We love them at parties. There will be one in your collection at least. For some you may even know the dance routine.
But what makes a song - novelty? Is it one that is imported from the holiday dance floors of Spain? A feature on a film soundtrack? Or an infectious one hit wonder from Sweden? The answer is longevity. If it has with stood the change of generation after generation then their novelty has not worn off.
Do they deserve adulation? I believe so.
Music brings people together. We all know this. And none more so that when you and all your drunk relatives are dancing together to the 'Time Warp' at a party. Or in my case reliving your youth and strutting out the entire dance of Whigfield's 'Saturday Night' while your younger cousin tries to keep up with you. Each generation has a novelty song that they love or hate.
For my Grandmother it's 'The Slosh'. For my Mother 'The Hucklebuck' For Myself its 'Saturday Night'.
Both my Gran and Mum have tried unsuccessfully to teach me the dances to both these songs. It does not however prevent them from dragging me to the dance floor when they are played.
Most recently for this generation it is the Korean pop song "Gangnam Style" a massive hit in Korea that transferred to Britain this summer. Along with its infectious dance routine. My sister who is a massive fan of Korean pop would say its not novelty. However we shall see how many of her favoured Korean pop songs follow suit. I cannot see the Korean pop influence holding much attention to the masses in Britain. However I would loved to be proved wrong.
Along with those that have dance routines attached there is the character hits. The ones influenced by television shows like Mr Bobby, Bob the Builder, The chipmunks. Even The Simpsons had a UK number 1 with 'Do the Bartman' in 1990. I could go on.
The truth is that novelty songs will continue to provide the music industry with light relief. And dance floors at parties with entertainment. As long as they do not take themselves seriously I have no issue with them. Rest assured I will follow in my Grandmother's footsteps and shall be dragging my grandchildren up for 'Saturday Night' teaching them the dance routine and all.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Reality Check?
So the onslaught of reality television has become more vast in the music industry since 2000.
Although there were television talent shows prior to this. The winning talent was not as exposed and the show held no influence over the music charts. In fact few talents even made it into the public eye. You would be forgiven for not knowing who they were if you did not watch the show itself. Now it is not so simple. The winner is forced upon the public and advised to appear on every aspect of media available.
There have been some who have managed to stay true to their belief in music. There have be few who are controlled by their puppet master agents. Along with many who have disappeared into obscurity often making a reappearance on celebrity big brother five years later.
I am going to honest and admit that ,Yes I did watch these shows. When they first began. I was however always in the corner of the musician. I rooted for Will Young as i believed he was an artist not a product. More recently i was relieved when Matt Cardle was crowned the winner of 2010's X Factor because he too was there for the music not to be manufactured into something he was not. There is one thing similar in both these cases that I think is the major flaw in these reality shows. The company running the show its self. The company that grants the winner their record contract did not want these contestants to win.
Simon Cowell is on record for saying that when Will Young's name was called out as winner on 2002's pop Idol he figured all was lost.
"I still to this day can’t watch the final back because I was really really disappointed. I really liked Gareth and wanted him to win.'
He wanted a product. Something to mould and that all teenage girls would swoon over. Where as Will Young did not appeal to him. Mr Young was more mature, had his own opinion on what he wanted to do. Not saying Gareth Gates did not but I imagine Mr Cowell had his itinerary planned for Gareth from his first audition. More recent winner Matt Cardle had to break form his Sony record deal in order to be the artist he wanted, not what they desired. His work was not supported despite being the public voted winner.
It is this reason i do not like reality music shows. I believe that they breed something that hinders the music industry. In my opinion it is responsible for making light all the hard work that musicians and artists have produced over the years. Examples of acts that shows have produced that and i am going to stat again, IN MY OPINION are wrong for the music industry.
Jedward: They are a comedy duo that have been lead to believe by show producers that they can sing. Without the aid of a TV show these boys would not be where they are today. However in their defense I believe that the twins are in no way as silly as they make out to be. I think both boys are intelligent and are playing this game as they know that their popularity will not last.
Susan Boyle: She can sing very few songs in tune. Her albums are produced with rigorous amounts of computer technology. She did well to show up "Britain's got talent" As she walked on stage the panel were all in the belief that she was a delusional hermit. Until she sang " I dreamed a dream".
One Direction/ Little Mix/ (Any band put together to save them all being chucked off the show)- A band put together on the show. Given a name that at times is already taken in another country. Researchers really do not do enough homework. Then made to work together. Okay it is a formula we know that has been used in the industry through open auditions. But the difference being that these TV groups then have to work out all the kinks, personalities and disputes in the public eye. Which is an added pressure that is not needed.
This is a subject that I could blog on for an eternity. But If I do not sound bitter already I will end up sounding like one of those elderly ladies that complain about public transport. I am not saying no one should watch these shows even though I whoop slightly when I hear that viewing figures have dwindled. Just remember while watching that there are many bands and artists out there that could have went down this route and may have not ended up producing the work you like. Or while you are watching think are those contestants producing the music they like?
Please Note: I believe that there is something wrong with these shows themselves. Not all the acts that perform in them!
Although there were television talent shows prior to this. The winning talent was not as exposed and the show held no influence over the music charts. In fact few talents even made it into the public eye. You would be forgiven for not knowing who they were if you did not watch the show itself. Now it is not so simple. The winner is forced upon the public and advised to appear on every aspect of media available.
There have been some who have managed to stay true to their belief in music. There have be few who are controlled by their puppet master agents. Along with many who have disappeared into obscurity often making a reappearance on celebrity big brother five years later.
I am going to honest and admit that ,Yes I did watch these shows. When they first began. I was however always in the corner of the musician. I rooted for Will Young as i believed he was an artist not a product. More recently i was relieved when Matt Cardle was crowned the winner of 2010's X Factor because he too was there for the music not to be manufactured into something he was not. There is one thing similar in both these cases that I think is the major flaw in these reality shows. The company running the show its self. The company that grants the winner their record contract did not want these contestants to win.
Simon Cowell is on record for saying that when Will Young's name was called out as winner on 2002's pop Idol he figured all was lost.
"I still to this day can’t watch the final back because I was really really disappointed. I really liked Gareth and wanted him to win.'
He wanted a product. Something to mould and that all teenage girls would swoon over. Where as Will Young did not appeal to him. Mr Young was more mature, had his own opinion on what he wanted to do. Not saying Gareth Gates did not but I imagine Mr Cowell had his itinerary planned for Gareth from his first audition. More recent winner Matt Cardle had to break form his Sony record deal in order to be the artist he wanted, not what they desired. His work was not supported despite being the public voted winner.
It is this reason i do not like reality music shows. I believe that they breed something that hinders the music industry. In my opinion it is responsible for making light all the hard work that musicians and artists have produced over the years. Examples of acts that shows have produced that and i am going to stat again, IN MY OPINION are wrong for the music industry.
Jedward: They are a comedy duo that have been lead to believe by show producers that they can sing. Without the aid of a TV show these boys would not be where they are today. However in their defense I believe that the twins are in no way as silly as they make out to be. I think both boys are intelligent and are playing this game as they know that their popularity will not last.
Susan Boyle: She can sing very few songs in tune. Her albums are produced with rigorous amounts of computer technology. She did well to show up "Britain's got talent" As she walked on stage the panel were all in the belief that she was a delusional hermit. Until she sang " I dreamed a dream".
One Direction/ Little Mix/ (Any band put together to save them all being chucked off the show)- A band put together on the show. Given a name that at times is already taken in another country. Researchers really do not do enough homework. Then made to work together. Okay it is a formula we know that has been used in the industry through open auditions. But the difference being that these TV groups then have to work out all the kinks, personalities and disputes in the public eye. Which is an added pressure that is not needed.
This is a subject that I could blog on for an eternity. But If I do not sound bitter already I will end up sounding like one of those elderly ladies that complain about public transport. I am not saying no one should watch these shows even though I whoop slightly when I hear that viewing figures have dwindled. Just remember while watching that there are many bands and artists out there that could have went down this route and may have not ended up producing the work you like. Or while you are watching think are those contestants producing the music they like?
Please Note: I believe that there is something wrong with these shows themselves. Not all the acts that perform in them!
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Live, Laugh, love, Loud & Live
Live music is an experience I Treasure. I can remember at least one moment from every gig I have been to.
Even when attending festivals I love to walk around the site taking in different acts while waiting on the ones I want to watch come on stage. Outdoor music festivals are one of my favourite places on earth.
In my opinion there is something about the power of seeing a band/act live that cannot compare to other art forms. It is very different from watching an act on TV, watching a film or going to the Theatre.
Some acts put on a full show. In that they themselves performing their songs is not enough. They create a spectacle around them to a theme or storyline. Then there are the artists who stand and pour their heart and soul into their performance with nothing but a carpet and the band logo to back them.
I have had the joy of witnessing both. There is no one better than the other. Every artist has the right to perform the way they see fit.
Don't get me wrong I have seen some bad live acts. Some down to performance. Some down to the Music its self. I do not judge PJ Harvey fans. I have seen her live and hated it. As a result to this day, after what I witnessed. I have refused to listen to her ever since. It was that awful. But then to others it may have been amazing. Each to their own.
The best Live Gigs I have been to are: Stereophonics Performance & Cocktails Tour in 1999.
Green Day at T in the Park 2005
Pink SECC 2008
Fall Out Boy The Garage 2007
Foo Fighters Big Day Out 2003
The Who T in the Park 2007
Arctic Monkeys Lancashire Cricket Ground 2007
Del Amitri Glasgow Fair 1995
I have also been let down. You build up to a gig and wait months on the event arriving. Playing the music, singing the songs. Only to go and watch and be left at the end of the concert feeling like a deflated balloon. Amy Winehouse was one act, but I refuse to speak ill of the dead. Pop concerts are all a bit mediocre and repetitive once you have seen one pop act its the same for the others. I have also been let down by a band who I have seen live more than once. Case in point U2. Who are a phenomenal live band. They are a spectacle. However on their last 360 tour they did not live up to my created hype. But everyone has bad days.
Despite the bad I have been to there is still nothing that changes my mind about live music.
There could be a reason why Live and Live are the same spelling.
Even when attending festivals I love to walk around the site taking in different acts while waiting on the ones I want to watch come on stage. Outdoor music festivals are one of my favourite places on earth.
In my opinion there is something about the power of seeing a band/act live that cannot compare to other art forms. It is very different from watching an act on TV, watching a film or going to the Theatre.
Some acts put on a full show. In that they themselves performing their songs is not enough. They create a spectacle around them to a theme or storyline. Then there are the artists who stand and pour their heart and soul into their performance with nothing but a carpet and the band logo to back them.
I have had the joy of witnessing both. There is no one better than the other. Every artist has the right to perform the way they see fit.
Don't get me wrong I have seen some bad live acts. Some down to performance. Some down to the Music its self. I do not judge PJ Harvey fans. I have seen her live and hated it. As a result to this day, after what I witnessed. I have refused to listen to her ever since. It was that awful. But then to others it may have been amazing. Each to their own.
The best Live Gigs I have been to are: Stereophonics Performance & Cocktails Tour in 1999.
Green Day at T in the Park 2005
Pink SECC 2008
Fall Out Boy The Garage 2007
Foo Fighters Big Day Out 2003
The Who T in the Park 2007
Arctic Monkeys Lancashire Cricket Ground 2007
Del Amitri Glasgow Fair 1995
I have also been let down. You build up to a gig and wait months on the event arriving. Playing the music, singing the songs. Only to go and watch and be left at the end of the concert feeling like a deflated balloon. Amy Winehouse was one act, but I refuse to speak ill of the dead. Pop concerts are all a bit mediocre and repetitive once you have seen one pop act its the same for the others. I have also been let down by a band who I have seen live more than once. Case in point U2. Who are a phenomenal live band. They are a spectacle. However on their last 360 tour they did not live up to my created hype. But everyone has bad days.
Despite the bad I have been to there is still nothing that changes my mind about live music.
There could be a reason why Live and Live are the same spelling.
Monday, 23 July 2012
It's a Grower
Songs are like ice cream flavours. There are ones that you like instantly and will listen to time after time (see what I did there) then there are the ones that take you a while and a few listens to decided if you like them or not. Many Refer to songs they learn to like as "Growers"
These songs can go 4 ways
1. You decided - nope don't like that. I tried, but you just are not for me.
I shall name this: Strawberry Ice Cream.
2. Wow! Amazing! What a "Tune" and you play it over and over, while it is receiving hype. Until you forget about it. You Might dig it out at some point if you find it hanging around.
This for me is: Cookie dough
3. Nope it's awful. Oh it's OK. Actually I quite like it.
This shall be known as: Vanilla Ice Cream.
4. A song that connects, it has something in its melody and lyrics that awakens your soul. This song will forever be played for years to come.
This is known to myself as: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. (Best flavour!)
There are many songs released at summer. All straining to be those massive hits of your holiday.
There are 4 songs out this summer that have fell into these categories and my strawberry may be your mint choc chip. As always I ask you to have as open mind as I do.
Cookie Dough: "Drive By" by Train
Good pop song. Dance along to. BBQ to. It has sunshine in the rhythm. Drive by's are over in a flash this songs staying power is to.
Vanilla: "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen
When I first heard this song I was puzzled as to what it was saying, who was singing and I hated it. Now having listened to the song masses. I have grown to enjoy it along with its many parodies.
Strawberry: "Call My Name" by Cheryl Cole
No No No! Not even being produced by my favourite dance musician Calvin Harris saves it for me. I tried to enjoy it but like the associated flavour. I wanted to lock it in the freezer and not try it again.
Mint choc chip: "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry.
I loved the lyrics and it's up beat tempo melody. A bit like "firework" when I first heard it on her Album. However I feel there is more to the song. As I mentioned in my previous blog (Waxing Lyrical) the lyrics are obviously important to the artist.
Give them a try and see if they awaken your taste buds too?
There is a flavour for everyone. There is a song for all. Have you ever met many people who say "Oh I don't really like Music."? I have also not known many folks who say" I do not like ice cream" well except the lactose intolerant.
So enjoy music and eat ice cream.
Happy Summer!
These songs can go 4 ways
1. You decided - nope don't like that. I tried, but you just are not for me.
I shall name this: Strawberry Ice Cream.
2. Wow! Amazing! What a "Tune" and you play it over and over, while it is receiving hype. Until you forget about it. You Might dig it out at some point if you find it hanging around.
This for me is: Cookie dough
3. Nope it's awful. Oh it's OK. Actually I quite like it.
This shall be known as: Vanilla Ice Cream.
4. A song that connects, it has something in its melody and lyrics that awakens your soul. This song will forever be played for years to come.
This is known to myself as: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. (Best flavour!)
There are many songs released at summer. All straining to be those massive hits of your holiday.
There are 4 songs out this summer that have fell into these categories and my strawberry may be your mint choc chip. As always I ask you to have as open mind as I do.
Cookie Dough: "Drive By" by Train
Good pop song. Dance along to. BBQ to. It has sunshine in the rhythm. Drive by's are over in a flash this songs staying power is to.
Vanilla: "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen
When I first heard this song I was puzzled as to what it was saying, who was singing and I hated it. Now having listened to the song masses. I have grown to enjoy it along with its many parodies.
Strawberry: "Call My Name" by Cheryl Cole
No No No! Not even being produced by my favourite dance musician Calvin Harris saves it for me. I tried to enjoy it but like the associated flavour. I wanted to lock it in the freezer and not try it again.
Mint choc chip: "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry.
I loved the lyrics and it's up beat tempo melody. A bit like "firework" when I first heard it on her Album. However I feel there is more to the song. As I mentioned in my previous blog (Waxing Lyrical) the lyrics are obviously important to the artist.
Give them a try and see if they awaken your taste buds too?
There is a flavour for everyone. There is a song for all. Have you ever met many people who say "Oh I don't really like Music."? I have also not known many folks who say" I do not like ice cream" well except the lactose intolerant.
So enjoy music and eat ice cream.
Happy Summer!
Monday, 2 July 2012
Cover up?
Is there a song out there that should never ever be covered?
We could share opinions and open up a debate that would last longer than the current Leveson inquiry. So what gives people the rights to cover a song. If it were a book it would be considered copyright infringement if the storyline were similar in anyway. You were punished at school for using someone else's work. I'm also sure you would face charges of plagiarism if you were to display a copy of a Monet painting as new work.
Many artists have released covers. Even more perform live covers at concerts. It has became part and parcel of being a music artist. I shall not get started on the television talent shows that provide the conveyor belt of covers that plagues the music industry of today.
However is it lazy or is it in homage to the original work?
Some artists have no choice but to release cover songs as they are directed by their record company to do so. I would imagine that in some cases the original artists are thankful for the royalties, as well as the new found exposure to a new audience of their sometimes forgotten work. Cover versions are great if the new artist puts their own spin onto the song. An artist who does nothing to the original work to me is lazy and not very artistic at all.
There have been many, many bad covers. My opinion of the worst cover to be released is Ronan Keating's version of "Fairytale of New York" originally by The Pogues featuring Kirsty McColl. I am undecided as to which reason I hate it for more. The fact that he misses out the "You scumbag, you maggot. You cheap lousy faggot" lyric when singing it live. Or that he looks so happy and smug when singing. Unlike Shane McGowan who groans out the lyrics with such passion that to me cannot be imitated or replaced by a grin.
One of the most successful cover versions in my opinion is Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" Originally by Leonard Cohen. It may even be unknown to many that it is indeed a cover. It's poignant, it's perfect and sang with emotion and clarity that was missing from the original. It is the song that raised Buckley's profile to new heights. Jeff's voice took Cohen's lyrics and exposed them to a new generation. Jeff Buckley's untimely death leaves the song even more haunting.
So in answer to my intro. I believe that in respect to all artists despite how amazing I believe original songs may be someone may come along in the future and make it even better.
We could share opinions and open up a debate that would last longer than the current Leveson inquiry. So what gives people the rights to cover a song. If it were a book it would be considered copyright infringement if the storyline were similar in anyway. You were punished at school for using someone else's work. I'm also sure you would face charges of plagiarism if you were to display a copy of a Monet painting as new work.
Many artists have released covers. Even more perform live covers at concerts. It has became part and parcel of being a music artist. I shall not get started on the television talent shows that provide the conveyor belt of covers that plagues the music industry of today.
However is it lazy or is it in homage to the original work?
Some artists have no choice but to release cover songs as they are directed by their record company to do so. I would imagine that in some cases the original artists are thankful for the royalties, as well as the new found exposure to a new audience of their sometimes forgotten work. Cover versions are great if the new artist puts their own spin onto the song. An artist who does nothing to the original work to me is lazy and not very artistic at all.
There have been many, many bad covers. My opinion of the worst cover to be released is Ronan Keating's version of "Fairytale of New York" originally by The Pogues featuring Kirsty McColl. I am undecided as to which reason I hate it for more. The fact that he misses out the "You scumbag, you maggot. You cheap lousy faggot" lyric when singing it live. Or that he looks so happy and smug when singing. Unlike Shane McGowan who groans out the lyrics with such passion that to me cannot be imitated or replaced by a grin.
One of the most successful cover versions in my opinion is Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" Originally by Leonard Cohen. It may even be unknown to many that it is indeed a cover. It's poignant, it's perfect and sang with emotion and clarity that was missing from the original. It is the song that raised Buckley's profile to new heights. Jeff's voice took Cohen's lyrics and exposed them to a new generation. Jeff Buckley's untimely death leaves the song even more haunting.
So in answer to my intro. I believe that in respect to all artists despite how amazing I believe original songs may be someone may come along in the future and make it even better.
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Waxing Lyrical
"I'd rather be a comma than a full stop!
I heard this lyric yesterday. It is from "Every tear drop is a waterfall" By Coldplay. What a wonderful line. To me it means I would rather be in the sentence that be at the end. I do not have the luxury to ask Chris Martin himself. Having listened to the song many times I had never noticed how poignant this lyric was. Could have just been it was early morning and my lack of sleep the night before was making me more emotional, Who Knows?
How often however do we take for granted the lyrics in the music we listen to?
Song writing is as much of an art form as painting on canvas. Yet people wonder for hours in galleries staring at paintings and wondering what the meaning is behind them. Musicians and songwriters however pour it all onto a page for us to behold in song. Out in the open to be judged by fan,critic and industry. When listening to songs you can at times tell the frame of mind an artists was in. Or it is out clearly written in the song for you to hear.
So next time there is music playing be it when listening to the radio in the car or dancing around your living room as I do. Stop and take a moment to listen to the lyrics. They meant something to the artist and in turn they can mean something to you.
Some favourite Lyrics of mine.
" Wishing to be the friction in your jeans"
" Time grabs you by the wrist directs you where to go"
"To know that i can say i love you in any given time or place"
" Kudos my Hero"
"It's the heart afraid of breaking That never learns to dance"
"Change the voices in your head make them like you instead"
I could go on and on.
Sx
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Perfect 10
Can you list your 10 favourite songs?
How do you choose? Is it like a mother selecting her favourite child? Ok so perhaps not as extreme. But the decision and tension as you compile your own list could prove to be mind blowing. I am having to compile a list for Our forthcoming wedding. To make it equal we are picking ten songs each. Although my future husband says he will vet mine and remove any considered crap. Thankfully it is me that is emailing the DJ. This is not the wedding list it just got me thinking of my favourite songs of which there are many. So for the moment I am going to reveal 5 of my 10.
Well I don't want to give it all away do I?
Here is how i derived my list. 1. List my favourite bands.
2. Poignant Songs
3. Everlasting Tunes (I could play on repeat forever)
So being born in 1983 meant that my birth into music was at a time when electro pop was beginning and New Romance was at an end. Number one on the day i was born is a song I actually like. The tone of Ali Campbell's voice is different and instantly recognisable. So number 1 on the list is:
1. "Red Red Wine" by UB40.
As I have written in previous posts. I was a sucker for pop music from the age of 6. So therefore at least one of my songs has to be from the era where my walls were clodded with posters of boy bands. Picking one may be a problem. Boyzone, Take That, East 17, 911, Let Loose and Westlife. There were many, so friends don't hate me. They weren't even my most loved band, It wasn't a massive single but i like the tune.
2."When You're Looking Like That" by Westlife.
My third choice goes on every playlist I compile. I sing it to my son every night before he goes to sleep. He affectionately calls it "Forks". It's by one of my ultimate favourite bands of all time.
3. "Time of Your Life" (Good Riddance) by Green Day.
You bored yet? I am nearly done. Two more to go.
With that number four is from an album that I adore and never tire of. This tune gets me to me feet as soon as the opening bar strikes. The lyrics in this song are great, fun and meaningful. A perfect tune. So from their Third studio album I give you.
4. "Sugar, We're Goin' Down" By Fall Out Boy.
Number 5 and my last instalment to the short list. It is a song that some might find weird but hey it's my list. So hold on to your hats. The end is nigh.
5. "Video Killed the Radio Star" By The Buggles.
Now off you jump to you tube to see what they sound like and judge. You might start to think what your own top songs may be.
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