The band
themselves were quite talented as proved by Meghan’s choice to have James Casey
join her singing “Like I’m Gonna Loose You”. It gave me chills.
This is
their performance from the night I was there.
But the
performance of the night goes to Meghan’s father, Gary Trainor. Her song “Dance
Like Yo Daddy” is a funny well thought-out song about how she relaxes dancing
for fun, not for show. As if the images on the screen behind her of her dad
dancing in all these random locations weren’t enough the man himself came out
on stage to dance with his daughter!! This was a HUGE hit. I laughed while I sang my ass off.
That song
was one of a long line of choreographed acts that still managed to seem like it
was the first time. Acts like this one continually draws me to the theater and
all sorts of live shows. It is the ultimate sign of a good entertainer. Meghan
Trainor certainly is in a league of her own.
For those
that are curious here is the set list we were treated to. Please note that all
future tour dates are subject to change.
1
|
"Woman Up"
|
13
|
"Just a Friend to You"
|
2
|
"Watch Me Do"
|
14
|
"Like I'm Gonna Lose You"
|
3
|
"Me Too"
|
15
|
"Bang Dem Sticks"
|
4
|
"Dear Future Husband"
|
16
|
"Throwback Love"
|
5
|
"Lips Are Movin"
|
17
|
"I Love Me"
|
6
|
"Mom"
|
18
|
"Champagne Problems"
|
7
|
"Dance Like Yo Daddy"
|
19
|
"I Won't Let You Down"
|
8
|
"All About That Bass"
|
20
|
"One Dance" (Drake cover)
|
9
|
"Good to Be Alive"
|
21
|
"Better"
|
10
|
"Friends"
|
22
|
"Forgive Me Father"
|
11
|
"Kindly Calm Me Down"
|
23
|
"Thank You"
|
12
|
"Hopeless Romantic"
|
24
|
"No"
|
Besides
being welcomed into her inner circle and meeting her family I learned a great
deal about Meghan’s background during this show. She is originally from
Nantucket, MA where her grandparents still live and who happened to be in the
audience that night.
My
research informed me that prior to her record deal with Epic Records she lived
briefly in Nashville with a local record company signing her. She has had a
deal since she was seventeen, no small feat in today’s cutthroat entertainment
business. For someone who is only now twenty-two she has succeeded more than
many. I can only imagine the treat we are in for on her next album. This
secondary effort came upon the heels of her first so my question is will she be
taking a break? Or continuing her meteoric rise? We will have to wait with baited
breath to find out.
Joe
Coscarelli of the New York Times wrote a piece about Meghan Trainor last
January. It was incredibly illuminating.
Among my
favorite quotes from him:
“Combining
the retro sound and technical proficiency of Adele and Amy Winehouse (if they
wore more pastels), with the relatively safe, singsong rhymes of Ms. Azalea
(sans the rap music signifiers), Ms. Trainor is a musical chameleon, fluent in
many styles from her time as a hired gun writing for other artists.”
Ahh
that’s why I love her! I was a HUGE Amy Winehouse fan and miss what might have
been everyday. So sad to see such a talented life wasted. Her voice, style, and
gift were so uniquely hers. They hardly make them like that anymore.
As for
Meghan:
“Everyone
asks me, are you scared to be a one-hit wonder? No I’m a songwriter. That’s not
even my best one.” (referring to “All That Bass”)
I would
have to agree. Each song is better than the next, and I am not even talking
about “Better” which had its video debut last week. Her video costar Beau
Bridges tweeted that Meghan can now add talented actress to her resume. That
listed is just going to keeping growing.
It just
goes to show you, you can learn something from someone you don’t know, even
when they are younger than you.
Meghan
Trainor is encouraging us (as well as herself perhaps) to demand the love and
life we deserve- a goal I can relate to.
Each day
I try to remember her wise words:
“Every
inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top”.
The same
is true for you.
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