FlinterFile: Mark Knopfler- Sailing To Philadelphia

In 2000, Mark Knopfler released his solo album Sailing to Philadelphia.

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FlinterFile: Roger Cicero- Zieh Die Schuh Aus

In 2006, Roger Cicero released his first album. The singer from Hamburg made jazz big again in Germany.

Song of the day: P!nk- Get The Party Started

In 2001, P!nk released her biggest hit so far with the first single from the second album. Linda Perry from the 4 Non Blondes wrote the song, and the process was the weirdest she had made through. She started with the drums, then she added the bass, and other wrong instruments like a horn. Furthermore, she wrote a strange text, and in the end she realized she wrote a potential dance hit. She was right, as P!nk brought it to number 4 in the US and number 2 in the UK. Enjoy

P!nk- Get The Party Started

Song of the day: Modjo- Lady (Hear Me Tonight)

In 2000, the French duo Modjo released a song which would immediately be a number 1 hit in the UK. The hit version was already a remix of the original mix. They used a sample from Chic, the song Soup For One. It also was number 1 in the US club chart. Enjoy

Modjo- Lady (Hear Me Tonight)

Song of the day: The White Stripes- 7 Nation Army

In 2003, the White Stripes delivered their new album. The bass riff (which is played on a normal guitar) was saved by Jack White for a James Bond theme song. When he thought the chance he got to make one, he used it for one of his songs. Later he would still play a song, together with Alicia Keys, for Quantum of Solace. The title of the song came from the name Jack gave the Salvation Army as a child. The song was a hit, with number 7 in the UK and number 1 on the US rock chart. Enjoy

The White Stripes- 7 Nation Army

Song of the day: The Shapeshifters- Lola’s Theme

In 2004, the Shapeshifters delivered their debut single. The song started when Simon Marlin listened to the records of his wife. With the idea for the beat, he started working on a song he named after his wife. The lyrics were sung by Cookie, a singer in the London Gospel Choir. When everything was put together, it made a number 1 hit in the UK and the US club chart. Enjoy

The Shapeshifters- Lola’s Theme

Song of the day: Robbie Williams- The Road To Mandalay

In 2001, the single Eternity was released together with The Road To Mandalay, which was on the Sing When You’re Winning album. Eternity was not on that album. The inspiration for that song was the close friendship of Robbie Williams with Geri Halliwell. The Road To Mandalay is about a vacation at the beach. One problem: Mandalay is in Birma, deep in the country, so there’s no beach at all… it does, however, rhyme with way. The song was number 1 in the UK. Enjoy

Robbie Williams- The Road To Mandalay

Song of the day: Live- Overcome

In 2001, Live released the album V. The second single from the album was Overcome. Soon it was associated with the terrorist attacks from 9/11. The money the single made was donated to charity around these attacks. In the US it was not released as a single, in the Netherlands it was number 3 and in Belgium even number 2. Enjoy

Live- Overcome

Song of the day: Damien Rice- 9 Crimes

In 2006, Damien Rice released his album 9. On the album, Lisa Hannigan sung additional lyrics, as she does in the song 9 Crimes. The song became a number 29 hit in the UK. Enjoy

Damien Rice- 9 Crimes

Song of the day: Amy MacDonald- Mr Rock & Roll

In 2007, Amy MacDonald made her debute. The first song from the album This Is The Life, Mr. Rock & Roll, was the first full single from the album. The song is about being yourself, in the song presented by two people who fit together, but as a result of not being themselves, they pass each other. In the UK, the song made it to number 12.

Amy MacDonald- Mr Rock & Roll

Song of the day: 3 Doors Down- Here Without You

In 2002, 3 Doors Down released one of their biggest hits. Brad Arnold wrote the song because his wife (now ex-wife) was gone for a while. It is about the loneliness when someone is gone, and the peace you have when you dream of that person. Therefore the song became the anthem for troops in Iraq. In the US it was a number 5 hit, in the UK it made it to number 77… Enjoy

3 Doors Down- Here Without You

Song of the day: Dandy Warhols- Bohemian Like You

In 2000, the Dandy Warhols released their new single. Courtney Taylor-Taylor, the singer of the band, wrote the song when he looked through the window of his apartment and saw a woman pull up in her car to the traffic lights. The first release was not a hit, and even after a tour, it did not make it to the charts. When the song was used in a commercial, however, it became a number 5 hit in the UK. Enjoy

The Dandy Warhols- Bohemian Like You

Song of the day: Madcon- Beggin’

In 2007, Madcon took an old song and covered it. The original of Beggin’ was made by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons in 1967. It marked the return of Bob Gaudio writing songs, something he had not done for two years. The Norwegian duo Madcon took the song in the same year that it was remixed, and brought it back to the charts: It was number 79 in the US, number 5 in the UK and even number 1 in the Netherlands. Enjoy

Madcon- Beggin’

Song of the day: Destiny’s Child- Survivor

In 2001, Destiny’s Child released their third album. On this album, the title track was Survivor. Destiny’s child had been through some changes in the end of the nineties, with people leaving, joining and one leaving. This made people think of the television series Survivor, and Beyoncé wanted to write them out of the negativity, which she did with this song. It became number 2 in the US and number 1 in the UK. Enjoy

Destiny’s Child- Survivor

Song of the day: Simply Red- Sunrise

In 2003, Simply Red released the first single from their new album. Based on a sample of Hall & Oates’ I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) and with some of the same lyrics, it brought Simply Red to the dance charts again. In the UK it was number 7, and in the US Dance chart it even was number 1! Enjoy

Simply Red- Sunrise

Song of the day: John Mayer- Daughters

In 2003, John Mayer released one of his biggest successes. The song Daughters is about fathers, who have to raise their daughters with a lot of love, as this will make it easier for them to have a relationship with a man. John Mayer himself had a difficult relationship, hence the song. In the US it charted as number 19. Enjoy

John Mayer- Daughters

Song of the day: The Fray- Over My Head (Cable Car)

In 2005, the Fray released their first single. The song was originally performed as Cable Car, but was soon renamed. The song is about the relationship of Isaac Slade, the singer, with his brother, whose nickname is Cable Car. When they had not seen each other for a long time, they decided to fight it out. The song was written about that, recorded as a demo, which ended up at a radio station in Denver. They started playing the song and soon it was one of the most played songs of 2005. In the UK it was number 19 and in the US it was number 8. Enjoy

The Fray- Over My Head (Cable Car)

Song of the day: Gavin DeGraw- Chariot

In 2005, Gavin DeGraw released a song which was on an album he released two years earlier. It expresses the feeling Gavin DeGraw had when he moved from the countryside to New York. According to DeGraw, the Chariot is the place where you can relax. In the UK the song was no hit, reaching number 112. In the US it did number 30 and in the Netherlands number 12. Enjoy

Gavin DeGraw- Chariot

Song of the day: KT Tunstall- Suddenly I See

In 2005, KT Tunstall released her debut album. She was inspired by the poet and singer Patti Smith, and since the album cover of the album Horses did something to KT Tunstall, she also took inspiration from that for her album cover. The cover of Horses gave Tunstall the idea what she wanted to do with her life. This song did well in the charts, as it did number 12 in the UK and number 21 in the US. Enjoy

KT Tunstall- Suddenly I See

Song of the day: Meck & Leo Sayer- Thunder In My Heart Again

In 2006, Meck (a DJ) took an old song from Leo Sayer. This song, Thunder In My Heart, had been in the charts in 1977. It never was a big hit, with a number 22 position in the UK and a number 38 position in the US. The remix did much better: it was a number 1 hit in the UK. Leo Sayer had his own thoughts about how the song became a hit: he said the fact he sung the tune had a lot of influence… Enjoy

Meck featuring Leo Sayer- Thunder In My Heart Again

Song of the day: Gwen Stefani- The Sweet Escape

In 2006, Gwen Stefani (No Doubt) and Akon worked together. It took some time before they got together, as Gwen Stefani was encouraged by more people to work with Akon. Akon had already listened to the older work from Gwen Stefani, and found out the sound of No Doubt was not in her solo work. He made a beat which was like her older work. However, when the song had to be recorded, she was busy with her baby and wanted to skip it. Her manager made her record the song and finally the song was done. The result was not bad: number 2 in both the UK and the US. Enjoy

Gwen Stefani- Sweet Escape

Song of the day: Amy Winehouse- Rehab

In 2006, Amy Winehouse released her second album. From that album, Back To Black, Rehab was the first single. The song is autobiographical, since Amy Winehouse refused to go in rehab when her management wanted her to. The song was produced by Mark Ronson, and when Amy told this story, she said: “I was like, pfff… no no no.” Mark Ronson found a lot of things in her story to use in the song, and so they recorded the song. In the UK it made it to number 7 and in the US to number 9. Enjoy

Amy Winehouse- Rehab

Song of the day: Jack Johnson- Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

In 2005, Jack Johnson released one of the songs from his album In Between Dreams. The song was inspired by the persuit of a friend, who wanted to get a woman. Unfortunately, all energy that he put into it, was useless. Jack Johnson hoped to cheer up his friend with this song. In the US, the song number 66, in the UK it came one place higher, number 65. Enjoy

Jack Johnson- Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Song of the day: Maroon 5- This Love

In 2004, Maroon 5 made their debut to the pop music scene. With their first album, they immediately established their fame. The second single, This Love, was written by the singer, Adam Levine, when his girlfriend went away after they broke up. He was excited about making the record at one side, and sad about his girlfriend leaving on the other side. The situation made a good song: number 3 in the UK and number 5 in the US, making this song the first big international hit. Enjoy

Maroon 5- This Love

Song of the day: Razorlight- America

In 2006, Johnny Borrell and Andy Burrows wrote the song America. They got an idea from a Billy Joel record with a drumbeat, and Johnny Borrell wanted to have a song with some sort of a drumbeat like that song. Since they were in America, the song idea was inspired by that. It would chart at number 1 in the UK, and strangely enough, it didn’t reach the charts in the US… Enjoy

Razorlight- America

Song of the day: Train- Drops Of Jupiter

In 2001, Train had their first international success. The song tells the story of a woman, who has gone away to find herself, and the man who is left behind wants to know if there is still some room for him. The singer has said the first lines came to him in a dream, and that the song was inspired by his mother. The strings were arranged by the man who also has done strings for Elton John and the Rolling Stones. The song reached number 10 in the UK and number 5 in the US. Enjoy

Train- Drops Of Jupiter

Song of the day: Bomfunk MC’s- Freestyler

In 1999, the Bomfunk MC’s released their single Freestyler in their native country Finland. In 2000, the song was released internationally. It took dance, hip hop and drum & bass together in one song. Apart from the music, the song also references to songs, like Karma Cameleon and singers like Celine Dion. The song was number 1 in lots of countries, number 2 in the UK and number 47 in the US dance music chart. Enjoy

Bomfunk MC’s- Freestyler

Song of the day: Christian Walz- Wonderchild

In 2004, Christian Walz released his second album. It included his biggest hit and the song everyone will remember. Walz was 25 years old when he released the album. Wonderchild hit some charts, the Dutch at number 11 and the Swedish chart, the chart of his homeland, at number 8. Enjoy

Christian Walz- Wonderchild

Song of the day: The Killers- Human

In 2008, the Killers released their first single from their third album. By the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, the song has once been described as Johnny Cash meeting the Pet Shop Boys. The song was actually completely finished by the time they released a compilation album, but they thought it was too good for the compilation. They kept it and changed not a lot, and it worked: the song was number 32 in the US, number 3 in the UK and number 2 in the Netherlands, where it was their first top ten hit. Enjoy

The Killers- Human

Song of the day: Dido- White Flag

In 2003, Dido released her biggest hit. She had written White Flag together with Rollo Armstrong and Rick Nowels. The complete song is about someone who is not willing to give up on a relationship, though the relationship is over. Dido brought in her own experiences: her own relationship had ended. She later said that she regretted writing the song when she just did, since it brought her a lot of trouble with this person. The people did not have problems with the song: it was number 18 in the US and number 2 in the UK. Enjoy

Dido- White Flag

Song of the day: Anastacia- Not That Kind

In 2000, Anastacia released her first album. From that album, the second single was Not That Kind. The song actually is somewhat older, from 1998. It was then performed to get Anastacia a contract on a label. She succeeded and polished the song some more for the album. It did well: number 11 in the UK and number 9 in the US Hot Dance Club Chart. Enjoy

Anastacia- Not That Kind

Song of the day: Snow Patrol- Chasing Cars

In 2006, Snow Patrol scored their biggest hit so far. Gary Lightbody said it was the purest love song he has written, after getting sober from drinking to much wine. With a phrase his father used when Gary was after a girl, he started writing. The song was recorded, released and hit the UK chart at number 6. After an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, where the song was performed, the song gained popularity in the US, making it to number 5. Enjoy

Snow Patrol- Chasing Cars

Song of the day: Spiller- Groove Jet

A dance/house song from the beginning of the zeroes: 2000! Spiller, an Italian producer, joined forces with Sophie Ellis-Baxtor for this song and together they hit number 1 in the UK! Originally, this song was made as an instrumental song, but to make it more suitable for the radio, Spiller decided to ask Sophie Ellis-Baxtor to record some lyrics. The song would be a huge hit and probably the first song that ever was played on an iPod! Enjoy

Spiller- Groove Jet (If This Ain’t Love)

Song of the day: Red Hot Chili Peppers- Snow (Hey Oh)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an influencial band, who had different big hits in the nineties, but also some in the zeroes. Their zeroes hit album was Stadium Arcadium, released in 2006. The first single from this album was Tell Me Baby, and this was the second single. Its content is about starting all over, like the singer wanted to do. It would make number 22 in the US, number 1 on the US rock chart, and number 16 in the UK. In my opinion, it’s one of the best songs they ever made. Enjoy

Red Hot Chili Peppers- Snow (Hey Oh)

Song of the day: Edward Maya- Stereo Love

In 2009, the Romanian artist Edward Maya worked together with the Russian-Romanian Vika Jigulina. They put together a dance record, which makes use of the song Bayatilar in the refrain. This became a bit of a problem, since the composer of this tune was not mentioned as co-writer. Later this was changed, though Edward Maya kept saying they tried to contact the composer, but that this was not possible due to the busy schedule of the composer. The keyboard riff also comes from another song, namely the theme to “Zalim”. However, it’s a great song to dance to. Enjoy

Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina- Stereo Love

Song of the day: Tim Deluxe- It Just Won’t Do

Today, we’ve got a song from 2002. It was made by a British house producer, Tim Deluxe. Somewhere in my memories I know the melody of the song, though I have not heard it after finding it via via on the internet. Probably a song that was played a lot when I was six… but it surely makes me happy! Enjoy

Tim Deluxe- It Just Won’t Do

Song of the day: R.I.O.- Shine On

Today we have a singer from Germany, who can sing reggae! And he managed to score a hit in several countries, making it to number 1 in Russia and to number 8 in both Italy and France. However, his highest place in Germany was 25… It does not matter a lot to me, since I think it’s a great song he made. Enjoy

R.I.O.- Shine On

Song of the day: Kid Rock- All Summer Long

Today a number one hit in a lot of countries, including the UK, from 2008. The song is a mash-up, which was suggested by Mike E. Clark. Like most cases, the mash-up consists of two songs: Werewolves of London and Sweet Home Alabama. The music in All Summer Long is identical to Werewolves of London, the text resembles Sweet Home Alabama a lot, but is not quite identical. Together they make a great summer hit. Enjoy

Kid Rock- All Summer Long

Song of the day: Junior Senior- Move Your Feet

The summer of 2003 sees the rise of a Danish dance duo called Junior Senior. They made several records, but this has proven to be their biggest hit. It was their debute single, and immediately they hit number 3 in the UK and number 25 on the US dance chart. After that, almost none of the singles made it to the charts, and none did make it to the top of the chart. However, this happy song makes people still move their feet, and that’s why it’s the song of this saturday night. Get dancing to

Junior Senior- Move Your Feet

Song of the day: King Africa- La Bomba

In 2000, a song from Azul Azul was covered by an Argentine singer called King Africa. It was first released in 2000, and then two times again (in 2001 and 2003). The version from 2000 was the most successful, reaching the top 5 in some countries (like the Netherlands and Spain). The original version by Azul Azul did not do that good, it only reached number one in the US Tropical Songs chart. Enjoy the cover

King Africa- La Bomba

Song of the day: Melanie C- I Turn To You

This is probably the only Spice Girl who had great successes after the period of the Spice Girls. I will not talk about the (horrible) cover of It’s Raining Men by Geri Halliwell, and also not about Victoria Beckham. Today it’s about the woman who recorded Never Be The Same Again, which is on the same album as the song of the day, namely Northern Star. The song would be the second number one hit in the UK. It was and is a great dance hit, and it’s great to dance on it. Also, it is a genuine summer hit, so enjoy

Melanie C- I Turn To You

Song of the day: Aventura- Obsesion

A summer song from 2003. The song is made by a Dominican-American band. They had a hit with it, peaking in a lot of countries on number one. They are remembered for this song, since later songs were no big hits. The lyrics are about a man, who likes a woman very much, that much, it becomes an obsession. Sadly, it is not love. It’s only an obsession. I would say: enjoy

Aventura- Obsesion

Song of the day: Gabriel Rios- Broad Daylight

Another zeroes record today! The record is made by an artist who is Puerto Rican/Belgian, but who is living in the US at the moment. In 2006, he made a record which was used in a movie by Theo van Gogh, a Dutch film director. This film director was later killed, and this made Gabriel Rios perform at a party in honour of him, since he and his band were the favourite band of Theo van Gogh. Though not having a lot of success, he had a hit with this song in the Netherlands. And we still remember it as a sort of summer hit (a commercial may have to do with that). Enjoy

Gabriel Rios- Broad Daylight

Song of the day: Tiziano Ferro- Perdono

In 2001, an Italian singer made his debute with the album Xdono. The lead single made it to number one in lots of countries, like Austria, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. The music was based on a sample of R. Kelly. Though I do not very much like R Kelly, I do like this song. Not typically summer, but it has the right feeling for a summer day with a bit of rain (like today). Enjoy

Tiziano Ferro- Perdono

Song of the day: Manu Chao- Me Gustas Tu

A more recent summer song today. The song was made in 2001 and is the second single of the second album Manu Chao made. It’s a Spanish song, of which I do not understand a word, and in the chorus French is spoken. The music used in the song is the same in two other tracks of the album, which makes one fade into the other. This really brings up the summer feelings! Enjoy

Manu Chao- Me Gustas Tu

Song of the day: Vanessa Carlton- A Thousand Miles

Some zeroes before we start the musical summer. It was released in 2002 and it became the breakthrough for Vanessa Carlton. The original title for the song, however, was not A Thousand Miles, but Interlude. Glad that it was changed, because who would know the song with such a title? I very much like the song, since it’s a great piano song, it has a nice orchestra playing, and it just fits. Enjoy

Vanessa Carlton- A Thousand Miles

Song of the day: The Corrs- Old Town (This Boy Is Cracking Up)

In 1982, Philip Lynott (the frontman of Thin Lizzy) released a song on his own. It did not come very far in the hit charts. In most, it missed out. But then, in the year 2000, there was a band called The Corrs. They already had a hit with Radio, and on their session by MTV, they covered this song. In some countries they released the live-version as a single. Though this song was not included in most hit charts, too, I think it’s one of their best songs. And therefore, it’s featured as a song of the day. Enjoy

The Corrs- Old Town (This Boy Is Cracking Up)

Song of the day: Melee- Built To Last

A very recent song today, from 2007. And just take a look at the artwork! Isn’t it beautiful? And the song is good, too, although it seemed to have stuck in several charts below the 30. Only in the Netherlands it came to a place 14, what’s too low for me. Just listen to the song, discover the beauty in it. Only the intro is enough to become a fan of this song, and the rest is as good, if not better, than that. The video is good, too (can you find all the movies?). Enjoy

Mêlée- Built To Last

Song of the day: Katie Melua- Nine Million Bicycles

This really is a song which sends shivers down your spine, just because the tone of the song is like that. And her voice is beautiful. Then you may ask yourself where this idea came from. Simple: whilst touring through China, a guide in Beijing told that there were 9 million bicycles in the city. Every verse starts with a fact, then doing something with it (either conforming or doubting), concluding that she loves her love. Just listen to it:

Katie Melua- Nine Million Bicycles

Song of the day: Simon Webbe- No Worries

Another song which makes you happy! On Wikipedia (yes, we can trust that! :)) it says he was in the popular boyband Blue. Never heard of that one… What does it matter anyway? He went solo in 2005 and had an enormous hit with this song in 2005. Get happy and enjoy

Simon Webbe- No Worries