Monthly Archives: July 2009

Song of the Day: “Freak Like Me” – Adina Howard

Consider this a continuation of my pro-nails appreciation post. Do you see those things? They’re crazy. The song? Even crazier. If the track came out in the 80′s, she’d be a slut. But, no, it came out in the 90′s, so she was an independent woman. The hypersexual and, at times, aggressive hump-tune features Howard proclaiming her sexual demands with the line: It’s all about the dog in me. Taking charge is one thing, but, whoa – the dog in you? Sounds like beastiality to me. It ain’t no thang, though – the explicit joint grinded harder than other g-funk ladies anthems on the radio in ’95 and paved the way for Kim, Foxy, and Khia after her. Props to the nasally guy counting shit down at the end, too. He gets no credit.

Song of the Day, Pt. 1: “Survival In The City” – Sheek Louch (Feat. Jadakiss)

Jadakiss loves The Eagles. He’s rapped atop samples of theirs for years and just recently put a verse on French Montana’s “New York Minute.” My favorite Eagles track of Jada’s is “Survival In The City” with LOX bandmate Sheek Louch. It goes as hard as the original ["In The City"], only with some of the grimiest lyrics out: Mothafuckas will disappear. French’s rhymes sound scrappy (he was signed by Akon..), but the Henley rip is commendable.

Song of the Day, Pt. 2: “New York Minute” – French Montana (Feat. Jadakiss)

Song of the Day: “In The Air Tonight” – Phil Collins

This is probably one of my favorite songs of all time (ask Jackson). Phil Collins is the man. You gotta give it up. Post-Genesis, the guy pretty much wrote the book on air drums without even reading the manual. “If I got it on tape, I was pretty lucky. I didn’t like manuals, I didn’t really know anything about electronic recording, so if I saw the meter moving, I was happy…‘In the Air Tonight’ was just a drum machine pattern that I took off that CR78 drum machine. You could eliminate certain sounds and program bass drums and snare drums, so I programmed a bass drum part into it, but basically the rest of it was already on there…I got a nice sound on the Prophet 5, which was the sound of ‘In the Air.’” (Phil Collins, Robyn Flans interview, Classic Tracks) Whatever he did worked and still has its place in pop music today, inspiring the moody sounds of producers Kanye West (even though his recreation of Collins’s trademark voco-bratto on 808s & Heartbreaks could cause a tumor) and The-Dream.

Song of the Day: “C’mon Ride It (The Train)” – Quad City DJ’s

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Have a fucking pep rally wit it.

I just got out of seeing Bruno, so this is only appropriate…

Song of the Day: “Cold Hearted Snake” – Paula Abdul

Everybody knows I live for Miss Janet. But, Paula? I know, I know. The bitch taught Jan all her moves, but, at one time, was a name unto her own. She sold out tours, had multi-platinum albums, and put out some pretty decent singles. “Straight Up” is still one of my all-time favorite music videos, even after the fact the woman’s abandoned her music career for a very public, drug-addled fall from fame [American Idol]. Laughter aside; Paula’s “Cold Hearted Snake” is her talent showcase. With its New Jack slap and simulated symphonic backtrack, the song is, without a doubt, her prime state. It proves once and for all, Paula was once a boss. The video’s like a Center Stage audition, highlighting her tried and true backup formations on scaffolds and a greased dance floor before Rent was ever conceived. Her Laker girl take on Fosse’s oversexed exaggerations are still being copied to this day. Reason being, it never gets old and always looks fresh. Released in 1989, the David Fincher directed short film commemorates Abdul’s choreographic genius. Rekkonize!

Song of the Day: “Tell Me” – Groove Theory

When I was 8, it was likely this was the slowest song banging from my tape deck. It was either Jock Jams or this. It came on my MTV Party to Go compilation, along with Coolio, R.Kelly, and the rest of the ’95 bunch, and played non-stop for at least a good year. The lead singer’s bohemian coo atop the track’s smooth bassline (similar to the Mary Jane Girls’ “All Night Long”) and tambourine-led tempo makes for the perfect 90′s cool down. The song still bangs.

Song of the Day: “Can You Feel It” – The Jacksons

It’s July 4th and I can’t think of anything more American than the Jackson family (given the circumstances). And Al Sharpton was right — “before Obama, before Oprah, there were the Jacksons.” Their talent and drive, triumphs and tragedies, stand as constant reminders that the American Dream is still intact. They’ve epitomized the American family, in all their excesses and eccentricities, flights and failures, for some time now. The video for “Can You Feel It”, directed by Bruce Gowers and Robert Abel, was their last big hurrah as a family band, pre-Billie Jean. Released in 1981 as part of their Triumph album promotion, the video astounded audiences with its tripped-out effects and Mars-like futurism. The song samples Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” riff and later was sampled for Madonna’s classic “Material Girl.” The video is a testament to the Jackson’s bigger-is-better ways and remains to this day one of the medium’s archetypes.

Song of the Day: “I Love You Always Forever”- Donna Lewis

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This song was huge. So huge it nearly took #1 from Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” reign in 1996. The Welsh singer only had one American hit. But sample this in a hip-hop song and it could have its second coming. It’s one of those songs you get a kick out of everytime you hear it, but can’t pinpoint the title or artist. Its ticking beat is like running a marathon. And it’s got just enough cheese to keep you full. The video on the other hand, is something Lisa-Marie or Wilson Phillips would do. The shoes on her hands? Come on now… 20 bucks was like 40 in ’96. You can’t tell me you couldn’t have bought something more intriguing.