Time to start my Christmas Special 2016. It's quite the battle for the top spot this year, with lots of people wanting the number one to be a Christmas song, but it seems unlikely that that will happen; what with all the UK Christmas Number Ones rarely being Christmassy at all. Hit Christmas songs, usually, settle for the top 10 and year after year climb back onto the chart. This year will be just like any other year... Only with more Christmas songs competing for the top spot. Watch the Proclaimers' Christmas Collective bring the spirit of Christmas with their song "Dance Tonight (It's Christmas)". They've got strong vocals and a sweet narrative.
The Christmas Collective are a collection of six vocalists, consisting of Faye Snelling, Hannah Roberts, Gina Natasha Cummins, Rianne Collins, Ryan Hase, and Sam Cousins. They came together for this Christmas song which is completely cheerful with so many identifiable Christmas traditions and thoughts, filled with beautiful vocals that really brings the stunning quality of this song. Some come from a musical background, hence why you might recognise them. Some are new singers on the scene. Each adds a special flavour to this song, so much so that each artist could push for a solo career and easily become successful. This is what makes this new release one of the best for Christmas number one, this year because their vocals are on point. This song was written by Mark Harvey and Sam Cousins. Public suggestions helped create the lyrics. Put together by Proclaimers Church. All proceeds from the single will be donated to local charities Break and Love Norwich.
The music video has a whole lot of festive Christmas spirit behind it. Both narrative and performance based, is there any better way to represent a Christmas song than give it a cheerful loving music video?
The performance side of things are very festive. It's good to see each of the singers get a spotlight; granted that some are seen more than others, but they equally add something fresh to the track. Each artist is different in their own right, and they've crafted the song wondrously around their voices with brilliant harmonies. The visual brings emotion into the video; this song means a lot to these singers and it really shows.
The narrative is just as festive. Christmas brings people together, and that is shown throughout. The actors bring a realness to the video, some normalcy amongst traditions such as exchanging presents. It's loving and understanding. However, Sam Cousins clearly just danced and grooved out by himself to fill the video up; this comes off slightly weird, but it's all in good spirit.
Overall, as Christmas music videos go, this is one of the best from a collection of artists. Usually, these sort of music videos come off completely flat; but this one is honest and real, with great emotion behind. If you haven't bought the track yet, you really ought to. These guys need the support, and it deserves to top the charts, even if it doesn't seem likely.
It's a Thursday, which means it's Thursday Revisit once again. I chose Machine Gun Kelly since he is super hot in "Bad Things" with Camila Cabello, and I haven't actually heard any of his other songs, so this was a perfect opportunity. This one was released in 2011 and is the only other Machine Gun Kelly song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, next to "Bad Things". Watch Waka Flocka Flame knock out the father of Machine Gun Kelly's girlfriend, as they both announce that they each are a "Wild Boy".
Machine Gun Kelly, known as MGK during this time, is a US rapper and actor. His real name is Richard Colson Baker. He first came to my attention playing Ty in the film Nerve. Then he released "Bad Things" and that was it. I know I'll be seeing more of him. As for the featured artist, Waka Flocka Flame, real name Juaquin Malphurs, he has been popping up here and there. He's a rapper that people have heard of but has yet to have an internationally successful single that people identify his name with. He is also building up his rapping career, so I also expect we'll hear more from him soon. This single charted at number 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It was written by Richard Colson Baker, Juaquin Malphurs, and Joshua Luellen.
Directed by Spliff TV and Maybach Music Films, the music video is mainly a performance-based video with narrative scenes throughout. It also features cameo appearances by Johnny Dang, Katt Williams, and Layzie Bone.
The video starts off with a girl introducing her boyfriend to her parents at a dinner table. The boyfriend, in question, is MGK, which he tells the parents stands for Machine Gun Kelly. It's a great way to introduce himself to the viewers of the music video, with a comical segment as he has also brought along his friend, Waka Flocka Flame, to the intimate meeting.
Waka Flocka Flame smashes a bottle on the father's head, claiming he is a "Wild Boy". This is where the performance side jumps in, with both artists giving it their all whilst shirtless.
The music video is intricate and interesting. Both rappers give it; showing passion for the song, whilst adding comedic segments. It's relatable and engaging, yet the narrative is weird and not easily understandable. Why? Just why? It doesn't make sense, completely wild but with no reasoning.
There are two music videos for this song, this is the original one, whilst the other was released months after his performance on the Eurovision stage. This was another favourite of mine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, and was definitely worthy of winning; instead, Loïc Nottet came fourth with 217 points for Belgium. In this video for "Rhythm Inside", Loïc Nottet gets all wet and sexy whilst contrasting similar types of people.
Loïc Nottet first made a name for himself in Belgium by coming second in The Voice of Belgique third series. He was chosen through internal selection to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. Since coming fourth, he has gone on to release a second single titled "Million Eyes", as well as announcing some concerts. With a voice like his, Loïc Nottet deserves international fame, and he must never give up. I love this song and it's follow-up single, and I cannot wait for an actual album from him. This song was written by Loïc Nottet and Beverly Jo Scott.
Directed by Josh Brandão & Nicolai Kornum, this music video is a pure performance piece, with actors showing differences between similar people, all the while Loïc Nottet giving a very sexy performance as he gets wet and looks sultrily into the camera.
There isn't an awful lot going on in this music video. People are displayed wondrously, showing complete contrasts in people who look similar. It just goes to show that what you see isn't always what you get. It's quite comedic at times.
As usual, Loïc Nottet's performance piece is intense and exciting; although, it was so much better on stage at Eurovision 2015. The water makes him totally sexy, and even the red paint does things you wouldn't expect. I hope more sexy music videos are on their way.
This music video totally differs to the other one that was later released. The other music video is purely narrative and totally interesting if a little confusing. This one, however, is quite stripped back - although not as much as the single cover suggests - and could've done with more of a narrative.
Well, YouTube sure knows how to draw me in, by showing this amongst my recommended videos. This thumbnail is totally what drew me into watching this music video today, and I am now a fan of the song, it is right up my street - in more ways than one - and YouTube Recommendations has got it right once again! Lyon Hart's music video for "Falling For You" is a sensual sexy love/hate relationship between dancers Lonnie Poupard, Jr. and Kile Hotchkiss, who are spiralling out of control.
Lyon Hart, real name Mark Sanderlin, is a singer/songwriter who debuted his EP, "With Or Without Me", last year. He has written for some of the best and some of the well-known, as well as featured on tracks you probably know but haven't connected his name to. He is reaching out, taking opportunities as they come; which is totally admirable. Music is difficult to get into, yet this is just the start for 'Lyon (like neon) Hart (like Melissa Joan)' as it states on his Facebook Page. Now he has a big important music video, that could've been susceptible to a lot of abuse; instead, it has gained a lot of admiration from people all over the world. This is the beginning of Lyon Hart, and now he needs to ride this success. This song was written by Robert Grimaldi, Douglas Larsen, Benjamin Lindel, and Mark Sanderlin.
Directed by Matt VanDaniker, the music video shows the relationship between two gay men intercut between a beautiful contemporary dance that was choreographed by the dancers and actors themselves: Lonnie Poupard, Jr. and Kile Hotchkiss.
The editing team behind this has brilliantly transitioned a choreographed danced scene into a loving narrative. At times, it feels too quick and less explanatory. The thing about contemporary dance is that it is supposed to show emotional feeling and tell a story. This does exactly that, only they're giving us the emotional feeling and the storyline within the narrative; which leaves the audience quite transparent as they don't have anything to take in.
Regardless of this, the transitions are crafted brilliantly. The narrative is inviting, sexy, sultry, and totally sensual. It makes me miss having someone there to be sensual with; yet, taking me back to the times that I have been; I know my future husband is out there for me, time will be worth it. For the time being, I can watch Lonnie Poupard, Jr. and Kile Hotchkiss kiss, touch, and love each other.
Showing the ups and down of a relationship. This music video definitely supports the LGBT+ community, and it's amazing to see this up on YouTube and with positive comments. There was no performance piece from Lyon Hart himself, but this music video is amazing, regardless. I hope to see Lonnie Poupard, Jr. and Kile Hotchkiss choreograph more male-male dance sequences. This is beyond beautiful. Please choreograph my wedding dance with my future husband, whoever he may be.
He's the Critics' Choice Brit Award Winner 2017, and since Clean Bandit is still on top with the incredible "Rockabye" song that is always stuck in my head because of Anne-Marie's amazing vocals and Sean Paul's voice; it opens my Chart Mondays up, and this is really the only music video I can do from the UK Singles Chart. Standing up for himself and everyone else, this song has really captured all our hearts; its music video shows Rag'n'Bone Man as well as various other people as "Human", we're all the same.
Rag'n'Bone Man, real name Rory Graham, has been around for a couple of years, dropping EPs and a couple of singles; but when this hit came around, it totally blasted him into a star. All it takes is one song. Some talent is never found because they never get the right song. This song comes from his debut album, which will be released in February, and is also titled "Human". He has recently won the Brits Critics' Choice Award, against some stiff competition including Dua Lipa and Anne-Marie. I am - kind of - interested in his following releases. Will he be a one-hit wonder? With a voice like his, he shouldn't be. This song was written by Jamie Hartman and Rory Graham.
Directed by Charlie Robins, this music video is performance based, with personal portraits.
They have shown Rag'n'Bone Man simply as "Human", showing no difference between him and any of the other people in this music video.
With skilled editing work, everyone morphs into one. It shows a strong message, a message of unity and hurtfulness. Everyone shown could have something wrong with them, enough where they have got bullied, been abused physically and mentally. But they're just human, just like we're just human.
This music video may not be exciting or engaging, but it's showing that we're all human beings. Relating to the song perfectly, it comes across with a fighting spirit. And yet, where there's room to grow this into a wonderful narrative, it stays flat and leaves us guessing.
