Summer Song 2014

There's been a lot of debate about what this year's summer song should be, unlike last year where it was chosen for us ("Blurred Lines") and you had better get in line about it! This year I feel like rebelling from the status quo and am declaring my own choice for the Summer Song of 2014 - Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass".

Before we get to this amazing song, let's discuss the elephant in the cyber room - Iggy's "Fancy". This has overwhelmingly been the song I've been told is THE Summer Song, but I say, "NO!" I don't want my summer song to be about drinking and partying around the world while dressing like a whore. That's not a message I want young girls relating to. I saw the effects of this song first hand on two separate occasions this summer. One was at the end of the school year middle school dance I was chaperoning (yes, that joy is in my job description). When this song (edited, thankfully) came on, all of the girls screamed in delight, formed a circle and started pumping their fists in the air while the boys looked at each other, bewildered, and went into the gym to shoot some hoops. First off let me say that I'm with you boys. As I watched those girls twerking, I was saddened to think that this is their view of the world. Traveling from party to party, throwing money around, getting drunk. This was what they were so excited about. Bothered by this, I did some digging and found a USA Today survey where 18-25 year olds were asked to choose their generation's top goals. #1 at 81% was to get rich, #2 at 51% was to be famous. Helping people who needed it was only 30% followed by being a leader in the community at only 22%. How sad. My second encounter with this song was when my 12 year old cousin came to visit this summer. She was obsessed with this song and Iggy in general. She told me that when she grew up she was going to live in Tokyo and become famous. She then informed me that you don't have to do anything to become famous, ya' know,  like Kim Kardashian. Hmmm

Now I'm not saying that this song is the only culprit out there. There are obviously tons of songs that glorify this lifestyle, but to make this one the Summer Song of 2014 was too much for me to handle. This is my line in the sand! Enter 20 year old Meghan Trainor who also had a dream of being famous, but actually did something about it. She grew up playing Soca (a type of music famous in Trinidad) at local bars with a family band. Her parents brought her to songwriting conventions across the country and they eventually moved to Nashville when she was 19. She has written songs for Rascal Flatts ("DJ Tonight" and "I Like the Sound of That") and is now making waves of her own with her debut song, "All About That Bass" which is currently #2 on the Billboard Hot #100 ("Fancy" is finally down to #5). There isn't anything like this song on the radio today. It has a great retro feel. It celebrates all women and encourages them to love their bodies no matter what. It's also a great song for men because it allows you to understand how self-conscious we can be no matter what our size. On top of that it has a beat that makes you want to dance and a video that is so colorful and fun it feels like you are in a cotton candy machine.

She co-wrote this song with Grammy award winning Kevin Kadish, who has worked with Jason Mraz. He had the song title, but no other ideas. Trainor said that she immediately thought, "Booty. Bass. Thickness." It's been 22 years since bootys were properly glorified (tip of the cap, Sir Mix a Lot), and now this generation of kids can learn to love themselves no matter what their size all over again.

This song has it all. It's my Summer Song. I think it should be yours too!

"Fancy" Lyrics

"All About That Bass" Lyrics

Two Sides to a Break-Up

So I've been a fan of Jason Mraz for over 10 years now. His voice gives me the same feeling I get when I eat a warm Krispy Kreme. His songs are fun, yet full of meaning and his life philosophy can be really helpful when you are having a dark day. He's also super handsome, and can rock a hat, so that doesn't hurt. When I learned that he was dating another singer-songwriter named Tristan Prettyman a few years ago, I was intrigued. The idea of two singers coming together and making duets in life and on stage is a really romantic one to me. Check out their performance of their song, "Shy That Way" to see what I mean:



 They seemed to have this epic romance. They had a big build up to being together, broke up and then found their way back together so that Mraz could ask her to marry him. What a happy ending! Or not. A few months after his proposal, the engagement was off, he grew his hair like a wild hippy and put out the song, "I Won't Give Up", which made the break-up fuzzy on the details, but we were all pretty sure that Prettyman must've done something to really break this boy's heart and hopefully she'll get her shit together because weren't they so cute?


I mean seriously, what girl wouldn't want her man to sing this to her after a break-up. Well, maybe after a nice shave and hair cut. So collectively, most likely subconsciously, we were all on Jason's side without even thinking that there are two sides to every break-up. 

So enter my iTunes gift card for my birthday and a purchase of Tristan Prettyman's CD Cedar & Gold released 10 months after Jason professed that he wouldn't give up (I know I'm two years late, but whatever). The first thing that strikes you about this disc are the song titles:

1. Second Chance
2. Say Anything
3. My Oh My
4. I Was Gonna Marry You
5. Quit You
6. Bad Drug
7. Come Clean
8. Glass Jar
9. When You Come Down
10. Deepest Ocean Blue
11. The Rebound
12. Never Say Never

Upon first glance, I saddled in for an ass-reaming the likes of which haven't been heard since Alanis made us all swallow her Jagged, Little Pill back in the 90's. I got it, sort of. "Second Chance", "My Oh My", "Bad Drug", and the hilarious "The Rebound" all make you rally behind Prettyman as she flips Mraz the high, hard one. Others, especially "I Was Gonna Marry You", and "Glass Jar", just make you feel sad. These two in particular really tell Prettyman's version of the events including the engagement and subsequent break-up. She also calls Mraz out that he did, in fact, give up on her.

I have to say after listening to this disc that I am feeling really sympathetic to Prettyman and more than a bit disappointed in Mraz who sings about these really idealistic, romantic ideals that seem faded and fake to me now. So in that way I guess I'm mad at Prettyman too for pulling back the curtain on one of my favorite artists.

Lastly, as a fellow writer of angry girl music, this really is some of the best I've heard. And as a break-up album goes, it captures every emotion you feel after having your heart ripped out, including the rebound guy, and trying to talk yourself out of ever going back to him/her again. It's a must listen for anyone who has recently been dumped, or likes reliving the feeling (are those people real?)

Enjoy the single "My Oh My"

The Story Behind My Songs

So I wrote these songs. A long time ago. When, frankly, I was a much different person than I am today. Also to be frank, I haven't written songs that are anywhere near the quality of those that I wrote when I was that person. Things happened to me then and I was experiencing the world with a different mindset than I have now.

The songs sat alone, unplayed, in their chunky, black spiral home until they started to call out to me from the shelf. Why have you forgotten us? We are part of you too! We deserve to be heard! The problem with them being heard is that taken out of context they didn't mean as much to me. To me, you really needed to understand the stories behind them in order for them to properly come alive. So how do I do that?

I write a book, about that time, that person that I was, those things I experienced. I include those songs as part of the book so that the reader can experience them with full understanding. Now what?

Well, if you're me you let the book sit (almost finished) on a shelf for two years. You do this for many reasons. One, you have a health issue that puts every other priority other than feeling better to the back burner. Additionally, you are too afraid of what people might say or think if they read it. You are a private person. Private people don't pull back the curtain for the world to see. So on the shelf, again, those songs, and the story behind them, sat. Those songs are angry songs at their core and so again started to bother me.

That brings us to now. I've finished this amazing piece of me. This story that was dying to be told, set to its own soundtrack. I'm healthy, but still private. It's been a hard decision, but what the hell is the point of writing a book if it's just going to sit on the shelf? So, here it is, world. Love it or hate it. It was a long time ago. I was a different person than I am now. I wrote these songs.

I'm Back

Well, it's been a little over two years and I'm finally back into my 'musical Kate' shoes. I won't bore you with the details of where I've been. Suffice it to say, I had recurring back troubles that made it almost impossible to play guitar, so I watched a lot of TV instead. Anyway, I'm back. My back is back, and I'm eager to make up for the two years lost on my 'Mixed Tape' project. I've put the final edits in, and the final copy is being reviewed by the publisher right now. I am eager to spread this project to the world, and tell you the stories behind my own songs.

In honor of my comeback, I've decided to tell you some fun facts about one of the most popular 'comeback' themed songs out today - On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons.

1. This song was licensed for a soccer video game in 2013, one of the band's favorite games.

2. The PS22 Chorus sang this song at President Obama's 2nd inauguration.

3. At the end of 2013, this song peaked at position #26 on the US Billboard Hot Rock Songs Chart


So enjoy this great comeback song. I know I'll be humming it to myself as I put the finishing touches on my project!

The Launch

I have finished my book and am working on the unique versions of the original songs to be included with it. I have started a Kickstarter page to try to raise money to print copies of the book and CD. I'm also hoping to spread the word by going on tour this summer. If you love music, partially fictionalized memoirs, original artists, and/or being part of making something small into something huge - please lend your support HERE or click the box above. I will be running a live chat above starting at 8pm on the night of the launch!

For the foreseeable future this blog will take a break from writing about the stories behind the music, and start keeping track of the story behind this project. Thank you in advance to all who choose to support me. I truly appreciate you helping to make my longest lasting dream come true.

A Holiday Present

Several weeks ago I put out a Tweet encouraging artists to submit their own song with the story behind it. I received two responses that I wanted to share with you, my readers. My original intention was to put the story into my own words here for you, but then I thought, "who the hell am I?" and so instead, have just decided to post their own words and music here. So here they are, my holiday present for you, because what's better than new music?!

Susan Kane - Kesey

Angelo Melendez - What Isn't

Thankful

This is a week of giving thanks and I have a lot to be thankful for. The list is so long in fact that I could take up a whole blog post with it, but that's not why you are here is it? As turkey day has come creeping upon me it's occurred to me that there really aren't a lot of Thanksgiving songs - except, of course, the Adam Sandler classic. Who doesn't love to eat turkey? Well, unless you're a vegetarian, but I digress. It's kind of pathetic actually given the overwhelming number of Christmas songs in comparison. Why no turkey caroling? Why no radio stations dedicated to thankful music? I say - LAME!

So I started thinking about songs that were about being thankful, or giving thanks or just had something to do with the word thank, and there are actually quite a few (still not enough for a dedicated Sirius channel though). I knew that I couldn't feature them all so I decided to pick the one I thought was the best - "Be Thankful" by Natalie Cole.

LYRICS

This is the perfect song for preparing stuffing, glazing the ham, or singing door to door if you want to pave the way for a new neighborhood tradition. It's simple, catchy, and will be stuck in your head long after the tryptophan has warn off. In addition to that, it has a powerful upbeat message that is sure to make even crabby Aunt Cathy smile. It was actually featured on Natalie's 1977 album - 'Thankful' so if you really wanted to get into the holiday spirit you could play the whole thing, although you would probably only recognize the song "Our Love" as it was the only hit on the album - reaching #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

That's my pick - my turkey jam so to speak - message me on Twitter (@kateoquinn) to tell me yours!

Two out of Three? Seriously?

It was 80's day at the hair stylist yesterday. There was plenty of crimped and feather hair, leg warmers, bangle bracelets, and I'm pretty sure I might've even seen a Member's Only jacket. In addition to the righteous duds, they also had some totally bodacious 80's music playing in the background. Halfway through my snipping, one of the worst songs of the 70's and into the 80's came onto the boombox - "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" by Meatloaf.

This song was on the "Bat Out of Hell" album - sandwiched in between, "You Took the Words Right out of my Mouth" and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". Now all three songs were written by Jim Steinman, which is interesting only in so far as how one person could write such dramatically different lyrics. 

Of course I, along with every other person alive in the 1980's, has heard this song and pondered to themselves - What kind of an a-hole could actually say that to a woman? - but it didn't occur to me until that moment in the cutting chair how terribly awful that song truly is. What's even more pathetic than the sentiment of the song, is the fact that I haven't been able to get it out of my brain for over 24 hours now. What a depressing earworm. 

So I started thinking that maybe the Loaf was refusing to leave my brain for a reason. The first thing I did was to add a new line to my book referencing the song. It actually hadn't dawned on me until yesterday that the lead character in my book, Jay, was essentially singing this song to me on repeat for almost a year before I realized the mute button was on and opened my ears. With that mission accomplished, the earworm still was burrowing its way into my consciousness. Hence, I'm giving the song its own blog post and hoping that that will be enough for the cheesy music Gods. 

The story behind this song? It was an attempt to write a 'simple' song. It was the last song written for 'Paradise' and in a conversation with a cast member of one of Steinman's musicals (he'd been writing them since school-age) he was asked why he had to write such complicated songs. The challenge became to write something simple. During the conversation, Elvis' "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" was on the radio. Can't you write something simple like that? - So he went home and came up with the chorus, "I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you". He called it his most simple song, and the epitome of cheese had ascended past the likes of "Billy Don't be a Hero," "Seasons in the Sun," and even the impossible to beat, "Disco Duck". 

The only question I can think to ask is which song do you think was the 2nd WORST song of the 1970's?

And one last note - I'd like to give a shout-out to Alex at Lens Crafters for making the proce pick out some awesome stage glasses yesterday. They are purple, sparkly, have a paisley design, and I can't wait to rock them on stage this Friday at the Music Buffet.

Recording Session

I've successfully completed my first recording session. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it went really smoothly. We worked from 12-7 on Saturday. I had to control my giddiness at the sight of all the equipment. Once I put the headphones on and could hear my own voice I was in heaven. (I've always been obsessed with the sound of my own voice, which is not something that I'm ashamed of as I'm pretty convinced that all singers must have that same opinion - with the exception of Chad Kroeger from Nickelback because no one likes his voice). 

The concept was - LIVE. I played guitar and sang together. Guitar was picked up through an external mic and through the amp. Vocals were recorded in a different mic. We recorded almost every song in one take, except for 'What We Need' which was just as much of a pain in the ass as the guy it was written for. It's as complicated as I get for guitar parts and we did the songs in the order they appear in the book, so it was late in the day and my fingers were sore. We eventually had to record the guitar and vocals separately on that one because I was wincing in pain so much that it affected my singing. 

In a few weeks, I'll be able to listen and tweak as needed. I'll also be able to see if anything needs to be re-recorded.  As soon as things are polished I'll be offering a first listen to all of you. 

Thanks for all of your support and for reading my blog. I know that if music matters to you all as much as it does to me, that you find this place a comforting one. 

And one last note, I'll get back to writing about the stories behind the music now - at least for a little while - until the next milestone comes down the pipe, or is it pike? Damn - even Google doesn't seem to know - oh well!

P.S. Here are some pictures from recording day - notice the bitching guitars I got to play (not mine BTW - once I found out I had access to a Taylor and 2 Gibsons, my plastic-assed Ovation stayed in its case)

The Music Behind Me

I've been stalled out lately. Not with everything, just with this blog. It's kind of hard to write about other people's music when you are obsessing about your own. My music has come out of hiding. I brushed off the tiny black spiral notebook that holds any song I've written of quality. The rest are on scraps of paper and Greyhound bus tickets inside of an old, faded, purple binder on the bottom shelf in my office. They are too embarrassed to be seen (they seemed like good ideas at the time).

So I've been wanting to write about the stories behind my own music, even though I'm sure these posts won't draw a crowd like talking about how 'Pretty Girl Rock' makes me want to stab myself in the eye, at least they are true to me and something that I feel needs to come out.

What caused the musician in me to come out of hibernation? A little divine intervention I think, if you really want to know the truth. My life, as of the past year, has been doing this weird circle thing that most lives seem to do (at least that's what the songs tell you - I hadn't had the experience myself until recently) **Total song side-track - "The Circle Game " by Joni Mitchell or "Wheel" by John Mayer - Discuss **

VS.

Back on track - I was dragged to Maine for the 8th grade, what seems like years ago, from Buffalo, NY. I was already a sullen teenager - this move did not help the process. I went to school in a tiny town and lived down a mile long dirt road on a horse farm. I came from a house that didn't have a front yard - what's grass? - I was in shock, in many ways. After a year in that tiny school, I moved on to high school at a slightly bigger, but still tiny by my experiences, school, in a different tiny town. After 4 years I graduated, went off to college, and tried to find out who the hell I was and why I was here. In those 4 years I started playing guitar seriously and had dreams of being a professional musician. I also fell in love, got trampled on, and repeated the cycle like it was laundry day.

Flash forward to 2 years ago. I'm living with my husband approximately 30 minutes from that tiny town that I always swore I would get as far away as possible from and I decide to write a book about that time in college when everything was ripe, in your face, and wrenching. I finish the book and a funny thing happens - I get a job as a teacher at that same tiny school - in the same tiny classroom.

In comes the janitor to clean my classroom and we start chatting. He plays guitar - small world, me too. He's from just outside of Buffalo - smaller world. He runs an open mic night every month - Do I want to come play? Funny you should ask...

And as it is in the circle, my time in the tiny town comes to an end just after a year and I move to another school in (you guessed it) the slightly bigger, but still tiny town - across the street from where I went to high school. There I get an email from someone else who works in our school district, who has heard about me through the man from Buffalo. He has a band that needs a singer. I am a singer that has always wanted to sing for a band. Through our chatting it comes up that I have lots of my own tunes, and even a book that I'm trying to shop. Turns out he doesn't just have a band, he has connections.

So here I am, exactly 2 weeks away from recording my own album of songs that will be a companion to the book I wrote. None of which could have been possible without many, many things happening in my life. So whether you believe, "we can't return, we can only look behind from where we came, and go round and round and round in the circle game," or "that's the way this wheel keeps working", that is the way it has worked for me.

Modern Love

I've been really excited to write about this new album since I downloaded it a couple weeks ago, but I haven't been able to stop listening to it long enough to do so - until now. That album is Matt Nathanson's latest - Modern Love. 

The single that's all over the radio right now is 'Faster' which features an infectious horn section and an ear worm hook. Add to that, Matt's raspy voice and you have a song that any girl's toes would curl to hear. And unlike so many pop albums lately, this one doesn't just start and end with a bang of one radio hit. It is brimming full of soon to be hits that fight for control of your brain. And even better - it's not all about the pep. While their are plenty of songs that make you want to roll your window down and bob your head, there are also plenty that will make you take pause and think - some do both.

This album analyzes every aspect of a relationship you could think of - so it's for everyone. Did you just find love? Are you wondering where you stand with your current love? Do you wish you never met the last love? There's a song for you on this album. There are lines that you will swear were written exactly for your situation, or definitely one that you've been in before. One that knocked me out was from the song that lends its name to the CD. It's told from the girl's point of view, "I burned my house down, just to hear 'em scream my name." Oh yes, I have.

And that is the beauty of Matt Nathanson's song writing abilities. He can take seemingly mundane, everyday things and write them in such beautiful ways that will tug at you and have you yearning to hear them again and again. His rhyming schemes create images in your head, and tickle your ears. Nothing is ordinary or predictable. This is what the word 'lyrics' was written for. These aren't just words set to music.

If you want to experience everything that Matt Nathanson is, listen to 'Kiss Quick'. Sadly, this will probably never be a song that they play on the radio as it is too real. It shows you the raw emotion that can be portrayed in a song. Basic music, beautifully written and thoughtfully carried out lyrics, a raw delivery that paints a picture of a late Saturday night alone, all blend together to showcase what the radio will never show you about this talented musician.

I just can't say enough about this album. It's a rarity - good from start to finish, don't skip anything. Your new favorite song is on this album, I guarantee it. Oh! And if you decide you like him, he's a great person to follow on Facebook. He posts an album of the day everyday, he's very funny, and recently he just put together an iTunes playlist of songs that he enjoys. He definitely keeps you in the loop as a fan. And if you REALLY like him, you should go see him live on his new 'All Night Noise' Tour!

Songs: Hot to the Touch

Almost all of the country has been in the midst of a pretty significant heat wave lately, with seemingly no end in sight. The best I can offer in the relief department are some songs about it being hot. Although, now that I've said it, probably listening to songs about being hot isn't much of a relief. So better yet, listen to these songs when you are in the safe confines of air conditioning or a body of water.

The second caveat I want to make is that I had a hard time when picking these songs out. There were also many good songs about summer that didn't necessarily fit into the 'hot' category, but were still mentionable. So, later this summer, I will have a separate post about those specific songs.

To the list...

Top 5 Hot Weather Songs

1. Summer in the City - Lovin' Spoonful (don't be fooled by the title)

Released in 1966. #1 Billboard Hot 100. #393 of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

2. Heat Wave - Martha and The Vandellas

Released in 1963. #4 Billboard Hot 100. #1 Billboard R&B Chart.

3. Hot, Hot, Hot - Buster Poindexter

Released in 1987 by Poindexter, and originally in 1982 by Arrow. Is played as the opening song at Jimmy Buffet Concerts.

4. The Heat is On - Glen Fry

Released in 1984 as part of the Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack. #2 Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

5. Hot in Herre - Nelly

Released in 2002. #36 on VH1's Greatest Songs of Hip-Hop. Listed in 1,001 Songs to Hear Before you Die. #1 on Billboard Hot 100.

Which ones will you be listening to this summer?

Bartender, Pass me a Song

I'm back with another weird holiday. One that I bet very few people have ever heard of or know about. It's Legal Drinking Age Day! Now while I wasn't able to find the history behind this bizarre holiday, it did lead me to thinking about great drinking songs, but that's as far as I got. The problem? I don't really drink, and have never been drunk - so who the hell am I to talk to you about drinking songs? 

So I went to my best reference - the internet - and found numerous lists of the best drinking songs. Instead of being fake and presenting them to you like I have even the slightest idea of what I'm talking about I'm going to do this instead. I've posted links to the lists below. I would love for you to check these out and then report back here about what YOU think is the best drinking song. Then I'll crack open an ice cold root beer and listen to the best ones. 

Top 10 Drinking Song - askmen.com

Ten Great Songs about Drinking - latimes.com

Hip-Hops 25 Greatest Drinking Songs - complex.com

Top 100 Drinking Song - barstoolmountain.com

That should be enough to at least get you started. Report back and let me know what you think!

Who's in the Doghouse?

Today is 'National Get Out of the Doghouse' day, and you know how much I love weird holidays! So I figured that today would be the perfect time to talk about songs that say 'I'm Sorry'. In my opinion it is actually one of the better qualities and purposes of a song - that it can do the talking for you when it might be too difficult to do it on your own. The problem is - finding the right song. It's got to be just right if you are going to be able to play it and get yourself out of the doghouse and back into the bed snuggling the one you love.

So I took some time to really analyze apologetic songs and I have landed on what I believe to be THE perfect song that if used properly (and not often) will succeed in the task every time. The song - 'If You Leave me Now' by Chicago. Now wait! Don't judge before you hear me out. I know this song is cheesy, lame and without any real lyrical substance, but I will propose to you that that is exactly why it would work! The song was the biggest hit that Chicago ever had and was number one in America for 2 weeks. It's also been covered more than 100 times! This song not only portrays the feelings of pain and regret in as few and relatively ambiguous words as possible, but it does so in such a ridiculously cheese-ball way that there is no way your partner wouldn't at least crack a smile, if not laugh when they heard it. The song would be especially effective if you were to sing it, but the vintage video would probably be just as good.

Now granted, this is just a theory, but I am pretty confident in the potency of the tune and would welcome any of you who are currently in the doghouse to use this national holiday, as well as this national treasure of a song by a great American rock band to your advantage and report back to us if it does work.

Lyrics

What songs have gotten you out of the doghouse?

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 Featuring Christina Aguilera

Summer Song Hopeful #8:

Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 Featuring Christina Aguilera

Lyrics

Pros:

• This song wasn't on the original list, but as those of you who follow me on Twitter (@kateoquinn) know, after watching the live debut of this song on NBC's The Voice, I knew that I would have to make an exception. 
• The beat to this song, as to 95% of Maroon 5's songs, is infectious. A mix of techno and rock,  there is no way that your finger won't automatically gravitate to the window button when this song hits the radio this summer.
• The whistling and repetitiveness of the song also make it a very catchy, and easy to sing along with hook. 
• This is the first song on the list that absolutely meets the summer song criteria for being current. It debuted on June 21st, and has held a nice little home on the charts since. There is no doubt that this is a summer song.

Cons:

• This is the trouble with most Maroon 5 songs. They are pretty overtly sexual. Although this one isn't as in your face as 'sinking my fingertips into every inch of you', it still does say, 'shit', 'drunk' (although in reference to kissing, not drinking - take that Ke$ha), 'tongue' and Christina's part could be very uncomfortable for grandma when she sings 'rub me right'. The flip of this is that grannie might have been a big Rolling Stones fan and know exactly what Adam Levine means when he sings 'I've got them moves like Jagger'. This could put her into a reminiscent state long enough to gloss over the other content.

Fun Facts:

• This song was just one of many to become very successful because of the show The Voice. Seriously, check out the iTunes Singles chart right now and you'll see what I mean. That show is way more powerful than Idol ever has been. (Check out the live debut below)
• This song was the first time that two former Best New Artist Grammy winners have collaborated for a Billboard Hot 100 hit. (Christina got the Grammy in 2000, beating out, among others, Britney Spears, and Maroon 5 in 2005 beating out among others, controversial rapper Kanye West. 

Does 'Moves Like Jagger' have what it takes to be crowned Summer Song 2011?

Paris (Ooh La La) - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Summer Song Hopeful #7:

Paris (Ooh La La) by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Lyrics

Pros:

• The dirty grit of this song screams for you to crank the volume up and lower the windows down this summer. There is no way you can groove to this beat without feeling like a sexy rock star - male or female.
• This song follows traditional blues structure and so repeats most of its content - making it catchy by default. Add a line like 'ooh la la la la la la la' and you've got us hooked.  (And did you catch the subtle 'ooh's' in the background that stick in your head without you even fully hearing them? Brilliant.

Cons:

• This song has a similar problem to Mike Posner's 'Cooler Than Me' in that it was debuted last summer, but thanks to the stagnate radio waves didn't make it to Maine until recently. Which is made even more ironic by the fact that Grace hails from Vermont. 
• The content of this song is borderline, but it definitely kicks itself over the line in the video. The running guitar riffs, the powerful yet still feminine squeak in her voice and the bluesy bass line of this song basically scream sex. A little awkward with grandma in the car. 
  

Fun Facts:

• I wrote a feature on this song back in April when it was just getting mainstream play here. Check it out for more fun facts about this awesome tune!

Does 'Paris (Ooh La La)' have what it takes to be crowned Summer Song 2011?

Price Tag - Jessie J Featuring B.o.B

Summer Song Hopeful #6:

Price Tag by Jessie J Featuring B.o.B

Lyrics

Pros:

• Between the reggae influence and the sing-a-long style chorus this song is sure to get stuck into the fibers of your brain tissue for the entire summer. 
• The message of this song is very up-beat and positive (even though it says 'hoes' - who could argue her point?, and even seems to mirror Mike Posner's 'Stop being fake!' anthem. 

Cons:

• This song was released in January of 2011, so if you wanted to be a real stickler about it you could say that it doesn't count. I would submit to you - exhibit A. My own blog post from March when I said that this song would be a hit in the U.S. soon, and it is - now, not then.

Fun Facts:

• This song has reached #1 in 14 countries including Jessie J's home country of England. (It only reached #23 here in the U.S.)
• The video is really bizarre and features a music box, a giant teddy bear and marionettes.
• Check out the video below to see 12 year old Maddi Jane, a young girl from Chicago known for her YouTube videos, performing a just as good if not better version of the song!

Do you think 'Price Tag' has what it takes to be crowned Summer Song 2011?

Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner

Summer Song Hopeful #5:

Cooler Than Me by Mike Posner

Lyrics

Pros:

• This song follow the very successful 'Thong Song' formula. That is to say, it found a really catchy couple of lyrics and it just repeats the crap out of them. I'm not knocking it. It really is catchy - and easy to remember at karaoke too!
• The beat of this song does double duty. It is capable of fueling you at the beach or the club. Not many songs can say that. 
• The message behind this song is one that everyone can get behind. 'Stop being fake!' It is the 21st Century 'Your So Vain'. What grandma wouldn't like to kick some skinny bitch off her high horse? Grannie approved!

Cons:

• The only con to making this the best Summer Song of 2011, is that it really should've been crowned Summer Song 2010! It was released in April 2010, but because (as I've already proven) Maine is so behind the times, this song didn't hit the radio waves until late fall 2010. What a rip off!
  

Fun Facts:

• The songs vocals were recorded by Posner on his computer through a really cheap microphone. The lyrics were written about a girl in one of his college classes who had snubbed him. 
• Posner's mom really liked this song better than his others because of the message and because there wasn't a lot of swearing in it. Looks like mom has good taste too.

Do you think 'Cooler Than Me' has what it takes to be crowned Summer Song 2011?

The Big Bang - Rock Mafia

Summer Song Hopeful #4:

The Big Bang by Rock Mafia

Lyrics

Pros:

• The casual whistling and the repetitiveness of this song make it incredibly catchy. I heard it first on the radio in Las Vegas over Christmastime and it stuck in my head for the entire vacation. 
• The beat makes you tap your toe, but it is also interesting to listen to. It's definitely not a 'Ringo' beat. 

Cons:

• Released in November 2010, it isn't exactly current, but then again this song still isn't huge as a radio hit in Maine even though in Vegas it was being played every 10th song. 
• The content is dicey. The big bang could be a sexual reference, or if you've seen the video featuring Miley Cyrus it could mean a car crash that kills your crazy ex-girlfriend. You might be able to slip this song by grandma, but definitely not the video.
  

Fun Facts:

• Rock Mafia is a production team/band that has worked with several up and coming artists - including Miley Cyrus, which would explain why she is featured in the video. 
• There are rumors of turning the music video into a feature film, also starring Miley. If the music video serves as the trailer the movie is sure to be about how dating Cyrus can turn you into a schizophrenic and should be avoided at all costs, no matter how much eye make-up and tousled beach hair she throws at you.
  

Does 'The Big Bang' have what it takes to be crowned Summer Song 2011?

Blow - Ke$ha

Summer Song Hopeful #3:

Blow by Ke$ha

Lyrics

Pros:

• The beat on this song is definitely meant for the club rather than the beach, but even so it will still get your head moving in the car on the way to any summer destination.
• I am not a huge Ke$ha fan, but this song has somehow worked it's way in to my brain recently. Maybe it was from the repeated exposure while chaperoning middle school dances. No matter how it happened, there is no denying that this song is catchy.
• This song was released in Feb. 2011, but as with the other songs I've mentioned so far, it hasn't received a ton of radio play until recently.

Cons:

• While this song isn't exactly inappropriate, I don't think you could get away with calling it family friendly either. I think grandma would be quite confused by the content, specifically 'making it rain' - that has an entirely different meaning to the older generation. I also think grandma might become agitated by the auto-tuned synthesized effects put on Ke$ha's voice. Can sound induce a seizure like a strobe light can?

Fun Facts:

• In interview Ke$ha has stated that this song is for her fans. She said in Beatweek Magazine, "I love that I say ‘we’re taking over’ in it because my fans and me have started a cult. We’re misfits of society but we’ve banded together and we’re starting a revolution. We are taking over. So get used to it."
• Much like her other music videos, this one is equally as bizarre featuring unicorns, James Van der Beek, and laser gun battles. 
• Perhaps the most interesting of all - Ke$ha reportedly earned an almost perfect score on her SAT's, which leaves me without much left to say but - HUH!?

Do you think 'Blow' has what it takes to be crowned Summer Song 2011?