And Then There Were 11…

Happy New Year, everyone!  Here’s to hoping all of you guys have an amazing year ahead filled with love, joy  success and of course, music. Now while there are so many wonderful things to look forward to as we move into 2012, we must not forget the fun times that 2011 brought along with it. I for one had my final board exams among other joyous occasions this year, so it was quite the party really. Even though I was stuck at home studying most of this year, I did love the music 2011 brought us. This past year also gave us many reasons to celebrate. Beyonce Knowle’s pregnancy and Lady Gaga visiting India were two of the biggest events of the year, along with the return of Coldplay and the incredible success of Adele’s album 21.

There were some songs that really blew the roof this year, and while I can’t list all of them, I have picked 11 songs that were the very definition of success. So here we go, my top 11 songs of 2011!

11. ‘It Will Rain’ by Bruno Mars

This song made a major impression on me when Bruno Mars performed it live on X-Factor this year. The intensity and beauty of the graphics on the stage and the beat of the song combined left a lasting impression on my mind.

10. ’Price Tag’ by Jessie J

Catchy and bright with a message, Jessie J’s debut track ‘Price Tag’ always brings a smile to my face.

9. ‘Moves Like Jagger’ by Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera

If this song can’t get you moving and grooving, nothing will. Adam Levine outdoes himself vocally and looks fabulous in the music video. The addition of Christina Aguilera just gives the song that extra oomph it needs.

8. ’E.T.’ by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West

This song reminds me of Bill Kaulitz, and you all know my love for that man. The lyrics describe exactly how I view him; ‘Every move is magic’? HELL YES!

7. ’Born To Die’ by Lana Del Ray

I have a deep emotional connection with this song, and I don’t know whether it has something to do with the video or Del Ray’s hauntingly beautiful voice. One thing is for sure, someday she will be huge.

6. ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ by Foster the People

One of the most popular songs this year and a personal favorite, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ is Indie rock at it’s best. It’s best to listen to it with a group of friends while just hanging out and having a good time.

5. ‘Countdown’ by Beyonce Knowles

This song was on constant replay during exam months, and kept my spirits up. It’s light-hearted and full of fun.

4.  ’Party Rock Anthem’  by LMFAO

This song had the entire world jamming this year, and I remember dancing a hundred times to it this year with my friends. All of us know the lyrics, the dance moves and can go on for hours to its beat.

3. ‘Paradise’ by Coldplay

If any artist can deliver time and time again it is Coldplay, and ‘Paradise’ is one of those songs that just bring a smile to your face.

2. ‘Judas’ by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way is very special to me on a personal level because the entire album makes a statement about freedom of all kinds, and standing together as one world and one family. My favorite track from the album is ‘Judas’ because I love her interpretation of the Biblical legend, as well as the vocal skill she has displayed on the song. The video is also one of my favorite Gaga video’s so far.

1. ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele

Adele has broken all the records in music this year. Her album 21 is one of the most successful albums of all time, with ‘Someone Like You’ having stayed on top of the charts for five weeks. This song speaks of coming to terms with a broken relationship and moving on with your life, no matter how hard it can be. The song is simple and beautiful and Adele’s vocals are absolutely divine, connecting with thousands of souls across the globe including mine.

So there you have it guys, my top 11 tracks of 2011. I would love to know YOUR favorites of 2011, so please go ahead and comment, telling me which songs you loved most in the past year! :)

Now there are a couple of things I am looking forward to in 2012. There are three albums that are set to release this year that have me so excited I can’t even begin to describe how I feel!

1. My favorite band Tokio Hotel are set to release their first album in 3 years. Now obviously I am jumping with joy, but it remains to be seen if the new record (still to be titled) will be able to match up to if not surpass their 2009 album Humanoid’s success.

2. Another artist I absolutely adore is Adam Lambert, and after I heard he is ready to release his new record Trespassing this year, it was enough to make me want to do cartwheels around the house. I hope to see more of his fabulous vocal skills on this album and a few dazzling new music videos.

3. I am also looking forward to the release of Robbie Williams’ new album after his disastrous last solo album Rudebox. Hopefully he is done with chasing UFOs and his vocal talent will shine through this time.

So let me know you guys: What songs/albums/artists are YOU looking forward to in 2012? Do comment and tell me all about it! Here’s to a brand new year, filled with music and love! Have a rocking 2012!

-Ridz <3

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/

The ‘hoo-ha’ About Taylor Swift and Why I Want To Stab Myself In The Head. :)

What I dont get, is the big hoo-ha about Taylor Swift.  I mean okay, the first song the girl came up with was pretty good. I’ll give her the second as well…. She can sing real nice, and she’s a multi-award winning artist, who’s albums have gone Platinum multiple times, and she earns 18$ million a year. Not bad for a twenty year old, eh?

I really liked ‘Teadrops On My Guitar’. It was sweet, mellow and had a good story; Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, boy falls for cheerleader and girl hopes he stays happy because she loves him so much. Happens to ALL girls at SOME point of our lives. Well, unless you’re the cheerleader. :/ Taylor got the whole ‘I’m a teen so I can relate’ thing down really well. I liked her for that… :)

 BUT when they started playing ‘Love Story’ on every single music channel, radio station, restaraunt and country I’ve ever been to, things got a little out of hand for the space of my brain labelled ‘Sanity’. It was simple. I lost it. Add that with her going out with the face of Twilight [which I've also heard TOO much about, as much as I like the whole vampire thingy. Vampires appeal to my morbidity.] Taylor Lautner, and you’ve got yourself ‘the girl who’s SO perfect, we all wish we were her’.  Not. I used to actually switch off the TV when  they played that song. Seriously. We have ourselves another Disney princess.  Young, impulsive and eager to have ‘a happily ever after’ at 20! :P

There’s Cinderella. There’s Sleeping Beauty. There’s The Little Mermaid….  And now, there’s Taylor Swift. :P Nothing personal, Taylor. You’re just really repetitive, and I think a pinch of originality is required here! The good girl thing is really old…. :/ Please follow Dolly Partan’s example:

 On second thought…. PLEASE DONT! :/

Most her [Taylor's] songs are about how the boy should be hers and everyone is so mean to take him away. ON TOP OF THAT, he himself can’t see that he’s supposed to be hers. [The last part is the story of my life. My true love is in some other country and PROBABLY does not know I exist. Feh.]  Have you HEARD “You Belong With Me”?  She’s GOT her man. She doesnt need to worry about that! :P

 The ‘Wolf’ himself, Taylor Lautner… :D

We need more of this:

OR THIS!!

Where’s that dardevil you channeled here?? X] Maybe then Kanye West wouldnt have DARED challenged you…

Dont worry, we all know he was drunk… Swigging vodka or something similar on the red carpet… Feh. Pathetic!

At least Beyonce knows where her morals lie! :)

I like the songs where she talks about her goals, her dreams, and being a strong woman, like her song ‘Picture To Burn’. Now THAT’S power, girl! :D

‘Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.’ How many of you are sick of this chorus and want to stab yourselves in the head when you hear it? Want to scream to her to get a hold of herself? Or do you REALLY like it and listen to it after you’ve fallen in love, hoping the guy will come and be your prince? [If you ARE a guy, the last question only applies if you're gay :)] Please comment, and DO let me know. :D

 O_O I think this is TOO graphic… :/

Psychotically signing off.  X]

Why ‘Halo’ by Beyonce Is The Most Played Song On a LOT of iPods

Hey everybody,
So sorry for the interval between this edition and the last. The truth is that I’m simply not getting enought time to write an article everday, because of my horribly intefering exams and some family complications with the only computer in the house right now!! :( So, what I’ve decided, is that I’ll write about a song whenever I get time; maybe every two or three days. BUT dont worry. When I DO write, I’ll make sure I do the best I can ‘for YOUR entertainment’. [Quote-UnQuote Adam Lambert! :D]

So lets get to it…’HALO’
Well, I have some every sweet things to say about this angelic masterpiece, and even more about the angel who sings it—> BEYONCE…

Gorgeous

To get the Drift:
It was composed by Ryan Tedder and Evan Bogart for her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce. In the United States, the song was released on January 20, 2009 as the album’s fourth single. :)
Similarities and references to other songs have been a raised issue over ‘Halo’. Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Already Gone’ and Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’ have been two songs which are continuously on the similarity scale. [Maybe it’s because all three had the same composer working on them Ryan Tedder, way to go… :P] Seriously, I think the only things the songs have in common is the beat, that steady ‘dum. dah-dum’ throbbing that easily imitates the heart.
No prizes for guessing who she wrote it for, eh? ;) *ahem* Jay-Z! *ahem*

LOL… Awww!!!

Deeper into it:
Emotions run high; layered with a promise of undying love, Beyonce swears that the person she is singing to is the light of her life or her ‘halo’. There is also a note of sorrow in the song, which you have to really read into, to find… A sense of dread at losing the light, y’know…. OMG. I am getting SO sentimental, it’s choking me!! Bleuuagh! :D
“Everywhere I’m looking now, I’m surrounded by your embrace, baby I can see your halo, you know you’re my saving grace,” sounds like he’s passed away and remains in her life as an angelic presence of sorts. Makes the whole song kinda haunting doesn’t it?
It’s the only song in her album that has a color video, unlike ‘Diva’, ‘Single Ladies’ and ‘Ego’. Wow. That’s pretty cool… The video consists of her and her ‘lover’ sharing really sweet moments with each other, and showing really gently, yet deep and connected love. [So sweet! <3 ] There was another version of the video that had Beyonce driving down a long road to find her lover, and then she discovers he is dead. [Um. Ouch.] However, this was never released… Hmmm…. :/

Clip from the vid

Another clip from the vid

What I think:
Well, I utterly fell for it of course, being the soppy and desperate romantic that I am! I love the smoothness of Beyonce’s voice, and the power and control she harbors as a singer. The R&B undertones, mixed with the whole pioano-pop-ballad thing, all do good to a girl’s soul! [Makes ME wanna cry! :’)] Its bloody hard to critisize this song, no matter how desperately I try to find a mistake.
For anyone who’s been in love, this song can really tear the heart apart, and mend it too. It tells you that you REALLY have to value the one you love, and nvere take ‘em fro granted. Trust me, that is the WORST thing you can do…. :/
Overall, a three out five on my scale, purely for the honesty in her voice and three <3 <3 <3’s for getting me so worked up and emotional… [Makes me see sad things in my head…] *sniff*. Anyone got a tissue??

What other critics said—>
Billboard magazine wrote that “On “Halo” Beyonce sings in a lower register than usual over big drums and an epic piano pattern….
Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly writes, “‘Halo’, is an absolutely glorious and perfectly produced track that should be as big a hit as ‘Irreplaceable’ and ‘Crazy in Love’.”
Digital Spy said in their review of Iam…Sasha Fierce that “Halo sounds like a muscular hybrid of Umbrella and Bleeding Love”.
Boston Globe said that the song is “by far the most evocative power ballad Beyoncé has ever recorded. It’s a hulking, epic love song that sounds like it has Phil Spector working his Wall of Sound magic on the mixing board. Never mind the garden-variety lyrics; this one is all about build-up, starting with a pre-chorus that climaxes with Beyoncé’s voice ricocheting at the word ‘halo’.”

Currently:
Halo won Best Song at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards, and is currently nominated for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards. :D [Yeah, girl!!]

Fierce, allrite!!

Well that’s it from me!! If you wanna see the vid, here’s a link! –>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcMmRL6_r24

If you just want to listen to it on Billboard:

http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/song/beyonce/halo/12002816

Enjoy! ^^ <3

NEXT TIME—> I’ll be back with some My Chemical Romance…. In the mood for some love??? ;) <3

My Chemical Romance send their love.. X][And kill me with it!! GAHHH!!! HOT!!]

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’… ;) ♥