The Candy Shop #23

Nothing Compares. Or Does It? 

The Comparisons And Cat Fights Continue…

by Nayt Housman

A lot of comparisons are made in the music industry and it will always be this way. Recently a certain young pop star made a comparison to a pop star of musical heritage that once covered a song by a music big gun, and the comparison was met with a letter that was met with twitter insults that was met with another letter and the saga goes on…


This is a blog post about rivals and the best way to introduce it is with this short clip. You’ll understand.

Miley recently said her 'Wrecking Ball' clip is like the 'Nothing Compares 2 U' of today...Sinead said Miley’s a music prostitute...Miley said Sinead is crackers...Prince doesn’t care...Miley licks sledge hammers because she’s told to...Sinead shaves her head coz no one tells her what to do...Prince makes purple rain....

Is Miley, the new Sinead? 

Is Sinead the new Prince?

Is Prince still alive? 

And speaking of Prince I remember the 80s/90s competition between Michael Jackson and the love symbol.

Prince...

Michael Jackson...

While I’m pointing out the obvious, we have the Gaga/Madonna comparison. I’m not going to lie, most of Gaga’s music doesn’t appeal to me much and Madonna has had some great moments but not for quite some time. Gaga’s antics are more comparable to Bjork or Grace Jones than Madonna but I guess her music is closer to Madonna’s and Grace Jones has weighed in saying she did it all first. I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. Madonnaga? Lady Bjordonna? Bjordaga? But what I love about these comparisons is the music mash ups that come out of the catfights.

Madonnaga?

Lady Gagonna?

Grace Jones?

So all these “who did what better” comparisons have been going on forever and in the 90s wasn’t it Britney vs Christina, Spice Girls vs S Club 7 and Mariah vs Whitney?

Britstina Aguilears?

Maritney Houstarey?

Spice Club 7 Girls?

Then there are some more obscure comparisons like Moloko vs Kylie or Gaga vs Spice Girls. HA!

Kyloko?

Spicy Gaga?

Why so serious? IT’S JUST POP MUSIC!

I love how heated people get when their fave pop stars get embroiled in online sledge matches and the debate boils over into the lives of everyday Johns who battle as if they’re personally involved. I love to get involved myself but I secretly just like to prod the coals and stoke the fire because in the end, who really gives a crap?

Artists are bound to be influenced by each other over the course of history and often will end up working with the same producers/stylists/directors/photographers etc, so eventually there has to be some convergence here n there. Am I going to stop debating when a new pop star brings out a single that sounds remarkably like something I already love? HELL NO!

To quote our blog’s beautiful Jo;

“The pop music industry needed Miley AND Sinead. It hasn't been this interesting in a long time.” 

Everyone just wants to belong to a team right? So whose team are you on? Sinead or Miley? Gaga or Madonna? Christina or Britney? If you ask me, they’re all crap! Now where’s my Spandau Ballet record?

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - A Love Letter To...1990.

This guy and his pants. Popular in 1990. It was a strange year.

Stop. Hammer Birthday Time

by Jo Michelmore

There’s someone I know, who I really like, who happens to be having a really special day today and how lucky is she, because her special day just happens to fall on Thursday. That is, vintage Thursday! Yeah! I know, right? Jealous? Yeah you are. Tonight, I celebrate my friend’s birthday with a whole bunch of vintage goodness from the year she was born. 1990. What an impressive year. Pre Nirvana, pre Gaga, pre American/Australian/Ukranian Idol, pre iphone, pre facebook, pre dub step, pre ipod, pre youtube. Pre internet!!!! Imagine, you had to actually purchase CD’s from shops back then and no one yet knew how to copy a CD. If you liked something, it was because you liked it on the radio, or at a club, on the TV, or someone told someone about a great band somewhere. Damn, how did music ever exist before, like, 2000? I was there and even I can’t remember.

Bust A Move 

by Young MC 

 

A confession. You know how everyone’s got one rap song they know all the words to and can recite at any moment? Some people who were alive in the early 90’s know all of Ice Ice Baby, some of the peeps of the early 00’s know Eminem, but start Young MC and you can’t stop me. Every. Single. Word. I also have a similar hairstyle of the girl who appears in the clip AND have been known to wear a scarf in my hair. I always liked that girl.

Groove Is In The Heart

by Deee-Lite

 

Oh, that thing about knowing all the lyrics to things? Yeah, this one too. She also has a short hairstyle and wears scarves. What? Oh and who doesn’t love Bootsy Collins? Huh? Damn this is a crap clip though.

Opposites Attract 

by Paula Abdul and MC Skat Cat

 

So, before she was hosting things on reality TV shows, she was singing with a cartoon character. How is it possible this ever happened? This whole thing screams early 90’s, it’s embarrassing. The thing that’s in common with Paula and MC Skat Cat? Um, he doesn’t exist so you have nothing in common Paula!!!!! Oh 1990 was weird.

U Can’t Touch This

by MC Hammer

 

This had to be included because anyone who was over the age of five in 1990 has said the words “you can’t touch this” at some point in their lives. Also, MC Hammer was setting pant fashion trends in 1990 that need to be appreciated. Also, I may have been known to attempt and smash out the Hammer dance at various occasions in my life.  

Hold On
by Wilson Phillips

 

I wanted to include this one for all the readers of Ellie’s age and younger, because I’m going to educate you all on fashion. You may not be aware of it yet, but everything you’re wearing now has been worn before and it was worn much, much worse. The vests, the high waisted double denim, the ill-fitting jackets, they’ve all been worn before, sometimes a little better but mostly a little worse. If the fashion doesn’t interest you, hold on until the 2:48 mark and appreciate the girl vocal breakdown. It’s awesome.

Joey
by Concrete Blonde

 

Come on, you didn’t expect me to not include this, right? I mean, hello; Joey? That’s me! Duh. I have had this song serenaded to me a bazillion times. Secretly I love it.

If Wishes Came True 

by Sweet Sensation

 

Oh look! It’s Destiny’s Child before Destiny’s Child….except not. Crap pop at its best. The 90’s had so much of it and it started here. This had to be included.

Nothing Compares 2 U
by Sinead O'Connor

 

This is the song that was number one when my fabulous friend was born. It was by Prince, originally, but Sinead took it and made it hers. She also has about as much hair as my friend probably did when she was born. This is not much.

Ride On Time
by Black Box

 

This song was apparentley so good it was released once in 1989 and again in 1990 and I’m going to finish with this one, because this song is the epitome of crap dance music of the early 90’s. It’s also a little birthday present for my beautiful friend and for anyone who presses play. Chances are, you hear it once, you’ll be singing it for days….”wah-oh, wah-oh, gonna get up, gonna get up, gonna get up, you ride on time, cause you ride on time…..” You're welcome.

Who Do You Think You Are - Melody Levi

Meet Melody. She's a rockin' babe with an excellent taste in music and she's got pink hair. Well, in this photo she does!

We're back with our favourite weekly segment in which we turn the tables on one of our beautiful Facebook likers and ask them some questions. This week, Melody Levi discusses guilty pleasures, song lyrics and her own musical background. She's a guitarist. Gentlemen, start your swooning! Do guys swoon? Let's hear from Melody!

Melody Levi

Q. What are you currently listening to?

Been listening to my latest purchase, Blunderbuss by Jack White. Madly in love. Dying to know when he'll come perform for Brisbane. Did catch him when Dead Weather toured last. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. Also re listening to a bit of Bjork, The Stooges and always have Queen on stand by.

Q. What are your musical guilty pleasures?

 

 I'd say 90's pop songs. When I was little I loved all the usual offenders; Hanson, Spice Girls, Five, S Club 7 ect. My friends and I knew all the dances and lyrics religiously. We'd perform them in our rooms or on the patio. These songs created a fun foundation for my love of music and remind me of my childhood so when they hit the radio I'm often found singing and dancing away. More of a pleasure than guilt really.

Q. If you could go to any music venue, anywhere in the world and see any musician, living or dead, where would you go, who would you see?

If I could I would want to go back in time to Woodstock to watch Joe Cocker perform 'With a Little Help From My Friends,' the Beatles cover live, or perhaps Live Aid '85 to watch Freddie Mercury and Queen ignite the world.

Q. What are your favourite lyrics and are there any lyrics that have changed you or your opinion of something/someone?

I love lyrics! To me they are the entire reason for writing a song. Mankind has used songs to teach and entertain well before technology, even today children learn the alphabet through song! There's so many amazing lyrics and lyricists but one that comes to mind is Michael Tomlinson of Yves Klein Blue. He was kind enough to email me while on tour in Europe and shared some of his songwriting knowledge with me. Very kind, great mind.

Q. What's the first music you ever loved?

 

That's difficult. Kitty told me the first song I ever sang in its entirety was 'Nothing Compares 2 U' by Sinead O'Connor. We were in the kitchen, I was maybe four at the time. She sat me next to the radio on the bench. That song came on and it was big at the time so I must've heard it before. I sang it word for word, in tune and on time. Shocked her completely.

Q. First album; do you still have it, do you still love it?

The first album I ever purchased on my own was Micheal Jackson's Dangerous. Mum gave me the money and I paid for and chose the album myself. I love his music for its theatrical, up beat feel. He's influenced so many people over the years. A little part of my inner child was crushed to hear he'd passed.

Q. What instruments do you play and what's your favourite song to play and sing?

I've been playing guitar for six or seven years now. Purchased a Tanglewood TRSF-CE Electric Acoustic in 2010 which gets the job done. I learnt guitar so I could put my lyrics to music. Took me so long to master singing and playing at the same time as I was never trained for it. Love playing my own originals but I have learnt to play 'The Only Exception' by Paramore and more recently 'Love Interruption' by Jack White. I also dabble in a little piano and bass.

Ladies and gentlemen, Melody Levi! Thanks so much for stopping by. Now... when can we hear some of your music, Melody?! 

Top 100 Music Videos, #40 - 31



Do the zombie dance with Michael!


Monsters! Space Monsters!! Michael and Janet Jackson!!! Some horror-ific videos await us in this next installment. All this, plus the best video of 2010... let's get to it!

#40 - Planet New Year (2007)

by Sarah Blasko

Sarah Blasko gets married to a piano. They subsequently hop on the good foot, do the bad thing and nine months later, Blasko gives birth to a little baby piano. Doesn't that just blow your mind?! Consider my mind blown. The acting can be described as inspired, yet hilarious... mostly based on the authentic smiles Sarah sends in the direction of her piano lover.

Best Moment: Gas station choreographed dance party. 

Top 200 Songs of the 1990s, #80 - 71

We're getting closer to the top 50 now. Before you know it, we'll be at #1! I couldn't think of anything to bore you with today, so I'll just get right into the countdown.

#80 - Praise You (1999)

by Fatboy Slim

I had forgotten how funny the video for 'Praise You' was. Furthermore, I didn't know that Spike Jonze (music video director extraordinaire) was the main dancer in it! That's awesome. Almost as awesome as the song itself.

#79 - Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)

by Sinead O'Connor

'Nothing Compares 2 U,' originally written and recorded by Prince, would make O'Connor a household name and go to #1 in every major market. To celebrate her success, O'Connor would rip up a picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live. She wasn't really taken that seriously after that.

#78 - Around the World (1997)

by Daft Punk

It's pretty much the most simple popular dance song that we've ever had the pleasure of hearing. There's only one line of lyrics, there's only five instruments used to create the music. The video is pretty much amazing and quite possibly my favourite music video ever. Dancing skeletons, mummies and robots? Yes please!

#77 - Black or White (1991)

by Michael Jackson

Perfectly timed, considering he was in his black to white transformation stage. MJ could still go in the first half of the 90s, with 'Black and White' reassuring fans that the King of Pop was still worthy of the title. The song would be the highest selling single of 1991.

#76 - Lightning Crashes (1995)

by Live

Classic 90s rock with powerful lyrics. It's made that much better by lead-singer Ed Kowalczyk getting rid of the ridiculous rat's tail he was sporting in the 'I Alone' video.

#75 - Loser (1993)

by Beck

If there was an award for 'How Random Is It That This Song Was On Glee' then 'Loser' would be the uncontested winner. Whether or not the song is intended as an insight into the Generation X slacker movement remains a hot topic of debate for music analysts around the world. I say who cares, but that's probably because I'm a slacker and don't want any attention drawn to this fact.

#74 - Do The Evolution (1998)

by Pearl Jam

After winning Best Video at the VMAs for 'Jeremy,' Pearl Jam refused to release any other videos, fearing their audience would lose interest in the actual music. However, an amazing animated video was produced for 'Do The Evolution' and it doesn't disappoint. Do you know what else doesn't disappoint? The song. One of Pearl Jam's finest moments and funnest songs, even if the lyrics are pretty depressing when you think about it.

#73 - Buddy Holly (1994)

by Weezer

Weezer, another band that was infinitely better in the 90s. There's not much else to say.

#72 - Santa Monica (1995)

by Everclear

A great sing-along. Supposedly, the story behind 'Santa Monica' is the lead singer's girlfriend committed suicide by jumping from the Santa Monica Pier. The singer (Art Alexakis) attempted the same thing, but lived.

#71 - Gorecki (1997)

by Lamb

"If I should die this very moment, I wouldn't fear. For I've never know completeness, like being here." Beautiful is the only word to describe Lamb's masterpiece, 'Gorecki.' "Could we stay right here, until the end of time, until the earth stops turning. Wanna love you until the seas run dry. I've found the one I've waited for." If you haven't listened to it before, do it. Now. Thanks.