2003/2004 was, for me, almost entirely connected to one album. 'Reality' is the last album to date released by David Bowie. Not long before its release I had become a member of Bowie's site Bowienet and so, when the time came for the album release, I won a ticket to go to the album launch in London where Bowie performed the album in its entirity and broadcast it to cinemas worldwide. It was the first time I saw Bowie performing live and was a magical experience.
The album, obviously, became a firm favourite of mine from the offset due to the experience I associated with it and the title track in particular is so catchy that it often finds itself swirling round my head.
With it's hard, aggressive guitars and punchy delivery it just grabs you and drags you along for the ride. It shows, in my opinon, that Bowie always has what it takes and I hope that one day we might hear some more from the man. However if this track and the album it came from prove to be his final calling card then it's a hell of a way to leave it.
The video is from that memorable album launch performance. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do and I'll catch you all next week!!
David Bowie - Reality
Tragic youth was looking young and sexy
The tragic youth was wearing tattered black jeans
Bearing arms and flaunting all her mischief
The tragic youth was going down on me
And I swear
Woo hoo
Yes I swear
I built a wall of sound to separate us
And hid among the junk of wretched highs
I sped from Planet X to Planet Alpha
Struggling for reality
Ha ha ha ha
Woo hoo
Ha ha ha ha
Whoo hoo
Hey, now my sight is failing in this twilight
Da da da da da da da da da
Now my death is more than just a sad song
Da da da da da da da da da
And I swear
Woo hoo
Yes I swear
Woo hoo
I still don't remember how this happened
I still don't get the wherefores and the whys
I look for sense but I get next to nothing
Hey boy welcome to reality
Ha ha ha ha
Woo hoo
I've been right and I've been wrong
Now I'm back where I started from
Never looked over reality's shoulder
Ha ha ha ha
Huh ha ha ha
Woo hoo
Huh ha ha
Wooh
Woo hoo
Wooh
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 26th January '11 - Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude
Whether Jessie J proves to be as sassy and feirce through the rest of her album remains to be seen but certainly 'Do It like A Dude' is a brilliant in your face introduction to the 22-year-old from Redbridge.
Having already been named the Brit Critics Choice 2011 and the winner of Radio 1's 'Sound Of 2011' list, Jessie J has already made a name for herself in the business as a songwriter penning songs for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake. Now breaking out on her own and currently riding high in the UK charts I feel that, if she keeps the style she's started with, she could quite easily make a name for herself in the US too.
'Do It Like A Dude' is such a catchy tune that you just can't help but get it stuck in your head. Originally penned for Rihanna, Jessie decided at the last minute to keep it for herself and I don't blame her. I'll be interested to see what she does next to keep our attention but as the next single features another one of my favourite current artists, B.o.B., I'm hoping it's a sign of good things to come.
Hope you all like this slice of British fierceness and I'll catch you all next week!!
Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude
Stomp stomp I've arrived
Drop the beat, nasty face
Why ya lookin' at me?
Flyin' flyin' flyin' flyin' through the sky
In my spaceship
I'm an alien tonight
Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty sucka
You think I can't get hurt like you, you motherfucker
I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
Boom Boom, pour me a beer
No pretty drinks, I'm a guy out here
Rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin' money like a pimp
My B I T C H's on my dick like this
Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty sucka
You think I can't get hurt like you, you motherfucker
I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
Boys, come say what you wanna
Boys, you need to lick my dollar
Boys, gettin' hot under the collar
Holla holla woah
Boys, come say what you wanna
Boys, you need to lick my dollar
Boys, gettin' hot under the collar
Holla holla woah
I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
Do it, do it like a dude
Do it, do it low like you
Do it, do it like a dude
Having already been named the Brit Critics Choice 2011 and the winner of Radio 1's 'Sound Of 2011' list, Jessie J has already made a name for herself in the business as a songwriter penning songs for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake. Now breaking out on her own and currently riding high in the UK charts I feel that, if she keeps the style she's started with, she could quite easily make a name for herself in the US too.
'Do It Like A Dude' is such a catchy tune that you just can't help but get it stuck in your head. Originally penned for Rihanna, Jessie decided at the last minute to keep it for herself and I don't blame her. I'll be interested to see what she does next to keep our attention but as the next single features another one of my favourite current artists, B.o.B., I'm hoping it's a sign of good things to come.
Hope you all like this slice of British fierceness and I'll catch you all next week!!
Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude
Stomp stomp I've arrived
Drop the beat, nasty face
Why ya lookin' at me?
Flyin' flyin' flyin' flyin' through the sky
In my spaceship
I'm an alien tonight
Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty sucka
You think I can't get hurt like you, you motherfucker
I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
Boom Boom, pour me a beer
No pretty drinks, I'm a guy out here
Rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin' money like a pimp
My B I T C H's on my dick like this
Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty sucka
You think I can't get hurt like you, you motherfucker
I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
Boys, come say what you wanna
Boys, you need to lick my dollar
Boys, gettin' hot under the collar
Holla holla woah
Boys, come say what you wanna
Boys, you need to lick my dollar
Boys, gettin' hot under the collar
Holla holla woah
I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
Do it, do it like a dude
Do it, do it low like you
Do it, do it like a dude
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 16th January '11 - Prince - Take Me With U
In the 80's there was 'the big three', Madonna, Michael Jackson & Prince. I never saw Michael Jackson live and I still don't know if that's something I should regret or not. I saw Madonna live in 2006 and was left with the feeling of having wished I'd seen her in the early 90's as I feel I missed her at her best. In 2007 when he was playing his 21 nights at the O2 Arena in London I saw Prince. Right from the opening number that night, '1999', I was blown away. So much so that the next day I promptly sourced a ticket for a second night as one night was not enough.
No amount of words can do justice to just how amazingly talented this guy is. Whether it be his ability to play piano/keyboard with such ease and beauty, his amazing style of delivering any genre of song with style and grace or the fact that he is simply, in my opinion, the greatest guitarist of his generation. Then on top of that you have his stunning charisma and an ability to work a room no matter how big. Even at the O2 where I was part of a 20,000 audience I felt that 'presence' as he can manage to do that.
Having released his first album 'For You' in 1978, just two years before I was born, Prince has been a constant presence in my life as I've grown up. 'Purple Rain' was released when I was 4 and some of the biggest hits of that year came from that album. One of the songs to be release from that album was 'Take Me With U'.
I've always found 'Take Me With U' to be a great song about those heady, lust-driven, early days of romance. He manages to capture that magic and intensity in such a simple way that it really demonstrates what a fantastic songwriter he is. I am always captivated by the quality of his music and I hope that one day I get to see him live again and, even more so, hear 'Take Me With U' live.
Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all next week!!
Prince - Take Me With U
I can't disguise the pounding of my heart
It beats so strong
It's in your eyes what can I say
They turn me on
I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
Come on and touch the place in me
That's calling out your name
We want each other oh so much
Why must we play this game?
Don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
I don't care if we spend the night at your mansion
I don't care if we spend the night on the town
All I want is 2 spend the night together
All I want is 2 spend the night in your arms
To be around u is so-oh right
You're sheer perfection (thank u)
Drive me crazy, drive me all night
Just don't break up the connection
I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
Just take me with u
Oh won't u take me with u
Honey take me with u
No amount of words can do justice to just how amazingly talented this guy is. Whether it be his ability to play piano/keyboard with such ease and beauty, his amazing style of delivering any genre of song with style and grace or the fact that he is simply, in my opinion, the greatest guitarist of his generation. Then on top of that you have his stunning charisma and an ability to work a room no matter how big. Even at the O2 where I was part of a 20,000 audience I felt that 'presence' as he can manage to do that.
Having released his first album 'For You' in 1978, just two years before I was born, Prince has been a constant presence in my life as I've grown up. 'Purple Rain' was released when I was 4 and some of the biggest hits of that year came from that album. One of the songs to be release from that album was 'Take Me With U'.
I've always found 'Take Me With U' to be a great song about those heady, lust-driven, early days of romance. He manages to capture that magic and intensity in such a simple way that it really demonstrates what a fantastic songwriter he is. I am always captivated by the quality of his music and I hope that one day I get to see him live again and, even more so, hear 'Take Me With U' live.
Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all next week!!
Prince - Take Me With U
I can't disguise the pounding of my heart
It beats so strong
It's in your eyes what can I say
They turn me on
I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
Come on and touch the place in me
That's calling out your name
We want each other oh so much
Why must we play this game?
Don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
I don't care if we spend the night at your mansion
I don't care if we spend the night on the town
All I want is 2 spend the night together
All I want is 2 spend the night in your arms
To be around u is so-oh right
You're sheer perfection (thank u)
Drive me crazy, drive me all night
Just don't break up the connection
I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u
Just take me with u
Oh won't u take me with u
Honey take me with u
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 09th January '11 - New Kids On The Block - Twisted
The great thing about New Kids On The Block and their fans is the amount of communication they want to share with us. The time they take to make it personal whether it be tweeting people directly, or privately (I've experienced both), or just by putting up photos on their twitter or facebook accounts that are personal -photos of them behind the scenes or even their families - just because they want us to feel a part of their lives. They are always quick to tell us, as if we needed reminding, that without us fans being there they'd not be enjoying their second crack at the music business.
Also the fans are always there for each other and, in the age of the internet and social media, fans around the world are getting to share experiences as well as cultivating new friendships.
Both aspects of this special 'relationship' pulled together this week to help a fan in serious need. Bobette is a 30-year-old fan in the US who had a liver transplant when she was three. Her parents were told she might live to seven if she was lucky but she's obviously defied the medics. However the drugs she's had to take to keep her liver functioning have destroyed her kidneys. She's in need of a kidney transplant from a living donor as it will have a longer life span than a kidney from someone who is deceased.
For various reasons none of her close friends or family were suitable matches so her best friend decided to write a blog and see if anyone in the big wide world would be willing to help Bobette. Both girls are New Kids On The Block fans and so she decided to post the link to her blog to the members of the band to see if they could help spread the word and Donnie Wahlberg did just that. Within a few hours Bobette had six people, all fellow New Kids fans, offering to be donors. They didn't know her personally but felt compelled to help her. This just shows how magic simply loving a band can be.
As for the song, 'Twisted' is my favourite song from their most recent album 'The Block' and this week it just kept popping up on my lastfm account and sticking in my head. Then, when looking for a video of it on youtube I came across the one which you'll find at the end of this blog where, when performing the song at Radio City last June, they mashed it up with the Eurythmics track 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' which made it even more brilliant than it was already.
Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all again next week!!
New Kids On The Block - Twisted
You wanna feel, I'll let you feel
Come over here
You heard what love can do to you
You know that cuts, scars, bruises hurt
So what
You like it
You like all the screws, tattoos, cool
That I can do
You're telling, you're telling me you're
A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)
How do you feel
I got you ill from all the love
I'll try not to kill ya
Get close enough
You know that cuts, scars, bruises hurt
So what
You like it
You like all the screws, tattoos, cool
That i can do
You're telling, you're telling me you're
A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)
You need a little more to get you where you want
I'll push you how you want it
Just tell me where to pull
You want it harder
Need it harder
Girl it's how you like it
Tell me what you been missing
You need me to come and twist it for you
I'll come and twist it for you
I'll even hit it for you
I'll hurt you if you like it
And then I'll twist it for you
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it
Also the fans are always there for each other and, in the age of the internet and social media, fans around the world are getting to share experiences as well as cultivating new friendships.
Both aspects of this special 'relationship' pulled together this week to help a fan in serious need. Bobette is a 30-year-old fan in the US who had a liver transplant when she was three. Her parents were told she might live to seven if she was lucky but she's obviously defied the medics. However the drugs she's had to take to keep her liver functioning have destroyed her kidneys. She's in need of a kidney transplant from a living donor as it will have a longer life span than a kidney from someone who is deceased.
For various reasons none of her close friends or family were suitable matches so her best friend decided to write a blog and see if anyone in the big wide world would be willing to help Bobette. Both girls are New Kids On The Block fans and so she decided to post the link to her blog to the members of the band to see if they could help spread the word and Donnie Wahlberg did just that. Within a few hours Bobette had six people, all fellow New Kids fans, offering to be donors. They didn't know her personally but felt compelled to help her. This just shows how magic simply loving a band can be.
As for the song, 'Twisted' is my favourite song from their most recent album 'The Block' and this week it just kept popping up on my lastfm account and sticking in my head. Then, when looking for a video of it on youtube I came across the one which you'll find at the end of this blog where, when performing the song at Radio City last June, they mashed it up with the Eurythmics track 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' which made it even more brilliant than it was already.
Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all again next week!!
New Kids On The Block - Twisted
You wanna feel, I'll let you feel
Come over here
You heard what love can do to you
You know that cuts, scars, bruises hurt
So what
You like it
You like all the screws, tattoos, cool
That I can do
You're telling, you're telling me you're
A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)
How do you feel
I got you ill from all the love
I'll try not to kill ya
Get close enough
You know that cuts, scars, bruises hurt
So what
You like it
You like all the screws, tattoos, cool
That i can do
You're telling, you're telling me you're
A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)
You need a little more to get you where you want
I'll push you how you want it
Just tell me where to pull
You want it harder
Need it harder
Girl it's how you like it
Tell me what you been missing
You need me to come and twist it for you
I'll come and twist it for you
I'll even hit it for you
I'll hurt you if you like it
And then I'll twist it for you
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 02nd January '11 - Nick Stephenson - Mine's A Simple Mind
Nick Stephenson is not only a wonderful human being and a dear friend, but he is also one of the most amazing singer/songwriters I have encountered in recent times.
Last month he finally released his long awaited debut album 'Dream Logic'. Chock full of beautiful and magical songs it is well worth everyone having a copy in their music collection.
In theory it is hard to pick which song to put up on here from the album. Opening track 'Better Than Any Drug' is a great song of the powers of true love. 'Mountain', my favourite on the album, is just such a beautiful song with lines I wish a guy would use on me some time as I'd fall for them instantly. The classic 'Poor Little Boy' which I blogged about last April (http://songstuckinmyheadthisweek.blogspot.com/2010/04/song-stuck-in-my-head-this-week-25th.html/). The tender 'Midnight Movements'. So many great songs, however the choice is made simpler by the fact that Nick doesn't have many videos of him and his music on YouTube, something I hope he rectifies in 2011. I also hope he starts posting lyrics online too so I don't have to keep hoping I've got them right!!
In the meantime you can always hear his songs on his MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/nickstephensonmusic/ and find out information about him either there or on his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=255649986329/
However I hope you enjoy this week's song and give the rest of his stuff a listen too!!
Nick Stephenson - Mine's A Simple Mind
Good memories
Debating friends
Isolation
The good times end
But inside is a knowing smile
Not needing to speak at all
If he knew how to change their minds he might go out
It's not easy to change the ones who'll put you down
Was hiding the best of moves
He hears the sounds but he's not in their shoes
And the brain works a simple spell
No pretentions or pointless tales
If he knew how to change their minds he might go out
It's not easy to change the ones who'll put you down
As fate works in a funny old way
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy
And who wants to take another crack at this one
Righteous children pinned to their chairs
Sad opinions
Lonely affairs
Vegetating
Barely alive
Happy living nine to five
I can't criticise
Or rationalise
For mine's a simple mind
I can't criticise
Or rationalise
For mine's a simple mind
Mine's a simple mind
Last month he finally released his long awaited debut album 'Dream Logic'. Chock full of beautiful and magical songs it is well worth everyone having a copy in their music collection.
In theory it is hard to pick which song to put up on here from the album. Opening track 'Better Than Any Drug' is a great song of the powers of true love. 'Mountain', my favourite on the album, is just such a beautiful song with lines I wish a guy would use on me some time as I'd fall for them instantly. The classic 'Poor Little Boy' which I blogged about last April (http://songstuckinmyheadthisweek.blogspot.com/2010/04/song-stuck-in-my-head-this-week-25th.html/). The tender 'Midnight Movements'. So many great songs, however the choice is made simpler by the fact that Nick doesn't have many videos of him and his music on YouTube, something I hope he rectifies in 2011. I also hope he starts posting lyrics online too so I don't have to keep hoping I've got them right!!
In the meantime you can always hear his songs on his MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/nickstephensonmusic/ and find out information about him either there or on his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=255649986329/
However I hope you enjoy this week's song and give the rest of his stuff a listen too!!
Nick Stephenson - Mine's A Simple Mind
Good memories
Debating friends
Isolation
The good times end
But inside is a knowing smile
Not needing to speak at all
If he knew how to change their minds he might go out
It's not easy to change the ones who'll put you down
Was hiding the best of moves
He hears the sounds but he's not in their shoes
And the brain works a simple spell
No pretentions or pointless tales
If he knew how to change their minds he might go out
It's not easy to change the ones who'll put you down
As fate works in a funny old way
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy
And who wants to take another crack at this one
Righteous children pinned to their chairs
Sad opinions
Lonely affairs
Vegetating
Barely alive
Happy living nine to five
I can't criticise
Or rationalise
For mine's a simple mind
I can't criticise
Or rationalise
For mine's a simple mind
Mine's a simple mind
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