30 June 2012

29 June 2012 - Nikka Costa - Like A Feather

I caught this video once on MTV2, many years ago.  I was intrigued.  And then, for years, I could not remember the artist.  I did remember the outstanding bassline hook - one of the best I've ever heard - and the huge, huge voice.  And the clapping!  It was one of my favorite pop songs of all time.

Fast forward a couple of years.  "Desperate Housewives" was on the air and using a song called "Everybody Got Their Something" in their advertising.  I didn't know who performed it, but I knew some of the lyrics, of course. I went looking for that song to download and found the whole album of the same name.

Guess what was track 1?



I never forgot again.

28 June 2012

28 June 2012 - Kellie Pickler - Best Days of Your Life

Yeah, I know, it's supposed to be 80s Thursday, but we'll have to blow that off for a week as today is the birthday of one of my favorite country singers - Kellie Pickler. So let's celebrate with this fine pop country tune she co-wrote and performed with Taylor Swift.



And when you're done watching this one, keep the birthday party rolling at Your Forgotten Favorite as I have more Kellie Pickler goodness going on over there.

27 June 2012

27 June 2012 - Goyte (Featuring Kimbra) - Somebody That I Used To Know

It was a #1 song for eight weeks, until it got dethroned by you know what. This song is so quiet and cool, it's hard to believe that Top 40 radio embraced it.  Then again, a good xylophone solo makes for good radio.

The song, which sounds like a pretty good Sting impersonation, is both angry and heartbreaking. So well crafted.  Such a big pop hit.  Kimbra, who does look and sound a little like Katy Perry in this video (but is NOT Katy Perry) is a fantastic add to the song and a great new talent that I think we'll be seeing more of on this blog.

26 June 2012

26 June 2012 - Sara Evans - Suds in the Bucket

THE Wicked Guilty Pleasures guru warned me yesterday that he was in a 70s country mood and started the week off with a Glen Campbell classic. Sounds good to me. But I'll leave the 70s to the old fella (I kid, I kid).

I'll keep the country going, but will go modern instead. I've actually been meaning to post this fun Sara Evans video for some time. It was my introduction to Sara and has continued to be one of my favorite songs by her.

25 June 2012

25 June 2012 - Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy

Tomorrow, on Totally Covered, I'm going to share with you my Favorite Song of All Time. Bar none. I will give you a hint today.

Glen Campbell made the 2nd biggest hit of his career in sales with this mid-70's campy crossover classic.  He had already proven himself to be capable of greatness in his career, with both earlier hits and his work as a Beach Boy.    This song was pure camp.  It was well-written camp, but it was camp. Here he is, performing the song on Midnight Special



A little bonus: Here is the OFFICIAL video for the song.  Tell me that's not a little campy. I dare you.  Did he really need to be riding a white horse and wearing the white hat?  Still, it's a fun and well-written song.

22 June 2012

22 June 2012 - Lone Justice - Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)

Some songs have a distinct shelf life. Some songs never wear out.

Despite being ridiculed for it in 1985, when I was 13, I have loved this song from the first time I heard it.  The whole country/rock thing isn't something that usually appeals to me - most of what I post here is, let's face it, bubblegum pop - but Maria McKee's vocals sell it, every time.  Maria McKee co-wrote the song with Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band (he later played Silvio on The Sopranos).  



A little added bonus - here is a true live performance of the song, a little more mellow.  Still works.

21 June 2012

21 June 2012 - Squeeze - Black Coffee in Bed

It's 80s Thursdays!!! Here's a classic video by Squeeze. I saw singer Glenn Tilbrook perform a couple years ago. Before he played Black Coffee in Bed he poked some fun at himself and his former bandmates for this video. A couple songs later he led the crowd outside the club for a quick walk around the block while playing Pulling Mussels (From the Shell). Definitely a fun night.