#MyFive Mouseketeers

Alumni of the good 'ol 90s MMC were poppin' up all over my world this week! Put on your ears and follow me back to the innocence of my youth. Here are #MyFive Mouseketeers!

5) Ryan Gosling - I actually only remembered Ryan from the MMC after someone pointed his old mousey-eared days out to me years into his film career. I do recall him as one of the quieter, less spotlight-hogging kids, and it's neat to see him maintain that personality as an adult. People love him because of his actual talent (did you see Drive? holy hell), not because of headlines or some weird public obsession. Okay, maybe there's a little public obsession, but at least it's well-deserved.  Watch Ryan sing "Always in My Heart" from the MMC!

4) Tony Lucca - I had no intention of watching The Voice this year. Until I read that Tony was there. He was the hottest guy on the MMC and I'm fairly certain he made me a homosexual. Okay, probably not, but at least he made it fun to be one. Also, his independent music is beautiful. Highlights are "Always", about the love of a parent, and "Back to Me", about letting go of someone and hoping they come back. Check 'em out on Itunes, and support this gorgeous man's career. And if you need evidence of his hottness,  Watch Tony's "Take Time" music video from the MMC!

3) Christina Aguilera - Okay. Let's try and keep this judgment free. Her voice is amazing. Absolutely amazing. She had a hand in some of the most beautiful pop songs of the 00s. She's a strong woman who stands up for what she thinks. Do I always understand her choices or remarks. No. But then, I don't always understand mine. And I'm still fabulous :). Watch Christina sing "I'm Not Over You" from the MMC!

2) The Party - If anyone remembers and loves this group, you are my automatic best friend. Their four albums defined my early adolescence. I wanted to be Tiffani Hale, and I will continue to google her name every year in the hope that someone has located her. It was disney pop music at its best, and it even got a little naughty sometimes (Let's Get Right Down To It?...yikes!). They made tons of videos, but here's the one that sums up their pop charm.  Watch The Party's "I Found Love" music video!

1) Britney Spears - Please. Love her or hate her (and hating her is not an option by the way), she is the best thing that has come out of the entire Disney Channel. If you love pop music, her songs are undeniable. If you love controversy, she's a dream come true. If you teach psychology, she's an excellent case study on the dangers of fame and life. Something for everyone. And everything for me :). Watch Britney sing "I'm Gonna Get You" from the MMC!


If Fred and Moweva were here, they'd say they'd see you real soon. That'd be a lie, though, 'cause we'd never see them again. And if you don't know what that means, then I'm surprised you read this whole thing. MMC love is kind of like a cult. And I'm happy to drink the Kool-Aid. Want some?

#MyFive Songs of 2011

Fair Warning: MyFive favorite songs of the year are likely not already on your Ipod. I'm constantly listening to music, so by the time radio or the casual listener catches on, I'm over it. So take a song like Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", which is amazing, and which I loved from January until around May. But by October, I literally verbally assaulted anyone who was singing/playing/quoting it. I get really excited sharing music with people, so click on the song names to check out these gems.  Hope you like!

5) "Someone Like You" - Jay Brannan: Okay, Hypocrite Warning. I just ranted about overplayed songs, but Adele is truly amazing, and her impact on music this year is undeniable. I actually prefer this version, by one of the best singer/songwriters who's ever lived. Jay can rip your guts out with the pain and loss in his voice. He's felt this ish before, and you can hear it in every note.

4) "Cold as Stone" - Lady Antebellum: I really love Lady Antebellum, but the album tracks that make it to radio are rarely my faves. Case in point, this gorgeous ballad. Charles and Hillary's harmonies always give me goosebumps, and they can tell a country story of a lost relationship better than anyone. Throw in some beautiful and tear-inducing strings at the end, and you've got a song that could (and likely will) break your heart.

3) "Strangest Love" - Britney Spears: You can judge me if you want, but I don't have to defend my love for well-constructed and fun pop music. Her Femme Fatale album surprised me by becoming my favorite Britney album ever (don't tell Blackout), but I honestly wouldn't be able to decide which song I like best. Luckily for me, this track leaked and made the choice for me. It is one of the 5 best Britney songs ever. It's sexy and sleek, but you can hear the emotion in there, subtle but powerful. Just like Brit-Brit. Stop judging me.

2) "Love Too Much" - Kris Allen: Another unreleased track jumps in and makes my year so much brighter. Apparently co-written by Kevin Rudolf, this song has passion, catchy rhythm, vocal prowess, and most importantly, the emotional tone in Kris's voice that makes you scream it out in the car, forget you're at a stoplight, and be judged by angry drivers who have to pass you and wonder what asylum you escaped from. No? Maybe that's just me then....

1) "Holding Out For a Hero" - Ella Mae Bowen: I love a classic song that gets flipped into something new and different. I love a singer who can effortlessly use their voice to make you feel their desperation and sadness. I love a musical arrangement that completely conveys the emotion of the song without the need for any vocals. So when you can combine all of these things together, you get perhaps the most beautiful song I've ever heard. Ever. I'm not kidding. Check it.



The only thing I love more than sharing my favorite music is people sharing theirs with me :). What are YourFive songs of 2011?