Latin Blast from the Past: Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony are Back

After hearing the recent news of Jennifer Lopez break-up from Marc Anthony, I was surprised to see a comeback from the  Latin crooner with “Rain Over Me”. Pitbull teams up with Anthony (who has previously teamed up with Jennifer Lopez for “On the Floor”) for a catchy and undeniable 90s dance throwback, mixed with current dance beats. Marc Anthony’s voice is quite refreshing, even though I have never really found Anthony to be attractive, you can’t ignore his voice and charismatic performance in his music video.

If you’ve been yearning for Latin 90s music, Ricky Martin also has a comeback, with a fully Spanish song, “Frio” with Wisin & Yandel. The rhythmic drumbeat is intoxicating, and even though I don’t fully understand the lyrics (I know it’s quite “cold”, haha) it’s still an enjoyable song, and I miss they hey-day of Ricky Martin.

What do you think of these Latin comebacks? Will is last?

Lady Gaga “Edge of Glory” and Katy Perry “Last Friday Night” and Julie Feeney’s “Impossibly Beautiful”

I have to admit, I didn’t like “The Edge of Glory” when I first heard it. It’s grown on me, I think I just like singing it more than listening to it, to be honest. I’m already planning on doing an acoustic cover of it.

What’s great about the music video, is that it’s just Lady Gaga, no back-up dancers, no other tricks. Just her make-up and clothes posing on a fire escape. I like the 80s/90s vibes. It reminds me of Janet Jackson in “The Pleasure Principle”. It works and has to be one of my favorite Lady Gaga videos. It feels stripped down and real.

Also, fighting in the next corner in this Pop battle, is Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night”. A huge nod to the 80s. Kenny G, Hanson, one of the “Corys”, Debbie Gibson and several 80s references bring back this blast from the past. It’s like the movie, “She’s All That” and “Sixteen Candles”. It’s cute, entertaining and Katy Perry is charming.

I mostly just like the music video. I think like the audience for this song are teenagers, but the video can be enjoyed by anyone and should be watched. What’s funny is that in both of these videos, there are saxophone solos. Is the saxophone the new summer sound? Both of these videos have 80s elements, saxophone solos, and that’s where the comparison ends. Lady Gaga’s lyrics are more meaningful and Katy Perry’s is fun and light hearted. Can’t really compare the two videos, but they are both fun to watch.

I also had a chance to interview Julie Feeney, an Irish singer/songwriter/composer. Her album “Pages” just released in the U.S. and she just wrapped up a mini tour in the U.S. She was a pleasure to talk to and my interview with her will be up soon on my music Examiner page.

Check out her creative, “Impossibly Beautiful” music video.

Blast from the Past: My Boyfriend’s Back – The Angels

This song was popping up in my head lately, “My Boyfriend’s Back”. I like the song, it kind of reminds me of that “Hey, Mickey” song, with the clapping. The video is from the Ed Sullivan Show. I remember an 90’s Halloween movie that takes that title and makes it about a boyfriend that died and came back to life. So, this 60s song and this movie was coming back into my life, for whatever reason. Now I’m bringing it to you. I kind of like the zombie boyfriend idea, haha.

Here is the Angels video.

And here is a clip from the movie.

Blast from the Past Fridays – Back in the Day Cartoons: Jetsons the Movie and The Chipmunks Adventure

Cartoons from the past rocked way harder than whatever it is that they show today.

To prove my theory, here are songs from The Jetson’s Movie and The Chipmunks movie. Original songs, not CGI chipmunks singing the latest Beyonce hits. Oh yeah, and did I mention I love the 80s/early 90s? The Jetsons movie is based on the Jetson’s moving to another part of the galaxy, and of course I liked Judy’s character. Dating a rock star, and then this blue guy. This song, “You and Me” was sung by the Pop queen at the time, Tiffany.

For The Chipmunk Adventure, the chipmunks travel around the world looking for dolls with special diamonds inside of them. Of course, I like the girl chipmunks.

Both of these songs has 80s pop/rock elements. In the Chipmunk Adventure, the girls are versus the boys, and they sing that in, “The Girls of Rock and Roll”.

There’s not really any cartoons like this, and I really love the heart in these kinds of movies. Pixar is probably the best company for heart-felt cartoons in the present.

Blast from the Past Fridays- Natalie Imbruglia “Torn”

Ah, the 90s.

People have been talking about how Pop and Dance music are reminiscent of the 80s. I agree, although I have to argue the 90s are coming back in full swing as well. Lady Gaga has said she was inspired by Ace of Base, and some of her songs are just like certain Ace of Base songs.

Anyways, throwing back to the 90s, the 90s was a decade of the female singer-songwriter. Alanis Morrisette was the queen of angst-ridden female rock music. This song, “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia was THE karaoke song to sing. All the girls would gather around a karaoke bar and sing this song. Everyone would join in. I was reminded of this song walking through the mall, and you STILL want to sing along to it.

I mean, haven’t you lied “naked on the floor”?

Do you have any memories of this song?