Poptastic Confessions

Poptastic Confessions

Monday, September 30, 2013

Thursday by Pet Shop Boys

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Hooray! One of the best songs on new album from the Pet Shop Boys is being released next month! The song is called "Thursday" and if features UK singer/rapper Example. The album is called "Electric" and you can read the Poptastic Confessions review of it here.





We are seeing the Pet Shop Boys in concert on Saturday night! Yay! It will be my first time seeing them live in concert! I'm sure "Thursday" will be a highlight of the show!

Here's the video ...




This makes the third single from the album this year. "Vocal" and "Love is Bourgeois Construct" came before. And there was even the teaser-single "Axis."

We'll see how many of these songs make our Top 20 of 2013! Stay tuned!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

Monday, September 23, 2013

'Cos You're Beautiful by Dannii Minogue

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Earlier this year, Poptastic Confessions featured the music history of Dannii Minogue. And low and behold she had just put out a "best of" collection with a new song. The new song is called "'Cos You're Beautiful." 



Sadly, the new song isn't a proper single. No video and no promotion. Just a new track on the hits compilation.

However, my friend Fernando has made a lyric video for the song. He asked his Dannii Minogue friends on a Facebook page for Dannii fans to submit photos of themselves for the lyric video. Yes, I submitted a photo. Can you find me?



Unfortunately, the new track is only available in the UK and Australia. Hopefully it will get a worldwide release soon. 

Cheers then,
—Davearama




Thursday, September 19, 2013

Spice Girls History and 3 New Solo Spice Singles!


Dear Poptastic Spicy Readers,

Great news! This year, we are getting at least three solo Spice Girls singles! The first has already happened with Melanie C (aka Sporty Spice). Her duet "Loving You" with Matt Cardle was released last month. Today, Melanie B (aka Scary Spice) released her song "For Once In My Life." And next month, Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice) will release her single "Half Of Me." It’s a good time to be a Spice Girls fan!

Now, let's do some Spice Girls music history.

Spice Girls: Emma, Geri, Melanie B, Victoria and Melanie C

The Spice Girls are Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice), Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice), Melanie B (aka Scary Spice), Melanie C (aka Sporty Spice), and Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice).


The Spice Girls first single "Wannabe" was released in the UK in the summer of 1996 and spent seven weeks at #1. "Say You'll Be There" followed in the fall and stayed at #1 for two weeks. And "2 Become 1" was a #1 hit  for three weeks in December. Their album "Spice" was also a #1 album. In 1997, they released the double A-side "Mama"/"Who DoYou Think You Are" as the last single from the debut album and it also spent three weeks at #1. And in 1997, they released the first three singles in the USA, with "Wannabe" going to #1 for four weeks.



They also released some promotional singles to promote their Pepsi endorsement. The songs were “Step To Me” and “Move Over.”


In the fall of 1997, "Spice Up Your Life" was the first single from the second album "Spiceworld." Their movie "Spiceworld: The Movie" and the sophomore album "Spiceworld" both made a splash. Two more singles came with "Too Much" and "Stop." And the group started their world tour in the spring of 1998. "Stop" was the only single up to this point that didn't go to #1 in the UK. It went to #2.


However, in May of 1998, Geri abruptly quit the group during the European leg of their world tour. The Spice Girls continued on with just the four members. The next single was supposed to be a double A-side "Never Give Up On The Good Times"/"Viva Forever." However, since Geri quit, "Good Times" was scrapped as a single and "VivaForever" was released as the video with computer animated Spice Girls fairies was already complete. Another #1 UK hit. 



While on tour in America in the summer of 1998, Melanie B took some time out to record a solo track with Missy Elliott. The result was "I Want You Back" and it went to #1 in the UK. In the fall, Melanie C recorded a duet with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams with the song "When You're Gone." It went to #3 in the UK charts. And by December, the Spice Girls were back with a third UK Christmas #1 song: "Goodbye."


The beginning of 1999 was all quiet. And then in May Geri launched her solo career with the single "Look At Me." It went to #2 in the UK. Her album "Schizophonic" went to #4. Melanie B had got married and briefly changed her name to Melanie G and she released a cover of the Cameo song called "Word Up." It stalled in the UK at #14. Melanie C released the first single called "Goin' Down" from her debut album "Northern Star." Both single and album went to #4.


Geri released her second single "Mi Chico Latino" and landed her first solo #1. But that fall, the record companies placed two Spice Girls singles out on the same day. There was a chart battle (named Spice Wars) to see which song would get to #1. The songs were Geri's "Lift Me Up" and Emma's cover of "What I Am" with Tin Tin Out. Geri went to #1 and Emma went to #2. Melanie C released a ballad called "Northern Star" and it went to #4. That was it for 1999.


The year 2000 started off with a bang as the Spice Girls got the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Brit Awards. Geri also performed her fourth single "Bag It Up." Another #1 hit. Melanie C shot back with her single with Lisa Lopes "Never Be The Same Again" and it was her first #1 hit. That summer, Melanie C remixed her song "I Turn To You" into a dancefloor anthem and that went to #1, too.


Victoria was up next with her collaboration with True Steppers and Dane Bowers with a song called "Out Of Your Mind." The song was heading for #1, but went to #2 after a posh chart battle with Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Melanie B released the song "Tell Me" and her album "Hot." The single went to #4 and the album charted at #28 ... very low for a Spice Girl.


But that year, the Spice Girls had been recording their third album without Geri and it had more of a pop/RnB feel to it. The first single was a double A-side "Holler"/"Let Love Lead The Way" and it was yet, another #1. The album "Forever" went to #2 — their first album not to hit the #1 spot. Melanie C released the last single from her debut album. The song was "If That Were Me." It went to #18 in the UK.


The next Spice Girls single was supposed to be "Tell Me Why." A song lyrically aimed at Geri for leaving the group. Remixes and promos were sent out, but the group didn't have time to promote it due to everyone wanting to concentrate on solo careers. Thus, no more singles from the album "Forever."


Melanie B started off 2001 with her single "Feels So Good." It went to #5 in the charts. Emma released her song called "What Took You So Long?" from her debut album "A Girl Like Me." The song stayed #1 for two weeks — a first for a solo Spice. Her album went to #4. Geri covered The Weather Girls song "It's Raining Men" for her next single and it also spent 2 weeks at #1 in the UK. Melanie B released a ballad called "Lullaby" and it went to #13.


That summer, Geri released the title track of her second album "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster." The album went to #5 and the single went to #8. Emma followed with her single "Take My Breath Away" which went to #5. That fall, Victoria released her solo single "Not Such An Innocent Girl" with her debut album called "Victoria Beckham." Unfortunately, she released the single at the same time Kylie Minogue had her biggest hit "Can't Get You Out Of My Head." Victoria's single went to #6 and her album came in at #10.


Geri followed with the last single from her sophomore album with a ballad called "Calling." It went to #7. Emma released the last single from her debut with a remixed version of "We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight." The single stalled at #20, making it the lowest Spice-related single at the time. Victoria would be the only Spice Girl to release a single in 2002. It was the last from her debut album and the single was "A Mind Of Its Own" and it went to #6.


Melanie C came back in 2003 with the lead single "Here It Comes Again" from her sophomore solo album "Reason." The single went to #7 and the album #5. Emma followed with her lead single "Free Me" from her second album with the same name. Just the opposite of Melanie C, Emma's single went to #5 and the album #7. Melanie C's next single was the poppy "On The Horizon." It went to #14. 


Melanie C also released the Japanese-only single "Let's Love." Emma's next single was "Maybe" and it went to #6 in the UK. Melanie C's next single was the double A-side "Melt"/"Yeh Yeh Yeh." The single stalled at #27. Victoria ended the year with a double A-side single "Let Your Head Go"/"This Groove." It was released two days before the end of the year so it charted in 2004 at #3. This would be the last solo effort from Victoria, as her second album "Open Your Eyes" was never officially released. Years later, it was leaked on the Internet and it was a brilliant album — a real shame it was never released. Victoria is also the only Spice Girl never to have a #1 solo single. But she does have her husband and four kids and a clothing line to keep her busy.


Emma started 2004 with the third single "I'll Be There" and it charted at #7. Emma followed that up with the fun single "Crickets Sing For Anamaria" and it went to #15. Geri ended the year with a single called "Ride It" and it charted at #4.

Melanie C started off 2005 with her single "Next Best Superstar" taken from her album "Beautiful Intentions." Melanie C was now releasing music on her own record label. The single went to #10 and the album #24. Geri released her second single "Desire" and her third album "Passion." The single stalled at #22 and the album at #41. This ended Geri's solo career as neither sold like her previous material. Geri went on to write kids books and be a talent judge on reality shows. She also has a daughter.


That summer, Melanie B released a single called "Today" and an album called "L.A. State Of Mind." The single went to #41 and I don't think the album charted. That ended Melanie B's solo career. She has been a talent judge in Australia and USA. She has two daughters and she even had a reality show for a while. Melanie C released two more single in Europe, but not in the UK: "Better Alone" and "First Day Of My Life." The latter went to #1 in Germany and Switzerland. That was it for 2005.


In the fall of 2006, Emma participated in Strictly Come Dancing. She also released a cover of Petula Clark's song "Downtown." It went to #3 in the UK. Her third album "Life In Mono" came out in December at it charted at #65. In February of 2007, Emma released the second single — a ballad called "All I Need To Know." It charted at #60. Thus, ending Emma's solo career.


The next month, Melanie C released two singles: "The Moment You Believe" for Europe (#15 in Germany and #14 in Switzerland) and a cover of "I Want Candy" for the UK (#24). Both were from her album "This Time." Two more singles from the album followed: "Carolyna" (UK #49) and "This Time" (UK #94). Melanie C released one more single in Canada  in 2008 from her "This Time" album. The single was "Understand" and it didn't chart.


The big news in the fall of 2007 is that the Spice Girls were releasing a Greatest Hits with two new songs! And Geri was back with them. Their new single "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" went to #11 in the UK. It was the first Spice Girls single not to hit the Top 10, and the only the second single not to hit #1. But it was seven years after their last hit. The Spice Girls went on another world tour. And it was Spice mayhem all over again. Shows were sold out. They had 17 sold out shows in London. It lasted three intense months. The second new song "Voodoo" was intended to be the next single. But since the first single didn't make the Top 10, it wasn't released.


All was quiet until Melanie C returned in 2011 with album called "The Sea" (UK #45). It featured the singles "Rock Me" (Germany #38), "Think About It" (UK #95), "Weak" and "Let There Be Love." In the spring of 2012, Melanie C collaborated with DJ Jodie Harsh and released a dance EP called "The Night" (UK #156), which featured the single "Set You Free" (UK #159).



The Spice Girls did reunite again for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London where they performed a medley of songs at the closing ceremony.


Later in the fall of 2012, Melanie C released an album of musical theatre covers called "Stages." The first single was “I Don’t Know How To Love Him.” The second single was the duet with Emma called "I Know Him So Well" (UK #153).



Also in 2012, a musical based on the Spice Girls songs opened in London. The musical is called "Viva Forever."


That leads us to 2013 ...


Melanie C's duet with Matt Cardle "Loving You" (UK #14) was released on iTunes last month. Melanie B's "For Once In My Life" is released today and it is FANTASTIC! And Geri Halliwell's "Half Of Me" out in October. Victoria says she is done with music. So, c'mon Emma!

Here is Melanie B's new video! Enjoy!~



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Go to iTunes and but Melanie B's new song today!



Thursday, September 12, 2013

All Night video by Icona Pop

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Back in July, the Swedish duo Icona Pop was featured in Poptastic Confessions because of their song "Girlfriend." At the time, I also mentioned they had another song out called "All Night."



Well, there is now a video for "All Night" and it is awesome! It features some truly fantastic individuals strutting their FABulousness down a catwalk. It's a bit of an extended video as there is a storyline. But it is definitely worth the watch. Here it is ...





I think this is my favourite song from Icona Pop. And the video just made me love the song a little bit more.


"All Night" is available on iTunes. Please support the artist!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Flatline video by Mutya Keisha Siobhan + Sugababes update

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Lots of Sugababes news (or not news) happening at the moment. First up, the video for "Flatline" by Mutya Keisha Siobhan (MKS) (aka the original Sugababes) premiered a couple of weeks ago. 


Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan are the original Sugababes.

The single was supposed to be available in the UK on September 1, but because radios in the UK didn't playlist the song, the release was pushed back. However, it was mysteriously released on iTunes on Friday. So go buy it! Sadly, it wasn't released in the US. Booo!

Here is the video ...



We quite liked the desert scene with the shiny dresses and spontaneous marching band. C'mon, who doesn't like a spontaneous marching band? 

Now about the Sugababes ...


Sugababes 2009-2011: Jade, Heidi and Amelle

The last we heard from the Sugababes was in 2011 with the song "Freedom." It was a pretty good song, but the single campaign was terrible. Now Jade is saying that the Sugababes broke up two years ago after "Freedom" didn't set the charts on fire. Heidi and Amelle say that the group is just on hiatus and they hope to return in the second half of 2014. In the meantime, Amelle has a solo album out this fall, Heidi has been doing some reality TV and she will be touring with a production of "Happy Days" for 6 months in the beginning of next year. Jade is rumoured to be pursuing a solo album. That's all we know!


If you are in the UK, buy your copy of "Flatline." Hopefully it will be available worldwide soon!

Cheers then,
—Davearama