OK, Tony posted a Nickelodeon boy band video yesterday, so I'm going to one-up the cheese factor and post a video by a former Barney & Friends actress and newest X Factor judge (not sure which one of those two gigs is cheesier). All kidding aside, I actually found this song to be quite striking the first time I heard it, and I still do (the rest of the album...yeah, not so much). Give it a shot, she's got a great voice and the video's pretty cool in that tortured I'm walking through the desert way that seems to be popular these days.
31 July 2012
30 July 2012
30 July 2012 - Big Time Rush - Windows Down
One of the current crop of boy bands, Big Time Rush have their own show on Nickelodeon. And, with a nod and a wink to Blur, here is their latest tune. It's fun, it's exciting, and it features a lot of young men in water and in convertibles they are probably too young to drive which getting really close to the camera.
Oh, and for all of you with the One Direction Infection, and not the Big Time Rush Rash, we'll have you covered later this week.
Oh, and for all of you with the One Direction Infection, and not the Big Time Rush Rash, we'll have you covered later this week.
27 July 2012
27 July 2012 - P!nk - Get The Party Started
We continue Hall of Fame Week by showcasing P!nk's first major hit, off her 2nd album. Her first album had a decidedly pop/R&B sound, but starting with this song, the R&B was replaced by a rockier, harder-edged sound. This song is an ultimate party song - high energy, lots of fun, the word "party" in the title - but still keeps a uniqueness about itself.
The video is a little bit on the obnoxious side, but at least there's still a little pink in P!nk's hair....
The video is a little bit on the obnoxious side, but at least there's still a little pink in P!nk's hair....
26 July 2012
26 July 2012 - P!nk - So What
I know you're all bummed that you don't get your weekly dose of 80s Thursdays (or whateverthehell I'm calling it these days), but we're celebrating our latest Hall of Fame inductee P!nk this week. Deal.
Here's another one of my favorite P!nk videos. I mean, c'mon, how can you not like the sight of her driving down a busy street drinking beers on a riding lawnmower, beating up a guitar store salesman (hey, who hasn't wanted to do that?), wielding a chainsaw, throwing beer cans at an ex's car, stripping for paparazzi, accidentally setting her hair on fire with a lighter and hairspray, handing out piss beers, and getting in a big group pillow fight? For all of those reasons, I salute you Alecia! You and fellow WGP Hall of Famer Katy Perry can hang out and drink with me any time.
Here's another one of my favorite P!nk videos. I mean, c'mon, how can you not like the sight of her driving down a busy street drinking beers on a riding lawnmower, beating up a guitar store salesman (hey, who hasn't wanted to do that?), wielding a chainsaw, throwing beer cans at an ex's car, stripping for paparazzi, accidentally setting her hair on fire with a lighter and hairspray, handing out piss beers, and getting in a big group pillow fight? For all of those reasons, I salute you Alecia! You and fellow WGP Hall of Famer Katy Perry can hang out and drink with me any time.
25 July 2012
25 July 2012 - P!nk - Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
This is about as fresh as a Hall-of-Famer gets, people. So new that it doesn't have a real video yet. P!nk's current single is just as salacious and clever and pop-rock great as anything else she's ever done. In its 2nd week on the Billboard Top 100 (as of this writing), it sits at #9.
This isn't a real video, but it is official. As soon as a real video comes, I will post it, but until then, enjoy.
27 July 2012: We finally have a real video!
This isn't a real video, but it is official. As soon as a real video comes, I will post it, but until then, enjoy.
27 July 2012: We finally have a real video!
24 July 2012
24 July 2012 - P!nk - Sober
As you may or may not have read yesterday (and I hope you did), Tony and I have decided to add P!nk into the Wicked Guilty Pleasures Hall of Fame. She now joins our first inductee Katy Perry. I had no idea we were going to do this last week when I posted my two favorite P!nk videos, but you can revisit the magic here.
On to today's video. As I'm sure I mentioned before, I started to casually listen to pop radio a few years ago, mostly out of boredom with the local rock stations (including a mostly indie/hippie station). Something new, as odd as it sounds. While I had previously heard of P!nk, I really didn't know her music beyond Get The Party Started (which really didn't register in my world when it came out). But the new stuff I was hearing (off her Funhouse record) really impressed me and I started to pay attention. Here's one of my Funhouse favorites (and it's a pretty cool video to boot).
On to today's video. As I'm sure I mentioned before, I started to casually listen to pop radio a few years ago, mostly out of boredom with the local rock stations (including a mostly indie/hippie station). Something new, as odd as it sounds. While I had previously heard of P!nk, I really didn't know her music beyond Get The Party Started (which really didn't register in my world when it came out). But the new stuff I was hearing (off her Funhouse record) really impressed me and I started to pay attention. Here's one of my Funhouse favorites (and it's a pretty cool video to boot).
23 July 2012
23 July 2012 - P!nk - Trouble
Today, we would like to induct P!nk as our second Wicked Guilty Pleasure Hall of Fame honoree. Her volume of output alone has made her worthy. Her willingness to replace the I in her name with punctuation makes her more so. The fact that she hasn't had pink hair in years but still hasn't reverted back to calling herself Alecia ices it for me.
We know Scott featured P!nk last week, and we're going to have P!nk for you all week. We start with my favorite P!nk song and video. It's the first time in my memory that she truly steered away from pop and into straight-ahead rock. From a chart standpoint, it wasn't her biggest success, but from the standpoint of establishing her voice, it was spot on. Also, it highlights the range of her husky voice, better than any other song.
Plus, it features P!nk riding a horse. No horses were harmed in the making of this video.
Plus, it features P!nk riding a horse. No horses were harmed in the making of this video.
19 July 2012
19 July 2012 - Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
It's 80s Thursday!
So I jokingly mentioned to Tony last night that I was going to post a Wham! video. Then this morning I thought to myself, why not? Then I watched the video for the first time in a LONG time. Needless to say the joke's on me.
It's all good though. It's kind of a fun video. And inspirational too! I think I'm going to clap and prance around the bar today just like George Michael...if only I had those rad shorts. Jitterbug!
So I jokingly mentioned to Tony last night that I was going to post a Wham! video. Then this morning I thought to myself, why not? Then I watched the video for the first time in a LONG time. Needless to say the joke's on me.
It's all good though. It's kind of a fun video. And inspirational too! I think I'm going to clap and prance around the bar today just like George Michael...if only I had those rad shorts. Jitterbug!
18 July 2012
18 July 2012 - Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
Sure, most of you know this song from "The Full Monty". But it was around a long time before that.
Hot Chocolate was a big time soul group in the Motown tradition, but with a disco twist. The twist? They're British. One of only three acts to have a charting hit in the UK every year of the 1970's (Elvis Presley and Diana Ross being the other two), Hot Chocolate still tour today, even though they don't make hits anymore. This song, which wasn't their biggest hit - it was in the US, but not worldwide - but is their most enduring.
So, enjoy this song, originally written and released as a B-side, because it could not possibly be a hit.
Hot Chocolate was a big time soul group in the Motown tradition, but with a disco twist. The twist? They're British. One of only three acts to have a charting hit in the UK every year of the 1970's (Elvis Presley and Diana Ross being the other two), Hot Chocolate still tour today, even though they don't make hits anymore. This song, which wasn't their biggest hit - it was in the US, but not worldwide - but is their most enduring.
So, enjoy this song, originally written and released as a B-side, because it could not possibly be a hit.
17 July 2012
17 July 2012 - Pink - Please Don't Leave Me/F**ckin' Perfect
How the hell is it possible that we've had almost 180 posts here at Wicked Guilty Pleasures and not one of them dedicated to Pink? Friends, we've done you a great disservice. I'm sure many of you have heard her songs, but I wonder how many of you have seen her videos which have been quite entertaining over the last few years?
The first video is one of my favorites off her fantastic Funhouse record (think of it as a humorous version of the movie Misery...and for those who thought that Misery was a comedy...what the hell is wrong with you?).
The second video is for one of my favorite pop songs of 2011 (yeah, I know it was "released" in 2010, but it really didn't blow up until last year). And yes, this is the NSFW version (I really don't like the radio version), so if you're at work and watching this, good for you! Stick it to the man!
The first video is one of my favorites off her fantastic Funhouse record (think of it as a humorous version of the movie Misery...and for those who thought that Misery was a comedy...what the hell is wrong with you?).
The second video is for one of my favorite pop songs of 2011 (yeah, I know it was "released" in 2010, but it really didn't blow up until last year). And yes, this is the NSFW version (I really don't like the radio version), so if you're at work and watching this, good for you! Stick it to the man!
16 July 2012
16 July 2012 - Walter Egan - Magnet and Steel
This 1978 hit is why anyone knows Walter Egan's name in the first place. It's a little science-y - you know, magnets and steel are attracted to each other.... get it? - but still keeps a quiet sweetness about it. without losing its rock edge.
Produced by Lindsey Buckingham, this song is a classic. Gravitate to it.
Produced by Lindsey Buckingham, this song is a classic. Gravitate to it.
13 July 2012
13 July 2012 - Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters
I know, it's a weak Friday the 13th tie in. Still, I ain't afraid of no ghosts.
The movie was a lot of fun. The video featured cameos by several celebrities that you would have known in 1985, like Chevy Chase, George Wendt, Teri Garr (!) and Irene Cara. And the song was really good 80's R&B with a heavy snyth element. It is a throwback, but an excellent one.
Plus, Ray Parker Jr. used a lot of Jheri Curl.
The movie was a lot of fun. The video featured cameos by several celebrities that you would have known in 1985, like Chevy Chase, George Wendt, Teri Garr (!) and Irene Cara. And the song was really good 80's R&B with a heavy snyth element. It is a throwback, but an excellent one.
Plus, Ray Parker Jr. used a lot of Jheri Curl.
12 July 2012
12 July 2012 - Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf
It's time for another 80s Thursday (still don't like that name, but what can you do?).
Next to Michael Jackson, was there any artist/band played more during MTV's heyday than Duran Duran? Probably, but I can't think of any at the moment, so let's just take my word on it. I always liked Duran Duran (hell, I even had a Beta videotape of their early videos). Looking back now at the old days, I almost wonder if they would've had the same success without the music video. Don't get me wrong, those old songs are still great, but it was their videos that made them legends. Here's one of my favorites.
Next to Michael Jackson, was there any artist/band played more during MTV's heyday than Duran Duran? Probably, but I can't think of any at the moment, so let's just take my word on it. I always liked Duran Duran (hell, I even had a Beta videotape of their early videos). Looking back now at the old days, I almost wonder if they would've had the same success without the music video. Don't get me wrong, those old songs are still great, but it was their videos that made them legends. Here's one of my favorites.
11 July 2012
11 July 2012 - The Odds - Heterosexual Man (+ non-guilty Corner Gas bonuses!)
This mid-90's Canadian tribute to heterosexual masculinity was written and performed by singer/songwriter Craig Northey and his band, The Odds. It is a wickedly funny pop song that didn't get nearly enough airplay in the States.
After the Odds broke up in 1999, Craig Northey went on to do some collaboration work, most notable with Jesse Valenzuela from the Gin Blossoms (I am sure you all have the Northey Valenzuela record, right?). He also did a lot of television scoring, most notably this opening theme (performed as Northey Valenzuela) for perhaps the greatest television series in history, Corner Gas. The version here is from the Season 5 DVD, which I do not yet own.
I really miss Corner Gas.
His success with Corner Gas prompted Craig Northey to reform the Odds, and he included the CLOSING theme on their reunion album. I use this song as my ringtone. No joke. Greatest opening riff in television history, even if it didn't get enough love outside of Canada.
After the Odds broke up in 1999, Craig Northey went on to do some collaboration work, most notable with Jesse Valenzuela from the Gin Blossoms (I am sure you all have the Northey Valenzuela record, right?). He also did a lot of television scoring, most notably this opening theme (performed as Northey Valenzuela) for perhaps the greatest television series in history, Corner Gas. The version here is from the Season 5 DVD, which I do not yet own.
I really miss Corner Gas.
His success with Corner Gas prompted Craig Northey to reform the Odds, and he included the CLOSING theme on their reunion album. I use this song as my ringtone. No joke. Greatest opening riff in television history, even if it didn't get enough love outside of Canada.
10 July 2012
10 July 2012 - Rachel Platten - 1,000 Ships
Every so often I turn my radio dial (OK, not really, I push the preset button) to the "adult alternative/pop" station. You know the type of station, it plays P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Gotye, Adele, Avril etc. For a while I kept hearing today's song, but could never figure out who sang it. Seemed I was always driving when it came on and I'm not coordinated enough to drive my pick-up truck and use the Soundhound app on my phone at the same time (hell, I can barely walk and use my phone at the same time, but that's another story).
UNNECESSARY RANT ALERT: Seriously, what is it about pop radio where they refuse to tell you who sang the song unless it's like the hugest song on the planet...yeah, we all know that was just Adele...who hasn't heard Rolling in the Deep? UNNECESSARY RANT OVER
Anyway, one day I was finally lucky enough to be in a parking lot when the song came on and I finally found out who sang it. Oddly enough, it was one of the $5 deals at Amazon that month so I was able to pick it up for cheap. Good record.
UNNECESSARY RANT ALERT: Seriously, what is it about pop radio where they refuse to tell you who sang the song unless it's like the hugest song on the planet...yeah, we all know that was just Adele...who hasn't heard Rolling in the Deep? UNNECESSARY RANT OVER
Anyway, one day I was finally lucky enough to be in a parking lot when the song came on and I finally found out who sang it. Oddly enough, it was one of the $5 deals at Amazon that month so I was able to pick it up for cheap. Good record.
09 July 2012
9 July 2012 - Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up
At one point, The Black Eyed Peas were a three piece all male group. They would frequently bring in female guest stars, such as Macy Gray, to do some harmonies or call-and-answer.
When it came time to record their third album, Will.I.Am called a former member of girl group Wild Orchid and Kids Incorporated cast member Stacy Ferguson, to try out on the call-and-answer song we feature today. Needless to say, it was a good match - you know her better as Fergie. She went on to record five other songs with the group for that album, many of which became big hits, and was granted full member status in time for their fourth album.
You know from previous posts how much I love call-and-answer hip-hop, and this is no exception. The Peas were already a decent hip-hop trio before Fergie was thrown in, and her edgy pop style really fused well with the trio.
When it came time to record their third album, Will.I.Am called a former member of girl group Wild Orchid and Kids Incorporated cast member Stacy Ferguson, to try out on the call-and-answer song we feature today. Needless to say, it was a good match - you know her better as Fergie. She went on to record five other songs with the group for that album, many of which became big hits, and was granted full member status in time for their fourth album.
You know from previous posts how much I love call-and-answer hip-hop, and this is no exception. The Peas were already a decent hip-hop trio before Fergie was thrown in, and her edgy pop style really fused well with the trio.
06 July 2012
6 July 2012 - Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
Yo, VIP. Let's kick it.
Admit it. You loved this song in 1991. It was a monstrous hit. Everyone loved it. Even if it clearly ripped off the hook from "Under Pressure". Even if it was Vanilla's only hit. Everyone knew every lyric. Everyone loved it.
Including me.
Oh, wait. The bassline is not the same. He said so.
Admit it. You loved this song in 1991. It was a monstrous hit. Everyone loved it. Even if it clearly ripped off the hook from "Under Pressure". Even if it was Vanilla's only hit. Everyone knew every lyric. Everyone loved it.
Including me.
Oh, wait. The bassline is not the same. He said so.
05 July 2012
5 July 2012 - Flo Rida - Whistle
Did you ever have a song that you really, really wanted to hate, but just couldn't? For me, "Whistle" is that song right now.
I haven't in the past really been a fan of Flo Rida. (Florida. His name is Florida.) With this song, he might have won me over. Anyone who can so seamlessly blend acoustic guitar and hip-hop is A-OK in my book. Plus, it's instructional - it is teaching a new generation how to whistle. That is what this song is about, right?
I haven't in the past really been a fan of Flo Rida. (Florida. His name is Florida.) With this song, he might have won me over. Anyone who can so seamlessly blend acoustic guitar and hip-hop is A-OK in my book. Plus, it's instructional - it is teaching a new generation how to whistle. That is what this song is about, right?
04 July 2012
4 July 2012 - X - Fourth of July (Special Guilt-Free Edition)
No guilt here. Just patriotism. This is a song - one of my favorite songs by great Los Angeles punk pioneers. John Doe and Exene Cervenka's harmonies really shine on this song.
03 July 2012
3 July - Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
Forget for a minute that this is Justin Bieber. Forget the fact that he's borrowing Vanilla Ice's hair in this video. Forget that he looks so squeeky-clean and out of place with these ladies. Forget that he's Mr. Selena Gomez. Don't forget that it is he who brought us Carly Rae Jepsen.
This song is sparse and catchy and kind of hot. Even if you don't have the Bieber Fever, you can enjoy this new summer classic. I mean, he's trying to replicate Justin Timberlake's career here, but this song is actually almost completely listenable.
This song is sparse and catchy and kind of hot. Even if you don't have the Bieber Fever, you can enjoy this new summer classic. I mean, he's trying to replicate Justin Timberlake's career here, but this song is actually almost completely listenable.
02 July 2012
2 July 2012 - Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore
Cliff Richard was England's answer to Elvis. Sort of. He was a huge hitmaker in the UK - one of the biggest of all time. He charted in every decade from the 1950's through at least 2009 in Europe. In the US, he hasn't had quite as much success, although he had top 40 hits in the 60's, 70's, and 80's here.
This hit from 1979 was far and away his biggest, hitting #7 in the US and #1 in most of the rest of the world. And I find myself humming it on a nearly weekly basis.
This hit from 1979 was far and away his biggest, hitting #7 in the US and #1 in most of the rest of the world. And I find myself humming it on a nearly weekly basis.