Today's tune comes courtesy of my Ipod after the sultry version of "Reach Out I'll Be There" by Diana Ross popped up on shuffle. I hadn't heard it in a while and decided to share.
After successfully remaking the Marvin Gaye& Tammi Terrell classic, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in 1970 (and became her first number one single as a solo artist), Miss Ross later took on another popular Motown song and completely reworked it. Originally a number one smash for The Four Tops in 1966, the uptempo "Reach Out" is almost unrecognizable now as a sexy ballad. Although this wasn't much of a hit when released as a single but I really love this take of the song. If you have never heard this, I think you're in for a treat:
I grow more and more skeptical of new music by anticipated artists somehow mysteriously being leaked online before the official release date and how outraged these musicians claim to be about the issue. That happens to be the case for pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry who both have their latest singles make it out to the world before they said so. I'm sure it's some kind of a game but whatever. They are now actually released, so here are the songs in question:
LADY GAGA
"Applause" is the title of the first song from Gaga's upcoming album, "ARTPOP" that is due this November. The singer's vocal styling here makes me think of 80's new wave songstress, Lene Lovich (and yes, you need to be of a certain age to know who the hell she is) which she actually has a lot in common with.. This electro-beat heavy song is what you would expect and certainly seems accurate as she sings about how she "lives for the applause" as we know the Lady gives her entire body and soul to make sure her littlemonsters happy and satisfied.
"Applause" - Lady Gaga (2013)
For those who don't know, here is Lene Lovich on the UK show, "Top of The Pops" performing her song, "New Toy":
KATY PERRY
This is no longer the bubble-gum soft Katy Perry of "Teenage Dream" as she has grown-up, toughen-up and ready to "Roar". That is the name of the first release from her forthcoming third album, "Prism" scheduled to come out in October. This is another catchy, self-empowering tune that she is well-known for and while it offers no surprises it also doesn't disappoint.
"Roar" - Katy Perry (2013) JAY Z
Inspired by performance artist, Marina Abramović, Jay Z has created a short film for his new single, "Picasso Baby" . With director Mark Romanek on board, Jay has documented the creation of this fascinating art piece as well as shown highlights of the six-hour experience. Although they are given a credit at the end, see how many famous faces you recognize in this clip from the art and film worlds:
After listening to Ariana Grande's latest single, "Baby I", it made realize how that term of endearment is probably the most overused word in music. It's really amazing how many songs where "baby" has been applied over and over to easily capture in simple shorthand the deep affection one has for another.
So, this post is dedicated to songs heavily using this favored word throughout pop music history. This will hardly cover all of the many, many tunes but these are just a few of my favorites:
"Be My Baby" - The Ronettes (1963)
"Don't Worry, Baby" - The Beach Boys (1964)
"Baby, I Need Your Loving" - The Four Tops (1964)
"Ooh Baby, Baby" - The Miracles (1965)
"B-A-B-Y" - Carla Thomas (1966)
"Baby I'm-A Want You" - Bread (1971)
"Baby Come Back" - Player (1977)
"Baby, What a Big Surprise" - Chicago (1977)
"Baby I'm Burning" - Dolly Parton (1978)
"Somebody's Baby" - Jackson Browne (1982)
"Baby, I'm Scared Of You" - Womack & Womack (1984) "Baby Baby Baby" - TLC (1992)
