Late Night Music Part 76......."Walking Around"

Sorry, I've been away for awhile, I've actually had a mild case of writer's block. That's actually probably a good thing considering every time I come across a new case of it I usually belt out 4-5 in a week. That means Devon would have to spend a whole month catching up on his comments!

One of the words in music and literature that can be literal and figurative is walk. So often in music "walk" is talking about living your life, achieving a goal, or just being yourself. Obviously, walking can be all of that and so much more besides just walking down the street. I didn't realize how many songs could fit in this category until I tried to do it, so this one wasn't really as hard as I thought it would be.

In order to receive votes in this category the SONG TITLE must include the word "walk". Also receiving votes in this category were "The Walk" by The Cure, "Walk Wit Me" by Raekwon, "I Can Walk On Water" by Basshunter, and "Walk Tall" by John Cougar Mellencamp.

"Can I Walk With You"- India Arie. I know I featured this one recently on "My Name, Is Neo", but I still really dig India Arie and her awesome hair. Something about a woman with a guitar just drips cool to me. India Arie has some of the best driving music ever. I know I said it before, but I always remember listening to "Voyage To India" up and down the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu with my mom during our 2003 trip to California. Bonus points for the jeans with the orange inseams.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5CI-lLpcys

"Walk Of Life"- Dire Straits. Ok, I have to admit, I kinda came up with this topic to put this song on here. This song from their 1985 album "Brothers In Arms" (which was the first ever album to sell 1 million copies in CD format) helped Dire Straits stay at the top of MTV's rotation (after their groundbreaking and pioneer video "Money For Nothing") by featuring sports clips and bloopers. This was interesting that an British band would include American sports (for that reason, the British video was VERY different than this one). Bonus points for this song being my ring tone in college.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jp7GTVGsFU

"A Long Walk"- Jill Scott. I LOVE this song, album, video, and this artist. This song vaulted Jill Scott in stardom with her first album "Words and Sounds Vol 1: Who Is Jill Scott?". This video really reminds of the Chante Moore video for "Bitter" where you know she's talking to someone and that the video is supposed to be from that person's point of view. I have to admit that I was dying to see who that person was the entire I saw this video the first time because like in the Moore video, I was expecting someone surprising ("Bitter" featured R Kelly as the person she was talking to). However, it was just a normal nobody on this one- I guess it was Jill's way of being different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSYMKUtNuw8

"Walking On Sunshine"- Katrina and the Waves. Ok, another repeat song. I still can't believe Katrina is an American who moves to England and then carries herself as the lead singer of a British band- very weird. Obviously, she wanted to prove that Americans can take the cold better than the Brits, because she's in short sleeves and those guys are freezing. I guess she was the only one walking on sunshine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U

"Walking In Memphis"- Marc Cohn. Dang it! Another repeat! Much of you know by now how much I really don't like the city of Memphis. However, bonus points for the statue of Elvis. I still can't believe that Marc Cohn won the 1992 Grammy for Best New Artist over Seal and Boyz II Men. That is one of the most mind boggling awards in the history of music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JzuZW-Lcns

"Walking Away"- Craig David. I'm kinda suprised I've never featured Craig David before now as his 2001 album "Born To Do It" is considered by many as one of the best R & B albums ever, especially coming from a British artist in a highly American influenced genre. This video here was actually the European version, which is funny because it seems really stereotypical to me. The accent the radio DJ has at the beginning almost sounds fake. Also, maybe it's just me, but doesn't Craig David show exactly what I was talking about in the intro of this blog in this video? I'm just saying.

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

"Walking With A Ghost"- The White Stripes. This song, recorded by the White Stripes for their 2005 EP of the same name (due to "Get Behind Me Satan" running out of space), is actually a cover of the original by Tegan and Sara that was featured in the movie "Monster-In-Law". Jack White is one amazing guy, but this video creeps me out. I guess it's still too close to Halloween.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYyoU8kKPQ

"Walking On Broken Glass"- Annie Lennox. I love this song because it's so catchy, and I remember singing the crap out of this song in 5th grade all the time, but why in the world does Annie Lennox have to be so dang ugly? Bonus points for John Malcovich in the video, who appeared as a revival of his "character" in the movie "Dangerous Liaisons", which the video is based on. The funniest thing of all is that this song was featured on Lennox's 1992 album "Diva". Does she really qualify as one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y25stK5ymlA

"Walking After You"- The Foo Fighters. YES! I LOVE THIS SONG! This song was originally on the soundtrack for the 1998 movie "The X-Files", and if you notice, this version was slightly different than the version that appeared on "The Colour And The Shape". This video is really interesting, and the female in the video is actually Spanish actress Arly Jover, but she seems to work really well with Grohl. Like most Foo songs, this song is extremely personal and emotional, and I freaking love it. I love how Foo can make such deep songs while still keeping the mood light. Very few artists are even remotely capable of this. This song is one of the VERY FEW Foo Fighter songs that only features Grohl as a credited songwriter, while most songs credit the entire band. The original concept of the video was supposed to be tied in at least loosely on the movie. Obviously, that didn't happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNwkN9vrUYY

"Walk Like An Egyptian"- The Bangles. LOVE SUSANNA HOFFS! Besides that, the Bangles represent everything that was wrong with 1986. Seriously, this song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and shot their album "A Different Light" into the top 10. Just another case of a song with a stupid dance with it being huge. How does that happen? Also, bassist Michael Steele needs to never sing again. Did she really say "Egyptian" like that? Also, what does this song say about stereotyping?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHngF_b3NuE

"Walking Disaster"- Sum 41. Is it just me, or does Deryck Whibley look like Flea with hair? Or are they the same person? Hmmmmmm. Anyway, our Canadian friends sure do a good job of confusing me with this video. I think I speak for everyone by asking "WHAT THE HELL IS THE ROBOT DOING THERE?". Anyway, this song sounds like every other Sum 41 song. Don't they sound like a Canadian version of Simple Plan?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHx-xqs3hO8

"Walking On The Sun"- Smash Mouth. Smash Mouth was always one of my favorite 90's band and their 1997 album "Fush Yu Mang" shot them into stardom for the rest of the decade. Steve Harwell always cracked me up because it's like he doesn't even care that he's a goofy fat guy that can still be cool. I guess I always liked him so much because I could so see myself doing everything that's in this video. Bonus points for the beach dance scene from the 1960's. So random.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQj--Kjn0z8

"Walk This Way"- Aerosmith and Run DMC. This song is interesting in so many ways. First of all, this was the first ever rap song to ever crack the top 5 of the Billboard charts, which it did in 1986. It was also the first rap track to sample a rock track which has become more and more routine in the hip hop community. It also resurrected the career of Aerosmith, which had recently fallen on a dry spell, only to follow up with 1987's "Permanent Vacation" and shoot back into the top of the charts with the momentum of this song. Also, Run DMC admitted they have never even heard of Aerosmith before this song, and their record company suggested they cover the song in order to "reach a wider audience". The song went on to win several awards and helped Run DMC cross over with their smash album "Raising Hell". Also, if you notice, only Steven Tyler and Joe Perry appear in the video (and also on the track- studio musicians are used for all instruments except for Perry's guitar). Despite their success in the hip hop community, Run DMC could not afford the entire band so just settled for Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Bonus points for Rev Run actually having hair and for the late Jam Master Jay. More bonus points for the white Adidas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_UYYPb-Gk

"Walk That Walk"- Dorrough. Not a bad song, but not a good one either. I like the beat, but my question for Dorrough is what in the world is "that walk"? I wonder how much mileage Dorrough will get being from Dallas. Not really known as a hotbed of rap music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRr6siic_-I

"Walk On"- U2. In 2000, U2 released maybe their most popular album ever (with "The Joshua Tree"), "All That You Can't Leave Behind". They pulled off the remarkable feat of winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year not only back to back years, but back to back years with songs from the SAME ALBUM. The first was "Beautiful Day", with this song finishing the repeat in 2002. This song was actually written by Bono as a tribute to to Aung San Suu Kyi, a female politician who has fought to bring democracy the country of Burma, and she is briefly pictured in the video. The song was also used in many 9/11 TV tributes, and is considered by many to be U2's most inspiring songs. Bonus points for the shot of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Still the most magnificent spot I have ever stood. More bonus points for this CD being played to death by roommate at MC Matt Kilgore. Still one of the best guys I ever knew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwKEdFoUB0o

"He Walked On Water"- Randy Travis. Just for you country fans- I like the inspiration behind the song, but does Randy Travis own 1000 brand new non wrinkled extremely white t-shirts? Good grief that's all he ever wears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCVw8Qjeg84

BONUS VIDEO- "Three Wooden Crosses"- Randy Travis. Randy's best song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_I-sTv6NV0

U2's smash album

he showed us that Brits have soul too

Annie- seriously? I think not!

Late Night Music Part 75......."Hip Hop Sidekicks"

I love how rappers use other genre artists to not only reach a larger audience, but also to show off their musical diversity because many rappers get a bad rap for not being diverse enough when most of them are musical geniuses. While usually it's seen as a ploy to get on the charts, some of these songs are some of the best music of our generation. It also makes for some of the best music videos. I just randomly thought of this one tonight, and for the first time ever, I'm writing two entries in the same day. Don't be mad, just enjoy.

In order to be considered for this list, the song had to be a RAP collaboration with a featured vocalist, NOT a VOCAL collaboration with a featured rapper. Also, the singer must appear in the video and must be credited on the song. "Shut It Down" by Pitbull featuring Akon, "Shawty Get Loose" by Lil' Mama featuring Chris Brown, "Baby By Me" by 50 Cent featuring Ne-Yo, "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112, and "Beautiful" by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell and Charlie Wilson. Please note NOTHING by Ja Rule will appear on this list. Don't care how many songs he had with Ashanti and Lil' Mo- he still is a catastrophe. Also, Wale will not appear either, what a disaster. Also, last but not least, ZERO of the songs featuring Drake will be included. Remember DRAKE SUCKS! Also, "Run This Town" by Jay-Z featuring Rihanna was disqualified just because Rihanna was already on the list twice and I was not going to have 2 songs from the same album.

"Stan"- Eminem feat. Dido. On 2001's "Marshall Mathers LP", Eminem decided to finally release a single that wasn't telling how miserable his life was and how we should stop judging him to release this brilliant song about a crazed fan that is not only brilliant, but is considered by some to be the greatest hip hop song ever written despite only peaking at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001. Devon Sawa, from "Final Destination" fame does a great job depicting Stan in this video, which was cool because it actually featured vocals from the artist which it samples (her song "Thank You"). While sampling is more than common in rap, getting that artist participate is. Dido is awesome on this song, despite their obvious lack of chemistry that was very evident when they performed the song live on "Saturday Night Live".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSLZFdqwh7E

"I Love The Way You Lie"- Eminem feat. Rihanna. Eminem released yet another vocal collaboration in 2010 on his album "Recovery" and unlike "Stan", "I Love The Way You Lie" hit #1 on the Billboard Top 100 earlier this year. This song is not only deep and real, I'm gonna go ahead and call it Eminem's best ever. While the song has been panned and criticized for encouraging domestic violence, the song means so much more than that. Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox are great choices for this video, as I think both of them play their characters perfectly. Oh yeah, Rihanna kinda still is one of the sexiest women in music. Also, unlike Dido, Eminem seems to have a MUCH BETTER stage chemistry with Rihanna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U

"Runaway Love"- Ludacris feat. Mary J. Blige. In 2006, Ludacris took a break from his usual jokingly funny rap lyrics to release the serious toned "Runaway Love" from his album "Release Therapy" which was used as a song advocating for troubled and runaway teens. As serious as this song is, I still remember laughing at two kids who were in my office (ages 4 and 6) who knew every word to this song. That was funny. Bonus points for Michael "I only appear in black movies" Rappaport and KeKe Palmer, who we all know now as "True Jackson, VP". I'm really not digging Mary J's look in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISvMS6s41vY

"Satisfy You"- Puff Daddy feat. R. Kelly. I've never been a big Puff Daddy fan, as many of you know. In fact, this song will mark his first ever appearance on "Late Night Music". In fact, most people don't realize that this album "Forever" released in 1999, was actually Puffy's first ever solo release. The fact that no one knew that just shows how much this guy liked to put his nose in things (thank you, Suge Knight). Anyway, this video was very high budget with Hype Williams directing and was one of the first videos featured on the short lived MTV show "Making The Video".Sorry I can't find a better version video than this, because it was actually really good. One of my favorite hooks ever on this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_1t6X0EOR4

"Slow Jamz"- Kanye West and Twista feat. Jamie Foxx. Ok, another artist I've never really liked, but this song is funny and I really like Jamie Foxx. Also, huge bonus points for Aisha Tyler, who was actually at the time, one of the hotter females in Hollywood just due to her recent critically acclaimed guest appearance as a recurring character on "Friends" in 2003. I actually like how Kanye pays homage to the some of the great soul artists of the past with this video. I could have done without Twista on this song and this video though. I always thought he was overrated- I mean the guy raps fast- big woop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKJBwb8OIpM

"Empire State Of Mind"- Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys. Another Hype Williams video, Jay-Z went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with this song from his 2009 album "The Blueprint 3". This video really does a great job of showing the diversity and people of New York City. You have to give Alicia Keys props for doing this song for a city like New York when you know she's from Philadelphia- she must love Jay-Z. Bonus points for her outfit and bonus points for her playing the piano on the track too. This song makes me wanna go back to NYC- anyone wanna come?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

"Airplanes"- B.O.B. feat. Hayley Williams. B.O.B. is rare in the fact that his debut album "B.O.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray" debuted at #1 earlier this year. Part of the reason for this was the release of this single 2 weeks before the release of the album featuring the lead singer of Paramore and Mississippi native Hayley Williams. B.O.B. doesn't have the street cred as some of the more gangster-related rappers might have, but his new sound is welcomed in the hip hop world now. Unlike most of the songs on this list and in this genre, Williams and B.O.B. did not record the song at the same time. In fact, they had never even met until they performed this song at the 2010 VMAs. Their parts in the video were shot at separate times also due to Paramore's tour to support "Brand New Eyes".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn6-c223DUU

"Dilemma"- Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland. Man I got so sick of this song! This song lost any awesomeness it might have had just due to the overplaying of it in 2002. The song was one of the biggest hits of 2002, and won the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (didn't even know that was a category), and spent a total of 10 weeks as the #1 Billboard Hot 100 single. However, Kelly Rowland and Nelly have surprising good chemistry, and despite the ultra lame video, featuring Patti Labelle, this song remains Nelly's most successful song to date. Kelly Rowland is also super skinny in this video, and I noticed this after I saw in person during my trip to the taping of "The Tonight Show" with Katie Couric in 2003. She is beautiful, but PLEASE eat something!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WYHDfJDPDc

"Live Your Life"- T.I. feat. Rihanna. Rihanna is back on here with her inspirational with America's most famous criminal T.I. Most people don't realize it, but this song samples the crap out of "Dragonstea Din Tei" by O-Zone (remember that one?), which I think helped the song gain international fame in Europe. Like most songs Rihanna featured in them, this song from T.I.'s album "Paper Trail" went to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Call me crazy, but T.I. may have landed his role in the movie "Takers" with this video- how cool is that guy? Bonus points for this song being featurd in "The Hangover".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koVHN6eO4Xg

"How Do You Want It"- 2Pac feat. K-Ci and JoJo. Tupac's last studio album "All Eyez On Me" featured this song as a double A-sided single to his worldwide smash "California Love". This song is actually a diss of gangsta rap critic and Philadelphia politician C. Delores Tucker. Tucker actually sued Shakur over this song, but the lawsuit was later dismissed. K-Ci and JoJo never struck me as a hip hop kinda group, even in their Jodeci days, so I always liked this combo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlvS_Uk5yJM

"Wild Wild West"- Will Smith feat. Sisqo. Wow, from one extreme to another right? Before he went exclusively to films, Will Smith recorded this song for his 1999 album "Willenium" as well as the summer blockbuster in 1999 of the classic TV series "Wild Wild West". Sisqo, who had recently broken off from Dru Hill temporarily appears in the video and on the video in his cowboy garb- maybe some slight foreshadowing to his "Gone Country" days. BONUS POINTS FOR DAYS FOR SALMA HAYEK! Will Smith is a super talented guy, but I'm really glad he stopped making songs for his movies. Can you see a rap song for "The Pursuit of Happyness" or "Seven Pounds"? Yeah, didn't think so.

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

"Hey Lover" - LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men. I almost forgot about this one. I remember alot of "rap fans" in junior high thinking this song was lame just because Boyz II Men were on it and thought they were too soft to be included on a rap track. Well, not only are they wrong, they are crazy, because LL Cool J did a great job by including them on this track which was featured on his 1995 album "Mr. Smith" because the song went on to win the 1997 Grammy for Best Rap Performance. LL Cool J is one of those guys that really makes me sick- ladies, just look at him and you'll know why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um99r6sgspY

"Come Close"- Common feat. Mary J. Blige. This one was pushing it. Common is not your "common" rapper (pun intended). But the song is a genre of hip hop nonetheless and does feature the one and only Mary J. Blige. I don't know if I've ever seen a video be this progressive and creative. I really don't care for the rest of Common's music, but I really like this song which was featured on his 2002 album "Electric Circus". Common just strikes me as a strange individual despite his obvious creative gifts. Not digging Mary J's look in this video- why does she do that in her duet videos?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbbRrNHJ4Lg

"Got Your Back"- T.I. feat. Keri Hilson. T.I. is doing his best impression of Tupac because this song is on his upcoming album "No Mercy" that will be released while he is in prison, and will more than likely put him on the short list of artists who have had a #1 album while incarcerated. This song, released this past summer, shows T.I.'s constantly changing sound to almost family friendly because he's thanking all the women who stand by their men and his own wife and fellow inmate Tameka Cottle, from Xscape fame. She also had to briefly appear in the video just in case we forgot what she looks like. Huge laughs for the lyrics talking about being visited in prison- maybe he knew it was coming. Sorry, not funny, but it also kind of is. Ok, yes Keri Hilson is super sexy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk2yOxTuLck

"You Got Me"- The Roots feat. Erykah Badu. Here is another one that is borderline, but like I said last time this one featured, this is one of the best collaborations ever just because Erykah Badu is SO herself. The Roots really didn't sound like this after the success of their 1999 album "Things Fall Apart". Still one of the most talented bands out there- love these guys on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJCHeEQV454

BONUS VIDEOS- "Breakdown"- Mariah Carey feat. Bone Thugs N Harmony. The reverse of the list, but still cool. One of my favorite hip-hop collaborations ever. Bonus points for the super sexy Mariah Carey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC7V9dn1rC8

"Down"- Jay Sean feat. Lil' Wayne. Had to put Lil' Wayne on here some how- another reverse collaboration which is one of my favorite songs ever that I have ever had on here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUbpGmR1-QM

"Stan"- Eminem feat. Elton John Live at the 2001 Grammy Awards. Great live performance that was ironic due to Eminem's recent accusations of homophobia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY2p7oE7Bpw

Rihanna and America's favorite inmate

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

We all saw it the first time they met