This has to be one of my favourite Christmas songs of all time, originally sung by the vocally talented Mariah Carey, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" practically becomes the highest charting Christmas single every year, it is such a national treasure of a song, and really shows how talented Mariah Carey is. Many artists have covered this song, but finding an artist who does it justice, is next to impossible, Fifth Harmony, however, has the vocals and the perfect harmonies to create a just as beautiful cover version of this very much loved Christmas song.
Fifth Harmony formed on The X Factor US, and came third, however they have had international hits and have totally become the overall winners, in theory. They consist of Ally Brooke, Normani Kordei, Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello and Dinah Jane Hansen. After a long wait they finally came over to the UK and have done well for themselves over here. I also saw them live in London a few months ago. They are currently working on a second album, which I cannot wait for!
The music video, directed by Nigel Dick, is simple but relatable to the song, various scenes relate to certain lines, and I love the window scene where they are waiting for their guy.
There is a lot to like about the music video, but it's obviously done quickly, and they manage to perform it perfectly, as if they are waiting for a guy. It's what we expect of Fifth Harmony, they are on form in every music video, live performance and even on their social media accounts. They will become the female version of One Direction, and I cannot wait to see where their career is heading.
Their cover is perfection, and although the video doesn't really have either a performance or a narrative side, it's really nice to see the girls interact and it definitely brings the Christmas atmosphere.
Chart Mondays again, I'm currently in the middle of my Christmas Special. At the moment, Justin Bieber is STILL at number one with "Love Yourself", which only has a promotional video. As for this one, this is a freestyle video, and although technically not a music video, I'm counting this as an official music video. Not only that, but I really do not like Coldplay, and that is my only other option to review in the top 10, so Stormzy is so much better, in my opinion, to review. Stormzy raps perfectly and on point, never missing a single beat, very rehearsed, and faultless!
Stormzy, real name Michael Omari, is literally someone I hadn't heard of until today. He's name rang a bell, but I wasn't quite sure where. After searching on Google, I found he featured on a remix of Nick Jonas' "Chains", which was released on iTunes. He seems to be doing well for himself, chart wise, and with those skills, I don't blame the high charting positions! This song was written by Michael Oman as expected, and was used as a bid to claim the Christmas number one in order to rival The X Factor winner's single, which was Louisa Johnson with "Forever Young", instead it charted at number 8, just one place in front of Louisa Johnson's song. This wasn't technically released as a single, more like a b-side on the "WickedSkengMan 4" single.
The video was directed by Jaiden Ramgeet, who is the one behind the camera, we expect, who encourages Stormzy to state his name. Stormzy seems embarrassed at the start of the video, as if he's nervous or not comfortable at all.
He loosens up as soon as he starts to sing, and really gets into spitting those bars. This is totally raw, and fresh, it works well as a music video, performance wise. He clearly means everything he is saying.
What is there left for me to say though? No narrative, but that was to be expected. The camera flits to various people behind him, in reference, occasionally, which piqued the viewers interest ever so slightly, but apart from that, there isn't much more to this video, as a music video. As a freestyle video, however, it is one of the best I've seen.
I have been playing Inna's cover version of "Love Yourself" by Justin Bieber all day. The song has really grown on me, unfortunately it probably won't be released on iTunes, and nothing will come of the version, apart from the YouTube upload. Since there's no music video to it, and it not being a Christmas song, I decided to review Inna's only Christmas single to date. It's not the first time we've had a club artist release a Christmas song, Cascada released "Last Christmas" as well as "Let It Snow". Inna not only shows her amazing vocals in this track, she proves that she can be cute as well as sexy, ice skating and being fun and festive, this is a side of Inna we rarely see, and it's a joy to watch.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, has pretty much dropped off the radar in the UK, only her die hard fans, who call themselves club rockers, know what she's up to and when she releases a new single. However in her own country and in some other eastern countries, she has been charting well. This song was released in 2009, and against popular belief, it was never officially released in the UK and so subsequently didn't chart. Instead, it was released on iTunes in 2014 on a compilation album consisting of Romanian artists singing Christmas songs, called "Buna Dimineata La Mos Ajun". It was written by Marcel Botezan, Radu Bolfea and Sebastian Barac.
The music video was directed by Tom Boxer, it was done in no less than five hours, in the ice skating rink. It makes it seem more like a high quality home video, and yet it's not as great as her other music videos.
The song isn't one I'd normally attach to Inna straight away, and I suppose the video follows suit in that way. Inna shows herself to be having fun with Santa.
I've still never been ice skating, definitely going to have to try it sometime. There isn't much more to this video, Inna and Santa on an ice skating rink with a bunch of other people, adults and children alike. There's a small relation to the song as she sings to some male actors now and again, but it's more about spreading the Christmas fun and cheer.
There is a multitude of singers who have released Christmas singles and albums, and this X Factor winner is no exclusion. This has grown on me a lot every year, and I truly believe it will be one of those all-time Christmas songs that are guaranteed to chart every year. Leona Lewis shows that she has a fun side of herself, in this festive video, where she has a close friends only party, and has a wonderful time.
Leona Lewis has recently parted ways with Syco Music and Simon Cowell after seven years. She has not had much recent success on the singles chart lately, and her most recent album just missed out of the top 10 here in the UK. Is this what is left for Leona Lewis? Or will she make a big comeback? Her performance with Ben Haenow on The X Factor final was awesome, proving to everyone that she was a worthy winner.
The video reminds me a lot of Basshunter's "I Miss You / Jingle Bells". It's party time, and one more sleep until Christmas, obviously.
The opening starts with snow as Leona Lewis' song talks about snow, a great literal take on the song, it continues with fun, games and partying. It looks relaxing as well as enjoyable. Leona Lewis, invite me next time please.
The video features her boyfriend, Dennis Jaunch. The video doesn't excite me, although festivities is clearly being shown. It's the sort of party I'd like to experience, but only once and never again. Not capturing and not something I'd be interested in viewing a second time. Awesome song though, that should've hit the top of the charts.
Well look who is back, bringing the festive cheer... Well technically they never went away, they've still been releasing music, yet they haven't charted since 2013, and even then it wasn't inside the top 40... So in theory, they are back, but probably not back to the UK singles charts, since this isn't doing particularly well on the iTunes chart. Although I don't know why as I'm loving this song, it's ever so catchy. This becomes my New Release this week under my Christmas Special 2015. Scouting For Girls show us what Christmas is all about in 2015, with this amazing, laid back, relaxing type of music video.
Scouting For Girls are making their debut on my blog today, surprisingly. They are a three piece band consisting of Roy Stride, Greg Churchouse and Pete Ellard. They have had a string of hits including "She's So Lovely", "Elvis Ain't Dead", "Heartbeat", "Love How It Hurts" and number one single "This Ain't A Love Song". Despite that, they have been dropping off the radar on the singles chart here in the UK, however their albums are consistently doing well on the albums chart, despite people unaware of new singles. The song is worthy of being in the UK chart, it's instantly catchy and I was singing the lyrics before I even knew them. This song needs a lot more exposure, if it's got any chance of charting on Friday.
The video, directed by Damien Reeves, is gentle to say the least. Filmed in Marlborough, the whole scene has the feel of Christmas.
This band doesn't need any gimmicks, no reindeer, no snow, just a simple town celebrating Christmas. This is usually what happens when people go to city centres, there is no snow or reindeer. It captures the viewers sense of Christmas, and you could just imagine being there.
A performance piece is set into this literal narrative piece. The crowd seems to be enjoying their stage presence, and their connection as they walk down the road is very clear. This is a band that you definitely wouldn't be disappointed to see live, especially outside in a winter's air.
Overall, a great video, that relates perfectly, almost too perfectly, taking certain sentences of the lyrics and creating a scene because of what has been sung, and then paired them together. Too literal, but in a sweet Christmas kind of way, one that isn't as bad as I'm making it out to be. Definitely a catchy Christmas song, that has definitely became one of my top Christmas songs, and a video I wouldn't mind seeing again and again, well done on capturing the Christmas spirit in a music video.
