Blog Archives
Song of the day: Tove Lo- Habits
The artist Tove Lo made her debut this year. She released an EP and an album, and she reached the charts with this song. It is the lead single from the EP and the album, ending up on number 3 in the US. She was the first artist from Sweden that charted since Ace of Base (with the Sign in 1994). After her own release, Hippie Sabotage came and sabotaged the song (meaning they made a remix) and released it. In this version, it would also reach the UK with a number 6 hit single. Enjoy
Tove Lo- Habits (Stay High)
Song of the day: Route 94- My Love
Remember that I was talking about Jess Glynne, who debuted this year with Clean Bandit? She also appeared on the song My Love by Route 94, which made it to number 1 in the UK. The song makes you think about the eurodance from the nineties, and it has a kind of deep house sound over it. Enjoy
Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne- My Love
Song of the day: Meghan Trainor- All About That Bass
Before 2014, there was hardly anyone who knew the music of Meghan Trainor. That changed with her song All About That Bass, which reached number 1 in both the UK and the US. The song was written in about 40 minutes and even the song-writers had not believed it would be a hit. Inspiration came from Just The Way You Are (Bruno Mars) and Lollipop (the Cordettes), together with the problems of body image by Meghan Trainor. Alltogether a very good song, enjoy
Meghan Trainor- All About That Bass
Song of the day: Jason Mraz- Hello You Beautiful Thing
Jason Mraz released his fifth studio album this year, named Yes! The song of the day is the third track of this album, and it is not an official single (as far as I know). Therefore, I could not find any chart positions. However, it’s a great song and it once more establishes Jason Mraz as a good singer, this time acoustic! Enjoy
Jason Mraz- Hello, You Beautiful Thing
Song of the day: Pitbull- Fireball
This summer, Pitbull invited John Ryan to sing on one of his records, so they could enter the charts together. Well… they succeeded. The song went to number 23 in the US, number 49 in the UK and even to number 1 in the Netherlands. In the US, it has sold around 750 000 copies now! For John Ryan, this was his debut (though he has already written some songs). Enjoy and dance to
Pitbull & John Ryan- Fireball
R.I.P. 2014
2014 was a beautiful music year, but unfortunately we have lost some great singers on the way. Once more an ode to the ones who died.
One of the first singers to die this year was Phil Everly, who was part of the Everly Brothers. He died on the third of January because of a lung disease, which followed his life of smoking. He was 74 years old, but will live on through his songs with his brother, who is still alive.
Some weeks later, the folk and protest singer Pete Seeger died. Though Pete did not have success with the original versions of his songs, covers have reached the hit charts. The song Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season), which was sung by the Byrds and written by Pete Seeger, even hit number 1. Pete Seeger was 94 years old.
In March, the Godfather of House Music, Frankie Knuckles, passed away. He was famous for the song The Whistle Song, which laid the basis for house music. Only 59 years old, he died of diabetes.
In June, several famous artists passed away. Rik Mayall, a member of the Young Ones, died on the 9th. He was mostly a comedian, but his work with the Young Ones brought him a hit, when they re-recorded Living Doll with Cliff Richard for charity.
On the 19th of June, Gerry Goffin died at the age of 75. He was a songwriter, firstly for his wife, Carole King, but he wrote a lot of hits later: Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Loco-Motion, and with some others Theme From Mahogany.
The drummer of the Ramones, Tommy Ramone, died at the age of 65 in July. A nice anekdote is that he had to, since no-one else wanted to do it. Apart for drumming some years, he also was one of the producers of the Ramones.
On the first of October, Lynsey de Paul died. There were some charting singles, but that’s not the main reason why I remember her. I remember her for playing songs between different parts of a Tommy Cooper show, and I thought she had a lovely voice.
Alvin Stardust also died this year. Mostly famous for his hit Pretend, but with quite some more hits, he passed away at the age of 72. He was still active in the music industry, though he did not release any new albums the last years (since 1989).
November brought us the death of Big Bank Hank. He was one of the rappers in the Sugarhill Gang. Much too young, he died at 58 this year.
And only a few days ago, Joe Cocker died. He became really famous because of the hit Up Where We Belong, together with Jennifer Warnes, but his cover of the Beatles’ song With A Little Help From My Friends already established him in the sixties as a good singer. Hits like Unchain My Heart, You Can Leave Your Hat On and Summer In The City put his fame down in the eighties and the nineties.
An impressing list of good artists, who will live on in their music. May they rest in peace.
Song of the day: The Script- Superheroes
Pop rock from Ireland! They have already had several hits, and their new album brought some more songs which are very good to us. Oneof them ended on number 3 in the UK and number 73 in the general US chart. Tastes differ… The song was written for all those heroes which don’t have a song (we can’t all be Superman, can we?). Enjoy
The Script- Superheroes
Song of the day: Gary Fomdeck- I’ll Be There This Christmas
Firstly: Merry Christmas everybody!
Secondly: the song of the day. Actually, this song is a joke, which has become a bit too big… Every year, 3FM (a radio station) has an action for charity: Serious Request. One of the DJ’s, Gerard Ekdom, recorded a song in secret. No-one knew he was Gary Fomdeck, and so some radio stations started playing the song. And now it is number one in the Netherlands iTunes chart… Enjoy
Gary Fomdeck- I’ll Be There This Christmas
Song of the day: American Authors- Best Day Of My Life
The group American Authors was unsuccessful, until they recorded this big hit. Originally it was a single, but they decided to put it on their third EP. They were mainly looking for the right sound, and found it in the African rhythms. The stuttering in l-i-i-ife was found in old records from David Bowie (Changes) and Buddy Holly (among others). It gave them place 11 in the US and number 17 in the UK. Enjoy
American Authors- Best Day Of My Life
Song of the day: London Grammar- Strong
This probably was one of the surprises of the year. I can’t describe what the song sounds like, but I get goose bumps on my arms when I hear it. London Grammar are three persons, who make trip hop. The song made it to number 16 in the UK, and even to number 4 in Australia! Listen to
London Grammar- Strong
Song of the day: Michael Jackson- Love Never Felt So Good
I think Michael Jackson could never have imagined that he would score a number 9 hit in the US after he had died… However, he did. This year, some demo’s were found, some remastering and reworking was done, and then the results were released on the album Xscape. Jackson wrote the song with Paul Anka in 1983. Johnny Matis recorded the song, but the demo with Michael Jackson was until this year not released. Together with Justin Timberlake, the song became a hit. Enjoy
Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake- Love Never Felt So Good
Song of the day: Coldplay featuring Avicii- A Sky Full Of Stars
2014 saw the new album of Coldplay being released. Lots of critics on the album, too. The whole thing was full of heart-broke songs, and that was not good. This song, though, doesn’t sound like it. The sound was due to the producer, namely Avicii. He would make sure Coldplay could score their first number 1 hit on the dance chart. Enjoy
Coldplay ft. Avicii- A Sky Full Of Stars
Song of the day: Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk!
A few weeks ago, Mark Ronson (famous from the remix of Valerie by Amy Winehouse) and Bruno Mars released their new single. The song is the single of Mark Ronson’s new album, which will be released next year. It was an instant hit: number 1 in the UK, number 3 in the US. The song sounds like the good disco from the seventies/eighties, and is very danceable! Enjoy and dance to
Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk
Song of the day: Dotan- Home
In the Netherlands, Dotan came back in the hit charts this year. Though he is not known outside the Netherlands yet, I would like to share this song with you. It has got something magic over it, and is the hit of the year in the Netherlands. Listen and enjoy
Dotan- Home
Song of the day: Ed Sheeran- Sing
This year, Ed Sheeran made his new studio album, with the help of Pharrell Williams. He gave Ed Sheeran a little other sound, which was a good decision: it made it to number 1 in the UK and 13 in the US! The song itself is a mix between pop, r&b and the sound of Justin Timberlake. The lyrics are about a night in Las Vegas, whatever that may mean… 🙂 Enjoy
Ed Sheeran- Sing
Song of the day: Train- Angel In Blue Jeans
In 2014, Train also returned to the hit charts! The song of the day was the lead single from their seventh album, Bulletproof Picasso. Though the normal chart positions (UK 58, US 79) were not very high, it was a song which was played quite a lot! Enjoy
Train- Angel In Blue Jeans
Song of the day: U2- The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
U2 was a band that returned this year with a new album: Songs of Innocence. Firstly, the album was only available through free downloads, then it was released on CD. The album opens with this song, which ended on number 1 in the US adult alternative songs chart. The song refers to the singer of the Ramones, Joey Ramone. A great song and a very good album, enjoy
Song of the day: Eric Clapton & Friends- Call Me The Breeze
There was a lot of new talent this year, but the established names also made music. Eric Clapton, for example. He invited his friends Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Tom Petty, Don White and Willie Nelson to play a tribute to JJ Cale with him. The result is really fantastic, the album even went to number 1 in the Dutch album charts! Enjoy
Eric Clapton & Friends- Call Me The Breeze
Song of the day: Nico & Vinz- Am I Wrong
This summer, there were two songs which really were big hits. One of them is this song. Nico & Vinz are a Norwegian duo, formerly known as Envy. They released this song under the name Envy, having a big hit in Scandinavia. To reach the rest of the world, they changed their name, and with success: it was number 1 in the UK and number 4 in the US! Enjoy a bit of summer:
Nico & Vinz- Am I Wrong
Song of the day: Kiesza- Hideaway
Also a Canadian debute this year, by the singer Kiesza. She made a deep house single, which sounds very good. It was made in 90 minutes and makes you think about the good nineties dance music. The song reached number 1 in the UK and 51 in the US normal chart, so quite good. I hope we’ll hear more hits of her in the next year! Enjoy and dance to
Kiesza- Hideaway
Song of the day: Saint Motel- My Type
No, this song is not about the car, though it’s a nice car. This song is about a girl. The song was made by the American indie rock group Saint Motel, who have been working on their career since 2009. This year, their first (small) success came with this single. It ended in the UK on 34, which can be called good. I hope we’ll hear some more in the next years! Enjoy
Saint Motel- My Type
Song of the day: Common Linnets- Calm After The Storm
In this year, the Eurovision Song Contest was won by… eh… who was it again? Something with meat… does not matter, the song was no good anyway. The second place was taken by the Dutch duo the Common Linnets (who broke up shortly after their victory), formed by Ilse DeLange and Waylon. The release of the single became a success in Europe, with a good number 9 in the UK! Enjoy
The Common Linnets- Calm After The Storm
Song of the day: Lilly Wood & the Prick- Prayer In C
In 2010, Lilly Wood & The Prick made a song called Prayer In C. This was a folk pop song, which never charted. Until Robin Schulz took the song (without permission) and remixed it. He then released it and took it to number 1 in almost all countries you can think of, including the UK. In the US, the song ended up on 87 in the general chart. Enjoy
Lilly Wood & The Prick- Prayer In C (remix)
Song of the day: Sheppard- Geronimo
A new Australian band, which clearly stated they were there with their first single. Geronimo was number 1 in Australia, and almost reached the US charts. The song was inspired by a very famous Apache leader, namely Geronimo, who shouted out his name before he did something courageous. I think it’s a great song and we probably will hear more of the band in the future! Enjoy
Sheppard- Geronimo
Song of the day: Magic!- Rude
The band Magic! made their debute this year. The band is a Canadian reggae band, and they made a smashing hit of their debute single. The song was based on a bad relation of the singer with a girlfriend, but the story was changed a bit for the record: in the song, the singer is still meeting her and he asks her father if he can propose. In the US and the UK, it hit number 1! Enjoy
Magic!- Rude
Song of the day: Family Of The Year- Hero
Family of the Year is an American band, which had their first hit this year. This hit was a song from their second album, which already was released in 2012! A shorter version was released two years earlier, in 2010. However, only this year it would become a hit, with a number 1 position in the US on the alternative chart. Enjoy
Family of the Year- Hero
Song of the day: Dj Cassidy featuring Robin Thicke & Jessie J- Calling All Hearts
This can’t go wrong, I thought. Disco returned in 2013 and would spread further in 2014. This song was from the beginning of the year, and DJ Cassidy gathered a lot of famous names: Nile Rodgers (from Chic), John Robinson (Rufus & Chaka Kahn), Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Larry Dunn (Earth, Wind & Fire) and Robin Thicke together with Jessie J singing. A guaranteed hit, but it did not get very far in the world. Number 6 in the UK and number 9 in the US club songs chart, and that’s it. I very much like it, so enjoy and dance to
DJ Cassidy feat. Robin Thicke & Jessie J- Calling All Hearts
Song of the day: Hozier- Take Me To Church
This actually is a song from last year, but this year it has become an international success. Hozier performed it by David Letterman, and after this performance he managed to get to number 3 in the US! In the UK it has been on number 25. The text is a complete metaphor, in which the religion replaces the lover of Hozier, and so the text can be interpreted in several ways. Enjoy
Hozier- Take Me To Church
Song of the day: Alle Farben- She Moves
Talking about 2014, this must be one of the stranger (but therefore nicer) records. It was the debute of the German DJ Alle Farben, with the vocals of Graham Candy. It has not reached the charts in the UK or the US, but did reach the Dutch charts on number 15! A good hit, enjoy
Alle Farben & Graham Candy- She Moves (Far Away)
Song of the day: Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne- Rather Be
2014 was a good year for Clean Bandit. This group, which makes electric music, had a small hit with the song Extraordinary (which is very good too), but the big hit was made with Jess Glynne. It’s one of the best selling songs of this year, and it immediately came to number one in the UK when it entered the charts. In the US, the song came to number 10. The song was sung by Jess Glynne, who would also sing on a record by Route 94 (this will be featured later…). Enjoy
Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne- Rather Be
Song of the day: First Aid Kit- My Silver Lining
Sweden is completely back! It seems to go in waves, with some years less music, and then in one time a lot of good music comes from Sweden! Just like these two girls, who form the folk duo First Aid Kit. They had their first success this year, though they did not appear high in the charts. Their new album, Stay Gold, sold very good, and on that album is one of the best songs from last year, if not the best song! It’s enchanting and very very very good! Enjoy
First Aid Kit- My Silver Lining
Song of the day: George Ezra- Budapest
This month we’ll look back on the music of the past year! One of the positive surprises of the year 2014 was George Ezra. He released his debute album Wanted On Voyage this year, and the lead single of this album was Budapest. It made it to number 1 in Austria and New Zealand and number 3 in the UK. His special style in both his voice and his music makes this song a good hit, and we’ll probably hear more of him in the coming years! Enjoy
George Ezra- Budapest
The FlinterFiles 