Lady Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) has quickly become one of the most well-known singers, in just a few years. We all know what to expect from her, but there was a time when she was the new girl on the block, she may not have been as extravagant as she is now, but she was still surprisingly shocking. This is her first ever single release, and this music video was her first one. However, she had been in the music industry for quite some time, developing her song writing. She was nicknamed Lady Gaga after Queen's song "Radio Ga Ga" because a lot of her songs were appearing in the charts (however this story may not be true since there are others saying the star name was created during a promotional meeting).
This song was written by Lady GaGa, Akon (who appears in this music video) and RedOne. All three are well-known. Akon has had a number of hits here in the UK, and RedOne has produced so many well-known songs, that I'm sure if you looked at the credits you'll know at least one of the tracks. This song is amazing and surprisingly shows off Lady Gaga's vocals straight away. The song is about having a good time no matter what you're going through, to do whatever will make you happy and forget about your worries for just a little while.
I have to admit something here. When I first came across this music video back in 2008, I had never heard of it, but I found it quite catchy. So I tried to guess who it was, and I thought it might have been Christina Aguilera, but then I thought it seemed a bit over the top for her, she's been there and done that. So I was interested to see the banner coming up and it said: Lady Gaga. That was the first time I ever saw her and this music video, and I knew that song was going to chart high.
I like the fact that it links in well with the song, people are dancing, and having fun and just forgetting about any problems they may have. Lady Gaga is given choreography, which she performs well, but the dancing is very limited compared to her most recent music videos.
I personally find the paddling pool, a bit over the top, there was no exact need to it, but by now we shouldn't be surprised at what is included in Lady Gaga's music videos. We also have Colby O'Donis singing in the music video; he hasn't had much success lately, and there's no sign of him here in the UK. Not only that but Akon makes a guest appearance along with Space Cowboy, who is a DJ and has remixed quite a few Lady Gaga tracks.
Well, that's all I have to say, there are minor things going on in this music video, but that is what makes it good, and house parties tend to be filmed pretty well in music videos. It links perfectly which is good since I don't think it would've made number one in the UK otherwise. I have dropped a star because of the pool, which has next to no links and wasn't needed.
September (real name Petra Marklund) is quickly becoming known here in the UK. She has released a number of singles, and one album, but in the process, she has swapped record labels. She first released "Satellites" under All Around the World records back in 2006 it got to number 96. She then swapped to Hard2beat (now called Dance Nation) for "Cry for You" and "Can't Get Over" which got number 5 and number 15 respectively. "Until I Die" was up for release, but then got cancelled. And her album "Cry For You" got a download only release. She has recently swapped back over to All Around The World Records, and has already released "Me and My Microphone" which has yet to chart, unfortunately. Now she's trying again, with a just as catchy song called "Party In My Head", which has received quite a bit of music channel play so far, including Dance Nation music channel, which is surprising, as you would've expected the label to decide not to show it. But is this enough for September? There is no release date as of yet, and no promotion in the UK, could this be another fail for this great singer?
This song was written by Wayne Hector, Lucas Secon, Daniel Davidsen, Peter Wallevik, Mich Hansen. Wayne and Lucas have both written a lot of songs, most of them well known in the UK, furthermore, they come from the UK, could this be September's way of trying to make it here? The others are known here and there. I like the song, I can imagine it being in all the clubs and I just want to dance when I hear it, I do have my fingers crossed that this manages to chart.
The music video I've displayed is a bit different to the one that is shown on the music channels here in the UK. This is typical of All Around The World records, as they have done this with a few of their artists such as Inna and Alexandra Stan. Yet again I prefer this music video than the one we're given, as it explains a lot more of what is going on. The music video links both indirectly and directly to the song, which is exactly what we want.
I like some of the links, such as people dancing on the streets and the use of the train, it's clever and also fits perfectly rather than the video footage being separate and jumbled up. I like the displays of showing September in New York. I think that is clever, and I reckon the US likes it. I wonder if that really went on, or was it just editing that changed them?
I have to admit, I don't have a lot to say about this music video, which suggests there isn't a lot going on in the music video. I like the song very much, and it grows on you every time you hear it and it's not long until it gets stuck in your head, and there's a party in your head. The music video links well, and it's a good music video for the song. I have dropped a star because I feel that there could have been more going on, and since I don't have a lot to comment on.
Ed Sheeran is an uprising new artist, who has already won lots of awards and it looks like he'll win a few more. He started releasing in 2011, this being his first single, and all of his singles have made the top 5 in the UK chart so far, he also has a debut number one album. He will definitely be around for quite some time
This song was written by Ed Sheeran himself, which suggests he has a lot of meaning to the words he sings. This is what I admire in an artist, because the whole song has a strong emotional feeling to the artist. And that is what makes it special. The song is about needing money to get by, and some people will do anything to get that money, but the anything bit is neither pleasant or exciting, and the person clearly doesn't like it.
The music video is PERFECT. It directly links in with the song and makes it clear what Ed Sheeran wants to get across. This song is his highest chart position to date, at number 3, and I reckon the music video has a lot to do with it. However there are a few things I don't like about it, and that is what I'm going to explore.
First off, my little bug bear, is that it is in black and white. I know this is an effect used to display more emotion or to make it look old, but it always gets on my nerves, because we have colour TV, and so you should be able to make a video emotional in colour. This also suggests that in colour it wasn't that emotional, and so they decided upon the black and white effect.
Some bits are also a little vivid, some children who may watch the music channels in the daytime, might wonder exactly what is going on. The person in the video, is portrayed by Stella MacDonald, and she shows off her acting skills in this music video, could she also be someone we see somewhere in the future?
I like the fact that Ed Sheeran appears and buys a "Big Issue" off her, but clearly it isn't enough, and she has to sell herself. As far as I'm aware of, no complaints appeared about this video, but you would have expected it, because she commits suicide at the end. There are videos out there (such as Britney Spears' "Criminal") that has been complained about for far less than what's in this video.
Overall I do like the song, it's soulful and meaningful, it's accompanying music video fits perfectly and although I am not happy about some of the things shown, it directly links with the song. It is controversial and that is usually a good thing in a music video. There are bits I don't like, so I've dropped a star, but that is all, and I hope I come to review more of Ed Sheeran's music videos in the future.
Taio Cruz... What to say about him. Personally I'm never entire sure whether I should decide if I like him or not. He's songs are extremely catchy, and although I may not enjoy the lyrics that are contained within these catchy songs, somehow I'm drawn to the song, and end up singing along without even realising. I have been searching today for a new release (or should I say yesterday?) and this is the only video I have found that is released this week, however there probably is others. I had no idea what this song was until I watched the video on YouTube, and I felt that maybe it was a cover version, with the lyrics changed, but then the chorus kicked in and I realised I had previously heard it on the radio, and so it makes sense why it sounds so familiar.
Taio Cruz has had 2 number ones so far, and has collaborated with a load of different singers. I have only bought one song called "Dirty Picture", but only because Ke$ha collaborated with him on it. This song was written by Taio Cruz and Swedish House Mafia (who consists of Steve Angello, Rami Yacoub and Carl Falk). This may explain why I love the backing track on this song, since I'm quite fond of a lot of Swedish House Mafia's songs. This would have been a really good collaboration, so why does it only have Taio Cruz's name to it? If he was searching for another chart topper, he could have done a collaboration, otherwise this isn't going to work on it's own. I very much doubt it will manage toget ont the UK top 40, although it's really catchy and does have potential.
The video is definitely a typical Taio Cruz video, and probably will not help it chart high. The other videos in comparison were more structured and had lots more narrative, even if they don't necessarily link in with the songs meaning. In this case the song is about having a bit of fun, dancing, and the obvious. To be honest, I am glad the video isn't storyline scripted, because complaints could be alerted here, there and everywhere because of possible vivid scenes, but a narrative would have been nice, it could have been suggested rather than shown, at least.
I don't really think there is a lot to say about this video. I like some bits, such as the many different girls, although what they are wearing are more Lady GaGa style than anything else. The enclosed wall is a little cramped, if I'm being honest, and how they are going to do a ménage à trois in there beats me (sorry using Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" word there), supposing that is their intent. Other than that, the rest of the video is on the boring side with not a lot going on.
Using my Facebook page, I decided to try and get others people's opinions. Only DJD has replied, stating what everyone else is thinking about this video. It's clear that this video probably will not help the single release, but we shall wait and see. Personally, I find the song extremely catchy, but the video is not as good as Taio Cruz's others, and I probably will skip over this when I'm watching the music videos.
Wizzard is a band that are well known because of this hit single, but yet again, in two whole days, we have come across two Christmas songs that everyone knows but have failed to reach Number One in the UK. However this one has a perfectly good reason, and that is because Slade's "Merry Christmas Everybody" was released at the same time as this song, forcing this to get a number two charting position.
I love the fact that this whole song is devoted to children (well sort of) since this is all they think about, wishing it what Christmas everyday. It was written by Roy Wood, who is the lead singer of the band, and as much as I loved the song as a child, I hated seeing his face, he looks so scary and all the children in the music video look scared. But this song is so catchy that I soon learnt to shut my eyes when I saw him and just sing-a-long anyway.
I'm not sure what to make of the music video, personally I want to cower behind my chair in worry that the wizard look-a-like will zap me. But I think it seems pretty even, there's little going on and it's more of a performance than anything else. The problem with that is there is no audience, so how are we getting any message across at all?
I have to admit, the start and the very end are a very clever idea. I would have preferred it if the Christmas card opened up and there was the band playing, but then again, would that have made it even more over the top? I also like the use of the children, it links in well with the song and it is really all about them.
However, I didn't like the end. I thought it looked mean, and whoever that child was, who is now all grown up, is probably annoyed that actually happened, or probably pretend it isn't them. There really isn't a lot going on in this video, and it looks scary and I reckon a lot of children don't watch it. And this is quite weird since the song is aimed at children, so why make a music video that they would be scared of?
Looks like I'm going around and around in circles today, and I think I should wrap up here. I really do like this song and I'm surprised to learn it never made number one, all I can say about that is that could be because of the music video, they are very influential at times, and this could have been one of those times. Since I pretty much don't like this music video, I'm giving it a low rating, but there are good things about it, especially the very start and the very end, and the inclusion of children.
