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
“I Couldn’t Be Your Friend” – Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara’s upcoming album Heartthrob is filled with upbeat tearjerkers like this one…trust the duo to come up with the saddest lyrics set to dance-pop music. “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend,” is about the aftermath of a broken relationship when it’s impossible to be ‘just friends’. But instead of a slow ballad like you would expect, the song swells with power pop beats and cheerful chords. Heartthrob hits stored Jan. 29.
“One Way Trigger” – The Strokes
The Strokes’ new track is probably the most surprising song I’ve heard so far this year and sounds nothing like any Strokes song out there. Pretty much, the track sounds like it’s been thrown into a video game, the guitars have been traded in for synthpop, and lead singer Julian Casablancas tries his hand at falsetto singing. It’s different, but I still give the guys kudos for trying something new.
“Superstitious Heart” – Little Boots
British electro-pop singer Little Boots is not only totally adorable, but has a great way of making catchy, dance inspired pop music while showing off her amazing set of pipes. She recently released a four-song vinyl record under the name “LB,” which included her new track “Superstitious Heart.” It’s more ambient than some of her older music, but her voice still carries well and shows off her different side.
“I Was a Fool” – Tegan and Sara
Canadian indie-pop twins Tegan and Sara constantly surprise us with different twists to their sound. This time around, the girls venture into pop ballad territory with a song about a past relationship. Not to worry, you’ll still hear the electronic elements they’ve been infusing their tracks with lately, but the single is extremely radio friendly with a piano playing throughout. Their new album Heartthrob hits stores Jan. 29.
In Tegan and Sara’s new music video “Closer” they host a basement karaoke party for all their friends, dancing by a makeshift teepee, taking photos of themselves in froufrou dresses and spinning the old glass bottle. The party reminds me of post-prom high school bashes, except it’s way cooler because they’re completely free of any parental guidance.
It all comes down to the romantic midnight kisses, because really, we all just want to get a little closer at the end of the day.
Considering how much I’ve been hearing this catchy dance track lately, I’m surprised Tegan and Sara only released it now. The track is from their forthcoming album Heartthrob, which is due out on Jan. 29, 2013.
Watch it here
“Something New” – Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud came together a decade on the UK TV show Popstars The Rivals. To commemorate their 10 year anniversary, the girls will release a greatest hits album, “Ten,” which will include the brand new track “Something New.” In the video, the girls strut their stuff in some fierce orange dresses and matching hair buns, reminding everyone that they run the show. It’s flashy, it’s sexy, and 10 years later, the girls definitely still know how to work their assets. Catch Girls Aloud’s greatest hits album, “Ten” on Nov. 26.
“Swimming Pools” (Black Hippy remix) – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” is out now, and he enlisted the help of his Black Hippy crew to remix the lead single “Swimming Pools.” The track doesn’t change much except when Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and ScHoolboy Q add their own verses to the track giving it a different spin than the solo Lamar version. Pour yourself a drank, sit back, and enjoy.
Believe It – Meek Mill ft. Rick Ross
With Meek Mill’s newcomer counterpart Kendrick Lamar dominating headlines, Meek has some stiff competition with his own debut. Lucky for him, Rick Ross is right by his side to help him out. Meek and Rozay collaborate on the new single Believe It, rapping about their over flowing bank accounts, new phones, and all around great lives. I’m not one to decipher the elaborate metaphors some rappers think of, but I heard the Rozay drop the words Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus in the track and that’s good enough for me! Meek Mill’s debut album Dreams and Nightmares is out Oct. 30.
I’m not your hero – Tegan and Sara Read more…
“Where Were You” — Drake & Dawn Richard
Drake’s new collab with Dawn Richard (of Diddy-Dirty-Money fame) is the perfect example of how a female vocalist can add that extra oomph to a song. The previously unreleased “Where Were You” is a classic tear-jerking Drake track about two ex-lovers still pining for each other. “Where Were You” was originally recorded as “Whatever Became of You” by Colin Munroe for Thank Me Later and was scrapped from the album. Now re-released with a haunting synth base, Drake and Dawn’s vocals complement each other beautifully and you can really hear the emotion in their voices. Thank goodness this gem of a song wasn’t lost forever!
“Closer” — Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara have been experimenting with a more electro-fied sound in the past few years, with their recent “Body Work” collaboration with Morgan Page really bringing out their radio-friendly side. The Canadian twins’ new single “Closer” is a deeper dive for them into the dance music sound. With tons of synth, Tegan and Sara have pretty much turned their backs on the alternative/acoustic rock sound they were once known for. I don’t know about you but I’m loving their new sound. Kudos to the ladies for staying current and evolving. Tegan and Sara will be releasing a new album early next year.
“Paradise on Earth” — Cris Cab Read more…
Anarchic rap troupe Odd Future and leader ‘Tyler, the Creator’ have gathered major attention from underground hip-hop fans and have earned praise from Diddy, Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams over the past year. But one musician who is not a fan is Sara Quin, one half of the indie sister duo ‘Tegan and Sara.’
The singer has posted an open letter on the group’s website describing ‘Tyler, the Creator’ as a “bully” and blasting the rapper’s use of homophobic and misogynistic lyrics.
“In any other industry would I be expected to tolerate, overlook and find deeper meaning in this kid’s sickening rhetoric?” Quin writes in the letter, which is titled ‘Call for Change.’
“Why should I care about this music or its ‘brilliance’ when the message is so repulsive and irresponsible? There is much that upsets me in this world, and this certainly isn’t the first time I’ve drafted an open letter or complaint, but in the past I’ve found an opinion – some like-minded commentary – that let me rest assured that my outrage, my voice, had been accounted for. Not this time.”
Quin also takes aim at the media for its efforts to “defend, excuse and congratulate” Tyler, the Creator, who released his sophomore album, “Goblin,” last Tuesday. The album has generated a favorable score of 72 out of 100 on Metacritic.
Quin, who describes herself as “a human being, both a girl and a lesbian” in the letter, continues to say “The more I think about it, the more I think people don’t actually want to go up against this particular bully because he’s popular. Who sticks up for women and gay people now? It seems entirely uncool to do so in the indie rock world, and I’ll argue that point with ANYONE.”
Meanwhile, Tyler, the Creator posted his response to Sara’s impassioned letter on Twitter yesterday: “If Tegan And Sara Need Some Hard D**k, Hit Me Up!”
Well, it’s pretty obvious who is the most intellectual in this band feud.
Canadian alternative singers Tegan and Sara have got to be going for a record here: 17 remixes of the same song.
Over this past weekend, the duo announced on their website that they will soon release a remix album of 17 different interpretations of their song “Alligator,” reports Pitchfork.com.
The album, which will only be released on iTunes (although a vinyl version is reportedly in the works) is due out March 30. The album includes remixes from artists such as Passion Pit, TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, Holy Fuck, Ra Ra Riot, and Four Tet, along with Sara Quin’s own original demo of the song.
Canadian musicians Tegan and Sara have weighed in on the recent passing of California’s Proposition 8.
In their blogs for Spinner.com, the Quin sisters drew on personal experience in denouncing the amendment, which will take away the right for same-sex couples to marry.
“I have been living in Montreal for six years. Montreal — and Canada in general — has the reputation for being a more lenient, understanding and open-minded country. Although I am grateful for the legislation that has made me ‘equal’ in the eyes of the law, you cannot legislate away people’s disgust or ignorance. You can’t remove the stinging intolerance and slurs of homophobic audience members’ words in my ears,” wrote Sara.
“… As of 2005, I, as a Canadian, can marry. It is truly sad for me to think that there are millions of people like me, who cannot access these rights, these customs.
“‘Gay marriage’ is not what is at stake. It’s the right to choose to marry, the right to benefits, the right to adopt, the right to access the same set of rights extended to every citizen in the United States of America. Those rights do not extend to homosexuals. And it’s f—ed up. And you should care, straight or gay, white or black. Canadian or American.”
In her own blog, Tegan wrote: “I feel rage when I imagine the Prop Yes people celebrating, thinking they’ve won something, when, in fact, they’ve just stolen something.”
She expressed her hope that the passing of the proposition would inspire greater movement in the fight for the civil rights of all people.
“My rage is slowly transforming. It started as a rock in my stomach. Then a fire in my heart. Yesterday it was a fog in my mind. As the days have passed, I’m becoming focused and I am starting to feel brave again. I want to rally and march and be proud. This morning I felt triumphant. 67% of people who voted No on Prop 8 were under 30! Change is coming! As Melissa Etheridge wrote in a recent article, “Gay people are born everyday. You’ll never legislate that away.”
Tegan and Sara will be blogging for Spinner.com for the next six weeks.
Canadians Tegan And Sara and City And Colour will be among the bevy of musicians descending upon Texas this September for the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
More than 100 acts are slated to play this year’s edition of the annual extravaganza, including such heavy-hitters as Foo Fighters, Raconteurs, Beck and Gnarls Barkley.
Among the Texan natives returning to their home state are Erykah Badu, Robert Earl Keen and Roky Erickson.
The festival, featuring eight stages, will take place at Austin’s Zilker Park from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28.
Three-day passes are being sold for $170 U.S. on the festival’s website.
In 2007, Austin City Limits grossed $11.3 million and was attended by 225,000 people during three sold-out days.
Here’s the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival lineup:
• Foo Fighters
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
• Beck
• Manu Chao
• John Fogerty
• David Byrne
• The Raconteurs
• The Mars Volta
• Gnarls Barkley
• Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band
• N.E.R.D
• Erykah Badu
• Robert Earl Keen
• Patty Griffin
• Tegan And Sara
• Iron & Wine
• G. Love & Special Sauce
• Neko Case
• Band Of Horses
• The Swell Season
• Silversun Pickups
• Gogol Bordello
• Gillian Welch
• Eli Young Band
• The Black Keys
• Against Me!
• Jakob Dylan And The Gold Mountain Rebels
• Okkervil River
• Galactic
• Kevin Fowler
• Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings
• Hot Chip
• Vampire Weekend
• Slightly Stoopid
• Duffy
• Alejandro Escovedo
• Roky Erickson
• Yonder Mountain String Band
• Spiritualized
• Flyleaf
• Drive-By Truckers
• Ingrid Michaelson
• Stars
• Jose Gonzalez
• CSS
• Del Tha Funky Homosapien
• Man Man
• Jamie Lidell
• MGMT
• What Made Milwaukee Famous
• Jenny Lewis
• M. Ward
• Asleep At The Wheel
• Mason Jennings
• Heartless Bastards
• Antibalas
• The Nachito Herrera All-Stars
• Shooter Jennings
• Xavier Rudd
• Yeasayer
• Octopus Project
• Joe Bonamassa
• The Kills
• White Denim
• Louis XIV
• Delta Spirit
• Mates Of State
• Nicole Atkins & The Sea
• Electric Touch
• Black Joe Lewis & The Honey Bears
• Back Door Slam
• Tristan Prettyman
• The Strange Boys
• Ryan Bingham
• Scott Biram
• Freddy Jones
• Colour Revolt
• Five Times August
• Langhorne Slim
• Sybris
• Eli “Paperboy” Reed & The True Loves
• Bavu Blakes And The Extra Plairs
• AA Bondy
• Christopher Denny
• Mike Farris
• The Lee Boys
• South Austin Jug Band
• American Bang
• Bobby Bare, Jr.
• The Massacoustics
• The Belleville Outfit
• We Go To 11
• The Band Of Heathens
• City And Colour
• Sunny Sweeney
• Elizabeth Wills
• Autamata
• Bonnie Bishop
• Ben Solee
• Ben Cylus
• The Concert Supremes
• River City Christionettes
• Shields Of Faith
• The Jones Family Singers
• Nakia And His Southern Cousins
• Brotherly Luv
• The Hensley Ensemble
• School Of Rock
• Jambo
• Q Brothers
• Buck Howdy With BB
• Uncle Rock
• Big Don
• Mr. Ray
• The Jimmies
Canadians Tegan and Sara and pop icon Cyndi Lauper are among the headliners for this year’s True Colors tour.
Other artists on the bill include Regina Spektor, The B-52s, Andy Bell of Erasure, Indigo Girls, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and The Cliks.
The tour, now in its second year, was created by Lauper to promote equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Proceeds go toward organizations that work on their behalf, including the Human Rights Campaign and the Matthew Shephard Foundation.
The tour kicks off May 31 in Boston and will hit almost two dozen cities, including Toronto (June 4) and Vancouver (July 3), before wrapping up in Morrisson, Colorado on July 5.
The shows will be hosted by Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye” fame. Last year’s tour was emceed by comedian Margaret Cho and featured such acts as Lauper, Debbie Harry, Erasure, The Dresden Dolls and Rufus Wainwright.
Here are the tour dates for the 2008 True Colors tour:
Boston, MA Bank of American Pavilion (May 31)
Wantagh, New York Jones Beach Theater (June 1)
New York, NY Radio City Music Hall (3)
Toronto, Ontario Molson Amphitheatre (4)
Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Casino (6)
Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall (7)
Minneapolis, MN Target Center (9)
Chicago, IL Chicago Theater (10)
Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Resort Spa and Casino (13)
Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (14)
Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre (16, 17)
Clearwater, FL Ruth Echerd Hall (18)
Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Center (19)
Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (21)
Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater (25)
Alpine, CA Viejas Casino (27)
Los Angeles, CA Greek Theater (28)
Berkley, CA Greek Theater (29)
Seattle, WA WaMu Theater (July 1)
Vancouver, British Columbia Deer Lake Park (3)
Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre (4)
Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre (5)
Joining such celebrities as Pamela Anderson, David Cross, Le Tigre and Charlize Theron, Tegan and Sara have spoken out against wearing fur by shooting an ad for PETA.
The Canadian indie-rock act visited PETA headquarters in Norfolk, Va., during a recent tour stop to shoot the anti-fur public service announcement for peta2, PETA?s youth division.
In the print ad, Tegan and Sara are shown with Liby, the adopted dog of a PETA staffer. The tagline reads: ?If you wouldn?t wear your dog, please don?t wear any fur.?
?I do feel like there are alternatives to killing animals for foods and materials,? said Sara, according to antimusic.com. ?I don?t wear fur myself.?
Sara, one-half of the twin-sister team, also strongly opposes factory farming and its negative impact on animals, the environment and human health.
?We just have no idea why anyone would want to wear fur,? said Tegan. ?I’ve never thought, ?I want to wear an animal around my shoulders.? I don?t think fur looks very good on people. ? I think it?s really unattractive, and it?s ridiculous.
?I don?t think the fur industry has a chance. I have the feeling that young people today are intelligent enough.?
On top of the success of their latest album ?So Jealous,? Tegan and Sara will release a DVD titled ?If It?s Not Fun, Don?t Do It? on Feb. 7.
The White Stripes also recently recorded a cover of Tegan and Sara?s track ?Walking With a Ghost? for the Stripes? upcoming EP.
