Poptastic Confessions

Poptastic Confessions

Monday, January 31, 2022

Let's Try Being In Love by Darren Hayes

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Singer Darren Hayes is back after a 10-year gap. His latest release is called "Let's Try Being In Love." You might know Darren as being the lead singer of Savage Garden, a duo who had massive hits in the 90s with songs like "I Want You", "Truly Madly Deeply", and "I Knew I Loved You." We actually featured Darren in our blog back in July of 2011 with his single "Talk Talk Talk." His 2004 banger "Pop!ular" is still a choon.

"Let's Try Being In Love" is a synth pop number that has a deeper meaning. While Darren was at his most famous part of his career, he was sad because he wasn't able to be out. So now he wanted to come back and share his new music and new attitude. Hooray for Darren! Check out the storyline on the music video ...


"Let's Try Being In Love" was written and produced by Darren Hayes. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!




Something Kinda Funny,
—Albert Green

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Thursday, January 27, 2022

Crying On The Inside by Little Boots

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Little Boots is back with a new release called "Crying On The Inside." Her pervious two singles came out at the end of last year. They were "Silver Balloons" and "Landline."


There is something about the beginning of this song that reminds us of Fleetwood Mac. This is a sad song about putting on a brave face when you are hurting. Have a listen why you check out the visualizer ...



"Crying On The Inside" was written by Ryland Blackinton and Victoria Hesketh (aka Little Boots). It was produced by Little Boots. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Little Boots and Poptastic Confessions on social media ....

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I Don't Depend On You by Parralox

Dear Poptastic Readers,

On Friday, Parralox released "I Don't Depend On You." It is a cover a Human League song, that wasn't originally credited to the Human League. Confused? We'll explain in the next paragraph. Parralox remade the Human League's 1980 album Travelogue, and they started releasing a song every week in October. This is the second-to-last release: #16.


The original record was released under the name The Men, which was actually The Human League. The artist name was changed because it was departure for The Human League sound as it wasn't all synths and there were female vocals, which at the time, Susan and Joanne hadn't joined The Human League. The song is amazing, and Parralox have done a wonderful job bringing new life to this forgotten track. Parralox first released their original version on their album Holiday '15. They updated their version with a more robust baseline as well as more elements along the way. John and Louise sound amazing on this. The music video is an 80s aerobic affair. Have a look ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKYTJ32rEqg

"I Don't Depend On You" was written by Philip Oakey, Martyn Ware, and Ian Craig Marsh. It was produced by John von Ahlen. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some other Parralox songs released at the end of 2021, and earlier this month. Enjoy!

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Monday, January 24, 2022

Get Me To The Weekend by Betty Boo

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Happy Monday! What a weekend we just had as Betty Boo debuted her new single "Get Me To The Weekend" on the BBC Radio 2 Rylan Show on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the single was available on digital outlets everywhere! Now if you are just joining us and you aren't familiar with Betty Boo, check out our feature called The Return of Betty Boo!


Betty Boo is back and she brought The Human League along for the ride as the music samples "Love Action (I Believe In Love)", which has a great bass line. "Get Me To The Weekend" is definitely a fun track and the perfect way to start off the year. Betty sings and raps her way though this delightful pop gem. It even ends with a guitar solo! And if we are being honest, we weren't so sure about that bit when we first heard it. However, now that we have listened to it so many times in the last 24 hours, we love how it adds to the wonkiness of the track. We are in love. Welcome back, Betty!

***JANUARY 28 UPDATE***

The music video premiered today and how glorious it is. The Booettes are back. It's amazing what one can do with a green screen. This is as fun as the music. Doesn't Betty look amazing? Yes, she does. Have a look ...


Wasn't that FABULOUS? Yes, it was! Go ahead and have another listen. You know you want to! "Get Me To The Weekend" was written by Alison Clarkson (aka Betty Boo), Andy Wright, Ian Burden, and Phil Oakey. (Ian and Phil wrote The Human League song). It was produced by Alison Clark, Andy Wright, and Gavin Goldberg. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Betty Boo and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...


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Friday, January 21, 2022

The Return of Betty Boo

Dear Poptastic Readers,

English pop--dance-rap artist Betty Boo is back with a brand new single called "Get Me To The Weekend" and we are thrilled beyond belief! It is released this Sunday of all days. If you don't know who Betty Boo is, or if you need a refresh, here is your Betty Boo history lesson ...


Betty Boo is the artist name of Alison Clark, who is from London, England. She was originally part of a hip-hop trio called She Rockers in 1988. Even though Betty left the group in 1989, they released a single in 1990 after Betty Boo had success. The single was called "Give It A Rest (1990)" and credited to She Rockers featuring Betty Boo.


In August of 1989, Betty's debut single "Hey DJ/I Can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing)" by the Beatmasters featuring Betty Boo went to #7 in the UK, and #8 in the US Dance charts. It was also a Top 10 hit in New Zealand. Check out the retro-futuristic space age video ...



Her first solo single came in May of 1990 with the amazing track called "Doin' The Do." It was a Top 10 hit in the UK, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, and it went to #1 on the US Dance chart.




The follow-up single "Where Are You Baby?" would be her biggest UK hit peaking at #3 in August of 1990. Another music video that was space age camp ...



Her debut album Boomania followed and it was an amazing album. So much fun. The album went to #4 in the UK. Boomania had indeed hit.



Another single "24 Hours" only went to #25 in the UK, but it was a Top 10 hit in Switzerland. It's a good bop. Check out the music video here ...



Two years would go by before Betty would release the first single from her sophomore album GRRR! It's Betty Boo. The single "Let Me Take You There" was released in July of 1992 and it went to #12 in the UK. This was a laid back summer chill vibe song, check out the Barbie-esque music video ...




Another single "I'm On My Way" was released in September of 1992, but it stalled in the UK charts at #44. This was more in line with Betty's first album, while still being a bit mature. Check out the lovely music video ...




The album was released in October of 1992 and it only went to #62 in the UK. It is a great album and it deserved better. If you haven't heard it, definitely have a listen!


The US would get a new single from the album in 1992 called "Thing Goin' On" and it went to #5 in the US Dance chart. Unsure why this didn't get a UK release. Sadly, there was no music video. You can listen to it here ...



In March of 1993, the UK got the single "Hangover" and it didn't do well only getting to #50. It did have a nice music video though ...



The US got another release in 1993 with "Catch Me" and it went to #14 in the US Dance Chart. There was no music video, but you can hear it here ...


Betty took a long break from the limelight. She turned her focus on to writing songs for other artists like Girls Aloud, Dannii Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and several others. She also co-wrote "Pure And Simple" ... a song the group Hear'Say took to #1 in the UK in 2001. Here is their music video ...



In 2006, Betty released a song called "WigWam" under the name Wigwam, which was a duo with her and the bassist of Blur Alex James. Their only single went to #60 in the UK. The music video takes place a roof with furries! Have a look ...



In 2007, Betty collaborated with Jack Rokka with the amazing song "Take Off." It didn't set the charts on fire, but it should have! This was just fabulous. The music video was super cute. Check it out ...


So here we are in 2022 ... and a brand new single! Yipee! Her new song is called "Get Me To The Weekend" and it will debut on the radio on Saturday, January 22 on BBC Radio 2 at 3pm on the Rylan Show. We'll be back on Monday with a feature of the new song. Apparently, it samples "Love Action (I Believe In Love)" by The Human League. WOO!

Listen to Betty Boo here ...



Cheers then,
—Davearama

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Wednesday, January 19, 2022

In My Dreams by Pure Shores

Dear Poptastic Readers,

We are still absolutely loving "Back On My Love" by Pure Shores, which was released at the end of 2021, but it is new to us this month. Well, Pure Shores have gone and released a new song called "In My Dreams."


"In My Dreams" is a nice followup. It starts off sounding like the music is being played on an old record player. It has a great build and by the time you get the first chorus, it is euphoric dance pop. Have a listen ...


"In My Dreams" was written and produced by Marlene Strand and Ji Nilsson (aka Pure Shores). It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Pure Shores and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...


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Friday, January 14, 2022

Boys and Girls by Parralox

Dear Poptastic Readers,

It's Friday, so there is another Parralox release! Parralox remade the Human League's 1980 album Travelogue, and they started releasing a song every week in October. The releases are on Fridays and they span 17 weeks. This week is "Boys and Girls" and it is Week #15.


The Human League's single "Boy and Girls" was the first single to feature Susan and Joanne on the cover. However, they weren't on the record. Parralox gives a faithful update and it packs a punch that the original lacks. Great job! Check out the music video here ...


"Boys and Girls" was written by Philip Oakey, and Philip Adrian Wright. It was produced by John von Ahlen. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Enjoy!

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Thursday, January 13, 2022

All The Things She Said by Rebecca & Fiona

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Swedish duo Rebecca & Fiona have released a dream-pop cover of "All The Things She Said" originally sung by Russian duo t.A.T.u in 2002. Last year, Rebecca & Fiona did some amazing covers for a TV programs called Save Tonight and PÃ¥ SpÃ¥ret, but unfortunately, they were not released on digital outlets, but we will share those at the end of this post below.


Rebecca & Fiona have made this cover their own as the original version was quite frantic and full of energy. Rebecca & Fiona's changed the pace and switched up the melody leaving listeners in a chilled, dreamlike state. Fun fact: legendary musician and producer Trevor Horn who produced the original has also produced this new version with Rebecca & Fiona. Just have a listen ...


"All The Things She Said" was written by Martin Kierszenbaum, Sergio Galoyan, Trevor Horn, Valerji Polienko, and Elena Kiper. It was produced by Trevor Horn and Rebecca & Fiona. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021, including Rebecca & Fiona's amazing song "Sweetest Delight." Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Rebecca & Fiona and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...


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P.S.S. Check out these amazing cover versions Rebecca & Fiona did last year for the Swedish TV program Save Tonight and PÃ¥ SpÃ¥ret.

First up is "All That She Wants" originally done by Ace Of Base. Rebecca & Fiona were joined by other Swedish duo Lili & Susie. Check it out ...


Next up is "I Know There's Something Going On" originally done by Frida (of ABBA). Watch it here ...


They also performed a mashup of "Ain't Nobody" originally by Chaka Kahn, and "All Falls Down" by Kanye West. See it here ...



Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Pretty by Astrid S and Dagny

Dear Poptastic Readers,

In December, Norwegian singers Astrid S and Dagny released a song called "Pretty" and we are just getting around to it now, and we love it. We think you will, too.


We've featured Dagny many times in Poptastic Confessions since 2017, but this is the first time featuring Astrid. Both sound great together and they look like sisters. The song title could be misleading as one might initially think pretty refers to Astrid and Dagny, which of course they are. But the lyrics are about looking lovingly at that special person in your life and thinking how pretty they look. Check out the lyric video, which features footage of the singer in a photoshoot ...


"Pretty" was written by Astrid Smeplass, Cato Sundberg, Dagny Norvoll Sandvik, Kent Sundberg, and Lasse Michelsen. It was produced by Rat City. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Dagny, Astrid, and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...


Astrid S

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Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Back On My Love by Pure Shores

Dear Poptastic Confessions,

We have to thank Scandipop for introducing us to this delightful song called "Back On My Love" by Pure Shores. We'd never heard of Pure Shores before, well, except for the amazing 2000 All Saints song by that name. This Pure Shores is a Swedish duo of singers/songwriters Marlene Strand and Ji Nilsson.


"Back On My Love" is a glorious slice of pop with a lovely melody. One listen and we were hooked. It is about trying to fix a relationship that is in jeopardy. The build on this song is incredible as you don't really get the full chorus until after the second verse. At the moment, there is no music video, but you can hear it here ...



Wasn't that glorious? Yes, it was! "Back On My Love" was written and produced by Marlene Strand and Ji Nilsson (aka Pure Shores). If you need more than 3 minutes, there is also an extended version. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today. We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Please remember to use Spotify as a way to hear new music. The best way to support the artists are to buy their music. Please do so!



Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Pure Shores and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...


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Monday, January 10, 2022

Marianne, Dancevision, Rock 'N Roll/Nightclubbing, and Tom Baker by Parralox

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Last year, Parralox remade the Human League's 1980 album Travelogue, and they started releasing a song every week on Fridays spanning 17 weeks. The releases started in October. We missed 4 of them as we did our Top 101 Songs of 2021 countdown in December. So today, we are catching up with the releases.


First up is "Marianne" and it a steady pop song, and it sounds like a break up song. The music is ace and the melody is quite catchy. John does a great job on vocals. "Marianne" was written by Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware, Phil Oakey, and Philip Adrian Wright. It was produced by John von Ahlen. Watch the music video featuring models on the catwalk ...



"Dancevision" is an instrumental delight. It was written by Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware. It was produced by John von Ahlen. The music video features 80s/90s aerobics ...



"Rock 'N Roll/Nightclubbing" is medley of Gary Glitter's "Rock 'N Roll" and "Nightclubbing" was originally an Iggy Pop song. "Rock 'N Roll" was written by Mike Leander and Gary Glitter. "Nightclubbing" was written by Iggy Pop and David Bowie. This medley was produced by John von Ahlen. The music video shows people dancing in a nightclub in the early 90s.



"Tom Baker" is another instrumental. It was written by Phil Oakey and Philip Adrian Wright. It was produced by John von Ahlen. The music video features footage from an old an old sci-fi program. Have a look ...



All of these songs are available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2022 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify, which also features some songs released at the end of 2021. Enjoy!

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Friday, January 7, 2022

Tidbits about the 2021 countdown

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Happy New Year! Every January, we do a recap about the countdown we we just did in December, and share some tidbits about the Top 21. Here are the chart toppers of 2021 ...


#1: "Deep In Love" by Rikky Disco
#2: "Fallback" by Isle of You
#3: "Don't Need Nothing" by Aly & AJ
#4: "Paper Roses" by Alice D
#5: "Can't Stay Away" by Darin
#7: "Dance Floor Darling" by Kylie Minogue
#8: "Into You" by Melanie C
#9: "Take Me For A Ride" by Steps
#10: "Dancin' Alive" by Chris Tall
#11: "Fictional" by Henrikes
#12: "Not A Single Day Goes By" by Jody Watley
#13: "Not Sad Anymore" by Clara Mae
#14: "Giving You Half" by Liam Ferrari x Carda
#15: "Ears Ringing" by Isle of You
#16: "Kiss Of Life" by Kylie Minogue & Jessie Ware
#17: "More Joy!" by Duran Duran featuring Chai
#18: "Something To Say" by Michaela Jaé
#19: "Alien 2 Me" by Marcella Detroit
#20: "Real Love" by Rebecca & Fiona

And our bonus song ...


#21: "Nostalgia" by Henrikes

And now for the tidbits ...


Isle Of You, Steps, Kylie Minogue, and Henrikes all had 2 songs in our Top 21. However, Chris Tall was also on our list twice as he is one half of Rikky Disco.


Newcomers in our Top 21 were Rikky Disco, Darin, Michaela Jaé, Henrikes, Liam Ferrari, Jessie Ware, and Chai.

Returning artists who have previously held the #1 spot were Steps, Kylie Minogue, and Jody Watley, who has been at the #1 spot twice.


"Get Outta My Way" by Kylie Minogue was #1 in 2010

"Nightlife" by Jody Watley was #1 in 2013

"The Mood" by Jody Watley featuring SRL was #1 in 2016

The international makeup of the artists featured in our Top 21 is ...

7 artists from Sweden
5 artists from England/Wales
4 artists from the United States of America
3 artists from Australia
1 artist from Japan

Listen to the top songs on 2021 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on SpotifyEnjoy!



Thank you for visiting Poptastic Confessions this past year. We certainly hope you have liked our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Here’s to 2022!

Cheers then,
—The Poptastic Confessions Collective

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