Throwback Thursday: 1961

10. Chubby Checker - Let's Twist Again
9. Connie Francis - Together
8. Brenda Lee - Dum Dum
7. Dee Clark - Raindrops
6. Del Shannon - Hats Off to Larry

Well, we've reached the point where music videos are kind of not a thing that you can really find if you want to find them from the year the songs are from. But here's a bonus. I know this song because of the Me First and the Gimme Gimmes cover. This one.

There's really no excuse for me not being able to find a music video for that. Or like, a live video or something. But here we are. I hope you enjoy the tunes!

5. Chris Kenner - I Like It Like That Part 1
4. Arthur Lyman Group - Yellow Bird
3. U.S. Bonds - Quarter to Three
2. Brook Benton - The Boll Weevil Song
1. Bobby Lewis - Tossin' and Turnin'

TWO Doomtree Updates! (Dessa Video and New Track!)

Well I *was* just going to post the new Dessa video for one of my favorite songs on the album (and #3 in this year's Festive Fifty) "Fighting Fish" so here THAT is:

But then Doomtree dropped a new crew track as a teaser for the upcoming album that they've been working on this summer. I haven't even listened to it yet, and will be listening to the embedded track below. So I'm very very stoked to embed it and hit "Publish"!

Top Ten Tuesday (UK Edition): Cheryl Cole featuring Tinie Tempah "Crazy Stupid Love"

It's very interesting to watch this video because, as far as I'm aware, this song has not been played at all over in America. And yet, the same trends we're seeing over here of the pop song with the rap bridge and the horns at the hooks are happening in this song as well. What an interesting international trend.

What's also interesting is the change that Cheryl Coles' image has gone under in a couple of years. See, *I* know Cheryl Cole from the video below and so it's very interesting to see that she's gone for a more mature image in this new video, or more like, in the videos leading up to this video.

.....

Welp, I'm embarrassed. I was confusing Cheryl Cole with Cher Lloyd. I'll still post the video, just so you can see the change I thought this woman had gone through. Haha. It's funny to think about now that I know it's not the case. And I thought this change had happened in 2 years. That would have been a drastic change indeed. I also just realized that this is a remake of sorts of the Jackson 5 song of the same (or, similar) name

Flashback Countdown #5: 1998

Eve 6

Well, I'm in Virginia Beach this weekend (and most of the week, actually) so here, as has become tradition, is a Flashback Countdown. This time we're heading back to 1998. It's a fantastic episode full of fantastic songs. Look down at the list of artists. Then think of the first song that comes to mind by them. That's the song, in all likelihood. It's so great.

Flashback Countdown #5 (1998)

***Featuring***
Athenaeum
Barenaked Ladies
Beastie Boys
Eve 6
Fastball
Fuel
Goo Goo Dolls
Harvey Danger
Marcy Playground
Semisonic
Smashing Pumpkins

Throwback Thursday: 1962

10. Freddy Cannon - Palisades Park

A great summer song written by game show host and alleged CIA hitman Chuck Barris. It has been a while since I've watched Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, but maybe I'll change that soon.

9. Dee Dee Sharp - Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)
8. Pat Boone - Speedy Gonzales
7. Joanie Summers - Johnny Get Angry
6. Claude King - Wolverton Mountain
5. Brian Hyland - Sealed With a Kiss
4. David Rose and His Orchestra - The Stripper
3. Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
2. The Orlons - The Wah Watusi
1. Bobby Vinton - Roses Are Red (My Love)

Top Ten Tuesday: Disclosure featuring Sam Smith "Latch"

I listened to this whole album the other night and it definitely stands up well in my limited knowledge of the Dance Music genre. It reminds me of the Chemical Brothers album Surrender.

Enjoy!

New Countdown: Posted by a Sleep-Hungry Zombie!

Coldplay

My birthday was quite enjoyable and my son's was as well! We had his party today (even though his b-day was on Thursday) and so I'm feeling super tired. My sister and I stayed up way too late last night, got up to take the little guy to the Little Gym and then partied and partied. But this is a very enjoyable countdown, if you ask me!

Countdown #207

***Featuring***
Arctic Monkeys
Bastille
Big Data featuring Joywave
The Black Keys
Bleachers
Bon Iver
Coldplay
Fitz  & the Tantrums
Jack White
KONGOS
Vance Joy

Throwback Thursday: 1963

10. Marvin Gaye - Pride and Joy

Gotta love Marvin Gaye. This is actually a great week for songs. But I decided to only do one song from this list.  But I mean, I could just as easily have played the Elvis, Stevie, Surfaris, Essex, or Jan & Dean songs!

9. Elvis Presley and the Jordanaires (You're the) Devil in Disguise
8. Kyu Sakamoto - Sukiyaki
7. The Surfaris - Wipe Out
6. Little Stevie Wonder - Fingertips Pt 2
5. Lonnie Mack - Memphis
4. Rolf Harris - Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport
3. The Tymes - So Much in Love
2. The Essex - Easier Said Than Done
1. Jan & Dean - Surf City

Top Ten Tuesday: Maroon 5 "Maps"

Hmm. Well I think that the song is super catchy as per usual with Maroon 5, but the video is a little...I don't know. I mean, first of all, the lone profanity was gratuitous and surely intended to heighten the tension of the situation. Second, what's the message? I guess it's something like "Don't take loved ones for granted because they could be gone before you know it", but jeeez. This is kind of after-school-specialing it, isn't it?

New Countdown: Looking Forward to Remembering When

Bon Iver circa 2011

It's a big week around our household and so the air is crackling with excitement. Some of us are turning 1 and some of us are turning more than 1. It's all very confusing as to who's turning what.

I'll be doing the Birthday podcast again this year, so that means my birthday will be spent saving blog posts by people and then sorting through them and seeing which songs I like best and all of that. I love it, even if it can be a little daunting.

It's a good countdown this week and I really hope you enjoy it. These are always the episodes I love best. The ones in the middle of summer when the songs are the most nostalgia inducing. Someday we'll hear "Do I Wanna Know" and think "Ah, that takes me back to the summer of...was it 2014? Those were the days..." and it'll be great :)

Countdown #206

***Featuring***
Alan Wilkis
Arctic Monkeys
Bastille
Big Data featuring Joywave
The Black Keys
Bleachers
Bon Iver
Fitz & the Tantrums
Jack White
KONGOS
The Temper Trap
Vance Joy

Throwback Thursday: 1964

Two VERY different songs featured today. Listen to them in order and you'll be mellow for the rest of the day. Also, did you notice that this is the 1964 Top Ten and there are NO Beatles songs on it? The only Beatles song on the chart this week was "Love Me Do" at something like #24. Weeeird

10. Chuck Berry - No Particular Place to Go

9. Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto - The Girl From Ipanema

8. Peter and Gordon - A World Without Love
7. Barbra Streisand - People
6. Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop
5. The Dave Clark Five - Can't You See That She's Mine
4. Gerry and the Pacemakers - Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
3. The Four Seasons - Rag Doll
2. Johnny Rivers - Memphis
1. The Beach Boys - I Get Around

Top Ten Tuesday (UK Edition): Ella Henderson "Ghost"

Well, we once again find ourselves with a US Top Ten that we've covered, so let's go over and see what's shaking in the UK. Well, #1 is "Problem" by Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea, so what's #2? It's this song by Ella Henderson, who it looks like was on X Factor or something. Is it me or does the UK have a super interesting female pop singer pool that dwarfs ours here in the US? Maybe it's just a grass is greener sort of situation.

Anyways, I enjoyed the song and I very much enjoyed the video. Hope you do too.

New Countdown: Missed Connection

Bleachers

Happy Birthday to America and my Dad!

It's a great countdown this week. New albums to look at. New songs to listen to. And a surprising connection between this blog and one of the bands on the countdown!!

Countdown #205

***Featuring***
Alan Wilkis
Arctic Monkeys
Bastille
Big Data featuring Joywave
The Black Keys
Bleachers
Bon Iver
Fitz & the Tantrums
Jack White
KONGOS
Vance Joy

Throwback Thursday: 1965

Here are three songs from the middle of the Top Ten. All three great songs. All three similar, but also VERY different.

10. Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now is Love
9. Barbara Mason - Yes, I'm Ready
8. Elvis Presley with the Jordanaires - Crying in the Chapel
7. Johnny Rivers - Seventh Son
6. The Yardbirds - For Your Love

The only thing I really know about the Yardbirds is that a number of great guitarists were in the Yardbirds at one point. My mind automatically thinks of Jimmy Page, but Jeff Beck was also in there, too.

5. Herman's Hermits - Wonderful World

When I was a kid, my Dad had a Herman's Hermits Greatest Hits album on vinyl. This was on there. I think I love every version of this song I've ever heard.

4. Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs - Wooly Bully

This is a classic song and the video is...certainly of its time. :) Keep the video going to see a clip of The Untouchables TV show that is also on this video for some reason

3. The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man
2. The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
1. Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Punch)

Top Ten Tuesday: Jason Derulo featuring Snoop Dogg "Wiggle"

Well, this is the last song on the Top Ten this week that I haven't already played. It's catchy, but it does mark the second single from this album (out of the two he's released) that has been about girls' butts. I guess that's a topic that men have been writing about for centuries. Anyways, enjoy!