You Want A Piece Of Me?

Where would the late 90's have been without Ms Britney Spears? It's a hard thing to imagine when Britney became the female superstar of a young generation. After launching her career in 1998 with the hit single Baby One More Time, Ms Spears went on to release an array of pop hits that have become classics in their own right. Now for Britney's top 5 showdown.

5. ...Baby One More Time (1998)

Arguably Britney's most successful and well known song ...Baby One More Time was not written with Spears in mind. The track was originally going to be recorded by TLC (who ultimately rejected it) but in the end Britney grabbed onto this fantastic classic.

4. If U Seek Amy (2009)

From it's release If U Seek Amy caused controversy because of the fact that the line sounds a lot like F-U-C-K Me. Besides this some what childish line the track is catchy and demonstrates Spears' ability to formulate a decent hit song.

3. I'm A Slave 4 U (2001)

Britney's first step into more mature themes, I'm A Slave 4 U showed a side of Britney that previously had only been flirted with. The track is influenced by Vanity 6's Nasty Girl and Samantha Fox's (Hurt Me! Hurt Me!) But The Pants Stay On.

2. Toxic (2004)

Toxic gets started with some impressive strings but it's not until the little guitar riff comes in that Toxic shows its exciting allure. The track would have fit as a bond theme with it's seductive vocals and catchy chorus.

1. Everytime (2004)

Everytime is a rarity in Britney's catalogue for the fact that it's a pure, soft ballad. The song, which was written by her, has the protagonist singing about her regret to a lover. The video is also Britney's best effort and caused controversy over the suicide-death-rebirth theme that is found within it.

Check back next time folks ;)

The Sultâna of Turkish Pop

This is my first post on an artist whose work is primarily in a non-English language and that fantastic artist is the wonderful Turkish pop sensation Hande Yener.  Hande started her pop career in 2000 with her debut effort Senden İbaret (in English; All About You) which was pop music with a strong Turkish vibe to it. Later her music developed into a more electro pop direction.  Hande Yener is arguably the best selling female Turkish artist of all time. She is also a huge supporter of gay rights in Turkey and other countries.Here is Hande Yener's top 5 songs.

5. Kelepçe (2006)

English - Handcuff

Kelepçe is a disco inspired piece of dance music that is a favourite of mine to dance around to. The video features Hande in a forest wearing a red riding hood style jacket. 

4. Bodrum (2010)

English - There is no translation.

Bodrum is a dance number that has Hande telling the story of how her and her lover no matter where they moved to (to Bodrum, to Istanbul etc...) couldn't truly make their romance work and that it's time to move on. 

3. Romeo (2007)

English - It is an English name.

Romeo is basically a love song where a man comes and rescues Hande from her loneliness. It has her describing what he said to her and how she felt before he came to save her.

2. Hipnoz (2008)

English - Hypnosis

The meaning of Hipnoz is kind of hard to grasp from my perspective. I believe she is describing her hesitation to fall in love but she can't help but feel that way. The song has a catchy hook and features some of Hande's best vocal works.

1. Hayrola (2009)

English - I Hope It's Up To Good

Hayrola is a high energy wave of music that hits you from the get go of the track. It is almost an out of world experince in both a description of it's sound and the meaning of it's lyrics. The video is also one of Hande's most daring and provacative.

Check back for more fab diva posts!

Endless Summer

Donna Summer (born LaDonna Adrian Gaines) rose to fame in the early 1970's as the queen of disco music. As her career went on it blossomed from disco into new wave, gospel and even rock. Donna took a break after her 1991 album Mistaken Identity to do a christmas album and eventually returned to pop music in 2008 with her 17th studio album Crayons. Now here is my Donna Summer top 5 countdown.

5. Fame (The Game) (2009)

Returning from a 14 year gap in music, Donna released a full on dance record with Crayons. Fame (The Game) has Donna discussing the down sides of fame and the negative impacts it can have on ones life. The track is a dance track infused with rock influences.

4. MacArthur's Park (1978)

I don't like listing a cover song in an artist's top 5 but Donna takes the rather boring Richard Harris song and transforms it into a memorable disco classic. The story of the song is hard to grasp even after many listens but there must be some sort of meaning in there.

3. She Works Hard For The Money (1983)

A song dedicated to the hard working women everywhere, She Works Hard For The Money is an anthem of the 1980's that is hard to not get caught up in. This feminist track, although the lead single of the same titled album, is rather misleading compared to the rest of the rather religious tracks on the album.

2. I Feel Love (1977)

A sort of predecessor to electronic music of later decades, I Feel Love has been a highly influential number in Donna's career. The album I Remember Yesterday was meant to be like a timeline with each song representing a particular time period with I Feel Love being the future representation.

1. Love To Love You Baby (1975)

Taking on a Marilyn inspired vocals, Donna's #1 track is the rather naughty Love To Love You Baby. The track has Donna singing to a lover about her enjoyment of being with them. The album version was an astonishing 16 minutes long and 44 seconds long.

Check back for yet another exciting Pop Diva countdown! :D

Rainbows + Butterflies

Sorry for the wait! Got caught up in stuff and didn't get round to doing some Pop Diva postings.

The 1990s was truely the decade of Mariah Carey in the States. This multi-octave diva exploded onto the pop music scene in 1990 with Visions of Love. From there she left her AC roots and entered into the world of RnB. Scoring herself 18 US #1 hits Mariah is truely a powerful force in the music industry. Now here are my top 5 Mariah Carey singles.

5. Hero (1993)

This mid-tempo ballad was originally written with Gloria Estefan in mind but Mariah decided that the track was too good to pass up. Hero deals with the self-confidence issues that every person faces throughout their life. It's hard to imagine anyone besides Mimi singing this track.

4. Obsessed (2009)

After being dissed in an Eminem song Mariah thought it was time for some musical revenge. Obsessed has Mariah questioning a guy (Eminem is hinted at) who seems to be a little bit too into her. This number has MC showing a more playful nature and is a great song for singing in the shower.

3. Honey (1997)

Honey was Mariah's true leap into the world of Hip-hop. The song discusses Mariah's intimate relationship with a particular lover and compares it to the delicious taste of honey. The video also is one of her most sophisticated.

2. Sweetheart (1998)

Sweetheart continued Mariah's journey into hip-hop. The track has a slight lullaby feel to it. Long time friend and producer Jermaine Dupri is featured on the rap and helps create a guy vs girl sing off.

1. Fantasy (1995)

Daydream is Mariah's best album and Fantasy is the best representation of the entire album. It's catchy, sweet and has all the vocal acrobatics you could ever want in a song. Just as a personal side note Fantasy was the first Mariah Carey song that I really got into as a teenager. :)

Ms Jackson if you’re Nasty

As the youngest child of the Jackson family it would’ve come as a surprise to many that she (after Michael) would go on to become the most successful. Janet’s career soared to amazing heights with some of the most influential songs of pop music. Janet catalogue is hard to define as she has experimented with a variety of styles and genres. So without further ado here is my Janet Jackson top 5.

5.  Nasty (1986)

Nasty incorporates the New Jack Swing genre into its groovy beat. This track has Jackson confronting those men who are not worth her time but try to get up in her face. This number is a classic in Janet’s catalogue and is a jam that everyone can get down with.

4. Go Deep (1998)

Go Deep might seem like a forgettable Janet track but it has a catchy chorus and at a time when most of her songs were more slower numbers Go Deep was a step back towards her earlier work.

3.  If (1993)

If is probably Janet’s most exciting number with its use of electric guitars and hip hop beats, If was well ahead of the curve and has gone on to become a staple track for Janet to perform live.

2. All for You (2001)

This danceable track shows that Janet still has her groove on. This song soared to #1 in the US circa 2001 and has been Janet’s biggest hit since.  All For You is reminiscent of the disco era and the video references the bright colours of the 70ies.

1.     

  Black Cat (1990)

 After making a name for herself in New Jack Swing styled music Janet shocked audiences with this fantastic rock track. Black Cat roars to life with an almost hair metal style vocals from Ms Jackson. The track deals with a lover who keeps running around town and Janet’s warning of what could happen to him if he keeps this up.

S-S-S-Samantha Fox!

It’s hard not to love Samantha Fox’s catchy pop tunes which graced the airwaves mainly from 1986 to 1992. She returned during the late 90ies with her album 21^st Century Fox and in the 00ies with Angel with an Attitude. Sam’s career began as a page 3 girl for the sun and eventually lead onto a career in the music world. Now for Samantha Fox’s Fantastic Top 5!

5.  Naughty Girls (Need Love Too) (1988)

Teaming up with hip hop group Full Force, Samantha creates an iconic tune with this catchy number. Naughty Girls captures the whole attitude that is Samantha Fox, sexy, fun and cheeky. The song is one of Sam’s biggest hits state wise.

4. Angel With An Attitude (2005)

This spicy number explores some of Sam’s more spiritual side yet throughout the song she doesn’t lose that little bit of attitude that has defined her as a sex symbol and 80ies icon.

3. (Hurt Me! Hurt Me!) But The Pants Stay On (1991)

I have never been able to fully crack the code of this song to get to its full meaning but from my understanding Samantha is saying that one can still enjoy the company of another but to do so safely. The middle eastern strings mixed with the dance atmosphere of the track is just to die for and if you listen closely you can hear a slight kinship between this track and Britney Spears’ later track I’m A Slave 4 U.

2.  Love House (1988)

Love House was a real throw to left field as no one expected Samantha to release a track with Acid House influences in it. The song buzzes along with Sam inviting the listener to come to her love house and that she’ll “be good to you”.

1.      

I Surrender (To The Spirit of The Night) (1987)

This little anthem describes Samantha’s love for the night life. Although not a very well known track, I Surrender demonstrates Samantha Fox’s full potential and appeal. Emotional vocals, catchy pop hook and fabulous 80ies synth make this song Sam’s #1.

Ok so for Tomorrows I'm not sure who I'll do. So guys leave a comment suggesting who you think I should do next :)

Wilde Life

As the offspring of 50’s star Marty Wilde, it should come as no surprise that Kim Wilde would become a pop goddess.  Kim’s career was launched in 1981 with the classic song “Kids In America” and along with the song writing skills of herself and her fellow family members, Kim has managed to release a fantastic array of songs to please the palate of any picky pop listener. So here is my fantastic top 5 Kim Wilde singles.

5.  Kids In America (1981)

It’s kinda become a tradition or formality to list one of the singer’s early hits as their #5 on my countdown.  But my reasoning behind this is because generally early hits have a big impact on the artists later career. Now Kim is no exception to this, Kids In America has gone on to define Kim’s career and her part in the New Wave scene.

4. Perfect Girl (2006)

A hit in Germany, Perfect Girl has Kim reaching back to her rock roots and giving a feminist anthem about how a lover wants her to be the perfect girl. She gives the message loud and clear that she’ll never be the ideal woman and that if he can’t deal with it too bad. 

3.  Love Is Holy (1992)

After establishing herself as a sort of rock-pop diva Kim gives a surprising performance in this softer track as she sings about the amazing gift that is love. Love Is Holy is a rarity in Kim’s catalogue in that its one of the few tracks not written by her or her relatives. 

2.  The Second Time (Go For It) (1984)

Kim shows on this hot number that she isn’t just the girl next door and is full of fire and passion. This track has Kim begging her lover to go for another round with her. I’ll leave the song and your imagination to work out the meaning of this track. ;)

1.      1.  You Came (1989)

Although Kid’s In America is remembered better there is no doubt that You Came is Kim’s biggest hit. The song is addictive and has every hallmark that makes a Kim Wilde track a Kim Wilde track. Her vocals melodically skim along the 80ies synth as she sings about being rescued by her new lover.

Check back tomorrow as yet another Diva will get a top 5 countdown! :)