The Year’s Almost Over??!??

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and ate a lot and gained a whole bunch of weight because I certainly did and I refuse to be alone in this predicament. :p

I can’t believe how quick 2012 flew past! It’s actually quite shocking and I feel time just slipped through my fingers. There’s so much I learned about myself and the music industry this year. Music has helped me grow  into a stronger person all my life and this year was no exception. 2012 saw the emergence of brand new artists as well as great comebacks from artists we all know and love.

My personal favourite artist of the year is definitely Lana Del Rey. She gets all the awards in my book. I’m sure if you’ve been reading my blog or following my Facebook page, you know how obsessed I am. My God I really need to stop praising this woman.

I really loved Muse’s comeback with ‘Madness’. It’s the most consuming song I’ve heard all year and whenever I listen to it I feel as if I’m floating in space or something. Muse never do disappoint. Matt Bellamy is a genius and that is all.

‘Skyfall’ was another one of my most beloved songs of 2012. Not only did I love the movie, but the song kept haunting me for weeks and still gives me goosebumps whenever I listen to it. Dammit Adele, Y U SO TALENTED?

I also loved listening to Azealia Banks, Daley and of course Ellie Goulding. Daley has been one of the artists who has impressed me the most with his songs ‘Alone Together’ and ‘Remember Me’ ft Jessie J. If you’re into R&B, you definitely need to check him out.

Rihanna has had a great year with ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Where Have You Been’. I don’t know if it’s the joy of being back with Chris Brown, but her music has seriously improved. So has Chris’ actually, since I have a special place in my heart for his 2012 hit ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’.

I seriously cannot sit here and compile all the music I loved in 2012 because there’s just too much. The list is endless and I do not have enough fingers to be able to accomplish that kind of typing. I think this video will sum it all up beautifully! It’s a little long but oh so worth it!

However, I think in the end Psy ended up being the biggest boss of 2012 with Gangnam Style. Seriously. No one can beat this guy.

Losing A Legend

I can’t really call myself a ‘big fan of Whitney Houston’. In fact I was only deeply in love with one of her songs which is of course the eternal ‘I Will Always Love You’, so I’m not going to come at you sprouting lies of ‘oh I was always such a huge fan’ as most people are nowadays. But the morning my father told me that one of the greatest legends of music had passed away, I did feel an immense sadness well up within me.

Whitney has always been a topic of discussion across the globe, and to be honest the horrid things said about her toxic marriage, drug addictions, weight loss and music in the past few years has rivaled that of only Michael Jackson. Which brings us to the question: How long can a celebrity bear the pressure? How long before they crumble under the immense weight of the entire planet juggling around accusations, rumours and scandals?

Michael Jackson

The truth is the majority of us are immersed in the gossip of celebrity lives and no matter how much we want to convince ourselves that we are not a reason for them to feel pain, our words/actions and responses to their work have a lot to do with their troubled psyches. The way of the world is such that this pressure will not ease. Celebrities sign up for a life of  speculation and have to learn to balance the workload, the criticism and the praise. I know I’m being a little harsh, but a fact is a fact.

A lot of what decides the fate of a celebrity lies in their own hands. It’s all about how you cope with the cards handed to you. Sometimes celebrities shove their own fates down the toilet when they involve themselves in the world of drugs, alcohol and ceaseless partying. Examples of incredibly talented musicians we’ve lost due to this include Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson and most recently the beautiful Whitney. All these deaths either involved alcohol and/or prescription medication, all of which indicated these people were under some immense stress or carried a huge burden that they ended up succumbing to. It doesn’t help that they are constantly surrounded by people who lead them on the believe a snort of cocaine or a drink will fix all the problems.

Amy Winehouse

It’s incredible how much pain each of these human beings, humans like you and I, had faced in their lives. In most cases it seemed like things were turning around for them and they were ready to make amends for the mistakes they had made but were snatched away before it had all even begun. Michael was about embark on his incredible ‘This Is It’ tour. Amy was in the middle of recording a new album and was reconnecting with her fans. Whitney was all set to attend the Grammys which took place just a day or two after she died. It is so painfully ironic they left things unfinished just when they were on the path to recovery.

On a brighter note there are musicians in the industry who have tasted but conquered the hypnotic power of drugs and are living inspirations to people around the globe. Some of these courageous celebrities include Marshall Mathers aka Eminem, David Bowie, Keith Richards [The Rolling Stones], Ozzy Osborne [Black Sabbath], Dave Navarro [Jane's Addiction] and Elton John.

Dave Navarro

These musicians have proved that there is always a way to conquer your demons and though it might take time, money, strength and cause immense physical and emotional pain, the outcome is always worth it. It really is a tragedy when the world loses a musician of immense talent because the person had so much more to contribute to the music industry as was the case with Whitney Houston. There were so many songs left to sing,  people to meet and thousands of smiles to inspire.

One thing is for sure, however. We will always remember Whitney for her beautiful smile, immense talent and powerful voice. She is and will continue to be an inspiration for millions around the globe. Rest in peace Whitney. We will always love you.

THE 10,000 LIKES CAMPAIGN

So to those following this campaign, so far we are up to 7,422 members on TH India’s Facebook page. We need to hit 10,000 or else we will most probably never see Tokio Hotel set their foot on Indian soil. So for the sake of all the Indian Aliens out there, make some noise, and let your voice be heard! Join this campaign and help bring Tokio Hotel to India!

All you have to do is click on the above image and ‘Like’ Tokio Hotel India’s page on Facebook! You must be an Indian fan, or represent an Indian fan to be counted!

http://www.facebook.com/TokioHotelIndia

Also please sign this petition… It only takes a minute! :) –>http://www.petitiononline.com/IA10000/petition-sign.html

For more details contact : billismyphantomrider@gmail.com

Thank you guys…

LET’S DO THIS!

10,000 LIKES CAMPAIGN.

Okay everyone, this post is going to be slightly different from the usual posts I do, and it’s a topic very close to my heart. I’m sure that if you are a regular reader of my blog you know all about my love and obsession for the German rock sensation Tokio Hotel.

The thing is even after being a fan almost 5 and a half years I still haven’t gotten the chance of seeing them, performing or at a meet and greet or anything. This is largely due to the fact that I live in India, combined by a little pinch of bad luck that seems to follow me everywhere. Besides me, however, there are thousands of fans here who haven’t got the chance to see Tokio Hotel. Some of us have been fans since 2005-2006 but just don’t have the privilege to go see the band in Europe or America. I don’t know why but most artists seem to want to avoid India for as long as possible. Some artists say ‘World Tour’ but India [the world's largest democracy for Godssakes] misses out on these tours. So us Indian fans have decided to take matters into our own hands. We have started what I’m calling ‘The 10,000 Likes Campaign’ to bring TH to India.

We contacted Universal Music and they informed us we need a total of 10,000 INDIAN fans to get the band to India, and this would be accounted for by the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TokioHotelIndia. So Aliens, let’s do this! Let’s get the number to 10,000 likes!

Sign this petition to support this movement! —> http://www.petitiononline.com/IA10000/petition.html

The campaign will be constantly updated on Midnight HeartBEAT. Each band member will appear on a banner like the one above. All you have to do is click on it and go to the Tokio Hotel India fanpage for more information.

If you have any questions, contact me at billismyphantomrider@gmail.com

Let’s go, Aliens!

Girls Run The World

Women are the strongest pillars of anybody’s life. When I look at all the women in my life, my heart swells with pride, because I know how wonderful each and every one of them are. My mother, my aunts, my grandmothers [all three], my teachers, my girlfriends… They all give me courage, strength, encouragement and inspiration. Women have boundless patience and the very fact that they can stand in one place to tolerate constant flows of energy, positive and negative, is proof of that. There is not even one thing that men can do that women can’t, but there are endless things men cannot do but women CAN. I would like to think there is no superior sex, but being a woman myself, I do tend to have a biased viewpoint.

The multitude of emotions a woman can hold is astounding. We run on a frequency a whole lot different from men, and therefore can rarely be understood by them. There are countless times when a woman can be there for another. Break-up: she’s there with a tub of ice-cream, a box of tissues and a soul full of empathy. When you have the perfect dress but not the perfect accessories, you know she’ll let you borrow. When you see a cute guy at the mall and burst into giggles, and she starts giggling too, because she knows EXACTLY what you’re looking at. When you need understanding and encouragement, knowledge and faith, she’s there, her hand in yours.

When it comes to the music industry, women have definitely established themselves. whether its Tina Turner or Bette Middler, Adele or Lily Allen, women have become a strong focal point and an inspiration for women and girls around the world to be bold and step out, conquer new boundaries.

Tina Turner

Beyonce is a woman who has achieved the impossible. She is one of the most powerful female icons in the world today and has proved to be a woman worthy of the role. I have written a piece on her before and I will be putting up a link to it of you would like to have a look.

Her latest music video for the single ‘Run the World (Girls)’ from her upcoming studio album ’4′, was released two days ago, May 18th 2011, and let me tell you, if there is a testament to the power of women this is it!

The video is extremely powerful: Women dancing furiously in the middle of the desert while men cower from them does impose a rather impressive image. The song is about the strength and independence of women and rather than women ruling the world, it’s about women running the world, the difference being in the fact that men would be unable to cope if women shut them out. It’s about the fact that women through the generations have EARNED respect and have had enough of being oppressed and being made targets. Women are ‘strong enough to bear your children then get back to business’, is a line from this song that sticks to my mind and refuses to leave.

The video portrays a change in time, women gaining power over men as the world evolves… Women shift from becoming rebels to the actual governing body of the planet.

Beyonce looks incredible and the dancing in this video is absolutely sick and out of this world. The way bodies move in perfect unison leave a viewers mouth open in awe; I was certainly blown away by the sheer energy in the entire video. There is drive, determination, discipline, sexiness, and plenty of sex-appeal to go around. With lions and horses and blown-up cars, there is an edge of masculinity that is immediately balanced out by the fact that Beyonce is on the horse, Beyonce stands next to the lion and Beyonce blows up the car with a thrust of her fist in the air.

The video has received negative views from men claiming all kinds of funny things like women ‘taking away their masculinity’ and such. Personally I think its ridiculous to think that. Women pride ourselves with the strength we were born with, the FEMALE strength within. We aren’t looking to take anything from men; in all honesty we need them in our lives to love, to hold, as partners, as fathers, as friends and brothers… We need them as equals to be a stronger and smarter race. Personally as a woman I do need and love the men in my life very much. I have 3 brothers, who are an incredible source of strength and support [not to mention fist-fights], my dad is my hero, and my best friend Jason is a guy, too.

Jason and I.

There needs to be balance and equality and I think what Beyonce is getting at is the fact that women should rise up and meet the challenge of ensuring they are not underestimated. I don’t think she deserves to get slandered for standing up and saying women should take control of their own lives. After all, everybody’s life is their own.

My post on ‘Halo’ and Beyonce—> http://midnightheartbeat.wordpress.com/2009/12/30/heartsong-halo-by-beyonce/

Sometimes You ‘Lose Yourself’. WHY EMINEM IS MY HERO.

I imagine we find inspiration in the most peculiar places. Some people find inspiration in nature and how God has created us and everything around us, paying close attention to such intricate details that no other artist could ever capture completely. Inspiration could come in the form of a piece of work done by somebody; be it a painting, sculpture, or a piece of literature: they all give messages in their own ways. For most people however, inspiration is in what they can relate to the most, and connect completely with: Another human being.

 I have been in love with music for as long as I can remember. Having a family who indulged it is probably the best present God could have given me. The beauty about music is that it lives in everybody; No matter who or where you are, there is a beat running within you. My personal strategy is to follow that beat and I believe it will lead me through the thick jungle we call ‘Life’. It was no surprise when music led me to a person who completely shook me up from head to toe.

 When I think about Eminem, the most incredible rapper I have ever come across, a man who has managed to rise from the ashes of inner conflict and conquered unimaginable demons along the way comes to mind. Some people say that Eminem is not someone who should be a role model to millions of people around the world; He is after all an ex-dug addict, almost went to jail and has some of the most controversial music albums in the industry. So how did he gain the respect of millions around the world, including me? How did he manage to capture and leash the inner demon he had let loose on a rampage all those years ago? And how did the name ‘EMINEM’ move from a simple pack of colored chocolate, to also being the stage name of a legend of the 21^st century? Let’s start at the same point as every great story ever told: The beginning.

 Marshall Bruce Mathers III, also known as Eminem, was born on the 17^th of October 1972, into a family on the verge of poverty. He was raised single-handedly by his mother after his father abandoned them when Eminem was just 18 months old. He actually wrote a song called ‘Cleaning Out My Closet’, outlining the pain he and his mother went through. It’s safe to say that Eminem had an extremely unstable childhood, hopping from city to city with his mother to try to find a more permanent home, a place they could actually find their ground and start a new life, because his mother never worked and they were evicted from every place they stayed. They finally settled in Detroit, Michigan. He became interested in rapping in his early teens and found solace only while rapping freestyle in battles between local amateurs. Freestyle rapping is not an easy thing to do. The sheer speed at which Eminem can formulate word after rhyming word, while keeping in tune with the beat, is astounding. Though he dropped out of school at the age of 17, it was a quick climb to the top. It wasn’t long before he was snapped up by music producers and releasing his first major music album in 1999, ‘The Slim Shady’, which went on to sell more than three million copies, hurling him immediately into superstardom.

 To some people fame and money comes naturally. They know what to do with, they know where to invest it and to make sure it doesn’t leak into detrimental or hazardous lifestyles. Others, however, are left in a puddle of elation and fright when their empty bank accounts are suddenly brimming with ridiculously large digits, and the entire world is practically handed to them on a silver platter. Eminem, being of the latter, was riding a treacherous rollercoaster. His relationship with his wife Kim, who he would physically and verbally abuse, was at the breaking point and he was constantly guilty about not being a better father to his daughters, Hailie, Alaina and Whitney. He loves his daughters more than anything on earth and says he can ‘never imagine leaving [their] side’ like his father left his, and was in pain while struggling about the fact that he was always touring and never around. He was on drugs and alcohol and his temper was on the much shorter fuse than ever before.

As the years passed he churned out hit after hit album, each one growing increasingly angry and bitter, speaking about things that were happening in his own life, and his relationships and inner feelings. He lashed out at everybody, but most of all at his wife, Kim, which led to divorce in 2006. The amount of bad language and direct references to particular individuals in the lyrics of his songs were at their peak, and controversies were an everyday occurrence, including his unsuccessful suicide attempt and his grief over the violent death of his best friend. Angry at the world but even more so with himself, Eminem was soon on heavy medication and drugs to try to stifle his rage, depression, and his violence, which led to a major addiction to prescription drugs.

 

 The inner anguish in Eminem made him realize he was breaking down. He said in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine in 2010, that he had completely let himself sink into depression and physically took to gorging himself with junk food and thus gaining weight till he couldn’t recognize himself anymore; but the real shock came when his fans didn’t recognize him anymore. He said one day, all those years ago, he was out somewhere and he overheard a couple of kids talking, where one of them said, ‘That’s Eminem’ and the other argued by saying, ‘No its not, man- Eminem ain’t fat.’ He said that scared him because it was when he realized he had really gone astray and had been labeled as an angry and frightening person. A following drug overdose which almost killed him was what finally led Eminem to enter rehabilitation in 2008.

 Eminem came out quiet and at peace with himself, a very different man from the sadistic rapper he once was. He finally learned to draw the boundary between Marshall and the furious ‘Eminem’, and the second was once again a stage persona. However his post-rehab release in 2009, ‘Relapse’, was again rather controversial because of the songs which parodied political and celebrity figures and was a release of his long pent-up angst about drugs and loss. Though the album was a success, the songs did not a have a destination and once the anger was gone, Eminem did not know where he was heading. He decided to work on an album named ‘Relapse 2’, so as to get an idea on how he would proceed. As the album developed however, he realized its music was far beyond anything he had imagined it to be. He decided to call it ‘Recovery’ because the album was more “emotionally driven” than ‘Relapse’. When the album was released on June 18, 2010, the world was thunderstruck. Filled with strong, confident and optimistic beats, ‘Recovery’ paved its way into people’s hearts, each song pulsing with a whole new fury: HOPE. The first single ‘Not Afraid’, is a heartfelt apology to his fans for all the disappointment he had put them through and a promise of being a better, more responsible and caring father and all around person, ‘no more drama from now on, I promise/To focus solely on handling my responsibilities as a father/ So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof like my daughters/ and raise it’.

The second single on which he collaborated with R&B artist Rihanna, and probably the most famous one, is about domestic abuse and the love-hate relationship between a couple, ‘Just gonna stand there and watch me burn, but that’s alright because I like the way it hurts’. ‘Love the Way You Lie’ swirls with a conflict of emotions and what comes through to you at the end is pure pain, the relatable and very real pain of heartbreak and a troubled relationship. The other songs are all similar in their abilities to awaken emotions within their listeners and mould themselves into something relatable with ordinary people like you and me. I think one of the most amazing thing I’ve heard someone say about Eminem was “Eminem’s different because he doesn’t rap about girls, cars and money; he raps about life.”

So while there is no ‘happy ending’ to a work in progress, Eminem’s story so far seems to be elevating to a new level. Because of its down to earth and powerful music and lyrics, ‘Recovery’ became Eminem’s sixth consecutive number-one album in the US and topped the chart for seven weeks. It received TEN nominations in the 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. It also became the best-selling album of 2010, with over 5,700,000 albums sold worldwide as of 29^th December.

In 2010, Eminem was ranked as the 7^th biggest icon in pop music history by MTV and was named ‘Artist of the Decade’. Till date, Eminem has sold a whopping total over 80,000,000 albums, making him one of the highest selling artists in music history. With his life back in control, Eminem is sober, sincere and ready to work hard for his fans, having turned his back on the road of ruin. He is a better father to Hailie and his adopted daughters Alaina and Whitney, and a better idol to look up to. I’m not saying he’s completely guiltless and has no more faults; it is his faults that appeal to his fans, because they are proof he is human. It is in fact the very reason I chose to write about him. It is the reason he is my HERO. Coming back from the bottom of the stack isn’t easy. It was inspirational how Eminem rebuilt his life. It takes a hell of a lot of pluck for someone in the spotlight to say they are ‘not afraid to take a stand’.

Sometimes you ‘Lose Yourself’. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find the right path again.

Video of ‘Cleaning Out My Closet’—->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9_TKayu9s

Video of ‘Love The Way You Lie’ Feat. Rihanna—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U

Video or ‘Not Afraid’—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-yKhDd64s&feature=relmfu

Video of ‘We Made You’ (Relapse)—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSdKmX2BH7o

‘I Need A Doctor’ by Dr. Dre Feat Eminem and Skylar Grey.. THIS IS INCREDIBLE. THE RETURN OF DR. DRE….—->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA770wpLX-Q

Do post you opinions on the Shady…. :)

<3

Yours Notoriously, Steve Tyler; On the Rocker’s Fallout With Aerosmith and the Relationship With Liv, His Daughter… Rockstar Dads CAN Be Bad News.. :/

Who is your favorite famous male artist [who is still single]? Can you ever imagine them as dads? Snot-wiping, diaper changing, feeding and playin-with, dads???? Here are some world-famous dads and their little ones:

Usher and son

Chris Martin of Coldplay and daughter.

Slash, of Guns N Roses, and son.

Don’t these dads look responsible? Like they want to spend the entire day with their precious little ones? :)

Even though they may be completely different, they do remind us of  our own dad and the times we shared with him. The places he took us, the cool stuff he bought us [like the new iTouch.. :D Love you dad!]  even though mom said no… Good times, right? Reflecting back on our childhoods, there is no pain in realising how lucky those of us who had good, committed dads, are. Sometimes, having a rockstar for a dad doesn’t look so cool… sometimes all you may want to do is run screaming in the opposite direction. Or sometimes… When your about nine or so, your mother tells you a world-famous rockstar is your father.

This revelation can be really hard to absorb. The person to ask, I guess, is Liv Tyler. You may remember her from hit movies like ‘Armageddon’ and ‘Lord Of The Rings’ [where she was the elf-princess.]

Can you guess who the father of this gorgeous woman is? Well, its none other than sexy Steven Tyler, lead singer of rock band Aerosmith and world-famous musician.

Liv was born to Steven Tyler and mother Bebe Buell, on July 1st, 1977.  Her mother told her that her father was Todd Rundgren, another musician. She didn’t know Steven was her father until she was nine years old and after meeting him and noticing a resemblance she shared with his other daughter, Mia. When she asked her mother about the similarity, the secret was revealed. The truth about Tyler’s paternity did not become public until five years later, in 1991, when she changed her name from Rundgren to Tyler, but kept the former as a middle name. The reason Liv’s mother kept the truth from her daughter, was that Steven was too heavily addicted to drugs at the time of Liv’s birth. It’s really tragic to lose out in the early stages of your child’s life because of drugs taking control of you [and that's why you should NEVER accept the white powder from the stranger, kids! ^^ ] Since she found out about her dad, however, Liv and Steven developed a close father-daughter relationship. :)

Even to the extent where he was there for her at all times when her son, Milo, was born. :)

Now THAT’S family! :D

However, it seemed that trouble seems to stick to the rockstar like a tongue on a frozen pole in the middle of a January in Berlin!

Aerosmith were signed to Columbia Records in 1972, and released a string of multi-platinum albums, beginning with their 1973  début album. In 1975, the band broke into the mainstream with the album Toys In The Attic, and their 1976 follow-up Rocks drilled in their status as hard rock superstars. By the end of the 1970s, they were among the most popular hard rock bands in the world and developed a loyal following of fans, often referred to as the ‘Blue Army’ [I am so a Blue Soldier! XD]

 However, drugs and internal conflict took their toll on the band, which resulted in Joe Perry and Brad Whitford leaving, in 1979 and 1981 respectively. They were replaced by Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay. It’s sad, but the band didn’t do so great between 1980 and 1984, releasing a lonely album, Rock In A Hard Place, which went gold but failed to match their earlier successes.

Finally, Perry and Whitford returned in 1984 and the band signed a new deal with Geffen Records. But it was not until the band sobered up and released 1987′s Permanent Vacation that they regained the level of popularity they saw in the 1970s.Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the band scored several hits and won numerous awards for music from the multi-platinum albums Pump(1989), Get A Grip (1993), and Nine Lives(1997). Their comeback has been described as one of the most remarkable and spectacular in rock ‘n’ roll history. After 40 years of performing, the band continues to tour and record music. XD BOOYEAH!!

When I think of Steven Tyler, my brain goes ‘Now THAT’S a man with style!’ Seriously. Crazy, extreme, amazing singer…. All a wonderful concoction to brew the perfect rockstar: Steven Tyler. We could, however, minus the drugs part. Tyler has an original voice: High pitched withe the ability to scream and not come out sounding like a banshee. :) Of course his fashion sense is a major highlight. Never seen one man wear such tight, revealing… OMG. I should stop. ;) This should give you an idea:

One of my favorite things about him is his signature scarves tied to the microphone stand. Something that I have never seen anyone else do. [They'd be in shit with Aerosmith fans if they did. Go Blue Army!! :D]

Steven and the Scarves. :)

I also love his mouth. I have no words to describe it.

Tyler

Aerosmith is one of my favourite Rock N Roll bands of all time, topping Guns N Roses on my list! I think Steven Tyler is one of the sexiest men I have ever seen [even though he is old enough to be my granddad.. :)] and Joe Perry is one of the most talented guitarists the WORLD has ever seen. X]

Tyler and Perry. Great team.

My Top 6 favourite songs by Aerosmith include:

1.I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing- From the movie ‘Armageddon’ which starred Liv Tyler! :D

A still from the movie.

2.Livin’ On The Edge

3.Cryin‘

4.Crazy- Crazy actually featured Liv Tyler and Alicia Silverstone in video, and both girls looked AMAZING. I’ll post the video on here somewhere, so don’t worry. :)

5.Dude Looks Like A Lady [this reminds me of Bill Kaulitz, in a very fond way... :)]

6.Sweet Emotion

Aerosmith is the best-selling American rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million albums worldwide. They also hold the record for the most gold and multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, and ten MTC Music Video Awards. They were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2005 they were ranked #57 in Rolling Stone magazine’s[my most favorite magazine ever who I wish to work for someday...*heart flutters*] 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Pretty good for a few grandpa’s, huh? :P

.::BEATS for thought::.

Aerosmith’s music video for Crazy; I know all will love it—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMNgbISmF4I

Livin On The Edge; One of my favourite music videos by them… OMG STEVEN TYLER!!!!! :O —-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nqcL0mjMjw

Performing Cryin’ in New York in 2007—–> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyFUz9wKNFI

Hope you liked it.

Do comment and let me know how you feel. Cmon, let out your INNER demons…. Show me some of your Sweet Emotion… ;)

Psychotically signing off.

Ridz <3

Kate Havnevik Likes to Be Unlike You…

Kate Havnevik: As unusual as her name, she gives me a sense of complete peace. The first song I ever heard of hers is a beauty called ‘Unlike Me’. Anyone ever heard it? If you have, boy do I applaud you, because as lovely as her voice is she is too contemporary for the pop-electro-dance loving era of today and is therefore not VERY well known….

I actually first heard ‘Unlike Me’ after my mom downloaded it after hearing a sample on the TV series, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. If you type in ‘Grey’s Anatomy Soundtrack’ in your music download software’s search engine, I can assure that you will recieve a vast selection of comtemporary, easy listening, and soft rock to satisfy that love-sick part of you

This song is personally very close to me, as it belongs to one of the most breathtakingly beautiful moments of my life.

You see, I live in Kerala, God’s Own Country, and YES it is AMAZINGLY beautiful [if a little lacking in malls and KFC and such...] and it was on a night on a houseboat with my family and friends that I had an epiphany of  sorts: Life is a beautiful thing. We spent the whole day laughing our butts off at our attempt at playing Tabboo [My team actually won! ^^] and then, when the sun had set and the little kids were busy watching ‘Kung Foo Panda’ my parents, their friends, and I sat on the open deck of the houseboat, which had laid anchor at the very centre of the lake, and listened to music from the 80′s ; ZZ Top, Boy George, Guns N Roses, you name it we were listening to it!! The sound of electro-pop and punk rock echoed across the silvery lake’s surface and our voices joined the melody flitting across the dark night…

At about one in the morning, when everyone was tired and had retired to their rooms, my father and I stayed up, talking, he having his favorite cigar in hand and me my iPod. Then, we fell silent and just gazed at and apprecitaed the sheer beauty of the entire lake glowing platinum with the moonlight washing out all other colours around us. The stars were clearly visible, and we could see no light, no proof of human existance anywhere other than on the boat. It was like the boat was all that was left of the world. That is when I switched on my iPod to ‘Unlike Me’. It fit perfectly. The moment was complete.

“There are no guaruntees in life, not for the present, nor for the future.” Havnevik crooned into my ears, making me understand how brief and fragile our entire existance is.  I felt comfy and floaty, like I was floating underwater and all other sounds had ceased. As I closed my eyes and felt the cool breeze carried over the lake, I knew I was happy…

“There is no time…

There is no time…

There is no time….

Time doesn’t really exist.” – Kate Havnevik, ‘Unlike Me’.

Amy Winehouse: The Girl Who Was Lost, And Why To Rehab She Had To Go Go Go…

Amy Winehouse. A woman who’s voice is truly what I call ORIGINAL. Has anyone else heard as bluesy and jazzy a voice, with SO much emotion and a touch of drunken valour? She sounds like she’s been through alot and his now singing her heart out, pouring her emotions and anger into every piece she writes, which I found very true of her second studio album [My personal favorite] 2006′s ‘Back To Black‘. She mixes Jazz, Rock n Roll, Ska and Soul to create her very own bit of funk. :P

For example the song, ‘Love Is A Losing Game’…. How much truth does the title itself impose?? In the song Winehouse explores the dangers of ‘gambling’ but here of course she means that love is the game that you play. She says that ‘love is a losing hand’ and she does not blame the man for leaving her, and thus abandoning their relationship. [Its what I see in the song. Please feel free to interpret in your own way! :) ] Prince actually covered the song live, and had performed it WITH Amy.

Prince <3

Even the hit song ‘Rehab’ is about her experience with drugs. She begs that she is fine and does not need to go into rehabilitation. However drug and alcohol abuse have been constant problems in Winehouse’s life, which even led her to financial debt before the release of ‘Back To Black’ and the arrest of her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil. She has since then been involved in many arrests and stints on the red carpet and beyond for unacceptable behaviour. Such talent, and yet she is drugged out of her mind…. :/

Hmm…. Caption NOT needed.

I enjoy listening to Amy, because I think that her songs have real substance. They aren’t empty, yet they are simple; they describe situations. She takes on different personalities that are all in the end one entity: HER.

If you listen to ‘Back To Black’, the song, you drink deep into it because the narrator is simply explaining that he has left her for another woman, or tha he was having an affair with her, but then decides to go back to his wife. She [the narrator] is still in love with him and does not want to move on. She will go back to her dreary way of living before she met him. She will go ‘back to black’ and into the memories of the times she shared with him and live there. A broken soul pleads pity and love from the listener. Winehouse mangages to rip your heart out of your chest and then cradle it to herself, singing it a lullaby and then putting it to bed in a happy place. Sounds more like a description of a snort of cocain, but its true. Even her happier songs, like the lesser known ‘Valerie’ have a short zip of something that immediately relaxes you. Try giving them a listen. If you like Etta James, Lily Allen, Jamie Cullum, Macy Gray, Duffy, Norah Jones or other artists similar, you’ll definitely like Amy’s soft and slightly prose-like tone.

Jamie Cullum, one of my favorites! :)

Norah Jones

Duffy

I’m a big fan of R&B. I feel Amy Winehouse has been one of the BIGGEST contributers to this aspect of music, and should be wholly appreciated for it. Her personal life has become to much of an interferance to her career and she has let herself become a carnival of scandals for the paparazzi.

Amy and the paps. :/

Somewhere in all that madness, she lost who she was. She lost her physical and mental state of health, leading to fights with her family and her husband, divorce, depression, drugs and then finally, REHAB. She ruined herself physically, and almost lost her life in early 2008 because of drug abuse. If I had so many Grammy wins [she has five] and that much fame and fortune and the voice to boot [this is where Miley Cyrus goes wrong] I wouldn’t want to risk it all the way Amy did. I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t just throw it all away. Would you? For that momentary bliss when you take a drug?

Look at her transformations over the years. Keep in mind that today, she is still only 26 years old.

Amy in school.

What the drugs did.

Really makes you wonder, doesnt it?

:: Beats for thought::

The music vid for ‘Rehab’ –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LTPRJqt2z4

The music vid for ‘Back To Black’—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1evzhSast8

The live music vid for ‘Love Is A Losing Game’. You’ll see how drugged she is in this vid :(

—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW9DujSRd-Y

Psychotically signing off… <3

Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ Takes Us For a Ride ♥

Hey guys,
Heeeerre I am with my second time doing this blog, and this time around I have a very special, FAMOUS and rather dazzling star to talk about. With Eccentricity as her middle name, here’s my section with Lady Gaga and her new single, ‘Bad Romance’ from her latest album, ‘Fame Monster’.

To get the drift:

The song was produced by RedOne [Who also produced ‘Just Dance’, btw. At the beginning, she actually says “RedOne”. :O ] and was inspired by the love monster (paranoia) that she had faced while touring through the previous year. [Nuts, much? Kidding.] The demo version of the song leaked, but Gaga premiered the song at Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2010 Paris Fashion Week show on October 6, 2009, followed by the release of the cover art.

The official Cover Art for ‘Bad Romance’

Deeper into it:
The song talks about exploring the joys of a bad romance while referencing Alfred Hitchcock films in some of the verses. [Don’t really know why she did that though. Significance of barbarism, maybe?? O_o]
The accompanying music video takes place in a white bathhouse where Gaga is kidnapped by a group of supermodels who drug her and then sell her off to the Russian Mafia for sexual slavery. :O The video received positive response for its innovation; Its a moral statement against selling women for sex abuse. [Way to go, Gaga!]. However, critics continue noting more its craziness and symbolic plot [Feh].  Critics really harp on, dont they? ;)

Looking really elegant for a change.. ;)

What I think:

Well, it’s definitely Lady Gaga, that’s for sure, but this time, you can’t help but notice a new flavor to her. Honestly, the song is incomplete without the video; if you don’t watch it, you won’t understand the story behind the entire shazzamm. I admire Gaga’s guts for making such a bold public statement through this song, because seriously, we women ought to start looking out for each other. The beat is DEFINITELY infectious, even though it is pretty similar to her other singles, but then look at the other songs; they’ve all reached #1 on most charts! :P
I especially love the “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah/Roma-roma-mah/Gaga-oh-là-là” bits of it at the beginning and end. SEXEH! Not to mention that she looks great, and this is a song where you can actually note Gaga’s vocal capability. DAMN, girl!! XD

I give it a three out of five and five ♥’s!!! Great song overall, beautifully ‘gift wrapped’ with the video and its message, topped off with Gaga’s outrageously sexy style when it comes to her appearance. [TIP: Also note the sexy models, male and female, and the Great Dane she uses in every one of her vids.  :D]

What other critics said:
Bill Lamb from About.com commented that “Lady Gaga’s singing is at its best so far here as she moves from threatening to floating sweetness and back again.”

Tim Stack from Entertainment Weekly compared some of the dance choreography of the video with the music video of “Thriller”. He said, “I don’t think Gaga has ever looked prettier than in the close-ups where she’s more stripped down. On the flip side, I love those crazy dilated pupils she sports for much of the video.”

The Wall Street Journal noted that Gaga “seems to be one of the few pop stars these days who really understands spectacle, fashion, shock, choreography—all the things Madonna and Michael Jackson were masters of in the 1980s”

OOHHH LALA: —>
‘Bad Romance’ debuted at number nine on the November 14, 2009 chart of the Billboard Hot 100, making it Gaga’s highest-debuting song on the chart, selling 142,000 paid digital downloads in its first week.[23]

After two weeks the song reached a peak of two, making it her third highest peaking song on the Hot 100 behind “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”.

The song has sold 807,000 digital downloads in the United States.[25] “Bad Romance” debuted on the Pop Songs chart at thirty-eight[26] and moved to a peak of twenty-five.[27]

On the Canadian Hot 100, it debuted at number fifty-eight.[28] The following week it reached number one, making it the third song by Gaga to top the Canadian chart.[29]

After being replaced by Ke$ha’s single “TiK ToK” for two weeks, “Bad Romance” again claimed the top spot on the chart.[30]

Talk about SUCCESS!!! XD

Well, that’s it for me!! All I can say is Gaga is in on some great action here! Imagine being compared to the likes of Madonna and MJ.. That’s when you know you’ve hit it big!! *_*

To see the video, hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsthwTUTylQ

To just hear it on Billboard:
http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100

Check out some cool pics I got of Gaga…. Gotta love her…

With Akon. ♥

Hehe…. Comment if you have any opinions!
Luv you guys!! <3

ALSO
Next Time……. BEYONCE!!!! <3 :D

Next time, Beyonce with ‘Halo’… ;) ♥