The Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band

Charlie Daniels, in case you aren't aware, is one of the best fiddlers in the entire world. His talent for the violin's beats and speed is incredible.

That said, one of The Charlie Daniels Band's most well-known songs is The Devil Went Down To Georgia. The story about a young man who meets up with the devil and engages in a fiddle-off. If the Devil wins, he takes Johnny's soul. If Johnny wins, he gets the Devil's beautiful golden fiddle.

Pretty basic premise to the song, but the music, the beat and the lyrics drag you in and make you nod your head and sing along.

The song was the greatest pop hit for The Charlie Daniels Band, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been featured in many movies since it was released in 1979. THe song will also be played well into this century, as no one will be able to play the fiddle as fast as Mr. Charlie Daniels.

I've Had The Time Of My Life

I'm sure with the recent passing of Patrick Swayze, Alyssa had to have at least heard about the movie Dirty Dancing. Right? Right?

Oh. Em. Gee.

The Last Dance of the Season had to be a great song that brought the theme of the movie together, and share how important the time Baby spent with Johnny was. After being selected by the movie's choreographer, Johnny Castle took baby out of the corner and danced the last dance to "I've Had The Time Of My Life".

The song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list with the release of the movie. You can't hear this song without thinking of Dirty Dancing, and you can't watch the movie without singing along with Johnny and doing a little lip biting and head nodding at the end.

Relive the happy moment on YouTube, and Alyssa, download this song immediately!

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

Before Sting was the solo act, he was in a fantastic band called The Police. With hits such as "Every Breath You Take", "Roxanne" and "Message in a Bottle" The Police rocked us all. Rolling Stone magazine named them number 70 on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Bands of All Time.

"Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" was released by The Police in 1981, and peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Singing the following lines, Sting just sounds so amazingly sexy; it's not wonder he enjoys the Tantric so much, huh?

"Every little thing she does is magic

Every thing she does just turns me on

Even though my life before was tragic

Now I know my love for her goes on"

Le sigh. I know quite a few women who would want this song written about them.

Will Alyssa be one of them???

Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger

"Call me a relic, call me what you will

Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill

Today's music ain't got the same soul

I like that old time rock 'n' roll"

I grew up listening to Bob Seger. I remember riding in my dad's old car and learning the lyrics to Seger's songs when I was 3 years old.

One of the best ones in "Old Time Rock and Roll" from 1978.

The moment the piano starts at the beginning of the song, you know the magic that is about to happen. However, the piano "false start" at the beginning of the track was actually a mistake made by the tape operator in the recording studio. Seger and his manager liked the "mistake" however, and it has now become one of the most well-known musical beginnings of all time.

Also one of my friend's favorite karaoke songs, "Old Time Rock and Roll" is a powerful rock song that puts all listeners in a great mood.

This song was also re-released in 1983 after being included in Risky Business where Tom Cruise dances in socks, a button-down shirt and tighty whities.

Dream On - Aerosmith

With recent news that Steven Tyler has quit the band Aerosmith, I thought this would be an appropriate post to get up right away.

Aerosmith - sometimes referred to as America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band - has been rocking the world for almost 40 years. The band has scored 21 Top 40 Hits since their debut album was released in 1973 and was named the best selling American rock band of all time.

The song chosen here for my cousin Alyssa is their first single "Dream On". Long before Steven Tyler's voice became the distinct sound it is now, he recorded this song, and it has always stood out as one of my favorites. VH1 also ranked "Dream On" #47 on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Songs

So, Alyssa, travel back to when your mom was still in elementary school and enjoy "Dream On" like everyone else has.

And let's hope that Steven Tyler hasn't really quit - or that they reconcile again. We need them to keep rocking.

One of the Best Karaoke Songs of All Time

Alyssa, no matter what anyone tells you, the band Journey ROCKS!

And their most popular song has got to be "Don't Stop Believin'"

Being played everywhere from karaoke bars, sporting events and dance clubs, "Don't Stop Believin'" is amazing. The chorused piano introduction has been described as one of the best opening keyboard riffs of all time.

In 2006, VH1 ranked this song as the 11th greatest song of the 1980s, but no one needed VH1 to rank it for us to know that it is awesome.

Recently covered on the 2009 hit show Glee, "Don't Stop Believin'" has reached a few new listeners lately. But we can't forget where it came from...

Okay, and here you can hear the Glee version, because I really like that show too.

You Know How The Beatles Use An E-A Like The Beatles?

I will just cry myself to sleep if I hear that Alyssa doesn't at least appreciate The Beatles.

There are people who love them, and a few people who don't but The Beatles is one of those bands that changed the way music was played in their day. Great rock beats from 3 attractive young men (and Ringo) made the girls scream.

In late 1962, The Beatles' first single "Love Me Do" was an instant hit in the UK and the States. Touring and recording extensively until their breakup in 1970, The Beatles produced enough hits to have sold more albums in the US than any other artist.

There will be many more Beatles songs appearing on this blog in upcoming weeks and months, but the one I am choosing here for Alyssa is their first single "Love Me Do". It started the world off on how awesome they are - hopefully it can do that same for her.

Or at least go out and play The Beatles: Rock Band. There should be some education in there, right?

Keep On Loving You

"And I meant every word I said. When I said that I love you I meant that I love you forever"

Reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1981, "Keep On Loving You" is a fantastic power ballad performed by REO Speedwagon.

Fun Fact: According to Wikipedia, the music video for "Keep On Loving You" was the 17th video played on MTV's first day on the air. You know, back when MTV still played music videos.

REO Speedwagon still rocks in concert (after having seen them perform at the Minnesota State Fair in 2009), and the frontman is a pretty sexy old dude.

So listen to this song, love it, and enjoy how it gets stuck in your head for hours. It will rock your face off!

The Point of This Blog

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to Alyssa's Music Education.

It has come to my attention that my 12-year-old cousin Alyssa does not know what good music was "back in the day". And this is coming from a girl who admittedly listens to crappy music on a regular basis (yes, I choose to listen to Ashlee Simpson sometimes. Deal with it.)

So, each day, I will be sharing one song that I LOVE on this blog in the hopes that Alyssa will take my words to heart, put these songs on her iPod and learn how awesome music can be when it's not Lil Wayne. Or those guys who sing the Helen Keller song.

Feel free to share your favorite songs as well! The more music we get her to listen to, the better!!!!!!