It's So Hard For Me To Breathe...

So as a general rule I don't think it's a good idea to take a ballad and remix it. The results are usually messy and end up ruining a great song.

Take a fantastic song like Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown - No Air and the stakes are a lot higher. It's one of my favorite tracks of the year and I wasn't too impressed when I heard there was a remix.

But then I heard this! Jason Nevins hit all the right spots with this mix... he hasn't changed the song too dramatically... just added a soft beat and makes it a bit more dramatic.

I think you'll like this even if you don't usually like remixes... check it out and lemme know what you think.

Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown - No Air (Jason Nevins Mix)

81 Days And Counting

YES!!! IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!

Mark these days down NOW! On November 17th (The Day before my birthday) Same Difference will FINALLY release their debut single. Then on November 24th they will follow it up with their debut ALBUM!!

This is the best news of the year from the best new band of the year. It's been a long journey for the band and there was never any real certainty that they would actually get to release a full album.

This is a true test to see if the public are willing to spend money on good old fashioned pop music again.

Support the little guys and BUY their album when it comes out.

If you have no clue what I'm talking about and don't know who Same Difference are then watch this!

Just Dance!

So it took me awhile to finally jump on the Lady GaGa bandwagon... but I can't resist anymore and I'm loving 'Just Dance' finally. The song has been floating around the world since April so I'm a little behind the times here but better late than never! The song is already an international hit single reaching top 10 in various countries across the globe.

If you're behind like me check out the track...

Lady GaGa - Let's Dance

Speaking of dancing the new Infernal album was released last week. I'm actually not as impressed as I thought I would be with the album... after listening to the entire album I really only felt like I wanted to keep the two singles. So if you're on the fence about purchasing the album I'd say hold off.

Infernal - Mr. Money

I usually post about established artists but sometimes you need to give some love to the new up and coming talent. If there's an act you need to keep an eye out for it's 'The Ultrasonics.' Their debut single - Perfect Girl is being released digitally in the Uk on August 25th. If all goes well you should be hearing more from them soon. Their style is probably best described as retro electro-pop. The track hasn't been released yet but you can listen to it online. Lemme know what you think

The Ultrasonics - Perfect Girl

The blog has been overrun by the girls lately... so I think the next post will be all about the boys!

When I Play... I Play For Keeps

Ugh Today is a great day for Pop Music! Seriously where would we be without Sweden? It's hoenstly the only country left in the world that produces serious pop music that is still popular in the mainstream.

Today we celebrate 3 fantastic tracks from 3 Swedish super dance divas!

Let's Begin...

Agnes Carlsson

The winner of Swedish Idol is back for her 3rd album! If you're a regular reader here at YDKP you'll remember that her last album had some killer tracks on it. Well she has finally released the first single from her forthcoming 3rd album and she has really upped the ante! When I first saw the track had been released I assumed it would be either a cheesy ballad or an attempt at being 'cool' with an R n B based track. She's done us proud though by going with a BIG epic dancey pop track.

This is a MUST download...

Agnes Carlsson - On and On

Velvet

Hot off the heels of her dissapointing placement in 'Melodifestivalen' earlier this year. Velvet isn't giving up and delivers her best offering to date with this track from her new album to be released soon.

Velvet - Take My Body Close

.

Elin Lanto

So I will admit I HATED her song in 2007's Melodifestivalen. 'Money' was bland and her performance was rotten. But she sold me with 'Speak N Spell' which was a favorite of mine earlier this year. Her latest single isn't as good as Speak N Spell... but it's not bad!

Elin Lanto - My Favorite Pair Of Jeans

New Music Monday... On A Tuesday!

To make up for my lack of updates I have some hot new tracks for you to evaluate!
.

Infernal - Whenever You Need Me

.

Talk about a departure from their last album! Their first album was very in your face pop music but with their first two singles Infernal have really come into their own. I find their new songs to be a new brand of sophisticated dancey/pop music. I'm really excited for the album now which will be released next week!

.

David Archuleta - Crush

.

This years American Idol runner up finally delivers his debut single - Crush. I think the guy has a great voice... and sure the song is easy to listen to, the chorus is catchy... but its soooo TIRED! I've heard this song a billion times! It's been done over and over and over. It's a safe and boring single choice... not that I expected anything else from him. I just find it all a little boring.

.

BWO - Lay Your Love On Me (Biffco Radio Mix)

.

It's funny how a slight tweak to the beat can make a great song even better but they did it with this slight remix! Check it out.

We Should Be Dancing... But We Chose To Fight

Hey guys!

First off... apologies for my lack of updates lately and thank you for continuing to follow my adventures in pop. I'm going to try to update more regularly... otherwise I'd have to shut down and I don't want to do that. I've considered sharing posting duties if someone wanted to join the YouDontKnowPop team.

But enough of that let's get back to the music! BWO have released a 3rd single in the Uk with - Lay Your Love On Me and although they've managed to garner some radio support this time, they single entered the chart this week at #69. But that isn't necessarily bad news since the physical single still hasn't been released!

I read an interview with Alexander where he was asked why Uk radio has suddenly jumped on board and started promoting the new single and this was his answer which I LOVE:

"I think what they like is that we're not manufactured. We've had too many Idol winners and too many boybands and too many girl bands. I hate manufactured music, I like music that's organic and real. With BWO it's obvious we're real because a major record company would never put together a group featuring a 47-year-old man, a 43-year-old woman and a 26-year-old guy who looks like he's brought mum and dad on stage with him."

So to the Uk record buying public... please go out and purchase your copy of - Lay Your Love On Me this week and get BWO into the top 20 where they belong!

To celebrate I'm posting a song i just recently discovered from the band! One of my favorites since the first album I have to say!

BWO - We Should Be Dancing

.

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)

.

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

.

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

.

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!

.

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.

.

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.

.

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!

New Music Monday!

Earlier this year the newly re-formed Alcazar released 'We Keep On Rockin' which peaked at #4 in Sweden. The The new Alcazar continue to release music as a trio with their new track - Inhibitions. This one isn't as catchy as their last that's for sure. It's very different from any other single they've released in the past. It actually reminds me of Geri Halliwells "Look At Me." Anyone else see that connection? Although I'm not AMAZED with the new track I'm definitely looking forward to the album which should be released soon!

Alcazar - Inhibitions

Katherine McPhee is fighting hard not to become another fallen Idol. After her first album was released in 2007 she was quickly dropped by her record label. It might have been the end of McPheever until she hooked up with the legendary David Foster. The two have been working together on a second album and the first of their songs has finally been released. It's being used to promote a Japanese Airline and is called 'All I Need Is You.' I much prefer this song to the kind of stuff she did on her debut album. Her voice is perfectly suited for these kinds of ballads. If she plays her cards right she could end up with a successful singing career. Hooking up with David Foster was definitely a smart move!

Katherine McPhee - All I Need Is You

.

PS. Same Difference are now in Sweden working with the same people that worked with artists like Ace of Base, Steps and Enrique Iglasias... OMG I CANT WAIT!

Another Rainbow Shows You Who You Are...

This summer cities across the globe will celebrate Pride with rallys, parades, parties, music and celebrations. I find it so strange that people can hate, discriminate, hurt and kill other human beings just because or who they love. Every race, every sexuality, every gender... everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equaly.

Below are some of my favorite songs that stand for all of these things. Have a great summer! Turn up your stereo! And Don't Stop The Pop!

Magnus Carlsson - Another Rainbow

Alcazar - Someday

Stephen Gately - New Beginning

Boyzone - No Matter What

Savage Garden - Affirmation

Regina Lund - Rainbow Star

Xandee - 1 Life

The Attic Feat. Therese - The Arrival

BWO - Save My Pride

Tina Cousins - Wonderful Life

Darren Hayes - Listen All You People

Kate Ryan - We All Belong

Cher - Love One Another

Nina & Kim - Bortom Tid Och Rum

Prozzak - Be As

You Weren't There... Distant Far Away...

You know... I don't post enough ballads on here. Although I post a lot of upbeat pop songs... I have a soft spot for a good ballad. Although if you're a regular reader I'm sure you've figured that out by now. My love for Westlife is no secret.

When Lene Marlin debuted in 1998 with her first single 'Unforgivable Sinner' the song became the biggest selling single in Nowegian music history when it stayed at #1 for 8 weeks. Lene Marlin then had an international hit back in '99/00 with - 'Sitting Down Here.'

When she released her second album in 2003 the first single didn't fare as well and most of you probably never even heard it. The song was called - You Weren't There. The song isn't groundbreaking or anything... but there's something about it that I love. When I listen to it I feel like there is a lot of emotion there... I find it a very sad song. What do you think?

.

Lene Marlin - You Weren't There

.

You Hide Behind Your Lies...

Ok so his career may be over... his last album tanked and his two singles weren't exactly smach hits. There was a time when Gareth Gates was one of the biggest stars in the uk and he had some decent songs!

Now I never did listen to his newest album (the 2 singles did nothing for me,) but I've just been going through some old mp3's and came across one of his old gems. 'Lies' is a great track that was on his second album - Go Your Own Way. The album was sorta cool actually. It had 19 tracks split onto 2 discs... one titled Day and one titled Night. 'Lies' was on the day album and was written by some of the best Swedish song writers around.

The song may be dated... but if you love old cheesy pop songs and you missed this one... it's a great one to add to your collection.

.

Gareth Gates - Lies

.

An interesting tidbit is that Gareth Gates holds a record for the loudest fans. They broke the record by screaming at 130 decibles at a concert in Sheffield! Now that's something to be proud of :)

Chemistry... Look What You Do To Me

So the other day I was in HMV and a song came over the sound system... and I suddenly found myself singing along. The next track came on and again I found myself bopping along to the beat.

I finally had to stop and ask what it was?! How could I have never heard of these songs before?

I walked up to the counter to some scary looking punk/emo guy and asked him what was playing. In the most unhappy look you can imagine he says... "Donna Summer." He obviously wasn't a fan ;-) I was too embarassed to buy the album at that point. I mean DONNA SUMMER?

I never would have thought that I'd be posting about Donna Summer... but she has just released her first new studio album in the last 17 years! If you are a fan of pop music there are some fantastic songs on this album. I've only listened to half of it so far, but I had to post these two gems for you.

I think 'The Science Of Love' is officially one of my favorite songs of this year. It sounds NOTHING like Donna Summer.

.

Donna Summer - Fame (The Game)

.

Donna Summer - The Science Of Love

.

For those of you that are too young to know who Donna Summer even is... check this out:
.
Donna Summer - The Eternity Megamix

.

I Don't Wanna Hurt Anymore...

IM BACK!

A huge apology for my sudden dissapearance. I just spent the last 2 weeks in Calgary for work and had no access to internet while I was away. I'm back though so spread the word and we'll get right back to the POP!

On Dec. 22nd 2001 Uk pop group Steps were performing their final stop on their 'Gold: Greatest Hits Tour.' Moments before the band were to hit the stage, band members Ian and Claire presented the other 3 with letters from their lawyers stating that they were leaving the group.

In an instant the Uk's biggest pop band were finished and the announcement was made public on Dec. 26th, 2001. While the other 3 members of the band felt betrayed by Ian and Claire, it was made worse when they found out that Ian and Claire were going going to release music as a duo from this point forward known as "H & Claire."

Their debut single received a lot of promotion, mostly off the back of the Steps split, there was a lot of interest to see what the duo would do. But Steps fans were divided over the duo's work. Many fans felt betrayed by the duo and refused to support them. The single debuted at #3 int he charts and the pair were also announced as presenters for SM:tv in the Uk, this gave them a built in audience to promote their music to.

By late 2002 the Uk chart scene began to change and move away from happy go lucky pop music. Their next singles charted at #8 and #10 but the final straw was when their album entered the chart at #53 and then fell off the following week.

Suddenly the band simply dissapeared. To this day there has never been an official announcement regarding the duo. There are rumours that although they are no longer recording together, they are still under a legal contract to WEA records, which means if Claire were to ever release solo material, she would be bound to release with WEA Records.

In a way I'm glad that H & Claire failed as a duo. It serves them right for the way they ended the band. At the same time I think the band split at the right time, they were on the top of their game and never had to stay together and watch people turn on the band.

As for H and Claire their solo music was mediocre at best... the album was fairly bland and probably isn't even remembered by many out there. That being said the band did produce one song that never really received the recognition it deserved.

'All Out Of Love' is a song that I can't get enough of 6 years after it's original release! It starts off slowly... builds up as it goes along... has a great dancey beat, a fantastic live dance routine and the video version even had a breakdown in the middle!

Another song to remember was Another You Another Me which was penned by Benny & Bjorn of Abba.

H & Claire - All Out Of Love

H & Claire - DJ

H & Claire - Another You, Another Me

Check out the fantastic dance routine to this song below!?
Does anyone else love this routine as much as I do?!

YDKP Will return on June 2nd!

Like A Flower Leaning Toward The Sun...

WOW! 4 months ago I was lucky enough to see one of the biggest acts of all time re-unite when I flew to L.A to see the Spice Girls on their reunion show. Last night I got the chance to see Mel C on her solo Canadian tour. It's so odd that only 4 months ago she played to 15'000 screaming fans, doing dance routines and wearing a dress... when last night she rocked out to an audience of about 200 people at a local night club.

Mel C is a born entertainer, she performed last night as if she were in front of 15'000 fans. But even more important was that it was clear she was having a lot of fun. She played a great show with songs from all 4 of her albums with a 5 piece band. While she sang almost every track from her new album (which was just released in Canada) she also sang most of her biggest hits, including the dance remix of 'I Turn To You' which will go down in history as one of the best remixes of all time. She proved last night that she can sing a fun pop song, jam to a rock song or bare her soul in a touching ballad. If you ever get the chance to see her perform it's a show you won't forget.

Mel C - Carolyna (Radio Mix)

Mel C - Better Alone (Pop Mix)

Mel C - Yeh Yeh Yeh

Quand tu l'as tu l'as

Kate Ryan's new single is really fun and the more I listen to it the more I like it. I've never been a huge fan of her stuff. I mean it's good, and I listen to her songs but besides Je T'Adore the rest of her songs just don't really stand out for me. I think Ella Elle L'a may be my second favorite song of hers now... plus her poptastic video for it helps. She's definitely channeling some Scooch in the vid!

The song is a cover or an 80's French hit and you can actually check out Alizee doing her version on French television acouple years ago.

Kate Ryan - Ella Elle L'a

In other news... I'm Mr. technology lately as I recently bought Tivo; which I never would have thought that I would need... and now that I have it... I don't know how I ever lived without it.

Also, I got to take part in a marketing survery recently where I got to test out a new accessory for my iPod. I got to test out Energizer's 'Energi To Go' kit which basically allows you to charge your iPod no matter where you are with a simple device that is powered with 2 double A batteries. So yesterday I was on the bus, watching video clips on my iTouch when sure enough the batteries died. I plugged the Energi To Go right on to my iPod and went right back to watching the videos. By the time I was finished not only did the ipod not die... but it ended up being fully recharged even while I was using it to watch video. Since I spend about 3 hours a day on a bus for my commute this little device has officially become my new life saver.

So there is my product placement for today... Tivo is my new best friend... and if you do any kind of travelling with your iPod... you should check out the Energi To Go kit.