Smashing Mash-Ups

I thought I'd post something simple this week, something light-hearted and cheery like this fantastic weather we are experiencing. One thing that makes me very happy is mash-ups, really well-done mash ups. So here's to my favorites...

EVOLUTION OF DANCE

I'll start with this one because it actually makes me "lol" every time I watch it. I will admit, though, I had one of those "good grief I'm getting old!" moments when searching this video. I was scrolling through YouTube looking for the right one, and I knew this was the right guy (note: orange Crush pop T-shirt), but I thought there was no way it could have been uploaded in 2006. That's almost ten years ago! Regardless, I love it. It makes me laugh, and it will make you laugh, too. Share it with older generations; they'll appreciate the decade-spanning humor!

MILEY CYRUS

I remember when my sister and I got our first Hannah Montana CD. It was a pretty exciting day. We put on our dance leotards and jammed out all day (read: all month). Miley is still my go-to for a good jam, and this mash-up of her transformation is really spectacular. I'd love to hear it updated in a year!

EVOLUTION OF MUSIC

Even more extensive than the Evolution of Dance, this musical compilation dates back to the 11th Century. Featuring the members of the duo Superfruit, the group Pentatonix blends these extremely diverse songs flawlessly. Their range of vocals are impressive at the least, and this makes me want to try and find Gregorian Chant on iTunes to download... 

TAYLOR SWIFT

Anthem Lights is one of my favorite mash-up groups (check out their K-Love Fan Awards Mash-Up). I've been a fan of Taylor Swift since I was 14 and my best friend played me "Teardrops on My Guitar" from the audio recording on her Razor phone. Every time I sang it, I obsessively replaced "Drew" with the name of the 17-year-old I was then in love with (who, of course, was in love with a different girl that he raved about to me). It was a rough time for junior-high-me, and Taylor was there every step of the way. I wept over "Fifteen" when I turned 15, and locked myself in my dorm room with nothing but "Last Kiss" when I thought I'd messed up the best relationship I'd ever had. Despite my nostalgic rant there, this song will make you smile -- especially my fellow T Swift fans out there. 

AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

I'm sure it says something about who you are (or perhaps just how old you are) depending on which "As Long as You Love Me" popped into your head when you read this: Backstreet Boys or Justin Bieber? I was a fairly typical Backstreet fan girl growing up, and I don't mind Justin Bieber, but this Michael Henry and Justin Robinett medley, I would suggest, certainly one-ups the originals. (Here. Just put this playlist on replay.)

LET IT GO/LET HER GO

Although Elsa does not "only need the sun when it starts to snow," Passenger and Frozen (the Disney film) were bound to come to a crossroads at some point. Sam Tsui does a brilliant job weaving these two together. Although it is not "frozen" outside anymore, you can still appreciate this melodic collaboration of two songs that are sure to empower you.