New Release: Avril Lavigne - Smile

I have been a fan of Avril Lavigne's since she first started out way back in 2003, with her first song called "Complicated". I have grown up with her, and it was a long wait until finally she released her third album 'Goodbye Lullaby', my favourite album she has ever released. It shows a totally different side to her, and also shows how much she has grown up, even though she was released into music at a young age. This album has supposedly been ready for atleast a year but her record label wasn't happy with it. I think her main problem was the fact that it took so long to finally release another album, and by that time, many of her fans had dwindled away, therefore her comeback with this album failed to make it to No.1 in the UK unlike all her other albums.
"Smile" is my favourite track from this album, as it's catchy and reminds me of the old songs she used to sing, however this has a lot of heart-felt in it and the music video is just breath-taking. This is her second single from her third album: "Goodbye Lullaby". And by the looks of things she's not getting enough people in the UK to buy her single and it might end up as a "Did not chart", which would be unfair, as I'm sure a lot of people would like this is they got to actually hear it. She really needs to do more promoting in the UK however it clashes with the tour she is currently doing. This song deserves to get high in the chart, however it looks like it might not get there.

The song is about being who she wants to be and not caring about what other people think. It also talks about falling for someone, almost love at first sight, as she says 'It took one look and now I'm not the same'. She sings about liking someone so much that a bad day always turns into a good day, whenever she sees him. My favourite bit is: 'I woke up with a new tattoo, your name was on me and my name was on you', it suggests recklessness, and her new found glory of tattoos, and although I dislike tattoos, and wouldn't get one myself; I always have to atleast smile at this part of the lyrics.

The music video is really good, and the production team behind it did a really good job. I like how there are two stories, and they both link in with the song perfectly, I think this music video is one of the best I've seen since you can imagine this being the reason why Avril wrote this song.

There are two different storyline. At the start you are quickly introduced to both of them, but the first few clips are of Avril designing the room she's in with Spray Paint and poster. She is wearing one of her designed dresses from her 'Abbey Dawn' Collection. I think it's a great way to promote her clothing line, and I hope she brings it to the UK, as I'm desperate for an 'Abbey Dawn' T-shirt, and I'm not paying £45 to get it shipped from America, unless someone gives me the money. This storyline shows her care-free nature, in her song she sings: 'I do what I want when I feel like it', so this room, that she created shows her originality and her style. Her green streaked hair shows rebellion and also suggests that she'd dye her hair how she wants it and she doesn't care what others think. But also it suits her. Furthermore, in this part of the story, we see her rocking out on her guitar. It shows she is musical, and knows how to play. On her album she plays a piano and many other instruments, and for her UK and US tour she's thinking about stripping it back with some songs where she just sings and plays an instrument. This will prove to people that she deserves positions on our chart and she has worked hard to get where she wants to be.

The second story is in black and white, this is the heart-felt side, and is also shown in black and white (and red). She is a ghost, or at least an external force, that no body can see, and who nobody can react to. She comes out a house and climbs down the steps, then she stops half way, seeing a red perspex shattered heart, and she picks up the pieces. She is wearing a tiara, that goes with her princess exterior, and her rebel look. Furthermore, she's seen wearing her new 'Abbey Dawn' Smile T-Shirt, that was inspired from this music video, and some 'Converse'. She ends up walking past people, who are either having an argument, or a bad day, and around them are shattered, red, perspex hearts, and when she picks them up, the upset or distressed people smile, the camera shot is a close-up of the people's faces so that the person watching is aware of them smiling. Near the end the shattered hearts get bigger and bigger, and Avril's hand become full. And then when we're back to the first story, she holds up a red, perspex heart that is whole. I think it's sucha sweet video and relates to the song perfectly.

When I first heard this song, my immediate reaction was that it would be the next single (after "What The Hell" which was her first single), and I was surprised I was right, as there are a lot better emotional songs on the album, that I love equally as much. The music video is really good, and I always love seeing it on the music channels, however it is rarely shown, and I've never heard it on the radio yet.
This definitely deserves the star rating I've given it, and I hope it gets more popular and eventually gets onto the UK top 40, but if it doesn't, as long as it gets on the chart, I don't really mind. I just hope that if she releases another single from this album, that it does better in the chart. However it's possible that there will not be another single, as she is apparently almost finished recording her fourth album, and if that's true, I can't wait to hear what new music she has in store for us.

Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music

This is definitely my favourite Rihanna song, whenever I hear it, I HAVE to sing a long to it, and I feel upset that she never managed to get this song to number one, and although it charted at number four in the UK which is at least in the top five but it definitely deserve number one in my opinion. Her real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. And since I know all the lyrics off by heart, just shows how many times I've played it. This song ended up on so many different compilation albums at the time, and whenever the adverts came up they would always show a part of this video. And I was surprised that this song appeared on so many, but it did suggest how much people liked this song.

"Don't Stop The Music" was released as her third single from her third Album: "Good Girl Gone Bad". It is a Dance/club song that would've have been played extensively in the clubs in my area (however I was too young to go to a club back then, but now I'm old enough and they still play this song). It is definitely catchy and I don't think there's anyone out there, who wouldn't dance to this song when they hear it, although some people will not as they don't want to embarrass themselves. This just shows Rihanna's diversity, as she could possibly sing any song ever written, and it would still work (okay maybe she should keep away from screamo, but apart from that...)

The song tells a little bit of a story about how Rihanna goes clubbing and meets this guy who she wants to take away, and she likes how he dances and she doesn't want the music to stop. It's a simple storyline, and I think the people behind the music video did good, as there really is little to go on.

I love the start of the video when they walk in the shop and they go behind the counter, to the club. I especially like it when Rihanna turns around and goes "shush" to the little kid. Which is kind of cute. I like how they all seem to be clapping in time to the music, which must have been difficult to record.

The guy Rihanna is dancing with is kind of a nutter (and no I'm not just jealous, he really is crazy). But it kind of works with the way Rihanna is reacting. Furthermore, the editing is fast paced, which is to reflect the song, however it is a little over the top at some times and difficult to follow. Occasionally you can tell that some bits are repeated, and many music videos tend to do this, but sometimes it annoys me, why can't they follow a simple narrative story?

When I first saw this music video, I must have been about 14, and I couldn't stop watching this video on the music channels, I would always go through all the channels to see if this song was on there, wishing that it would be when I flick over. I learned the lyrics quickly and I tried copying some of the dance moves, like the bit when she flicks her finger, in a gesture to come here. And I always had to try and get it at the same time. I loved this song then, and to be honest I still do. The music video, does it some justice, but it could have been better, and as I've said before, if you have a good music video, you will get a good charting position. I hope Rihanna releases another Dance/Club hit, that is just as good as this one, sometime soon, would definitely like to go clubbing when that happens. But will she ever come back to this style of music? Was it just a trial run? We'll just have to wait and find out.

Amy Studt - All I Wanna Do

Amy Studt - All I Wanna Do found on YouClubVideo
This is the 4th Single to be taken from Amy Studt's 1st studio album: "False Smiles". She was a big hit back in 2003 with most people knowing her name, and yet she was only 17. She came back in 2008 with a new album (called "My Paper Made Men" which did not chart on the UK chart, failing to pick up enough interest, and the singles that spawned from the album did even worse) it was one of the worst comeback's I've ever seen, and I felt so bad for her. However she's apparently on her way back again, and for some reason has set up a facebook page under an alter ego, I presume, I hope she does well this time around, I've been a fan of her's since I was young, and she should get the credit she deserves!

This song "All I Wanna Do" is a cover version of the old song, originally sung by Sheryl Crow. It was a big hit for Sheryl Crow, however it wasn't too good for Amy Studt, who ended up releasing this song along with a re-release of her album (and although the song got to No. 21 on the UK chart), her record label decided to drop her. This is most definitely my favourite song, and although it is a cover version, she manages to make it seem as if she wrote it herself. And you truly believe that she feels this way when it comes to this song.

The songs lyrics describes working in a bar, and a man says "All I wanna do is have a little fun before I die" (first line in the lyrics), she sings on, talking about this man who probably "has never had a day of fun in his whole life". There's a big mention of the fact that they're in a bar facing "a giant car wash", and the fact that people out there are doing something, when they are being bored in this bar. In the second verse, it's pretty much the same, but I love the bit when she sing "a happy couple enters the bar, dangerously close to one another", I love this bit because Amy laughs, as if she's seeing this happen right before her eyes (whereas the Sheryl Crow's version is just plain and simple singing). The song keeps on going and you truly believe Amy has started having a day of fun, and turned things around. In my opinion Amy Studt's version beats Sheryl Crow's any day, but I know a lot of people will probably disagree.

The music video is pretty good in general. I think the people who created the music video failed to find a "bar that faces a giant car wash", although there is a petrol station opposite (or should that be gas station? Since it looks like it's set in America) but that is shown later in the video not when she talks a lot about it, which makes me wonder whether it is actually opposite... So just hen I think they might actually pull this off, there's a problem. The song includes a man called "William" but she's sure "he's Bill, or Billy, or Mac or Buddy". This man is not around, which kind of ruins the video. William or whoever his name is should be in this video, but then again, maybe they didn't want to copy the Sheryl Crow's version, who actually had a William.

I like how Amy has done her hair, it's in the style of Sheryl Crow, which could reflect that Sheryl Crow is a major influence in her first album, and I bet she is happy she was able to re-release the album with this song on. It is definitely my favourite song by her, although her new songs have a lot of emotion in, and hopefully her third album will totally grip me.

We see Amy playing a piano for a few seconds, it shows she is musical, and with her second album it just shows she can play. I think it shows that someone who can play an instrument is destined to be in music, and I know there is a lot of talent that doesn't get very far and that Amy has done pretty well for herself, but I think she deserves another shot, and I'm sure she can get far enough in the chart to prove to the other critics out there that she can do well.

Overall the song is amazingly catchy, and I don't think I'll ever dislike it (unlike the Sheryl Crow's original). And trying not to be too biased, I think the music video follows the lyrics to an extent, but only just, whereas they could've done a lot more, and it probably wouldn't have cost a thing, or maybe just a little extra, but it could've been worth, because at the end of the day, if the music video was that slight bit better this song could've been higher in the chart, but I guess we'll never know. But hurry up and come back Amy Studt, we all miss you!

Taylor Swift - The Story Of Us

Taylor Swift has quickly become one of the world's leading Country artists. She is the one stepping up to the plate every single time, with hardly anyone fighting her for the role she has in the whole world. With the release of 3 albums, and several singles she has become a phenomenon, that no one can compete with. She is leading the way for country artists, with Lady Antebellum, and Sugarland, both hitting the charts in the US, they are attempting to get to the UK, but the UK are not taking it, and only allowing Taylor Swift to climb up the charts. Maybe it's about time the oldies come back, people such as Billy Ray Cyrus, and Shania Twain, all of who did really well in the UK chart, could their return's make country popular again? Maybe we'll never know. I heard her sing this song at her tour when I went with Edges, it was really good and we both enjoyed it!

This is Taylor Swift's new single and it's called "The Story of Us", it is her 3rd UK single from her 3rd album: "Speak Now". (The First single was "Mine", which got to No. 30 on the UK Chart, and 2nd was "Back to December", which unfortunately wasn't promoted enough, and failed to reach the top 200). So the Swift is back with a catchy sing-a-long song, that after a few plays are guaranteed to keep your heart pumping, while you sit there watching it full of different emotions. Okay, yes I agree, I am being a bit biased, and that may be because I saw her live when she did her world tour, and so I do know this song, kind of, by heart, but I liked it before hand as well, so maybe I'm not completely biased.

The song was written by Taylor Swift, and describes seeing her ex-boyfriend at an event and they both put up silent shields around themselves and pretending they didn't care about the other being at the event. Taylor said that it felt like "being alone in a crowded room", which is one of the lines in the lyrics of the song. But does the music video reflect why she wrote this song? Does the music video link in with the lyrics? Well that's what I'm going to find out.

I like how it relates to a book, the lyrics do, and in perfect timing the music video shows it. such as the extreme close-up of "killing me" which is a really clever idea. I like how Taylor Swift is the main character, she looks vulnerable, which really works since it shows that she's not the in-your-face kind of person, and she doesn't want to make the first move.

I like, also the way it is acted out as he ignores her, and when they both look at each other at different times, it must have been difficult to have filmed that. I love how the music video can relate to people's experiences and I bet a lot of people will agree, that they've been in similar situations with friends.

The one thing I don't like about this is the end, there's so many different barriers that break down between external characters, but the fact that all they do is shrug and turn away, proves that they are really similar, and don't want to break the silence barriers that separates them. If it was me, I would've said something, whatever happened in the past is never too big to forgive and forget, so why can't they do it too? Okay so maybe I haven't been in a proper relationship yet, and is unsure how things affect people, but I do think that I'd still feel the same way. What do you lot think?

Well overall this is a really good music video, and I can't help but sing a long to the song, even though I am unsure of all the words, but I'll eventually get the hang of it :O)
Buy on iTunes

Jedward - Bad Behaviour


Jedward has become well known in Europe, and their fan base has grown massively thanks to Euro vision (a music competition where countries submit acts to help win them the competition). Jedward backed Ireland in Euro vision, and manages to get top points from the UK, Denmark and Sweden. They ended up 8th, and did better than the UK.

I've known about Jedward for over 2 years now, they appeared on a talent show called "The X Factor" and that is where they gain popularity along with hatred from the general public. However they overcame that and after storming Europe they have a new release called: Bad Behaviour, which will definitely put them on the map, and hopefully get a number one somewhere in Europe. Which I can see happening with this amazingly catchy song.

This song is the 2nd single that will be taken from their new 2nd album. (The first single being "Lipstick", which they sang at Euro vision). This song is really catchy and even though I'm not overly happy about Jedward, this song has got me singing along none stop, so I had to put my thoughts on here and tell you what I made of it!

The song and the music video doesn't really relate to one another. The song is about going out with this girl, and after a while she realises he (or they) have got bad behaviour, and there's nothing they can do about it, and they're having fun, so what's the problem? And they do say that they told her about their bad behaviour from the beginning. On the other hand the music video is about their parents leaving Jedward by themselves, and instead of being good, they decide to be bad and have a party. Both of which are not at all similar. But if they get a hit with it, well done.

The very start is extremely cheesy, but what do you expect from twins who have blonde quiffs? Then when they are sliding around, and are in the shower (together? Hmmmmmm..... Wonder what they've been up to...) shows that they are free to do what they want, with their "parents" away, they don't have any rules. I wouldn't really class it as "Bad Behaviour" but it'll do.

The tweet is quite good especially the use of "Jepic", but then when Perez Hilton appears, it's quite annoying. But it could suggest that Jedward is attempting to release this worldwide, as America knows distinctly who Perez Hilton is, whereas I only know bits and pieces about him, but they could have cut him out and just included him when they release the music video elsewhere. But it's something I'm going to have to live with right? Also he says "I'm coming over", but he actually doesn't, they could have edited that bit out!

This song has an energetic "jumpy" feel to it, and definitely could be played in clubs (maybe at the time everyone is drunk and don't care what they are dancing to). There is choreography that is given to Jedward, and it would be a really good idea if they released this choreography to kids and others who will then know how to dance to the song. Although there is a lot of jumping about, so old people better be careful, we all know you're a fan of Jedward :)

The Tiger is so funny when he/she dances, I always at least crack a smile when I see him/her. The mini wrestler is a little disturbing, it has nothing to do with the song, and it's not even funny, he isn't dancing or anything :( The whale or dolphin or whatever it is, is really cute, I want it!

The ending is really good and clever, and although it has been done a million times, it's still good and also interest teenagers into the music video.

Overall, I LOVE the song, it's very catchy and can easily get stuck in your head, with no problem, but the music video should reflect the song, rather than just focusing on the chorus.
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