Chart Flashback: 1994

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Jay

Here’s another Entertainment Weekly Chart Flashback that caught my eye. Let’s see how the ratings compare for one of my first years out of college.

  1. The Sign by Ace of Base.  EW: A-.  JayTunes: B-.  I’m sure this song got a little bump from being featured in Pitch Perfect, but I remember it as being overplayed and annoying.
  2. Bump N’ Grind by R Kelly.  EW: B+.  JayTunes: B.  Not the greatest song, but the chorus is memorable.
  3. Without You by Mariah Carey.  EW: B+.  JayTunes: B.  Mariah could sing, but this cover doesn’t stand out.
  4. The Power of Love by Celine Dion.  EW: B.  JayTunes: C.  I never really enjoyed listening to or looking at her.  Did you know that her greatest hits collection is called “My Love”?  Ugh.
  5. Whatta Man by Salt-N-Pepa featuring En Vogue.  EW: A.  JayTunes: A.  Both of these groups were at the top of their games with this hit.
  6. So Much In Love by All-4-One.   EW: A-.  JayTunes: A-.  A nice a cappella throwback.
  7. Now and Forever by Richard Marx.  EW: B.  JayTunes: C.  Another nondescript ballad. I remember buying the sheet music for it and being disappointed.
  8. Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg.  EW: A-.  JayTunes: B.  I’m pretty sure I pathetically tried to sing(?) along with this back in the day, so let’s move on.
  9. Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) by Us3.  EW: A.  JayTunes: A.  Easily my favorite song on this list, it came into my life when I was just discovering jazz and rap and it hasn’t left since.
  10. Breathe Again by Toni Braxton.  EW: B.  JayTunes: C.  This yawner was made for Lite FM.

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Guns Blazing

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Jay

I know that it’s been quite a while since my last post, so I thought I come back with a nice set of new music that I’ve been enjoying for the past few weeks (surprisingly including two that feature guns).  Here you go – enjoy!

Posted in Alternative, New Song!, Pop | Leave a comment

Favorite Songs of 2012

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Jay


Since there were several artists that released multiple favorites, this year I’ll list my songs of the year by artist.  Here you go:

My song of the year nominees are Someone Like You, Call Me Maybe, and Some Nights.  In a tight race… Some Nights takes home the trophy.  What a great song.

See you next year!

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Grammy Nominees

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Jay


The nominees for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards were announced last week.  Here’s who I am pulling for:

  • Fun. (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “We Are Young“; Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for “Some Nights“; Best New Artist)
  • Gotye (Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Somebody That I Used to Know“)
  • Ed Sheeran (Song of the Year for “The A Team“)
  • Carly Rae Jepsen (Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year for “Call Me Maybe“
  • Muse (Best Rock Song for “Madness“)
  • Gregory Porter (Best Traditional R & B Performance for “Real Good Hands“)
  • The Muppets (Best Compilation Soundtrack for “The Muppets” and Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Man or Muppet“)
  • Howard Shore (Best Score Soundtrack for “Hugo“)

 Good luck to MY choices!

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New Music for October 2012

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Jay

I just wanted to mention a few songs that have caught my ear recently:

The first three songs are pretty upbeat, while the last three are just high quality tunes.  Check them out and enjoy!

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Chart Flashback: 1983

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Jay

I love Entertainment Weekly’s Chart Flashbacks, but I often disagree with their ratings. Let’s see how it goes this time as we journey back to junior high…

  1. Maniac by Michael Sembello (from Flashdance).  EW: A  JayTunes: C  Sorry EW, but it’s not a good song or a good movie. 
  2. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics.  EW: A+  JayTunes: A.  One of the best from Annie Lennox… and that’s saying something.
  3. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats.  EW: B+  JayTunes: A.  This is still one of my favorite songs of the 80s.  I love the intro and the classic keyboard riff. 
  4. Puttin’ On the Ritz by Taco.  EW: B  JayTunes: B.  Nothing like synthesizing an Irving Berlin classic, but I like the Young Frankenstein version better.
  5. Tell Her About It by Billy Joel.  EW: B+  JayTunes: B.  Decent, but not one of Billy’s best.
  6. Every Breath You Take by The Police.  EW: A-  JayTunes: A.  A classic.
  7. She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer.  EW: A  JayTunes: C.  She probably did work hard for it, but I never cared for her music.
  8. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler.  EW: A  JayTunes: A.  One of the best power ballads ever.
  9. Human Nature by Michael Jackson.  EW:A  JayTunes: A.  One of Michael’s most underappreciated songs.  It is my favorite from the documentary This Is It.
  10. I’ll Tumble 4 Ya by Culture Club.  EW: A-  JayTunes: D.  I have never liked Culture Club, Boy George, or the word “Ya”.

Overall it’s a strong list and a decent job on the ratings by EW (other than inflating grades for Michael Sembello, Donna Summer, and Culture Club).  I can’t wait for the next flashback!

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Ed Sheeran and Keane

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Jay

Not unlike the weather, I’ve been going through a bit of a dry spell when it comes to new music.  Thankfully I’ve come across a couple of nice tunes in that last couple of days that have quenched my thirst a bit. 

The first song is Lego House by Ed Sheeran.  You probably know him from his folksy hit The A Team.  This one is similar but a little more edgy.  Bonus points are awarded for using my son’s favorite toy in the title.

The second song is Sovereign Light Café by Keane.  It’s just a fun piano/synth pop song with a great hook.  If you don’t know much about Keane, you may also want to check out Silenced By the Night from their recent release Strangeland or Somewhere Only We Know (which I last heard in Winnie the Pooh).

Check them out!

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Brandi Carlile

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Jay


With the release of “Bear Creek,” it is becoming increasingly difficult to narrow down Brandi Carlile’s best songs to a top ten list.  The album is full of her typical soulful singing, thoughtful lyrics and pleasing acousting arrangments.  Unfortunately I had to cut a few decent songs had to go to whittle it to ten, but what remains is the best of the best:

What do you think?  Did I miss any?

 

Posted in Folk, Modified List | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, MTV!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Jay

MTV debuted on August 1, 1981 at 12:01 am by playing “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.  I don’t really remember that video very well, but I do remember…

Of course the channel is total garbage now, but it did have its moments back in the day. 

Speaking of the history of music, here’s a good commentary on how the music industry has changed over the years from The Oatmeal.

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Is It 1994 Again?

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Jay


Just 18 short years ago, my favorite songs included When I Come Around by Green Day, What Would You Say by Dave Matthews Band, and Run-Around by Blues Traveler.  Today, all three groups have new singles out that are all worth a listen.  Check them out:

I can’t wait to hear what these groups do it 2030….

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