30 July 2015

30 July 2015 - Sia - The Girl You Lost To Cocaine

It's been too long.

So I decided to go a little old school.

This song was the 2nd single from her 2008 studio album Some People Have Real Problems.  Seeing that album displayed for sale at my local Starbucks was my first introduction to Sia.  Of course, I didn't actually hear her until years later.  And it is, of course, fantastic pop music that was criminally overlooked in this country, and really around the world.

No wonder she retired!

Also, notice that Sia is facing the camera - a lot! and smiling - and not relying on Maddy Ziegler as a stand-in.  That whole stage-fright assumption is a bunch of crap.

24 June 2015

24 June 2015 - Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again

Did you know they did dirty country songs?

Dolly's been doing them for years.  I mean, she didn't need to build her career on her boobs - she is a brilliant songwriter, even to this day - but they sure helped.  This song isn't QUITE dirty, but she's certainly looking at an ex like a piece of meat here.  Still, entertaining. It's a song of regret and falling back into prior relationships....it's more subtle than I expect from a country song, and it makes for an enjoyable song.


23 June 2015

23 June 2015 - Kacey Musgraves - Biscuits

Today, the great Kacey Musgraves releases her 2nd album, Pageant Material.  My former co-author, Scott, and I agree on the greatness of Kacey Musgraves, which is kind of a rarity.

I've not necessarily a huge country music fan.

Kacey Musgraves doesn't get much radio airplay (which is criminal)

Do you want any more reasons why it's strange that I would be posting this?  No?  Good.  I don't have any more.  This is just a fun song, the 1st single from album #2.  So enjoy a well-written, fun song.

18 June 2015

18 June 2018 - Tove Lo - Talking Body

Queen of the Clouds might be the greatest album of the past few years that I've listened to from end to end.  (Yes, people - better than True Romance - happy?)  Before I listened to the whole album and just had heard this song, I thought it was a weak follow-up to "Habits" (and, to be fair, that's on my list of Best Singles of 2014, so I did think highly of it).  I just wasn't a great big fan.  It wasn't a bad song.  It just wasn't great.....

Until I heard it in the context of the whole album - a concept album going through a relationship, from early lust and passion (where this song lies), to the middle part where it gets real and the people in it start thinking about their futures, to the breakup and the aftermath (which is where you would find "Habits").  Then it made more sense to me.

Now I want to hear the next album.

04 June 2015

4 June 2015 - David Guetta feat. Sia (and Mary J. Blige) - Titanium

It's amazing that I took this long to post such a powerful song.  And it has a great story!

"Titanium" started off life as a demo.... written by Sia, recorded by Sia, and sent to David Guetta, possibly for a collaboration with Katy Perry, or Alicia Keys.  Sia had retired from performing and recording her own music, since she was meeting with little to moderate success, and, as a pop star, she was done....

03 June 2015

3 June 2015 - Madonna - Borderline

My least favorite days are when I can't think of something to post.  I mean, I love guilty pleasure music.  If my well is running dry, even for a minute, it's time to worry.

Thank GOD for Madonna. She's been making this music for so long, I will always have a deep catalog as a go-to. This is the first Madonna song I ever heard, and I was instantly hooked, even at a time when I was fighting against my love of commercial music.


02 June 2015

2 June 2015 - Jason Derulo - Want To Want Me

Jason Derulo's new album Everything Is 4 is out today.  The first single from that album is today's post.... and despite being about what every Jason Derulo song is about (being naked with a member of the opposite sex), it's a fun throwback that shows off Jason's vocal abilities.  And it's lyrically damned catchy.

Also, if you look up the phrase "guilty pleasure" in the dictionary, Jason Derulo's picture is right there.



As an added bonus, here's a live performance of the song, from The Ellen Show.  Even in this performance, you can hear the song starts with a whispered "Derulo".