PHARRELL RECALLS A LITTLE SCUFFLE WITH MADONNA

Madonna's 2008 album Hard Candy featured quite a few songs she wrote with super-producer Pharrell Williams, but little did we know that the two battled during the recording process. In a radio interview recently Pharrell recalled the run-in. "The gist of it was that we kept doing this one take over and over and I just saw where it was going...I saw her beginning to get frustrated, so I was trying to get her to deviate from that and just try something different and she was like, ‘I got it!’..."
When Pharrell snapped back, "Listen, you can’t just talk to me any kind of way..." Madonna suggested the pair take the conversation outside of the studio. They talked it over and Pharrell says, "We went upstairs and had our little battle...It was cool and we hugged it out."
Well, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall upstairs!!! I'm sure it was nothing major because Pharrell appeared in the video for the song Give It 2 Me that they wrote together. The songs Williams wrote with Madonna were definitely the highlights of the album for sure. Take a listen to them below.

MADONNA FRIDAY: EXPRESS YOURSELF

Madonna is practically made of money, and in 1989 she was beginning to realize it. She was (is) the queen of everything and was riding the wave of her latest #1 album and single Like a Prayer. Her second single from LAP was the funky, hard-driving smash Express Yourself. Madonna decided to put some of that hard-earned money to use and make what was, at the time, the most expensive music video EVER, coming in at $5 million (it's still the 3rd most expensive). Directed by David Fincher, the video was a tribute to the silent film Metropolis and featured Madonna as the ruler of an industrial world, using half-naked men as her slaves and playthings and getting chained up, for her pleasure, in the process. Hot! The song itself hit #2 on the Hot 100 and opened her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. A fan favorite and one of Madonna's signature songs, Express Yourself sounds as up-to-date today as it did back then. So dance your cooch off to Express Yourself. Happy Madonna Friday!!

AVRIL LAVIGNE RESPONDS TO CLAIMS OF RACISM OVER "HELLO KITTY" VIDEO

Avril Lavigne is still a thing, y'all!! As a matter of fact, although Hello Kitty, her latest single off of her 2013 self-titled album (yes, that happened too), is pretty catchy, even if it sounds like something a Disney kid should be singing. The controversy surrounding the the release is not with the song though, it is with the Japanese culture inspired video. Many have stated that Avril's video is racist and exploits Japanese people and culture. Lavigne is laughing off such criticism via her twitter.

RACIST??? LOLOLOL!!! I love Japanese culture and I spend half of my time in Japan. I flew to Tokyo to shoot this video…
— Avril Lavigne (@AvrilLavigne) April 24, 2014

…specifically for my Japanese fans, WITH my Japanese label, Japanese choreographers AND a Japanese director IN Japan.
— Avril Lavigne (@AvrilLavigne) April 24, 2014

While I personally don't think she is at all making fun of or belittling Japanese "Kawaii" culture...THIS JUST IN: I'm not Japanese. It's not really for me to say. I think she was inspired by the culture and wrote a song and made a video to reflect that respect. This is pretty much a repeat of Gwen Stefani's album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. from 2004 and her use of "Harajuku Girls". Many people were offended by her appropriation of Japanese culture and fashion, but both of these artists are very popular in Japan. Is it just a reflection of their acknowledging those fans? As for the song and video, they are bright and catchy, but Avril is 29. Seems a little immature. What do you think? Is this video racist?

NEW PHARRELL VIDEO: MARILYN MONROE

Nice!! Pharrell is keeping in dance-tastic with his new single and video for Marilyn Monroe. The pint-sized pied piper of pop brings us the sexy, romantic ode to the perfect girl and even brings Kelly Osbourne, and of course his famous Vivienne Westwood hat, along for the ride. This is the opening track to his G I R L album and it's a goodie, y'all! Watch below and Pharrell dances his way through dozens of lovely lasses in color-blocked outfits looking for his one-and-only. Here is Marilyn Monroe.

NEW LILY ALLEN SONG: SHEEZUS

Lily Allen, as everyone knows, pulls no punches. Her new song, the hip-hop inspired title track from her upcoming 3rd full album Sheezus, finds Lily claiming the diva crown from Katy, Gaga, Lorde, Beyonce and beyond. Of course, Lils is always a little tongue-in-cheek, so take it for what it is. The chorus is a veritable who's who of female pop stars, "Ri-Ri isn't scared of Katy Perry's roaring, Queen Bey's gone back to the drawing/Lorde smells blood yeah, she's about to slay you, Kid ain't one to f--k with when she's only on her debut/ We're all watching Gaga, LOL haha, dying for the art so really she's a martyr." Heehee. I love Lily. It's all in good fun. She tells MTV, "It's kind of ridiculous because I name-check Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Lorde, and I don't think that I could even possibly take one tiny diamond off of any of their crowns," she explained. "The idea of the song is the ridiculousness that there even is a Sheezus." The video is a psychedelic romp with lots of bright colored graphics. Anyway, enjoy the video below. Sheezus, the album, is out May 6th in the US and May 5th in the UK.

COME ON! KATY PERRY PREPARES TO RUIN ANOTHER SONG WITH A DUMB VIDEO

Here is the teaser for Katy Perry's eye-sore-to-be video for her genuinely great song Birthday. It's going to be a travesty. Katy is playing several different options for birthday entertainment including an old whore, a Jewish comedian, an animal trainer and an annoying face painter. I can't. I simply CANNOT!! Come on! Give us one simple, pretty video like Teenage Dream or Waking Up In Vegas. BE A FUCKING PERSON! BE PRETTY! Stop thinking you're funny. I repeat, I can't. Watch.

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

.....No Scrubs by TLC. Released as the first single from their third album, FanMail, No Scrubs was no joke. The song, written by Xscape members Kandi Burrus, also of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Tameka Cottle, rocketed up the charts upon it's January 1999 release and hit #1 on April 10th, staying there for four consecutive weeks and racking up 17 weeks in the top 10 altogether. Hot. The video for the song, directed by Hype Williams, has a futuristic vibe, similar to that of Michael and Janet Jackson's Scream video, and the ladies look GOOD! The version of No Scrubs used in the video is not, however, on the album FanMail. The album version doesn't contain Left Eye's rap. This version was only found on the international single release and later on the group's greatest hits packages Now and Forever: The Hits and 20. It is definitely one of TLC's signature songs and was the second biggest hit of 1999, behind none other than Cher with Believe. And if you're not okay with taking second place to Cher, then you're not okay with me, buddy! Okay, here is the number one song from this day in 1999, 15 years ago, TLC's No Scrubs.

HAPPY MONDAY SONG: LOVE ON TOP - BEYONCE

Every Monday needs a pick me up, right? What better way to get your day going than with a happy, bouncy Beyonce tune? Isn't it weird that Love On Top is already three years old? It came out in 2011, y'all!!! It literally never gets old. EVER! The song hit #1 on the R&B and Dance Club charts, but only got to #20 on the Hot 100. I am not sure, but I think that is a crime. Haha!! Just kidding. It IS a crime. Someone must pay. Anyhoo........Take it all in and be a happy camper for at least 3:17 this morning. Here is Beyonce's Love On Top.

NEW KELIS: RUMBLE

Kelis' new album, Food, is out next Tuesday, y'all!!! I already wrote my review since I have it already -- I have my ways -- and it GOOD! The second single released from the album is a groovy, soulful jam called Rumble. It's sexy, rootsy and everything you expect from Kelis but with a retro-twist. It's a big ol' pile of YAAAAAAS! Check out the Christian Lamb directed video below that shows the outdoorsy side of the songstress. Now head over to iTunes to pre-order Food.

MADONNA FRIDAY: DEEPER AND DEEPER

Madonna's Erotica album, as I have noted before, is often thought of as all sex and no substance by those who didn't ever bother giving it a try, yet one of her most effective dance singles ever came from the underrated masterpiece, Deeper and Deeper. Released as the second single from Erotica in December 1992, Deeper and Deeper is a straight up call to the dance floor, hearkening back to Vogue, Causing a Commotion and Express Yourself. The song also, in part, follows Madonna's pattern of including a Spanish influence on her albums with the breakdown in the middle featuring acoustic flamenco guitar and castanets. Ole'! And DO NOT forget that Deeper and Deeper also references Vogue at the end of the song with the "Let your body move to the music. Let your bodY go with the flow" refrain. YAAAS! The video for the song, directed by Bobby Woods, features many of Madonna's friends including Sofia Coppola, Udo Kier, Debi Mazar and has Madonna, playing a character inspired by Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick, dancing in a nightclub, partying with friends and eating bananas. Ha! CAMPTASTIC! Madonna also debuted a new look: No eyebrows! She looks fierce, y'all!!! Deeper and Deeper climbed to #7 on the Hot 100 and was her 15th #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. Critics have called it one of her best Disco inspired singles ever. So, here is your dance-happy Madonna Friday song, Deeper and Deeper. Enjoy and Happy Madonna Friday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VICTORIA "POSH SPICE" BECKHAM!!

Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, is 40 today!! Victoria is so much more than a former Spice Girl, she is a fashion icon and mogul and a mommy to four kids with a husband who is hotter than a two dollar pistol!! Hard to believe she was once my least favorite Spice Girl!! I am a little obsessed with her now. Her fashion line is quite literally everything. Of course, Victoria, like all the other Spice Girls, took her run at the charts solo as well and is actually the only Spice to hit the top ten in the UK with all of her single releases. Granted, she released three singles, BUT STILL!! I rather enjoyed some of her songs, like the cheeky ones below, and I certainly enjoy her style. Watch the videos below (the first one is HILARIOUS and campy and the second is sexy as all hell) and bask in her fierceness. Happy birthday, Vicki!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF CYNDI LAUPER'S "SHE'S SO UNUSUAL"

In 1983 women in rock were still pretty marginalized. There were a few up-and-comers trying to break that mold, including Madonna (who was yet to hit big) but the first woman to change the game, take control and ignite some girl power on the charts was Cyndi Lauper with her debut solo album She's So Unusual. Although it was released at the tail end of 1983, She's So Unusual really took off in 1984, so Cyndi toured the album last year but just released She's So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration on April 1st. The set comes packed with demo versions of the songs on the album, a demo of a left out track and some special remixes and B-sides. It's a doozy! Of course, upon its original release, She's So Unusual was praised by critics for Cyndi's unique voice and persona as well as the maturity of the songwriting and vocal performance. It was the first album by a woman to have four top 5 singles on the Hot 100 from one album with Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (#2), Time After Time (#1), She Bop (#3) and All Through the Night (#5). She had one more hit with Money Changes Everything (#27) as well. What is most remarkable about the album is that there is not a single filler song on it. Cyndi's flexible voice covered Prince (When You Were Mine) and Jules Shear (All Through the Night) as well as taking musical influence from ska, reggae and even covered a Boop-style song from 1929! She even not-so-subtly addresses the joy of female masturbation in the song She Bop. WERQ! She's So Unusual was showered with accolades including six Grammy nominations, including album of the year, and ten MTV VMA nominations. Cyndi won Best New Artist at the Grammy awards and home the Moon Man for Best Female Video for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun at the VMAs. She's So Unusual pops up on most "Best of" charts in music magazines including Rolling Stone's 2003 "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" (#494) and Slant Magazine's "Best Albums of the 80s" (#22). The album is an absolute jewel and a time capsule of early/mid 80s music. I saw Cyndi perform the album live last year and, let me tell you, that bitch can still sing every note. She's the real deal. Enjoy the album's videos below and the tracks not released as well, in order as they appear on the album. Here is Cyndi Lauper's seminal girl-power album, She's So Unusual.

HUMPDAY SEXY SONG: WHATEVER YOU WANT - TINA TURNER

Tina Turner is a timeless sex goddess and legendary rock goddess, so it only makes sense that a few of her songs are Humpday anthems. Case in point is Tina's 1996 song Whatever You Want from her excellent Wildest Dreams album. It was released as a single after Tina's James Bond theme Golden Eye (YAAAAS!) and has a similar feel to it. Whatever You Want was written by, among others, none other than 80s/90s songstress  Taylor Dayne and it boasts some awesomely sexy production by Trevor Horn. Of course, Tina was only about 56 (almost 57) when this song came out, so naturally she's in a body suit in the Stephane Sednaoui directed video. WHAT? Girl is looking S-N-A-T-C-H-E-D in this clip, y'all. It's very Tron, but with a sexy, strong black woman giving you legs for days. This song is, in my opinion -- which, to be clear, is all that matters -- one of Tina's best ever. Enjoy Whatever You Want and hump a 56 year old today. No. Wait. Don't. Ask first.

THE #1 SONG 30 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS.....

....Footloose by Kenny Loggins. Yes, everybody was cutting "footloose" back in '84 and, although that sounds incredibly painful, it was actually totally fun. Kenny Loggins was pretty much the soundtrack king back in the day. Between the songs from Footloose, the title track and I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man) (#22 US, 1984) my actual favorite Kenny Loggins soundtrack song, I'm Alright (#7 US, 1980) from Caddyshack, Danger Zone (#2 US, 1986) from Top Gun, Meet Me Halfway (#11 US, 1987) from Over the Top, and Nobody's Fool (#8 US, 1988) from Caddyshack II,  Kenny was the go-to dude to have a hit on MTV to promote your movie. Footloose, the song, soundtrack and movie, were all cultural phenomena when they hit in early 1984 and Footloose was the lead single. The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 31st and stayed for three weeks, becoming the first of two #1 songs from the film, the other being Deniece Williams' Let's Hear It For The Boy. The video was put together using the now-iconic scenes from the film, especially the warehouse dance sequence. It sold the shit out of the film, girl!! Footloose hit #1 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand as well as her in the US. There is no doubt that anytime, anywhere there is an 80s playlist on, Footloose will be the ass-shaker coming up next. Here is the #1 song from 30 years ago today, Footloose by Kenny Loggins.

NEW LANA DEL REY: WEST COAST

Wow! I must say that I am pleasantly surprised on many levels with Lana Del Rey's new song, West Coast. Not only is it not just a repeat of her earlier material, it is also very good! Moody, 70s psychedelic rock influenced West Coast is heavy drums and a slight reggae beat, and the chorus is like falling into a trance as the music slows and Lana's vocals go all breathy and dreamy. I'm very much liking it. Listen to the song below, and don't worry, this is not the video, just a clip on a loop to introduce the single. Lana looks hot though!! Enjoy West Coast. Lana's new album, Ultraviolence, is due sometime is the next couple of months.

MADONNA FRIDAY: GAMBLER

"You can't stop me now, 'cuz I'm right and I'm making advances. Let me show you how. Tonight I'll be taking my chances on you." The oft forgotten OTHER song from the Vision Quest Soundtrack, Gambler was the second single released in the UK  from that film, which featured Madonna as a nightclub singer, after Crazy for You. The song was never released as a single in the US at the request of Madonna's record label, Sire, so it wouldn't compete the the Like A Virgin singles already flooding the market. Crazy For You had already hit #1 from the soundtrack for its label, Geffen, and Sire did not want a repeat in the US. And that, my friends, is how the music industry works. The video, however, was released to MTV to promote the film and Madonna performed it on her Virgin Tour, which is the video I included in this post. The song was written by Madonna all by herself and produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez, her frequent collaborator and sometimes boyfriend at that time. The song was released in other countries and was a top 10 hit in the UK (#4), Australia (#10), Ireland and Italy (#3) and other territories.  I know I listened to the shiz out of this song on my little cassette player, so it was released in MY childhood bedroom/nightclub. Anyway, here is a forgotten classic by the one and only Madonna, Gambler. Enjoy your Madonna Friday!

NEW KATY PERRY: BIRTHDAY

Katy Perry has released a lyric video to her next single, Birthday. The peppy, upbeat, sexy little tune is def one of the highlights of her album Prism. It was written by Perry, Bonnie McKee, Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Cirkut. That's a lot of fingers in the pie, if you will. In the lyric video, Katy prepares all sorts of sweets for the object of her affection -- or CONfection, if you will. See what I did there? And yes, that is Katy and her sister on the single's artwork from a childhood birthday party. Since the song is actually pretty sexual, is it creepy to put a picture of your sister on the artwork? Am I over thinking this? Okay. I'll shut up. Enjoy the perfectly delightful Birthday below. Katy, don't fuck this one up with another eyesore of a video. Thanks.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: STING

Oh, Sting, ye of the tantric sex legend. Can you imagine, hours upon hours of sex with Sting? WAIT! Hold up. That is not what this is about. This is about the music. Sting (Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner) was, of course, the lead singer of the pioneering new wave band The Police. The Police had a fairly short but hugely successful career, spanning five albums and several classic singles. After the band disbanded, Sting took his sexy ass solo in 1985 with his debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles (#3 UK, #2 US) and hit the top 10 with If You Love Somebody Set Them Free and Fortress Around Your Heart. That was just the start as Sting's solo career soon overtook any success The Police had on the pop charts. Subsequent albums like Nothing Like The Sun, The Soul Cages, Ten Summoner's Tales, Mercury Falling and Brand New Day kept him on the charts all over the world. His ageless sexiness certainly didn't hurt either. Hits like We'll Be Together, All This Time, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Fields of Gold and Desert Rose have kept Sting in our hearts and ear-holes since the late 70s and he is still touring and a force to be reckoned with to this day. Here are some of the sexy Police-man's greatest hits and videos to warm you up today. Enjoy.

NEW KYLIE MINOGUE: I WAS GONNA CANCEL

Kylie Minogue has announced that the next single from her excellent Kiss Me Once album will be the Pharrell written and produced groove I Was Gonna Cancel. It's an upbeat, funky little tune much in the vein of Pharrell's better work like Happy and Get Lucky and his excellent bonus track on Madonna's Hard Candy album Ring My Bell, click HERE to experience that treat. To accompany the announcement, here is her official lyric video, all neon and niceness. While this was not on my wish list of songs to be released as a single from Kiss Me Once (I would prefer Les Sex, Million Miles or Feels So Good) I do think it's quite catchy and having the uber-hot Pharrell attached is not gonna hurt. So check out I Was Gonna Cancel below.

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

.....Eternal Flame by The Bangles. The Bangles had already reached the top of the Hot 100 once with Walk Like An Egyptian in 1986, but Eternal Flame was little less of a surprise hit and eventually broke up the band. Susanna Hoffs, who most people consider the "lead" singer (the band disputes that label) wrote the song with hit-makers Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly and released it as the second single from their 1988 album Everything. While members of the band all agreed that the song was perfectly lovely, they didn't feel that Eternal Flame sounded like their music. Guitarist Michael Steele said on their episode of VH1's Behind the Music it was more of a Whitney Houston ballad than a song by The Bangles. The record label backed Hoffs and released the song, which hit #1 on the Hot 100 on April 1, 1989. April's Fool's indeed! Eternal Flame also topped the charts in Australia, the UK, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands and Ireland as well as the US Adult Contemporary chart.  It is definitely one of their signature hits. The band eventually mended fences in the late 90s and put our another album and toured. Eternal Flame lives on.