1999-2001 was a pretty dark time for alternative rock radio (it's only starting to recover in the last few years). While it's easy (and fun) to blame it all on the rise of Neu Metal, that wasn't the death-knell entirely. The airwaves were also flooded with a crap-load of cookie-cutter one-hit wonder bands that mostly sounded the same (many of which were quite forgettable). Not to solely pick on Wheatus (there were plenty of others), but without looking it up, name another song by them. Yeah, I can't do it either, and I actually owned their record (past-tense). That said, there was a reason why I owned this record. The song's a ton of fun and besides...I'm an Iron Maiden fan...baby.
16 October 2012
15 October 2012
15 October 2012 - Nelly Furtado feat. Mala Rodríguez - Bajo Otra Luz
That's right. Nelly Furtado has done stuff besides "I'm Like A Bird" and "Promiscuous".
Nelly Furtado, in 2010, released an album entirely in Spanish. Normally, she writes all her own stuff, or at least co-writes it. This song, however, was not written by Nelly at all. Rather, it was largely written by Mexican pop star Julietta Venegas, with Mala Rodríguez writing her part of the tune. The combination of the voice of Furtado and the hip-hop of La Mala make for an interesting combination that I am sure you'll be humming for the rest of the day.
You might notice that the two ladies billed on this tune appear in this video in many fun costumes. That enough is worth the price of admission for me. There is a 3rd voice in this song who you don't see. Julieta Venegas was featured vocally, but not in the video because of her pregnancy.
Long time readers of this blog will know that I think everything Mala Rodríguez touches is pure gold. I can't overstate that enough.
Here are La Nelly and La Mala at the Latin Grammys, performing this song live. It sounds completely different and less sparse. Also, even though it is billed as her song, Nelly knows that that this audience knows Mala Rodríguez a whole lot better than her, and defers more to her in the chorus
Nelly Furtado, in 2010, released an album entirely in Spanish. Normally, she writes all her own stuff, or at least co-writes it. This song, however, was not written by Nelly at all. Rather, it was largely written by Mexican pop star Julietta Venegas, with Mala Rodríguez writing her part of the tune. The combination of the voice of Furtado and the hip-hop of La Mala make for an interesting combination that I am sure you'll be humming for the rest of the day.
You might notice that the two ladies billed on this tune appear in this video in many fun costumes. That enough is worth the price of admission for me. There is a 3rd voice in this song who you don't see. Julieta Venegas was featured vocally, but not in the video because of her pregnancy.
Long time readers of this blog will know that I think everything Mala Rodríguez touches is pure gold. I can't overstate that enough.
Here are La Nelly and La Mala at the Latin Grammys, performing this song live. It sounds completely different and less sparse. Also, even though it is billed as her song, Nelly knows that that this audience knows Mala Rodríguez a whole lot better than her, and defers more to her in the chorus
12 October 2012
12 October 2012 - The Spin Doctors - Little Miss Can't Be Wrong
Today, we feature a song that was way overplayed in the early 90's.And still, I always kind of liked this song, even though I disliked this band and their brand of hippiesque music.
Yes, I just invented the word "hippiesque". Pronounce it "Hippie-Esk", and make sure you credit me when you use it.
But back to the song. This song is fun, fast-paced, and clever in its happy snarkiness. What makes it even better - it was based on someone specific. This song wasn't their biggest hit - the incessantly annoying "Two Princes" holds that honor - but it is the song that, after a year of release, finally kickstarted the sales of their eventually platinum album "Pocket Full of Kryptonite." MTV started playing this song, and, as was their habit when they used to play music videos on MTV, they kept playing it on a continuous loop.
And I heard it on the radio the other day, which is why you're hearing it now.
Yes, I just invented the word "hippiesque". Pronounce it "Hippie-Esk", and make sure you credit me when you use it.
But back to the song. This song is fun, fast-paced, and clever in its happy snarkiness. What makes it even better - it was based on someone specific. This song wasn't their biggest hit - the incessantly annoying "Two Princes" holds that honor - but it is the song that, after a year of release, finally kickstarted the sales of their eventually platinum album "Pocket Full of Kryptonite." MTV started playing this song, and, as was their habit when they used to play music videos on MTV, they kept playing it on a continuous loop.
And I heard it on the radio the other day, which is why you're hearing it now.
11 October 2012
11 October 2012 - Psychedelic Furs - Heaven
Happy 80s Thursday WGPers!!! We'll get back to some truly embarrassing 80s videos next Thursday. You see, I pretty much have to post this video because I cannot get this Psychedlic Furs tune out of my head. Seriously, I heard it a week ago for the first time in a while and it is just not leaving. Granted, it's not a bad song to have stuck in one's head (I've had much worse), but I'm hoping that this post will exorcise the earworm.
Earworm be gone!!!
Earworm be gone!!!
10 October 2012
10 October 2012 - Aqua - Barbie Girl
This song, on the surface, does not seem to be high art. It seems to be synth-heavy derivative Euro dance pop music. However, this Swedish quartet brought us a song that was so much more than that.
Lyrically, this is one of the cleverest songs of the last thirty years. Balancing the little-girlish innocence with the adolescent sexuality is something that Mattel has done for more that 50 years with the Barbie doll. Aqua brings both of those feelings to this song in a lyrical sense. They did a good enough job at it to speak a lawsuit by Mattel (which Mattel lost) to protect the Barbie image...
The irony is that Mattel now licenses the song for use in promoting Barbie.
A lot of you are scoffing at my love of this song and my belief that it is clever. Perhaps it's the presentation. To prove to you that it is far more than just synth-heavy derivative Euro dance pop music, here is a clip of Aqua performing a far more rock-and-roll version of the song.
And, so you know they actually ARE musicians, here's their folksy version..... Actually, maybe it's more bossa nova.
You know what? I can't decide which version I like best. I like them all. Let me know in the comments what you think!
Lyrically, this is one of the cleverest songs of the last thirty years. Balancing the little-girlish innocence with the adolescent sexuality is something that Mattel has done for more that 50 years with the Barbie doll. Aqua brings both of those feelings to this song in a lyrical sense. They did a good enough job at it to speak a lawsuit by Mattel (which Mattel lost) to protect the Barbie image...
The irony is that Mattel now licenses the song for use in promoting Barbie.
A lot of you are scoffing at my love of this song and my belief that it is clever. Perhaps it's the presentation. To prove to you that it is far more than just synth-heavy derivative Euro dance pop music, here is a clip of Aqua performing a far more rock-and-roll version of the song.
And, so you know they actually ARE musicians, here's their folksy version..... Actually, maybe it's more bossa nova.
You know what? I can't decide which version I like best. I like them all. Let me know in the comments what you think!
09 October 2012
9 October 2012 - The Cardigans - Lovefool
I've never really felt guilty about loving The Cardigans. I've been a fan since the first time I heard today's song and picked up their First Band On The Moon record in 1996. I do have to say though that compared to the rest of their catalog, that Lovefool could certainly be considered a guilty pleasure with all of its bubble gum goodness.
08 October 2012
8 October 2012 - Bananarama - Cruel Summer
Am I a little late with this post? Yes. Does it make the song less catchy? No.
I remember defending my love of Bananarama in 1986, even before the release of "Venus". My love of these three ladies was not solely based on this interesting song with beautifully dark harmonies, but it was a prime example. It was a sad, dark song, but it still managed to be fun and catchy.
The wardrobe choice for this video, on the other hand.... what was the obsession with overalls in the early to mid 80's?!
I remember defending my love of Bananarama in 1986, even before the release of "Venus". My love of these three ladies was not solely based on this interesting song with beautifully dark harmonies, but it was a prime example. It was a sad, dark song, but it still managed to be fun and catchy.
The wardrobe choice for this video, on the other hand.... what was the obsession with overalls in the early to mid 80's?!
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