Friday, February 28, 2014

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Another week is gone. Hope it was a good one for everyone. I had my yearly checkup today and it sucked balls. I hate going to the doctor, but I love talking to you rockstars. SOOOOOOOOO…….here are the top stories of the week:

Miley and Katy staged a kiss made out at Miley's concert.

RuPaul's Drag Race starts a SIXening new season and RuPaul drops a new video that is twerk-tastic, y'all!!

Robin Thicke and Paula Patton un-blur their lines.

One of the greatest albums of all time. Take it in and dance, bitches!!!

MADONNA FRIDAY: SECRET

In 1994 Madonna was set to release her album Bedtime Stories. The first single, Secret, was a return to her R&B roots that she hadn't visited since her first, self-titled album. Secret, written by Madonna, Dallas Austin and Shep Pettibone, was released September 27, 1994 and reached #3 on the Hot 100. It was also a return to focusing on the music for the public after her much maligned, yet brilliant experiment with the overtly sexual album Erotica. Bedtime Stories was much more subdued and soft. The sexy, sensuous video, directed by Melodie McDaniel,  is shot in black and white on location in Harlem, at Lenox Lounge and on the streets. It tells the story of Madonna dating a hot-as-hell dude who has a secret. Watch and find out what it is. Madonna looks H-O-T in this video. I mean girl is rocking the bleached out hair and nose ring. And….HELLO, TITS!!! So watch and enjoy the smooth groove of Madonna's Secret. Happy Madonna Friday!!!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

THROWBACK THURSDAY: FLASHDANCE SOUNDTRACK

What a feelin'!!!!! 1983 was a stellar year for music all around, but if you ask me -- and you didn't -- I would have to say the year was stolen by the soundtrack to a little film I like to call Flashdance. Well, the reason I like to call it that is because it was the name of the film, so..... ANYHOOZERS! Flashdance, and  its star Jennifer Beals, were a phenomenon. It changed the way movies were made, the way soundtracks were marketed to sell a film and was the first film to use MTV as a major marketing tool. Giorgio Moroder (and supervisor Phil Ramone) compiled a veritable who's who of the music industry and put together an unforgettable soundtrack with two #1 singles on its tracklisting. Flashdance....What a Feeling by Irene Cara is arguably the best dance song of the 80s or any other era. It shot to #1 on the Hot 100 on May 28, 1983 and stayed there for six weeks, garnering both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Original Song. Maniac by Michael Sembello was released as the second single and hit #1 on September 10, 1983 and spent two weeks at the top spot. Maniac was also nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards that year. Though no other singles were released from the album for various reasons, several songs enjoyed airplay on MTV with promotional videos, like Donna Summer's Romeo, and the soundtrack itself was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year and won one for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special. It went on to sell over 6 million copies in the US. Other top artists of the time who appeared on the album were Kim Carnes, Laura Branigan and Joe Esposito. I would say the highlight of the album for me -- and what else matters -- are Shandi's He's a Dream and Karen Kamon's Manhunt (which is the third video below and it will blow your mind). Those songs ROCK!!! And DO NOT get me started on Cynthia Rhodes who is the goddess of 80s dance movies (see Staying Alive and Dirty Dancing). Seriously, Flashdance is one of my favorite movies of all time and one of the MAIN reasons I became a dancer. The movie and the soundtrack are sexy, flashy and made for the MTV generation. Watch and listen below to some of the cutting edge sounds from 1983's #1 soundtrack, Flashdance.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

HUMPDAY SEXY SONG: DIS-MOI, DIS-MOI - MITSOU

Who, you ask? Quebecois, Mitsou never quite hit here in America, but she was, in the early 90s, the Canadian Madonna. I discovered her watching the old, pay-per-view music video station The Box and there were NAKED MEN IN HER VIDEO!!! Yes, please! Dis-Moi, Dis-Moi is, obviously, in French, but the it's hella catchy and sexy is an international language. Released just a few months after Madonna's controversial Justify My Love video, Dis-Moi, Dis-Moi was also banned by Canadian music channel MushMusic, making it even more popular. I even bought the whole album and it's all in French, y'all! FUN FACT: I don't speak or understand French. I pretty much memorized the song phonetically I listened to it so many times. You can watch a video that has the lyrics translated HERE. We in the US never heard from Mitsou (pronounced the same as the Japanese world "mitsu" which means honey), but she is still knocking around Canada doing this and that in the public eye, although no one I know from Canada knows what the hell she is doing now. Today though, let's just focus on the sexiest part of her career. Here is the super hot video for Dis-Moi, Dis-Moi. Hump something French-Canadian today.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

ROBIN THICKE AND PAULA PATTON ARE UN-BLURRING THE LINE BY SEPARATING

Robin Thicke is now free to sing his date rape anthem to any sexy lady he wants (although I think he was doing it already) because he and his beautiful wife Paula Patton has released a statement to People Magazine that they are putting the kibosh on their long, long relationship:
"We will always love each other and be best friends, however, we have mutually decided to separate at this time.”
The pair met when Thicke was 14, 22 years ago, and have been sweethearts since and married in 2005. They have one son. Robin is no stranger to cheating rumors. As recently as August of last year photos came out showing Thicke groping a fan in an elevator. Classy. Robin also hinted about the pair having an open relationship, but that clearly did not work out for them. Well it's always sad when a relationship ends, but perhaps it's for the best.

THE #1 SONG 25 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS.....

....Straight Up by Paula Abdul. Obsessed! I was so into Paula Abdul in the 80s it was crazy. It was almost like I was straight. ALMOST! This song and this album were my life for an entire year, y'all! Straight Up was technically the third single off of Paula's debut album Forever Your Girl (although the first two singles, Knocked Out and (It's Just) The Way That You Love Me were not successful and were re-released after the success of Straight Up) and it took it a while to start getting attention. Released on November 22, 1988, the song took almost three months to climb to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, but when it did it kicked off a landslide of hits for Paula. Also, her album Forever Your Girl gained momentum and, after 64 weeks on the chart, finally hit #1 later that year. Anyhoo, Straight Up also boasted a sexy little dance video that introduced Paula's amazing skills as a choreographer to a broader audience and also highlighted her mysterious relationship with Arsenio Hall, who makes a cameo in the video just weeks after his talk show debuted. Were they or weren't they? Who knows? Who cares? The video, directed by David Fincher,  went on to win won four 1989 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and the first Best Dance Video award. WERQ! There is no denying that Straight Up is a 80s and pop classic hit and it helped change the landscape of dance music and music videos for years to come. Paula, I miss you. Enjoy the #1 song from 25 years ago, Straight Up by Paula Abdul.

Monday, February 24, 2014

HAPPY MONDAY SONG: STIR IT UP - PATTI LABELLE

GIRL!!! Ms. Patti was turning it OUT in the 80s. Stir It Up was her second single released form the Beverly Hills Cop sountrack (the first being New Attitude) and it is upbeat, joyous and Patti, as usual, blows the roof of that mo'fo'. I mean, when she lets loose at the end of this song, it is pure brilliance. Try not to dance to this song. If you succeed, you are soulless. Just saying. Enjoy and get happy on this Monday!!!

SEASON SIX OF RuPAUL'S DRAG RACE STARTS TONIGHT, KITTENS!!! Ru DROPS NEW ALBUM AND VIDEO AT MIDNIGHT

YAAAAS! She's back! Mondays are a drag again, bitches! RuPaul's Drag Race is returning tonight for it's sixth, SIXening, season and I am RETTOGO! Ru has a whole season of eleganza ready to unload all over us and along with that she is releasing a new album tonight at midnight, children! RuPaul will release Born Naked (based on Ru's philosophy that we are all born naked and the rest is drag) and has released a video to get you hungry for it. Geronimo is a rap-infused club kicker and, girl, that boy can T-W-E-R-K! Heehee. Tune into LOGO tonight at 9 for the Season 6 premier, or head over to LOGO.com to watch the first episode now and meet the Queens, and remember, DON'T F**K IT UP!! Gentlemen, starts your engines and may the best WOMAN win!

MILEY CYRUS KISSES KATY PERRY DURING BANGERZ TOUR

Miley was performing her Bangerz Tour in Los Angeles last night and a very famous pop star was in attendance. Katy Perry made her way to the stage during Miley's performance of her pop hit Adore You and the two shared on intimate little smooch. It's pretty cute. It seems like Miley didn't think Katy was going to do it because she reacts with a very adorable surprise face. Watch below. The two even tweeted about it after.


Friday, February 21, 2014

GOLDFRAPP RELEASES REMIX OF NEW SINGLE, THEA. PREDICTABLY, IT'S AMAZING!

Goldfrapp has released a third single from their amazing album Tales of Us, Thea. This is definitely the most upbeat of all the singles on the album, but still pretty dark and beautiful. The remix retains the darkness, but amps of the beat. They are set to release along with it an EP of remixes and are sharing one with fans via Soundcloud right away, the Twin Shadow Remix. It's pretty amazing. Here is the original cut from the album Tales of Us and the Twin Shadow Remix. Enjoy and have a great weekend!! Get Tales of Us now on iTunes.

THAT'S A GOOD BLOG: THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Thought it would be  a good idea to put together a little update for all those who are too busy to stop and read during the week. Here are some highlights from this week all in one nice little package for you. Now CLICK ON THE LINKS AND READ, YOU INGRATES!!! Please and thank you.

Lily Allen Announces Title of New Album

Katy Perry Ruins My Eyes With Video For 
Dark Horse

Lady Gaga Performs ARTPOP On Jimmy Fallon

Colin Kaepernick Is The Hotter Than a Two-Dollar Pistol

Kylie Minogue Releases Album Sampler of Kiss Me Once

Dominic Cooper Has A Big One

DOMINIC COOPER REVEALS HE CAN'T FIT IT IN HIS PANTS ALL THE TIME

Why wasn't I there when this happened? Super hottie Dominic Cooper appeared on The Graham Norton Show this week and told an "embarrassing" story about his days as a waiter. Dominic reminisced:
"I was working in a cafe wearing really tight jeans. I had two cappuccinos in one hand and pastries in the other and as I approached the table it fell out of my jeans and rested neatly on the table."
You poor baby baby's arm. What a terrible thing to go through......FOR NO ONE! I'm sure he was hard pressed to relay that story. Pun intended. Dominic used to date his Mamma Mia co-star Amanda Seyfried. Mazel tov, Amanda! So if you spot Dominic on the street, follow him around for a while and maybe little not-so-little Dominic will pop out for a "top o' the mornin' to ya". Sigh.

LILY ALLEN ANNOUNCES NAME OF NEW ALBUM: SHEEZUS

Is it a nod to Kanye or a jab at Kanye? I would prefer to think it was a jab, and knowing Lily, I bet it sorta is. Lily Allen revealed the name of her upcoming third studio album on the Graham Norton Show in the UK yesterday and it is....drum roll, please.....SHEEZUS. Lily explained, "It's a confident title choice....and a little nod to Kanye West." Kanye's last album is, of course, named Yeezus. Heehee. He has such a great sense of humor about things too. NOT! Maybe the name Sheezus explains the floating crucifix at the end of the air balloon video. Perhaps in not Jesus but Sheezus on that cross!! I am loving all of Lily's new music. First single, the amazing Hard Out Here, second single, the infectious Air Balloon (video below) and her song from the Girls, Vol. 2 soundtrack, the fantastic L8 CMMR will all be included on Sheezus. No release date has been announced for the album as of yet.

MADONNA FRIDAY: THE LOOK OF LOVE

A rarely heard gem in the pantheon of Madonna's hits, The Look of Love is a dark and moody ballad that stands as one of Madge's most effective slow songs. Off of the soundtrack to Madonna's ill-fated film Who's That Girl, the song was not released as a single in the US but became the third single (after the title track and Causing a Commotion) from the album and a top 10 hit in many other countries, including the UK and Ireland. Written and produced by Madonna and long time collaborator Patrick Leonard, The Look of Love was performed on her 1987 Who's That Girl World Tour and hasn't ever been performed since. It's a shame because it's quite a lovely song. Here is Madonna's live performance of The Look of Love from her Who's That Girl World Tour. Enjoy and Happy Madonna Friday!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

NEW VIDEO: DARK HORSE - KATY PERRY FT. JUICY J

What is gay hell? Katy Perry, or as she is called in this mess Katy-Patra (I can't), has really gone out of her way with her latest album, Prism, to ruin the music video art form. Roar was such an eyesore it made me hate that song even more and now she's gone and made a tacky video for one of the best songs on her album!!! Dark Horse is a good song, y'all!! But his video is like a Pepto Bismol covered mummy turd. THAT GRILL???? I know she is trying to be funny, but this is not working for me, girl. Seriously, this video makes Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)'s look like an episode of Downton Abbey. Don't you know you have gays judging you, yet you put flaming hot Cheetos and twinkies in your music video? No, Katy. Bad! Bad, Katy!! If you can stomach it, here is the video that is making Elizabeth Taylor bitch slap an angel right about now, Katy Perry's Dark Horse. Try to erase this from your mind and just listen to the song afterwards.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: MARTIKA

There was a rash of teen pop princesses in the mid-80s due to the success of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany, but one who is much overlooked was the incredibly talented Martika. Martika became famous for being on the very popular Saturday morning show Kids Incorporated. K-I-D-S! After appearing on the show for two seasons, Martika signed to CBS records and put out her first album Martika. The song Toy Soldiers shot to #1 on the Hot 100 in the summer of 1989. Two more songs from that album hit the top 40: More Than You Know (#18) and the Carol King cover I Feel the Earth Move (#25). Martika was a pop star. Her next album, Martika's Kitchen, had several songs written with or by His Purple Badness, Prince, who approached her in 1991 about a collaboration. One of the songs that resulted of their work together, Love...Thy Will Be Done, became a top 10 hit in the U.S. and kicked off the album. Also coming from that collab was the song Martika's Kitchen, which is a thinly veiled song about (in true Prince form) Martika's vagina. Of course. And it's ah-mazing! (watch it below) Subsequent singles from the album failed to match that success in the U.S., but the album did much better overseas. Not much happened after the second album for Martika, sadly. Her voice and style were very unique, not to mention how pretty she is, and I still play those old songs sometimes. Toy Soldiers went on to be famously sampled by Eminem on his 2004 top 40 song Like Toy Soldiers. Martika still writes and sings backup for other artists, but her mark on pop music has been made. Enjoy some classic Martika below.

LADY GAGA PERFORMS TITLE TRACK TO ARTPOP ON THE TONIGHT SHOW

Jimmy Fallon had a cavalcade of stars this week, his first as the host of The Tonight Show, and Lady Gaga dropped by to perform ARTPOP. Starting off with a slowed down piano rendition of the amazing track, Gaga then let the beat kick in and sings the crap out of that bitch. I've made no secret about the fact that ARTPOP is my favorite song from Lady Gaga's latest album, and I really, really hope this means we have a single release coming for the track. Hell, I hope we have ANY single releases coming from ARTPOP. C'mon, Gaga. Don't give up on the record. It's a banger and deserves some more attention. Enjoy Lady Gaga's ARTPOP.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

HUMPDAY SEXY SONG: FREE ME - EMMA BUNTON

Emma Bunton may be known as Baby Spice, but she grew up real quick with her 2003 hit Free Me. Released in advance of Emma's second album of the same name, Free Me found the former Spice Girl serving up Bond girl sexy with a dash of 60s sass in a sensual, tropical video. Free Me and it's subsequent retro, Mowtown inspired album garnered so much positive attention in the UK, where the single hit #5 and the album hit #7, that it was released in the US and hit #4 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. I absolutely adore this song and the album as a whole, and Free Me is a no-brainer for a Humpday Sexy Song. So if you are in a frozen part of the country like I am, sit back and warm yourself up with the sexy sounds and hot beaches of Free Me by Emma Bunton.


NEW OBSESSION: COLIN KAEPERNICK

I'm pretty sure he plays football or something. JK!!! A simple Wikipedia search My vast sports knowledge reveals that 26 year-old super-hottie Colin Kaepernick is in fact the quarterback for The San Francisco 49ers, the gayest football team ever! (I actually have no idea. I'm just guessing because they are in San Francisco.) Anyhoozers, Colin is fast catching up to former San Franciscan (?) and current Dodgers baseball player Brian Wilson as my favorite, hot piece of ass-lete (TRADEMARK!). To make things even better, Colin recently did an interview (along with Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton) that is all over the interwebs in which he stated his support  for any player who wished to come out of the closet in the NFL, including Michael Sam, the Missouri defensive end who recently revealed he's gayer than....well....football uniforms. Kaepernick states:

"think when he steps into that locker room, everyone's going to know that he's there to help us win games, and that's why you're in the NFL, to help us win games. No one cares if you're black, white, straight, gay, Christian, Jewish, whatever it may be."

Well said future lover Colin!! Oh, did I mention he is super duper hot and willing to pose nude? Well, he is and he is. And I love a man with a big nose!!!! Feast your eye holes on this man and start loving him. He loves you. OH, and in case you didn't think he was adorable enough, here is a video of him and his also-hot friend Cam Newton dressed as babies and singing Katy Perry. You're welcome.

Monday, February 17, 2014

NEW MUSIC: KYLIE MINOGUE RELEASES ALBUM SAMPLER OF KISS ME ONCE

Kylie Minogue is getting us close!! The Aussie pop princess's new album Kiss Me Once is due for release on March 18th (in the US) and if first single Into the Blue and this album sampler are any indication, we are in for a treat!! No big surprise there since Kylie's albums are always full of sparkling pop gems. Kylie worked with a lot of new producers (Pharrell and will.i.am among them) on this new record, so there are some new sounds from Kylie, but it all comes through with her beautiful smile stamped on it. So listen to the tracks below and pre-order Kiss Me Once now on iTunes. Here is the track listing, album sampler and the video for Into The Blue. 1. Into the Blue 2. Million Miles 3. I Was Gonna Cancel 4. Sexy Love 5. Sexercise 6. Feels So Good 7. If Only 8. Les Sex 9. Kiss Me Once 10. Beautiful  (w/ Enrique Iglesias) 11. Fine 12. Mr. President (Bonus Track) 13. Sleeping With The Enemy (Bonus Track)

Friday, February 14, 2014

MADONNA FRIDAY: OKAY. FINE. FOUR MADONNA BALLADS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

I just can't resist. Here are four of my favorite Madonna ballads for your sappy enjoyment on this Valentine's Day, some of my top picks for love songs from the Queen of Pop. Crazy For You was Madonna's very first ballad to be released (I don't count Borderline as a ballad. DUH!). It hit #1 on the Hot 100 on May 11, 1985 and proved that Madonna was not just a dance artist, she could sell a ballad as well. La Isla Bonita was the fifth single from Madonna's monster album True Blue and has been a staple of her live shows ever since. FUN FACT: La Isla Bonita is Spanish for "I don't speak Spanish". JAYKAY! The song hit #4 in May of 1987 and is definitely a classic pop song. Rain is my very favorite Madonna ballad of all time. From the astoundingly perfect album Erotica, Rain was the fourth North American single and hit #14 on the Hot 100. BLASPHEMY! Give that bitch a #1! The video is equally beautiful. LOVE!!! Finally, Madonna recorded a cover of Marvin Gaye's I Want You with Massive Attack for the album Inner City Blued: The Music of Marvin Gaye and included it on her compilation album Something To Remember. The track is very sparse and relies on Madonna's vocals and a beat by Massive Attack with strings swelling in and out. It's quite lovely and heartbreaking. Okay, mo'fo's, Those are the songs I am treating you with on this V-day, so snuggle up to someone or something you love and sway along. Cry if you feel like it. I won't tell anyone.

FOR ALL THOSE NOT IN TO V-DAY: ANTI-LOVE SONGS

I know, I know. Some people are not into the whole Valentine's Day business. I get it. You just broke up or you hate the commercialization. Well, I feel your pain, girl. Here are some songs to offset the mushy love crap you are bombarded with all day today. Check it out below and let the anger boil up inside you. Go out and berate happy couples on the street or call your ex 100 times and hang up on him/her. Or commit the ultimate act against love and listen to Mariah Carey while watching a  Gwenyth Paltrow movie. I know that seems extreme, but you're trying to prove a point.  I love you anyway.

MADONNA FRIDAY! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

In honor of Valentine's Day, this Madonna Friday is all about love. I'm not going with the obvious, ballad love songs. No. I am going for the more playful, upbeat songs that get your heart racing and your ass shaking. We'll start off with Madonna's #3 1986 ode to her then-husband Sean Penn, the doo-wop inspired True Blue. Swoon! Then let's have a little 60s girl group vibe with Cherish, her #2 hit 1989 song from Like a Prayer. Beautiful Stranger is Madonna's groovy tune from Austin Powers that hit the charts in 1999. Finally we have a very toned down Madge in the lovely, flowery video from her (grossly underrated) 2003 album American Life for Love Profusion. Get in the mood, people!!! Happy Valentine's Day and -- more importantly -- Happy Madonna Friday!!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

HOW IS LEA MICHELE'S ALBUM SHAPING UP? WATCH AND LISTEN.

Lea Michele's album, Louder, is not due for release until February 28th, but thanks to her record company, Lea's fans (of which I count myself among) have been able to preview five tracks already!! They keep popping up in my iTunes like little gifts. Let me tell you, ladies, there  is no lack of belting going on in these puppies!! Lea is singing it straight from the kitty for you. Of the tracks released so far, the majority are ballads or power ballads with the exception of Louder, which takes on a more upbeat stance. I'm very excited for Lea's album and I think she could be the next power ballad go-to songstress. Check out You're Mine, What is Love?, Louder, Battlefield and the video for Cannonball below. You can pre-order Louder now on iTunes.

You're Mine

What Is Love?

Louder

Battlefield

Cannonball

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

NEW MUSIC FROM KELIS AND NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCED

Kelis is coming back, bitches!! The Milkshake singer (that sounds weird) is heading back on the scene with more sustenance-inspired music. The singers next album, FOOD, is on pre-order right now on iTunes and the release date is set for April 22nd. THAT'S TOO FAR AWAY!! But I L-O-V-E the cover art. To tide us over, Kelis has issued two singles so far from FOOD -- yes, it's stylized in all caps, I'm not screaming -- the funky Jerk Ribs and the slow R&B burn of Rumble. Both songs have a slightly retro feel without feeling old and retain that Kelis sass. They are a departure from K's last album Flesh Tone, her club-tastic 2010 record. If these songs are any indication of what's to come, we are going to be having a very soulful Springtime. Here is the first single from FOOD, the funky Jerk Rib, and the second single, the sexy Rumble.  Enjoy!

IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEATLES COMING TO AMERICA....

I give you my top 10 favorite Beatles songs. Now, full disclosure, I am not what you would call a SUPER fan. I am a fan. I love the music of The Beatles and always have, but I do not know all the deep cuts, so excuse my elementary picks on this list. They may be a little obvious for the more fanatical of fans. Do not mistake my lack of knowledge for a lack of love, cuz I freakin' love their brilliance and influence they have had on countless artists since their debut. So here are my ten faves from the Fab Four. Click the links to listen and watch some kick-ass videos!!

10.All You Need Is Love
09.Come Together
08.Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
07.Let It Be
06.I Am The Walrus
05.A Day In The Life
04.Hey Jude
03.Yesterday
02.Strawberry Fields Forever
01.Something

THE #1 SONG 15 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS.....

....Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. My how time flies when you're dead inside. It seems like only yesterday that the bright-eyed former Mouseketeer threw on a slutty schoolgirl's uniform and started shakin' her parent's moneymaker for our viewing pleasure. Baby One More Time was the debut single from Britney and it hit the top of the Hot 100 on January 30, 1999 and stayed there for two weeks. The song went on to hit #1 in EVERY country it charted in. Wow! Not bad. It also is one of the best selling singles of all time with over 10 million copies sold. The music video, of course, is a classic. Directed by Nigel Dick, Britney famously dons the schoolgirl outfit and jiggles her teenage jugs all over the halls of a high school in a daydream. Britney was nominated for a Grammy that year for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance but she lost to that hack Sarah McLachlan. Haha. Anyway, there is zero doubt that Baby One More Time is a classic 90s pop song and still Brit's signature tune, even after all these years. So sit back, feel old, and jam out to the #1 song from this week in 1999, Baby One More Time.

Monday, February 10, 2014

REPORTS SUGGEST GYPSY WILL BE LADY GAGA'S NEXT SINGLE. IS IT THE BEST CHOICE?

Lady Gaga's label, Interscope, has added her song Gypsy from ARTPOP to their Soundcloud playllist of new songs being sent to US radio. Gypsy is an emotional, uplifting standout track for sure on Gaga's latest album, but is it the right song to catch the attention of the public? She has performed it on several promotional stops for the album, including Saturday Night Live and on her holiday special, dueting with Kermit the Frog. The song is much in the vein of former single Edge of Glory, which was hit for Gaga, and unreleased favorites like Speechless and Brown Eyes. While it makes sense to follow a pattern of the arena anthem, I don't know that Gypsy would be my first choice as a single release from ARTPOP. Maybe I am not in touch with her other fans on this one, but I believe Gaga has already stated that there is a completed video for the amazingly enjoyable Venus. I am guessing that since the direction taken on the album so far has been less than effective and the video for promising second single Do What U Want (#13 US Hot 100) never appeared for some reason, perhaps Interscope, Gaga and her team are rethinking the artistic direction they are taking with the album. It's a damn shame that ARTPOP has not been promoted well -- as Gaga herself has referenced in a post on her fansite LittleMonsters -- because there are tons of potential singles on the record. Aside from Venus, I would love to see aggressive promotion of G.U.Y. or the amazing title track. It will be interesting to see how Gypsy is received or it Interscope will even step up to the plate to promote it properly. Check out the anthem being performed live below and let me know if you have any thoughts on Gaga's future singles in the comments.

HAPPY MONDAY SONG: I BELIEVE IN YOU - KYLIE MINOGUE

Sorry to post so late in the day. I hope it can still bring you some happiness!! If Kylie can't bring a smile to your face, then you don't have a face. In 2004 Kylie released Ultimate Kylie, a career-spanning collection of her greatest hits, and with it, a song she penned with Scissor Sister's Jake Shears, the glorious I Believe In You. This electro/euro-pop gem is a jewel in Kylie's crown of hits and is sure to bring a smile to your face as you hear her crystalline voice scale to the heights of happiness. The song sort of ushered in a new age of electronic dance music for Kylie and she has been turning it out ever since. So bust out your dancing shoes and get ready for your face to hurt from smiling while you listen to Kylie's I Believe In You. YOU'RE WELCOME!

REVIEW: BECK - MORNING PHASE

I'll admit, I have always been an admirer of Beck, but never a real fan. I have enjoyed his sense of fun in most of his music and the way he experiments with sound and genre. I usually take a listen to his albums when they come out, but have never really connected deeply to any of his music....until now. Beck's new album Morning Phase is absolutely gorgeous. It is teeming with strings, acoustic guitar and haunting melodies reminiscent of 60s and 70s psychelia. It's absolutely amazing. From the opening orchestration of Cycle it's obvious this is going to be a spectacular trip. Its slow, dreamy journey continues on through Morning, and Say Goodbye until the more upbeat, first single Blue Moon and it's pulsing drum and folksy guitar. Second single, Waking Light, is one of the most moving pieces of pop music I have heard in years. Chock full of sensuous harmonies and lyrically moving, Morning Phase is the best piece of modern day folk, psychedelic music since one of my all time favorite albums, Goldfrapp's 2008 album Seventh Tree, which by the way was released at almost the exact same time of year as Morning Phase. Coincidence? Yes. I don't think that means anything, but I thought I'd throw it in there anyway. Anyhoo, you MUST get Morning Phase. Pre-order it now on iTunes in anticipation of its February 25th release date and Blue Moon and Waking Light download immediately. It's a truly exciting and satisfying album. Listen to Waking Light below.

Friday, February 7, 2014

MORE NEW LILY ALLEN FROM GIRLS, VOL. 2 SOUNDTRACK: L8 CMMR

More excellent sounds coming from Ms. Allen. Here is the new track L8 CMMR that will be on the Girls, Vol. 2 soundtrack coming out February 11th. An electro, auto-tune extravaganza, Lily talks about her man, who is apparently a "bad motherfucker", y'all! Listen and love and pre-order the Girls, Vol. 2 soundtrack on iTunes. Lena and her music supervisor Manish Raval are knocking out of the park once again with their musical taste. Listen, bitches.

NEW LILY ALLEN VIDEO: AIR BALLOON

ADORBS!! Lily Allen is nailing it with all her new music and Air Balloon is no freakin' exception. The second single from her as-of-yet untitled upcoming album, AB takes off in a totally different direction than her last,excellent effort It's Hard Our Here. This is a sweet tune with a beautiful video shot in South Africa. Lily looks great and the song is insanely catchy. Enjoy!! Buy Air Balloon on iTunes NOW!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

THE #1 SONG 40 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS....

....The Way We Were, by the one and only Barbra Streisand. The song was, of course, from the Robert Redford/Barbra Streisand movie of the same name and was written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch. The Way We Were reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on February 2, 1974, stayed for one week, was replaced by Love's Theme by Love Unlimited Orchestra and then returned to #1 for an additional two weeks on February 16th. WERQ! Never give up, Babs!!! The record also went on to win a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song for it's composers. Not too shabby. The song has been covered a number of times, but everyone seems to be completely out of f*cks to give for other versions because Babs stuck a fork in the shit and said "IT'S DONE!". So sit back, grab a glass of chardonnay and someone to cuddle with and take in the easy-listening classic, The Way We Were.

Monday, February 3, 2014

DOWNLOAD U2'S NEW SINGLE, INVISIBLE, FOR FREE FROM iTUNES!!!

U2 rarely lets us down, and Invisible is no different....in more ways than one. Partnering with Bank of America and the (RED) Foundation, U2 is offering their new single on iTunes for free through 11:59 tonight (Monday) and every download results in Band of America donating $1 to (RED) to fund the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Bono and the boys take us on a guitar driven ride in this song about self-enlightenment and self-worth. Bono says the band is currently working on a new studio album that will be out sometime this summer. In the meantime, enjoy a sneak preview of Invisible and download it on iTunes for free by clicking HERE.

NEW VIDEO: KYLIE MINOGUE - INTO THE BLUE

Kylie is back! Minogue has released a video for her new, glorious, uplifting, sparkling single Into the Blue and it's a sexy romp. The classy 45-year-old diva looks amazing and even has a little dance party that will remind you of  her classic clip for Spinning Around. The video was directed by the same dude, as it turns out, Dawn Shadforth, and co-stars French actor Clement Sibony. He is a hot piece, girl!!! Here is Kylie Minogue's Into the Blue. You can pre-order Kylie's new album, Kiss Me Once, now in iTunes and it's set for release on March 18th!!!

MILEY TAKES A LITTLE INSPIRATION FROM THE QUEEN OF POP


Miley Cyrus obviously has a lot of respect for Madonna (see her recent duet on Unplugged) and so in her newest spread for W Magazine the former Disney cutie takes on erotic turn. Of course most people will talk about the nude and semi-nude pics in the spread (click HERE for NSFW pics) but the one that struck me the most was the homage to Madonna's infamous Erotica cover. I posted them both together here so you can see the resemblance. Looks like Miley is setting her sights on the highest possible level of pop stardom and wants to draw on that well of brilliance to inspire herself. Smart, smart young lady. The girl has her eye on the prize. Keep it up, Miley. If you didn't see Miley's Unplugged, click HERE to watch the full episode. I watched it twice!! I love it!!! Watch the video for Miley's new single, the beautiful Adore You below.