+ Two monumental charity singles with proceeds to help benefit the citizens of Haiti will soon see release -- one produced by 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell, the other produced by Quincy Jones. Let the battle of the Charity Singles Begin!
Cowell's offering is a cover of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts". The original was released back in 1993. It features the likes of Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, James Blunt, Michael Buble, James Morrison, Mika, Miley Cyrus, Alexandra Burke, Cheryl Cole, members of Westlife, Take That and JLS. A low-quality radio rip has leaked online after the song premiered over in the UK. I'm not too keen on the original to begin with, and I feel it's a bit of an indulgent song choice, but the heart is clearly in the right place, and it's always exciting to see stars pool their talents together for good.
However, the creme de la creme seems to be Jones' offering -- a 25th anniversary re-make of the quintessentially epic "We Are the World", first released back in 1985. The project was originally in the works before the devestating earthquake in Haiti, but it's intent was re-purposed in its wake, and was organized by Jones, Lionel Richie and Wyclef Jean. The talent list reads like a who's who in the music world with contributions by: Indie.Arie, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Zac Brown Band, Natalie Cole, Kid Cudi, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Drake, Snoop Dogg, Earth Wind and Fire, Melanie Fiona, Jamie Foxx, Josh Groban, Keri Hilson, Julianne Hough, Jennifer Hudson, Enrique Iglesias, LL Cool J, Janet Jackson, the Jonas Brothers, Gladys Knight, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, members of Good Charlotte, Jason Mraz, Orianthi, P!NK, AR Rahman, Carlos Santana, Trey Songz, Jordin Sparks, Barbra Streisand, Robin Thicke, Rob Thomas, Usher, members of Black Eyed Peas, and members of the Beach Boys.
Just writing that made my head spin. The song was recorded in Los Angeles over "Grammy Weekend", so it couldn't have been more convenient for all of these stars to spend their time together effectively. Can't wait to hear the end product -- which will make it's premiere alongside the 2010 Winter Olympics coverage.
+ Last week's Billboard 200 chart marked the first time an online only album release hit #1, thanks to the collective star power that was Hope for Haiti Now, featuring live performances from the Hope for Haiti telethon. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to knock Ke$ha's "Tik Tok" from the #1 spot on the Hot 100. This week, Lady Antebellum officially scored a Grammy bump in a big way, with their album Need You Now, debuting in the top spot, while Ke$ha continues her slog for a seventh straight week. Their single of the same name lands at #8 this week. Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris's beautiful turn with "Hallelujah" from Hope For Haiti Now is the Digital Gainer this week, landing at #13, and Justy's other "non" single with Timbaland, "Carry Out", sits just outside the Top 10 at #11. Now that it seems Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" won't become the #1 it was meant to be (thanks a lot, Ke$ha), "Telephone" waits eagerly in the wings, climbing to a new height this week to #19.
+ I find this talk of a Taylor Swift overnight backlash insanely hysterical -- and now even her label is getting on the offense. Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta went so far as to say that Swift is "the voice of this generation", and that her live performance "issues" were due to an in-ear moniter issue. Weren't people sounding the alarm on the fact that singing live wasn't her forte for awhile now? He's making it seem like Grammy Night was her first vocal misstep which is about the biggest oversight a record exec can make. Someone certainly has a bad case of sour grapes. Taylor had an amazing year -- she won more awards than arguably necessary, got to perform with Stevie Nicks, embarked on a tour that sold out in minutes, and can say she had the biggest selling record of 2009. Why not stress that rather than pout that "this isn't 'American Idol'?" Because, Mr. Borchetta, if I should be so bold, that show is made up of people with "next-door appeal" just like Ms. Swift, and the majority are very vocally capable. And Kelly Clarkson agrees with me.
To add insult to injury, her latest single, "Weak New Version of 'Love Story'" "Today Was A Fairytale" from the Valentine's Day soundtrack, sunk from #2 last week to #22 this week. I would like to point out that Justin Bieber's latest single "Baby" debuted at #5 last week and has now sunk to #25, yet no one is claiming the onslaught of an apocalypse. Just saying.
+ I've compiled my list of most listened to songs in the month of January, and they are:
17. Muse - Uprising
16. Paul Oakenfold feat. Brittany Murphy - Faster Kill Pussycat
15. Kristinia DeBarge - Sabotage
14. Se7en - Them Girls
13. Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer
12. Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood
11. Hot Chip - One Life Stand
10. Christian Kane - The House Rules
9. Mandy Moore - In My Pocket
8. Roisin Murphy - Mamma's Place
7. The Saturdays - Wordshaker
6. 2NE1 - Fire
5. 4minute - Muzik
4. V Sevani - Love Pop
3. Ellie Goulding - Under the Sheets
2. DJ Earworm - Blame It On the Pop (United States of Pop 2009)
1. Mini Viva - I Left My Heart In Tokyo
6 comments:
Okie dokie - Firstly, It's amazing, and really heartwarming, to see so many amazing and diverse musical acts come together to make a difference, as you say.
Bad Romance really would look great as a Number One hit, but ultimately, it's only a chart placing....The song's brilliance isn't affected in any way...
Nice list - and I really must get my hands on that Kristinia DeBarge album - It sounds gorgeous!
oh taylor. well she's never been great live, and i'm more of a casual fan, but she can crank out a decent pop song every now and then :) Love what you've done with the fairytale title :P
Why does Justin Bieber even exist? I blame his parents who are clearly demons and need to have the Winchesters sent round to teach them a lesson!
That rant was pretty hysterical. I think that the slam was specifically pointed at all the AI alumni that have made a charge at the country chart, so it would be interesting to hear Carrie's take on the comments, too.
Aaron - True. It is just such a perfect pop song and a rallying cry, but...oh well. I never predict the chart things right it seems. I'd make a terrible A&R person. ;) Oh, and def check out Kristinia's album. It's full of little gems -- not necessarily big hits but fun little numbers, especially "Sabotage".
Paul - I feel the same way about Taylor. I can appreciate her, and I think she is a great role model (to a degree) who is REAL for once, but I don't get all the hype. Your Justin Beiber comment made my day and I will be quoting that FOREVER.
John - So true! Although, I think Carrie's too classy to comment like Kelly did. Not to say Kelly isn't classy, I just think Carrie tries to keep herself out of the fray, in a sense. I would like to hear what she thinks though -- considering her humungo voice! ;)
I know these charity singles are for a good cause but THEY ARE SHIT. I'd rather listen to Cheryl Cole sing acapella than hear either of those rancid dirges ever again. Surely that much talent can come up with something more inspired?
And I wholeheartedly agree it's a shame that "Bad Romance" looks unlikely to hit the top spot and I think they've left the "Telephone" promotion and video WAY too late. I doubt it will even be top 5. Boo!
rhythm is a dancer?? loves it.
so Gaga is on the remake of We Are the World afterall! wasn't sure. i am finding "everybody hurts' less and less stellar the more listens i give it. can't wait to hear We Are the World!
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