I listened to nothing but Ben Rector for a week

I've heard the name Ben Rector before, but I never really listened to him until I had the perfect reason. You. I mean, I knew a couple songs like It Would Be You, Brand New as Sunday, but that's it. So I thought this was the perfect opportunity to dive into his music, to prepare myself and see what I've been missing. As usual, I have three main rules. Rule number one, I have to listen to every song once before I replay anything. Rule number two I have to choose a top three for songs and albums. And rule number three, which is kind of like a bonus rule. If I get to it, I have to use one of his songs to create some kind of creative video on social media. Now, if you're like me and don't know him that well, he's a Nashville singer songwriter who's been putting out music for more than a decade. don't know if I would consider him like huge mainstream or mainstream or whatever, but from what I know. his songs tend to be more personal and centered around like love and navigating life, which is kind of perfect for my day to day. His most popular song is probably brand new, and his music style is similar to. Like Matt Kearney, maybe a little John Mayer, according to the internet. Anyway, so if you don't like that, then argue with him. so the first album is called 20 tomorrow, and I can't actually find it on Spotify. And so I'm having to use, YouTube to listen to the songs, and, I just hope they're all the right songs, because even when I like, Look up the album, it doesn't really give me a track. So. actually didn't think I would end up in a situation like this while doing a music challenge, because usually everything is just, like, available to listen to, you know? this album wasn't on Spotify or Apple Music. Sites like Last.fm or Genius didn't even have links for the songs. and this YouTube playlist didn't have all of the songs, and I wasn't the only person I was looking for them. Apparently. Now, so far I've only listened to four songs, but I don't know what it is with the song disarm it. Just have like a nice smooth listen. And I will say, starting this whole thing off with bright lights. I feel like it. It's a good song. I like this song. I guess with this playlist, I technically got through the first album, sort of. And as far as my favorites from this album go. Give me Bright Lights and then disarm on my own with 20 tomorrow as an honorable mention. I couldn't for the life of me. Find the song Hank anywhere. But then I just saw that it was on the next album. So I'm just assuming that it's the same song, but I haven't listen to it yet, so I can't really give it a ranking in this album. I knew this was going to be interesting, but I'm in the middle of the training for yet another marathon, and I decided to either run without music or just run with slower music. At least I was anticipating it to be slow. So I was supposed to do 16 miles, but I could pump out nine and a half. But I did listen through, songs that Duke wrote and, I think it's called Into the Morning This has been, like, the worst training plan for me. Like, for some reason, the past couple of weeks, every time I start running, when I get into it, I start feeling nauseous. And I don't know why. But at one point, I just. I just had to pause the music and just, try to focus on surviving. Really? Because, I mean, it's not the best music to run to. It's definitely not on my, like, normal playlist, but, Yeah. I'm tired. Can you tell? I ended up stopping the music like a song or two into the Into the Morning album, but I did manage to listen to the rest of that on the way to work. But to backtrack for the songs that Duke wrote. I arrange them by putting ready for change is number one, followed by The Kill the Feeling with the sophomore associated and After all, as an honorable mention. honestly, I just felt like the song ready for change was just the most relatable song to me anyway, because I think I just need to get better at just stepping out of my comfort zone, especially if I want to see something change in my life. And I just thought that this song was a good motivator for that. Now four into the morning, I feel like this album was good. Loving You Is Easy was definitely my number one. Then when a heart breaks and moving backwards with the beat white dress. And when I get there as honorable mentions. So even though I had it as an honorable mention, when the beat kicked in for the song White Dress, I had a moment where I was just like, ooh, that's good. And not that I had like low expectations or anything, but this album helped me look forward to the next couple of albums, because I just knew that tomorrow I had a lot of time to listen to how much I could. I ain't gonna lie to you. Yesterday I didn't listen to a single song. I was slacking, basically. But today. Today I have to drive 3.5 hours. Roughly. I'm going to my cousin's wedding, and so I have a lot of time to listen to, at least. I mean, I feel like I can listen to almost everything. Not really, but I'm listening to the next two albums. it's more a calming music. It is kind of more chill drive music. I feel like. I'll probably throw on some podcasts and some like audiobooks or something in the in between. Just so I don't get burnt out, really. This was a one day round trip. Road trip all by myself. That would have a total of roughly eight hours or so. And as I began this, something like this album, I became oddly optimistic. When we go places, Abigail and I typically like to try new coffee places. Specifically local ones. And even though this town is more or less like we come to this town every now and then, we still haven't been to this place. And I personally just usually get, like, a vanilla latte or some kind of flavor just to. That's my base to see if I would like coming back here ever. Although I will say this has one of my least favorite phrases on there already live, laugh, love. right. After finishing something like this, I ain't gonna lie to you. There's like five songs. I'm like, oh, man, it's good, it's good. I think Let the Good times roll or whatever the first song was. I really liked that one song for The Suburbs. hideaway was another one. Home. The last song on the album. I thought that one was good. The way I am. And there's another one that I can't remember the name right now, Yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see, I officially rank these, because I do want to read the lyrics eventually. But obviously I can't do that right now before I listen to the next album. There's also that game of like the song. They sound good, but the lyrics might not be as good as another song that has better lyrics, but it doesn't musically sound as good. To me, of course. Basically, I ended up choosing Let the Good Times roll, then hide away, then never going to let you go. With you and me home and where I am. As honorable mentions. Like I said though, this album was just good. I mean like put the rest of the album as honorable mentions. Eventually I made it to my home state of South Carolina and was still cruisin, and I felt good because it was also a nice day for drive. it's raining like crazy. But that last album, that's all making money. And I feel like I got it out and, I like you or something like that. Good song. I'm visiting my dad while I'm here, so that's why I'm stopped. now. Before I got to the wedding, I did end up finishing the walking in between. And the only thing I knew about this album was that when I told Abigail that I was listening to everything, she said that this was one of, if not her favorite album. So with that being said, Give Me Forever like that at number one, when I'm with you at number two and I like you at number three with follow, you Life keeps moving on making money. And if you can hear me as honorable mentions. One thing I will point out is that the first song of this album, Ordinary Love, didn't, like, hit like the rest of them. Like with the Something Like This, whatever the name of the album was when Let the Good Times Roll, that was a good song to start off. Not That Ordinary Love is not a good song. It still is a great song. It just didn't hit like the first. But at the same time, this entire album also more of a love album. I know that he makes love songs in general, but this album to me just seem more like a love song type of album and I don't know if that had any influence. Thank you for you. Man, what a day. I hope you get a chance to, you know, just hang with your family as much as possible. I saw some of my cousins that I haven't seen in a very long time. So anytime you get a chance to hang out with your family, just do it. You won't regret it. Especially if it's those family members that, you know, you don't see all the time. I will say before I get going on the next album that I'm listening to is called Live in Denver, Air Live from Denver. And one of my friends said that his favorite album or albums are his live ones, and so I'm kind of looking forward to it. And then because I'm capping this off with the actual live concert, I think I'm also just it's going to make me look forward to it even more. now the drop back. I was in full force and I'm just glad that I had a decent sunset, even though it was fading quickly. I'm just telling you live albums and they they remind me of why I enjoy going to concerts, From that live in Denver, I have to give it to, let the good times roll. Number one. When a heart breaks, number two. And I like you as number three. me give the beat an honorable mention. Also, Dapper Doug and shout out, And I bet if duck was a loud motorcycle. Shout out Doug, because, like, for the rest of his life, he's like, I'm that Doug that was wearing that bow tie. So shout out Doug before I listen to Brand New, which probably has the song Brand New is arguably his most popular song. I have to do something to make this experience a little bit better. We're going to have a dirty moment then. Thank you. Have a good night. You too. tip for you if you want to order Taco Bell because it's not the easiest thing to eat while driving. Get like a burrito or a Crunchwrap Supreme. Or even the fries. That's exactly what I got. As I demolished my Taco Bell, I got through brand new and I would say that my top three from this album were Brand new Paris note to self and favorite song like the World Is Going to End and 30,000ft as honorable mentions, I really try not to be typical and pick brand new, but hey, it's a good song. Eventually I put on an audiobook because the songs, they were good, but they were nice and chill and it was like I had like an hour and a half left to drive. It was dark. I was tired. So this is the series that I've been reading recently. If you're interested. Man. After yesterday, you would think that like, today would have been like more eventful. But it was not. But I did manage to start, the album magic. I reached my destination and I only listened to four songs so far up this album. And, I just want to say the song Old Friends. It had me like. I mean, I guess it's the purpose of the song, but it had me thinking of, like, my old friends. So first let me say shout out to Lucas and Dylan. am probably going to text them just to, you know, see how they're doing. Sometimes you don't talk to your old friends as much, maybe if you're watching this, you just check on your old friends. it was mainly like part of the lyrics from the chorus, which say. you can grow up, make new ones. But the truth is that we grow up. Then we wish we could go back then. There's nothing like old friends. guess what I'm trying to say is that song is just really relatable, or just made me think of my old friends. the rest of the album, I'd rank it like this I got drive as number one, Old Friends and then duo, which is kind of funny because that's how they are ordered on the album. But I also have like extraordinary magic love like these kids and boxes as honorable mentions. Honestly, the song, like the entire album, was just really good. One thing I will point out, though, is that the song Wherever You Are gave me Phil Collins vibes. Like, I felt like it should be like in a Tarzan movie, you know, saying. So by this time I found a rhythm. At least I felt like I found a rhythm of listening to at least one album a day while doing my day to day things. I was even going to listen to the Magic Live album while driving around with my son. But if you have a toddler, then you know exactly how that happened. We did not listen to that at all. So I respectfully waited until the end of the day to at least start the album. Another day of running and listening to music that I don't normally listen to. Long running. It's also really early, so I'm quite tired, but I got six miles today and I'm gonna finish this live album and then At the beginning of his cover of Never Going to Give You Up. He talks about like how at concerts or shows, audiences start to clap and they're always off tempo. I can relate to that. So I agree with him. Don't clap until you hear the drummer, unless you just want to be the one that claps off. Beat. Eventually the album did end and his Christmas album started. And honestly, this was my mood. Okay, maybe that's a little exaggerated, but considering that it's just not Christmas season, I just didn't have that Christmas spirit in me. Six miles in the bag. I got to, Have yourself a merry little Christmas or whatever. But as far as the magic, live from the USA. I got to give it to, Drive. Loving you is easy and duo. And maybe, like, not this off, I don't know. Future rally will organize a forum for you and, rank them, I'm tired, man. I'm gonna listen to the rest of the Christmas songs on my way to work. Now, I just got to do the Strava trend. At the top of that. I am on a coffee run for me and Abigail. Sometimes we get coffee. Sometimes we make it home. But the place I'm going is, like, literally two miles down the road. So, I'm gonna try to finish these last 2 or 3 Christmas songs in the meantime, It's funny because I feel like I'm almost like cheating on our other local coffee shop. Because the one closest, we just like it. And then now this one. While it's not a full storefront, it's still good. I have successfully delivered the coffee, and now I am on my way to work. For real. But for the Christmas album, I would have to give, you know, Rudolph number one for sure. And then this Christmas, even though this is just my opinion, I like the Chris Brown version better. But you know, it is what it is, and it's the most wonderful time of the year. I think that's going to be number three. what's interesting about them is like they're all the same, like, we all know the Christmas songs, but it just depends how people do them. And that's why I feel like Rudolph is number one. Just because it's a different way that I've heard Rudolph before. You know? I'm not gonna lie though, because I was like, lowkey stressing because I know the concert is in two days. And first thing, we hadn't even bought tickets yet, which I know is kind of bad, but we should probably do that today. And the second thing was, I thought I had like a bunch of albums left to listen to, but I only had two three, I think. And one of them's a live album. And let me just say I, I've enjoyed the live album so much, and I know I don't listen to live albums in general often, but listening to these past two live albums, it's made me anticipate and get more, I guess, excited for the concert. Just because live live shows in general are typically better, especially if the person is actually musically talented and they just always do things different than what you expect in the song, or they add some flair to it. On the way to work, I started the Joy of music, and I knew two songs on this album already, Sunday and It Would Be You. This was one of those days when I was by myself, so I was just in a vibe doing what I was supposed to be doing. Overall, though, I think my initial favorites from this album are Living My Best Life. Sunday Then it would be you. With steady love hanging out heroes enjoy. As honorable mentions. thank you. Had me thinking about life. Just like being thankful for the big and small things. And then when Kenny G came in on the song Hanging Out, I was just like, ooh! the time I got back to my car for a quick jam session, started the live from Atlanta album, but I wasn't able to finish that until later in the night. And where I just sat there and just close my eyes and took it all in. And from there, I like the way heroes was done. So that was definitely number one with old Friends as number two, because when that saxophone came in, I had another oh, come on now moment. Steady love will be number three. And honestly, I just genuinely like that song. Do. Another average day, but I managed to make it to the last album with one day to spare. In other words, I totally miscalculated and started this music challenge a day earlier than I was supposed to. But it is what it is. I took in this last album while I did some typical house chores, and I knew nothing about this album at all, except for the fact that this concert that we were about to go to the overall tour was named after it. But I really like the song The Richest Man in the world, because it kind of gave me a sense of gratitude. So that's number one with forever doesn't quite seem long enough at number two. And then I got it bad for you with praying for Me and release as an honorable mention. The solo on release, it just gave me like classic rock vibes. And I'm telling you, man, the first song he doesn't miss is so good. I did manage to make some kind of like create a video using one of Ben Rector songs. So if you want to see what song I chose, go visit my social media accounts. You know, truthfully, I just didn't have any expectations of in rector. Like, I knew it wasn't going to be bad. And I know he knew in general that he was a good artist and really good live. I just didn't know how good you know. Do you know who Ben Rector is? No, I did not even one. So a song. Yeah. Music artist? Nope. Not at all. Okay, you Think it's, And I like movies. This guy, All right. See you later. You go check out Ben Rector. A chance to hang out. That's up to you. I know people might have mixed feelings when it comes to this, but sometimes when I go to concerts, depending on how much I know the artist or how well I know the artists or their songs, I'll go to a site like setlist form and figure out what songs they're going to be singing on tour. Again, I know some people will want to be like, surprised, especially if you know all the songs you just want to like, Know that you don't really have to like, have a song that you don't know. But for this one specifically because of the amount of songs that I took in, within the week, I'm gonna look at the setlist or the alleged setlist that he's going to sing tonight, so I can just be prepared. Sometimes it pays to wait because we hadn't bought the ticket yet and we just bought them not too long ago. However, there was seats like two rows from the stage that were the same price as like the lawn seats when we looked last week. But sometimes if you wait, then the event gets sold out. definitely got some resale tickets, because the seats next to the ones we got, they're like, twice as much. So we just got lucky. Now, as expected, the videos from this concert just won't do the actual experience justice. But it was so cool to first know some of the songs, but more importantly, learn even more about like, Ben Rector and the rest of his band. Like. An example is how his saxophone player David joined the band because of a little social media magic, or just being that close and being able to see the musicians play off of each other, which I know happens in other artists, in other bands, but still still cool. One thing that I thought was cool was that for each night of the tour, he was sharing the live recording of that stop with the audience. And I personally have never seen something like that or been in that situation before. But of course our show had a glitch and so we got the next show as well. When? Now, after it's all said and done, my favorite Ben Rector songs as of right now, including all of the live versions of songs that I've heard or Drive Loving You is easy and probably living my best life with When a Heart Breaks, I Like You and Steady Love as honorable mentions. And I mean, I'm not gonna lie, that was kind of difficult because he does have a lot of good songs. As far as albums go, though, I got to put magic as number one with something like this, and then either the Joy of music or The Walking in Between as number three, I honestly can't decide. I don't know how I'm going to decide, but eventually I'll decide. It might change. I don't know. Bottom line is, I think that this like format of like listening to artists, like binge listening to them for a week straight and then going to see them live might be a new format that I might be interested in. I just got to find out who's next. Now. Sunday morning news quickly turns to afternoons. It's like that. I can barely go and catch it. Kinda how I feel when you.