Late Night Music Part 34.............................."I'm Just Mary"

Most of you know my love affair with the queen of soul Mary J. Blige. Starting about my senior year of high school, I have been captivated by her soulful lyrics and music, and I say it jokingly, but her music seriously does "speak to me". I can't think of many other artists who have reached across so many genres and been so successful. After beating a drug addiction and getting out of an abusive marriage, she has inspired people all over the world through her life and her music, with me being one of the many. I have always loved how she has been able to appeal to people of all backgrounds and races to show that good music really can be "sugar for your soul"- Sorry Shanelle- had to use it.

"Sweet Thing". Mary burst onto the scene in 1992 with "What's the 411" and closed out the year after 3 singles with this Chaka Khan cover which was first made popular in 1975. I think this was a great single to release at the time because after MJB released "Real Love" (which went on to become her first Top 10 single), it showed her new and growing fanbase how she was truly broad in her musical talents and musical background. Sorry for the video, can't find the official video for this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--GkU2UuHeE

"I'm Going Down". Without a doubt, my favorite early Mary J song. I've never thought of MJB as an overly attractive woman, and I absolutely hate this look on her. The blonde hair and overdone lipstick just doesn't do it for me. Anyway, while this is a great song, this video shows that she hadn't unlocked her full creativity yet. Seriously, if you've seen any 1990's R/B videos, it's almost like you've seen this one. Even the black and white doesn't help it. However, back to the song- don't underestimate the vocal arrangements of K-Ci Hailey (her then boyfriend and future husband) and Faith Evans on this song. They both had alot of input on the album, and quite honestly, I wish they would have had input on more- this song was created for Mary to sing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XmwiwQjU8E

"Missing You". INFINITE bonus points for there actually being a clip still out there from the "Magic Johnson Show". Just shows that even MJB couldn't save his show. Again, I hate her look- that outfit is pretty unwelcoming. All that being said, I always really liked this song, and I always wished this song was released as a single in the US (was released in Europe only), but nonetheless, "Share My World" was truly her first big splash in 1997 starting which was also catapulted by her smash hit off of the "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack, "Not Gon' Cry" (her first #1 single). This performance was also one of Mary's last appearances as a crackhead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfhxPPHqzEU

"Give Me You". For the longest time, this was EASILY my favorite Mary J song. Her album "Mary" released my senior year of high school, really got me into her and features contributions from George Michael, Elton John, Eric Clapton, K-Ci Hailey, Aretha Franklin, among others. This Diane Warren written ballad is real in every sense of the word, and I can't see anyone but Mary singing this song. However, once again, I hate this look on her- kind of a pattern here- and just think, she was sober by this point! However, all kinds of bonus points for this video featuring Michael Jordan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PF5K6Rissc

"Rainy Dayz". Mary followed up "Mary" with 2001's "No More Drama", which featured her second #1 hit "Family Affair" and vaulted her into superstar status. The album was softer and less harsh than her previous work and showed alot of her new found spirituality. Probably her best all around album. This video, which was also a top 10 hit, is a pretty cool video, and this song would be stellar, but why does it have to have Ja Rule? Is there a worse rapper in the world? This song is unbelievable lyrically and has always been inspirational to me, but can't get past Ja Rule. Once again, I hate Mary's look!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUrjiq87UI

"Love At First Sight". This Album, "Love and Life", is so bad I like to forget it exists. Leave it to P. Diddy to ruin ANOTHER album. I was worried she would sign with Bad Boy after this album. Thankfully for all of us, this never happened. However, I like this song, and yes I FINALLY like a look she has in a video. Ladies.......always go natural!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VXjfkoGihM

"One". This collaboration with U2 as a duet of their 1991 hit from her 2005 album "The Breakthrough" (which featured her third #1 hit "Be Without You) proves without a doubt just how diverse and gifted she really is. Man I LOVE THIS SONG! Notice how as she gets older, she becomes more elegant and mature in her look, thus not looking strange anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDQJnI4OhU

"Come To Me (Peace)". This Abbey Road Studios version of "Come To Me" off of 2007's "Growing Pains". Is easily, without a doubt, my favorite Mary J Blige song. This song is a perfect example of Mary coming of age in her music, her words, and her life. I relate to this song SO MUCH. Can't listen to this one without getting chills. Maybe being where the Beatles once stood makes it that much more awesome. Bonus points for that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-OpqBjydwk

"Stronger". Great live performance this past year on "Good Morning America"- this song on 2009's "Stronger With Each Tear" says it all when it comes to Mary J. Blige. Just listen to the song- it says it all.

Bonus Videos-

"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues"- with Elton John on his live album "One Night Only" in 2000. Mary said later that this performance was the "most nervous she had ever been in her life". Sharing the stage with Elton John can do that to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBbMJJNCOzo

"Whenever I Say Your Name"- with Sting on his 2003 album "Sacred Love". Despite this song only reaching #77 on the charts, it still won the 2004 Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKxgsGv6JgU&feature=fvw

"911"- with Wyclef Jean on his 2000 album "Eclectic 2: II Sides to Every Book". Love this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiNRIR8tjFc

What's The 411?

My Life

Share My World

Mary

No More Drama (alternate cover)

Love and Life

The Breakthrough

Growing Pains

Stronger With Each Tear

Late Night Music Part 33....................."80's Songs That Make People Dance"

The 1980's were a strange time. Between the fall of communism and the huge technological breakthroughs, it was some of the most historical days of modern history. However, we can't forget the songs that made us shake our money makers. Some of the best and um..........strangest music was made in the 1980's. Some of it we love to remember, and some of it we love to forget. However, at the end of the day, it was always time to DANCE.

Also receiving votes in this category were "Whip It" by Devo, "The Heart of Rock n' Roll" by Huey Lewis and the News, any of Michael Jackson's videos (other than "Man In The Mirror"), and "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits.

Dead Or Alive- "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)". These guys were just plain weird, and also I think all of them were gay- my gaydar is off the charts on this one folks. However, for some reason, this song really strikes me as super cool. Someone please tell me why Pete Burns (also quite possibly the worst and definitely the WHITEST dancer ever) is wearing a patch over his eye.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJv5qLsLYoo

Gary Numan- "Cars". Why does Gary Numan try to scare the living crap out of me in this video? This is a cool song, so why make me scared to see the video? A huge case of the video genre not matching the song genre. We will come back to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

A-Ha- "Take On Me". Doesn't this song make you think about the show "Speedracer"? Also, in a really strange way, it reminds me of "Reading Rainbow"- think about it. Can't ever figure out why all of a sudden the bad guys show up in the video. Also- great sign in the diner "Nice Cold Ice Cold Milk". Bonus points to A-Ha for breaking Scandinavian sterotypes by not all having blonde hair. Most lame drummer ever in this video. Don't understand the ending- someone please explain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914

Men Without Hats- "The Safety Dance". When I see this video (which is strangely addictive), besides thinking that FreeCreditReport.com stole their idea from this video, I can only think that these guys either A- lost a bet, B- are crazy, C- wanted to pay homage to Robin Hood, or D- (and most likely) completely stoned out of their mind. This band also wins my "I thought they were British" award. Our friends from Canada were just weird. Wow what a crazy video. Bonus points for the midgets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcOZ6xFxJqg

Soft Cell- "Tainted Love". Another 80's video made by a one hit wonder that scares the living crap out of me. Scratching my head on why the guy is so calm. If a small comet and two start people were in my bedroom I'd be screaming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3fCFkl-BFU

Duran Duran- "Hungry Like the Wolf". Finally broke out one hit wonder streak! Duran Duran has always been known for their creative videos (see "Girls on Flim" or "Come Undone"), but this one has got to be my favorite. This video actually won the 1984 Grammy for best short from music video. Even though it's not real, they had to feel like Steve Irwin in this video, would have been cool to actually have a wolf though. What in the world is he so upset about? The random table flip just makes him look pissed for no reason. Also, for the longest, I thought that was Whitney Houston (actually model Shelia Ming). Oh by the way, how many hair colors has Simon Le Bon had? Bonus points for being in Sri Lanka.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVyjzXvTYzM

Flock of Seagulls- "I Ran". Stupid hair, women's blouses, stupid band name that just sounds sissy, but yet this song was featured in promoting the highly anticipated "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" video game. Just proves even the sissiest bands can make cool songs. I never knew they even had seagulls in England. Bonus points for the aluminum foil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUjIA3Rt7gk

Men At Work- "Who Can It Be Now?". Great song, great band. This song is my ringtone. Once again, a scary video- what was it about the dark videos of the time? I guess we see now why "Hungry Like The Wolf" was so popular! Colin Hay looks like he has a wolverine lose in his butt- that guy seriously looks demon possessed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swQi4CAzmrA

Eddy Grant- "Electric Avenue". I love how this song talks about doing away with violence, but yet is on an album called "Killer on a Rampage". Eddy Grant also wins my coveted "I thought he was British" award. He's actually Guyanese. By the way, where is Electric Avenue?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA5MtAmT24g

Rockwell- "Somebody's Watching Me". Several questions come to me immediately on this one. First, why is Rockwell reading a Japanese newspaper? Second, why is he in the shower in his underwear? Why is Michael Jackson nowhere to be found on this video? You would think that after "Thriller" he'd be jumping at the bits to scare someone else. Another scary video.........weird.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY

Milli Vanilli- "Girl You Know It's True". You know you're dancing right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSqV3rWM4iQ

the world's most famous lip synchers

world's worst, well...................everything

really, who can it be now?

Late Night Music Part 32................"Sleepwalking"

The other night while I was wide awake at 4:30am, as usual I flipped through the many infomercials selling adult novelties targeted at women over 60, Bibles with typos in weird languages, physically handicapped teddy bears, and of course a Billy Mays Memorial Collection video. After my typical frustration, I started to think about those songs that make us want to sleep. You know, the songs that are almost like a dream. A few minutes later, I was sleeping so softly a bomb could not have awakened me. In order to receive votes in this category, the word "sleep" HAD to be in the song title.

Also receiving votes in this category was Rick Astley- "Sleeping", The Corrs- "Only When I Sleep", and the Beastie Boys "No Sleep Til Brooklyn".

Jesse McCartney- "How Do You Sleep?". I don't know Jesse, but since you asked, usually on my side with two pillows under my neck. Anyway, is it just me or does Jesse McCartney seem to be a modern day "Benjamin Button" by growing backwards? He used to look 15- now he looks 12. Also, you know some stupid idiot is gonna try that car stunt. I love how Ludacris is on this song and in this video, seriously- can he save it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bsXRqI1WbI

Alicia Keys- "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart". Alicia has definitely outdone herself on this one. To me, this is easily her best video and one of her best songs. I like it because I could easily see an acoustic version of this song being a huge hit on an upcoming "unplugged" album by her. Infinite bonus points for this video for having Alicia Keys looking so sexy in a motorcycle suit. A few more for the whole jumping like a superhero thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvjuEsfdiT4

Corinne Bailey Rae- "Trouble Sleeping". Corrinne Bailey Rae is one of our good friends from across from the pond that is pretty unknown outside of the jazz circles but is always a super listen! This song from her debut album. I've always really wanted to see her live in concert just because of her great use of instruments on her songs. For some reason, she really reminds me alot of Laura Izibor, in a non pop way. Question though- why was she sitting in the back seat of the car at the beginning of the video? Did someone leave her and start the song without her?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqntAyOjeyU

R Kelly- "I Can't Sleep". Just to answer your questions- the female originally in this video had to be taken out because she was 11. When asked about this, Kelly responded "she told me she was 19." The helicopter at the end was escape from the law.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmDyBUSAIt8

The Postal Service- "Sleeping In". I've always been surprised on how popular the Postal Service has been as Ben Gibbard's side project (lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie), but this song is surprisingly even more awesome than most of their stuff. However, listen closely to the lyrics- it definitely raised some eyebrows in the music industry as "controversial".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv5lO-O8hRU

The Beatles- "I'm Only Sleeping". Great song from 1966's "Revolver", is one of the first songs in the history of music to feature a guitar solo played backwards by George Harrison. This song, about how John Lennon enjoyed staying in bed all day on days he wasn't on tour, is one of the better Beatles songs from the Revolver-Sgt Pepper-Magical Mystery Tour Era. Also note that "Revolver" was once named the 3rd greatest album in the history of music by Rolling Stone Magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjRX2DjJEhI

Silverstein- "Smile In Your Sleep". Our friends from North of the border always crack me up because they are a hardcore band named after a children's book author (Shel Silverstein). Also hilarious that this entire video is based off of the board game "Clue". Yeah, I'm lost too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IlGqk5D4YU

The Tokens- "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Sorry guys, I couldn't resist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LBmUwi6mEo

don't make me do it Alicia!

this picture is so wrong on so many levels

again, no females of age were able to take this picture

Late Night Music Part 31................."I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing"

After driving back from Arkansas this weekend, I thought of how lame some bands are to be named after geographical areas. In all honesty, it was really hard to come up with this list not because of the lack of possible list participants, but because it was hard to find the positive side of any of them. Luckily, this trend has fallen off consistently so bands can just stick with something abstract that makes no sense to anyone. Hey whatever works. In order to be considered in this category, you must have had to have had a region, city, state, country, contient or any other geographical location of any sort in your name.

Also receiving votes in this category was "My Love" by Little Texas, "Shake" by North Mississippi All Stars, "Wobble Wobble" by 504 Boyz.

Boston- "More Than a Feeling". Boston's signature song. Honestly though, do they look like guys from Boston? They are a godo band, but for some reason, none of them look cool with long hair and they all seem like they are sweating profusely and need a shower. Also can't figure out if the lead guitar player is a rock star or a figure skater- what in the world is he wearing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNJS2qXTDTk

Kansas- "Carry On My Wayward Son". I've always thought of Kansas as a cross between Lynyrd Skynyrd and maybe Queen. They are just SO redneck! This song gets super bonus points for being covered by several acapella singing groups, and by being featured on the Rock Band XBOX 360 commercial with Jane Bryant. Video gets laugh points for the guy playing the keyboard and then grabbing the mic. Fast forward to 2:35......great note by the creator of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB17uWuBrL0

America- "Sister Golden Hair". Interesting fact about America is that band member Dewey Bunnell is actually British. I never got these guys, but I really like this song. Great performance here from Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special in 1975. Why in the world is Gerry Beckley wearing sunglasses inside?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzUQZw3wfro

Europe- "Carrie". Our friends from Sweden had to crack this list with their classic power ballad from 1987. Interesting question- why can European bands sing in PERFECT English but when you go to a foreign country or a tourist area in the United States, (or intramural soccer at LSU), everyone all of a sudden acts like they don't know English? Lead singer Joey Tempest seems to be pretty fluent here. I think it's hilarious they named a band after their continent instead of their country. Even in doing so, the USA is still bigger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJoq1wlWBc

Miami Sound Machine- "1-2-3". Not their best song, but it definitely brings out the latin roots of Gloria Estefan and her fellow Cuban defectors. Every time this song plays, somewhere Desi Arnez smiles down from Heaven. I really wish they would have counted in Spanish on this song. Would have been cooler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPmHrfC-b08

Alabama- "There's No Way". This "pride of the south" band made a splash with their 1984 country ballad which, like most of their songs, topped the charts. I have no idea who the blonde is in this video but she is HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT. However, she is a terrible dancer. Funny sidenote, while he is an excellent lead singer, Randy Cook has a ridiculous unibrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEwGPe0H_po

O- Town- "All or Nothing". O-Town (Orlando) made an instant impact on the country after being selected in front of the entire world on the original "Making the Band" on ABC in 2000. Before fizzing out a few years later, they shot to the top of the charts with this karaoke classic. Might be a world record for hair products used in one video. Did Erik Estrada ever NOT use gel in his hair?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG8IkUoZ6j0

Londonbeat- "I've Been Thinking About You". These guys aren't from London- they are from Florida. They got famous in Europe and then claimed it as home. This song caught on the European dance craze circuit in the 80's, but thankfully we never heard much more from these guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y-suQWFOfg

Chicago- "If You Leave Me Now". Peter Cetera before he turned super soft and Barry Manilowish does a great job here in this live performance from 1977. We should have seen it coming with the hair. Chicago was an AWESOME rock band before he came along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ykMNtzMT8

East Coast Family- "All For One". For all of you Michael Bivens fans out there. How much do these guys SUCK? Biv caught lightning in a bottle with Boyz II Men and got lucky with Another Bad Creation, but I don't think much more can be said for his talent scouting resume after watching this crap. He really pushed these guys hard with Biv 10 records partnership with Motown in the early 90's, but c'mon man- seriously?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFFIdjQ9l0k

Bonus Video- "Coming Out of the Dark"- Gloria Estefan. Her first performance since being nearly killed in a bus accident in 1990. This performance from the 1991 AMA's was incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsAvuiTAfBQ

see what I mean?

look Swedish to you?

worst. hair. ever.