Basshunter Featuring DJ Mental Theo's Bazzheadz - Now You're Gone

I will always be a fan of Basshunter, he showed me what dance music was all about and introduced me to this whole new genre that I'm currently obsessed with. I will have to admit I am going to try my very best not to be biased at all, and I know it's going to be extremely difficult but I will try. Basshunter, real name Jonas Altburg, is a big hit here in the UK, but also a big hit in his own country Sweden, who are definitely in competition with Romania with the amount of dance artists they are releasing, we've had September and Swedish House Mafia I wonder who is next? Basshunter was the first artist on the Hard2beat (also known as Dance Nation) record label. This song was the first UK release and it went straight to number one. Since then top ten has been quite far off, so he entered Celebrity Big Brother and came fourth over all, with Alex Reid winning. Now he is ready for a comeback, and I so hope he has a number one in store as I will back him no matter what.

This song went straight to number one back in 2007, and is the first in a long line of music videos that is continuous, but more about the music video later. The song was originally called "Boten Anna" which is the Swedish version. Although the song lyrics are not direct translation, people refer to this as the English adaptation. "Boten Anna" was first remixed as a DJ set for DJ Mental Theo, it was this beat and mix that was used to create Now You're Gone. The song was written by Basshunter/Jonas Altburg, which then allows him to show his emotions and life experiences, which is exactly what the public wants, and I really admire those who do such a thing. Boten Anna is actually about when someone signed up on his website and he thought she was a computer bot administrator, later he found out that Anna was his girlfriend's best friend, and he was so embarrassed that he wrote this song. Now You're Gone, is about a couple breaking up and the love between them was surprisingly strong. I love this song and it gets stuck in my head whenever I hear it.

I really like the music video, and the whole idea that one leads off to another and then another is extremely intriguing. The most recent video was "I Promise Myself" and I really hope that Basshunter's future videos carry on the narrative storyline, as I know it's what sets these videos out from the crowd. This one was really good, the break-up starts at the very beginning with Aylar Lie and Lucas Thorheim, and then they both decide to go out clubbing with their friends, and they end up being in the same club together and then they text each other to meet on the dance floor, and then they kiss. It suggests that second chances can be made.

Some people have said that they think it is wrong that they get back together in the music video, but I think it's right because the song does say "I realise my love for you was strong", therefore if it's strong love they deserve to be together right? Others have said why they end up in the same club? I kind of understand where they are coming from, but if you're in a social group of people with your girlfriend, you'll end up having a certain favourite club you would go to, if you and your partner broke up and then your friends asked you for a night out to cheer you up, you would totally expect them to go to your favourite club, and so it's purely a coincidence they were both there. People are seriously looking too much into this music video.

Aylar Lie, plays Aylar (the lead girl) in this music video. Aylar Lie has a dodgy past, appearing in pornography to try and make her fame. She grabbed the attention of Basshunter's directors and producers and she has definitely now made her fame due to these music videos. I just hope that her new stardom hasn't affected her appearances in Basshunter's music videos because otherwise I can see Basshunter failing here in the UK. Aylar recently appeared as a celebrity on Skal Vi Danse which is the Norwegian version of Strictly Come Dancing. The media ended up releasing reports on her past life, and she showed sadness to this as she wants to wipe the slate clean, she did what she did because there was a crisis in her personal life. She wants to be known for something else, and she's tired of the past being brought up. Recently she has set out to release a singing career, she collaborated with Ocean Drive to create "Some People" that unfortunately didn't make the UK chart. She is signed to Hard2Beat/Dance Nation just like Basshunter is.

Overall I really like this song and it's music video is really good, it relates to the song pretty well and it's the start of a very long storyline that could stretch for forever if Basshunter and his team wants it to, and I'm sure all of his fans are expecting another music video to follow after the shock cliff-hanger at the end of "I Promised Myself". I hope you think I'm not being biased with my rating, and I think it definitely deserves this rating.
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Pixie Lott Featuring Pusha T - What Do You Take Me For?

I have been a fan of Pixie Lott for a while, her real name is Victoria Lott. Her most recent single "All About Tonight" became number 1 here in the UK, and it looks like this song will be doing the same, and also helping Pusha T, real name Terrence Thornton, make the UK chart once and for all. This song definitely reminds me of "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)", I think it has a similar tempo and that is what is probably going to push this song all the way to the top spot. However her release date clashes with a big chart topper, so it'll be interesting who will get that number one top spot.

Pixie Lott likes to have writing credits to her name, this single probably has some lyrics written by her, and of course by Pusha T, however no writing credits have yet to be released. [EDIT: Songwriters are Pixie Lott, Anne Preven, Christopher Mercer and Terrence Thornton]. This song is the second single to be taken from her upcoming second album "Young, Foolish, Happy" and I can definitely see it getting top 10 at least. Pixie Lott currently has eight top twenty hits, let's hope this makes it nine. The song is about being in a relationship that isn't actually working and he's taking Pixie Lott for a ride that she isn't enjoying. I like the concept and it's very "in you face" sort of song, which some people need, to be honest.

There have been a lot of people saying all sorts about this music video. It kind of leads off from "All About Tonight" and it's definitely one that will be played on the music channels and in clubs a lot of the time. Comments such as people thinking it's a little over the top, to others saying the choreography is a little too sexy. But does it really matter? The main comment should be what has it got to do with the song? The only thing I can come up with is that the guy just wants her in his bed and then chuck her the next time he sees her, and therefore the music video is showing what they would've experienced if he had stayed with her.

The video features Lee Bridgeman (well secretly). He competed in "So You Think You Can Dance" UK series 2, and came 5th. He was a good contender and also appears in a new ITV2 documentary called "Models, Misfits and Mayhem". He is definitely getting a lot of career opportunities, and he definitely is a good dancer. I'm just shocked that the previous winners have not had better opportunities so that we realise that all that voting didn't go to waste.

There's definitely not a lot to say about this music video, there's not a lot that's going on and although there is a massive choreography used, I feel it didn't show Pixie Lott's dance ability off like her various other music videos do, and I think that's the main reason why a lot of people have commented saying they are disappointed.

What to say about Pusha T? I don't really know that much about him. There are various other better rap singers Pixie Lott could have collaborated with, and so I don't quite understand why she chose Pusha T. But maybe this single could possibly help him into the UK charts more, and then maybe we might see what he truly is like. On this song, I'm not totally convince I like him, and I hope you all think the same. His voice is more of a whisper than anything else and it's not that clear, you kind of struggle to hear him over the song, which is a definite no-no in music. But maybe that's what it is like on the music video, and maybe the album and single versions will be a lot better; we all hope.

Overall I really like Pixie Lott, and her voice has that special twist to it, that makes her the star she is. I like the fact that she is a song writer, and so emotion will help, and although writing credits have yet to be released, I'm sure she is a part of it in one way or another. Pusha T definitely knocks this song down a bit, and the music video isn't that great. If they had decided on this, they should have done an amazing choreography that would make you go WOW, but there isn't so you're left with subtle narrative and little to make you watch. I'm sorry but this is probably the worst Pixie Lott music video I've watched.
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Goo Goo Dolls - Iris

I have been aware of the Goo Goo Dolls for quite some time. They released "Stay With You" back in 2006, and that was when I realised how powerful this band really is. It was one of my favourite songs back then, and I still find it great, but this song "Iris" is just as good, ALSO Iris was released as a B-Side on the "Stay With You" CD single. The Goo Goo Dolls is a 3-piece rock band. They consist of John Rzeznik, Robby Takac and Mike Malinin, and they have been going since 1986, they were originally a 4-piece band, but George Tutuska left in 1995. They have had a number of releases, and less than a half in the UK was actually released. They have rarely managed to break into the UK Top 40, and until 2011 this song's highest chart position was number 26.

This song "Iris" is definitely the Goo Goo Dolls' most iconic and signature hit, although the song isn't necessarily, easily linked to this band. The music channels have recently been playing this video again and again, since the song managed to get to number 3 in the UK chart in 2011. The reason the song re-entered was because of the UK X Factor, and Frankie Cocozza sung this song. It's rare for something like this to happen, but this song definitely deserves this chart position, and it's difficult to believe that it has never got there before hand. The song was written by John Rzeznik, and that explains why there is a lot of emotion that comes across in the voice and the video. He's voice is husky, and sometimes that is a really good thing for a rock band as emotion is easily sent our way, but at the end of the day, his voice wouldn't suit and up-tempo happy song. The song was written for the "City of Angels" soundtrack that features Nicolas Cage. Songwriter Johnny Rzeznik has been quoted as saying he broke several years of writer's block and several years of sobriety simultaneously the night he wrote this track.

The music video is really good and I really like watching it, although I don't think it relates to the song as well as it could have done. John is shown high up in the skyscrapers watching from above using telescopes. Nicolas Cage is seen through out the music video with scenes from the film. The theme reflects what the angels do in the film.

I like the fact that they linked it up with the film and made it as if it was unseen footage from the film, this kind of reminds me of what Paramore did for the Twilight Soundtrack "Decode". And although both videos are completely different, they have both used similar techniques so that it links perfectly with the film.

There's not a lot I can say about this video, it looks like it was made in 2005 maybe even later, which is why it surprises me that it was made in 1997. Although the video is really simple with little going on, the film connects well with it and definitely makes it into one of the better soundtrack videos.

Overall I love this song, but it never gets stuck in my head long enough. The music video is different and although it links in with the film I don't think it links in well with the song. Soundtrack music videos are often difficult, and I'm always struggling to review them. But I try my best, and so here's my rating, I hope you all agree.

September - Me and My Microphone

September is FINALLY back, and the UK have totally missed her. Her real name is Petra Marklund, and she first came to my attention when she signed with Hard2Beat (also known as "Dance Nation"), which is the same record label as fellow Swedish dance singer Basshunter. She released two singles under that record label "Cry For You" & "Can't Get Over", and then an album "Cry For You", she didn't last long and soon had to find another label to take her. Now she is signed to All Around The World records, who released her first UK single "Satellites" which only just managed the UK Top 100. So now she's back, and let's hope AATW records can promote her as well as they have done with Cascada, Inna and Alexandra Stan. September could be big, but without enough promotion, she could end up failing again. I am a fan, but she has stopped making the UK charts which kind of stops me from buying her singles and albums. This song could be a hit, but if she doesn't have constant play on the radios then she could be another dance artist to fail in the UK.

Mikrofonkåt is the original song. It is a Swedish song originally written by Thomas Rusiak and Petter. Petter also originally sung it in 1999. September revived the song and it reached number one in Sweden, which is her highest chart topper in her own country. She, and a number of writers, edited the original song to turn it into an English adaption. Although many people have said that they prefer Mikrofonkåt. The writers include September, Thomas Rusiak, Nicklas Bergwall, Petter Alexis and Daniel Alexander. I find it clever how people can change a whole song into an English adaption, just like Basshunter did with his first two singles. The song sounds perfect to perform live to fans, and I can definitely see her dancing on stage to this up-tempo song, let's just hope it cracks the UK top 40.

The music video must have been difficult to come up with, the lyrics don't really give much away and I think they have done a pretty good job. The clothing she wears is a little weird to be honest, when she's walking up those steps with her white suit, she has GREEN heels on, which I'm pretty sure no person would ever do. I like the choreography bit in the elevator, it's different and I don't think we've seen dancing in an elevator before, although it does remind me, a bit, of The Saturdays' "Notorious" and Aerosmith's "Love in and Elevator".

I like the fact that in the case was her microphone, and I do question how long that pink lead goes for. A lot of people have said that the guy who's in the elevator with September looks a bit like Keanu Reeves, I don't think so, but if others do, I might as well mention it. I'm not quite sure what to think of September's hair cut, in "Cry For You" and "Can't Get Over" she has long hair, and it does make her look a little older that what she actually is, so the short hair does make her look her age, if not younger, but it's just going to take a while to get used to.

Overall, I think this music video was difficult to come up with. It relates to the song, even though the song is very difficult to be made into a music video. Compared to September's other music videos, this is average, and there is little narrative storyline. I noticed within my review I took detail in the little bits rather than anything structural which suggests that there isn't a lot to talk about. So based on that I think I've given it the rating it deserves.

JoJo - Leave (Get Out)

Believe it our not, in this music video JoJo is 12/13 but she's so confident in herself anyone can easily mistake her for 18. I do feel a little sorry for her, I don't think a 13 year old or younger should be pushed into the music industry, it's pressurizing and even 16 year old's find it difficult, examples include Britney Spears and Billie Piper. But JoJo, real name Joanna Levesque, is one young artist who hasn't been misled and she's so focused on music that no problems have occurred, leading to the fact that JoJo is a very strong individual and can do what she wants when she puts her mind to it. Recently she has been hidden away, no music released and she has to build her fan base back. She has disappeared due to record label problems and law suits, which has pushed back her comeback even more. But finally she is ready for a comeback, and she needs to do a hell of a lot of promoting as most people have forgotten her name. But I've been a fan since this song, and I don't care if I have to wait 20 years, I will always love her music and I can't wait for her to come back.

This song is about heartbreak and telling your partner to go and disappear because you don't want him/her no more. JoJo's voice is amazing and you really feel the emotions pass over to you, which quite surprises me since she is quite young. You would think that she wrote at least part of the song because she displays the song perfectly however it was actually written by Soulshock & Karlin, Alex Cantrell and Philip "Silky" White. Soulshock & Karlin are a duo who have written and produced many songs by artists such as "2Pac" and "Jamelia".

I like the music video very much, it's one I can watch again and again and never get bored with it, however it is the usual teenage, high-school music video. I like the use of the cameraman being the guy JoJo is singing about and telling him "it's the end of you and me", it's something that isn't used at all now and so it definitely picks this music video out from a crowd. Some of the scenes are a little cheap, such as the bathroom bit where she's looking through the mirrors, if you look closely enough, in between those mirrors, the wall behind JoJo is the exact same, which suggests that she's standing behind 3 squares with nothing in them, which are frames, however it's easily mistaken, and it's rare you don't notice.

The dance moves are very then, for that era of music. You definitely wouldn't see any artist of today doing the "shoulder shrug" (I just made up a name for it, but you know what I'm on about). JoJo pulls it off amazingly, but it is definitely the type of dance choreography that was in, in 2004. And I will definitely say it again, she really doesn't look 13, when she first came out, a lot of my friends fantasised about her.

Overall, I remember enjoying this music video when I was young, and I can't wait for her come back, because I can see it being one of the best American comebacks in this decade! I love this song and it'll never get boring or old, it's mainstream pop and it's still what people are into. The music video suits perfectly and although it is considered old now and you can see the problems with it compared to what is coming out now, it doesn't matter. I hope you all think my rating is fair and not at all biased.
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