THE BOY HAS COME HOME AND BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN!!!!
We all remember the amazing melodically voice of MR JOHN NEWMAN from his worldwide hit collaboration with Rudimental. His voice is coming out of every speaker and radio. We all sing with him : " FEEL THE LOVE" and "NOT GIVING IN". This English guy has burst out onto the music scene with his soul/pop/breakbeat style of music and is slowly taking over the world. Last year he released his debut album TRIBUTE and singles like "Love Me Again" and "Cheating" took over the UK charts and radio stations. From everywhere you can hear his exquisite music. And as lie with any other artist, the release of an album is usually accompanied with a tour. And lucky me, I scored tickets to see him in O2 Academy in Leeds on the 4th February. It all started with two very well chosen supporting acts : the melancholic and folkloricJAMES BAY who bared his heart and soul to the audience and got himself couple more of new fans (me included). During the show I have tweeted him and he tweeted me back and even posted a picture I took on his Instagram page!! So James' voice and guitar, plus his kind heart, won me over. Not to mention that I got a free debut album called DEMOS. The second supporting act was LOLO. An american soul singer who treated the audience to very energetic performance with her band. She sung her heart out and hit notes which only Mariah Carey can. She even sung a cover of Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home". Mr Newman started his segment of the show with a massive curtain on which there was projected his face. And it moved!! And sung!! What a cool feature. His stage, musicians and back singers where all the picture of retro style which I truly adored. It looked very cool, chic and classy. John went through his whole album's set list with massive amount of energy. He sung, he danced and talked to the audience. Not even once I witnessed to lower down his performance. It was brilliant. Mesmerising. Mind-blowing. And very enjoyable. The whole audience and room was vibrating with energy he created. I couldn't be more happier with his performance. Of course, the best was his take on famous "Not Giving In" which had the whole audience on their feet singing out loud. It was fantastic. I have had a very enjoyable and brilliant experience of Newman's musical talent witnessed first hand and would recommend to anyone who gets the chance to see him live, to grab it with both hands and see him doing his magic.
I, Cricket have returneth to write the words and expose the song for what it truly is (in the broadest most obtuse ways possible, naturally) More often than not, it's a meaningless pile of dross that someone just happened to write a pop melody for that fit it quite nicely. Job done, Bob's your Uncle and you have song containing such perplexing and far reaching connections as Greek mythology and getting one's coat because they have very much pulled. All for the sake of that most masterful and Iron Fisted ruler of masters; Melody. Screw that noise I say, I want to be able to relate to what ever you're going on about at least in some way. Pulling in a club just isn't good enough for me and besides my last venture into night life ended most abruptly; something about wearing the wrong shoes, having no visible cleavage (despite the push-up bra) and possibly having the wrong face. I really couldn't hear much over the screaming.
So, mainstream be warned; I see all, I hear all and I write about all things from a lyrical standpoint and my words mean precisely zilch and will have no effect what so ever. Yes, that's the kind of clout I carry in my holster and my choice of revolver will cause various degrees of indifference. You hear that mainstream! Just call me Quick Draw Ignore; except change the quick to 'every now and then', draw to 'write' and actually don't bother. That ends up a pretty lame ass name, even for a cowboy.
Last year has been a glorious year for ridiculous lyrics; from Cyrus saying that her Wrecking Ball is going wreck itself by doing the job it's designed to do and Perry quoting every 80's song under the sun (always shining on TV) and has a difficult time distinguishing between being knocked down and held down (you can get up if you've been knocked down but to do so if you're being held in place is rather more difficult)
Last year certainly had it's goodies, baddies and just plain uglies in the lyrical world but what gets me riled up though is when it's a genuinely good artist, just can't seem to get the hand of lyric writing. I'm speaking about Mr Bruno Mars and make no mistake about it, he is good at writing music and decent songs. He's a great singer and multi-instrumentalist. He's more of what the mainstream music world needs without a doubt. Despite some pretty generally dodgy lyrics, I like quite a few of his tunes.
This song however... disturbs me
Song starts around the1:50 mark
Ooh I got a body full of liquor with a cocaine kicker and I'm feeling like I'm thirty feet tall
Start with what you know eh, Mars?
Ok, that was a cheap shot and besides he's well into the rehab programme and paid the hefty $2000 fine for the felony long ago. How's that for a dent into his multi-million fortune? He's probably spent more than that on the coke itself, and the hair cut. These celebs get far too easily ripped off these days.
So lay it down, lay it down
Lay what down? What is 'it'? The only thing you've mentioned thus far is your own body full of potentially harmful, gurn inducing substances. There by you are referring to yourself in both the third person and as an abstract non human entity. Just how high are you Mars? I think thirty feet is a gross underestimate. You're probably so high that your made-up namesake actually makes sense for a change. I don't think you should stop here Mars. To you; this very well could be bat country.
You got your legs up in the sky with the devil in your eyes Let me hear you say you want it all Say it now, say it now
Way hay. There's someone else is in this anonymous, hitherto unknown location which I can only assume is a bedroom, with you. Good, now we're getting somewhere and at least Bruno won't be alone if he starts convulsing and suffering acute organ failure due to substance abuse.
First thing is first though: Enough of this 'you' nonsense. This person, I'm guessing of the female persuasion, always gets referred to as 'you' and I for one am sick of it. No longer however, I'm finally going to let the name - see the subjective pronoun (try that for size, Paddy McGuiness):
Welcome to the song, Beryl. Please make yourself comfortable.
Ok that's not the position I would normally go for in terms of comfort but hey, if it works for you fair enough. Bruno certainly seems intrigued by it...
So Beryl has the Devil in her eyes and her legs in the sky, does she? To be honest, I've always kind of liked the overused metaphor describing something so sexy it's evvilllll. Cliche to be sure, to be sure (just like that one) but one that never seems to get old and at least it's accurate (unless Cliff Richard is singing it about it. He wouldn't know a devil woman if one came over and pulled his soul out through his scrotum) What isn't accurate however, is suggesting you are in a private, enclosed 'romp' room and to have one's legs in the sky; unless it's a combination of having a really high bed, really low ceiling and cowboy plasterers. What I'm saying is that you can't have 'legs in the sky' unless you are outside. Legs in the air, yes. Sky, no. The reason Mars has done this is a lazy, good old fashioned rhyme chryme and certainly not the last we will run into within the duration of this song. We just had one above with liquor and kicker. Oh you thought you got away with that one, did you Mars?
Now that I think about it, Mars never directly indicated a room at all. Perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps they are outside. Maybe their going to go through this entire sequence of events al freaking fresco. Beryl could very well have her legs in the sky because she's head first in a plant pot, for all I know.
Moreover, asking, nay begging Beryl to say she wants it all (as if she's in a much better Queen song) not only comes across as desperate but also decidedly creepy. Stop creeping her out Mars! She's got a plant pot and isn't afraid to introduce it to your face.
Look what you're doing, look what you've done But in this jungle you can't run
Christ, Beryl... what are you doing? Screw that; what have you already done?! I know! I don't know what Mars is on about either! I mean, he's just throwing these accusations left right and centre with no evidence to back up his claims and just scaremongering you into giving in to his demands of assurance. Don't do it Beryl, you're better than this, you haven't done anything wrong within these first few stanzas, so fear not one little jot. Just one thing though; why the freaking hell are you in the jungle?
Turns out they are outside, way way outside. Makes sense given the title of the song but I didn't think Mars was being so literal. Best keep your arms to the side, watch what you step on and don't eat the red berries unless you see a monkey do it first. Machetes at the ready and lets do this bad ass bush!
Actually, he's not been literal. The answer much more boring than this; it's a combo rhyme chryme and a lead up into the main theme of the song. What could that be? Lets have a look...
Cause what I got for you I promise it's a killer, you'll be banging on my chest Bang bang, gorilla
Here it is; he's based the entire song in order to successfully rhyme something with killer. He chose for that task, gorilla. I guess he couldn't use 'thriller' as the already abundant Michael Jackson similarities would get way out of hand. To be fair, what was he left with:
Miller? Biller? Scylla? Armadill-ah?...
I'm not saying they're great choices or anything, I'm just saying that options were most certainly available to him. If I come up with some better ideas over the course of the song I'll be sure to let you know.
Meanwhile, back in the jungle; still more threats towards Beryl, Mars? That certainly what it sounds like. I know she's giving you the 'come to hell' eyes but geez man, give her time to come around to your alternative charm. Give her space, give her room, try normal conversation, try flowers but whatever you don't say that what you've got for her is a killer. Unless you are actually trying to warn her of the hemlock you've got stuffed down your boxers. Also, why is Beryl is banging your chest, Mars?... Even in the throes of primate passion that seems like a very strange thing to do. Gorillas tend to beat their own chest in order to demonstrate they're powerful alpha male status. Here though you've got the woman banging your chest for you, so the only thing this demonstrates is that you're more a lazy, lay back and think of Africa kind of gorilla. This means you could be armed with a passion killer so powerful, you may as well be trying to hump Beryl wearing an actual gorilla suit with bowtie and a tutu.
Another way of looking at it is as more of a 'get off' signal than one that says 'give it to me baby *uh-huh* *uh-huh*' Maybe cardiac arrest came on quicker than we thought and she's trying freaking CPR. On a more lighter note maybe that's the cue to know if someone has gone too far with the fantasy.
Knock twice on chest, say safe word (gorilla) and role play will dispense with immediate affect.
Gorilla.
Gorilla.
Gorilla! *bang bang* Gorilla for Pete's sake!
I can't bang your chest, I'm bloody handcuffed now stop this nonsense and put that spatula the feck down!!
You and me baby making love like gorillas Ooooooooooooooo oooooooo oooooo Yeahhhh yeahhhh You and me baby making love like gorillas
Ok, lets get down to what your trying to do with this song: Your vocals are gliding all over the notes like some lewd water slide in a Barry White themed amusement park. The music is pounding, dynamic and undeniably sexy.
('You and me baby having treats like vanilla')
This has the makings of a very good hit the sack with your lover tune. You just fail on one, fairly significant angle however.
Gorillas
Gorillas having sex, is no boner inducing matter. Hell, they barely get a boner themselves when they do get around from bragging how good they are to actually fornicating. I know the idea of a gorilla sounds big, bad, muscular and beast like but it's all a lie when it comes to down to letting the nitty see the gritty. Relative to it's size, the male Gorilla has the smallest sexual organ in the animal kingdom (Thanks, Dr House) Also the noise and motion that is involved in the act is roughly the same as someone filling out a tax return, except with out the groans. Honestly Bruno, you'd have been better off saying 'you and me baby making hay like chinchillas' They are proper horny little things, just like you it would seem.
Yeah I got a fistful of your hair But you don't look like you're scared You're just smiling tell me daddy it's yours
Ok Mars; what is Beryl saying is yours? Hmm? Her hair? She told you that did she? Of her own accord? Uh huh. Oh really? Are you her father? You heard me, are you her Father? I don't give a damn if she's grinning like The Joker with a happy meal, are you her Father? Good, I should bloody well hope not considering where your eyes have been hovering. Swear to god Mars you are going to much less than three steps to being Locked Out Of Heaven permanently, now would you kindly release her scalp, you're not an 19th century Apache. (Oh and by the way, hair and scared don't rhyme. You're slipping Mars, into the abyss of awful goddamn rhyming)
The only way I conceive of this verse making sense is that Beryl is so off her face on hallucinogens she has no functions left but to smile inanely and hallucinate things that aren't there... Oh no...
This can't be, I mean it's been released as music for everyone but the more I delve into this lyrics the more disturbed I'm getting. Mars! You despicable human being!
This is unorthodox but let me just recap
Ooh I got a body full of liquor with a cocaine kicker and I'm feeling like I'm thirty feet tall
You're not talking about yourself are you Mars?... This body... is a semi conscious Beryl! You've had her out all night, got her blind drunk, coked up and now you have a woman, who has no control over her faculties, trapped in your seedy 'jungle'. I say woman but you don't even give her the decency to credit her with a gender. You lay 'it' down. Not only does she mean less to you than a Grammy Award but you're telling yourself to 'lay it down', so you could likely have a very Jekyll and Hyde thing going on here, you schizo pervert.
I'm not joking either about being trapped, you specifically say that she 'can't run', there's no escape for Beryl here. She may have the devil in her eyes but she's got no idea who the freaking hell you are, Mars. More telling and chilling than all of this though, is the chorus. Making love like Gorillas. I'm sure in your own twisted mind you probably think that you are making love Mars, the reason why you're associating gorillas with what you're doing however is due to there being NO PHYSICAL RESPONSE AT ALL.
This is wrong Bruno, this is not the way! You're rich, talented and you could always look into platform heels like Prince if you're worried about height issues but what you are doing here is just evil
And illegal, shockingly
Speaking of which...
Cause you know how I like it you's a dirty little lover If the neighbours call the cops, call the sheriff, call the SWAT we don't stop, we keep rocking while they knocking on our door
It was only a matter of time before the neighbours found out about this Mars, did you think they wouldn't know? They must have been watching you for weeks before this excessive use of police force was mobilised to trying to shut down your jungle boogie wonderland. This even suggests that Beryl might not be your first victim either.
Oh and I'm pretty sure even you would stop if the SWAT broke down the door with battering ram and you're staring down the cold blue steel barrel of an H&K MP5. That's usually what happens if you ignore the knocking because you're too busy rocking. There not just going to pack up, leave a 'we were here card' and leave you on your merry, rapey way. Especially when they can freaking hear you, you dumbass.
Speaking of dumbass, why is it every time I hear the line 'you's a dirty little lover' do I imagine Mars pinching Beryl's cheek in a coo coo kitchy coo way that is usually reserved by highly patronizing adults to infants? Obviously the subject matter would be different but Mars is already due to get busted good and proper, so it's not like his day could get any worse.
Rocking and knocking I can live with. Cops, SWAT and stop is you taking serious rhyming liberties, my soon to be handcuffed friend.
And you're screaming give it to me baby Give it to me m-therf-cker
('You and me baby riding hard on my pillar')
Aw Beryl, shame on you. I expected better than such filthy, disgusting language. Being drugged up and held captive is no excuse for lack of decorum, now quit that now before I wash your mouth out with soap, or before Mars does it to you just in case he's into that too.
Actually this just goes to show how much the drugs are still having affect. Beryl is still clearly hallucinating, she was calling Mars 'daddy' and a father is someone, who by puerile, pedantic definition alone, has at one point been a mother... ah ha! Got another one!
('You and me baby wrecking shit like Godzilla')
I bet you never ever felt so good, so good I got your body trembling like it should, it should You'll never be the same baby once I'm done with you
Once again Mars is hitting Beryl with the demand for constant reassurance that she is both enjoying what he's doing and praise for doing a good job. You are aware that these are classic signs of a power reassurance sex criminal, right Mars?
I very much doubt she will be the same too, you are spot on there Mars. Once the police inquest is over and she's had her day in court over video conferencing because she's too scared to look at you and can't look at a rolled up dollar bill with having an anxiety attack, I very much doubt she will ever be the same. Beryl will carry these emotional scars with her the rest of her fictional life. See what you've done Mars? The hypothetical damage you've caused this this woman of narrative fabrication.
Beryl will never be able to go the zoo again. Are you ashamed of yourself, Mars? Good, you should be. Everyone should be able to go to the zoo. Apart from you, your obsession with gorillas must be quelled first before you take that first step on the path to recovery. Best start with the gibbons first.
So, that's Gorilla.
Lets just say that Mars has done better songs and some even without rape connotations. It's also not got a lot going for it musically, a lot of it seems to copy and paste bits of other songs and styles and despite Bruno Mars' good vocals it fails to blow you away like it's designed to. Mainly because it has a certain sound of songs you've heard before, but can't quite place. Plus the chord sequence in the chorus is the same as Nickleback's Rock Star.
There are much worse songs out there but it's boring and feels a little rushed. Lyrics that are creepy as hell don't do it any favours either.
('You and me baby in a song that's a filler') I'm sure his next song though will be able to clear his name of any wrong doing, clarify some gross misunderstanding and have nothing controversial in it all.
Right Bruno?
Outstanding
'You and me baby taking dumps like gorillas
Pooo ooo ooo ooooooooooooooooooo
(Cause we all just wanna be big Rock Stars, live in hill top houses, driving 15 cars...)
Yeah yeah yeah yeaahhh
You and me baby chucking lumps like gorillas'
'Most critics couldn't make good music if they rubbed their hind lives together'
James Bay is the new talent on the scene. I have been blown away last night when I saw him as a supporting act to John Newman. James has this beautiful voice which wraps around you like silk scarf. And his music touches your soul and your heart. I am looking forward to hear more from this guy in the meantime let me share with you this song.
Today's choice was easy. I have been having the beautiful voice of John Newman in my head for past week due to the fact I am seeing him live TONIGHT!! I have fell in love with John's voice instantly the first time I've his collaborations with Rudimental 'Not Giving In' & 'Feel The Love'. The tone of his voice is so unique and stands out from the rest of the young lads in current charts. Not to mention that I love how his music brings up the sentimental me... Listening to his debut album TRIBUTE is like going on a journey through time and space ! It's mesmerising. He is a true original within the current charts. And he is only 23 years old !!
I am a big fan of Shakira. She is one of my guilty pleasure to be honest. And this song is so fresh. I love the reggae vibes mixed with loud drums. It's a great start to start to the week as this tune just gets you out of the bed ! Shakira has been silent for a little while - she has been busy being a new mum and judge on Voice USA, but now she is back to business making music. I am quite fond of this song, I know it comes as a surprise but from time to time I do enjoy a little bit of cheesiness haha. I cannot forget to mention the racy video where these two beauties displayed their gorgeousness :) my summer motivation to get fit again haha
Getting ready for that Friday feeling! I love going out on Fordays more than any other day. People are excited for the weekend yet more laid back and chilled compared to the Saturday party crowds. A good playlist therefore is essential for me on Friday. I have seen Lee Foss play live at Hot Creations patry on New Years Day '14 and he was amazing! His track Electricity starts off calm with a good bass and beat. The lyrics and vocals used compliment his beat like eggs and beans on toast. This track always gets my foot tapping and my head bobbing. It is always on my getting ready track-list and gets me well up and going.
This track takes me back 10 years when Blink 182 and Sum 41 were on the top of my playlist. Don't laugh, i know you liked them too! I'v chosen Sex by the 1975 for the get up and dance effect it has on me. The lyrics are light-hearted and funny. To me, they reflect the spontaneous, fun-loving ways of youth and attraction! Boys, girls, flirting, looking and feeling good. Happy days indeed!
Heresa track thar brightens up my atuesdays. The slog day. The gossip has been spilled and the work-load is building in front of you. Its a long way till Friday again. Two Fingersmakes mereminisce of the latest antics and endeavours. The last trip away, my friends and fun times. Its a song that says 'dont worry' take it all as it comes and "so i hold two fingers up to yesterday!" Because at thr end of the day, "Hey, its fine, i left it all behind." If you can put this on on a morning and have a boogie to it around your house, or on the bus, or in the car, then your already one step ahead of all those miserable moaning Myrtles! Enjoy!
Alt-J first got together after meeting at University in Leeds in 2007. They create a wicked indie-folk-rock sound. I love the lead songers voice. I have therefore chosen Breezeblocks for mpthe SotD today. Check out the video if you can, its pretty good.
Having seen HS82 this weekend just gone and having my mind blown, i have have have to make this not only my Song of the Day, bu the very first SotD!
HS82 (A.K.A. Daley Padley) is a Leeds based DJ and Producer that creates some of the most eargasmic deep house music around. Shadows is his latest release and boy is it good!
Everything about this track is perfect. The vocals, the mood, the beat, the drop. Its like Angel Delight in my mouth! I cannot wait to get another chance to see such a talented artist.
Happy Saturday folks. Hope everyone is enjoying this fine day. I've been thinking long and hard about what song I was going to post today and I thought I'd contribute something special today. Frank Turner is one of the people I only discovered in the last couple of years and I've pretty much fallen in love with this guys music. Something about it just speaks to me. Today's song is Frank Turner's One Foot Before the Other which is one of my favorite songs by Frank and quite possibly one of my favorite songs of all time. I apologize that the video is just the cover of the album that the song appears on but Franks not amazingly well know and although he has a very loyal following we are not many so not all of his songs have full videos yet. But this is about the song and not the video so listen and enjoy my friends and if you're interested have a look into Mr Turner and I'm sure you will enjoy.
Now that I've had a kind of music catharsis/enema to cleanse me from what was a pretty dire year for the world of mainstream music, it's time to concentrate on the few (and I do mean few) good apples in the entire 100 acres of rotten orchid that is the 2013 mainstream charts.
Picking bad songs was easy, my problem was assembling an order befitting a top 10 list, as quite a number of them I pretty much couldn't stand in equal measures. I did however manage to separate the chaff from the crap and was overall pleased with my eventual outcome.
Constructing a list of 10 best songs however was like drawing blood from a stapler. Hell, some of the songs I chose as my most bearable are songs I can't stand anymore. Hence the reason why this particular list has taken it's sweet time arriving. As well as the fact that my top 10 have been changing more often than a chameleon stuck in a kaleidoscope.
I can't dilly dally around any longer because the month of February is fast approaching and as of this moment my list choices haven't changed in over 2 days, so now is as good a time as any.
Some of you may agree with my choices, a lot of you will disagree and most of you will be wondering what on Earth I have been bonging (the answer to which would be Vix; stuffy noses have been the bane of my early winter life)
Let's begin my TOP TEN BEST SONGS OF 2013
I only allow one artist/band per song, so say for example One Direction were included, which they're not but if they were they would only be able to have say Story Of My Life or Best Song Ever in the list. One song per band/artist only, those are the rules. This is not Nam. This is blogging, there are rules.
10
RIZZLE KICKS - LOST GENERATION
I've always been a fan of Ska, old school Hip-Hop and Northern Soul and I think this song evokes a lot of those genre's best qualities; not only from a music stand point but in terms of subject matter and very grounded lyrical narration: The thoughts of the everyman (and woman) regarding what kind of crazy world we live in right now; where some of us spend hours taking a break from the monotony of normal life, having benign conversation and gossipping about our peers by watching other people sat in a house, talking about the monotony of normal life, having benign conversation and gossipping about their peers. Lost Generation? I think it's amazing they're even aware enough to realise they're in the wrong place.
Despite the rapping sections being the main bulk of this song, I feel they are the weakest part. Jordan Stephen's is by no means a bad rapper but his flow suffers sometimes on the more complex phrases. I do love the chorus though, it's instantly catchy and Harley Sylvester's voice is strong and soulful with a definite edge.
The strangest thing is even though this did actually get up to number 6 in the charts it has now fallen so far under the radar that even Red October would miss it. I very rarely hear it on the radio anymore, usually it's that awful follow up 'Skip To The Good Bit' in it's place (a running theme I've noticed for myself that if I like the first song I've heard by a new band, chances are I'm going to hate the next one) In retrospect though the song is not as clever as it appears on first impressions. The first verse is a wave of verbal sarcasm and acute observations where as the other verse seems to be narrated by someone completely different who revels in that style of life to enhance their own lives. So to sum it up I'd say it's a very catchy, AKA Specials throwback-alike that is at times is both silly and surprisingly charming but overall doesn't really know what it's trying to say. Bit like Boris Johnson.
9
JAMES ARTHUR - NOBODY TILL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU
Twitter rants, homophobic slurs and generally being a bit of a dick aside, this is still a pretty decent tune. It's unfortunate that due to his over sized foot in mouth syndrome, he's shot his own career foot in the door off with an RPG before he could sit down and discuss his Stella Artois sponsorship (It could work, it looks like his kind of drink) Despite all this though, I think it's a good song and it still makes me want to air drum in the most rhythm-less fashion this side of a Panda being cattle prodded.
Not everyone shares my enjoyment in this however. A very good friend of mine pointed out that he felt it sounded as generic as anything else and that there was too much going on which made it comes across as very noisy. As much as I disagree with the former I have to admit he is right about the latter; it is a very busy song at times. Towards the end it's like every member of the orchestra, their mothers and second cousins twice removed are bashing their instruments as hard as possible the noise reaches such extreme levels that it almost drowns out Arthur himself. Maybe the sound mixer lost control of the situation or maybe he'd just read Arthur's tweets.
Before I go on to my next choice, let me just give you a quick rundown on what music I like: I like old school Metallica, Jackie Wilson, Billy Ocean, Opeth, System Of A Down, Muse, The Feeling, Creedence Clear Water Revival, The Subway Sect, Keane, Tori Amos, and a little known song called Boxer Beat by Joe Boxer. There is no reason why a bunch of just post teen, Miss Selfridge wearing, whirlwinds of hairspray and legwarmers would appeal to me. Especially when the only reason they got famous was due to winning a show that lost any last remnants of credibility when they chose Ryland for the live finals. You can barely call this a song either; it's intro is nothing more than sporadic percussion on various wooden blocks and a vocal consisting of the kind of sounds someone would make to show agreement when they can't be arsed to even open their mouths.
And yet...
8
LITTLE MIX - MOVE
How is it possible to create such a catchy tune with little to no music? Answer, by being brave and making everything about the vocals and the message. And what vocals they are! I personally think that these girls have the best group harmonics than anyone around right now. When they do a song like this it shows just what they are capable of, it's just a shame that nothing they've done prior has showcased them in such a grand way. More important than that though is this song's message. It's a great message, some of lyrics are a wee bit suspect but what these girls are very astutely saying to all the boys out there, is to stop simply eyeing them on the dance floor from afar in the vein hope that a catch of the eye will work in the same way as rancher's lasso and instead to be bold, get the hell over there and start moving like Jagger. I am in full agreement with this as I love dancing, I'm not great at it but who the hell cares, you're there to have fun and guess what guys? Girls like it too. Lets face it fellas, whatever you can muster on the floor can't be worse than the off beat, erratic contortions of Adam Levine, or even Mick Jagger for that matter. There's nothing stopping you other than your own confidence, they want you up there and who knows you might even pull something. If not a girl then a muscle for sure but no pain no gain as they say.
The reasons why this song works is you can believe the message when these girls sing it. It sounds above all else, genuine. I don't care how expertly crafted the harmonies were on their cover of Cannonball, the song was horrible because not a single one of them had a clue what they were singing about. It was just all about putting on the most impressive vocals possible (and it didn't even accomplish that). It sounded forced, it sounded over cooked and worst of all it sounded fake. Move is about as real as I think Little Mix can ever get and that's why it works. They sound like they're having a great time and because of that I'm enjoying listening to them... and moving
There was an inner debate in my head regarding my two picks to fill in the number 7 slot. On the one hand OneRepublic's Counting Stars is gospel, country rock at it's most infectious: A cool song that conveys on a basic level that there is more to life than material wealth and not everything is all about the money, money, money. But they do this by crafting the message around a tune that is better and more fun to listen to than anything Jessie J could ever dream of creating. And they don't come across as preachy, obnoxious or patronising either which is always a bonus. The subject matter however is the thorn in the side of any successful band/artist that pretty much want for nothing and can afford to burn down their tent of made out of fiddy notes in order to gain better perspective for their astronomy based accountancy.
On the other hand though only one of these songs as introductory riff played on a mandolin. No brainer really.
7
IMAGINE DRAGONS - IT'S TIME
Before I go on about the song let me just quickly say that these extreme percussion enthusiasts from Las Vegas are the best live act I've ever seen. A spot that was held by Kings of Leon for a very long time despite some very stiff competition from Muse and Manic Street Preachers. Considering they claimed that position as a band I've never really heard of before, it's a testament to their showmanship, humble nature and general likability because they just seemed so pleased to be there performing for us. I was completely hooked from the first beat of those massive tribal drums they cart around everywhere.
This song in particular is a great introduction to their unusual, almost Celtic sounding style. Dan Reynolds is a great frontman and his impressive range is put to best use with this inspiring track. You really believe every word he's singing, which he skilfully belts in ways both heartfelt and rousing. It's a great track by a great band. They do however sound much better live than on any recording I've found of them. Probably one of only the reasons why this track isn't in the top 5.
This next one scares me. I pretty much can't stand this next artist and I hate everything he represents in terms of the path modern music is heading down; excessive use of autotune, digital instrumentation replacing actual live recording, over sampling and over production and songs involving some of the most irritating sounds ever conceived by human error. In short, I really have an issue with Will.IAM and would advise anyone from listening to the torturous noise he laughably calls music.
But sometimes I can't seem to follow my own advice
6
WILL.I. AM - BANG BANG
Just listen to that opening. As much as I normally hate sampling in music, I have to admit that this is good production at work. It 'borrows' some lyrics from Cher's Bang Bang and also the music of some kind of Charleston variation but it manages to retain it's identity as a stand alone song; unlike say 'Time of My Dirty Bit *shudder*. I love the fast paced brass intro and the banjo follow up riffs. All the elements of song combine nicely together and even Will.I.AM gives the illusion that he can actually sing. There's two options here; either the auto-tune has found a new stealth setting (it is actually used but not in an excessively annoying way) or this kind of swing, vocal jazz style really suits his voice. I actually prefer Bill.I.IS's singing sections to his random, Fergie substitute. More annoying for me though is that this song just seems to get better with every listen. I just said that about a Will.I.AM song...
I think I need to lie down now, or check outside and make sure the Rain of Fire hasn't started
5
LAWSON - JULIET
I'm well aware that this intro of this song is partially ripped off from The Police; but you know what? So was Bruno Mars' Locked Out Of Heaven from last year, which was one of the best songs released that year. So the way I see it, if new songs can retain the same level calibre in effort, execution and do enough to give it a individual identity by borrowing a combination riff of Roxanne and Can't Stand Losing You etc then by all means, rip away! The advantage of doing something like this is that it piques your interest from the start because it sounds familiar, the disadvantage however is when a band does it repeatedly in order to disguise that their song is just pants.
This song is not pants however, it's actually rather good. Wiffs of cheese from some of the lyrical choices aside; it's tightly written, well performed, punchy, sharp and stupidly catchy.
4
THE VAMPS - CAN WE DANCE
I actually think this song has the best opening line of the year. Not just in written terms but the way it dives straight into the song headfirst with no let up. It was a clever move to write the intro as an almost acapella version of the chorus, these guys really seem to know what they're doing. Or rather there production team do. I didn't want to like this song at all but out of nearly every song on this list it's that opening line that will not get out of my head. It makes it doubly amusing whenever I hear the radio edit and it sounds like the lead singer is instinctively correcting himself because his mum can over hear him 'I talk a lot of *shhhh!* when I'm drinking, baby'.I like this song, I shouldn't but I do and probably will for quite a bit longer and it's fair to say I have high hopes for this young band.
Me and my big mouth it would seem; this song wasn't even written by The Vamps it turns out. They did however have a hand in writing their next single 'Wild Heart' which is, let me pit this mildly, horrid. 'Can We Dance on the other hand was written, not surprisingly, by guys who knew what they were doing; 3 prominent musician/producers, one of them namely, Bruno Mars. I just can't seem to get rid of this year, can I?
Speaking of which...
3
BRUNO MARS - TREASURE
Putting aside Mars' somewhat disturbing views on the appeal of small mammals in their infancy (yes those are the words you first heard if you played the song, I'm as perplexed as you are) as soon as the song kicks in I feel an overwhelming urge to quickstep to the beat of the drums. It's one of the most skilfully crafted intros to a pure disco dance song I've ever heard.
Bruno Mars is once again on top vocal form, the lyrics are both sweet and over zealous but with a tongue in cheek believability. The funk fused bass line is a joy to dance to, it contains one of the uses of clearly obvious auto tune I actually don't mind and think it enhances the song rather than detracts from it and it samples what sounds like a section of music from Sonic The Hedgehog during the chorus (well it sounds like it to me). What's not to like? Great song, great singer and listening to this it doesn't feel like I could be any happier when dancing.
Or could I?...
2
PHARRELL WILLIAMS - HAPPY
If you're wondering why Get Lucky isn't on the list, due to my strict adhering to the rules here's the reason why. Besides, this song is just better. For a start I don't keep mishearing lines about robbing Mexican monkeys in this song and secondly, whenever I hear Get Lucky, unlike this song I never feel the overwhelming urge to dance like this:
Pharrell Williams is about the coolest man on the planet right now and it's great that he's finally getting the recognition he deserves after years of working on big hits behind the scenes. I keep reading that he's a producer/rapper but I really don't like his rapping. His singing on the other hand, completely different story. He has a voice reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield and he sounds just so impossibly cool and smooth, it's a wonder he didn't turn into an ice sculpture during recording. I have a smile on my face whenever this song comes through my headphones, and though I may not be dancing at the time, due to me being on a packed bus most likely, you better believe I'm dancing inside. Excellent song
My number one spot is probably a little predictable but I don't think it would have felt right to have included anything else
1
LORDE - ROYALS
Maybe I try to kid myself that this song is better than it is though. The lyrics are certainly open to interpretation and despite all Lorde's talk of not wanting to conform to the high elitist lifestyle or abusing her new found celeb status, she actually comes from a fairly well off background and she even lyrically refers to wanting to be our ruler as well as loving the thought of being Queen. Kids today eh?
There is almost certainly an air of pretension to her work but whether, like me, you accept the ironic subtext or not, like or loathe it's minimalist structure, you cannot deny that this song has presence. Its just so vastly different to anything else around right now, ever even. Whereas all the biggest hits came retro influence and origin ie. the 70's bass of Blurred Lines and Get Lucky, the twangy country/pop/dance of Wake Me Up and even Ylvis' Fox song taking inspiration from that noughties classic; The Crazy Frog.
Lorde's music thus far has doesn't seem to have any obvious influences, except maybe a touch of Portished here and a bit of Leonard Cohen there. If there is one person she reminds me of most is Tori Amos. Who just happens to me my favourite female artist of all time. There are obvious differences I grant you, but it's the way she so effortlessly carries such emotion in her voice and the masterful use of wordplay.
The reason why this is number one is not only that it is great song, that's catchy as hell and makes you want to sing along but also because it's the song from 2013 that I will remember the most, for a very long time.
I'll leave you with another Lorde song; the follow up to Royals which didn't even break the top 40. I actually prefer this song a bit better to Royals too. What do you think? What were your 10 favourite songs of 2013? Feel free to share and share alike.
OK today's offering to the gods of music is a song that has been stuck in my head for the last week or so. It just sprang into my head one day last week and has been unable to work it's way out. The Germans have a name for a catchy piece of music that works it's way into your mind and won't leave they call it Ohrwurm which translates to Earworm. I've always kind of liked that term and the imagery it evokes I've always thought it was a perfect word to describe those types of songs. So here is Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark.
Hello readers. It's Thursday which is great news because that means tomorrow is Friday so bring on the weekend. Had a lot of fun thinking about what I was going to post for today's song of the day. All kinds of tunes were running through my head for this one ranging all the way from Disney hits to 80's rap. But for today I settled on something a little more on the relaxing side. For Thursday I selected M83's Midnight City. Not only is this an absolutely awesome tune but this one also has a really interesting and very well directed video. First heard this catchy tune on the soundtrack to the movie Warm Bodies which is a great film and this song was very well placed. I didn't hear it again until I was on holiday with a friend in Madrid and he played it to me on to introduce me to a new band he liked which turned out to be M83. Finally knowing who wrote the tune I'd heard months earlier I got hold of a copy of their album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming and discovered they were really good. So have a listen and see what you think.
Hello again hope you're all pushing through the midweek blues. Good news about Wednesday is that we are all halfway to the weekend. Today's choice of song is Oats in the Water by Ben Howard. This song is something I discovered recently oddly I first heard this in the background of an eppisode of the Walking Dead and it kind of just spoke to me. As soon as the episode was over I went straight on the internet to find the song and then spent the next couple of days listening to it a little obsessively and now I'm a bit of a Ben Howard fan. It is also a little bit country/folksy and I've been really getting into my modern folk music recently. So enjoy the tune and I'm looking forward to posting again tomorrow.
Hello there Readers. I'm Dave and it's nice to meet you all. This is my first post on here since Zuz gave me the ability to post on here. I was asked to do the song of the day posts this week and have been putting some thought into this but unfortunately dropped the ball on this one by missing the first couple of days already so sorry to everyone for that. But here we go.
SongOfTheDay January 20th 2014
To start this week off I wanted to go ahead with my favorite song from one of my favorite bands of all time. Being a child of the 80's and 90's I grew up listening to the music of Queen and have always loved their work. Now when it comes to Queen most people are fans of their more popular works and although I do love songs like Bohemian Rhapsody there has always been a special place in my heart for Breakthru. And who couldn't love this wonderfully catchy tune especially with it's brilliant quirky video. I also believe that Breakthru is a great song for a Monday the upbeat tune and lyrics put you in a great mood for dealing with most situations even a Monday and gives me the strength to make it through the first day of the week
SongOfTheDay January 21st 2014
For Tuesdays song I went for something a little more mellow and relaxing to help one glide through the midweek blues that comes with Tuesdays. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' classic tune Under the Bridge is an amazing song that always helps me drift through any moment in my life. This song always takes me back to my youth where I used to listen to tunes like this in my bedroom. So I chose this song because the tune always makes me smile.
Well thanks for listening. I'm not one of those to write large speeches so I will bring this to a rapid close and quick goodbye. Take care folks and I look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow for Wednesday's song.
Over the last few years the American soft rock band Train have had surge in popularity thanks to their hit tracks 'Hey, Soul Sister' and 'Drive By'. Good for them.
There was a time however, when Train were actually good and singer Pat Monahan didn't sound like he was constantly slamming a car boot lid on his testicles. It says a lot when the only version of Hey Soul Sister I can stand hearing is by freaking Glee; due the song being sickenly cute the actual overly cheesy production fits with the style, plus the Monahan couldn't hit the high notes as well as Glee without a pole vault.
It's fair to say that at the moment Train are not my favourite band, nor have they ever been. In the early 2000's though, they did release one of my favourite songs.
TRAIN - DROPS OF JUPITER
No matter what crap Train come out with or how much more like castrated mouse Monahan sounds like, I will never grow out of favour with this wonderfully crafted song. What the song is about is open to interpretation but to me it's abut how much a person can change over time distance or a combination of different variables. It's one of the few times where the lyrics of a can almost be compared to poetry, creating all sorts of melancholy sensations, feelings of loss but most importantly the feeling of realisation. A realisation that no matter how things turned out, you experienced these feelings because of someone who you were fortunate enough to be a part of their life.
It still shocks me that the man who wrote the line 'Did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there' is the same one who wrote 'Just a shy guy, looking for a two ply' In fact, I just don't believe it. I think Monahan must have had help with the mystical lyric fairy and now she just flat out refuses to answer his calls anymore. Probably after a few too many soy lattes and not being able to tally up the bill correctly. Friendships have diminished with less and with supernatural beings can be taxing to be fair.
