Okay, so I made it to four, four very different, but equally great, Madonna songs in this little Flashback Friday Madonnathon. This last post is from her latest, 2015's Rebel Heart, and in this video we see our star as bullfightress holding off some pretty muscular looking...bulls? Hmmm....anyway, check it out...
Next up in our day-long Madonnathon is the very first answer to my Facebook query. It's a classic, indeed, and surely one of her best ballads ever. Check out Live to Tell...
We move from an older, popular smash hit to a more recent and obscure, but awesome tune. One of the things that makes Madonna so special is that she brought dance music to the mainstream in a big way. I'm Addicted, from 2012's MDNA album, is a shining example that throughout the years, Madge has stayed on top of her game in the dance music world...and if you've never seen a Madonna show before, then you'll get to see just how special one is. Check it out...
Welcome to a first ever Madonnathon here on John's Music World. For a long, long time I haven't really listened to Madonna (she is soooo due!), and over the past week that has changed. When you're a Madonna fan, you are one for life, and every once in awhile you pull out her entire catalog and could be dancing and singing for days. I feel fortunate to have grown up with one of the greatest musical icons of our time, and I know I'm not the only one.
Yesterday, when I had decided to post a Madonna song for my Flashback Friday series, I posed a question on Facebook asking for suggestions. Not surprisingly, I got several, and also not surprisingly, I got monster hits of hers, which are not necessarily my favorites. So I sat down at my pc this morning totally confused. I couldn't decide which song to post, and then one of my friends told me I inspired her to do her own little Madonna marathon today. Voila!! My answer!
So during the day today, I will be posting several Madonna tunes for Flashback Friday, sort of mini-Madonnathon. At this point I have no idea how many or which ones I'll be posting it'll surely be random. Up first is an oldie, but a goodie. Borderline was one of Madge's first breakthrough hits and it's still an all-time fan favorite. So click play below and relive some fond memories as you sing along to the sweet, melodious sounds, and stay tuned for more...
Here's a recent release of a pleasant and catchy tune by Swedish deejay/producer Mike Perry, with a little help from singer Sabrina Carpenter and The Vamps. Check it out and have a great Thursday...
No matter what song I post on a Wednesday, this one always pops into my head. Nowadays, the sexually charged hit off the Peas' Monkey Business album is a downright Hump Day classic. Check it out...
Back in April, Gorillaz released Humanz, their first record in seven years, and here's a song from that album that struck me immediately. The tune is a collaboration with Danny Brown and Kelela and it's got this thumping back baseline throughout that's pretty darned infectious and the vocals provide a soothing front for it. Check out Submission...
Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepson has never quite matched the huge success of 2011's Call Me Maybe, but this one, from the film Ballerina (Leap! in the U.S.) is her best one since. Check out the pop sugary Cut to the Feeling...
Although there is plenty not to love about going into NYC for the Pride Parade...huge crowds, the heat, tired feet...I always feel a certain invisible pull, something that makes me want to be a part of it because there is something special about being there. I was there when New York State legalized same sex marriage, and again when it became the law of the land, but this year I am unfortunately committed to festivities at school which prevent me from going. This song has become an anthem for the movement over the last few years, from a straight ally who puts it all so succinctly and with no b.s., just truth. So for whatever it's worth, Happy Pride Day everyone! Check out Same Love...
We continue our celebration of pride with one of the most iconic of Pride songs ever, telling y'all something we've always known. Check out a live Grammy performance of Lady Gaga's Born This Way.
It is Pride Weekend in New York City and what better to get things started off with a wonderfully gay video of an oh so humorously metaphoric tune by Ms. Katy Perry. I've posted this video before. It's by a fellow named Ryan James Yezak and it's absolutely mesmerizing and fun to watch. Check it out...
Here's a new one from alternative popsters Paramore. This one is totally feel-good with a little cheer, as in cheerleader, thrown in for added effect. Check it out...
Mike Wass of Idolator called it a "sinister synth-anthem that positively seethes fury and frustration". That may very well be true, but to me it's the sensuality of Elish's song that gets me, and thus it's a great choice for a Hump Day Song of the Day. Check out Bellyache...
Katy Perry is back and she is on fire! Already on her third stellar single off the new record Witness, this one is hot. I was at a club in Philly the other night and everybody was jammin' to it. Here's a recent performance of the tune on SNL, sans Nicki Minaj sadly. Cool anyway! Check it out...
I am really starting to love Halsey. This one is the second off of her sophomore album, hopeless fountain kingdom. It's a first for the openly bisexual singer, an open song of love for another woman. The tune features Lauren Jauregui from Fifth Harmony, whose voice complements our heroine's own voice exceptionally. Spin Magazine calls the song her best yet. Find out why...
I'm not sure exactly what this reminds me of, but it's something older. It kind of reminds me of Bob Dylan in a way, or at least early 70's feel good rock. The tune is pretty high energy and pretty darned fun, too! Check it out...
Good morning from Philadelphia! Here's a great new tune by British recording artist Rita Ora. The original recording features uncredited backing vocals by one Ed Sheeran. Anyway, here's a live performance of the nice tune...
She's been called the British version of Debbie Harry, but at least in this song, Pixx reminds me more of Bjork. This futuristic, synth-pop tune is fast moving and quirky, and I like it. Check out Waterslides...
Okay, just one more Chainsmoker's song! Really, when you continue to listen to the music of an artist after seeing them live, then you know it's a good thing. Here's an oldie for them, but a very fun one, and perfect for Hump Day! Enjoy...
A couple of weeks ago, this dance song from Dutch deejay/producer Martin Garrix and featuring Aussie was released and it is good! The duo debuted the tune back in April at Coachella and was well received by the crowd. Sivan's rich voice lends itself well to dance, no? Check it out for yourself right here...
Every once in awhile I need a good dose of R&B. This recently released track by Kid Ink is pure R&B joy, with a great backbeat and some nice vocals. Check out No Strings...
I posted the audio for this newest song by The Vamps a few weeks back, and now they've done a video. Check out one of my current favorite songs, Middle of the Night...
This new tune from The Chainsmokers' Memories...Do Not Open album was an early crowd pleaser at last night's show at Forest Hills. Little did I realize before I journeyed to Queens and this nice little outdoor venue in the shadow of New York City that I would be attending my first EDM concert. EDM is a relatively new acronym that's become big with the kiddies these days. It stands for Electronic Dance Music, and although the music itself is not so unique that it differentiates itself from what I've known as simply electronica, it does have a certain uniqueness, if that makes any sense.
I'd never thought of The Chainsmokers as an EDM artist, but I was wrong. I did catch their wave from the early days and had always thought of them as simply dance artists, and very good ones at that, although lately they've become a bit pop. The set they played last night definintely fit into the EDM category, with crazy, sometimes dissonant electronic beats, and the entire audience, rather than dancing, was jumping up and down with their hands in the air...not exactly my kind of dancing, though I found myself doing the same thing at times simply because the music called for it.
In all, The Chainsmokers were pretty entertaining. Their 90 minute-plus set of wild electronica beats was peppered with their hits old and new, with Paris, Closer, and Something Just Like This causing mass singalongs, and tunes like Roses and Don't Bring Me Down getting everybody up and dancing (well, jumping, lol). Anyway, here's a recent clip of our Song of the Day from a Saturday Night Live appearance...
And here's how me and my pal Kristen felt afterwards...
Tonight's the night! I've been looking forward to this show for a long, long time, and it's finally
here. Here's the song that started it all for me with these fantastic musicians known as The Chainsmokers. Check out Roses...
Now that we're inching ever closer to summer, here's a soothing new summer jam brought to you by the likes of Wale, with Major Lazer, Wiz Kid and Dua Lipa. This one hearkens a sunny summer day in the islands. Nice!
Here's a smooth, R&Bish and sexy tune for your Hump Day. I've never come across DJ Cassidy or Aussie songstress Grace before, but I'm lovin' them. Check out Honor...
Here's a repeat post of a tune from way back in January featuring not one, but tow legendary deejay/producers, David Guetta and Robin Schulz. It's a shame that it's been out this long without much fanfare because it's really a great tune that incorporates the respective sounds of these talented individuals. Check out Shed a Light..
I mentioned yesterday that I will be checking out The Chainsmokers when they come to town on Friday, and they're not the only act I'm excited about seeing. Young Illinoisan singer/songwriter Kiiara will be one of the opening acts to the show, and although she's got some good stuff out there, this is the song of hers you might just know. I've listened to it a million times and I still can't tell you what the heck she's saying, but it's pretty damned hypnotic nonetheless. Check out Gold...
I am very excited today, because in just five days I will be venturing to Forest Hills Stadium to checkout The Chansmokers on their Memories...Do Not Open Tour. I've been following these guys for awhile now and I waited with great anticipation for their debut full length studio album, which is quality music through and through. Check out one of their recent big hits and stay tuned for more Chainsmokers...
I was listening to a lot of dance/rap songs last night and when I got to this one I knew I'd be posting it. Been such a long time, but this one is the **it! So much fun to dance to! Check out 212...
Though the S.O.S. Band is commonly considered a disco/funk band, this, their bestest, was a post-disco era jam. It's a classic tune that's been rerecorded many times over, but as always, there's nothing like the original. Enjoy...
First it was Harry Styles, now Liam Payne. Yet another former One Directioner has come out with some solo stuff, and Liam Payne seems closer to his roots on this effort. Kinda hot! Check out Strip That Down...
