This one was just being played randomly on my iTunes today, and I loved it so much I HAD to see if there was a music video I could review today... And sure enough, here it is. This country duo has been making waves with their music and are quickly becoming an identifiable act within the country music genre. Watch Maddie & Tae perform on two floating chairs as scenes of sweet strength and independence flow throughout this video for "Fly".
Maddie & Tae are an American country duo consisting of Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye. They have so far released one album, one EP, and four singles. Their debut song "Girl in a Country Song" totally launched them in the country music world. This song was their follow-up single, but since then their chart positions have deteriorated. However, things could all change when they come back with a second album. These voices deserve their place within country music and it's no surprise that there is a buzz in the air around these two. This song was written by Taylor Dye, Madison Marlow, and Tiffany Vartanyan.
Directed by Brian Lazzaro, this music video really allows the viewers to identify with Maddie & Tae. They announce who they are and prove that they have beautiful voices to match their gorgeous good looks.
The video is a full sign of female empowerment. The girls encourage their viewers to keep climbing in the song, and that is exactly what is happening to the girl on the ladder, she keeps climbing. The woman who becomes a teacher keeps fighting for the career she wants and the girl on the swing saves herself from falling.
It's all wrapped up in scenes of Maddie & Tae writing the song. This shows complete strength and a love of what they are doing. They are having fun and a good time. There is also a butterfly that is super cute in this video too. Overall, this is neatly packaged, it's strong and it is fearless. It inspires people to keep going.
It's so sad to have heard that George Michael has passed away, on Christmas Day too! Unfortunately, I have already reviewed Wham!'s "Last Christmas", where George Michael was one-half of the duo, in my Christmas Special 2012. So I googled to see if he had released another Christmas song to finish off my Christmas Special 2016, and this one came up. It's a great vocal from George Michael, and it's sad to hear that this legend of a voice has gone from this world. He was also a brilliant gay idol and LGBT activist. This is the second George Michael animation music video; "December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)" easily represents the festive date as well as love and lights from a child's perspective.
George Michael, real name Georgios Panayiotou, is one of the biggest male artists in the world. Not only has he had his singles and albums in his duo Wham! but he also did amazingly solo and quickly became a legend. So many people know his songs that it's difficult just to think of one favourite from him. This song was another Christmas song he released recently, then he later performed it on The X Factor. The song was planned for the Spice Girls, but personally, I believe, it sounds so much better from George Michael himself. It charted at number 14 in the UK, but shops sold out of the physical CD so it could've charted higher if they had stocked up more. "December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)" was written by George Michael and David Austin.
As previously mentioned, the music video is George Michael's second animated music video, after "Shoot The Dog". It depicts George Michael as a child, who walks through a TV.
It describes a child's representation of Christmas, all wrapped up in quite a sad and lonely way. Since there is only a mother in the whole video, maybe he is thinking of his dad? Who knows?
Inside the TV, we watch him have a snowball fight with a panda, and ride some light bulbs that have wheels on. All the while, his mouse or hamster follows him with every step; mainly in a comedic way.
Towards the end, the child falls from a great height, but luckily he wakes up in his bed; there are presents under the tree, and his mother gives him a cuddle. It's quite dreary, and sad, although the reason why isn't clear. However, it's still quite adorable.
Another new Christmas song and this one is another joyous festive track, that spreads the Christmas spirit throughout everyone, so this had to be included on my Christmas Special 2016. Kelly Clarkson has always been one of those singers who would release a song I like, but then radio overplays it and I don't like it anymore, or even if they don't overplay it, I end up overplaying it and then not liking the song anymore. This only happens to her songs, and I don't get why this happens to me with her songs, all the time. This one is the exact same, but I can't help liking it because it's a jolly Christmas song. In this music video for "Underneath The Tree", watch Kelly Clarkson perform on her Christmas TV Special, while behind the scenes are cut throughout.
Kelly Clarkson hit fame when she won the first series of American Idol. Since then she has really set herself as one of the biggest female recording artists in the world. Recently, she hasn't been charting that well globally, although she manages to come back time and again with a hit first single from each album that she releases. This song is from her Christmas album and managed to hit number 30 in the UK. Since 2013, the song has received great radio play every Christmas, and the song is a favourite around Christmas time. The song was written by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin.
The music video was directed by Hamish Hamilton and Weiss Eubanks. It consists of Kelly Clarkson performing on her Christmas TV special titled "Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale", which was shown on NBC.
She gives a stunning performance in a beautiful white and red dress, that is totally festive. She proves why she won American Idol all those years ago, she proves that her place in the world is on a stage, singing to people. Her voice is magnificent and this song manages to portray her vocal abilities.
As for the segments between her amazing performance, they're fun and cheeky, showing Kelly Clarkson's lightheartedness behind the scenes. She's clearly an easy person to get along with, and she has a brilliant attitude. Imagine being real life friends with Kelly Clarkson... That'd be the life, and you'll always have a good time when she's around.
Overall, it's great to see Kelly Clarkson on a stage performing. It's where she belongs. It's festive, it's fun, it's just a shame there isn't a narrative to incorporate the beautiful and meaningful song lyrics.
Back to the Christmas music videos for my Christmas Special 2016. This is a classic Christmas song that brings the festive cheer to everyone. I actually heard this song in the car today and thought it would be a great song to include in my Christmas Special 2016, and although the music video is dated compared to the others in my Christmas Special, it's always good to look at some classic Christmas music videos and songs. Watch Paul McCartney and his friends simply have a "Wonderful Christmastime" in this cheerful festive music video.
Paul McCartney is legendary. He made a name for himself as being one quarter of The Beatles, who are known as one of the most influential bands in pop history. The band gained international success, and their name is legendary in itself. Away from the band, Paul McCartney has gone on to be successful all by himself. Personally, I thought he was dated, until he collaborated with Rihanna and Kanye West, proving that he can still be commercially successful. "FourFiveSeconds" really showed that Paul McCartney can come out with a massive collaboration and chart well, once again. This Christmas song is jolly and totally festive. It was written by Paul McCartney; and has been covered by many famous artists.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, this music video easily translates this happy song into a simple but wonderful visual, that relates pretty well.
Literally, all the people in the music video are having a good time, a wonderful Christmas time. They all attend a party, in which Paul McCartney is performing with his band.
There are various intricate light and editing techniques used throughout which is shocking to see from a 1979 music video. The tricks are totally interesting to watch and shows the imagination behind the people who made the music video.
There's not a lot going on in this music video; however, it's joyous, it's festive, it's Christmassy... What more should we have expected? I like how they tried different things and made the music video current for its time.
