So, picture that you are in 2010. You're familiar with "Tik Tok" and that drunk girl with the dollar sign in her name. You're listening to the radio... and this song, full of emotion but still light and fun, comes on the radio.
You, like I, are probably a little surprised you're listening to the same artist. You probably aren't as offended as I was by the similarity in title to a Roxy Music title, but you're probably at least a little impressed.... even if she does refer to herself as a "lovesick crackhead."
One thing you probably didn't know about this song - Kesha (Sebert - it's her real name, without the dollar sign) co-wrote this song with her mother, Pebe. Ke$ha actually started off as a songwriter for other people, and so she is the rare pop artist who writers her own music. Which I would find more impressive, I guess, if she didn't have the lyric "Brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack" to her credit.
Anyway, I was eventually sold on Ke$ha as a truly talented artist who, thanks in large part to her first single, doesn't get enough credit for her talent. So, enjoy this.
By the way, here is her SNL performance of the song. Very little AutoTune appears to have been used (she does some vocal playing pretty openly at about 1:48 for effect, not correction)..... just a lot of Day-Glo body paint. My point is, pretty strong performance for someone who doesn't get credit for her talent....
(Update: 18 Dec 2020) Sometimes, YouTube takes down videos. So I replaced this one with a version in which Ke-Dollar Sign-Ha is still singing, clearly.
18 November 2013
15 November 2013
15 November 2013 - The Cardigans - Been It
Most people can name the biggest U.S. hit by The Cardigans.
"Lovefool"
On both its original issue in Europe and its reissue in the United States, this was the follow-up single. In both cases, it didn't do well on the charts - it did OK in the UK, but not elsewhere. My theory is that most people were expecting a light, fluffy song (even though their 2nd biggest hit here is far far darker), and they didn't get it.
Either that, or the use of the word "whore."
But what everyone missed was a gem of a dark pop hit that broke the mold of all expectations of a female-fronted band. A woman-driven pop sound that could be dark and bass-heavy - who knew that could happen?!? The song tells a story of someone who is regretting a lot of the stupid things she has done in relationships, and owning what she has been. Enjoy!
Update (10 July 2016) - All these years later, we found another version of this video!!!!
"Lovefool"
On both its original issue in Europe and its reissue in the United States, this was the follow-up single. In both cases, it didn't do well on the charts - it did OK in the UK, but not elsewhere. My theory is that most people were expecting a light, fluffy song (even though their 2nd biggest hit here is far far darker), and they didn't get it.
Either that, or the use of the word "whore."
But what everyone missed was a gem of a dark pop hit that broke the mold of all expectations of a female-fronted band. A woman-driven pop sound that could be dark and bass-heavy - who knew that could happen?!? The song tells a story of someone who is regretting a lot of the stupid things she has done in relationships, and owning what she has been. Enjoy!
Update (10 July 2016) - All these years later, we found another version of this video!!!!
14 November 2013
14 November 2013 - Stray Cats - Rock This Town
I've got the perfect* video for today's 80s Thursday post. Here's the Stray Cats with Rock This Town off of their self-titled debut from 1981.
*Please note the self-control I showed by not saying the "purrfect video." Of course by making this point, I am admitting that I considered it and instead felt that this "footnote" would be more amusing.
*Please note the self-control I showed by not saying the "purrfect video." Of course by making this point, I am admitting that I considered it and instead felt that this "footnote" would be more amusing.
13 November 2013
13 November 2013 - Terence Trent D'Arby - Wishing Well
Sure, he was really cocky when he came on the scene.
Sure, he changed his name to Sananda Maitreya, a name that came to him in a dream.
Sure, he had a ridiculous hairdo.
But damn, this was, and still is, a catchy song.
Sure, he changed his name to Sananda Maitreya, a name that came to him in a dream.
Sure, he had a ridiculous hairdo.
But damn, this was, and still is, a catchy song.
11 November 2013
11 November 2013 - MNDR - #1 In Heaven
I love doing this blog. Because of some of the guilty pleasures that have been posted here, I have actually learned about new artists that I would not have otherwise heard. Today's artist is one of these examples.
A few weeks ago, I posted a song by RAC, called "Let Go." Excellent song. Go ahead and listen to it. At the time, I noted that the song featured two additional artists, Kele and MNDR - the stage name/band name of Amanda Warner. I was familiar at the time with neither artist, and so I started making myself familiar.
Now, let's talk about this video. It is a bit of a throwback, visually, and also very much in-your-face. MNDR has very much created an in-your-face electronic sound, with a young, fresh, happy sound. And clearly, Amanda has a fair amount of swagger, which helps her sell a song that a lesser artists might not have been capable of.
As I frequently like to do, here is MNDR performing this song live at SXSW 2012. Notice how, whereas in the video she has a band, here she is alone on stage. She has made it very clear that she is MNDR, and it is not a band, even though she has a collaborator.
A few weeks ago, I posted a song by RAC, called "Let Go." Excellent song. Go ahead and listen to it. At the time, I noted that the song featured two additional artists, Kele and MNDR - the stage name/band name of Amanda Warner. I was familiar at the time with neither artist, and so I started making myself familiar.
Now, let's talk about this video. It is a bit of a throwback, visually, and also very much in-your-face. MNDR has very much created an in-your-face electronic sound, with a young, fresh, happy sound. And clearly, Amanda has a fair amount of swagger, which helps her sell a song that a lesser artists might not have been capable of.
As I frequently like to do, here is MNDR performing this song live at SXSW 2012. Notice how, whereas in the video she has a band, here she is alone on stage. She has made it very clear that she is MNDR, and it is not a band, even though she has a collaborator.
08 November 2013
8 November 2013 - OneRepublic - Counting Stars
I didn't really think I'd like this song at first. But, really, I don't know why not. It's a song that starts slow and works to a frantic pace, pretty quickly, which is exactly what I go for musically. These guys also mix traditional electric rock with acoustic instruments, which makes for a rich, interesting sound.
Finally, this song seems to have a higher purpose - almost like they're trying to be the next U2. Other stuff they've done - using heartbeats of children in need for the rhythm of songs and doing PSAs about that, for example - point to a social awareness higher than their contemporaries.
Finally, this song seems to have a higher purpose - almost like they're trying to be the next U2. Other stuff they've done - using heartbeats of children in need for the rhythm of songs and doing PSAs about that, for example - point to a social awareness higher than their contemporaries.
07 November 2013
7 November 2013 - Moonpools & Caterpillars - Hear
I've wanted to post this Moonpools & Caterpillars video for some time, but it was "unavailable to embed" which likely means that it will be blocked very shortly due to some sort of record label nonsense. Enjoy this 1995 feel-good song while you can. I know I will.
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