5 July 2013 - Ricky Martin - La Copa De La Vida / The Cup Of Life

For each Football - oh, sorry, Americans.  Soccer - FIFA World Cup tournament, a song is commissioned.  This practice started with in 1998.  This song by Ricky Martin was the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, held in France - although it was previously released on one of his albums.  It's a fun, energetic song with an uplifting message.  Plus, it's got a convenient cup metaphor.



Why yes, there is an English version, too!  Why do you ask?

4 July 2013 - Martina McBride - Independence Day

I got a feeling Scott will like this more than I will, but here's an Independence Day song.  Enjoy the song and your day!

3 July 2013 - Animotion - Obsession

For a brief time in the 80's, this was one of my favorite songs.  I was a big fan of the keyboard riff.  Of course, I had no idea what the lyrics were about.

Now I do, and I have a deeper appreciation for this song.  The call-and-response harmony, rare outside of hip-hop, really works for this song, musically and lyrically.  And, once again, it's one of my favorite songs.

2 July 2013 - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

We're no strangers to love.

You know the rules

So do I.

No, you haven't been RickRolled.  You're enjoying one of the brightest pop hits of the late 1980's.  Admit it. You just smiled.  The song doesn't suck.  It's happy and fun and full of energy and even a little jazzy.  Don't be ashamed.  Just enjoy it.

1 July 2013 - Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons / You (Ha Ha Ha)

I am going to try to go through this entire post without referencing Charli XCX's biggest hit, which just hit #1 in the UK on 30 June 2013. I mean, I love it, but I don't care, even if she wrote it.  No, we are going to talk about her terrific debut album - True Romance - with which I am totally and completely obsessed.  Originally slated for release in April 2012, it was eventually released in 2013, after, well, you know, that little hit song we aren't talking about.

The first track is a throwback of a song, very heavy on the synth, that would have worked just as well in 1985 as it does today.  Charli's strong voice reminds me of Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons in this song.



Whereas the first track is a throwback, the second, while retaining heavy synth, is far more modern in its pacing and mix.  It's somewhat hard to follow on first listen.  I urge you to try it twice.  It grows on you.  It's definitely different than anything you've heard on the radio, to be sure.



Aw, what the hell.  Here's Charli with Icona Pop at SXSW 2013, performing The Song That Shall Not Be Named.  As far as I know, this is the only time they've performed it together.  Scott did a more complete post about this song here - and I covered it here on Totally Covered.  As I wrote here, Charli XCX co-wrote the song (and probably should have kept it for herself).

28 June 2013 - Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Today marks post #420 for Wicked Guilty Pleasures.  12 times 35 equals 420.  I'm sure that's just a coincidence, and has NO other meaning.

This song opened up Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde and featured an unusual brass/harmonica arrangement.  Really, though, the song is a bunch of musicians having fun in the studio and, let's face it, getting stoned.   The fun shines through - it's one of Dylan's most..... fun songs.  It's not at all angry, like a lot of his work.

27 June 2013 - The Cure - Lovecats

With the exception of Friday I'm In Love, Lovecats may be the purrfect guilty pleasure song by The Cure. But seeing that I talk about the 80s on Thursdays, you get to relive the magic of Lovecats.

I am SO NOT PROUD of that purrfect pun.