Martin Garrix is back in the top ten everybody, finally! Since the number one spot is held by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey with "Closer", which currently does not have a music video, it has opened the top ten up for my Chart Mondays special. Just inside the top ten is this song, a collaboration between Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. It's unsurprising to see it up in the charts since it is infectiously catchy. Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix watch a storm attack their pool before diving off the boards caressing one another amongst the water and the fish all "In The Name Of Love".
Martin Garrix, real name Martijn Garritsen, is mostly known for his number one hit "Animals", his follow-up singles didn't do so well and he soon disappeared. Now he's back with another hit song, filled with synths and raging beats that we can't get enough of, which is complemented by a wonderful female vocal, this song is fire! Bebe Rexha, real name Bleta Rexha, is a star in the making, slowly but surely working her way up in the music industry and the global charts, she's hitting out the bangers at the minute and featuring on all the important songs. A fighter makes her way to the top, keep your eyes on Bebe Rexha, because with a vocal range like this, she'll make it to the top. This song was written by Martijn Garritsen, Matthew Radosevich, Ruth Anne Cunningham, Stephen Philibin, Ilsey Juber, Bebe Rexha and Yael Nahar.
This is visually amazing, a stunning video throughout. It is completely well edited and definitely brilliant to watch.
The whole thing is mainly a performance piece of Bebe Rexha, with Martin Garrix appearing quite static throughout. As the storm rolls in, the amazing editors make the water splash in time with the musical synths, whilst the storm also rages in time with the music.
Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix just stand there watching the storm rip away what should be gentle scenery, before jumping in and becoming one with the storm, all in the name of love.
The whole concept is beautiful and intricate, but there's just something missing, it isn't as engaging as it should be, and they don't quite manage to portray love towards one another, they seem like friends rather than anything more. There's not a lot else to comment on, apart from seeing fish in the pool, which is a unique twist.
Let's be honest, MØ has been trying unsuccessfully to crack the worldwide charts for a few years now, luckily she teamed up with Major Lazer and the rest is history. This song has blown up, especially after the amazing "Lean On" and "Cold Water", if it wasn't for those songs, would this have done so well globally? There are a tonne of amazing songs that just doesn't get the recognition that they truly deserve and this could've been one of them. However, that fate is left to many other songs as this one rages the charts around the world. MØ acts sweet and innocent throughout this video, showing off her performance vibes to this Final Song, but it won't be her last!
MØ, real name Karen Marie Ørsted Andersen, has released quite a few singles, but this is the song that has pushed her into success. Her collaborations are what have given her the fame to gain momentum in the music industry. As I've said many times before, promotion is key, MØ has promoted herself as an artist by featuring on songs that become popular. Now she's impacting the music industry in a big way, but she needs to hold on to her popularity as it can easily slip and MØ could easily disappear. However, she's built herself up to this point, so I doubt she'll lose it completely like many have done before her. This song is so catchy, that it kind of reminds me of "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten, it has the same feel to it, and the more it's heard the more appealing it becomes. It was written by Karen Marie Ørsted, Noonie Bao and Uzo Emenike (known as MNEK). The latter songwriter has been on form lately, writing and collaborating with amazing stars.
Directed by Tomas Whitmore, it is effortlessly beautiful throughout. MØ has this performance style that is unbeatable, it's rare to find in a singer, but she has got it. So much energy released out to her listeners and watchers, I'm in awe of her.
Her dancing is on point throughout. There is not a lot of movement in the choreography, but I guess floating effortlessly does take it's toll on the body. Her lines are flawless, this is a girl who can dance and stylishly too.
The shadow effects on the desert floor are awesome to watch throughout, but it's the floating that is perfection. It takes skill to perfect floating nicely, yet MØ works it look totally natural. This is so believable that it looks too real. We all know it's special effects, and yet it's more that perfection, it's more than flawless, it just works amazingly!
Overall, this performance piece is engaging, interesting and totally out of this world. MØ is a rising star, and I hope she continues her success in her upcoming music ventures because if this is what she can do in a music video, she must be brilliant live on stage. This video may be missing a narrative, but the performance definitely makes up for it.
Ariana Grande has always been one of those people I have kept my eye on. Her music is amazing and her vocal ability is outstanding, and this song just proves my point and even though I don't love it as much as her previous songs, I can't deny that it touches me and it's catchy. Ariana Grande goes to the Honeymoon Inn with her bodyguard lover, but as he watches over her at a party, she spots an ex; she soon leaves with the bodyguard following, ready to take her away.
Ariana Grande first hit the scene in TV show Victorious playing Cat Valentine before starring in a spin-off show. Now, she is long from that children's series and now is one of the hottest female singers in the world, definitely the pop princess of this generation. She's worked hard to get where she is now and she has had the career many have dreamed of. She won't stop, that's for sure, especially when she keeps releasing fire song after fire song. This song was written by Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, Ilya Salmanzadeh and Ariana Grande.
Directed by Hannah Lux Davis and featuring actor Don Benjamin as Ariana Grande's love interest, the video is both narrative and performance based, more focusing on the relationship between Ariana Grande and Don Benjamin.
The narrative side of the video is very romanticised. It's clear that these two manage to establish a connection, really focusing on the love for each other. They easily fall into their character roles although it's clear that kissing one another was a little held back.
However, the two manage to be playful and manage to portray chemistry which is usually found at the start of relationships.
As Don Benjamin watches over her at a party, we see her not having the best time as she spots one of her ex's kissing another girl. I would have also left the party if I were her, shame I haven't got a sexy bodyguard watching over me and prepared to whisk me away on a motorbike, maybe one day.
As for the short performance scene shown throughout, Ariana Grande clearly means every word she is singing. This song means a lot to her, and it means a lot to me too, because people need the confidence to make a move, it's why I always end up making a move. Confidence should always be rewarded in my book, and clearly Ariana Grande agrees.
As a complete package, this video has it all, but the narrative is slightly confusing. The kissing scenes seem awkward and unnatural. However, they make it up to the watchers in the end as they manage to show chemistry and complete engagement throughout.
Melanie C is back with this scorching new song, which I'm sure DJ's will be remixing this song like crazy. I feel like this needs to be played whilst I'm on the dancefloor but maybe a remix version, there's just something that isn't quite giving me the club vibe that is probably meant to be there. Catchy nonetheless, though. Melanie C dances her way through this performance-based video for "Anymore" whilst we see home-videos of dancers.
Melanie C, full name Melanie Chisholm, has said she won't be reforming with the Spice Girls along with Victoria Beckham, leaving Mel B, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton to go as a three-piece. But this is the reason why Melanie C isn't signing up to reform, she's relaunching her solo career, again, and although the single isn't doing that well on the UK iTunes Chart, I can see this being a grower and a climber, because this tune is banging once you've heard it a few times. It is the lead single from her seventh studio album, she has never had a UK number one album yet, could she do it this time around?
There's not a lot to this music video. Melanie C's theatrical performance piece is spot-on, which is what we expect from her. She floods the song with emotion as she lets go during the chorus. The only problem I have is that the chorus feels more like a bridge, and I'm expecting something even more catchy, but it just doesn't quite hit the mark.
As for the scenes intercut throughout, there's nothing enlightening. I feel like a watcher, or someone walking past these people who are dancing on the street. I feel no connection whatsoever, and so their dancing doesn't move me one bit. Yet I feel like that's the whole plan and it links in with the lyrics more, so it's quite clever, yet it pushes the audience away.
This one's a hard one, it's relatable to an extent and yet it fails to draw interest from the watchers. I feel like there's no substance to this video, yet there's no substance to the song either. I feel like we're missing a major catchy chorus, and I just feel lost during the video even if it is relatable in every way. What are your thoughts?
Talk about launching back on to the scene, after Nicole Scherzinger's first attempt at going solo failed, the girls reunited with Nicole Scherzinger as the main lead singer with the girls as total backing dancers and singers. Yet they burst back out with this awesome song that really put them back in the spotlight. The Pussycat Dolls parade around the street as a traffic jam stops them from going to the studio, where they nail some amazing choreography, "When I Grow Up" is a dance-powerhouse.
The Pussycat Dolls were a six-piece girl group but lost a member for their second album so here they are a five-piece consisting of Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Melody Thornton and Jessica Sutta. This was the first single from their second album, and many people thought Nicole Scherzinger said something very different other than 'groupies' in the chorus, this is an old joke that people still use today. The song reached number three on the UK chart, which is pretty good. The song was written by Rodney Jerkins, Theron Thomas, Timothy Thomas, Jim McCarty and Paul Samwell-Smith. The song samples "He's Always There" by The Yardbirds.
The director was Joseph Khan... Definitely becoming a household name on my blog, he has clearly made the best music videos and is already majorly respected in the music video industry.
Following every other singer stuck in a traffic jam, these girls jump out of the car and never return, making sure they get to their destination while creating their own traffic jam, naturally. However, respect for The Saturdays, who return to their car in the music video for "Higher"!
Now, ignoring Nicole Scherzinger as lead, and kind of only, vocalist; these girls bring fire with their dancing. Any choreography thrown at them, they perform with perfect technique that definitely made this girl group one to watch. To nail these dance moves is something most girl groups will struggle with. First and foremost these girls are mainly dancers, and although Nicole Scherzinger has the spotlight, they can definitely draw in harmonies together.
There's not a lot else to say, apart from the guys staring at them whilst their girlfriends get a little mad. The Pussycat Dolls may be missing one member during this video and their subsequent ones, but we're kind of used to it since "Buttons" has continuity errors.
This was the whistling song in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 and it's definitely upbeat, which definitely helped overall. Sebalter entered for Switzerland and managed to get them 64 points placing the country 13th, which is pretty good going. This cute number will definitely cheer you up, unless you're like me and can't whistle at all, and so can't whistle along with everyone else. Sebalter is the "Hunter of Stars" as he whistled his way through a hotel as a concierge and a hotel chef, as well as the Eurovision Song Contest, finally winning everyone over including his boss.
Sebalter, real name Sebastiano Paù-Lessi, was originally a part of a group called The Vad Vuc, who went on to release three albums before he left to pursue a solo career. He entered Die Große Entscheidungsshow, which is Switzerland's national selection process, in which he won in 2014. The song did well at Eurovision and even did well in charts around Europe after the contest. Sebalter went on to release an album and a follow-up single but has since not released anything new. The song was written by Sebastiano Paù-Lessi.
The video was directed by Nick Rusconi and was filmed at Hotel Royal Splendide in Lugano, Switzerland. Quite tongue-in-cheek and definitely upbeat to go with the song, Sebalter plays a comical character and really shows his acting abilities, and slight dance moves.
Working inside of a hotel, Sebalter releases singing energy in front of unexpected guests, and his very unhappy boss. Even worse, is when he is in the kitchen making spaghetti and it flies through the air and lands on his boss, which was obviously going to happen. But finally, after joyfully playing his song up and down the corridor on the luggage cart, he settles down, playing his song and wins his boss over.
A great happy performance piece with a very obvious yet comical narrative piece. Overall this video is great fun and hilarious. Yet the song has a hidden meaning behind the deceptive lyrics and it is quite emotional. Yet they've focused on the happy sound of the song and the cheerfulness of the song is why it did so well at Eurovision.
Rumoured to be about the Orlando Shooting, this music video really does hit home for many people. It's so theatrical with amazing dancing and choreography which we totally expect from Maddie Zieger now. This whole music video is shockingly great, and Sia's lyrics is definitely just as good. Inspiring the whole world not to give up, Sia's song is pretty catchy, but it's the video with Maddie Zieger that really makes this "The Greatest", especially when it's supposedly about the Orlando Shooting.
Sia, full name Sia Furler, has really come into her own in the last few years. Now she's one of the most talked-about female singers as well as one of the most popular. Her songs have always cut deep and has always been superb. Now she's back with this new song which will be the lead single from her eighth studio album, which will do amazingly worldwide. This song originally features a rap from Kendrick Lamar, however. the rap verse has been taken out for this music video. The song was written by Sia Furler and Greg Kurstin.
Directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, with the choreography done by Ryan Heffington. This video is full of emotion, and even though the dance sequences are crazy, as always whenever Maddie Zieger dances, it's so full of emotion just like the song.
I love the start and the end, how Maddie Zieger paints rainbows on her cheeks using her hands, and she's clearly upset. The song suggests to keep your head up, and so Maddie Zieger shows that in her performance.
All the kids perform amazingly, of course, Maddie Zieger stands out the most, and her wacky faces make this serious music video wacky and hilarious at the same time, yet as we journey through dance, we get to the powerful ending where they're dancing together as a group, as one, before falling to the ground and holes can be seen through the walls, suggesting bullet holes.
The last scene is Maddie Zieger crying, this is so powerful and so emotional and does hit home for a lot of people. This will always be raw for a lot of people in the LGBT+ community and it affected everyone around the whole world. This is what makes this music video special.
From what I have heard from Beyoncé's latest album, it's nothing that interests me, and yet it's flooded with emotion and is completely new and her own. No one can deny the influence Beyoncé has had in the music industry, regardless of the fact that I'm not a fan of her new music. Her new stuff just isn't for me, and maybe once upon a time I did enjoy Beyoncé's music, but she's practically developed her music into something that isn't for me over the past few years. "Hold Up" by Beyoncé is a hate loving exploration for wrecking things with a baseball bat. Progressive from drowning to being in control.
Beyoncé, full name Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, first came on the scene as the lead singer of Destiny's Child. But it wasn't until she went solo that she soon became this massive singer. Now she's poured her heart and soul into her latest album 'Lemonade', which has had mixed reviews from critics and the general public, which explains the not-so-great chart positions she's been pulling in. Regardless of which, her music videos for the album have all been FIRE! This song contains a sample of "Can't Get Used To Losing You" sung by Andy Williams, an interpolation of "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and an interpolation of "Turn My Swag On" by Soulja Boy. This is why there is a tonne of songwriters... Which are: Thomas Pentz (Diplo), Ezra Koening, Beyoncé Knowles, Emile Haynie, Joshua Tillman, Uzoechi Emenike (MNEK), Sean "Melo-X" Rhoden, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, DeAndre Way (Soulja Boy), Antonio Randolph, Kelvin McConnell and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund, the video is part of a one-hour film titled 'Lemonade' which aired on HBO. Seeing only this snippet of the film is questioningly difficult as we haven't seen all parts of the film. However, judgement can only be made on this music video rather than the film as a whole.
The start, the monologue of words which Beyoincé uses to introduce the music video, is suggestive of drowning. That she once succumbed to things and changed herself to become someone.
That is not who she is now, she won't be told what to do, she won't become something she's not. This is who she is, this is the musical direction she has gone down, and she doesn't care what anyone else thinks.
The steps scene is my favourite, she looks like a sea creature breaking the surface, becoming a land creature. As she walks the streets, she grabs a bat and starts taking her hatred out on cars, shop windows, cameras and a hydrant. Although all she feels is happiness.
Overall, this video isn't exactly complete, what with it being a part of the one-hour 'Lemonade' film. However, it does relate to the song well, and it's a great reflection on how Beyoncé is feeling at the moment. There's not a lot else to say, although baseball bats seem to be in right now after Suicide Squad's Harley Quinn.
Last week I had two options for Chart Mondays, or so I thought... And I chose Calum Scott's "Dancing On My Own", knowing full well that my other option would make it to the top of the UK Chart this week, and it sure did.
Little did I know that The Chainsmokers hasn't released a music video for "Closer" which features Halsey, This is the song that is currently sitting pretty on the top of the UK Chart.
Regardless, if I had known this last week, I wouldn't have seen it as a choice. My opinion may have been slightly different, that being said, we can't dip into the past and change things around to see what the outcome would be.
End of the day, this is the fifth time I've not had a video to review for Chart Mondays due to the fact that I have already reviewed all the music videos for the entire UK Top 10 Singles Chart, apart from the ones that haven't been released yet, obviously.
Time to reminisce over my past reviews as click the links to the UK's Top 10:
To finish off this blog post, here's a little question to think about...
Is streaming services wrecking the UK chart?
Just a quick glance at the UK iTunes Chart tells an extremely different story... They said streams won't affect songs near the top of the chart, but it clearly has. In America, they count YouTube plays and various other things towards the Billboard Chart. Things are going to have to change, mainly because the chart is supposed to show what music is most popular, and although that may be the case, slightly, I'm sure that top 10 isn't the current most popular music in the UK.
What do you think? Let me know below or on my social channels.
After a random tweet suggestion asking me to watch this music video; it's time for Bronnie to be a part of my blog. Inspiring musician, Bronnie is ready to bring back the pop/rock music we all fell in love with a decade or so ago. Unsigned and going after her dreams, Bronnie is fighting for what she wants, and totally inspiring a lot of people. With a massive fan base on Twitter, it's only a matter of time before Bronnie makes it big. Bronnie rocks on this "High School Sucks" track, showing scenes of her recording session at Edge Recording Studio as well as scenes from famous films to relate to the lyrics.
Bronnie, full name Bronnie Hughes, is an 18-year-old singer who is currently unsigned. She has currently over 300,000 views on her YouTube Channel. A total of two releases on iTunes, one of which is a Christmas song. She takes inspiration from 00's pop/rock music from Avril Lavigne to Busted to Bowling For Soup. She won the Ryan Seacrest Cover Song Contest, and has been in musical theatre since she was seven. This girl is focused and driven, and is definitely someone to keep your eye on. Requesting the help of Josh Bentley, Patrick Doyle, and Tom Atkinson of the band Liberty Calling, Bronnie recorded this song at Edge Recording Studio, where many famous acts before her have recorded songs and albums. She announced in a behind the scenes video clip, that she wrote the song in February 2015.
The video is less high school and more recording studio, although high school clips from famous films are shown throughout, which nicely links in with the lyrics.
Great visual editing throughout, it really shows Bronnie as this up-and-coming star. It introduces her as a singer-songwriter, showing what she's been up to with this song.
Various clips from American Pie are intercut with a perfect visual of Bronnie. Relating in perfect timing to the lyrics, especially the ode to Sum 41.
As for the performance scenes, Bronnie is on form, you can tell how much she loves this song, and what it means to her. Full of life, in the video, her bubbly charm can be seen throughout and even in the BTS videos. She's a positive person and so genuine, which she easily outputs in the video. If she replicates that on stage, which she no doubt does, then anyone who goes to see her live will be in for a treat.
This is Bronnie, and we all better watch out for her. This video shows her time at Edge Recording Studio, as well as her upbeat positive vibe and performance presence. This is who she is, prepared to bring back the pop/rock genre we all loved a decade ago. Making it current and making it new, Bronnie is ready, are you?
We all have to admit, this track was FIRE when it was released; actually, all of the Pussycat Dolls' songs were TUNES! This was sung on The X Factor today, and I just had to review the video. The problem I had back then was Nicole Scherzinger taking on the lead vocals and the other girls were more like backup singers. Regardless, I still bought the albums and singles. They were full of sassiness and sexiness, much like Fifth Harmony now, only with a lead singer. Totally turning themselves into strippers, the Pussycat Dolls loosen up some "Buttons" with Snoop Dogg in this music video.
The Pussycat Dolls were a six-piece group, at this time, consisting of Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt and Melody Thornton. They made a massive name for themselves back then, becoming one of the biggest American girl groups around at the time. Regardless of the problem with Nicole Scherzinger being the lead singer and the other girls giving backing vocals, the songs were amazing, enough for people to forget about the problem with the group and just focus on the songs. If it weren't for this group, we may never have had Nicole Scherzinger. Yes, she may have made it all on her own, but I doubt she would be as big as she is right now. Not only that but the other girls have started making a career for themselves now too, which really proves that each girl in this group are just as good as one another and deserve to be a part of the music industry. They only had two albums, but if lyrics were shared like other current girl groups do now, then maybe they would've continued. The song features Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus Jr., who's one of the biggest rappers in the world, and he's made his name, he's made his fortune and he is still releasing music for his fans. This song was written by Sean Garrett, Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones, Jason Perry, Nicole Scherzinger and Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus Jr.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, this music video is sexy, stylish and totally relatable. There's some great editing work in the video, with the fire and the chairs definitely making the girls look even more hotter.
There are continuity edits that annoy me, though. During the chair scene and the fire dancing scene, the girls lose a member. Melody Thornton isn't involved in these two scenes. She's definitely not a part of the chair lap-dance scene, with the Pussycat Dolls dropping down to five members. As for the fire dancing scene, she disappears when the girls are on their backs in a circle formation, only she reappears later on when the circle is finished. For those of you who notice this, it's an annoyance that I certainly can't get over. It's bad enough that Nicole Scherzinger takes the spotlight in the verses and most of the choruses, but excluding Melody Thornton completely is shocking, even if it was at her request.
Snoop Dogg's inclusion is mysteriously intricate. He's seen as this guy who the girls want to be with, and his rap lyrics does the song justice, but he just doesn't look the part.
Overall, sexy, stylish and on form throughout. A few annoying continuity edited scenes that although are worked well with the help of some CGI, it tries to hide the fact that they are missing a girl.
Tulisa is back, and boy is the female boss back! Having been away from music for a while, she is now ready to make a massive comeback, and this new version of this song has got everyone loving her again. This club anthem tune is so catchy, you'll be singing along the next time you hear it, guaranteed. It's stuck in my head right now. Tulisa is on holiday, once again, in her music video for "Sweet Like Chocolate", catchy, sexy, and totally on form, she is loving life and she is ready to make a massive comeback.
Tulisa, full name Tulisa Contostavlos, first came on the scene with N-Dubz. After they disbanded she had a successful solo career with "Young" being her first number one. It is unlikely that this new song will make it to the top, but it'll definitely chart well, especially with how catchy the song is. Featured on the track is Akelle, full name Akelle Charles, who is known as part of trio: WSTRN, who's song "In2" peaked at number four in the UK. The song interpolates Shanks & Bigfoot's song of the same name "Sweet Like Chocolate".
This holiday music video isn't anything new from Tulisa, she's clearly enjoying her life and she wants to show everyone. It has a similar narrative as "Young", yet less of a story and more about having fun.
Akelle adds a fun rap lyric, that breaks up the song nicely, but the whole visual is simple and uninteresting. Having seen many videos like this before, there's just nothing new being brought to the table.
Various extreme-water holiday amusements are shown in the video, to show extreme excitement, and that Tulisa has no fear. She's on holiday, having a good time. She's healthy, she's happy and she's totally genuine.
It's a pleasant sight to see, it's like she's back to herself. Now she's ready to come back to music and do what she loves. I hope she follows this single up with new amazing music because I am loving the vibes coming from this new track, even if the video isn't as great as I hoped it would be.
It's THURSDAY! Which means it's revisit time on my blog, and time to delve back into Jason Derulo's past and pull this one out of the bag. It was his first number one in the UK, and definitely wasn't his last. It is quite cheesy for 2009, but what can you expect from something that's seven years old. He is a much more talented singer nowadays, yet his old songs are just as catchy, if a little cheesy. Jason Derulo chats up Lala Escarzega in a parking lot as he envisions them together in his head, for his second music video.
Jason Derulo, real name Jason Desrouleaux, has had a great career so far, and it's unlikely to stop. This was his second solo single which hit the top spot of the UK Singles Chart back in 2009. Nowadays he has totally dropped the Jason Derulo name singing at the start of his songs, although it would've been quite fitting with 2 Chainz name singing in their collaborative song "Talk Dirty". This song received a remix with Nicki Minaj, as well as various cover versions released years later. This song was written by Jason Desrouleaux, Claude Kelly and J.R. Rotem.
Directed by Kai Crawford, it is set in a car park. Jason Derulo's love interest is played by actor Lala Escarzega.
Not much of a budget behind this one, it feels like we've seen what happened before "Want To Want Me" and how Jason Derulo got that one night stand.
Nowadays, this is quite laughable, look at that jacket which is way too big for him, totally baggy! And guess what? He changes clothes just to dance because you can't really dance in that blue jacket. Which kind of loses continuity, unless it's all in his head, which is suggested by the end of the music video.
At the start and the end, we're introduced with a snippet of his debut single "Whatcha Say", kind of relating this song to that one so people would realise that it's still Jason Derulo (and yes I sang that).
Jason Derulo serenades this girl, hoping she'll leave with him, although the setting is not a club as the lyrics suggest; yet we can deal with the car park.
Lala Escarzega isn't all that interested, she's eyeing up other people, seeing who else she can get the attention of, which is to be expected, but look what she missed out on because Jason Derulo is totally steaming now.
It turns out it was all a day-dream of what Jason Derulo hopes to happen as Lala Escarzega walks out of the store, but she just suggests that they have met before as his previous single ends the music video.
With little else to comment on, the music video is clever, suggesting everything we had just seen was in Jason Derulo's head, relatable and interesting, with dancing on point throughout, some great technical choreography throughout, although dated now, is intricate. This is definitely good, considering there wasn't quite a great budget involved, clearly.
Keeping up with my Eurovision Special, this song would've got 12 points from my country, the UK, if it was all down to the public vote. Highly sexualised and definitely catchy, Cleo is a star in the making, her clear crisp vocals are rhythmically amazing. Poland scored 62 points placing them 14th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Sexualised to the max, Donatan and Cleo's "My Słowianie - We Are Slavic" surprised us all at Eurovision, with a catchy number and expressing Poland's traditional ways.
Donatan, real name Witold Czamara, is a Polish producer and a part of RafPak. Both of his albums, one of which is a collaborative album with Cleo, have both hit the Polish number one. His infectious beats will continue to score him chart success and be known as a influence within Polish music. However, Cleo and Donatan have now parted ways, with Cleo going after a solo career. Real name Joanna Klepko, Cleo has really hit it off with her solo career, becoming a known name within Polish music and the chart. They were selected by internal selection. The song was written by Cleo. And despite the clear public love for the song and music video, it didn't chart anywhere else apart from Poland.
Directed by Piotr Smoleński, the video was shot in the museum of agriculture, Muzeum Rolnictwa, and features the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Warsaw University, 'Warszawianka'; as well as model Kamila Smogulecka who is also known as Luxuria Astaroth.
As stated before, this music video is over-the-top sexualised in reference to Poland's traditional ways. Although Slavic women can be found in history in many different countries.
Set in a whole different time zone, this is turned modern, as there's dancing, singing and Slavic Girls.
Various chores can be seen performed by women, along with baking and training. It's clearly a celebration of their past brought into the 21st century.
The video is relatable, well overly relatable, to the song. Taking a tongue-in-cheek look into the past of Poland. With a catchy song, this visual music video has been watched by the millions. Definitely deserved it's placing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, maybe deserved a higher placing, but there was so many great songs that year.
This is the steamy music video everyone was talking about back when this song hit number one last year. He has definitely come a long way and made quite the name for himself. Jason Derulo is definitely one of the hottest R&B singers about at the moment, and I don't just mean in looks. He's pulling in some serious chart numbers and hit singles dropping left right and centre. Heard this song on the radio today, hence why I'm reviewing the music video for it, because I'm surprised I haven't already. Jason Derulo gets all loved up in this video, hoping this girl wants him as much as he wants her. "Want To Want Me" is sexy, super hot and quite naughty but in a totally good relatable way.
Jason Derulo, real name Jason Desrouleaux, recently released his first greatest hits album titled 'Platinum Hits' earlier this year, but with very little promotion it didn't fare so well on the charts globally. He needs a full on promotional release behind him, this has always helped him have worldwide hits like this one. This single stayed at number one for four weeks in the UK. The song was written by Jason Desrouleaux, Ian Kirkpatrick, Samuel Denison Martin, Lindy Robbins and Mitch Allan. It was planned to be a Chris Brown song, but he felt it didn't fit with his album 'X', instead he is known as a co-ghostwriter of the song.
The music video was directed by Colin Tilley, and features actress and glamour model Tianna Gregory as Jason Derulo's love interest. This director has worked with the biggest stars, and directed some of the best music videos, so it's no surprise that this is so amazing.
This music video has it all, a relatable sexy narrative, a performance like no other, and to complete the package there's Jason Derulo naked on a bed with just a sheet. What more do we want?
The song is about wanting someone to want you, and I love the start, where they're in two separate beds and you know they are thinking of each other.
We travel into the past and see what happened, and it's clear that a one night stand; a night of passion, is what happened between them, and now they're both lonely in their own beds wondering if it should've been more.
The performance side of the video is on form throughout. Jason Derulo has stage presence like no other, he is a performer, most definitely, and this is probably one of the main reasons why he has done so well for himself in the music industry.
Overall this music video is totally faultless, but that is what we're slowly getting used to when Colin Tilley is the director. Fully detailed and relatable this music video has it all going on.
Still at the top is Major Lazer's "Cold Water" which features Justin Bieber and MØ; it still has no music video. So the UK top ten is open for my Chart Mondays review and there's only two songs I can choose from... One is expected to hit the top of the charts this Friday, and so I have to go with this one! Calum Scott found fame from Britain's Got Talent, in which he auditioned with this song, now he has released it and it has been solidly charting in the top ten week on week. Strong throughout, this music video looks lifeless as it purely focuses on Calum Scott's amazing vocals on cover single "Dancing On My Own".
Calum Scott took part in the ninth series of Britain's Got Talent, and even auditioned with this song. He made it all the way to the final, where he came sixth overall. He went on to score a record deal with Capitol records back in May. This song is a cover version of Robyn's song of the same name. It was originally independently released back in March, and after the song gained momentum on the charts, it was re-released under his new record label. The song has been a chart success because of his amazing vocals and managing to change the lyrics into an emotional ballad. It was written by Robyn and Patrik Berger.
Directed by Ryan Pallotta, this simple music video has hardly anything going for it, totally focusing on Calum Scott's voice and visual.
There is a slight narrative involved, yet it never fully develops into anything. They find each other in the crowd, and it's obvious that they want to be together. Which is totally confusing because it's not at all relatable to the song.
Regardless of whether this is Calum Scott's emotional ballad or Robyn's upbeat club track, this so called story line does not fit with the song whatsoever. Whether there was a developed narrative, that got cut, is something we may never know.
As for Calum Scott's performance segment, it's very static, as was the guidelines for this music video; yet he can perform on stage, we saw it during Britain's Got Talent but he's just standing there amongst the crowd, and occasionally it looks like we're playing Where's Walley, or should I say Where's Calum?
This is not fully developed, like what are they staring at? Why are they there? This music video makes no sense to me, and although some things are explored, it fails to relate and it fails to promote Calum Scott all that much. So many questions with no answers and a video that doesn't make a lot of sense.
I'm hearing this a lot lately and it is such a great catchy song that suits her voice, and hopefully her following singles do the same thing. Dua Lipa is new on the scene, and her voice has got us all captured in her music. This video for "Hotter Than Hell" is teasing, sexy and totally hotter than hell. Dua Lipa is relaxed and totally one to watch in the coming years.
Dua Lipa, which is her real name by the way, is a British rising star, currently doing well with this single globally. Her other singles haven't reached quite the expectation as this one, although "Be The One" charted amazingly in other countries. Although her lack of chart success in her own country might impact her future releases, being a hit in other countries may just tip her to be someone to watch out for. Her vocals are on form throughout this song, nice and deep this was not the voice I expected out of such a stunning beauty. This song was written by Dua Lipa, Gerard O'Connell, Tommy Baxter and Adam Midgley.
Directed by Emil Nava, it was filmed in a warehouse. Sexy and sultry throughout, Dua Lipa is a vision of beauty, as she sings the racy lyrics.
A pure performance piece, there isn't an awful lot going on, a lot of visual sexiness in the entire clip, with Dua Lipa showing her confidence.
She does a bit of freestyle dancing, in which we see how much confidence she has as a performer, which will definitely make me interested in seeing her live.
There isn't an awful lot else to comment on, the use of the cameras by the extras really adds a texture to the video, and shows how the same scenes can be seen totally differently, due to the camera used. Although the constant switching between handheld camera and the professional one really messes with the viewing of the music video.
Overall it's relatable, yet distracting. It doesn't really introduce Dua Lipa at all, but that's not what this music video is meant to do since this song wasn't expected to become as popular as it did. Now all eyes are on Dua Lipa, because she is definitely one to watch.
After Honey G sung this on The X Factor, I just had to listen to the actual version, and although no one can ever sing this song as good as Missy Elliott, she gave it a pretty damn good go, and to nail the reversed lyric is just amazing! This is quite a scary music video, and the explicit lyrics is something that sailed past my head when I was younger and listening to this. Yet they're nothing new in rap music, just more obvious here. This quite frightening music video has Missy Elliott doing all sorts of things that is visually worrying, but hell can she "Work It".
Missy Elliott, real name Melissa Elliott, is currently working on her next studio album. She made a full comeback in 2015 with single "WTF (Where They From)", yet nothing else has come from it, apart from uncharted follow-up single "Pep Rally". Missy Elliott will always be one of the biggest female rappers in the music industry, and everyone pretty much wants to work with her. She might be returning to music slowly, but we all know that this new album is going to be off the radar! This song was written by Melissa Elliott and Tim Mosley.
Directed by Dave Meyers, this music video is so ahead of its time, that it actually hurts. They try to do things that you wouldn't expect back in 2002, and yet here it is. The video also features cameos by Timbaland, Eve, Tweet, Alyson Stoner, Aaliyah and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. The latter two had died not long after the video and so therefore are commemorated on the front of a car.
During the production, apparently Missy Elliott got quite drunk due to the wine actually being wine. Not only that but real honey bees were used for the one scene and only one crew member was stung.
Totally an artistic piece, with various visuals messed around with to make it look weirdly real, this music video definitely defined visuals back in 2002, even if it did creep us all out back then, and still does today.
Overall realistically weird was basically the concept and they made it work. Totally ahead of it's time, this music video could have been so much more if left for a later date. Yet it doesn't quite relate to the song, even though the dancing is on form throughout.
I wasn't even aware that this was going to become an actual single, especially since this is only an online video, and so in theory I'm breaking my own rules, however it was released, and I'm a big fan of Alexandra Stan, so why not write another review about one of her songs this week? This song has been taken from her album Alesta and none of her fans was really expecting a single release on top of this video. Alexandra Stan invites us to her home town of Constanţa, Romania as she sings, dances and hangs with her crew and her boyfriend Staruiala Bogdan in online video for "Boom Pow".
Alexandra Stan has really came into her own with her last two recent albums, Unlocked and Alesta really showcases her as an incredible artist. Unfortunately she had worldwide career success early on with "Mr. Saxobeat", yet less promotion on her follow-up singles had a massive impact on her. Now she's hitting out the tunes and only her fans are hearing her. It may feel more exclusive to us, especially since this video was only released because of us, and yet this is a singer that deserves to be heard globally. The song was written by David Ciente and Trey Campbell.
Directed by iRonic Distors, this video was only released after Alexandra Stan encouraged fans to watch "Ecoute" on YouTube and get the view count up to 10 million. This single has not been released in the UK as of yet, hence why I haven't reviewed the music video, but now I'm thinking it never will be.
The two scenes are quite different from one another, As explained in my CelebMix article I wrote on Friday, the home town online video is relaxed and calm. It's totally nice to see Alexandra Stan happy to just be performing. This video only intensifies my desire to see her live.
There's not much to say about this. She's quite comical, and at times she gives an insight of her personality away from the camera, which we constantly see on her Snapchat stories. This video may not have a high-end budget, it may not have the best camera work, those low-angle shots does nothing for me; but it's probably one of most real videos, and I can't help but appreciate the rawness of it.
This was the collaboration that would've got Alexandra Stan back on form, or so we all thought, yet it was promoted slightly in the UK before she parted with 3beat records, this could've been a hit, but instead featured as a bonus track on "Lemonade". Alexandra Stan turns to the street in this performance-based video with Carlprit for "1.000.000" which features a bird cage and lots of glitter, but have we seen it all before?
Alexandra Stan had to be my revisit this week, since none of the other artists from this week have been going long enough. This was one of her early songs from her first album. Unfortunately, it was the start of her decline in the international music world. However, she continues to release music, as I'm sure you are well aware, since I continue to support her on my blog. She just needs worldwide promotion, because she definitely has the voice for it. Featuring on this track is Carlprit, real name Rudi Schwamborn, mostly known for the UK number one feature on Cascada's "Evacuate The Dancefloor", since then he has gone on to feature on many singles as well as released his own music that has been received well. This song was written by André Nemirschi, Marcel Prodan and Marcian Alin Soare.
The mirrored box is back, and is usually seen in various music videos and commercials as well as advertisements, and maybe some other art pieces. Not only that, but there is also a bird cage... What is with bird cages recently?
The glitter scene was a surprise, although considering her management at the time and what she went on to do still under the said management, it's still shouldn't surprise me. Luckily she's away from them now, and on to much brighter and better things.
Carlprit is actually a great addition to this video, and it's great to see him take an active role in the performance side of this music video. With only Alexandra Stan to keep him occupied, it's no wonder he shines better than in other videos I've seen him in.
Overall this is a great performance piece from both of these artists. Although more could have been done to relate the content of the song, it's both interesting and engaging nonetheless. I just wish Alexandra Stan was more worldly known, but I guess it's all down to her fans.
Probably one of the catchiest simple songs in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Both favourable and disliked by fans, this song was the Marmite of the group and yet it did so well! This was the entry for Belarus and managed to place 16th with 43 points. Teo, unfortunately, hasn't released anything new since the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Teo is tired of being you sweet cheesecake as he tells a girl where to go in this cheeky low-budget music video.
Teo, real name Yuriy Vashchuk, competed in the Belarus national selection to become the entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. He won and easily outdid the other contestants. Definitely a worthy winner, but the 2014 contest was such a tough year, that it's no surprise that it didn't do better. He is also known as one of the songwriters for Alyona Lanskaya's "Solayoh" which represented Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. "Cheesecake" is about a man who ends a relationship because she wants him to be something he's not. The song was written by Yuriy Vashchuk and Dmitry Novik.
The music video is basic at best, definitely a low-budget music video, but Teo is looking more than sharp and slick, whereas his love interest is less stylish.
She does look a bit like Nicki Minaj, no doubts about that, and yet she's dressed quite cheap and easy. This is the whole concept, a bubblegum pop girl who's quite needy, and he needs someone more mature.
There's some cheeky scenes, that are quite comical, but it's difficult to fit things in, when there's nothing else going on.
This is way too basic for my liking, but the tongue-in-cheek humour, alongside the simple lyrics with Teo's pronunciation of the words, adds more to this than you can possibly think. What would be a throwaway music video, is actually quite engaging.
Didn't particularly choose this, just another YouTube suggestion, and a good one at that. I've always been out of sorts with Tove Lo, some songs I like and "Talking Body" is still one of my all-time favourites, and then sometimes I just don't like her songs. This is one that fits in both categories, it's all right for now, but if radio overplays it then I'll totally go off it. Tove Lo knows sex sells, and so does shaving your head, combining the two and with a crazy dance, she proves she is a "Cool Girl".
Tove Lo is one of a few hottest female singers coming out of Sweden at the moment, and the way they are going, especially dominating in the Eurovision Song Contest, it will not surprise me if more follow. Real name Ebba Nilsson, Tove Lo has really made a name for herself, and have worked with the biggest stars, from Coldplay to Nick Jonas. There's no stopping Tove Lo, she is already a global hit. This song is the first cut from her second studio album entitled "Lady Wood" which will be out late October. It was written by Tove Lo, Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg.
Directed by Tim Erem and Steve Annis, this weird video clip includes Tove Lo shaving off her hair, in a shocking unexpected visual that's left us all wondering if she really has no hair now. If Jessie J and Sinéad O'Connor can pull it off, so can Tove Lo.
Choreography on point throughout, it seems inspiration has come from Sia with this dance style. Chaotic and erotic and yet flawlessly pulled off without one single misstep, this is a high-end production with a weird contemporary feel.
A little shocking, this video is saucy and definitely up there, a stand out performance-based video that just makes me want to see what she's like live. Over the top, but in a relatable good way. Watch out for Tove Lo.
At the top of the UK singles chart this week is still Major Lazer with "Cold Water", that features Justin Bieber and MØ, which still doesn't have a music video... When was the last time a UK singles number one had a music video? It's been way too long. Anyhow, this opens up the Top 10 to my Chart Mondays, and so I chose this one since it's been in the Top 10 for two weeks now, and there are no signs of it dropping out. This group is a part of Fueled By Ramen, who has various big names on their record label, and for the past few years have been hitting charts globally. twenty one pilots sing in a prison, even putting on a show whilst clips of the film Suicide Squad is incorporated between this "Heathens" music video.
twenty one pilots are a musical duo from America, consisting of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Originally a three piece band, which included Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, the latter two had to leave the band due to busy schedules. Tyler Joseph was then joined by Josh Dun and have since gone on to have global success. This song is their highest peaking single in the UK, and it being a part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack has definitely helped. The song was written by Tyler Joseph.
Directed by Andrew Donoho, the video is set in the fictional prison of Belle Reve in the DC Universe. Clips of Suicide Squad can be seen throughout, which adds relatable content to this music video.
Clearly Tyler Joseph is imagining things, as he sees Josh Dun playing drums in the prison, but it's not really happening. He's in a cell in a bright orange jumpsuit, what he's doing there is anybody's guess.
The cell opens and he walks to a stage, where the jumpsuit disappears and he performs alongside his band mate. Soon enough the other prisoners come to watch and enjoy the live performance. But it's all in his head, as at the end, he's sitting on the ground surrounded by prison guards.
This music video can be quite confusing and yet it's totally relatable to the song, with perfect scenes of the film shown throughout. This is probably one of the best soundtrack music videos I've seen so far, although I am not so keen on the song. It's quirky and different and definitely works well with the said film, and yet it's not to my taste.
