Late Night Music Part 162...."Wait A Minute. Babyface Wrote That?"

Besides the fact that he's a super cool left handed guitar player, I've always loved Babyface just because the guy pumps out songs like a milk udder. The guy is an absolute songwriting and album producing machine, and never seems to show signs of slowing down. All this happens while he records music of his own. Most people aren't really aware of all of the songs he's had a hand in over the years, so I decided to dedicate a list to Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

In order to receive votes in this category, the song had to be written OR produced by Babyface. Also receiving votes in this category were "Most Girls" by Pink, "I'm Ready" by Tevin Campbell, "Sittin' Up In My Room" by Brandy, "Don't Be Cruel" by Bobby Brown, and "Knocked Out" by Paula Abdul.

"Change The World"- Eric Clapton. This Babyface produced track from the 1996 summer movie "Phenomenon" starring John Travolta, added Babyface on backing guitar and vocals and won this track the Grammy for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Performance. The best fact about this song is that Wynonna Judd recorded the song just a mere 4 months prior to this songs release, and did not include it as a single. Babyface took the song to Eric Clapton, and it became this hit. This version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is one of the very very few hits that Eric Clapton had that he did not write himself. Sometimes it's good to get by with a little help from your friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHPWoDsyE6M

"End Of The Road"- Boyz II Men. This mega single from Babyface and long time collaborator L.A. Reid was included on the soundtrack of the 1992 Eddie Murphy/Robin Givens romantic comedy "Boomerang", and climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it would stay for a then record 13 weeks, breaking Elvis Presley's 36 year old record (only to be broken again 17 weeks later by Whitney Houston). This song is widely considered Motown's most successful international single of their 90's era, and is still Boyz II Men's signature song. They even covered a version of their own song on their tribute album to Motown A Journey Through Hitsville USA in 2007. You know you are a beast when you can release a cover of your own song. Even though Boyz II Men has since shrunk to a trio, this still remains their most requested song, and I had the privilege of seeing this song live in 1998 when they came to Jackson on their Evolution Tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc

"Count On Me"- Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans. Speaking of Whitney Houston. This duet with cousin  gospel superstar CeCe Winans, was included on the soundtrack of the 1995 Terry McMillan adapted film "Waiting To Exhale", in which Houston also starred. Babyface wrote the entire soundtrack album (with the exception of a cover of "My Funny Valentine" by Chaka Khan), and in a very rare move, this song was featured Whitney Houston as a co-writer. This single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the soundtrack album to hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and earn a Grammy nomination for Album Of The Year, with this song being nominated for both the Best Pop Collaboration and Best Song Written For a Motion Picture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOi12fq2r5U

"Take A Bow"- Madonna. This Babyface written smash single off of Madonna's 1994 album Bedtime Stories, would peak at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. In two ironic twists, the whole point of Bedtime Stories  was supposedly to soften up the image of Madonna after her very controversial 1992 album Erotica. We are really supposed to believe that after seeing this video? Also, this video was big budget audition demo tape for the role of Eva Peron, the lead character in the 1995 film "Evita" which Madonna was lobbying for. Not only did she win the role, her single from the film "You'll See" featured a "sequel video" to this one with Madonna and real life Spanish bullfighter Emilio Munoz reprising their roles in the video. This single proved to be one of Madonna's most popular, as her new R & B sound gained her a whole new fanbase. The track also features Babyface on backing vocals- great combo. I'd really like to see them team up again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDeiovnCv1o

"Best Thing I Never Had"- Beyonce. This sequel to Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" was included on Beyonce's 2011 album 4, and was according to Beyonce herself, "a song for anyone"- but who is she fooling? This song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was #1 on the British Singles Chart. While watching this video and listening to this song, I have a hard time taking Beyonce seriously, because what sane heterosexual male would ever leave Beyonce? Come on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHp2KgyQUFk

"I'd Still Say Yes"- Klymaxx. This 1987 single from Klymaxx's self-titled album went to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and would sadly be Klymaxx's last single to make an appearance on the chart. This song was instrumental in giving Babyface an early reputation as a solid R & B songwriter. I am just tickled to death that I got to include another Klymaxx song other than "I Miss You". You know it's going to be a good day.  

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

"Never Gonna Let You Go"- Faith Evans. Faith Evans is easily one of the most underrated performers in the history of R & B music. The widow of the late Notorious B.I.G. gave one of her most spectacular performances here in this Babyface written gem for her 1999 album Keep The Faith. Usually, I would get tired of it, but I really like Babyface as a backup vocalist like he is on this song. This heavily promoted video gave the song great airplay on MTV and helped the song peak at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite being a Bad Boy Records artist, Faith Evans was one of the last great 90's R & B artists- without a doubt, the best era of soul music ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNeoGktyg4k

"Just Stand Up!"- United Artists Against Cancer. This song seriously cracks me up. This Babyface/L.A. Reid charity song written for the TV Special "Artists Stand Up To Cancer" in 2008 peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and originally featured Sheryl Crow and LeeAnn Rimes, both of which are not present here at this live performance. This live version also thankfully includes Nicole Scherzinger- I will never complain about her ever being on my screen- just saying. Anyway, this song features some of the greatest female vocalists of the era, and......some of the worst. Fergie and Miley Cyrus almost ruin the song before Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey save it. Also three things about this video. 1- I never realized Keyshia Cole was so freaking short. 2- Why is Ashanti even up there? 3- I realize Ciara is hot, but why is she even considered for this song?.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sgjHlF84Yc

"Not 'Gon Cry"- Mary J. Blige. I broke my own rule of including two songs from the same album here, but I can always bend the rules for Mary J. This was a sort of "breakout" single for Mary J. Blige, as while she already had a solid following in the R & B community, this song introduced her to a mainstream audience and help springboard her 1997 album Share My World into platinum status. This Angela Bassett theme song from "Waiting To Exhale" went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it became only her second top 10 hit after 1992's "Real Love". Never the less, this single set Mary J. Blige up for unworldly success as one of the greatest female artists of all time.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxk4e59M8og

"Superwoman"- Karyn White. This first big collaboration from Babyface and L.A. Reid was included on Karyn White's 1988 self-titled album. Simmons and Reid actually wrote 6 of the album's 9 tracks, with one of the songs on the album, "Slow Down" was actually written by Steve Harvey. This single went to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, the second of Karyn's 4 straight top 10 singles, ending with 1991's #1 hit "Romantic". This song was also nominated at the 1990 Grammy Awards for Best Female R & B Performance. This video seems to be a little bit before its time, as we were still in the 80's and R & B videos didn't feature an over abundance of children yet. I also kinda think that Xscape used this video as a big inspiration- what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0dGDUYZgJc

"We're Not Making Love No More"- Dru Hill. This Dru Hill power soul ballad from the 1997 movie "Soul Food" was always one of Dru Hill's best efforts before going on hiatus in 2003. This single went to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a great segue between their 1996 self-titled debut album and their 1998 follow up Enter The Dru. I wish Dru Hill would have done more work with Babyface, because that is a combo that could have really worked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbbW9SDsbEA

"Willing To Forgive"- Aretha Franklin. It's comical how many times this song would come on the satellite radio at Applebee's. I can't believe also how many people knew it. Even I had trouble remembering this song! This single was released standalone in 1994 and went to #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. I've always respected Aretha Franklin's talent, because there is no doubt she's one of the most gifted vocalists to ever walk the planet- if you doubt that- just think about her filling for Pavarotti at the Grammys. Despite that, I've never really liked this song, but the video makes me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sQz29AN1gs

"You Mean The World To Me"- Toni Braxton. Toni Braxton is seriously one of the most beautiful women to ever record a song. This single from her 1993 self-titled debut album went to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was an early success for Babyface's label LaFace Records. I am not sure if Babyface discovered Toni Braxton, but if he did, we all owe a great deal of gratitude for introducing this woman to us. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB5FxcI7Pyw

"Red Light Special"- TLC. This single and ode to fornicating solidified TLC's 1994 album CrazySexyCool as a R & B classic when it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In an absolute hilarious ironic twist, the next single and final single from this album was the controversial "Waterfalls". Now tell me what's wrong with that picture? Anyway, TLC was easily one of the best girl groups of all time, and had a great blend. They were queen of the castle when it came to 90's R & B girl groups. I hate that the tragic death of Lisa Lopes will keep us from ever getting a reunion. If you ever get a chance to see the documentary she made at the time of her death, it's definitely worth watching. Very interesting woman. Also, Chilli is fun to follow on twitter- one of the biggest WWE fans ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2t9LBeAwo

"Every Time I Close My Eyes"- Babyface featuring Mariah Carey and Kenny G. Even though his songwriting will always be what keeps him in the conversation, we can't forget him as a performer. This will always be my favorite Babyface song with him as a lead performer. This song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was released on Kenny G's album The Moment and Babyface's album The Day. You also know you are a beast when you get Mariah Carey to sing BACK UP on your song. This track was also nominated for Best Male R & B Performance at the 1998 Grammy Awards. I also looked it up, but I cannot find out who the girl in this video is. Anyone know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbrSO81KhBY

BONUS VIDEOS- "You'll See"- Madonna.

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

"End of the Road (Acapella Version featuring Brian McKnight)"- Boyz II Men.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppX5MQkyeUA

"These Are The Times"- Dru Hill. Two words. Lark Voorhies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wPkC3DO_7Y

"In My Mind"- Heather Headley. No reason, I just love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dfZyfckKPk

"Whenever I Say Your Name"- Sting and Mary J. Blige. Also no reason, just realized I hadn't heard this song in a while.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq0bl7KjkrQ

"Nessun Dorma"- Aretha Franklin. Live at the 1998 Grammys. Still one of the greatest performances of all time. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yryK80Va2g

Boyz II Men

Eric Clapton

Madonna

Toni Braxton

TLC

Mary J Blige

Late Night Music March Madness Edition Part 161....."Into The Great Wide Open"

For the first time ever, I am bringing a blog "from the vault" out. Maybe that's a sign that I do too many of these. Anyway, the word "great" is a superlative word that surprisingly to me, is used rather sparingly in song titles. I found some good ones here, but this was actually a very difficult list to complete despite the big names on it.

In order to receive votes in this category, the SONG TITLE had to have the word "great" in some form in it. Also receiving votes in this category were "Alexander the Great" by Iron Maiden, "The Great Deception"- Promethee, and "Great Expectations" by Diggy Simmons.

"Into The Great Wide Open"- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. This title track to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 1991 album featured perhaps one of the most star studded music videos ever with a cast that included Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway, Chyna Philliips, Trent D'Arby, Matt LeBlanc, and the always weird Gabrielle Anwar. Ironically, Petty was only able to get Depp and Dunaway because they were filming the movie Arizona Dream and it had taken a hiatus due to the director having a nervous breakdown on set. Despite the heavy push of the video on MTV and the popularity with fans, the single failed to garner the popularity other tracks on the hit album gained, peaking at just #92 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also, funny side note- the band recorded an 18 minute version of the song after the fact just to fit all the footage into this video. Johnny Depp is so freaking weird!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmFxgEGKH0

"The Great Beyond"- R.E.M.- I have to admit, I have never been an Andy Kaufman fan. I realize he was big at the time, and this movie is actually pretty good though. This standalone single was written for the Kaufman 1999 docu-comedy Man On The Moon starring Jim Carrey. It was pretty fitting that the band did a song on Kaufman seeing how their 1992 hit "Man On The Moon" was about him. Despite this song being the band's highest ever charting single in the UK, it only peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite being on of R.E.M.'s better efforts in my opinion. I've been watching this video for 5 minutes now, and I can't seem to find the drummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_JnCWT-_O8

"It's A Great Day To Be Alive"- Travis Tritt. This 2000 single from Travis Tritt's album Down The Road I Go would easily be his most well known song when it peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Country Chart. I never really cared for Travis Tritt or his voice, but he hit the nail on the head with this song that is quite frankly a once in a lifetime song. Pretty good live performance here, and I'm not sure if a video was ever made for the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUWB2QDUDD8

"Greatest Love Of All"- Whitney Houston. This may be my favorite Whitney song (but is it really that easy to choose?). I'm sure I said this before, but this song was written in 1977 by Linda Creed about her battle with breast cancer and was originally featured in the Muhammad Ali documentary The Greatest. Whitney wanted to include it on her debut album, but Clive Davis wasn't sure it was a good fit for her. After giving in, it became the follow up single to "How Will I Know" and went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. I always liked this video here, which features her real life mother Cissy Houston.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYzlVDlE72w

"The World's Greatest"- R. Kelly. Dang I finally broke my R. Kelly streak on here, but all things must come to an end I guess. Excuse me while I don't picture R. Kelly as a boxer, but this was a pretty good addition to the Will Smith 2001 film Ali (two Muhammad Ali songs in a row!) and was also included on Kelly's album Chocolate Factory. I would like R. Kelly so much more if he simply stuck to songs like this instead of making stuff that you listen to while you look around to make sure no one is watching. With that being said, I think he does a great job paying tribute to our country and it's heroes in this video. This single peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgcovIu3k9o

"The Great Escape"- The Rifles. Great track here by British rockers The Rifles. This was the title track to their 2009 album and was released a single in mid 2009. If you didn't know this band was British, you could watch this video on mute and figure out. My question is if the kid was gonna get that people watching and following him- why did he not do something more spectacular? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbH244wi22k

"The Great Escape"- Boys Like Girls. Here is one of those bands that is completely flying under the radar of awesomeness. This second single from their self titled debut album became the band's first hit for these rockers from Massachusetts when it peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The sound of this song really reminds me of Sherwood. I love that pop/rock sound that's not too heavy and not too hard. BLG does a perfect mix of that on this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGPgxoIPY6Q

"The Great Escape"- We Are Scientists. Three dudes waking up in the same bed and showering together? Ok. This song from these Bay Area rockers was the second single off of their 2005 debut album With Love and Squalor, and despite making little noise in the United States, the single peaked at #35 on the British Singles Chart, with the album getting to #43 on the British Albums Chart. I love when videos can be retro because this video seems like I'm watching a stereotypical 80's band. They could really fool people on that one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK20cYuFmbM

"The Greatest Discovery"- Elton John. Man talk about a forgotten underrated classic. This amazing song from Elton John's famous major label self-titled 1970 album was written by Bernie Taupin about his experience of his parents having a baby which was his little brother. The song was an early favorite of EJ's and has rarely been performed live since. Here is a spectacular live performance from 1970 BBC Television here featuring the actual cellist for the song, Paul Buckmaster, in the first of his many many orchestral performances with Elton John, appearing on 8 albums all together. I think it shows the talent EJ had early in his career for huge arrangements like he did for this song. His Broadway arrangements would come some 25 years later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEw9SB8NMfs

"Great Day"- Paul McCartney. Talk about maybe the only person who could actually follow Elton John! This non-single closed out McCartney's 1997 masterpiece album Flaming Pie, which was nominated for the Album Of The Year Grammy, losing to former 1960's contemporary Bob Dylan in the category. This album was fueled hugely by the success of the recent Beatles Anthology project and is still one of his most successful solo albums, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. This song was also featured in the Adam Sandler/Seth Rogen film Funny People.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UczpCIXfWic

"Fight For Greatness"- Bloom. Well, believe it or not, I have almost no info on this song other than the fact that it was featured on Rock Band. Great guitar riff and a dang good lead singer who kinda reminds me of Adam Levine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHuXSRRk19Y

"The Great Wall Of China"- Billy Joel. Talk about pulling an obscure one out of the bag! This rather unknown Billy Joel song was included on his 1993 smash album River Of Dreams. It's funny though, no matter how obscure you dig in the Billy Joel catalog, every song just seems to one that sticks with you. I think this was one of Billy Joel's best albums not just because of the overplaying of "River of Dreams", but just because the album was so diverse. Talk about someone who will never lose their swag. That guy will make great music until he dies.

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

"The Great Divide"- The McClain Sisters. This girl group of sisters from L.A. added this song and video to the soundtrack of the Disney Fairies film "Secret of the Wings". The family friendly trio is expecting their first studio album this year. You may also recognize China Anne McClain of TBS's "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" fame. These girls have a spectacular blend with beautiful voices and remind me a lot of a more pop oriented SWV. But I have to say though that is very rare for girls this young to be able to blend that well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI9LOvppLMg

"The Great Exhale"- Great Lake Swimmers. This Toronto band added this as their last single to their latest album New Wild Everywhere. These Canadians are heavily influenced by Neil Young, and it shows in this very complex video. I was also thinking that this could be the Canadian version of the Avett Brothers just due to the heavy folk influence on this song. This band proves that Toronto is definitely a hot bed of music of all sorts, as I can now think of a band of just about every genre that calls Toronto or the Toronto area home. I really need to visit there again soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k13D40sfEk

BONUS VIDEOS- "Good Life"- One Republic. Close. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w

"Good"- Better Than Ezra. Also close.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji0pyRmSnTY

"Inaction"- We Are Scientists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUHfmme7iow

"Repeat Offender"- The Rifles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4OzNchOy-k

"Be Your Everything"- Boys Like Girls.

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

The Rifles

Boys Like Girls

Great Lake Swimmers

McClain Sisters

We Are Scientists

Late Night Music Part 160....."G'Day Mate! How About Some More Shrimps On The Barbie?"

I can't believe it's been 148 lists since I did a list about Australian bands, and that's surprising because they have produced some of the best music of recent years in addition to having a long history of great music.

In order to receive votes in this category, the artist had to be from Australia, or currently based in Australia, so I did cheat just a little bit. Also, all artists on the last Australian list were disqualified. All songs receiving votes in this category were included.

Gotye- "Heart's A Mess". This year's Record Of The Year Grammy winner for "Somebody That I Used to Know" was making waves in Australia long before his international breakthrough with his 2007 album Like Drawing Blood. This highly creative video was released alongside to promote this single which peaked at #3 in Belgium (where Gotye's family immigrated from) and remains one of Gotye's most famous songs which is constantly covered by other artists and included in all of his live shows. In a music rarity, the actual song is really about a minute shorter than the video, but a whole minute of video was added in order to make the video more complete. I can not think of any other time that has happened. Bonus points to anyone who can give me another example.

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

Kimbra- "Cameo Lover". This single was included on Melbourne's favorite New Zealander's and Gotye's now famous duet partner for "Somebody I Used To Know"'s debut album Vows, (I'm counting it- sorry) and despite not charting, the video was widely popular in both Australia and New Zealand and was nominated for the award for Best Female Video at the 2012 ARIA Awards where Kimbra won Best Female Artist and Song of the Year for this same song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elyk9MBY72U

Missy Higgins- "Where I Stood". This song featured on "Grey's Anatomy" was featured on Missy Higgins 2007 album On A Clear Night, and went to #10 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The American version, seen here, made a small splash where it went to #7 on the Billboard Bubbling Under 100 Charts, but gave Missy Higgins a much deserved presence in the United States. This Melbourne artist's latest album The 'Ol Razzle Dazzle debuted at #1 on the ARIA Album Charts making arguably the hottest female act in Australia at this time. She reminds me a lot of Norah Jones, but a bit more edgy. 

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

Merril Bainbridge- "Mouth". How can you forget this song getting played to death on the radio? This 1995 song from her album The Garden went to #1 on the ARIA Chart and the Canadian Singles Chart. It also peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it easily Bainbridge's biggest hit in the United States. This video that accompanied the song is totally 90's and is so cliche to the point that you can roll several songs from the 90's into this one and still have this video. Crazy thing is that Bainbridge, like all other artists so far on this list, is still based in Melbourne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YIIM1EVDqg

Newsboys- "Take Me To Your Leader". This title track to Mooloolaba's favorite songs and Australian Christian band Newboys to their 1998 hit album makes for one of the more entertaining videos on this list, as the Newsboys usually do. This song was written by lead singer Peter Furler, but is actually sung by Phil Joel and John James. The success of this single and album, which peaked at #35 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, helped it win the Dove Award for album packaging, with this single peaking at #1 on the Billboard Christian Singles Chart making Newsboys at the time, the hottest Christian band overtaking the recent hiatus-taking dc Talk. In a huge ironic twist, former dc Talk member Michael Tait is now the lead singer of the revamped Newsboys, and they are still one of the top acts in the Christian music industry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSJUeb3fZEE

Chantelle Barry- "Love Someone". This 2012 single from Perth's Chantelle Barry shows the true angelic nature of her voice. After appearing on the American TV series "90210" and movies like "Couples Retreat", Chantelle seems to be focusing on music again, which is perfectly ok with me. By the way, I'm super proud that an artist this amazing follows me on twitter. Talk about an ego booster!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjJc1VUqgEU

Rebecca St. James- "Wait For Me". This abstinence anthem for Sydney's Rebecca St. James off of her 2000 album Transform helped the album climb to #166 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, with this song also appearing on the WoW 2002 compilation album. Now based in Nashville, St. James continues to be a staple on the Christian music circuit, and still has one of the most beautiful voices in music. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAi3KJ5I-s

Midnight Oil- "Beds Are Burning". These guys are worth watching just for pure entertainment purposes. This worldwide hit and song featured in the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics, is perhaps this Sydney band's best known song from their 1987 album Diesel and Dust, where it peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. This political protest song deals with the lands being taken away from Native Australians that were removed from their lands in a similar manner as Native Americans. During their famous Olympic performance in 2000, the band wore clothes with "sorry" sprawled all over it as a message to the indigenous community. Peter Garrett has always been one of the cooler looking lead singers- he looks like he's a legitimate badass in every sense of the word.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejorQVy3m8E

Olivia Newton-John- "Falling". I never understood how this great song by Olivia Newton-John wasn't more famous. This starlet out of Melbourne was one of the biggest acts of the 70's and 80's not just due to her performance in "Grease" alongside John Travolta, but due to the popularity of her 1981 mega album Physical, from which this song was taken, which was released fresh off her 1980 performance in the rock musical "Xanadu". While the album itself only peaked at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, it sold several million copies worldwide, and featured an accompanying video album where every song for the album had a video made for it, where this video came from. This entire video album was shown in an ABC TV "Let's Get Physical" special which was viewed by an estimated 35% of the viewing audience that night, and would win ONJ Grammy Awards for Best Music Video, and an also received an Emmy nomination for best TV Special. Physical is widely considered ONJ's best solo album, and was easily the height of her solo career, as her popularity, while always large, never came close to matching the success of this era. This song was always a favorite of mine, and I hate that it never was released as a single, it was rather the B-Side of the single "Make A Move On Me", which was released in early 1982.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMMD2txDjTw

Kylie Minogue- "Love At First Sight". Another Melbourne artist! After years of moderate US success and great Australian success, Kylie Minogue broke through in a huge way with her 2001 album Fever, and her #7 hit "Can't Get Your Out Of My Head" and this single and accompanying music video, which helped the single peak at #1 on the ARIA Chart and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song became huge in the dance club scene, and was nominated for the Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2003. This widely popular video was surprisingly filmed largely in one take, which shows that Minogue was always underrated as an actress, as she got her start through a starring role on the Australian soap opera "Neighbours". We'll forget the fact that she had a part in the movie "Bio-Dome"....that just sucks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf421JsG004

Ben Lee- "Into The Dark". The Sydney king of retail jingles turned in this solid track from his 2005 album Awake Is The New Sleep, which went to #5 on the ARIA Album Charts, and won him the 2005 ARIA Award for Best Male Artist. This catchy song was released as a single the same year and went to #97 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Go into any retail store in America, and you'll hear this song or one of many others from Ben Lee's extensive catalog that always seems to make its way onto American satellite radio channels featured in stores. Not much surprise there though, his songs are usually short and catchy like this one, so I guess that makes sense to include him in the rotation. My Sprint days are highlighted by the Ben Lee hit "Sing"- bonus video coming up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwz61ELh3Q0

Lenka- "Heart Skips A Beat". I still for the life of me can't figure out why this Sydney starlet hasn't caught on more. She's constantly on my Pandora, and her debut single "The Show" was even featured in "Moneyball", but this lead single from her 2011 album Two didn't really catch on and didn't even chart despite this video to promote it. I also love how this video makes me want to play the old board game "Operation". I really like the dancing in this video, and Lenka is super cute- which makes her not being bigger even more puzzling. If Lenka keeps making good videos like this, it won't be long before she catches an even bigger break. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW8rg6XeP3U

Silverchair- "Ana's Song". I never really cared for Silverchair, but this Newcastle rock act made it cool to have this album when this video got in heavy rotation on MTV from their 1999 album Neon Ballroom. This song was hit in Australia peaking at #14 on the ARIA Chart, and peaking at #12 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Chart, making it one of Silverchair's biggest American hits. The most interesting thing about this song is that "Ana" is actually Anorexia, which lead singer Daniel Johns was suffering from at the time, and his desire to make awareness known that males suffered from eating disorders as well. I never would have guessed that, but once you listen to the song, I guess it makes sense. I just remember so many people having this CD almost a status symbol due to the popularity of the video, but Silverchair never really became the big act everyone anticipated them to be in the US.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNK_r2QAXAo

Tonight Alive- "Wasting Away". This Sydney punk pop band turned this in as their debut single in 2010 off of their EP Consider This. Led by lead singer Jenna McDougall, Tonight Alive used this song and video to release their debut LP in 2011, What Are You So Scared Of?, which charted on the Billboard Heatseekers and Indie Charts, and #15 on the ARIA Album Charts. I really see Tonight Alive being a huge hit not only in Australia, but in the United States. They have a sound like Paramore, and Jenna McDougall really sings this song like Hey Monday's and "The Voice" winner Cassadee Pope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhdaCt2DhE0

The Vines- "Get Free". This Sydney group had to have felt great when "Weird" Al Yankovic included this song in his medley "Angry White Boy Polka", which has to be the highlight of any artists career. This 2002 single from the band's debut album Highly Evolved peaked at #7 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks making it their biggest splash in the United States while still having a heavy following in the UK and Australia.  

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

Wolfmother- "Joker And The Thief". Excellent live performance from Sydney trio Wolfmother here from the Australian TV Show "Rage" of the final single from their 2006 debut self-titled album. This song proved to be their biggest hit in Australia, peaking at #8 on the ARIA Charts, and #27 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts. Wolfmother has drastically changed its lineup since this performance, with lead singer Andrew Stockdale being the only remaining member. However, before the lineup changes, he won the 2006 ARIA Award for Male Songwriter Of The Year due to the success of this song and their biggest American song, "Woman".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiRnAO0QJ0E

Little River Band- "Reminiscing". Now here is one I did not know. This Melbourne group shot to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978 when this single from their album Sleeper Catcher added this ultimate cheese fest video to the airwaves. The funny thing is that this "band" is still around with none of the original members. Seems sort of pointless at this time. I'll always associate this song with the movie "The Other Guys". This song has now become easily the cheesiest song in the history of this list. 

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

Madison Avenue- "Everything You Need". This Melbourne house dance music powerhouse duo included this track on their debut album The Polyester Embassy where it went to #6 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and #24 on the Billboard Dance Chart. Cheyne Coates fits in perfect with the 2001 dance music stereotype with this video- everything about her screams 2001. This video is pretty run of the mill, but reminds of a J Lo video in so many ways- what do you think? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a17E0IS6CQo

BONUS VIDEOS- "Somebody That I Used To Know"- Gotye and Kimbra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

"Sing"- Ben Lee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjmS-VH7K9A

"Magic"- Olivia Newton-John.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvfE-Cf9Qcc

"Starlight"- Tonight Alive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4LJLOUyTwQ

"Hearts A Mess"- Missy Higgins. Gotye cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEmTkXr9Ssg

"Reminiscing"- from "The Other Guys".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2YByJcCPHU

Gotye

Newsboys today with Michael Tait

Merril Bainbridge

Tonight Alive

Kimbra

For our Australian friends