4 April 2012 - Snow Patrol - Run

Sometimes I really wonder what the hell is wrong with me (and for those of you with any guesses, please keep 'em to yourselves...thanks). While I have no problem admitting to liking pop musicians like Kelly Clarkson or country stars like Taylor Swift, I sometimes get squeamish admitting that I like a band like Snow Patrol. I know that sounds ridiculous, but to me it's almost like admitting to liking Coldplay (which I don't). Regardless, it took some time, but local radio pounded this Scottish band's songs into my head to the point where I HAD to start buying their records. Here's one of the finer tracks off of their Final Straw record -- the first record by them that I was brainwashed -- yes, that's it, brainwashed -- into buying.

3 April 2012 - Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

Our first By Request post goes out to the Rochester Institute of Technology Curling Team, who had a great weekend at a bonspiel, but came back with this song stuck in their heads.

Ms. Jepsen was a third place winner on Canadian Idol a few years ago.  This single, from her 3rd album, is her current one, and currently ranks at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100!  Enjoy this fresh-faced artist performing a current song!

Update (3 May 2012): This song is currently at #5 on the pop charts, with a bullet!

Update (15 May 2012): #4 with a bullet on the Billboard charts.  And, as you can see here, the memes are a-comin'!

Update (24 May 2012): #2 with a bullet.  This song will likely be the next #1.  Also, Carly performed the song on the 2012 Billboard awards this past weekend.  Enjoy this!

Update (11 June 2012): #2 still, but, having been declared The Song of The Summer, what better way to celebrate than to do a version of your song with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots?   Also, can someone please explain to me why the hell this song isn't #1 yet?!




Update (23 August 2012): Well, the song spent 9 weeks at #1, and is the longest tenured song at #1 for the year.  And guess who was on The Today Show today, performing that biggest hit of the year?  Well, here it is. Enjoy it!

2 April 2012 - Taylor Swift - Ours & Back to December

Last night, Taylor Swift won the Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Second year in a row. Not bad for a 22-year-old.

I suppose the timing is right to finally post a couple of videos by one of my favorite country singers at the moment. Yup, you read that right...and I don't feel guilty about it at all.

First up is Ours, which just spent a remarkable NINE weeks atop the CMT Top 20 Countdown.



And finally, here's the stunning video for Back To December.

1 April 2012 - Röyksopp - Eple

Since the World Men's Curling Championship started yesterday, and my favorite Norwegians are among the frontrunners, I wanted to find you Norwegian music to enjoy that wasn't a-ha. So I chose Röyksopp, a great electronic duo who keeps reinventing themselves.

This particular song and video is from their 2001 debut album. It is perhaps the most well-organized video postcard, set to music that is sure to make you smile. And visit Norway.

31 March 2012 - Olivia Newton-John - A Little More Love

In the late 70's, Olivia was everywhere.  From the radio, to television, to movies with ELO and roller skates.  Oh, and she played Sandy in Grease.

Olivia's music was country-infused - she was one of the first Australian artists to have a US Country hit - but in the late 70's, she moved to more straight-ahead pop. This was one of her earlier pop hits, around the time of the release of Grease.  I love her innocent sound, even though her songs are borderline dirty.  I hope you enjoy it.



(Update: 2 April 2018)  I had intended to post THIS SONG today, to match our cover by Juliana Hatfield over at Totally Covered.  Well, that didn't work out, so instead, I fixed a broken video on this post and I'm adding another.  Enjoy!

30 March 2012 - BulletBoys - Smooth Up In Ya

So a few weeks ago, on one of these Hair Metal Friday posts, I mentioned that the first concert I ever went to was Cinderella. What I failed to mention that day was that the BulletBoys were the opening act (I still haven't come to terms with the middle band...maybe in time). Here's the only BulletBoys song I remember. A ringing endorsement. Right?

29 March 2012 - Paris Hilton - Stars Are Blind

The pleasures don't get much guiltier than this.  But hear me out.

Paris Hilton certainly doesn't need a recording career.  She's got the Hilton Hotel billions behind her.  And her career as a party girl.  And her sex tape.   But she did it anyway.  Well, some people say she didn't actually do the singing.  I actually think it sounds like her.

Now, the song itself isn't about to win any awards.  It's straight-ahead pop music.  But it's also not pretending to be.  Lyrically, it's a sweet song, and one that appears diametrically opposed to the public persona of Paris Hilton herself.

Now, everyone, sit down and enjoy the video.