A to Z - A Is For...Ady Gaga?

The Human Alphabet. In my opinion, one of the creepiest things on the internet.

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore 

I've got two major loves in life. Music is one and words are the other. How good is it that I write words on a music blog then? I know, I'm pretty darn lucky, don't be jealous.


Which brings me to our newest feature here on It's My Kind Of Scene. The A to Z. We're gonna start the first round of alphabet-ing with a celebration of all things pop, 'cause whether you like to deny it or embrace it, everyone has a love of it and there's not enough pop around here. Maybe. Well, there's always room for more anyway.


So here it is. The A to Z of Pop. Welcome to A.

Ady Gaga, Aylor Swift and Aty Perry don't count. You get how this alphabet thing works, right? Right. We could start with A is for Abba, one of the biggest pop acts of their time (Eurovision entrant makes them quite large, in my humble Eurovision loving opinion, but that's a whole other story) but they're not my favourite from the land of Sweden, 'cause let's not deny it, there's someone better.

"I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes" vs "you can dance you can jive"? Ace Of Base wins, easily. What is the sign? Who is the sign? Not a bearded man in a one piece flared suit, Bjorn, that's for sure. Sorry Abba. Admittedly, "gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight" comes a close second, because really, who doesn't want that (rhetorical question, don't answer) but the 90s that oozes from Abba's fellow country musos is just that much cooler.

If we're going to talk pop in the 90s though, you can't look past some of the awful cringe worthy amazing r'n'b that happened in the early part of that decade. I love some of it, but thankfully I also found Nirvana. That's a different alphabet though. All 4 One, they were just like the poor mans Boyz II Men and that strange guy with the glasses? I could never figure him out. He's the creepy cousin at the family Christmas party who sits in the corner with gravy on his chin and a piece of corn in his teeth. And by the way All 4 One, swearing you'll be by my side like a shadow is uncomfortably close to stalking.

A is for All Saints. Now there's a 90s pop group who weren't so creepy. They were all so busy trying to be less London council estate and more ghetto-licious they didn't have time to be creepy. By the way, if you ever-ever attempt this song at karaoke, know that it never-ever ends.

So many A's around here, I could talk Adele or Alicia Keys or Avril Lavigne or Aviici or I could drift way back to the 80s and start talking everyone's fave English ginger, Rick Astley, but you know what I really wanna talk about? My favourite song of the entire 80s, which I have probably declared before and will do it again and was sung by a band whose name began with A.

A-ha, it's A-ha. See what I did there? Comic genius. Things you need to will now know: I have a friend who once had a slight obsession with lead singer Morten Harket. I get it, he's kinda 80s babe-ish. I just love him 'cause his name is Morten Harket. That's a pop star name, if I ever heard one. If I ever have a son I may call him that.


One more thing you need to know and you'll thank me for this one day in a trivia challenge. A-ha were Norwegian. Name me another Norwegian band that aren't some form of metal. Yeah, gotcha there. Norwegian! And so began my life long obsession with having to visit Norway someday. Well, A-ha and Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, my favourite royal, who is known to love a music festival or two. What, is Norway just full of interesting attractive viking men? Must visit...

The Candy Shop #20

Money, money, money, must be funny, it’s a crime, too tight to mention, gimme the MUNY the Yen and the Peso, I WANT MONEY!


In light of recent Australian political events it only seems fit that I dedicate tonight’s Candy Shop to the all mighty dollar! It consumes our lives and dominates out decisions like “Do I have enough money for another cream filled éclair or should I be saving to get that tumor cut out?” It rules our health, our leisure, our pleasure and apparently the music industry. WHO KNEW? Lolz.

Money in the 70s

Money 

by Pink Floyd

I can never get over how timeless these guys are. This was released in 1973 and is still as fresh today. I dedicate this to Australian politics!

Money Money Money 

by ABBA 

Just find me a rich man so I can be a kept lady. Were these the aspirations of the time? I want this. I keep telling my lover to become super successful or I’m leaving. I think it’s healthy in a relationship to have an ultimatum.

 Money in the 80s

Money's Too Tight (To Mention)

by Simply Red

That’s not all that’s too tight to mention… Did you see that curly fringe? Mick you little firecracker, I bet the money isn’t too tight these days.

Money For Nothing

by Dire Straits

“See the little f****t with the earring and the makeup, yeah buddy that's his own hair, that little f****t got his own jet air plane, that little f****t he's a millionaire...” charming no? This was regularly played when I was growing up. Maybe I subconsciously felt that being gay would make me rich? Actually no…

Money in the 90s

Money

by The Flying Lizards

I was a teenager once. I heard this song. I also just wanted money. I was a teenager and needed things. Things only money could buy. I WANT MONEY!

 Money in the 00s

 Rich Girl
by Gwen Stefani

If I was a rich girl I’d probably nana nana nana nana nah too. This was when Gwen sold out to so it’s only fitting she’s singing about being rich. Maybe she wrote this before she was raking in the cash?

 Money in the 10s

Muny
by Nicki Minaj

She a muny grabbing so ‘n’ so with a luv for da buck and a butt like a truck! I’m not really a Nicki fan but this song was part of a burlesque production I saw recently and I must admit my muny maker became a muny shaker!


Money makes the world go round and drives everything from politics to music and as much as things change they remain the same. Now where’d I put my diamond ring? I think it might have fallen off in my money pit…

On Tour: Björn Again

"Friday night and the lights are low, looking out for the place to go."

Australia loves ABBA. Anyone that has seen Muriel's Wedding knows this, but we're not the only ones. The Swedish superstars are one of the biggest acts in music's history. They topped the charts all over the world and they have this little musical you might have heard of called Mamma Mia (which I heard was mildly successful and led to a low budget film adaptation starring some unknown actors like Meryl Streep). Last week I even read that ABBA Gold moved past Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to become the UK's second highest selling album. Ever. No one can deny that ABBA were makers of pop magic. From 'Dancing Queen,' 'Money, Money, Money,' 'Mamma Mia,' 'Fernando,' 'Knowing Me Knowing You.' These are some of the greatest pop tunes going around. Such a shame we'll never hear them performed live again, right? Wrong! 

If you're familiar with the concept of a tribute act, you'll know who Björn Again are. They went from paying tribute to ABBA in a small pub in Melbourne to a national success before becoming a global brand that's played to sell out crowds at the Royal Albert Hall. They've become the world's most successful tribute band through cheesy accents and incredible music, even earning an endorsement from ABBA's Benny Anderson as being the closest you'll ever get to seeing ABBA live since, you know, they aren't going to be reforming. Björn Again are heading out on a national tour in July, so ABBA fans (which is pretty much everyone), check out some tour deets below...

BJORN AGAIN AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2013:

Saturday July 6th

Regal Theatre, Perth
Matinee and Evening Performances
ticketek.com.au or Phone 132 849
Group Bookings: 1300 364 001

Sunday July 7^th
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, WA
Matinee Performance
manpac.com.au or Phone (08) 9550 3900

Saturday July 27
Festival Theatre, Adelaide
ON SALE 12pm ACST Thursday May 9
Book at BASS outlets
www.bass.net.au or Phone 131 246
Group Bookings: (08) 8205 2220

Friday August 9
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
ON SALE 12pm EST Thursday May 9
ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849
Group Bookings: 1300 364 001

Saturday August 10
The Concourse, Chatswood
ON SALE 12pm EST Thursday May 9
ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849
Group Bookings: 1300 364 001

Saturday November 23 

QPAC, Brisbane

 

Ticket Prices*            Children: $39.50   Adults: $69.50
10% Discount for groups of 10 or more.
*A service/delivery fee, and credit card charges apply

Tickets to the ultimate ABBA experience go on sale from 12pm Thursday May 9

http://www.bjornagain.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/BjornAgainAustralia  https://twitter.com/bjornagainAU

 

Top 100 Songs of the 1970s, #60 - 51

Gloria Gaynor: She don't need no man.


The Carpenters gave us not one, but two 70s classics yesterday. If you liked that, you're going to love the next ten songs. If you didn't like it... you'll still love the next ten songs (and P.S. you're a crazy person!). We've got a lot of classic rock to work through today, plus what many consider to be the defining song of the disco (disco) era. Actually, there's two of those disco classics! So, what are we waiting for?! Oh... we're waiting for me to stop rambling on and on... and on and on and on. And on. Let's listen to some tunes!

#60 - Have You Ever Seen the Rain (1971)

by Creedence Cleerwater Revival

When it's over, so they say,

It'll rain a sunny day...

I did say there would be classic rock, didn't I? 

Top 100 Songs of the 1970s, #80 - 71



I agree... the Glee version sucked.


After one day off, we're back with another installment of our 70s only countdown. There's no better way to start your week than with some classics and believe me, the ten songs for today define the word 'classic' to a t (or c?). Country, Rock, Metal, Pop, Disco, R&B... we're covering a lot of genres today, so let's get to the music!

#80 - ABC (1970)

by The Jackson 5

T-t-t-teacher's gonna show you,

How to get an 'A'!

The start of Michael Jackson's journey to becoming one of the most successful recording artist in the world began here as Diana Ross presented the Jackson 5 to the world. Tito was pretty cool. Jermaine was decent. But the world was captivated by the youngest member, who also happened to be the best singer, Michael. 

Top 100 Songs of the 1980s, #100 - 91

Watch out here I come...

If you dig deep into the darkest recesses of your mind (August, 2010), you will hopefully remember a little countdown I did about an era a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (The Top 200 Songs of the 1990s). We all had a great time looking back on some amazing songs from the bestest decade there ever was... there was laughter, there were tears, there was even some Britney Spears (rhyme scheme!). Sorry, you have a question. Was the 1990s really the best decade that music has ever seen? Well, in my opinion yes, but... what? You want me to do what? Tell you my favourite songs from another decade? Well... only because YOU demanded it*, let's look at the Top 100 Songs of the 1980s!

Top 100 Songs of the 1980s

What's there to say about the 80s... I'm assuming that it was kind of like it is now, only even better for people in the developed world. It was just like every other decade; concerns about advancements in technology, youth in revolt, war in the Middle East. Just like today, only people were more comfortable with having bad hair (mullets and perms people, mullets and perms). Nintendo was taking over as the dominant video game system, the Titanic wreckage was discovered and MTV became the most powerful force in popular culture. However, not everything was sunshine, lollipops and rainbows everywhere. Music lost two legitimate legends in John Lennon and Bob Marley, both dying well before their time.




Also like every other decade, there was a whole lot of amazing music to celebrate. New Wave took a hold of the public's imagination and ran with it. Genres like techno, house, hip-hop and rap were starting to make bigger impacts. And the aforementioned MTV? It turned popular artists into superstars, most notably Prince, Madonna and some former boy band kid named Michael Jackson. The 1980s were a decade to remember (which of course I don't... being born in '87 will do that to you) and what better way to remember than to look at some of its greatest hits. What am I basing this countdown on? Nothing but my personal tastes I'm afraid. But if you see something I've missed feel free to let me know. Let's get to it!

#100 - Ride On Time (1989)

by Blackbox

Yep, 'Ride On Time' is the name of the song. I too thought it was 'Right On Time' for quite awhile. The most interesting thing about the song is that the "singer" wasn't a singer at all. Just a lovely model who was paid by the guys who mixed the track to lip-sync for the videos and "live" performances.

#99 - 867-5309/Jenny (1982)

by Tommy Tutone

Stalker much? If you think Tommy's hair is bad then you're in for some shocks later in the countdown.

#98 - Every Rose Has Its Thorn (1988)

by Poison

I'll get this out of the way now and then repeat it at least thirty-eight times throughout the countdown... rock ballads from the 80s are AMAZING! Almost as amazing as Brett Michaels silky smooth long beautiful hair.

#97 - My Prerogative (1988)

by Bobby Brown

If it's good enough for Britney, it's good enough for me.

#96 - The Winner Takes It All (1980)

by ABBA

No, seriously. I'm not a big ABBA fan, but I think this song is pretty much amazing. There's that and she's singing about a divorce while going through one in real life. Art imitating life imitating art or something. What am I, a doctor?

#95 - Beds Are Burning (1987)

by Midnight Oil

#94 - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) (1984)

by Dead or Alive

Fun. It's just too much fun! Not that you could if you tried, but don't miss some more beautiful hair.

#93 - Flashdance...What A Feeling (1983)

by Irene Cara

80s music makes the best party music and it's because of tunes like this. Everyone smashed trying to do the Flashdance... it's almost beautiful.

#92 - Eternal Flame (1989)

by The Bangles

"Close your eyes, give me your hand... darling, do you feel my heart beating, do you understand." Don't even try to pretend you don't know every... single... word.

#91 - Another Day In Paradise (1989)

by Phil Collins

And thus ends Act I, Scene I of your new favourite countdown. Make sure you're checking back every now and then... there's so much more to come!

*You may or may not have demanded it, but it's highly likely that you did.