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 »
Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks
Scotty McCreery, the 17-year-old from Garner, N.C., won American Idol tonight. That’s 10 seasons of Idol and 10 winners who have gone on to fame (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks) and relative obscurity (Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks). Taylor Hicks is an interesting study since he is one of only two American Idol winners to place a single song in the Billboard Top 40 (the other is 2010 winner, Lee DeWyze). But Hicks single … Read entire article »
World – Five for Fighting
Rock music has always been full of lyrical cliches. And sometimes they don’t even spoil the song but actually enhance it. Sometimes, however, a song just sounds like one endless parade of glib and pithy phrases and I’m amazed someone wrote it. I’m even more amazed when people applaud the writing like it shows great depth. But that’s what I hear when I listen to “World” by Five for Fighting. A litany of cliches. Here are some highlights: Let’s … Read entire article »
December 1963 (Oh What a Night) – Franki Valli and the Four Seasons
This weekend my company lost one of the most decent, caring, compassionate men I’ve ever known in an automobile accident. For 13 years Michael Carver took great care of the little details that help a company run smoothly. I never saw him get mad or raise his voice, even as pressures piled on. He was a true gentle man. He was also a big fan of musical theater and Jersey Boys was one of his favorites. So in honor of Michael, here is “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” from Jersey Boys and also the original version by Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Rest in peace, Michael. Your friends will remember you. Listen to “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” from Jersey Boys Listen to the original version of “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” … Read entire article »
Just for Now – Imogen Heap
Editor’s note: Imogen Heap is not a one-hit wonder. In fact, she has never charted. But she has amazing talent. Performing as a solo artist is unique talent very few artists can perfect. Bob Dylan and James Taylor, yes. Axl Rose and The Polyphonic Spree, not so much. Imogen Heap is a uniquely talented artist who writes and plays entire records and shows by herself. Sometimes her work is stunning. Other times…a bit weak. But when … Read entire article »
What You Don’t Know About the Girl – Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.
This is my favorite song from 2006. Released on a Japanese-only album, “What You Don’t Know About the Girl” by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. is a near-perfect power pop song. Imagine The Carpenters meet the Partridge Family on the way to a gig. Hijinks ensue and this song arrives nine months later. It didn’t leave my head for three days after I first heard it. It’s timeless. Is it 1971 or 2006? You can’t really tell, which … Read entire article »
Filed under: 2000s