Sunday, January 31, 2016

Song of the Day - Work - Rihanna, featuring Drake


On Friday, Rihanna surprisingly dropped a whole new album without much pre-warning.  The record, her eighth, is called Anti, and from preliminary personal listenings and reviews, it's somewhat of a departure for the 27 year-old singer.  The first single and most talked about song from Anti is her newest collaboration with R&B singer/rapper Drake. The tune is called Work and it's pretty darned good.  It was radio's most-played song on its first day of release and for good reason.  Check it out...


*Note: All of the clips available on YouTube as of this moment feature the audio version of the song without Drake's vocals.  The song is pretty cool either way and once an authentic vid of the duet comes out, we'll share it here.


Saturday, January 30, 2016

Song of the Day - Waka Waka - Shakira

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it



If you get down get up oh oh
When you get down get up eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

One of my favorite songs of all time reached a huge milestone the other day, and I mean huge. On Monday, Shakira's theme song for the 2010 World Cup, Waka Waka, reached the exclusive milestone of one billion page views on YouTube, putting the Colombian singer in company with Adele's Hello, Psy's Gangnam Style, Justin Bieber's Baby, and Wiz Khalifa's See You Again (The Citizen).  The uplifting and fun song brings me back to my Saturday nights at Splash a few years back, and so this news gets a resounding YES from me.  Check out Waka Waka... 

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa





Friday, January 29, 2016

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Jump Around - House of Pain

Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin
I came to win, battle me that's a sin
I won't tear the sack up, punk you'd better back up
Try and play the role and the whole crew will act up


Happy Friday!  Well it's been a long week and I think it's time for a party, don't you?  Here's an awesome, Friday party jam from back in the days of the early 90's when hip hop met dance and all things were good.  So get out ya seat and jump around...



Thursday, January 28, 2016

Song of the Day - Stereo Love - Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina



I was being a little nostalgic last night, listening to some of my favorite dance tunes of just a few years ago and when this one came on I knew I had to post it!  Mesmerizing...



Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Song of the Day - Say You Love Me - Jessie Ware


Here's a beautiful ballad by British recording artist Jessie Ware.  The tune was co-written with Ed Sheeran and there are also a couple of great remixes of the song out there.  Check out Say You Love Me...



Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Song of the Day - Alive - Sia

I was born in a thunderstorm
I grew up overnight
I played alone
I'm playing on my own
I survived


Hey
I wanted everything I never had
Like the love that comes with light
I wore envy and I hated that
But I survived

The supremely talented Sia is back with a new album called This Is Acting, due to be released in just a few days.  The record is her 7th studio album in almost nineteen years and follows her moderately successful 2014 album 1000 Forms of Fear.  This marvelous tune is the album's first single, and it was originally written for Adele's 25 (The Brit phenom is given songwriting credit on the song), but was rejected at the last moment.  Rihanna also is reported to have rejected the tune, but luckily this talented Aussie can belt one out all by her lonesome.  Check out the upliftingly beautiful Alive...  



Monday, January 25, 2016

Song of the Day - So What - P!nk

I guess I just lost my husband
I don't know where he went
So I'm gonna drink my money
I'm not gonna pay his rent...


It's been a really long time since I've posted anything P!nk, who is waaaayyyy overdue for a new album.  But she can take all the time she wants, because so what, she's a rock star.....



Sunday, January 24, 2016

Song of the Day - Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots


Today's tune is an alternative, nostalgic gem that's resonated with music listeners everywhere as it's become the highest charting single ever for alternative hip hop band Twenty One Pilots.  Check out Stressed Out...



Friday, January 22, 2016

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Red Alert - Basement Jaxx

Red alert, red alert 
It's a catastrophe
But don't worry
Don't panic


Back in the late 90's and early 2000's, Basement Jaxx was one of the funkiest dance music producers around, and here's one of their biggest, and funkiest, hits.  Enjoy and Happy Friday!



Thursday, January 21, 2016

Song of the Day - Area Code - Nick Jonas


Here's Nick Jonas' most recent single, off of the re-release of his big eponymous album from 2014. It's very different unlike what the general radio-listening public has heard from the 23 year old crooner.  It's dark and moody and some opine that it's about ex-flame Selena Gomez.  Who cares?  I like the song  Check out Area Code... 



Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Song of the Day - My House - Flo Rida

Welcome to my house
Baby take control now
We can even slow down
We don't have to go out


It's been a long time since Flo Rida has put out one of his great signature rap/dance jams.  I mean, sure he's had a few singles here and there, but to me he hasn't reached that irresistible intensity he's had on such classics as Low, Club Can't Handle Me, or Good Feeling.  Well, I think he scores again with My House, a jam with a nice, bouncy groove and great hook. Check it out...



Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Song of the Day - One of These Nights - The Eagles


What's going on with all the death lately?  I tell ya, in the three short weeks since 2016 began, it seems like everyday we're hearing of some celebrity dying.  Lemmy Killmister of Motorhead (70), country singer Craig Strickland (29), Natalie Cole (65), Celine Dion's husband René Angélil (73), British character actor Alan Rickman (69), David Bowie (69), and now Eagles' singer/songwriter Glenn Frey (67).  It just goes to show you, we're all human, and we're all vulnerable to this thing called life, so as always, it's important to appreciate every moment we've got.

In remembrance of the latest passing, here's a song I wouldn't ordinarily post,  It came out in May of 1975, when I was just ten years old.  I certainly remember it from the radio way back when, but it never really was my style of music.  Anyway, I just read on ABC that this was Frey's favorite Eagles song, and thus worthy of a post.  Rest in Peace Glenn Frey, and the rest!  Here's One of These Nights...



Monday, January 18, 2016

Song of the Day - Go All Night - Gorgon City, featuring Jennifer Hudson


Happy Monday everyone, especially to those of you who are lucky enough to be off from work in observance of Martin Luther King Day today.  Here's a great dance jam by the unlikely collaboration of Brit electronic artists and one Miss Jennifer Hudson.  It's one of my favorites off of G.C.'s Sirens album and if you love some great dance stuff, then check out Go All Night...  



Sunday, January 17, 2016

Song of the Day - Try Again - Aaliyah


It feels like deja vu all over again as for the second straight Sunday, I'm posting a song dedicated to someone who had a birthday on Saturday.  Last week it was Pat Benatar and this week it's the beautiful Aaliyah, who would have been 37 years old yesterday.It's hard to believe that she's been gone almost 15 years already.  Where does the time go?  Anyway, here's one of her biggest hits, from the soundtrack to the film Romeo Must Die, and it's got a message we should all remember.  Check out Try Again...  

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Song of the Day - Stay - Kygo, featuring Maty Noyes


Here's a sweet, new, tropical house jam by Norwegian deejay/producer Kygo.  Singer Maty Noyes' vocals are as sweet as the tune and if you click play below you just may find a new song to love...



Friday, January 15, 2016

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar


Here's a Flashback Friday that goes all the way back to 1980 and Pat Benatar's earliest smash and one of her most recognizable hits ever.  This song would set the stage for what was to come in the early days of this brash rock chick's in your face early style.  The song reached the #9 spot on Billboard's Top 100 and always has em' singing along.  Check out Hit Me With Your Best Shot...



Thursday, January 14, 2016

Song of the Day - We Belong - Pat Benatar


We continue our week-long tribute to the great Pat Benatar with what is arguably her most beautiful song.  It's the "other song" I was speaking of yesterday that was her highest charting single alongside Love Is a Battlefield, peaking at #5.  This one earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal and is a favorite amongst her fans.  If you were around in 1984, you're sure to know it and love it, so click play below and check out We Belong...  



Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Song of the Day - Love Is a Battlefield - Pat Benatar


Love Is a Battlefield came out in late 1983, when Pat Benatar was at the very top of her game.  The song and the video added a whole new dimension to Benatar's rock-oriented style, adding elements of dance into the mix and doing so very successfully.  This, and tomorrow's Song of the Day, tied as her two highest charting songs ever (Can you guess what the other song is?).  Here's Love Is a Battlefield...



Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Song of the Day - You Better Run - Pat Benatar


We continue our week-long tribute to Long Island native Pat Benatar with the lead single off of her 1980 album, Crimes of Passion.  The song is a remake of a 1966 tune by The Young Rascals and it's good old-fashioned rock n roll at its best.  Here's a little known fact I found out whilst making this post:  Pat Benatar's You Better Run was the second video to ever play on MTV, after the famous channel's debut of the Buggles' Video Killed the Radio Star (Songfacts.).  Well how about that?!?!?!!! Happy Tuesday!



Monday, January 11, 2016

R.I.P. David Bowie


As you may or may not have heard, rock legend David Bowie passed away earlier Sunday after a long battle with cancer.  He was 69.  To read the full story, check out NBC News, and in the meantime, check out one of his best...

Song of the Day - Shadows of the Night - Pat Benatar

We're running with the shadows of the night
So baby take my hand, it'll be alright
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end...


I saw a post yesterday on Facebook, quite accidentally, of someone wishing Pat Benatar a happy 63rd birthday.  (I can't believe she's 63!)  Well, I couldn't help but want to post a song for the occasion, even if it's a day late.  Then I got to thinking, Pat Benatar, a Long Island girl, deserves a very special honor, and so we'll be posting a whole week's worth of posts of Pat Benatar songs to light up your week.

If you were around in the late 70's/early 80's and beyond, you have to have at least one or two or even several of Pat Benatar tunes in the soundtrack of your life.  I know I do.  Though she hasn't charted a single since 1986's All Fired Up, Pat had amassed 15 Top 40 hits prior to that, with 4 of them hitting the top ten.  Here was her debut single from 1983's Get Nervous album.  It's one of her most memorable tunes and has been covered many times since.  Relive and enjoy the sweetness of Shadows of the Night...  
  


Sunday, January 10, 2016

Song of the Day - Waterbed - The Chainsmokers

I mentioned in my Top 50 Dance Songs of 2015 post how much I loved The Chainsmokers, an up and coming dance music production team, and here's another reason why.  Waterbed starts off not sounding like a real dance tune, but by the chorus, you'll be feeling like you're poolside someplace tropical and you're gonna wanna shake your a** like a waterbed...



Saturday, January 9, 2016

Song of the Day - Love Me Loud - Robin Schulz M-22, featuring Aleesia


Here's one of my favorite tunes off of Robin Schulz's Sugar.  This one's very pleasant and uplifting and I simply love singer Aleesia's sexyish voice.  I woke up with it in my head this morning and knew I had to post it.  Check out Love Me Loud...


Friday, January 8, 2016

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - My Time - Dutch, featuring Crystal Waters

I'm, dancing and I'm feeling fine
Been so long I don't know why
Turn up the lights
This is my time, this is my time...




I got to thinking, or rather singing in my head, this song after posting yesterday's Song of the Day, featuring dance music diva Crystal Waters.  Most people know Crystal from her early hits, 1991's Gypsy Woman and 1994's 100% Pure Love, but she's had a couple of really good dance hits since then that haven't been as popular, but are even better.  Case in point, this 2003 gem is a dance anthem through and through...kinda reminds me of Kool  the Gang's Celebration...well, the music in it anyway.  Check out My Time...




Thursday, January 7, 2016

Song of the Day - Synergy - Sted-E, Hybrid Heights and Crystal Waters


Here's a recently discovered dance anthem featuring an old favorite, house diva Crystal Waters.  It's been a really long time since we've heard anything from her, and though this one's not as good as some of her past house tracks, it does have that anthem-feel to the music, which I always love. Check out Synergy...  




Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Song of the Day - Out of the Woods - Taylor Swift


I am truly sorry to all you "Swifties" out there, but I still don't see what is so great about her.  Perhaps I'll get some flak for this, but I just don't think her music is all that.  In fact, I think that a lot of her songs sound pretty similar, and thus kinda boring, yet everything she does seems to be the "best ever" in everybody else's eyes.  Case in point, on Thursday night, New Year's Eve, Ms. Swift dropped a new video for her song Out of the Woods on the New Year's Rockin' Eve telecast.  The next day, my inbox was flooded with all sorts of adjectives for the vid and the song...stunning, vibrant, powerful, catchy, exquisite, captivating, blah, blah, blah, and that was all from one little article.  The video is alright, but I guess what it comes down to is musical taste, and hers doesn't tickle mine.  In fact, the only song of hers I love is Shake It Off, which to me is unique and fun.  The rest...meh!  So anyway, for what it's worth, here's Out of the Woods...



Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Song of the Day - Club Noir - Apache Sun


Here's a song I found on a compilation album I downloaded recently on iTunes called 30th Century Records Compilation.  It's by a Glasgow-based pair of brothers who call themselves Apache Sun. On the band's webpage, Kris Mitchell and Pete Bruce dub themselves a "psych-rock band," and that just about sums up their unique sound.  Everything I've read about and heard from them since I discovered this song has been aces all the way and I am definitely a new fan.  

This particular tune has been culled an enchanting and haunting psychedelic nugget with the Arabesque chords emphasizing their exotic side and emitting a noir magic taken from a fairytale that's suitable only for adults ( Sound Injections).  Exactly!  I loved Club Noir the first time I heard it...kind of reminds me of a song from a James Bond film soundtrack, or even something great to jam to at a rock club.  Check it out...



Monday, January 4, 2016

Song of the Day - Unforgettable - Natalie and Nat King Cole



This was a song I should have posted yesterday, but somehow forgot to do so.  As I am sure you have heard by this point, singer Natalie Cole passed away on Thursday at the age of 65.  Word is that she had been battling several health issues and she ultimately died from congestive heart failure.  I was never a huge fan of Miss Cole, but being a music fan I was always aware of her.  In fact, as I write this, her song gospel-tinged disco hit, This Will Be, is playing in my head. For today's post, however, I can't not post this, one of her most memorable and a technical marvel at the time, a duet with her father, beloved crooner Nat King Cole, on one of his biggest hits.  Check out Unforgettable...  






Sunday, January 3, 2016

Song of the Day - Feel the Vibe - Bob Sinclair, featuring Dawn Tallman


Bob Sinclair has been making great dance music for years now, and this newest project of his, featuring the powerful and oh so dancey voice of Dawn Tallman is simply fun.  Check out Feel the Vibe...



Saturday, January 2, 2016

Song of the Day - The Other Boys - Nervo, featuring Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears and Nile Rodgers


Here's three-plus minutes of gender-bending neo-disco fun with Aussie recording artist Nervo, with a little star power thrown into the mix.  Kylie Monogue and Jake Shears lend their pipes and Nile Rodgers his guitar in this tune from Nervo's debut album, Collateral.  Check out The Other Boys...




Friday, January 1, 2016

John's World's Top 20 Pop Songs of 2015


Well now that you've checked out my Top 50 Dance Songs of 2015, it's time to look at my favorite pop tunes from the year.  Since dance music is mainly my thing, this pop list will only include my favorite 20 songs for the year 2015, with of course some honorable mentions.  Like my dance tunes list, this one is based solely on my own musical taste and what I listened to the most this year.  I hope you'll agree with most of them.  Now, on to the list...

#20 - Lay It All On Me - Rudimental, featuring Ed Sheeran
I know that the monumentally talented Ed Sheeran had a lot of other songs to hit the big time in 2015, but my favorite of them all was this guest spot on Rudimental's Lay It All On Me.


#19 - All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor

Here's a retro feeling tune by newcomer Meghan Trainor that was simply everywhere earlier in the year when it was at its peak.  It was cutesy at first, but got old fast.  It's still good enough, though, to have hit my top twenty.  Check it out on John's Music World.

#18 - Riptide - Vance Joy

Here's another late 2014 tune from Aussie Vance Joy that carried its way into 2015.  I'm not really sure exactly how well it fared here, but I simply love the melodies, the lyrics and the vocals, too.  Check out Riptide...


#17 - Cheerleader - OMI

Here's a reggae-ish tune that was resurrected from three years prior to become a smash hit this year.  I first discovered it on Spotify and then suddenly I was hearing it everywhere.  Check it out right here.

#16 -Lean On - Major Lazer & DJ Snake


This one scored high on my Top 50 Dance Songs of 2015, and it has enough of a pop flavor to score here, too.


#15 - FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney

Here's what I wrote about this superstar collaboration when I first posted it the day after the Grammys:

Okay, so despite the participation of one ignorant idiot in this trio, I'm posting this tune after actually liking it for the first time after seeing it performed at the Grammys the other night.  I had the notion of posting it a lot earlier, but upon the first few listens I really didn't like it too much, but now I kinda do!

Yeah, now go check out FourFiveSeconds on John's Music World.

#14 - Goodbye - Who Is Fancy?

There was a lot of mystery to the singer of this song when it was first released.  I'll admit, I thought the Justin Bieber lookalike in the video was "Fancy," but it's not.  The singer was born to the name Jake Hagood, and he's got a really smooth, suave voice.  The song reminds me a little of a 50's ballad, perhaps, and it's really good.  Check out Goodbye...


#13 -Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon


This is not one of my favorite songs...I think I've heard it about a zillion too many times, but it is a great, fun tune and it deserves a spot in the top 20 of the year.  It was my final Song of the Day post of the year and you can check it out right here.


#12 - Jealous/Levels - Nick Jonas

Here's a double entry at #12 as Nick Jonas picked up where he left off in 2014 with the rising popularity of Jealous and an awesome new track called Levels, which you can check out right here

#11 - Want to Want Me - Jason Derulo

Here's a fun and happy tune that's so nice, I posted it twice this year.

#10 - Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding has had a nice 2015, and it all began with this beautiful love song from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack.  Check it out right here.

#9 - On My Mind - Ellie Goulding


Yes, Miss Ellie has had a nice 2015 and from the sounds of her new album Delirium, 2016 is going to be even better.  Check out the radio-friendly On My Mind...


#8 - Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

Yes, Taylor Swift has had quite a few songs to hit it big in 2015, and though this was a late entry for last year, it still got a lot of airplay this year and is by far my personal favorite of her songs.  Check out Shake It Off.

#7 - Where Are U Now? - Skrillex & Diplo, with Justin Bieber

As I mentioned in my Top 50 Dance Songs of 2015, this soulful and hypnotic tune started off a big year for Justin Bieber, whose voice seems to have matured into a very golden one.  Surely one of my favorite tunes of the year. 

#6 - Ex's and Oh's - Elle King

It seems that newcomer Elle King picked up where Meghan Trainor left off, with some light-hearted and retro fun that's simply irresistible.  Check it out right here...


#5 - Love Yourself - Justin Bieber

So if you love, the way, you look that much, then maybe you should go and love yourself...

Justin Bieber's latest single off of his Purpose album is a tender, in-your-face ballad that's just soooo much fun to sing along to.  Check it out on John's Music World.


#4 -Can't Feel My Face - The Weekend

The hottest funky jam of the year!

#3 -Sorry - Justin Bieber

Can you tell I've become a Belieber this year?  Lol.  Anyway, this one is so pleasant and so danceable and fun, I just couldn't help myself but to put it here at #3.  Check out the fun video for Sorry right here.

#2 - Hold My Hand - Jess Glynne

Now here is a song that I do not know anyone that doesn't like it.  It's so spiritual, so uplifting and fun I get all oogey when I listen to it.  Hehe.   Check it out on John's Music World right here.


#1 - Hello - Adele

Ah, 2015 saw the much-anticipated of Adele and her new record 25.  If anyone had been wondering if the 25 year-old phenom from England still had it after a much-heralded 21 record, they've gotten their answer with this one.  Adele's newest record is simply spectacular from start to finish and in a much more light-hearted way than before.  You go girl!  I posted the tune here today as my first Song of the Day for 2016 and you can check it out by clicking the link.  So hello from the other side...

So there ya go, my 20 favorite pop songs from 2015.  Like I said, you may or may not agree with me on some of my choices, but you can't deny that they all made a splash in 2015.  Please keep checking into John's Music World for more Songs of the Day, music news and most of all, music appreciation.  After all, doesn't music = life?

Here are some honorable mentions from the pop music world that didn't quite make it into my Top 20:

Ghosttown - Madonna
Chains - Nick Jonas
See You Again - Wiz Khalifa
Yoga - janelle Monae
Bad Blood - Taylor Swift
What Do U Mean? - Justin Bieber
Sugar - Robin Schulz, featuring Francesco Yates
Love Me Again - John Newman
Same Old Love - Selena Gomez
Take Me to Church - Hozier
Stitches - Shawn Mendes
Living for Love - Madonna

Oh, and if you haven't done so already, please check out my list for the Top 50 Dance Songs of 2015.






Best of 2015 Song of the Day - Hello - Adele



In just a short while I'll be publishing John's World's Top 20 Songs of 2015 and I figured why not post one of them here today.  Adele has had a marvelous 2015, especially the last couple of months of it, and this was the song that started it all.  Happy New Year!