Saturday Night Dance Party, Michael Jackson Demo: David Guetta with Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Cheryl Cole, Heatwave

DAILY MUSIC TRIVIA QUESTION:   Cheryl Cole was almost a judge on the US version of the X-Factor, who replaced her?  Yesterday: "It's All Over Now"

"YOU ARE MY WORLD"  R. KELLY   

Robert wrote this song for Michael Jackson and here's the unbelievable demo version updated and released on R. Kelly's new CD, "Write Me Back".  As you may recall, R. Kelly wrote Michael's #1 hit, "You Are Not Alone", the video starred his wife, Lisa Marie Presley.  One unique distinction with "You Are My World" is that Robert actually sounds like he's emulating Jackson's voice.   Rumor has it that he wanted to give MJ a feel for the song in Michael's key.   It sounds like this could have fit on Dangerous or Invincible.   I could totally see MJ adding some signature ad-libs and having a big hit with this jam!  This version is Updated, not the one heard on the internet last year.

"I CAN ONLY IMAGINE"    DAVID GUETTA with Lil Wayne & Chris Brown

Watching this video you wonder if this is a preview of a new summer blockbuster Sci-Fi movie.  David Guetta's record company broke the bank with this ultra-expensive music video reminiscent of Tron and Promethus.  So many special effects, Holograms, 3-D images, a skateboard ramp, and six different sets all fit into a four minute dance track.  The trio of David, Chris, and Wayne also performed this song at the 54th Grammy Awards.    "Nothing But The Beat", Guetta's platinum CD has now reached SIX singles hitting the charts!

"BOOGIE NIGHTS"   HEATWAVE

Heatwave is no One Hit Wonder, in fact, they have 2 massively huge singles and they've scored a number of smaller hits.   You have the wedding song, the ultimate love theme, "Always And Forever", later covered by Luther Vandross.    Then you have their funk/disco party jam, "Boogie Nights".   From the oriental chimes and beats in the introduction leading to the slow chant of "boogie nights, ooh, ooh, ooh", till the beat drops, "Boogie Nights" is a timeless dance party jam. Heatwave also scored big with "The Groove Line", a prerequisite at many house parties.

"SEXY DEN A MUTHA"  CHERYL

Cheryl Cole was a member of the best girl group (Girls Aloud) out of England since the Spice Girls.   Cheryl was voted the World's Sexiest Woman in 2010 and this video shares some reasons why.  Since leaving Girls Aloud and going solo, she's released 3 CDs, and dropped her last name.   Like Madonna and Rihanna, she's just CHERYL now.  Unlike Madonna and Rihanna, I'm not sure her talent would last long on Simon Cowell's TV show, The X-Factor, a show she's been a judge for in England.   This dance track is the highlight of Cheryl's new CD, which isn't saying much :)  The lyrics are too "urban" for Cheryl but that club beat is slamming, reminiscent of Rihanna's "We Found Love".

Your Mama's So Poor, She Went To McDonalds and Put A Shake On Lawaway: David Guetta with Sia, Lil Wayne (Heart Sample), Biz Markie, James Ingram

"TITANIUM"    DAVID GUETTA with SIA

"I'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochet.  You shoot me down, but I get up.  I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose" - Titanium is another club smash by producer David Guetta.  Teaming up with Sia was an unexpected match.   Sia is primarily a jazzy, introspective singer-songwriter but her vocals on this dance track work flawlessly with David's party beats.   The original version of this song had Mary J. Blige and even Katy Perry was offered the track but she turned it down.  The song has topped the charts in multiple countries and the supernatural themed video is definitely worth checking out.

"JUST A FRIEND"   BIZ MARKIE

I dare you not to sing the hook!  "Oh baby, YOU got what I need, but you say he's just a friend"  This is old school rap at its finest, a simple rhyme, funny storytelling, and a chorus that gets the entire crowd chanting with Biz!  This song and his other big hit, "The Vapors" earned him the nickname, the "Clown Prince Of Rap".    Some other fun facts about Biz:   Won the first season of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, appeared as an alien in Men In Black II, and the only guy who has rapped on a Rolling Stones song, "Anybody Seen My Baby".

"SHE LOVES ME"   JAMES INGRAM

Remember the first time you heard James Ingram's voice?   Incredible, a deep baritone, strong yet sensitive, James Ingram was discovered by Quincy Jones.  "100 Ways" and "Just Once" are two of the prettiest love songs of all time.  "She Loves Me" wasn't a big hit but it's very similar to his most famous hits.   What I love about the song is how the slow, vulnerable, romantic first half builds up until the last minute where James gets funky, soulful, no holds barred!    I wish James took more risks in the studio, could've had a longer career mixing up his predictable style.

"SOMETHING YOU FORGOT"   LIL' WAYNE

Say what you want about Weezy, he's one of the hardest working guys in music today.   Not only does he release his own CD's, he's a guest rapper on countless songs, he's releasing new mixtapes every few months, and one of biggest influences on today's music scene.   One of these mixtapes including "Something You Forgot" - a heartbreaking song sampling Ann Wilson and Heart's 80's classic, "What About Love".    One of my favorite Lil Wayne facts, his given name is Dwayne Jr. but he's goes by Wayne, why?  His dad wasn't involved in his life and he didn't want the reminder.  When asked if his dad knows why he changed his name, Lil Wayne said with a smile, "He does now!".

  

Nicki Minaj, The Bride Of Frankenstein: David Guetta, Jessie J, and Bruce Springsteen

"TURN ME ON"   DAVID GUETTA Featuring NICKI MINAJ

French DJ, David Guetta's fifth CD is loaded with big singles.    "Without You" with Usher, "Where Them Girls At" with Flo Rida, "Titanium" with Sia, and here we go again with another great dance beat and guest artist, Nicki Minaj.   The video is twisted, a female Frankenstein, mannequins chasing people, crazy but entertaining.

"DOMINO"      JESSIE  J

Jessie J started off as a songwriter ("Party In The USA" for Miley Cyrus) and is much more popular in the U.K. than the States.   She is comparable to Christina Aguilera, and likewise is one of the four hosts of their version of the TV show, The Voice UK.   She's hit #1 in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand.... but here is her first major US hit.   It's a contagious pop song that sounds like Katy Perry's big hits and the ditty grows on you with each listen. 

"DEATH TO OUR HOMETOWN"   BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Rolling Stone magazine rated Bruce's new CD, Wrecking Ball, a perfect 5 out of 5!   It's a return to the classic E Street Sound but you can feel a progression with their sound.   Irish rock beats amp up the energy here and the song was performed live on Jimmy Kimmel with Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine on lead guitar.   Here's a version at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC.

Usher's World Wide Party: Daughtry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Guetta

"GONE TOO SOON"                  DAUGHTRY

Everyone has lost someone special at one point in their life.    Questions arise:   What If They Were Still Here?    Why?    "Gone Too Soon" will go down as THE SONG people remember Daughtry's 3rd CD for.


Today could've been the day
That you blow out your candles
Make a wish as you close your eyes
Today could've been the day
Everybody was laughin'
Instead I just sit here and cry


Who would you be?
What would you look like
When you looked at me for the very first time
Today could've been the next day of the rest of your life


Not a day goes by that i don't think of you
I'm always asking why this crazy world had to lose
Such a ray of light we never knew
Gone too soon, yeah

"LOOK AROUND"              RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

It's hard to believe but the Chili Peppers have been around almost 30 years!    I read Anthony Kiedis' biography years ago and it was cool to hear in high school that Anthony saw Flea getting picked on for being small and kind of became his bodyguard.   They became friends and started a garage band together.   From small beginnings to the mega-selling band who has influenced punk, ska, hip hop, rock, and funk music for three decades.   This is from their new CD and features new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, plus amazing basslines by Flea!

"WITHOUT YOU"              DAVID GUETTA (Ft. USHER)

French DJ, David Guetta, with his 3rd U.S. #1 single.    This song builds intensity as it moves to its infectious chorus.   The video shows scenes from Brazil, Thailand, California and South Africa all in sync for one giant world party!    "Without You" has the feel-good vibe perfect for the start of any morning.