stephjoy714

*For entertainment purposes only. This video was created with Canva video stock footage and produced with iMovie.* I used this background music for my recording of Heal the World from Karaoke Piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBSrBxIO1Cs&t=1s January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month According to UNICEF, human trafficking is the 2nd largest criminal industry in the world, with profits of about $32 billion. It's the second most profitable criminal activity in the United States as well. 50% of victims are children. This is horrifying to grasp.We can all agree that more needs to be done to end trafficking. Over the past year, I've been making blankets for a wonderful organization, Saving Innocence, that places rescued children into loving homes. This brings me so much comfort that more and more children are being saved. Michael Jackson's song, "Heal the World" has been on my mind for weeks now, as I think about these innocent humans, and the world-wide healing that is needed, especially with what we've all dealt with over the past few years. By sharing my cover of this incredibly compelling song, I'm advocating for innocence and for world healing. And I pray that we continue to choose joy, peace, love, and hope instead of fear. Let's work together to change the world for the better and make it a more joyful place! Will you join me? Please reach out to me through my website, www.shineyourjoy.space if you'd like to collaborate with me on this mission. Thank you for listening and God bless! #michaeljackson #songcover #endhumantrafficking #endchildtrafficking #preventionmonth #healtheworldwelivein #saveitforourchildren #joy #love #peace #hope #healing #changetheworld #makeitabetterplaceforyouandforme #mission

*For entertainment purposes only. Lyric video created with Canva and iMovie.* The Carpenters' rendition of Home for the Holidays, from their second Christmas album, An Old-Fashioned Christmas (1984), brings me all the cozy holiday feels. With Karen providing the lead vocals, accompanied by nostalgic choral background vocals, she sings about the comfort of being "home sweet home" with your family and friends, where you can be "happy in a million ways." They certainly weren't the first to sing this holiday classic (Perry Como introduced it in 1955), but because of the genuine warmth and happiness of Karen's voice, this version will always be my favorite! Recording my vocals, I'll admit, was intimidating, as I had some big magical shoes to fill. What I hope I was able to capture was that warmth that Karen brought as I connected to my own Christmas memories of home and family, and the extra joy I feel around the holidays! Follow me at www.shineyourjoy.space where you can check out my #MusicMonday post about this song! #MusicMondays #CarpentersChristmas #HomefortheHolidays #lyricvideo #musicvideo #songcovers #KarenCarpenter #RichardCarpenter #Christmasmusic #nostalgic #memories #traditions #comfort #joy #hope #love #longing #childlikewonder #holidayfeels #homesweethome #happyinamillionways Lyrics Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays For no matter how far away you roam When you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze For the holidays you can't beat home, sweet home! I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin' for Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie From Pennsylvania folks are travelin' down to Dixie's sunny shore From Atlantic to Pacific Gee, the traffic is terrific! Oh there's no place like home for the holidays 'Cause no matter how far away you roam If you want to be happy in a million ways For the holidays you can't beat home, sweet home! I met a man who lives in Tennessee and he was headin' for Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie From Pennsylvania folks are travelin' down to Dixie's sunny shore From Atlantic to Pacific Gee, the traffic is terrific! Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays 'Cause no matter how far away you roam If you want to be happy in a million ways For the holidays you can't beat home, sweet home! For the holidays you can't beat home, sweet home! Songwriters: Al Stillman / Robert Allan

*Photos are from Pixabay and Unsplash. All videos were captured by me* This is my cover of On My Own from the Broadway Musical Les Miserables. Music by Claude Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. Check out my blog post about this song: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/post/on-my-own If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy #LesMis #cover #songcovers #vulnerability #broadwaymusical #onmyown #singer

*Images are from Pixabay, except for my artwork at the end of my dog, Reesee. Rainbow Connection is one of my favorite songs. It has such an innocence to it and a childlike wonder about rainbows. It also speaks to me as an adult to not give up hope, keep the faith, and believe that my dreams can still come true. If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy Follow me at: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/ #themuppets #muppetmovie #rainbowconnection #magic #thelovers #thedreamers #keepbelieving #keeppretending #songcovers #shineyourjoy #blog #music

*All photos and videos were taken by me.* I've seen so many fantastic covers of this song as both a solo and a duet and the song itself holds a variety of meanings to different people. Some may think of someone special they've lost or a special relationship with a good friend or family member. I haven't yet seen someone dedicate it to the special bond we have with our pets. When I imagined how I could visualize this song and include my dog, Reesee, I wanted it to seem like we were having a "soul duet," not that we were really singing to each other, although that's fun to imagine and a little bit corny haha! When I adopted Reesee from my aunt 7 years ago, my life was truly changed for the better, and for good, and I know Reesee is happy too. She's turned 13 this past July, and I hope I have many more years with her. I felt now was the time for a special tribute to our bond, rather than putting something together after she crosses the rainbow bridge. Hope those of you who are pet parents and also Wicked enthusiasts enjoy this version. It was also fun harmonizing with my own voice (thanks GarageBand!!) If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy Follow me at: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/ #forgood #wickedthemusical #duets #petparents #specialbond #mansbestfriend #friendsforlife #ReeseetheWheaten #WheatenTerrier

Many who know the amazing music of The Carpenters don't know this song as well. "Now" was one of the last recordings from Karen Carpenter before she passed away, and it was from the 11th Carpenters album, Voice of the Heart, written by Roger Nichols and Dean Pitchford. This song expresses in the most vulnerable and purest way, the love that Karen truly wanted in life. And for me, this song is a manifestation song, to picture those feelings I want to experience in a relationship and believe wholeheartedly that it will happen. This cover will never match Karen's perfect voice, but I hope I've done it some justice. Enjoy! Follow me at: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/ If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy #cover #thecarpenters #karencarpenter #now #voiceoftheheart #bestvocalsofalltime #voiceofgold #vulnerable #pure #love #manifestation #relationships #shineyourjoy #blog #music

*All free photos are from Pixabay* I call this song the #goodvibes song from The Carpenters. I always feel like I raise my vibration whenever I'm singing this song and it always makes me beam with joy. Definitely an instant mood changer for sure! Hope you enjoy my cover of this awesome song!! Follow me at: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/ If you'd like to donate, feel free to give whatever feels good for you, thanks! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/shineyourjoy #thecarpenters #karencarpenter #voiceofgold #topoftheworld #cover #coversong #songcovers #raisevibration #moodchanger #joy #youcanhearthesmile #shineyourjoy #blog #music

*Free image is from Pixabay* One of my favorite ballads from The Carpenters and in my opinion, one of the best vocals from Karen Carpenter. This was one of her favorite songs as well. Here's my cover of this beautifully sad song that's still "hanging on a hope" for love. Enjoy! If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy Follow me on: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/ #thecarpenters #coversong #songcovers #covers #ineedtobeinlove #love #hope #hanginonahope #karencarpenter #voiceofgold #richardcarpenter #shineyourjoy #blog #music

*All free images are from Pixabay" We've Only Just Begun, released in 1970, was originally a song that appeared on a wedding-themed commercial. Once The Carpenters released it on their own, it was a huge success! What once was a commercial jingle became a very intimate and heartfelt wedding ballad, thanks to Richard's arrangement and Karen's wonderful vocals. Hope I captured that essence! Follow me at: https://www.shineyourjoy.space/ If you'd like to donate, feel free to give whatever feels good for you, thanks! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/shineyourjoy #thecarpenters #weveonlyjustbegun #karencarpenter #richardcarpenter #wedding #weddingballad #songcovers #covers #lovesong #intimate #heartfelt #shineyourjoy #blog #music

*All footage was captured by me. Free images were from Pixabay.* If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy Desperado, written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, 1973. I got inspired to cover this song by listening to others cover it! I remember first hearing this song through The Carpenters' own cover of it, which was incredible! Karen's vocals brought an honest, nurturing, and hopeful quality to the song, encouraging a man to let love in. It is interesting to note that she was one of the first few female singers to cover this song. Having that female perspective for this song makes me wonder the context. Is this a good friend she is singing to and encouraging or a good friend she hopes will choose her and love her back? Hope you enjoy my cover of it, which was inspired by Karen's version! Follow me at: www.shineyourjoy.space If you'd like to donate, feel free to give whatever feels good for you, thanks! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/shineyourjoy And if you like my Carpenters logo tee, you can get it here on their official shop website: https://shop.carpentersofficial.com/products/logo-tee-black-digital-download-of-carpenters-with-the-royal-philharmonic-orchestra #MusicMondays #Desperado #DesperadoCover #TheCarpenters #KarenCarpenter #RichardCarpenter #Carpentersversion #songcovers #Eagles #DonHenley #GlennFrey Lyrics Desperado Why don't you come to your senses? You've been out ridin' fences for so long now Ah, you're a hard one But I know that you've got your reasons These things that are pleasin' you can I choose somehow Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy She'll beat you if she's able You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table But you only want the one that you can't get Desperado, ah, you ain't gettin' no younger Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home Freedom, ah, freedom, that's just some people talkin' You're a prisoner walkin' through this world all alone Don't your feet get cold in the wintertime The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine It's hard to tell the nite-time from the day You're losin' all your highs and lows Ain't it funny how the feelin' goes away? Desperado, why don't you come to your senses Come down from your fences and open the gate It may be rainin' but there's a rainbow above you You better let somebody love you... You better let somebody love you before it's too late-\

*All video footage was captured by me.* If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy "Rainy Days and Mondays" was released by The Carpenters in 1971. It was the second song by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols to become another hit (their first one was with "We've Only Just Begun"). And the song made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! Karen's vocals are amazing and genuinely capture the depth of emotion felt during these gloomier days. Although rainy days (and sometimes Mondays) have always seemed a little bit more melancholy to me, I've realized in recent years it's ok that those days feel that way. It's ok to just accept those days as they are and do my best to power through. I hope you enjoy my music video of this song, and the little bit of adventure I throw in at the end! Follow me at www.shineyourjoy.space where you can check out my #MusicMonday post about this song! And if you like my Carpenters logo tee, you can get it here on their official shop website: https://shop.carpentersofficial.com/products/logo-tee-black-digital-download-of-carpenters-with-the-royal-philharmonic-orchestra #MusicMondays #RainyDaysandMondays #caseoftheMondays #songcovers #TheCarpenters #KarenCarpenter #RichardCarpenter Lyrics Talkin' to myself and feelin' old Sometimes I'd like to quit Nothin' ever seems to fit Hangin' around Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down What I've got they used to call the blues Nothin' is really wrong Feelin' like I don't belong Walkin' around Some kind of lonely clown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Funny, but it seems I always wind up here with you Nice to know somebody loves me Funny, but it seems that it's the only thing to do Run and find the one who loves me (the one who loves me) What I feel has come and gone before No need to talk it out (talk it out) We know what it's all about Hangin' around (hangin' around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Funny, but it seems that it's the only thing to do (only thing to do) Run and find the one who loves me (ooh) What I feel has come and gone before No need to talk it out (to talk it out) We know what it's all about Hangin' around (hangin' around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Hangin' around (hangin' around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get Me down Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Paul H. Williams / Roger S. Nichols Rainy Days and Mondays lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

*All video clips and photos were captured by me.* If you'd like to donate, you can do it here: https://paypal.me/shineyourjoy "I Won't Last a Day Without You" was the result of another wonderful collaboration with Paul Williams and Roger Nichols and it was their third hit following "Rainy Days and Mondays." While it appeared on the album, A Song For You, The Carpenters released it as a single two years later, in 1974. This song always reminds me how important it is to have those special family and friends in my own life that always support me, and I know I won't last a day without them. Who are those special people in your life? When putting together this video, I wanted to capture the concept of a day, since that's so prominent in the song, so I gathered my own footage of morning, afternoon, and evening ocean views from my town. I hope you enjoy my very first lyric music video! Follow me at www.shineyourjoy.space where you can check out my #MusicMonday post about this song! #MusicMondays #IWontLastaDayWithoutYou #lyricvideo #musicvideo #songcovers #oceanvibes #TheCarpenters #KarenCarpenter #RichardCarpenter #PaulWilliams #RogerNichols #gratitude #familyandfriends Lyrics Day after day I must face a world of strangers Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to Who will always care, you're always there When there's no getting over that rainbow When my smallest of dreams won't come true I can take all the madness the world has to give But I won't last a day without you So many times when the city seems to be Without a friendly face, a lonely place It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile When there's no getting over that rainbow When my smallest of dreams won't come true I can take all the madness the world has to give But I won't last a day without you Touch me and I end up singing Troubles seem to up and disappear You touch me with the love you're bringing I can't really lose when you're near When you're near, my love If all my friends have forgotten half their promises They're not unkind, just hard to find One look at you and I know that I could learn to live Without the rest, I've found the best When there's no getting over that rainbow When my smallest of dreams won't come true I can take all the madness the world has to give But I won't last a day without you When there's no getting over that rainbow When my smallest of dreams won't come true I can take all the madness the world has to give But I won't last a day without you Won't last a day without you, without you Songwriters: Williams Paul Hamilton / Nichols Roger S I Won't Last a Day Without You lyrics © Almo Music Corp.