Time To Make A Difference By Standing Up

So I've been sitting on this track for awhile now and I wasn't sure if I was going to post it or not.

When I heard that there was new music from Bosson I was so excited. When I finally heard it I felt a little let down. I filed the track away deep in the catacombs of my hard drive... but when it suddenly started playing the other day I found myself singing along.

It's been playing on my iPod all week now and I think I actually like it! I do feel like it's a bit yoo repetative? It's much different from anything he's done before. It's the closest thing that Bosson is going to get to a Timbaland track and it's making a statement about the world today at the same time. The good news is that Bosson still gives us his trademark high pitched "Ooooohhhs" at the end of the track. It wouldn't be Bosson without the high pitched "OOoooOooahhhh."

Thoughts?

Bosson - Wake Up

Speaking of Bosson lets throw in one of my favorite Bosson remixes!

Bosson - You Opened My Eyes (Godspeed & Moe Mix)

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Feels Just Like The Devil's Ridin' Me

WOW! Talk about a comeback! Sarah Connor is back with a vengence!

The singer debuted in Germany back in 2001 breaking records with her successful singles. She's the first act ever in Germany to hit number 1 with 4 consecutive singles. She immediately became a huge star in Germany... but when her third single - From Sarah With Love spread across Europe she was soon in demand across the globe.

The name Sarah Connor may actually sound familiar to pop music fans in North America because of her single - Bounce. The track was never originally intended to be released in North America... as she was unknown outside of Europe. But in 2003 a pair of US Dj's came across the single and started playing it. Before long the song had spread and Sony USA decided to release it across North America. The song soon began to chart in Canada and the US but a pregnant Sarah Connor was unable to promote the track.

While Sarah has still been very much involved in music over the past 4 years... she hasn't been making any real waves outside of Germany. Over the past 3 years she's released a bunch of Christmas albums, a Motown cover album and contributed to various movie soundtracks.

In 2007 Sarah announced that she was going to work on a new album that would be more suited to the dance floor. That album is now finished and the first single is 'Under My Skin.'

This is one of the best songs so far to be released this summer. You need to download this track and start playing it everywhere! I think she could be a huge hit for her across the globe.

Sarah Connor - Under My Skin

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We All Look The Same In The Dark

WOW! While most artists get old and you lose interest in them as time goes on... some acts consistently get better with each subsequent release. McFly are one such group.

I remember when they first started I dismissed them as just another teen rock band trying to cash in on the 'Busted' phase. I didn't mind the odd song from them... but I kept on waiting for them to fade away. The thing was... they never just went away. To date they've released 14 singles and had 7 number 1's!

After releasing a Greatest Hits album last year the band announced that they were unhappy with the decisions their record label had been making and they would no longer be releasing music with a major label. Instead the boys have formed their own label and now have complete control over their music.

The new album 'Radioactive' will be released in September but we've already had our first taste of their work with the new single - One For The Radio.

All I can say is WOW! After hearing this song I'm officially a full fledged McFly fan. They've really outdone themselves this time. This song has everything right. It's hard hitting, catchy, easy to sing along to, melodic and in your face at the same time. I love the line... "Don't pretend you hate us then you sing our songs..."

McFly... like Girls Aloud in a lot of ways have proven that they have staying power because they're not afraid to grow, develop and try new things. I can't wait to hear what they come up with next.

McFly - One For The Radio

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Best Kept Secret

Some bands will never be able to step out from the shadow of their one big hit single. The charts are littered with artists that never make it past their one big hit; artists that break into the top 40 or sometimes even the top 10 with their debut single and then fall into oblivion never to be heard from again.

What causes a one hit wonder anyways? There are hundreds upon hundreds of them over the years. It is simply a fluke? Were the artists other songs just really really bad? The truth is that most one hit wonders aren't really meant for anything more than that. Often times they're tracks that are recorded as a novelty or to cash in on a fad. Remember the Baha Men?

Uk super group 'Steps' were originally put together to record 5'6'7'8 and cash in on a line dancing fad that had swept the Uk. They're one of the few examples of a one hit wonder gone wrong! They went on to score tones of hit singles.

Sometimes you'll have an act be labeled a one hit wonder in only one country while the band enjoys success in other countries. A prime example of this would be 'Take That' who are considered a one hit wonder in North America for their hit single 'Back For Good' but enjoy superstar status in the Uk and across Europe.

One performer I recently re-discovered would fall into 'One Hit Wonder' status and that's Jennifer Paige. Best known for her debut single - Crush in 1998. She had a great voice, sweet look and a catchy radio-friendly track. The song was a top 5 hit in almost every country it was released and hit number 1 in a handful of those.

Despite the huge initial success the next two singles failed misterably and she faded into the shadows. What most people in North America don't realise is that in 2001 Jennifer released a second album and a new single (A cover of the Australian Popstars - Bardot hit - These Days.)

But unfortunately the record label didn't bother to promote the album and I doubt many people in North America even know that she was still around in 2001. Her second album did receive some airplay in Europe, but not enough to save her record deal and she was dropped in 2002.

Now it's 2008 and it's been 10 years since her debut single. Jennifer is now working with an independent record label and is still releasing music on her own terms this time. If you're interested in her newest single you can hear it here. Her new album 'Best Kept Secret' has already been released in a handful of countries.

One of my favorite Jennifer Paige tracks comes from her little known second album. It's upbeat and sunny.

Jennifer Paige - The Way Of The World

Jennifer Paige - These Days

What are your favorite One Hit Wonders?

It's The Summer Of Love...

Summer has finally arrived in Vancouver, BC and I can't be happier. There's nothing that I love more than hanging out at the beach, relaxing with a book and my iPod, having a pic nic with friends, playing frisbee and blasting some fun pop music. Some songs were just meant to be be played in the summer at the beach or while driving with the top down. They're my favorite summer pop anthems and if you don't have them already you ought to download them and heat outside now!

DJ Sammy - The Boys Of Summer

So back in about 2004 I actually saw DJ Sammy perform live at a festival in the Uk. He was one of the most energetic performers I'd seen in some time and he really got the crowd worked up. One of my favorite tracks was 'The Boys of Summer' a cover of the famous Don Henley track. Rumour has it that DJ Sammy will release a new album this year... hopefully we'll have another summer anthem from Mr. Sammy!

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Alexander - Stay With Me

This is a thumping pop track from the German Idol. I've posted it here before but I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I play it... so here it is again.

Britney Spears - Stronger

Wow... I hadn't listened to this in ages. Do you remember how great she was back then! This was one of my all time favorite videos as well. This summer is the perfect time to dust off this track and blast it out your car window.

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Da Buzz - Alive

Da Buzz always make me think of summer... it's probably why they are very well knoiwn for their summer tours of Sweden. 'Alive' definitely has the feel of summer to it.

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Darius - Kindalove

This is turning into a greatest hits post as I've also posted this track before. This is one I love to play while out in the sun though, hopefully you feel the same way.

E.M.M.A - S.M.S

Here's a bit of swedish cheese for ya. Don't even ask me why I have this track... but it sure is catchy!

Emma Bunton - The Crickets Sing For Annamaria

I wouldn't describe this as a summer anthem, but it's a very relaxing track and still has a summer feel to it.

Enrique Iglesias - Escape

UGH I LOVE THIS SONG! Sorry, but I'm going through my library here and am finding all these great songs I haven't listened to in quite some time. This is definitely a song to play this summer.

Girls Aloud - Long Hot Summer

The title says it all doesn't it? They always have the best singles covers ever!

Gorillaz - 19/2000

I remember searching desperately for this version to this track. It was definitely the poppiest song they ever released and was a big hit for them as well.


S Club 8 - Don't Steal Our Sunshine

Ok so I know that technically they were being called iDream when this was recorded... but they were still S Club 8 to me. I wish this had been a single!


O-zone - Despre Tine

Mi Ya Hi!!! I actually liked Despre Tine more than I ever liked Dragonstea Din Tei... Can you believe I actually bought their album. It's one of my more embarassing album purchases.


Ok so I got a little crazy with the songs... and i'm really tired and I can't even remember what this post is supposed to be about. Let me know what you think of the songs. What are some of your summer anthems?

For my next post I'll be re-introducing a one hit wonder from the late 90s!