#80: "Birthday" from Katy Perry
Ah, Katy Perry. You either hate her, or tolerate her as a guilty pleasure. I'm in the latter category, usually, although she does have some songs that I think are legitimately good, like "The One That got Away".
The song has a nice beat to it, at least. The music is driven by guitar that is reminiscent of 80's R&B or 70's disco. More the latter, in my opinion. Vocally, this is one of Katy Perry's weaker performances, and that's saying something. She ranges from tolerable in the lower register to "barely even being kept on key with Autotune" in her higher range. She spends most of her time in the upper register.
This song is about as deep as Katy Perry songs tend to be. She's basically telling a guy that she will make it like his birthday everyday. Innuendo ensues. "Get in your birthday suit, and I'll bring out the big balloons", anyone?
The beat is about all this song has going for it, unfortunately. Katy tries to go for a more "gentle" tone of voice, but that just results in her pitch swinging around wildly while Autotune tries in vain to pull it back, and the lyrics are fluffy when they aren't cringeworthy. If you want a fun Katy Perry song, I'd suggest "T.G.I.F. (Last Friday Night)" over this.
#79: "Drunk on a Plane" by Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley is a country singer. I've heard some of his stuff. And by some, I mean one song, "Sideways", and only because it was on Rock Band. I found that song decent enough.
Wow. This is COUNTRY. We're talking drunk-sounding guitar on the intro. You know the song "Stand By Your Man"? That kind of guitar. There is more modern guitar on the chorus and verses, however. There's also some violin. Or, since this is country, fiddle. Vocally, Dierks Bentley sounds like...every other male country singer. Seriously, any country fans, how do you tell these guys apart?
The subject of the song is exactly what the title says. Life sucks, his relationship sucks, so he's flying home, getting drunk on a plane. He also references a G6, which causes me to twitch from bad memories of "Like a G6".
This is as country as country gets, and bless it for that. It's a song about getting drunk because it helps with the pain, singer sounds like every other singer, and the music sounds like it is being played in a bar. Not too much to say about this one. If you liked country back in the 80's and 90's, but feel that modern country is getting a little too pop for you, this song is right up your alley. I liked it.
#78: "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake
You know, when I was reading the next set to give a preview, it's a good thing I wasn't drinking anything, because I probably would have either spit it all over my laptop, or spilled in on my lap when my jaw dropped when I saw the artists involved with this song. Michael Jackson has been dead for half a decade! How can he do a duet with Justin Timberlake? Did they sit on this song for 5 years before deciding to release it? I don't get it!
By the way, after doing research...it's a complicated story. To make it somewhat short, MJ recorded this with Paul Anka producing and playing piano on the track in 1983. In 1984, Anka sent the song over to Johnny Mathis, who did his own version. The MJ version leaked online in 2006. In order to release it on the posthumous album for MJ in 2014, XScape, the song was reworked as a discoesque track by producers John McClain (not to be confused with John McClane of Die Hard) and Giorgio Tuinfort. For the deluxe version, they decided to make a version that was a duet with Justin Timberlake, this time with Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon as the producers, and that's where this single came from.
Well, you know that disco-esque feel that I said they went for in the original remix? Well, it's still here. The music may not be the most complex, but this is the kind of music you can easily dance to. Or use as background music for a 70's and early 80's movie. Vocally, it shouldn't be any surprise that Michael Jackson is fantastic on it. Remember, this was back in the 1980's, the peak of Michael Jackson's career. He was at the top of his game, and this song shows it. It's a bit misleading to call this a "duet", as Justin Timberlake doesn't get as much time to sing as MJ, but when he does sing, Justin Timberlake does quite well. His voice actually complements Michael's voice. Justin Timberlake definitely lacks in comparison, as he has less range than MJ did (and does in this song), but JT is aware of that, and sticks to higher registers, where his voice works best.
This is an 80's Michael Jackson song. Not much to guess about what it's about. Basically, both singers have fallen in and out of love in the past, but this time, they want it to work, because love never felt so good.
I am amazed at how well this song works. I mean, the music is great, even if it isn't the deepest, and the lyrics are the same way. What surprises me is just how well MJ and JT blend together. Honestly, I could see these two up on stage together performing this song, and it would be a great show. They have solid chemistry, and their vocal styles work together nicely, even if Michael Jackson is technically stronger. Overall, this was a surprisingly good song, and makes me wish that I could have seen these two perform it live somewhere.
#77: "New Flame" by Chris Brown feat. Usher and Rick Ross
Let's see...one artist I don't like because he's a douchebag who shows no regrets for his past crimes, one artist who I like, but is frustratingly inconsistent, and a rapper who is lazy at best.
Music's nothing special. The main riff is a synthesizer line with 5 or so notes repeating in a loop, with R&B drums, nothing more. It gets a bit repetitive. Vocally, Chris Brown isn't that great. He has some nice notes, and technically is decent, but he doesn't have any believable emotion in his voice. Usher has no such problems, knocking his verse out of the park emotionally and showing far more range than Chris Brown. Rick Ross...well, if you like the rappers who have a slower tempo, he does pretty decently. To me, he sounds a bit lazy, but he does have noticeable flow.
The lyrics are pretty simple. He sees a girl at a club that he likes, and is hitting on her, saying they can spark a new flame.
Honestly, I like this song more than I expected. The synthesizer line does get a bit repetitive, and the lyrics are simple, but Chris Brown sounds better than he usually does, even if Usher outperforms him in every aspect, and even Rick Ross does better than he usually does in guest verses. It's not a great song, but it's enjoyable enough.
#76: "Leave the Night On" by Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt is a country singer-songwriter. He started out writing singles for acts such as Billy Currington, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney. However, he got signed to a record label himself, and released his debut album this year, which included this song.
I like the music in this song. It has some solid guitar, with a pretty-sounding piano line backing it up. It almost sounds a little too busy musically at times, but never quite overpowers Sam's voice. Speaking of which, his vocals are pretty impressive for a newer act. He has a nice country timbre to his voice, while still sounding natural rather than forcing his voice to be country.
This song is about what a lot of modern country songs are about. He's been out with a girl, having a good time, and isn't ready to go home. Therefore, he suggests they drive off, finding some other place to go, saying that they can leave the night on.
This song is...decent enough. The music is nice and upbeat, and Sam Hunt has a pretty solid country voice. Lyrics are a little bit too cliche, though. I don't mind these kind of songs, but at the same time, I'd like to hear something different than "cruising down the backroads" from a country artist. As a modern country artist, though, this is a strong start. Hey, I already like him more than Blake Shelton, so there's that.
That list was...surprisingly enjoyable. More like that, please! But with less KP.
Previously: #85-81 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.867126-2014-Billboard-Top-100-85-81]
Next: #75-71 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.867329-2014-Billboard-Top-100-75-71]
Ah, Katy Perry. You either hate her, or tolerate her as a guilty pleasure. I'm in the latter category, usually, although she does have some songs that I think are legitimately good, like "The One That got Away".
The song has a nice beat to it, at least. The music is driven by guitar that is reminiscent of 80's R&B or 70's disco. More the latter, in my opinion. Vocally, this is one of Katy Perry's weaker performances, and that's saying something. She ranges from tolerable in the lower register to "barely even being kept on key with Autotune" in her higher range. She spends most of her time in the upper register.
This song is about as deep as Katy Perry songs tend to be. She's basically telling a guy that she will make it like his birthday everyday. Innuendo ensues. "Get in your birthday suit, and I'll bring out the big balloons", anyone?
The beat is about all this song has going for it, unfortunately. Katy tries to go for a more "gentle" tone of voice, but that just results in her pitch swinging around wildly while Autotune tries in vain to pull it back, and the lyrics are fluffy when they aren't cringeworthy. If you want a fun Katy Perry song, I'd suggest "T.G.I.F. (Last Friday Night)" over this.
#79: "Drunk on a Plane" by Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley is a country singer. I've heard some of his stuff. And by some, I mean one song, "Sideways", and only because it was on Rock Band. I found that song decent enough.
Wow. This is COUNTRY. We're talking drunk-sounding guitar on the intro. You know the song "Stand By Your Man"? That kind of guitar. There is more modern guitar on the chorus and verses, however. There's also some violin. Or, since this is country, fiddle. Vocally, Dierks Bentley sounds like...every other male country singer. Seriously, any country fans, how do you tell these guys apart?
The subject of the song is exactly what the title says. Life sucks, his relationship sucks, so he's flying home, getting drunk on a plane. He also references a G6, which causes me to twitch from bad memories of "Like a G6".
This is as country as country gets, and bless it for that. It's a song about getting drunk because it helps with the pain, singer sounds like every other singer, and the music sounds like it is being played in a bar. Not too much to say about this one. If you liked country back in the 80's and 90's, but feel that modern country is getting a little too pop for you, this song is right up your alley. I liked it.
#78: "Love Never Felt So Good" by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake
You know, when I was reading the next set to give a preview, it's a good thing I wasn't drinking anything, because I probably would have either spit it all over my laptop, or spilled in on my lap when my jaw dropped when I saw the artists involved with this song. Michael Jackson has been dead for half a decade! How can he do a duet with Justin Timberlake? Did they sit on this song for 5 years before deciding to release it? I don't get it!
By the way, after doing research...it's a complicated story. To make it somewhat short, MJ recorded this with Paul Anka producing and playing piano on the track in 1983. In 1984, Anka sent the song over to Johnny Mathis, who did his own version. The MJ version leaked online in 2006. In order to release it on the posthumous album for MJ in 2014, XScape, the song was reworked as a discoesque track by producers John McClain (not to be confused with John McClane of Die Hard) and Giorgio Tuinfort. For the deluxe version, they decided to make a version that was a duet with Justin Timberlake, this time with Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon as the producers, and that's where this single came from.
Well, you know that disco-esque feel that I said they went for in the original remix? Well, it's still here. The music may not be the most complex, but this is the kind of music you can easily dance to. Or use as background music for a 70's and early 80's movie. Vocally, it shouldn't be any surprise that Michael Jackson is fantastic on it. Remember, this was back in the 1980's, the peak of Michael Jackson's career. He was at the top of his game, and this song shows it. It's a bit misleading to call this a "duet", as Justin Timberlake doesn't get as much time to sing as MJ, but when he does sing, Justin Timberlake does quite well. His voice actually complements Michael's voice. Justin Timberlake definitely lacks in comparison, as he has less range than MJ did (and does in this song), but JT is aware of that, and sticks to higher registers, where his voice works best.
This is an 80's Michael Jackson song. Not much to guess about what it's about. Basically, both singers have fallen in and out of love in the past, but this time, they want it to work, because love never felt so good.
I am amazed at how well this song works. I mean, the music is great, even if it isn't the deepest, and the lyrics are the same way. What surprises me is just how well MJ and JT blend together. Honestly, I could see these two up on stage together performing this song, and it would be a great show. They have solid chemistry, and their vocal styles work together nicely, even if Michael Jackson is technically stronger. Overall, this was a surprisingly good song, and makes me wish that I could have seen these two perform it live somewhere.
#77: "New Flame" by Chris Brown feat. Usher and Rick Ross
Let's see...one artist I don't like because he's a douchebag who shows no regrets for his past crimes, one artist who I like, but is frustratingly inconsistent, and a rapper who is lazy at best.
Music's nothing special. The main riff is a synthesizer line with 5 or so notes repeating in a loop, with R&B drums, nothing more. It gets a bit repetitive. Vocally, Chris Brown isn't that great. He has some nice notes, and technically is decent, but he doesn't have any believable emotion in his voice. Usher has no such problems, knocking his verse out of the park emotionally and showing far more range than Chris Brown. Rick Ross...well, if you like the rappers who have a slower tempo, he does pretty decently. To me, he sounds a bit lazy, but he does have noticeable flow.
The lyrics are pretty simple. He sees a girl at a club that he likes, and is hitting on her, saying they can spark a new flame.
Honestly, I like this song more than I expected. The synthesizer line does get a bit repetitive, and the lyrics are simple, but Chris Brown sounds better than he usually does, even if Usher outperforms him in every aspect, and even Rick Ross does better than he usually does in guest verses. It's not a great song, but it's enjoyable enough.
#76: "Leave the Night On" by Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt is a country singer-songwriter. He started out writing singles for acts such as Billy Currington, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney. However, he got signed to a record label himself, and released his debut album this year, which included this song.
I like the music in this song. It has some solid guitar, with a pretty-sounding piano line backing it up. It almost sounds a little too busy musically at times, but never quite overpowers Sam's voice. Speaking of which, his vocals are pretty impressive for a newer act. He has a nice country timbre to his voice, while still sounding natural rather than forcing his voice to be country.
This song is about what a lot of modern country songs are about. He's been out with a girl, having a good time, and isn't ready to go home. Therefore, he suggests they drive off, finding some other place to go, saying that they can leave the night on.
This song is...decent enough. The music is nice and upbeat, and Sam Hunt has a pretty solid country voice. Lyrics are a little bit too cliche, though. I don't mind these kind of songs, but at the same time, I'd like to hear something different than "cruising down the backroads" from a country artist. As a modern country artist, though, this is a strong start. Hey, I already like him more than Blake Shelton, so there's that.
That list was...surprisingly enjoyable. More like that, please! But with less KP.
Previously: #85-81 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.867126-2014-Billboard-Top-100-85-81]
Next: #75-71 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.867329-2014-Billboard-Top-100-75-71]