Melissa Etheridge Releases Orlando Charity Song 'Pulse'

Musician Melissa Etheridge has released a new song called 'Pulse' that is dedicated to victims of the Orlando terrorist attack, which occured at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida on June 12. 'Pulse' is a fantastic song that was truly written with sheer pride and thoughtfulness.

Etheridge talked about the birth of the new song, "I woke up like everybody else and just got whopped upside the head with pain and not understanding and wanting to feel better about it," she stated. "I play Orlando. I know all those people. I knew someone who [lives] just down the block from there, so you feel a connection. I had a guitar there and I just started writing."


The song is available for download now, and all proceeds will go to Equality Florida. They'll be helping families of the victims as well as survivors of the shooting. Follow the links below to download:

iTunes
Amazon
Google Play

Most Underrated Prince Songs and Albums

Anytime a musician passes away, their catalog gets some extra attention. The same is happening for Prince, who shockingly passed away at the age of 57. Typical hits like "1999" and "When Doves Cry" have surely gotten most of the attention, but he has so many fantastic albums and songs to choose from.

Songs:

"The Cross" - Sign o' The Times, 1987. Sign o' The Times is one of Prince's most well known albums, though as a double album some songs can get less attention than others. "The Cross" stands out to me in showcasing his strong and sincere vocals. The progression of the instruments works well also, building up slowly from a quieter ballad into some heavy guitar and drums, with a sitar thrown into the mix.

"So Far, So Pleased" - Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, 1999. Gwen Stefani joins Prince on this track from his 1999 album, which of course was a big year for the man who made the hit song "1999" years earlier. The album itself is hit-or-miss, but definitely contains some gems, with this track being the best. Gwen & Prince go well together vocally, and it doesn't feel forced.

"Bambi" - Prince, 1979. The early Prince albums released during the days of disco give more of a dance feel to them. Yet on "Bambi," Prince also showed that he could play a heavier guitar sound as well as anyone else, kicking things off with a crunching guitar intro.

"Thunder" - Diamonds and Pearls, 1991. "Thunder" is simply an infectious song that brings together many of Prince's hallmarks into one song. Its R&B, Rock, Pop, Funk & Soul all rolled up into one, which Prince could always do so expertly. It kicks off the Diamonds and Pearls album with a bang,

"Cinnamon Girl" - Musicology, 2004. If "Cinnamon Girl" were released in as a single in the 80's or early 90's during the height of his popularity, it probably would have been a big hit. Yet in 2004 it flew under the radar in the US, though did gain traction on the UK chart. The chorus will quickly have you singing along, and Prince crafts quite the guitar solo.

Albums:

Chaos & Disorder, 1996 - Prince released this as his final album with Warner Bros. to fulfill contracutal obligations after years of hoping to get out of his contract. Yet the album is powerful, not some throwaway that was half-assed. Prince released a kick ass, hard rock album without any filler on it. His guitar skills are on full display, letting it known he could play as hard as any Grunge or Alternative band popular at the time.  He didn't do any promotion for the album or release any US singles, he simply moved on to his next project, which is partly why it didn't gain much traction.

PlectrumElectrum, 2014 - Prince had put together an all-female band named 3rdEyeGirl who he played and toured with. One of the great things about Prince is how he was able to find other talented musicians and give them  a platform, not afraid to share the spotlight. They churned out this hard rocking album and the amount of fun they're having comes across on each track. Check out Prince with 3rdEyeGirl performing "She's Always in my Hair."

Around the World in a Day, 1985 - This album hit #1 and sold 2 million copies, as well as spawning two hit singles in "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life." Yet, it tended to be forgotten in the years since aside from the two singles which is why I consider it underrated. A lot of that has to do with it following the smash Purple Rain and with Sign o' The Times coming two years later. Its also not as radio friendly and one of his more experimental albums. That all makes for a rewarding experience though, instead of Prince just coasting on Purple Rain, he decided to challenge himself and listeners with a psychedelic soundscape.

The Gold Experience, 1995 - Prince's dispute with his record label was in full force at this point, which of course overshadows the release of The Gold Experience. The album is filled with fast rock, funk you can move to, and some of his best songs dealing with sex. The ballads here are also well done, never getting into an overly sappy territory. Its the type of album you can listen to straight through and wonder where the time went. Even the interludes are enjoyable.

Lady Gaga Pays Tribute to David Bowie at the Grammys

Lady Gaga was tasked with putting on the 2016 GRAMMYs tribute to the late icon David Bowie. She had Nile Rodgers with her, who produced two Bowie Albums: Let's Dance & Black Tie White Noise, to play guitar and help create the show. Gaga delivered a high energy performance that utilized the latest technology, which is something Bowie was always fond of doing.

And of course, it featured her in numerous costumes. She was able to seamlessly cram some of Bowie's biggest songs into the almost 7 minute performance, which can be difficult considering how much Bowie changed through the years. However, everyone involved were able to make it work. Her opening performance of "Space Oddity" utilized a new Intel projection technology, which projected the lightning bolt from Bowie's Aladdin Sane album cover onto her face. Luckily it worked well and matched up perfectly on her face. I personally loved her moving futuristic robot-looking piano.

Let us not forget though: The Grammys have only awarded David Bowie with one Grammy Award... Let that sink in. And he wasn't even first nominated until 1984 despite his acclaimed 1970s work. The fact that he wasn't very mainstream in the 70s is probably part of it, as the Grammy voters tend to go for mainstream even today, but especially back then. He should win a few more for his acclaimed new album Blackstar next year, though he sadly won't be able to receive them of course.

Songs featured:
Space Oddity
Changes
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
Rebel Rebel
Fashion
Fame
Let's Dance
Heroes

David Bowie Dead At 69

Music icon David Bowie passed away just days after releasing his new album Blackstar and celebrating his 69th birthday. It was unexpected to the public, but it was confirmed after that he had been battling cancer for the past 18 months. His wife Iman had posted various messages and pictures in the days leading up to his death.

He began making the album after his cancer diagnosis. The idea of having jazz musicians on the record came when he was in a jazz club and saw some musicians that he liked in mid-2014. The album was confirmed by producer Tony Visconti to be designed as a parting gift to the fans, with Bowie knowing it would be his last. Blackstar was recorded earlier in 2015, yet held off until Bowie knew he was near the end of his life. The hit album is peppered with Jazz music throughout, though it remains a rock album at its core. Bowie also drew inspiration from Kendrick Lamar. 

The music video for his haunting new single "Lazarus" was carefully planned to be released to the public when he was sure he only had a few days left. The lyrics to the song begin as, "Look up here, I'm in heaven!" The whole album is filled with lyrics about mortality, and when it was released a few days ago it was met with acclaim. Yet, none of us took any of the lyrics of the video for "Lazarus" to actually symbolize his fate. 

After a 10 year hiatus from music, he released The Next Day in January 2013 without much advance notice, and followed that up with an EP in the fall. That album was also received well and showed Bowie had reached yet another creative high point. He stayed away from touring though, with his last live performance coming in 2006 at a charity concert with Alicia Keys. 

Bowie was a true innovator right up until the end.

There's a starman waiting in the sky. 

U2 Rock The Garden With a Cameo From Jimmy Fallon

Time goes by so fast. I remember waiting agonizingly on Ticketmaster for an hour and a half getting my tickets for U2's Innocence and Experience Tour at Madison Square Garden back in December, and was lucky enough to get some pretty great seats. And now the show happened. It was all worth it, with U2 doing what they do best...knocking you off your feet in an arena.

The set list was largely a hits set of some of their biggest singles. I'm a big fan of deep cuts and rare songs being performed, but being in there and taking it all in, I didn't care what songs they played. It all worked so well - the moments of just the band on the main stage playing some of their loud rockers, and then them moments where they used the latest technology like the giant 3-Dimensional screen that the band walked inside of to put on an orgasm for the eyes. The new songs from their latest album Songs of Innocence packed a punch, especially "Iris", written by Bono for his mom who died when he was 14.

Jimmy Fallon was pulled out of the crowd, and he joined the band in a performance of "Desire". He famously dressed as Bono on the Tonight Show and performed it with The Roots, and then before the start of the tour U2 & Fallon dressed up as street performers to perform in the Subway. The Roots were then brought out to lend a hand on "Angel of Harlem". It's not often U2 have a special guest on stage at a concert, as they don't need it. However, it worked in this setting.


The show ended with a sing-along version of "One" that concluded with Bono singing a bit of The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" since Paul McCartney was in the crowd to perfectly cap off yet another strong concert from U2.

Kanye West: Douche

Kanye West was at it again at the Grammy Awards, a few years after interrupting his first victim (Taylor Swift). He ran on stage after Beck won for Best Album, only to run back down to his seat. It seemed like a joke at first, by poking fun at himself. Great. Then he goes on E! and starts ranting that it wasn't a joke, saying Beck should give his award to Beyonce and to "respect artistry". Beck responded by saying he thinks Kanye is great and talented. I don't really listen to Beck much, but its nice to see someone so humble & naturally talented win.

Even his wife Kim Kardashian was incredibly uncomfortable during the whole ordeal, forcing a smile. I mean, he made Kim Kardashian uncomfortable on camera. And she did a porn!

Personally, I think Kanye West should heed his own advice to respect artistry and creativity. Its 2015 and he is still overusing Auto-Tune (since he can't sing) 17 years after it was first used by Cher as a gimmick in 1998. Real artistic & original there, Kanye. And what is his obsession with Beyonce? I'm surprised more people don't find it odd, especially Jay Z and Beyonce.

I think Shirley Manson of the band Garbage said it best by writing to him, You are making yourself look like a complete twat. 

2015 Anniversaries

How has it been 20 Years since 'Toy Story'?

Can you believe we are already halfway through the 2010's? 2015 unbelievably kicks off the second half of this decade, even though many of those Back To The Future II predictions didn't come true (although some did, like big flat screen TV's and video chatting).  There are also some hard to believe anniversaries this year.

2010, 5 Years Since... Lebron James joined the Miami Heat and oddly became a media "villain". Cavs fans burned his jersey, but now that he's made his return to Cleveland, love him again. Funny how sports work. The Chilean miners were freed and one famously kissed his mistress. The double rainbow also became a hit viral video, and now everyone searches for one.

2005, 10 Years Since... YouTube debuted. Before 2005 it was harder to find shareable videos where you can watch people make fools of themselves. You could still find them, though you had to search a bit more depending on which site people used. YouTube made it easy for everyone to use one site. Xbox 360 was launched, and its still going strong today despite the updated generation of video game consoles being released recently. August will see the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in American history.

2000, 15 Years Since... The last Subway Series. I mean the real Subway Series, during the World Series, not that interleague stuff. The Mets and Yankees squared off in the first Subway(All New York) World Series since the 1950's. Looking back, this was also New York in the final year before 9/11, and America as a whole was a different place in 2000. People also said "The Year..." before 2000. Why did so many people say "The Year 2000" again?

1995: 20 Years Since... Toy Story. That's right, this fall will mark 20 years since Toy Story hit theaters and launched Pixar into the huge studio it is today. Feels like yesterday when it came out and jaws dropped at the sight of the first fully computer animated movie. Clueless also came out, and perfectly encapsulates the style and lingo of the time. It was also the year of the OJ Simpson trial, one of the first times a trial became a television phenomenon thanks to cable news, and people are still obsessed with these today.

1990: 25 Years Since... Home Alone. The Christmas favorite will be a quarter of a century old. I wonder what Buzz's girlfriend looks like now? East & West Germany finally reunited. And now we get Angela Merkel pantsuits. "U Can't Touch This" was released and popularized parachute pants. Thankfully those have not stood the test of time.

1985: 30 Years Since... Live Aid took place on July 13, 1985, simultaneously from London and Philadelphia, becoming one of the biggest TV broadcasts and satellite link-ups ever. Bono sported quite the show stealing mullet when he moved down to the crowd during U2's 14-minute performance of "Bad".  The Breakfast Club and The Goonies came out. It has really been 30 years since the Truffle Shuffle.

1980: 35 Years Since... John Lennon was sadly shot in December 1980, but his timeless music and memory live on today. The Empire Strikes Back took over the world and had people waiting in long lines for tickets, which is a rare thing now thanks to the internet and apps.

1975: 40 Years Since... Saturday Night Live began, launching many careers and providing some late night laughs. Sonny and Cher divorced, which made "I Got You Babe" a bit awkward. Jaws started the summer blockbuster movie craze and scared tons of people from going in the water.

1970: 45 Years Since... The Beatles broke up and released their final album, Let It Be. I'm sure lots of people were sad, but they all went on to have successful solo careers anyway. Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin both dies at age 27, which gave rise to the "27 Club" of famous musicians who tragically passed away at the same young age.

1965: 50 Years Since... The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium and the New York World's Fair took place in Queens. The NY World's Fair was not a money maker, but still has become quite a famous event which is still talked about.

The Walking Dead & U2

AMC released two new trailers for The Walking Dead with "The Troubles" by U2 featuring Lykke Li off their new album Songs of Innocence as the soundtrack to both.

It helps build up the tension nicely, with the haunting song a perfect fit for the vibe of togetherness we get from our survivors as they face their toughest task yet. The trailers don't offer up too much in the way of plot, but some great footage is spliced together giving it a theatrical feel for a show that thrives on details. The Walking Dead season 5 premieres Sunday October 12 while the deluxe non-free version of Songs of Innocence hits stores October 14. 

Ultimate First World Problem: Complaining About a Free U2 Album From iTunes

When news broke that the new U2 album Songs of Innocence would be released free on iTunes automatically in every users library, many people were happy. And many people were not happy, from regular users on twitter to Sharon Osbourne, that it downloaded into their library.

But the uproar about an "invasion of privacy" (even though there is a thing called a user agreement that you accept when you get an iPhone/iTunes...) and complaining about an album taking up space on your phone is ridiculous.

I mean picture this: a person (probably a hipster) is sitting in a nice air conditioned Starbucks with their complicated coffee order in hand. They turn on their 500 dollar iPhone and all of a sudden the new U2 album is in their music library for free. They immediately go onto social media and start complaining about it furiously. I mean...talk about a first world problem. If the worst moment of your week was a free album by a talented rock band being downloaded into your music library, well then you've probably had a pretty good week.

Maybe all these people should walk into a local homeless shelter or hospital and then complain about how awful it was to be gifted a free album by Apple. Let's see how that works out for you.

New U2 Album "Songs of Innocence" Out NOW...for FREE

How do you combat the lack of people buying albums? Well, you just give it away for free apparently.

The Temporary Cover of the Free Version of "Songs of Innocence"

U2 (Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, Adam Clayton) announced at the Apple iPhone 6 event that their new album, Songs of Innocence, is now out exclusively on iTunes until October 13 for Free, automatically in every users iTunes around the world, where you can listen or download the album for free. Of course that means the album will not count towards the Billboard charts, but for a band like U2 who have sold millions upon millions of albums that really isn't a big deal. You can check for the album here: http://smarturl.it/newu2album.

On October 13 the physical album will be released on CD and Vinyl, containing acoustic versions of the songs as well as four new tracks not on the free digital version, plus other goodies like a book. This may be a smart idea in this age when album sales are at record lows. More people will listen to the free album that normally wouldn't pay for it anyway. Then when the deluxe/physical version comes out the fans who would buy it anyway will get that one. Bono also stated that another album called Songs of Experience may be released in the not too distant future.

So far my favorite song would be "The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)", with fuzzed out guitars that scream ROCK. Sorry Gene Simmons, but Rock is not dead, just ask U2, the Foo Fighters, and Paramore among others.

The track listing:
1. The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
2. Every Breaking Wave
3. California (There is no End to Love)
4. Song for Someone
5. Iris (Hold Me Close)
6. Volcano
7. Raised By Wolves
8. Cedarwood Road
9. Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
10. This Is Where You Can Reach Me
11. The Troubles - Featuring Lykee Li

New U2 Album Being Revealed At Apple Event

The updated U2 iPod from 2006

It's been 5 and a half years since U2 last released an album, 2009's No Line On The Horizon. That is about to change, as rumor has it U2 will be releasing some information about the new album, with the date of release soon.

According to the New York Times, U2 (Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr, Adam Clayton) will be at the Apple event September 9th. Apple will be revealing the iPhone 6 that day, which should go on sale shortly after. Now the rumor is U2 will be streaming the entire album on the iPhone 6. One can assume the album will then be released shortly after that. They may also be performing their new single at the event. This all comes with little hype or warning, which worked for David Bowie & Beyonce among others. 

There may be more in relation to Apple, but that is being kept under wraps. The music industry has changed with album sales at an all time low, and artists are finding new ways to get music out there. We can possibly expect some unique new thing U2 and Apple will be trying to improve the listening experience in the digital age. The album will be released in an "innovative" way according to some. We'll find out soon what innovative actually means. 

This isn't the first time the two have linked up. Their hit song "Vertigo" was featured in the memorable silhouette iPod commercials in 2004 and 2005. Apple also released a Special Edition U2 iPod in 2004 and video iPod in 2006. 

Solange Attacks Jay Z

Solange and Jay Z After The Fight

Well file this under bizarre news for the day. Solange Knowles, sister of Beyonce, and Jay Z walked into an elevator at the Met Gala and all of a sudden Solange started punching and kicking at him before someone who was with them pulled her away. Um..okay then! Video footage was leaked by TMZ (watch below), and pictures of them leaving clearly show an angry Solange and startled Jay Z. Now while it is kind of messed up someone would release this assumed private moment to the world, I don't feel too bad about it. When Beyonce had her baby they closed off the hospital wing for her and inconvenienced people. If you're going to use your celebrity for that, then don't complain about something like this leaking out to the public. You take the good with the bad just like everyone else in life has to. Suck it up and move on.
  
Jay Z stood there and took it which must take a lot of restraint when someone attacks, even if you know them personally. Of course it helps when you have a bodyguard with you. Beyonce was somewhere in the back staying the hell away. Solange has a mean right hook, and her first hit in years. The bodyguard also hit the emergency stop button on the elevator. But, we live in a world of cameras...of course people were going to find out. Solange must have been pretty pissed off about something that he did...I don't think she should be taking pointers from Chris Brown though!

There's a "Jay Z got 99 problems and Solange is 1" joke in there, but I'm sure that will get played out on Twitter enough.

Nirvana Takes Grunge To The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Nirvana was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during their first year of eligibility, also 20 years after the death of Kurt Cobain, marking the first Grunge band to enter the Hall. Want to really feel old? Green Day will be eligible next year, as their first album came out in 1990. Michael Stipe did the honors, which was fitting as Cobain was a huge R.E.M fan. A big question has been if Cobain would have even cared about this, being that he was uncomfortable with the unexpectedly massive success of the band and the mainstream nature of something such as this ceremony. However, its better to just leave that alone and enjoy the moment.

Dave Grohl gave a typically awesome speech as he always does, thanking the previous drummers that were in Nirvana before he was, such as Chad Channing and giving him props for his inspiration. Courtney Love even gave Grohl a hug on stage. Did that signal them burying the hatchet?

Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear then took the stage with rumors of who would perform vocals for them. A bunch of kick ass women filled in. Joan Jett was first, taking the tough task of performing "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth then gave a passionate rendition of "Aneurysm". St.Vincent/Annie Clark then came out for "Lithium", with Lorde (who wasn't born yet when Kurt Cobain died) closing it out with "All Apologies".

The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will air on HBO on May 31.

New Michael Jackson Album: 'Xscape'

Eight previously unreleased Michael Jackson songs will be released as a new album, titled 'Xscape', on May 13. This is the second album being released after his death in 2009. The first, called 'Michael', came out in 2010. Some songs were well received, but others were questioned as to their legitimacy of if Jackson was even singing, and the suspicions were quite valid as a few songs sounded a bit odd. Timbaland will be the main producer of the album.

The lead single will be "Love Never Felt So Good" and will feature Justin Timberlake. The songs have been "contemporized"...I hope that doesn't mean they've been auto-tuned and turned into EDM songs. Just in case the "contemporized" versions suck, a deluxe edition will be released with the songs in their original forms. This is the current track listing:

"Xscape"
"Slave To The Rhythm"
"Blue Gansgta"
"A Place With No Name"
"Love Never Felt So Good"
"Do You Know Where Your Children Are"
"She Was Lovin' Me"
"Chicago"

U2 Releases "Invisible" For (RED)

"Invisible" Cover Art

U2 have released a new song "Invisible", for FREE on iTunes, available only today on Sunday February 2nd through Monday February 3rd. The song is off their upcoming album, but not the first single. It was released in a partnership with Bank of America, who have donated $10 Million dollars to (RED) to fight AIDS. They will donate an additional $1 for each Free download, so get downloading it on iTunes by clicking here. *Edit* The song is now available through Amazon & Google Play as well. It's no longer free, but all proceeds are still being donated to (RED). $1.29 is not steep at all, please download to support the cause!

The song is a change from anything on their two most recent albums, No Line On The Horizon (2009) and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2004). The intro really threw me for a loop, and the entire song sounds incredibly fresh. To compare to other artists, it sounds a bit like Kraftwerk meets The Killers, but certainly very U2 more than anything else.

They've made a career of expanding their musical palette, from starting out as a Post-Punk band and moving on to Americana and Blues, to Alternative Rock and Electronic influenced rock. They can do it all, and this song is U2 continuing to push themselves. If I had to pick two U2 songs to compare it with I'd go with "Zoo Station" from Achtung Baby & "Kite" from All That You Can't Leave Behind. Bono is in fine form vocally, and Larry Mullen Jr really stands out on drums in the commercial. Hopefully his drums are featured more in the actual song on the album version.

Part of the music video for the song will debut in a commercial during the Super Bowl, reminding people to download the song for Free to help promote & raise money for (RED). The full video will be on YouTube later. Bono describes the song of his feeling back in 1979 walking out of the London Subway and feeling uncool being from the Dublin suburbs as the original inspiration for the lyrics before moving on to what we hear now. If this is just a taste of the new album, I'm even more pumped to hear it all this Spring/Summer. You can watch a video detailing the making of the song/video below:
 

U2 Bringing New Song "Invisible" To The Super Bowl?

U2 are finally gearing up to release their first new album since 2009's No Line On The Horizon in 2014.

They gave us a tease with the Golden Globe nominated song "Ordinary Love" from the film "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom". Their next single, called "Invisible", is possibly going to be released in a 30 or 60 second commercial during the Super Bowl on February 2nd as reported on atU2. One can assume the full song/music video will be uploaded to YouTube/U2.com and released to iTunes/Amazon MP3 shortly after. The new track will be supporting the (RED) campaign to fight AIDS, so there isn't any official word yet if this song is part of the new album. However, in an LA Times article where the track "Invisible" was played by Bono for them, it stated the song is from the new album. So its possible the track is both promoting the (RED) charity and the lead single.

I faintly heard part of the song, as someone on a beach managed to hear the song being played (loudly) and recorded a bit of it with a cell phone. You can't make out much thankfully, since I'd rather just hear it during the Super Bowl, but you can tell the song is going for the sweeping epic vibe. Think of it as in a category with "Where The Streets Have No Name" or "Beautiful Day".

The band (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr) also appeared at and performed for Sean Penn's 3rd Annual HELP HAITI HOME fundraiser, performing "Hallelujah", "I Will Follow", "Desire" & "Vertigo". It was only their second performance for a crowd since the end of the U2360 Tour in Summer 2011.

New Year's Music

When people think of Holiday themed music, Christmas obviously dominates, with hundreds of songs for the season. Halloween follows in the distance with a good chunk of music. Yet, there are numerous songs you can listen to as you ring in the New Year as well! So while you

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Various Artists. This gem dates back to 1947, when it was independently written by Frank Loesser. It has since been covered by numerous artists, and my vote for the best versions go to The Carpenters and Ella Fitzgerald. Nobody did Christmas songs quite like The Carpenters, and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" was added to their album "An Old-Fashioned Christmas". Fitzgerald also delivers a perfect rendition of the classic, as expected from a legend.

"New Year's Day" by U2. Released in 1983 on their album War, "New Year's Day" has stood the test of time as one of U2's most well known singles. It wasn't meant for that though, being a more politically charged song. The lyrics were inspired by the Solidarity Movement in Poland. So while New Year's isn't the main subject of the song, it is a piece of it.

"Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" - Mariah Carey. "Auld Lang Syne" is the most well known New Year's song, played every year on New Year's Eve. So for this list I just decided to include the Mariah Carey version from her 2010 Merry Christmas II You album, being one of the more recent versions, and from the woman who gave us a modern Christmas classic in "All I Want For Christmas Is You".

"Happy New Year" by ABBA. Released in 1980, this New Year's song from ABBA was a big hit in Europe, though a lot of its success came during reissues after the initial recording of the song. The English version wasn't released as a single until 1999. It did get a cheesy music video though even without a single release in 1980, which is worth watching:
                    
I mean, I know the video was probably filmed on some sound stage, but did the party need to be surrounded by total blackness? Not even a disco ball? And what was with the random horses in the background? Its cheesy, but you just can't help to love it.

"1999" by Prince.  Leading up to December 31st 1998, this song was played by pretty much every radio station and on every TV broadcast, as well as a year later in the lead up to Y2K and the new millennium. It was originally released in 1982. It made the Top 40 in 1998 as well, becoming the last single by Prince to chart that high. You can still party like its 1999, so fire this track up.

"Sleigh Ride" by TLC. Released on the Home Alone 2 soundtrack, Sleigh Ride is mainly a Christmas song that also gives some love to New Year's, so why not celebrate both?

"Maybe Baby (New Year's Day)" by Sugarland. Much like "Sleigh Ride" this song shows some love to both Christmas and New Year's. The country/rock/pop duo released it on their Christmas album "Gold & Green" in 2009. It features Kristian Bush on lead vocals rather than Jennifer Nettles, who gives background vocals this time around.

U2 Return With 'Ordinary Love'

U2 have released their first new song since 2009 with "Ordinary Love" as well as an accompanying lyric video from artist Oliver Jeffers. Bono appears briefly in the video. The song is featured in the end credits and soundtrack of the upcoming Nelson Mandela film 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' starring Idris Elba & Naomie Harris. You can almost bet the song will be nominated for a Golden Globe and/or Academy Award.

A special version of the song will be released on Vinyl for Record Store Day 2013. The B-Side will be an alternate Nelson Mandela-themed version of their song "Breathe", which was released on 2009's No Line On The Horizon.

"Ordinary Love" sounds like a cross between "Beautiful Day" and "One Tree Hill". Their next studio album is due out in 2014, and this song won't be on the album (at least not in this current form) as it was made specifically for the soundtrack to 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom'. Watch the video below.

Best of TLC

The TLC biopic 'CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story' premiered last night on VH1 detailing the highs and lows of the girl group that rose to massive fame during the 90s. Keke Palmer, Lil' Mama and Drew Sidora all looked perfect for their roles as Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes & Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and all had the unique look of TLC down to a T. The big story from the film will be their issues with former manager Pebbles, who managed to buy them their first (used) cars...with their own money. Aw, how nice. TLC are currently recording a new studio album, and no they won't be replacing Left Eye, who died in a car crash in 2002 before the release of their last album, 3D. So before we hear some new material, let's take a look at their 10 best songs.

1. Waterfalls (CrazySexyCool, 1994) - Like there would be any other candidate for TLC's best song? The song spent seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Something people will always remember about the track is the accompanying music video (back when those were still a big deal on TV), which had one scene where the ladies we're transformed into water using the latest computer technology at the time. It also highlighted the dangers of HIV & drug use, continuing the groups message of safe sex that began with their earlier music videos. 

2. Damaged (3D, 2002) - "Damaged" benefits from having live instruments in the background, and the awesome guitar work meshes very well with Chilli & T-Boz's vocals to create possibly the strongest song in their catalogue. 

3. Unpretty (FanMail, 1999) - "Unpretty" continued the TLC trend of songs with a positive message. In this case is was all about self esteem and being proud of who you are regardless of what others think. The track blends Pop, R&B and Rock to create an all around well rounded song.

4. Baby-Baby-Baby (Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip, 1992) - TLC's first big ballad, the sultry and seductive sound would become a trademark of the group through all their other releases.

5. Creep (CrazySexyCool, 1994) - Well, this was a different kind of message. About a woman who knows her man is cheating on her, so she gets back at him by doing the exact same thing. The real reason this is one of their best is just the infectious nature of the song. Try listening to it without getting it stuck in your head.

6. Turntable (3D, 2002) - "Turntable" is their tribute to Left Eye, who died a few months before the album was released. Its a song that doubles as both a fitting tribute to Left Eye, as well as a song that everybody can relate to. 

7. Red Light Special (CrazySexyCool, 1994) - "Red Light Special" is perhaps the groups most seductive and sultry song. They amped up the maturity and sexuality on CrazySexyCool, and this soulful song is a perfect representation of that.

8. What About Your Friends (Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip, 1992) - TLC's first album is heavy on the new jack swing that was popular at the time, and this is one of the many songs that incorporates that into the pop & hip hop that permeates the track. The video showcases their fun and wild personalities, and you really can't beat the bright neon 90s style.

9. No Scrubs (FanMail, 1999) - Another infectious song with a beat that can't escape your head, the version featured in the music video is a bit better than the album version, as it includes an awesome rap by Left Eye that fits so well with the song. You couldn't escape this song in the spring and summer of 1999.

10. Meant To Be (20, 2013) - 20 is their greatest hits album that was released to coincide with the biopic, and "Meant To Be" represents the lone new track included. It stands fairly well with their hits, and continues the trend of a positive vibe as seen throughout their career. It's an enjoyable pop/R&B song that seems like a grower.

Kanye West Has Twitter Rant On Jimmy Kimmel

Kanye West posted this Spongebob Meme to his twitter

Kanye West has gone on a twitter rant...which is never a good thing. Okay, its good for a laugh. Jimmy Kimmel aired a spoof of Kanye West's ridiculous interview with Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1, with Kimmel's spoof featuring a kid version of West making fun of the interview. In the actual interview, West called himself the "number 1 rock star on the planet" and compared himself to Michael Jackson & Steve Jobs. Note to West: there are two big guidelines to being the number one Rock Star on the planet: 1 - If you have to call yourself that, you aren't it. Strike one. 2 - You can't use auto-tune. Strike two.

Kimmel, in typical comedic fashion, obliterated West in his monologue. How did he do it? Basically by showing all the tweets and meme's that West posted. Those are the jokes in and of themselves. He also said Kanye called him and told him to publicly apologize for the spoof (note: he didn't). Here are some of West's insane tweets:

JIMMY KIMMEL IS OUT OF LINE TO TRY AND SPOOF IN ANY WAY THE FIRST PIECE OF HONEST MEDIA IN YEARS 

YOU CAN'T PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES. YOUR FACE LOOKS CRAZY… IS THAT FUNNY?… OR IF I HAD A KID SAY IT WOULD IT BE FUNNY??? 

SHOULD I DO A SPOOF ABOUT YOUR FACE OR YOU FUCKING BEN AFFLECK…#NODISRESPECTTOBENAFFLECK #ALLDISRESPECTTOJIMMYKIMMEL!!!!

SARAH SILVERMAN IS A THOUSAND TIMES FUNNIER THAN YOU AND THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS IT!!!

I feel bad for his keyboard. He's probably just looking for attention, as he usually is. Knocking up Kim Kardashian wasn't enough?