I know it's been a long time since I posted anything on this blog. Between the death of a parent, loss of a job, new job, new baby, and finishing my Master's, this blog has fallen to the wayside. I'd like to pick things back up though.
To help me catch up with all of the music I've missed, I've decided to look over the Billboard Hot 100 for the year of 2012. A lot of these songs I am hearing for the first time, so you're getting my unfiltered first reactions.
Let's start with Number 1:
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)
This is the number one song of the year on Billboard? This pleases me. It's not a perfect song, but it was an awesome change of pace from the past couple of years. A nice male/female story perspective shift, great vocals, and minimalist production show that occasionally talent does rise to the top. Now, this track did end up being overplayed, but when you have something unique, popular, and not easily reproducible, that is going to happen.
Buy it on Amazon.
Let's now flip it upside down.
Number 100:
Linkin Park - Burn It Down
Hey, I remember high school when these guys were popular. This track sounds pretty much like you expect Linkin Park to sound. Nothing stands out, but I wouldn't rush to turn this off it came on.
But it on Amazon.
Number 99:
Eli Young Band - Even If It Breaks Your Heart
This is my first spin of this song as I type this. Honestly, country music isn't really my thing (that makes me a bad southern white guy, right?). This however, is enjoyable. It's more rock/country hybrid music, and better for it. I can take an accent singing, so long as it's missing that country twangyness. I like the sound and sentiment on this track, and I'm going to check out the Eli Young Band.
Buy it on Amazon.
Number 98:
Jason Aldean - Fly Over States
Here is an example of country singing I can't stand. Glorifying the idea of the central US "fly over states," Aldean is clearly reaching out to the people you think of when you think about country music listeners. This doesn't come off as sincere, instead it's patronizing. Sound bites about how great the blue collar middle of the country is. This is bland, safe music for a different demographic than typical pop music.
Buy it on Amazon.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
2 Chainz - Birthday Song (ft. Kanye West)
This song is ridiculous, and 2 Chainz and Kanye revel in its stupidity. Look at the chorus! “All I want for my birthday is a big booty hoe” repeated over and over. The beat is understated and oddly menacing, adding to the absurdity of the song. There’s also the interesting dichotomy of naming the track Birthday Song and interspersing the song with places you’d like to be buried.
Places 2 Chainz would like to be buried:
The Louis store 4x
The Gucci store 3x
The jewelry store
The truest though
Next to two b****es
The booty club
Lyric wise there is one great line from 2 Chainz: “You the realest n**** breathin’ if I hold my breath.” Otherwise his wordplay is forgettable. Kanye West goes on this diatribe about deserving a ménage a trois after being married 10 years and providing luxury automobiles for his wife. Kim K is certainly a lucky lady, eh?
It would have been a throwaway track with a sub-par guest verse, but the video is what MAKES the track.
Look at it! We slowly meander through a house, showing a party in various stages of disarray. Random Pakistani guy drinking a fourty! Strippers! Booty Cake! Smoke filled garage with Kanye West! Creepy clown! The beating of the creepy clown! Wee Man of Jackass fame in blackface! Wait… that last one is the icing on the stupid cake, and something I missed when I watched it. A friend had to point it out to me. This is a video you show your friends, and they notice something weird that you missed.
Make no mistake, this is a trash track. However, it’s an earworm, boosted by the insanity of the music video.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Ca$h Out - Cashin' Out
This week, the number 2 song on the Billboard top rap songs is Cashin' Out by the artist "Ca$h Out." Let's take a listen, shall we?
Before we get into the song, can I take a second to laugh at the name on this dude? The dollar sign in his name makes me think that Ke$ha has an idiot half brother who decided to go into music too. Also, why is your debut single essentially named after you? Think of how dumb that would be with other groups. What if the Beastie Boys had debuted with "Your Beastie Boyfriend"? Feel free to supply your own examples in the comments. Also laugh worthy? Watch the video.... why does he tuck money into his sunglasses? How sad does that look? You're that desperate to make people think you have money?
As we move on to the lyrics, I'm listening to the unedited version on Spotify. The Youtube video is edited.
The chorus start off talking about riding around with a gun and drugs, which are "cleverly" also the names of girls. Nina is a firearm? Kesha refers to marijuana? Oh Ca$h Out, you're a lyrical marvel so far!
Your diamonds talk for you? Well, we know what kind of women are going to be attracted based on your jewelry, so you have fun with that.
Wow, I would have never thought that G5 rhymed with high! And a G5 is an airplane that flies high in the sky! Oh man, that line works on so many levels!
Your watch and necklace can buy a condo apiece? In today's crashed real estate market, that's not much of a brag. A few years ago before the recession that might actually mean something.
Let's see, in the first first verse he talks about moving drugs, hoes, a gun, Louis, catching a case, having money, and stealing your girl. I guess he used the modern random rap generator to make this first verse.
Verse two in summation: dropping the top on his car (in the video he's driving a hard top vehicle. I guess they didn't have a convertible for rent that day!), flocks of hoes, flocks of "birds" (drug slang), mentions an athlete (Stockton), shooting people who mess with his money, the tired "no acting/it's a movie" we've been hearing for years, calling himself "the bomb" (Pigeon John did it better), smoking weed ("stink bombs"), a bunch of other crap, and then bragging about having a plane.
I don't even want to go into verse 3. Pimping, Maybachs, more drug references, and the ever so original line about skating on his ice we're playing hockey.
Why is this song popular? The beat isn't anything special. Mr. Out doesn't have a great flow. The lyrics are cliche after cliche in a slightly different order. Are people really this stupid? They must be. Grow up folks. Get a little taste and demand some intelligence from your artists.
Like this song? Buy it from Amazon!
Before we get into the song, can I take a second to laugh at the name on this dude? The dollar sign in his name makes me think that Ke$ha has an idiot half brother who decided to go into music too. Also, why is your debut single essentially named after you? Think of how dumb that would be with other groups. What if the Beastie Boys had debuted with "Your Beastie Boyfriend"? Feel free to supply your own examples in the comments. Also laugh worthy? Watch the video.... why does he tuck money into his sunglasses? How sad does that look? You're that desperate to make people think you have money?
As we move on to the lyrics, I'm listening to the unedited version on Spotify. The Youtube video is edited.
The chorus start off talking about riding around with a gun and drugs, which are "cleverly" also the names of girls. Nina is a firearm? Kesha refers to marijuana? Oh Ca$h Out, you're a lyrical marvel so far!
Your diamonds talk for you? Well, we know what kind of women are going to be attracted based on your jewelry, so you have fun with that.
Wow, I would have never thought that G5 rhymed with high! And a G5 is an airplane that flies high in the sky! Oh man, that line works on so many levels!
Your watch and necklace can buy a condo apiece? In today's crashed real estate market, that's not much of a brag. A few years ago before the recession that might actually mean something.
Let's see, in the first first verse he talks about moving drugs, hoes, a gun, Louis, catching a case, having money, and stealing your girl. I guess he used the modern random rap generator to make this first verse.
Verse two in summation: dropping the top on his car (in the video he's driving a hard top vehicle. I guess they didn't have a convertible for rent that day!), flocks of hoes, flocks of "birds" (drug slang), mentions an athlete (Stockton), shooting people who mess with his money, the tired "no acting/it's a movie" we've been hearing for years, calling himself "the bomb" (Pigeon John did it better), smoking weed ("stink bombs"), a bunch of other crap, and then bragging about having a plane.
I don't even want to go into verse 3. Pimping, Maybachs, more drug references, and the ever so original line about skating on his ice we're playing hockey.
Why is this song popular? The beat isn't anything special. Mr. Out doesn't have a great flow. The lyrics are cliche after cliche in a slightly different order. Are people really this stupid? They must be. Grow up folks. Get a little taste and demand some intelligence from your artists.
Like this song? Buy it from Amazon!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Billboard 100 for the week of June 23, 2012
Well, it's been quite awhile since I last posted anything on Today's Bad Song. My Master's classes took up more of my time than I expected. Since I last wrote, my mom passed, I lost my job, got a new job, and my wife had our newest child. So, life has kept me busy.
That being said, let's dive into this week's Billboard list. I take the train now instead of commuting, so lists like this (and reader suggestions, don't be afraid to send those in!) will help me make my posts. Also, I'm not commenting on the videos, I'm listening to the songs on Spotify. If I find a truly terrible song that is worth an individual post I'll cover it then.
1) Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
You know, I kind of like this song. If you've read anything I've written, I tend to be pretty negative about pop music, but this is enjoyable. The beat reminds me of "Can't Get You Out of My Head" Kylie Minogue. The lyrics are sweet without being overbearingly saccharine. Dudes can get behind this song, as it involves something we like, an attractive woman coming up, handing over her number, and inviting them to call. It's a sweet, puppy love song. It doesn't detail a one night stand, it doesn't devolve into debauchery. Ms Jepsen will sadly have to devolve like that to have a career of any length given how our culture treats female pop stars.
2) Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (featuring Kimbra)
I can't remember a time in recent history when I liked two songs in a row on the Top 10. Initially seeing this guy's name made me think I'd hate him. I avoided listening to him. Then I heard this track, and now it's in rotation for me. Why? It's sonically pleasing. Artfully arranged instrumentation, and a voice that reminds me a lot Sting in many ways. There's nothing to hate here. Can this streak continue?
3) Maroon 5 - Payphone (featuring Wiz Khalifa)
Nope. Bland, unoriginal... I miss the Songs About Jane Maroon 5. Collaborating with Wiz Khalifa? He's about as lame as they are, so I guess it makes sense. Crappy verse, added to get spins from Wiz's fans. NEXT!
4) fun. - We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monae)
If only the verse matched the catchiness of the hook. Next time you're out with friends, say the first "Tonniiiiiggghhhhttt..." and chances are they'll respond with a "we are young." The rest of the song is boring, and I don't think we'll be hearing much from fun. anymore.
5) One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
It's a boy band aimed at tween and teen girls. It's stupid but inoffensive. The nicest thing I can say is that if it came on the radio, I wouldn't feel an immediate compulsion to turn it off. That's how boy bands make coin though, stupid music for stupid kids, but arranged well enough that parents don't rip the stereo's out of their cars.
6) Nicki Minaj - Starships
I'm not what one would call a fan of Ms. Minaj. This song doesn't change that. Crappy throwaway dance music, Nicki's annoying voices, and weaker than average bars. Why is this popular? I guess Red One has a magic touch. For now.
7) Flo Rida - Wild Ones (featuring Sia)
It's Flo Rida. You're going to get some fast rapping that sounds remarkably similar content wise to everything he's done before. The featured female vocalist is nothing to write home about, though it's funny to hear her voice talk about wanting to shut down the club. Overall, it's so dull that it is hard to write anything about it.
8) Rihanna - Where Have You Been
Oh boy... another Rihanna track. I don't feel like listening to this right now. Her vocals are weak, and the beat isn't interesting enough to keep me listening. Wait... techno breakdown a minute and a half in? That was unexpected. If she wanted to be trendy it should have had a dubstep drop. (Ok, looking on Spotify Rihanna – Where Have You Been - Hardwell Club Mix this exists and sounds much more dubsteppy. I'm not surprised).
9) Katy Perry - Wide Awake
ZZZZzzzzzzzz...... This is the single to sell the deluxe edition of the album? She's trying to sound adult and grown up I guess, but just last year she was shooting whipped cream and fireworks out of her chest.
10) Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
Did he just have a background whisper of "swag swag swag?" Justin, your last name is Bieber, not Timberlake. You'll never be Timberlake, no matter how hard your try. I'll give you a few tips to get a little closer.
1) Don't say "swaggy"
2) Don't talk about Buzz Lightyear
3) Don't... be... Canadian.
You can really only fix the first two, but hey, it would be a start!
That being said, let's dive into this week's Billboard list. I take the train now instead of commuting, so lists like this (and reader suggestions, don't be afraid to send those in!) will help me make my posts. Also, I'm not commenting on the videos, I'm listening to the songs on Spotify. If I find a truly terrible song that is worth an individual post I'll cover it then.
1) Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
You know, I kind of like this song. If you've read anything I've written, I tend to be pretty negative about pop music, but this is enjoyable. The beat reminds me of "Can't Get You Out of My Head" Kylie Minogue. The lyrics are sweet without being overbearingly saccharine. Dudes can get behind this song, as it involves something we like, an attractive woman coming up, handing over her number, and inviting them to call. It's a sweet, puppy love song. It doesn't detail a one night stand, it doesn't devolve into debauchery. Ms Jepsen will sadly have to devolve like that to have a career of any length given how our culture treats female pop stars.
2) Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (featuring Kimbra)
3) Maroon 5 - Payphone (featuring Wiz Khalifa)
4) fun. - We Are Young (featuring Janelle Monae)
If only the verse matched the catchiness of the hook. Next time you're out with friends, say the first "Tonniiiiiggghhhhttt..." and chances are they'll respond with a "we are young." The rest of the song is boring, and I don't think we'll be hearing much from fun. anymore.
5) One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
6) Nicki Minaj - Starships
I'm not what one would call a fan of Ms. Minaj. This song doesn't change that. Crappy throwaway dance music, Nicki's annoying voices, and weaker than average bars. Why is this popular? I guess Red One has a magic touch. For now.
7) Flo Rida - Wild Ones (featuring Sia)
It's Flo Rida. You're going to get some fast rapping that sounds remarkably similar content wise to everything he's done before. The featured female vocalist is nothing to write home about, though it's funny to hear her voice talk about wanting to shut down the club. Overall, it's so dull that it is hard to write anything about it.
8) Rihanna - Where Have You Been
Oh boy... another Rihanna track. I don't feel like listening to this right now. Her vocals are weak, and the beat isn't interesting enough to keep me listening. Wait... techno breakdown a minute and a half in? That was unexpected. If she wanted to be trendy it should have had a dubstep drop. (Ok, looking on Spotify Rihanna – Where Have You Been - Hardwell Club Mix this exists and sounds much more dubsteppy. I'm not surprised).
9) Katy Perry - Wide Awake
ZZZZzzzzzzzz...... This is the single to sell the deluxe edition of the album? She's trying to sound adult and grown up I guess, but just last year she was shooting whipped cream and fireworks out of her chest.
10) Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
Did he just have a background whisper of "swag swag swag?" Justin, your last name is Bieber, not Timberlake. You'll never be Timberlake, no matter how hard your try. I'll give you a few tips to get a little closer.
1) Don't say "swaggy"
2) Don't talk about Buzz Lightyear
3) Don't... be... Canadian.
You can really only fix the first two, but hey, it would be a start!
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