The A to Z of Pop - Y is for #yolo

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

"I hate old people, why don't they all just f-off" was what one of my previous work colleagues used to say when dealing with anyone of an elderly demeanour. Unfortunately, I could never quite get my colleague to admit what they considered 'old' because whenever they said that sentence, I would always be busy thinking to myself; "well, I hope all your dreams come true and you don't get old then...." which was probably a little harsh, but whatever, paying jobs can sometimes do that to you.


Having had a birthday myself recently, it got me thinking about what 'old' is anyway. To a five year old, anyone over the age of five is old, right? And anyone under the age of five is a baby. Easy. These lines start to get blurred as time goes on. They're even more blurred in pop music, because what is age in pop? As I said way back at T, Madonna is old as something about 56 years old, but that doesn't mean you can take away her Queen of Pop crown. I've decided that pop music is ageless. Some pop is really good and some pop is really...average and some pop stars are super young and some pop stars are super old. For example, 5SOS are all under 21, but that doesn't make them musical geniuses, does it?


Perhaps you should decide that for yourself.

"I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupid little things" - you don't get to decide what you forget with amnesia, 5SOS. You forget the big things too. Oh well, at least someone told you how to spell amnesia, I guess. But wait, there's still hope for pop with people like one of my faves who released a new song this week.

Ms Gwen Stefani. She's 45. This week, she released a new song after eight long years. I like it. Lots. Someone I know (hey editor) said it sounded very Rihanna-ish. I agree, but Rihanna is 26 and Gwen is rocking a Rihanna sound better than Rihanna has in a little while. Where is that eighth album Rihanna? Which brings me to Pitbull, who is one that confuses me, because how old is he anyway?

He looks like he's 50, but apparently he's 33. I beg to differ. Old eyes are hiding behind those suits of his. Mr Bull just wishes he was more like someone else who's way older than him but seems way younger.

I know right? Jay Z is 44. All I can say is, thankfully he hasn't taken the advice of Pitbull's ol' mate Kesha (who by the way, is 27). And for the record, at 27, I don't want you to follow your own advice either, Kesha.

What have we learnt here boys and girls? Pop music and our mainstream media in general might be focused on the 'young', but pop music is good. At any age. You should just enjoy it, at any age, because after all; #yolo.

The A to Z of Pop - P is for Party Like It's...2014?

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

The letter P. It's been a sticky one for me, since the sweet young age of twelve years old, when I went to a 'P' themed party. While the majority of attendees went dressed in the colours pink and purple, but I thought outside the apparent 'P' square and went dressed as a present, all wrapped up with a curly pink bow on top of my head. It was at this party, I learnt the harsh lesson that people don't necessarily like to embrace the idea of 'fancy dress' and tend to put in as little effort as possible. I'm not going to say much more than that except to say I have never gotten over this.


Now, many years later, I have gathered a group of friends who will either A) will go to the same amount of effort as me when it comes to the themed party or B) appreciate the effort put into themed party costumes I create. I love my friends. This brings me to the letter P in the A to Z of Pop. In order to make up for the scarring devastation of wearing a cardboard box as clothing and not winning 'best dressed' at that first P party oh so long ago now, I shall stage my own P party, right here on the blog, where only my friends, you dear readers and pop stars beginning with P are invited.

Paula Abdul will show up early 'cause she's old and desperate for any friends she can get. She'll be dressed incredibly well because she hasn't changed her style since the early 90s and that cropped jacket and those shoes are so on trend right now. She'll be the life of the party...until someone else shows up.

Pitbull gets an invite because every party needs a creep glaring and drinking in the corner that everyone else is a little scared of.

Paloma Faith gets an invite because every party needs a drunk girl drunk texting her ex-boyfriend and crying manically in the early hours of the morning because no one understands how much she loved him and only love can hurt like this...(vomit). Have another vodka, Paloma.

Paris isn't actually invited, but if there's a chance someone will have a camera or an instagram account she'll show up. 

Prince gets an invite because I have this feeling if anyone can party, Prince can party...like it's 1999. Were parties better in 1999? Perhaps.
   

The last invited guest? Well, it's fairly obvious, right? She's comin' up so you better get this party...etc. Yep.

Song of the Day - Give Me Everything

Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer - Give Me Everything

Excuse me, I think that there's a few of you out there that might drink a lil' more than you should tonight. 2011 finally comes to its end tonight and hopefully you'll all be out there partying it up and smashing your way into the new year! We've got one last Scene Award to hand out later today, our final blog post for 2011 and it's a big one... Album of the Year! Make sure you check it out before you get too boozed, ok? Have a great New Year's Eve everyone!

P.s. Before you diss the song choice... the alternative was 'I Gotta Feeling.' You just remember that.