Ooh Kill 'Em

I am going to talk about three songs, all by different artists but remixed by the same two guys:  CAKED UP.

They are amazing DJs and their remixes make me so pumped on so many levels.  Oscar Wylde and Vegas Banger have remixed so many songs from Miley's "Wrecking Ball" to Lorde's "Royals," but neither of those made it onto my list.

Song 1:  "Drop It Low" - Ester Dean feat. Chris Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syq9VMbBWEc

Sorry, this one has to be a link.  Out of the three I am displaying, this is probably my second favorite, but I still think it is such a great pump up song for your evening visit to the gym.

Song 2:  "Gas Pedal" - Sage the Gemini

[Source:  YouTube]

This song may be the most offensive out of the three, which is why it's not my favorite.  It sounds very similar to the original track, but the remix sounds A LOT better in my opinion.

Song 3 - "Ooh Kill 'Em" - Terio

[Source:  YouTube]

THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!  I love the beat, the bass drop, and even the part where they say "twerk" (even though that part is in the actual song).

To download CAKED UP'S remixes, go to https://soundcloud.com/eatdatcake

Miles Away

This band An Honest Year followed me on Twitter so I had to check them out.  They are a pop-rock band from Philadelphia, PA and has five members:  Matthew McKay on vocals, Stephen Morrell on lead guitar, Jon Pfingsten on rhythm guitar, Jordan Mitchell on bass, and Greg Pinney on drums.

So far, they have released two albums (both unsigned) that you can purchase here on their website or on iTunes.  I am really into pop-rock at the moment, so I think their songs are great and have no idea as to why they are not signed to a record label.

Moments has a total of seven songs:

1. Liar & a Thief
2. Your Forgiveness
3. Moments
4. Don't Leave Me
5. For Fake's Sake
6. Miles Away
7. Live Your Life

while An Honest Year (which is just a single) has only three:

1. You And All Your Friends
2. Starting Over
3. Second Guessing

To find out more about this band, visit http://anhonestyear.com/ or visit their YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/anhonestyear.

Here's their lyric video for "Don't Leave Me" from their EP Moments:

[Source:  YouTube]

Evil Woman

1975 was a big year for music.  In January, three Led Zeppelin shows at MSG sold out in record time.  March was the month the movie version of The Who's Tommy premiered in London (although that movie was atrocious).  And in November, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" reached number one where it will remain for nine weeks.  Also, several bands were formed that year including Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Iron Maiden, and the Sex Pistols.

But aside from all of those exciting things, my dad sat front row at an Electric Light Orchestra concert.

My dad had somewhat forgotten about that concert until his friend sent out an e-mail with pictures he had taken from the show (the pictures below).

The year, of course, was 1975 and he and his buddies went to the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ to see one of their favorite bands.  ELO had just released their 1975 album Face the Music in September and their first single from the album in October, "Evil Woman."

So that is what Jeff Lynne's eyes look like!  If you look at the first picture, Lynne is not wearing sunglasses.  He doesn't seem to take them off anymore.

I think these are really cool pictures.  Not only is the view amazing, but the black background really makes Jeff Lynne, Hugh McDowell, Mik Kaminski, and Melvyn Gale "pop" with all of their brightly colored clothes.  Nice style, 1975.

 [Photo:  Louis]

[Photo:  Louis]

I Get A Kick Out of You

I got this book fro Christmas from my aunt, uncle, and cousins called The Greatest Album Covers Of All Time.  The book features more than 250 of the best album covers and is arranged by decade and musical genre.

It was published in 2005 by Collins & Barnes and was written by Barry Miles, Grant Scott, and Johnny Morgan.  There are six different chapters:  1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.  I'll go over just a few of those.

In the 1950s chapter, there are four subchapters:

1. Pop - Frank Sinatra's Come Fly with Me and Peggy Lee's Black Coffee are two of the albums included.
2. Exotica - Robert Frost's Robert Frost Reads His Poetry is one of the records in this subchapter.
3. Jazz - Ella Fitzgerald's Ella Fitzgerald Sings Gershwin Vol 2 and Quincy Jones's This Is How I Feel About Jazz are just two of the several albums.
4. Rock 'n' Roll - Elvis Presley's Elvis Presley, Little Richard's Here's Little Richard, and Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps' Gene Vincent Rocks!  And the Blue Caps Roll.

In the 1980s chapter, there are seven subchapters:

1. Factory - New Order's Low-Life, Power Corruption and Lies, and Movement.
2. Pop - Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A., Adam and the Ants' Kings of the Wild Frontier, Madonna's True Blue, and R.E.M.'s Murmur are just a few.
3. Rock - Tom Waits's Rain Dogs, Talking Heads' The Name of this Band Is Talking Heads and Remain in Light
4. Agit Rock - Killing Joke's Killing Joke and The Fall's Hex Enduction Hour.
5. Metal - AC/DC's Back in Black, Van Halen's MCMLXXXIV, Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast, and ZZ Top's Eliminator.
6. Rap - Beastie Boys' Licensed of Ill and L.L. Cool J's Radio.
7. Soul - George Benson's Give Me the Night and Bobby Brown's Don't Be Cruel.

I don't want to give the whole book away, so if you would like to know the other chapters, you will have to buy it for yourself!!

Christmas in Hollis

Merry Christmas!  It has been a little hectic the past two days so I haven't been on.  Look forward to my post tomorrow - it goes along with one of my Christmas presents!  But I do not want to keep you completely hanging, so I'll give you a little something.  I guess you could say it's your Christmas present from me!

Here is the music video to Run-D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis."  Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!!

[Source:  YouTube]

These Four Walls

I watched this on YouTube yesterday and it is Little Mix singing "These Four Walls" from their new album Salute.  This is an unofficial video but I LOVE it.  I know it may sound weird, but I get choked up when the video shows them winning X Factor.  And on top of that I fell in love with the song.  I think it is beautiful and really displays their amazing amount of talent individually and as a group.

[Source:  YouTube]

White Christmas

We are getting so close to Christmas so I think it is time I post some of the best Christmas songs ever!

1. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
2. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
3. The Chipmunk Song (Don't Be Late) - The Chipmunks
4. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen
6. Do You Hear What I Hear - Martina McBride
7. Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters
8. Dominick, The Italian Christmas Donkey - Lou Monte
9. The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
10. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon

I will post some more Christmas songs tomorrow! :)

The Apple Tree

Nina Nesbitt is a very talented 19-year-old from Edinburgh, UK.  The singer-songwriter is able to sing and play the guitar, piano, and keyboard.

She has five EPs available for download on iTunes (even the US):

1. Live Take (four tracks)
2. The Apple Tree (five tracks)
3. Boy (four tracks)
4. Stay Out (four tracks)
5. Way In The World (four tracks)

She announced on her Twitter last month that her debut album Peroxide is set to be released in February 2014 in the UK (sorry, US).  On top of that, she recorded a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" which you can purchase on iTunes and covered "Love Me Again" by British singer John Newman for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.

I love her voice.  It is somewhat raspy but sounds amazing.  My favorite song may be "The Apple Tree" from the EP of the same name.

She has several music videos for her songs including (but not limited to) "Stay Out," "Make Me Fall," and her most recent one, "Selfies," a song on her upcoming album.

[Source:  YouTube]

The Hamilton Mixtape

I feel badly that I have not posted in a few days.  I hope my post now will make you forgive me!

We all love history, especially classic history that everyone knows.  I remember watching this video a couple of years ago in my history class.  It is a parody of "Apologize" by OneRepublic and is titled, "Too Late To Apologize:  A Declaration" and I have to say it is really well done.  Have a look (and listen) down below:

[Source:  YouTube]

Do not sit there in front of your computer and tell me it was not a clever video.  The lyrics are perfect and the video is great as well.  Have to love the wigs, too.  Classic.

What made me think of this video was my brother.  He watched this video of a guy named Lin-Manuel Miranda rapping a song all about Alexander Hamilton called, "The Hamilton Mixtape."  It is a great representation of Hamilton's life.  Have a look:

[Source:  YouTube]

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

If only I had a dollar for every time I have seen a performance of The Nutcracker.  My cousins are both dancers, and up until last year when my cousin was in her senior year, I had seen them dance in that show almost every year.  I pretty much know the dance routines by heart at this point.

But I was listening to "The Nutcracker Suite" today and it really is a beautiful song along with "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy."  Of course the source of its beauty is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Born in 1840 in Russia, Tchaikovsky also composed Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.  In his piece "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," he used a new instrument from the time called a celesta, a small, piano-like instrument with a tiny sounding sound.

Tchaikovsky's music is recognized no matter what kind of music you regularly listen to.  That is because he is one of the most famous composers of all time along with Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin.  Classical music is not appreciated that much anymore.  Our lives are too consumes with what society listens to, that we forget about all of the classic music that came before.  I think you need to just take some time and listen to Tchaikovsky.

[Source:  YouTube]

Can We Dance

The Vamps were formed in 2012, but can I just say that I really want them to release their debut album in the US right away in 2014.

The British (of course they are Brits!) pop rock band has four members: Bradley Simpson (lead vocals), Connor Ball (bass guitar and vocals), Tristan Evans (drums and vocals), and James McVey (vocals and guitar).  The group signed with Mercury Records.  Ever since they have supported Little Mix, The Wanted, and Lawson.

This past April and May, The Vamps supported McFly on their tour and in July put their first song "Wildheart" on YouTube.  Their debut album is set to be released next year.

But they are an amazing band so let's keep our fingers crossed that they tour in the US very soon!

Wildheart [Source:  YouTube]

Love Money Party

I finally picked up a copy of Miley's Bangerz and it's...interesting.

Don't get me wrong, Miley is extremely talented and she really showed it in her cover of Lana Del Rey's "Summertime Sadness," but I was not expecting this, even with previously hearing "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball."

"Wrecking Ball" sounds very much like Cyrus's prior songs from Breakout and Can't Be Tamed.  "We Can't Stop" I just thought was a get-it-out-of-my-system song.  "Can't Be Tamed" was seen as a scandalous song with the lyrics and music video, so it really isn't like we haven't seen this from her before.  People need to get over themselves and let her be who she wants.

"Adore You" is a really good pop tune on the record.  It's the first track and I think it was a good choice for number one.  And besides the tunes, there are several guests on the album!  Britney Spears, Nelly, Future, Big Sean, and French Montana are all included.

It's not that I don't like the album, it is just different from what I am used to listening to from her.  I am sure that once I listen to it a few times the songs will grow on me and I will be prepared for her concert in April!!  Still love and support you, Miley!

Who You Are

Jessie J has a magnificent voice.  In every song of hers, she presents her voice in a remarkable and unforgettable way.

Well, I love her song "Who You Are" which is all about never losing who you truly are and that no one is perfect.  The song is so beautiful and occasionally makes me tear up.  To me, this song is one of the greatest examples of why she is an incredible singer and songwriter.

I was watching one video that my friend showed me where she is singing this song in a subway station in Times Square, New York City.  I want you to remember that she is singing this LIVE.  It's fantastic.

[Source:  YouTube]

Let It Snow

There's a snow storm on it's way, so it is only necessary that songs about snow are mentioned.

"Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!" is one of the more popular songs about snow.  Snow is cold, but the song gives off a warm vibe with the topic of fires and a warm night in.  There are so many different renditions of the song including Michael Buble, but was first written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne back in 1945.

Everyone knows "Frosty the Snowman."  Fairy tales, magic, and a snowman who is able to laugh are only a handful of things that make this song a lot of fun to listen to when the snow is falling outside your bedroom window.  But before the song was released with the TV short in 1969, it was written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson and was recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950.

Hallelujah

I was watching old X Factor performances from both the X Factor UK and US.  I didn't watch X Factor US, but I remember how crazy people went for Carly Rose Sonenclar.  Her voice is incredible.  She was the runner-up in the second season of the show in 2012 but honestly deserved to be the winner.

In the live finals she performed "Hallelujah" and I get goosebumps every time I watch it.

[Source:  YouTube]

Please tell me you did not get goosebumps watching that.  Flawless:  the word I will use to describe her talent.  She sounds absolutely perfect the whole three minutes.  Absolutely perfect.

Hot N Cold

I don't think I have ever spoken about Katy Perry on my blog.  So in honor of the beautiful singer, I'll give you all of her music videos.  Yeah, all of them.  Really.

Roar

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

Part Of Me

Unconditionally

Hot N Cold

The One That Got Away

Thinking Of You

Wide Awake

E.T.

Firework

Teenage Dream

I Kissed A Girl

I really hope I got them all.  All of her videos aren't on her Vevo on YouTube.

All credit goes to YouTube and the channels used.

Sk8er Boi

Please tell me you remember this song.  Avril Lavigne from 2002.  The album was Let Go which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 in the US and sold over 14 million copies worldwide.

But the song "Sk8er Boi" was definitely one of my favorites off the album.  The lyrics are so simple but you learn so much about the boy and girl during the song.

He was a boy

She was a girl

Can I make it anymore obvious?

He was a punk.

She did ballet.

What more can I say?

He wanted her.

She'd never tell.

Secretly she wanted him as well.

And all of her friends

Stuck up their nose.

And they had a problem with his baggy clothes.

And then later:

Five years from now, she sits at home feeding the baby, she's all alone.

She turns on TV and guess who she sees?

Skater boy rockin' up MTV.

She calls up her friends.

They already know.

And they've all got tickets to see his show.

She tags along, stands in the crowd.

Looks up at the man that she turned down.

And the girl now wants to date him because he's famous...annoying.

Sorry, girl, but you missed out.

Well, tough luck, that boy's mine now.

We are more than just good friends.

This is how the story ends.

Too bad that you couldn't see...

See the man that boy could be.

There is more than meets the eye,

I see the soul that is inside.

And then Avril Lavigne has her moment of victory.

He's just a boy, and I'm just a girl.

Can I make it anymore obvious?

We are in love.

Haven't you heard how we rock each other's world?

I met the skater boy, I said, "See ya later, boy.

I'll be backstage after the show.

I'll be at the studio singing the song we wrote about a girl you used to know."

She ended up with the skater boy after that chick turned him down and wanted him back.  Avril is teaching a good lesson in one song's time.

Beyond My Wildest Dreams

I saw The Little Mermaid on Broadway two times.  I saw in in January 2008 and again on Easter the same year.  It was one of the greatest shows I had ever seen.  The cast was amazing, the set and costumes were phenomenal, and the songs were exceptional as always with Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, and Howard Ashman.

Sierra Boggess was a beautiful Princess Ariel and was a perfect match for the part and sat very well with the critics.  Her voice was incredible, just like Jodi Benson.  Sherie Rene Scott played the notorious sea witch Ursula and did fantastic as well.  The whole entire cast sounded flawless on the whole soundtrack, but those two stars are the ones who stood out the most to me.

My favorite song in the musical is "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" which Ariel sings in her mind due to her stolen voice.

[Source:  YouTube]