Pop Music Notes

…of course, I don’t rule the radio, but if I did, here are a few of the songs that would be in heavy rotation.

Cee-Lo Green “F#@k You” – If I ruled the radio, this would be the most-requested, most played jam. The “F” word isn’t the only thing that will keep this song off the radio, but you know that Larry Flick over at Sirius/XM’s “Morning Jolt” will be playing this one daily if he’s not already doing so. Cee-Lo is one of the most talented singers in the business, but much of his quirky persona gives an image of him as more of a novelty. Here’s hoping that his upcoming CD The Ladykiller will help give credit where it is sorely overdue.

Sara Bareilles “Hold My Heart” – If you thought that “King of Anything” was just a good but predictable retread of “Love Song”, you may be pleasantly pleased to hear what needs to be single #2 from her sophomore release Kaleidoscope Heart, due out in September. Watching this clip of her playing “Hold” back in June reminds me just how much I love seeing her live. I may have to check her out again when she comes through Denver in November. The studio version just soars and leaves you wanting more. Is the whole CD out yet?

The Ready Set “Love Like Woe” – I remember seeing this video several months ago, and I just wasn’t feeling it at the time, but the chorus has embedded itself in the hand. Part Owl City, part Metro Station, with a dash of JR Rotem thrown in, and it actually works. Well, except for the JR Rotem…I don’t care if I never hear that air horn ever again.

Hurts – “Wonderful Life” – I recently told XOLondon that I resisted Hurts initially because I found them pretentious. Not sure if they can shake that label with some of the videos that have surfaced, but at the end of day, their music is irresistible. “Wonderful” is the second single from their upcoming CD Happiness, and hopefully it gets a bit higher than “Better Than Love”, which only hit #50. It has already gone top 10 in several countries, and it sounded perfect on Radio 1 last week, so I would say the odds are good, although Taio Cruz probably has a lock on the top.

Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP “We No Speak Americano” – Slowly inching its way up the iTunes top singles is this former UK #1 that has actually topped charts in 16 countries. Ironically (as Kath and Kim would say), it only got to #4 in their native Australia. Do I think it will get to #1 in the US? Hell no. Do I see this song becoming a mini-sensation? Absolutely. I want to hear this song on the radio followed by Antoine Dodson’s “Bed Intruder Song“. But only about five times. My head might explode after that.