Post by bl0ndxrebel on Aug 13, 2011 18:33:15 GMT -5
Which songs will rule the summer?
By Korina Lopez, USA TODAY
Summertime is fun time, which means the season's theme songs should be easy, breezy and and relatable. USA TODAY asks a few radio programmers and chart watchers for their musical forecasts.
SUREFIRE SCORCHERS
[glow=red,2,300]Katy Perry,Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)[/glow]
Perry's latest sits on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. She ruled last summer with lighthearted jam California Gurls, and she's ready to hold court again with T.G.I.F. "Perry is unstoppable right now. And this song is the musical version of The Hangover," says Mike Mullaney, music director at WBMX-FM in Boston. "It's the one you hope your teenage daughter doesn't live up to." The track has all the hooks of a party song: "Got drunk, danced on tabletops, streaking, skinny-dipping," says Steve Davis, program director of WIAD-FM in Washington. "It's risky."
The hook: "T.G.I.F., T.G.I.F.,T.G.I.F.,T.G.I.F. …"
[glow=red,2,300]Adele, Someone Like You[/glow]
Sophomore album 21 thundered up the charts, holding the No. 1 spot in Billboard for 10 non-consecutive weeks. "Her first single, Rolling in the Deep, is huge," says Marc Hilsenrath, research director at WPLJ-FM in New York. "Her second single, Someone Like You, is a romantic ballad, and that whole album is reacting with listeners. Those two songs will be the one-two punch that will carry her through the summer." The British songbird's central theme of heartache doesn't fit the feel-good vibe that drives a summer anthem, but that doesn't matter. "Her music isn't summery, it's transcendent," says Keith Caulfield, Billboard's associate director of charts/retail. "We're going to hear about Adele the whole year, and we're going to see her at the Grammys. That's totally what's going to happen."
The hook: "Nevermind, I'll find someone like you. I wish you nothing but the best."
[glow=red,2,300]
Nicki Minaj,Super Bass[/glow]
With her platinum debut album, Pink Friday, Minaj is the reigning queen of rap. "Super Bass is shaping up to be her biggest solo hit. It's fun, it's up-tempo," says Caulfield. "This could break her to a widespread mainstream."
The hook: "Can't you hear that boom badoom boom, boom badoom boom … He's got that super bass."
[glow=red,2,300]
Lady Gaga,The Edge of Glory[/glow]
Summer wouldn't be complete without the lady herself, whose tireless penchant for self-promotion has made her unavoidable of late. "She's the one to beat," says Kenny King, operations manager at MIX 107.3 and 105.9 The EDGE in Washington. "She's bulletproof at the moment." New single Edge of Glory, which features the late Clarence Clemons on sax, is power pop that's destined for the dance floor. "It has the most mass appeal of any song she's ever released," Hilsenrath says. "It's upbeat, it's got a killer hook. She introduced it on the American Idol finale, which was perfect timing. This could be her biggest hit so far."
The hook: "I'm on the edge of glory, and I'm hanging on a moment with you."
OTHER SONGS at fever pitch this summer
[glow=red,2,300]
Coldplay,Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall[/glow]
Can the rock band reclaim its supergroup status? First single Teardrop jumped from No. 28 to No. 3 on USA TODAY's adult-alternative airplay chart in a week. Despite what the title implies, it's an upbeat tune. "It's happy, like Viva la Vida. We need a good pop-rock band with a big hit," says Mullaney. "These are the guys to carry that in."
The hook: "Every tear, every tear, every teardrop is a waterfall."
[glow=red,2,300]LMFAO,Party Rock Anthem[/glow]
The electro hip-hop duo writes almost exclusively about partying, drinking and having fun. "Anything with 'party' and 'anthem' in the title, especially from them, is going to be a hit," says Caulfield. It's already No. 3 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The hook: "Party rock is in the house tonight, everybody just have a good time."
[glow=red,2,300]
Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Give Me Everything[/glow]
The Spanish-speaking rapper has been a rising star, collaborating with heavy hitters such as Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias. "Ne-Yo sings beautiful melodies, and Pitbull is the hottest pop rapper now," says Hilsenrath. "This song is hooky with a great melody."
The hook: "Give me everything tonight, for all we know we might not be here tomorrow."
[glow=red,2,300]Bruno Mars,The Lazy Song[/glow]
The R&B crooner hits upon another popular summer theme, doing nothing. "This song just makes you feel good," Hilsenrath says.
The hook: "Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything, nothing at all."
[glow=red,2,300]Keith Urban,Long Hot Summer[/glow]
In a sea of pop, there are alternatives, too. "This song has a very Don Henley's Boys of Summer dark vibe," Hilsenrath says. "It has strong potential to cross over to top 40."
The hook: "It's gonna be a long hot summer, we should be together."
[glow=red,2,300]
Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Don't You Wanna Stay[/glow]
"Although this came out last fall, it's starting to play on the adult charts," says Mullaney. "He's a big country star, she's a big pop star. It's good when country comes and hangs out with pop-radio friends."
The hook: "Don't you wanna stay here a little while? Don't you wanna hold each other tight?"
[glow=red,2,300]
Kelly Rowland,Motivation[/glow]
"It's sexy without being over the top," says Caulfield. "There's a playful interlude with Lil Wayne. It's a huge R&B hit, and it's making its way over to mainstream charts. Plus, she's a judge on U.K.'s X Factor, so she's getting her next moment."
The hook: "Baby I'm a be your motivation, go, go, go, go, motivation."
[glow=red,2,300]
Steven Tyler, (It) Feels So Good[/glow]
The American Idol judge is back in the spotlight with a recently released memoir and new music. "I have a feeling you'll be hearing a lot of him on the radio," King says.
The hook: "It feels so good, loving you, it's so good, the way you do the do."
SURPRISE SPLASHES
Big names aren't the only artists you'll hear in rotation this summer:
[glow=red,2,300]
Andy Grammer, Keep Your Head Up[/glow]
"It's got an easy beach vibe, very similar to Jason Mraz," says Hilsenrath.
[glow=red,2,300]Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks[/glow]
"This song has a funky R&B retro feel," says King. "It's a great, infectious song."
[glow=red,2,300]
Matt Nathanson, Faster[/glow]
"It's nice to see that a singer/songwriter can do well without having a gimmick," says Mullaney.
[glow=red,2,300]Hot Chelle Rae, Tonight Tonight[/glow]
"That's a good summer song, good tempo, good vibe," says Davis. "It's a song that I'd roll down the window of my car and crank up the volume when it plays."
[glow=red,2,300]
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Paris (Ooh La La)[/glow]
"It's been a long time since we had a Melissa Etheridge-level chick-rock star," says Mullaney. "Grace is so great to see live that when you see her, you become an evangelist."
[glow=red,2,300]
Mumford & Sons, The Cave[/glow]
The British folk-rock band has been on a roll since its breakthrough Grammy performance with Bob Dylan. "I never would have predicted that they would have done well on top 40, but their music is so beautiful," says Hilsenrath. "How could you not love them?"
[glow=red,2,300]Jessie J, Price Tag[/glow]
The British singer has landed an opening spot on Perry's tour. "It's a great hanging-by-the-pool song," says King.
www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2011-06-19-summer-songs_n.htm
By Korina Lopez, USA TODAY
Summertime is fun time, which means the season's theme songs should be easy, breezy and and relatable. USA TODAY asks a few radio programmers and chart watchers for their musical forecasts.
SUREFIRE SCORCHERS
[glow=red,2,300]Katy Perry,Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)[/glow]
Perry's latest sits on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. She ruled last summer with lighthearted jam California Gurls, and she's ready to hold court again with T.G.I.F. "Perry is unstoppable right now. And this song is the musical version of The Hangover," says Mike Mullaney, music director at WBMX-FM in Boston. "It's the one you hope your teenage daughter doesn't live up to." The track has all the hooks of a party song: "Got drunk, danced on tabletops, streaking, skinny-dipping," says Steve Davis, program director of WIAD-FM in Washington. "It's risky."
The hook: "T.G.I.F., T.G.I.F.,T.G.I.F.,T.G.I.F. …"
[glow=red,2,300]Adele, Someone Like You[/glow]
Sophomore album 21 thundered up the charts, holding the No. 1 spot in Billboard for 10 non-consecutive weeks. "Her first single, Rolling in the Deep, is huge," says Marc Hilsenrath, research director at WPLJ-FM in New York. "Her second single, Someone Like You, is a romantic ballad, and that whole album is reacting with listeners. Those two songs will be the one-two punch that will carry her through the summer." The British songbird's central theme of heartache doesn't fit the feel-good vibe that drives a summer anthem, but that doesn't matter. "Her music isn't summery, it's transcendent," says Keith Caulfield, Billboard's associate director of charts/retail. "We're going to hear about Adele the whole year, and we're going to see her at the Grammys. That's totally what's going to happen."
The hook: "Nevermind, I'll find someone like you. I wish you nothing but the best."
[glow=red,2,300]
Nicki Minaj,Super Bass[/glow]
With her platinum debut album, Pink Friday, Minaj is the reigning queen of rap. "Super Bass is shaping up to be her biggest solo hit. It's fun, it's up-tempo," says Caulfield. "This could break her to a widespread mainstream."
The hook: "Can't you hear that boom badoom boom, boom badoom boom … He's got that super bass."
[glow=red,2,300]
Lady Gaga,The Edge of Glory[/glow]
Summer wouldn't be complete without the lady herself, whose tireless penchant for self-promotion has made her unavoidable of late. "She's the one to beat," says Kenny King, operations manager at MIX 107.3 and 105.9 The EDGE in Washington. "She's bulletproof at the moment." New single Edge of Glory, which features the late Clarence Clemons on sax, is power pop that's destined for the dance floor. "It has the most mass appeal of any song she's ever released," Hilsenrath says. "It's upbeat, it's got a killer hook. She introduced it on the American Idol finale, which was perfect timing. This could be her biggest hit so far."
The hook: "I'm on the edge of glory, and I'm hanging on a moment with you."
OTHER SONGS at fever pitch this summer
[glow=red,2,300]
Coldplay,Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall[/glow]
Can the rock band reclaim its supergroup status? First single Teardrop jumped from No. 28 to No. 3 on USA TODAY's adult-alternative airplay chart in a week. Despite what the title implies, it's an upbeat tune. "It's happy, like Viva la Vida. We need a good pop-rock band with a big hit," says Mullaney. "These are the guys to carry that in."
The hook: "Every tear, every tear, every teardrop is a waterfall."
[glow=red,2,300]LMFAO,Party Rock Anthem[/glow]
The electro hip-hop duo writes almost exclusively about partying, drinking and having fun. "Anything with 'party' and 'anthem' in the title, especially from them, is going to be a hit," says Caulfield. It's already No. 3 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The hook: "Party rock is in the house tonight, everybody just have a good time."
[glow=red,2,300]
Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Give Me Everything[/glow]
The Spanish-speaking rapper has been a rising star, collaborating with heavy hitters such as Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias. "Ne-Yo sings beautiful melodies, and Pitbull is the hottest pop rapper now," says Hilsenrath. "This song is hooky with a great melody."
The hook: "Give me everything tonight, for all we know we might not be here tomorrow."
[glow=red,2,300]Bruno Mars,The Lazy Song[/glow]
The R&B crooner hits upon another popular summer theme, doing nothing. "This song just makes you feel good," Hilsenrath says.
The hook: "Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything, nothing at all."
[glow=red,2,300]Keith Urban,Long Hot Summer[/glow]
In a sea of pop, there are alternatives, too. "This song has a very Don Henley's Boys of Summer dark vibe," Hilsenrath says. "It has strong potential to cross over to top 40."
The hook: "It's gonna be a long hot summer, we should be together."
[glow=red,2,300]
Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Don't You Wanna Stay[/glow]
"Although this came out last fall, it's starting to play on the adult charts," says Mullaney. "He's a big country star, she's a big pop star. It's good when country comes and hangs out with pop-radio friends."
The hook: "Don't you wanna stay here a little while? Don't you wanna hold each other tight?"
[glow=red,2,300]
Kelly Rowland,Motivation[/glow]
"It's sexy without being over the top," says Caulfield. "There's a playful interlude with Lil Wayne. It's a huge R&B hit, and it's making its way over to mainstream charts. Plus, she's a judge on U.K.'s X Factor, so she's getting her next moment."
The hook: "Baby I'm a be your motivation, go, go, go, go, motivation."
[glow=red,2,300]
Steven Tyler, (It) Feels So Good[/glow]
The American Idol judge is back in the spotlight with a recently released memoir and new music. "I have a feeling you'll be hearing a lot of him on the radio," King says.
The hook: "It feels so good, loving you, it's so good, the way you do the do."
SURPRISE SPLASHES
Big names aren't the only artists you'll hear in rotation this summer:
[glow=red,2,300]
Andy Grammer, Keep Your Head Up[/glow]
"It's got an easy beach vibe, very similar to Jason Mraz," says Hilsenrath.
[glow=red,2,300]Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks[/glow]
"This song has a funky R&B retro feel," says King. "It's a great, infectious song."
[glow=red,2,300]
Matt Nathanson, Faster[/glow]
"It's nice to see that a singer/songwriter can do well without having a gimmick," says Mullaney.
[glow=red,2,300]Hot Chelle Rae, Tonight Tonight[/glow]
"That's a good summer song, good tempo, good vibe," says Davis. "It's a song that I'd roll down the window of my car and crank up the volume when it plays."
[glow=red,2,300]
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Paris (Ooh La La)[/glow]
"It's been a long time since we had a Melissa Etheridge-level chick-rock star," says Mullaney. "Grace is so great to see live that when you see her, you become an evangelist."
[glow=red,2,300]
Mumford & Sons, The Cave[/glow]
The British folk-rock band has been on a roll since its breakthrough Grammy performance with Bob Dylan. "I never would have predicted that they would have done well on top 40, but their music is so beautiful," says Hilsenrath. "How could you not love them?"
[glow=red,2,300]Jessie J, Price Tag[/glow]
The British singer has landed an opening spot on Perry's tour. "It's a great hanging-by-the-pool song," says King.
www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2011-06-19-summer-songs_n.htm
