Ever listen to Christina Grimmie?
The real Grimmie was for real.
The rising star, who was a self-made YouTube star as well as contestant on The Voice, was shot at her Florida concert last year.
Singer. Pianist. Songwriter.
Talent and creativity.
Her legacy lives on through her beautiful music.
Been addicted to her covers ever since I saw her cover of Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory.
And I’ve followed her work since. Bought some of her original music. With Love, Side A and Side B.
All Is Vanity includes the tracks from Side B, Christina’s last EP release, released earlier this year, save for I Won’t Give Up.
I Won’t Give Up is a beautiful compound duple ballad.
Christina did ballads well. She goes for the big high notes.
As for her posthumous album release?
Here’s some thoughts on All Is Vanity. Track by track.
(1.) Sublime
Happy. Hope. Heart.
The album’s opening track is a fun way to open the album.
Christina’s voice soars over the instrumentation.
(2.) Steady Love
Christina opens this number on vocals, backed with light instrumentation.
A hip-hop beat comes in.
Breezy R&B.
The bridge features her voice with a piano vamp.
Chilling and thrilling.
(3.) Invisible
Instrumental theme opens this mid-tempo anthem.
The theme tends to dominate the number as Christina sings “I won’t be invisible”.
[Verse]
I’m solid, not apparition
Better check your vision, see what you’re missing, boy
I don’t need your permission
To go on existing with or without you, boy
I ain’t gonna let it go, ’cause this been going on too long
[Chorus]
I won’t be another ghost
No, I won’t be invisible
See me everywhere you go
No, I won’t be invisible, yeah
(4.) Crowded Room
Pretty. Piano. Pedal.
This jam opens as a mid-tempo ballad.
(5.) Everybody Lies
Bass line is slow and dramatic.
Christina plays with the melody, going for the epic high notes in the final chorus.
She ends with spoken word:
[Outro]
You are an extremely unique and individual person
And I’m telling you, don’t let those invalid opinions of others
Just bring you to the pits, okay?
You’re strong, so own it
Love, me.
(6.) Pressure
Steady upbeat rock rhythm, reflecting someone who feels there’s too much pressure from society.
The chorus is direct – simple and beautiful, expressing Christina’s confidence:
They only want me if I got something to give
They only feel me til I check (there)
They only need me til they find the next thing
Am I wrong?
Or is there too much pressure? (hey)
Too much pressure (mmm)
Is there too much pressure? (yeah-yeah)
Too much pressure (yeah)
I’d rather be hated for who I am
Than loved for who I’m not
Too much pressure
Yeah-yeah
I’d rather be hated for who I am
Than loved for who I’m not
Too much pressure
Yeah-yeah
(7.) Maybe I
Slow to mid-tempo dance jam.
Uplifting.
Refreshing.
Reflective.
[Chrous]
No magic words you can say
Maybe I’m, not alone
But up in this great unknown
You know, maybe I’m the crazy one
Going, going, gone
Maybe I’m, not afraid
I’m already temp to fade (oh)
This is what I want, so bring it on, and on, and on
We just can’t get enough
No, we just can’t get enough
We just can’t get enough
No, we just can’t get enough
(8.) Echo
The chorus’ title, Echo, is a fun and catchy hook:
You keep telling me lies
You know I’ll find out
I don’t keep it inside
I just let it echo, echo
Ricochet you like an echo, echo
Hey!
I won’t lay down and die
It’s over this time
Ex or goodbye
Can you hear it echo, echo?
Ricochet you like an echo, echo
(9.) I Only Miss You When I Breathe
Slow-to-mid dance jam beat opens the song.
Christina starts singing – harmonies come in the pre-chorus.
The vocal line doesn’t span a wide range during the song.
This creates intimacy.
Creates tension.
Creates refreshing beauty.
And then the tension releases with epic high notes in the bridge.
(10.) The Game
R&B backbeats – Christina created music with R&B influence before her passing.
I laugh and cry at the same time
It’s never ever gonna change
And just because of you
I laugh and cry at the same time
It’s never any other way
I laugh and cry at the same time
It’s never ever gonna change
Just because of you
I laugh and cry at the same time
It’s never any other way
The takeaway?
Monika Weatherly 