Do You Love Puppies and Baby Bear Cubs? : Weezer, Natasha Benningfield, Lou Reed, Frida

"ISLAND IN THE SUN"        WEEZER

Puppies!   Bear Cubs and Kittens!   Baby Monkeys and Tigers!  Cuteness overload but you'd have to have no heart if you don't love this video.  For one of Weezer's poppiest hits, "Island In The Sun", Rivers Cuomo, the fascinating and eccentric leader of Weezer, teamed up with director Spike Jonze.    It's the video cure for any bad day. 

  
"SOULMATE"   NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

Poignant lyrics from a singer most associated with Top 40 fluff like "Pocketful of Sunshine".   Vulnerable emotions, hopeful, yet sad, deep emotions are expressed in 2007's "Soulmate".   Lyrics like "Who doesn't long for someone to hold who knows how to love you without being told", pure poetry. 

"I KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING ON"    FRIDA


Frida, was one of the "A's" in ABBA as her real first name is Anni-Frid.    This 80's classic was released on her first solo CD which demonstrated a rock edge never expressed with ABBA.    Produced by Phil Collins, he's all over the track with backing vocals and his massive drum beat which drives this song.  It hit #13 on the US Charts in 1982.

 "VICIOUS"      LOU REED

Lou Reed is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his solo work ("Walk on the Wild Side") and for the Velvet Underground ("Sweet Jane").    Lou has a volatile personality who avoids popularity, craves pushing the boundaries, and tackles "dangerous" themes of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  "Vicious" is from his legendary Transformer LP and features guitar distortion and  off-key tunings.