An Indie Top Five That You'll Totally Fall For

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Fall is such a magical season, a cool interlude, between the sweltering summer and harsh Michigan winter. Innately nostalgic, it haunts us with wonder, engenders the desire for simple comforts, and inspires deep reflection. Nietzsche called it "The season of the soul". At Graff Mt. Pleasant we believe every season and occasion deserves a bomb playlist, so we've gathered a few haunting indie ballads that embody the melancholy energy of the fall. Whether you're chilling by a bonfire or taking a scenic drive, these tracks are sure to set the perfect Autumn mood.

1. SEASONS - FUTURE ISLANDS

Known for their "knotty, poetic lines" Future Islands is one of the lucky few to catapult to the top tier of Indie music. This song is revered as one of their most successful by fans and critics alike for its deep, heart-wrenching vocals, plinky synth lines, and universal lyrics. It's a track about a man with his heart on the line, and cutting your losses and moving on. What could be more fall? The release of one season, the waiting for another to begin. 

2. CINDER AND SMOKE - IRON AND WINE

Iron and Wine is another of the Indie scene's great success stories, with their songs appearing in countless films, TV shows and commercials. Classic and warm, their tracks are full of restrained imagery and offer a bitter, yet longing, perspective on memory, love, and nostalgia. "Cinder and Smoke" describes a conflict between a desire for the way life used to be, and the strange freedom that accompanies loss. With a soft, haunting melody and beautiful lyricism this is a folky track that's the perfect accompaniment to a scenic, Autumn stroll. 

3. ANOTHER STORY - HEAD AND THE HEART

Unlike their Indie contemporaries, Head and the Heart have released a solid folk and Americana  portfolio over the years while receiving much less than their deserved praise in return. "Another Story" was a cathartic project for Head and the Heart as they struggled to come to terms with the events of the Newtown shootings. Melodically stunning, this bitter and brutally honest musing over the unchanging nature of the world is surprisingly up-lifting. 

4. EVERYTHING LOOKS BETTER IN HINDSIGHT - THE WILD REEDS

This virtually unknown trio pumps out some of the most decadent, perfectly-synced harmonies we've ever heard. It's dessert for your ears...seriously. With rare songwriting, comprised of gut-wrenching lyrics, and soft, tinkling melody, their albums are a painfully gorgeous example of the raw talent that exists outside the mainstream music scene. "Everything Looks Better in Hindsight"  is more than just an artsy breakup song, it's a study in the effects of loss, and a careful inquiry into the fragility of memory. This haunting tune is sure to become one of your favorites, it's the perfect accompaniment to a crisp Autumn morning, or a solid choice for your bonfire playlist. 

5. LAUNDRY ROOM - THE AVETT BROTHERS

One of the most well-known and widely appreciated bands in the folk scene, The Avett Brothers have played just about every major music festival, and have a portfolio that includes 12 albums in addition to hundreds of covers. "Laundry Room" contains all the components for an essential Avett Brothers track: stellar lyricism, gorgeous harmonies and a totally kicking, bluegrass breakdown. A time machine back to the enthralling moments of our first love, the verses take us through snapshots of some of the most universally relateable memories: rebelling against our parents to be with someone we loved, and obsessing over the object of our affections. A song with a deep, meditative intro and a jam-worthy conclusion, this is the perfect barn party track. 

Did you like our picks? Let us know what your favorite fall tunes are!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

National Radio Day: Awesome Top 100 Songs from Each Decade

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- The invention of the radio dates back to the late 1800s, and many inventors played a part in developing it into the entertainment and information medium we know today. If you can believe it, there was actually a time when people listened to rather than watched everything from news to shows (imagine the concept of "binge-listening" rather than "binge-watching")!

Even though television dominates most of our media nowadays, there's still one thing that many of us still turn to radio for, and that's music! In honor of National Radio Day on August 20th, here are Graff Mt. Pleasant's picks of some awesome songs from Billboard's Top 100 for each decade of music radio!

1940s: "PEOPLE WILL SAY WE'RE IN LOVE" - Frank Sinatra, 1943

Recorded during the early musician's strike of the 1940s which meant that a chorus had to be used in place of a band, "Ol' Blue Eyes" proves on his interpretation of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that he didn't need instruments to croon his heart out.

1950s: "I WALK THE LINE" - Johnny Cash, 1956

The first chart-topping hit by the one and only "Man in Black", the unique chord progression in this song was inspired by backward playback of guitar runs Cash had recorded while stationed in Germany as a member of the Air Force. Why does he hum so much during? To find his pitch in amidst all those key changes!

1960s: "SHE LOVES YOU" - The Beatles, 1964

The "Fab Four" exploded onto the American music scene in the early 60s, causing countless teenage girls to lose their minds and forever leaving their mark on music history as one of the most influential acts of all time. This love song of theirs, unusually written from the perspective of a third rather than first party, is impossible to not belt at full volume.

1970s: "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY" - Queen, 1976

Freddie Mercury's magnum opus is one of music's most iconic, fusing elements of rock and opera into nearly six minutes of mastery. Mercury's vocal range was so enormous and powerful that medical science has trouble explaining how it even existed in the first place, and "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a perfect example of his legendary capability notably the opening five-part harmony which is comprised entirely of his voice.

1980s: "MATERIAL GIRL" - Madonna, 1984

Michigan's own Madonna established herself as a hitmaker and pop icon with this punchy tune. While the song is often taken literally as valuing wealth over love, many critics have made a case for "Material Girl" being an early voice of feminism in music, coming from the perspective of a powerful and capable woman whose success allows her to have her pick of many suitors - although she subversively warns that money cannot buy happiness.

1990s: "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU" - Whitney Houston, 1993

This song might have been written by Dolly Parton, but it arguably was made by Whitney Houston. Covered for the soundtrack to The Bodyguard in which Houston starred alongside Kevin Costner, this impassioned ballad spent 14 weeks at number one, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time, and the best-selling single released by a woman in music history.

2000s: "ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL?" - Jet, 2004

It's impossible not to dance to this solid, honest-to-goodness bit of rock n' roll from Australian quartet, Jet. While many comparisons have between the song and Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" and The White Stripes' "Screwdriver", drummer Nic Cester has cited Motown greats Martha and the Vandellas and the Supremes as its principle inspirations.

2010s: "ROLLING IN THE DEEP" - Adele, 2010

Her first number one single in the United States, Adele channels Wanda Jackson with a dash of Tina Turner in this song from the perspective of a scorned lover who makes the hard realization that, despite lingering sentiments, reconciliation is not possible. With over 7.6 million copies sold, "Rolling in the Deep" holds the record for the best-selling digital single by a female artist in the US. Note: She says "ship".

We hope you've enjoyed this trip through musical time with us, and encourage you to remember that the musicians listed here as well as your personal favorites owe much of their careers to the radio! This National Radio Day, support your local radio station and thus your favorite artists by tuning in and enjoying the music!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Top 10 Songs About Friendship

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- More than just an art form, music is a powerful and unifying force. It has a lot in common with friendship, so it's no wonder why some of the greatest songs ever written are inspired by the concept! Some are happy, some are sad. Some make you think of cool summer nights by the campfire surrounded by your pals, some bring a tear to your eye as they make you reminisce about those good old times long since past but always alive in your heart.

Whatever emotions they inspire within you, here are Graff Mt. Pleasant's top ten picks for our favorite songs about friendship! Complete with videos! So grab a friend and sing along!

1. "YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND" - QUEEN, 1975

The moment you hear those cheerful Wurlitzer notes, this song immediately puts you in a good mood, thinking about the better things in life! As straightforward a song about friendship goes, this pop-ballad was originally written by Queen's bassist, John Deacon, about his wife and the joys of friendship that can evolve and carry on into marriage.

2. "UMBRELLA" - RIHANNA, 2007

If there's one thing that defines a true friendship, it's always being there for each other no matter what. In this ultra-catchy track, Rihanna sings about exactly that with her friend Jay-Z providing the rapping bit!

3. "STAND BY ME"- BEN E. KING, 1961

Having your friends means always having the support of people who know you better than you know yourself. Ben E. King's belt-worthy ballad is inspired by that unshakable bond that friends share, and that great feeling of knowing that, whatever you're going through, they're right beside you.

4. "WIND BENEATH MY WINGS" - BETTE MIDLER, 1982

Bette Midler's passionate ballad of the admiration and gratitude between best friends, featured in the 1988 tearjerker Beaches, is enough to make you immediately burst into tears upon seeing your buddy. But they're good tears!

5. "WE ARE GOING TO BE FRIENDS" - THE WHITE STRIPES, 2002

This simple acoustic track by Michigan-natives, The White Stripes, perfectly captures the innocence and excitement of childhood friendship. Listen to the lyrics and tell us you don't instantly think of that moment when you just knew that you and your bestie were destined for each other.

6. "WE GO TOGETHER" - GREASE, 1971

Straight from the original high school musical, the finale number of Grease gets us thinking literally of those last days of senior year when you can't imagine the next chapter of life without your pals, and also generally about the absolute feeling of "right" you get when you're in their company.

7. "I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU" - THE REMBRANDTS, 1995

In addition to being the theme song of a show literally called Friends, this catchy, upbeat tune by the Rembrandts is the perfect embodiment of the very spirit of friendship.

8. "I'LL BE MISSING YOU" - PUFF DADDY (FT. FAITH EVANS & 112), 1997

Written in memoriam of his best friend and hip-hop icon, Notorious B.I.G., Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy samples The Police on this heartfelt track about the loss of someone close to you, and the bond that remains even after they're gone.

9. "MY BEST FRIEND" - WEEZER, 2005

This punchy headbanger from rock quartet Weezer is an anthemic tribute to the power of friendship that conjures up memories of driving with the windows down and just rocking out with your pals.

10. "THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND" - ANDREW GOLD, 1978

Best known as the ever-appropriate theme song of The Golden Girls, this feel-good tune originally written and performed by Andrew Gold is one of appreciation for your best buddies.

We hope you enjoyed this list of our favorite songs about friendship! Now that you've assembled it into an awesome playlist and planned that road trip with your besties, be sure to schedule a service appointment with Graff Mt. Pleasant before you hit the road! We want to make sure all of your adventures in your vehicle are safe and happy!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.