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!!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.