Every so often I turn my radio dial (OK, not really, I push the preset button) to the "adult alternative/pop" station. You know the type of station, it plays P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Gotye, Adele, Avril etc. For a while I kept hearing today's song, but could never figure out who sang it. Seemed I was always driving when it came on and I'm not coordinated enough to drive my pick-up truck and use the Soundhound app on my phone at the same time (hell, I can barely walk and use my phone at the same time, but that's another story).
UNNECESSARY RANT ALERT: Seriously, what is it about pop radio where they refuse to tell you who sang the song unless it's like the hugest song on the planet...yeah, we all know that was just Adele...who hasn't heard Rolling in the Deep? UNNECESSARY RANT OVER
Anyway, one day I was finally lucky enough to be in a parking lot when the song came on and I finally found out who sang it. Oddly enough, it was one of the $5 deals at Amazon that month so I was able to pick it up for cheap. Good record.
10 July 2012
09 July 2012
9 July 2012 - Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up
At one point, The Black Eyed Peas were a three piece all male group. They would frequently bring in female guest stars, such as Macy Gray, to do some harmonies or call-and-answer.
When it came time to record their third album, Will.I.Am called a former member of girl group Wild Orchid and Kids Incorporated cast member Stacy Ferguson, to try out on the call-and-answer song we feature today. Needless to say, it was a good match - you know her better as Fergie. She went on to record five other songs with the group for that album, many of which became big hits, and was granted full member status in time for their fourth album.
You know from previous posts how much I love call-and-answer hip-hop, and this is no exception. The Peas were already a decent hip-hop trio before Fergie was thrown in, and her edgy pop style really fused well with the trio.
When it came time to record their third album, Will.I.Am called a former member of girl group Wild Orchid and Kids Incorporated cast member Stacy Ferguson, to try out on the call-and-answer song we feature today. Needless to say, it was a good match - you know her better as Fergie. She went on to record five other songs with the group for that album, many of which became big hits, and was granted full member status in time for their fourth album.
You know from previous posts how much I love call-and-answer hip-hop, and this is no exception. The Peas were already a decent hip-hop trio before Fergie was thrown in, and her edgy pop style really fused well with the trio.
06 July 2012
6 July 2012 - Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
Yo, VIP. Let's kick it.
Admit it. You loved this song in 1991. It was a monstrous hit. Everyone loved it. Even if it clearly ripped off the hook from "Under Pressure". Even if it was Vanilla's only hit. Everyone knew every lyric. Everyone loved it.
Including me.
Oh, wait. The bassline is not the same. He said so.
Admit it. You loved this song in 1991. It was a monstrous hit. Everyone loved it. Even if it clearly ripped off the hook from "Under Pressure". Even if it was Vanilla's only hit. Everyone knew every lyric. Everyone loved it.
Including me.
Oh, wait. The bassline is not the same. He said so.
05 July 2012
5 July 2012 - Flo Rida - Whistle
Did you ever have a song that you really, really wanted to hate, but just couldn't? For me, "Whistle" is that song right now.
I haven't in the past really been a fan of Flo Rida. (Florida. His name is Florida.) With this song, he might have won me over. Anyone who can so seamlessly blend acoustic guitar and hip-hop is A-OK in my book. Plus, it's instructional - it is teaching a new generation how to whistle. That is what this song is about, right?
I haven't in the past really been a fan of Flo Rida. (Florida. His name is Florida.) With this song, he might have won me over. Anyone who can so seamlessly blend acoustic guitar and hip-hop is A-OK in my book. Plus, it's instructional - it is teaching a new generation how to whistle. That is what this song is about, right?
04 July 2012
4 July 2012 - X - Fourth of July (Special Guilt-Free Edition)
No guilt here. Just patriotism. This is a song - one of my favorite songs by great Los Angeles punk pioneers. John Doe and Exene Cervenka's harmonies really shine on this song.
03 July 2012
3 July - Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
Forget for a minute that this is Justin Bieber. Forget the fact that he's borrowing Vanilla Ice's hair in this video. Forget that he looks so squeeky-clean and out of place with these ladies. Forget that he's Mr. Selena Gomez. Don't forget that it is he who brought us Carly Rae Jepsen.
This song is sparse and catchy and kind of hot. Even if you don't have the Bieber Fever, you can enjoy this new summer classic. I mean, he's trying to replicate Justin Timberlake's career here, but this song is actually almost completely listenable.
This song is sparse and catchy and kind of hot. Even if you don't have the Bieber Fever, you can enjoy this new summer classic. I mean, he's trying to replicate Justin Timberlake's career here, but this song is actually almost completely listenable.
02 July 2012
2 July 2012 - Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore
Cliff Richard was England's answer to Elvis. Sort of. He was a huge hitmaker in the UK - one of the biggest of all time. He charted in every decade from the 1950's through at least 2009 in Europe. In the US, he hasn't had quite as much success, although he had top 40 hits in the 60's, 70's, and 80's here.
This hit from 1979 was far and away his biggest, hitting #7 in the US and #1 in most of the rest of the world. And I find myself humming it on a nearly weekly basis.
This hit from 1979 was far and away his biggest, hitting #7 in the US and #1 in most of the rest of the world. And I find myself humming it on a nearly weekly basis.
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