The Fray - "Look After You" (2007)

Last Song Syndrome with Renzie Baluyut.

If only my old piano teacher had taught me more contemporary songs than some of the
old crap she pulled out her dusty piano seat, I might have actually learned something I wanted to play.

Music from The Fray is music that inspires you to learn to play piano, if you ask me. I remember a much younger cousin of mine jamming on the ivory keys at a family reunion last year, and she could play a mean "How To Save a Life".

Anyway, mental note to self- get a piano, learn some of The Fray. Here's one of my favorites from 2007. The adult alternative classic "Look After You", from one of the band's two channels on YouTube.

Enjoy!

"Look After You" (2007)
The Fray

If I don't say this now, I will surely break
As I'm leaving the one, I want to take.
Forget the urgency, but hurry up and wait.
My heart has started to turn and separate.

Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby,
I'll look after you.

There now, steady love.
So few come and don't go.
Will you, won't you be the one I always know?
When I'm losing my control,
The city spins around
You're the only one who knows,
You slow it down.

Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby,
I'll look after you.
And I'll look after you.

If ever there was a doubt
My love, she leans into me.
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly.

Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby,
I'll look after you.
After you.
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh
It's always have and never hold.
You've begun to feel like home.
What's mine is yours to leave or take.
What's mine is yours to make your own.
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh, be my baby, oh oh

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson - "Candy" (1991)

from the player of Renzie Baluyut

I remembered first hearing "Candy" over the radio back in my second year of college. Punk god Iggy Pop finally had a Top 40 hit- which actually sounded alright. But what made it better was that he had a B-52 singing along with him: Kate Pierson.

The B-52's were the trademark party band of the 1980's, with Kate being one of the lead singers, alongside Fred Schneider and Cindy Wilson. So having heard a more sensitive side of Kate Pierson on this particular collaboration was a serendipitous treat.

The song wasn't commercially available in the Philippines, so a fan like me really had no choice but to tune in and wait for "Candy" to be played every 4 hours or so.

Just over the weekend, I put together a 90's easy listening mix and pulled out some tracks I haven't quite heard in a while. So here we go, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy!

Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson
"Candy" (1991)

Its a rainy afternoon in 1990
The big city... geez, it's been 20 years-
Candy- you were so fine...

Beautiful beautiful
Girl from the north
You burned my heart with a flickering torch
I had a dream that no one else could see
You gave me love for free

Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me, I loved you so
Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
Life is crazy
Candy baby

Yeah, well it hurt me real bad when you left
Hey, I'm glad you got out, but...
But I miss you

I've had a hole in my heart for so long
I've learned to fake it and just smile along
Down on the street
Those men are all the same
I need a love
Not games
Not games

Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so
Candy, candy , candy I can't let you go
Life is crazy
I know, baby
Candy baby

Woh oh oh
Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so

Candy candy candy
Life is crazy
Candy baby

Candy baby,
Candy, candy

Special thanks to male70s for posting the vid up on YouTube. Check out Iggy Pop's wikipedia entry here, and his official website here. As for Kate Pierson, you can read up on her here, and check her out on the B-52's official website.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Fergie ft Ludacris - "Glamorous" (2007)

Man, I love this song. It is, for me, Fergie's best piece of work thus far.

For me, it's memories of soaking in the hot tub at this one particular hotel I stayed in, playing this song over and over 'til I got me enough of the lyrics right to sing to it.

Anyway- lately, some family flew on in from Canada for my brother's wedding- and wouldn't you know it? The lucky ducks get bumped up to first class for their 16+ hour flight from Toronto to Hong Kong. The furthest I ever got upgraded was to Business Class :).

So here we have "Glamorous", the third single released from Fergie's debut solo project, The Dutchess- after "London Bridge" and "Fergalicious", and right before "Big Girls Don't Cry".

Produced by Polow Da Don, "Glamorous" was a massive worldwide hit- in terms of radio airplay, downloads, album sales and saw some really hot rotation on music video channels.

As far as I'm concerned though, it's my all-time favorite Fergie jam, and it's still in my player today.

So check it out, ladies and gentlemen, and sing along to some of Fergie's "The Glamorous Life".


Fergie ft. Ludacris "Glamorous" (2007)

Are you ready? Yeah. Polow da Don. It's Fergie!
If you ain't got no money take your broke ass home
You say: If you ain't got no money take your broke ass home
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

We flyin' first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
From the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

Wear them gold and diamonds rings
All them things don't mean a thing
Chaperons and limousines
Shopping for expensive things
I be on the movie screens
Magazines and bougie scenes
I'm not clean, I'm not pristine
I'm no queen, I'm no machine

I still go to Taco Bell
Drive through, raw as hell
I don't care, I'm still real
No matter how many records I sell
After the show or after the Grammies
I like to go cool out with the family
Sippin', reminiscing on days when I had a Mustang
And now I'm in...

First class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
From the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[Ludacris:]
I'm talking Champagne wishes, caviar dreams
You deserve nothing but all the finer things
Now this whole world has no clue what to do with us
I've got enough money in the bank for the two of us
Plus I gotta keep enough lettuce
To support your shoe fetish
Lifestyles so rich and famous
Robin Leach will get jealous
Half a million for the stones
Taking trips from here to Rome
So if you ain't got no money take your broke ass home

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

We flyin' first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
In the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

I got problems up to here
I've got people in my ear
Telling me these crazy things
That I don't want to know (fuck y'all)
I've got money in the bank
And I'd really like to thank
All the fans, I'd like to thank
Thank you really though

Cause I remember yesterday
When I dreamt about the days
When I'd rock on MTV, that be really dope
Damn, It's been a long road
And the industry is cold
I'm glad my daddy told me so, he let his daughter know.
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
I'm glad my daddy told me so,
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
He let his daughter know.
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
I'm glad my daddy told me so,
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
He let his daughter know.

Video from Jack2102 on YouTube. Wanna read more about Fergie and her work? Check out her entry on Wikipedia, or even better- check out her official website.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Danity Kane - Damaged (2008)

If there was just one song that I could associate with my recent visit to LA, I'd say it would have to be "Damaged" by Danity Kane.

I already had the song loaded onto my iPod just before leaving Manila, so it was already playing at a fairly hot rotation. I couldn't help but notice it: the damn song was everywhere- radio stations, sports clubs, karaoke bars, restaurants- it was borderline irritating.

My sister even said that it was an anthem of sorts. She had this friend that had an officemate who was singing it all week. I have another friend who was singing it after a bad fight with his boyfriend. Anthem.

Nevertheless, it's makes for great pop tuneage. In the interest of getting said song out of my head, and help getting same song out of other people's heads, we're featuring it here on Last Song Syndrome.

So here we have it, ladies and gentlemen- Danity Kane, with "Damaged". Video courtesy of Diddy's DanityKaneVideos channel on YouTube (Diddy does a fairly extended intro though- you don't see the video until the 2:38 mark). Enjoy!


Danity Kane
"Damaged" (2008)

Do, do you got a first aid kit handy?
Do, do you know how to patch up a wound?
Tell me, are-are-are-are you?
Are you patient, understanding?
'Coz I might need some time to clear the hole in my heart and I...
(I've tried every remedy
And nothing seems to work for me)

Baby (baby),
This situation’s driving me crazy
And I really wanna be your lady
But the one before you left me so

Damaged, damaged
Damaged, damaged
I thought that I should let you know
That my heart is damaged, damaged
So damaged (so damaged)
And you can blame the one before
So how you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(Baby, I gotta know)
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(What you are gonna do, baby?)
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(Baby, I gotta know)
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(What you are gonna do?)

Do, Do you got a first aid kit handy?
Do, Do you know how to patch up a wound?
Tell me, are-are-are-are you?
Are you patient, understanding?
'Coz I might need some time to clear the hole in my heart and I...

You try to gain my trust
Talking is not enough
Actions speak louder than words
You gotta show me something
My heart is missing some pieces
I need this puzzle put together again

Damaged, damaged
Damaged, damaged
I thought that I should let you know
That my heart is damaged, damaged
So damaged (so damaged)
And you can blame the one before
So how you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(Baby, I gotta know)
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(What you are gonna do, baby?)
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(Baby, I gotta know)
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
(What you are gonna do?)

Can you fix my h-e-a-r-t?
Cause it d-a-m-a-g-e-d?
Can you fix my h-e-a-r-t?
Tell me are you up for the challenge
Cause my heart is
Damaged, damaged
Damaged, damaged
I thought that I should let you know
That my heart is
Damaged, damaged
So damaged (so damaged)
And you can blame the one before

Damaged, damaged
damaged, damaged
I thought that I should let you know
That my heart is
Damaged, damaged
So Damaged (so damaged)
And you can blame the one before
So how you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?
How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it?

My heart is damaged, damaged, damaged
My heart is damaged, damaged, damaged
My heart is damaged, damaged, damaged
My heart is damaged, damaged, damaged

My heart is damaged.


Check out Danity Kane on their official website, or here on Wikipedia, or their entry on the AllMusicGuide.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Chicks In Music: Katy Perry

Dammit, I couldn't get "I Kissed A Girl" out of my head.

In fact, the song's playing right now as I bang out this blog entry from my PC at home.

"I Kissed A Girl" might be a song that has riled up conservatives- but hey, it's great power pop. Great narrative element, catchy tune, and quite well-produced- real tight. Take it easy on Katy Perry, people. And try to take that stick from out of your asses while your at it.

All that buzz has only fueled Katy Perry's rise to the top. See, before all this, Katy was once a gospel singer (she had gone by the name of Katy Hudson), and already had a foothold in the music industry singing backup, appearing in the occasional music video, etc. Madonna also mentioned in a couple of radio shows earlier this year that her other song "Ur So Gay" was on her player, and one of her favorites at the time.

Blam! Overnight success right there, man.

I discovered her over at iTunes, when her song was one of the most downloaded tunes that week. Went over to YouTube, checked out the video, and fell in love with the song- fell in love enough to download it, and put it on high rotation on my player all the way to the airport. That was three weeks ago. And I'm still digging "I Kissed A Girl" now.

As I write this entry, she's pretty much the talk of the town: she's got her songs playing on the radio and on MTV, downloaded on iTunes, and her video slapped on just about every video service there is out there.

Now that she has the public's attention, she has even been praised for her style and fashion, with the media checking out what she's wearing and what accessories she's sporting, etc. Let's leave all that to them. As far as I'm concerned, she's cute, and a joy to listen to. Totally deserving of my support.

Good luck to you , Katy. You got my ear. Here's the video to "I Kissed A Girl", courtesy of AoL Music. Enjoy!

What I'm Listening To From Katy Perry Now

Aside from "I Kissed A Girl" and "Ur So Gay"? Watch out for "Hot N Cold"- should be a hit in a few months. Love it. The album just dropped today, but you can check it out on her MySpace playlist. Did I mention I love "Hot N Cold"?

Check out Katy Perry on her official MySpace page, or you can read her Wikipedia entry, or visit her official website here.

Cheers, everyone.

Chicks In Music is a regular feature on My Thoughts In Stereo. We pay tribute to the hottest ladies in the music industry- with updates, trivia, video clips and links to their websites and social media. Checking out your favorite females in rock, pop and R&B online has never been so gratifying- Chicks in Music!

Chicks In Music: Nelly Furtado

She first hit the scene in 2001 with "I'm Like A Bird", and even won a Grammy for it. And even if her 2003 releases weren't so huge, she more than made up for it with the 2006 album Loose- which cranked out "Promiscuous", "Maneater", "Say It Right" and "All Good Things (Come To an End)".

So yeah, unless you've been living in a cave these past couple of years, then you must have heard of Nelly Furtado. She's pop all the way through- and I like it that she experiments with all kinds of sounds and genres.

Yeah so some people bring her down saying how she's sold out, got all sexed up, and abandoned her more folksy roots- I say, hey, with 8 million units in sales worldwide, who the frack cares? After all, she did manage to get it all- sales, downloads, massive airplay, endorsements, awards, and the public attention.

On a personal note, I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Nelly Furtado before. Her collaboration with Timbaland on Loose was a brilliant move. I only started digging her with "Say It Right", really. "Promiscuous Girl" I dug a little later on.

In fact, here's a video of an unplugged Nelly Furtado performance of "Promiscuous Boy" which I saw a little more than a year ago. This was what made me appreciate her even more. Check it out.

So cool. Gotta appreciate her skills.

What I'm Listening To From Nelly Furtado Now:

"Say It Right" and "Promiscuous Girl" are still playing a lot on my iPod and my Creative Vision M. Also that Timbaland track which featured her and Justin Timberlake, "Give It To Me".

No word yet on a new album or a new single up for release, but you can always check out Nelly Furtado on her Wikipedia entry, on MySpace, or visit her official website here.

Cheers, everyone.


Chicks In Music is a regular feature on My Thoughts In Stereo. We pay tribute to the hottest ladies in the music industry- with updates, trivia, video clips and links to their websites and social media. Checking out your favorite females in rock, pop and R&B online has never been so gratifying- Chicks in Music!

Last Song Syndrome: Andy Taylor - "Take It Easy" (1986)

Probably one of the most underappreciated pop-rock songs of the 1980's, "Take It Easy" is arguably Andy Taylor's best work outside The Power Station and Duran Duran.

The song was featured on the OST of the 1986 movie American Anthem (which I never got to see- but still probably worth checking out), and featured Andy's preference for a more rock-oriented sound, versus the more synth-pop sound of Duran Duran at the height of their popularity- one of the reasons he left the band just after laying down some guitar tracks for the 1987 album Notorious.

In any case, he was able to take some time off his gig with The Power Station to work on this particular solo project, something he'd work on with ex-Missing Persons drummer Terry Bozzio and bassist Patrick O'Hearn, and ex-Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones.

Found this music video the other day on YouTube- definitely something worth listening to and watching after a long time.


Andy Taylor
"Take It Easy" (1986)

People say I'm crazy, just a fool
But I'm the pigeon and baby, you're the stool

I always dug the color your hair
I always loved the clothes you wear
I can't say that you turn me on
But why'd I stay all night long

Take it easy - on yourself
Take it easy - there ain't no one else
Don't give me reasons
And I won't ask for nothin'

Take it easy - on yourself
Take it easy - there ain't no one else
Don't give me reasons
And I won't ask for nothin'

Rich girls, they run after me
They break my heart, you know I fall in love so easily
I always dug the color your hair
I always loved the clothes you wear
I can't say that you turn me on
But why'd I stay all night long

Take it easy - on yourself
Take it easy - there ain't no one else
Don't give me reasons
And I won't ask for nothin'

Take it easy - on yourself
Take it easy - there ain't no one else
Don't give me reasons
And I won't ask for nothin'
Yeah!

Take it easy - on yourself
Take it easy - there ain't no one else
Don't give me reasons
And I won't ask for nothin'


Check out Andy Taylor's official website here, or his entry on Wikipedia, here.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Boy Meets Girl - "Bring Down The Moon" (1988)

The pop duo of Boy Meets Girl- keyboardist and vocalist George Merrill, and singer Sharon Rubicam- is actually best known for their hit song "Waiting For A Star To Fall" in 1989 (a song featured on the OST of the movie Three Men and a Little Lady), but is also known for their song-writing creds- most notably for Whitney Houston on her hits "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "How Will I Know?".

Oh, and they also did backing vocals for Deniece Williams' 1985 hit, "Let's Hear It For The Boy", as well as other collaborative efforts with other artists.

"Bring Down The Moon" is the second single off their Reel Life album (same one that had "Waiting For A Star To Fall"), and was a modest Billboard hit in 1989. But I fell in love with the song when I first heard it on a countdown show back then, and Sharon Rubicam's vocals continue to give me goosebumps to this day.

Even better was that I found a video of the song on YouTube, so here we have it along with some lyrics for you to sing to. Enjoy!


Boy Meets Girl
"Bring Down The Moon" (1988)

I'm walking in darkness with no shadows
Tears fall in silence with no sound
I've got to let go of visions I've outgrown
Even I know, so let the rain come down

Bring down the moon
The mythic and mighty that fall when you lean
Bring down the moon
Building love on thin air and dreams
Perfect love is a desperate creed
And one that we all try to believe
So bring down the moon

I'm finding some comfort in closing the distance
Between my life and my dreams
Ooh if love's not forever I need to discover
The spirit of romance and magic
In living from day to day

Bring down the moon
The mythic and mighty that fall when you lean
Bring down the moon
Building love on thin air and dreams
Perfect love has no guarantee
Still we keep trying to believe
So bring down the moon, yeah yeah
Bring down the moon

Well, there's no guarantee
That there ever will be perfect love
(Perfect love)
(So let the rain come down)
I know that it hurts 'cause I used to believe
(So let the rain come down)
I know how it hurts, yeah!

Bring down the moon
The mythic and mighty that fall when you lean
Bring down the moon
Building love on thin air and dreams
Perfect love, there's no guarantee
(Perfect love, perfect love, perfect love)
And still we believe
(Perfect love, perfect love, perfect love)

Bring down the moon
So bring down the moon
Bring down the moon
So bring down the moon


Boy Meets Girl's official website is right here, and you can check out their Wikipedia entry here, and an informative interview on Songfacts, here.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Chicks In Music: Rihanna

Oh how I love Rihanna.

Rihanna first grabbed my attention back in 2006, with her single "SOS". It was catchy and upbeat- I had a music sampler one of the recording companies gave me at the time, and I found out that she had an earlier release (from her very first album) "Pon de Replay"- and also loved the song.

It wasn't long until my girlfriend asked me to make her ringtones of those two songs- which I did.

Her album "A Girl Like Me" yielded three more radio-friendly hits: "We Ride", "Break It Off" (featuring Sean Paul) and "Unfaithful".

Probably her biggest album so far was the 2007 release, "Good Girl Gone Bad". The album sold a whole shitload of units, downloaded like crazy, and earned Rihanna a slew of nominations and awards. You know the hit songs: the dance anthem "Don't Stop The Music", "Shut Up and Drive", the duet with Ne-Yo "Hate That I Love You", and probably the biggest summer song of that year, "Umbrella" with Jay-Z.

True story: I was actually writing for a pet supplies distribution company at the time "Umbrella" came out. Part of my job was researching and coming up with pet-related articles, so I decided to write one up about Rihanna and her pet Pomeranian, "Marley".

She's supposed to be coming out with another album soon enough, but in the meantime, here's a video I snagged from AoL Music- "Hate That I Love You" featuring a smoking-hot Rihanna, and the incredibly talented Ne-Yo. Enjoy.

What I'm Listening To From Rihanna Now.

Aside from "Hate That I Love You"? Her songs "Umbrella", "Shut Up and Drive", "Cry", "Pon De Replay", "SOS" and "We Ride" are regulars on my mp3 player.

Wanna check out more Rihanna? Visit the official Rihanna website here, check out her Wikipedia entry, or even add her up as a friend on MySpace.


Chicks In Music is a regular feature on My Thoughts In Stereo. We pay tribute to the hottest ladies in the music industry- with updates, trivia, video clips and links to their websites and social media. Checking out your favorite females in rock, pop and R&B online has never been so gratifying- Chicks in Music!

Pop Music This Week - 29 February 2008

CHR/POP Charts
Radio and Records US National Airplay
29 February 2008

1. Flo Rida feat. T-Pain - Low --> 4 week(s) at number 1
2. Chris Brown - With You
3. Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
4. Timbaland feat. OneRepublic - Apologize
5. Sean Kingston - Take You There

6. Sara Bareilles - Love Song
7. Alicia Keys - No One
8. Buckcherry - Sorry
9. Fergie - Clumsy
10. Linkin Park - Shadow Of The Day

11. Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar
12. Wyclef Jean feat. Akon, Lil Wayne & Niia - Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)
13. Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
14. Miley Cyrus - See You Again
15. Finger Eleven - Paralyzer

16. OneRepublic - Stop And Stare
17. Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown - No Air
18. Three Days Grace - Never Too Late
19. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction
20. Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight

21. Chris Brown feat. T-Pain - Kiss Kiss
22. Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine
23. Mariah Carey - Touch My Body --> most increased plays; most added
24. Jonas Brothers - When You Look Me In The Eyes
25. Paramore - Misery Business

26. Natasha Bedingfield feat. Sean Kingston - Love Like This
27. Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar
28. Plies feat. Akon - Hypnotized
29. Enur feat. Natasja - Calabria 2008
30. Santana feat. Chad Kroeger - Into The Night

31. Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes
32. Usher feat. Young Jeezy - Love In This Club
33. Cascada - What Hurts The Most
34. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
35. Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again

36. Blue October - Calling You
37. Cherish Feat. Yung Joc - Killa
38. Colbie Caillat - Realize
39. Britney Spears - Piece Of Me
40. Baby Bash feat. Sean Kingston - What Is It


CHR/Top 40 Most Added This Week:

Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
Usher feat. Young Jeezy - Love In This Club
Fergie - Finally
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar
Ferras - Hollywood's Not America


CHR/Top 40 Most Increased Plays This Week:

Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Chris Brown - With You
Usher feat. Young Jeezy - Love In This Club
Buckcherry - Sorry


This CHR/POP chart may be seen in full on the Radio and Records website. Check out other music charts on "My Thoughts In Stereo".

Did You Know? Michael Jackson - Human Nature (1983)

We all know "Human Nature" as one of the most beautiful songs on the Thriller album of 1982- at least, that's what I think. Did you know though, that the song was written by a dude from Toto, and lyrics from the same guy that would later write Madonna's hit song "Crazy For You"?

It's true. Steve Porcaro of Toto- (one of the Porcaro brothers of Toto, anyway) is the band's resident keyboardist, and one of it's composers. Later on, he'd compose "Lea" which became a Toto hit in 1985. Supposedly, the 1982 Toto hit "Rosanna" was written about him and his "it's-rather-complicated" then-relationship with Patricia Arquette.

John Bettis, on the other hand provided the lyrics for "Human Nature"- and was the same dude who came up with the lyrics for The Carpenters' "Top of the World" (among others), and later on after "Human Nature", came up with the words for Madonna's "Crazy For You", Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time", and Christopher Cross' "Swept Away".

Both were tapped by Quincy Jones to help out on the Thriller project in 1982, particularly for the song "Human Nature"


What's The Song All About?

"Human Nature" is supposedly one of Michael Jackson's songs that never quite had a clear-cut meaning. In fact, even today, everyone might very well have a different interpretation of the song. According to Wikipedia:

While talking about Thriller in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk, Jackson mentions that "Human Nature" is "music with wings". It is also mentioned that people asked him frequently about the real meaning of the lyrics. Jackson replied with "People often think the lyrics have some special personal significance...which often isn't true...it's important to reach people, to move them...sometimes one can do this with the mosaic of the music melody arrangement and lyrics...sometimes it is the intellectual context of the lyrics".

Additionally, both Jackson and "Q" (how Jackson refers to Quincy Jones in the book) believed that "Human Nature" had the "prettiest melody that they had heard by far".

How Human Nature Got Included in the Thriller Album:

The following is taken from the special edition of Thriller, where Quincy Jones talks in the album's extra tracks. Again, this was taken from Wikipedia:

"Human Nature" would not have been included on Thriller if it weren't for forgetfulness. While producing Thriller in 1982, both Jackson and Quincy Jones had planned to include the song "Carousel" (now an outtake) on the album, as there was room for just one more "mood-like" song, as Jones puts it. However, Jones believed that "Carousel" had to be taken out and replaced. During this time, Toto sent Jones two demo tapes that they thought would be suitable for Michael.

The first two songs on the demo tape did not impress Jones. After the first two samples, Jones forgot to turn the tape off. It was at this moment, as Jones describes it on the special edition of Thriller, that "...and all of a sudden there was all this silence, and then it went "why? why?...da da da da da da da da...why? why?". While talking about it, Jones mentions that he gets "goosebumps from just talking about it".

It was this demo, written by Porcaro, that Jones decided to take Carousel out of the album, and was then replaced by "Human Nature", partly due to its "wonderful flavour". Jones then contacted Bettis to write a lyric to the song.

Lyrics, which are now immortalized, in my opinion, in probably one of the best ballads of all time. So everybody sing along now to "Human Nature". Video by Stacey of tinaandstacey on YouTube :)

Michael Jackson
"Human Nature" (1983)

Looking out
Across the night-time
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs

Get me out
Into the night-time
Four walls won’t hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite

If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"

Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are ev’rywhere
See that girl
She knows I’m watching
She likes the way I stare

If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
I like livin’ this way
I like livin’ this way

Lookin' out
Across the morning
The city’s heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I’m dreaming of the street

If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
I like livin’ this way


Did You Know? is a continuing project of "My Thoughts In Stereo" to educate the music-listening radio audience. There's a lot more to your songs than you might actually know. And with more stories about your favorite songs, you might actually appreciate them more.

Cheers once again!

Last Song Syndrome: Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Right at the top of my head, I'd have to say my most favorite songs from the Thriller album of 1982 would have to be "Human Nature", and this song right here, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)".

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was originally written by Michael and buddy Greg Phillinganes (who at the time, had finished working on one of Stevie Wonder's greatest albums of all time- Songs In The Key of Life)- and was written as a more mid-tempo R&B jam.

When tracks were being laid down, Quincy Jones (who was producing the Thriller album) wanted this particular song to be more upbeat- so he re-wrote it and so it was Jones' version that appeared on the first commercial Thriller release. Dude, whatever Quincy says, goes, I suppose.

In any case, MJ's original version of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" can also be heard on disc 2 of Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection. In Thriller 25, the original demo is remixed as "P.Y.T. 2008", but this time featuring will.i.am.

A search on YouTube reveals that perhaps no video was made of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", unlike the bigger hits "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Thriller". You do have a number of tribute videos that use clips from other Michael Jackson vids.

In any case, I did find an interesting piece of work here from YouTube user tinaandstacey- which is what I'm putting on this entry, together with lyrics. Here we go!


Michael Jackson
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1982)

You know you make me feel so good inside...
I've always wanted a girl just like you...
Such a pretty, pretty young thing... ooh!

Where did you come from, lady?
And ooh won’t you take me there
Right away, won’t you, baby
Tendoroni you’ve got to be
Spark my nature, sugar fly with me

Don’t you know now
Is the perfect time?
We can make it right
Hit the city lights
Then tonight ease the lovin’ pain
Let me take you to the max

I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender Lovin’ Care
And I’ll take you there, girl- ooh!
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender Lovin’ Care
I’ll shake you there

(Anywhere you wanna go)
Yes I will, ooh

Nothin’ can stop this burnin’
Desire to be with you
Gotta get to you baby
Won’t you come, it’s emergency
Cool my fire yearnin’
Honey, come set me free

Don’t you know now is the perfect time?
We can dim the lights
Just to make it right
In the night
Hit the lovin’ spot
I’ll give you all that I’ve got

I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender Lovin’ Care
And I’ll take you there, yes I will, girl
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender Lovin’ Care
I’ll take you there, yes I will, hee-ee!

Pretty Young Things, repeat after me
Sing "Na na na" ("Na na na")
"Na na na na" ("Na na na na")
"Na na na" ("Na na na")
I Said "Na na na na na" ("Na na na na na")
I’ll take you there, take you there

I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender Lovin’ Care
And I’ll take you there, take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender Lovin’ Care
I’ll take you there, take you there

Here's some Trivia on Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing):

So we know Quincy Jones produced the album, right? But do you know which popular Quincy Jones protege also did work on the portasound keyboard for this particular song, as well as laid down background vocals and the handclaps?

The dude is James Ingram, ladies and gentlemen. Dude was busy building up an impressive resume before working on his solo career. Way to go, James!


Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Annie Lennox - "No More I Love You's" (1995)

I was sorting out some songs at the station earlier on, and my player had this particular song on. I vividly remember way back in 1995 when we first played this song on 99.5RT- it was the same week when we introduced three other songs I fell in love with when I first heard them: Sophie B. Hawkins' "As I Lay Me Down", Samples' "Weight of the World", and Jun Lopito's "Pure Souls".

I've always been a huge Annie Lennox fans, especially during her days with The Eurythmics. She also had some very interesting solo projects, including this one- "No More I Love You's".

While there is a freakish quality to the video- including a rather vampire-esque Annie Lennox- it did leave a very lasting impression. Nevertheless, I'd say the imagery fits the song quite well.

Totally adore the song.

So I hope you guys enjoy this one as well: "No More I Love You's" by Annie Lennox.

Annie Lennox
"No More I Love You's" (1995)

I used to be lunatic from the gracious days
I used to be woebegone and so restless nights
My aching heart would bleed for you to see
Oh but now...
(I don't find myself bouncing round whistling
and fortunes to make me cry)

No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me
No more "I love you's"
Changes are shifting outside the word
(The lover speaks about the monsters)

I used to have demons in my room at night
Desire, despair, desire, so many monsters
Oh but now...
(I don't find myself bouncing round whistling
and fortunes to make me cry)

No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me
No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me in silence
No more "I love you's"
Changes are shifting outside the word

They were being really crazy They were on the come. And you know what mammy? Everybody was being really crazy. Uh huh. The monsters are crazy. There are monsters outsides.
No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me
No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me in silence
No more "I love you's"
Changes are shifting outside the word

Outside the word.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Was Your Favorite Tune Played on Gossip Girl?

Hey everyone.

Just thought I'd do just another bit of public service. You see, since my last post on Gossip Girl (on another blog, "Too Much TV"), I've actually received quite a number of requests for help: mostly asking me if I knew which song played on what scene, and so on so forth.

So I've actually gone one step further to give you all a listing of the songs featured on the hit CW drama. Ah, so much drama. And in case you didn't know- they'll be back on April 25 with 5 new episodes!

Until then, you can watch your 13 episodes over and over again with your Gossip Girl-lovin' buddies. And work on getting your favorite songs together- here's the listing without any further ado. Enjoy!

Episode 1: Pilot

- "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John
- "If It's Lovin' That You Want" by Rihanna
- "What Goes Around...Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake
- "Diamond Hipster Boy" by Washington Social Club
- "Concerto in G" by Antonio Vivaldi & Brian Reitzell
- "99%" by The Mooney Suzuki
- "Bounce With Me" by Kreesha Turner
- "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse
- "Space For Rent" by WhoMadeWho
- "Send You Back" by Matthew Dear
- "Photograph" by Air
- "Joyful Waltz" by Zdenek Bartak
- "Hang Me Up to Dry" by Cold War Kids
- "Time Won't Let Me Go" by The Bravery
- "Hard to Live in the City" by Albert Hammond Jr.
- "The Way I Are" by Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson and D.O.E.
- "Go" by Hanson
- "Don't Matter" by Akon
- "Knock Knock" by Lyrics Born
- "The Gift" by Angels & Airwaves

Episode 2: The Wild Brunch

- "Hit Me Up" by Gia Farell
- "Shut Up And Drive" by Rihanna
- "When Did Your Heart Go Missing" by Rooney
- "Ballad of Gus and Sam" by Ferraby Lionheart
- "Tell Me About It" by Joss Stone
- "The Queen And I" by Gym Class Heroes
- "Believe" by The Bravery

Episode 3: Poison Ivy

- "Glamorous" Constance Billard Choir
- "I Got It From My Momma" by Will.I.Am
- "Can't Be Happening" by The Marlows
- "Raise Your Hand" by The Lights
- "I Feel It All" by Feist
- "Dusk Till Dawn" by Ladyhawke

Episode 4: Bad News Blair

- "Moon River" by Henry Mancini
- "Make It Bounce" by Invisible Men
- "The Focus" by X5
- "Tambourine" by Eve
- "Candy Store" by Miss Eighty 6
- "Till The Sun Comes Up" by Miss Eighty6
- "Until You Can't" by Alana D
- "Bounce Back" by Miss Eighty 6
- "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston

Episode 5: Dare Devil

- "There's a Pot Brewin" by Little Ones
- "Rockstar LP" by Prima J
- "Came to Dance" by Candence Blaze
- "Ringing in my Ears" by Two Hours Traffic
- "Whine Up" by Kat Deluna
- "I'm doing it Again" by All Wrong and the Plans Change
- "Mama I'm Comin' Home" by Ozzy Osbourne
- "Get Ur Party On" by Zooland

Episode 6: The Handmaiden's Tale

- "Timebomb" by Beck
- "Happy Ending" by Mika
- "Guess Who (Parov Stelar Remix)" by Nekta
- "Kiss, Kiss" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- "Take It to the Top" by 5 Alarm Music
- "A Taste" by Sofia J
- "Nasty Funky Crazy" by Becca Styles
- "Ring A Ling" by Miss Eighty 6

Episode 7: Victor, Victrola

- "Stripper" By Soho Dolls
- "So the say" By Classic
- "Ballad of an easy..." By David McConnel
- "Release" By Miss Eighty 6
- "Second Hand Lovers" By John Ralston
- "Just Love" By Warren
- "Photograph" By Air
- "Girl I Told Ya" By Valeria ft Aria
- "Whatever" by Elliot Smith
- "With Me" By Sum 41

Episode 8: Seventeen Candles

- "One Week of Danger" by The Virgins
- "Your Birthday" by The Shapes
- "Love is Colder Than..." by The Virgins
- "Rich Girls" by The Virgins
- "Feathers" by Two Hours Traffic
- "Nice Buddy" by Puffy Ami Yumi
- "How We Breathe" by Pinback
- "Fernando Pando" by The Virgins
- "Freebird" by CAST
- "Inside Out" by Miss Eighy 6
- "How Does it Feel" by Eskimo Joe
- "Kissing Song" by Dawn Landes
- "Radio Christine" by The Virgins

Episode 9: Blair Waldorf Must Pie!

- "Grand Opening" by Will Dailey
- "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado
- "Here It Goes Again" by Ok Go
- "La Ritournelle" by Sebastian Tellier
- "Nolita Fairytale" by Vanessa Carlton
- "Recurring" by Bonobo
- "Today" by Stickboy

Episode 10: Hi, Society
- "Comin' Home Baby" by The Torme
- "Secret (Piano Version)" by The Pierces
- "You're A Wolf" by Sea Wolf (not High Society)
- "Pretty Please" by Lissa
- "What For" by Rooney
- "Secret" by The Pierces
- "Three Wishes" by The Pierces
- "Apologize" by One Republic ft. Timbaland

Episode 11: Roman Holiday

- "Santa Baby" by The Constance Billard Choir
- "O Come All Ye Faithful" (jazzy instrumental)
- "O Christmas Tree" by The Plush Interiors
- "Stuck For The Summer" by Two Hours - Traffic
- "Christmas Alphabet" by The McGuire Sisters
- "Christmakwanzakah" by The Dan Band
- "Deck The Halls" by The Republic Tigers
- "Jingle Bells" (instrumental)
- "Joy To The World" (instrumental)
- "The General Specific" by Band Of Horses
- "All That I Want" by The Weepies

Episode 12: School Lies

- "Last Night (Oh Yeah)" by Moby
- "Someone Great" by LCD Soundsystem
- "Come Flash All Your Ladies" by The Filthy Youth
- "Orange" by The Filthy Youth
- "Autumn Pink" by Harry Warren
- "Breakfast In NYC" by Oppenheimer
- "Come Home" by One Republic
- "Four Romantic Pieces, Opus 75" by Dvorak
- "Piano Quartet in G Minor" by Mozart
- "Cross The River" by La Rocca

Episode 13: A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate
- "Got Ur Number" by Nadia Oh
- "The Dark Side Of Indoor Track Meets" by Falling Up
- "You'll Change" by Machine Translations
- "Where There's Gold" by Dashboard Confessional
- "The Air We Breathe" by Figurines
- "Goodbye" by Dan Cray Trio
- "Happily Never After" by Nicole Scherzinger

So go check em out while the new episodes aren't out yet: Gossip Girl- Mondays 8/7 Central on The CW. Head on over to the official website here.

Last Song Syndrome: Justin Timberlake - Lovestoned/ I Think That She Knows (2007)

Now, this, ladies and gentlemen, is pure pop genius. It's one of my favorite songs for 2007, and definitely one of my most favorite tunes from Justin Timberlake.

"Lovestoned/ I Think That She Knows" is the fifth single released from the 2006 hit album Futuresex/Lovesounds- Justin's second solo album. The song was co-written and produced by Justin, Timbaland and Danja.

I just had to add this song because of an earlier post I wrote about the song, and now I can't get the damn thing out of my head. Though it is a great song.

So here it is, lyrics and video included. Enjoy!

Justin Timberlake
"Lovestoned/I Think That She Knows" (2007)

She's freaky and she knows it
She's freaky and I like it

Listen

She grabs the yellow bottle
She likes the way it hits her lips
She gets to the bottom
It sends her on a trip so right
She might be goin' home with me tonight

She looks like a model
Except she's got a little more ass
Don't even bother
Unless you've got that thing she likes
I hope she's goin' home with me tonight

(Hey!) Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows



She's freaky and she knows it
She's freaky, but I like it

She shuts the room down
The way she walks and causes a fuss
The baddest in town
She's flawless like some uncut ice
Well, I hope she's goin' home with me tonight

And all she wants is to dance
That's why you'll find her on the floor
But you don't have a chance
Unless you move the way that she likes
That's why she's goin' home with me tonight

(Hey!) Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Those flashing lights seem to cause a glare
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned from everywhere
She's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Now dance
Get it girl
You're freaky, but I like it
Hot damn!
Let me put my funk on this one time

(Instrumental break)

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Those flashing lights seem to cause a glare
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned from everywhere
She's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

(Instrumental break)

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
I think I'm love stoned
She's got me love stoned

I think that she knows, think that she knows, oh, oh
I think that she knows, think that she knows, oh, oh
I think that she knows, think that she knows, oh, oh

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
I'm love stoned from everywhere and she knows
I think that she knows
Think that she knows, oh, oh

And now I walk around without a care
She's got me hooked
It just ain't fair, but I...
I'm love stoned and I could swear
That she knows
Think that she knows, oh, oh
She knows, she knows, oh, oh

Visit the official Justin Timberlake website here for more information on the man himself.

Cheers!