Song of the Week (Week of June 19, 2011)

In honor of seeing Florence + The Machine in concert earlier this week, I chose "Heavy In Your Arms" as this week's Song of the week. This song was originally recorded for "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack" and then was included on the re-released edition of "Lungs" as well as the "Lungs: The B-Sides" albums. I actually didn't like this song very much at first, but it's definitely grown on me (especially after hearing Florence's incredible vocals on it live). It's a very haunting song and very different a lot else out there. Enjoy!



I was a heavy heart to carry
My beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced to crown.

I was a heavy heart to carry
My feet dragged across ground
And he took me to the river
Where he slowly let me drown

My love has concrete feet
My love's an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

I'm so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms
I'm so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms

And is it worth the wait
All this killing time?
Are you strong enough to stand
Protecting both your heart and mine?

Who is the betrayer?
Who's the killer in the crowd?
The one who creeps in corridors
And doesn't make a sound

My love has concrete feet
My love's an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

My love has concrete feet
My love's an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

I'm so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms
I'm so heavy, heavy
So heavy in your arms

This will be my last confession
I love you never felt like any blessing
(Ohhhh)
Whispering like it's a secret
Only to condemn the one who hears it
With a heavy heart

Heavy heavy I'm so heavy in your arms
(I'm so) Heavy heavy I'm so heavy in your arms
(I'm so) Heavy heavy I'm so heavy in your arms
(I'm so) Heavy heavy I'm so heavy in your arms

I was a heavy heart to carry
my beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced to crown

I was a heavy heart to carry
But he never let me down
When he had me in his arms
My feet never touched the ground

I'm so heavy, heavy in your arms.

Heavy, I'm so heavy in your arms.

Top 12 Female Pop Artists - Number 6: Dixie Chicks

Every Saturday for the next 12 weeks I decided to count down my top 12 female pop artists. After each cut will be a short explanation of why they made the list and their discographies. There will also be audio of some of my favorite songs to listen to, and video of some of their music videos and live performances that I like the most. Give the page time to load after you click "Read More" because all the audio and video may cause it to take awhile.

Some of these songs or video may have already been posted in other entries, but they will be reposted for the countdown purposes if they are some of favorites. (And of course the number of songs and videos posted will depend on how new the artist is...a newer artist will have far fewer than one who's been around for years). This week we the countdown continues with:

Number 6 - Dixie Chicks

New GaGa & Robyn Videos!

This week has been a big week for new music videos. First, today saw the release of Lady GaGa's video for "The Edge of Glory." Let's just say it's very...simple. Basically, the concept as well as the original director, Joseph Kahn (who had directed her "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)" and "LoveGame" videos, as well as some Britney Spears and other huge videos) got scrapped due to creative differences. So this is what was put together.

I don't understand why another director with a new concept wasn't hired, but the video itself and GaGa look great at least. Now, GaGa's longtime choreographer Laurieann Gibson is even saying the video was underwhelming and insulting some Monsters on twitter in the process because she says they are "ignorant" and don't understand that creative changes are common. This is all very disheartening, but if you want to read a more detailed description of what happened, go HERE. And to read more specifically what happened with Laurieann and why I think she's out of line go HERE. I do like that she changed it up and showed she doesn't NEED to always make epic videos. Anyway here's the video to see for yourself:



Meanwhile, hip hop artist Rye Rye recorded a video with Robyn for her song "Never Will Be Mine," which samples the ballad version of Robyn's "Be Mine." Robyn looks adorable in this fun video. Watch it here and enjoy!:

Florence + The Machine's Tea Party For 5,700 at the Greek Theatre

On Monday and Tuesday nights I saw Florence + The Machine at the Greek Theatre. I once again reviewed the show (only the Monday night one though) for The Examiner.com, which you can read HERE. The photos weren't that great so I just put this one below. Enjoy the review!

Katy Perry's New Video Is Actually Really Good!

So I'm not a huge Katy Perry fan. I've heard terrible stories about her as a person (did anyone hear about her obnoxious tour rider or see any of her numerous public twitter feuds?). But aside from her personality, I don't think she's very talented. She has a decent voice that sounds good in certain songs (such as "Ur So Gay" off her first album), but she's become so mainstream pop that she is singing songs that don't suit her voice. For example, while "Firework" is a great song, I haven't seen one performance where she has sang it well live. She strains to hit a lot of the notes.

On the other hand, she does co-write her music and can make fun of herself. And that's exactly what she does in the video for her newest single, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)." The video is 8 minutes long and doesn't even feature one flattering shot of her, which is awesome. While I feel like the video is a response to the necessity for pop stars to create epic and thought-provoking music videos to compete with GaGa's videos, Katy Perry has achieved this.

The pop culture references are endless: while it's a bit disgusting that Rebecca Black is still getting work, her appearance in another video about a Friday night is also hilarious. There are two "Glee" stars in the video, as well as two 80s stars, Debbie Gibson and Corey Feldman. This video is entertaining, imaginative, and pays homage in a fun way. Great job, Katy! Watch it below. Enjoy!

GaGa Performs and Speaks At EuroPride!

This woman is just so incredible. Over the weekend, GaGa performed and spoke at EuroPride in Rome. When I met her, I thanked her for all she's done for the gay community and she said "I won't stop." And she meant it. Just like everything else about her, I feel like her love for her fans and her support of gay rights is completely genuine. For all the Britney's, Katy's and Rihanna's out there who say they love and support their gay fans, I don't see them going to any Pride festivals. That's really showing support and commitment. Once again, GaGa, you prove how awesome you are. Watch her acoustic performances of "Born This Way" and "The Edge of Glory" below. Enjoy!

Song of the Week (Week of June 12, 2011)

For this week's Song of the Week I chose a classic Madonna song off her debut album, "Burning Up." The song was released as a single in 1983. It's not as well known as some of her 80s songs, but it's definitely still a classic. I chose it for 2 reasons this week: first, because Britney Spears is doing a cover of the song on her upcoming Femme Fatale Tour. Her version is no where near as good as Madonna's (of course) so it kind of made me have an even greater appreciation for the original. If you want to hear it, you can do so HERE.

The other reason I chose this song is because it's Los Angeles Pride this weekend, and who better to celebrate Pride with than one of the greatest gay icons of all time? Enjoy!



Don't put me off 'cause I'm on fire
And I can't quench my desire
Don't you know that I'm burning up for your love
You're not convinced that that is enough
I put myself in this position
And I deserve the imposition
But you don't even know I'm alive
And this pounding in my heart just won't die
I'm burning up

Chorus:

I'm burning up, burning up for your love
I'm burning up, burning up for your love
I'm burning up, burning up for your love
For your love

You're always closing your door
Well that only makes me want you more
And day and night I cry for your love
You're not convinced that that is enough
To justify my wanting you
Now tell me what you want me to do
I'm not blind and I know
That you want to want me but you can't let go
Come on, let go

(chorus)

Oh

Intermediate:

Do you wanna see me down on my knees?
Or bending over backwards now would you be pleased?
Unlike the others I'd do anything
I'm not the same, I have no shame
I'm on fire

Come on, let go

(intermediate)

[Burning up for your love]
Ooo, yeah, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Ooo, yeah, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Come on, come on, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Uh, uh, uh, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Ooo, yeah, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Come on, come on, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Ooo, yeah, I'm burning up [Burning up for your love]
Uh, uh, uh [Burning up for your love]

You know you got me burning up, baby [Burning up for your love]
You know you got me burning up, baby [Burning up for your love]

Burning up for your love [Burning up for your love]
Burning up for your love [Burning up for your love]
(repeat and fade)

Top 12 Female Pop Artists - Number 7: Beyoncé

Every Saturday for the next 12 weeks I decided to count down my top 12 female pop artists. After each cut will be a short explanation of why they made the list and their discographies. There will also be audio of some of my favorite songs to listen to, and video of some of their music videos and live performances that I like the most. Give the page time to load after you click "Read More" because all the audio and video may cause it to take awhile.

Some of these songs or video may have already been posted in other entries, but they will be reposted for the countdown purposes if they are some of favorites. (And of course the number of songs and videos posted will depend on how new the artist is...a newer artist will have far fewer than one who's been around for years). This week we the countdown continues with:

Number 7 - Beyoncé

Lady GaGa Performs On Germany's Next Top Model

Today Lady GaGa gave an incredible performance of "Scheiße", "Born This Way" (Acoustic) and "The Edge of Glory" on Germany's Next Top Model. Watch the video below. Enjoy!

Song of the Week (Week of June 5, 2011)

You've probably never heard of Oh Land but you definitely should hear of her...which is exactly why I picked her for this week's Song of the Week. Oh Land is the stage name of Danish singer-songwriter/record producer Nanna Øland Fabricius. She released her first album "Fauna" in Denmark in 2008, but her follow-up album "Oh Land" really got her attention when it was released this year.

It served as her debut album in the U.S. and just cracked into the Billboard 200 albums chart when it was released. She appeared on a few televised U.S. shows for the first time ever around the album's release, and is now going on tour with Sia and Katy Perry (on select dates) this summer. The first single off the album, "Sun of a Gun" is perhaps her best known song, but my favorite is another track on the album called "White Nights." Enjoy!



Ooh ooh Ooh
Has it been a day or a week?
As my eyes begin to close
I am walking in my sleep
Living in a state in-between
Do the signs begin to show
See the eyes fare in the dark
As they glow
As they glow

These dreams under my pillow
In the twilight of these white nights
These dreams under my pillow
In the twilight of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights
Oooh Ooh Ooh

Something is about to be born
There's a restlessness in me
Keeps me up until the dawn
There is no silence
I will keep following the sirens
There is no silence
I will keep following the sirens

These dreams under my pillow
In the twilight of these white nights
These dreams under my pillow
In the twilight of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights
Oooh ooh ooh

These dreams under my pillow
In the twilight of these white nights
These dreams under my pillow
In the twilight of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights
Of these white nights