Hawking the Scene

Lady Gaga at Brit Awards: "Telephone" and "Dance In The Dark"

Lady Gaga performs Dance In The Dark and an acoustic version of Telephone at the Brit Awards and takes home awards for Best International Album,  Best International Female, and International Breakthrough Act.

We Are The World - 2010

I remember when the original We Are The World came out 25-years ago.  It was my favorite song as well as my favorite video, so I was excited to hear that the timeless song was being remade with a new group of stars to support Haiti relief efforts.

Though I prefer the original version, the remake is a solid effort.  Pink and Celine Dion definitely stole the show for me, with their amazing, powerhouse voices.  I also really like Lil Wayne's part.  I was originally worried about the rap, but I didn't hate it.  I think the star-power was much greater in the original version.  I can name every single artist by face and most by voice in the video, but I have difficulties identifying quite a few people in the remake.

The following is a partial list of artists appearing in the remake:

Pink, Lil Wayne, AR Rahman, Kanye West, Jonas Brothers, LL Cool J, Robin Thicke, Celine Dion, Akon, Rob Thomas, Wyclef Jean, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Barbra Streisand, Jordin Sparks, Good Charlotte’s Madden brothers, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Snoop Dogg, Steve Saville, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Jamie Foxx, Tyrese, Katharine McPhee, Sean Garrett, Will.i.am, Brandy, Carlos Santana, Melanie Fiona, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, Cameron Bell, Jason Mraz, Miley Cyrus, Busta Rhymes, Nicole Scherzinger,Justin Bieber, Nicole Richie, Jay-Z, Usher, Julianne Hough, Raphael Saadiq, Zac Brown Band, India.Arie, Janet Jackson, Randy Jackson, Musiq Soulchild, Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, Fonzworth Bentley, Kid Cudi, Iyaz, Bizzy Bone, Nipsey Hussle, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Trey Songz, Selena Gomez, Sharbel N. Karam,Mya and Gladys Knight.

What do you think about the new version?

And just because, the original version:

Ryan James Yezak Does Lady Gaga's Telephone

Ryan James Yezak presents Lady Gaga's Telephone, starring Scott Nelson as Lady Gaga and Luna Flare as Beyonce.

The first half of the video was unimpressive to me, but got much better the second half.  I don't know which was more distracting:  Scott Nelson's over-the-top lip syncing or Luna Flare's inability to lip sync at all.   However, there is an interesting "battle" between "Lady Gaga" and "Beyonce"  right around the 2:00 mark that I found both amusing and creative.

And does anyone else think that Luna Flare looks more like J. Lo than Beyonce???

Thoughts?

"Everybody Hurts" Cover - Helping Haiti

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands has been remade to help raise money for Haiti relief efforts.  The cover of R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts, which has been produced by Simon Cowell,  is being sung by an all-star cast, which features:  

Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Miley Cyrus, Robbie Williams, Kylie, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Take That, Joe McElderry, Cheryl Cole, JLS, Mika, Michael Bublé, James Blunt, James Morrison, Westlife and Susan Boyle.

The cover will be available for download on February 7.

Lady GaGa as a Sim in Bad Romance

An incredible shot-by-shot 2D video of Lady GaGa's Bad Romance.  Clearly a lot of work and time went into this video.  I never get sick of watching the original video...this just adds to it.

Madonna - Celebration (the official single)

Though a fan since Borderline was released, Madonna's Like A Virgin album, which was given to me for my 13th birthday, effectively started my obsession with her.  My bedroom walls were suddenly lined with provocative posters of the singer, much to my parents' chagrin, and I played her records so much that I worn them out from overuse. 

But my love for all things Madonna started to fade around the release of Music.  Sure, I still liked a song here and there, but i stopped buying her albums and her music was starting to become an obscure presence in my life.  I was hoping Madonna would have retired by now and she would have gone out on what high note she had left.  Then a few days ago I heard Celebration.

Celebration is the single I've been waiting for from Madonna.  Co-produced by the legendary Paul Oakenfold, it's love child of Holiday and Hung Up, born on the dance floor circa 1999.  Oakenfold's influence is a powerful and welcome addition to the song.  Celebration reminds me of the old Madonna I used to worship and if this is where her future is going, I'm sure I'm not the only person would return to her fandom.

Michael Jackson Tribute - Stockholm (Group Dance!)

We all know I can hardly resist a group dance.  Though not nearly as good as The Sound of Music Train Station Dance, it's still entertaining and timely.  

I was asked by lots of people if I was going to post anything Michael Jackson-related and I resisted until now.  You  have your wish.  Consider it done.  

Now who wants to burst into a "spontaneous"  number with me?

Don't Be A Douchebag

This is the official video, "Don't Be A Douchebag," by Jump Smokers.  I actually only heard this song a couple of nights ago while driving down the street with a couple of friends.  The song made me laugh and so, of course, I had to look it up immediately.

We all either know or have frequently seen that guy.

DON'T BE A DOUCHEBAG

Oh my god girl, check out this guy.

I mean does he have enough gel in his hair.

And nice tee shirt and the sunglasses, come on in a club.

SO over it.

What a douche bag.

Check your tee shirt before you leave your house.

Does it really fit, or would it fit on minnie mouse.

Hand full of gel to make your hair all spikey.

then you Lookin' in the mirror like 'why don't these girls like me?'

Don't be a douche bag.

Don't be a douche bag.

If its winter in the Chi, you shouldn't be tan.

Unless your Asian, Puerto Rican, Black or Mexican.

Ed Hardy hat, bro you over 30.

This is just a warning or you'll end up on The Dirty.

Don't be a douche bag.

You think its only guys, but you girls are guilty too.

That louis bag is fake, i bet my life your breast are too.

Bleach blonde hair and that stupid kissy face.

I seen that chick in person she looks better on myspace. (damnnnn)

Don't be a douche bag.

 

Origin of Love - Hedwig

The first time I heard this song, I was at a bar with Andy who proclaimed that he loved this song.  At the time, I had never heard of it but thought it was okay.  Then he explained the song to me and later forced me to listen to it while actually hearing all of the lyrics and the pain in the voice singing it.  I instantly fell in love with the song.  I'm posting this because I know many people who haven't seen the movie or heard the song and I think it's one of those songs that many should not only hear, but listen to and understand.  The lyrics are simple, but effective.  I especially love the line:  

"We wrapped our arms around each other
Tried to shove ourselves back together
We were making love"

For those of you who have seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch, you know of what I speak.  For those who haven't seen it, watch this video...there's even a little animated storyboard to help you follow along.  I'm also posting the lyrics below. Now go rent the movie.

ORIGIN OF LOVE

When the earth was still flat

And the clouds made of fire

And mountains stretched up to the sky

Sometimes higher

Folks roamed the earth

Like big rolling kegs

They had two sets of arms

They had two sets of legs

They had two faces peering

Out of one giant head

So they could watch all around them

As they talked while they read

And they never knew nothing of love

It was before...

The origin of love

The origin of love

And there were three sexes then

One that looked like two men

Glued up back to back

Called the children of the sun

And similar in shape and girth

Were the children of the earth

They looked like

Two girls rolled up in one

And the children of the moon

Was like a fork shoved on a spoon

They were part sun, part earth

Part daughter, part son

The origin of love

Now the gods grew quite scared

Of our strength and defiance

And Thor said,

"I'm gonna kill them all with my hammer,

Like I killed the giants"

But Zeus said, "No-

You better let me

Use my lightning like scissors

Like I cut the legs off the whales

Dinosaurs into lizards"

Then he grabbed up some bolts

He let out a laugh

Said, "I'll split them right down the middle

Gonna cut them right up in half"

And then storm clouds gathered above

Into great balls of fire

And then fire shot down

From the sky in bolts

Like shining blades of a knife

And it ripped right through the flesh

Of the children of the sun and the moon and the earth

And some Indian god

Sewed the up into a hole

Pulled it round to our belly

To remind us of the price we pay

And Osiris and the gods of the Nile

Gathered up a big storm

To blow a hurricane

To scatter us away

In a flood of wind and rain

A sea of tidal waves

To wash us all away

And if we don't behave

They'll cut us down again

And we'll be hopping 'round on one foot

And looking through one eye

Last time I saw you

We had just split in two

You were looking at me

I was looking at you

You had a way so familiar

But I could not recognize

'Cause you had blood on your face

I had blood in my eyes

But I could swear by your expression

That the pain down in your soul

Was the same as the one down in mine

That's the pain

That cuts a straight line down through the heart

We call it love

We wrapped our arms around each other

Tried to shove ourselves back together

We were making love

Making love

It was a cold, dark evening

Such a long time ago

When by the mighty hand of Jove

It was the sad story how we became

Lonely two-legged creatures

It's the story of the origin of love

That's the origin of love

The origin of love

Elias Holloway - SYTYCD

One of my favorite summer shows is So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).  While my favorite genre of dance is typically contemporary, I always love a good popper.  Last week, Elias Holloway and his brother performed this routine, and although Elias did not get a ticket to Vegas, his routine has become a favorite audition of mine.

SYTYCD has introduced me to a lot of new musical artists in the past and this audition is no exception. I've become a fan of the electronic song:  Techno Rock, by Heiko & Maiko.

What does everybody think?