The Veronicas video for their latest single “Take Me On the Floor” has caused a commotion! What’s all the fuss about? Well, there’s some footage of girls kissing girls. Apparently the sexy shots mean we’ll never see the clip on Video Hits and the like, who will instead screen a much tamer version.
I watched the clip expecting to see some real fireworks and was a little disappointed. Silhouetted girl on girl action is too hot for daytime TV? What bothers me here is the double standard. I saw much raunchier in the film clip for James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover,” but because he was a whiny male cavorting with a naked Mischa Barton that was all OK. And how is this more suggestive than Katy Perry singing her song all about kissing a girl?
Thankfully you’re online, so you can see the stuff those music video shows won’t show you. What do you think? Is it a lot of fuss over nothing, or does it deserve the ban?
I am so excited about the Olympics. For the next two weeks I’m going to wear an indent in my couch, getting up early and staying up late enough to soak it all up. While my anticipation is at fever pitch, there’s one thing that has managed to sour my mood. It’s that damned “Ready to Fly” song by Amy Pearson.
I’m sure she’s a really sweet girl. Her voice is pretty enough. But really, does that inspire anyone to get out there and win gold? I’ve been thinking about all the songs I’d much rather hear on the Olympics ads, and so I figured I’d put together this post to get you all into the Olympic spirit.
Channel Seven, if you feel like adopting any of these tracks I’d be thrilled.
“We Can’t Be Beaten” – Rose Tattoo
See this is what an Olympics song should song like. Empassioned vocals, crunchy guitars, and a message to spur our athletes on.
“Better” – The Screaming Jets
I’m a Novacastrian, so this song has a place close to my heart. When the Newcastle Knights faced off with the Manly Sea Eagles in the 1997 rugby league grand final, this song was all over the radio willing our boys to bring home the trophy. Then when they did, we continued to play it. I absolutely love it.
“Holy Grail” – Hunters & Collectors
I don’t know whether Mark Seymour was thinking about gold medals when he wrote “Holy Grail,” but this song works so well as an Olympic anthem that I just don’t care!
“(Simply) The Best” – Tina Turner and Jimmy Barnes
Yes Tina did it first, but it was Jimmy Barnes’ trademark rasp that really made this song. True story: when I worked at K-Mart as a high school student the bosses used to play this track every morning to inspire us. I think it works a lot better in a sports context!
“Playing to Win” – Little River Band
If you can listen to this song without getting fired up you’re just not Australian. Farnsy originally recorded this track with Little River Band, but it’s just as strong as a solo song. It also gives us a good excuse to see that infamous mullet again!
Well here’s some unexpected news: CDB have reformed! If you weren’t a teenage girl in the 90s this will probably mean nothing to you, so let me refresh your memory.
CDB were Australia’s very own boy band. Along with Human Nature, they showed local girls that we didn’t need the Backstreet Boys or Take That. Their pop-soul anthems like “Hook Me Up” and “Let’s Groove” sold plenty, but then after two albums they disbanded.
But let’s face it. Gary Pinto is wasted as a back-up singer on Australian Idol. And I’d much rather see his brother Brad shaking his booty than working behind-the-scenes writing and producing.
So why reform now? Andrew De Silva sheds some light on this surprising turn of events.
“We have rediscovered the reasons why we first formed the band. The chemistry between us and the combined skills just amaze me,” he explained in a press statement. “It’s been great pursuing our individual goals, but there’s something really special about this group and what we create together. During our time apart we’ve acquired new skills and ideas that we bring back to the band. We have rediscovered CDB but this time with greater experience and promise.”
It looks like the lads have taken some inspiration from Human Nature’s recent Motown success. After all, their 90s contemporaries have managed to stay relevant on the modern musical landscape, so they’re a pretty good model!
So CDB are paying tribute to their favourite artists with The Funk Sessions. It’s due out in October.
Until then I’ll just have to be content watching old footage like this music video for “Hey Girl” on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Those white outfits make them look like they’re part of a cult, but those harmonies take me right back!
When I read some time ago that Ben Lee had composed the soundtrack for the new Aussie movie The Square I became quite excited. New Ben Lee is always cause for joy, but I was particularly intrigued because he was handing singing duties over to Jessica Chapnick. I heard the song for the first time on Sunrise this morning, and I’m impressed.
She may star in Home & Away, but Jessica is far from those disposable soap popettes we’re so familiar with. Instead she’s cut from that serious balladeer mould that is sure to interest fans of Sarah Blasko and Holly Throsby. Ben has excelled with these romantic yet original lyrics. All in all, I’m in love with this song.
I have a confession to make: I love a good torch song. Give me some sappy lyrics and a strong melody and I’m a happy girl. So Delta Goodrem’s latest single “I Can’t Break it to My Heart” is right up my alley.
Just quietly, I found “Believe Again” boring and “You Will Only Break My Heart” a little lacking in substance, so I’m thrilled to see her back to her best with this single. Yes it’s super daggy, but I just love it. The song really seems to come alive when she steps on stage, so please enjoy this version from Delta’s Max Sessions concert filmed earlier this year!
I love the internet. I can be here, but not really here. Right now I’m enjoying my long weekend as any self-respecting Aussie should be doing. So since I’m away on a little mini road trip I thought I’d leave you with one of my favourite driving songs, “Driving Wheels” by Jimmy Barnes. Rock out and enjoy your long weekend folks!
Here’s one for all the nostalgia buffs out there. Little River Band founder Graeham Goble has just relaunched his website with an absolute treasure trove of video content.
The site features 50 clips in all, including plenty of rare footage. See Birtles and Goble perform their hit “I’m Coming Home” on the Don Lane Show and the Paul Hogan Show. There’s also a rare duet with John Farnham at the Carols by Candlelight, and some very cool Eagles songs with none other than Glenn Frey!
The spiffy new website coincides with this week’s release of Graeham’s new album Let it Rain. To get you in the mood,here’s the film clip from the LRB classic, “Reminiscing.”
Michael Johns was back wearing his rock pants last night on American Idol. He took on the Aerosmith anthem “Dream On” and seemed to have the entire audience in the palm of his hands.
The judges seemed a little underwhelmed though. I understand what they’re saying, and agree last week’s performance was better. I just love him singing soul. But I appreciate him showing some diversity, and I think this was probably his best rock number.
Will it be enough to keep in the comp. I hope so, but at this stage it’s just so hard to predict. There are definitely people who deserve the boot before Michael, so I’m crossing my fingers.
Well here’s an unexpected comeback. Does anyone out there remember Melissa Tkautz?
This busty blonde was hot stuff in 1991 thanks to her starring role on E-Street and chart-topping singles “Read My Lips” and “Sexy is the Word.”
Apparently she’s back with a cover of one of my favourite 80s pop songs, Transvision Vamp’s “I Want Your Love.” I’ve got to say she probably should have left this one alone, but with Nick Skitz at the helm it’s bound to be big in the clubs. At least she still looks hot!
If you love the new song, or you just want to get close to this 90s pop icon, you can catch Melissa playing in Sydney and Brisbane clubs. Check her MySpace page for the dates. After that Melissa plans to head to Europe to work with German dance whiz D.O.N.S.
Melissa’s also giving acting another whirl. She’s currently shooting Couriers, a comedy series from the Fat Pizza team.
If there’s one thing Aussies do well, it’s write a mean rock song. But what’s the best of the best? Well, according to an online poll of Herald Sun readers, it’s “You’re the Voice” by John Farnham.
Farnsy’s rock anthem beat out classics like Cold Chisel’s “Khe Sahn,” and AC/DC’s “Jail Break.”
Rock guru Glenn A. Baker said he was surprised by the result considering that “Friday on my Mind” by The Easybeats was voted best song of all time by industry experts three years ago.
“But it just goes to show you that the people want to hear differs quite vastly from what the industry thinks,” he told the Herald Sun.
“It’s a song that really is an anthem about empowering yourself and I think people really relate to that.”
Personally I think “Khe Sahn” is a more worthy winner, but there’s no denying that “You’re the Voice” is an awesome song. Play it loud and see what you think: is it the best rock song of all time?
