From Gollum impressions to mash ups, you’d think we’ve seen it all when it comes to music covers.
But lo, this guy proves us wrong as he creates an a cappella cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Wayfaring Stranger.” Unlike other a cappella covers floating around the internet, he uses the iPhone app Voice Jam to layer vocals in real time, as opposed to recording them separately to edit them together later.
It’s a pretty amazing feat. Can’t wait to see his imitators try to top that.
Gollum impersonator Ian Walters (Ijameswalters) is back with a new cover. This time, his Gollum covers Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” with (what we assume) is a couple more dollars from Buzzfeed who hosted the video. Walters finally leaves his room to scale some rocks and sing in a cave, just like the real Gollum would be.
Just when you thought Ed Sheeran couldn’t get any more adorable, he releases a new video for his latest North American single “Lego House” made completely of lego. And the only thing cuter than that is how much he was geeking out about it on Twitter (which is why we love him!)
The stop-motion video released today was animated by Dylan Woodley and completely recreates the original video we all know and love, but with the fitting use of lego. Following a ginger-haired lego Rupert Grint and his whirlwind fanboy love for Sheeran (must be Ed’s dorky personality), this video will have you smiling from ear to ear.
This may be the first time I’ve listened to “I Knew You Were Trouble” without having the urge to scream like a goat-yelling-like-a-human. It’s all thanks to violinists Rhett Price and Josh Knowles who performed their Taylor Swift cover in a Boston subway stop.
Jumping out of winter and into spring means starting fresh, and this begins with your home. Many see cleaning as the most mundane of all tasks but here’s a Spring Cleaning playlist to help liven things up! You might as well dance as you clean, right?
1) Freaks and Geeks – Childish Gambino
When I’m cleaning, I become possessed by the spirits of both Tupac and Biggie and think I’m some kind of reincarnated rap goddess. This is my favourite song to rap along to, especially if nobody is home and I can use my spray bottle as a mic.
Best for: getting into the cleaning mood, doing your audition tape for Young Money.
2) Are You That Somebody – Aaliyah
I also enjoy dancing while I clean and as a wee youth I had the choreography from this video memorised. I’ve realised that I still know about 50 per cent of the moves (coincidence because my middle name is Alia? I think not!) and always decide that I should try them, especially if I am in the bathroom where the lighting is good.
Best for: cleaning grout, performing for yourself in the mirror.
3) Chocolate – The 1975
I’m obsessed with this song and have been trying to find a way to jam it into this column for ages (seriously, I think all the YouTube views might just be me. You’re welcome, The 1975!) I have a recurring iPod fever dream where I am the lead singer of a band which has the popularity of One Direction but the credibility of an indie band. Yes, it’s very elaborate; I don’t expect non-insane people to understand. Annyway, this song is our lead single and we perform it on talk-show stages which are actually my bathroom. The moral of this story is that a fun fantasy actually makes cleaning super fun and rewarding, even if the rewards are entirely in your mind.
Best for: making cleaning way less boring.
4) Scream & Shout – will.i.am and Britney Spears
What’s the deal with Britney in this song? Is she British? Why is she British? This in-depth analysis has led to me listening to this song an alarming number of times and is perfect at distracting me from some of my most hated jobs. Grossed out by the hair that has been living in your U bend? Just put this song on and Brit’s dulcet faux-English tones will take you to your happy place (unless you’re me and find bad accents displeasing).
Best for: doing gross out jobs such as removing hair from various place and having to decide which of your treasured cat sweaters should be given to charity.
5) F—kin Problems – A$AP Rocky ft. Drake and 2 Chainz
While writing “Accidental Racist” (which features LL Cool J, nonetheless) for his new album Wheelhouse, I’m sure Brad Paisley was expecting to get this kind of response:
With a title like that, it’s needless to say that’s not the reception it got. Personally, this is how I felt during and after listening to the song:
Musically and lyrically, the song is pretty bad. Paisley tries to walk the neutral line and we’re all left to yell, “WHAT ABOUT RACISM ARE YOU TRYING TO TALK ABOUT?” at our computers.
Then there’s poor Paisley is left trying to explain his intentions.
On a recent visit to Ellen, host Ellen Degeneres asked him to elaborate and this is all he had to say:
“It’s kind of —we’re sort of asking the question as a proud southerner and he as a black New Yorker, it’s sort of like—one of my favourite lines in the song is he says, ‘I think the line between the Maison Dixon needs some fixin’.'”
Again,
That was hardly the explanation Ellen (or anyone) was looking for. The response was just as convoluted and confusing as the song.
But if you’re still a little curious about this song, watch the video below:
Paramore has just released the music video for “Still Into You,” and it’s just as amazing as their previous hits.
For a song thats about someone still being into their ex, this music video is very pink and peppy. Don’t get me wrong, peppy music videos are always more enjoyable to watch than angst filled music videos about heartbreak. Someone needs to tell Hayley Williams to stop being so perfect, and to leave some for the rest of us.
The lead singer tweeted about the single and it’s position on iTunes charts.
Dear @jtimberlake I’m sorry our album had to bump you down to #2 for a bit. You are still #1 in my heart. Thx for sharing the top spot. YAY!
— Hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) April 9, 2013
I woke up and thought it was all going to be a dream but we have the #1 album on @itunesmusic in a ton of countries & I am fully awake!!
— Hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) April 9, 2013
“Still Into You” is the second single from their self-titled album.
There is no denying that Harry Styles is the media darling of One Direction. They’ve captured his tumultuous relationship with Taylor Swift, his party-filled vacations, and now thanks to Liam Payne, his underwear.
Yes you read that correctly. And while it may seem like a dream come true for Directioners, it just made me cringe. Why would seeing a hot pop star drop trou ever make me cringe, you ask? Check out what was going on under his pants:
Is nobody else disturbed by what appears to be a completely tattered pair of boxers?!? I would be happy to accompany Harry on his next shopping trip to avoid further pantie-induced embarassment. Or, he could just go commando. I wouldn’t mind that either.
Taking class to the next level, Ray J wants everyone to know that Kanye West is taking his sloppy seconds.
According to TMZ, the singer’s new song “I Hit it First” features some lyrics that sound a lot like they are referring to his past with Kim Kardashian:
She might move on to rappers and ballplayers
But we all know I hit it first.
I had her head going North and her ass going South
But now baby chose to go West
No matter where she goes or who she knows
She still belongs in my bed.
Yikes! As you might already know, Ray J is famous for making the sex tape “Kim K Superstar” with Kardashian.
And as if he couldn’t be any more obvious, the single cover for the song just looks like a really badly blurred image of Kardashian at the beach.
Way to keep it classy, Ray J. Way to keep it classy.
Snoop Lion just make a song with Miley Cyrus AND IT’S GOOD.
The Diplo and Ariel Rechtshaid-backed “Ashtray and Heartbreaks,” the song is laid back and breezy, making it the perfect summer hit.
It looks like Rihanna isn’t only making a cameo in the This is the End movie, but she’s also set to appear on Chris Brown’s new album. The track “Put It Up” will appear as a duet between the singer and Brown for his upcoming album, X.
The two previously recorded “Nobody’s Business” for her seventh album, Apologetic.
Brown told MTV that he wanted a change from the same “four-on-the-floor” pop. He says that people expect that from them, so he wanted to change it up and have Rihanna sing a genre that people have not heard her tackle before. He said “I wanted to do an R&B record,” something he says is different for her. Brown says their new duet “Put it Up” is “youthful and at the same time sexy.” He also teased at a possible Chris Brown and Rihanna album.
Whatever people say about this duo clearly has little effect on them, as they continue to collaborate and make news by doing so. Nevertheless, it should be interesting to see their sounds come together, and see how their collaboration effects their respective records.
X is set to drop this summer.
Things got awesome as Sapphire Adizes broke out the saxophone on an New York City subway to battle another subway playing sax player. The only downside to this video: it wasn’t long enough.
Prom is a time that most kids either look back on with fondness or despair (when you play the game of prom, you either win or you die!). Some people look great and find the perfect person/people to share it with and others…don’t. Some even elect not to go at all. If you do plan on going, here are 8 songs for the perfect promposal that will help woo your guy/girl/hobo off the street into going with you, and hopefully, bring you one step closer to the night of your dreams and/or nightmares.
1) Let’s Go – Matt and Kim
Not everyone wants to go to prom. Some kids legitimately don’t feel like going, while others think they’re being cool non-conformists by staying at home, all while their friends are having the time of their lives. Basically, those who opt to stay home are the people who’ll regret their decisions later. Convince your girl or guy to go with you by playing this upbeat tune that chants “let’s go” over and over again. Eventually you’ll get them with the not-so-subliminal messaging alone.
2) Marry You –Bruno Mars
Prom is an excellent time for people who are in a relationship. In fact, in my final year of high school, prom was the primary motivation for even acquiring a boo. Even though your partner is a tailor-made prom date, you should still put in the effort when asking officially them to be your prom date. For the sake of cuteness, use this frankly adorable Bruno Mars song (note: just DON’T get married. Other than that, the rest of the song is pretty cute).
3) One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) – One Direction
Maybe you have the perfect person in mind to take to prom; they’re cute, funny, nice, and you want to put your face on their face. But— plot twist—they have no idea that you exist. Use this song to tell them that you WILL get them to go to prom with you, one way or another.
Note: author not responsible for anyone being creeped out and/or terrified by this prom-posal tactic.
4) Umbrella ft. Jay-Z feat. Rihanna
Who says Fifth Harmony can’t harmonize?!!
Proving just how much they improved since placing third on X Factor, the quintet put all their naysayers in their place when they covered One Direction’s “They Don’t Know About Us”.
But making the version their own, there’s a special twist in the song. Adding in a hook from Beyonce’s “Party”, it’s safe to say these girls are going to be killin’ it in the future!
Watch the video here:
Still cant get enough of The Lumineers’ Ho Hey??
Then perhaps you should listen to the all-clucking rendition of the song by The Chickeneers, a band comprised of Jimmy Fallon, Blake Shelton, Nick Offerman and Chris Tartaro.
Someone needs to get this in iTunes ASAP. Or at the very least, get this band on tour.
This version of the song is so catchy that after the first time listening, I knew all the words.
While Niall Horan may be the cute and cuddly member of One Direction, he can certainly make the ladies swoon singing solo with just a guitar.
Performing a seemingly-impromptu version of the band’s ballad “Little Things” in an Irish pub, Horan does an amazing job delivering the song on his own.
Now if Horan ever goes solo (and God forbid that he does!), it would be awesome to hear this side of him more. If the cheers from the pub dwellers are any indication of how well Horan did, perhaps he can make a living off singing some hearty ballads!
If you’ve carefully listened to any song on the top 40 charts, chances are you’ll hear a whole lotta’ product placement.
Analyzing the current retail value of various products name-dropped in popular hip-hop/pop songs, NYC digital artist Joe Sabia and the members of The Key of Awesome list out general prices of things ranging from electronics to luxury fashion designers in a fun little mash-up.
I do have to say that while the performance isn’t the greatest, you gotta give these guys some props, yo!
While they may not be as young and hip like we are, this video sure makes me think about the amount of influence music has on our spending habits.
Anna Kendrick is the latest person to jump on the K-Pop bandwagon as she teams up with super girl group F(x) for this Funny or Die video!
“America’s Sweetheart” gets the full k-pop makeover, complete with recording sessions, dance rehearsals and the obligatory new look. “I look like I’m in Cloud Atlas,” she said. Don’t forget to look out for F(x)’s Victoria as channels every single Pitch Perfect fangirl (GPOY, amirite?).
The Tumblr Actresses Without Teeth is basically why we won’t sleep tonight. Here’s who’ll be haunting our dreams:
1. Taylor Swift (she was in Valentine’s Day, okay?)
2. Ellen Degeneres, Katy Perry and Portia De Rossi
3. Kristen Stewart
4. Emma Watson
Remember how in high school the tambourine was the most jokes instrument because, well, who can’t play the tambourine?
You shake it up and down, side to side, and it jingles. If you wanna get creative, you hit the pad inside the rings if your tambourine is more evolved.
What I didn’t realize is that tambourine playing is an art. My years playing percussion in high school never brought me to this point with the tambourine (that’s because the snare drum was a lot cooler).
Some people clearly take tambourine playing quite seriously, and this man is one of those people. In this video a man shows us how real musicians play the tambourine. I’m not sure whether to be mystified, or fearful.
The youtube viewers also seem to have some words about this artistry.
You keep dancing, tambourine man.
