Lopez Blogs

Everyone and his dog will be writing today about that Judas video by whatsername or the forthcoming amazingness of the solo career of Nicola Roberts. I thought i'd deviate from this a little bit and examine one of the finest albums to be released - Super Trouper by Swedish sensation, Abba. And as happenstance would have it, it's being rereleased as a 2 disc deluxe edition with bonus DVD of rare and unseen performances. Magnifico. It got me thinking as to what it would be like if Abba were transported in time and their music was actually new and fresh today. Twitter would be all over them like a rash. The album prior to Super Trouper (Voulez Vous) would be hailed as a modern day classic. Agnetha would be a judge on X-Factor. Live shows and videos would be visually spectacular. An Abba musical wouldn't be a tale of a slutty woman with loose morals who could easily appear on Jeremy Kyle. Ah, future perfect. As it is they have left a fine musical legacy and Super Trouper is always worth a return visit...

SUPER TROUPER DELUXE:

The seventh studio album from Abba celebrates it's 31st birthday this year. It's getting old, but just as if it were using L'Oreal For Men (because I'm worth it to...) it's still fresh and lovely today. Not a single note, beat or second is squandered on this stunning set and amid the disco magic that Abba were known and loved for, there is a sombre overtone of a group reacting to the changes in their relationships. This is clearly evidenced on one of two #1 singles on the album - the bitter lament of The Winner Takes It All. It's a spinetingling track that is saturated in emotion and has quite rightly been voted as Britain's favourite Abba song - twice. It's poignant and stirring and it's original title (The Story of my Life) gives it an added pathos. Even the bouncy title track (and other #1 single) feels like the group celebrating the peak of their halcyon days with a heavy sigh. In typical Abba style, it feels happy and upbeat, yet is tinged with a sadness and yearning that's hard to ignore.

Fear not - it wasn't all heartbreak and longing. Lay All Your Love On Me remains a classic dance anthem (and an Erasure cover years later would prove how it could be adapted to a more modern musical setting) as does it's flip side of the single release, On and On and On. The latter is an absolutely bonkers o clock track that bounces along with perky glee - and is now a full length stereo mix (only available in monotone previously). It sounds magnificent. Pair these with upbeat magic like Me & I and the scottish instrument/latin lyric blend of The Piper and there's enough to get a party started.

It is the album's more reflective moments that create nuggets of elegance and beauty however. There's a foreshadowing in the laid back wisdom of Our Last Summer where singing of old loves and the memories shared are little bits of history repeating as the group approaches it's last days. Happy New Year is an absolute delight - I adore this song so much and the video (Abba round a piano) captures something so lovely about the group that Take That reuniting with Robbie have never been able to replicate. It's the (original) album's final moment that is rather heartening and optimistic - The Way Old Friends Do. It's a poignant diamond of a track - and I recall that on the vinyl copy my family had, the audience applause would play into the playout groove meaning it would repeat until the needle was taken off! All in all, it's a splendid album that showcased the vocal, musical and lyrical prowess of one of music's greatest legends.

Bonus wise, you get the b-side addition of Elaine, the rare track Put On Your White Sombrero and - *SQUEAL* - a brand new featurette, entitled Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You – On Location With ABBA. This featurette is a brand new production, compiling footage that was shot on the night when ABBA and their album designer, Rune Söderqvist, assembled a crowd of friends and circus performers to create the spectacular photograph featured on the Super Trouper album sleeve. This archive footage has been gathering dust in the archives for three decades without ever being made public – until now.*SQUEALS AGAIN* So empty your piggy banks and reinvest in a perfectly splendid and splendidly perfect album :)

My top ten Abba songs (in no particular order):

• Waterloo
• I've Been Waiting For You
• Dancing Queen
• When I Kissed The Teacher
• Summer Night City
• If It Wasn't For The Nights
• Kisses of Fire
• Happy New Year
• The Winner Takes It all
• The Visitors

Melodfestivalens uppstartskräll blev den rappande Swingflys finalplats. En överraskning i flera bemärkelser. Dels var den otippad som direktfinalist, dels att jag personligen gillar den trots att Jenny Silvers ”Something in your eyes” är mer min typ av låt.
The big bang in the first semifinal was that the rapping Swingfly qualified to the final. It was not a pre-favorite at all. For me personally I’m surprised because I like the song (!) even if Jenny Silver’s ”Something in your eyes” is more my cup of tea.

Att Danny Saucedos "In the Club" kom till final känns som en axelryckning. Framförande hade blivit upphaussat till max innan tävlingen och för mig blev det platt fall. Det fantastiskt moderna dansnumret lyckades inte göra något intryck på mig via TV-rutan. Jag blev mest fundersam över hans konstiga kläder.
It felt like a shrug that Danny Saucedo’s "In the Club" qualified and got the most votes. Media have boosted the entry before the show and to me it felt just flat. The much talked-about modern, fantastic dance-show-number didn’t go through the TV-screen well enough to impress on me.  I was disturbed by his strange clothes.


Jenny Silver är säkert inte helt nöjd med sin andra chans placering. Hon spåddes ju en finalplats. Det var nästan så att jag skämdes å Benny Anderssons vägnar över ABBA-plagiatet och det kanske var fler som tyckte det var för magstarkt. Scenshow, mikrofon och kläder var däremot plagierade av Charlotte Perrellis Hero-framförande.
Jenny Silver is most probably not satisfied with her second chance ticket. She was predicted as one of the finalists. I almost felt ashamed, on behalf of Benny Andersson, over the ABBA-plagiary and maybe other viewers felt the same.  Stage show, microphone and clothes were a plagiarism of Charlotte Perrelli’s Hero.

Pernilla Andersson var kvällens värdigaste andra-chansen-vinnare. Hon hade snyggast kläder och ärligaste låten även om den inte är en vinnarlåt.
Pernilla Andersson was the worthiest second-chance-winner. She had the hottest clothes and the most honest song even if it’s not a winning Eurovision song.

Le Kid måste vara mest besvikna av alla och SVT bidrog ytterligare genom att felaktigt annonsera dem som finalister eller andra chansare. Ett fyrverkeri som gick upp i rök. För egen del så klarar vi gott en final utan dem. Detta är en låttävling och det räcker inte att vara färgsprakande. Bandet behöver mogna och jag ser fram emot en återkomst om något år.
Le Kid must be most disappointed of all artists and SVT contributed when they wrongly announced Le Kid as a possible winning candidate. A firework that came to nothing. Personally I will not miss them. This is a song competition and it is not enough to be colorful. The group needs to mature and I look forward to their return in a couple of years time.

Stackars Dilba som var tvungen att öppna tävlingen. Hon verkade kall och blasé efterson hon säkert förstod att hennes chanser var minimala. Hennes tantkläder bidrog till floppen.
Poor Dilba who was the opening act. She seemed to be very cold and blasé as she most probably realized she had no chance. Her strange auntie-clothes did not increase her chances.



Rasmus Viberg och webb-jokern Jonas Matsson hade båda helt dugliga låtar men det var utfyllnadsmaterial. 
Both Rasmus Viberg and web wild card Jonas Matsson had decent songs but they felt like pale complements in the show.

Photos: Lilian, SVT (logo)

God, 2011 is working my last nerve already. I started the new year imbued with hope and optimism (to an extent - I do like to believe that Abba are right and that one day there will be a world where every neighbour is a friend. Not my neighbours though. They are ghastly) and it's just been one big raincloud of doom :( Booo 2011, boooo. It doesn't help that mom has been admitted to hospital again with some unknown infection. Grife. Luckily to help with the down days are 5 lovely songs - one for each working day of the week. How fortuitous.

• Daniel Volpe ~ I Am Japan, You Are Godzilla: This may very well be the most amazing song title since Marit Larsen's exquisitely titled If A Song Could Get Me You. Just for the song title alone, this song enters all sorts of levels of epic legendary brilliance. Add to this the fact that I silently adore Daniel and it's bound to be a bit of a win of a song isn't it? It's a wonderfully pulsating dance tune, full of percolating dance beats, sexy synths and that genius refrain of I Am Japan, You Are Godzilla (you're on the floor/dancing me to the ground). It's not the most conventional compliment you can pay the object of your affections but it's certain to get their attention. Much like this glittering, sparkling track. Play often. Play loud.
• Britney Spears ~ Hold It Against Me: Yes, the twitterverse and interweb spontaneously combusted today when little Bertney previewed her brand new single. It's certainly a juicy slice of down and dirty club-esque pop to brighten up the cold January nights and it's certainly worthy of chart domination. It's a bit interchangeable though isn't it? (See also Avril Lavigne single below)... it could easily be almost any singer. September, Infernal, Gathania and many others with a decent slice of Madonna meets Gaga beats in there. I like it. I just wasn't really aware it was Britney first time I heard it. Still, i'm interested enough to see how good her next album is and I'm aching for a fantastic dance routine video to go with it. Not as good as Toxic, better than 3.
• Avril Lavigne ~ What The Hell: The handclaps are back! THE HANDCLAPS ARE BACK! This is essentially all you need to know about the new Avril Lavigne single. Add to this the fact that it is a bit of a Max Martin instantly catchy classic with a driving beat and a peppy Hellcats chorus and I'm instantly smitten. It's certainly as enjoyable as Girlfriend, but with a more sassy lyrical bite to the proceedings. Much like Britney, other than Avril's contribution to the lyrics, close your eyes and this could have been a Pink, Kelly Clarkson or Marion Raven song. Delicious as raspberry swirl cheesecake though...
• Roxette ~ She's Got Nothing On (But The Radio): Hallelujah and rejoice. The premiere power pop duo of Sweden have returned. With a power pop ditty that sounds like they have never been away. Literally. While that may seem like a bit of a criticism, the song absolutely oozes charm by embracing the fact that it wants to be a generic sounding tune. Heck, even the title sounds like an undiscovered Aerosmith b-side. It shouldn't work but it absolutely does. I'd have liked a tad more Marie, but Per ably guides this instantly familiar little rocker through choppy waters. Sometimes familiarity is just what you need :)
• Nils Landgren & Viktoria Tolstoy ~ When All Is Said & Done: There are very few instances when an Abba song sung by anyone else but Abba actually works. Usually a straightforward cover just makes you want to hear the original and something too different is too startling compared to the much revered originals. However, Nils Landgren and Viktoria Tolstoy have done a very hushed and reverent version of one of the swedish foursomes most beautiful tunes. It's really on a par with the beauty that Daniel Boys bought to his version of To Make You Feel my Love or Ellie Goulding did via Your Song. It's delicate yet luscious piano and an evocative, gentle vocal. Quite simply mesmerising and utterly beautiful.(Thanks Bobbypop for the heads up)

Fun fact ~ my three top rap songs of all time are 1) Shoop - Salt n Pepa; 2) Where Are You Baby - Betty Boo 3) The rap of One Boy Girl (Kylie) tied with the American Life rap (Madonna).

Source, photo: Oikotimes.com, Radio International

Crikey - another year has flown by. Remember when you were little and your birthday would take forever to arrive and Christmas would never come at all? Now they seem to be arriving as regularly as my daily ablutions (charming). Still, inevitably there is good and bad things to bid farewell to and a new year to look forward to. I quite like New Year's Resolutions - sure they are a bit corny and people don't always stick to them, but they give you hope, something to aim for and by the time you remember you haven't stuck to them you won't care anyway :) Thanks for stopping by myfizzypop this past year. You've all been tremendous. Happy 2011 ~ here's my fave new years related toons...

1. Abba ~ Happy New Year: I got a bit mad if I don't hear this timely and timeless tune within a few hours of the clock striking twelve. Much like any abba song, there is something heartbreakingly sad about it mixed with the hope and optimism that a fresh start can bring. Always brings a tear to my eye, especially the gorgeous video above (when you consider they were close to splitting up as group). Unsurpassable to this day.
2. Bette Midler ~ What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?: I love a bit of Bette. Darren and I saw her last new year's eve (which I believe is the show that will be playing on HBO tonight! Someone tivo it for me!) and it was one of our most delightful new year's ever. She makes this tune sound both wistful, pleading and dignified all at the same time. No mean feat. Who doesn't love being serenaded?
3. Forgotten Carols ~ I Cry The Day They Take The Tree Down: Look, ok. It may be from a mormon musical, but it's still one of my favourite Christmas musicals of all time. It's ridiculously feelgood, except for this melancholy tune about wanting the Christmas season to last all year round. I presume there is a message in there somewhere about how it should be in your heart all the live long year, etc., but i do get a bit sad and blue when the tree comes down on New Year's day...
4. Sugababes ~ New Year: It's the babes before they became Stuart Baggs The Brand (or something). Before the catfights. Before the scandal, back when it was sort of pure and innocent (depending on who you ask). When it was all about the music, man. This was a quite lovely single from when they were criminally on the verge of being dropped by their record label. The fools. This is mint!
5. Dina Carroll ~ Perfect Year: Lovely, should still be massive by rights Dina was still actually in the charts with one of my fave songs ever (Don't Be A Stranger) when this tune came out. A delightfully pure ballad from some Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, she sang the heck out of it and it has been a NY staple ever since. Charming...
6. Mariah Carey ~ Auld Lang Syne: Hurrah! mariah's second Christmas album wasn't half bad at all and one of the surprise treats was a slow to disco version of the one minute past midnight celebratory song that always gets wheeled out. It's a disco inferno that will only work once a year so i'll be in a right mood if it doesn't get played tonight. Best bit - "does anybody really know the words?" Yes. I do.
7. Kylie ~ Celebration: For some godforsaken reason, this only made number 20 in the charts. Obviously, the British public meant for it to make number 2, but got it wrong. It's not strictly a new year song but does anyone really care because a) it's Kylie and b) it sounds blooming glorious when there are streamers going everywhere, booze being spilt all over your expensive ensemble and strangers snogging you with halitosis. Only Kylie can make all of that seem like a party :)
8. A*Teens ~ Happy New Year: Let's end the list the way it was started, only not in quite a glorious rendition as Abba do. It's a sterling effort despite the rather nasal "end of the paaaaar-dee" and quite nice to have some male vocals in there. I think I want A*Teens to reform nearly but not quite as much as I want Abba to sing at Katilliams wedding...

Top 21 songs of the week (last chart of 2010!)

21 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
20 ~ A1, In Love & I Hate It
19 ~ Andrea Lewis & Simon Curtis, Talk To Me
18 ~ Joe McElderry, Someone Wake Me Up
17 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Defender
16 ~ Take That, The Flood
15 ~ EMD, What Is Love?
14 ~ Kylie, Better Than Today
13 ~ Eric Saade, I'm Still Loving It (NE/VID)
12 ~ LeKid, We Should Go Home Together
11 ~ Erik Hassle, Standing Where You Left Me 2010
10 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Nobody Knows
09 ~ Rochella Danishei ft Simon Curtis, Michelle (NE)
08 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
07 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love
06 ~ Matt Cardle, When We Collide
05 ~ Darin, Drowning
04 ~ Tove Styrke, White Light Moment
03 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone
02 ~ Same Difference/Alcazar, Karma Karma!
01 ~ One Direction, Forever Young (2 weeks)

Honestly you turn your back for 2 minutes (ie, 2 weeks in Florida - part two of holiday diaries here; cutesy EPCOT video here)and a plethora of aces new Christmas songs pop up in your absence. Most festive and delightful they are, like biting into a slightly warm and heavenly moist mince pie on a cold winters night. Here are five of the best new tunes, with some more to follow on Friday. Amazes...

• Hotel Rival ~ A Rival Christmas: Oh. My. God. Remember when I was obsessed in 2009 with the penned by Benny and Bjorn Abba "Second Best To None" song that was sung by their staff to promote their Swedish hotel? It was (and still is) an epic tune, ideal for X-Factor finalists to release as a charity single. Less brilliant is a festive little effort from them to promote their holiday sales on room rates (or something, probably). To be fair, it's a cutesy folky effort and it's always a delight to get anything Abba related. Plus the hunky barman is there (top right) which is always a must. Pleasantly singalong rather than outstanding, but a nice Christmas gift for any Abba fans out there. PS, I do like the theme of "let them in" - both good for hotels and of course Mary and Joseph, etc. Tres bon.
• Darin ~ O Holy Night: Two facts. I adore little Darin, think he is one of the finest male popstars of the new millenium. And! I adore O Holy Night. It's a bit more of a carol than a song, but it can sound great sung by a heavenly choir or by a strong vocalist. Thank heavens then for Damian over at Swedish Stereo for alerting me to Darin singing O Holy Night. How absolutely magnifico. He sounds both reverent and delightful, and is rocking the bow-tie look. What an angelic little choir dude he is. Oh the thoughts running through my head... :P
• The Pipettes ~ Santa's On His Way: I played this (among others) when I visited Larry Flick on The Morning Jolt for a festive natter with him and lovely Ryan Brockington. It's not the first time The Pipettes have done a Christmas song and this one is certainly less melancholy than their last effort. It's more true to the sound of their debut album but their are some adorable fuzzy/fizzy synths in the middle 8. Look, basically it's a frothy peppermint white chocolate mocha of a song that sparkles like a beautiful snowflake from start to finish. Jingle bells, chimes, echoey vocals and a riff to die for. Santa's on his way and he's already granted my musical festive wish with this little bauble...
• The Unconventionals ~ Long Distance Christmas: Remember The Unconventionals from a few x-factors ago? They put out an actually very charming album earlier this year and now have an equally lovely Christmas song that is heavy on harmonies, tambourines, finger clicks, a mention of Starbucks (it like they wrote it for me!)and a brilliant ad-lib vocal over the chorus at the end of "ring out the bells" that is so blinking joyous you can feel festive goodness eminate from your speakers. Just so perfect in every way. Je t'adore...

• The Killers ~ Boots: Hurrah! A festive tune for AIDS charities by The Killers is now as traditional as hearing Last Christmas as you rush round Tesco to get the last Christmas Pudding with an orange in the middle. I was hoping that at least sexy B-Flo would get down with a Christmas tune, but yay, he convinced his Killers buddies to contribute too. There is a heartbreaking clip from It's A Wonderful Life to start it all off, before a pleading vocal from Brandon set over a shuffling instrumental and thought provoking lyrics that all swell together to make an anthemic addition to their festive pantheon. When i (repeatedly) listen to this, it strikes me that it's pure vocal, no autotune, chiming bells and muted choral additions. They know how to craft a great tune and this is up there with their best. Lovely.
• Coldplay ~ Christmas Lights: Ooo it's already creeping up the UK charts and may be a festive top ten. And perhaps should have been the new winners single from Matt Cardle. I wasn't sure about this on my first listen, but suddenly on the second listen, everything clicked into place and I was a smitten little kitten. The song details how sometimes the harshness of winter and bleak emotions can contrast with the seemingly forced joviality that Christmas brings. Lovely piano, great chorus and a slither of hope as the Christmas lights continue to light up the street. Is that a celtic influence I hear in there??
• VIT ~ The Ghost of Christmas Past: Frankly, I love an alternative musical view of Christmas. A song with brilliant, wistful, melancholy, reflective lyrics set to a haunting melody with a gothic overtone to it. It's got a somewhat eerie feel to it, like walking down a dark victorian street with snow falling on your face as you hear an unwelcome footstep behind you. Basically, it's a wonderfully vivid Doctor Who Christmas Special in song! The vocal delivery is just perfect for the tune and the lyrics are so vividly evocative that you can't help but be transported by the song. I hear there is some lovely single art work by Liam too...
• Kylie ~ Let It Snow: Kylie has ventured into sex kitten Christmas before now (Santa Baby) and now she's back! Back at Rockerfella centre (leg kickingly beautiful), draped in pure white and delivering a simply shimmering orchestral version of Let It Snow. With a hand swaying and a woooo in the middle. The only way this could get any more adorable is if puppies with ribbons round their necks ran onto the stage. What I love about Kylie (everything) is that every performance she does seems so natural yet so carefully planned out to give the production and visuals maximum effect. God she's gorgeous :)

The forgotten classic:

Just play it and tell me that isn't the most discotastic festive amazingness you've heard in ages?! Totally and criminally forgot about it til I heard it playing after this in Abercrombie!! Back Friday!!

Pernilla Andersson is competing in the first semifinal with her own composition “Desperados”. It's her first attempt in Melodifestivalen but that doesn’t mean she is a newcomer in the music-business. She is a singer, pianist, guitarist and composer. Since 1999 she has released seven albums of which the latest one Ö (= Island) came out this autumn.
Pernilla Andersson tävlar i semifinal 1 med sin egen låt ”Desperados”. Det är Pernillas debut i Melodifestivalsammanhang men hon är ingalunda någon nykomling i musikbranschen. Sedan 1999 har hon utkommit med sju album, varav den senast, med titeln ”Ö”, utkom nu i höst. Förutom kompositör och sångerska kan hon också lägga till pianist och gitarrist på sitt visitkort.

You are an experienced musician but a debutant in Melodifestivalen. How does it feel?
- It’s a bit mind-blowing and I'm still trying to get it into my head but I think it will be a great experience. 
Du är en mycket erfaren musiker men debutant I Melodifestivalssammanhang – hur känns det?
- Jag har fortfarande inte riktigt greppat det och försöker få det in i mitt huvud. Men jag är övertygad om att det kommer att bli en fantastisk upplevelse och erfarenhet.

How come that you decided to participate in Melodifestivalen?
- This year my latest album went very well on the Swedish charts and I did a big tour around Sweden, which was sold out. When this opportunity came up I thought it might be a good possibility to play one of my songs for an audience of three million people. My entry “Desperados” was supposed to be on my album but I didn’t have time to finalize it time. The song ended up being a really good one and with Melodifestivalen I found the purpose for it. In many ways it's a perfect timing for me to take part in the contest.
Hur kom det sig att du bestämde dig för att delta i Melodifestivalen?
- Mitt senaste album har gått väldigt bra på de svenska topplistorna plus att jag har turnerat för utsåld hus runtom i Sverige. När denhär möjligheten dök upp så tänkte jag att det är en enorm chans att låta tre miljoner människor får höra en av mina låtar. ”Desperados” var tänkt att ingå i mitt senaste album men jag hann inte få den klar i tid. När den väl blev klar så var det en toppenlåt men utan en given plats. Med Melodifestivalen fick den ett sammanhang och ett syfte. Det är bra timing helt enkelt att vara med i tävlingen just nu.

What kind of song is “Desperados”?
- I call is “spaghetti-western”. It’s a kind of singer-songwriter, pop-style song with some country elements, as well as guitars with tremulous and string arrangements which associate to a Clint Eastwood movie. If I may say it myself - it’s a good pop-song and I’m very proud of it!
Vilken slags låt är “Desperados”?
Jag kallar stilen för ‘spagetti-western”. Det är en singer-songwriter poplåt med lite country influenser, gitarrtremolos och stråkarrangemang med association till en Clint Eastwood film. En bra låt som jag är väldigt stolt över.

Can you tell us something about your background?
- My parents are jazz musicians so I grew up with music. At the age of 15 I started to support myself by touring with various artists as piano player. I have released seven albums in Sweden and now I mainly tour with my own band. I also write music for other artists.
Berätta lite om din bakgrund?
- Mina föräldrar är jazzmusiker så jag har växt upp med musik. Från 15 år har jag försörjt mig själv i och med att jag började turnera som pianist med olika artister. Jag har gett ut 7 album i Sverige och nuförtiden turnerar jag mest med mitt eget band. Jag skriver också musik till andra.

 Have your music been released abroad?
- I have been working both in Belgium and The Netherlands as a songwriter. One of my songs sold gold in Belgium with a singer called Eva de Roovere. It gives the music another dimension when you write for others and it’s something I like very much.
Hur är det med din karriär utanför Sverige?
- Jag har arbetat i Belgien och Holland som låtskrivare. En av mina låtar har salt guld I Belgien med en artist som heter Eva de Roovere. Musiken får en annan dimension när man skriver för andra.

What is your relationship to Melodifestivalen and Eurovision Song Contest?
- I do not have a very strong relationship but I remember when ABBA won. ‘Remember’ is maybe not the correct expression as I was too little by that time but it influenced me as I’m a huge ABBA-fan. I also have a great memory from 1983 when Carola won Melodifestivalen with “Främling”. The last couple of years I have been following the contest as I have friends who have participated, like Salem Al Fakir last year. I loved his song and he is a great artist. I’m so convinced that he would have won the whole contest. So in other words – I do not have a very close relationship – but I’m getting one now!
Vilken relation har du till Melodifestivalen och Eurovision Song Contest?
- Jag kan inte påstå att jag har en jättestark relation men jag minns när ABBA vann. ’Minns’ kanske är fel ord eftersom jag var för liten men det påverkade mig ändå eftersom jag är en stort ABBA-fan. Jag minns också när Carola vann med ”Främling”. De senaste åren har jag följt tävlingen eftersom jag haft vänner som deltagit. Till exempel Salem Al Fakir som jag tycker borde ha vunnit hela tävlingen. En fantastisk låt med en fantastisk artist. Med andra ord har jag inte haft en nära relation till tävlingen men jag kommer att få det nu!

We wish you the best of luck in semi-final 1.
Learn more about Pernilla: www.pernillaandersson.com

The status of ABBA is unquestionable. A world without ABBA-music would be a so much poorer. Will ABBA ever be back on stage? In a way ABBA is always on stage even though it’s not the original group.
ABBA status idag är odiskutabel. En värld utan ABBA-musik skulle vara bra mycket fattigare. Kommer ABBA nånsin tillbaka på scenen? På sätt och vis är ABBA alltid scenaktuella även om det inte är originalgruppen.

A proof that “ABBA rules” is the rip-off and ABBA-copies that frequently pop up.  During the last weeks I have heard one of those rip-off-songs every day on Swedish Radio. Even the title is as close as it can be. I am talking about “Honey” with the Swedish sisters CC & Lee.
Listen to the song HERE
Beviset för att “ABBA rules” är alla rip-off och ABBA-kopior som ständigt dyker upp. Under de senaste veckorna har jag dagligen hört en av dessa på Sveriges Radio. Till och med titel är förvillande lik. Jag pratar om ”Honey” med Ronnebysystrarna CC & Lee.
Lyssna till låten   HÄR.  

ABBA won Eurovision Song Contest 1974. Maybe it’s time for Sweden to send a new version of an ABBA-song to Germany next year. Keep in mind that ABBA was extremely popular in that country. The rumor says that CC & Lee wanted to participate in Melodifestivalen 2010 with “Honey” but was refused by the jury. I hope the 2011-jury has reconsidered their mind in case another ABBA-pastiche is knocking on the Melodifestivalen door.

ABBA vann Eurovisionen 1974. Kanske är det dags för Sverige att skicka en ny ABBA-pastisch till Tyskland 2011. Kom ihåg att ABBA var omåttligt populära i det landet när det begav sig. Ryktet säger att CC & Lee skickade in ”Honey” till Melodifestivalen 2010 men refuserades av juryn. Jag hoppas att 2011-års jury inte gör samma sak. 

The CC & Lee’s “Honey” is a decent song in the ABBA-genre but however – nothing compares with the original “Honey Honey”. Check out this video from a German TV-program. It was playback already back in 1974 but I don’t care. I know the song by heart so can fully concentrate on the fabulous clothes. I doubt that any ABBA-copies are able to copy these outfits.
"Honey Honey" with ABBA in Saarbrücken, Germany on 16 May 1974.

"Honey” med CC & Lee är en bra låt i ABBA-genren men inget kan överträffa orginalet. Kolla in denna video från ett tyskt TV-program där ABBA sjunger ”Honey Honey”. Visserligen var det playback redan 1974 men vad gör det. Eftersom jag minns låten utantill kan jag koncentrera mig på de fantastiska kläderna. Jag betvivlar att det finns någon ABBA-kopia som är kapabel att kopiera denna utstyrsel.
"Honey Honey" med ABBA i Saarbrücken, Tyskland 16 maj 1974.

Photos: Lilian, ccnlee.com, hanser.se, hd.se

Josh Dubovie är Storbritanniens representant i Oslo och hans låt ”That Sounds Good To Me” är skriven av de Brittiska popgiganterna Pete Waterman, Mike Stock och Steve Crosby. Josh passade på att debutsjunga den slutliga versionen av sin låt i samband med förra helgens Pre-Eurovision event i Zaandam-Amsterdam. Direkt efter framförande fick jag möjlighet att intervjua honom och få hans egna kommentarer till låten och ESC i allmänhet. Ifjol stod musikalgurun Andrew Lloyd Webber för bidraget och det gav landet en hedervärd 5:e plats. Josh medger att han känner en viss press på sina 19-åriga axlar.

Många har väntat på att få höra hur ditt bidrag egentligen ska låta. Hur kändes det att äntligen få framföra din slutliga version av “That Sounds Good To Me”?
Jag är otroligt glad över att låten äntligen är på plats och publiken gav ett fantastiskt gensvar.

Vad är skillnaden mellan låt nu och den du framförde i brittiska finalen?
Kompositörerna Waterman, Stock och Crosby skrev en låt som skulle fungera för sex olika artister. När det blev klart att jag vann så har de skrivit om låten och anpassat den till mig och min röst. Man har också lagt till ett tuffare beat i bakgrunden.

Känner du dig mer komfortabel med den här versionen?
Ja absolut. Nu känns det att det är min låt istället för någon annans. Det är otroligt viktig att jag och låten hör ihop i ett så pass viktigt sammanhang som Eurovision. Jag hoppas också att alla andra ska gilla den nya versionen.

Hur är det att jobba tillsammans med superkända låtskrivare som Stock, Waterman och Crosby?
Det är en ära och ett privilegium. De har väl cirka 200 hits bakom sig vilket är ett fenomen i sig. Jag har haft en fantastisk tid fram tills nu och jag hoppas få chansen att jobba med dem även i framtiden.

Hur kommer din show att bli i Oslo – blir den annorlunda än i den brittiska finalen?
Produktioner och scenframträdandet är helt nytt. Vi kommer att ha full styrka på scenen, dvs. 6 personer som sjunger backing vocals och dansar. Hela scenytan används och vi kommer att ha olika nivåer som vi rör oss emellan. Dessutom ska vi använda vindmaskinen!

Blir det några fler promotion resor förutom denna till Amsterdam?
Kommande helg är det en motsvarande Pre-Eurovision på The Shadow Lounge i London. Egentligen skulle jag vilja besöka att medverkande länder i Eurovision men det är praktiskt omöjligt. Min förhoppning är att det åtminstone blir några till. Jag har också en del TV-framträdanden inbokade.
(Här på fotot poserar Josh med Nederländernas Sieneke)
Har du tid för nåt annat just nu?
Nej det har jag inte. Mitt fokus är 100% Eurovision och kommer så att vara fram till den 29 maj.

Har du följt Eurovision under tidigare år?
Ja det har jag har fått mer fokus på tävlingen sedan jag började sjunga för tre år sedan. När jag var barn brukar vi sitta framför TV i vardagsrummet och speciellt minns jag Katarina and The Waves. Eurovision är för mig en positiv tillställning och jag är otroligt glad att få representera mitt land i år.

Har du någon favorit ESC låt eller artist?
Katarina and the Waves som jag nämnde tidigare och även “Waterloo” med ABBA. Och jag älskade verkligen fjolårets vinnarlåt med Alexander Rybak. Det är en verklig kvalitetslåt som går direkt ”under your skin” och man kommer ihåg den. Jag träffade Alexander i samband med vår uttagning och jag hoppas träffa honom igen i Oslo. Han har ju vunnit tävlingen och det är alltid bra att kunna utbyta erfarenheter.

Ifjol var det Jade som representerade Storbritannien och det gick väldigt bra för henne. Känner du någon prestationspress?
Absolut. Jade bröt isen och höjde kvalitén tillsammans med Andrew Lloyd Webber och de gjorde det mycket bra. Vem vet vad som kommer att hända i år. Det handlar ju om hur folk röstar under finalkvällen.

Storbritannien är ju en av ”The big four” vilket innebär att ni inte behöver kvalificera er. Är det en fördel eller nackdel?
Det är en fördel att vara garanterad finalplats men också en nackdel att inte synas och höras i någon semifinal. Det kan innebära att de som röstar bara får en chans att höra låten.

Tack till Josh för denna intervju, som gjordes av Lilian runt midnattstimmarna mellan 24-25 april.
Lycka till i finalen i Oslo!



Foto: Lilian, JP

You know, when I think back there isn't a time I can remember when my life hasn't been saturated in Abba music. I came kicking and screaming out the womb (a far too large 10lbs 10oz - my mother still hasn't forgiven me, covered in placenta to the sound of Abba's Waterloo being the UK number one. Everyone always knows the singles that Abba have done - they are part of the collective consciousness and have popped up numerous times in movies and musicals. Indeed, everytime I hear Waterloo now I want to scream "Nicole's having an affair with Chook. Muriel saw them fucking in the laundry room on your wedding day. Stick your drink up your arse Tania. I would rather swallow razorblades than drink with you." (and quite often I do) So when I need a change of pace from the REALLY popular stuff, I seek out their album tracks and b-sides. And let's face it, even the most casually flung together Abba track is filled with genius that most modern pop acts can only dream of achieving. Here are my (current) favourite ten (ish)...

10= ~ Love Isn't Easy; This could have been one of about 15 songs. There's something so charming and innocent about the production and raw use of live instruments that appeals to me (plus that big drum boom in the chorus is almost comedic)... The lyrics of the chorus are almost a template for the theme of every Abba song ("Love isn't easy, but it sure is hard enough/sweet sweet, our love is bittersweet), the catchy hook and sliver of novelty value abounds and it's all too heavenly...
10= ~ Hasta Manana; This mid tempo ballad is so delicious, I could pop a dollop of cream on it and devour it whole. I believe this was a single in some countries and considered alongside Waterloo as the Eurovision entry for Sweden that year. I love the spoken intro to the second verse, the optimistic message of the chorus and the whole "lighters in the air" sway-along feel to the tune. Never fails to make me ever so happy but with a tinge of sadness (but that's an Abba song all over for you)...
09 ~ The King Has Lost His Crown: Every single track on Voulez Vous could easily have been a single and thus, this slightly dark, ever so gently malicious disco chugger is no exception. A tale of the scorned woman noting how her aging ex-lover isn't quite the draw he used to be, and of course she takes absolutely no delight in pointing this out. Lovely wall of sound effects & harmonies leading into each chorus, which have just the right hint of strings in them. Yet sung so sweetly you would never know it was a bit of slap in the knickers. Plus the whole tune plays like it's been ripped from the headlines (Disaster and Despair!)...
08 ~ I've Been Waiting For You (above): Abba show incredible restraint on this absolutely stunning ballad, refusing to let drama take over. It's just a stunning vocal performance, filled with emotion and yearning that powers forward a delightful melody. It's the perfect love letter song and I just can't help but hoping that these two crazy kids of the lyrical story have a happy ever after as they na na nah themselves off into the sunset...
07 ~ My Love My Life: Another entirely gorgeous ballad, with exquistely layered vocals and harmonies becoming as essential to the tune as the instruments played. Works as a terrifyingly sad juxtaposition to I've Been Waiting For You and a devastating insight into the end of a relationship. Quite quite beautiful yet marred by the painful narrative that makes the song flow. Tear...
06 ~ I Am The City: An 'unreleased' song until the More Abba Gold cd arrived on the scene - it shows that the direction wasn't really changing as they approached Opus Ten, but with a track as good as this, there was no need for dramatic reinvention. There's such cleverness in this song - the metaphor in the lyrics, the siren-esque synths in the chorus creating the chaotic city life sounds they need, ridiculously brillo lines like "and in the wind if you listen hard you'll hear me laugh..." What more do you need?! (Better than Put On Your White Sombrero anyway!)

05 ~ As Good As New: The beginning of this song is as beautifully classical as anything I've ever heard with a rather wonderful string section introducing the tune prior to a funky guitar riff taking over. The strings are back for the most enveloping chorus that is complete with a sing along refrain and some essential-in-pop hand clapping. There's a rather lush middle 8 breakdown too that leads into a rather pleasing key change. Damn, this group still gives me a solid happy right to this day!
04 ~ Lovers (Live A Little Longer): ooo I do adore a Frida lead vocal. She starts off with another funky disco number in a lower register before building up a harmonic crescendo with Agnetha into a slightly manic chorus - the message of which I adore. Ain't that nice. Often with Abba songs there is a simplicity within the genius, and here it's the repetitive guitar riff that works really well. Lo-hoving the corny dance moves in the video :P
03 ~ When I Kissed The Teacher: Sigh. This song soundtracked my secret lust for one of my teachers in high school. The acoustic start of the song mirrors the tentative confession before the inappropriate feelings take over and it swirls into something more assertive and dramatic. It's a theme that would return to pop, when Busted donned their school uniforms for That's What I Go To School For - a song that while pleasing enough, wasn't a patch on this earnest tour de force...
02 ~ If It Wasn't For The Nights: It's the mundane lyrics of this song that are later mirrored in the more morose Day Before You Came (my favourite Abba song ever, fact fans) that make this an instant fave ~ actually scratch that; it's not that i think the lyrics are mundane ~ they just describe the mundane activities of the day before they go a little bit bonkers because they have time to dwell on everything with the insomnia. All this is set to a joyous, uplifting, lilting piano driven pop melody that just soars. Absolutely positively should have been a massive massive single...
01 ~ Kisses of Fire (above): The lovely ballad beginning. The sentiment of the lyrics filled with a fiery passion. The build up to the sudden disco ball drop of the first chorus. It's several songs in one and a format that would be built upon by xenomania with Girls Aloud Biology. That stunning long note held at the end. It's just so darn kitschy yet so darn wonderful. I can listen to this hundreds of times (and I have) and never ever tire of it's utter magnificence...

So, did I miss any out?!

Om allt gått enligt planerna så skulle det redan nu ha funnits ett ABBA-museum i Stockholm. Men det gick inte enlig de ursprungliga planerna så nu öppnas en utställning om gruppens liv och leverne i Earls Court. Vid världspremiären på tisdag medverkar Anni-Frid Lyngstad och Björn Ulvaeus.
ABBAWORLD interaktiv utställning som tar besökaren igenom 25 rum. Den är till fullo uppbackad av ABBA-medlemmarna och de har bidragit med originalprylar, filmer, foton med mera.

Det är ingen tillfällighet att man valt att förlägga premiären till London. Det var ju i Brighton som allt startade i stor skala när ABBA vann Eurovision Song Contest 1974 med ”Waterloo”. Efter London kommer utställningen att turnera över världen innan den slutligen kommer ”hem” till Stockholm. När och var är inte klarlagt. Det lutar åt att den permanenta utställningen ska hamnar på Djurgården.

Premiär alltså på tisdag 26 januari och entrén kosta 22 pund.    

(Source/foto: http://www.abbaworld.com/)

There are lots of brilliant end of decade lists flying around. Some have been particularly amazing (ADH, J Mensah and especially XO & Dluv spring to mind). I didn't have the time or the memory to be as brilliant as those guys so I have stuck with just doing my favourite five albums of the new decade/century/millenium so far. Strange fact: My absolute favourite song of the past 10 years doesn't even feature on any of these albums...(It's Will Young - Your Game)...

5 ~ The Feeling, 12 Stops and Home: I think this has a lot to do with the fact that Ruthiepoos and I saw this band live at a very early stage, watched them blossom and become radio darlings and saw each gig we attended get larger and larger, though the fans were equally as enthusiastic in the early days. Plus it was the very first act that I blogged about back in February 2006. It was a refreshing break from the gloomy indie sounds and thrust a bright dazzling harmonic sunshine sound firmly back into the charts. The songs are effortlessly feelgood - particularly the near perfect opening trifecta of I Want You Now, Fill My Little World and Never Be Lonely. Love It When You Call is possibly the best 70s mor song never released at that time, and even outside anthem Strange (which should have been the 5th single over live fave Rose) seems oddly inspiring. The guys were perfectly in sync with each other during every note and harmony on the album and their genuine affection for what they did shone through in live shows and on record. Also of note: the lovely b-side Sun is Shining which is epic enough to be on the album.
My singles: Fill My Little World; Sewn; Never Be Lonely; Love It When You Call; Strange

4 ~ Maroon 5, Songs About Jane: It was the dulcet, seductive sounds of The Sweetest Goodbye playing in a dirty white van in Love, Actually that had me rushing out to buy Songs About Jane just minutes before the band blew up and became massive. The fusion of rock, pop and r'n'b wasn't particularly unique, but the band did it so well. Frontman Adam Levine positively dripped sex appeal in his lyrics and vocal delivery (particularly in Harder to Breathe) and guided fast songs to an urgent fruition, while showcasing his more tender "let's spoon" side on the slower stuff. Again, a near perfect trifecta of single releases introduced the world to different facets of the band - Harder To Breathe was hard rocking, explosive and dirty; This Love was a great sing a long pop ditty and She Will be Loved because a massive romantic anthem. The whole album had me coming back for more though and i was soon thoroughly immersed into their world. Also of note: Their Spiderman movie contribution Woman and cover version of Pure Imagination, which has a quite terrifying middle 8.
My singles: Harder To Breathe; This Love; She Will Be Loved; Must Get Out; Sweetest Goodbye

3 ~ Kylie Minogue, Light Years: Ah the return of Kylie to her pop roots (although I'd argue she never left them) had fans capitulating with delight. It was an utter delight from start to finish like the soundtrack to some quirky camp cocktail party. And Kylie threw herself into it, without ever giving the audience the impression that this was novelty or beneath her. And that's what made it all so magical. Nearly every track on here could have been picked to be a single and nearly all of them sound brilliant 10 years on. Quite simply it was addictive, fun pop that had no hidden agenda other than to leave you feeling good at the end of it. Just listen to Kylie singing "la disco a boisen de vous" on Your Disco Needs You and try not to shimmy with incredible pleasure...
My singles: Your Disco Needs You; Spinning Around; On A Night Like This; Kids; Please Stay; Light Years


2 ~ Simon Curtis, Alter Boy: It was the album that still hasn't been released (although there are numerous bootlegs out there all with hideous tracklistings!) and perhaps it's time has passed now that the steam of the 8BitHeart campaign is gaining rapid momentum. However, it was one of the most exciting and rewarding albums that I had the pleasure to listen to, and one that gripped more than most in recent years. I've probably written more blog posts about this album than any other, so I won't go on about it too much again now. Simply put, it's an astonishing piece of work that shows a great symbiotic relationship between producer Jadion's music and Simon's lyrics. Challenging, edgy, smart and witty in equal measures, it provided me with great pop music long before Lady Gaga came on the scene. Simon wasn't afraid to tackle current issues on the album either including sending troops abroad - and their behaviour while there (Left Right Left), the intolerance of religious groups (Religion Reduced) and racism/phobias (Sugar Sugar White). Add to this some deliciously malevolent tracks (Vicious) and down right sultry (Casual Encounter) and it all added up to an album that rarely left my earphones. Also of note: The Simon penned Fadyn track Hypnotic and Disney-commissioned tune Flashback...
My singles: Answer; Broken; Put Your Make Up On; Resist; Religion Reduced

1 ~ Deborah Gibson, MYOB: And this was when Deborah the popstar returned. I'm still a bit baffled as to why this didn't set the charts alight - was the perfect companion album to Light Years for example. An excellent collection of pop/dance tunes interspersed with radio friendly ballads and the odd diversion into jazz-tinged torch songs, every single track on the album was strong enough to be a single. The title track was a punchy pop effort with brilliant kiddie-chorus refrain that worked incredibly well against the more adult nature of the lyrics. What You Want and Your Secret are also ace pop numbers with a harder dance edge than people might be used to from the Deb. Down That Road, The One (co-written by Chynna (wilson) Phillips) and Wishing You Were Here are a more subdued but no less enticing pop entry on the album, while the funky What Part of No continues the vibe and lyrical tone of When I Say No (from Body Mind Soul). In Blue and Jaded stand out as bluesy smokey torch songs that showcase a different side to Deborah's vocal and musical arrangements. It's a winning album that really needed a large label behind it to get it the publicity it deserved. Also of note: her millenial ballad (just her and her piano - spinetingling) With All My Heart; Right on Time from a charity album is an epic timeless slowie as is Run To Her (from Memory Lane). Plus a bootleg remix of Wishing You Were Here turns it into a frenetic dance number. Aces
My singles: MYOB; Wishing You Were Here; Your Secret; Down That Road; Wishing You Were Here

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

You know, every year since I was a little boy I've listened to Abba's Happy New Year song at some point between waking up on New Year's Eve and the big ben chimes of midnight. This year will be no different. I do particularly love this song, how it glosses over past regrets and looks to an optimistic future. Plus it was obviously recorded at a difficult time in the abba dynamic and the round the piano video makes me want to weep. So here it is again. Do also check out the A*Teens version - I particularly like how they say decade and make it sound like dickhead!!

21 ~ Nerina Pallot, When Did I Become Such A Bitch? (NE)
20 ~ Natalie Imbruglia, Scars (NE)
19 ~ Alphabeat, Hole In My Heart (NE)
18 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
17 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
16 ~ Industry, My Mistake
15 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
14 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
13 ~ Alexandra Burke, Broken Heels (NE)
12 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You
11 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
10 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
09 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
08 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
07 ~ RyanDan, Can't Help Falling In Love
06 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
05 ~ JLS, Close To You
04 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
03 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas
02 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me
01 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo (1 week)

It's always a bit difficult to subjectively pick your favourite songs of the year. Songs I may have gushed over earlier in the year have had their glow dulled by time; songs I may not be as enthusiastic about in a few months are currently hot stuff for me - so I've put together a list that more or less showcases my favourite songs I listened to this year. So not necessarily released this year (though the majority were) and not necessarily singles, but just what I ended up still really liking as I sit and type this :) Enjoy and let me know your thoughts...

RELAUNCHED SINGLES FROM 2008: Lily Allen's F*** You; Lenka's The Show; Marit Larsen's If A Song COuld Get Me You...

BEST NON SINGLES OF THE YEAR: Deborah Gibson's Already Gone; Scissor Sister's Do The Strand; No Doubt's Stand and Deliver; that choir version of Lily's Chinese...

BEST OF THE REST (in no particular order): Saturdays ~ Just Can't Get Enough; JLS ~ Everybody in Love; Mini Viva ~ I Wish; Sugababes ~ Get Sexy; Miley Cyrus ~ Party in the USA; Cascada ~ Evacuate The Dancefloor; Pussycat Dolls ~ Hush Hush; Kelly Rowland ~ When Love Takes Over; Pet Shop Boys ~ Love, etc; Jason Mraz ~ Try Try Try; Annie Lennox ~ Shining Light; Sound of Arrows ~ M.A.G.I.C; Take That ~ The Garden; Whitney Houston ~ Million Dollar Bill; Mika ~ We Are Golden; BSB ~ Soldier Down; Erik Hassle ~ Hurtful; Leona Lewis ~ Happy; Lady Gaga ~ Bad Romance; Lady Gaga ~ Love Game...

MY NUMBER ONES:

• Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice ~ On The Wings of A Dream (4 weeks)
• Sugababes 3.0 ~ Every Heart Broken (4 weeks)
• Pet Shop Boys ~ Love etc.
• BWO ~ You're Not Alone (4 weeks)
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ Hope and Glory (4 weeks)
• Marina & The Diamonds ~ I Am Not A Robot (2 weeks)
• "Abba" ~ Second Best To None (4 weeks)
• Benny Andersson Band ~ Story Of A Heart (7 weeks)
• Madonna ~ Celebration (2 weeks)
• Mika ~ We Are Golden (3 weeks)
• Robbie Williams ~ Bodies (4 weeks)
• Blake Lewis ~ Heartbreak on Vinyl (2 weeks)
• Darin ~ Viva La Vida (3 weeks)
• Simon Curtis ~ Delusional (2 weeks)
• Pet Shop Boys ~ It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009 (6 weeks)
• Simon Curtis ~ Diablo (1 week)

TOP 30 SONGS OF 2009:

30 ~ James Leon, Purple Heart: Sultry, seductive, a deceptively addictive beat and chorus plus remixes by our very own Worrapolava. What more could one ask for in a rising star?
29~ Alexandra Burke, Bad Boys: Not quite as inventive as Sound of the Underground but a huge step forward for a winners first single proper and even better without the Flo-Rida bit!
28 ~ Mini Viva, I Left My Heart In Tokyo: They went back to the 80s in the best way possible with a Pete Hammond remix, but even in normal guise this was one pop treat to satiate fans during the Girls Aloud year off...
27 ~ Robbie Williams, Bodies: It didn't work for some people because it was a hotch potch of every Robbie single to date but that was exactly why it worked for me - even with his crazy X-Factor eyes!
26 ~ Little Boots, Remedy: Not quite the massive star she was lauded as early in the year, something about Victoria didn't quite click, but she certainly had a way with creating beautiful pop-dance tunes like this one...
25 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield: It caused a near twitter meltdown of excitement when it was first released; six months on, it's a solid enjoyable pop tune that didn't exactly tax Ryan Tedder but is still a belter to listen to.
24 ~ Same Difference, Better Love Me: Sigh, if there had been any justice in the world, this glorious Steps-It's The Way You Make Me Feel homage would have done much better. It's lovely anyway.
23 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven: Massive pop tune that had this been used as a lead off single, the world might now be appreciating what I already know - Same Difference know pop. Thank God for more from them in 2010...
22 ~ Alphabeat, The Spell: Back to the 90s, back to rave. It was Black Box, C&C Music Factory and faceless dance wrapped up in a charming singalong tune that made the Danish band more appealing than ever...
21 ~ BWO, Right Here Right Now: It may be You're Not Alone that topped my chart for a while, but this classic pop tune lingered longer in mixes and duets that it felt like it was around for half the year without ever overstaying it's welcome...

20 ~ Blake Lewis, Heartbreak On Vinyl: More 80s homage in a year overflowing with 80s homage. However, this tune had glorious lyrics matched to a synthy beat and a passionate charm to the song that made it - and Mr L - a total winner...
19 ~ Will Young, Hopes & Fears: Criminally ignored by the public (was it even released?), at least the album did well. If Annie Lennox were a man, this is what some of her tunes would sound like. Timeless, melody driven pop. Aces.
18 ~ Madonna, Celebration: Not her finest ever moment but a strong entry for Lady Ciccone. Danceable, singalong, feel good, uplifting - it even felt age appropriate for Madonna to be singing it. Ace fan-filled video for it too...
17 ~ JLS, Beat Again: Still the real winners of the X Factor as far as I'm concerned, they have certainly proved it by becoming a massive phenomenon not seen since the early days of Take That. This was sleek, up to date, non-threatening pop at it's best.
16 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hope and Glory: Gorgeous to look at, effortless to listen to, Mans is what every country needs in a popstar and while people scoffed that this was Cara Mia 2, who cared? It was utterly brilliant and had a rather groovy keychange. Let's not forget the amazing acoustic version too. Job done.
15 ~ Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice ~ On The Wings of a Dream: The standout entry from the Spectacular! soundtrack, this showed for the first time Simon as an out and out pop singer ably assisted by Victoria. Proof that he is destined to be a major major star someday.
14 ~ Taylor Swift, Love Story: I think the Kanye jokes have been run into the ground, but this really did have quite the charming video, great cutesy lyrics, the best country crossover chorus this side of Shania Twain and a key change on a par with Don't Cry Out Loud. Of course it won me over!
13 ~ Lily Allen, The Fear: She seemed a bit more polished this time round and had as insightful lyrics as ever on this credit crunch anthem to modern life. Lush video and a brilliant chorus added to her bonkersosity made this a massive song all year round. Why didn't Stacey do it on the X Factor?!
12 ~ Sugababes 3.0, Every Heart Broken: When I belatedly fell in love with this tune I had no clue there would be a 4.0... If they ever sing this song, I won't be able to listen because everything about this slick, addictive nugget is nigh on perfect and can't be topped.
11 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot: Wasn't she also a big pick for 2009? Whatever - she's rolled over to 2010 and I'm sure that one day this lovely simplistic minimalistic song will get the kudos and success it deserves. Quite quite amazing.

10 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional: Kicking off 8-Bit Heart with this song (though I would have plumped for the more audacious Pop Messiah followed by this) was a work of genius. It was free, it was brilliant, it was dancey and it was completely what the blogosphere and twitter-ites needed. Smart boy-pop that matched Gaga step for step. And it was going to get even better...
09 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me: As I'm writing this in early December I worry that this song got a bit lost in the Christmas Chart deluge. Shame if it did because it's gentle, it's restrained and it's a bit heartbreaking and it definitely shows that Robbie hasn't lost his knack for creating utter magic.
08 ~ Kelly Clarkson, My Life Would Suck Without You: Yes yes, it may be the most audacious rewrite of a hit song (Since You've Been Gone) ever, but it was also one of the years most instant and grabbing ebulliant hits. Massive from the first note, a soaring chorus, it rampaged along at breakneck speed and was totally enjoyable from start to finish.
07 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer: Floating around for a while in demo format, the freemasons kicked it up a gear and while it didn't quite match the chart heights it should have it was a brilliant slice of ice cool pop. Now if Victoria Little Boots could look as natural and confident as Soph, she might be in a much stronger position now...
06 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida: Take one of the best penned compositions of recent years, add one of Sweden's most likeable pop exports and give it a europop sheen and you've got the recipe for an enormously enjoyable tribute number. It takes the magic of the original number and makes it sparkle a little bit for the dancefloor. Heaven.

05 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009: I already loved this song so wasn't sure what a remix could do for it. Make me completely and utterly obsessed with it, that's what. Whether it be the addition of organ laden carol melodies or the dramatic "BING CROSBY" or the melting of cynicism in the chorus, everything about this already theatrical number was more more more. Magnificent. If only for 2 months of the year...
04 ~ Elouise, One Night Only: I've only ever heard it sung by her live but I instantly loved this song and her ballad-to-disco interpretation of the DreamGirls classic. Plus she sang it so well, had brilliant but learnable dance moves and made it my go to saturday night anthem. Big things in 2010, mark my words...
03 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo: Yes it was held off by Pet Shop Boys over Christmas, but I've taken into account my seasonal addictions and completely realise that Diablo is perhaps, nay indeed, one of the greatest pop songs of the year. Wry, funny, catchy, groundbreaking and as instant as instant porridge oats, it is just a massively brilliant, brilliantly massive pop tune from someone who eats sleeps and breathes pop and then channels it all into their music. And you can so tell. Amazing, amazing stuff and quite deservedly the last number one of 2009...
02 ~ "Abba", Second Best to None: I still maintain this would have made a much better X-Factor charity single but what do I know? Whatever, the staff at Hotel Rival took the Benny&Bjorn penned track and made it into their anthem, then shared it with the world. Thank heavens they did - ridiculously catchy, moderately cheesy, an completely amazing promo video to go with it (introducing the world to another doable bar man) and filled with pathos and regret. It was totally Abba and the only thing wrong with it was that Frida and Agnetha weren't singing it. Other than that, I drove my friends mad with it for weeks on end.
01 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story of a Heart: As if the emergence of Second Best to None wasn't enough, Benny then came back with another track he penned with Bjorn and it was perhaps the most affecting Abba song since Day Before You Came or Winner Takes It All. A glorious melody, a wonderful chorus, a devastating breakdown in the middle eight and then a passion filled plea to take you to the end of the song. I could never and still haven't been able to listen to it just once. Quite quite magic, and would have made an amazing X Factor winners single.

What came to pass...

• Top 25 songs of 2008

(New holiday diaries post up here. It made me titter, which is incredibly sad really isn't it?)

The X Factor:

Sigh. The "live audience auditions" format of Britain's Got The X Factor aren't really working for me, which is possibly why the latest series feels a little bit flat. I couldn't be arsed to blog about it last week because a) Elouise put most of this year's contestants to shame and b) there were only 2 potentially good auditions among the filler crap that dominates this year's format (to make up for the loss of "The Sob Story"). These were a welsh girl called Lucie who sang quite a nice version of I Will Always Love You and a young lad called Lloyd. Lloyd looks like a popstar so will get Louis' vote even though he butchered Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. He got yesses from everyone, but will be a miracle if he gets past boot camp.

This week wasn't much better. Cheryl was at her most patronising ever with an older (80-something) contestant which made me want to throw things at the screen. Dannii looked effortlessly gorgeous, and Dermot, annoying as he can be, doled out macho hugs to young dudes making me ever so slightly jealous, though I have no idea why. The show spent far far far too long on some woman who auditioned as a duo with her dog (highlighting again that the producers are intent on making this Britain's Got Talent - The Singing Only Show) and not enough time on the good auditions (though I was marginally amused by a bad contestant who blamed her bad audition on flying to Glasgow from Bristol and therefore HAVING JET LAG!)There was the obligatory "auditioned last year but didn't make it" person WHO HAS GROWN because of the show - this was Ricky who still hasn't managed to sort out his overly hairy eyebrows and despite the audience loving him, I thought he was only ok. And in a not very set up at all, his mom didn't know he was auditioning yet was on the front row and able to get very easily onto the stage. Amazing. Oh, and just as I thought the sob stories were gone, some girl gets Leona Lewis' Run played and whines about having to share a room. WITH HER SISTER. How bleeding (love) tragic. Still she had quite a good voice, didn't know she had a good voice and will shed more snot than Alexandra singing with Beyonce if she gets through so viva Shanna Goodhead and her version of songbird.

Three more auditions of note then I'm done with this bit, which is already infinitely longer than you and I would like. A girl group called Yellow Brick Road have an ace name but do a very dodgy version of Poker Face. Miraculously they get through. The cutest thing you have ever seen, Demi (17) from Walsall, does an ok version of Whitney (in retrospect, it was pretty dire) that is obviously the wrong song choice for her. I honestly thought the judges would make her choose another song, but instead they say no. They have put through, well not worse than her, but as mediocre as she was. And she was a lovely bubbly little thing too. She should have auditioned with Breaking Free or something. It was all quite sad, particularly when she collapsed in tears off stage :( Then finally, there was Olly (above) who seemed quite a charming "lad", was a little bit attractive in an "ooo you wouldn't normally, but go on then" sort of way and clearly wants to be the next Justin Timberlake but is more Gary Barlow. This is not an insult. I quite liked him. His dancing was embarrassing though and Cheryl annoyed me once more by having the camera going to her saying "wow" as if Michael Jackson had come back from the dead and danced on stage. It was not that good. Stupid Cheryl.

So that is my X Factor rant for the (2) week(s). Shockingly next week it is on twice. I may die. Although at least it is boot camp after that. On the plus side The Bitch Factor blog is back and far wittier about these sorts of things than I could ever hope to be.

Abba (Proms In The Park)

Abba are quite categorically my favourite musical group of all time. And rather cleverly in a week where it was meant to be all about The Beatles, they go and one up them by having Benny and Bjorn put on a concert with lots of today's top pop stars in lovely Hyde Park in London. There is nothing more thrilling than hearing Abba hits belted out with a lovely orchestral backing, and having some of my favourite modern stars sing some of my favourite older songs was quite quite delightful. So I settled down, gazed at the looming orange sunset and turned on radio 2 (because for tragical reasons to lengthy to go into here, I was not there, but lived vicariously through texts from Bobby and Elouise. Phew). There were many acts performing (including a horrible version of Winner Takes It All that was lyrically incorrect and very shrieky by Chaka Khant - be interesting to see how all this compares to the inevitable X Factor Abba Week later this year) but here were the highlights of the night (in no particular order)...

• The Feeling ~Dan and the boys are clearly the kings of 70s covers, seeing as that is how they came to existance anyway, but I was quite delighted with their choice of songs and how they came across live. Knowing Me Knowing You was great, some lovely piano work and the BBC Orchestra sounding quite magnificent backing the boys. It was Does Your Mother Know that really rocked though - some great drumming, and Dan doing some trademark cymbal kicking along with leaping all over the stage. Took an exuberant song and made it sound quite Feeling-y. Brillo pants.
• Nerina Pallot ~Nerina stood in at the last minute for Sharleen Spiteri who was due to do SOS and absolutely nailed the performance. Again, the strings from the orchestra really added to the performance (and reminded me a little bit of the Everybody's Going To War Orchestral version) and her voice sounded just lovely. Name of The Game was also great, and I'm so glad that she got to do two songs :)
• Kylie Minogue ~ Bobby has already written from his first hand experience of how marvelous When All Is Said and Done was. And he is rather right. It's rare for the magic of a live experience to transfer to radio listening, but it was just a spell binding performance and everything just seemed to stop while she was singing it. If this was released as a single, it would top the charts for approximately 100 years (or 2 weeks at least). Super Trooper was also very good, and got me thinking, imagine, just imagine if Kylie worked with Benny and Bjorn on her new album. Think what it would be like if Story of A Heart and Second Best To None were actually kylie songs. I'm palpitating at the very idea :) Anyway, Kylie gave new meaning to the definition of EPIC last night.

MTV VMA 2009:

There is not really much to be said about this that isn't already being globally discussed around, well, the globe. D'Luv has some good insight into things here, if you have a quick clicky clicky. Basically, this happened ~ Madonna was actually quite sincere and touching in her tribute to MJ; Janet was quite brilliant in her dancing tribute to Michael and made me re-like her again; Lady Cuckoo was more cuckoo than ever in coming up with tasteless ways to top her previous and tasteless cunning stunts; Kanye was a twat; Taylor was gracious; and Beyonce was brilliant. Oh and talking of twats, VV Brown tweeted last night that the Abba concert backstage was quite bitchy and fake and she couldn't stand it. Uh, she sounds shocked that the music industry is like that. Get a grip love and have some grace. How annoying she can be. The end.