With the end of the year looming, plenty of blogs have started to release their top songs of 2012. For the occasion we were approached by Matt from RAM tracking to give their verdict on some of the best driving songs from 2012. Have a look at them below:
Do you agree with them? Get involved.
She’s called the Queen of Ultimate Pop and known for several metamorphoses, reinventing herself and not being afraid to be controversial. It’s hardly unbelievable to think that Madonna has been in the music industry since the release of her debut album in 1983. Next year it’s Madonna’s 30 years in the music industry, but can she continue to reinvent herself?
If we’re being completely honest and look back at the queen of pop’s music history the reinventing Madonna is slowly starting to slip away. Her latest two albums ‘Hard Candy’ and ‘MDNA’ have showcased a new direction for the 53 year old all round entertainer, but is Madonna really Madonna when she’s trying to be current? Madonna is usually ahead of the competition.
Don’t get us wrong, we are massive fans of Madonna and her work, but listening back to her current albums, they’re nowhere near the standard 
of concept albums ‘Ray Of Light’ and ‘Confessions on The Dance Floor’. Something which also translated itself in fantastic selling numbers. Yes times have changed, but singers like Adele prove when an album is right and true to the artist, it will continue to sell.
But does it mean that Madonna should just finish her current tour and go back to directing films and writing books? Of course not, in fact Madge has got quite a lot of potential to reinvent herself in a more mature way. Let me take you back to 1995… After her rather provocative albums ‘Erotica’ and ‘Bedroom Stories’, Madonna made a very huge step by deciding to show a mature side of her and coming up with an album which only featured ballads. Despite ‘Something To Remember’ only featuring three original songs, and the rest being ballads spanning Madonna’s career , it showcased a ma
ture, warm and soft Madonna who was to be remembered for her voice, and not for political messages or controversial statements.
I can hear many of you thinking ‘but if she has already shown this mature side, surely going back to that era would not be reinventing yourself’. Not entirely, Madonna has build up experience in song writing over the years, she’s been doing films, writing books. All those activities are clearly shown in how she interprets ballads. Take ‘Masterpiece’ from her directed film ‘W.E’ (also featuring on MDNA). This beautiful ballad has all that experience and emotions nicely bundled. Or what about how interpretation of ‘Like A Virgin’ during the MDNA tour in Germany, where she gave it her , leaving her crying on stage. These two examples show that the fierce queen of pop has all the right assets to come up with yet a new concept, that once again shows off her voice and her natural feel for emotions, rather than trying to stay ‘up’ to date with the young kids.
Watch one of the tracks from Madonna’s 1995 album below:
Let us know your thoughts. We’d love to get you involved!
It has happened on many occasions, singers turning into actresses once their career has kicked off. Britney, Christina, Madonna, Kylie, Cher they’ve all done it and in all honesty, many can count the success of their films on their fingers. But how about their colleagues in the film industry. Did they do better? Let’s have a look at our top 5 actress singing sensations.
5. Emmy Rossum
American actress Emmy Rossum, is the first to open our top five. The ‘Poseidon’ star was offered many classical music record deals after her role as Christine in the 2004 adaption of the musical ‘The Phantom of The Opera’ yet Rossum declined as she wanted to make a more mainstream pop album…. which she did. Her album ‘Inside Out’ was released in 2007 with the lead single , entitled ‘Slow Me Down’. Despite a few other singles a christmas EP in the same year, lead single and album failed to charts. There are talks about a second album, but a release date has not been set yet. Shame, as we loved the lead single a lot.
4. Nicole Kidman – Unusual Way
The Australian, redhead and former wife of Tom Cruise, proved in the past to be a classy actress possessing some rather impressive and distinctive vocals. Who could forget her role as Satine in ‘Moulin Rouge’ and her guest appearance during ‘Something Stupid’ with Robbie Williams in 2001. Kidman returned to the music industry in 2009 when she landed a role in the musical ‘Nine’ and proved once again what an all round entertainer Nicole really is.
3. Scarlett Johanson – Falling Down
The beautiful Scarlett Johansson, rose to fame in 1998 with her role in ‘The Horse Whisperer’ yet the singer showcased to have more talent than just being an actress. After attempts to play the main role in the West End version of ‘The Sound of Music’ and appearing in Justin Timberlake’s video of ‘What Comes arround… Goes Arround’ in 2007, Johansson recorded in the same year her debut album ‘Anywhere I lay My Head’. The song were written by Tom Wait, one of her favorite composers. Despite mixed reviews the album didn’t take off well in the US but Europe was charmed by the singer, earning her positions in the top 30 mainly in Central European countries. Since the singer is occassionally to be found on soundtracks for films and documentaries.Very indie, this version of Scarlett. We see lots of potential.
2. Kate Winslet – What If
Berkshire born and bred Kate Winslet surprised everyone back in 2001 when she was asked to sing the theme song for a new animated adaption of the Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ story. The proceeds of ‘What If’, the title of the single, went to the actress favorite charities. Not only did the single, which was released in November 2001, reach number 6 in the UK Singles charts, the song became a massive European hit, becoming number 1 in Ireland, Belgium and Austria. While Kate clearly possesses amazing vocals, she refused to accept any recording offers and stick to acting. What a shame, but we thank the lady for a wonderful piece of music.
So our number 1 actress turned into a singer…
well it has to be….
yes of course it is…
it is…
born in the Bronx, New York, Jennifer Lopez rose to fame in 1996 when she was casted to play in the biopic of Tejano pop singer Selena, receiving outstanding reviews for her acting. Three years later, after starring in roles as Anaconda, a failed marriage, the singer focused on the music industry and released her first single ‘If You Had my Love’ and album ‘On the 6′ , good for a top ten position globally. Since, the lady herself has released 29 singles, 7 full studio albums (of which one Spanish album), a remix album, featured on 6 singles as guest vocalist while continuing to act. And that’s not all, the all round entertainer, has kicked off her first world tour last week, accompanied with her first compilation album ‘Dance Again: The Hits’ coming out on July 24 this year. Featuring on that compilation hit is the singer’s massive hit ‘On The Floor’.
Want to download the songs? All songs can be found through online retailers on the web. Availability depends on the area you live in.
Last week, was the start of a new chapter on GloPop with weekly battles, similar to the concept used in the talent show The Voice. Taken on Eric Saade, was Greek Helena Paparizou each performing their version of the single ‘Popular’.
It was a close call, with a split 50/50 vote until early yesterday afternoon. But we have a winner….
The winner of the first GloPop battle with 52% of the votes is….
Helena Paparizou!!!
The original performer of the song Eric Saade, received 356 votes, good for 48% of all the votes.
Check Helena’s performance right here
A new GloPop Battle will be up soon.
Does this picture look familiar? Too many it must. With the introduction of the Voice, talent shows have been giving a new dimension and the battle rounds proved to be very interesting. So we thought here at GloPop, to do something similar and present to you once a week two tracks, preferrably new ones, to battle it out against eachother and see who wins.
To start off the battle we thought we’d go easy on you… and choose one song, but performed by two different people. In your right corner: Eric Saade, 3rd in last years Eurovision Song Contest. In the left corner: Helena Paparizou, 2005 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. The song: Popular! Two versions, but only one can win! And you decide!!!
This poll is now closed. You can find the results here
Girl Power has been dominating the charts without a doubt in 2011 and when I listen to many music lovers it looks like everybody is desperate for some now man power in the charts. A few 2012 suggestions…
American singer-songwriter, dancer and actor Chris Brown doesn’t need much of an introduction to many of us. His latest album ‘The F.A.M.E’ put him back in the music spotlights after the 2009 assault of former girlfriend Rihanna. It seems like Chris is back completely because his latest cut ‘Turn up the music’ is one big bouncy, dance tune. And we love it. It’s really catchy, reminds us a bit of the direction mr Derulo, one of our other artists in this thread, and we’re always in for a good ‘Oooh woow’. There’s a bit of ‘On the Floor’ there as well so we won’t complain. We can’t wait for the official video, which should be full of funky, groovy dance moves.
‘Turn this Club arround’ is the first dance track being serviced to the UK radio, produced by German R.I.O featuring the guest vocals of U-Jean. As with Chris Brown, this song is perfect for the gym workout, and as mentioned before there is something really really catchy about this song. This time no ‘Ooh woow’s’ but an ‘Ayo Ayo’. Not necessarily innovating but it does make it catchy. The vocals of R.I.O remind me a bit of Taio Cruz as well, or maybe that’s just the Ayo’s. Anyway, a funky tune, which will have the boys and girls dancing in the clubs without any doubt.
And last but not least, Jason Derulo’s latest offer. I am loving this so much better than his two latest offerings. Again it’s really funky, great beat. Absolutely lovin’ the vocals on the track and then there’s the Ayayayayayayayayayayayayayaya.-bit. How can this not be a hit. Plus let’s be honest mr Derulo does look quite tasty too in the video. This is pop at its best!
Who said man power in the charts was dead? Do you agree? Get involved!!!
