Robert Plant- the legendary former frontman of Led Zeppelin- sang “Stairway to Heaven” for the first time in 16 years at a charity event over the weekend. It was a part of “An Evening With Andy Taylor and Special Guests” that took place in England, and all I can say is that Robert still has it!
Check it out:
Oooooohhhh… I got mad chills with that.
By the way, the last time Robert sang this song publicly was back in 2007 at the 02 Arena in London.
He still sounds amazing. What a freaking icon.
Now can we PLEASE get a Led Zeppelin reunion? For the love of all things good on this planet???
In honor of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart’s 65th Anniversary, Billboard decided to make a comprehensive list of the Best 500 Pop Songs of All Time.
Basically, the true Pop songs that embody the genre, and stand the test of time.
Here’s the Top 10:
#10: The Beatles, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
I mean, it’s The Beatles.
So, duh.
#9: TuPac and Dr. Dre, “California Love”
Ok, I do love this song. Top 10, though???? Maybe Top 50.
All I know is as soon as I hear the opening “California Lovvvvvveeee”, I go back to my wannabe bad teenage self.
#8: Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
If you say you don’t love this song, you’re lying. It’s pure, mindless Pop perfection.
#7: Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean”
It’s the bass line for me. Flipping glorious.
#6: Madonna, “Like a Prayer”
I LOVE Madonna. But Imma have to disagree with this one. While a good song, for sure, out of her entire catalogue, this is the one they put in the Top 10? Not “Vougue”? Not “Get Into the Groove”? Or even “Open Your Heart”?
Nope. I’m not down with this choice. Sorry, Billboard.
#5: Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone”
This song was THE anthem in the Mid-2000’s. So, yeah, totally get it.
#4: Backstreet Boys, “I Want it That Way”
Ok, first off, I was always #TeamNsync, so the Backstreet Boys were always second-tier in my teenage heart. Also, this is possibly their worst song and video. Does anyone even know what this song is about? Because the lyrics have always befuddled me. Also, “You Are My Fire, My One Desire” has to be the cheesiest opening line in Pop.
Seriously, N’Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” should be in this spot.
I will fall on this sword.
#3: The Tempations, “My Girl”
I can’t argue this one. Total classic.
#2: ABBA, “Dancing Queen”
I mean, it’s a great Pop song, but #2? I think that’s stretching. Another Top 50 qualifier to me.
#1: Whitney Houston, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
Ok, I have to agree with this one!
80’s Pop was next level. And this song is still being played in heavy rotation and immediately makes people smile and badly attempt hitting high notes. Myself included.
It always makes me think of riding shotgun in my mother’s car as a kid, and singing with this song. My mother LOVED this song, and it always makes me think of her.
Maybe that is what makes a Pop song a classic. The way it puts you right back into a positive memory.
Just in case you missed it this past week, Alania Morrissette was a guest on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, and they did a few duets (naturally), and it was glorious.
I mean, really, how could it not be?
Did you get chills, too?
Also, how AMAZING is Kelly looking? Damn, girl. Get it!
Anyhow, being a huge Alanis fan growing up, and being of the same generation as Kelly Clarkson, I was absolutely loving all of it.
Seriously, Kelly is slaying it more than ever these days. I love seeing women kill it in the industry, and prove that they can do it all.
As you probably know by now, Dolly Parton’s rock cover album “Rockstar” is coming on November 17th, and she’s been dropping tracks off it at random. This one I have been waiting for a while…
Dolly covering her GodDaughter’s smash hit “Wrecking Ball” with Miley on the track.
Yep. I’m so here for it.
Sorry if you were expecting Dolly naked on a Wrecking Ball. Maybe next year.
But seriously, I don’t think there is anything that Dolly can’t sing.
“Rockstar” drops November 17th, and you can check out the full tracklisting at http://dollyparton.com
Also, here’s her performing it at Red Rocks recently:
Yassss!!!!
So, does that mean a new album?
I sure hope so. Her last release was “Bell Bottom Country” which came out last Fall, and was a huge hit. Her latest single “Watermelon Moonshine” is spending it’s 3rd week at #1 on the Country charts, and her collab with Jelly Roll “Save Me” is climbing the charts with lightening speed.
Seriously, we need more artists like her in ALL the genres.
You know, the talented and real type. The kind of woman you could actually hang out with and relate to… she truly does personify what Country Music is all about.
And her live performance that was just released of her latest single “Light On in the Kitchen” is proof of her incredible talent.
Damn good, right?
If you’re one of those “I Hate Country” types who is wondering why Country resonates with so many, and why it’s selling so much, especially of late?
Jelly Roll is pretty much owning the 2023 Music Scene. His latest single “Need a Favor” is on Country, Rock AND Top 40 radio right now, and he’s garnering lots of viral moments in concert lately, including his duet with Lynyrd Skynyrd on their classic “Simple Man” at a recent show in Jacksonville.
Check it out below:
Pretty flipping cool, right?
I’ve seen Skynyrd several times live, and they always bring it. Seems like Jelly Roll does, too.
I’m really excited to see where Jelly ends up next. You have to admit, his music is great, and his story is hella inspiring.
I’m hoping for more real artists like him in the future!
More info, tour dates, etc. at http://jellyroll.com
If you’re a woman on Facebook, chances are, you’ve seen at least five LeAnn Morgan shorts on your feed. As a mother, and hailing from The South, I totally fell in love with LeAnne’s version of comedy, and her deadpan delivery. So, when I found out I was going to get to interview her, I was pretty darn tickled. (Oops! My Tennessee is showing!)
It can make you happy, sad, excited, and a million billion other emotions… including triggered.
That being said, one of my favorite sites http://Loudwire.com made a list of the “Most Controversial Songs the Year You Were Born” and it’s a really cool walk down Musical Memory Lane.
A few highlights:
1962: “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)”, The Crystals
1964: “A Change Is Gonna Come”, Sam Cooke
1969: “Give Peace a Chance”, Plastic Ono Band
1971: “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, Gil Scott-Heron
1975: “The Pill”, Loretta Lynn
1977: “God Save the Queen”, Sex Pistols
1982: “The Message”, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
1983: “Relax”, Frankie Goes to Hollywood
1986: “Dear God”, XTC
1988: “[Eff] tha Police”, N.W.A.
1990: “Justify My Love”, Madonna
1992: “Killing in the Name”, Rage Against the Machine
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it a thousand more times I’m sure… Chris Stapleton can’t miss.
He just dropped a new song off of his upcoming album “Higher” and it’s absolutely glorious.
It’s called “It Takes a Woman” and it’s his signature Bluesy/Rock/Country perfection.
Can we get an “Amen” for his insanely talented wife Morgane on the background vocals? I want HER to release a solo project, or better yet- a duets project with Chris. It needs to happen, like, yesterday.
Chris’s new album Higher will be released on November 10th.
Audio, Video
