» 2000s
United State of Pop 2011 (World Go Boom) – DJ Earworm
DJ Earworm continues to impress with his amazing mash-ups of popular songs into seamless pop songs. His United State of Pop 2011 (Blame it on the Pop) was a shockingly good song on its own. This year’s entry, “World Go Boom” is equally impressive. Once again he has taken Billboard Magazine’s top 25 songs of 2011 and squished them into another delicious mashup. Here is a the complete list of songs in the 2011 DJ Earworm … Read entire article »
I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness
I’m breaking my own rules here today by highlighting a song that many would consider a one-hit wonder, but did not actually reach the Billboard Top 40. The inspiration is a question by one-hit wonders fan, Jane Doe 123 (somehow I think that is not Jane’s name on her birth certificate) where she asks: “What was that one song ( I don’t know the name or artist/band ) where in the music video he is in … Read entire article »
1 Million Bucks to Create a Hit Song
I read a fascinating article this weekend by Zoe Chace from NPR about the costs behind crafting a hit single. She digs into the background of one of Rihanna’s singles (“Man Down”) from her latest record titled, Loud. One of the most intriguing points she makes in an article full of intriguing points is the estimated costs for all the behind-the-scenes players who turn songs into records into money. I’ve included a graphic from the article … Read entire article »
Laffy Taffy – D4L
Some songs burst onto the music scene, make a huge impact, reach #1 on the Billboard Top 40, and forever afterwards are considered some of the worst songs ever. That seems to be the story of “Laffy Taffy” by D4L that reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006 and was fueled by big online sales and a video that featured bikini beauties in a water fight. High art here, folks. The lyrics are, well, simple and … Read entire article »
Springsteen Sax Player Clarence Clemons Dies
It’s a sad day as Clarence Clemons, longtime member of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band, died one week after suffering a massive stroke. Clemons, known as The Big Man, was a beloved character and key part of Springsteen’s band. Listen to Born to Run and you’ll hear his playing all over that classic album. In a statement, Bruce Springsteen said, “His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had … Read entire article »
Fireflies – Owl City
The first time I heard “Fireflies,” I told my friends: “That’s the best song The Postal Service or Death Cab for Cutie never wrote.” In fact, I had to listen closely to be sure it wasn’t a new song by The Postal Service. It wasn’t. “Fireflies” was and is a synthpop hit in the same spirit as great synthpop one-hit wonders from artists as diverse Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me with Science” or “Perfect Way” by Scritti … Read entire article »
Clarence Clemons, Sax Player for Springsteen, Lady Gaga and One-Hit Wonder, Suffers Stroke
Saxophone player Clarence Clemons reportedly suffered a massive stroke on Sunday, June 12. He is in the hospital in serious condition. Clemons has been part of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band since its earliest days and “The Big Man” as fans know him is a beloved part of one of America’s most beloved bands. Although the 69-year-old Clemons has recently struggled with health concerns, he contributed saxophone to Lady Gaga’s most recent album, The Edge of … Read entire article »
Filed under: 2000s
I Wanna Be Bad – Willa Ford
Call it the Britney effect. Between 1999 and 2001 a bunch of songs emerged that sounded just like Britney Spears. Pop songs that were complete studio productions with some auto-tuned vocals laid over the top. “I Wanna Be Bad” by Willa Ford is one of the most blatant examples. The first time I heard the song on a radio station as I was surfing for a good song, I stopped, listened and thought, that’s NOT … Read entire article »